Weston and Steph

Thanksgiving Recipes: Sweet Potato Casserole with Ginger

2011-11-13T19:37:00.000-07:00

Out of all of the yummy things I'm making for Thanksgiving, I think this is the one I'm most excited for. I'm not a big fan of the marshmallow coated sweet potatoes that you usually find at a T-day feast, but I do love sweet potatoes. Last year, I was asked to bring the sweet potato casserole, so I went hunting for another way to make them. This is what I found. It's been quite the love affair ever since.

Sweet Potato Casserole with Ginger

3 pounds sweet potatoes (about 6 medium potatoes) peeled, halved lengthwise, and halves cut crosswise into 1/4 in slices
6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
2 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons molasses
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger or 1 teaspoon powdered ginger
3/4 teaspoon table salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees. In large pot or Dutch oven of boiling water, parboil sweet potato slices over high heat until they are bright orange and the point of a paring knife easily pierces but does not break apart a few slices, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain potatoes will and turn into buttered 13x9 baking dish.
2. Whisk melted butter, honey, molasses, ginger, salt, and cayenne in small bowl; set aside. Mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water in small bowl until totally smooth, then whisk into butter mixture; pour over sweet potatoes and toss to coat well.
3. Cover dish tightly with foil and bake until liquid is bubbly, about 50 minutes. Remove foil, stir potatoes gently, and bake until liquid thickens to glaze potatoes, about 20 minutes longer. Cool slightly and serve hot or at room temperature.

Thanksgiving for Two

2011-11-09T22:45:00.000-07:00

Bummer of all bummers, I have to work on Thanksgiving this year. All day, through lunch and dinner. Unfortunately, this means that I don't get to go to dinner in Tooele with Weston or dinner at all on actual Turkey day.

But I do have Wednesday off, so I will be making Thanksgiving dinner for just the two of us on Wednesday. This is what's on the menu:

THANKSGIVING MENU
Roasted Turkey Breast
Real Mashed Potatoes with All-Purpose Gravy
Sweet Potato Casserole with Molasses and Ginger
Roasted Green Beans
Oven-Baked Bread Stuffing with Sage and Thyme
Classic Pumpkin Pie

We'll see how this goes. I've never cooked T-day dinner before! Wish me luck!

2011-08-01T23:39:00.000-06:00

So excited to go here!

I will be flying to San Francisco this week. Granted, it's for work. But still!

I'm going for a little bit of training since I will be the Remodel Coordinator for my store while they get a new look over the next two months. Consequently, I will be working overnights five days a week and living off Five Hour Energy (which we will sell, btw).

But, I get to go to San Francisco. One of my most beloved places in the world!

While I am there, I will:

Shop at Zara
Eat at the Ferry Building
Schlep around Union Square
Stay at the lovely Westin St. Francis
See my adorable niece and lovely sister
Somehow find the motivation to stuff my brain with all kinds of challenging/new stuff
And all around enjoy myself!

This Is How We 4th of July!

2011-07-04T20:04:00.000-06:00

German style, baby!

Happy Birthday, America!

German Potato Salad

Bratwurst

Operation Care and Comfort

2011-07-01T22:31:00.000-06:00

Hey there, want to support our troops? Make sure you stop in to Old Navy July 1-4 and donate a pair of flip flips, some socks, underwear, tees, or anything else you may want to donate to our troops overseas. It doesn't even have to be from Old Navy. Chapstick, sunscreen, and other basics are appreciated.

Oh, and by the way, you can get 10% off of your purchase. Just sayin'.

So, do something nice for our troops.

Banana Republic is Mad!

2011-06-28T21:27:00.000-06:00

Banana Republic is releasing a "Mad Men" line in August. I can't wait! I probably can't afford any of it, but a girl can dream, right? Maybe just one piece?

Our Animals

2011-06-01T21:30:00.002-06:00

Three chickens and a German Shepherd...

The first three eggs from said chickens!

This Is What We Call Good Summer Eatin'!

2011-06-01T20:52:00.004-06:00

Now that Summer has obliged to show its self just a little (in Logan, we call that snow one night, then a 75-degree high the very next day), I've had the urge to start making more light, veggie-filled dishes for dinner. This is one of our favorites. (Thanks Katie!)

Zucchini Quesodillas

This is a good vegetarian recipe, and I like it like that. But, if your husband is anything like mine, you should probably add a little meat to his. I usually do some shredded chicken breast, but if I had a grill, I would grill some up and slice it.

4 TBSP olive oil

1-2 cloves garlic, minced

1 medium onion, diced

2 medium zucchini, cut in two and sliced

1 cup frozen corn

2 cups pepper jack cheese, divided

4 large whole wheat tortillas

1 recipe cilantro ranch dip

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Meanwhile, heat 3 TBSP of olive oil in a large skillet. Add the garlic and onion and cook until the garlic is tender and your onion begins to caramelize. Add the zucchini and corn. Cook until the zucchini is soft, then remove from heat. With the remaining olive oil, brush one side of two tortillas and place the oiled side down on a baking sheet. Spread the zucchini mixture evenly on each tortilla, followed by the cheese. Cover with another tortilla and brush the up-side with more olive oil. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the tortilla is golden and slightly crisp. Serve while warm.

Cilantro Ranch Dip

Weston came up with this all on his own. He certainly knows his way in the kitchen. When he wants to anyway.

1 packet of Hidden Valley Spicy Ranch dressing mix

1-8 oz. container sour cream

1 small can diced green chilies

1 bunch cilantro

1 tsp horse radish

1 TBSP lemon juice

1/4 tsp red chili paste (sambal oeleck)

Place all in a blender and blend until smooth.

Petra

2011-03-30T20:32:00.002-06:00

Today, our sweet Petra went to Doggy Heaven. We loved you, Pup. We will miss you tons.

Give and Get is Here!

2011-03-11T17:18:00.002-07:00

Give and Get is Here!: "Enjoy 30% off from March 17-20 at Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy plus we'll make a 5% donation to a non-profit."

Hearty Beef Stew

2011-01-16T20:13:00.006-07:00

Sometimes, cooking in the winter is hard around here. I would eat soup for dinner several times a week, but a couple of times a month is stretching it for Weston. He prefers heavier fair like steak and pork chops. This is a great way for us to compromise. I get soup and bread, he gets his steak and potatoes. (And it's a sneaky way for me to force him to eat his veggies. But don't tell him I told you that.)

I like to serve this with savory rosemary bread or crusty rustic rolls. If you don't go with the rosemary bread, add a dash of rosemary to the stew. It just brightens it up a little more.

1 pound sirloin tip steak, cubed (see note)

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons olive oil (see note)

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

2 cups beef stock

2 cups water

1 onion, finely diced

1/4 teaspoon paprika

2 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 1/2 teaspoons)

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 bay leaf

3 carrots, chopped

1/2 cup frozen corn kernels

1/2 cup frozen peas

Note: Choose whole sirloin tip steaks over ones that have been cut into small pieces for stir-fries. If sirloin tip steaks are unavailable, substitute blade or flank steak, removing any hard gristle or excess fat. Also, use regular olive oil over evoo when browning the meat. It has a higher smoking point than evoo.

1. Dredge beef in flour and then, in a medium stock pot, brown beef on all sides in oil. Add salt, pepper, water, stock, onion, paprika, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 1 1/2 hours, or until meat is tender.

2. Add carrots and potatoes and simmer for 45 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.

3. Add 1 tablespoon flour and mix to thicken the stew. After mixing, let sit for a few minutes to thicken. If not to desired thickness, add more flour or cornstarch and repeat.

4. Once thickened, add corn and peas to stew. Heat for 5 minutes more and serve.

Petra

2010-12-19T21:49:00.000-07:00

This may be a little late in coming (I know, I'm bad a posting), but the time has come to announce the latest addition to our little family....

We welcomed this surly little bundle of joy into our homes and our hearts in early October. She has since been named Petra, doubled (tripled, even) in size, perked her ears up straight and tall (except for when she is focused, in which case they cross), been to the pound, and proved herself to be an apt guard dog.

We love her.

Big Fish

2010-06-29T19:13:00.004-06:00

Weston and I went fishing for the first time this summer at Vernon Reservoir last weekend. We liked it so much, we went back the next day. I also caught my first fish. And it promptly bit me.

2

2010-05-31T10:00:00.001-06:00

Two years ago, I married the love of my life. In that time, we've lived in three apartments and two cities. We've been on adventures, made new friends, and grown together in love and waist lines. I love you Weston! I'm so glad I get to have you for Eternity.

Taking Up New Projects

2010-05-27T23:08:00.004-06:00

I have had the hardest time trying to find a summer dress for myself. While there are plenty of cute ones around, I'm picky. I want something that I can wear without leggings or undershirts or cardigans. Seriously, it's summer. No extra layers please. I guess the designers don't exactly cater well to the Utah market that way. But I would wear dresses all summer long if I could find something that matches my criteria.

So, what else is there to do but make my own? When I was younger, I learned to sew clothing in 4-H, but it's been a good 5 or 6 years since I've even attempted it. Since I've already got the sewing machine and picked a pattern out, I don't really have an excuse not to do this. I'll be curious to see how it turns out.

In order to go easy on myself, I chose one of Vogue's "very easy" patterns. (Very easy? Are they sure about that?) For fabric, I'm thinking a light white linen. We'll see how well I handle this project before I move onto the next. I already have it picked out. :)

An Early Valentine's Day Celebration

2010-03-02T23:07:00.000-07:00

Since Valentine's Day fell on a Sunday this year (boo, no fresh flowers the day of, somebody else cooking dinner is out, etc.), Weston and I took ourselves to the listen to the wonderful Utah Symphony on Friday night before Valentine's Day. On the program was Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23 and Dvorak's "New World" Symphony.

By far, the fourth movement was the favorite, for both of us. Here it is for you to enjoy.

And now we know where John Williams's inspirations for Jaws came from. Or at least we think that's where he found it.

A couple days after Valentine's day, Weston gave me the usual red roses (beautiful!) and chocolates, accompanied with a set of gorgeous pearl stud earrings. These have become my second favorite jewels to wear, after my wedding ring.

Don't worry, he got his special steak dinner with garlic mashed potatoes and Harvard beets. That's all he wanted. And I should say it's one of the best dinners I've ever made. :)

Happy St. Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T10:00:00.001-07:00

via d*s

#1: Scotland

2010-02-01T15:30:00.000-07:00

So, Scotland. Scotland is my #1 on the list. If I don't get to go anywhere else, I really want to go to Scotland.

Between picturesque medievil cities and wild highland vistas, who wouldn't want to spend a week here? It seems to me like a place where time has slowed down and you can still catch a small glimps of older days. Peaceful.

Don't forget the amazingly rich history of Scotland! I've always been fascinated with it. Culloden Field, castles and forts galore, dramatic royalty, and fierce struggles for freedom and independence. It makes me proud of my Scottish heritage.

It also helps that I don't need to learn a new language to communicate. Maybe a new dialect though.

#2: Paris, With a Side-trip to Versialles

2010-01-31T15:45:00.000-07:00

#3: Germany

2010-01-30T15:43:00.000-07:00

There aren't very many places that are a pretty as Germany. My only real concern is the language barrier. Although, I hear that many of them learn English in the schools, so we might be okay.

#4: Brazil

2010-01-29T15:21:00.000-07:00

Weston served his mission in Sao Paulo, and there are times when he really misses that country. I've had to learn how to cook a few Brazilian dishes since we got married and we'll occasionally splurge on Guarana and Tucanos when he gets a hankering for Churrasco-style meat.

While most of the country is incredibly poor and closely packed, there are a few very pretty places to see: Bahia, The Redeemer, Iguazu Falls. As long as we don't go during Carnival, the 2016 Olympics, or any other major world event, we might be okay. But it is a very beautiful country.

A Feast for 7

2010-01-28T20:15:00.007-07:00

One of the last times Weston and I went over to his parents house, we had this amazing carne asada.

Then, last Sunday, Weston and I had a group of friends over and we decided that we should make that carne asada for ourselves. It was so good, we didn't want to share it. But that was the point of inviting friends over. We served it in tortillas with cilantro lime rice, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, pepper-jack cheese, chopped fresh cilantro, and minced jalapeño.

Carne Asada

3 lbs flank or skirt steak (Or we just got an eye-of-the-round steak and cut it into steaks. Easier to find and cheaper.)

Olive oil

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

For the Marinade:

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced

1 tsp cumin

1 large handful fresh cilantro, chopped (Be sure to use both leaves and stems. The stems have a lot of great flavor.)

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

2 limes, juiced

2 tsp while vinegar

1/2 tsp sugar

1/2 cup olive oil

Mix all of the marinade ingredients together in a medium bowl. Lay the steaks in a bowl or baking dish. (Glass is best because of the kinds of ingredients you use. Not the best for metal.) Pour the marinade over the steaks, making certain that the steaks are covered. Cover the bowl or dish and allow to refrigerate for 1-4 hours, or longer if you are using the roast.

Preheat the grill over a medium-high flame. When you are ready to cook, season both sides with salt and pepper. Brush the grates with olive oil. Cook each steak only a few minutes on each side until medium. Allow to rest for about 5 minutes, then thinly slice the meat across the grain on a bias.

You can also do this inside the house. Just preheat your oven on the broil setting and using a broiling pan or oven grill.

Lime Cilantro Rice

2 cups water

1 cup white rice

1 T butter

1 tsp fresh lime zest

2 T fresh lime juice

1/2 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

Bring the water to a boil. Add the butter and allow it to melt, then add the rice. Cover and cook for 17-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed. Mix in the lime juice and zest. Serve immediately.

#5: All 50 States and D.C.

2010-01-28T00:51:00.003-07:00

So, I've been thinking a lot lately about all of the places I want to visit. Growing up, my family spent a lot of time on the roads and in the skies to get to the many places I've been to across this great country. I love to travel. So, over the next few days, I'll list the top five places on my list. Some of them are a little unconventional, and a few are predictable.

#5: All 50 States and D.C.

This would probably be the easiest to accomplish, especially since I've already crossed 17

off of the list. Also, it would be the cheapest and we wouldn't have to learn a new language to be able to get around.

Washington, D.C.

Virginia

Maine

Alaska

The Little Treasures that You Find

2010-01-28T00:14:00.002-07:00

While I was looking through our engagement pictures today, I found this:

It's probably kind of hard to see what is going one here, so I'll explain. While Weston and I were having our engagement pictures taken at the courthouse in downtown Provo, we noticed this couple taking a late afternoon cruise in the Jazzy, the woman sitting on his lap. Now that is true love. I do believe that is the most random thing I've ever seen.

Then again, we were going to have our pictures taken at the State Mental Hospital (really, we were), but the weather was too bad.

Wednesday Night Dinner

2010-01-19T22:34:00.006-07:00

I think this is my favorite item on the menu this week. I love bell peppers. I love the stuffing. What more could I ask for? Any leftover stuffing is always welcome because I'll eat it by itself.

Stuffed Peppers

Serves 6

6 bell peppers (any color will do, but green is usually the cheapest and easiest to find)

1 pound ground beef

1/3 cup chopped onion

salt and pepper to taste

1 (14.5 oz.) can whole peeled tomatoes, chopped

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1/2 cup uncooked rice

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut the tops off of the pepper and remove the seeds. Sprinkle the insides with salt and pepper to taste.

2. In a large skillet, saute the beef and onion in a large skillet until the beef is browned. Drain off the fat and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the tomatoes, rice, 1/2 cup water, and Worcestershire sauce. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, or until rice is tender. Remove from heat and stir in cheese. Stuff each pepper with the stuffing and place the peppers, open side up, in a baking dish. Grate a little extra cheese over the top of each pepper.

3. Bake covered for 25 to 35 minutes until heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

25 Books to Read Before I Turn 25

2010-01-12T22:34:00.004-07:00

A few years ago, I found this list of books, all suggested by former First Lady Laura Bush. As a former librarian and a huge literacy advocate, she definitely knows what she's talking about. The titles in bold are those that I've already read. So far, I've liked most of the suggested books, and Jane Eyre is my most favorite of them all. Good thing I have five more years to finish off the list!

1. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

2. Atonement by Ian McEwan

3. Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya

4. The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

5. Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton

6. Flannery O'Connor: The Complete Stories

7. The French Lieutenants Woman by John Fowles

8. The Heart of the Matter by Graham Greene

9. I, Claudius by Robert Graves

10. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

11. A Lesson Before Dying by Earnest J. Gaines

12. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

13. My Antonia by Willa Cather

14. Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough

15. Music for Chameleons by Truman Capote

16. The Optimists Daughter by Eudora Welty

17. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

18. The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maugham

19. Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books by Azar Nafisi

20. Rebecca by Daphne du Marier

21. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

22. Ship of Fools by Katherine Anne Porter

23. Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

24. Sophie's Choice by William Styron

25. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

To Do 2010: 3 Months of Food Storage

2010-01-08T00:46:00.004-07:00

What's scarier that trying to plan a whole week of meals? (What?! That's a very daunting task to me! What if the meal I planned for Friday earlier that week doesn't sound so appealing to me by the time I get to it?) Taking on 3 months-worth of a food plan. And it all has to be storage-friendly. Along with this, I have to learn about a whole new world of nutrition. I've done a little here and there, but I've never seriously sat down and planned everything out, mostly because I didn't know how. So why am I doing this, you ask? Because we've been commanded to and told so many times how important it is. There are so many situations where having food storage would be a life-saver. Literally.

And so, as one of our New Year's Resolutions, Weston and I have decided to develop our three-month plan. After a little bit of research, I think I've finally found a way to do it that makes perfect sense. Thanks to this website, I'm not so terrified of this project. I actually look forward to checking this off the list.

The Easiest Sunday Dinner You'll Ever Make

2010-01-03T18:47:00.003-07:00

We have the best and worst of Sundays. Church starts at 2:30, so we have plenty of time to sleep in and still get things done beforehand. But that also means that church ends at 5:30, and you're absolutely starving when you finally get home. So, unless you started dinner before you left, you're looking at 7 or 8 pm before dinner. And even if you start a roast, you sill have potatoes and gravy to fix before you can actually sit down to dinner. This is how you fix it: make Sunday Slow-cooker Chicken, add rolls and a salad. You're golden. Eat it instantly when you get home.

Sunday Slow-cooker Chicken

4-6 boneless skinless chicken breast*

2 cups baby carrots

6 potatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces (Weston would like you to know that he likes skin on his potatoes.)

1/2 onion, finely chopped

2 packets dry zesty Italian dressing mix

2 cans cream of chicken condensed soup

Mix one can soup and one packet dressing together and spread on the bottom of the cooker. Layer the chicken, onions, carrots, then potatoes. Mix the second can of soup and packet of dressing and spread over the top. Cook on high heat for 4 hours or on low for 6 hours, or until chicken is done and vegetables are tender. Viola! You're done.

*Note: use as many as you want. I usually do one per person. If you're doing more than 6, you might consider making more of the sauce and adding more veggies. You may need to use another crock pot.

Welcoming 2010

2010-01-01T18:48:00.008-07:00

Dane and Stephanie invited us to their house to help celebrate the New Year. After several rounds of golf, Martinellis, and lots of great talk, it's safe to say that we had a fun evening. Hello 2010! We can't wait to see what you bring.

Weston and Me

Dane and Stephanie

Devin and Christina

Graden and Hayley

The Damage

Sparkle! Sparkle!

2009-12-29T21:12:00.008-07:00

I love aquamarine! And that's what Weston got me for Christmas.

Little Loves

2009-12-28T17:03:00.004-07:00

This month, Weston and I were able to go to blessings for two of our nieces, Joey and Anya. They are both so sweet! It is such a blessing to have these little ones in our lives.

Anya was able to wear the same blessing dress that Rachel, Katie (her mom), Jenny, and I all wore. My Grandma Richardson made it from the left-over fabric from my mom's wedding dress (which she also made). I hope my own daughters get to wear it as well.

Sunday Edition: In the Reflecting Pool

2009-11-22T17:30:00.001-07:00

The Key to My Man's Heart

2009-11-17T20:40:00.002-07:00

Hot Wings - better than Wingers

2-3 chicken breast, cut into pieces or chicken tenders

flour

all seasoning

11/3 cup Franks RedHot Original pepper sauce

1 2/3 cups brown sugar

1/3 tsp apple cider vinegar

Mix the flour and seasoning (just eye the measurements, enough to bread all of your chicken) and bread all the pieces of chicken. Allow to rest for a few minutes to allow the flour to adhere to the chicken. Pan fry in your choice of oil. I find that melted vegetable shortening works very well for both taste and color. Make sure not to crowd the pan with chicken. Just do a few pieces at a time and have a preheated oven handy to keep the already-cooked pieces hot.

When you're almost done with the chicken, combine the pepper sauce, brown sugar, and cider vinegar in a saucepan. Heat it until sugar is dissolved. DO NOT ALLOW TO BOIL!

Spoon over chicken and serve with celery, salad, and ranch dressing. Makes plenty for two.

We're Moving Again!

2009-10-27T22:16:00.003-06:00

Time to pack up the boxes and take all the furniture apart so that we can put it all back together again in...Orem!

It'll be a bit of a commute for my school and some of Weston's work, but it'll also be closer to friends and places we like to go. We're all kinds of ready to leave where we are now. Picture of the new place to come soon.

Coxinha

2009-09-23T12:19:00.005-06:00

Why does it seem like this is turning into a cooking blog? Maybe because that's what I do the most of that's worth telling about. I don't know. But what I do know is that I'm excited to find a recipe for this: Coxinha (pronounced co-sheen-ya, yeah, I can't prounce it either). It's a Brazilian/Portugese food that Weston came home with a deep love for. It's his numbers 1 through 10 favorite on his top 10 favorites, and I am charged with the task of finding out how to cook the stuff. So, I will keep you updated. Before I can make them, I have to wade through about a million different recipes and try to find the one that sounds like what he's describing. Isn't interest the number of variations you can find for one recipe?

Basically, it's shredded chicken, cooked with garlic, carrtos, and herbs, surrounded by a dough made from the homemade chicken broth, potatoes, and flour, breaded in bread crumbs and deep fryed until golden. Sounds great!

2009-09-14T15:37:00.004-06:00

I had Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls for the first time a few years ago in San Francisco and loved loved loved them. Since then, I've introduced them to Weston, and it's possible that he loves them more. So, tonight, we are going to try and make them at home for the first time. Wish us luck!

Here's the recipe we will use:

12 rice paper rounds (banh trang)
3 oz. rice vermicelli, soaked in hot water for 10 minutes, till soft
24 medium shrimp, unpeeled
1/2 small head green leaf, red leaf or romaine lettuce (about 10-12 leaves)
2 carrots
1 large cucumber
1/4 cup of any or all of the following fresh herbs: thai basil, mint, cilantro
3 stalks scallions

Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the unshelled shrimp till pink and opaque, around two to three minutes or so. Fish out the shrimp but keep the water boiling; add the rice noodles and cook for a minute or so. Drain and rinse in cool water.

Peel and slice the shrimp in half lengthwise.

Peel apart the lettuce leaves and slice into thin strips. Peel and julienne the carrots and cucumber; mince up the herbs and scallions.

You’ll need a large bowl or pan, big enough to accommodate the rice paper round. Fill with warm water, and soak one wrapper for around a minute or so, until it’s soft and pliable.

Lay the wrapper on a plate or other flat surface. You’ll be placing your ingredients in the bottom half of the wrapper – if this is your first time making spring rolls, it’s a good idea to begin with a small quantity.

Begin with a handful of lettuce in the bottom third of the wrapper, and add an approximately equal amount of rice noodle. Top with a neat row of cucumbers and another neat row of carrots. Lay a row of shrimp close to the middle of the wrapper, pink side down. Sprinkle with some of the herb mixture.

Fold up the bottom, then the two sides; continue rolling up, keeping the wrapper firmly around the ingredients to get a good roll, but being careful not to tug too tightly so as to avoid tearing the wrapper. Place the roll seam side down.

Continue making the rolls. Unfortunately, the rolls don’t keep well, so serve them straight away*, with plenty of dipping sauce. If you’re serving them as an appetizer, you can cut the rolls in half using a sharp knife.

*If you absolutely must make them ahead of time, place them in an airtight container lined with damp towel and store at cool room temperature, not in the fridge. These will keep for an hour or two.

And for the sauce, which is key. I also like peanut sauce, but Weston hates it.

1 shallot or 1-2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
1 Tbsp. rice vinegar
1/4 cup water
2 tsps. Asian red chili paste (I use sambal oelek, but any chili paste will do)
2 Tbsp. chopped peanuts for garnish

Stir-fry the minced garlic or shallot for a minute or two, until the garlic is softened. Add the hoisin sauce, rice vinegar and water, and bring to a boil. Add chili paste to taste (about 2 tsps. generally does it for me). Remove from heat, pour in dipping bowl(s), and garnish with chopped peanut.

Ideas?

2009-08-25T22:36:00.003-06:00

One of the more recent devolopements has been my calling to our ward's primary. More specifically, as music leader. And I'm completely lost! I've been in the calling for about three months now and I'm still uncomfortable with it. My biggest problem has been figuring out how to combine entertainment and (more importantly) the Spirit into my weekly musical activities. Add to that the challenge that is the Senior Primary. So, my quesiton for you is how do I accomplish all that I need to? What things do you remember from primary that you had fun with and made an impression? Any input would be welcome.

Still a Stars Wars Fan at Heart

2009-08-20T22:50:00.004-06:00

Unless you knew me in junior high, most of you probably have no clue that I have a deep and abiding love for Star Wars that just won't quit. It's been many years since I've picked up a Star Wars Universe novel or aspired to be a Jedi Knight for Halloween, but I do occasionally force Weston (although he's rather willing) to watch all six movies with me over a few weeks. However, I would not be at all ashamed to wear this tee on a regular basis. It is about one of the coolest things to happen since pb&j. Now I just have to find out what size in boys is closest to my size in women's.

Family Picture Time!

2009-08-20T22:15:00.007-06:00

The Sunday before Cody left for the mission, we took time to put together a new family picture. Don't we look good?!

Mirrand spent quite awhile photoshopping this lovely. The saddest part of all is the fact that she put about four layers of fake tan on my legs and arms, and I'm still only slightly darker than the top I'm wearing. Gotta love those wonderful Northern European genes! Not even picnik can touch them!

P.S. I chopped off a bunch of my hair. :)

A Little Rainy-day Comfort

2009-03-22T21:15:00.005-06:00

This recipe has quickly become one of our favorites for cold, dreary days.

Baked Ziti

Makes 5 large servings.

1/2 pound ziti pasta

1/2 small onion, chopped

1/2 pound ground beef

1 (26 oz) jar spaghetti sauce

3 ounces provolone cheese, sliced

3/4 cup sour cream

3 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded

1. In a large skillet, brown onion and beef over medium heat. Add spaghetti sauce and simmer for 15 minutes. Mix in sour cream.

2. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add ziti past and cook until just al dente; drain.

3 . Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a 9x9 baking dish, layer as follows: thin layer of sauce (keeps past from sticking to pan), half of pasta, half of sauce, provolone, remaining pasta, remaining sauce, mozzerlla.

4. Cover and bake in oven for 30 minutes, or until cheeses are melted. Serve with a salad and rolls or bread.

I've also found that this dish freezes very well. Make extra, freeze the rest in individual portions, and reheat on a night when you don't have a lot of time to cook!

P.S. Katie, I think this is something Carter might eat and enjoy.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2009-03-17T09:57:00.000-06:00

Yay! Gifty Time!

2009-03-10T20:07:00.004-06:00

Here is the deal: The first three people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice...For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make! (but I hope you do) :)
2- What I create will be just for you.
3- It’ll be done this year.
4- You have no clue what it’s going to be.
5- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 3 people who do the same on your blog. The first 3 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!

Discovering Anberlin

2009-02-28T21:08:00.003-07:00

The first time the Goose and I kissed, I was incredibly moved. So much so, that after that kiss I knew that she would be a major part of my life.

You may not believe it, but that night I asked her what she would do if I were her last first kiss?

I thank God that I am. That silly Goose means everything to me.

Goose, "I wanna be your last, first love. I wanna be your last, first kiss for all time"

I listened to "Inevitable" for the first time today and it brought that special moment back and touched my heart.

Anberlin, thank you.

I heart Utah

2009-02-23T21:41:00.001-07:00

Big Fish

2009-02-23T21:31:00.003-07:00

Only this one really was.

We went to Vernal this weekend so that Weston could go fishing, and he came home with this monster. It's the biggest trout he's ever caught. It was about 19" from head to tail. After pics, we sent it over to Grandma Mott's so that she could cook it for lunch.

P.S. I only let him dress like this to go fishing.

Katie and Carter!!!

2009-02-04T17:25:00.002-07:00

They are on a jet plane headed toward Utah right now!!! I get to pick them up at the airport tonight. I'm so excited.

Good Things

2009-02-03T14:37:00.003-07:00

The other day, I picked up the latest issue of Martha Stewart Living Magazine. I forgot how much I love Martha. This issue is chock full of wonderful things. However, I will admit that it was the cupcakes that first lured me in.

1 Year Ago Today...

2009-02-03T14:23:00.002-07:00

...Weston proposed. Officially, anyway. :) I love him!

My Hair...Minus 7 Inches.

2009-01-27T22:11:00.003-07:00

Ahhhhhhhh!

2009-01-27T22:05:00.003-07:00

Something really scary happened to me today!

While Weston was washing his hands before dinner, his wedding band slipped right off his finger and down the drain.

It didn't spin around in the basin. It didn't bounce around. It went straight into the screenless drain.

Luckily, Weston is a handy man and knows how to tear sink pipes apart and then put them back together.

He fished his ring back out, and all was well again.

Gotta love the daily drama.

Time to Switch It Up

2009-01-13T19:08:00.006-07:00

Back to school again. Here are the schedule deets:

Age of Total War

Political Science 1100: United States National Government

Masterpeices: World Art

Science Foundational Nutrition and Health

{Pic: John Park Building on President's Circle}

Soooooo Jealous!

2009-01-13T19:00:00.004-07:00

Today, the U annouced the Commencement speaker for May 2009. David McCullough will deliver the big speech for 2009's graduates. As far as I'm concerned, you can't top that. If only I could say that David McCullough had been at my college graduation....

He is such an amazing story teller, producing the likes of John Adams, which then inspired that HBO mini-series we all love so much.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2008-12-24T02:09:00.003-07:00

We love you all!

I Wish I Were This Amazing

2008-12-24T02:05:00.002-07:00

Amazingly intricate and beautiful paper design by London-based Russian graphic designer Yulia Brodskaya.

{via today and tomorrow}

Christmas Plans

2008-12-24T01:47:00.003-07:00

This year, we'll be spending Christmas with Weston's parents in Tooele. Here's the itinerary:

Christmas Eve: After I get off of work at 7, we'll head straight too Tooele, bearing sugar cookies and presents. I made this cookie dough and threw it in the freezer to be thawed, rolled, cut, and baked when we get there. After they've cooked a bit, this icing will go on them.

Christmas Day: Hopefully, we'll be getting up early to open presies and have breakfast. After that, we chill for awhile until lunch time {which I'm in charge of} where we'll have German Potato Salad and Brats. Love, love, love! We'll chill a bit more after lunch, then sit down too a big, lovely Christmas dinner.

To All of My Single Friends Out There...

2008-12-24T00:10:00.006-07:00

...please, pretty please, use one of these lovely color pallets for you wedding! They are both so lovely and rich!

Pallet 1: Navy and Yellow
{click the image to enlarge}

Pallet 2: Dinner at the Vineyard
{click the image to enlarge}

Learning Brazillian

2008-12-21T23:22:00.002-07:00

I found a couple of websites that have Brazillian recipes that, according to Weston, sound pretty authentic. They also sound very easy. I'll be spending a bit of time learning how to cook things like pudim de maracuja, farofa, and maionese, among other things. He's pretty excited.

Sunday Edition: Mariah

2008-12-21T21:48:00.002-07:00

A Christmas Carol 2008

2008-12-21T21:34:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, Weston and I went with his family to the 2008 production of A Christmas Carol and The Hale Center Theatre in West Valley. The production was great, and the guy that played Bob Crachit looked just like I always imagined him to! So much better than the movie!

Your Neighbors Will Love You Forever...

2008-12-21T21:15:00.003-07:00

If you make them these cookies for Christmas.

Last year, Katie discovered just how wonderful these cookies are. Since then, they've found their way into the family's Christmas tradition. They always get rave reviews.

Giant Ginger Cookies

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
4 tsp. ground ginger
2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups shortening
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup full flavor molasses
3/4 cup sugar

In a medium bowl, stir together flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat the shortening with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Add the 2 cups sugar. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in eggs and molasses until combined. Beat in as much of the flour mixture as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour mixture.

Shape dough into 2-inch balls using a 1/4-cup measure or scoop. Roll balls in the 3/4 cup sugar. Place 2 1/2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake in a 35o-degree oven for 11 to 13 minutes of until bottoms are lightly browned and tops are puffed (do not overbake). Cool on cookie sheet 2 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.

For regular sized cookies, bake for only 8 to 9 minutes.

It is important not to overbake these cookies! Watch them closely.

Trim Up the Tree!

2008-12-11T16:46:00.004-07:00

Whenever I finally get around to getting a Christmas tree set up, I'm going to make these ornaments to put on it.

Then I'll sprinkle a few of these beauties in.

Add some pretty white twinkle lights and a star. Then I'll wrap up some presents and put them under the tree. Viola! A beautiful Christmas tree!

Finally!

2008-12-08T00:00:00.002-07:00

After taking our sweet time, we finally finished moving out of our old apartment and into a new one across the valley. It's good to be done with packing and unpacking boxes.

Mad Notes

2008-12-07T23:42:00.006-07:00

Last night, Weston and I went to the Utah Symphony at Abravanel Hall. On the program:

Claude Debussy ~ La Damoiselle élue
Olivier Messiaen ~ Les Offrandes oubliées
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart ~ Requiem, K. 626

The feature piece was Mozart's Requiem, full and uncut. And it was amazing! We both really loved it!

I was really surprised at how small the symphony was, but it sounded like there were hundreds of people playing instruments. My favorite was Benedictus. Weston's favorite was Dies isreas.

Advent Calendar Fun

2008-12-04T21:51:00.005-07:00

Get your free downloadable advent calendar here. Then put fun daily activities like these behind the doors:

Go Ice Skating
Watch It's a Wonderful Life, make spiced cider
Exchange gifts
Make Christmas Cookies for friends
Find Mistletoe, hang it in our house and kiss under it
Address and Mail Christmas Cards
Go to Borders and Pick out one new Christmas CD
Go to The Nutcracker
Handel's Messiah Sing Along
Leave out wooden shoes on December 5
Go to see a Nativity
Put up a ribbon sash for Christmas cards
Donate canned goods
Give neighbors a present
Put up a wreath
Make a Gingerbread house
Make a popcorn garland
Make hot chocolate and read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Sing (or listen) to favorite Christmas songs
Drive around to see neighborhood lights
Go out and see public light display
Read Christmas story from the Bible and the Book of Mormon
Open a gift (new stocking or pajamas or pillowcase)
Make a family traditional dessert
Eat out at a festive restaurant
Go to a seasonal movie
Tell stories of childhood Christmas around the fire
Have a romantic candlelit dinner by the Christmas tree
Make decorative sugar cookies
Sign up to purchase gifts for a needy child
Host a Christmas dessert party
Write out a Christ-centered goal to start early for the New Year
Have a movie party (classic Christmas clips)
Go to a Christmas Concert
Attend City tree lighting event
Have a full traditional breakfast while listening to Christmas music

Look What I Found...

2008-12-02T15:58:00.006-07:00

Just recently, I've started to do a little ring shopping. As it turns out, I've had to have my white gold wedding ring re-plated for the third time in only 9 months. You're really only supposed to do this twice a year at the most, but my skin is really acidic. So, when it gets sent in, I'm without a ring for about one and a half to two weeks. So I either need to find something cool and inexpensive that I can wear when it gets sent in or something to wear for more everyday, only bringing out the diamond on special occasions.

I've found two options that I really like:

This is the Echo ring from Lana Unlimited. I really like the white gold.

These beauties are sterling and ebony inlay from robandlean. They're just plain cool. Plus, you can customize them. One would be for Weston ((who loves them)) to wear as his right-hand ring. He's been looking for one of those for a very long time.

Skadoosh!

2008-11-18T09:51:00.002-07:00

The other day when we were at Sam's, Weston started watching Kung Fu Panda on the big screens they have there and got a little entranced. So, of course, we had to watch it that night. I was a little skeptical at first, but it turned out to be one of the funniest movies I've seen in a long time.

Now Weston can't wait to watch it again with Carter when he comes to visit from PA in February. That means you have a babysitter for a few hours, Katie. :)

Jim vs. Dwight - One reason why the Office is AWESOME..

2008-11-17T17:09:00.006-07:00

What is going on? WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
Identity theft is not a joke Jim, millions of families suffer every year!
MICHAEL!
Oh that's real funny, MICHAEL!

LOVE the Office, this season is the best!

Little Mariah Christine

2008-11-17T12:15:00.006-07:00

She's here! We're aunt and uncle once again. I hear that she has dark skin, jet black hair, brown eyes, and is absolutely beautiful. But of course she is! She was born at 10.01 am and weighed 6 lbs 10 oz.

Congrats Jenny!

Re-Finding music from the past...

2008-11-15T17:54:00.006-07:00

...is SUCH a simple joy.
You know the feeling, when something triggers in your memory and that song come rushing back to you with all the good times and memories? LOVE that feeling, and LOVE this song.

As I was holding The Goose earlier this song just came to me. I know, I know, I'm helplessly in love with her, and it's the greatest thing I will ever do.

Good music is AWESOME!

On my wish list...

2008-11-13T21:24:00.005-07:00

I shall call her Georgie.

I really want a little miniature boxer puppy, and it must be a girl. Weston wants one too! It might happen. How could you resist that?

Homework is Blah...

2008-11-04T17:57:00.005-07:00

Homework seems to be the only downfall of my college experience. I'm still horrible at homework. I always leave it until about 5 or 6 every night. I always make a goal at the beginning of a semester that that will change, but it fails by about midterm. Tonight, it's writing homework. Tons of research for a paper I'm writing on the capital punishment system. Add to that an annotated bibliography, and it turns out to be a lot of work. Lucky Weston. No homework for him.

On the bright side: it rained massively today. I love days like this because Weston lets me make soup or chili for dinner. Today it was turkey white bean chili. Yum. Just be sure to add some green chilis.

Election Day 2008

2008-11-04T17:52:00.004-07:00

Actually, we voted last week during the early voting. But we did vote just the same. Weston and I will be watching the election news all night tonight. The chances for each candidate is actually tighter than many of us realize. And there is another race besides the presidential going on tonight. We'll be interested to see who takes control of the congress next year.

Hey Jo!

2008-09-20T15:26:00.001-06:00

This was our first meeting with Joey. She is the most darling little girl in the world!

Joey, Bryn, and Gram

Little Joey Mae

2008-09-15T15:20:00.001-06:00

Our new niece was born in September. Her name is Joey Mae and we love her lots!

Family Reunion Fun

2008-08-17T15:07:00.001-06:00

We went to Weston's family reunion back in August. We were both pretty excited because we were going to spend a day rafting down the river. But did the weather cooperate? Nope. So, while everyone else went to the rec center to swim, the Mark Motts went to the bowling alley. Good times.

The Wedding

2008-06-30T14:18:00.001-06:00

We were married on 31 May 2008 in the Vernal Utah Temple. The wedding was at 9:30 am, followed by a luncheon and a reception. It was the best day of our lives.

The Engagement

2008-06-30T13:12:00.001-06:00

We were engaged on 3 February 2008.