Sunday, January 31, 2010

Make This!!

I found this recipe on Bakerella's site the other day. Oh my gosh! This stuff is better than the white chocolate popcorn I make. Make it! You won't be disappointed!!

close up

Yummers!


Friday, January 29, 2010

Korean BBQ

Omid sent me an email at 5:15 p.m. last night suggesting we go out for Korean BBQ. I was so happy, because I still had no idea what to make for dinner and there were no leftovers. It was either Korean BBQ or breakfast for dinner. Neither the kids nor Fari have ever eaten Korean BBQ & they were in for a real treat. Omid ordered the 'party platter' for us to grill. Short ribs, shrimp, chicken, & rib eye steak. YUM!

Lots of side dishes & kim chee. Omid was the only one to eat any kim chee.

Our table top grill.

Omid expertly cutting & grilling the meat (with scissors!!).
Fari thinking: I hope I like this!

Naseem SO HAPPY we didn't order her doganee tang: cow knee bone soup.
Actually....Nas wanted to order off the kid's menu (chicken teriyaki). I told her that if she didn't like the Korean bbq, then I would take her to McDonalds. Nas loved the bbq so much, we were off the hook for McDs. :)

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Make This!!


Need a quick, easy and delicious quick dinner idea? Make this! Last night I had to use up some leftover chicken and didn't have enough time to make enchiladas. I chopped up half an onion with two cloves of garlic and browned them in a pan. I added two stalks of celery and let that simmer for about 5 minutes. Next, I diced up the leftover chicken and added that to the mix. Then added 1.5 cups of water and the spice packet from the couscous and let it come to a boil. I added the couscous, took it off the stove and let it sit for 5 minutes. Delicious! How delicious? My two picky eaters ate every bite.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

The Biggest Loser


Has it inspired you yet? I LOVE this show! I just started watching in November and am addicted. This show is what got me off my butt and moving! Just watching last season the changes in Rudy & Danny were amazing! I wanted to run/walk a marathon 11 years ago, but didn't have the drive. In November, I watched Rudy & Danny run 26.2 miles. If they could do it, I can do it. Now, I am on my way.


Bob & Jillian...thank you for inspiring me!!

Coffee + Long Walks - No Restroom = Misery

Warning: This post is about potty. Sorry. After two years of avoiding a topic like this, it was inevitable. If you don't want to read about potty, then check back later!
I decided to take Remy on a long walk today (10.18 miles to be exact). If I had been smart, I would not have had 3 cups of coffee this morning.
About three miles into our walk, I realized that I needed to find a restroom. I was close to Grass Valley Park, but their restrooms have been closed due to vandalism. I called Omid to see if he could pick me up, but he was already at work. I was very close to Skyridge, but that meant I would have to tie Remy up outside with the risk of someone dognapping him (It happens!). I decided to risk it and ran over to Sky.
I tied Remy up out front, ran inside and saw my friend Peggy. I frantically told Peggy that I was in the middle of a walk with my dog and needed to use the facilities. I told her Remy was tied up outside and may bark for a minute or two. Peggy saw the urgency on my face and said, "Okay!" I ran to the staff restroom and it was occupied! I saw the men's room was not. However, a male 6th grade teacher was 10 feet away making copies and would see that I was in the men's room. I decided not to risk it and hoofed it down the hall to the kids restroom. On the way, I could hear Remy loudly voice his objections - over and over.
Relieved, I ran back outside and comforted poor Remy. He was not happy, but no one had dognapped him either. Yay! We continued our walk and saw a coyote. It's hard to see in this photo but he was there. Lesson learned: no coffee before a walk!

coyote

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Valentine's Day Cards

I stopped at Fred Meyer today to purchase some Valentines. There must have been over 40 different styles to choose from - but none that I liked. There were Disney's CARS, High School Musical & Jonas Brothers, Spiderman, The Dog, Hello Kitty, The Lorax, some white cats, Miley Cyrus, tattoos, etc. None of them quite my style.

Remember these cute ones from the 70s? I love them! These are from when (at least when I was in school) we called the holiday St. Valentine's Day and had huge parties with raspberry soda, cookies, red licorice, and cupcakes. The good old days!



Sunday, January 24, 2010

Team Flan!

For the past 20 years, Omid and I have had a disagreement about custard. Creme Caramel vs. Flan specifically. He says creme caramel is what I call flan or caramel custard. To me, creme caramel is one large can of Eagle Brand condensed milk boiled for several hours in water on the stovetop, then cooled for several more hours in the fridge. Next it's sliced thin (like cranberry sauce), served with a dollop of whipped cream and some slivered almonds. THAT is creme caramel.
Well, last night we went to dinner with Lin & Ward. I have no idea how Omid and Ward got on the topic of creme caramel, but they disagreed as well. Ward brought out his phone and Googled 'creme caramel.' What we learned is that the two are 'synonymous' with each other. Those from Europe & Asia call it creme caramel. Those from North America call it flan. So we are both right. Omid will call it creme caramel and I will call it flan.
Which team are you on? Please vote in the poll on the top right! Thanks!

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Good Fortune!

We went out for Chinese food with our friends tonight. When I opened my fortune cookie, this is what my fortune said:

Sing badly, if you must, but sing.

How appropriate! We all had a good laugh over that one!

I plan to purchase a Lotto ticket with the numbers on the back. Hope I win!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Training Update

Take me for a walk!!

I am still in love with Nike+. I have walked 25.05 miles since Sunday and 70 miles since January 3rd. I am SO looking forward to the Half Marathon. I am thinking that if I can speed up my pace, then I will updgrade to walk the whole 26.2 miles. IF I can speed up my pace. If not, then I will just do the HM. Also...I've convinced several friends to walk the Lacamas Lake Run/Walk with me on the 25th of July. Should be fun! Why don't you join us?!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Happy Birthday!

Happy belated birthday to my blog!


I cannot believe it's been two years!
Dear Stress,
I realize I have invited you into my life with open arms and am now regretting the invitation. My plate is full and I don't want or need you in my life anymore. Please stay away!
Sincerely,
Erin

Monday, January 18, 2010

Dinner & a sing-a-long

Omid smoked a prime rib last night which called for a get-together. My parents made the drive down, along with Omid's mom, the Stevens and the Kelloggs.
Omid hamming it up!
Good friends!
Besties!

After dinner and a few bottles of wine, I had the fantastic idea that we should all play Sing! Star! ABBA! Everyone but Jeff, Omid, Lia and Nas played. Omid's mom even sang a duet of Money! Money! Money!

S.O.S.
Dancing Queen
Let me just say...that some people (ME) think they sing great after a drink or two. You listen and be the judge. Pay special attention to Lin's comment...I don't think she wants me to audition for American Idol anytime soon. ;)



Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Make This!




I frosted Matty's bday cake with this recipe last night. It's good!

Quick & Easy Chocolate Frosting

3 bars unsweetened baking chocolate
1 cup mini marshmellows
1/4 butter
1/3 cup milk
1 1/2 c powdered sugar
1/2 t vanilla

In a medium saucepan (low heat), melt chocolate, stirring constantly. Add marshmellows; stir frequently until melted. Mix will be very thick and pull away from the sides of the pan. Spoon mix into a small mixer bowl, beat in butter. Add milk gradually, beating until smooth. Add powdered sugar & vanilla, beat to desired consistency.

*This came out like a ganache. If you want a thicker/fluffier frosting, then increase the butter to 1/2 cup.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Happy Birthday Matty!

Can't believe this boy is 14! Happy birthday Matty! We love you!

Friday, January 8, 2010

Nike+ Update

I LOVE my Nike+ sportband! The main reason: it does the math for me!!

Since Saturday I have walked 25.33 miles. My average pace is 16'32" a mile and I have burned 2280 calories.

The verdict: worth every penny!

Coupon Class

I have wanted to take a coupon class for a while. All the ones I seem to find are too far away for me to drive to on a weeknight. I just found out that the coupon blogger, Frugal Living NW, will be teaching a class in Camas on February 19th at River Rock Church (6:30-8:00 p.m.). Call 885-9000 to register. Can't wait to finally learn how to use more than 3 coupons at a time and hopefully start to save some real money!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Pullman, Here We Come!!

Naseem will be visiting Pullman in a few months for the Junior Preview. I have been busy scheduling her 'off' time to visit all my 'happy' places. I am way more excited about this visit than she is.
Places B and I plan to take Naseem to:
WSU campus of course!!
Ferdinands
Cougar Country Drive In
Old Country (for Abelskivers)
Swillys for dinner (& double fudge brownies & nanaimo bars)
Pizza Pipeline
Sella's
Anything we're forgetting? Please leave a comment!

Go Cougs!

Netflix This!!


This was a GREAT movie! I can't write a review or I will give away the ending. If you do watch it, have a tissue handy for the end. I had to use two.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Nike+

I have started walking more and more - trying to train for a Half Marathon in May. I purchased the Nike+ Sportband to use as a pedometer yesterday. I LOVE IT! Not only does it track my distance, but it also counts the calories I've burned. The sensor fits inside my shoe and comes linked to the sportband. After a run/walk, I stick the usb into my computer and it charts my progress from the last workout. This is better than any pedometer I've had before (that clip on the hip). So far, this has made the training more fun (& as a visual person, I love being able to see the progress on my computer). Yesterday, Remy and I clocked 5.2 miles.
132 days to go!