Paris

Paris

Day 3

Arrived in Paris a bit late because of the delayed ferry from Dover. Had enough time to see the little area our hotel was located in. Let's just say it is the kind of place that has a guard in front of it at night. There was a "flea market," that was more like a dodgy area where homeless people sold the stuff they stole from people and where, of you wanted, you could buy one shoe.  Just one. I was rooming with Michelle, who was a girl from Mexico I had met on the long coach ride over. We quickly got our things upstairs and went to our first free parisian dinner....at the Turkish place next door. Good thing they had good deals on wine. We hoped back on our coach after dinner for our guided bus tour. Heres the thing about a lot of Europe and the uk...it doesn't even start to get dark until about 10 pm. It is cray. We went to a lovely cafe for real champagne and escargot! Hoped back on the coach Zac told us all about Napoleon and how Hitler tried to put a German flag on the Eiffel Tower, but it kept blowing off, coining the phrase, "you may have taken France, but you'll never get Paris!" it was a pretty good tour and a nice way to see everything, even as late as it was, but I was not too sad to head back to the hotel for some much needed shut eye.

Day 4

We got to sleep in A little the next morning and had some breakfast, getting ready for our day at Versailles and free day. Versailles was so beautiful but the wait was far over an hour long and we ony had 1 1/2 hours there so after considering doing a walking tour, we took some pics and headed to the metro station to venture out! Before we left, Emma and I decided to take some pics through the gates and (this was her bloody idea!) she decided to step on te bench in front of it for a better view. I followed. We immediately heard a loud,echoing whistle, and a creepy tall guard slowly crept through the long line of people, in the middle of the square toward us. He proclaimed in front of everyone, (in a condescending French accent) " if you can't respect this place, you will be thrown out!". So we decided to leave, quickly.  We all wanted to get some shopping done, but also see some sights so we walked to the main street without any real issues, deciding to shop up one side, ending at the Arc de Triomph (planning on climbing it), and then shopping down the other side. I found Laduree macaroons place and luckily, since Lauren had already raved about them so much in London, suggested everyone get one. Good call on my part because everyone was very satisfied. I had been told, for the first time in the morning, that for a lot of the churches, including Notre Dame and the Vatican, that ladies needed to dress in church dress, aka shoulders and knees covered.  That the mission of the shopping trip, plus nail clippers, foundation and a few other items I quickly found I needed. I found a dress at a random store and we all headed over to the . It was really beautiful and completely different from the one in the village. We took a lot of pics, including "jumping" pics and headed over. After buying my ticket, we ran into a few other of our contikians and decided it would be good to take a group pic. While I was trying to gather people, I absolutely body checked this female police officer,that I swear was a second from slapping and arresting me! What was worst was that she was the one taking the picture, so needless to say, I was cut out. That's 0-2 for Megan vs French officials. We walked the arc which seemed to never stop with the stairs ad they spiraled up forever. I could barely catch my breath! The view was absolutely worth it. There was a little haze over the city from a little smog and a lot of rain clouds creeping in. We all did our pictures of holding the Eiffel tower by the tip or in our hand, gazed over the city and headed out. I picked up a painting that I got down to 35€ from 60€ in the tunnel that runs under the streets that connects the arc to the sidewalk. we got some shopping done at H&M that was a first but definitely not last one we would see the trip. We settled on a nice little cafe where I got a delicious baguette sandwich heated up.  We headed quickly back to the bus, only to find Zac there waiting to tell us he had changed the time to about an hour later. We were thinking we wanted to go back and after walking to the metro, just as we were buying out tickets, Zoe realized she'd lost her wallet. Crisis mode lead us back to Zac how promptly called H&M, who had it. We decided to just take the bus and it would swing by H&M so she could grab it. Only money was taken but the credit cards were all still there.  We got back to the hotel, I opted to stay in the room during the included dinner (at the turkish restaurant again), got ready and we headed into Paris again to go to the Eiffel Tower.  We saw the light show :)  Scratch one more off the old bucket list...

    

  

 

Day 5

The next morning a group of us woke up early to go into the Louvre. The metro was easily navigated and we arrived in the louvre, going to a store under it to get our tickets, so we didn't have a long line, as Zac suggested (bomb ass suggestion). I knew pretty quickly I would need to go through the louvre alone to loose myself in the pieces, so I let the crew know I would try and meet up with them at noon outside. I saw the Mona Lisa and only conquered one wing before 12. Headed outside to wait for everyone and when it began raining 20 min later, I gave up on and went on a quest to find the Notre dam myself. I found a lovely cafe where i had a lovely croquet mosiuer and wine (thought it was a glass, happened to be a bottle) while reading my Lourve book I had purchased inside. I got a little tipsy and as I was walking had an encounter with a lady trying to hVe me sign something, blocking my passage an then me realizing, it was because her buddy was trying to open y purse! They ran away before it really set in what had happened! But at least I got out alive. I ran into a few shops and got a new purse because the one I borrowed for Lauren, with my big camera in tow, had begun to cut off circulation in my arm. No time gr Norte dam so I had a leisurely stroll back to the coach pick up. I came up to a bridge, and needed to cross te river anyways when I had my first contact with a "lock" bridge. Apparently this is a really famous one, but I didn't know that going in. There was a gypsy lady playing the accordion and a little sunshine on such a gloomy weather day. As I looked over the locks, my sight was captured by one, looking no different than any of the others, brushed brass plain lock. For some reason I stopped. It read, "mom and dad, we miss you always.". Ft some reason even writing it brings tears to my eyes. I wasn't homesick but it just made me feel like a little kid and how that simple cardinal Bond was so strong. It made me appreciate them and how blessed I am. I went pretty emo on that bridge, not a good place to be emo. Walking along the river, there were many old book sellers and artist and one stood out. I bought a few pieces of art from him for Christina and I thr I absolutely adored. A lady came up to me trying I give me a gold ring, claiming she had found it and it was beautiful like me, but I can't be fooled! Do I have, "pick pocket me please," written across my face?? This was like 2 times in 40 mins! Got back to the hotel and began getting ready for our proper French dinner and Cabarea show. The ride was fun going back in Paris, as I started to really bond with the girls (at this point most people had the "contiki cough," or had somehow lost their voices already so when we sang, "tonight we are young," it sounded miserable and I joke how we should go on America's got talent with barres, striped shirts, and baguettes and sing for them). The dinner was really yummy, I had escargot, duck al orange and dessert. We headed over to the Cabarea which was ok. It was cool seeing the can can but the star of the show looked like a drag queen, lip synced and had a camel toe most of the time. Champagne again was good though :) after the show, we had the opportunity to either take the coach home or go out, and I decided it was too early in the trip to let people see me too drunk, so I headed home. Sleep was good!
Got on the coach and said good bye to Paris. Off to the Beaujolais wine region...

        

           

Easter Eve

Easter Eve Festivities

Pumpkin Cheesecake

1         Graham Cracker Crust (I'm Lazy)

Filling

4

packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened

1 1/2

cups granulated sugar

4

eggs

1

cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)

2

teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

3/4

teaspoon ground cardamom

Vanilla (I use about a 5 second drop)

Spiced Caramel-Rum Sauce

1/3

cup packed brown sugar

1/3

cup light or dark corn syrup

2

tablespoons butter or margarine

1/3

cup whipping cream

1

tablespoon spiced rum or 1/4 teaspoon rum extract

Garnish

Sweetened whipped cream, if desired

Preheat Oven to 300 degrees.  In large bowl, beat cream cheese and granulated sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add in vanilla to taste.  Beat in eggs, one at a time, just until blended. Spoon 3 cups of the mixture onto crust; spread evenly. 

To remaining cream cheese mixture, add pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice and cardamom; mix with wire whisk until smooth. 

Spoon over mixture in pan

  

Bake 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes or until edge of cheesecake is set at least 2 inches from edge of pan but center of cheesecake still jiggles slightly when moved. Run small metal spatula around edge of pan to loosen cheesecake. Turn oven off; open oven door at least 4 inches. Let cheesecake remain in oven 30 minutes. Cool in pan on cooling rack 30 minutes. Cover loosely; refrigerate at least 6 hours but no longer than 24 hours.

 

In small saucepan, heat brown sugar, corn syrup and 2 tablespoons butter to boiling over medium-low heat, stirring constantly. Boil 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir in whipping cream; heat to boiling. Remove from heat; stir in rum. Cool until warm.

• Just before serving, run small metal spatula around edge of pan; carefully remove side of pan. Top individual slices with warm sauce and a dollop of whipped cream. Cover and refrigerate any remaining cheesecake.

Sauteed Chilean Sea Bass

• Ingredients 
• 1 cup all purpose flour for dredging, seasoned with salt and pepper
• 1 1/2 to 2 pounds Chilean Sea Bass fillets
• 4 tablespoons butter/olive oil combination
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1 tablespoon butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons drained capers

Place flour for dredging in a shallow bowl. Coat each fillet with seasoned flour and shake off excess. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes

 Add butter/olive oil combination to pan.

  

Add the fillets, without crowding. Increase heat to high and saute, shaking the pan from time to time, until the bottom of the fish is nicely browned, about 3 minutes. 

Turn and brown the other side.  

Deglaze the pan with white wine. Cook, stirring over high heat until reduced by about one-third.

 Stir in remaining butter and drained capers.

Peach & Radish Spring Salad

This is super Easy to make!  The inspiration came from a salad I had at South City Kitchen in Atlanta, GA.  First time I tried radishes or peaches!  I saw they had the ingredients at The Fresh Market so I figured it would be a nice addition to my rich Chilean Sea Bass entree.  

1 bag of watercress

1 bushel of radishes (diced)

2 peaches (diced)

1/2 cup of feta cheese

light salad dressing (I used balsamic spray)

Add together with dressing on the side!

This is the only picture I got the didn't come out blurry of the Chilean Sea Bass...I only got to take one or two because there was no way my family was holding off eating it for me to take pictures!

Bon Apetit!

Grilled Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce

Grilled Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce

Ingredients:
1 piece Flat Iron Steak, 1 1/2 - 2 pounds
1 T Steak Rub (I used Montreal Rub)

Chimichurri Sauce Ingredients:
1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro leaves (about 1 cup before chopping)
1/2 cup finely chopped flat leaf parsley leaves (about 1 cup before chopping)
2 T minced garlic
3 T fresh lemon juice
2 tsp. red wine vinegar
1 tsp. Aleppo pepper flakes (or use a smaller amount of cayenne pepper if you can't find Aleppo pepper)
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 cup olive oil

1)  Take the steak out of the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before cooking, rub with steak rub, and let it 

come to room temperature. 

2)  Wash cilantro leaves and parsley leaves and dry with paper towel or spin dry in salad spinner. Finely chop the cilantro, parsley, and garlic.

3)  Put ingredients into a bowl and add lemon juice, red wine vinegar, Cayenne pepper and cumin and stir to combine.  Then stir in olive oil until mixture is well blended.

4)  Let sit at room temperature at least 15 minutes before serving.

5)  To cook steak, preheat gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat.  Put steak on grill at an angle. After about 3-4 minutes, or when you see nice grill marks starting, rotate 45 degrees and cook 3-4 minutes more on first side.

6)  Turn steak over and cook on the second side until the meat is done to your liking. (I cooked my steak just under 12 minutes total for medium rare, but cooking time will depend on the heat of your grill, the temperature of the meat, and even the weather.

7)  When meat is done to your liking, remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes, then cut into thin slices across the grain. Serve hot, with Chimichurri sauce spooned over.

Bon Apetit!

Faces

Faces

I got into this thing of portraits when I was at JoAnn's crafts and was needing an inexpensive, personal gift for Christmas.  The inspiration for these paintings are from Jules Burt, an artist I met at an art show in Tampa, FL back in High School (2001-2002 probably), and from the artwork in the movie Great Expectations, in which the eyes on the portraits were way over emphasized.  Add a splash of my -ness and a heart felt, individually special quote between us and VOULA!  -Ness Portraits by Megan was created...  

"So, I hope you see that I would love you."

Me.

We all know I love to love... animals, people, hobbies....I just love, love!  So obviously, the Beatles quote was a great fit.

"I dream in color."

Christina.

She is a true artist and I love how she is never afraid to wear, display and exude color.  She truly brightens up days, even if she is having a bad day herself.

"I'm looking for love.  Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can't-live-without-each-other love."

Niki.

She always believes in love.  No matter how many times she gets hurt, she is willing to be completely immersed in love and not afraid to take a risk....I absolutely admire her for it.

"Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there, with open arms and open eyes."

Blair.

She is never afraid to live her life for today.  She picked up and moved across the country numerous times because she wanted to.  She is completely fearless and open to all new experiences.  I truly admire her for that...and am a bit jealous, not going to lie.

 

"Better Together."

Pri and Chris Walker

She is a princess and he is a songbird.  It just works.  I was the maid of honor at their wedding and feel so blessed that have had he honor in experiencing the relationship from the beginning.  I have been able to be there as each new chapter happens....  They are the real thing and a true inspiration.  A reason to believe in love.

"I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints, sinners are much more fun."

Kristen

We love Billy Joel and are firm believers in this quote.  

"I carry your heart.  I carry it in my heart."

Danielle.

She was my heart sister in my sorority and my first love.  My only one.  The necklace is the same one we both have, from a summer we worked together, lived together and played together.  She was my little sister in pi phi and a true angel.

I have been on hiatus for a little, but even if my friends dont love these, it was a really inexpensive way to show them you love them.  and really easy :)

Just create.

Avalanche Bars

Avalanche Bars

This is a super easy NO BAKE recipe!

12 oz bag of White Chocolate Chips

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

3 cups Rice Krispies

1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows

1/4 cup mini chocolate chips + 2 Tbsp for garnish.

Lightly grease a 9×9 pan (or 8×8 if you prefer thicker bars)

1.  In microwave-safe bowl dump in white chips and heat on med power for 1 minute.  Stir and continue in 30 second increments until chips are melted.

2.  Combine the peanut butter with the melted chips

3.  Add the krispies.

4.  Let cool approx 15 – 20 minutes stirring every 5 minutes or so to help cool.

5.  Add the marshmallows and the mini chocolate chips and stir to combine.

6.  Dump mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly, pressing lightly with the back of your spoon, but do not compact too much, otherwise they will get hard.

Bon Apetit!