I Would Rather The Monday After Easter Off as Opposed to Good Friday...

Weekend Update

Friday
Got to work at 10, left at noon, billed for 8 hours.
Win.

Saturday
I babysat for my favorite family.
They have one daughter who is finally talking, which makes playing with her a lot more fun.
She remembered exactly who I was, even though I haven't been there in months. I think I know why. Last time I was there I let her have a tea party, and we used water for the tea set. My mom used to let me use water in my tea set when I was little as a special treat. I thought Catherine would enjoy it. Really, I look at babysitting as a way to relive my childhood, mostly we do the things I want to do... tea parties... dress up... coloring...

Easter Sunday
Yay Jesus!
I had a fabulous Easter. I woke up semi early to go to mass, pick up flowers, and make strawberry shortcake for the lunch I was invited to, and iron my white linen skirt... which took forever.
Fernando and I headed over to Bill Meierling's parent's house for a late lunch. Bill's mom and dad were also nice enough to take us in over Thanksgiving this last year too. They have a beautiful house out in Lorton, complete with hot tub (which Lydia and I jumped into after the meal), so we are always sure to take our bathing suits. Bill's mom made a hearts of palm wrapped in prosciutto appetizer, salmon, spring veggies, and wild rice for the entree, and we had champagne and strawberry shortcake for dessert. It was a fabulous day and a fabulous meal!

From the Foodie in Me

Strawberry Shortcake

3 pints fresh strawberries
1/2 cup white sugar
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons white sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter
1 egg
2/3 cup milk
2 cups cool whip

Slice the strawberries and toss them with 1/2 cup of white sugar and one tablespoon vanilla. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F Grease and flour one 8 inch round cake pan ( I use the spring form ones, SO much easier).
Combine flour, baking powder, 2 tablespoons white sugar and the salt. Add the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Make a well in the center and add the beaten egg and milk.
Mix it all together.
Spread the batter into the baking pan. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Let cool (I put mine in the freezer for 5 minutes as I was in a rush, worked great)
Slice cake in half, making two layers.
Place half of the strawberries and half the cool whip on one layer and top with the other layer. Top with remaining strawberries and cover with the cool whip.
Yum!

This is the shortcake I made for Easter lunch at Bill's House.

Around Town
Ben's Chili Bowl
http://www.benschilibowl.com/ordereze/Default.aspx

If you haven't been to this great establishment, it's a place you NEED to try.
I stumbled upon Ben's after a cowboy mouth concert at the 9:30 club about 2 years ago. I was at the concert with Annie, and we ran into our friend Jeremy. After the concert Jeremy wouldn't let us get back on the train without stopping at Ben's first.
Ben's is a hole in the wall restaurant with very little seating, but what it lacks in ambiance, it more than makes up for in chili. All the dishes are man sized portions. I personally recommend the chili cheese fries, it's an entire meal, so be prepared to share. This place is especially great for pre concert dinners and after concert late night eating. With the 9:30 club just around the corner you can't help but stop in for a bite.

My Addiction To...

Vitamin Water

Have you tried this stuff?! It's amazing. It's like Gatorade on acid. It's that addictive.
I especially am fond of the lemonade flavor. I could drink it for days.
However, I did learn that the lemonade flavor is not sold in the bigger bottles, and it isn't sold in bulk. I have a theory. I think that the vitamin water people know that lemonade is a popular flavor, so they only sell it individually and in the smaller bottles because they make more money that way. I smell conspiracy. Others have refuted my theory... I think they are part of the problem.
And speaking of the vitamin water people... did you know they are Glacéau... did you know Glacéau is actually Coca-Cola. VERY sneaky Coca-Cola people... very sneaky indeed!

TV/ Books/ Movies

Jeopardy

I don't care who knows it. I LOVE Jeopardy. Fernando calls me an old woman because I often watch Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy back to back. I play along with the game. Some days I'm on fire... some days not so much. I also am partial to DVR'd Jeopardy. This enables me to fast forward thru not only the commercials, but all their yammering on with their personal anecdotes. ugh... that's the worst part.

My Pet Peeve

When people use facebook/ twitter/ gmail status updates to endlessly complain.

Ugh, once in a while is okay, but an everyday basis makes me want to block you.