Divine Pumpkin

The pumpkin tasting was a smashing success. Get it? Pumpkin? Smashing? Oh never mind.

A few days ago, my friend Rachel and I decided that we wanted to bake. That baking together was FUN. More fun than baking alone, right?

Actually, Rachel said that baking was NOT fun, so, I told her we just needed to do it together, and I could change her mind. You'll have to ask her if it worked. I am not sure yet. I put a Facebook post out there for any and all of your favorite pumpkin recipes. I got plenty to choose from. They were ALL delicious. Rachel made the Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl Bread, Pumpkin Craisin Muffins, and Pumpkin Carmel Cheesecake. . . .

Doesn't this look like the most beautiful cheesecake EVER?

I made these scones. . .and they were completely and totally scrumptious. Doesn't that scone look amazing? It was.

Here is the Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl Bread.

And the pumpkin craisin muffins. (Aren't these pictures awesome? Thanks Liz!)

Here is a happy customer. HI ANGEL!

And this would be an amazing Pumpkin Bisque with Mexican Cream.

And this is what my counter would look like after Rachel told me she was frustrated in my kitchen because things were in the WRONG PLACE. Honestly, THE NERVE.

Actually, I agreed. My kitchen wasn't working for me either. It was a combination of moving into a kitchen 1/2 the size of the one I had before, and gaining about 500 new kitchen gadgets ala Pampered Chef. It is tough to find space for all those fabulous tools, I admit.

However, after declaring that I could NOT have three junk drawers in my kitchen (the most organized junk drawers anyone has ever seen mind you) she swiftly re-arranged my kitchen to make it work. And I must admit, I like it.

Except, this pile on the counter.

Of which remnants of this pile are still there. Three days later.

I will be posting the rest of the recipes on my food blog soon!

Making Happiness

I was reading the Costco Magazine the other day (an embarrassing admission for sure). Ina Garten is on the front. Did you know that she is NOT a trained chef? NOT. I mean, no school, no nothin.

Her "original" career was as a nuclear energy policy analyst. Sounds thrilling, no? Basically, she just had a passion. She loved to COOK. I know that must seem like an absolutely insane idea, but she did. It wasn't about the food either, it was about the people.

Ina and I, me and Ina, we think alike. We really do. There is nothing that gives me quite as much satisfaction as re-creating a fabulous recipe to perfection. There is nothing that gives me more joy, than to see the expression on the face of someone who is enjoying it. I love to cook for people. It brings me joy. My favorite person to cook for is my father-in-law. Because he just goes absolutely bananas for anything I cook. He swears he is not going to eat another single, solitary thing, and then, I few minutes later, I will catch him slathering butter on yet ANOTHER roll, or grabbing just one more scone, or picking at the remnants of an amazing dinner. The only thing that brings me more joy is when I see my children choosing the right.

I have a passion. It is for cooking, and baking. I have a friend who told me that she has a total and complete passion for cooking, but hated baking. This, I couldn't understand. Her frustration is with the measuring and exactness that goes into baking, but I insisted that the joy she finds in "creating" with cooking, can be found in baking as well. Once you are comfortable with the basics of baking, you can "alter" your recipes and make them your very own, thus creating.

That is all it took. She just needed to know that she could create when she bakes, and you absolutely can. There is not a recipe on my food blog that I thought up all on my own, but every recipe on there has been manipulated by me at some point. That is the beauty of cooking.

I wish people found more joy in cooking. I love providing my family with a meal that I know was made with REAL ingredients. My husband swears he would be fine with a can of beanie-weanies, but you know what? I, am not. Are my children always appreciative? Definitely NOT. Do my recipes always taste good? Not by a long shot, but I find joy in finding that ONE recipe that will stick with my family for years, that I will make 100 times and finally commit to memory.

I have found, that once you find a good recipe source, you will go back to that source again, and again.

Find it.

The internet has provided an unlimited source for recipes. Here are just a few of my favorite, sure fire recipe suppliers.

The Pioneer Woman

Mel's Kitchen Cafe

and of course you can always find my adaptations or just plain copying of their recipes here:

Favorite Family Food

PUMPKIN OBSESSION

I don't know what happened, but suddenly I am obsessed with Pumpkin. Pumpkin Waffles, Pumpkin Trifles, Pumpkin, Pumpkin, Pumpkin!!! I hatched a plan this morning. I want MORE pumpkin recipes, but the thing is, I only want the BEST! So, I gathered a partner in crime. I don't have time to make every pumpkin recipe that comes along, but I still long to look at them, and ooh and ahh over them, and I would like to make WAY more of them than I can do by myself,

So, I am having a PUMPKIN OFF.

Send me your best Pumpkin recipe between now and Sunday night. Your favorite one. I mean the BEST you have EVER had. I want it, and I want to make it and then: Monday morning, I am going to make it. There is going to be a Pumpkin Explosion at my house. I have roped in another famous chef, Rachel Thomas, to help me out that morning, and at 12:00 noon, we are going to feast on our pumpkin explosion, and you can too.

PUMPKIN TASTING PARTY AT 12:00 p.m. I need to have your recipes though, so, e-mail them, message them, post them in the comments. If we decide to make YOUR recipe, then you might win a Pampered Chef item that is a MUST HAVE in the kitchen!

YOU IN?

PUMPKIN NOW.

HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST PUMPKIN, and YOU MIGHT WIN!

Why I Cook Dinner

I cook dinner.

Almost every night.

Even when I am doing a Pampered Chef party and I am leaving anyway.

My mom cooked dinner for us every night.

Some of my favorite family memories revolve around eating.

Serious.

My little sister and I ate Brunch at the Grand Ole Opry Hotel. Ok, I just googled it and there is no such thing. Dad, what hotel was that?

Anyway, it was good. VERY good.

My little sister and I stuffed ourselves. Like, so full.

THEN we went and got the creme brule for dessert. Maybe one, or two, or three. All I know, is that it was too many. And we got so sick, that we went back to our room and laid on the beds. We had to lay still or we were going to throw up.

Very, very, very still. When we talk about it it, we laugh and cry at the same time. It was hilarious. As we laid prone on the beds and groaned at each other until we were brave enough to move. Good times, good times.

If you have never eaten that much, you probably should. Just once. But make sure it is GOOD.

REAL good.

Anyway, I could name a million places and times that we have eaten as a family that were memorable.

But not more memorable than at home.

So, I love to cook for my family. Love it.

And, I am proud of what I feed them.

I asked a kid who was over at my house one time what their favorite dinner was that their mom made, and they said, Top Ramen.

You ask Abby and she says something exotic, but ridiculous like Crab Wontons.

I wouldn't say that is my goal,

But I do like to make sure they eat well, have a balanced meal, and are healthy.

They could eat more "greens" but couldn't we all.

Since a few of you asked, here are my favorite go to meals.

Chicken Curry (my kids seriously love this. All of them)


Mongolian Beef


Cashew Chicken


Peanut Sauce Chicken


Chicken Pillows

You will find that I like Asian Food. Yes, yes, I do. It is my favorite thing to cook.

And you will find that this bounces over to my food blog. Yes, yes it does. I have tons-o-recipes on there. Me and my sisters contribute. It is a great way to keep the family recipes intact and the greatest part about it is that I can view it from anywhere! So, I don't always have to have my recipes with me.

Love these modern days.

Would be great for college kids to have their momma's recipes.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy! Please tell me if you try them!

And cook dinner for your family more. Your kids will remember it! :)


Here is one that is NOT on the food blog, but my it is my husbands favorite go to dinner in the summer. You can make a bunch and eat if for days if you want. It is yummy, and I would say even better the second day.

SALT LAKE TORTELLINI SALAD

1 package of tortellini

1 bottle of Bernsteins Three Cheese, or Cheese and Garlic Salad Dressing

Avocado

Cooked, Cubed Chicken Breast

Red Onion

Steamed Broccoli florets

Olives

Cherry Tomatoes

pepperoni or salami sliced

Marinated Artichoke Hearts

Grated Parmesan Cheese

1 can of Chickpeas

1 can of Kidney Beans

Anything else in the world you want.

Cook the tortellini to package directions. Drain. and rinse with cold water. Add cubed chicken, red onion, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, pepperoni, chickpeas and kidney beans. Add salad dressing according to taste. (Usually doesn't take the whole bottle unless you make a lot.)

Stir and let sit. Add avocado, tomatoes, artichokes and olives right before serving and stir them in lightly.

Enjoy!

Now, here I have typed it all out, but yet, I found the link. Click on the title to be taken to the previous publishing.

Random Thoughts

• I am making Pumpkin Muffins right now. Like RIGHT NOW. Make some. Be sure to put the Cream Cheese Frosting on top. . . Don't even think about leaving it off. DON'T. If you do. . you don't love me.
• You will thank me later.
• Take the last swig of milk RIGHT out of the milk jug. It is liberating.
• I fought today, and won. Keep fightin'.
• Loved Nie on Oprah. Loved her synopsis even more.
• I wish they would have spent more time on her. Her story was more 'inspirational' and to me, the other story just seemed plumb tragic.
• Fall TV, do you have any new favorite shows? Let me know, because I could possibly provide my ever so charming critique.
• I need a nap.
• Speaking of which, K woke up upset at about 4:45 (she went back to sleep THANK GOODNESS!). As I walked to her bedroom, I saw the light glowing downstairs. Wade was up watching The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. . It was on to the second video on the DVD. I am not sure how long he was up, but, he has been asking to go back to bed since 10:00 this morning. So, I guess. . . he was probably up since 3:00 a.m.?
• Yes, Wade can turn on the TV, DVD, and even knows how to work the DVR. It is sad/scary, but true.
• My house smells like pumpkin muffins.
• I don't like the smell of this rental. Except for now.
• Applesauce is on sale for $1.75/6 pack at Target. If you buy 5 (=$8.75) they will give you a $5 gift card. . . It is like paying .75 a 6 pack.
• I LOVE COUPONING
• and canning raw meat.

The DISH

I have made a goal. . .



I KNOW.



I don't make many. . because they are endlessly and seamlessly dashed by the 4 people who REALLY run this household, and out of the 4, NONE of them are me.


Anywho. .



Back to my goal.


I am going vegetarian. . .JUST KIDDING! I had to put that in the same line to save your health from falling off your chair in dis-belief. Yeah, you're right. I would never do such a thing.


But I want to.



Like once (maybe twice) a week?


PROBLEM IS:


I don't have Veggie recipes.


I have a *few*


But what are your favs?


Please e-mail. Send links. Comment. What ever you do. DO IT. Cuz, I want one goal I can keep



And



I think



THIS IS IT.



Here is what I made that was Veggie tonight. My kids smashed it down FAST! Musta been good. TONIGHT'S VEGGIE DINNER VIA EVERYDAY FOOD VIA MY FAMILY FOOD BLOG.

I AM LAME

I just can't quite seem to get back to my old bloggin' ways. Maybe that is because my lap top is DOWN. I can no longer lounge in my bed and watch tivo and blog at the same time. . . . It makes for a pretty quiet blog. Sorry about that.




It could also be that:



I am getting the kids ready to start school on Monday



I am still unpacking boxes



I am planning a baptism



I am trying to get back on a "routine"



I am trying to work out (that isn't happening much)




I am trying to plan/think about 3 birthdays coming up





I am still going through 3 weeks of mail (ALMOST DONE!)





Anywho. . .




For those of you that don't know, my sister and I maintain a food blog. My OTHER sisters are supposed to contribute too (HELLO!) but really, it is just me and my little sis. We love to cook, we love to look at food blogs. . . we love food. But, she says we are LAME because we don't take pictures of our food. I have COMMITTED to adding pictures to our food blog, and so, while I was in SLC, she made me the Leige Sugared Waffle Recipe. You might ask, what the heck is a Leige Sugared Waffle . . and to that I would say, "A PIECE OF HEAVEN!" Here are some pix to prove it.

Just about ready to be shoved in my mouth. . .

It is sooooooooo good I might not waste it on the kids. . .

BON APETITE . . HERE I COME!
If you have a small soiree of people coming for breakfast, I would highly recommend pulling this recipe out. It is like a cross between a waffle and a bread? (It is kinda bread-like dough) and you put these special sugar crystals in it (found at your nearest European market) and boy. . . does it make for one FABULOUS CULINARY EXPERIENCE.

Thanks again Hillary for making them for me. . . L.O.V.E.D. them. Believe me, these pictures, as good as they look, don't do them justice!

Peek A BOO! I see you!

So I have left blog land. Kind of. Actually, I am still keeping a close eye on all of you. After all, when you are packing your life away, you still need to take a break now and again. . . and my FAVORITE nursing past time is reading blogs. Sorry if I am a little shy on the comments these days. I am visiting your blog and having fun too!

I am also keeping busy with all of the screamin' deals out there! Kmart is doubling coupons this week, and I have already done my diaper run. They had an AWESOME diaper deal scenario, and if you haven't added THIS BLOG to your reader yet, you are MISSING OUT!

I also hit CVS this week for a few of their deals. Although their diaper deal didn't work for me, it might work for you! I DID take advantage of the Candy deal though. There were some M&M coupons in the mail lately, and I got 6 packages of candy for $1.66 each. (not that I need any more candy-- HEY! BTW! I have lost a few pregnancy lbs. . .FINALLY! But still have a long way to go)

The other thing I have been doing is getting back to my passion for cooking. I LOVE cooking. Have I told you that? Oh, and one other thing. . . I have found a site that fuels my LOVE FOR COOKING like no other. . . I had visited a few times before, but now SHE is on my reader baby! I was looking at the site the other day and ooooooohing and aaaaaaaahhhing over all of the stuff on there... Peter decidedly declared the website "foodie p@rn" . . and rightfully so. So far, I have made THIS and I am GONNA make THIS, THIS and THIS! If I could have Pastor Ryan over for just a short minute . . . OH BABY!!! Moving on. . . . (Just read the blog, ok?--- Consider it my foodie gift to you)

I have another cutie pie friend who just started a blog! HI CASSI! I love love love it when people from one of the MILLION places I have lived start blogging. I love it as a way to peek into their lives and see how they are doing. I just STINKIN' LOVE IT! Anyway, she put a great recipe for bagels on there. I know, BAGELS? Yes, and they are fast and easy and fun! Open up a bagel shop with your kids. . .just for today. They are gonna love it and so are you.

Here is me. . .checking back out. LOVE YA!

FOODIE ALERT!

Hey, my blogging break has been nice. Did you miss me? I can't say that I am ready to come back quite yet, but, to keep you busy maybe you can help my sister out!

For those of you who don't know, we have a food blog. You can check it out at

http://favoritefamilyfood.blogspot.com/

Me and my sisters post our favorite recipes from time to time and you can be rest assured that if it is here. . . It is awesome! We are a family full of foodies. . . My sis posted a question for you all on the food blog, so, give her a shout and let her know your favorite Costco secrets!

Let us know what your favorite Costco find is!

Last Minute Giving or More Candy Making.. You Decide

Yesterday my kids came home with gifts from their bus driver... THEIR BUS DRIVER! (stinkin' over achiever!) It was then that I realized that I had done NOTHING in preparation for Holiday giving for the last day of school which is... Today. Cool. So, after dinner, I got crackin' on the job at hand. Fortunately, I had a no fail treat that I have done before.

You can check out the recipe here. But what is a recipe without a picture tutorial?

Pop your corn.

Make your candy (remember, it is not rocket science. Just a few ingredients and a candy thermometer.)

Stir your popcorn, almonds and candy in a BIG BOWL.

Spread it on a cookie sheet to dry. (Grease the sheet with butter to avoid sticking)DON'T leave it on the edge of the counter where a crafty 21 month old has learned to climb up and retrieve whatever he darn well pleases. (Look at the intensity in his face!)

Temper some milk chocolate in the micro (remember 40 seconds, then 20 at a time until is is melted. Stir vigorously after each heating. Don't overheat. Remember slow melt.)

Then shake with a spoon over the popcorn.

Now do it with White Chocolate. Same process... Mmmmmmmm Good. Don't be stingy.

Put in a super cute package and DELIVER!! :) JUST IN TIME!

Saturday Morning with ZE FRANK!

*All misspellings and puncutations are to emphasize my false FrEnch AccEnt! If it is capatilzed in the middle of a word, emphasize that letter!

Oh hohoh!!! (Said in my most snotty french accent)

We are a PBS family around here (no commercials) However, on Saturday morning you have to find an alternative and I personally prefer the Mickey Mouse Club House. Why? Because that song is catchy, and the other reason would be ZE FRANK!

ZE FRANK is a dog, who just happens to be a chef (a French Chef no less) he gives healthy snack ideas...

So, in honor of ZE FRANK, I decided to post our Saturday morning breakfast, because it was oh sooooooooo ZE FRANK! Oh lala!

Abby requested CREPES... and before you go zinking dat crepes are too difficult an' fussy, simply...ze are not!

FIRST: You put 2 eggs, 1 1/2 cups milk, 1 cup flouEr, 1 Tablespoon of Oil and a dash of salt! Whip it up with a wisk and VOILA! You have crepe battEr! (I can't figure out how to do an accent grave)

Zen, you put a few Tablespoons of your batter on a skillet... medium heat.. Oh ho ho!!! Roll your skillet around to make ze circle. (Don't worry! It will not be pErfEct!) It will look like dis!

Zen, you will make a little fresh berry sauce (don't worrEy! Jam will do!) You take frozen fruit, add a little orAnge juice and sugAr and if you want your sauce a little zickEr you can add some corn stArch! You bring it to a boil.. snap snap and it is finIshed! It will look like dis!

Zen, you simply take your crepe, add ze sauce and top with powdEred sUgEr, and Whip cream and VOILA! Zuddenly you are a FRENCH CHEF! And, your breakfast looks so....... oh lala! Yet, it iz not!

(Sorry about ze dIrty plate.. I did not get our ze cAmerA until round two!)

Your childrEn will smile with GLEE because who does not like WHIP CREAM FOR BREAKFAST, NO?

Be careful with ze wee one's because fruit crepes are VERY messy... VERY.....

Enjoy your CREPES! It is a fun festive idea, No?

Christie, this is for you.

I thought I would join Stie.. one of my favorite blog reads... by joining her in the effort to make all of you other people in the world just a wee bit... Oh, how does she put it so nicely? Let's just say, add a little more junk to your trunk.. m'kay? I mean, it is the Holiday Season after all. (And if you are anything like my husband or myself, you just added "so, whooped dee doo and fiddle dee dumb" to that last statement)

I made this little treat last year and bottled it for our friends and neighbors. I know I got a few addicts from sharing. I hope you enjoy it as well. I made it again last night, and let me assure you.. it is as good as EVER!!!! Only one problem, if you have some left over, and store it in your refrigerator, you will most CERTAINLY be tempted to sneak to the refrigerator while no one is looking and stick a spoon in it.. just for a little taste. (Think more like the yummiest carmel/butterscotch sauce you have ever TASTED!)

So, without further delay.. I will share with you... BUTTERSCOTCH SAUCE... think.. Ice Cream... Think Bananas.. Think a little whip cream, and think HEAVEN. From my lips to your hips baby.. ENJOY!

Trust me, you have the ingredients. Just walk to the kitchen... It comes together in a snap.. just go make it, and enjoy.. Oh, and when you do, be sure to come back and tell me what you thought! :)

How was your BUTTERBALL?

Mine was good. . .

If you have some left over, try my favorite family tradition of left overs...

Monty Cristo's

Get your favorite white bread

(Grandma Sycamore's Please. . . affectionately referred to as Granny Bread)

Get some sliced ham and Swiss cheese

Make a french toast batter minus spices (maybe just vanilla and a wee bit o' sugar)
Make a turkey, ham and Swiss sandwich

(With mayo and mustard if you like, I think it is better that way)

Dip both sides in the french toast batter

Cook on a buttered griddle (did I say this was low fat? No.)

Over low heat (covered if you have a lid you can throw over it)

Serve with Raspberry Jam and

MMMMMMMMMMMM .....

Enjoy!

PS- DO NOT omit the Raspberry Jam. It is the key to the best Monty Cristo EVAH!!! If you are worried, serve it on the side, and dip it in. YOU WILL BE HOOKED!

Mm MMMMMm Good.

I know I have not posted recipes here in AGES! That is because I started a recipe blog a long time ago.. however, I made a recipe that I had posted on my recipe blog LAST holiday season, and BOY was I glad I pulled it out again. I think you need to try it too. Surprise the kids before school in the morning, or, if you don't get your fill of pumpkin PIE over the holiday, make THESE on the weekend! They were sooooooooooo good. Not to mention, they filled my house with the smell of pumpkin PIE! (oh, I skipped the rum)

THE HIGHLIGHTS

I know you are all DYING for an update on our move.. (right?) Well, we are still in SLC and have just been chillin' as much as we can before the explosion of boxes, paper and me. Some of the highlights so far?

1- There is a BRAND NEW play land in Pocatello, ID at the SECOND Pocatello off ramp. EVEN BETTER, the play land is at Article Circle.. FINALLY, someplace other than McDonald's! It is a perfect dinner stop if you leave between 8 and 9 in the morning from Spokane to SLC. Just thought all of you Spokane Summer travelers should know!Order a Lime Ricky.. for sure.

2-I went to Tai Pan the morning after we got here. Did you know the place opens at 8:30 a.m.? YUP. And if you go at 8:30 a.m. you will have the store to YOURSELF. (So, you don't have to shower before you go, because no-one will see you.)
Now, before you go calling me a nutjob Amy, it was at my mother-in-laws request that we go because she had to hop a plane at 12:00. Of course, I was happy to oblige. I didn't take pictures because although I had FOUND my camera.. I had NOT found the charger yet.. Oh, so, I can tell you I didn't spent too much because technically, I don't even have a house right now, but I DID get my Mother-in-law to drop some SERIOUS $$$, so, I felt as though I spent vicariously through her, and, it was wonderful. (Don't you worry. I did make a FEW purchases!)

3-I found my charger for my camera

4-We took the kids to Kung Fu Panda. I have to admit, I enjoyed it. Is is no Disney/Pixar movie, but still entertaining and funny and the graphixs WERE amazing. If you have an issue with violence (there is LOTS-o-KUNG FU), don't go see it. Jaxon covered his eyes in 1/2 the movie because even though the kid would take someone down to the ground and pound on them for NO REASON he still doesn't like to see other people get whooped. Go figure.

5-We went to paradise bakery today and I had THE WONDERFUL Chicken and Artichoke Panini.. Awesome. If you have never had it, GET ONE.

6-I met a BLOGGER TODAY! Aberjaber met me at Sugar House park. Bless her heart, it is no where near her house, but she took pity on my tired self and drove here to see me! BETTER YET, she brought me CUPCAKES from Dough Boys and Flour Girls in American Fork. They were FAB (Thank you Aberjaber!- Her name must remain anonymous to protect the innocent) I took pictures of them and her, and I would LOVE to show them to you, but now that I found my camera and my charger, I can't find my Camera upload cords..

Ahhhhhhhhh, I love moving and total Chaos. Don't you?

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm GooooooooooooooooD!

Did you see this post from Ilene? Well, I did, and today I decided to try her amazo recipe... with the VITAMIX. I must say it was sooooooooooooooo goooooooooood... think of a delicious fudgesicle flavored smoothie...I didn't have the cream... but I used Wade's Whole Milk... I didn't have the Malted Milk.. .but I used powdered from food storage (I can't THINK of a better use for THAT!) I had ice, chocolate, sugar and the Vitamix, and that was all I needed baby!!!


Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm I think I need some more!

Product Placement

You need one of these:What is it? It is NOT just any old blender... it is a VITAMIX 5200... AWESOME EDITION. (ok, I added the last part)

A few weeks ago my MIL called and said, "Don't you want to go to Costco today?" My response to any such question is, "OF COURSE!" She then informed me that we would be going to watch a demonstration given by her nephew who sells VITAMIX blenders..It was going to be our job to Ohhhhhhh and Ahhhhhhhh and say.. MY Oh! MY!! And, if I were feeling lucky, my MIL was going to buy me one for Christmas. . . CHRISTMAS? I don't recall submitting my Christmas Wish List already.. Oh well.

We arrived at Costco and Johnny was whipping up the finest concoctions... Smoothies (obviously) Sorbets, Ice Cream, Salsa and even SOUP! Needless to say, I was a wee bit impressed and started to actually get a little excited about my potential Christmas gift. You see, I would NEVER buy one of these for myself because they have a WHOPPING price tag. $400 anyone? But looking at the prospect of getting one for *Christmas in May* was pretty exciting. (My MIL, sweet, supportive, AND generous--to a fault)

Then, Johnny got out one final appliance to seal the deal... a different blender that grinds wheat, rice YOU NAME IT.. into a fine powdery flour substance. THAT IS RIGHT! EVEN RICE! (Glutten Free Anyone?) SOLD SOLD And SOLD!!! (Ok, so I bought the extra grinder myself, but it is Soooooooooo worth it. I needed that *wheat grinder* for my food storage anyway, RIGHT?)


Well, since I have brought my new blender home, I have NOT been disappointed. I have made Ice Cream (Soooooooo fast, good, low fat, easy, and delicious- It melts kind of fast because it is made with ice.. but still, sooooo good.) I have made SALSA, ask Penny what she thought of it. And I have made Smoothies... and have turned my baby into a stark raving LUNATIC!

He has overcome his fear of the noise the blender makes because he has figured out what comes out of it... oh-so-good-yum-yum that he can't get enough of. I have yet to find out how much he can drink because I pull the plug on him LONG before he stops asking for more. The little tanker just screams.. MO! MO! MO! (his word for more) and throws a hissy fit on the floor when I tell him he is ALL DONE! At least it is something healthy I guess. :)

GOOD BIRTHDAY COMPANY

If you don't know, I am celebrating my birthday WEEK... That is right, as mentioned before, I think EVERYONE should celebrate for a whole week because it is much more fun. Anyway, when your husband is gone on a trip on your birthday, you have to celebrate on a different day anyway because celebrating on your birthday would then be less fun. However, I am still going to celebrate with my girlfriends and I will be spending all morning at a day spa, and eating my favorite cupcakes (don't worry, I ordered them ahead of time) and going to a more universally liked place of dining... PF Changs.

So, I will be in good company, but it turns out that I have good birthday company as well! And since I am celebrating for a whole week, I will show you who I also share my birthday WITH!
Jennifer Garner: My favorite, I was a HUGE Alias fan.. So happy to celebrate with her... I hear she is crafty too!
Victoria Beckham: Ok, I will never be as into fashion as she is.

Kate Hudson: Super cute hippy.. I would never let my boy have girl hair.

America Ferrera: All american woman.

and, my husband's favorite: Ashley Judd.

All of these ladies share this special WEEK with me ALONG with the famous blogger....Bridget!
(See! I am not the ONLY person who takes pictures of themselves! I am sure she took more than one!)
Happy Birthday Bridget! You are in good company!

Oh, and just so you know, I only share my ACTUAL birthday with Jeffery Dean Morgan, Aaron Spelling and Jackson Nicholson. Oh well.

LET THE CELEBRATION BEGIN!

I personally believe that EVERYONE should spend a week celebrating their birthday. Why not? I mean you only get ONE chance a year to celebrate YOU so, why not let it drag on a bit...

My birthday is not until Tuesday, but I started celebrating on Friday with a date to my FAVORITE sushi joint in my home town.. I stare down this plate of sushi
at LEAST once a month and the sweet people there know us so well that they gave us a gift at Christmas time... and when they were having their opening anniversary. They love us..

Here is what a love about them....

The same waiters have been working their for two years! TWO YEARS! I mean, how many places do you go that you recognize a waiter much less ALL of them. They are great...

I love the SUSHI... it is good...EVERY TIME. The plate you are looking at has two Rainbow Rolls (multi-colored fish on top) one Caterpillar Roll (BBQ'd eel covered with avocado) and two H2 Rolls. (It is not on the menu) Tempura Fryed Shrimp inside the roll with crab, shrimp, and a yummy spicy sauce. DIVINE... TRULY.. We have "cheated" on them several times to make sure we are going to the BEST sushi restaurant in town, and guess what, we have regretted it every time.

The owner is there every night we go, and she is always kind and recognizes us.. (Ok, we are hard to miss. I am 6'2" and my husband is 6'5". But she is SUPER sweet and comps us things here and there just to let us know she loves us...

Now... don't YOU want to go there??? I admit, they have probably been open for 3 years and when we started going, we were one of 4 or 5 tables out of 20 filled. When we showed up on Friday night there were only two tables left.. People are catching on... :)

Food Frenzy

If you have never checked out my Favorite Family Food Blog... now is the time to do it! I am at my mom's house for the week and I am going through her recipe drawer...yes....drawer. You might ask, why does she keep recipes in a drawer? To be honest, I don't know, but it is the most wackadoo way to keep things "organized" mainly because they aren't.

If there is a recipe that she likes or wants to try or that someone gave to her, it gets slapped into the drawer. There are many amazing recipes in the drawer.
Tonight, I spent the night looking through the drawer trying to find the family treasures... you know, the recipes that she makes each year during the holidays, or the recipes that just the thought or smell of them bring back a myriad of memories... those recipes . . and if they ended up on my food blog. . .it is official, they are awesome.

Some of these recipes are 30+ years old, in her mother's handwriting, or copied on a ditto machine (if you don't know what that is, ask someone over 30 years old). Some were torn out of magazines and newspapers and tattered and brown and so fragile that you feel like they are going to turn to dust if you pick them up! My mom seems to think they are "organized" in the drawer . . . desserts on the right, other stuff on the left. . . Um, right. . .

That is ok. I am doing my part to preserve our family history (in a food kind of way)and gain another 10 pounds cooking things that I love and things that remind me of growing up with a wonderful mother who just also happened to be a wonderful cook. Enjoy

My Sistas and Me Favorite Family Food Blog