Tuesday, July 27, 2010

It's good to be back!

So, you may have noticed that I haven't posted in awhile...no Internet...we stopped it before we moved and haven't gotten it in the new house yet. I am currently using the in-laws Internet to post...how did people survive without Internet!?!

Yes, we are moved into our new house! So exciting! We gathered friends and family at 8:30am to start loading the U-Haul(Nessie was her nickname). We had the whole thing loaded plus 3 cars by 10:30am! Then we waited for the landlords to say our goodbyes. I was very emotional, especially as I took a last look at the kitchen. Oh, I will miss that huge island and plentiful pantry space! I was also sad to leave somewhere that I had been for five years. The landlord said that they would adopt me (I had gotten mail with their last name for the first time last week), but I knew it was time to go.

We have set up the kitchen (partly)and bedroom (at least the bed). We attempted the dining room yesterday...I could be heard complaining,"How did we accumulate so many glasses? Who drinks out of all these glasses?!?" Little by little the house is coming together. We enjoy having a garage. My husband has already parked his car in and walked to work every morning. He even came home for lunch yesterday! It's wonderful to go from not seeing each other at all during the week to having lunch in the middle of the day together.

More details about the move to follow.....pretty busy this week, the wedding is on Saturday for my sister-in-law!

Welcome to the Neighborhood Chocolate Chip Cookies

Oven: 325
2 cups and 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled until warm
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet, milk chocolate or any combination)
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Spray two large cookie sheets with non-stick spray. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in bowl and set aside. Mix butter and sugar until smooth. Add egg, yolk, and vanilla. Mix on medium speed. Add dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts. Scoop into 2 inch balls and place evenly on cookie sheet. Bake for 12-18 minutes ( depending on oven). To maintain chewy texture cool on sheets.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Where will all the shoes go?

We did a final walk through of the house and the closets seem a lot smaller than when we first saw it. Can closets shrink? My husband keeps telling me we'll be fine....but where will all the shoes go?!? I am excited about having the two full bathrooms, one with a great tub for baths. Our old tub was built for standing in when you take a shower, so this will be a treat.

My sister-in-law has her final wedding dress fitting tomorrow. I'm so excited to see her custom made dress. She even had her grandmother's 60 year old lace veil restored so that she can wear it. It's hard to believe the wedding is only 17 days away!

Basic Texas Sheet Cake

Oven 350

1 cup margarine or butter, melted
1 cup water or coffee
4 tablespoons cocoa
2 cups white sugar
2 cups white flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla

Put water, margarine, and cocoa in a large pan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add rest of ingredients. Mix until smooth. Pour into a greased jelly roll pan (11 x 16 x 1.5-inch). Bake for 20 minutes.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Taking apart

We've successfully taken apart the guest bedroom, including the bed, and it is now a room of boxes. Floor to ceiling. Surprisingly, the bed came apart a lot quicker than I remember it going together. Isn't that always the way?

Happy late 4th of July! Hope everyone had a good one. Fireworks, parade, leftover pasta salad.... We had a good time at our small get together, using the deck for the last 4th picnic.

I got fingerprinted yesterday, and no, they did not have the electronic one. You go to another state and you have to prove it's you. I guess that makes me feel somewhat safe. I am the teacher I say I am.

After that, I went to enroll in classes for my masters. It's required here, so I might as well get a jump on it. Two classes in the fall. I'm not totally excited about it, but as my husband said, "Maybe it'll be better than you think." Ahh, to be an eternal optimist....

A grill recipe...

Grilled Squash

3 medium yellow squash
3 medium zucchini
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon thyme (2 teaspoons if fresh thyme)
1/3 cup olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Cut squash lengthwise to create strips, not too thin (about 1/4 inch). Put in large bowl. Add vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, thyme, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Mix until squash is evenly covered. Refrigerate for at least an hour. The longer you refrigerate, the stronger the marinade. Grill for a few minutes on each side ( you have to eyeball this, depending on your grill and squash thickness).

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Quick, quick, quick....

It's amazing how things can change so quickly! We have a place to live! A cute cape with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. We can't wait to move in and make it our own (as much as you can make a rental your own).

I've never really done a lot of packing. I've packed, but this is intense packing. Sometimes it feels like I'm part of an extreme game of tetris. Not only am I trying to fit as much as possible in each box but then I have to find a place for the box to go. Five years of stuff sure adds up!

Quick Candy Bar Pie

6 bars Hershey chocolate (with or without almonds)
1 tsp vanilla extract
8 oz whipped topping
1 premade pie crust (oreo crumb or graham cracker)

Break up chocolate bars and place in microwave-safe bowl. Add vanilla. Melt in microwave for about 3 minutes (or until smooth). Stir halfway through. Once melted, fold in whipped topping. When mixed well, pour into pie crust. Cover and refrigerate for 6 hours. If you're in a hurry, freeze for 1 hour. Just take out of freezer to thaw somewhat before serving ( this will help when cutting).