Time Flies...: January 2012

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Saturday, January 28, 2012

And Cupcakes...

Mom and Lily made valentine cupcakes...Lily told me they were delicious! I just couldn't justify the calories!

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Lily made us lunch on Saturday...

Lily was very excited to wear her new cute owl apron (that I got her when I went to cooking school) and to make us lunch. She told me she is really good at making eggs and pretty good at making pizza! Ha!

Lily did everything for her pizza...I just helped by holding the toppings.

Lily counted each pepperoni as she placed it on the pizza.

She was very proud of her pizza, but she only ate one pepperoni!

Lily was super excited to see Molly!

The mail came and she had a new farm animal book. She spent a lot of time telling Layne about each animal.

Quick shot of the girls and Layne (oh and Sookie Wookie...Lily's newest build a bear)!

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Here is sweet Annabelle...

Being so good as everyone held her!

Sipping and Seeing...

Sweet Annabelle and her momma!

Layne seems to be feeling better!

Poor thing has had pneumonia. He sure wasn't too happy about his breathing treatment, but he loves his jumparoo!

Working puzzles with Lily!

And my new artwork

For upstairs. Now I just need to find the gray and white chevron striped chair...

Love my new table runner...

And the beautiful flowers I picked up at Fresh Market!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

A few of my favorites from cooking school...

Leann gives us our kitchen 'rules'...

Time out for a picture of Team A...

Ray is hard at work on marinading our honey chicken skewers...

Tony and Leann evaluate the situation in the kitchen...

Gina, Jodi and Kembree making Team B's curry sauce...

Laura working on our presentation...

Team A gets a thumbs up! Seriously, everything we made was delicious!

All of the group photos are on Kembree's camera, so I'll post them soon!

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Learnings...

1. When you cut biscuits you pull directly up, if you twist the cutter it locks them in, so they are not allowed to rise.
2. I like my steak medium rare...why have I always ordered medium?
3. Whoever said you shouldn't pay more than $10 for a good bottle of wine has never had a good bottle of wine.
4. With the right recipe, curry can be delicious.
5. There are so many deer on the dark MS roads.
6. MS is way more backwards than I imagined, but it is still pretty cool.

Sent from my iPhone

Ground zero time!

Very good quail

Per Ray. His collars greens were amazing!

Live from Madidi

After the best beat salad I've ever eaten (or should I say the only beats I've ever eaten) I now have this beautiful presentation in front of me. I'm not going to be able to eat tomorrow, but it was worth it!

Ray's steaming the fish...

I might need one of these!

Love it...

What a way to start a

Cooking class!

I just met...

Cheese grits that are better than mine at the Alluvian's brunch. I love the hotel and especially the goose down beds. Now...pictures of this dog are everywhere! Must figure out the story.

Seeing what all the talk is about...

Friday, January 13, 2012

It's sad...

When you have to drive 2 hours to hang out with friends that live in the same city! Such a fun night!

Choices!!!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Big Sister smiles

For a picture to send Aunt Molly and Uncle Logan! I enjoyed my night at mom and dad's house. I helped them keep Lily and Layne while Emily hosted her 1st Kelly's Kids party of the season!

Telling Aunt Brooke all about it...

Happy Layne...

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Wednesday's edition: Healthy Eating

So, today completed week 1 with my 'Get Running' App and it marks the 8th day I haven't had a diet coke! I'm feeling pretty good on my 1200 calories too (this is just for the first 2 weeks)! I'm also pretty proud that I only ordered the girl scout cookies that Ray, Emily and dad like (and not my favorite samoas...I would have ordered mom and Molly some had I known their favorite ones), I only ate 1 thing at the Bowl Championship party (a delicious and I think pretty healthy nutella cookie) and I restrained from the delicious party food at last nights Community Council meeting...I'm back in this healthy lifestyle game and I hope I can continue doing and feeling good! Since I've been told I'm inspiring others...below is today's healthy dinner recipe...let's call it Shrimp Spectacular (I counted Ray saying it was 'really good' at least 6 times! FYI...I don't post recipes that Ray doesn't compliment at least 3 times while eating).

So, I found a similar recipe in a mayo clinic diet article in a Women's magazine a couple of years ago, but I 'Brookeized' it. Start by pealing one pound of uncooked shrimp (I got the Kroger frozen since nobody has fresh shrimp this time of year). Toss pealed shrimp with some creole seasoning to taste and set aside. Saute mushroom halves and cherry tomatoes in about 1 T of olive oil over medium heat. Add about a 1/4 cup of chicken broth. Once broth is hot add shrimp to the veggie mixture and cook until just pink. Toss in a handful (or two) of fresh spinach and stir until wilted. Serve over brown rice. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp...there is nothing worse than over cooked shrimp!

We also had fresh broccoli and cauliflower and some gourmet artichokes. I picked up the artichokes from the freezer section of Kroger (35 calories per serving)...I believe they were steam in the bag Private Selection. Next time, I'll be leaving them in the freezer section! Happy Healthy Eating!

Monday, January 9, 2012

Fun mailbox day...

After a very long Monday, I was so excited to find my January Birchbox on the mailbox! It's theme is clarity...just what I need! Thanks Arden!

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Saturday night dinner...

Thanks to a 'pin' by my friend Lauren, I came across this Weight Watcher buffalo chicken egg roll recipe. Ray said at least 18 times as he was eating how awesome they were. Basically, I followed the recipe at http://www.canyoustayfordinner.com. However, we do not like blue cheese at all, so I shredded a little Monterey Jack on top of the chicken before rolling it up. Also, I used regular slaw and Ray's 'almost' famous hot wing sauce that we had in the fridge left from football season. I'll definitely be making these again. Who knew egg rolls were so easy and could be so delicious?!?

Also, another pinterest find was how to achieve the perfect shredded chicken. Who knew if I placed the boiled chicken while it was still warm in the kitchenaid stand mixer with the paddle attachment for a few seconds I would have the perfect shredded chicken. This was definitely a fun and easy dinner to make.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Getting it together in 2012...

While living in Salt Lake I learned the benefits of a scarf and hat. It could be below zero and if you had a hat and scarf you were fine. I love scarfs...I have 27 of them and I wear one everyday in the winter. Now, I have some scarf hangers to help me get them organized. Next week I hope to get the purse and shoe organizer that I ordered from Zulily!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

The one about Brussels Sprouts...

I've never tasted Brussels sprouts (I guess my mom doesn't like them) nor have I ever dreamed of making them. Lately they have been featured in some cooking magazines and since I'm into eating healthy this new year (and you can only have broccoli so many nights in a row) I thought I would give them a try. I roasted them with some fresh mushrooms and tomatoes in some 'fine' garlic flavored olive oil (courtesy of my friend Torrey!), pepper and a bit of sea salt for 35 mins on 400. I must say they were good. Ray was so impressed he had to call his mom with the news...I guess she boiled them as a children and he hated them. Here is to trying new things in 2012...