Living Room

So much for my massive book organizing project. I had them all over the living room floor, but since we finally broke the futon for good this week in the blackout, the books had to quickly go back on the shelves. It looks a little neater, but I didn't get anywhere near the reorganization that I wanted to do.

Anyway, the reason for the quick cleanup is that we had to purchase a new sofa. It's supposed to arrive on Friday which means there needs to be space to put it. I'm freaking.

Alton, Alton, He's Our Man...

July 29 on Food Network - Alton's new show, Feasting on Asphalt. I will be in Florida, but my DVR will be set. What new treasures will he unearth? One can only imagine...

A peek at Food Network's Feasting on Asphalt section:
What is Feasting on Asphalt?
Alton Brown’s cross-country search for the nation’s best road food.

Where is Alton Brown going?
Georgia, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, California and more.

How is he going to get there?
On a motorcycle. "Why a motorcycle? As far as I’m concerned, there’s no better way to experience the road than from the back of a bike. Being exposed to the elements presents thrills and challenges alike, most of which can’t be captured in a ‘cage’ (that’s what motorcycle people call cars)," says Alton.

What will Alton eat?
Every kind of road food available--from foraging in the forest (grubs are great protein) to camp cooking (think Lewis and Clark) to diners, truck stops and even the corporate fast food chains. Alton also intends to eat (and cook) in nifty regional joints, churches, community centers, VFW halls, RV parks and the homes of folks nice enough to offer a weary traveler a meal.

But will there be recipes? Our perhaps, down the road, a tour guide? (Fodor's, are you listening?)

I just watched the Good Eats episodes on won ton skins (Wanton Ways) and Waffles (The Waffle Truth). I may never purchase prepared food again. I'll letcha know how the potstickers and the waffles come out.

Actually, Chris made a good suggestion - now I'm considering having a Battlestar Galactica season premiere party (Friday, October 6 - mark your calendars, kiddies) to display my culinary prowess. Any takers?

Paperbacks...

So, I discovered something. These photo boxes that I usually use for videotapes are also the perfect size for storing paperback books. They are just the right height for a standard one. I think they're going to reduce the clutter on my shelves, and plus they fix the issue of having deep shelves and short books. They're super cheap at Michael's craft store. Sometimes they even go on sale 2 for $5.

Storage...

So, like Roe, I'm also trying to figure out what to do with all of our Books. It's getting rediculous. I've finally decided to pack a lot of them away into storage. Got a couple new Rubbermaid Tubs, they are on sale at Target for $5, and I started packing away yesterday. Well, no wonder the shelves are packed to the brim, I mean do I really need the 1988 World Almanac out for our use right now? The answer... NO. Nor do I need a European travel guide from 1994. Anyway, they're all going to storage, I can't bring myself to throw anything away, other than some periodicals and stuff like GRE test prep books.

Now, the real quesition. How exactly am I going to store a couple 4 foot tall karate trophys?

Need Aha! Moments

I want to spruce up the apartment. I'm tired of feeling like I live in a Salvation Army. I am accepting ideas from any and all.

Big issues:

• Lots of toy pieces all around - I've tried storing them together, but they end up all over the place.

• Books. Lots of 'em. I give away some, but I have tons - throwing out not an option. Attractive and interesting storage ideas, anyone?

• Colors. Ideas. Living room walls in particular. I like an amber look with crimson, very exotic, but don't know how to translate to the walls.

Chicken, Biscuits & Gravy Casserole

Rachael Ray strikes again... not so much a fan of hers as I am of her recipes and her magazine, which has some tasty recipes. This latest one, from her April/May '06 issue, for Chicken, Biscuits & Gravy Casserole was a hit with everyone - including Will, who is a picky kid. He even ate the onions - not that we told him what they were, hoping that they were cleverly hidden amongst the chicken.

Enjoy.

Chicken, Biscuits ’n’ Gravy Casserole

From Every Day with Rachael Ray
April-May 2006

4 Servings
Prep Time: 20 min; Cook Time: 25 min
Thanks to a rotisserie chicken, this casserole can be made in a flash.

One medium to large rotisserie chicken 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the dish 8 ounces white mushrooms, thinly sliced

1 medium onion, finely chopped 2 celery ribs, finely chopped 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 cup chicken broth 1 cup milk

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice Salt and freshly ground pepper 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped 2 cups baking mix, such as Bisquick 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1. Preheat the oven to 425°. Butter a large casserole dish. Pull the meat off the chicken, shredding it with your fingers or a fork into the baking dish.

2. In a large skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of the butter over high heat. Add the mushrooms, onion and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are browned, about 6 minutes. Lower the heat to medium, sprinkle the flour into the skillet and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in the chicken broth, bring to a simmer and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 2 minutes. Stir in 1/3 cup of the milk and simmer for 1 minute more. Remove the skillet from the heat, add the lemon juice, and add salt and pepper to taste. Pour the gravy over the chicken in the baking dish.

3. Melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter with the garlic.

4. Stir together the baking mix, the remaining 2/3 cup of milk and the cheese. Drop tablespoonfuls of the biscuit mixture on top of the casserole and brush with half of the garlic butter. Bake until the biscuits are golden brown, about 25 minutes, brushing them once or twice with the remaining garlic butter.