Patio "make-over"

After many runs to Ross, TJ Maxx, Hobby Lobby, Lowe's, and the Farm Patch...here are some pictures of my 2 day make-over of our patio. I love the sound of the water fountain! I wish it had looked this way all 7 years we lived here.

New Blog

So this is the reason I haven't had time to post to this blog for awhile. We are selling our house and it has taken some time to get it ready! Here is the blog I have been working on...

www.2002springcreek.blogspot.com

This will have been the longest I have lived in one house in my entire life. I am used to moving at least every 4 years...it was definitely time to clean out the attics!

Frozen Vegetarian Meals...that taste great!!

It has been awhile since I have added to this blog!! I talked to a friend today and told her I would add these frozen vegetarian meals that you can buy at an Indian grocery here in College Station. They are at Mini Mart 3800 South College Avenue, Bryan, TX 77801-4517. Some of my favorites are Palak Paneer, Malai Kofta(probably my favorite, it's vegetable dumplings prepared in a rich and mildly spiced sauce, and a bread that is Vegi's Paratha Aloo. We are so lucky to have this store!

Wish list...

A visit from my parents

A trip to Italy
The next book in the Hunger Games series...
Magnetic measuring spoons!
Another book I am interested in reading...

Arroz con Pollo Peruano(Peruvian Chicken with Rice)
I got this recipe from Milli-a friend from Peru-she had a cooking class at my house and showed us how to make this delicious dish. The way I make it would be called Arroz no con Pollo-because I make it vegetarian, but I will include the chicken recipe at the end. :-)
In a blender, put three sliced green bell peppers(just remove the stem-you can leave the pulp and seeds), about 1/2 cup water, and 1 bunch cilantro. The result should be a sauce that is not too thick or thin(Milli's words :-)
Chop 1 Onion(I've posted this before but I just couldn't cook without this chopper-called the Vidalia Onion Chopper-you can get it at Bed Bath and Beyond for $19.99)
Saute onion in 3 Tablespoons olive oil. Add 3 crushed cloves of garlic and two Tablespoons Cumin. Pour the pepper and cilantro mixture into the pan with the onions and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Boil six cups of water and add 3 cups of uncooked rice. Cook according to directions. Stir COOKED rice into sauce in frying pan and add 2 cups of frozen peas. Mix well and and stir until peas are soft. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.

Meat recipe:
5 chicken breasts or thighs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 chopped onion
3 chopped cloves garlic
1 bunch cilantro
3 bell peppers
Cumin
cooked rice
2 cups frozen peas
In a pan with the oil, brown the chicken adding salt and pepper. Remove chicken from the pan. Add the onion and garlic and brown. Use the instructions above for the blender items. Add the sauce from the blender to the onion mixture. Put the chicken pieces back in the sauce. Let it simmer on low for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally and checking to see if the meat is done. When the chicken is done, remove from the sauce and stir in the cooked rice and peas. Add the chicken back to the mixture and let set for 15 minutes. Serve.

About Time!

Thanks to my friend Andreea, this is my new passion! And really who would have believed it!!? I have never been a big fan of fish...let alone Sushi! But Andreea took me to a new place in College Station called "The Naked Fish" and I am totally addicted! This is a picture of my favorite Sushi Roll, it's called the Volcano. Love it! I also like the Naked Fish Roll and the Happy Summo Roll, and the Utah Roll...I could just keep going. I am sorry if you don't live in College Station...you'll just have to come visit us and we will take you to The Naked Fish for melt in your mouth Sushi!

Literally, isn't it always about time!?! Since Valentine's day it has been all about finding time to post to the blog! Seems like we have been making a lot of trips to Houston lately, for business and to visit Jared and Tyan and Brody. Also, Kathleen(my gorgeous little sister) came for the weekend-seems like she was only here a few hours! Loved having her visit!

Cheryl Muhr is a very special photographer in Austin. She took Brody's 5 day old photo shoot and this is what she posted on her blog..."I'm going to start with some of the most special sessions first. Well, ALL of my sessions are special, but some of them....really have that ability to remind me WHY I do what I do.....and why I am the luckiest person alive to get to do what I do for a living.

First, a newborn shoot here at the loft in Austin. I love shooting here because the light and airy feel just fits with glowing new parents. This is Tyan (of tiny bird photography...and quite seriously one of the most kind and humble people I have met in my entire life...truly, the goodness just pours out of her) and her gorgeous husband and her beautiful, beautiful son.

THIS. IS. WHY. I. AM. A. PHOTOGRAPHER.

Because life can change in the blink of an eye. Her son was here. And then he almost, ALMOST wasn't. Can you SEE how loved he is? Can you FEEL it when you look at how they look at him?

I can."

What a beautiful tribute to Tyan and Jared. I love these pictures. If you want to see them in full size go to Cheryl's blog at http://cherylmuhr.typepad.com/cheryl_muhr_photography/2010/02/ahem-ahem-ahem.html Gorgeous!

Happy Valentines Day!

Today we had Ward Conference and my wonderful husband made homemade heart shape corn tortilla chips and had them hot and waiting with salsa when I walked in the door from all my meetings. Wow, I love that man!! Recipe...with a lot of patients and love... use kitchen shears to cut corn tortillas into heart shapes, fry in coconut oil, serve with your favorite salsa and share with the love of your life....