Caprese Quinoa

Matt's gone, so I am cooking for myself, which I hate. I love cooking, but cooking for yourself is really boring. I have lately gotten really into quinoa, which I have discovered is the perfect vessel for one dish meals. Perfect! Fast, easy, and healthy! 

I absolutely love Italian food, in pretty much any form. Caprese salad is one of the most well known Italians foods, and even looks like their flag. Caprese salad is slices of mozzarella cheese and tomatoes layered with basil leaves, and then topped with balsalmic vinaigeratte. These exact ingredients happen to be why I love Italian food so much! So why not put it in quinoa? Yes, please!

I'm sure this idea has been done before, so while I won't admit to "inventing" anything, I will say I did not use a recipe :) I love it when that happens!

All you have to do is cook your quinoa. Fluff it, then stir in tomatoes, mozzarella (the real stuff, please! SO much better!), and basil, sprinkle with pepper and salt, and drizzle with olive oil and balsalmic vinegar. Enjoy!

As you can see, Jack really wanted some, too :) Although that was probably mostly for the cheese. 

Thanksgiving

It's been awhile since I've updated! I've been very busy lately!

Matt left on 10 November for SERE training, which is survival and resistance training. Since I just moved here, I've been a little lonely, but managing to keep myself busy. Matt went into the field about a week before Thanksgiving, so he couldn't call me anymore, so i drove up to Seattle for Thanksgiving for a much over do visit!

I have said it many times, and I'll say it again, God has certainly blessed me with two wonderful pets who travel beautifully. The drive from Sacramento to Seattle takes about 14 hours. I split that into 2 days to make it easier on Jack and Huey. The first drive, from Sacramento to Eugene, is a long drive (440 miles), but it's through gorgeous country! Unfortunately, I was driving, so I couldn't really sight see, but what I managed to glimpse at was beautiful. The surrounding area of Mt. Shasta is awesome. Once you get into Eugene, though, you're getting into the Willamette Valley and it starts to get boring. Oh, well. The hotel I picked was about the best one I could pick, it was across the street from a gigantic park that is perfect for walking Jack after a long car drive.

The next day wasn't that great. Eugene to Seattle is only about 5 hours, so it's significantly shorter than the first trip, but there was a freak wind/rain storm my entire trip! Normally I would be freaking out, but for some reason I was surprisingly calm, maybe it was the presence of the pets with me. On a side note, I'm pretty sure it dumps water every time we drive from Portland to Seattle! Seriously. It pours. This was about the worst I've ever seen it, though, there was standing water on the freeways! I made it safely, though!

Jack quite enjoyed himself at my parents house. Too much. Like any typical grandkid, I'm pretty sure he likes their house better than mine. At least their yard. I KNOW he likes their yard better :)

I hung out pretty much by myself the first few days, I was sick the second day I was there and my parents were still at work, so it worked out ok. My sister and her husband came up on Wednesday. It was the first time I had seen them since their wedding! Needless to say, I was excited! I think Jack was, too, he now had 5 people in the house with him!

Thursday we went down to my aunts house for dinner and a mean game of Apples to Apples, which happens to be my favorite game. Jack stayed home by himself, but my mom bought him a nice femur bone to keep him occupied. From the looks of the bone when we got back, he quite enjoyed it ;)

Friday night we hung out at home, but I went and hung out with my in-laws that evening. On Saturday we had my grandparents over, and my cousin, and then my other cousins and aunt and uncle. All at the same time. As you can imagine, my dog was ECSTATIC. Never had he had that many people to love on him! I think he's kind of sad, being back in Sacramento with just me. Oh, well. Matt will be him soon, and I know of all people to be stuck with, he'd want to be stuck with me :)

The drive back was uneventful; even through the pass it was sunny and dry, which is a complete one eighty from what it had been a week before. Now Jack, Huey, and I are just going to hang out for a week to wait for Matt to come home! So exciting!

Pretty Flowers

I'm not a photographer by any means, but I do love taking pictures of flowers. Sometimes I get lucky and get a really good one. I thought I'd share some of my favorites, since this blog needs more pictures. 

I love lilacs. Taken during the spring of 2010 at the University of Idaho Arboretum

I have no idea what this is, but it's purple, so I had to take a picture of it. UI 

I LOVE tulips. So much

Yeah for pollination! This rose was in the Rose Garden in downtown Portland

I'm a huge fan of the multi-colored roses 

Aren't these cool?

I love sunflowers, too. I think this picture is really sweet, if I do say so myself. Taken at Kelly's house on her wedding day 

I love how the sunlight seems to be shining through the petals :)

This is one of the flowers in my current flower box. 

Chrysanthemums in my front flower pot. I love all the fall colors of mums. 

Can anyone guess why I picked out the daisies?

So many purple daisies :)

My other flower box. I love the red and purple together

From one of the bushes in my front yard. I don't know what it is. 

I still find it weird to see palm trees in the area, especially the one in my front yard 

Of course I had to include a picture of my wonderful bridal bouquet

One of my favorite pictures I have taken of all times. This was a marigold planted in my yard in Mississippi

Super awesome picture!

Day in the Life of Huey and Jack

Yesterday I followed my dog and cat around like a stalker and took pictures of them all day, mostly so I would have pictures to add to the blog. Yup, I use my fur babies for blog material. I don't feel bad about it. At all. Anyways, most of the pictures turned out super blurry, probably because I didn't want to use the flash, but oh, well. You can now see into the extraordinary spoiled lives of my dog and cat. 

Chewin' on the new toy mom gave me! (24 hours later, it's in the trash, but it lasted longer than I thought it would! He can shred soft toys like it's an Olympic sport)

I am a cat. Therefore, it is physically impossible for me to look straight into the camera. 

This is my normal stance, guarding the entrance to the kitchen. 

PHOTO BOMB FOR HUEY!

I am a cat. Thus need to sit in an uncomfortable position. 

Those aren't my paw prints on the table...

My lounging ledge! All mine. 

Beginning of Cat-Dog Standoff. Who will win?

Jack's close up. 

It's a draw!

I am a cat. Even though I don't fit under the bed, I will anyway. Then grab at your feet as you walk by. 

Share some of your yummy bone with me?

Happily chewing away. 

Please, Huey, wipe your paws

The crazy neighbor Husky dog. 

Creeped out yet? 

Jack doing what he does best, taking branches off the bushes

I miss Daddy so much!

Please tell me that beef is for me. 

No? Ok, I'll just stare at the ground the whole time until you drop something. (He seriously does this every time I make dinner, he walks up to me and just stares at the floor until I accidentally drop something.)

Oh, you think you got new books in the mail? SURPRISE! It's a Huey! A Huey bed, anyway. 

Baby Fever

I have baby fever. I love coming up with baby names, even though we're still probably a year out from having kids (super lame). So today, to keep myself entertained, I went to randomnames.com to make baby names. You just click, and a name pops up! So this is actually quite entertaining, since they're really random and the names don't go together.

How I came up with the names:
   -I went to a website and had it spit out a number between 1-10. It gave me 3.
   -I went to the random names website. They have a "girls" category, and a "boys" category. Every third click, I used that name. I did this ten times, to make ten first names per gender.
   -I repeated this, making ten middle names per gender. Naturally, the first first names went with the first middle name, and so on.
   -They also have a "random" category, so every third click I used the ten names that came up. Make sense? Gosh I sure hope so.

I will explain the names this way: first, if I think the names go together, and then say if I like each name.

Here are the names:

Girl Names:

1. Callie Tatiana- They don't go together AT ALL. I love the name Callie, Tatiana's ok, definitely not together.
2. Lora Laila- Again, don't go together. I like the name spelled as Laura, don't like it Lora. I like the name Laila, but I don't think I would use the name for my girl. Although, it does rhyme with my sister's name.
3. Traci Tonia- No, no, and no.
4. McKenna Tatum- If you say them together, it actually doesn't sound that bad. I don't mind McKenna, but I wouldn't use it. And Tatum, while actually ok, could be considered a boy's name, and I'm not a fan of unisex names for girls for some reason. Probably because I'm girly. Don't mind unisex names for boys, though.
5. Millie Kennedy- Don't flow together well at all. Don't like the name Millie, it's way better for a dog or cat. Or a pioneer. Kennedy is a really cute name. I would totally use it as a girl's name, but I can't come up with a good nickname for it (I'm not calling her Kenny).
6. Robin Kasey- They flow quite nicely together. I don't think Robin is a bad name, but it's unisex and I wouldn't use it. Not a huge fan of Kasey, especially with a K. If there are names out there that can be spelled with both a C or a K, I will most always prefer the name with a C.
7. Danielle Lucia- Don't go together at all. LOVE the name Danielle. LOVE it. Unfortunately, I can't name my daughter that. I just can't bring myself to name my kid Danielle Darnell. Lucia is pretty, too, but not a name I would use.
8. Tammie Emma- Horrible combination. "Tammie" is definitely the preferred spelling, but I don't really like the name. LOVE the name Emma, and I do plan on using it if I can convince Matt to like the name. I would use it as a first name, even.
9. Rosemarie Jessica- Probably the worst combination here! Except the next one. Rosemarie is just too old fashioned for me to want to use, but I would use each name separately. Not a huge fan of Jessica for some reason, I have no idea why, but I LOVE the nickname Jessie. Even though that's a unisex name. That's one of my exceptions to the rule :)
10. Gianna Billie- Doesn't match at all! Gianna is a very pretty name, although I don't think Matt would like it. It's almost too formal of a name to use, if that makes sense. I would definitely call her Gia, but it sounds so snotty! And Billie... no.

Boy Names:

1. Stanley Finn- I think this actually flows nicely together! Not such a huge fan of either name, but there's nothing wrong with them.
2. Jett Van- LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL! First off, hubby's a pilot, I am NOT naming my kid Jett or any other airplane name. Second, Jett Van, you would think we're naming our kid after motorized vehicles. So absolutely not on any part of this name. Plus they don't flow well together at all.
3. Kyler Osvaldo- Doesn't sound bad together, but it's definitely weird to mix an American name with a Spanish name. I actually like the name Kyler, Matt would definitely not. I'm going to say no to the Osvaldo, though, I'm not going to give my kid a Hispanic name. No disrespect meant, I'm just not attracted to those names.
4. Callum Felix- No. Just no.
5. Mason Elmer- No. First off, it doesn't go together. I actually like the name Mason, I would use that. It reminds me of one of the kids I used to babysit in high school! He was seriously the cutest baby ever, had the most AWESOME sticky-up hair. Anyways. Elmer, no. Not only is it just a horrible name, it sounds way too much like Elmo.
6. Eduardo Mick- Doesn't match. Also, what is with this thing spitting out Spanish names for me? I would not use either name, especially together.
7. Nikolas Julio- Doesn't work. If I used Nikolas, it would be the normal Nicholas. I would definitely name my kid Nicholas. Not with a Spanish middle name, though.
8. Josh Ayden- I think these names flow nicely with each other. I would name my kid Josh, definitely using the full version of Joshua. I would use the name Ayden, too, although I think it looks funny spelled out. Maybe Aiden. I do love names that end in -aiden, or -ayden, but I think Aiden as a middle name would be ok. I don't think Matt would like it, though.
9. Vernon Isiah- Despite the fact that Vernon is not my favorite name (Harry Potter, anyone?), I think these two names go well together. I have been thinking of using Isaiah (not Isiah) as a middle name, I think it works well with a lot of names. Plus it's a Bible name. I would not use it as a first name, though.
10. Gavin Stephan- Do not work well at all. Not such a fan of Gavin. I like the name Stephan, but prefer the spelling Steven.

Random Names:

1. Quinn- It popped this out as a boy name, but I think it's a cute girl name. I would not use it, though.
2. Brianna- I don't hate this name, but I don't really like it, either. However,  I don't mind Brianne.
3. Elias- No
4. Mollie- Cute name for an animal, not my baby
5. Savanna- I prefer Savannah. I actually like this name, I would use it if I could come up with a good nickname for it.
6. Jazmin- If I ever used this name, I would spell it the normal Jasmine. Not sure I like it enough to use it though.
7. Eden- Girl name. Since "Garden of Eden" doesn't bring up the happiest of places, I would not use this name.
8. Brenda- Too old fashioned for me.
9. Dakota- It spit this out as a boy name. I would not name my boy this, WAY too girly. I would, however, name my girl this.
10. Brandi- I like this name, but not with an -i. I prefer it Brandy or Brandie.

Fun times! Now it's lunch time!
   

Yay for Books!

Ok, so I have few things going against me.

One, have you all been introduced to the wonderfulness of Goodreads? Yes, visit it! It's a sight where you can write reviews for books, keep track of books you have read, are currently reading, and want to read. It's a great way to read reviews before you pick up a book, and see what your friends and other readers thought of the book. If you rate enough books, Goodreads recommends books for you based on what you liked and what genres you like. So as you can imagine how addicting this is for me!

Two, Matt left this morning for survival and resistance training (SERE), so I'm kind of bored and have 3 1/2 weeks ahead of me with no Matt, and thus less cooking, since cooking for one really isn't all that exciting. So I tend to buy way more stuff than I need when Matt's gone.

Three, our friend Bryan gave us a free Amazon Prime account.

So can you possibly imagine what I just did?

Yup, impulsively bought some books. 6 of them. For only $33! So that's how I justify it.

I got them off my Goodreads want to read line up! I see lots of reading in my future:

(All reviews come from Amazon.com)

Schindler's List

Schindler's List is a remarkable work of fiction based on the true story of German industrialist and war profiteer, Oskar Schindler, who, confronted with the horror of the extermination camps, gambled his life and fortune to rescue 1,300 Jews from the gas chambers.

Working with the actual testimony of Schindler's Jews, Thomas Keneally artfully depicts the courage and shrewdness of an unlikely savior, a man who is a flawed mixture of hedonism and decency and who, in the presence of unutterable evil, transcends the limits of his own humanity.

Water for Elephants

Though he may not speak of them, the memories still dwell inside Jacob Jankowski's ninety-something-year-old mind. Memories of himself as a young man, tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Memories of a world filled with freaks and clowns, with wonder and pain and anger and passion; a world with its own narrow, irrational rules, its own way of life, and its own way of death. The world of the circus: to Jacob it was both salvation and a living hell.

Jacob was there because his luck had run out—orphaned and penniless, he had no direction until he landed on this locomotive "ship of fools." It was the early part of the Great Depression, and everyone in this third-rate circus was lucky to have any job at all. Marlena, the star of the equestrian act, was there because she fell in love with the wrong man, a handsome circus boss with a wide mean streak. And Rosie the elephant was there because she was the great gray hope, the new act that was going to be the salvation of the circus; the only problem was, Rosie didn't have an act—in fact, she couldn't even follow instructions. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.

Surprising, poignant, and funny, Water for Elephants is that rare novel with a story so engrossing, one is reluctant to put it down; with characters so engaging, they continue to live long after the last page has been turned; with a world built of wonder, a world so real, one starts to breathe its air.

The Preacher's Bride

In 1650s England, a young Puritan maiden is on a mission to save the baby of her newly widowed preacher--whether her assistance is wanted or not. Always ready to help those in need, Elizabeth ignores John's protests of her aid. She's even willing to risk her lone marriage prospect to help the little family.

Yet Elizabeth's new role as nanny takes a dangerous turn when John's boldness from the pulpit makes him a target of political and religious leaders. As the preacher's enemies become desperate to silence him, they draw Elizabeth into a deadly web of deception. Finding herself in more danger than she ever bargained for, she's more determined than ever to save the child--and man--she's come to love.

Atonement

Ian McEwan s symphonic novel of love and war, childhood and class, guilt and forgiveness provides all the satisfaction of a brilliant narrative and the provocation we have come to expect from this master of English prose.

On a hot summer day in 1935, thirteen-year-old Briony Tallis witnesses a moment s flirtation between her older sister, Cecilia, and Robbie Turner, the son of a servant and Cecilia s childhood friend. But Briony s incomplete grasp of adult motives together with her precocious literary gifts brings about a crime that will change all their lives. As it follows that crime s repercussions through the chaos and carnage of World War II and into the close of the twentieth century, Atonement engages the reader on every conceivable level, with an ease and authority that mark it as a genuine masterpiece.

Waiting for Summer's Return
All alone on the Kansas prairie, Summer Steadman has few options. With her husband and children lost to illness, she has no desire to continue on farther west to where she and her husband planned to build their future. Instead, she seeks employment in a small Mennonite community in order to be near the graves of her family.

Widower Peter Ollenburger, the local gristmill owner, needs someone to teach his young son. When he hears of a "learned woman" in town, he believes she is the answer to his prayers. He soon discovers, however, that helping this outsider may have troublesome consequences.

There is little this father will not do for his son, but as the boy begins to look at Summer as more than a teacher, Peter must make a choice. Does he marry this woman to give his son a new mother, or does he marry only for love? 

Will Summer's broken heart ever be able to love again?

Outlander
Unrivaled storytelling ... unforgettable characters ... rich historical detail ... these are the hallmarks of Diana Gabaldon's work. Her New York Times bestselling Outlander novels have earned the praise of critics and captured millions of readers. 

Here is the story that started it all, introducing two remarkable characters, Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser, in a spellbinding novel of passion and history that combines exhilarating adventure with a love story for the ages....

The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon — when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach — an "outlander" — in a Scotland torn by war and raiding Highland clans in the year of Our Lord ... 1743.

Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into intrigues and dangers that may threaten her life ... and shatter her heart. For here she meets James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, and becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire ... and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

Happy reading!

I've Fallen in Love

With quinoa!

It is SO yummy, and SO good for you! It's also a great side dish to replace rice with, if you're tired of rice, like me. I think it's fluffier than rice, though, and not quite as dense.

It's simple to make up, too. You have to rinse the quinoa first, though, don't forget to do that. According to multiple sources on the internet, it will taste bitter if you don't wash it. What I did, since I don't have a fine mesh strainer, I placed two paper towels in my strainer, then as I was running water over it I squeezed the quinoa through my hands a few times. It apparently worked, since my quinoa did not taste at all bitter.

Here is how I cooked it, and I used my own recipe, although I'm sure this idea has been done before:

Chili Lime Quinoa with Cilantro and Avocado

Using a 2:1 ratio of chicken broth (you can use water, but CB has more flavor) to quinoa, bring both of them up to a boil. (If you are using sodium free CB or water, be sure to salt the water). Then put the lid on, and simmer for 15 minutes. DO NOT LIFT THE LID! Or else it will take about an  hour to cook. Once all the liquid is used up, fluff the quinoa.

Add salt, chili powder, and cayenne pepper to taste. Add a splash of lime juice (I used about a half of a lime). Sprinkle with cilantro and topped with avocado.

Enjoy!