Johnny & Jess. Kota & Cheyenne too!

fun with shutter speed

2010-02-14T17:08:00.007-07:00

2010-02-12T19:43:00.001-07:00

2010-01-31T15:14:00.000-07:00

Whats in the Pantry

2010-01-10T17:54:00.003-07:00

While my whats in the pantry dinner cooks, I will share the a very cool websight I found. Recipe Matcher.com, it takes what you have and gives you dinner. While I will be using this in the future to clear out extra items in the fridge/feezer and pantry, I created this one all on my own...

Chicken

Breadcrumbs 3/4 of a cup, 1/2 would be plenty

Thyme 1 tbsp

Salt and Pepper to taste

Mayonnase 4 tbsp

I mixed together the bread crumbs, thyme salt and pepper. Coated the chicken with Mayo, and drudged through the bread crumb mix. Put the chicken in a pan, cover and cook for 40 minutes.

Sides from the freezer are mixed steamed veggies and mashed potatos from the pantry.

Photos and Reviews coming soon.

.Love.

2009-12-17T21:34:00.003-07:00

If thats not love, I am not sure what is.

Snow Day

2009-11-15T14:26:00.009-07:00

We woke up this morning to about 3 inches of snow on the ground. Still surprises me to see snow on the ground. Kota is a natural snow pup, has since we moved out here, he jumps right in, chases snowballs and rolls around in the snow. Natural snow bunny that boy. Cheyenne on the other hand wants no part of the cold . Case in point, currently she is snuggled up on my lap under a blanket. She goes out does her business and comes trotting right back inside.

Until this morning.

Its pretty hard to throw snow balls to Kota with one hand and take a picture with the other hand. Pups had a good morning and are now totally exhausted.

Happy Halloween

2009-10-26T07:13:00.003-06:00

Kota is going as a Pumpkin for Halloween, or is the Pumpkin going as Kota!

Happy Halloween!

Fall

2009-10-10T13:59:00.005-06:00

Last weekend we took a drive, Out Old Sage Road to Vincent, Through Cripple Creek, into Divide and back home through Manitou Springs. Our first real fall out here in Colorado, we thought we would take the opportunity to drive through some of the mountains and see some of the great fall colors changing.

Weather was great, in the 50's for most of the trip. Not a cloud in the sky, the colors were primarly yellow and didn't have too much variation. I couldn't tell if we were a week early or late, but judging on the day today a trip through the mountains today wasn't going to happen.

Some photos from the trip.

Las

Easy Dinner!! Ravoli with Apples and Walnuts

2009-09-27T19:09:00.003-06:00

I lucked out and found a months worth of dinners on Real Simple's web sight. I'm not sure about some of them but this one jumped off the screen and into my kitchen for dinner tonight. I look for a couple qualities inorder to make dinner. Easy...check. Less than 5 ingredients (salt and pepper and oil don't count) check. Will Johnny like and eat this, check! And it was done. This was Sunday Nights Dinner. P

Ravioli With Apples and Walnuts

Serves 4 Hands-On Time: 20m Total Time: 20m

Ingredients

1 pound cheese ravioli (fresh or frozen) ( I used a 9oz bertoli package)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
1 crisp apple (such as Braeburn or Gala), cut into matchsticks
1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
kosher salt and black pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan (1 ounce)

Directions

Cook the ravioli according to the package directions.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the walnuts and cook, stirring often, until lightly toasted and fragrant, 4 to 5 minutes. WOW medium heat is way too much I burnt most of my walnuts the first go round.
Add the apple, parsley, 1⁄2 teaspoon salt, and 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper and toss to combine. Spoon over the ravioli and sprinkle with the Parmesan

EAT! ENJOY LOVE!!

Twenty Five

2009-09-06T15:59:00.003-06:00

Twenty Five. Somewhere I didn't realize was coming quite as quickly as it did. Then I woke up Friday Morning, to a lovely, sun shining day (with no rain!!), my amazing husband by my side and two affectionate puppies at my feet. This isn't going to be as bad as I thought. Twenty Five, quarter of a century (which sounds bad), twenty five, mid twenties, twenty five, over the hump to thirty. Twenty Five, Can rent a car with no additional fees (does my car insurance drop now?).

I think of the things I am so fortunate to have as I start my 25th year. A wonderful husband, a supportive, loving family, the best puppies a girl could ask for. I have a job I am excited about going to in the mornings and continually challenges me to do my best. We live in a safe area and are fortunate enough to have a little left over to have fun with at the end of the month.

Thank you for the wonderful birthday wishes and unexpected gifts (really, I am too old for gifts). The cake is AMAZING! I am surprised there is still cake left.

Twenty Five won't be bad, I am fortunate to be in a great place and things can only get better!

Starburst

2009-08-29T07:49:00.004-06:00

This one is mine:
Inspired by:

And the directions

TOOLS:

1 convex mirror (sold at automotive stores as a blind-spot mirror) the only convex mirror i could find had a black plastic shell that was hard to remove. I broke 2 convex mirrors before I gave up and found a 4" flat mirror
1 cardboard disc the same size as the convex mirror (about 1/2" thick). A wooden disc could work as well. i used a wooden disk
12" dowel rods
12" skewers
Permanent marker
Mounting hardware
Ruler
Silver-leaf water-based gold-leaf i used silver spray paint
Sizing brushes
Hot glue
Round mosaic mirrors in 3 sizes (100 mirrors in total)

STEPS:

First, the plastic around the convex mirror had to be removed. It was held in place with glue but was able to be removed with steam.
Next, I found the center of the cardboard disc and used a permanent marker to divide the disc into 16 equal segments with a ruler (like a pizza).
Then I hot-glued the dowel rods directly on the lines so the dowels would be evenly spaced and radiate out from the disc. I then added a wooden skewer in between the dowels for variety.
After everything was glued in place, I brushed on a water-based gold-leaf sizing and let it sit until tacky (about 30 minutes).
After it was tacky, I took 1 sheet of silver leaf at a time and began to cover the dowels, skewers and center with it. I used a brush to adhere the silver leaf to the sizing and brushed away any excess.
After everything was silver leafed, I used hot glue to adhere the convex mirror on top of the smooth side of the center disc. (The dowels were glued to the back).
I then randomly hot glued the small round mirrors to the skewers and dowels (approx. 3 mirrors per "arm").
Mounting hardware was then hot glued to the finished mirror.

RESOURCES: An automotive parts store was my best source for this project. I found a convex mirror for $2.99!

Pikes Peak Fishing Trip!

2009-08-23T19:58:00.005-06:00

Or rather a casting trip! We spent a sunny Saturday at Pikes Peak Crystal Reservoir Fishing. It was a beautiful clear day day and we expected to have a productive fishing day. And it was precisely the opposite. While the group of 6 next to us caught, and caught, and caught fish, we caught nothing but sunburns!

I was able to take some great photos of Pikes Peak and some of the breathtaking nature. For next time we will scout a better place and bring lunch, the hotdogs there are $4.00!!

Photo Challenge: Week 1

2009-08-17T20:15:00.006-06:00

I found a photo challenge on More Than Just Dogs' Blog and thought it would be a great challenge for me!

Week 1's assignment

Take 36 different photos of a chair — only 36 exposures. Share all 36 photos, and choose your favorite 3 and share those separately (or at the top of your entry or something).

No retouching, no messing, no funny business — WYSIWYG. (What you see is what you get.) That part is skeery!

Alright, here are my 36 photos. No editing, no retouching. SOOTC (streight out of the camera!)

Sorry they are a little small, my top 3 are:

This was harder than I thought. But I like the outcome!

Montana

2009-07-31T21:10:00.006-06:00

Lightening: The Big Picture

2009-07-29T20:30:00.001-06:00

Lightening is one of my favorite summer time elements. Its just cool. The Big Picture today really made my day with some wonderful shots of lightening

Im working on getting the pictures from Montana up and posted. Coming Soon!

Whats going on!

2009-07-04T20:28:00.003-06:00

It's been a while, we are good and okay, just busy. My work is keeping me busy to a tone of 50 hours a week or so , but I am enjoying it, always a challenge, and some Saturday's get worked in to the mix. Its good, I'm proving my self and being rewarded with new challenges. This week I met woman at her residence to finalize things for her 4th of July event. I also was the set up go to person for a wedding last weekend, all exciting for me. A pay raise is in the works!!

Our 4th of July started out with a bang, or not a bang. I left work early on Friday, to get a start on the weekend, went to the gas station on my way home as I was on Empty. Went in to pay, paid, pumped, got back in the car and nothing. Nothing again, and again, nothing. First call was to Johnny to say hey the car wont start, sit tight im going to have someone from work come by and jump me. well that didn't work out as planned, and the jump wouldn't take. So USAA's roadside service came out once Johnny met me, and the jump box got it started, but it wouldn't start with out the jump box. So on to the flat bed tow truck it went and it sits at the dealership until monday to find out whats wrong. Hopefully what ever it is, is under the warrenty.

Colorado Springs is not doing public fireworks this year for budget reasons, so Ft Carson stepped up and did the fireworks on the 3rd. Once I was rescued and the car delivered to its doctor, we headed over to the base for their fire works festivities. What a hot mess. I would venture to guess there were 10,000 people there. The food vendors were all overwhelmed with an hour + lines for any food, ice cream, fried cat fish, anything that was there. we got some food and headed back to the car to watch the fireworks and not be caught in a HUGE bottle neck getting back home. Best idea ever.

Today has been a lazy day for us, we went fishing, eerrr- Johnny went fishing, I went along, this morning, watched a movie at home, went to see UP, had Bison Burgers for dinner, and are watching some TV. We live in a no fireworks area, so no fun things for us tonight.

Happy 4th. Happy Birthday America, and THANK YOU to the couragous men and women who have bravely faught for our countrys freedom.

Johnny's Birthday

2009-06-07T16:22:00.003-06:00

Johnny's Birthday was last weekend and I spent alot of time thinking about the gift that is something that is significant for two missed birthdays, and the current one. And I thought, and thought and thought, and came up with nothing. So my alternate birthday plan was a trip out of town for the weekend. I got my self up on VBRO.com and looked for a pet friendly affordable rental somewhere close to where we live but with in the 250 mile radius the army puts on their soldiers. And this was the winner.

Perfect! about 50 miles from our house, but worlds away. I was able to surprise Johnny and be all packed and ready to go when he got home from work, so it was getting changed, and in the car. To say he was caught off guard is a bit of an understatement!

These were the only neghibors we had, we saw 2 deer and one fox.

Saturday we hiked at Mueller State Park, the Rock Pond Hike we did was down hill with about 1000 feet in elevation change. The going back was the hard part, and trying to beat the afternoon rain storms.
Birch trees from the path

View from the Path
Birch Leaves
Rock Pond

Sofa's

2009-06-07T16:16:00.003-06:00

Our sofa's aren't old by any means, I think we got them in the fall of 2006, they went into storage in December 2007 and came out in January 2009. They just pick up everything Kota and Cheyenne bring in, the depth to the cushion is very deep and it bothers my back. Since being on SUPER nice sofa's last weekend, it got us thinking, and looking around for something new... we were going to be picky, wanted a good deal, leather, attached coushions (or semi attached), and a recliner optio, and short in depth. And a good color to match what we already have. Three stores, and two days later we found exactly what we were looking for.

The color is Burgedy, but it has a very brown appearace and was exactly what we were looking for! We should be sitting in style this time next week.

In Memory Of

2009-05-25T13:36:00.004-06:00

All who have given their lives for this country. Thank you.

The Big Picture Touched my heart today, with their powerful images from around the country, honoring those who have fallen.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

2009-05-24T12:35:00.006-06:00

Mine is growing quite well!! The onions have taken root and the tomato plants are growing! Strawberries haven't done much, but I have hope for them!

Lets remember how they started:
and today

Onions

the most noticeable growth for the week award goes to:::: Tomato Plant #1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In other news, the doodles like their electo-lites
On a final note, has anyone seen my blue bath mat? I took it out yesterday to shake it off (the dogs use it as a food mat) and wash it, since then it has vanished. It's gone, and its driving me crazy because I had it yesterday.

Doodles for Google

2009-05-12T23:11:00.003-06:00

A great opportunity for kids, not to mention some very cool art by some very talented kids. Doodles for Google

Ending Breast Cancer

My doodles is about ending breast cancer. I wish for the world to be healthy and free of breast cancer. My grandma survived breast cancer and I wish that all girls around the world can end breast cancer forever by raising money and living healthy to make it go away.

Name: Sinceraty Alexander

Age: 6

School: PS 34 OLIVER H PERRY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

City, State: Brooklyn, NY

Time to Go Home

There are heroes who are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to protect their nations. My wish for the world is for all these military heros to be able to take off their uniforms, lay down their guns, hang up their boots, and come home to their families.

Name: Demitri Miller

Age: 18

School: AZTEC HIGH SCHOOL

City, State: Aztec, NM

Great work Demitri and Sincerety. I couldn't agree more!

Happy Mothers Day

2009-05-10T20:41:00.004-06:00

Happy Mothers Day!

Your the best!

Productive Saturday!

2009-05-09T20:14:00.008-06:00

I am beginning to love weekends, real weekends. The kind of weekends where work is not the only thing I will be seeing. Time for all sorts of things the week doesn't allow for. Weekends, real weekends rock! Let's see how long I can keep real weekends in my world!

So today, a productive day! We got this georgous wine rack hung up! Finally! I've had it for about a month now, we were just waiting to get a stud finder to hang it up, with out the dry wall being ripped out of the wall, and can I say, I am in LOVE with this!

LOVE. There are actually 2 more spaces, but we decided that 4 was enough! I just adore this! Then we finally got the garden planted

The garden box and how to's are courtsey the amazing, Pioneer Woman.

We have two row's of onions,

two tomato plants,

a strawberry plant,

and parsley.

Gotta start somewhere in the gardening world! So we'll see how these little guys grow, and more so if the dog's stay out of them! We also got some light bulbs replaced, added a flood light to the back yard, I listed a bunch of things on e-bay to help clear out some un-used items, watched a movie, its been a productive day!

ANNNND, I am working tomorrow. On one of the nastiest days to be working in restaurants. I'm thankful its a short shift 10-2, and I will not be waiting on people!

To wrap today up, ill end with an adventure in Catering:

Woman on Phone- hello, do you all have a websight?
Me; yes we do its---
WOP- oh no need, I'll look it up
me- okay, is there anything else I can help you with
WOP- is your address on there?
me- yes ma'am
WOP- and directions?
me- yes ma'am
WOP- okay thats all i need. good bye

ummm... okay.... sure thing.

Day 1

2009-05-04T21:38:00.007-06:00

First Day of work. Can I say I've never been in love with a job like I am with this one. It's going to be great. I spent about 4 hours today learning the program I will be using, and understanding how the company does their proposals. So a lot of learning today, as will be for a while. But, I'm In love with the job.

We watched the Discovery Channel's special Yellowstone Battle For Life, made me reminisce of the Trip I got to take last summer to Yellowstone, and I think I need to go back, I haven't seen near enough!! So I dug through some old pictures, reprocessed some from Yellowstone, and some from the Montana Trip.

On the way to the ranch:

In Butte at the Mine

Yellowstone

one of the Geysers

Unemployed No More!

2009-05-01T23:25:00.003-06:00

This week has been an interesting one to say the least, as my job search continues I started the week feeling discouraged. Tuesday I ventured to the beautiful UCCS campus, I was looking into furthering my education. As it turns out to complete the Teacher Education Program they offer, would require an additional year of undergraduate work, in Sciences, Math, Geography,and Political Science and then some basic educational courses. I could take these classes at the Community College, and then move to the University to complete them. The whole process would take 2 more years of school, and a good deal of money, which quite frankly, unless this money is growing on a tree, its not going to happen. There is no way we can take in any more student loans. So back to school is on hold. BUT UCCS is a beautiful campus.

Ok, on to bigger and better. And going backwards- Monday I dropped off an application and had an impromtu interview at a hotel. Wednesday I went back to sit down and talk with the hotel's food and beverage director, Human Resources Manager, and General Manager. Talk about a pressure cooker. It was for a Restaurant Assistant Manager, something I am ready to take on, so after an hour of drilling and probally the most uncomftorable interview, I was offered the job. Told the pay and expected hours, and about fell over. Yes, it was that bad.

I asked for a day to think it over, and decided it was for the best to not take this posistion. I don't know how much respect, or how motivated I can be for an employer that pays low wages to their management, and I know it takes sometime to build and start as someone in the Hospitality Industry, but to say that the difference in what I was expecting is due to cost of living, I'm not so sure. Milk costs the same, my bills are all the same. Gas is a little different and our housing is a little different, not much, but a little bit. All that, and I would be working 100% an opposite schedule of my husband, and thats not something I'm okay with. He's been gone long enough, and I like our weekend hikes and nightly TV viewing dates.

I really value a good quality of life, and it's very hard in the realms we find our self's in. Me for one, Nights and weekends are part of the gig. his job takes him out of the country for long periods of time. I can't imagine, working opposite shifts while we are in the same country, let alone house! I would much rather work similiar shifts and be able to live a good life.

Something will come up, and if not I always can wait tables, or work in the mall.

Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to recieve a call from the Temp Agency I've been working with (if you are in CO Springs, and need a Temp agency, I know who you need to work with ) called with an interview. Eger am I , I went, met a great group of people who are in Catering, and today I accepted, a great fit for a job. I will be working with the Event's Coordinator for a little while, learning the system and getting a feel for a new realm of work, and eventually *maybe* work in conjunction with her as an Event's Coordinator. I couldn't be more excited, about getting into a new area, not waiting tables anymore, and working towards a career.

So, we embark on my last unemployed weekend, and its going to be a nasty one, rain, cold, and maybe some snow. Yes snow, in May.

Work Starts Monday!

Digger

2009-04-25T18:14:00.001-06:00

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

TULIPS!!

2009-04-24T16:35:00.004-06:00

When we came home from the great road trip, I was so excited to have Daffadils in the front flower bed.
See, they are yellow, and spring like and happy, and pretty, AND I didn't have to plant them, or water them they just appeared! I love them.

So today I went out and got the mail, and to my surprise TULIPS!! Tulips among the Daffodils
More pretty, pretty flowers, that I didn't have to do anything to to make appear! They made my day! I actually said TULIPS!

So now There are purple and yellow flowers in the flower bed! Now im wondering what will bloom next!

Now I think I'm getting spoiled.

Its the little things.

Olympics

2009-04-18T22:11:00.002-06:00

Colorado Springs is home of the Olympic Training Center, one of many in the US, and here they host Weightlifting, Swimming, gymnastics, and shooting. Today the Shooting events with the Junior Olympics took us out to the OTC. Johnny's cousin, Kylie was intown with her Mom, aunt and cousin for her competition, in Air Pistol shooting. Needless to say, the Finals were incredibility interesting. The top 8 qualifiers from the 2 qualifying rounds went to the finals. The top 3 were all tied at the same point, and the top three bounced back and forth in place's for the final round. It came down essentially the last shot that Kylie nailed, and took the first place honors. It was an edge of our seat, event! Loved it! Congratulatons Kylie!!!

The OTC is home to a hall of fame, and some cool sillouette's all around the grounds. These aren't my pictures. I forgot my camera.

Easter Dinner

2009-04-12T10:36:00.002-06:00

The Dinner Menu for our Easter Sunday

Honey Baked Ham
Macaroni and Cheese
Mashed Potatoes
Banana Cream Pie

Happy Easter to Everyone! We are having a white Easter, as the snow is falling and looks like he will be falling for quite a while.

That could have been taken outside our house, we do have those pretty flowers blooming out front, but I don't have peeps, so pretend. We were going to dye Easter Egg's today, but the store was out of the dye kits, again, we'll pretend.

HAPPY EASTER!!!

Cheyenne Mountain State Park

2009-04-10T22:55:00.013-06:00

We ventured out today and went to the Cheyenne Mountain State Park, the only state park in the county where we are living, but only like 5 miles from the house. They have 20 miles of hiking/biking trails. We're going to take advantage of the parks with a year pass and start hiking more often and visiting places around the state.

Some pictures from the day.

Bird holes in a tree.

There were all these trees that have yet to bloom

Since Colorado Springs is technically a desert, there is cactus, really cool colored cactus

So we are on the path, Zook Look, minding our own business, when we hear something big in the brush, close, real close. Now, we had just seen signs about bears and mountain lions and what to do when we meet on of those creatures. We didn't meet those creatures today. Today we meet some deer, and some, I mean lots, 12 to 20 was our guess.

a moth on the path

two happy hikers

We're hoping there are lots more parks in our future with our annual pass.

David and Maria. Lilly too

2009-04-06T14:21:00.008-06:00

I am so excited about these. Last week, while we were in North Carolina, David, Maria and Lilly went out with me to take some pictures, before David leaves for Italy. It's often so hard to get pictures of the family with everyone in the picture, and it not being a self portrait.

we went outside the hotel we were staying in and found a great construction sight with some great photo ops! Love the red what ever coils they were.
ummmm are you kidding me....FAVORITE!!!

up against a garage, with some tall grass

another favorite

and the every lovely, Lilly
I wish you all the best in Italy, and a speedy homecoming!!!

Hello Georgous!

2009-04-04T12:10:00.005-06:00

These beauties were all over the South East on our drive back to Colorado. They are Red Buds and are one of the earliest blooming trees in the spring time according to treehelp.com

Trash the Dress again

2009-04-03T21:01:00.002-06:00

A while back, I was delighted to get back in my wedding dress at 6am, to go to the beach with the Amazing Emily of Emily Image, in Jupiter, to say I am in love with the results is an understatement.

At Coral Cove

and back at the pool!

coming next, some great pictures from our whirl wind cross country trip!

The Great Florida Tour!

2009-03-18T09:39:00.002-06:00

We've been busy busy! And all over the place!

Saturday Morning we headed out of Orlando and to Palm Beach Gardens to see family there.
Saturday we visited with my dad in Tequesta, then a fabulous dinner at the Capital Grille. Sunday was a Sunday-Funday in all aspects. We started at the spa for much needed massages, and a great party with the family. Monday we got up early early for a sunrise shoot with the amazing Emily and can I just say Wow! We started at coral cove park

and ended at the community pool

More are on her blog. Monday afternoon we headed out of Palm Beach County and visited friends in Labelle before headed to Matt and Lizzy's in Estero.

Tuesday, St Patricks Day, and Donovan's first birthday was spent in Clermont, visiting with Hope, Faith, Laney and Donovan! Johnny got to meet Donovan for the first time and what a great baby! I don't have my camera cord with me, so pictures are going to be a little while coming.

I think in 4 days we logged just under 800 miles.

Are You Kidding Me!

2009-03-18T09:38:00.000-06:00

http://www.emilyimage.com/blog/?p=388

#1 song

2009-03-09T19:11:00.003-06:00

This was something fun I stumbled upon... #1 on this day in history

Mine is : ... "What's Love Got to Do with It" by Tina Turner
Husbands is: "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes

Day we got married was : What Goes Around ... Comes Around Justin Timberlake

unknown precipitation

2009-03-07T09:58:00.005-07:00

I had as much as written the cold weather off. The afternoons were getting and staying real nice, in the 60's, even up to 75 last week, even wore flip flops a couple times!! This weekend was to be a bit colder, but I'm okay with that, I'm headed to Florida in a few days!!!

This morning I woke to something falling from the sky, my weather reader says
nice little mix of snow and rain, too warm for it to stick. Cheyenne didn't like too much that she had to go out in it. Thats okay little girl, no one knows what it is.

all pretty!

2009-03-05T12:11:00.001-07:00

Since I anticipate writing more here, I made some changes thanks to www.thecutestblogontheblock.com and now its all pretty!

i forgot dessert

2009-03-04T20:41:00.003-07:00

on deciding what I would make for dessert last night, I thumbed through my google reader favorites, along with the printed out items I had saved from past eye catching blogs, websights, and other places. Not overly impressed with anything for our anniversary dessert my thought came to, I'll see whats new on the google reader today. Maybe there will be something delish there. And Oh was there ever. Anything with Bananas and Dessert will always be a success in my house. Banana's Foster Bread Pudding. Heaven. Really anything from the Brown Eyed Baker is Heaven, this one was just meant-to-be..

Bananas Foster Bread Pudding

3 eggs
2 egg yolks
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup ripe bananas, pureed or finely mashed (about 2 medium bananas)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1¾ cups heavy cream
1 large French bread loaf (about 5-6 cups torn up)

Bananas Foster Sauce (recipe follows)

1. Preheat the oven to 350°.

2. In a large bowl combine the eggs and egg yolks and whisk until frothy.

3. Add in nutmeg, cinnamon, banana puree, and vanilla extract. Whisk until fully incorporated.

4. Add granulated sugar and brown sugar, whisking until fully incorporated.

5. Add in cream and whisk until incorporated.

6. Add bread pieces to egg mixture. Miix with a spoon or spatula until the bread has absorbed most of the custard mixture.

7. Pour the mixture into an 8×8 baking dish. Let sit for 30 minutes.

8. Place bread pudding in a slightly larger pan and add about 1 inch of hot water to the larger pan to make a water bath.

9. Bake uncovered for approximately 1 hour, or until the custard is no longer runny. Serve warm with Bananas Foster Sauce.

Bananas Foster Sauce

½ cup unsalted butter
½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup heavy cream
2 bananas, sliced
3 tablespoons rum

1. Heat a large skillet over low heat.

2. Add butter and brown sugar and cook, stirring constantly, just until sugar begins to melt into butter.

3. Add banana slices. Moving the skillet back and forth, cook for 1 minute.

4. Remove skillet from heat and add the rum. Return the pan to the stove and tilt the pan to ignite the rum.

5. After the alcohol burns off add the cream. Whisk to make sure it is fully incorporated.

Adapted from Culinary Concoctions by Peabod

heaven. heaven. heaven

2 year celebration!

2009-03-04T17:21:00.002-07:00

Last weekend we ventured to Denver to celebrate, we spent the day at the Denver Zoo, which by the way, is HUGE, and great, and $8. Had an amazing dinner at the Capital Grille in Denver, which was AMAZING and very very delicious!!!

Tradition says the gift for married two years is China, and Modern is Cotton. Both of those genre's of gifts escaped me for something unique to give, so in celebration of two years married, we made Chinese food. It works right?!

This is what we made:
Chinese Fried Rice from The Cooks Companion
(not our fried rice, I Didn't take a picture)

serves 4
prep 5 minutes + 20 minutes cooling
Cooking 30 minutes

ingredients

3 cups cold water
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups long grain rice
2 eggs
4 tsp sun-flower seed oil (i couldn't find this at the grocery store, and anything close was mad $$, olive worked just fine)
4 scallions -sliced diagionally
1 red, green or yellow pepper, cored seeded and thinly sliced ( I would dice if we make this again)
3-4 lean bacon strips rined and cut into strips (if we make this again, I will use more bacon)
1 1/3 cups fresh bean sprouts
1 1/8 cup frozen peas, thawed
2 tbsp soy sauce (optional)
Salt and Pepper
Protein! optional, but we added flank steak and are glad we did.

pour the water into the wok with the salt and bring to a boil. Rinse the Rice in a strainer under cold running water until the water runs clear, drain throughly, and add to the boiling water. Stir well, then cover the wok tightly with the lid, and let simmer for 12-13 minutes (do not remove the lid during cooking or the steam will escape and the rice will not be cooked).
remove the lid, give the rice a good stir, and spread out onto a large plate or baking sheet to cool and dry.
Meanwhile, beat each egg seperately, with salt and pepper and 2 teaspoons of cold water. heat one tablespoon of oil in a preheated wok, pour in the first egg, swirl it around, and let cook undisturbed until set. transfer egg to a cutting board and cook the second egg. cut the omlets into thin slices.
add the remining oil to the wok and when really hot add the scallions and bell pepper and stir fry for 1-2 minutes. add the bacon and continue to stir fry for an additional 2 minutes. add the bean sprouts and beas and toss together throughly. stir in the soy sauce if using.
Cook the steak or protien, I'm sure chicken or shrimp would be good here also.
add the rice and salt and pepper to taste and stir fry for 1 minute, and add the strips of omlet and continue to stir fry for 2 minutes, or until rice is piping hot. Serve immidately.

We didn't have a wok, a large skillet worked fine.

This was delish and enough for 2 night dinner.

Paired with Casa Lapostolle Chardonnay 2006, it made a great meal!

2 years

2009-03-04T16:58:00.003-07:00

It's hard to believe that 2 years ago, we were saying our vows in paradise with our family and friends. Part of me is like, 2 years.... that's it!?!, the other part is still recovering.

(photos Sungold Photography)