Friday, September 25, 2009

alphabet magnets


draper temple and visitors center

Wednesday I went with Kristin and her kids to ride the Utah Trax to temple square for a fun activity. It was so fun to see the kids enjoy the train. There isn't really that much to see as far as exciting sights from Sandy to Salt Lake except junk cars and trash...but they enjoyed trying to stand up when the train started moving and being thrown back into their seats. Also, they loved hanging onto the hand holds and dangling above the seats as the train sped along.

Tuesday night we went to the Draper temple:


Monday, September 21, 2009

a story for us young kids

I wanted to share a little bit of my past couple weeks on living with my grandparents in Sandy:) It has been wonderful spending time listening to their stories! Since I work at home, I am usually available when they decide to go to lunch. My grandma doesn't cook anymore; since the time I was little all I can remember is them going out for every meal. They pretty much usually just go to one place: Golden Corral.

Before anyone's preconceived notions regarding this buffet-style restaurant, let me clue you in to some of the benefits it offers:

1. multiplicity of seniors at every hour
2. bridge/rummy club MWF at 11am
3. great waitresses who recognize you by name and know you get a "diet" drink every meal
4. chocolate chip cookies with vanilla ice cream and hot fudge...all you can eat.
5. grandma who comments about every fat person in the place and reminds me to exercise
6. grandpa who gives me work out tips

Today I knew it had reached an important point when my grandpa asked if we wanted to go to Chinese or Golden Corral and I was secretly hoping my grandma wanted the latter. Thankfully, she is a definite creature of habit and we went to Golden Corral. YAY!!

A recipe that is DELICIOUS!

It's called Penne a la Vodka...but I changed it to Gourmet Pasta:) I'll write the recipe as I found it (from Sandra Lee) and then add my changes in parentheses.

1 box 16oz dried penne pasta (I used bowtie)
1 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
3 ounces pancetta, diced (really just a fancy name for bacon:)
1 jar 26oz pasta sauce (used cheap spaghetti sauce w/mushrooms in it)
1/2 c grated Parmesan cheese (used a mix of cheddar/mozzarella cheese)
1/3 c whipping cream

1. in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain well; return to hot pot. Cover, and keep warm.

2. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add pancetta to hot oil; cook and stir until browned. Add pasta sauce. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low. Stir in the cheese. Simmer sauce about 5 minutes. Stir whipping cream into saucepan.

3. Serve sauce hot over cooked pasta. Garnish with additional grated cheese.

And Voila....I served it with Roasted Tomatoes Gratin, fresh red grapes and corn on the cob.

Roasted Tomatoes Gratin
4 medium tomatoes, cut in half
salt and pepper
1/4 c garlic and herb bread crumbs (I used one packet from a garlic and herb shake and bake box)
1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese (I once again just used a cheddar and mozzarella mix)
2 Tbs butter, melted
1 tsp bottled crushed garlic (I didn't add this and it was still amazing)

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet w/aluminum foil. (I just put the tomatoes in a metal pie tin)
2. Place tomato halves, cut sides up, on prepared baking sheet. season with salt and pepper; set aside.
3. In a small bowl, combine crumbs, Parmesan cheese, butter and garlic. Spoon over tomatoes.
4. Roast tomatoes in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until bread crumb mixture is golden brown.

One bite into these and you will die:) Delicious combination of squishy tomato with enough spice to please the pallet.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Finally

The post with the picture of the present I gave to Tyler for our anniversary:)
A new change:)...bangs

Monday, September 7, 2009

Friday, September 4, 2009

Why I love little girls
















Because of this cutie!

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

More Sewing




Tuesday, September 1, 2009

ANNIVERSARY

This last weekend was our one year anniversary and we celebrated by going up to the Zermatt Resort in Midway. I picked Tyler up from the airport at about 7pm and we went to TGI Fridays (one of Ty's dad's favorite dinner/dessert stops). Then we arrived at our gorgeous 2 bedroom 2 bathroom suite:) After enjoying a toast of sparkling apple juice in champagne glasses and taking a peek at our one year old wedding cake(looks pretty good for one year...tasted awesome too!!!)
we started watching What Not to Wear...I fell asleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow. Tyler finished watching for me and was able to tell me all that I missed.
We woke up in the morning and hung out at the pool and I finished the book A Thousand Splendid Suns. Before we took off for a surprise dinner Ty set up for me, we went to get ready and I found this gorgeous bouquet waiting for me with a note that said one dozen lilies for one year. Then we drove to the Harvest Restaurant at Thanksgiving Point. Here is what we ate: the hugest prime rib steak I've ever eaten and it was so succulent and practically melted in my mouth.At the end of the meal the waitress brought out a piece of chocolate cake with sparkling pear juice and a small red box. Inside the red box was a pair of diamond earrings with a note that said One pair of diamond earrings for one great year! We then went and watched The Time Traveler's Wife. (Not really an anniversary movie) and went back to the resort.
I couldn't be matched with someone better! I wasn't able to get my surprise ready for Ty by Saturday, but I will post a picture of it tomorrow...