Friday Night Shrimp Dinner

Whew, just a few weeks in to the New Year, and the pressure of one good meal a week is already intense. A visit to the dentist and fun visit to see a friends new house meant that the dinner I had planned was not going to happen. So, I went with a traditional meatless Friday night dinner of boiled spiced shrimp, cheesy garlic toast and fresh green salad. It was simple and quick, but a success with the DH! This weeks photo is better than last weeks, too. By the way, the empty bowl on the plate is for the shrimp shells! Since I didn't have time to do the meal I had planned for tonight, the good news is, I already know what next week's will be.

A Day at the Zoo

One of the benefits of living in Arizona, is that you can take your grandchildren to the zoo in January. It was beautiful today, so Linda, Sara and I loaded up Rylee, Maddie and Peyton and had a great day at the Phoenix Zoo.

The goats at the petting zoo must be fed a special mixture of feed and Xanax, because they lay there and let all these children brush them. Peyton made sure he pet every single one of them.
All three children immediately ran over to the tractor and climbed aboard. I think they are drawn to farm implements because their grandparents came from Kansas......??

Rylee and Peyton chose neighboring animals on the carousel. Rylee got the giraffe and Peyton the lion.

But the highlight of the day for all of us was the stingray pool. We had to go there two times before we could leave for the day. Even though she was hesitant at first, even Maddie got her hands in and touched one!

We had a great time seeing monkeys, elephants, giraffes, tortoise, flamingos, iguanas and more. We all left tired and happy with our hands all sticky from cotton candy, the perfect day!

Week 3 Dinner

This week it was Chicken Perigord. Very tasty dish of browned chicken breasts and portabello mushrooms in a creamy sauce. Bruce had requested this one and remembered me making it many years ago. When I pulled out my old "Good Housekeeping Illustrated Cookbook" I found I had dated and commented on this recipe the first time I made it. Way back on January 12, 1983!!

Some recipes hold up over the test of time. I served it with green beans and kept the meal simple. I'm realizing, though, that if I keep up this challenge, I need to improve on my culinary photography!

Training Wheels

While doing some volunteer work today, a friend of ours asked Bruce if he knew any little boy who would like a first bike, with training wheels, AND a "Cars"-themed helmet to go with it. Being the amazing Grandpa that he is, Bruce jumped at the chance to get a free bike for Peyton. He brought this home just before Peyton was coming by this afternoon, and that was one happy 3 year old.

We're working on the whole pedalling concept, but it looks like I may have found the perfect riding partner once he gets the hang of it!

Week 2 Dinner

While I didn't get this posted during week 2, I did manage to cook a "Good Meal" to keep me on target for one of my goals this year. This week was Pancetta Wrapped Pork Roast. It is covered in a rub of garlic, olive oil, fresh rosemary and fresh thyme, then wrapped in thin slices of pancetta. It was fabulous!

It makes it's own juices from the wine and broth that you add to the pan while it is cooking. I added some garlic roasted potatoes.

Wonderful meal, thanks Giada, the first of your recipes I've tried was a winner!

Basket and Bell

The basket and the bell for my new bike arrived today. Once Bruce got them attached we took a ride together over to Sara's house so I could "ring my bell" for her. Wouldn't you know, she was sound asleep and not only didn't hear me ring my bike bell, she didn't hear the doorbell either. Not discouraged, we rode over to Trish's house to show her my new ride and accessories. Yep, same story, garage doors open, cars in garage, no answer at the door. Even though we had a nice spin around the development, I'm beginning to be suspicious that not everyone I know thinks my bike, basket and bell are as super cool as I do. Could it be.......???? Whatever, I love them!

My New Bike Arrived!

Yep, the UPS man brought the new Sunflower Beach Cruiser today and I love it even more than I knew I would. Even the tire treads have sunflowers on them. Bruce had it all assembled in no time and then I was off for my first ride. It is incredibly easy to ride and shift. I had a great ride around our area, now I just need to work up more endurance and I'll be all over Johnson Ranch in no time.

This is why we live in Arizona in the wintertime! By the way, did I mention, I love the new bike!?

New Discovery

Last night, after dropping my cell-phone in the toilet (btw, it was a clean toilet), I discovered that cell phones and water do not mix at all. I tried the hair dryer, and left it out all night, but it is looking pretty darn sick at this point. Bruce is out right now at T-Mobile working on getting me a replacement. I've also discovered how naked I feel without my cell phone. I am at work and keep putting my hand in my pocket checking for it....poor little thing! Hard to believe I've ever live with out my little My Touch.

One Down, 51 To Go

In trying to make my goal of cooking one good meal each week, I started off last night with Indonesion Grilled Chicken, Basmati Rice and Roasted Carrots. All the fresh ginger in the chicken, along with the garlic, made for a tasty dinner. Thank you Ina Garten!!

On It's Way!!

For several weeks I've been wanting to start riding a bike again. My old bike is a mountain bike with 21 speeds and was great when I was 30 years old. After looking and reading reviews I settled on one of the "cruiser" style bikes, and wouldn't you know found the perfect one on-line. My sweet husband thought I was out of my mind, but that darling man got right in there and ordered it! In 5-8 days when that bike arrives it will be great. I feel like a little kid waiting for Christmas morning. And can I just tell you, it is navy blue with bright yellow sunflowers. I can't wait to show you the picture when it gets here!

Looking Forward

Thought it would be fun to make a list of things I want to do in 2011 and see how many I accomplish before 12/31/11.

1. Go to Hawaii and watch my son marry Tu. (Highly achievable)

2. Complete 6 quilt tops. (Achievable since I'm close to finishing the first one)

3. Organize my loft/sewing room. (Achievable with proper motivation and several trips to Ikea)

4. Read one chapter of Proverbs every day. (Achievable - if I can make time to quilt, I can make
time for God!)

5. Get a tattoo. (Achievable with some bravery......)

6. Cook a (good) meal once a week (Achievablility questionable)

7. Try to accomplish all 6 of the above (Achievable depending on memory capacity)!

Keep you posted on how I do!

Happy New Year!!!

I am not a fan of making New Year's Resolutions, but I do like the idea of having a "word" for the year. For this my first word of the year I choose "Intentional". I'd like to think I will work on being Intentional with what I say, what I think and how I live.

May God Bless us all with Grace, Mercy and Joy in this new decade.