Sunday, February 26, 2012
Happy Birthday, Bright and a sneak peak at a cake I am making.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
A few projects on my list...
This bag looks fun to make and maybe give away at a baby shower... Fill it with a few little baby things and it would make a cute presents.
I like this quilt, but I have way too much hand sewing to do right now. This is definitely on my list of things to make in the future with some of my fabric scraps that are getting out of control.
I wish I had seen this pattern when my mother was still teaching English. I would have made this pencil holder for her.
Friday, February 24, 2012
My sister is disgustingly talented. :)
Look at this cute little mailbox that she made up. Go to the link below to download the PDF version of this mailbox and make your very own little tiny mailbox:
http://craftbrewery.blogspot.com/2012/02/tiny-mailbox.html
Look at this cute little mailbox that she made up. Go to the link below to download the PDF version of this mailbox and make your very own little tiny mailbox:
http://craftbrewery.blogspot.com/2012/02/tiny-mailbox.html
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
So, while I was visiting Stephanie, I learned something about myself. I keep a grocery store stocked in my house. Until I visited Stef's bare shelves and empty refrigerator, I had never noticed this about myself before. I mentioned this new revelation to Jared and he said, "uh, yeah, you do".
See, I like to have everything on hand to be able to make whatever might pop into my little head to make. I love to be prepared. I never thought this was weird until I noticed other people's lack of groceries in their pantry. It started me thinking about why I have 4 containers of oatmeal (2 of which will turn into granola this weekend) or 4 large cans of kidney beans (2 of which will be in chili next week). I realized that I hate starting to make something and realizing that I am missing an ingredient. I also like to be able to run to the store most weeks and buy, milk, yogurt, lunch meat, carrots, and bread (for Jared's lunches). I don't like huge shopping trips. I like one big splurge to stock up (about once a month) and then to coast through my supplies until then.
Does anyone else do this?
See, I like to have everything on hand to be able to make whatever might pop into my little head to make. I love to be prepared. I never thought this was weird until I noticed other people's lack of groceries in their pantry. It started me thinking about why I have 4 containers of oatmeal (2 of which will turn into granola this weekend) or 4 large cans of kidney beans (2 of which will be in chili next week). I realized that I hate starting to make something and realizing that I am missing an ingredient. I also like to be able to run to the store most weeks and buy, milk, yogurt, lunch meat, carrots, and bread (for Jared's lunches). I don't like huge shopping trips. I like one big splurge to stock up (about once a month) and then to coast through my supplies until then.
Does anyone else do this?
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Jambalaya
SERVES 12 (I did not notice this the first time I made it) ha ha ha
2 TBS vegetable oil (or butter or olive oil)
2 c. smoked sausage
2 c. chicken
2 c. onions
2 c. green peppers
2 c. celery
4 -6 garlic cloves
2 bay leaves
1.5 tsp thyme leaves (I never have these, I never use it)
1.5 tsp oregano
2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp red pepper
8 large tomatoes diced (or canned or just throw in extra tomato sauce - that is what I normally do)
1 c. canned tomato sauce (see above)
4 c. chicken stock
salt to taste (didn't add any)
2 - 4 c. rice
Heat the oil in a large pot (I have a 12 quart pan I use). Either cook the sausage and chicken here or already have it cooked and add in later. Stir in the onions, celery, and green peppers. Cook until tender.
Lower heat. Add garlic and other seasonings. Stir for about 1 minutes. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, and stock. Bring to a boil. Add salt to taste and more pepper if needed.
I cook the rice, in another pan, until it is almost finished (still a little crunchy) and drain the extra water and then add it to the jambalaya. The recipe calls for it to be added to the jambalaya uncooked, but I use brown rice and it doesn't seem to cook all the way...
That is it. It is pretty spicy. Thanks to Ms. Pat for the great Southern cookbook that she gave us on our 1st anniversary. I have used it more than any other cookbook (even more than Betty Crocker). It is getting some pretty beautiful stains on it. :) I should post some pictures. I say, never trust a clean cookbook. ha ha.
2 TBS vegetable oil (or butter or olive oil)
2 c. smoked sausage
2 c. chicken
2 c. onions
2 c. green peppers
2 c. celery
4 -6 garlic cloves
2 bay leaves
1.5 tsp thyme leaves (I never have these, I never use it)
1.5 tsp oregano
2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp red pepper
8 large tomatoes diced (or canned or just throw in extra tomato sauce - that is what I normally do)
1 c. canned tomato sauce (see above)
4 c. chicken stock
salt to taste (didn't add any)
2 - 4 c. rice
Heat the oil in a large pot (I have a 12 quart pan I use). Either cook the sausage and chicken here or already have it cooked and add in later. Stir in the onions, celery, and green peppers. Cook until tender.
Lower heat. Add garlic and other seasonings. Stir for about 1 minutes. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, and stock. Bring to a boil. Add salt to taste and more pepper if needed.
I cook the rice, in another pan, until it is almost finished (still a little crunchy) and drain the extra water and then add it to the jambalaya. The recipe calls for it to be added to the jambalaya uncooked, but I use brown rice and it doesn't seem to cook all the way...
That is it. It is pretty spicy. Thanks to Ms. Pat for the great Southern cookbook that she gave us on our 1st anniversary. I have used it more than any other cookbook (even more than Betty Crocker). It is getting some pretty beautiful stains on it. :) I should post some pictures. I say, never trust a clean cookbook. ha ha.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Happy Birthday, Mom!
Thank you for:
* making me meals all the time
* encouraging me
* schooling me
* punishing me
* talking on the phone for hours to me when I was at school
* reading to me
* helping me be a better writer
* loving me
* taking me to soccer games and all sorts of other places
* baking me treats
* working out at the gym with me
* praying for me
* sending me cards (oh, so many cards and letters)
* planning food for camping trips for me
I love you so much. I hope your birthday is wonderful! Thank you!
Thank you for:
* making me meals all the time
* encouraging me
* schooling me
* punishing me
* talking on the phone for hours to me when I was at school
* reading to me
* helping me be a better writer
* loving me
* taking me to soccer games and all sorts of other places
* baking me treats
* working out at the gym with me
* praying for me
* sending me cards (oh, so many cards and letters)
* planning food for camping trips for me
I love you so much. I hope your birthday is wonderful! Thank you!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Random thoughts
Jared and I heard this on, A Prairie Home Companion. It make us laugh.
Barista: Would you like to try our Pumpkin Spice Latte?
Garrison Keillor: No, thank you. I don't drink vegetable-flavored coffee.
Wait Wait Wait, Don't tell me, is my favorite show on NPR. I download the podcasts to an ipod touch and listen to them often. LOVE! I wish I could download A Prairie Home Companion because that is my second favorite. I also love Fresh Air, depending on the guest. Last week I read the four of the first five books in the Little House on the Prairie Series. I skipped Farmer Boy... I know, I know... I am going to go back and read it. I was just so interested in what happened to Laura and her family.
After 25 years, I have finally learned how to spell the work Prairie. I think it finally sunk in when I stayed in Grand Prairie in Texas for my training this Winter.
While flying out of Denver, I came to realize several things:
1. Flying at night >> (is much greater than) flying during the day. I love looking at all the lights below. Ideally, taking off at sunset is the best and then flying into the sunset. :)
2. Flying in cold weather >> flying in the summer. I get sick on airplanes. I become much less sick if cold air is blowing on me.
3. Dramamine and earplanes make flying so much happier for me.
4. Southwest >> American Airlines. There is no contest. Bags fly Free vs. $50/bag round trip. No change fees. All the snacks you could want vs. NOTHING for free. Friendly people everywhere vs. not friendly people.
5. Enterprise >> Hertz (this and the Southwest post are going to be a seperate post, however, I just thought I would mention here, how much I LOVE Enterprise and their service. I feel so taken care of when I use them. I wish their personal rental rates were as cheap as their price cuts for corperations. I would love to rent from them during vacations AND business trips.
6. Flying when there is snow on the ground or Christmas lights on houses is super neat!!
7. The Denver Airport is one of the neatest airports that I have been in, but BWI is still my favorite airport to fly into (maybe because it is that much closer to home, also, it is one of the most efficient airports -- my baggage is always waiting for me and I am not waiting for it).
8. Oh and having a whole row to yourself to sleep on is AMAZING! But having the woman in front of you talk the whole time is NOT (or the drunk businessmen who reminded me of Brian Regan's bit on the ME monster... google that, it is hilarious!!!).
Happy lunchtime!
This should be the last of airport posts for a while. I hope to stay safely on the ground for a good while now. So, this is your last chance to share an airport story or two in the comments. What have you realized about flying or airports or luggage?
Barista: Would you like to try our Pumpkin Spice Latte?
Garrison Keillor: No, thank you. I don't drink vegetable-flavored coffee.
Wait Wait Wait, Don't tell me, is my favorite show on NPR. I download the podcasts to an ipod touch and listen to them often. LOVE! I wish I could download A Prairie Home Companion because that is my second favorite. I also love Fresh Air, depending on the guest. Last week I read the four of the first five books in the Little House on the Prairie Series. I skipped Farmer Boy... I know, I know... I am going to go back and read it. I was just so interested in what happened to Laura and her family.
After 25 years, I have finally learned how to spell the work Prairie. I think it finally sunk in when I stayed in Grand Prairie in Texas for my training this Winter.
While flying out of Denver, I came to realize several things:
1. Flying at night >> (is much greater than) flying during the day. I love looking at all the lights below. Ideally, taking off at sunset is the best and then flying into the sunset. :)
2. Flying in cold weather >> flying in the summer. I get sick on airplanes. I become much less sick if cold air is blowing on me.
3. Dramamine and earplanes make flying so much happier for me.
4. Southwest >> American Airlines. There is no contest. Bags fly Free vs. $50/bag round trip. No change fees. All the snacks you could want vs. NOTHING for free. Friendly people everywhere vs. not friendly people.
5. Enterprise >> Hertz (this and the Southwest post are going to be a seperate post, however, I just thought I would mention here, how much I LOVE Enterprise and their service. I feel so taken care of when I use them. I wish their personal rental rates were as cheap as their price cuts for corperations. I would love to rent from them during vacations AND business trips.
6. Flying when there is snow on the ground or Christmas lights on houses is super neat!!
7. The Denver Airport is one of the neatest airports that I have been in, but BWI is still my favorite airport to fly into (maybe because it is that much closer to home, also, it is one of the most efficient airports -- my baggage is always waiting for me and I am not waiting for it).
8. Oh and having a whole row to yourself to sleep on is AMAZING! But having the woman in front of you talk the whole time is NOT (or the drunk businessmen who reminded me of Brian Regan's bit on the ME monster... google that, it is hilarious!!!).
Happy lunchtime!
This should be the last of airport posts for a while. I hope to stay safely on the ground for a good while now. So, this is your last chance to share an airport story or two in the comments. What have you realized about flying or airports or luggage?
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Cream Puffs
Puffs:
1 cup water
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1 cup flour
4 eggs
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Break eggs into bowl and mix well. Heat water and butter to boiling. Stir in flour. Stir vigorously over low heat until it forms a ball (about 1 - 2 minutes). Remove from heat. Mix in eggs. Beat until smooth. Drop onto a cookie sheet. Recipe says it will make 12 cream puffs, I made them smaller and made 23. Bake 30 - 45 minutes. Cool.
Once cool you can either cut the tops off and fill with the cream filling or you can fill a pastry bag with the cream and stick the tip into the puff and fill.
Filling:
1 cup cream
1 package vanilla pudding
some milk to thin
Whip the cream (I do not recommend mixing by hand - it will make you really tired). Once you have whipped cream, mix in the pudding. It will make it really really thick. You will need to add some milk to thin it out.
Chocolate topping:
Either 3 T unsweetened cocoa powder (+ 1 TBS of butter) or 1 square unsweetened chocolate
1 TBS butter
1 cup powdered sugar
2 TBS water
1/2 tsp vanilla
Melt the chocolate. Mix in the powdered sugar. Add the vanilla. You may need to mix in the water.
Cream puffs:
Assemble the puffs. Fill the puffs. Drizzle or spoon chocolate on the top. Chill. Enjoy.
Recipe credits to Betty Crocker (who does not exist - sad sad sad) and my Mother (happy almost birthday, Mom!).
1 cup water
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1 cup flour
4 eggs
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Break eggs into bowl and mix well. Heat water and butter to boiling. Stir in flour. Stir vigorously over low heat until it forms a ball (about 1 - 2 minutes). Remove from heat. Mix in eggs. Beat until smooth. Drop onto a cookie sheet. Recipe says it will make 12 cream puffs, I made them smaller and made 23. Bake 30 - 45 minutes. Cool.
Once cool you can either cut the tops off and fill with the cream filling or you can fill a pastry bag with the cream and stick the tip into the puff and fill.
Filling:
1 cup cream
1 package vanilla pudding
some milk to thin
Whip the cream (I do not recommend mixing by hand - it will make you really tired). Once you have whipped cream, mix in the pudding. It will make it really really thick. You will need to add some milk to thin it out.
Chocolate topping:
Either 3 T unsweetened cocoa powder (+ 1 TBS of butter) or 1 square unsweetened chocolate
1 TBS butter
1 cup powdered sugar
2 TBS water
1/2 tsp vanilla
Melt the chocolate. Mix in the powdered sugar. Add the vanilla. You may need to mix in the water.
Cream puffs:
Assemble the puffs. Fill the puffs. Drizzle or spoon chocolate on the top. Chill. Enjoy.
Recipe credits to Betty Crocker (who does not exist - sad sad sad) and my Mother (happy almost birthday, Mom!).
Friday, February 10, 2012
1. There is no place like home.
2. Last week on Tuesday, I had already worked 22 hours (which would normally be 2 hours away from going home on a Wednesday... boo).
3. I have not been quilting, reading, or baking these last two weeks. I have started doing word puzzles and crossword puzzles again. I really need to quilt Jared's quilt for him.
4. Taste of Home is the best magazine other than the Economist.
5. Our first houseplant to have a baby houseplant was named Rufus (by Jared). Every other new baby plant after it has also been named Rufus. Jared killed Rufus 2 last summer when he dropped the window shade on it. Rufus 1 and 3 are in their own pots (4 & 5 are still attached to the mother plant and 5 is bigger than 1, 3, or 4).
6. I bought two new pairs of Clarks (both from their Privo line) this past week at the outlets. They are both black slip on shoes. One pair is really cute, the other pair is sort of ugly, but they were so comfortable (and $19.99, normally retail at $79.99) and no one can really see them when they are under dress pants. At the moment that I tried them on and chose comfort over cuteness, I realized that I was officially old. I also scored them both for cheaper than the first pair of Clarks that I wear at least 2 or 3 times a week at work and have done wonders for my feet. I have almost worn out the marking on the soles and they squeak as I walk across the plant or in the parking lot.
7. I really wish it would snow.
2. Last week on Tuesday, I had already worked 22 hours (which would normally be 2 hours away from going home on a Wednesday... boo).
3. I have not been quilting, reading, or baking these last two weeks. I have started doing word puzzles and crossword puzzles again. I really need to quilt Jared's quilt for him.
4. Taste of Home is the best magazine other than the Economist.
5. Our first houseplant to have a baby houseplant was named Rufus (by Jared). Every other new baby plant after it has also been named Rufus. Jared killed Rufus 2 last summer when he dropped the window shade on it. Rufus 1 and 3 are in their own pots (4 & 5 are still attached to the mother plant and 5 is bigger than 1, 3, or 4).
6. I bought two new pairs of Clarks (both from their Privo line) this past week at the outlets. They are both black slip on shoes. One pair is really cute, the other pair is sort of ugly, but they were so comfortable (and $19.99, normally retail at $79.99) and no one can really see them when they are under dress pants. At the moment that I tried them on and chose comfort over cuteness, I realized that I was officially old. I also scored them both for cheaper than the first pair of Clarks that I wear at least 2 or 3 times a week at work and have done wonders for my feet. I have almost worn out the marking on the soles and they squeak as I walk across the plant or in the parking lot.
7. I really wish it would snow.
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
God is so good and gives us blessings that we don't deserve. Here is something that I am extremely thankful for.
When I was in Dallas, we went the Mavericks game, and we had to walk a lot around outside to the game and to the restaurant. Guess what? It didn't rain. The next day we had to walk to a tour of another plant. Guess what? It started raining when we reached the door on the way back from the tour.
Starting on Tuesday afternoon it POURED until Thursday afternoon. We had flash floods, tornado warnings, and hail. It rained and rained and rained.
See when the rain is going to stop? My training class was over at 2:00. That is when I was planning on heading back to Dallas to walk around. How perfect this is?!? It was a huge blessing that the rain came when it didn't bother my plans (not on Monday or Thursday afternoon. Thank you, God for making my trip pleasant. Also, I am SUPER SUPER SUPER grateful that both times my flights have had clear weather. It rained the entire first trip I had to Dallas, except the day that I flew in and flew out. One of the worst things is taking off in bad weather. Praise God; the lots have fallen for me in pleasant places! I really didn't need to explore Dallas on Thursday afternoon, but it was a nice surprise.
When I was in Dallas, we went the Mavericks game, and we had to walk a lot around outside to the game and to the restaurant. Guess what? It didn't rain. The next day we had to walk to a tour of another plant. Guess what? It started raining when we reached the door on the way back from the tour.
Starting on Tuesday afternoon it POURED until Thursday afternoon. We had flash floods, tornado warnings, and hail. It rained and rained and rained.
See when the rain is going to stop? My training class was over at 2:00. That is when I was planning on heading back to Dallas to walk around. How perfect this is?!? It was a huge blessing that the rain came when it didn't bother my plans (not on Monday or Thursday afternoon. Thank you, God for making my trip pleasant. Also, I am SUPER SUPER SUPER grateful that both times my flights have had clear weather. It rained the entire first trip I had to Dallas, except the day that I flew in and flew out. One of the worst things is taking off in bad weather. Praise God; the lots have fallen for me in pleasant places! I really didn't need to explore Dallas on Thursday afternoon, but it was a nice surprise.
Monday, February 06, 2012
One of the benefits of rarely drinking coffee or anything caffeinated, is that when you drink caffeine, it REALLY wakes you up. While in Dallas, I had less sleep than I am used to. The day after my flight, which was delayed (and I only had 5.5 hours of sleep), and the day after that, when I went to the Mavericks game (and only had 6 hours of sleep) I was super tired. I know, it is partly my fault because I wake up early to go to the gym, I could have slept in for another hours, but I really enjoy working out at the hotel gym. On Monday I did not drink coffee, but on Tuesday I ventured out to find a Starbucks (I don't like their regular coffee - I think it tastes burnt) and buy a frap.
Lunch Tuesday:
Rudy's Barbque (2/5 stars - I just don't enjoy it)
* I think their food tastes WAY too smoky! I am not a big fan. I have had it twice now.
* This is the interesting thing about them. They don't serve you with plates. They throw your entire order into a big black basket and slap a pile of white bread on top. I am not sure how I feel about this. Of all the restaurants so far in Texas, I would rank this near the bottom, just because the flavors are so overpowered by the flavor of smoke and spicy barbque sauce (optional, but better than the smoky taste).
Dinner: Jimmy's Catfish (5/5 stars)
Okay imagine this place at dark, in the rain on a long dark creepy road (full of little businesses that look like drug fronts and family dollars)...Also, your group has left you and gone shopping (shopping... really? and you don't want to eat dinner until 8:30 (9:30 EST)... really? I am hopefully in bed by then).
Again, imagine it was a dark and stormy night...
It was a dark and stormy night and this food came back to my hotel room with me... Left to right: stuffed jalapenos, red beans and rice, catfish fillets the size of twice my hands, fries, and hush puppies. Stuffed jalapenos: perfection. They melted in my mouth. Just the perfect amount of spiciness. Red beans and rice was delicious, nothing special... it was red beans and rice (I am not sure if it could ever be special...). Catfish: perfectly fried in cornmeal, curling up on the edges and falling apart when you bit into it. This food makes my mouth very happy. It is really a good thing that I don't live down south. I think I would be twice the size I am today. I gave this place 5/5 stars because it was everything I expected it to be. It isn't grand dining, but that is not what it advertises to be. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal here.
Thanks to my dear company for paying me to eat good food.
P.S. I think you guys should pay me for all the money I am saving you on my meals. All this food for $12?!? Everyone else is spending $30-$40 on food. :) I am just saying... you should think about it.
YAY, for caffeine and good food!!
Question: Do you have a favorite way to wake up when you don't get enough sleep? When was the last time you didn't have enough sleep?
I would have to say that it has been several years, probably since college that I have had little sleep and had to concentrate. All you mothers out there are probably thinking, "just you wait until you have kids". Sleep has always been very important to me. I never pulled an all-nighter at school; it just wasn't worth it to me. I stayed up until 2am once to finish a project, but only because it was a team project and everyone else had not done their parts and I needed to make sure they finished them in time. I usually went to bed around 10 when I was in school. I guess I have always been pretty boring.
Lunch Tuesday:
Rudy's Barbque (2/5 stars - I just don't enjoy it)
* I think their food tastes WAY too smoky! I am not a big fan. I have had it twice now.
* This is the interesting thing about them. They don't serve you with plates. They throw your entire order into a big black basket and slap a pile of white bread on top. I am not sure how I feel about this. Of all the restaurants so far in Texas, I would rank this near the bottom, just because the flavors are so overpowered by the flavor of smoke and spicy barbque sauce (optional, but better than the smoky taste).
Dinner: Jimmy's Catfish (5/5 stars)
Okay imagine this place at dark, in the rain on a long dark creepy road (full of little businesses that look like drug fronts and family dollars)...Also, your group has left you and gone shopping (shopping... really? and you don't want to eat dinner until 8:30 (9:30 EST)... really? I am hopefully in bed by then).
It was a dark and stormy night and this food came back to my hotel room with me... Left to right: stuffed jalapenos, red beans and rice, catfish fillets the size of twice my hands, fries, and hush puppies. Stuffed jalapenos: perfection. They melted in my mouth. Just the perfect amount of spiciness. Red beans and rice was delicious, nothing special... it was red beans and rice (I am not sure if it could ever be special...). Catfish: perfectly fried in cornmeal, curling up on the edges and falling apart when you bit into it. This food makes my mouth very happy. It is really a good thing that I don't live down south. I think I would be twice the size I am today. I gave this place 5/5 stars because it was everything I expected it to be. It isn't grand dining, but that is not what it advertises to be. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal here.
Thanks to my dear company for paying me to eat good food.
P.S. I think you guys should pay me for all the money I am saving you on my meals. All this food for $12?!? Everyone else is spending $30-$40 on food. :) I am just saying... you should think about it.
YAY, for caffeine and good food!!
Question: Do you have a favorite way to wake up when you don't get enough sleep? When was the last time you didn't have enough sleep?
I would have to say that it has been several years, probably since college that I have had little sleep and had to concentrate. All you mothers out there are probably thinking, "just you wait until you have kids". Sleep has always been very important to me. I never pulled an all-nighter at school; it just wasn't worth it to me. I stayed up until 2am once to finish a project, but only because it was a team project and everyone else had not done their parts and I needed to make sure they finished them in time. I usually went to bed around 10 when I was in school. I guess I have always been pretty boring.
Sunday, February 05, 2012
goals report (this week):
* cooked 3 + nights
* woke up earlier than normal once
* went to the gym only 1 time (I blame working 54.3 hours).
February goals:
* keep lifting at the gym
* work fewer hours
* eat less sugar
* keep cooking meals
* read two books
* use up fabric
* watch a Russian new years movie
* spend more time with friends
* invite at least one family over for dinner
* lose 4 pounds
* cooked 3 + nights
* woke up earlier than normal once
* went to the gym only 1 time (I blame working 54.3 hours).
February goals:
* keep lifting at the gym
* work fewer hours
* eat less sugar
* keep cooking meals
* read two books
* use up fabric
* watch a Russian new years movie
* spend more time with friends
* invite at least one family over for dinner
* lose 4 pounds
Friday, February 03, 2012
While in Dallas, I went here:
American Airlines Center
To watch last year's national champions play basketball:
Tuesday night travelling dinner:
Twisted Root Burger - Bison burger, cheddar, and onions with sweet potato chips (4/5 starts - good, but not jaw dropping amazing). The decor was interesting, tendy, and fun. The best part was that they gave you a fake name for each order:
* I was Jackie Kennady
* my trainer was Lebron James
* James Stewart
* Fairy Godmother
American Airlines Center
To watch last year's national champions play basketball:
I saw two old UNC players (Haywood and Wright) and Emmett Smith (in the crowd). Basketball games, to me, are the most interesting sport to watch live. I really enjoyed the game (even though it was way too late and I was super tired). The arena is one of the prettiest that I have seen. It was extremely attractive and awe inspiring at night (with all the huge tv screens mounted on the side, that lit up the entire night sky and made it seem like it was day outside). Downtown Dallas is also one of the prettiest big cities that I have travelled to (it does not beat DC), but it beats the pants of Chicago.
Tuesday lunch:
Sandwiches from Jason's deli
Peanut butter cookies from me
Tuesday lunch:
Sandwiches from Jason's deli
Peanut butter cookies from me
Tuesday night travelling dinner:
Twisted Root Burger - Bison burger, cheddar, and onions with sweet potato chips (4/5 starts - good, but not jaw dropping amazing). The decor was interesting, tendy, and fun. The best part was that they gave you a fake name for each order:
* I was Jackie Kennady
* my trainer was Lebron James
* James Stewart
* Fairy Godmother
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Happy Birthday, Anna!
I am so proud of all your hard work in school. You are going to be a wonderful, amazing nurse!! It has been so much fun watching you turn into a beautiful, loving wife. I am very thankful for your friendship. :) Thank you for not throwing any more candle holders at me or making me teach you hymns while we scrubbed the baseboards in the kitchen with toothbrushes.
I love you!
I am so proud of all your hard work in school. You are going to be a wonderful, amazing nurse!! It has been so much fun watching you turn into a beautiful, loving wife. I am very thankful for your friendship. :) Thank you for not throwing any more candle holders at me or making me teach you hymns while we scrubbed the baseboards in the kitchen with toothbrushes.
I love you!
Monday, January 30, 2012
Granola
For several years now, since it dawned on me how cheap all the ingredients in granola were and how expensive it was at the store, I have been trying to make granola that I like at home. The first thing I realized was that most granola recipes call for 2 sticks of melted butter or a cup of oil. I thought, there has to be a better way. I tried substituting the oil with apple sauce and sweet potato puree. Nothing worked until I found this recipe in Taste of Home (that didn't call for ANY oil or butter) and tweaked it with a few alterations of my own (I cut the sugar in half, added coconut and almonds). After several batches (and double batches) of this recipe, I can finally declare that I have succeeded.
So in case you need a good for you, delicious granola recipe, I have listed mine below. If you find in not sweet enough, feel free it up the sugar. The original recipe also calls for 1tsp of maple extract, but I just double the vanilla.
Granola
Yield: 9 cups
Ingredients:
* 8 cups old-fashion oats (not the quick cook ones, but not the expensive ones either, the ones that take 5 minutes to cook, not the 1 minute to cook oats... this is almost an entire big canister)
* 1/2 - 1 cup shredded coconut (I use a heavy 1 cup - I really like toasted coconut)
* 1/2 - 1 cup chopped or diced almonds (or pecans if you want to splurge, almonds are cheaper). I roughly chop up my almonds and sometimes I throw them in whole.
* 3/4 cup brown sugar
* 1/2 cup water
* 1 tsp salt
* 2 tsp vanilla
* 1 cup raisins
* 1 cup craisins
1. Mix oats, coconut and almonds together in A LARGE bowl (I end up having to use two bowls).
2. Mix water, sugar, salt, and vanilla together. Pour over the oats mixture. Mix with your hands.
3. Dump the mixture onto two cookie sheets (I have two 10" x 15" pans that have a lip around the outside, that work wonderfully for this - they came from Hannah for one of my wedding showers - thanks, Hannah!!!!)
4. Bake at 350 for 25 - 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.
5. Remove and cool on wire racks (to cool faster) or just on the counter. As they cool or after they are cool, mix in the raisins and craisins.
Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Eat with milk (my favorite) or yogurt (Jared's favorite).
So in case you need a good for you, delicious granola recipe, I have listed mine below. If you find in not sweet enough, feel free it up the sugar. The original recipe also calls for 1tsp of maple extract, but I just double the vanilla.
Granola
Yield: 9 cups
Ingredients:
* 8 cups old-fashion oats (not the quick cook ones, but not the expensive ones either, the ones that take 5 minutes to cook, not the 1 minute to cook oats... this is almost an entire big canister)
* 1/2 - 1 cup shredded coconut (I use a heavy 1 cup - I really like toasted coconut)
* 1/2 - 1 cup chopped or diced almonds (or pecans if you want to splurge, almonds are cheaper). I roughly chop up my almonds and sometimes I throw them in whole.
* 3/4 cup brown sugar
* 1/2 cup water
* 1 tsp salt
* 2 tsp vanilla
* 1 cup raisins
* 1 cup craisins
1. Mix oats, coconut and almonds together in A LARGE bowl (I end up having to use two bowls).
2. Mix water, sugar, salt, and vanilla together. Pour over the oats mixture. Mix with your hands.
3. Dump the mixture onto two cookie sheets (I have two 10" x 15" pans that have a lip around the outside, that work wonderfully for this - they came from Hannah for one of my wedding showers - thanks, Hannah!!!!)
4. Bake at 350 for 25 - 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.
5. Remove and cool on wire racks (to cool faster) or just on the counter. As they cool or after they are cool, mix in the raisins and craisins.
Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Eat with milk (my favorite) or yogurt (Jared's favorite).
Friday, January 27, 2012
A few notes on travelling
1. There was snow on the ground in Baltimore.
2. It was 78 degrees in Dallas.
3. A man that I work with told me that Dallas had colder winters than Salisbury. I quickly plotted the average temperatures from both cities and sent it to him. Sby averages 10 - 15 degrees LOWER than Dallas every month.
4. My seat on the flight was in the last row. That bothers some people, I really don't care. I am happy as a clam getting off the plane last, as long as the plane is on the ground. Once the plane lands, I honestly don't care how long it takes to get off the plane (especially when it is cold outside).
5. People in cell phones talk loudly... some of them are very annoying... some of them are very entertaining.
6. I smuggled a Chipotle burrito and freshly baked cookies on the plane in my luggage... I am not sure how they are going to last under the plane, but I will let you know once I get to Dallas. edit update: It LASTED the trip, the only thing that broke was the fork. :) I ate it for dinner when I got to Dallas.
7. TSA had to scan my bag twice because I have all my electronic devices in it... laptop (which I removed), ipod, cell phone, tomtom, charger for phone, charger for ipod, camera... how did we live without all these things? I kid I kid. I would give them all up for more conversations with people. I much prefer paper and pen.
8. The man in front of me has a dog in a dog carrier... is this even allowed on planes? It is the size of a rat. I hope it doesn't bark the whole trip.
9. Before I flight I like to find an area where I can spread myself out as much as possible because I know my poor legs are going to be squished for the next few hours. These are the times that I wish I were shorter. ha. This might be the only time that I wished I were shorter, but I am thankful for my height.
Have a great week. I will check in as much as possible. If you all think of Jared, pray for him. He is working 90 minutes from home each day and it is quite a hike to work. He has to leave the house at 5:30. boo. I am very thankful for my 5 minute drive to work each morning. I might be able to handle a longer drive with NPR and an interesting story, but I really really enjoy my short little jaunt to work each morning.
2. It was 78 degrees in Dallas.
3. A man that I work with told me that Dallas had colder winters than Salisbury. I quickly plotted the average temperatures from both cities and sent it to him. Sby averages 10 - 15 degrees LOWER than Dallas every month.
4. My seat on the flight was in the last row. That bothers some people, I really don't care. I am happy as a clam getting off the plane last, as long as the plane is on the ground. Once the plane lands, I honestly don't care how long it takes to get off the plane (especially when it is cold outside).
5. People in cell phones talk loudly... some of them are very annoying... some of them are very entertaining.
6. I smuggled a Chipotle burrito and freshly baked cookies on the plane in my luggage... I am not sure how they are going to last under the plane, but I will let you know once I get to Dallas. edit update: It LASTED the trip, the only thing that broke was the fork. :) I ate it for dinner when I got to Dallas.
7. TSA had to scan my bag twice because I have all my electronic devices in it... laptop (which I removed), ipod, cell phone, tomtom, charger for phone, charger for ipod, camera... how did we live without all these things? I kid I kid. I would give them all up for more conversations with people. I much prefer paper and pen.
8. The man in front of me has a dog in a dog carrier... is this even allowed on planes? It is the size of a rat. I hope it doesn't bark the whole trip.
9. Before I flight I like to find an area where I can spread myself out as much as possible because I know my poor legs are going to be squished for the next few hours. These are the times that I wish I were shorter. ha. This might be the only time that I wished I were shorter, but I am thankful for my height.
Have a great week. I will check in as much as possible. If you all think of Jared, pray for him. He is working 90 minutes from home each day and it is quite a hike to work. He has to leave the house at 5:30. boo. I am very thankful for my 5 minute drive to work each morning. I might be able to handle a longer drive with NPR and an interesting story, but I really really enjoy my short little jaunt to work each morning.
And I need a new wallet... Jared and I looked at this type of wallet at the Fossil outlet this weekend. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE it. If you click on the link you will see how many pockets this wallet has for cards. It is the perfect size! It zips! And it holds change in the middle and has a place for dollar bills. I think I might be getting a similar design, but much prettier pattern for my birthday.... :) Maybe someone might buy me this. Jared said he would think about it. It is worth every bit of the $25 they were asking for it.
This is going to be dinner sometimes the week after next. I use the recipe a lot, but in a cast iron pan on top of my pizza stone. It makes a perfect crust that way.
And I want to make these because they are so cute!! It is too bad that I can't make myself eat all things small and cute (such as baby carrots).
Here is a place I go for baking inspiration (and the desire to move out to mountains - but I really like the east coast). Look at all these wonderful desserts. I have tried 4 or 5 of them; they have all been melt in your mouth amazing.
Speaking of snow and Maine... wasn't I speaking of them... oh, I was just thinking about them... anyhow, here is one of my favorite stores in Camden, Maine, "once was a tree". They sell all sorts of neat wooden things. I would love to live in Maine. Do you hear that, oh company that I work for? Why don't you buy another company in Maine, I will move up there and run it for you. I am just saying... I would definitely consider it. :) SNOW!!
And if you have snow, you need quilts to snuggle under... I might make this... someday.
Speaking of fabrics... MODA
Ruby
Punctuation - there is a fabric in this collection that have ampersands on them. How awesome is that? &&&
Both of the shown fabrics I have in my house right now. I am just trying to decide what is the perfect pattern to use them. It is a curse to have a fabric that I really love because I have such a hard time picking the pattern that will use it up. I would rather let it sit on my shelf and I can flip throw the pile and gaze at its beauty. But fabric is meant to be shared! I will get around to making a project out of at least one of these two lovely prints later this year (hopefully).
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
A Reflection on shared experiences (and growing old)
So this week I have been in training with 2 people from Mexico (in their 30s) and 2 people my parents age from the USA (Texas and Kentucky) and 2 people from France (in their 40s). The weird thing to me is that it is not weird to go to basketball games, go out to dinner, and be in training with people older and much older than me. I don't feel like a kid anymore around older adults. It just dawned on me this past year, maybe it has to do with my job...
It started me thinking about shared experiences and how whenever I see any of these people again, I will be able to talk to them about what took place during training and we will have something to talk about. It is an interesting concept because before these two training weeks if I had met them on the street, we would have had nothing in common and stared blankly at each other. Now I know that one guy is a Christmas tree farmer in his spare time and one women loves Dr. Who. We could talk about these things. Having a shared experience gives a person a platform to jump off of and start a conversation.
I am very reluctant to talk to people unless I have that something to talk about. My personality NEEDS to have everything planned out and several different options. I cringe at awkward silence during a conversation. It hurts my brain to think of things to say on the fly. I trend towards what I know; I talk a lot about myself. Around new people I find myself listening a whole lot more.
Which brings me to another point, listening. I have learned over the past year or so that most people just want to me listened to, they don't care what you have to say, they just want someone to talk to. I have listened to many stories at my job this last year. People seem grateful just to have someone to talk to. They are mostly interesting stories (not the women I sat next to on the plane - she was SO SO SO boring, all she wanted to do was to tell me not to have children because all they want to do is take your money and not respect you... she told me she wished she had never had her son because he had tied her down). There are several things I could say about that, maybe in a different post.
Reading today: Hannah's post on real friendships
Eating: pasta in white sauce, salad
Drinking: Water & Chai tea (with milk and sugar - bleh bleh bleh - I can't wait to go home and have some tea with honey and cream (or half and half)).
Pet Peeve: no tea offering at the hotel, cheap plasticware (I break the fork tines)
Looking foward to: my own bed
Funny moment: doing the cha cha slide in my hotel room last night. Here is the story: I was studying for my exam tomorrow and I had been studying for two hours and I had sat through 9 hours of training (sat being the key word there - I am used to walking around the plant). The song came up on shuffle and so I needed to stretch anyhow, so why not dance along. ha ha. It woke me up and started my brain thinking again. :)
So this week I have been in training with 2 people from Mexico (in their 30s) and 2 people my parents age from the USA (Texas and Kentucky) and 2 people from France (in their 40s). The weird thing to me is that it is not weird to go to basketball games, go out to dinner, and be in training with people older and much older than me. I don't feel like a kid anymore around older adults. It just dawned on me this past year, maybe it has to do with my job...
It started me thinking about shared experiences and how whenever I see any of these people again, I will be able to talk to them about what took place during training and we will have something to talk about. It is an interesting concept because before these two training weeks if I had met them on the street, we would have had nothing in common and stared blankly at each other. Now I know that one guy is a Christmas tree farmer in his spare time and one women loves Dr. Who. We could talk about these things. Having a shared experience gives a person a platform to jump off of and start a conversation.
I am very reluctant to talk to people unless I have that something to talk about. My personality NEEDS to have everything planned out and several different options. I cringe at awkward silence during a conversation. It hurts my brain to think of things to say on the fly. I trend towards what I know; I talk a lot about myself. Around new people I find myself listening a whole lot more.
Which brings me to another point, listening. I have learned over the past year or so that most people just want to me listened to, they don't care what you have to say, they just want someone to talk to. I have listened to many stories at my job this last year. People seem grateful just to have someone to talk to. They are mostly interesting stories (not the women I sat next to on the plane - she was SO SO SO boring, all she wanted to do was to tell me not to have children because all they want to do is take your money and not respect you... she told me she wished she had never had her son because he had tied her down). There are several things I could say about that, maybe in a different post.
Reading today: Hannah's post on real friendships
Eating: pasta in white sauce, salad
Drinking: Water & Chai tea (with milk and sugar - bleh bleh bleh - I can't wait to go home and have some tea with honey and cream (or half and half)).
Pet Peeve: no tea offering at the hotel, cheap plasticware (I break the fork tines)
Looking foward to: my own bed
Funny moment: doing the cha cha slide in my hotel room last night. Here is the story: I was studying for my exam tomorrow and I had been studying for two hours and I had sat through 9 hours of training (sat being the key word there - I am used to walking around the plant). The song came up on shuffle and so I needed to stretch anyhow, so why not dance along. ha ha. It woke me up and started my brain thinking again. :)
Monday, January 23, 2012
the kitchen table light
Jared and I have a light that is over the kitchen table. The light switch is round and adjustable. I never turn this light on because it is on the kitchen wall that is the farthest away from the rest of the house. Jared turns the light on whenever he is in the kitchen, at all times during the day. Many times, when I go around the house to turn off lights, this light is on. It seems to be always on. My favorite person in the world seems to never notice that the light is on and needs to be turned off. Instead of being able to reach in the kitchen and simply turn the switch, I have to walk across the kitchen and turn off the light. Until recently this has annoyed me each time I have to do it. Each time I would think, "ugh, that Jared".
Recently, I have decided to be thankful that I have a Jared to turn on the light and leave it on. If suddenly my husband disappeared, I would be very sad and probably turn the light on just so that I could go in later and turn it off. I am thankful for Jared and my kitchen table light (even though I still choose the other kitchen lights to cook with).
And I wish he were in my hotel room to turn the lights on for me. :)
Recently, I have decided to be thankful that I have a Jared to turn on the light and leave it on. If suddenly my husband disappeared, I would be very sad and probably turn the light on just so that I could go in later and turn it off. I am thankful for Jared and my kitchen table light (even though I still choose the other kitchen lights to cook with).
And I wish he were in my hotel room to turn the lights on for me. :)
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