Friday, August 29, 2008

My daughter is weird...

But in a good way LOL! She turned 4 last Tues on August 19th, and she likes all these things that most kids her age will not touch. For example?










And the latest weird thing?? Odwalla Superfood. I tried some about a month ago and I love it, and she will practically BEG to have some when I fill a glass! She had 2 cups of it after she ate her lunch! Granted, it is all healthy and wonderfull, but it is WEIRD :)

Yummmmmmmmmm

My wonderful hub made the most delicious dinner last night!!! I got home late and was HUNGRY and he didn't disappoint! He has taken to the internet to find interesting recipes that are still fairly mainstream but not your everyday dinner and I love it :) Since I stay home for the first part of the day with the kiddos and only work a few hours in the afternoons, I don't get home until 7 or so, later if I am walking. So most nights dinner is up to him, and this is what he made.....

Crunchy Baked Pork Chops
Cook’s Illustrated
Serves 4

CI notes: This recipe was developed using natural pork, but enhanced pork (injected with a salt solution) will work as well. If using enhanced pork, eliminate the brining in step 1. The bread crumb mixture can be prepared through step 2 up to 3 days in advance. The breaded chops can be frozen for up to 1 week. They don’t need to be thawed before baking; simply increase the cooking time in step 5 to 35 to 40 minutes.

Table salt4 boneless center-cut pork chops, 6 to 8 ounces each, 3/4 to 1 inch thick, trimmed of excess fat4 slices hearty white sandwich bread, torn into 1-inch pieces1 small shallot, minced (about 2 tablespoons)3 medium garlic cloves, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 1 tablespoon)2 tablespoons vegetable oilGround black pepper2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese1/2 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves1/4 cup plus 6 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour3 large egg whites3 tablespoons Dijon mustardLemon wedges

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Dissolve 1/4 cup salt in 1 quart water in medium container or gallon-sized zipper-lock bag. Submerge chops, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate 30 minutes. Rinse chops under cold water and dry thoroughly with paper towels.

2. Meanwhile, pulse bread in food processor until coarsely ground, about eight 1-second pulses (you should have about 3 1/2 cups crumbs). Transfer crumbs to rimmed baking sheet and add shallot, garlic, oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Toss until crumbs are evenly coated with oil. Bake until deep golden brown and dry, about 15 minutes, stirring twice during baking time. (Do not turn off oven.) Cool to room temperature. Toss crumbs with Parmesan, thyme, and parsley.

3. Place 1/4 cup flour in pie plate. In second pie plate, whisk egg whites and mustard until combined; add remaining 6 tablespoons flour and whisk until almost smooth, with pea-sized lumps remaining.

4. Increase oven temperature to 425 degrees. Spray wire rack with nonstick cooking spray and place in rimmed baking sheet. Season chops with pepper. Dredge 1 pork chop in flour; shake off excess. Using tongs, coat with egg mixture; let excess drip off. Coat all sides of chop with bread crumb mixture, pressing gently so that thick layer of crumbs adheres to chop. Transfer breaded chop to wire rack. Repeat with remaining 3 chops.

5. Bake until instant-read thermometer inserted into center of chops registers 150 degrees, 17 to 25 minutes. Let rest on rack 5 minutes before serving with lemon wedges.


He got the recipe here and it has some nice pics too!
Try it, you will NOT be disappointed!

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Bling bling!

I had to take off my wedding rings today because they are too big! I have lost them a few times in the laundry because they keep falling off, so I put them away, so sad... I talked to my jeweler friend and she advised me to wait to resize them instead if doing it a little bit here and there, because doing it to many times could weaken the gold. So I had to get a replacement! I went to Claire's in the mall and picked out a nice fat rock for $10.95 :) So many of the ladies at work were like "Have you always had that??" LOL! Isn't it puuuuuurty???


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Also went for a 5 mile walk tonight, no rain YAY!

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Rain

I went on the fastest walk last night ever LOL! It was pouring and wasn't pleasant but I went! I even wore my new shoes and walked and 4 miles down Cordata Parkway and back in just over an hour, but was soaked. That puts me at 205.5 miles!!

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Picnic breakfast

I took the kids to Boulevard Park this morning for a picnic breakfast! We had cereal with a view LOL!


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New shoes

I loved my last pair of walking shoes so much, and since the 3day is only a few weeks away I had to get another pair! I went to Fairhaven Runner this AM and got these. They are by Asics and the model is called 'Fortitude' and are the MOST COMFY SHOE EVER! I have put about 200 walking miles on the first pair since May. My old pair(L) and the new version! (R) :) I am going for a 5 mi walk tonight after work and can't wait to slip these babies on!
I also tried on the Enell sports bra on and wow it is comfy!


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More goodies...!

I got another fun package in the mail today, woohoo! I needed a little excitement after that $5 bag of sCRAP LOL...

I ordered 2 sets of these from HSN a few days ago, can't wait to use them!

http://crafts-sewing.hsn.com/gcd-studios-1064-piece-glitter-sticker-kit_pf-337610_xp.aspx


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Monday, August 25, 2008

O M G

I got some SERIOUS happy mail today!!! Mal sent me a MONSTROUS package today! She even shared a ton of that Atlanta loot laughlaughlaugh Daaaaaaaaang Girl, you spoiled me!!


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Sunday, August 24, 2008

New Fall Stacks are here!

Have you seen them?? They are pretty and on sale starting this morning for $9.99 :) I know where I am going to be at 10 am!

ETA: Yeah, I waited too long and they were all gone, waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! I hope they get some more later this week!

New sketches!

Here's two new sketches, I havn't done any in awhile. Please share your work if you use them!

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Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Bag of Scrap!

Check this out :) I ordered 2!

http://tinkeringink.com/blog/

Monday, August 18, 2008

More walking...

Kim and I walked another 9 miles today! We are beat but we made it :)

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Retreat Pics...

Here's a few pics from the Scrapbooking Retreat I went on a few weekends ago!


My friend Kim, the first night we were there. She made this awesome canvas as a gift!
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Our SUPER FAB hostess Lori!
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One end of the retreat house, with the dining area and kitchen
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Looking back at the rest of the retreat house
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Misc pics of the kiddos...

Aaron at Lake Whatcom playing in the volleyball court sand

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...and on the swings
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Adrian on the slide....
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Aaron and his 196 notebooks LOL
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Boxx Berry Farm had a "Strawberry Fest" and they had tractor rides for the kids
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I think they went on it 3 times!
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They were giving out strawberry sundaes too!
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And they did face painting, but they wanted their hands done instead
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Just chillin in the pool :)
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Adrian's 4th Birthday Party

So it finally had to happen, it rained during a birthday party! Ever since Aaron was born, we have had good weather for both kids' birthdays until today, but it was still ok. Well, if you consider 80 degrees and raining ok, ugh.

The birthday girl is four! (Well, on Tuesday anyways, lol)
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My friend Dyona's daughter, Senna, with Adrian.
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One of the princess outfits she got today!
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Pretty Girl!
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She got some markers and they sure were a hit!
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This morning's walk...

I walked early today! I set the alarm for 5 but it was too dark so I waited until 5:45 then got up. I walked 9 miles and was home by 9:30! I took a few pics and saw a few deer even.

Here's the time on my stove, WAAAAAY to early!

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Almost sunrise on my street
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Thought this sign signified my 3day journey so far :)
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Walking along Bellingham Bay
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I was playing with my self-timer :)
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The first deer I saw
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This sign is pretty big, I think the letters are 2x my height.
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One of my pit stops around mile 7 LOL
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The second deer, and this one was only about 12 feet away
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Adrian's birthday party is later today, yay! My littlest one is turning 4, WOW!