Pride Comes Before the Fall

Did you notice how I didn't blog the night of the chili cook-off... I didn't win. I can type it now without cringing - I did not win. How is that possible you might ask? Well... my only hypothesis is that when there is a table with 30 chilies on it, the ones at the very end are neglected. No one has room in a little bowl for 30 chilies! Mine was placed at the very end, so by the time people got to it their plates were full. This is what I tell myself anyway!

This is my beautiful and well seasoned cooking friend Katie. If she likes it it must be pretty good!


Things I would do differently next pot of chili- reduce the amount of chicken broth by half and double the cream! By the time I added all the liquid it was pretty thin. Also, I need to figure out more spices to add. With all the cooking I do you would think I would have a nice spice rack by now... alas, spices are too expensive! I know some kind of spice that I don't own could give it that depth of flavor I didn't have. Coriander maybe...

So the weather Sunday we so very mild and nice. We went up to the state hospital grounds to walk and play. Macey sure loves to be outside!

Ward Chili Cook-Off

Tomatillos - One of my new favorite foods!

Tonight is our married ward's chili cook-off. I am out to win! Tomatillos have been on sale for about $.50 to $.79 per pound lately so I thought I should use them as my secret weapon. These beauties entered my cooking when Chrissi H. mentioned a Rachel Ray recipe with them. I tried the recipe and have have created a similar one to my liking.

Roasted Tomatillo Chili
10-15 tomatillos
1-2 jalapeno
2 medium onions
3-6 cloves garlic
2 c. shredded chicken (not cubed...)
8 c. chicken broth (revised- 4c. only!)
2 c. corn
2 cans cooked beans (I used Great Northern and Pinto)
1 c. cream (revised - 2 c.)
2 cans diced green chilies

Season to taste using these guide lines
2 t. salt
1 T. cumin
2 t. pepper
zest of one lime

lime wedges
cilantro

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees. Line cookies sheet with foil. Remove husks from tomatillos and wash, remove skin of one onion and cut in half, half peppers and deseed. Place tomatillos, halved onion and jalapeno on baking sheet. Roast in hot oven for about 25 mins turning once half way through. Place all the roasted veggies and juice from the pan in blender. Blend until smooth.
Chop second onion and garlic, saute in a large stock until translucent. Add broth, chicken, corn, beans, chilies and blended mixture as well as seasonings. Let simmer as longs as you have (at least 30 mins). 10 minutes before serving add the cream. If you don't have cream, try sour cream. Garnish with chopped cilantro and a wedge of lime! You need the lime and cilantro even though I would call it a garnish... don't leave them off!

I'll let you know how victory feels after we get home! How can I not win with this little number?

Aspen Grove Weekend Adventure

Aspen Grove Marriage Retreat 2009.
Last year Thomas and I, along with our friends Chace and Rivka attended a marriage retreat at Aspen Grove for BYU students. One year and a few budget cuts later, there was no student retreat. We decided that it was worth the money to attend the "alumni" (aka old people) marriage retreat this year. I was technically the only alumnus out of the four; the other three will join my rank in April.
This was our first time leaving Macey over night. Good thing we have a super Aunt Sarah who could spend the night at our house! Upon arriving at Aspen Grove, we discovered that our room had been upgraded to the honeymoon suite. Notice our shock and surprise. (OK, Rivka made us a canopy out of toilet paper... honeymoon suite to us)
After a delicious prime rib dinner and a speaking session by Jason Carroll, we headed back to the cabin to play games. Thomas and Chace go into leg wars; too funny.
We just aren't very photogenic! This is the only decent picture of the four of us. We were having too much fun if you can't tell.
The next morning we had a great breakfast, followed by a few hours of lectures on marriage, lunch, and then cross country skiing! Notice how pretty it is; sunshine, lots of snow, trees, mountains...
Us after our marriage was so very strengthened. Still in love after all these years...

Thomas really got moving down a hill and ended up half in a tree. It took him quiet a while to get out!

Skiing at full force.

The menfolk climbing a snow pile and Thomas jumping off.

Notice the huge icicles on the lodge behind us!

We had a great weekend! Chace and Rivka are moving to Michigan this summer, so we were so excited to have one last hurrah with them before they go. Macey did just great with Sarah. I only shed a tear or two at dinner worrying about her, but of course there was nothing to worry about!

Valentine's Wonder

I love Valentine's day... a day dedicated to chocolate and pink. How can that be bad in any way. I've always loved the day, even if there was no official Valentine in mind. Now that I have a permanent Valentine it is even more fun. This year I have been trying my hand at truffles. I've made mint, peanut butter, and cookies and cream so far. Delish!

I also like having a baby for Valentine's day. I hope my kids will think that I was their best Valentine until their permanent one comes along. This year I think that I am going to get Macey a big helium balloon! She loves balloons and spots them everywhere! Thomas and I are going to a marriage retreat at Aspen Grove which means leaving Macey over night with my sister! Pictures to come...

Blast from the Past!

We had a "Former Roommate" convention this weekend! Yea! I lived with these girls in Centennial and/or Bountiful Court Apts in those grand single days at BYU!

Sondra, Rachel (and April baby), Veronika, Me, Clarissa, and Kate!

You really figure out who you are (or are not) in those "away from home for the first time" crazy single years. These girls helped in the defining process. I think of them way more than we actually talk, so it was a blast to talk into the wee hours of the morning again. I sure love these ladies.

So I'm a bit of a sap!

Where has the time gone? I've been really reminiscent of when Macey was a baby the last few weeks. She is learning so many things everyday; my baby isn't a baby anymore.

The day before Macey was born! One of the last photos of me before life changed forever...
Remember when she was this big???

Her first Halloween! She is just over 3 months old in this picture! She always been so pretty hasn't she!

I just wanted to put a few pictures of my "baby" on. Thanks for looking...