We're Talking TV Ovah Here

The new fall tv season has begun. That means my DVR is my bff right now while all my books sit on the console tables neglected. We have even talked about getting a second DVR unit so that we can record more than two programs at once.* Sad but true.

The thing is that I don't know if I like a show until I've seen it. Obviously. And with so many debuting in the last couple weeks it's been a tough job to narrow it down. While we are still working on it here are a few new favorites:

Blue Bloods-Drama about a family of cops starring my favorite NKOTB fellow & (still sexy) Tom Selleck



Lone Star-A con artist trying to juggle a wife, a girlfriend and his loser Dad



Chase-About a Marshall with dysfunctional upbringing that relates to the criminals she's chasing



Hellcats-College girl joins cheer squad for scholarship money (Why yes I do have 14 year old tastes)



Not to mention my returning shows: Gossip Girl, Sons of Anarchy, The Mentalist, The Good Wife, Survivor, The Real Housewives of Atlanta** and many, many, many more. It's a wonder I get anything done at home.***

What are your new favorites? I'd hate to think I was missing out on some quality tv.

*Ain't happening. Our cable bill is already ridiculous.

**Really looking forward to the Atlanta women after a very lack-luster DC season. Blah.

***Thankfully we have 6 televisions including one in the kitchen.

Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile.*

Autumn officially starts today at 11:09 PM EST. I guess Mother Nature didn't get the memo though since it's supposed to be 89 degrees today and 94 tomorrow. I put my door thinga-ma-jig up over the weekend but she didn't get that hint either.



No surprise that part of my enthusiam for this season is directly related to food; I already have several soup & stew recipes ready for when the temperatures drop. I've been dreaming for weeks of baking. And apples. And pumpkins. And Starbucks salted caramel hot chocolate. And...well you get the point.

Are you looking forward to Fall? What's your favorite part of this season?

*Quote by William Cullen Bryant

The Real Housewife of...

what reality TV game show would you most like to be a contestant on?

I'm a reality tv fanatic. Everything from Survivor to Top Chef to Jersey Couture to Flipping Out. And while I LOVE watching these shows I would never want to be on Survivor (hello, they sleep with bugs), The Amazing Race (heights & I don't mix) or Top Chef (some of those dishes sound less than edible) but...

I would LOVE to be part of The Real Housewives series. Either on one of their shows, particularly NJ, Atlanta or even NY, or starring in my own series - The Real Housewives of B-Tot.* As the house wife of T-Ville* you could follow me around as I work, shop, make dinner, blog, read or resolve disputes over a missing biscuit. (True story.)

I'm sure it would be "Must See TV"...or maybe not but it would still be fun to try it! Provided that they cleaned my house before each taping of course.

Now it's your turn:
what reality TV game show would you most like to be a contestant on?

*Some of the location names have been altered for the safety of the cast.

More Cheesy Goodness

I know I just posted a recipe for Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes but I just can't resist sharing this recipe too.*

Recently I stumbled across a site by the name of Southern Plate and then proceeded to spend hours reading through the recipes & family antedotes. Warning: If you are trying to lose weight do NOT go to this blog. It is full of comfort food. Down home, simple, delicious, comfort food like the Cheesy Chicken & Corn Casserole I made last night.

Oh my.

Everything you need should already be in your kitchen because again these are simple recipes. Not like that crazy stuff that Top Chef contestants** come up with, but real food that real people (like me) can make and enjoy.



You'll need:

1 box/packet of saffron rice (or Zatarain's as SP uses)
1 1/2 - 2 cups cooked chicken, diced/shredded
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can corn, drained
2 cups cheddar cheese
2 Tbsp butter (see note)

Cook rice according to directions. Reserving 1/2 cup of cheese, mix everything else together including the cooked rice. (That means only 1 1/2 cups goes in now for the directionally challenged.)



After it's well mixed, put the remaining cheese on top. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until everything is nice and bubbly.



Note:
-SP's original recipe called for a WHOLE stick of butter. I thought uh, no, and used 1/2 stick. Even that could be cut back without affecting the recipe I think. Next time I may even omit the butter all together.

-You'll notice that I just mixed everything up in my casserole dish. I mean why dirty a bowl for nothing right?

-As displayed by the previous statement I am lazy so I typically cook & freeze chopped chicken and ground hamburger. That way I only make one mess but I have cooked meat ready for me whenever I need it. Obviously if you don't do that you will have the extra step of cooking and chopping your chicken.



It may not be the prettiest dish to hit our plates but this casserole was delicious. I see lots of Cheesy Chicken & Corn Casseroles in my future!


*I swear we eat food that is not covered with cheese. Sometimes.

**I love watching Top Chef but know that I will never, ever make one darn thing they do on there.

***I'm not a brand name whore as that picture implies. I buy whatever is cheapest.

Table Topics Tuesday: Hotties

who is in your Top 5?

I'm SO glad that Shannon has started TTT again...and with such a lively topic to kick it off. Ooh la la.

Let's get down to business shall we? Here are my top 5 in no particular order:

Leonardo Dicaprio- From the days of Stand By Me, I've wanted to stand by him. {rawr}



Matt Sanders, aka M. Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold- The list would not be complete without at least one rocker.



Jonathan Rhys Meyers- Okay so yes, I think this guy is a douche IRL (drunken rages much?!) but I don't want to converse with him if you know what I mean.



George Clooney- Like a fine wine he just gets better with age.



Ian Somerhalder- My God...those eyes...

Now it's your turn:
who is in your Top 5?