Chicken, Mushroom & Cashew Risotto

Now that our travels are over I am able to get back to trying new recipes. On Sunday I tried a new recipe from a cookbook I received from my friend Mindy for my bridal shower. The cookbook is all about Chicken so it's right up my alley and there are plenty of recipes for me to try. On Sunday night I made my first risotto meal. I have never even eaten risotto before Sunday and when I saw the recipe, and the picture, I thought it looked very yummy. It definitely was very good and will now enter into our regular meals. Here is the fabulous recipe.

Ingredients
2 oz butter
1 onion, chopped (I only used a quarter of an onion since I am not a fan of onions)
1 pound of boneless chicken breast
1 3/4 cups Arborio rice
1 tsp ground Turmeric
2/3 cup white wine
5 1/2 cups simmering chicken stock
2 3/4 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
1/3 cup cashews, halved
salt and pepper

Directions
1. Melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, or until softened. Add the chicken and cook, stirring frequently, thoroughly. Reduce the heat, add the rice, and mix to coat in butter. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 -3 minutes, or until the grains are translucent. Stir in the turmeric, then add the wine. Cook, stirring constantly until wine is reduced.

2. Gradually add the hot chicken stock, a ladleful at a time. Stir constantly and add more liquid as the rice absorbs each addition. Increase the heat to medium so that the liquid bubbles. Cook for 20 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is creamy. About 3 minutes before the end of the cooking time, stir in the mushrooms and cashews. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

This was my first experience eating and making risotto. Very yummy! I served it with grilled asparagus.

Wild Wild West

Andy and I experienced the Wild Wild West this past Friday night as we went to dinner at Buffalo Chip in a town north of Phoenix called Cave Creek. We went with our friends, Mike and AJ, and AJ's family who were in town from South Carolina. It was decided to check this place out because we heard they did great Friday night fish fry's just like you get in Wisconsin. Plus, we were informed the original owners were also from WI, so we figured it had to be good.

Andy and I arrived early and decided to head inside to get drinks before everyone else arrived. When we walked in it was apparent that we did not fit in. Our flip-flops definitely did not cut it when it came to cowboy apparel. Either way the staff were very friendly and greeted us immediately and started to get our table ready for nine people. Good thing Andy and I got there early because once 7pm rolled around the place was jam packed. Of course Andy and I ordered the all you can eat walleye fish fry and it was very yummy. Not exactly as good as the WI fish fry's, but nonetheless very tasty.

Following dinner a country band started playing and everyone (but us) hit the dance floor. I am not talking line dancing, but full on couples country twirl dancing. Just like the movie Urban Cowboy. I had never seen anything like it, so it was very entertaining.

After observing the dancing we headed out back for bull riding. I initially thought this was mechanical bull riding, but as soon as we got out back I realized I was wrong. It was the real deal bull riding. Now, I know my friend Jessica is down for this sort of thing, but I am not. I could not enjoy entertaining myself for the purpose of animal entertainment. Sorry, but it's not my thing. Apparently it's very popular though because once we walked out back there were tons more people outside watching the live bull riding. There were tons and tons of cowboy hats and boots everywhere. Nothing like making us and our flip-flops feeling a little out of place. Maybe the website should state "No cowboy boots or hat, No Service." HA HA!

Anyway, it was a good experience, but Andy and I are not into country music so inside was not for us and I am not into live bull riding so outside was not for me. Neither of us own a cowboy hat or boots and Andy does not own a flannel shirt with the sleeves torn off. We just plain did not fit in. I am glad we went to experience it and see something new, but I am not sure I can go back.

Besides our Wild West adventure on Friday night we were able to accomplish the big wedding task of getting our thank you cards written. Yippee!

Chicago...For Fun

At the end of the conference Andy flew in so we could spend a weekend in Chicago together. I have to admit I have never experienced Chicago. I have been to a Cubs game before, but I never went to Chicago to see everything the city has to offer. I took this past week as an opportunity to see how amazing Chicago is. I was so excited to see Andy at the end of the week even though I was exhausted from the weeks activities...and from celebrating my award the night before.

On Friday afternoon Andy and I checked out Shedd Aquarium. It was OK and I am glad I got to see it, but that's not really my thing. It was a rainy and cloudy day so it was a good idea to do something inside. My favorite was seeing the sharks. The plan was to go to the Sears tower and John Hancock building on this day, but that was kind of pointless since it was so cloudy out. It was crazy, but typical midwest weather, to go from 95 and humid to 70 and cold. Here is the view outside of the aquarium. A very cloudy day.


Then our friends Ross and Traci met up with us for sushi dinner and some drinks at a bar in Bucktown. On Saturday morning we got up and went to Millennium Park for the Blues Festival. This brought out some great people watching.


Of course we had to take a picture in front of the Buckingham fountain. You know this fountain that is at the opening of the great television show Married With Children.


Then it was on to a taxi ride to Navy Pier...which was really cold by the way.



At Navy Pier I actually had my first Chicago dog...ok, sort of. I did get it without onions and peppers. This is a big step for me though. I ALWAYS eat my hot dogs plain with nothing on them. So this was a huge step for me. It wasn't bad, but my stomach was turning for a little bit after I ate it. After the Chicago dog we left the cluster of people at Navy Pier to go back to the hotel for a snooze before we met up with our other friend Jordan for dinner and drinks again. From there we hit up a bar and then called it a night since we had an early flight out. It was nice to get home at noon so we could relax before starting another work week. We picked up the girls at 5pm and they were very good girls at doggy daycare...the lady even told us so without us even having to ask.

All-in-all I had a great week in Chicago from the conference to hanging out with Andy and our close friends on the weekend. I love Chicago and can't wait to go back again for another long weekend.

Chicago...For Work

Annually in June I attend the Association for Accounting Marketing conference that is held in a new location every year. This year it was in Chicago and I was very excited for the conference for two reasons: first, I was up for a few awards and second, I was extending my stay for a fun weekend in Chicago.

I arrived in Chicago last Monday and it was 95 degrees with extreme humidity. It was insanely hot, but that didn't stop me from roaming the city that day since the conference didn't start until Tuesday. My first stop was Millennium Park to see the "bean" and while I was there I enjoyed a free concert in the park. From there I ventured to Michigan Avenue to do a little shopping.

The Bean

Taking a picture of myself in the "bean"

On Tuesday the conference began and so did my busy schedule of learning and networking with my peers. I always enjoy myself at these conferences catching up with old friends and making new professional friends. The other highlight of this week is winning an award for one of my marketing initiatives. I submitted a project in the Marketing a Niche category and I won. I was extremely happy to win this award as it is the first AAM award for my firm and I was up against a firm that is a top 10 accounting firm in the nation and they have a HUGE marketing budget. So, winning that award felt pretty good. I did not win the Marketer of the Year award that my partners nominated me for; however, the lady who did win is an amazing marketer and definitely deserves to win. I was just happy that my partners nominated me. There is always next year...which by the way the conference is in Vegas next year!

Happily Married

Last weekend Andy and I got married in Cozumel with 50 of our closest friends and family in attendance. It was the best week of my life. I had such an amazing time with everyone all week long. The wedding was absolutely beautiful. I couldn't ask for anything more. It was absolutely PERFECT for what Andy and I wanted on our wedding day.

Here is a view from our balcony. This is what we woke up to every morning. Ah, I miss this!


We arrived in Cozumel on May 23rd and it was just Andy and I for the day and night so we enjoyed the alone time before our guests started arriving the following day. We assembled our welcome bags for our guests, enjoyed a nice Japanese dinner with a bottle of wine and then laid in the hammock on our balcony.


On Tuesday, family started arriving and we spent the day by the pool lounging with rum punches. We also learned how to make sushi by the pool as well.




Wednesday Andy and I had a couples massage in the resort spa before the majority of our guests arrived and then we spent the whole day in the pool. This day most everyone got to meet everyone else so that by the wedding on Friday everyone was friends. That was my favorite part about the wedding. I really enjoyed seeing our friends and family hang out together and become friends. It was definitely one of the highlights of the week.


On Thursday we had the rehearsal. When I got to the gazebo I couldn't believe the beauty and that I was actually getting married in such a location.



Following the rehearsal we had a rehearsal/welcome dinner on the North beach and watched the sun go down. The food was phenomenal and the centerpieces I picked out were ten times better than the picture in the email. I was so amazed by the welcome dinner that I was looking forward to seeing what they put together for the actual reception. Keep in mind we planned everything via email and pictures so to see it all come together was just incredible.



On the day of the wedding I ate breakfast with my best girlfriends and then I headed back to my room for some alone time. I ready my kindle while lounging in the hammock on the balcony. I really was not nervous...yet. Then I went to get my hair and makeup done in the salon with my bridesmaids. My bridesmaids are amazing and so much fun that the salon time was so much fun. It wasn't until 2pm that I realized I was getting married in two hours...nerves started setting in.


We then headed to my room to get dressed and take professional photos with the photographer. My wedding coordinator was fabulous and had everything begin right on time at 4pm. For the ceremony we had a violinist play the music and it was so beautiful. We do not have the professional photos or the video yet, but I can't wait until we do receive them along with our marriage certificate in English. Yup, we currently have it in Spanish, but need it in English so we can file here in Arizona. We did everything to ensure our wedding in Cozumel is legal and recognized so we don't have to remarry at the court house.





Following the ceremony we had a cocktail hour complete with sushi rolls and champagne.


Then everybody danced the night away on the infinity terrace. Yes, it was overly hot and humid but I didn't care. I loved my dress and I was going to take full advantage and dance all night long in the dress I absolutely loved. At the end of the evening the bridal party jumped in the pool fully clothed. Thanks to Pam she was the first one in the pool and everyone followed. I was super jealous because I wanted to jump in, but I just couldn't do that to my dress.

On our last night in Cozumel we had a romantic lobster dinner on the beach as we watched the sun go down while drinking champagne.


On the last morning in Cozumel we woke up to a full rainbow outside of our balcony. It was so beautiful and nice to see on our last day in Cozumel.


All-in-all our wedding week in Cozumel was everything and more that I wanted. I was extremely impressed with the Cozumel Palace resort as the food was phenomenal and the service was unbelievable. When planning a wedding via email of course we had concerns if everything was going to be as we wanted, but it was way better than I ever imagined. I wouldn't change anything about that week as it was PERFECT! On top of a perfect wedding I also got to marry my best friend and the love of my life!