My Favorite Things.... of 2009

It's Christmas time, and so I'd like to give you a gift. Cuz Christmas isn't all about receiving, you know. So, here goes, my favorite things of 2009:

10. Hunt for the Worst Movie of all time. Every Monday, Gabe posts a new review of a movie that has been suggested to be the worst ever. His reviews are witty, hysterical and brutally honest. Even better? I think I've seen most of the movies he reviews...

9. My favorite San Diego bar/restaurant. It's funky and different, and I have yet to be disappointed by a dish or drink.

8. Etsy. This site is fantastic if you like one-of-a-kind pieces. I love the jewelry and bags, but they also have great men's items like cufflinks, ties, etc.

7. My very own tomato sauce recipe. I use this for Chicken Parmesan, Sausage Pasta, etc. It's the perfect blend of tomato and spices.

(Ingredients:
1 large can crushed tomatoes
1 shallot
3 cloves garlic
1 tsp. Italian herbs
1 tsp. crushed red pepper
1 tsp. bay leaves
Chop garlic and shallot. Saute in olive oil. Add crushed tomatoes and spices, keep on low heat until served.)

6. This song, by Wakey!Wakey! Click on and listen to the track titled "Brooklyn." It's gorgeous.

5. My favorite Chocolate Cake recipe. I get asked for this recipe every time I make it. Even my mother-in-law was impressed by it and asked me for it!

(Ingredients:
1 box devil’s food cake mix
1 small box Jello instant chocolate pudding mix—not the sugar or fat free kind
1 cup sour cream
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 cups mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a VERY large bowl (4 qt), mix together everything except chocolate chips. Batter will be thick. Stir in the chocolate chips. Pour batter into cake pan of choice. For cooking time, I use the cooking times on the back of the devil’s food cake box as a guide and usually add 10 minutes to whatever it says. Then I do the toothpick check, and if it’s not done, I check on it every 5 minutes after that. :) It usually takes around 45 minutes for two, 9-inch pie pans.
I use the frosting recipe on the powdered sugar box to top off this baby. You can't go wrong.)

4. Owl City's "Ocean Eyes" CD. Every song on this album is good. I think I've listed to it 50 times already.

3. My favorite bottle of wine. If you're a red wine fan, you should try this. Ramey Wine Cellars produces an amazing claret, and it so happens to be my favorite wine. The 2005 is all gone, but the 2006 is supposed to be excellent as well.

2. The Pioneer Woman. She is my blogging and culinary inspiration. I wish I had her dedication and photo talents, so instead I follow her blog, and you should too.

1. Mylifeisaverage.com. You will thank me for this one. It's like FML, but for people with a sense of humor. It updates frequently and always gives me a good laugh.

So that's it. Ten of my favorite things that I've discovered this year. Merry Christmas to all!