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Tuesday, January 31, 2012

GratiTuesday - Fix it Man


Anyone who knows Kurt might be surprised to learn that, when we moved to Virginia, he didn't bring any tools with him.  Luckily I thought to bring along my "girly" tool box.  It's come in handy for doing minor repairs around our apartment and for hanging pictures, etc.  Needless to say, whenever someone in the ward has a "fix-it" issue, Kurt JUMPS at the chance to help out.  As long as they have tools, he's ON IT!!!  I'm grateful that he is always so willing to help.  This week was no exception.  A friend had a leaky toilet and he was there to help.  Little did we know, when we managed apartments early in our marriage, that he would learn how to fix anything and everything.  I don't recall EVER having to hire a repairman for ANYTHING!  I love my fix-it man!

Monday, January 30, 2012

Memory Monday - One Year Ago

I can't believe it's been a year since I had my acting debut.  One year ago this week, we were filming "Preventing Wrong Runway Departures," an FAA training film, in Washington DC.  What a fun adventure! 

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Snapshot Sunday - Kindle/Pixel of Ink

Kurt insisted that I needed a Kindle.  He had one, and he loved it.  Me?  I love turning the pages in my books.  I love bookmarks.  I love bookshelves, bookcases and bookends.  I love libraries.  Knowing we were going on a cruise last September, I agreed that a Kindle would be nice so I could travel a little lighter with my reading material.  I've gotta say, I'm a believer now!  At last count, I've read 17 books on my Kindle!  My favorite thing is bouncing back and forth from the Book of Mormon to my favorite scripture study guide, "Verse by Verse."  It makes studying the scriptures so easy!  I recently came across, (thanks for the heads-up, Lia), a mailing list called "Pixel of Ink."  Every day they send you an email with free or low cost ebooks. Some of the offerings have been things I have absolutely no interest in, but I have found some really good books from the list!  I haven't stopped reading "real" books - I never will - but there's something to be said for being able to increase the font size on the Kindle so I can read a book without reading glasses!!

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Six Word Saturday - Occupy DC


Occupy D.C.  Free speech or nuisance?

 

Friday, January 27, 2012

Foodie Friday - Pesto!


I couldn't believe how easy it was to make my own pesto!  I've wanted to give this a try for quite some time.  Today was the day!  Here's the recipe I used:

2 cups fresh, packed basil leaves with stems removed
1/3 cup grated Parmesan/Romano cheese
1/3 cup pine nuts (if you can't find pine nuts, you can use walnuts or hazelnuts)
3 garlic cloves, finely minced (or 1 TBLS prepared minced garlic)
1TBLS lemon juice
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

Wash basil and remove stems.  Chop pine nuts, garlic and olive oil in food processor.  You can use a blender if you don't have a food processor.   Add basil leaves in small batches.  Chop the mix until if forms a thick, smooth paste.  Blend in the grated cheese.  (Note, if you plan to freeze the pesto, leave the cheese out and add it when you thaw and use it).  Voila!  Delish!

Great on pasta or ravioli!
Amazing pizza sauce!
Delicious on crusty french bread slices!

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

GratiTuesday - TOEtally Relieved!

Little did I know, when I started running, that it's not uncommon to lose a toenail or two when you run a half or full marathon.  I lost one when I ran The Disneyland Half Marathon in 2007.  I knew, as soon as I crossed the finish line at the Sun Trust Richmond Marathon in November, that I'd lose another one.  Sure enough.  My big toenail finally came off this week, almost 3 months after I injured it.  Is this the ugliest thing you've ever seen?  SOOOOO thankful I don't have to wear a bandaid around my toe anymore!

Monday, January 23, 2012

Memory Monday - Card Carrying

Ever since I can remember, I have loved libraries and books.  It all started in a small basement library in Garland, Utah.  My mom would take me and my sister there often to check out stacks of books.  I remember how I loved the quiet, almost reverent, feeling and the smell of old, musty books.  Imagine my excitement when I first entered the Library of Congress in Washington DC.  Then, imagine my disappointment to find out that I was only allowed to look down on the reading room from a glass window above.  I have been wanting to get my reader card ever since I first walked into this building. 

Picture me sitting in this reading room, doing research.

It's going to happen now.  I am, finally, along with my friend Lynne, a card-carrying Library of Congress reader!  We did notice that our cards are only valid for 2 years.  Guess we'll have to make the trek back to DC next year to renew! 
 (Oh my, what a mug shot!)

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Snapshot Sunday - Stitchin' Up a Storm


 I've been in a crocheting mode this month.  It's relaxing and a good excuse to cuddle up on the couch and watch a movie.  These are a few of the things I've made lately:

The scarves were birthday presents for my sister and my mom.  Purple for Vicki.  Blue for Mom.

I found this cute pattern on Pinterest and made it for a new baby in the ward.  Can't wait to see her wearing it!


This little baby hat took about an hour to make.  I LOVE crocheting!

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Six Word Saturday - Birthday Girls

Happy Birthday to Mom and Vicki!


Friday, January 20, 2012

Foodie Friday - BBQ Chicken Pizza




I made this Barbeque Chicken Pizza this week.  Doesn't it look yummy?  It's our new favorite!
I found this knock-off California Pizza Kitchen recipe for Barbeque Chicken Pizza.  With a few tweaks, we have a KEEPER!!

BARBEQUE CHICKEN PIZZA
Ingredients
  • 1 whole Recipe For Pizza Crust (see below for a two crust recipe)
  • 2 whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
  • 1/2 cup Barbecue Sauce
  • Olive Oil, For Drizzling
  • Salt For Sprinkling
  • 16 ounces Fresh Mozzarella Cheese, Sliced Thinly
  • 1/2 whole Red Onion, Cut In Half And Sliced Very Thin
  • Sliced green onions
Preparation Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Salt chicken breasts on both sides, then place in an ovenproof dish. Pour BBQ sauce over the breasts and turn them over to coat. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until chicken is done. Remove from oven and cut into a fine dice. Set aside.
Increase oven temperature to 500 degrees.
Roll/stretch out one pizza crust. Lay it on a sheet pan drizzled with olive oil. Drizzle a little olive oil on the crust, then sprinkle on a little salt.
Spoon a couple of tablespoons of extra BBQ sauce on the crust and spread it evenly. Top sauce with half the sliced mozzarella. Sprinkle on half the diced chicken, thinly sliced red onion, and sliced green onions.
Sprinkle again with a little salt, then bake for 15 to 17 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and toppings are bubbly.
Serve immediately. Repeat with other crust and other ingredients, or save for another time.

Recipe: Basic Pizza Crust
Ingredients
  • 1 teaspoon Instant Or Active Dry Yeast
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1  1/2 cup Warm Water
  • 4 cups All-purpose Flour
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
  • 1/3 cup Olive Oil
Preparation Instructions
Sprinkle sugar over 1  1/2 cups warm (not lukewarm) water.  Sprinkle yeast on top. Let stand for a few minutes.  In a mixer, combine flour and salt. With the mixer running on low speed (with paddle attachment), drizzle in olive oil until combined with flour. Next, pour in yeast/water mixture and mix until just combined, and the dough comes together in a sticky mass.
Coat a separate mixing bowl with a light drizzle of olive oil, and form the dough into a ball. Toss to coat dough in olive oil, then cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and set it aside for 1 to 2 hours, or store in the fridge until you need it.
Note: it’s best to make the dough at least 24 hours in advance, and 3 or 4 days is even better.
When you are ready to make the pizza, grab HALF the pizza dough (recipe makes 2 crusts) and squeeze the dough toward the bottom to form a nice, tight, pulled ball. You can roll out the pizza with a rolling pin if you’d like, but sometimes it’s just as easy to throw it around and pull and stretch till it feels right. And when the crust is nice and thin, lay it on an oiled baking sheet or pizza pan. Drizzle a little olive oil on the dough and spread it with your fingers. Very lightly sprinkle some salt on the crust.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Top your crust with your toppings of choice. Then bake for 15 to 17 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and toppings are bubbly.



Thursday, January 19, 2012

Thoughtful Thursday - Lovely Day


Five down, five to go!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

GratiTuesday - My Hubby


I have the sweetest husband in the world.
I'm so grateful that he's mine!