yum

i can't get enough . . .

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basically, all i've been eating the past week - it's an addiction.

my simple recipe:

toast 1/2 ciabatta roll

lather with pesto

add a slice of provolone ('belgioioso' from costo is divine)

melt in microwave for 10-15 seconds (or not, tastes great either way)

top with fresh, sliced garden tomatos

enjoy . . . crave . . . repeat when hunger strikes.

Manna from heaven

I praise the genius who first dipped a cinnamon bear in milk chocolate . . . these little creations have got to be my favorite holiday treat.  A few years ago you could only find them in specialty chocolate shops, now they are EVERYWHERE . . . heavenly.  So today when Caroline and I discovered the "Sweet Shoppe" chocolate display was set up at Dan's, we were giddy with excitement (I'm not joking - GIDDY) as we scooped over 2 lbs. of these delights into a white paper bag and rushed through the checkout so we could finally open our sack of treats and indulge - aaahhhh, love Christmas!

Family Dinner Time

At the beginning of this week I decided that I am making dinner TOGETHER a priority. Really, we have fallen into the horrible habit of eating together (at the same table at the same time) only once or twice a week, not counting Sunday dinner. I was finding myself fixing something for the little girls b/c the big kids were still gone, while Chris grabbed whatever to eat with MSNBC as company, then I would eat with the older kids later - insane. Our schedule can't be that crazy that I am unable to work around it and make family time around the table happen, even if it means dinner isn't served until 7:30pm.

And guess what? It worked! Now for two nights each week we don't eat until 7:30 (we ate later Monday night too), and with a little foresight, planning, and the crock-pot, we made it happen. What a difference it made to have dinner simmering, leave to take Caroline at to tennis at 5:15 while Ryan stays home to set the table and get things ready for our late dinner. I even got a relaxing 6-mile run in while she had her lesson and Chris still gets to catch up on the news. THEN (this is the best part), because we all eat together, everyone is there to help clean up . . . it is actually easier doing it this way - I don't feel like I'm running a cafe and feeding everyone as they walk up to the counter!

I thought I would share tonight's recipe - one of our favorite (and easiest) meals:


Cranberry Chicken
4 Chicken Breasts, cut in half lengthwise
1 can whole berry cranberries
1/2 c. Russian dressing
1 pkg. onion soup mix
salt/pepper to taste

- Arrange chicken at the bottom of crock-pot, sprinkle w/S&P, mix remaining ing. and pour on top, cook 3 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low. Serve over rice.

Like I said, EASY - your kids can do it! Tonight we just had it w/rice and some fresh fruit - perfect :-).

9. Indie Movies and Ethnic Food

OK, I was scanning my last few "thankful" blog entries and it's starting to sound like a sacrament meeting talk, and I can only act so mature and philosophical for so long :-). For the next few posts I would like to take a look at some of the fun things out there that bless my life and define me as a person. I'll start with two of my very favorite things to do with Chris on the weekend - hit an independent movie at the Broadway or Tower and then head to one of our local ethnic restaurants. Last night it was this movie, and I'm a little hesitant recommending it to anyone who finds some language and intense family drama uncomfortable (it's not for everyone), but for me, just like the majority of independent films, it was thought provoking, insightful, compassionate, and honest. If you watch that film without shedding at least ONE tear, you have no heart!

I am passionate and extremely selective about the movies I'll spend my time and money viewing. I've found the great majority of mainstream box-office films too predictable and even mind numbing like this film (we rented the dvd after a recommendation and were all so sick of it 1/2 through we turned it off - really, it was that awful - my apologies to those friends of mine who liked it), that I find it refreshing to sit in a theater and have your mind and soul renewed and expanded due to creative and talented writing and directing. My absolute favorite movie of all time I saw a year or so again at the Broadway after missing it's premiere at Sundance (DANG), it's one of those films that doesn't leave you, that says so much with so little and truly understands the heart. THAT my friends, you'll rarely find at the local Cinemark 16. I was shocked last summer while at a wedding reception conversing with some friends and making the remark that afterwards Chris and I were headed downtown for the latest indie . . . our friends had NO idea what we were talking about. Are you kidding? People . . . LIVE, experience, and find those things out there that are a little different, that enrich your life, that truly explore the human heart - you'll be a better person for the experience. Go see a great documentary and learn something new, or read the subtitles of an amazing foreign film, or explore a period drama, or a thoughtful biopic. You'll be glad you did!

OK, next, my insatiable desire for something with cumin, curry, or coridander. As grateful as I am for the pilgrims this time of year, they didn't bring eastern spices with them on the Mayflower, so right now I'm incredibly thankful for those immigrants who come to our little city and set up shop creating delightful aromas and victuals that tantalize the palate. Just give me anything Indian, Thai, Lebanese, Turkish, Moroccan, Greek, Indonesian, Afgani . . . ok, you get the picture. I am so thankful for the little restaurants scattered around the valley that cater to my desires, and especially to my friends Rachel and Sue who introduced me to these culinary delights while in college. So, to increase business so I'll never show up one day and see a "closed" sign, I'll put a few of my favorites here for your enjoyment:

• Himalayan Kitchen (our choice last night - 4th S., west of State)
• Cedars of Lebanon (152 E. 2nd S.)
• Mazza (9th/9th and 15th/15th - I prefer this location - smaller and more intimate, plus the owner is more often up here and he's great!)
• Royal Thai (1968 Murray-Holladay Road)
• Cafe Madrid (for a splurge and authentic Spanish cuisine, 2080 E. 3900 S.)

I couldn't live without good food and thought provoking entertainment - my life is richer and more colorful . . . for that I am filled with gratitude!