Sunday, October 31, 2010

Recent Adjustments

So, lately I've been slightly busy.

Maybe busy isn't the right word... more like tired.

I started my new job about four weeks ago.  And it's on 3rd shift.  11pm to 7am.

I'm really liking the new job so far, it's just been difficult to get adjusted.  And it doesn't help that I have an hour and ten minute commute... one way.  Ugh.  That's getting old real quick.

Thank goodness we'll be moving within the next few weeks and that commute will be cut down significantly. 

New job, new place to live... 

Excited.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

{The Puppy}

So...

I thought I should introduce you to a member of our family.




This is Lionel.  And today is his first birthday.


Lionel is our baby.




How we came about getting Lionel is a very sad story - one that I'm not quite ready to tell - But the story of the past ten months has been a very happy one.






Lionel is a pure-bred Golden Retriever.  We got him when he was about nine weeks old.


From the very beginning, Lionel has been a lover.  All he wants to do is be loved on - be scratched and pet and snuggled with.




{Yes, that is our broken screen door}


He's a good boy, and we love him very much!




Dogs are so wonderful.  If you don't have one -- get one  : )


Friday, October 15, 2010

HP7 Update



Just though I'd let you know... in case you were wondering   : )

 

Thursday, October 14, 2010

ArtPrize

A few weekends ago we went to ArtPrize.

If you don't know what that is, I'll explain...

ArtPrize is an art festival/competition that takes place in Grand Rapids, MI.  Hundreds of pieces of artwork are displayed at all different venues across the city... All types of art {2D, 3D, time-based, etc} are located at almost 200 different venues {museums, restaurants, hotels, etc}  People come from all over to view the art and then vote for their favorite.  The top 10 pieces receive prizes.. with 1st receiving $250,000.

Lucky me... I live not too far from Grand Rapids : )

This is the 2nd annual ArtPrize, and for some crazy reason Phil and I did not go last year.  So, we were completely blown away by the amazing pieces of art we saw!

Here's some of the ones we really enjoyed.



This is my sister : ) She went with us.



 Phil liked this one



 A rag rug dress!



 Phil's favorite and the 4th place winner.



 The 1st place winner.  A pencil drawing.  The minute details in this one were amazing!


 Elephants on the sidewalk : )



 No, this guy is not real. Definitely the most realistic model I've ever seen. Really cool, but kind of creepy too.

 

 So delicate and pretty.



{Sigh}... I love beautiful things.



And last but not least... my favorite, and the 2nd place winner.  That's stained glass.  Yes, that's right, stained glass.




I was completely enthralled by her... can you tell? 


 If you're ever around GR during ArtPrize... go!!  You won't regret it!

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Curry, Curry, Curry

Curry.

Just the word makes my taste buds excited!  My stomach starts growling and my mouth starts watering!

Apparently curry is a very broad term... kind of like "stir fry".  You can make it a million different ways.  Chicken or shrimp.  With veggies or without.  With rice or with noodles.  Thai curry or Indian curry.  The combinations go on and on.

There's a Thai place near us that Phil and I love love love.  I always get the pad ped, which is chicken, eggplant, mushrooms, spanish onion, green pepper, and red pepper in a red curry sauce with coconut milk.  Oh my.  So good.  The combination of sweet and spicy and fresh and earthy blows my mind.  I've never tasted American food like that. 

So, when I saw that The Pioneer Woman had a curry recipe I had to try it.  { I love the Pioneer Woman.  I love her recipes.  I love the way she writes.  I love that she randomly writes "amen" in the middle of a blog post }

This recipe is actually a Trinidadian curry.  And it is yummy.

This was different from the curry I've made in the past.  You make a "curry slurry" of curry powder and water and cook that before adding the veggies and meat.  Apparently this is a trick that enhances the flavor of the curry.  And it definitely works.  I added mushrooms and red pepper to mine and used a chipotle chili pepper in adobo instead of the plain jalapeno.

Here's a few shots of my yummy finished product and the recipe.  For step-by-step instructions and pictures, go to The Pioneer Woman's post.  It's amazing... as usual.




  • 4 pounds Chicken Pieces (I Used Legs And Thighs), Rinsed, Skin And Fat Removed
  • 2 teaspoons Salt
  • Cracked Black Pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Yellow Mustard
  • 1 whole Medium Onion, Halved
  • 1 whole Tomato, Quartered
  • 8 cloves Garlic
  • 8 sprigs Cilantro
  • 2 Tablespoons (rounded) Curry Powder (I Used A Trini Mix)
  • 2 teaspoons Turmeric
  • 4 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
  • Jalapeno Pepper, Sliced (optional)
  • Potatoes (optional)
Place chicken in a bowl. Sprinkle with salt and add mustard.

In a food processor, chop half the onion, tomato, cilantro, garlic, and black pepper (or jalapeno/habanero).

Add mixture to the bowl. Stir the whole mixture together so that the chicken is totally coated in the seasoning ingredients. Allow chicken to marinate for at least two hours.

After chicken has marinated, make the curry slurry: Add curry powder and turmeric to a bowl. Pour in 3/4 cup water and stir until dissolved.

In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-low heat. Pour in the curry slurry and cook for a few minutes, stirring constantly. Curry slurry will deepen in color. If the mixture becomes too dry during cooking, add a little water.

When the curry slurry has become a thick paste, chop the other half of the onion and add it in. Allow the onions to soften, then add in the chicken. Stir to coat the chicken, then cook, half covered, for five minutes. Turn the chicken, then add in 1 to 2 cups of water. Shake the pan and allow the chicken to cook until done, stirring every five minutes. Cook for about 20 to 15 minutes.

At the end, be sure to taste and adjust salt and pepper. Serve chicken over rice; spoon sauce over the top.





Amen.     : )

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Bucket List

I don't think my bucket list is actually a bucket list...

Since it only consists of three or four items.


I guess it's just a work in progress.

Anyways, this is on my bucket list...





Be still my heart.  Isn't it gorgeous?

I am going to make this quilt... someday.

I have a slight problem though.  I don't know how to quilt.  I don't even really know how to sew... besides the very basics.

Oh well.  Guess I'll just have to learn.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

My Favorite Guy

My hubby's birthday was yesterday.

We had a really good day full of...

chicken & dumplings...



the best banana cake you've ever tasted {more about that later}...




new chicago fire t-shirts and sanuk shoes...




then we went to Craig's Cruisers for go-karts and arcade games...

and then out for drinks and more yummy food.

He said he had a wonderful day... which makes me happy.



Happy 24th birthday, Phil!

I love you.