So I’ve broken the first rule of blog club.  I haven’t blogged for ‘too long.’  I have a good reason, however.  I have neglected my sibliving blogging to lend my valuable blog-skills to bff Angela who is getting married in July.  July 26 to be exact.  She and Pat are in the planning stages, so wanted to help pull together an online portal for their wedding extravaganza.

So now the plug.  If you are friends or family of Angela and Pat (or simply like wedding talk) be sure to check out http://engagedangandpat.wordpress.com.  The blog is really meant to build a bridge between wedding-goers and Ang and Pat’s WeddingChannel.com page.   But, you’ll just have to check out the blog to get to the webpage=)

Amber and I are watching American Idol, and Alex and I just ‘cheered’ each other at the virtual bar.  All in all, a relaxing night to a long day. 

Til next time. 

Lot’s to divulge this weekend. 

First, Amber spent a good two hours on Saturday talking to Verizon about her $130.13 cell phone bill this month.  Yeah.  Erik and Travis helped her decipher the situation.  I didn’t tune into the details, but she finally worked it out with Customer Service.

 Then, we went through the arduous task of throwing away our “Nightmare Before Christmas” tree.

It was really, really dead.  We ended up throwing out our third floor window under the cover of night so the neighbors wouldn’t be too alarmed.  Amber had the task of waiting at the bottom and dragging it to its dumpster destination.  Neighbor Shawn saw her, and asked what was going on.  Ha.

Finally, it was important to Mom that we all attend the Mayor’s inauguration.  Travis was  MIA, so Amber and I laid out a suit for him.  He never saw our note, missed the event,  and was not amused by our efforts.

It’s pretty hit or miss which sibs are going to be home at the same time for dinner.  Tonight it ended up being me and Erik — my toughest meal critic.  He just can’t handle ‘creativity.’  Travis has made a habit of asking before a meal if it is ‘curveball’ or not…his code for hidden ingredients added to a seemingly normal dish.

Thought I’d share this one from one of my faves on the FoodNetwork.  (And amazingly, Erik LOVED it!)  I live for theFoodNetwork.  This one is a healthy meal from Ellie Krieger:

Fish with Olives, Tomatoes and Capers

4 teaspoons olive oil, divided
4 (5-ounce) sea bass fillets (or other white fish)
1 small onion, diced
1/2 cup white wine
1 cup canned low-sodium diced tomatoes, with juice
1/2 cup chopped pitted black olives
2 tablespoons capers
1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper, optional
2 cups packed fresh baby spinach leaves
Salt and pepper

In a large nonstick skillet heat 2 teaspoons of oil over a medium-high heat. Add fish and cook until opaque in the center, about 2 1/2 minutes per side. Transfer the fish to a platter and tent with foil to keep the fish warm.

Heat the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil in the same skillet; add onion and saute for 2 minutes. Add the wine and cook until reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, olives and capers and crushed red pepper, if using, and cook for 3 minutes more. Stir in the spinach and cook until it is wilted, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon the sauce over the fish and serve.