Monday, March 31, 2008
Obey your (insert type of pet here)
Holey Moley
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Affordable Luxury
Omid was craving steak and we decided on Morton's in downtown PDX. They, too, didn't have a seat until after 9:00 p.m. We had our heart set on Morton's as we found a coupon (yes! a coupon for Mortons!) on their website. You too can dowload an affordable dinner coupon from one of the most expensive places in town. Dinner for two for only $99! Check it out on http://www.mortons.com/.
We ended up eating a delicious dinner at Roots. Roots is our "standby" restaurant. Whenever we want to go out, but don't want to drive too far or like last night, can't get a reservation, we call Roots. We were able to get a table for 7:00 p.m. Omid got the steak he was craving and I had the gnocci. So delicious. We even felt like true wine snobs by bringing our own bottle and paying the "corking fee."
A fun & delicious night.
The Odd Couple
I looked at Omid last night and said, "these guys are Felix & Oscar to a T." Omid said, "Who are Felix & Oscar?" I was surprised he knew nothing about The Odd Couple (or the names Felix & Oscar). He came to the states after it was off the air I suppose. So...Omid (& the kids) will get an education this week. I have put the original movie with Jack Lemmon & Walter Matthau on our Netflix list.
Remy is on the right and Jack is on the left with the sunlight shining on him.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Happy Anniversary to us!
* We eloped!
*Omid & I drove across the border into Idaho to get married (no 3 day waiting period after applying for a marriage license). We did wait until our a.m. classes were over. I think Omid had a test in his Thermal Dynamics class he couldn't miss.
*We had to borrow a car for the occasion.
* We asked several friends to be our witnesses at the courthouse. Everyone thought we were just joking around and not serious. They weren't going to cut class for a joke. The court clerk was our witness.
*After getting married, we drove back into Pullman. We met up with some friends and showed them the marriage license to "prove" we were actually married! They felt bad.
*We had a big party that night with Omid 'bbqing' for everyone.
*The only person we told for 6 months was my sister Brenda (a freshman in HS at the time).
Here is her school photo from that time. Sorry B!
We decided to tell our families after 6 months, as Omid's parents decided to hop over for a visit. My parents were ecstatic (they loved Omid!). Omid's parents had never met me, so they weren't sure what to expect. Omid thought they would think he married someone like Lucy from Dallas. Here is a photo taken the same night I met Omid's parents for the first time. Look at my nervous face!
Omid's cousin, Kevin (a WSU Vet student at the time), drove Fari & Mansour to Pullman. He was sworn to secrecy - not to let us know they were in town. So while Omid's parents knew we were married, we had no idea they were in Pullman to see us.
Photo of cousin Kevin & his wife Patti.
A year and a half later, my parents threw us a big reception at the Westin Hotel in Seattle (the next time Omid's parents visited). That is OJ on the tables. I wanted wine & champagne served, but my parents didn't want to offend the many religious people attending the reception. So, we had an OJ toast.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
I can feel it comin' on....
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Sweet Sight!
Go Cougs!
This photo is from 4 years ago. I can't believe how time flies! Naseem was still at Dorothy Fox then. Sigh.....
Anyways...the purpose of this entry is to root for the Cougs! We are in the "sweet 16" in the NCAA tournament. You won't hear this on the sports channels or internet. All the big media outlets care about is North Carolina. Hmmmph!
If you can, watch the Cougs play UNC on Thursday around 4:30 p.m. It should be an exciting game.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Even the White House celebrates NoRooz!
A traditional Haft Sin table celebrating Nowruz, the Persian New Year, is seen set Wednesday, March 19, 2008, in the State Dining Room of the White House. Nowruz is, in Persian and some other cultures, including Kurdish culture, a family-oriented holiday celebrating the New Year and the coming of spring. The Haft Sin table has seven items symbolizing new life, joy, love, beauty and health, sunrise, patience and garlic to ward off evil.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
More movies & smokin' apple pie
Enjoy!
Happy Easter!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Too much time on our hands...
They are hilarious. If you haven't checked them out yet, do!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
One potato, two potato, three potato, four
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Happy NoRooz!
Monday, March 17, 2008
Recipe blogs
Lin brought over a bunch of magazines on Friday. While we were all flipping through them, my dad found a page in one that featured recipe blogs. Out of the three blogs featured, I really like two of them. The first is: www.smittenkitchen.com. I liked this one right away just for the tips on the left hand side of the page. The other was www.spatulatta.com. This one is cute. It's kids cooking with tips from thier mom. The one I really didn't care for was: www.make-your-own-damn-dinner.blogspot.com. I can't pinpoint why I didn't care for it, I just didn't.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Beginner's Luck
Karate & Pi (& pie)
Naseem was upset her Karate promotion wasn't blogged about, so here is a video we took of the promotion. Nas is the first girl on the left (& in the back row). We tried to take still photos but the kids were moving too fast for our digital camera. I also couldn't get the zoom to work on the camera...so it's hard to really see her. Nas did really well. Grammy, Papa, Brenda, Cayden & Julius (Grammy's poodle) all drove down from Olympia to watch. Our friends Lin, Lia & Amy also came along. Afterwards, Omid cooked the most delicious Zereshk Polo. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
Matty baked an apple pie for his math class tomorrow. Friday was National Pi Day, but the kids didn't have school. The teacher is incorporating pi & pies in the class tomorrow instead. Should be a delicious class. As you can see, Matty used the leftover 'pi' dough and added the symbol & number for pi. A fun (& tasty) homework assignment.
B, my mom and I went back to Salut for the Sunday $3 wine tasting. B & I told my mom all about the fun she missed on Saturday at Salut. So...we had to go back. The dogs were back at the store and B was happy. Today the Shih Tzu was right behind me and I didn't know it and accidentally stepped on his tail! He was not happy and let me know it. He whipped around and bit me on the foot. It hurt too! I felt so bad for him (& a little for myself, too).
I was eyeing Matty's pie and decided to bake one myself. I made a berry pie using Trader Joe's blackberries and TJ's "very cherry berry blend" (cherries, blueberries, & raspberries). It was soooo good. I will use this mix again as both Omid & the kids loved it too.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
All Yours, Dad!
fun & exciting day
Cute idea
http://www.flipclips.com/
Friday, March 14, 2008
Hiiiiiiii-Yah!
Remy is modeling Naseem's new orange belt she earned at her Karate class last night. Tonight is the big graduation, so we have family coming down from Olympia to visit & watch Nas get promoted. It's a big deal & quite exciting! I am just so happy Nas is this far into the martial arts. She has come a long way since I took her practically kicking & screaming to the first class (ok, just screaming). Now she is really serious about it and having a great time. I also don't worry about her being alone or just with another friend as much as I used to.
Remy is modeling the belt, as Naseem refused to. She is currently at her weekly babysitting job. I took the opportunity and used my willing model. Nas just called from her bsitting job and I told her Remy was the belt model. She wasn't pleased. Oh well....
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Famous Butter Chicken
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
1/2 t. garlic powder
black pepper to taste
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1/2 c butter (cut into pieces)
Preheat oven to 375*. Place eggs & cracker crumbs into two separate shallow bowls. Mix cracker crumbs with garlic powder & pepper. Dip chicken into eggs, then dredge in the crumb mix to coat.
Arrange chicken in a greased 9X13 pan. Place butter around the chicken.
Bake in oven for 40 mins or until chicken is no longer pink.
**I dipped the chicken in flour before I used the egg mixture.
Netflix This
Monday, March 10, 2008
Sick as a dog (literally)
We had a bbq last night with our friends/neighbors. Omid prepared a feast (homemade burgers, hot dogs, french fries, guacamole, goop for the fries (yummy!), etc). Our friends brought over fresh fruit and a spinach salad. It was just delicious. Someone else thought the evening feast was delicious too - Remy. I fed him right before our neighbors came over so he would be full and not beg too much. I wasn't the only one feeding Remy. One of the kids gave him a handful of treats, Naseem admitted to giving Remy a hot dog (or at least part of one), Matty gave him hamburger fixings (either tomatoes, lettuce or onions), I gave Remy some goop (that had slopped off my paper plate) and who knows what else Remy ate. Omid put Remy inside when the begging became too bad. We ate our dinner outside (it was 66* and beautiful). When it became too chilly, we all came inside. Remy was eating something else (we don't know what) and we told him to go lie down. Our friends son walked over to Naseem and I and said Remy had gotten sick in the pantry. I asked him, "are you sure?" He replied, "Oh yeah I'm sure!" Sure enough, the evidence was there. It was a huge (HUGE!), terrible mess. I could not believe Remy's tummy held all that. There was his recently (undigested) dog food, cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, chips (Doritos!), hot dog, bread (from a sandwich earlier in the day), and other unidentified food. The poor boy had gotten sick in two places. On the floor next to his food bowl and in the food bowl. So, while everyone else had dessert, I was on my hands and knees cleaning up dog puke. Remy loved all the sympathetic attention he received (Poor baby! What a good boy you are! Are you alright?). He seemed fine and started begging for ice cream and s'mores, which he did not get.
A few hours later, Remy was drinking water right before bed and he immediately threw up again. Poor boy! I can only think he must have eaten something in the house he wasn't supposed to (something in the kids' rooms). He was fine in the night (no more sick episodes). I hope he's much better today.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
We seem to be watching all the movies that profile two cultures in one family (Bendit like Beckham, The Namesake). All these movies are either about Indian or Pakistani families; I haven't found a movie along the same lines that feature either Japanese, Chinese, or even Iranian families. If you know of any, send the names our way.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Friday, March 7, 2008
Don't Netflix this film...
Run like the wind
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Omid bought some Oster clippers this past weekend so we could start cutting his & Matty's hair at home. We figured out we spend more $ on Matty's hair than anyone else's in this family. Matty needs a haircut every other week, his hair grows so fast. The poor boy - he wants to grow his hair long, but can't as it grows straight up & out. The second picture is just Matty's hair after Omid buzzed it. Omid is modeling his new do, courtesy of yours truly. Today was the first time in 15 years since I last cut his hair. When I get nervous, I laugh hysterically, and that is what used to happen. So my hairstyling career of the past didn't go too well. I am proud to report that I only giggled a little at first and then was able to control myself; resulting in a good haircut for my hubby. :) Before I started to work my magic I asked Omid if he was scared. He said he was a little. I told him I was too. I even said a little prayer before I started. Thank God the haircut turned out ok! The only strange moment was when Remy walked outside and ate some of Matty's hair that had piled up on the patio. Interesting...and disgusting!
How 'bout them apples?!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
My Viszla is smarter than your....
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Something else Oprah showcased were two new recipes sites. I was not impressed with these sites as they let you visit for free a few times and then you have to subscribe. No thanks! I will continue to check out http://www.allrecipes.com/ & http://www.foodtv.com/ for FREE.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Beautiful morning....
This morning was so beautiful, we went to downtown Vancouver and took a walk. Remy was very vocal about having to sit in the very back of the truck. Poor boy. Remy is so used to sitting up front, but in Omid's truck, he has to act like a dog.
1 egg
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup beer
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups flaked coconut
24 shrimp
3 cups oil for frying
DIRECTIONS
In medium bowl, combine egg, 1/2 cup flour, beer and baking powder. Place 1/4 cup flour and coconut in two separate bowls.
Hold shrimp by tail, and dredge in flour, shaking off excess flour. Dip in egg/beer batter; allow excess to drip off. Roll shrimp in coconut, and place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, heat oil to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) in a deep-fryer.
Fry shrimp in batches: cook, turning once, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden brown. Using tongs, remove shrimp to paper towels to drain. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.