Back from the proverbial dead

Last night I spoke with the Giginator, aka my mom, for Valentine's Day. She asked why I hadn't updated the blog lately. No excuses really except that life got in the way. Now that I have this thing called a J-O-B, time is at a premium around the old homestead. How I miss the days when my only time management problem was how to play tennis and have time to shower before meeting the girls for lunch. Boy, do I miss those days.

Now if had to blog about my life, it would read something like "get up at 5:15; shower, dress and wake Mac up by 6; practice drill sergeant routine to get him dressed, fed and out the door by 6:24; go to work; make decisions that could cause a jail sentence; realize that my 2pm headache might be from lack of lunch; tell people who come into my office at 3:47 to speak fast because they have 6 minutes to talk before I have to leave to catch the shuttle; ride home on the shuttle with people who talk incessantly about their pets' bowel movements; get home by 4:45; do battle over homework that results in one of us in tears; figure out what to throw together for dinner; eat; act as drill sergeant so Mac gets into bed at the right time; collapse in chair; move to bed; collapse into fitful sleep. Rinse and repeat and do it all again."

That's the daily drill these days. With that said, all is well - if not a bit tired - on the homestead. Just not a lot of excitement to report. But I shall make a better effort to find something interesting to report, if only to the Giginator.

Now to leave you on a higher note... One of our dinner topics always, always, always revolves around what Mac had for lunch. It starts something like this:

Jimmy or Susan: so what did you have for lunch?
Mac: guess.
J/S: chicken (this is the correct answer 98% of the time)
M: what else?
J/S: carrots? (he's required to have 3 things on his plate and carrots are usually a safe bet.)
M: what else?
J/S: lime slice? (sadly, this counts as his third item more days than not.)
M: no.

(This is where last night's conversation veered from the norm).

J/S: hmmmmmm. Cucumbers?
M: no
J/S: hmmmmmm. Bread?
M: yes. Guess what kind?
J/S: baguette?
M: no
J/S: slice of sandwich bread?
M: no. Do you give?
J/S: yes.
M: croutons!!!

I am so happy that my hard-earned money is going to pay for what amounts to a very expensive school lunch (and mandatory - bagged lunches are not an option) of roasted chicken, carrots and croutons. (For the record, there are other options but my picky child, who has always thought school lunches were the best thing ever, now hates school lunch.)

Tomorrow is a new day. Will it be another Groundhog Day of the same old, same old or will there be something new to report? Stay tuned... If the suspense doesn't kill you first....

NYR 11-3-11 - Five Guys

Tomorrow is my big mid-term exam. If I don't pass it (and the final in two weeks), I don't get my contract warrant and my contracting career ends approximately 4 weeks after it started. I feel E.NOR.MOUS pressure.

I came home from class this afternoon and immediately started studying. I made a deal with myself that if I studied until a certain time, I could walk over to Five Guys and get a burger and fries for dinner.

Bribery with food speaks to me, so I studied hard and left promptly for my takeout dinner at the appointed hour.

I got back to the hotel room (so I could continue studying over dinner) and immediately devoured my supper. I consumed approximately 4,269 calories in approximately 7 minutes.

Thank you, Five Guys. I love every single one of you.

NYR 10-23-11 - a trip to DC

Today I flew to DC for a month of training. I had to leave Mac and Jimmy behind and that was really, really sad. I could hear Mac telling me "goodbye" as our apartment building elevator descended. That pulls at the heartstrings.

I made it to DC with no problems and got checked into my hotel about 8pm. I chose to stay in a hotel in the neighborhood we used to live in when Jimmy first joined the foreign service (which is my favorite area of Northern Virginia). I was feeling a teensy bit sorry for myself, being here all by myself for such a long time, so I decided ordering from what used to be our favorite Thai restaurant when we lived here would make me feel better.

It was good, and I over-indulged, but it was definitely better before.

Or maybe it was definitely better shared with Jimmy and friends.

Regardless, for eating pretty decent Thai when there's no Thai to be had in Bogota, I am truly thankful.

NYR 10-15-11 - baked potatoes

If you live in the US, you probably take for granted a good baked potato because you can get one just about anywhere. I'm talking big Russet potatoes that are baked to a perfect soft texture before you add all that deliciousness in the form of butter, sour cream, bacon, cheese, etc.

If you live in Colombia, you probably do not take for granted a good baked potato, namely because you can't get one here.

They have lots of potatoes here that are suitable for other purposes, but you just can't get your hands on a big Russet potato substitute. Normally when we have Colombian baked potatoes, we have to use potatoes the size of a tennis ball and the texture is never right.

My friend got her hands on some Russet potatoes and I was the lucky recipient of a great baked potato at her house tonight. Y.U.M.

For pleasure in the little things in life and friends who are willing to share them, I am truly thankful!

NYR 9-23-11 - Italian heaven

Tonight we went over to our friends' apartment for dinner. She is from Rome and I knew the meal would be spectacular and it did not disappoint.

When we first arrived, she served this beautiful bruschetta with tomatoes that looked like they were straight off the vine in Johns Island. So beautiful and red and gorgeous.

Our first course was a divine risotto, after which I was stuffed because heaven forbid, I leave any on my plate. The next course was roasted pork loin, the most fabulous crunchy-on-the-outside/tender-on-the-inside roasted potatoes, and peas. Dessert was zabaglione with strawberries.

A meal totally to swoon over. In fact, if I were on death row, I might have Angela cook my last meal.

For a delicious meal shared with wonderful and entertaining people, I am truly thankful.

NYR 9-1-11 - MEXICAN FOOD!

We've been back almost two weeks and I feel like all I've done is cook dinner.

Which is what I said I wanted to do when we were on vacation for 7 weeks and it felt like all I ever did was eat out at restaurants.

And which is not really true because we have eaten out a couple times.

But honestly, a girl needs a break from the stove every once in awhile.

And tonight I wanted Mexican that was not cooked by me.

Even though the other 2/3 of the apartment's inhabitants didn't seem really excited about Mexican, they went along with it. (I think they were afraid to rock the boat of my newly reacquired steady emotional state and would have agreed to eat liver and onions if I'd said that was what I wanted). I think we all enjoyed our meals. I know I loved my tostadas.

For satisfying cravings and eating delicious food that required no cooking or cleaning up by me, I am truly thankful.

NYR 7-10-11 - quintessential summer supper

For steaks on the grill, fully loaded baked potatoes (complete with cheese, sour cream and bacon bits - oh my!), pasta salad and tossed salad - a perfect summertime supper in my opinion - shared in the company of friends, I am truly thankful.

NYR 5-22-11 - cheeseburgers!

Today, we went to a restaurant that a friend introduced me to a few weeks ago. They have THE best cheeseburgers and skinny french fries in Bogota.

For a heavenly, delicious lunch that hit the spot, I am truly thankful.

P.S. I will give 110% at tennis today to burn off the aforementioned lunch.

NYR 5-16-11 - table manners

Jimmy's on an overnight work trip so Mac and I rummaged through the fridge to find leftovers. He was offered spaghetti but said he'd rather have chicken noodle soup (out of the can but heated), so that's what he got. I heated up leftover chicken wings from Saturday's dinner and mashed potatoes from Friday's dinner, added some raw carrots and called it dinner.

While I was eating my chicken wings, Mac said "Mom, what is wrong with you?" I asked what he meant. He apparently thought I was eating too messily - they were chicken wings that were finger-licking messy goodness, after all - because he said "this is dinner, not a disgusting eating contest."

This from the boy who was slurping noodles out of his bowl. Do you see the irony here?

(And anybody who knows my mother knows that I have impeccable table manners. I was eating chicken wings as they were meant to be eaten.)

But for my boy thinking he can one-up me in the table manners department, I am truly thankful (for the laugh).

NYR 5-15-11 - lunch with a hot date two weeks in a row!

Mac had a playdate today so Jimmy and I enjoyed ANOTHER lunch by ourselves at a fun little restaurant, Abasto, in Usaquen. For "found" moments with Jimmy, I am truly thankful.

NYR 5-7-11 - a great lunch with a hot date

Mac had a birthday party this afternoon from 1-4pm, so Jimmy and I took advantage of this opportunity to eat at one of my favorite restaurants for lunch with the girls. 69 Oyster is a FABULOUS experience from start to finish and I was excited to introduce Jimmy to it.

Their tomato soup is divine - fresh tomatoes and lots of fresh basil and finished off with croutons and little chunks of mozzarella. We decided to share the soup so we could also share another appetizer of stacked grilled eggplant, grilled tomato and mozzarella slices. Truth be told, I was a little disappointed by this appetizer - I make a much better version of this, if I do say so myself.

For our entrees, we both ordered my absolutely most favorite thing there. This is honestly the best fish I've ever had in any restaurant anywhere in the world. It's a delicious piece of seared grouper that's served with this balsamic vinegar reduction that is honestly the best thing ever. 69 Oyster serves it with these french fries that are to die for and on top of a bed of sauteed zucchini ribbons. Topping the fish are these crunchy, fried green onion matchsticks. Finger-licking good, I tell you, from start to finish.

For a great lunch date with my hottie husband, I am truly thankful.

NYR 5-3-11 - pot roast v.2

Over the weekend I made a most delicious pot roast and tonight we had leftover pot roast in the form of the most delectable sandwiches I have ever eaten. Honestly this recipe is delicious as pot roast, but heated up, shredded and put on a fresh baguette, smothered in gravy?

W.O.W.

For a yummy sandwich that was so good that I had to eat two (!), I am truly thankful!

P.S. I am really happy that I played tennis this morning in a real class with my real teacher as that makes me feel slightly less guilty about eating two HUGE sandwiches.

NYR 4-26-11 - chicken bog

Jimmy is the chicken bog cooker in our family. If you don't know what chicken bog is, you aren't from the lowcountry of South Carolina or you haven't traveled to the lowcountry sufficiently to partake of this yummy comfort food of rice, chicken and sausage all cooked together.

In the last 6 months or so, Mac has come to love chicken bog. That pesky sausage used to upset him, but now he eats it with great relish.

So on Saturday when we returned to Bogota, he wanted Jimmy to make chicken bog that very night. We canned that idea in favor of a quick meal at our local Italian restaurant, and I promised to make it this week to make him happy.

Yesterday I made a big pot of it, part of which Mac and I ate last night while Jimmy was out at a work dinner. Jimmy called to check in just as we were finishing dinner, and I told him that we'd eaten chicken bog but that it wasn't as good as his.

Mac butted in and said "it was just as delicious as Daddy's".

For being just as good a chicken bog cooker as Daddy, I am truly thankful.

NYR 4-14-11 - cheesburger in paradise

Last night we ate at one of our old Juquehy haunts, Beach Burger. The cheeseburger was soooooo much better than I remembered. It probably would have been perfect had I ordered a chocolate milkshake to go with it.

For a yummy cheeseburger in paradise, I am truly thankful.

NYR 4-5-11 - a yummy supper

Jimmy's on an overnight trip so Mac and I had our lazy Dad's-away supper. This means cheese burritos for Mac.

Always.

Not even cheese quesadillas which require some semblance of cooking.

Just cheese and microwaved tortillas.

And who I am to argue? It means no cooking and relatively little clean-up. He's happy, I'm happy and while he's basically eaten nothing but protein and calcium, it's just one night and one night won't kill him.

Right?

For myself, I heated up some refried beans, cut the corn off the cobs we grilled the other night, made guacamole, and added a little monterrey jack for some de-lish little burritos. That grilled corn made all the difference. Well that, and all the guacamole I dumped on. It was just me and a few of my favorite things.

For yummy, simple suppers, I am truly thankful (and full).

NYR 4-3-11 - cock-a-leekie soup!

Jimmy needed to work today to catch up on all those days he missed because of our extended vacation to SC and party preparation on Friday, so Mac and I accepted an invitation to lunch with a Scottish friend and her family. I met Lisa when we first got here, but I don't see her nearly often enough to suit me.

We had such a great time - Mac played Wii with their girls and I enjoyed really funny and interesting adult company with Lisa and her husband. And we all ate the most delicious Cock-a-Leekie Soup. Don't know what Cock-a-Leekie Soup is? Well it's a traditional Scottish soup of chicken (the cockerel part), leeks (the leekie part), and rice. Totally yummy!

For a great Sunday lunch with friends, I am truly thankful.

NYR 3-23-11 - the BEST lasagna I've ever eaten

Our friend Cammy made us a dish of lasagna for dinner tonight. I consider myself a lasagna connoisseur, and this was simply the best lasagna we have ever eaten....ever. So delicious, in fact, that Mac - our picky eater- said I should go take classes from Mrs. Cammy on Saturdays to learn how to make lasagna like that.

The proof of our love is in the very paltry leftovers:
(Yes, the three of us inhaled that whole pan except for one little corner)

For the most exquisite lasagna ever and the great friend who prepared it, I am truly thankful.

NYR 3-16-11 - belated anniversary dinner

Last night Jimmy and I finally had our 13th anniversary dinner out. We were 9 days late, which made it taste that much better.

We went to Harry Sasson's restaurant, which is where we intended to go last week so I could get my steak. Harry Sasson is a youngish, well-known restauranteur here in Bogota and I've been wanting to eat at his restaurant for ages.

We started with this divine warm bread that was accompanied by a beautiful mozzarella ball drizzled in olive oil. Any restaurant that serves me a mozzarella ball and doesn't charge for it is a winner in my book! Then we moved on to the most marvelous calamari with a great spicy dipping sauce. They don't do too much spicy food here, so it's always a treat to get a little heat. Then I ordered beef tenderloin and Jimmy ordered a ribeye for our main courses. Sides were ordered separately and the waiter told us they were big portions but we still ordered two: hash brown potatoes and broccoli al gruyere. The potatoes were like a potato cake - yummy and great flavor but we didn't even eat half of it. And the broccoli was about two heads' worth of broccoli! Needless to say, we didn't eat everything! Jimmy's got to work late tonight so he's taken the leftovers for both his lunch and supper at his desk.

For an amazing dinner with my amazing groom, I am truly thankful.

NYR 3-11-11 - a good steak can cure what ails you

As you know, we were supposed to have our anniversary dinner out at a restaurant of my choosing and I chose a restaurant that is known for its great steaks. But we ended up eating hot dogs because Jimmy was sick.

Then we sponsored a new State Department couple that arrived on Thursday night and we arranged for a group dinner out at a French bistro that serves wonderful steaks.

Except that when I called on Thurday morning for a Friday night reservation, they said they couldn't accommodate our group of 12 people on a Friday night.

WHAT?

Why was the universe against my desire for a good steak?

I ended up making a reservation at Club Colombia, which is a lovely restaurant a couple blocks from our apartment that serves traditional and nouveau Colombian food. I didn't want traditional or nouveau anything - I just wanted a steak.
(a tiny little picture of Club Colombia, which appears to be a lovely old converted hacienda)

I was sooooo not disappointed. I ordered a beef tenderloin with these wonderful caramelized onions and a side salad of avocado, tomatoes and onions in a light vinaigrette. I am already dreaming of my return for a repeat performance.

For a great steak, cooked perfectly, that totally hit the spot, I am deeply grateful.

NYR 3-6-11 restructuring my poker face

Yesterday afternoon we had some friends over for delicious Beaufort Stew on a dreary, rainy Bogotano Sunday afternoon. After we ate, we played a little more poker and guess what? I doubled my buy-in!!

For great food, great friends, and great fun, I am truly thankful.