Best $3 Lunch

This "feast" is only $3 at Trader Joe's. I can only eat half of it at a time so it is an even better deal!!

Yum, Yum...falafel

I am on the hunt for a good, easy recipe to make it.

{here is proof of my food perfectionism. I have to separate the balls to ensure every bit has the same amount.}

Hummus, falafel balls, cilantro-type salad. So delicious!

Purple Inspired dinner

Since I was home all day during January, I had to do some fancy cooking! I was really craving my favorite Purple dinner. So I looked up a few recipes to make the AWESOME tomato soup. Of course, I created my own recipe from a few different ones.

San Marzano Soup

{yes, you have to eat a chunk of the bread when you leave the grocery store :) }

1 28 oz. can of  tomatoes {I read you have to get San Marzano}
1 shallot or onion, finely chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
4 oz  C red wine 
4-6oz chicken stock
pinch of salt
fresh ground pepper to taste
8 basil leaves
olive oil

Preparation:

1. Saute onion & garlic in olive oil in pot slowly until translucent and softened substantially.

2. Add tomatoes and the stock & wine. With a wooden spoon, squish the tomatoes down against the wall of the pot. Stir in basil. Bring to a point where the soup is almost boiling and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 30 - 60minutes to let the soup thicken. {smell the wonderful soup!}

3. Pour into blender. Blend the soup until all the tomatoes are pureed and the soup is has a smooth consistency. {I poured it back into the pot until Nate got home}

Notes:
I would probably use only chicken stock next time. I don't care for the wine taste. Don't cook too long or it will end up like Pizza Hut dippin' sauce. Or add more stock. {We tried to eat it as left overs. Didn't work so well. Maybe we could have added more stock when we reheated}

Chopped Salad

romaine lettuce

avocado

roasted red bell peppers

bacon

garbanzo beans

blue cheese 

vinegar and oil

Chop lettuce. Chop roasted red peppers. Chop avocado. Add to bowl. {I eyeball for how much of each ingredient to add.} Mix. Serve

Grilled Cheese

...I think this is self explanatory :)

Dinner served :)

 

Nate enjoyed it so much! He even said..."this is so good. can you stay home all the time?"

Why, yes! I would love too!!

Snow...Again!

Look at how much snow we got Wednesday night!! I'm sure y'all in Montana are jealous...hehe! I, like always, love it when we get snow. When Seattle gets snow, it also gets sunshine. SNOW BABY SNOW!

However, I did not like my cold vehicle. We are in the middle of house projects and the garage is full of ceiling tiles. Yes, we are painting our ceiling tiles. Who doesn't like the not-so-obvious speckle in the ceiling tiles you ask? That would be the husband. Anything to make a project last longer than it should ;)

Posting photos soon!

January Update

Not a whole lot has been happening in our neck of the woods, hence the lack of posts!
January was an up and down month for Nate and I.

The downs- I was unemployed. Ok, so maybe there is only one, but it really put a damper on us all month.

The ups - TheHomeMag - Seattle is finally owned by corporate in Florida! {yay! I will get paid for my work and I won't be the only one in the office!} They hired me... :)...My birthday...I set up a business license for my freelance work {one step closer to becoming a millionaire..I can dream, right ;) }

Here is the only photo from January. My friends made breakfast burritos and we watched some TV together! A wonderful Tuesday night birthday, just the way I like it :)

While I was unemployed I sat at the kitchen table every day, all day researching web tutorials, jobs and finding inspiration. I had a buddy next to me the entire time. He sure knows how to get a smile on my face!

He was taking a nap and wagging his tail :) His tail normally doesn't stop wagging. Very happy dog!

Christmas Bouquets

I was so proud of my new addition to my decorations this year! I put together some festive poinsettias and wa-la!

bad angle-little lopsided!

Christmas Recap

I haven't been good about updating the blog lately and I need to show some Christmas photos! We started our trip to Montana the Monday after we landed in Seattle from Texas. We left nice and early because Nate had to do some work in Couer 'd Alene. The dogs and I had some us time. It thought I was going to get bored, but it took me forever to get around town with the snow and me not knowing where I was going. It took probably two hours to find a stinkin' dog park -- I never did find it after asking so many people! The dogs kept me entertained while they fought over the front seat.

Bridger isn't normally the one getting sat on. :)

Both comfortable in the front seat. Don't worry we hit every single red light while we were driving around. 

No, they are not harnessed in. {Sometimes I do that with Bridger to keep him still}

Bridger is wearing a Wonder Walker. VERY helpful for the pulling dog. He is much better, but I still like to use it. 

After the not productive afternoon I was ready to pick up Nate and head on to MONTANA!!

Made it to Glendive a day later and hit up the Beavercreek Brewery with the McPhersons. Let's just say there were A LOT of giggles ;)

Kelsi got to join us for some giggles too!!

The boys had to get in the shot too!

Bathroom shot with my mom at the Shamrock! :)

Christmas Eve at the Oasis

Then to Grandma's we go!

Girl's White Elephant exchange

my aunties are a little loud for the youngsters

The boy are patiently waiting for their turn

Christmas Day

Vince always gets the fire going

Italian Stallion in his new jacket and hat

Vince's horns to trick the deer. Never heard of them before

Abby came over with her sleeping mask. I taught her how to play "mark-o pollo"

She was able to get everyone to play with her!

Uncle Jay

Cousin John

Later that evening...

time for ping pong at dad's shop

This is how much water gets on the floor when Bridger drinks.

Gavin and cousin Dan

The lounge

Bridger thinking my dad is going to give him treats.

Vince, Derek and Drew

Next day...Bozeman!

Joan got these stockings for the boys. They LOVE them! 

{even if they are horse treats ;)}

Then we had a delicious turkey dinner! My fav at the Knutsons!

Next day, another graduation party for Jake!

Nate, Casey, Me, & Tara

{that table top is made out of beer bottle tops. Vince's friend made it and sold it to Spectators. It is a mountain with an 'M' and a Bobcat head off to the right. Pretty sweet!}

Joan with sisters Mary and Noreen. 

 After party! Playing Sequence, my new favorite game!

Joan had an extra one and gave it to us. Nate and I have played almost every night since we came home.

By this time, Nate was sick(cold) and I was starting to get sick. We had to make the journey back to Seattle for me to get some work done. I was sad. Wish I could have stayed in Bozeman a bit longer since I had to work most of the time I was there. :( 

We made it back safely before a big storm with full blown colds.  We did a lot of celebrating the previous two weeks with our families. It was a blast and we were paying for it ;)

Stayed home New Years and was asleep by 8! Woke up just in time for the fireworks off the Space Needle. Wonderful way to celebrate the New Year!