Holy cow – this weather is AMAZING! Seventy degrees and sunny all day! Tony bought me a big container of Pumpkin Pie Spice creamer – perfect way to start the day!
Even though it felt like summer, I had to use my snowman mug!
Since this creamer isn’t sugar free – I only used 1 tablespoon with a splash of 2% milk. So good I had two cups!
I diced up the leftover baked potato from last night and made hashbrowns. And I made a fried egg with cracked pepper and sea salt. I don’t like runny eggs, so I leave it like this until I am ready to flip, then I crack the yolk. I remember when Hannah was little and had a friend sleep over. When I asked her what she wanted for breakfast she said “eggs sunny side up!” I had to have her explain to me exactly what that was! When she said “the yellow has to be messy to put your toast in” I figured it out!
Tony and I only had one thing planned this weekend – THE YARD! We had a downed tree that needed to be cut up, and leaves were everywhere!
I was a bad ass with the saw! I wished I would have put these gloves on earlier – I got a blister from raking!
Tony is the master on the riding mower!
Two hours later – clean lawn!
These sticks are really dry, so it will be fast and furious! We (I) was starving so I picked up lunch. While I had gyros on the brain, I ended up getting the taco salad. It turned out not to be too bad calorie wise! My dressing was 2 tablespoons of sour cream with Taco Bell sauce.
Tony and I did a quick grocery shop. Tonights dinner: Grilled Whole Chicken with Sage Butter and Asparagus Parmesan Risotto.
I mixed 3 tablespoons soft butter with 2 tsp. minced garlic, chopped fresh sage and lemon zest. Then I put the sliced lemon in the cavity. My co-worker Rob brought me the last of his sage and rosemary from his garden – how lucky am I?
The rub:
I found these at Target – silicone cooking bands! You can use them on gas grills, in the oven. I am not good with kitchen string so this works well! I just tied the legs together before putting on the grill.
About an hour later on a screaming hot grill. I love the carmelization on the lemon!
Our side dish: Asparagus and Parmesan Reggiano Cheese Risotto! I watched my MIL make it last year – and while time consuming, totally worth the effort. Tony shouted to me at one point “don’t skimp on the butter! Now is not the time to skimp on the butter!” it helps that I have good rice.
The first sauté is “a small glass of white wine.” That’s what the directions said! I guess I had about 6 ounces of chardonnay. The rest of the liquid is chicken broth.
Below is my plate – 4 ounces of chicken breast – I kept the skin on for the photo, but ate only 1/4 of it!
It was delicious! The chicken was tender, the risotto was creamy. I have no idea how many calories was, but I had about 700 to spend, so I consider it a wash!
Then we cleaned up the kitchen and headed out to burn the sticks. Um, turns out they sticks weren’t as dry as we thought! But about 1/2 a gallon of tiki torch we were good to go! Tony getting the party started. I have no idea what those orbs are – maybe we have ghosts in our back yard!
It got pretty hot at one point!
The perfect ending to a perfect day! Thanks Tony for all your hard work in the yard today – we make a good team! 😀
Come back tomorrow for BSI – Maple Syrup! You’ll just have to come back tomorrow to see what I made!
Totally love that roasted chicken and risotto dinner. I think risotto ranks up there as one of my favourite foods 🙂
The pumpkin creamer is delicious! It keeps me from shelling out $4 at starbucks for a pumpkin spice latte….at lease sometimes it does ;0)
Haha! I use my snowman mug, cup AND bowls ALL year round.
You’re meals are looking great. I’ve taken a lesson from you and scout out deals at the meat cooler. So far, I’ve found provolone and red pepper sausage for $1.99/lb and I continue to find chicken tenders marked down to $2.99/lb (the last time, they even had a $2 off coupon on them!). I call it Biz-luck!
Love the cooking ties! Those are great. I love bonfires- so nice to keep warm by. I have not seen that creamer here yet,will keep an eye out for it!
Pretty bonfire! The yard looked great after all of y’all’s hard, calorie-burning work!
Thanks for the idea of putting honey on the grapefruit and broiling it – I will have to try that!
what a cool bonfire! im jealous that tony found a big container of the pumpkin creamer. it sounds soo good! i just have boring old hazelnut at my apt 🙂
When I cook my eggs I like the white to be completely cooked, but the yolk runny. I hate when the white’s still runny it grosses me out! When I was little I ordered my drink by myself at a restaurant, I thought I was hot shit! haha I remember explaining so matter of factly that I wanted “the not little, but the not big” She stood kind of confused, looked at my parents for help and they explained to her that I meant “medium.” hehe
The chicken looks delicious! You got a great color on it! I’ve only made risotto once before, and it was a cheesy one, too! I’ll have to re-make that because this was honestly a good 8 years ago when I still lived at home!
The yard looks great! I bet that sure burned a lot more calories than a workout DVD would!! Oh- and speaking of I’m using your sticker on the calendar motivator. I have three in a row, haha a small start, but I’m hoping to stick with it! I’ve gained 7 lbs. since getting back from my parents’ house at the end of July!!! Eep!
Smart to use gloves! I always think about them AFTER I have a blister