Celebrations!

I actually did not blog yesterday, and I was kicking myself for it. I started blogging for the creative writer buried somewhere inside of me, and I try to do it every day. Unfortunately, I think I was a member of corporate America for way too long. I forget that there’s no one around to give me a negative annual review if I miss a day of blogging. (At least I hope not.)

Last night, I took a much-needed break and went out with Amy and Heather. We went to Johnny Carino’s, where I enjoyed a few Bellinis, to celebrate Heather’s 30th birthday. I used to be great at getting awesome birthday gifts for people. But this week, I don’t think my brain was functioning properly due to lack of sleep. I got Heather a box of picture frames. A big box with 10 picture frames. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Heather and BL just got married and they have tons of photos, so it’s a functional gift. Right? Okay, fine. I’m slipping. I will have to work on my gift-giving powers before Christmas. I knew I was in trouble when she unwrapped it and thought there was something else in the box (because surely I didn’t get her a box of picture frames). Oh, but I did. I just sunk down in my chair and nursed my second Bellini at that point.

Now, to my blog celebration. My goal was to break into the top 100,000 at Technorati by the end of the year. I thought that was a daunting task since I started out at 542,000. So, I went to Technorati yesterday to do my weekly check. I am 33,000. Oh yeah! I rock! I still don’t see my parade anywhere! Jeez, what is up with that? No parade when I got bestest blog, and no parade for being 33,000 at Technorati! Oh well, I shall have another Bellini and celebrate.

I actually woke up this morning to make bread, because honestly, I need more carbs. Plus, it’s raining. For some reason, I want to bake when it’s raining. I am making beer bread. My husband walked into the kitchen as I was popping open a bottle of beer at 8 a.m. He looked slightly worried. I think he’s concerned that more and more of my recipes take alcohol. The other day, I made this awesome ravioli lasagna recipe that I got from Rachael Ray. It took 1 cup of red wine. What was I supposed to do with the rest of the bottle? You can’t have left over wine, right? So, I drank that. At least I wasn’t sipping the beer at 8 a.m. this morning.

Tonight, the celebration continues. We are going to a party. An actual real-life adult party at Eric’s friend’s. They said children are welcome, so we’re bringing the kids. They said this last time, and we were the only ones who brought our kids, but considering I have no family here and no one to watch my children, everyone can deal. I am not missing a party!

Now, enjoy my simple, but extremely yummy recipe for beer bread:

3 cups self-rising flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 12 oz. bottle beer (whatever you like - I use Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat)

Mix together and pour into a greased (or sprayed with Pam) 9x5 bread pan. Batter will be very sticky. Top with ½ stick of melted butter. Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes. Let set 10 minutes in pan and then invert onto cooling rack. Best when served warm or toasted topped with butter or cheese spread. Yum-o!!