Hot Mussels.

 This is the easiest and possibly the best seamed mussel recipe that I have ever come across. 

It's perfect for an appetizer when you have company over or as an entree for 2 if you throw in some pasta. This quick and easy dinner is also very recession friendly costing less than $10 dollars. 

So I ask who doesn't love some hot steaming mussels?

iNGREDIENTS

1. 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2. 1 medium onion, minced
3. 4 garlic cloves, minced
4. 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
5. 1 1/2 cups dry white wine
6. 6 pounds mussels, scrubbed and debearded

DIRECTIONS

1. Melt the butter in a large, heavy saucepan. Add the onion and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until just softened, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the wine and bring to a boil. Add the mussels and about 1 cup of water. Cover and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, until the mussels open, 8 to 10 minutes; discard any mussels that do not open. Spoon the mussels and broth into bowls and serve.

Shouldn't I Get a Bronze Coin or Something?

Today is the day people. Today marks the 30 day anniversary since my last purchase. Applause, cheers, standing ovation. I know,  I can hardly believe it myself. Thirty whole days. Thirty days of window shopping without buying. Thirty days of ignoring the Gilt sales. Thirty days of turning a blind eye to all the spring and summer fashions that have hit this month. Yes, thirty long days. 

In the end, I can't take all the credit. The weather has had a lot to do with my successful moratorium. It's just been so damn cold, so I haven't really needed any new clothes. Also, the amazing spread of summer/Maui clothes that I bought pre-moratorium has also contributed to my lack of desire for all things shiny and new. 

Now, that I have made it a full month it is now a challenge to myself  to see how long I can keep this thing going. They always say the first thirty days are the hardest, so I may have made it though the worst of it. Don't get me wrong it hasn't been easy. The only upswing to this recession is the amazing deals that can be scored out there in the fashion world. It really is crazy, at some places it seems like they are giving this stuff away. But my desire to save and appreciate what I already have, has pulled me though the tough times and I take pride in the fact that have been able to walk away empty handed (usually with a smile on my face.) 

I also must now confess that the last purchase that I made was the Maui Intermix items that I had been lusting after for so long. I got the dress, got the caftan, and the DVF bikini too. I told The Husband last night just in case he wanted to send it all back prior to the cutoff date for a full refund (never). After I mentioned that it had been thirty days since my beloved items somehow made their way to my house, and since I have been such a good girl ever since, he said they are now officially mine. Yay! 

My goal is to make it at least 90 days. May the force be with me. 

My name is Yummy Mummy and I may no longer be a shopaholic.

That Smell.

I spent the afternoon at the hospital holding my bestie's new baby girl (can you think of a better way to spend a day?) I sat there with that tiny little baby and all I could think of was how amazingly good she smelled. If you have ever held a newborn baby then you know exactly what I am talking about. It's that sweet scent that just lingers in the air and you just know the minute you walk in the room that there is a newborn somewhere nearby.

 Even now I can still smell that little baby all over me, and OMG could I love it any more? While I I was sitting there rocking that baby girl I just couldn't get over just how little new babies are. When I look at my little man I still think of him as a "baby," but compared to a newborn he is like a full grown kid. Today I realized it is true what they say, they really do grow up too fast and it happens right before your eyes without even noticing it.

 I can't remember how old the little man was when he lost that smell, and sadly I don't even think I noticed that it was gone. Looking back I can't believe I ever gave him a bath. Here he is at about 6 weeks old, I'm guessing it may have been gone by then.

I think hat's the benefit of having a second baby. It seems like with the first you are so ready for them to grow up to see them in all the different stages, and with the second you really get to take the time to enjoy every minute because you know nothing lasts forever. Sadly it seems as though that smell is the first to go, but man it sure is good while it lasts. 

Congratulations to the yummiest mummy I know, MM. Your baby girl is beautiful and is perfect in every way!

 I just know some of that amazing baby dust rubbed off on me today.

Damn You Google.

Again I am not pregnant. Ugh. This whole non-pregnancy thing is really starting to wear on me. I'm beginning to wonder if maybe something is wrong. I mean I have already been able to get pregnant twice, on the first try, so why not now? It's been 5 months of "trying" and still nada. As in nada, zilch, zero. 

Since everyone I've ever meet seems to be getting pregnant at the drop of the hat, I can't help but wonder why not me? The only thing that I can think is that maybe there was some screw up that occurred during or after the D&E that I had in September. You know me, if I think it then in my head it must be true.

 Before I called my doctor in a panic I decided to google "difficulty conceiving after D&E." I can hear all of you out in blogland screaming NOOOOOOOOOOOO at me, but I did it, it's done, and OMG I am now completely freaking out. Of course every search result that came up not only confirmed my greatest fears but of course created a thousand new ones. *

After about 15 minutes of obsessive "surfing" I called my OB in a panic and I was able to get an appointment for Monday. I then called the husband who 1) told me he was going to disconnect my Internet if I don't stop googling this kind of stuff, 2) the worst case scenario is that there is some scar tissue creating a blockage which can easily be removed, and 3) that he loved me.

I finally tore myself away from the countless horror stories of infertility and loss when the battery on my computed ran out (a sign from above?). After a massive squeeze of the little man I decided that there is nothing I can do until Monday and I poured myself an extra large glass of wine. I woke up today in a completely different mindset and I am now looking forward to my appointment Monday. At least I should have some answers.  If there is a blockage than that would explain why nothing is working. If there isn't than I know that there is nothing we can do but keep trying. Either way I will be able to get rid of this nagging in my head. 

I also have learned my lesson about the Internet. Most of the heath related information out there really is the "worst case scenario" type of stuff. I just need to remember that just because this information is so readily available out there doesn't make it any more statistically likely to happen to me. For now I'll be waiting to hear from my real "in person" doctor what the actual situation is. 

Damn you Google. 

* I really should have learned my lesson the last time I googled "immunizations and fevers" when the little man spiked a fever after his MMR shot. Do not under any circumstances type this into your queue, you will just have to trust me on this one.

New Furniture?

Well he's not peeing in it, but he found a great use for his new potty. A TV chair?

Hello Summer.

 I agree that 60 degrees is not real Summer weather, but for this New England girl today it feels like those long hot days are right around the corner. 

The Husband informed me earlier that it is going to snow (ugh) Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday (I cry) so the little man and I tried to get in as much park time as we could. 

22 days until Spring.....I think I can, I think I can....

Potty Update.

Last night we tried out the little mans' "big boy potty." 

After he got out of the tub he sat his little naked tush on the potty. He then proceeded to stand up and put both of his binkis in the middle after flashing us a big smile.

The little man then climbed back into the empty tub and peed all over his toys. 

Clearly, we are going to need some better instructions. 

Overall, I consider this a pretty successful first try!

Now What?

While I was out running errands today I picked this up.

Now What?

I promise any advice will be payed forward when the little man is fully trained. *

*Keeping in mind that the little man is only 18 months old and I realize we are no where near "real" potty training. 

Yummy Spicy Shrimp.

This is the new favorite recipe in the Yummy Mummy household. Seriously, we have already eaten this twice and it's only Wednesday. I must warn you that this s*#@ is HOT. We love hot and this is HOT, HOT, HOT. However, ss hot as it is, it is equally as yummy. Oh, and the added bonus it that the shrimp only take about 5 minutes to cook. You have to love that!

Ingredients (for 2)

• 2 Tablespoons oil
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 2 serrano chiles or 4 thai chiles chopped
• 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp
• Salt and Pepper
• 1/4 dry white wine (and some extra for drinking)
• 6 tablespoons chopped mint 

Directions

In a large skillet, heat the oil. Add the garlic and the chiles and stir-fry until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the shrimp, season with salt and pepper and stir fry over moderately high heat until the tails are pink and curled, about 3 minutes. Add the wine and cook until nearly evaporated, about 1 minute. Stir in the mint and serve. 

Here are the chiles and garlic getting their saute on. 

The final product.

I threw in a tomato salad.

Mmmmmmm delicious! 

Here is the husband really wanting to get his picture taken. 

Enjoy!