Oregon Trail

As we settle into life in Oregon, I can't help but wonder how the eff we got here. I mean really, two kids who met in high school in Michigan, dated, broke up, ended up three thousand miles apart only to then get married in California after 5 years have moved to Oregon.

It has finally struck me that we're not in Kansas anymore. There are no more lunch dates with Binky or Sunday bbqs with the Sunday Brunch Bunch. What the heck did we do?! Is this really adulthood?? Going where the money is, leaving behind the family you've knit together for yourself, getting excited when you find change in the seat cushions? Sometimes I want to go back to the days of sleepovers and Candy Land, when the most adventure you had was dragging your parents thru the Berenstein Bears house at Cedar Point (if you're unfamiliar with this late 80s-early 90s child paradise, google it. I'll wait...Pretty friggin' awesome, right?). Now adventure includes dramatic life changes that could alter the course of your future. And buying appliances.

Still, it all seems a little surreal. Doesn't seem possible that in ten minutes I can walk to the beach or have clam chowder in every restaurant I step into. Sure it's a little cold now and it drizzles, constantly, but I think it's safe to say that our new little town, with its weird-ass quirky people and sidewalks (seriously city planners of Redding, what do you have against sidewalks?!), feels very much like home, as well as humid, but mostly like home.

Mandie likes our new home too.

So tell me, any big adventures in your life recently? Or am I the only risking life and limb here?

**Meatless Monday** Shortcuts

I'm just going to come out and say it. I cheat. At least 3 to 4 times a week. I guess I should feel ashamed about using store bought food, in an age where everyone is spouting off about going green and how even the preservatives have preservatives in them. I should feel ashamed, but I don't. (you know who should feel ashamed? Those of you who have your finger hovering over Husband's number on your phone)

When I work back to back shifts, creating a 14 hour day, then have two hours to start the cleaning and get something for at least myself to eat before I go to bed, I don't have time to let my bread rise, yet alone punch it down and watch it rise again like some Michael Jordan comeback. No, I pull frozen all-ready-to-go-just-slap-it-in-the-oven garlic bread out of the freezer and call it good. I mean I have my spaghetti sauce recipe down to getting everything in the pot in under 20 minutes so it can simmer for an hour. In that hour, I can start the dishwasher, start a load of laundry, wipe down the bathroom fixtures, straighten up, put the wet laundry in the dryer and maybe vacuum, thus leaving feeding the fur kids to Husband. Plus I'm on here, responding to any comments, making sure I haven't totally thrown off my posting schedule (again) and laughing at any Walmart emails Binky has sent me.

So now you know my dirty little secret. I suppose I should also let it be known that we love Pasta Roni and Hamburger Helper. I feel much better now. The truth is so freeing.

Well the Ranch dressing is homemade and so is the spaghetti sauce, so 2 out of 3 ain't bad.

Keep On Moving On

My little family is sleeping as I finish the last of the cleaning and organizing. Binky and her rockstar husband packed, cleaned and loaded our truck along with our friend Big Poppa. I'm ready for a shower and snuggles with the girls but mostly I'm ready to be in our new home with a big fat pomegranate margarita in hand. I guess I be happy, though, because while I'm gross and sweaty (and noticed dirt in places that shouldn't have dirt), Husband has made several attempts to get lucky. Had I not been perched precariously on the side of the tub trying to figure out dog hair got on my ceiling, I would have taken him up on it.

Team Work

Today in the mail I received a package that contained the clothes I left while visiting Husband (freshly laundered and smelling AWESOME!), the case that contains our video collection and two empty bottles of Crown. While all of those together are smile inducing (except for the Crown, WTF Husband?!), the real kicker was that he addressed the box to Team Lloyd. When my mom sends me coupons in the mail, she addresses the envelope to Team Lloyd. When we talk to friends, they ask, "How is Team Llloyd?" We even have our own sign:

 But the best reminder that I am part of something bigger than myself, came this past 4th of July weekend, when on Sunday, for the second time, our a/c went out. And I about lost my mind, which you have to realize doesn't happen. I live by a very strict standard that says "Keep your head when all about you are losing theirs" (thank you Rudyard Kipling and Mrs. Senior Year English Teacher Who I Vowed Never To Forget But Obviously Have). I called Husband and when I didn't like what he had to say I hung up on him. Best wife ever, I know. I whined and whined and whined some more. And despite the whining and the enormous amount of  PMS type crankiness (minus the bleeding and bloating), I was still loved.

Husband went online to price small window ac units. Binky and my favorite coworker offered for the girls and I to come stay with them. People whined and threatened the landlords on my behalf (only on Facebook, no threats, real or otherwise were actually carried out). A very good friend offered up a portable swamp cooler. Team Lloyd grew in its ranks, if only until 11:45 am on Tuesday when the a/c cowboy (Wranglers and cowboy boots, I kid you not) rode into my parking spot and saved the day.

So thank you everyone for putting up with the most ridiculous UDG I hope you ever see. A special thanks to Husband, who despite being 8 hours away, was helpful and kept me laughing and made me feel loved, even at my snarkiest (but hey it's hard to stay mad at a guy who's intrigued by the confession that you're in Walmart and just realized that you forgot to put underwear on).

Photo Throw Up

I think I can safely say that I hold the trophy for worst blogger ever. Part of it isn't my fault! I blame Blogger's inability to function the way it's supposed to for separating me from the masses. The other part is completely my fault. Go ahead, take a second, judge me, you'll feel better. It's okay, I'll wait.

Okay now stop. I have feelings too ya know. In order to play catch up, here is a plethora of photos (and one recipe). No licking your screens.

Binky and Snooky's Lasagna (and no you're not going to get the recipe for this one...we own this dish!)

No licking the screen!

Jam Muffins! My 10 o'clock snack...and 12 o'clock...and 2 o'clock...and...

What's that little muffin? Eat me you say? Don't mind if I do.

Breakfast!

Making falafel.

Falafel and Goddess Dressing. You could maybe drool a little.

I figured out the grater can actually grate more than cheese. Who knew??

Sunday Morning Breakfast: Hash Browns

So let's talk falafel. I love it. Would eat it everyday. And since the UDG is cursing...er uh, counting calories, I could get away with it with this recipe.

BAKED FALAFEL

recipe posted by CATCH23 on Recipes.Sparkpeople.com

(my changes in italics)

1 15 ounce can garbanzo beans
1 small onion, finely chopped
2-3 garlic cloves, finely chopped (I used pre-minced garlic)
3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Drain and rinse the garbanzo beans. Put in a medium sized bowl and smash with a fork. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. (I used my small food processor and mixed after I added each ingredient) Form into small balls, about 1 1/2″ in diameter and slightly flatten. Place onto an oiled baking pan. (items from Pampered Chef's stoneware line work really well also, just saying)

Bake for 15 minutes on each side, until nicely browned (since it’s baked, only the part actually touching the pan will be browned and crispy). (I would maybe do 17 minutes per side but that's just my oven. You have to know your oven, feel it out, maybe take it out for cocktails)

There you are. Hope this post was worth the wait. Cheers!

A Little Knowledge Goes A Long Way (But A Lot Makes You A Nerd)

For those of you who have the unfortunate luck of not being a bosom friend (flash backs to 6th grade English and Anne of Avonlea), you should know I tend toward tenacious tendencies. Tenacity to the point of being a bit of a female bulldog (side note: Margaret Thatcher is one of my mom's favorite leading ladies and thinks I'm a lot like her; cheers momma!). For those of you who do know me, you're shaking your heads and returning to your game of Blast Pop or Brick Thumper or whatever it is you (un)cool people play on Facebook.

I recently decided that I would like to be shape other than oval and started running and crosstraining. Not new, uh news. Not new news. (I should have my literary license revoked) However, I don't just happen to build up my interest in exercise gradually, oh no, not this undomestic girl with WAYYYYYY too much time on her hands. No, by this stage in the game, I can tell you how many calories are in 89 grams of baby carrots (30), how you can track your position while running (honey, I know you bought my an iPod shuffle and it's pink and I love it but don't you want to buy me a Garmin watch so that I can know where I am when I drop dead from running in the Redding heat?? Don't ya??) and why Jillian Michaels is a beast (no G-rated words to describe at this time).

I've been to running websites, running stores and have even started to read running books (well I've looked at them but haven't actually put them on my Kindle yet. Baby steps). And this was all within the first week. I should probably be embarrassed...but I'm not. You would think that my sudden and intense interest in a physical pursuit that didn't involve Husband would have him alarmed. You would be wrong; you see, Husband didn't even bat an eye. This is his norm. When we first got married, it was culinary cooking (now it's just edible cooking). Then he brought home Mandie, my first dog ever, and I maybe (totally did) memorize everything on the internet pertaining to canines (side note: this really wasn't that difficult because this just so happens to be a resurrection of my previous dog obsession which had me reading EVERY book in the Charleston, West Virginia public library pertaining to them from the 1st to 4th gradea). After Mandie, I think I may have relaxed a little, but once we got Melodie and her stomach issues, I began to research raw feeding and fed my girls the way I thought nature intended. I research everything to death, from dog food (we're a grain free, kibble fed family for now) to my Kindle (no nasty finger prints on my screen please). My mind is a giant black hole of useless knowledge, only beneficial when Binky wants to know what the active ingredient in deodorant is (aluminum).

As useless as the stuff I know is, I firmly believe knowledge is power (and sexy. School girl outfit anyone?). What I have a hard time figuring out, is how people have the knowledge about something but then go and do something completely contrary to what they know. I think I ingrain so much of what I know into what I believe, that it's hard for me to separate the two and I just thought it was that way for everyone. Alas, that is not the case and until more people stop being so completely lazy about using that (waste of) space between their ears, I will gladly exercise (pun totally intended) my right to learn and educate myself in whatever capacity I choose.

Picture show!

Since I've been desperately struggling to catch up with posting, I thought I'd do a photo montage (insert StrongBad Email music here) to get me back on track.

My anniversary meal from Hula's Mongolian BBQ (which I feasted  upon for 3 days)

My first attempt at Veggie Pizza (mid-bake)

Finished product...more like a blob, a tasty tasty blob

The cupcakes I made for my Motivation Day at work. They even have frosting!

AND sprinkles!

Last night's dinner (and today's dinner and tomorrow's lunch, have I mentioned I heart leftovers??)

So that's what I've been up to. Husband is away again, so I decided I need a hobby. A cheap one. That I can do at home. Naked if I so choose (and I just might, so I highly suggest never stopping by unannounced). I spun the wheel of indecision and landed on working out. I then took a shot of tequila, spun the wheel again and still landed on working out. 

Now, not only do I have to count those empty calories from that friggin' tequila, I also need to find the motivation to get in shape. Enter Binky, who just recently completed her first 10k. She doesn't know it (and I have no idea if she reads my blog or not, which really isn't an issue since we happen to share a brain), but she's has totally inspired me to start running again. I'm currently doing a program called Couch to 5k (or recliner in my case since my couch has a tendency to eat me) and today have started cross training with one of Jillian Michaels' dvds, 30 Day Shred, or as I like to refer to it, That one dvd where the girls demonstrating the moves aren't even breaking a sweat but there's not a dry spot on my body. 

So that's my newest adventure. Further delving into my inner glutton for punishment. But since Husband bought me smokin' hot sweats from Underarmour for my birthday/anniversary, at least I'll look good while doing it. (And thanks Binky for being the bestest bestie a girl could ask for)

Food Friday

Who knew the never ending week from the third level of hell would actually end? In celebration, here is a recap of Salad Week, in before and after form.

Monday: Meatless Monday

Before the addition of dressing-so-good-it-would-make-charcoal-taste-good

After the addition of dressing-so-good-it-would-make-charcoal-taste-good

Tuesday: Chicken Salad

Before (and I'm like 98.3462346% sure this is NOT the tuna salad)

After (ok wow yeah my surety just dropped way intp the the single digits...it's the freakin' mayo!)

Wednesday: Cucumber Salad

Before...well before the addition of cheese

After (see the layers of texture and edibilicity?? That's what feta does to your food people)

Thurdays: (Lackluster) Tuna Salad

Before (now you see my dilemma!)

After (at least I made it look pretty)

What's in store for Friday? I'm glad you asked. I am going to go join the Binky's for dinner at the Lobstah (I'm not making this up, that's exactly how she spelled it in her text). Maybe I'll get a salad. Or maybe I'll be realistic and get something dripping in butter and covered in cream sauce. Yeah, let's be realistic for a change.

Food Friday...Kind of

**So obviously it's not Friday but after I underwent internal combustion on Friday, I had to put off this post. I needed to lay in my recliner with my remote in one hand and my pants unbuttoned. In other words, I needed to be a man. A woman would have come home, poured herself a cocktail and finished Panini Week off strong. I chose another path. Don't judge me. Instead, please proceed to our normally scheduled post.**

 Since I used some of our Christmas money to buy the George Foreman, I've been meaning to try paninis on it. I should say try again, as the first time I tried, I used normal slices of wheat bread which were crushed under the weight of the lid. Note to self: use more substantial bread. Hence, the induction of Panini Week.

Monday: Grilled Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese!!!!!!!!!!

  So to kick off Panini Week, I relied on an old standby-the grilled cheese. Now if it wasn't for my toaster oven, I would've given up on standard grilled cheese a long time ago. I don't think I was meant to cook in a pan; it just ends with pizza being ordered and endless scrubbing of aforementioned pan. To make a grilled cheese sandwich now, I put American cheese between two slices of bread and stick it in the toaster oven until the cheese is melted. What would the UDG be without her appliances?? (most likely just UD)
   For my grilled cheese, I used Pepperjack and Cheddar Cheese Sourdough purchased at the From The Hearth Bakery Cafe stall at our Farmer's Market (which is wonderful slathered with cream cheese! not just for bagels people!). The all important cheese portion was a mixture of shredded mozzarella and thinly sliced sharp cheddar (once you go sharp...never mind). I buttered the outside of the bread with, uh, butter and the inside I layered on Best Foods mayo (that's Hellman's to those of you East of the Rockies). The real stuff. No imitators allowed in the UDG casa. Topped it off with a salad drizzled with GODDESS DRESSING!! and popcorn. Yes popcorn.

Next time I'll leave off the butter as the sandwich as a whole got mushy in the center instead of nice and crisp. 

Tuesday: Turkey Panini w/ Mozzarella Cheese

  For my turkey panini, I used sourdough bread from Trader Joe's. Not a super impressive bread but it did have HUGE slices, which is great for sandwich making. No butter on the outside but did lay on the mayo. Paired it with some pineapple slices and my staple salad and this was a delicious dinner.

Fresh off the press w/ ice cold pineapple

Take a look at all the goo....food porn at it's best...

Wednesday: Mexican Panini

  So putting this post up late was actually my second epic pail. My first epic fail was when I ran out of momentum on Wednesday and made a Mexican Panini aka Quesadilla. And this wasn't even like, a fun quesadilla. I grated some cheese, put it between two tortillas and threw it on the press. Melted cheese everywhere. Still haven't cleaned up from it. Should probably be more ashamed, but I'm not. Topped it off with some sour cream and called it good.

Epic Fail #1 (but it was so tasty!)

After Wednesday, it was just all downhill. Thursday I ate with the Binky's (kickin' chicken taco salad) and Friday sucked so bad I treated myself to baby Panda's...no I didn't, I got take out from Panda Express (that's how rumors get started. 

Ultimately, I learned that when making a commitment to eating something for an entire week, it's best to have a menu laid out. These were probably the most boring paninis ever made and it was all due to poor planning on my part. Here's hoping Salad Week goes better.

The One Where The UDG Gets Free Food Just For Showing Up

Last Sunday, Binky and I set out to the bridal shower of the 3rd member of our tantalizing trio...

...and already our story diverges. Back story: I first met Binky in one of our college classes, something about music and children and worksheets that I never got a 100% on, even with my music major roommate helping me. Fast forward a couple of months and Binky actually became my boss (I worked for the events department at the college during the school year and then stayed on to work the summer crew as well). It was my first time being a supervisor and her first time as a boss and in my own humble opinion, it was like Goddess Dressing and Feta Cheese, Bruce Willis and Die Hard, Mandie and Peanut Butter.

I eventually graduated but continued to work for the college until I found my first big girl job. Now, you know you worked for someone who really has it together, when after you move on to another position after working for said person for two years, you still consider them to be one of the finest human beings. EVER. And during those two years, we were introduced to Cush. Cush was a family friend of THE Boss and worked in the office my last summer there. My introduction to Cush actually happened before I ever met her. Her father, who also worked for the college, came in to chat one day and we ended up on the topic of Cush in South Africa for a school trip. Apparently, she had called to perform her daughterly duty of letting her mother know she was going to be swimming with sharks.  Said mother then did not hear from daughter for a few DAYS.  That is how I became aware of Cush.

So over the years we've bonded and formed the Tantalizing Trio (you can view our journey in picture form if you have access to my Facebook). Now Cush is getting married and we'll get back to our regularly scheduled story...

...The shower was very warm and inviting.  The hosts were extremely attentive, not only to the Bride but to their guests as well.  They totally justify my demands in people acting hospitably toward people in their homes.   These hosts did it to perfection.

The Binky and Me (and I know the camera adds ten pounds, but #%%#$^. I had to crop my arms due to the overwhelming desire to actually go Venus di Milo on myself)

A plethora of chocolate strawberry delights (my favorite was dipped in white chocolate and sprinkle with little tiny chocolate chips, so dainty; I ate it in one bite and I think I chewed but no one was willing to confirm)

CAKE POPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

These cookies were absolutely precious and delicious. Such a combination.

Cush opening The UDG and Husband's Present (in real life, she's much more in focus)

Congrats to Cush and Future-Mr-Cush! Very excited for the big day...and more free food.

UDG

Concoctions by UDG

So lately, I've been on the search for a new hobby. I have a lot of free time after work, so I've started baking again. Well the bread machine has started baking again. I really like to let the machine do the dough and then either put the dough in a bread pan or make rolls. One day this week I made chicken, scalloped potatoes and four herb bread rolls. As you can guess we were sufficiently stuffed afterward. The leftover potatoes made yummy lunches for a couple of days and I used the rolls the next day to make garlic bread for spaghetti.

Scalloped Potatoes

Four Herb Bread Rolls

Today we had perfect baking weather (as opposed to the triple digit heat I was baking in earlier in the week). A very dear coworker had a birthday last week and I found out she loves banana bread, so today, my bananas were finally ripe enough and I tried out my first real banana bread recipe. It made the entire apartment smell soooooooooooo scrumptious. I'll have to let you know how it tastes after I take it to work tomorrow. I hope my zucchinis are still good because I want to try Binky's zucchini bread recipe next.

The UDG Rides Again

Husband and I just got back from taking the motorcycle to Baskin Robbins for $1 scoop night with Binky and Cush.  Perfect weather for a ride-definitely not too hot, but warm enough to get away with shorts. I think it might be time to invest in some chaps, though. Pink ones. With fringe.

There are certain requirements to being a biker's old lady. First off, you have to look hot standing next to a bike. Anyone can do this unless you've just gotten too close to a hot exhaust pipe. Hopefully you were wearing above said chaps.

Secondly, you must be able to swing your leg over the bike. This does not sound like a challenge, I know, but once you throw in a back rest on the back for yourself and said biker already on the bike, you begin to think about starting a yoga class. Everything else, I have down; this, however, I still struggle with.

Thirdly, you must deal with the realization that since your honey is a biker, he is one of the world's most desirable men, somewhere between Denzel Washington and Brad Pitt. I know my husband is good looking, really, I'm aware of it and unless you want to be aware of how a size 8 stiletto feels jammed into your rectum, I suggest you keep your distance.

Lastly, it's really important that you not fall asleep on the back of the bike. I realize that the scenery is flying by like you're riding on the outside of the Matterhorn, but don't close your eyes. It appears that the lull of the motor, will indeed lull you away to La La Land. Or the emergency room.

Well this old lady is going to put away dinner and take her old bones to bed. Probably should take off my helmet first.