Dinner And A Movie

Hey Hey Hey... It's Fat Albert!  

It's actually going to be Fat Amy if I don't stop making these delicious dinners and eating 17 stinking servings of them in one sitting.

This is the latest and greatest!

Chicken and Shrimp Pad Thai 

{adapted from original recipe on about.com}

Before you get started:
Put noodles in a large bowl of water and allow to soak.  30-45 minutes is ideal.  They should be soft, but not mushy.  

First Step for meat - you can make this vegetarian if you like:
2 tsp cornstarch
6 Tbsp soy sauce
1 lb package chicken breasts, cut into cubes
1/2 lb shelled and deveined shrimp
Mix cornstarch and soy sauce until dissolved.  Pour over chicken and shrimp in a large pyrex and allow to sit while you prepare the other ingredients.

Second Step for Pad Thai Sauce:
1 1/2 Tbsp tamarind paste dissolved in 1/2 cup warm water -OR- 1/2 rice vinegar (this is what I used because I couldn't find tamarind paste
4 Tbsp fish sauce
2 tsp Sriracha Sauce (or more if you're part dragon)
6 Tbsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp white pepper
Mix above ingredients together and set aside.  I used 3/4 while cooking and saved 1/4 for sauce to add after plating.  This is the GOOD STUFF!

Third Step for Toppings:
3 green onions, cut into thin slices
1/4 cup chopped peanuts
1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
lime wedges
Chop all of these ingredients and set aside for dinnertime. 

Fourth Step for Noodles:
vegetable oil
chicken stock
4 cloves garlic, minced
small package Thai rice noodles, linguini width
1 package fresh bean sprouts
1/4 cup chopped peanuts

Heat vegetable oil in a very large, deep skillet or wok.  Add garlic and saute until soft and aromatic.  Add chicken and cook for about 5 minutes, until no longer pink on all sides.  Add shrimp and cook for 2 minutes on each side, until pink and opaque.  Drain noodles.  Add noodles and toss like a salad with tongs or 2 large spoons for several minutes.  If mixture gets too dry, add a little chicken stock.  Add 3/4 of the Pad Thai Sauce.  Add bean sprouts.  Add peanuts.  Continue cooking until noodles are perfectly seasoned and al dente.  This whole cooking process takes between 10-15 minutes.  

Top with the above ingredients and enjoy!  It's truly amazing and not as hard as it looks!  

We paired it with this tasty new Rose!  It's definitely one to try!

So, about that movie....

Mr. BMJ took me to see "Man of Steel."

{Source}

It was pretty good, for a superhero movie.  I didn't enjoy it as much as "The Dark Knight" movies or even "Iron Man."

I do recommend you see it for the cast.  They truly make the movie, especially the star, Henry Cavill's abs.

{Source}

{Source for Above 4}

I give it a one thumb up, one thumb sideways on the BMJ meter.

p.s.  Why do I drink Baby Mama Juice?  Because I'm coming up on my 1 yr blogging anniversary which calls for a total blog make-over.  It's going to be uploading tomorrow, so things may be wonky for a bit.  Hope you like it!  

Letter From Dad

Our Father's Day weekend was filled with beachgoing, good eating, movie watching, and shopping.  

Not too shabby!

Mr. BMJ and his 3 girls.

Me with matching bubbly and blouse at Sunday Brunch.  

Earrings:  Roberto Coin
Blouse:  W by Worth
Nails:  Essie Turquoise and Caicos

I have to include this very sweet, personal letter from my Dad.  

He's not a mushy kind of guy and has trouble communicating his feelings most of the time.  

This letter, to me and my sister, hit the ball right out of the park. 

"Babies, thank you for calling me and telling me happy Father's day. 

But, more than that, thank you for making me cry when I saw both of you being born.   

Thank you for snuggleing with me when you were little bundles of joy, and holding my finger when you started to walk.  

Thank you for calling me dada when you started to talk, and for being the sweetest little girls a father could ask for. 

Thank you for growing into wonderful young women and achieving so much in your lives. 

Finally, thank you for giving me 3 wonderful grandbabies, you don't know how happy they make me, and how much I love them. 

What you need to know is that I think about you everyday and thank God for giving both of you to me. 

Love,
Dad"   

p.s.  Why do I drink Baby Mama Juice?  Because after a crazy morning of Kindermusik camp and Little Gym class (these are mommy and me classes, I definitely wasn't free), I get a few hours of free time today with one of my best gals, Catherine!  We're meeting up downtown for a little bathing suit shopping and a pedi!  Yay!   

Friday Funnies - Father's Day Edition

Happy Father's Day to all the great dads out there!  

p.s.  Why do I drink Baby Mama Juice?  Because I got 6 questions yesterday for the Ask Baby Mama Juice game.  You're probably thinking that's an embarrassingly low number and why are you advertising that you silly mama?  Because every single question made me smile.  I love feeling connected with my blog friends.  Thanks for participating ladies!  Love ya, mean it!

Ask Me Anything

So, I'm having a total 5 day long brain fart.  I have all these great ideas for blog posts, but they're just not coming into fruition.

Big giant apologies with a cherry on top.

-Source-

I do, however, have an idea after reading one of my new favorite blogs, Living In Yellow.

She answered several random questions from her readers, which let everyone get to know her a little better.  

Man this girl is FUNNY!  I feel like we're long lost besties or something.  I keep commenting on her posts like we are.  I hope she doesn't get too creeped out and file a restraining order on me or something.  Can you block people from reading your blog?  Erin, please don't block me.  I'm harmless. Promise.  

When I first started blogging, I read Natalie and Caycee's blogs every day.  I felt like we were besties.  I knew everything about them from reading their posts.  When I met them in person, I felt a little like Single White Female.  Have you ever had that experience?  Blogging is such a strange world.  

-Source-

Anywho, I got a little off track there.  

We're going to play a little game I like to call "Ask Baby Mama Juice." (Original, I know.  I told you I had writer's block.)  

Ask me any question!  Sky's the limit (well, almost, just stay PG13 and don't get too crazy).  I'll answer your questions next week!

Here's a little example to get us started:  
You:  Hi Baby Mama Juice!  I was wondering how you feel about the Bachelorette this season and who you're picking to win?
Me:  Well, thanks for asking!  I like Katie Holmes so I like Des.  It's like Dawson's Creek is back on TV minus precious Pacey and annoying Dawson.  My pick for Des was Brian, as I mentioned in an earlier post, but his ex/current girlfriend/friend with bennies showed up and ruined everything.  I don't have a new pick because I can't tell the rest of them apart and I'm not really digging anyone.  If I had to choose, I guess it would be Chris.

-Source-

p.s.  Why do I drink Baby Mama Juice?  Because my cappuccino machine is back in business!  I didn't have to send her away!  I took it to the most amazing kitchen store on the planet, Coastal Cupboard, where be bought it and they figured out the problem.  My cappuccino addiction is back in full swing.  Hallelujah! 

Summertime Wine

We change our fashion, weekend plans, menus and hairstyles for summertime.  

Why not change our wine too?

We definitely should.

Who wants a heavy, warm red on a hot sunny day?  Not I said Mrs. BMJ.

Who wants a buttery, oaky Chardonnay (that belongs with cold weather comfort food) with their light summer meal?  Not I...you get the picture.

Next time you buy a wine for dinner at home or to bring somewhere special this summer, consider one of these.  

It is summertime, after all.

Of course this is first on my list!
Rose is the best summertime wine of all!
Whispering Angel is the best Rose.
I could end this post now, but I'll give a few other wines a shout out.
We all know who's #1 in my heart!

Martin Codax Albarino is easy drinking.
A little fruit, a little citrus, a little acid, a lot of yum.  

Remember when I discovered Soave wine?
Well, I didn't actually discover it, but I discovered that I loved it and had been missing out!
Ca Rugate San Michele is a GOOD one!
Perfect for summertime sipping!

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc is a dry, light, white wine.
It goes perfectly with Thai food.
Thai food is perfect in the summertime.
Win, win situation.

Try them out and tell me what you think!  Do you have a favorite summertime bevy? Please share!

p.s.  Why do I drink Baby Mama Juice?  Because Baby Girl did so much better during her second swim lesson today!  No tears and tons of bravery (for her, she's a bit of a scaredy-pants).  Looks like she won't be suffering from PTSD like her mama!  Thank goodness!  

Baby Daddy Day

It's time to honor the best dad I know.  His name is Dave, aka Mr. BMJ, and he is an amazing dad of 3 girls.  He allowed Mother's Day weekend to be All About Me so I want to reciprocate!

Here's a fun list of Father's Day goodies for the man who already has everything he wants or needs:

-FOR THE METRO-
Spicebomb by Viktor & Rolf

-FOR THE GRILLER-
Monogrammed Steak Brand and Carving Board

-FOR THE TECHIE-
iPhone 5 Mophie Juice Pack Air (Extended Battery Case

-FOR THE PIG LOVER-
Bacon Freak's Bacon Of The Month Club

-FOR THE WINE LOVER-
Personalized Wine Cellar Sign

Treat your baby daddy right this coming Sunday!  He deserves it!

p.s.  Why do I drink Baby Mama Juice?  Because my beloved Jura Cappuccino machine is on the fritz and has to be sent in for repair.  That means no cappuccinos for 2 weeks.  How in the world am I supposed to wake up in the morning without them?!  

Friday Funnies - Funny Blogs Edition

Who doesn't love to laugh?

Laughing is contagious, therapeutic, good for the soul, and burns calories.  

Blogs that make me laugh are my favorite.

Here are a few that make me laugh often and hard!

I'm new to When Crazy Meets Exhaustion.  I could spend hours perusing her blog and giggling.  One of my favorite posts is her reply to an article that really ticked her off.  She's an excellent writer and dishes about the realities of parenting.  

Suri's Burn Book is always a laugh riot.  She dishes about celebrity shenanigans and gossip through "Suri's" point-of-view.  Brilliant.  

-Suri's Burn Book-

Dear Miley, is a hysterical letter to Miley Cyrus from Whitney's blog I Wore Yoga Pants to Work.

Loripalooza is all kinds of crazy.  The good, funny kind of crazy.  Lori creates her own someecards and takes "Awkward Smoking Pictures."  Girlfriend is just as funny in real life when we met at the blog conference last month.   I would pay her to be my bestie if she lived in Charleston.

-Loripalooza blog-

-Loripalooza blog-

p.s.  Why do I drink Baby Mama Juice?  Well, yesterday was too yucky and rainy to do anything so Baby Girl and I decided to stay in our jammies and snuggle (which means watch cartoons and have limited physical activity).  She was demanding all sorts of things as I was preparing our lunch when I caught a whiff of something poopy.  I asked her if she made another poop (nope, still not potty trained) and she said no.  That's when it happened....  I felt a squash under my slipper (thank God I was wearing slippers).  I stepped on a Goobie turd.  (Goobie is our octogenarian, senile, grumpy, incontinent cat.)  Yep.  All sorts of lovely happening at my house.  That's real life folks.  No glamour around these parts! Have a great weekend!  Talk at ya on Monday!