Shopaholics Anonymous

I'm just going to put this out there...I'm not a shopper.  Not usually.  Well, not until Title 9 came to town.  Now try selling the "I'm not a shopper" spiel to my husband!

Title 9, the revolutionary clothing company for active/athletic/REAL women, is having their annual blow-out sale in St. Paul, now through Sunday.  So naturally, I did what any non-shopper would do -- I took the day off work and got out there just as the doors opened at 9am.  I mean, come on...who wouldn't?

Here's something else you need to know about me...I'm not a bargain hunter.  I don't dig through boxes or piles of clothing items to find my size, I don't stuff my finds into a plastic trash bag and haul it into a corral of a makeshift dressing room to drop trow in front of a hundred equally half-clad women to try on all the random things I grabbed, nor do I elbow people out of my way because a sweater just-my-style across the table catches my eye.  Today, I admit to doing the first two and experienced another invading my personal space in pursuit of the third.  I'm not proud of it, but...there you are.

I generally prefer the well-marketed, well-organized stores with civil customers and salespeople.  Smoothly flowing feng shui, warmly lit, mirrors whose reflections aren't cutting me off at the neck or distorted like a fun-house.  The blow-out sale is not exactly a free-for-all, but it is almost nearly what might, at some points in time, I guess, be called chaotic.  Maybe even a little wild.  Bordering on frantic.  It is everything my ideal shopping experience is not.  Did it keep me from making my hefty contribution to the cause (I must help keep Title 9 in business!  Not that they're in any kind of trouble, but surely, they need my help!)?  Nope.  Did it keep my adrenaline from spiking when I saw they had only ONE PAIR of tennis shoes in size 10 and I-was-really-looking-for-a-pair-of-tennis-shoes-today-can-you-believe-my-luck?  Heck no.  I enjoyed my hectic retail adventure because aside from the elbower (the exception, not the rule), people were downright cheery.  Regardless of the checkout line that snaked all the way across the room and took almost 45 minutes to work through.  (And when I say "room", I mean the Dairy Building at the State Fairgrounds...you know, really small and everything...)  I like to look on the bright side -- it gave me some time to re-try on most of my goodies to make sure I had made good choices.  Don't ever under estimate the importance of good choices...

Shoes, boots, fleeces, vests, every kind of bra imaginable, sweaters, swimsuits, yoga/running pants, capris, t-shirts of every color and style, shorts, hats, gloves, bags, jackets...you name it, it was there.  My major find?  Aside from the tennis shoes?  A Horny Toad Cashmoore 1/4 zip Fleece for $49 (normally $89).  Now I'm proud to say I have a different color for every day of the week....

What?!?  Who says I have a problem?!//

What's For Dinner Tonight?

Since the blog went daily, Terry and I have been much more motivated to cook...it's so exciting and delicious!  Tonight's culinary adventure is Chicken Cordon Bleu, made with Provolone instead of Swiss because that's what we have on hand.  Likely with a side of rice and a salad...but I reserve the right to change my mind on that.  After all, it's only 2:30.

After Dinner Update:

Chicken Cordon Bleu
2 chicken breasts
2 slices ham
2 slices cheese (normally calls for Swiss, but we used Provolone because we had it on hand)
1 egg
Breadcrumbs (we used Progresso Garlic and Herb seasoned breadcrumbs)

Preheat the oven to 350.  Pound the chicken breasts to 1/4" thick with the flat side of a meat mallet.  Layer each breast with one slice of ham and one slice of cheese, and roll them up.  Beat the egg with a splash of water.  Brush all sides of each roll-up and coat with breadcrumbs.  Place in glass or ceramic baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Oh, man, the chicken was great.  Tender, juicy and lots of flavor.  Definitely a keeper.

We made a side of Near East Whole Grain Roasted Garlic rice.  I chose the whole grain blend because I wanted to see if there was an easier way to enjoy brown rice (I always have trouble cooking it!).  I was disappointed to see it was pre-cooked...convenient, but I can't help feeling like pre-cooked can't be good.  Does it affect the nutrients somehow?  If anyone knows, I'd love the 4-1-1.

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It wasn't bad...the combo of brown rice and bulgur wheat proved for an interesting texture, one we'd just have to get more used to.  The flavor was good.  We'd probably try it again, though we have other favorites.

And salad (not pictured) with the last of the summer's yellow pear tomatoes and Newman's Own Balsamic Vinaigrette (love Newman's dressings!).  Surprisingly, I went out to the garden to pull up the plants today and there was this handful of tomatoes left out there.  Tasty little guys!

Have a great night!