From Walking Down the Red Carpet to Walking Down the Aisle

Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face (1957)

The Knot put together this fun little montage of Wedding-Worthy Oscar Gowns. While the Seamaiden admits that none of these choices really suits my vintage style, it started me thinking about some of the movie and television wedding dresses that will likely inspire my own wedding dress. (By the way, my seamaiden friends, I had to reschedule my gown appointment at K&B Bridals and Event Planning for March 21. I will keep you posted.) I have to say my choice would have to be Audrey Hepburn's chic runway wedding dress in Funny Face.

Seamaiden Pasta Salad

Shrimp and Old Bay seasoning give ordinary pasta salad a burst of flavor!

Ingredients
8 oz. whole wheat pasta, uncooked
1 lb. small cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 green onions, chopped
3/4 cup mayonnaise
Sea salt
Pepper
Old Bay seasoning

Directions
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
Add pasta to a large serving bowl.

Stir in shrimp and green onions.
Stir in mayonnaise.
Add sea salt, pepper and Old Bay to taste. Mix well.

Cuddling Up with Kindle

While the Seamaster is away on business this weekend, the Seamaiden has no choice but to curl up under the covers Kindle-style with some books I snagged for free.

The Memoirs of Edward Rochester by Ken Jones
Love and Friendship by Jane Austen
Irish Fairy Tales by James Stephens
Cleopatra--Complete by George Ebers
The Haunted Hotel by Wilkie Collins

Mermaid Reading by Rosalie Scanlon

Don't Miss Dublin Day at Unique Boutique

In the Seamaiden's somewhat humble opinion, Unique Boutique is among the very best consignment shops that Harford County has to offer. Owner Cyndi Schmidt has fully realized her vision of transforming the consignment shopping excursion into one in which visitors are immediately enveloped in an aromatic haven of high-end style that is ultra-affordable. And the gift lines--including Pavilion Gifts and jewelry, pottery and Ravens memorabilia created by local artists--make the Unique Boutique experience all the more opulent.

This Saturday, February 25, shoppers can splurge at Unique Boutique without the slightest smidgen of guilt. At the Dublin Day sale, 20% of all the proceeds will benefit the Dublin Elementary PTA. And don't miss the deep discounts on winter items!

Unique Boutique is located at 3321 Conowingo Road in Street. 410.457.4210

To learn more about Unique Boutique, read "Treat Yourself to Consignment after the Holidays" on page 26 of the January/February issue of Harford's Heart.

Beef Cubes over Egg Noodles

This is a hearty dish for a winter evening!

Ingredients
16 oz. egg noodles
2 lb. beef cubes
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
10 3/4 oz. cream of mushroom soup
8 oz. tomato sauce
2 tbsp. sherry
1/2 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. herbes de Provence
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Directions
Cook egg noodles according to package directions.
While noodles are cooking, brown beef cubes over medium-high heat until cooked through in a large pan. Remove beef from heat and keep warm. Reserve 1 tbsp. drippings in pan.
Saute garlic and onion in pan until softened.
Add cream of mushroom soup, tomato sauce and sherry and stir until well mixed.
Stir in thyme, herbes de Provence, salt and pepper.
Stir in beef cubes and cook until heated through.
Serve beef mixture over drained egg noodles.

Hot Dog Croissants

One of the things I love most about the Seamaster is the fact that he appreciates the super-simple dishes I serve just as much as the fancier fare. And these hot dog croissants are about as simple, yet oh-so-yummy, as it gets!

Ingredients
8 hot dogs of your choice (The Seamaster loves beef franks.)
1 canister of croissant dough (8 croissants)
Shredded cheese of your choice
Chopped chives

Directions
Preheat oven according to croissant canister instructions.
Roll out the individual pieces of croissant dough.
Top each piece of dough with a smattering of your favorite shredded cheese. (We love Colby Jack!)

Roll each hot dog up into each piece of croissant dough and place on a baking sheet.
Top the croissant dough with chopped chives.
Bake for 15 minutes, or until croissants are done.

Make Yourself Up Like a Mermaid

Wow! My dear friend, Gwen, alerted me to this fin-omenal Halloween Mermaid Makeup Tutorial by Traci Hines, who happens to be a singer, mermaid model (How do I get that job?!), accessory designer and makeup artist. I just may sport this look for my own Halloween wedding!

Thanks so much to Gwen! And I highly recommend that my fellow seamaidens follow Gwen's amazing cultural arts and dining escapades in San Diego on Life of a Natural Blonde.

Chicken Marsala

I threw this one together by the seat of my tail fin tonight. Glad to say the Seamaster was pleased with the results!

Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 teaspoons flour, divided
3/4 tsp. salt, divided
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 tbsp. olive oil, divided
5 cloves garlic, minced
8 oz. mushrooms, sliced
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 cup Marsala wine
2/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

Directions
Place each chicken breast half between 2 sheets of plastic wrap. Pound to 1/2-inch thickness with mallet.
Combine 3 tsp. flour, 1/4 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. pepper in dish. Dredge chicken in flour mixture.
Heat a large skilet with 1 tbsp. oil. Add chicken. Cook 3 minutes on each side or until done.
Remove chicken from heat and keep warm.
Heat remaining tbsp. oil in skillet. Add garlic and saute 1 minute.
Add remaining 1/2 tsp. salt, mushrooms and oregano. Saute 6 minutes or until mushrooms darken.
Sprinkle with remaining 1 tsp. flour. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Stir in wine and broth. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer 1 minute.
Add chicken and tomatoes. Cook until thoroughly heated, turning chicken once.