Stay-At-Home Wife

Yes....that's right...I'm a stay-at-home wife...for one day. Nope, I did not quit my job, I just took a very necessary day off - which allowed me to have a four day weekend with New Year's Eve already being a day off from work. Yahoo!! Bazinga!! I have loved this much-needed time off to rest, take care of the house and Justin, and just reset my clocks for 2011.

I have cleaned the house, entertained friends, celebrated the New Year, nursed Justin's feet back to health, and cooked like I have always wanted to... I told Justin that I needed one more day to go hit the after-Christmas sales.

A picture from New Year's...we met some friends at Bosco's - a really fun place to sit, talk, celebrate and toast 2011... Below is Damie and Dave, who graciously allowed us to join their New Year's festivities...

Saturday night, the first night of the year, we had friends Doug and Erica over for dinner and game night. We cooked a great meal. Justin LOVES risotto and has always wanted me to make some so I have tried a few recipes out over the past few months. Risotto is actually very easy to prepare, its just takes a little stirring...

This is Butternut Squash Risotto, a recipe from "Simply Suppers" by Jennifer Chandler. I really like this book (a gift from my mom for Christmas) and find that the recipes are very interesting without being overly difficult. The author is also a Memphian who studied at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Academy in Paris. I sometimes dream about taking a year and doing the same thing!

Next challenge, from the same book...making Corn Chowder. Justin helped me out with this one, and we found the recipe easy to follow and delicious...and we have enough chowder for an army...

Yum-O as Rachel Ray would say!!

And today...Monday...we are enjoying one last day before returning to the work-grind...Lowe's and William Sonoma are on my list...but its noon and I am still in PJs(reason numero uno NOT to be a stay-at-home wife)...I guess we'll see what all is accomplished!

Happy 2011!!!