The Bachelorette Recap 7-13-09

Three guys left and Jillian takes them to Maui, Hawaii (cue shots of Jillian in a skimpy bikini…ugg). Jillian will have a second chance at using the fantasy suite with each of the guys – think she’ll go for it?

The first date is with Kiptyn. Jillian takes him on a ropes course to see how Kiptyn does in a tough/team work situation. Kiptyn performed well with the right amount of humor and chivalry.

Jillian admits she is crazy about Kiptyn, but there’s a part of her that is still unsure about him. Jillian opens up to Kiptyn and admits that she trusts him more than any of the other guys, but she’s scared that if she falls in love with him, that later he might break her heart. Despite this, Jillian decides that she needs the time with him in the fantasy suite.

Jillian’s second date is with Reid. Her one concern with Reid is that he doesn’t communicate how he feels. She and Reid take a helicopter ride above Maui where the pilot shares that he is an ordained minister and that he could marry them right there. Reid was freaked out. They share a lunch on the beach afterwards and Jillian warns him that she wants to talk about the hard things at dinner later that night. Reid just fumbles and can’t get any words out. When Jillian brings out the fantasy suite card, Reid admits he’s scared because he was denied in Spain. He can’t even say to Jillian that he wants to spend the night with her! It’s Jillian who suggests that they take the offer of the fantasy suite. I feel like Jillian is a parent trying to get her child (Reid) to do something new (communicate). Reid is making me nuts!

Jillian’s third date is with Ed. They take a catamaran ride and swim in the ocean. Jillian admits that she just wants to wrap her legs around Ed and kiss him. Ed shares with Jillian that he’s flown his parents to Maui so they can meet Jillian. Ed’s dad is brought to tears when he talks with Jillian and tells her that he can see Ed has feelings for her.

While walking on the beach, Jillian brings out the fantasy suite card and they decide to spend the night together. Ed is the only one who has told Jillian that he is falling in love with her. Even though Ed and Jillian are really attracted to each other, they didn't get it on. Jillian shares that she doesn’t know if it was exhaustion from being in the sun all day, but even though she feels like a friendship love was there, she didn’t feel a romantic love with him. Ed shares that he was really nervous and is disappointed that he couldn’t show Jillian how he feels about her. I think they just weren’t feeling it, but the producers do show Ed practically asleep when Jillian was massaging him…oh Jillian. You have Kiptyn who is the perfect package, but isn’t ready to commit. You have Reid who you share an attraction with, but he won’t use his words to tell you so. And you have Ed who can tell you he loves you, but can’t physically show it. I still think that none of the guys left are right for Jillian.

Before the rose ceremony, as Jillian watches the guys’ video messages to her, Kiptyn and Reid say they would like to continue things with her, but Ed is the only one who declares that he loves her.

Jillian starts out the rose ceremony by declaring that she is falling in love with all of them. Needless to say, the guys don’t look too pleased to hear that. Jillian chooses to send Reid home, which I think is a good, but hard decision. How can Jillian be with someone who won’t say how he feels about her? If the only thing that worries Jillian about Ed is their lack of physical romance in the fantasy suite, I think she is wise to give him another shot.

Reid admits in the car on the way home that the reason he was sent home is his fault. He admits to the producers that he was falling in love with her, and says that Jillian doesn’t even know that. Too little, too late, Reid!

Next week’s After the Rose Ceremony will show news of Melissa and Jason; looks like they’re still together. Then in two weeks, we’ll get to see who proposes to Jillian!

The Bachelorette Recap 7-6-09

Jillian takes the final four bachelors to Madrid, Spain. Jillian shares that she thought by this point there would be a front-runner by now, but there isn’t. I honestly can see any of the guys left being her soul mate. We’ll see!

Jillian’s first date is with Kiptyn. Now Jillian is worried that Kiptyn is too perfect. Ugg. First Jake, now Kiptyn. Kiptyn told Jillian that he thinks a proposal is far off. This worries Jillian, of course. After walking around Madrid, Jillian and Kiptyn learn to dance Flamenco. Jillian really liked how Kiptyn looked in his tight pants (who didn’t?).

Anyone notice that Jillian wears a lot of yellow? It must be her favorite color.

Jillian and Kiptyn ride a moped to their dinner date where Jillian grills Kiptyn with some hard questions. She likes his answers. Now, I haven’t been watching The Bachelor/Bachlelorette shows since the inception, but this is the first time I’ve seen someone reject the Fantasy Suite card. And Jillian is the one who rejected it! She said she wasn’t ready to spend the night with him yet. They do go to the Fantasy Suite to cuddle. Jillian wants to know that Kiptyn is crazy about her and can’t live without her before she spends the night with him. I’m proud of Jillian’s decision and I’m pleased with Kiptyn’s gracious response as well.

Reid is Jillian’s second date and they have fun purchasing food for a picnic in Sevilla, Spain. Jillian really pushes Reid; she wants specifics as to exactly how he feels about her. Again, Jillian rejects the Fantasy Suite and Reid thinks it’s a smart move on her part, but of course, he’s bummed. I think Reid and Jillian are really cute together.

The next date is in Sevilla, Spain with Ed who has a lot to make up for. Ed shares that he couldn’t get Jillian off his mind when he went back home, so he made the decision to come back. Jillian shares that she knows that she needs to make sure Ed is the right one for her, but she admits that she just want to make out with him. When the Fantasy Suite card comes, Jillian shares that she is super-protective of herself since Ed has broken her heart before. Ed doesn’t take this news as well as the previous two guys. Jillian shares that she doesn’t feel emotionally ready to spend the night with any of the guys yet. Three cheers for Jillian!

Jillian’s fourth date is in Barcelona, Spain with Wes. Wes and Jillian ride bikes around the parks in Barcelona. Jillian shares that she is worried about Wes’ lack of affection. Jillian notices that while Wes says he likes her, he was physically far away from her. Wes evades Jillian’s questions and Jillian says she’ll try asking him the tough questions again at dinner. Jillian confronts the girlfriend issue and Wes’ motives for being on the show. Wes still claims he doesn’t have a girlfriend and that yes, his manager told him to go on the show. Wes thinks that any publicity will be good publicity – he got that wrong! Jillian continues to confront him, and Wes admits that “numero uno is most important.” I think that statement really does describe Wes really well. He looks out for himself. Jillian is shocked that Wes has just said that. Jillian confronts him again about the girlfriend issue, and Wes accidentally refers to Laurel as his “girlfriend, … I mean ex-girlfriend.” He realizes his blunder and stops right there. I think by this point Jillian has finally seen the light! The producers choose this point to deliver the Fantasy Suite card. Wes is all for the Fanatasy Suite (unbelievable!). It has become clear to Jillian that Wes has something to hide, and she accepts the fact that Wes has a girlfriend back home. Jillian feels embarrassed, but also sorry for Wes.

Jillian looked really good in that black dress at the rose ceremony!

Wes is SO disgusting. Right before Jillian walks into the rose ceremony, Wes says, “If it’s me, just know I’ll be back home having lots of sex.” Seriously? No one is going to buy your album Wes; you are so disgusting!! The other three guys are disgusted as well. Of course, Jillian chooses to send Wes home – finally!

In the limo on the way home, Wes shares that his acting days are over. He has a drink, congratulating himself on being the first guy to make it to the top four with a girlfriend. What kind of girl is at home waiting for him? Eww. Wes makes it clear that he’s going out on the town tonight. He’s so gross and disgusting, I can’t even waste more words on him. The end.

I think my new favorite is Reid. I can’t wait to see how it ends!

Fourth of July Treats

I made Bakerella's Cupcake Pops and Cupcake Bites (the same thing, but without the lollypop stick). These were fun and really tasty. I recommend not trying to make them into the cupcake shape, but just leaving them in a round shape.

Here's my display of the Cupcake Pops.

I made TWO New York Cheesecakes from the Cooking Light magazine. The fat and calories are greatly reduced, but it did not pass my hubby's taste test.

This is the strawberry sauce I made from the strawberries we picked at the strawberry patch last week. It's really sweet and therefore, really good.

Pad Thai or Some Asain Noodle Thing

When my mom came to help with my new little baby this last March, she made us homemade Pad Thai. Tonight for dinner, Hubby said he wasn't hungry (do to eating out at lunch), so I made something only I would eat. I was really craving Pad Thai, and not knowing what my mom put in it, but just having some of the bottles of stuff left in my cabinet, I went to work. I used rice noodles, chicken, zucchini (just because I'm on a zucchini kick), green onions, oyster sauce and rice vinegar. I don't think this is technically Pad Thai, but whatever. It was good!

Photography note - check out the reflection of the tree in the white of the bowl. I had to stand by the window to get enough natural light at the photo.

The Bachelorette Recap 6-29-09

This is the week of the hometown visits on The Bachelorette. Jillian will be visiting the homes of 5 guys. First off, we have Reid in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Reid showed Jillian around town, then they went to meet the family. Jillian really liked Reid’s mother. Reid admits to his father that Jillian is a girl he could fall in love with. Reid’s family said they are not used to seeing Reid being so affectionate. Jillian said she really fell hard for Reid on this visit.

Next, Jillian visited Michael’s hometown of Astoria, New York. She gets to meet Michael’s identical twin brother and his parents. Michael and his brother tried to pull the old twin switch-a-roo on Jillian, and she knew right away. Good job, Jill! Jillian admitted that Michael’s age really bothers her, but after talking to his twin, he put her fears aside. Poor Jillian, it sounds like she had a really bad cold for this visit.

Jillian visits Kiptyn in San Diego, California next. His parents live in a huge house with great views. Jillian feels a little intimidated and said this might be the first family she doesn’t fit in with. However, Kiptyn’s parents put her at ease once they show her their hot tub which they’ve cordoned off with police tap (in reference to her steamy hot tub scene with Jason from The Bachelor). Kiptyn’s mom was the first of the family’s to really grill Jillian. Jillian and Kiptyn sneak past the police tape and take a dip in the hot tub.

Next Jillian visits Jesse in Carmel Valley, California at his family’s winery.

Jesse’s brother grills Jillian and asks her if he and Jesse have been naked together. Jillian quickly answers, “No! No…that doesn’t come till later.” Jillian really got along well with Jesse’s family, and Jillian really likes the idea of running a winery.

The final hometown date is in Austin, Texas with Wes, scumbag of the century. Jillian feels like one of them is holding something back, but she doesn’t know who and she doesn’t know what and she hopes to find that out on this trip. We know from the previews that Jake, the pilot comes back to tell her that Wes has a girlfriend and is only on the show to further his musical career. It’s about time she finally got a clue the poor thing! Wes, of course, has his band play for Jillian. He shares with the producers that his ultimate goal is to help his new CD do well. Poor Jillian thinks he’s doing this all for her. Wes admits that he loves to be on the stage and no feeling can compare. Wes flat out tells Jillian that he is on the show for her, and that he’s not a good liar. He’s totally lying to her!!! Make me sick!

Enter, Jake the hot pilot. He says he’s not coming back to change Jillian’s mind about him, but to warn her about Wes. He’s says it’s not fair that Wes is playing with Jillian’s heart, and he’s going to stop him. Go Jake! When he meets with Jillian, he has a hard time spitting it out, but he finally tells Jake that Wes has a girlfriend named Laurel. Jake said that Wes spoke of Laurel, his girlfriend, three separate times. Jillian is very saddened and humiliated. Jake warns Jillian that when confronted, Wes will deny it and that he’s very quick on his feet.

When Jillian confronts Wes, she gives him an opportunity to share anything he might want to share. He doesn’t admit anything and when Jillian says Jake came and told her that Wes had a girlfriend. Wes said that that is crazy and tries to backpedal, but Jillian’s not buying it. Wes is so sick! He keeps reiterating how honest he’s being and says he’s not a good liar. Jillian has Jake come up to the room. He and Wes bicker; Wes will not admit that he told Jake he has a girlfriend, and Jake claims Wes told him just that. Jillian has Jake leave so she can sort out what she wants to do from here. Jake is in tears over the situation. He really cares for Jillian and does not want to see her hurt. Oh man, he would make a good candidate for The Bachelor!! He’s hot, nice, and stands up for what he believes in. Plus, he looks hot in his pilot’s uniform.

Jillian agrees to go ahead with the visit to the family. Wes’ family assures Jillian that Wes is truthful and a one-woman man. Oh man! Jillian still likes him!

When Jillian is back in L.A., she gets a visit from Ed, who voluntarily left the show. He says he wants a second chance. Jillian is really thrown for a loop. She says that Ed can come to the rose ceremony where she’ll decide.

Jillian gives Ed a rose!! I am so shocked! I am also disgusted because she chose Wes over Jesse. Jesse is going home and so is Michael. Jesse was my favorite of the guys left on the show. Jesse hugs Jillian but doesn’t say anything to her. He is very hurt. Michael is very hurt as well. I guess my next favorite is Kiptyn. Next week, Jillian takes the final four to Spain.

Strawberry Picking

My Little Guy loves to pick my strawberries at home and he often picks the green ones (the stinker), so I thought it would be a good idea to take him to a strawberry patch where he could pick strawberries to his heart's delight. Here's the fruit of our labors.

I made a dairy-free strawberry and chocolate "milk" shake. It was DELICIOUS! (And no, I didn't count the Weight Watchers POINTS.)

The strawberries needed to be used right away, so I used a lot of them to make a double batch of strawberry sauce. I will use some of the sauce for a topping of the cheesecake I'm going to make for Fourth of July. This strawberry sauce was simple:

Boil 1 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water for 12 minutes. Then add 2 cups crushed strawberries and boil for one minute. Chill.

Chicken Fajita Lettuce Wraps

My neighbor brought over a bunch of lettuce from her garden, so I decided to use the large leaves as wraps for my chicken fajitas. They were good!