Something I forgot to mention...

While I was in LA - I experience my first earthquake. Hello, how could I forget that??? I actually managed not to panic and not to get up and run outside. I was at the LA Convention Center and if you've never been there...the front of the building is glass. Running outside of my meeting room just didn't seem like a great idea. It was, in the end, somewhat uneventful.

This past weekend Jason and I went to Corpus Christi for a wedding. We decided to fly down (saving 8 hours on the road) and stayed at the Omni Bayfront, where the reception was to be held. I have a rather funny story that involves the hotel and a $70 room rate, but I don't think sharing it online is the best idea. You'll have to ask me in person.

For Corpus to be a city on the ocean, their seafood selection downtown was rather lacking. Since we decided not to rent a car, we tried to keep most food choices within walking distance. This was pretty easy except on Friday, when we were in need of a place to watch the Cowboys beat the Texans. The option, take a cab to Buffalo Wild Wing. I felt quite guilty flying all the way to Corpus to take a cab to BW3's...but I like the food and wanted to watch the game!

Saturday we walked to the Water Street Restaurant for lunch. Jason had some raw oysters and a Mesquite Grilled Shrimp Po Boy and I had...a hamburger. For the record, I've been craving a good burger since my trip to LA, so I felt finally justified. Even if I didn't eat seafood. BUT we all know I'm not a big fan of much seafood.

The wedding Saturday night was really nice. Jason attended his first full mass Catholic wedding. I had to make a potty break once. We saw the guy we sat next to on the airplane at the wedding (small world) and were entertained by a mariachi band during the reception! It was really nice to spend the weekend with some college friends that we don't see often. Of course, we all talked about how we need to get together more often. Seriously, we live 2-3 hours away and it's been over a year since we've seen these people? Well, longer for me because I didn't make their wedding! I think I need to make visiting with friends a bigger priority in my life...

Today we slept in (thank goodness) and went to lunch at the Executive Surf Club, part of the Water Street Restaurants. Jason had a Hollister Wrap and I had the quesadillas. Sounds boring, but they were made with a creamy Pepper Jack cheese...yum. For the record, if you're in Corpus this is a good live music venue.

Tonight I cooked! I threw potatoes in the microwave and browned some ground beef with a mushroom gravy. Clearly, a delicacy. Ha! I'm going to finish it off with a cup of triple chocolate ice cream. I promise, one day I'll cook real food again. Maybe when I'm cooking for two and not four...

The best of both worlds

I love ice cream. It is my favorite thing to eat. I'm on a diet, but Friday while we were walking around the Strand in Galveston, my father-in-law mentioned ice cream and, well, I melted. I proceeded to eat a cup of Pistachio Almond Blue Bell ice cream and I loved every fattening bite of it.

A few years ago, my in-laws bought me an ice cream maker for Christmas. I was one very excited person! I can say, though, this is where Jason and I disagree. I think that ice cream should be anything but plain! Who wants boring old Vanilla? Give me Mint Chocolate Chip. Or Tin Roof or some Rocky Road. Anything but plain old Vanilla. Jason, on the other hand, thinks ice cream should be enjoyed in its pure form. Thus the reason I've probably only made Vanilla twice and I made Chocolate for the first time this week. We tend to compromise with Strawberry. But since I was making two batches, I got to pick one of them.

Vanilla Ice Cream from Cuisinart

• 1 cup whole milk (I use fat free)
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1-2 t pure vanilla extract

In a medium bowl, use a hand mixer or whisk to combine the milk and sugar until dissolved. Stir the heavy cream and vanilla. Turn on the mixer and pour the mixture into the freezer bowl. Let it mix until thickened, about 30 minutes.

Chocolate Ice Cream from Cuisinart

• 1 cup whole milk (again I used fat free)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 8 oz bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate (I used semi-sweet)
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 t vanilla extract
• 1 t almond extract

Heat the milk until it bubbles around the edges. In a blender or food processor, pulse the chocolate and sugar until it is well blended. Add the milk and continue to blend until smooth. Transfer to a medium bowl and let it cool completely. Stir in the heavy cream, vanilla and almond extract. Chill for at least 30 minutes. Turn the machine on and add the chilled mixture. Freeze for 25-30 minutes.