Hurricanes in Florida, Tornadoes in Kansas and Snow storms in Colorado...
I would just like to say a prayer of thanksgiving that throughout some of the world's natural disasters, God has sent His guardian angels to protect our families thus far and continues to keep us grounded. When the tornado hit Joplin, my heart automatically went to Sarah and her friends there. However, this morning when I saw a tornado hit Sedalia..it was too close to home for comfort. 81. 81 torndadoes in a 24 hour period. How is that even possible?? I pray God continues to protect those we hold dear.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Changes Throughout Time
I am gonna open up a topic for discussion.
Being ten years apart from each other, we are lucky to have been raised in three different "generations." In the past few years I have been in awe on how fast technology has made leaps and jumps. It is hard to find kids in high school without a cell phone and even most middle schoolers do now too. I remember I got mine my sophomore year and I was one of the last of my group. I heard in the news that a middle school has nixed text books and are now doing all school material via iPads or laptops. And this has been all since I started high school. What was the technology "big break" you had in high school?
Being ten years apart from each other, we are lucky to have been raised in three different "generations." In the past few years I have been in awe on how fast technology has made leaps and jumps. It is hard to find kids in high school without a cell phone and even most middle schoolers do now too. I remember I got mine my sophomore year and I was one of the last of my group. I heard in the news that a middle school has nixed text books and are now doing all school material via iPads or laptops. And this has been all since I started high school. What was the technology "big break" you had in high school?
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Staying grounded
My brain has been on a ferris wheel of thoughts and emotions the past few weeks and it's been hard to focus on much of anything for long.
Trauma, joy, peace, chaos and the mundane often seem to make their way into our lives without asking permission or with no warning at all.
It's when all the aspects of life leave me feeling a little blah that I'm so very thankful for the life I've lived and the influences I've had in my life. Parents that "get it." Life, that is. Sisters that listen. Brothers that would be there for me in a crisis. Friends that care. A husband who loves me. The list goes on.
I am surrounded by beautiful people.
It makes me grateful and hopeful for the future.
Trauma, joy, peace, chaos and the mundane often seem to make their way into our lives without asking permission or with no warning at all.
It's when all the aspects of life leave me feeling a little blah that I'm so very thankful for the life I've lived and the influences I've had in my life. Parents that "get it." Life, that is. Sisters that listen. Brothers that would be there for me in a crisis. Friends that care. A husband who loves me. The list goes on.
I am surrounded by beautiful people.
It makes me grateful and hopeful for the future.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Travel
So Sarah has the opportunity to go to Norway this spring and Ang is talking about making a big trip with Joel for their anniversary. I personally think us ladies of the family, Mom, Ang, Sarah and myself should make a trip to Italy in the near future. By near future, naturally I am referring to the next 5 years. After seeing Letters to Juliet, I believe Tuscany would be perfect!!! If anything, we need to start a tradition of our own. After next year, I will be able to go to vineyards and wine country so even if we stay in the states, us ladies need a retreat every other year or so. Anyone up for it!?? Italy could be the kick off to a fabulous tradition!!!
CAN"T YOU JUST PICTURE IT?!?!?!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
My favorite Food Network show
Have you ever watched Chopped on Food Network? If you haven't, you must watch at least one episode. I know what you're thinking: with all the quality network television shows to watch, it's hard to believe I opt for this instead. But it's almost impossible not to get hooked once you start watching.
It starts with 4 chefs in an appetizer round. They each get a basket with 3-4 mystery ingredients and then have 20 minutes to incorporate all of them into a dish. All ingredients must be used. Worst dish gets chopped and chef goes home. Entree round is the same, except they have 30 minutes. By the dessert round, only two chefs remain. Winner gets bragging rights and $10,000.
I mean, seriously, where else are you ever going to see people come up with an appetizer that incorporates catfish and marshmallows (yes, they really did - and I was really glad I wasn't a judge who had to try 4 different versions of it). Or watch them figure out just how to cook ostrich meat or eel correctly. Or make a dessert out of tomatoes and chocolate. All in 20 to 30 minutes. This is high drama at it's best, folks!
I'm most impressed that not only do the competitors usually come up with dishes that use all the ingredients, they actually meet the time deadline and most of the time, the dishes actually look pretty good. I'm pretty sure I would still be trying to figure out what to do with the ingredients by the end of the time limit, much less actually cooking and plating anything to be judged.
As if this show wasn't awesome enough, this week they started...are you ready for this??...Chopped All-Stars, where the chefs who host shows on the Food Network channel compete against each other. I can't wait to see who gets grouped together to compete - talk about must-see TV! Hope you get to watch - Bon appetit!
It starts with 4 chefs in an appetizer round. They each get a basket with 3-4 mystery ingredients and then have 20 minutes to incorporate all of them into a dish. All ingredients must be used. Worst dish gets chopped and chef goes home. Entree round is the same, except they have 30 minutes. By the dessert round, only two chefs remain. Winner gets bragging rights and $10,000.
I mean, seriously, where else are you ever going to see people come up with an appetizer that incorporates catfish and marshmallows (yes, they really did - and I was really glad I wasn't a judge who had to try 4 different versions of it). Or watch them figure out just how to cook ostrich meat or eel correctly. Or make a dessert out of tomatoes and chocolate. All in 20 to 30 minutes. This is high drama at it's best, folks!
I'm most impressed that not only do the competitors usually come up with dishes that use all the ingredients, they actually meet the time deadline and most of the time, the dishes actually look pretty good. I'm pretty sure I would still be trying to figure out what to do with the ingredients by the end of the time limit, much less actually cooking and plating anything to be judged.
As if this show wasn't awesome enough, this week they started...are you ready for this??...Chopped All-Stars, where the chefs who host shows on the Food Network channel compete against each other. I can't wait to see who gets grouped together to compete - talk about must-see TV! Hope you get to watch - Bon appetit!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Recipes
To go along with Sarah's post.
I also enjoy cooking. Kind of a lot actually. I began a cooking notebook when I moved to Colorado last summer. My employer is like the queen of cookbooks. She collects them and has every new, highly rated one that comes out. I also inherited my Grandpa Koller's original recipes this past Thanksgiving and let me tell you, I am stoked. Now all I need is my own kitchen and people to cook for. :)
If I was to choose any job, hobby, pastime after I am married and my kids in school, I would open my open coffee/pastry shop. Naturally, I would focus on the coffee, which would come from all over the country, including all the places I had personally visited. I would have mix match mugs(no one would be alike) and have it be a place the old men can come and talk about the good ole days, the ladies could have morning bible class and the kids could swing by after school to do homework and hang out. Yeah...that'd be my dream retirement. :) Cherry on top would be having my ma be the head pastry queen.
One of my current favorite recipes is SUPER easy to make and absolutely delightful. I have to give credit to my sister in law, Laura for introducing the family to this one, last summer. Here is the link for it from Ina Gardener. Enjoy!!
I also enjoy cooking. Kind of a lot actually. I began a cooking notebook when I moved to Colorado last summer. My employer is like the queen of cookbooks. She collects them and has every new, highly rated one that comes out. I also inherited my Grandpa Koller's original recipes this past Thanksgiving and let me tell you, I am stoked. Now all I need is my own kitchen and people to cook for. :)
If I was to choose any job, hobby, pastime after I am married and my kids in school, I would open my open coffee/pastry shop. Naturally, I would focus on the coffee, which would come from all over the country, including all the places I had personally visited. I would have mix match mugs(no one would be alike) and have it be a place the old men can come and talk about the good ole days, the ladies could have morning bible class and the kids could swing by after school to do homework and hang out. Yeah...that'd be my dream retirement. :) Cherry on top would be having my ma be the head pastry queen.
One of my current favorite recipes is SUPER easy to make and absolutely delightful. I have to give credit to my sister in law, Laura for introducing the family to this one, last summer. Here is the link for it from Ina Gardener. Enjoy!!
Orzo with Roasted Vegetables
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/orzo-with-roasted-vegetables-recipe/index.html
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Recipes
I have a cooking problem.
It's not so much the cooking, as the cleaning up part. I hate cleaning up. That's not a problem I can fix though so I'm going to move on to my other problem.
Recipes.
I have recipes I love and use often. Too often, in fact.
Over the years, I've collected recipe books, recipes from websites, recipes from friends, trying to add some variety to our usual fare.,
I have ALOT of recipes and they are EVERYWHERE!!
So, in an attempt to organize my cooking life, I bought a photo album, some notecards and little tabs.
I am in the process of organizing my recipes. If I have a favorite recipe from a cookbook, I'm going to write down what book it's in and what page. Then I don't have to hunt through multiple books looking for it. Website favorites are getting written down, as well. At some point, hopefully in the near future, I will have a single album of recipes to use...
During this time of transition, we may be eating a lot of fast food.
It's not so much the cooking, as the cleaning up part. I hate cleaning up. That's not a problem I can fix though so I'm going to move on to my other problem.
Recipes.
I have recipes I love and use often. Too often, in fact.
Over the years, I've collected recipe books, recipes from websites, recipes from friends, trying to add some variety to our usual fare.,
I have ALOT of recipes and they are EVERYWHERE!!
So, in an attempt to organize my cooking life, I bought a photo album, some notecards and little tabs.
I am in the process of organizing my recipes. If I have a favorite recipe from a cookbook, I'm going to write down what book it's in and what page. Then I don't have to hunt through multiple books looking for it. Website favorites are getting written down, as well. At some point, hopefully in the near future, I will have a single album of recipes to use...
During this time of transition, we may be eating a lot of fast food.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)