Dear Heart,

What are you trying to tell me?  You’re telling me that everything is gonna be okay.  What am I not getting at and seeing?  You’ve been stabbed, manipulated, torn apart, hurt, broken, in love, in pain, everything…. and yet you still keep secrets from me.  Teach me, please, teach me how to listen to what you have to say to me.  I’ve already learned so much from my past, but there is always more things to learn.

Sometimes everyone needs to take a step back and ask themselves what their heart is saying to them and figure out what they truly want.  The truth is there, the future is there.  It will never change, but one sees only what they want to see, but you need to learn how to see what is truly there.

“Love actually is all around” – Love Actually

That’s something we need to learn.  But love can hurt, and it can be happiness. That’s also something we need to learn.  To truly love is to have lost… to be loved and to love others, you need to first fully love yourself.

“Notice how the moon affects your energy and manifestations, and capitalize upon these cycles.”

Things are ever changing… and yet somethings are like Groundhogs Day over and over again. Déjà vu over and over. Today was a great day, Archangel Haniel, thank you for bringing me this.  I have noticed how things I do affect my life in certain ways and it keeps happening over and over again.  There are the negative things and then the positive and I am staying focused on the positive part.

So here I am…. realizing the things in my life that are going on…. and I will continue, conquer and live my life and be happy.

Before I forget I just want to mention something I saw today…. I pray that this forest fire that was on Mass Pike didn’t do more harm than what I already saw.  The pics do no justice it covered a pretty big chunk by the highway – I’m guessing from the extreme heat (95+) and as we slowly passed it the flames just got bigger and bigger.  Strangely, I saw NO cops, NO fire engines, NADA!  What?  And I saw NO news about it tonight while checking on my phone.  So weird.  Hope the damage wasn’t too bad.

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And now for a little fun.  Because who wants to end a blog post with something scary and negative, right?

I had a very mother/daughter bonding session today.  With not only my own mother and I, but Didi and I as well.  Pets make people happier, live longer, stay healthier…. you laugh more.  They’re just your own little babies – forever.  And I love my little furbaby.  It’s funny because I have been considering getting some more cats/puppies to give Didi some company.  That or do more work at the shelter I work at.

I was gonna go to a “YappyHour” – get it? GET IT? ^_____^ in town today but it was way too hot for an outdoor event and Didi would totally get sick from the heat.  I drove by the event and saw that it was practically empty. Hello!!!??? Excessive heat caused a forest fire today!  I hope they reschedule because it sounds like fun and great to meet new people.

And remember people…. adopt a rescue animal!  There are tons in need of homes because of many situations, a lot of them bad, so please, open up your heart – it’s a win-win situation!

Didi and I on our walk in her new stroller… and me catching Pokémon! Hahahahahaha…. WE GOT TO CATCH THEM ALL!!!!!

XOXO

https://misstiffie.wordpress.com/2016/07/16/7947/

Homemade Thai Red Curry with Cod

I decided to go out of my comfort zone and cook Thai Red Curry tonight.  I made Thai curry once….. I think green? Or whichever. and it was meh, it was also in college… and me and my then boyfriend had to taste and tweak the entire time – It wasn’t bad… so glad my cooking skills have improve since then

I Vitamixed all the ingredients… added extra thai chilis, a habanero, extra ginger and extra lemongrass and garlic for more punch I don’t like going by recipes…. I’m a rebel

After the sauce started bubbling [oh I used LIGHT coconut milk for a little more healthy kick] I added in my veggies… chopped green beans, multi colored peppers….. red onion and eggplant…

After cooking for awhile I put in my cod and slowly added in some fresh basil

One for mama, one for me

Spicy, ilght and delicious!!!!!  FULL of veggies and delicious Cod.  Can’t wait to make it for J <3

BTW, Crazy bruins game tonight…. we were leading and then WTF 3x OT!?!?!?!

No worries… we let you win tonight Chi…… so it doesn’t look as bad when we win the rest :]

Sel de al Terre – WIne Dinner – Wines for the Harvest Table

I can never say no to a Wine Dinner when I’m in town……

Wines for the Harvest Table

Amuse Bouche
ASF Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

The problem tonight was that they poured the first wine for the first course WAY before the amuse came out. Good thing I drank slowly and it paired well with the first course AND the amuse.  In fact it turned out to be my favorite wine of the night.

First Course
Young Greens, Cucumber, Almonds, Citrus Vinaigrette

This was a nice night salad. Delicious and licked it up.  No cheese, simple and amazing.  Crunch and texture from the almonds AND the greens were amazing.

Paired with 2006 Westport Rivers, “Cuve RJR: Brut, Westport, Massachusetts

Second Course
Pan Seared Atlantic Salon, ASF Braised Greens, Raspberry Butter Sauce

Aside from the raspberry butter sauce I loved this dish. The salmon was cooked to perfection.  The greens were cooked down t amazing-ness.  Microgreens fr some fresh crunch… but the sauce was too sweet and buttery.. too rich for my liking.  Raspberry Butter Sauce? Gag. It wasn’t my sort of thing…….. and hopefully not too many other ppls. Sorry SDLT. Not so good. The pairing was good though.. a nice light red.. I guess more of a rose.

Paired with 2010 Elio Perrone, Bigora Rosato, Castiglione, Italy

Side Dish of Sauteed ASF Tatsoi – basically 塌棵菜 a chinese Mustard Spinach

Great green…. not well cooked. SAD.

Main Course
Grilled Hanger Steak, ASF Turips, Carrots, Red Wine Demi-Glace
Paired with 2011 Peloverga, Comm. G.B. Burlotto, Verduno, Italy

I loved the fall vegetables but I actually wasn’t too into the steak… not that it wasn’t cooked well or anything, maybe I was just full.  I don’t think I finished the wine either.  The beef, though, almost tasted gamey. But remember I’ve been sick for awhile and things just taste weird to me lately.  All my medications make me less hungry and have different tastebuds.

Formage Course
Shelbourne Cheddar
Paired with 2006 Concha y Toro, Late Harvest, Sauvignon Blanc, Chile

DElICIIIIIOUS I ate it all. ALL

And I came home to a black cat in the house. GASP. Many years of Cute Luck.

LaFrieda Black Angus Ribeyes a la Me

So the other week was Steak & BJ Day… and I special ordered us Pat LaFrieda steaks… sexy Black Angus Bone In Ribeyes… And before I get into how delicious it was… I have a small gripe to pick.

I got them next day delivered and paid like 40$ for shipping for it, but they didn’t come til the following week, almost a week later! WTF! Okay, fine, I wrote them an email the day I thought I was going to get them and didn’t even get a reply until 2 days later :[ Boo!

And okay I get it I ordered them on Thursday at midnight, but still, get my order right – I didn’t order burgers, lady.  Sigh, okay, fine, but the steak was good.

“Pasture raised, grass fed, grain finished, center cut, Rib steaks.

Breed: 100 percent black angus, genetically certified
 
No Antibiotics – EVER!
No Added Hormones – EVER!
No Growth Promoting Drugs – EVER!
No Artificial Ingredients – EVER!
100% Vegetarian Diet of grasses, hay, and finished on corn
Sourced Verified to Ranch of Birth
Humane Animal Handling Practices”

I still have one in the freezer, since the timing was off, but I did have one the other day.  They come in packages like this… and I bought two, delicious 16 oz of amazing.

I opened it up, seasoned it with coffee, cinnamon, cayenne, salt & pepper and pan fried it on a sizzling hot pan.  As the fat melted, I added in some whole garlic in with the fat and flipped it.  Jus a few minutes on each side gave it a wonderful medium rare… rare near the bone.

Look at that sexy pool of fat on top :] NOM!

The cinnamon gave it almost a bit of a sweet taste… the coffee added lots of depth and the cayenne gave it a touch of heat. I ate it with a nice glass of Chianti. NOM

Even Didi enjoyed it :]  It was a fatty piece of meat but oh so juicy!

I ate EVERYTHING.. except some of the fatty bits, and this was all that was left.. gnaw gnaw gnaw.. gnawed on the bone!

Can’t wait to make my other one on my next solo dinner date with myself and my puppy :D

Saturday, Sunday Funday and 16$ Prime Rib Night at Bullfinchs for Prez Day

Didi loves her new friend Pink Taco :] Pink Taco misses her sister, Pink Taco who’s now in Frisco with Kelly.

Just to warn you, this is gonna be a long one, I decided to squish the whole long weekend into one post – SO DEAL! I don’t think I need to post my Cartman youtube video again.

OK so to be honest, I had other plans for this Sunday and Monday.  But after a delicious dinner at Met Bar + Grill and a bit of crazy family drama after… [I am ASIAN after all…*rolls eyes*]

Anyways I knew things were gonna come so I had a Blueberry Beer.. and a cocktail, Shooting Star, and then some… ugh to anxiety

Guacamole & Chips, I love how fresh they make it!

Calamari

Burger with Pulled Pork, Fried Egg, Fries & Pickle

Miso Salmon

Burger in a Arugula Bowl: Kobe Beef, Fried Egg, Foie Gras, Sauteed Mushrooms, Red Onion, Bibb, Sprouts, Jalapenos & Swiss

Warm Chocolate Chip Pie

THEN the drama while home watching a movie and drinking some great red wine…. And then it was the whole awkward, I’m gonna act like nothing happened….

I was at Brunch at Bullfinchs [My favorite neighborhood restaurant] on Sunday…. Me and my family are regulars there and we know the owner :]  Well, kinda, she recognizes us [which is pretty easy to do I guess] and knows my name hahaha… I live in SUCH a white town tho, aside from the Chinese restaurants I never see any minorities here.

Bellinis!!!! How come I’ve never gotten them here? I’m such a big mimosa and bloody mary girl… but lately I’ve been getting into Bellinis…

Carbo loading before we get our food…. I LOOOOVE their bread plates!!! I’d call them muffins but they’re totally cupcakes, scones, coffee cake, etc.. lots of fresh soft butter and raspberry jam!

My bellini!!!  With a gorgeous slice of fresh peach in it :] YUM!  It was SUCH a treat at the end of the drink…. super super boozey hahaha

I got my favorite omelette there with Spinach, Mushrooms and Tomatoes with wheat toast and obviously a side of Bacon…

I also stole some of my dad’s HUGE Italian Sausages… [that sounds so dirty] but these things are HUUUUUGE juicy and AMAZZZZZZZING!!!

I was SOOO hungry still after my meal tho… I stole my parents’ toast and munched on them.. :] LOVE whole grain bread.. the more seeds and nuts the better!  Extra butter please….

Afterwards I headed to Chestnut Hill / Newton with the puppy for coffee, snacks and just to wander. Beautiful day.

I actually had been braising some delicious Pork Butt all day since 10am…. so when I went home I made the rest of Taco Night.. YES.. my famous taco night.. I finally got to treat my parents to it.  Just seemed wrong that I’d spend so long making this dinner for guys I date, usually one of the first things I ever make a guy, and not my own parents.

Spicy Mango Corn Salsa

Habanero Guacamole with Pom Seeds

After 8+ hours of braising in the oven… deliciousness… this was right when I started pulling the Pork Butt apart <3 The right chunk was sooo fatty and amazing!!

My first taco of the night :]  With all the fixin’s… and tons of super super super spicy salsa verde and jicama strips… YUM!

.. BUT YEAH… Back to being at Bullfinch’s for brunch…. so I was there and saw that was having a PRIME RIB night on President’s Day for only 16$ a plate. OMG. Baked Potato, GINORMOUS hunk of delicious fatty juicy meat and veggies galore… MMMMM.. so ready for it’s close up. So here’s how President’s Day went:

After a quickie brekky of oatmeal I headed into town to lunch and shop with Mommy..

Oatmeal, Kiwi, and Short Skirt sort of day…

Saw an ad for this, need to get ON this shizz. But YAY Godfather bought me tickets to goooooo <3 SOOO HAPPY!! I LOOOOVE Les Mes.. I hadn’t seen it since.. Middle School? Frosh of HS?! I don’t remember.. but I remember going on the FRENCH class field trip even tho I was taking spanish cuz the teacher loved me :] HAHAHA…. We went to NYC for the day :D AWESOME!! I think it was the first time I ever went to Manhattan!!!

Even tho I had brekky super late in the day I was starved so I stopped by O Sushi for a few snacks… this was like 1/10 of what I ate, but these are prettier pictures…

ANYWAYS SO HERE IS THE MAIN EVENT! PRIME RIB NIGHT AT BULLLFINCHS!

Super crusty fresh made Fluffy Bread. OMG this was SOOOO amazing. SOOO GOOD.. Rosemary EVOO, Soft fluffy creamy butter and OMG this bread I could eat for days!!!

Filet of Sole

Roasted filet of sole finished with a Dijon dill vinaigrette; served with vegetable and harvest rice pilaf

It tasted a bit too mayo-y so I wasn’t so into it.. but mommy liked it :] But the star of the night was obviously the prime rib… we decided to share this and a fish dish but in retrospect we should’ve gotten our own.

Prime Rib

Baked Potato, Horseradish and sour cream. I DEVOURED EVERYTHING except just a bit of the fat, there was a lot of fat BUT I love fat. HAHAHAHA.. but large chunks of it IS a bit too much even for me…. DELICIOUS tho. Got it Medium Rare cuz mom wanted it medium and I wanted it rare #compromise!

A few glasses of wine later, we were ready to pop but still wanting sweets….

Dessert sampler…

Starting Top Left CW: Limoncello Cheesecake,  Crème Brulée, Chocolate Mousse, Warm Apple Crisp w/ Vanilla Ice Cream

My favorite was the apple crisp. I LOOOVE warm desserts, I even have a battle scar from this dessert to prove it.  The limoncello cheesecake was full of flavor but just WAY. TOO. SWEET #sigh…  delicious and we licked the plate clean, nonetheless… AHHHH…. #diabetes

Confession:

I have a thing for Bologna Lunchables ;D

Which always reminds me of “Mortadella.. the fancier version of Bologna”

My Baby turns 4!

My beloved furbaby and this blog’s unofficial but totally official spokespuppy, Dior aka Didi, turned 4 on December 20! Yep I hurried back from Taiwan just to celebrate her birthday with her! Tons of gifts and new clothes in hand… another day to remember. Wonder if she knows that it was her birthday or she just got super lucky ;]

She spent the day snuggling with her mommy in her new bunny suit, me, since I took the day off of work to recover from Jet Lag :]

Had her dinner…

And then changed for the birthday cake!!!

Whole Foods Raspberry Mousse… SOOOO GOOOD

Time to blow out her candles…

I want the whole cake mommy….

Or a big slice…

Hehehe don’t worry we shared :] She only got a nibble…

But got to lick the plate clean ;D

Happy Birthday my LOVE <3

Acadia ME: Acadia Cafe – Goodbye Breakfast

It was time to leave….. so we took some last pics by the lake by our hotel..

And it was time to leave…. But not without a good breakfast in our bellies first… so we went to my parents’ favorite breakfast place in the area… Acadia Cafe – it’s just a little way’s down the street from our hotel… not pricey, very cozy, simple and yummy

Mommy’s Oatmeal with Brown Sugar & Raisins.. and a Fruit Plate

YUM

Daddy’s Scrambled Eggs, Home Fries and Toast

My Omelette with Green Peppers, Tomatoes, Mushrooms, Onions and a side of BACON!!!…

Where to now???

A nice long 5 hr trip/drive back home….

Acadia ME: Fish House Grill – The Last Dinner

Since we didn’t really make it out much in Acadia the day before due to the excessive heat, we woke up bright and early to get a good start on the day while it was still “cool”… My parents got up super super early, got breakfast and brought back some blueberry pancakes for me from Jeannie’s Breakfast… also some eggs, home fries/potatoes and toast.. MMMMM….

SOOOO much fresh blueberries in the pancakes, they were freaking AMAZING!!

And then offfffffff to the national park again…

Sand Beach

Didi’s first time at the beach, she was freaking out at the waves.. poor thing…

I got splashed :[ The water was freeeeeezing and apparently doesn’t get above like 50 degrees or something

Thundering Hole

It was pretty calm at first and apparently it was all day but it picked up once we got there.. and it was BOOMING.. Didi freaked out and crawled onto my back LOL

I eatz your head

Bar Harbor Cellars / Winery @ Sweet Pea Farm

We bought some wine, wine tasted and also bought some snacks.. and then headed back to the hotel to chill by the pool…

White Summer Sangria

Spiced Passion Mojito

And I even hot tubbed a bit.. good thing it was in the shady area of the hotel pool area so it was actually super nice and relaxing…

And then back downtown for dinner…

Didi meat fake leopard print doggie

We decided to not eat at our original location and go by the pier to eat..

Beautiful view form our table

We decided on Fish House Grill so we could eat with a nice view and breeze.. and OMG it got SUPER breezy and chilly by the water..

The menu was HUUUUUGE… took forever to choose what to eat..

I got a half bottle of bubbly for meself :D

Clam Chowdahhhhh

Super thick, creamy, delicious – definitely needed more clams though.. I loveeeeee it when it’s chockful of clams and less potatoes :] But it was SO good…

1 lb Steamers – thankfully NOT salty

And…. what’s this hiding under garlic bread?!

1 lb Mussels in White Wine Garlic Butter Sauce

TIMEEEEEE TO EAT!!!!

OOOO and Corn Bread too, the most AMAZING corn bread. *obsessed*

Mommy’s Pan Fried Flounder

Flounder dusted with Seasoned Bread Crumbs and some dill Sauce.. served with Tropical Salsa, corn and Rice

Daddy’s Grilled Atlantic Salmon

Served with Tropical Salsa, Corn and Rice

And then me being the fatass that I am… I ordered a mega entree…

My Seafood Grill

2 lobster claws, steamers, mussels, stone crab, peel n eat shrimp, crab legs and i asked for extra corn instead of potatoes… AND added on a lobster tail

YEP. I couldn’t choose what I wanted.. so I just got it all.. OMG the shrimp was SOOO GOOD… steamed and seasoned with Butter and Old Bay Seasoning…  I ate it ALL! AND ordered dessert…

Blueberry Crisp

It was mushy and gross and overly buttery so I didn’t eat it.. hahaha…

But I did take ridiculous pictures

More homemade gelato…

1 scoop maple walnut – with WHOLE walnuts YUM; and 1 scoop banana Peanut Butter… tons of chunks of pb and reese’s :D

BED TIME!!! Didi and her new moose friend!!!

Acadia ME: Parkside

I finally got pulled out of by the pool – and since I hadn’t eaten anything really except for popovers, salad and some wasabi peanuts, I was STARVING and a little tipsy – and into the shower and new clothes… it was time for dinner and I had found a nice pretty little spot Downtown where we could bring Didi for some dinner!!!!

Parkside

We got a nice corner table outside… but before we get to the food…

V is for Vanity…

D is for Didi

My silly little furry princess baby <3 SO cute and SO photogenic…

Didi even had her own seat between me and mommy  :D

Prosecco for meeeeeee – I love my bubbles!!!!

I may have had another glass or two more :]

Delicious bread basket..

WARM Blueberry muffin/coffee cake type along with some rolls.. but with BLUEBERRY CAKE in the basket why would you eat anything else?!?!?!

Local Oysters on the Half Shell

Delicious fresh maine oysters.. they were HUGE and delicious… MMM full of delicious oyster liquor – obviously not REAL booze, but that’s what they call the juices in the oyster – and of course tons of tabasco and horseradish!!!!  All 1/2 dozen were for me since my parents don’t eat raw oysters…

But we DID also get….

Fried Calamari

Fresh calamari lightly breaded and deep-fried, tossed with a variety of sauteed peppers, served with bistro sauce

Spicy and delicious…. I was scared of the sauce – cuz I’m not a sauce person esp when it looks mayo-y – but sooo much yummy spicy banana peppers and perfectly light fried calamari.. wish there were more leggggiessss tho – tentacles are my favorite part of squiddies!!!

Mommy’s Halibut Special

Pan Seared with Jerk Seasoning, served with pineapple salsa, Rice Pilaf & Broccoli

She gave me some and it was SO good.. I couldn’t taste jerk seasoning but it was light and refreshing… the pineapple salsa was super fresh and sweet…

Daddy’s Beer Battered Haddock aka FISH N CHIPS &heart;

Served with French Fries, Rice Pilaf & Broccoli

I love good fish and chips and my parents LOVED this.. in fact my mom ate more of my dad’s dish than hers.. so my dad and I had to help her finish hers.. hahaha… MMM fries :D

My Bouillabaisse

Medley of Sauteed Haddock, Salmon, Scallops, Maine Shrimp, Peekytoe Crabmeat and White Wine in a Saffron-Infused Tomato Broth with Garlic Croutons and a Rouille Sauce [Rouille Sauce = Spicy Garlicky Mayo based Spicy Sauce]

I asked for it to be extra spicy but I ended up using a lot of tobasco in it anyways :D It was really delicious.. I’m such a sucker for bouillabaisses and cioppinos.. any sort of soupy seafood medley just makes me so so happy.. even though it was super hot out.. MMMM soup!!!

I skipped out of dessert at the restaurant.. and got ice cream..

Off to Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium againnnnn, I got the Fig & Walnut Gelato

I also tried some lobster ice cream

It’s SO good… super buttery and sweet and chunks of frozen lobster which was SUPER delicious… surprisingly so.. not fishy at all.. YUM!

After shopping and wandering some… we headed back to shower – again – and go to bed… more adventures tomorrow :D

My Next Food Network Star Audition Tape

Soooooooo remember a few months ago I sent in an app and audition for NFNS.. OBVIOUSLY they didn’t want me but the video makes me laugh so hard still *pees pants* I thought it would be a great time to finally share it with the world… :D

[ I made a shortrib bone marrow french onion soup with a 3cheese puff pastry crouton ]

Enjoy!!!! & keep on eating Jelly Bellys