Snack Time

Snack time today is homemade salsa with Tostitos white corn chips while watching the city workers mow the city property behind us. Ummm...I think there is something wrong with this picture. I think I'll start working for the city if I get to watch someone else work with all my buddies. I'm also listening to Top 20 on XM however, it got scandalous so I switched it to Contemporary Christian. I'm feeling better already! Here's the recipe for this amazing salsa that won't stop going into my mouth...shoot!...how do I get it out of the keyboard?

Homemade Salsa

Aunt Lucy's Recipe

2 Cans Italian Tomatoes

6 Tomatoes (Roma are best)

3 Green Onions with greens

1 Tomatio (looks like a green tomato)

1 Small Onion

2-3 Cloves of Garlic

1 tsp. Crushed Red Pepper

Jalapeno (with or without seeds-hotter with seeds)

Salt and Pepper to taste

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until its the texture that you like. Will last up to 2 weeks in the fridge.

Moab Family Vaca!

Boogs and I went to Moab with family this weekend. Holy fun, holy warm, holy Audry can't stop taking pictures and eating. Here are some photos and I know...they are a great looking family

Right before hitting the BIG rapids on the river.

All of us still waiting to get on the BIG rapids.

Boogs and his bro.

On Boogie's birthday gift for the first time heading to a place called Gemini Bridges. It's so fun being behind your sweetie with the wind blowing in your face, screaming deep conversations to each other.

Boogs and his other bro Jrrd. No it's not misspelled, that's how we say it.

We were in charge of dinner the first night so we made Pulled Pork sandwiches on Granatos hard rolls, Bean and Corn Salsa with Corn Chips, Bowtie Oriental Pasta Salad with Fresh Spinach, Fresh Watermelon (from Costco of course), and Caramel Popcorn for dessert.

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

3-4 Pound Pork Roast

2 Onions, sliced (optional)

16 oz. Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Sauce

1/3 C. Honey

Place pork in the crock-pot with onions. Mix the bbq sauce and honey together and pour over the roast and onions. Cook on low for 8 hours. Shred the meat with 2 forks and keep it in the sauce. Serve on rolls (needs to be on hard rolls so the bread does not get soggy) or hamburger buns.

Sunday morning for Father's Day we went to a breakfast place called Jailhouse Cafe. It used to be the old jail and they are now a Cafe that is only open for breakfast. Menu was great:

Eggs Benedict, Swedish Pancakes, Berry Waffles and hot chocolate oozing over the top with

chocolate and whipped cream.

This was such a great weekend with the family! We were missing two people and we definitely missed them. Each person's personality contributes something to a family and it's obvious in our family when these two are missing. We love you Autumn and Aaron and missed you!

Recipes as Promised...

Strawberry Crepes

Crepe Batter:

2 Eggs

1/4 C. Milk

2 tbsp. Water

4 tbsp. Flour

1/8 tsp. salt

Cream Cheese Filling:

3 oz. Whipped Cream Cheese

6 tbsp. Cottage Cheese

1/4 C. Sugar

Strawberries

Heavy Whipping Cream

2-4 tbsp. Sugar

For the batter: beat eggs, milk, and water. Add flour and salt, beat until smooth. Lightly butter a crepe pan or a medium non-stick skillet. Heat pan over medium heat. When the pan is hot, spoon 2 tbsp. of batter into pan and spread evenly around pan. When edges start to brown, flip over.

Filling:In a mixer beat the cream cheese, cottage cheese, and sugar until smooth.

Pour 1 C. of heavy cream and sugar into a mixer and mix until it becomes whipped. Slice up strawberries.

To assemble: Add 2-3 tbsp. of filling to the middle of the crepe. Spoon a few strawberries on top of the filling and then roll up the crepe. Top with the fresh cream and a few strawberries.

Makes 8 servings. (1 crepe each)

Chic Chef Tips:

1. I always use whipped cream cheese for everything made with cream cheese. Its always soft and gives great fluffy texture. Costs a little more but it's worth it.

2. Crepes usually cook fast so watch carefully and keep them wrapped tight in a dish towel so they don't become dried out and crunchy.

3. Probably want to double this because everyone will at least want two because they are so delicious!

Blue Cheese Crusted Steaks or Hamburgers

1 C. Blue Cheese

2 tbsp. Melted Butter

2 tbsp. Italian Bread Crumbs

Mix together with a fork until well blended. Add to the top of browned steaks or browned hamburger and place in the oven for 10-12 minutes. This is for a medium doneness steak so if you want it more well done, add 3-5 minutes.

Chic Chef Tips:

1.Browning is cooking just the outside of the meat at a really high temperature with a little oil or butter. You can also grill the steaks or hamburgers just use the same method...really high temperature for just a few minutes because you are finishing the cooking in the oven.

2. I personally think that Fillets are a little over rated. Look for the New York or the Rib-eye for steaks. They have great marblization, creating lots of flavor and tenderness so you are still getting a great steak for less cash out of your pocket.

3. Use a thermometer for checking the doneness of your meat and always let it rest after to keep all the juices inside the meat. Let it rest at room temperature before you brown it so it cooks evenly through.

Fabulous Finds

Here are some "Fabulous Finds"...

These are two black bamboo ladders that I had to have but wasn't sure what to do with them. We went back and forth about what wall, what way, and if we are feeling like we're in the middle of a jungle (with our new friend above the fireplace...bamboo ladders...fountain in the entry...ummmmm). We decided the stair wall and their starting to grow on us.




I couldn't pass up this "Dream". I am so not a wood board with words person but this was funky, from the dump looking, almost graphity looking. There was a "Love" one too, but I couldn't figure out what to do with it. You'll die when I tell you where it's from...Pier 1 Imports. I love that store and I can always find that one thing that makes people talk. They have great stuff and I like the quality and price.

This is a soap dispenser made from all recycled glass. Isn't that FABULOUS! I love the funky dispenser top. Haven't filled them yet cause I love the glass look. Found at Target.

I'm sorry I have to put this in the "Fabulous" list....




This fridge is so beautiful that sometimes I just stare at it, even with all the finger prints. I love the French doors for baking sheets to fit. It has tons of room inside and the freezer helps keep things organized with its levels and compartments. I love the clean lines of its look. Wow! I really love this find. From Mountianland Design.


The Euro!
Where have I been? I am sure that everyone probably has a Euro but I have just discovered how "Fabulous" they are. They bring drama, interest, and sophistication. You can buy them at any bedding place (Bed Bath Beyond, Linens and Things, Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrell.....).The Euro coverings tend to be a bit more expensive than your usuals but they are totally worth it. Most people do four Euros (for a King) but we did three and that was plenty. This one is from ZGallerie (our most favorite store).

Stop with the jungleness...that's what your saying right now as you see the zebra print towels. These are in the guest bathroom and they took me forever to find. Have you tried finding great towels? They are really expensive and it's hard to find different, funky ones. I love these and actually this is our favorite bathroom. Ahhhh ehhhh ahhhh (that is so supposed to be Tarzan)! Found through Bed Bath Beyond.


Red Trees

These are above our bed and we loved the interest of these two. We couldn't buy one without the other. Notice that they are opposite of each other with where the red is. There is a little red in the black frame around it and the shape of the frame is great, especially putting them side by side.

The New Addition

We have a new addition to our family....

This is our new friend that hangs above our fireplace. We absolutely love him and I know that he's a little large but we had to have him. If you look closely you can see a penguin in the middle. He's fun to look at!

Snack Time

I so go through stages of snacks, but they are always salty. This week it's popcorn, not your average popcorn-popcorn popped in a BIG popcorn machine (gas stations, Target, movie theatre), like movie popcorn and a Diet Coke. Today it's mixed with Contemporary Christian music (XM "The Message) and the book "Confessions of a Shopaholic" by Sophie Kinsella. Watch for more "Snack Times"!

The Life of Us Lately...

Wow! I'm actually posting again. I would like to give you a briefing into our lives this past month (hopefully it will explain the absent posts). Get yourself a soda, a snack, and a comfortable chair cause this might take a while...


April 25th-Merrill Lynch Dinner

It was held at Mountainland Design in their showroom (which is amazing-you'll come out wanting all sorts of things in your kitchen). I created the menu and the clients of Merill Lynch prepared the meal with my supervision. I had Sous Chef Jaimie to help me out. I wouldn't have made it without her. Here was the menu...Portabello Napoleons, Blue-cheese crusted Fillets with Port Wine Sauce, Herb Halibut, Parmesan Risotto, Raspberry Glazed Carrots, Parmesan Cibatta Bread, and Creme Brule for Dessert with Fresh Berries (I'll post some recipes later). These are pictures of the table settings...Sous Chef Jaimie made some place setting cards and menus for the tables. I have these great vases that I put lemons and limes in to add a little color to the black and white table (Jairus, I could have really used your funky expertise with some flowers-please come back!). The second picture is their "take home gift"-a packet of all the recipes on personalized Chic Chef recipe cards and homemade vanilla syrup for drinks in the summer or for poaching fruit.


Augusta's Birthday

My sweet sister turned 30. She loves that I am posting that right now! My Mom planned a surprise party for her with friends and family. Tons of great food, great music, and people we love. She has always been my dearest friend. Even when she was blaming me for breaking the bunkbead or telling on me for stealing earings from the store for my doll Blossom. I depend on her a lot and am so so grateful the Lord put us together. Love you Gusty!

May 1st-Moving Day

Here's how it went down...we sold our home that we had lived in for 7 years the middle of March. Had to be out by May 1st. Didn't find a place to live until April 29th. Closed on old house on Wednesday, April 30th. Moved for 18 hours into new house on Thursday, May 1st. The day of moving was not my favorite day. Thank you Megan, Jaimie, Autumn, and Annita for all your help with the cleaning. You truly are angels. It meant so much to us. I thought I would be sad to leave, but we were so exhausted that it was hard to feel any emotions. Si anora busy road and minks! I did get emotional the day I went back to pick up the mail...the black and white stripes had been painted and the chandelier that I loved was taken down. (I'm sighing right now!)

A New House!

We love, love, love our new house! We wake up each day and are so grateful for it.

Las Vegas!-May 2nd (did I mention that this was the day after we moved?)

Let's talk about how fun this was! I went with four friends who I love love! Stayed at the JW Marriot and played BINGO and went dancing at the Red Rock. We went to "Tournament of Kings" and ate frozen potatoes, huge trees of broccoli, mini dry dry dry chickens (did I mention how dry they were?), and a toaster strudel for dessert while we watched men with long hair, big muscles, and fanny packs run around. Laid by the pool in the warm weather. Had the best pizza ever at BJ's (honestly I crave it). Ate crepes at the Bellagio. Yoga tricks in the hotel room. Heather and Jaimie getting no sleep. H&M, Michael Stars, and of course M.A.C. shopping. All bought the same green jacket. We put together a CD that had favorites from everyone and I am still listening to it. Katie and her camera-how thankful I am that we have all these great pictures.

"Pai Gow" with Katie. Great trip! I want to thank...

• Heather for her honesty and for being herself, always up for anything, and for bringing the chocolate covered almonds and carrots-I really enjoyed your music on the CD too!
• Jaimie for your hilariousness, for always surprising us with something, for your groovy dance moves and for having the best legs at the pool-stop with those Turtle Brownies-DELICIOUS!
• Sara for the long driving, amazing humor, what's up with those dance moves that I have never seen?, adorable style, front seat talking-loved the cute traveling kit!
• Katie for the pictures, for letting there never be a dull moment, your energy, and the way you say crepes-ummm what did you bring again as a treat?

Boy Dog Sam's Ticket...

Our yard is not fenced yet and we have to tie up the two furry friends that live with us every time they need to go out. We were a little relaxed about Sam because he always stays around the yard until...we got a visit from Animal Control (we should call them the "Anti-Animal Cops"). Sam got a ticket for his naughtiness. What happened to cookies and pies when you move into a neighborhood, instead we get the "Fun Police" on our porch.



Boogs Birthday!-May 10th


Let's talk about my fabulous husband for a second...he takes really good care of me, loves me more than I can imagine, he's super hot, has a tender heart, generous and loving, the life of the party, and I absolutely adore him. For his birthday my parents brought his gift from Wyoming in the morning. It was a 4-wheeler and we put a BIG bow on it and put it on the front lawn. We then had crepes filled with a cream cheese filling and berries (I'll post recipes later) Italian sausage. That night we got together with some friends in the canyon and had Beef with Burgundy Wine and Chicken Alfredo Tin Foil Dinners, Caesar Salad, Fresh Fruit with my famous fruit dip (I will post that recipe soon too), Carmel Popcorn, Strawberry Cake, and Smores. We have such a great group of friends! They are always supportive and we have so much fun when we're all together. Happy Birthday Boogie! Here's some photos from the night...







Clogging Competition-Lagoon-May 17th
We do a routine to the soundtrack from "Stomp the Yard". We're so gangsta in our camo pants, big sweatshirts, sideways hats. We got overall at the competition with it which means we are awesome! I'll try to get the video uploaded so you can watch it.

Does this explain the absent posts?