A Whole Lot of Random

I've somehow managed to blow-up both my work computer and personal laptop with viruses within the last month.  My laptop had over 100 and my work computer had like 10.  Our IT guy at work had to bail me out twice and fix both computers as he is also a friend.  Note to self:  When something pops up telling you that "You are a Winner"; don't click anything!  No, I didn't believe I was a winner, but even "X-ing" out of the pop-up was enough to bring in the nasty.  Chris and I have had to share the IPad at home and while we played nice, I don't think either of us liked it.  I'm not quite in the IPad era yet because I still like having the keyboard, so it feels good to have the laptop up and running again.

We got a couple of new grill pans for Christmas, one being a grill plate for the long center burner on our stove.  Panini time!!  I put our cast iron-skillet on top of the sandwiches while they are cooking to really press them down and get the true grill marks.

Chris has been telling me that the blog is taking a different turn away from the foodie point of view we had when it started.  So, this post needs a recipe.  This sandwich was pretty much direct from our specialty Panini cookbook. 

Chicken & Mango Pesto Paninis (quick weeknight dinner version):
-shredded chicken breast (I bought a rotisserie chicken)
-mango, diced
-red onion sliced
-monterey jack cheese
-pesto (store-bought)

I truly went old-school with this meal and served it frozen sweet potato fries.  Ah..., it felt just like my single days, except that the sandwich has stepped up a few notches rather than just being a ham & cheese bagel toasted in the pizza oven.

Last week, I won the Super Football Pool at work of $160, bringing my total winnings to over $250.  And I do not watch a lick of football.  Thank you Vegas spreads!  I felt bad taking more money from my co-workers so wanted to bring in a few snacks.  I got this recipe for a cranberry, orange & pecan cheese ball from my Mom, so I brought this in with some pita chips and pretzels.  The base of it is cream cheese.  I also brought in a simple cheese danish made with pillsbury crescent rolls.  The danish literally had one piece left by 10:30.



We are cleaning up over here on the gambling front as Chris also won over $500 in one of his fantasy football pools. Hello sunshine and ocean breezes.......we put that towards a winter getaway vacation we just booked yesterday.  Time to get some color on these pale winter faces in this picture taken on NYE which was freezing!! 

This weekend my parents are coming up for lunch (soup and more panini sandwiches) for my Mom's birthday and then we are all going to go bowling.  My Dad is a huge bowler (with a best of 299) so it will be fun to all bowl together and see Liam in the lanes.  Anna and Dan took him bowling two weeks ago and I guess he beat Dan.  lol. 

Back to Chris' comment that the blog has taken a turn, I like the turn it has taken as it gives me a chance to share food, but also things we do and our family and friends, all things which create our memories.  Hopefully it provides a little entertainment for all our readers whether you know us personally or just like to read about food.  What do you think?