Friday, February 27, 2009

GNO





Last night my girlfriends took me out for dinner at Cheesecake Factory as a late birthday get together and we also went to see He's Just Not That Into You. It was such a delicious meal and the movie is awesome. It was like 5 chick flicks in one with all the stories going on. I'll definitely buy it when it comes out. Man, I love Girl's Night Out! And next weekend will be Girl's Weekend Away....we're headed to Vegas. I cannot wait. I'm set for shopping, drinking and eating the whole weekend long!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Happy Mardi Gras

Here's a yummy recipe for Authentic Louisiana Red Beans & Rice. YUM!
1 pound dry kidney beans
1/4 cup olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 stalks celery, chopped
6 cups water
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried sage
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1 pound andouille sausage, sliced
4 cups water
2 cups long grain white rice
DIRECTIONS
Rinse beans, and then soak in a large pot of water overnight.
In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook onion, bell pepper, garlic, and celery in olive oil for 3 to 4 minutes.
Rinse beans, and transfer to a large pot with 6 cups water. Stir cooked vegetables into beans. Season with bay leaves, cayenne pepper, thyme, sage, parsley, and Cajun seasoning. Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 2 1/2 hours.
Stir sausage into beans, and continue to simmer for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare the rice. In a saucepan, bring water and rice to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Serve beans over steamed white rice.

Monday, February 2, 2009

Avenged Sevenfold Show




We went to the Avenged Sevenfold show last week and had a blast! I already want to see them again!


Prom 2009
























































Richard & I went with our friends to a Breast Cancer benefit called Forever Pink on Saturday. It was a prom themed evening with dinner at Biaggi's and a bus that took us to the prom at Memorial House, where there was an awesome open bar and dessert buffet and to die for cheeses to snack on. Afterwards, the bus took us to Lumpy's where we were "VIP" and got in before a line full of people. It was a great night. They even had a photographer there taking "Prom" pictures that we could purchase. How fun. I know I had way more fun at this prom than I ever did in High School!




























Saturday, January 24, 2009

Our new furniture


We got our new furniture delivered yesterday. Very comfy!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Super Yummy Superbowl Dip

I Loooooove dips. It's almost always what I bring to parties, especially Superbowl. Here's a yummy one. Kind of sweet, but spread on a townhouse cracker it's the perfect combo of sweet & salty.
Cranberry Orange Spread
1 pk (8 oz.) fat-free cream cheese, softened
1 T sugar
1 T grated orange peel
1⁄8 t ground cinnamon
1⁄2 c cranberries, dried
2 T chopped toasted pecans
2 T Tropicana® Light ‘n Healthy Orange Juice Beverage
Combine cream cheese, orange juice beverage, sugar, peel and cinnamon in medium bowl; beat with electric mixer until smooth. Gently stir in all but 2 teaspoons cranberries.
Transfer to serving dish. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Sprinkle with pecans and remaining cranberries.

Catch Up

Wow, it's been a long time since I've posted. I figured it was time to get rid of my Christmas background on the blog and catch everyone up on what's been going on with me. Well, Happy New Year everyone! I hope it's been great. I'm excited for this year. I think it's going to be great. Anything is better than the year I had last year. So far 2009 has been awesome. I've gotten out of debt with the exception of my mortgage payment, the Utes won the Sugar Bowl, everyone is healthy so far this year and I have finally got a vacation planned and hope to go on at least one more this year. Yay for vacation!