Treat yourself...

To a lovely filet and some yummy pasta.  Blake and I did this past weekend to celebrate his new job and it was divine. 

Start by taking your filet out of the fridge and letting it come to room temperature.  This takes about a half an hour.  Season each side with salt and pepper.  Heat olive oil over high heat until it ripples and place your steak.  Sear on each side three minutes.  Place into a pre-heated (375) oven and let finish for about 10 minutes for medium rare-medium steak.  After you pull your steak from the oven place on a plate and let rest for 10 minutes so that the juices can re-distribute throughout the meat.  Place on your plate with a tab of some black truffle butter on top and you're golden.  You could also do some crumbled gorgonzola, or a horseradish cream sauce and it would be great too. 

For the pasta puree three roasted red peppers, two cloves of garlic and salt and pepper in your food processor.  Add to a small saute pan and bring to a simmer.  Add two table spoons of capers a half a cup of cream and some lemon zest.  After your pasta has cooked to al dente (I used angel hair) toss the pasta and some fresh basil with the sauce.  Plate and top with fresh grated parmesan cheese. 

This meal is easy and comes together quickly.  The pasta takes longer to come to a boil and cook than anything else!  Let me know what you think!

Xo-Wife of Wright

What clean laundry?

I was doing chores while Max was over this weekend and after I dumped some laundry fresh out of the dryer on the couch I went back to the laundry room to switch the load from the washer. When I came back to fold I found this. He's done it since he was a puppy so I don't expect to break him of it now. Honestly I don't even want to. I mean how cute is this little old man of a dog? He can have all the clean laundry he wants.

Xo-Wife of Wright

Sent from my Samsung Captivate(tm) on AT&T

The Smiley told me to do it.

As I mentioned earlier this week my hubby got me some great new dishes for my birthday.  The ironic thing is that the aforementioned dishes come from a store that I truly dislike.  Any guesses?  Okay fine.  They're from Wal-Mart.  Wally-World.  The threshold of hell.  Whichever name you prefer, I think we can all agree shopping at Wal-Mart is one of the most un-pleasant, disturbing and sometimes un-sanitary thing you can do.  I mean we've all seen the "People of Wal-Mart" e-mails right?  You can not find that variety of folks anywhere else short of the state fair in the fall.  Oh how I'm rambling...The important thing is that while looking for something completely different one day on Wal-Mart's website I decided to take a trip through their housewares and I found these.

Oven to Table dish set by Canopy. 

#1.  These dishes are under $45.00 for service for four.  That's sixteen pieces.
#2.  They are oven to table safe.  That means if I want to make individual mac and cheeses in those bowls I can shove all that ewwey gooey goodness into the bowl and then straight into the oven to get even more yummy and crusty on top. 
#3.  I love white.  Not only are they crisp and clean looking, but they show off your food very well.
#4.  Also available are serving dishes that match and vary in size.

They also offer an oven to table set in round, but I liked the abstract and clean lines of the squares.  Plus I already have a bunch of round plates, why not mix it up?  Blake got me two sets for my birthday, and I plan on adding one more to be able to serve 12, along with the serving dishes.  If you're like me and don't enjoy the crowds at your local Wally World feel free to order them "Site to Store" online.  You will have to go in to pick them up, but you won't have to pay shipping and since you don't have to check out while you're there it's an easy pick up and leave from customer service.  Make it happen here.

Xo-Wife of Wright

Chicken of the Sea

I made Blake and I an easy and very quick dinner last night that is both nutritious and yummy to boot. 

Citrus Crusted Tuna Steaks with Oven Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans

Sidenote:  Those pretty white plates were one of my b-day gifts from my loving husband.  He did so good!  I will post on them later this week.  They are such a bargain, fit so many needs, and you'll never believe where they're from.

But I digress...We love tuna.  Now that Sam's sells tuna steaks in their frozen food section at a very reasonable price we eat it fairly often.  The citrus crust is also a citrus blend spice that is sold at Sam's and it is so great on all seafood.  It has dried lemon peel, garlic, paprika, salt, pepper, etc. and for about $5 you get 80lbs. of it.  BULK.  On the side I did some simple oven roasted potatoes.  I do some variation of these a couple times a month.  Blake loves them, and he also loves taking the leftovers to work with him. I believe this morning they ended up in a burrito.  Don't ask.  Large dice any potato you have on hand, toss them in a large ziplock with some olive oil and whatever spices will go with your particular meal and you're golden.  375 for 30 minutes and they're done.  Last night I chose a mix of fresh ground pepper and Old Bay since we were having seafood.  The green beans?  Green Giant frozen with no sauce(the no sauce part is what's important).  They even come with the slivered almonds!  Sure you could buy fresh green beans, snap them, slice them, blanch them and then give them a saute with some butter and top them with your own almonds, but why when Green Giant does all the work for you?  I tossed them with a little butter and ground black pepper and they were delish.  That bread you see there is smeared with the Black Truffle Butter that I showed you yesterday.  I couldn't resist.  I could have had about 10 more slices, but I stopped after the one.  After all, I had leftover Ribbon Cake from Rasberries and Cream to save room for...

Xo-Wife of Wright

There's some truffle on your face...

For my birthday yesterday I treated myself to this 3oz. tub (can you say "tub" if it's only 3oz.?) of deliciousness. 

I purchased it here in Oklahoma City at Forward Foods on the corner of Western and 50th.  I also dropped a fresh loaf of bread in my basket to smear it on, however I'm the most excited to melt it down over some pasta or a nice filet.  If you aren't in OKC the same product can be found on Amazon here.  It is $9.99 if you're near Forward Foods (there is a location in Norman as well), or $12.99 on Amazon.  I highly recommend you treat yourself to this yumminess immediately. 

I'll be back tomorrow with a new recipe great for the holidays. 

Xo-Wife of Wright

Boot Scootin' Boogie

Hello all.  Sorry I've been M.I.A. for the last two days, but that "little bit under the weather" I was experiencing on Monday turned into a full blown Gary England interupt your favorite show weather alert.  Ugh.  I somehow always get sick the week before my b-day.  I think it's the time of year in Oklahoma where the temperature is swinging between 35 and 60 degrees on a weekly basis and the old bod just can't take.  Or my sinusitus can't for sure...you get the point. 

Today I'm bringing you a fabulous gift idea for the lady in your life.  I never said that lady couldn't be yourself!  I would love to add these to my wardrobe.  Is anyone listening?  Mom, Dad, Blake?  Anyone?  I WANT THESE BOOTS!  I adored them when I saw them and then I saw the name of them and was sold.  Check it.

Thrifting in Tulsa Boot by Modcloth

How cute are they?  At $79.99 I think they're a steal for boots.  I love that you can wear them folded over or pulled up, and the detailing on the back of the boot.  The heel is the perfect height too.  I love the descriptions that Modcloth gives their clothing items, they do a great job.  Make sure you check them out and read the shout out to Oklahoma.  Santa you can find them here.  I mean it Santa, do the right thing.

Xo-Wife of Wright

Art-i-choke Dip

Good Monday everyone!  I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend.  I am a little under the weather.  Not sure whether it's a cold, or my allergies and sinuses, but I know I feel like my head has been blown up by a tire pump and my nose and throat feel like they've had a gravel treatment.  You're welcome!

Here is another great recipe for the holiday season.  As we get closer to Christmas there are more and more holiday parties to attend and less time to prepare for them.  This is a quick, easy and delicious dip to take to anything you may have going.  It's a Southwestern twist on a classic and so far everywhere I have taken it the bowl has come back home clean. 

Southwestern Artichoke Spinach Dip

1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, drained, coarsely chopped

1 box (9 oz) frozen spinach, thawed, squeezed to drain

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, cubed, softened

1 can (4.5 oz) chopped green chiles, undrained

½ medium red bell pepper, chopped (about 1/2 cup)

½ cup shredded pepper Jack cheese (2 oz) plus a couple of handfuls to top

4 slices chopped cooked bacon

Tortilla chips/Scoops

I usually double this recipe for a larger crowd.  Pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees.  Mix all of the above ingredients well (let the cream cheese sit out for about 30 minutes to make this easier) and pour into a well sprayed casserole dish.  An 8x8 would probably work perfect, although for a double batch you will most likely need a larger dish.  After you have poured the dip into the dish top with more shreded cheese.  Put the dip into the oven un-covered and cook about 15-20 minutes or until light brown and bubbly.  Serve with tortilla chips or Scoops.

Enjoy!

Xo-Wife of Wright

Watch what you're doing...

Today I thought I would feature a gift for the guys(although it is on my mom's wish list as well).  They get left out so often... 

Timex Vintage Field Army Watch from J.Crew

At $150.00 this watch is more on the "big gift" side, but it's totally worth it in my opinion.  You can even buy different watch bands on the J.Crew site if you want to change up the look or color.  I know Blake would love this watch, and I wouldn't mind wearing it either (bonus!).  So if you're looking for a nicer gift for that special someone check out the watch here. 

Xo-Wife of Wright

Lay off my muffin top!

I bet you're not sure where I'm going with this are you?  You're a little concerned?  Maybe a little grossed out?  Well get your minds out of the gutter!  I'm just trying to share a delicious breakfast muffin recipe with you.  These aren't the traditional sweet pan muffins, but a savory spread that is smeared on English Muffins and heated up till brown and bubbly under the broiler.  Yum. 

Make Ahead Muffin Melts

These are a Ree Drummond recipe off of her recipe blog/website called Tasty Kitchen.  They are wonderful.  I usually half the recipe on the weekend when it's just Blake and I, but if you want leftovers for easy weekday breakfasts, or to eat cold on sandwich bread for lunch (I've tried it and it's to die for, think spruced up egg salad) go for it!  I usually add a little extra bacon and worchestershire sauce for an extra kick, but that's just me.  Also, I use lowfat mayonaise, 2% cheddar cheese, whole wheat/grain English Muffins and Oscar Meyer Center Cut Bacon (it has less calories and sodium than turkey bacon).  You really can modify favorite recipes to make them more figure friendly and packed with protein and fiber.  Please give these a try this weekend or holiday season.  They would be perfect for company because you can make the mix the day before and simply spread it on the muffins and pop them under the broiler the morning of.  You can find the recipe here.  Let me know what you think.

Xo-Wife of Wright

Mod-ern Gifts Online

I love the website Modcloth.  They feature clothing, accessories, shoes, housewares, vintage, etc. and I always have an ever present "wishlist" featuring their items.  Here are a few things from their "Apartment" category that I would love to see show up at my house. 

Fancy a Cup of Tree Set

How adorable is this?  I think it would be perfect for a small brunch or lunch with girlfriends.  Heck it would be great if it did nothing but sit on your counter top for the rest of time.  It's that cute.

Kitchen Line Up Tea Towel

I love funky tea towels.  I have one hung next to my sink at all times and while I'm cooking I usually have one drapped over my shoulder, so it's important that it's cute.  Plus who wants a shaggy, nasty old tea towel hanging around?  Have some fun with something that's normally boring!  Plus teatowels are a cheap way to spruce up your oven door or sink area. 
Season-al Birds Salt and Pepper Shakers

Okay, I'll admit it.  I have a small obsession with salt and pepper shakers.  I think I have about 10 sets to date.  I love them.  I think they're cute.  I want them ALL!  Okay, not all, there's some really BAD ones out there as well, but for the most part I really dig them and buy new ones all the time.  I'm especially fond of birds.  I think three of my sets involve birds and this one would make four.  Don't think I'm not sending the link for these to Blake as soon as I'm done here.  They will be mine.  Make them yours too! 

You can find all of these great gifts for yourself, or someone you love here.  All of the items above are under $50.00, two of them are under $25.  When you get to the website go to the "Apartment" area of the site and have some fun.  Don't tell your husband I sent you...

Xo-Wife of Wright

Note:  Wife of Wright was not paid or given any perks for this post.  W.O.W. just happens to love the product and enjoys paying it forward!

One potato, two potato, sweet potato, MORE!

This year as I was preparing for Thanksgiving dinner in Blake and I's home I sat down to make my "dish list".  There are some family favorites that I tend to cook with my mom from year to year.  This year however, fate stepped in.  I happened to get my new Southern Living in the mail the same day I was planning to make all my lists.  I cannot express how happy I am that this coincidence happened.  Instead of the typical Cream Cheese and Sour Cream Garlic Mashed Potatoes that we normally make (which are declicious by the way) I came across this gem. 

Potato Gratin with Rosemary Crust.  Holy moly, did anyone else just hear angels sing?  It was so amazing tasting that I cannot put it into words, but I will say this. YOU MUST MAKE THIS DISH.  It is impressive looking, but not hard to take on.  If you have a springform pan and some patience you're good to go.  I am not a fan of the traditional sweet potato dishes with brown sugar and marshmellows.  They are way too sweet for me, and honestly kind of sticky and messy.  This savory combination is perfect.  When I saw how this dish combined mandolin sliced Yukon Gold potatoes along with sweet potatoes I was done for.  The melty layers of guyere cheese and the rosemary in the crust scream holiday flavor.  I did vary the recipe a little and instead of adding salt between the layers with the cheese I diced and crisped up pancetta and layered it in.  This Italian version of bacon flavor layered throughout really set the dish off.  You can find the recipe here.  I plan on making this again for Christmas, it was that good.  Hope no one in the family minds! 

Xo-Wife of Wright

Pic-a-nic Baskets aren't just for Yogi and Boo-boo

I am in love with these biodegradable picnic boxes from Boxsal.  I think they would make a great gift for a boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife, or a friend.  At $24.99 they are an affordable gift that is super unique.  I also love that you can replace the contents for $10.00 anytime you need to re-fill your box.  They come in three fun styles that will fit a special someone in your life.

My personal favorite-Date Box

For the hipsters-Urban Box

And last but not least, the work-a-holics that need any excuse to take a break-Lunch Escape Box

You can check them all out here.  Who knows, maybe one will show up underneath my tree Christmas morning.  Are you listening Santa?

Xo-Wife of Wright

Note:  Wife of Wright was not paid or given any perks for this post.  W.O.W. just happens to love the product and enjoys paying it forward!





Loving the retro appliance ornaments from Target on my mod white tree!

I'm so happy Christmas time has arrived in OKC!

Olive juice?

Isn't that what you're supposed to mouth when you don't know the words to something and you're singing?  Today we are having a Thanksgiving Mass at my work and I have been recruited to sing in the choir in front of everyone.  Holy smokes.  I have not sang in front of anyone at Mass since I cantored back in 8th grade and let me tell you my voice is NOT the same as it was 16 years ago.  I obviously have noticed the changes over the years.  First you just can't go up quite as high, then you run out of breath a little bit faster, then all of sudden you go to sing a note and nothing even comes out.  Sad isn't it?  It's true that your voice is an instrument and if you don't use it, you lose it.  I guess I thought all of the kareoke in my car was sufficient, but I was sadly mistaken when we began practicing a few weeks ago. 

There are only six of us in the choir.  Can you say nerve wracking?  I used to love being in front of people and singing, or dancing, or acting.  Anything to have the spotlight and get a few laughs (maybe they were snickers?).  Now, I sweat.  Like sweat, sweat.  I leave practice so uncomfortable most days that I thank the Lord that I get to go home just so I can change clothes and recover for the next day when I have to do it all over again. 

Here's the kicker.  My mom is coming to watch me.  Yes, you read correctly.  MY MOM IS COMING TO WATCH ME!  How embarrassing?  I guarantee that no one else's mom is making a special trip for Thanksgiving Mass to see how the performance goes.  This might have to do with the fact that I am the youngest in the group by a couple of decades, but you get my point. 

So in closing think of me in about 20 minutes and have a good chuckle.  I'll be sweating and singing "Olive Juice" to a lovely crowd of people.

Xo-Wife of Wright

Where for art thou Rosemary?

I cannot find fresh rosemary in Oklahoma City!  I have been to Super Target and I have been to Wal-Mart Super Center.  NO ROSEMARY.  I must have it.  It is crucial to my turkey brine and my potato dish.  I'm off to Homeland as soon as I get off work. 

I have however purchased all of my other Thanksgiving groceries.  This makes me very happy because I will not be fighting anyone at the grocery store for the last of the fresh cranberries or celery on Wednesday.  I have already DVR'd "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" and "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" (the original of course although the movie version is very funny).  I made fresh ricotta cheese for the froshia last night and I'll pick up the turkey tomorrow after work so that it can start brining on Wednesday morning bright and early.  The table is set for seven, the centerpiece is complete and the Christmas lights are hung on the house.  Phew. 

There is still so much left to prepare for and other things that I'm sure I could do ahead of time, but I am going to try to stay as calm as possilble and have the most enjoyable holiday season I can.  A little cleaning tonight, start the brine tomorrow evening and prepare a couple more dishes on Wednesday after I get off work and I will be in my sock monkey house shoes and cozies by 6:30.  I can't wait!

Who else is excited for the holiday?  Do you do anything special to prepare?  Is anyone having their families' festivities at their house for the first time like Blake and I?  Does anyone else still get up super early Thanksgiving morning to watch the Macy's parade(and get a little jittery at the end right before Santa shows up?) even though their 30 ehem?  Do tell...

Xo-Wife of Wright

Barking Mad

Blake and I have a neighbor.  This particular neighbor has four cats that are allowed to run freely and three dogs that literally bark the entire time they are outside.  When we moved in seven months ago my initial issue was with the cats.  They enjoy defecating in my elevated flower bed that runs the length of our front porch.  There's nothing that says "Welcome to our new home!" like the smell of cat poo in the Oklahoma summer.  Blake, myself, and even my mother all politely let her know about the problem.  She apologized, she said she would keep them inside, she even told me one day that "Cat feces is very good for your soil."  Wha?!  W.O.W. that went over well.  What a maroon right?  (I have to inject here, a maroon is a moron.  You can thank my daddy for that one)  So I sprayed our beds with a substance called Critter Ridder.  It has cayenne pepper in it and is supposed to irritate the cats paws so that they don't want to use your flower beds anymore.  Apparently these cats are from here in the South because they like it hot.  No effect.  Thanks $15 bottle of useless smelly crap. 

Next problem-About a month into living in our home the cats starting killing birds, squirrels, and bunnies in our yard.  I love our animals, I enjoy watching them play in the yard and gather food.  I do not enjoy watching a cat pounce them from the bushes, attacking the small animal and then running with it while I come screaming out the back door throwing wooden spoons at them.  I again told the neighbor about our problem and she told me she would "ground" the cats for doing what they had done.  Is anyone else starting to see the delusion present here?  Great, you're grounding the cat?  Could you also take away their Wii and cell phone, I think they really deserve a severe punishment for this particular offense.  Within a few weeks both killer cats were back on the prowl and have been ever since.  The killing has stopped, but that's probably more due to Blake and I yelling and spraying them with the hose than the strict punishment they received from their "mommy". 

Last but not least-Our lovely neighbor had a significant other when we moved in and she was home often.  The three barking dogs that I spoke about above were let out often during appropriate times of day, but only for a few minutes to do their business and then let back in.  Because of the short time they were out Blake and I dealt with the barking and took it in stride.  A few months back the significant other disappeared and with her disappeared our neighbor for the most part.  She now randomly shows up at home very early in the morning and late at night.  She let's the dogs out around 10:00 p.m. and let's them bark for an hour or so.  She shows up in the morning at lets them out between 5:30 and 6:30 a.m. and leaves them out for a couple of hours.  A few Saturdays ago she let them out at 6:00 a.m. By 7:00 Blake was livid and went next door and knocked on her door.  She didn't asnwer her front door, but he heard her open the back door and let the barking dogs in.  We thought that solved the problem, but slowly over the past few weeks she's been letting them out at insensitive times again and walking away. 

So very long story short I filed my first complaint with the city I live in today.  They wanted to set cat traps in my yard but I wasn't ready to be that aggressive yet.  I'm sure my husband would disagree.  He was ready to "take them on a ride" months ago.  I guess we'll see if there is improvment from here.  Fingers crossed!

Xo-Wife of Wright

Just call me Bonnie...

My wonderful grandmother Bonnie on my maternal side had a special talent.  If there was food anywhere in a 300 foot radius of her, it would end up on her somehow.  In my head when I picture her I think of her in the kitchen with an apron on making me apple pie.  Her apron is pristine and white with little flowers and has no stains.  Her shirt on the other hand is covered in flour, sugar, butter and stray pieces of apple.  There are also at least two handprints of flour on her, usually somewhere extra funny too, like her bottom or bosom.  I love that woman, and I'm so happy that I have those memories. 

I also have a smidge of this talent.  When I was small my dad used to say that I had more food down the front of me than I did in my stomach.  As I grew older the spills and messes became fewer and farther between, but I still manage to mess myself up pretty well every once in awhile.  Just a little bit ago I was doing some work.  I took some things down to the mail room and on my way there and back I stopped and spoke with a couple of people that I work with.  As I was climbing the steps back to my office, just a few steps away from my solitude I looked down and saw this.

That my friends is tortilla.  I had a turkey wrap for lunch.  HOURS AGO.  I have been walking around all afternoon with tortilla in the cowl neck of my sweater dress.  You would think my vision alone would have picked up on something like this white tortilla gleaming from my bosom area, but no.  That afternoon snack rode around all afternoon un-noticed.  I really don't have much to say after that, it was just too good not to share.  Actually I do have one thing...NONE OF YOU NOTICED??!! 

Xo-Wife of Wright

Kamp'ing out.

W.O.W.-Place to shop at for good eats-Kamp's Meat Market

Today I ordered my fresh 10-12 pound turkey from Kamp's Meat Market in OKC.  I know this seems like something ordinary and pretty boring, but I'm beyond exstatic.  (Who wants to punch me in the face for being excited about a fresh turkey?)  I have read a lot on some of the cooking blogs that I follow, and watched on the cooking shows that I watch on both Food Network and Cooking Channel how much better a fresh, never frozen bird is.  Now I finally get to see for myself! I'm also brining my bird for the first time this year.  Supposedly bathing your turkey in a salty liquid substance with whatever other herbs tickle your fancy makes for a highly juicy bird.  I'm all for this since turkeys usually end up bone dry after 3 and 1/2 hours roasting away in the oven.  I used to think that frying a turkey was the only way to get a succulent bird, but this year I'm giving the brine a try. 

I originally had not planned on cooking because Blake and I were going to visit family in Illinois, but plans changed and we will be here.  I decided fairly quickly to turn this kind of bummer circumstance into a great opportunity to celebrate our first big holiday in our new, old home.  We've invited our family that is close by to join us and everyday that passes I'm getting more pumped up about it.  I've got my brining recipe and green been cassarole recipe on standby and am on the search for a couple other good sides.  My mom will make the stuffing using the turkey neck and organs (trust me, it's delish) and I will probably ask my dear mother-in-law to make her fantastic cheesecake for dessert, in fact, I think I just did.  Check that off my list!

If any of you in Oklahoma City are in the mood to try a fresh bird, or any other meat you can think of please think of Kamp's Meat Market.  They have been a staple in Oklahoma City for decades and take a lot of care and pride in what they do and the product they sell.  They are located at 7310 N. Western Avenue.  Their phone number is 405-843-2455 and they are very helpful when calling in an order.   Support local foods!

Xo-Wife of Wright

Note:  Wife of Wright was not paid or given any perks for this post.  W.O.W. just happens to love the product and enjoys paying it forward!

Eeyore.

Ever have one of those days where nothing seems to make you happy?  Nothing is particularly wrong today.  The sun is shining, it's over 70 degrees in November for goodness sake, but I've got a major case of the Eeyore's.  I had a doctor's appointment at 11:15 this morning and my doctor was over an hour late seeing me.  She was delivering a baby for another patient.  Can you believe the nerve?  I'm watching Max this week for my mom and she was supposed to come home today, but now she can't come home until tomorrow because her new employee isn't quite comfortable by herself yet.  She's trained with her a whole TWO DAYS now, what's the deal?  So now I have to sleep with cute, sweet, snoring Max again.  The nerve of her.  I bit my husbands head off because, you know, he breathed, and then he sent me an e-mail telling me how much he supports me and asked me how the rest of my day was going.  I e-mailed him back and wrote "Crap." and then hit send.  I literally sent the word "crap" to my husband at work.  Aren't I lovely?  I literally think I am already feeling the pressure of the holidays, and the inevitible sadness that is going to go along with this year's festivities.  My grandmother passed away five months ago last Friday and this year the holidays are going to seem so empty and weird without her.  I miss her.  And some days just kind of suck. 

There is also so much money pressure around the holidays.  Do this, come to that, bring a gift, have a party, go to a party, and don't forget S-M-I-L-E!  As I begin to plan all of our festivities and travels for the remainder of the year it starts to build up like a bubble in my throat.  I love parties, I love dressing up, I love being with my friends and family, but sometimes, it's a lot. 

But I don't worry too much, because I know these feelings will pass.  As soon as I see Christmas lights being strung all over the city I will smile from ear to ear and sing Christmas Carols with all the other cheesy saps.  I will remember Blake and I's engagment on my birthday two years ago and taking a horse drawn carriage downtown.  I will remember being five years old and hearing my mom and dad tell Santa goodbye while I waited at the top of the stairs about to explode from excitement.  I will remember falling asleep in Midnight Mass as a child and my daddy carrying me out afterwards.  I will remember Christmas Eve at my grandmothers and Christmas morning hearing carols blasting and smelling homemade cinnamon rolls to lure my sister and I out of our beds.   I really do love the holidays. 

It's just an Eeyore day, that's all.

Xo-Wife of Wright

Max-A-Million!

Happy Monday everyone!  It is my pleasure to introduce you to Max.  He will make appearances here at W.O.W. from time to time.

Max is my mom and I's Maltese.  He will be 13 years old this April.  We got Max right after I graduated from high school in 1998 and although he was supposed to be "my dog" the dorms wouldn't allow pets.  "Oh no mom!  Where will he stay?"  :o)  Therefore Paula became a co-owner by default.  In fact, Max is pretty much hers now, but I take care of him as much as I can and doggy sit on a regular basis.  And here's the thing, I LOVE this dog.  I can't imagine my life with out hearing his funny noises, seeing his bow legged walk, or playing games with him.

In the past year or so his back legs have really started to give out and he now receives a steroid shot every month.  The day after he gets his shot he's like super dog!  He runs all over the place, tries to jump up on the couch again, and is generally a pain the you know what.  We joke that he has "Roid Rage" and laugh at all the attitude that comes flooding back into his 10lb body after a good dose of the "juice". 

Max has a love of his life.  His name is duck. 

Max sits with duck, grooms duck, plays tug of war with duck, and of course sleeps with duck.

Up until Blake and I got married about a year and a half ago he had lamb, but the day of our wedding there was a bridal brunch at my mother's house and because lamb looked like a piece of scrap fabric from all the grooming, he was thrown away by someone unknowingly.  For weeks Max walked around crying and looking everywhere for lamb and then one day, by some miracle he noticed duck.  Their eyes met, and the rest my dear friends is history.

Lamb who?

Xo-Wife of Wright

happy saturday!

Have you met my friend Mrs. Meyers?

Here's a little secret.  I love smell good hand soap and lotion.  It's something I don't mind splurging on.  In fact I'm pretty sure many of our paint brushes were washed with my lovely soap when in the process of re-modeling our home.  When Blake and I got married last year I registered for a trio of soaps from Williams-Sonoma that included hand soap, hand lotion, and dish soap.  All in a triangle shaped holder that keeps them neat and tidy.  It sits right next to my kitchen sink and I use it multiple times daily.  My favorite scent is olive oil, although there are many wonderful choices.  About a month ago I ran out of both my hand soap and dish soap at the same time.  I made a mental note to run into Williams-Sonoma soon and replace my empties.  Before I had the chance Blake and I made a trip to Dallas to do some home shopping.  We stopped in to World Market to pick up a few things and I found an entire wall of Mrs. Meyer's products.  I had of course heard of Mrs. Meyer's before, but had never given her a chance in my home.  I immediately saw that she also has an olive oil scented line and when I smelled them OH MY.  It's even better than my old go to.  I know, I'm such a traitor.  On top of the smell good factor Mrs. Meyer's is also environmentally conscious.  Here is a statement from the lady herself.

"Mrs. Meyers Clean Day is a company dedicated to making natural and hardworking products that clean well and smell wonderful. Household cleaners, laundry room formulas, and baby products are Mrs. Meyer's specialty. All products are made from at least 97% natural ingredients. These products will not only leave your home sparkling clean and bacteria-free, but they are also gentle on the environment. Mrs. Meyer's formulas are biodegradable and completely non-toxic, so you can be sure you are not harming mother earth."

Bonus!  Do any of you have go to cleaning products?  Are they enviromentally friendly?  Is that important to you?  Mrs. Meyer's has everything you can think of to clean your home.  Give her a try next time you run out of your go-to cleaner.  Who knows, you might never go back!

 Xo-Wife of Wright

Note:  Wife of Wright was not paid or given any perks for this post.  W.O.W. just happens to love the product and enjoys paying it forward!

Diary of an out of shape woman.

Dear Diary,

It's 5:10 a.m. and I'm up!  I'm feeling pretty good.  I went to bed early and slept well.  I think this workout is going to be great for me, I can't wait to get there.  Clothes on, face washed, teeth brushed, dog has been out to pottie, Barre3 here I come!

xo-Gena

Dear Diary,

It's 6:00 a.m.  I am at Barre3 and I have signed in.  A nice woman has shown me where to put my things and introduced me to my fantastically fit instructor Wendy.  Wow.  Wendy looks good.  This stuff must really work.  I'm excited, I hope Jacqui saved me a spot next to her so I don't have to grunt next to a stranger.  There she is!  Yea!  Ok, here we go.  I'll check back in at the end of my workout.

xo-Gena

Dear Diary,

It's 6:10 a.m.  WHAT??  That kind of hurts.  I don't remember ballet hurting?  Okay, I was six the last time I took ballet.  Shouldn't we have started with positions or something?  Why didn't I drink any water before I came here?  Is Jacqui breathing hard?  The girl next to me is.  Ugh, why did I switch to natural deoderant this week? 

xo-Gena

Dear Diary,

It is 6:30 a.m.  Dear God take me from this place!  Why are my legs shaking like that?  I can't make them stop.  I'm using all of my brain power to send a message to my legs to stop convulsing, yet there they go.  Is this going to end soon?  Why did I sign up for this?  I am obviously not fit for this type of workout.  I am NOT coming back here.  I am cancelling the class I'm scheduled for tomorrow night.  I hope Carrie doesn't mind, but I just can't do it, this is too much.  I'm so embarrassed.  I think they're all staring at me.  Why does WENDY look so happy doing this?  She's acting like this isn't hard.  PUH-LEESE.  Ugh, get me out of here!

xo-Gena

Dear Diary,

It is 6:50 a.m.  Wow my muscles feel really loose.  In fact they feel like spaghetti.  Ha-I'm a Spaghetti Eddie. ( http://www.thespaghettieddie.com/  tell Brendan I sent ya!)  I think we're starting to cool down.  I'm not so bad.  I totally stopped way less than a lot of girls in here.  Wendy told me good job when I was holding that one pose.  I could do this again.  I SHOULD come with Carrie tomorrow night.  This will be good for me.  It will be better next time.  I can barely even remember 6:30 now.  Jacqui what do you think?  Yeah, I think we should drink water before next time too. 

xo-Gena

Dear Diary,

It is 7:10 a.m.  I am driving home from Barre3.  This is the best free cup of water I have ever drank.  I like how they put apple slices in it.  I just had a great workout and feel so ready for the day.  I don't know why people don't want to work out, it's not so bad. 

xo-Gena

So have any of you started a new work out program lately?  Did you want to die the first day?  Are you much stronger than I am? What is motivating you to keep going?  All in all I'm so happy I made the sacrifice to get up early and work this old bod out.  At 30 I'm just not ready for all this jelly.  (Virtual high five for whomever names the song in the comments first!) 

Xo-Wife of Wright

I say tomato, you say toe-mato.

Hey everyone!  I thought I would post a quick recipe this afternoon.  Blake and I love sun-dried tomatoes, but those little suckers can get quite expensive and come about 3 per jar.  Sooooo, in order to satisfy our constant craving (hum a little tune here if you wish) I came up with an easy and very yummy alternative.

Oven Roasted Grape Tomatoes with Basalmic Vinegar

1-2 pints of fresh grape tomatoes( I buy the Cherubs at Sam's, more bang for your buck)
1/8 of a cup of extra virgin olive oil
3 tbs. of basalmic vinegar
1/2 t.s. sea salt
1/2 t.s. ground black pepper
3/4 cloves of minced garlic
1 large ziplock bag

Start by pre-heating your oven to about 275 degrees.  The key is low and slow here.  Next slice all of your tomatoes in half and put them in the ziplock.  Add your olive oil, basalmic vinegar, salt, pepper, and garlic to the bag.  Seal the bag, roll the bag all around and let them sit out flat for about 20 minutes for the flavors to combine.  Line your baking sheet with tin foil or parchment paper and spray with non-stick spray.  Spread out the tomatoes evenly.  Sprinkle a little extra S&P over the top for good measure and pop them in the oven.

Grape tomatoes sliced before the other ingredients have been added.

I let the tomatoes go for about an hour.  However if the grape tomatoes are especially smaller or larger than normal they might need 10-15 minutes in either direction.  After the time is up you are left with shrivled little bites of heaven!  They are sweet, salty, and rich.  The roasted tomatoes are perfect for topping salads, pizzas, sandwiches (just made a grilled cheese with mozzarella, basil and these bad boys last night) or tossed into hot pasta.  I have dreams about tossing them into the next loaf of bread I make with some rosemary.  The possibilities are endless!  I store them in a new clean ziplock in the fridge and pull them out whenever the mood hits. 

Happy Roasting!

Xo-Wife of Wright

The cold is here...and I mean that in more ways than one.

That's right, it's November 1st and it is cooooooool outside.  It was 51 degrees outside over lunch, burrrr.  Unfortunately I am also feeling a different kind of cold starting in my nose.  Blake and I both started sneezing about mid-day yesterday and it hasn't stopped since.  Blake thought it might be the pollen count, or something else due to allergies, but he checked and all the counts are low and have been low for the past few days.

I HATE being sick.  Inevitably it happens every year about this time.  I have bad allergies and sinuses and when the Oklahoma weather starts trying to change from warm to cool and back and forth 10 times over in October and early November my body goes crazy.  It holds a protest, it's pickets, it even riots towards the end and then it waves a white flag and surrenders.  I usually end up with a severe case of sinusitus and bronchitis.  Run a fever, lose my voice, the works.  So today when I get off work I will go to Walgreens and buy Airborne.  I will go home and take some and then do a steam treatment with the machine Blake and I bought last year around this time.

Then I will go to the couch, cross all of my fingers, toes, legs, and arms and pray for a miracle.  I'll make sure to bring my box of kleenex.

On a lighter note, Blake had, ehem I mean GOT to dress up with his department at work last Friday.  They were a box of Crayons.  A few women in his department made the costumes and he made the box.  Here is my dear husband, doesn't he look happy?

I'll give the first person to notice what is "wrong" with his costume a virtual high five.  GO!

Xo-Wife of Wright

Happy Halloween!

It's a beautiful day out, I hope you're all enjoying it with someone you love. 

XO-Wife of Wright

Piece number one is up! Isn't my hubby cute? To be continued... Xo-Wife of Wright

Thresholds, and molding, and ceilings oh my!

Happy Saturday everyone!  Today we are doing all things domestic at W.O.W.  Blake and I are working around the house and waiting on his parents to arrive to help us poor souls out.  We have been in our house six months and our kitchen lights are still bulbs hanging from wires out of holes in the ceiling.  Lovely right?  Today Blake's dad is going to help him put up the bead board material we bought for our kitchen ceiling, and if all goes well we will have actual light fixtures installed by tonight.  Hallelujah!  We're going to celebrate with a warm soup buffet, cheddar bacon drop biscuits, and rice crispy treats for dessert.  After the little ghouls and goblins have visited to collect their treats I plan on sitting by our fire pit in the backyard and relaxing with nice glass of Italian Amarone.  This might not be the wildest Halloween I've celebrated, but it certainly is the most productive! 

Here is a picture of our kitchen ceiling and lights right now.

Gosh that compressor looks lovely in the middle of the floor...

Soups for tonight are Asparagus Bisque and Turkey Mini Meatball with Gnocchi Dumplings, recipes to follow!

Have a wonderful day!  xo-Wife of Wright

Butt-ernut Squash

See what I did there?  Don't ask.  I'm in THAT kind of a mood today.  Let's blame it on Halloween, or how I like bathroom humor, whichever you feel more comfortable with.  Anyways...Below I posted a picture of the Butternut Squash Ravioli that I made on Wednesday evening.  I know this recipe seems like it would be complicated and you're thinking "I would rather just buy it pre-made."  But please don't!  It is really borderline easy, and with a little time you can have homemade ravioli on your table tonight. 

Butt-ernut Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter Sage Sauce and Pancetta

What to buy:

• 6-8 thick slices of pancetta(sometimes they carry this already diced at Target, however I would recommend going to a deli that carries it fresh and having them slice it to your preference.  I use Falcone's on N. May for you OKC people)
• 1 medium sized butternut squash
• 1 package of won-ton wrappers (this is where the easy comes in, no rolling out fresh pasta required!  The won-ton wrappers are in the refrigerated section usually near the fresh herbs and tofu)
• 1 cup of Chicken Broth ( I use reduced sodium to control the salt)
• 1 tbs. dry sage 
• 1 tsp. each S&P or salt and pepper for those who don't get down with abbreviations
• 1tbs. olive oil
• A stick of un-salted butter
• 1 shallot, 2 if they're really small
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• One gallon size ziplock or piping bag

Start by cutting the pancetta into cubes.  I like mine nice and chunky, but if you like more of a dice go crazy.  Add the olive oil to a heavy bottomed pan over medium high heat.  Drop in the pancetta and cook until nice and crispy, about 5-6 minutes.  While the pancetta is cooking mince the shallot and garlic and dice the butternut squash.  Remove pancetta and put on a paper towel lined plate to drain.  DO NOT drain off the pancetta fat!  The next ingredients are going to go right in and get groovy with all that yummy pork fat.  I get the squash to about dice size pieces.  You want the squash to all be uniform in size once it's cut so that it cooks evenly.  Reduce the heat to medium and add the shallot and garlic to the yummy pancetta fat that is still in your pan.  Add a pinch of salt and some fresh ground pepper to season.  After the shallot and garlic have softened, about 3 minutes, turn the heat back up to medium high and add the butternut squash. Add 1/2 tbs. of sage.  Stir to combine.  Let these things continue to cook for about 3-5 minutes and then add the chicken broth.  The broth is going do two things.  First deglaze your pot.  You want all of the yummy pancetta bits that were left at the bottom of your pan to come un-stuck and combine into the mixture.  Two give the butternut squash liquid to fully cook in.  Once the broth comes to a boil, reduce to a simmer and let it go for about 15-20 minutes.  Make sure you do not have your stove too hot during this step.  If your broth is boiling too hard it will reduce too quickly and you will have not so soft squash.  Simmer is the key word.  When the simmer time is up remove the pan from the heat and get ready to puree.  I have a handheld immersion blender that works wonders, but it is just as easy to puree the mixture with a blender or food processor.  Puree until smooth.  Add half of the grated parmesan cheese and fresh ground pepper to taste.  Empty the yummy stuff into a bowl and allow to cool for a few minutes.  Put a large pot of water on the stove for your ravioli.  When it comes to a boil add salt to season the pasta itself.  When the squash has cooled some add the mixture to your ziplock or piping bag.  I use a cookie sheet to lay out my won-ton wrappers and a small bowl of water to seal the edges.  When you have the wrappers ready cut the corner of your bag and let the piping begin!  Only put about 1 tsp. of puree on each wonton wrapper.  If you overstuff them they won't seal properly and will fall apart when you add them to the boiling water.  I place it just off center to make them easier to seal.  Some people prefer to use a pastry brush to wet one side of the wrapper, however I think it is easier and much less messy to use your finger tip.  I think pastry brushes make the wrapper much too wet and it gets very goopy, very fast.  Simply wet two sides with your finger and fold over to make a triangle.  Press to seal making sure to get out any air bubbles and set aside.  When all of the ravioli are stuffed set them to the side and put a medium to large size saute pan on the stove.  Turn it on to medium heat and add the butter.  Once the butter is melted add the remaining 1/2 tbs. of sage, some fresh ground pepper, and the garlic powder.  Let this cook very slowly over medium heat while you boil your ravioli, about 10 minutes.  Add the ravioli to the boiling water about 8 at a time.  Do not overcrowd your pot or they will stick to one another.  The ravioli only take about 2-3 minutes to cook.  Once they float to the top they are done.  As they come out of the pot add them to your brown butter sage skillet and coat them generously.  Plate your ravioli, add some diced pancetta and top with grated parmesan and more ground pepper if desired.  Now...and this is the most important part.  EAT IT!  Don't worry about the butter all over your face, no one will notice, they're too busy with their plate.

I hope you enjoy! In the future I am hoping to have step by step photos to help you along the way, and also a printer friendly version of recipes.  But for now, it's all longhand, so stock up on paper and ink people!

Ciao-Wife of Wright  xo

Hello! My name is...

Gena M. Wright.  I am 30 years old and live in Oklahoma City, OK with my husband Blake.  We have a two and a half year old turtle named Pete.  Peter Eugene Wright if you want to be formal about it.  You can call him PEW for short.  Do not misunderstand, he doesn't stink, his initials are just a coincidence that we find hilarious, and now you can join in on the fun too.  That is if you like to laugh at completely stupid, meaningless things, or bathroom humor...You do?  Great!  We'll get along just fine.  Blake and I bought a home last April and have been in the process of remodeling it for the past six months.  Blake took off work for a week after the closing because he thought he could re-do everything and get our things moved in.  W.O.W.(Wife of Wright) moment number one on this blog.  I will use W.O.W.'s to point out my "Wrightness" every now and then...Our timeline has gone a little something like this:  Purchased house, hail storm damages roof, windows and gutters.  Air conditioning goes out.  Fight with home warranty company, fight with home warranty company, fight with home warranty company (Why do we buy these things anyway?).  Strip floors, rip up floors, tear hole in wall.  Paint, paint, stain and paint.  New floor, crown molding, quarter round, furniture, rugs, curtains YES CURTAINS!  Breathe in breathe out...Is it almost November?  It is?  Phew, I'm glad we did this.  The bathroom renovation isn't even happening until after the New Year, we only have one bathroom, this should get interesting come January.  Just to reitterate... W.O.W.

I have been dreaming of starting a blog for over two years.  I have owned the url for the name of this blog for almost as long, yet this is my first post.  I dreamed along with my husband of having a blog with my own website with all the bells and whistles, and although that is still in the works one of my best friends Jacqui called me this morning and said "You have got to get a blog!"  I told her that I am, I mean I was, no I mean I am and she said "No one has time to start a blog, you have to commit, just do it."  (Do I owe Nike money now?  I'm still not sure how this whole blog thing works...)  The fact is, she's right.  If I waited until the house was done, or the website was just how I wanted it, or until we had that nice fancy camera that would take great pictures of things I want to feature it would NEVER HAPPEN.  So beautiful Jacqui challenged me to post my first blog before next Friday, November 5th.  She told me she was going to call me everyday and annoy me and push me and make my life miserable.  So I'm beating her to the punch (or being competitive so that I can say nanny nanny boo boo to her face when I see her tonight, don't tell anyone).  So here it is.  My blog.  And here is what I will be featuring:

Food.  Lots and lots of food.  The exact reason that Jacqui called to challenge me this morning was because I posted pictures of the dinner I made last night.  I have an entire album of pictures of food I make on my personal Facebook page.  She asked "Why are you wasting all this on Facebook?"  No offense Facebook, but she's right.  I LOVE to cook.  I grew up in a family of amazing cooks.  My father is full blood Sicilian, my maiden name is Castellano.  The Italian blood runs deep and as thick as my Nonna's sauce.  My mother's family is Scotch/Irish and cooked and still cook some of the best down home food you can imagine.  It makes your blood thick in a different bacon fat type way.  Everything in moderation right?  I can't wait to share my families food along with all of the other food that I love to cook.  I am not a chef, just a home cook who loves to fill my family and friends bellies and hear the oohs and ahhs dribble out of their mouths. 

Home.  I love my home.  Minus the small amount of moaning and groaning above about what it's like to re-model a house I really do love it.  I would call Blake and I's personal style mid-century modern, but I have an appreciation for so much more and when I find things I love, or ideas that I think are great I will throw them your way. 

Lifestyle.  Sometimes I just want to write.  I have a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and my concentration was Secondary Education-English.  I love to read, I love to write, and sometimes this blog will be just that.  Somewhere for me to update family and friends and anyone else who might care on what is going on in this crazy thing called life.  Blake and I have family all over this country and this blog will be a fantastic way to keep them all updated while also providing an educational (fingers crossed) place to learn about food, home, and the life I love. 

I hope you enjoy this journey as much as I think I am going to.  Please feel free to leave comments and questions.  I will answer them as I can. 

xoxo-Wife of Wright