It's here!

I have wanted an iPhone for a very, very, very long time and I was almost about to give up on Verizon but FINALLY they came through for me! I have had my phone for a little over 24 hours and even though I am still working through some user error, I love it. I can see why it can be very difficult to get the attention of an iPhone user. So much to do. I am asking everyone what their favorite app is so if you have a favorite, please let me know!

Favorite NPR Quote of 2010

July 19, 2010
 
I was listening to Barbara Demick, a writer for the New Yorker about North Korea's "currency reforms". She said, "The changes actually wiped out the savings of North Koreans, and may have fueled more popular discontent with the regime. And as I keep on saying, you know, being a totalitarian regime means never having to say you're sorry."

Apparently this is just one more perk of a totalitarian regime, never having to say your sorry. Who knew? Maybe more people would try it if they knew of this extra perk. I know I am a bit of a nerd but I still laugh pretty hard every time I think about the quote.

So funny.

Flowers or Project #3

As mentioned previously, one of my 36 New Year's resolutions is to complete 36 projects (old or new) and/or learn a new skill. My dear, wonderful friend Bling is getting married and I was asked to do the centerpieces/ flower arrangements for her bridal shower. Mind you, I have never done flower arrangements. However, with a little help from my friends (thank you R&R), the idea and creation were born. I "wrapped" the inside of all the vases with hydrangea leaves and put the roses in the tall vases and the hydrangea in the small vases. When I was looking for small vases, I stopped by goodwill and found six for $0.49 a piece. I think they are scotch glasses but they made great vases. I also bought eight small picture frames and filled them with pictures of the happy couple.

I was a bit stressed about not finding the perfect color of flowers (her colors are purple, silver, black and white) so I went with pink roses and hydrangea and I loved how they turned out. 

Check off another completed project! Yay!

Dear VDOT (Virginia Department of Transportation),

I am just wondering who thought that it was a good idea to close not one, not two but three lanes on 495 on the Sunday night following the Super Bowl. For the record, drunk/ exhausted people and merging traffic are never, ever, EVER a good idea.

I had a lovely time at my Super Bowl gathering (thank you for asking) but next time, seriously, please, think before you cause a traffic jam miles long.

Sincerely,

Chris

Peant Butter Cookies- Recipe #2.5

A girl in my sister's ward made these cookies for my nephews' baptism. They were so tasty that I hunted down the girl and I begged her for the recipe. She told me it was the easiest recipe and I didn't believe her until I tried it. They are delicious and actually dangerously easy. (This recipe gets #2.5 because I did make them over the Christmas holiday for a cookie exchange. However, I wanted to share anyway.)

Step One: Buy a peanut butter cookie mix. I know, it is cheating, it has added preservatives,they are not "homemade", I get the arguments but go buy a mix.


Step Two: Make up the mix according to the instructions and use a small cookie scoop to evenly distribute the dough into mini cupcake pans. Do not press down dough into the pans or the bottoms of the cookies will get too well done (like we did below).


Step Three: Bake according to the mix. When the cookies have about 3-5 more minutes left to bake, take them out and gently press a Reese's peanut butter into the center of each cookie. Put them back into the oven for 3-5 minutes or until cookies are done.


Step Four: Be patient and let the cookies sit for 2 minutes in the pan. Take the cookies out of the pan and let them sit for 2-3 more minutes. As Alton Brown says, "Your patience will be rewarded."


Step Five: Enjoy, repeat, go to the gym (the gym statement is just for me):) These cookies are super easy but they look complicated-a perfect mix.

Rack 'Em Up or Project #2

I told each of my nephews and niece that I live with that I would make them a surprise cupcake creation for their birthdays. I made Eric the race car, Jenna the butterflies and Alex the pool balls. I love how they turned out.

It is a relief to have the project done so I don't fell like I am behind the eight-ball (sorry, I couldn't resist.)

Slop Sloppy Joes or Recipe #3

I love sloppy joes. I love good, meaty sloppy joes. When I saw a recipe for sloppy joes on the Pioneer Women's Blog, I had to try them (yes, I am a little addicted to her blog). They were delicious. I loved the depth of the flavor and the easiness of this recipe. (My nephew Alex (who is 13 years old) told me that he had sloppy joes a while back but he couldn't remember their name. So he called them Floppy Johns. Creative.)

Recipe: Sloppy Joes

Prep Time: 10 Minutes  |  Cook Time: 20 Minutes  |  Difficulty: Easy  |  Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• 2-½ pounds Ground Beef
• ½ whole Large Onion, Diced
• 1 whole Large Green Bell Pepper, Diced
• 5 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1-½ cup Ketchup
• 1 cup Water
• 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
• 2 teaspoons Chili Powder (more To Taste)
• 1 teaspoon Dry Mustard
• ½ teaspoons Red Pepper Flakes (more To Taste)
• Worcestershire Sauce, To Taste
• 2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste (optional)
• Tabasco Sauce (optional; To Taste)
• Salt To Taste
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste
• Kaiser Rolls
• Butter

Preparation Instructions

Add butter to a large skillet or dutch oven over medium high heat. Add ground beef and cook until brown. Drain most of the fat and discard.
Add onions, green pepper, and garlic. Cook for a few minutes, or until vegetables begin to get soft.
Add ketchup, brown sugar, chili pepper, dry mustard, and water. Stir to combine and simmer for 15 minutes, adding salt and pepper to taste. Also add tomato paste, Worcestershire, and Tabasco if desired. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Spread rolls with butter and brown on a griddle or skillet. Spoon meat mixture over the rolls, topping with a slice of cheese if it makes your skirt fly up. Serve hot with kettle cooked chips (or our favorite, tater tots!).