That's what she said

Blogville

It's official. I have fallen into it. I've turned into one of those online people like in the movie, You've Got Mail. Okay, well maybe I am exagerating a little. But I really do look forward each morning to opening up my gmail reader and seeing what new recipes, pictures and home improvement projects my favorite bloggers have posted. I drool at the pictures of their houses. They always look so clean and beautiful and they look like they have so much time invested in them to make them feel like a home.

 

There is something very intriguing and rather interesting to me about the ladies that write these blogs. Sharing insight into their lives and homes and even sharing very personal things at times. What makes it okay to share this on the internet? At first, it felt a little creepy to me. Like I was reading things that I wasn't supposed to be. But honestly what creapo would spend their time reading a blog about home decorating projects and tres leche cake recipes? I am hoping none.

 

Sometimes I feel like my blog is just medicore compared to theirs. I wish I could be witty like BOWERPOWER or make awesome recipes like the PioneerWoman. I find it hard to put into words whats inside my head most of the time. It seems so thoughtful inside but then when I try and put it on paper, its a mess. I guess alot of it boils down to time. I can barely find time on my breaks to quickly type up a new blog or post pictures of a new recipe. Or that fact that I still live in an apartment, you can't do many home improvement projects in an apartment. With that said, I enjoy my fifteen minutes a day reading your blogs and learning a little insight into your lives. I hope one day to be able to find the time to share my life and my home with you.

And so a new chapter begins

Tonight we are signing the papers to my home for the next twelve months. And come December it will officially be "ours".

 

Thinking back I have lived in four different apartments sence college, had over ten different roomates....some good, some not so good and in the processes of it all, realized many things including the importance of having a clean kitchen.

 

I am excited for this next chapter in my life. I can't wait for the day to be able to come home to my husband, instead of a sink full of someone else's dirty dishes. That is not to say there won't be moments when our sink will undoubtably be overflowing, but I am okay with that!

 

Despite the obvious headaches that come with it, I love moving into a new place. A clean slate. A fresh start.

 

So, here's to Ballard and the many memories we will share in it over the next twelve months.

Wisconsin Cheesy Potato Soup

I have a very yummy recipe (borrowed from a friend) to share with you in honor of the cold weather and rain!

It is a very easy soup to make and just delicious. Let me know how you like it!

 

Wisconsin Cheesy Potato Soup

 

INGREDIANTS

1/3 cup chopped celery

1/3 cup chopped yellow onion

2 Tbs Butter or Olive Oil

4 cups diced peeled russet potatoes

3 cups chicken broth

2 cups milk

1 ½ tsp salt

¼ tsp pepper

Dash of paprika

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Optional: Croutons, parsley, bacon bits

 

INSTRUCTIONS

In a large saucepan or dutch oven, sauté the celery, onion and butter until tender. Add in the potatoes and chicken broth and cover. Simmer until potatoes are tender (about 12-15min). Allow soup to cool. In batches ( or with an immersion blender) puree in blender or food processor. Return the soup to the pan. Stirk in the milk and seasonings. Add cheese and heat just until melted. Garnish with additional ingredients if you desire.

Serve with a big chunk of fresh bread for dipping! I also put peas in it after the whole cooking process, adds a nice touch.

 

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

Serves 6

 

Enjoy!

Are you looking forward to your bath today?

My matron of honor and bridesmaids threw me a wedding shower yesterday.

 

Leah made sure that all my favorite foods were in attendance including wonderful cupcakes from Trophey!

 

As a group gift, they made me a very special cook book from Taste Book full of pictures and yummy recipes submitted from all that attended. A few recipes included, split pea soup, white sangria, taco pizza, chocolate cupcakes, vegetable biryani and much more! I am excited to try everyone's recipes and fill it up with many more.

 

Thank you ladies for making my day so special. I felt very loved! 

 

It was great to re-connect with those of you who I haven't seen in a long time and I am looking forward to december 12 to share with you all!

 

 

Favorite T.V. Shows

I realize I have been slacking the past few fridays....

 

1. The Office

NBC

Still hilarious to me

 

2. Parks & Recreation

NBC

 

3. Shark Tank

NBC

Love it! Its funny and witty and the inventions sometimes are ridiculous. Blue Tooth inserted in your scull anyone?

 

4. Man vs. Food

Travel Channel

 

5. The Best Thing I Ever Ate

Food Network

 

6. Ace of Cakes

Food Network

 

7. House Hunters

HGTV

 

Ten things you may not know about me

1. I have a 1/2 inch scar on the top of my left foot from dropping a knife on it when I was younger.

 

2. I've had my car (previous) broken into three times in the course of two years. Let's just say I stopped caring about that car after the third go around.

Who ever said Queen Anne was a safe neighborhood?

 

3. I have moved four times sence college.

 

4. I have never broken a bone.

 

5. I hate going to get my hair cut. I love the feeling and look afterwords, but hate the act of it.

 

6. Despite my college year fears, I am now a huge fan of public transportation.

 

7. I could eat chips and salsa every day for the rest of my life.

 

8. My guilty pleasure is watching The Hills with Leah S.

 

9. I used to be in 4-H w/rabbits when I was younger and I was pretty darn good at it!

 

10.  I was a homeschooler. I like to think that I was one of the "cooler" ones, if that is possible. But now looking back on my days of stirup pants, baggy shirts and mossimo t-shirts, I am beginning to doubt the coolness factor.

Wish list revised

Forget about the mastif. This is what I want!

 

 
  
are you in love?

Wish List

In the spirit of the holidays, I am putting together a wish list. Yes, I understand Christmas  is over two months away and there are so many other things I should be thinking about right now, but my mom has been asking for a list already so I thought I would come up with some ideas, hence the list....

 

 

spa day

 

 
white gold diamond hoop earings

 

brown leather boots

 

 
trip to Greece

 

puppy mastif

 

J.Crew shopping spree

 

I realize these are all a bit of a stretch but that is the point of a wish list. Right?

 

What's on your wish list?

Which one are you?

Back from the couve.

We had a good time. The weather didn't quite cooperate, but we had fun none the less. Han hooked us up with a great room and we had fun relaxing and seeing part of the city.

A few things I learned from our trip

• Do not go to Vancover in October if you are worried about any chance of rain
• Canadian Starbucks are not the same. Nor are they open after 9pm.
• I love house hunters
• Cross Venelation in a car works wonders when your defrost doesn't (thanks, dad!)
• Sweet and Salty Chex Mix = Yum
• Shower heads that come directly down from the ceiling. Cool idea. Maybe not so practical.

Quote of the trip (on our way back into the US from the customs guy):

"Can you please roll the window down in the back seat."

Looking directly at me, "Which one are you?"

Not really understanding the question, but answered anyway, "Um, Esther."

"You may go."

Hmm, you would think by using the process of elimination he would have known who I was from looking at the passports we gave him and seeing the first two ladies in the front seats. Oh, well.

Out of here!

In the spirit of tradition, the ladies and I are off for a little weekend retreat.

 

One last hurrah before the big day, is how Hannah put it.

 

Three ladies out of the country.

 

One fancy hotel room.

 

It may get crazy.

 

 
Feicho Women's Retreat 2007