Creme Brulee I Love You!

Creme brulee is one of my top three favorite desserts! I have wanted to make it for quite some time. Valentines Day was just the excuse I needed to go for it.

I set out with a creme brulee recipe from the Food Network's Alton Brown. He never leads me astray. Plus, he's kind of nerdy and really into the details of cooking so I figured his recipe would be pretty authentic. I attempted to get the recipe from Charlie's cousin's French boyfriend, Manny (he made it for our wedding shower-ultimate yummy!), but didn't hear back before I gave in to my craving. For now my online recipe would just have to do. I'll admit I was intimidated, but man, it was pretty easy.

I dropped my Mom off at the airport and made a bee line to Bed, Bath, and Beyond to buy a torch and some ramekins ($20). Then it was off to smug Whole Foods where I knew I could find the random ingredients I needed. One vanilla bean ($7)? I didn't even know you could buy one like that, must less how to scrape out its innards. Vanilla sugar ($7)? Plus there was the eggs, the cream.

The whole venture turned out to be a bit of a financial and time commitment. But oh the rewards! It was delightful. Charlie got interested when it came time to sear the sugar on top with the torch. We were both so proud of our creation.

We ate creme brulee for days. Note: Days old soggy sugar topping is still tasty, but I recommend torching the sugary tops just before you eat each serving.

This Place is Pretty and Fun

This view never gets old. The most crisp white snow paired with the most blue skies.

It's a mild winter alright, but it's still quite lovely. We have been busy entertaining visitors just about every weekend lately! It's been a lot of fun sharing this beautiful place where we live with friends and family. We had a visit from our friend Steph from Boston, a surprise birthday visit for Charlie from his sis and BFFs Kopy and Ludy, a visit from my brother's friends, and a visit from my Mom. Whew!

Now we're getting excited for my sister and her boyfriend to visit in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, I'll be heading to D.C. to celebrate the bachelorette weekend of my college roommate, Lauren Small. I can't wait. Thank goodness for frequent flyer miles. I've decided I just don't want to miss out on special moments with my loved ones, no matter how far away I may be.

Sometimes It's Tough Being a "Fireball"

For as long as I can remember, people have described me as spunky, feisty, aggressive, intense, and the ever popular...fireball. It happened recently and caused me to reflect a bit on my "image."  I guess it depends on who you ask or when you ask as to whether these adjectives are considered positive personality traits. Either way, I'm pretty sure I'm stuck with 'em.

Most of the time I am okay with this. I like being in the proverbial driver's seat (oddly enough, in a car I like to be chauffeured around). This way I generally get to do what I want (wink wink). And boy are there a lot of things I want.

That's where the trouble comes in. I want a house, I want my career to keep moving forward, I want to move back to the South someday, I want to plan vacations, I want to work on "me" by working out and improving my nutrition starting with cooking more, I want to be better about my blogging, I want to be better dog mommy. The list goes on and on, really. And believe me, I try to do it all. I must always be doing something and moving forward. Last week I vocalized this inner toil to my balancer-the yin to my yang-Charlie, who very sweetly said, "Maybe you should just go put on some PJs? That should help you relax." I did. And it helped me relax for a second. But he's been out of town for a few days so now I am all wound up again :). And I think I need to slow down.

This fireball personality comes with a price. Though my blood pressure passes an exam with flying colors, it feels like it's always boiling. Sometimes I get tired of being the driver's seat and wish things were planned out for me. People who don't know how to handle me can think I am a real you know what (so there's that). Also, I love with ultimate passion, but I can also get mad with ultimate passion, too.

Luckily, I have plenty of "fireball" friends to collaborate with and an understanding husband (well, most of the time). I have also been trying my hand at yoga recently. Working hard to prove Charlie wrong in this assumption that I would stink at it, and so far I am enjoying it. I also took an organization class at work that talked about prioritizing. Anyone else have some advice for me to learn to chill out?