Lights and Chocolate

We enjoyed looking at the lights at temple square with Lisa and Lee. It was opening night so it was a bit crowded but we expected that. The temple is just so beautiful and its amazing how many lights they wrap around those trees. We were so excited to try out the Melting Pot afterwards. It met my expectations for sure. You can't go wrong with chocolate!

Turkey and Drumsticks

We had an AWESOME thanksgiving!!! Adam made his mother's famous squash and apples which was a big hit. We spent thanksgiving over at my aunt Nina's house. Her cooking school training and years of experience continues to amaze us all. Oh and my uncle made his famous mashed potatoes (the secret is out he adds real cream and cream cheese). Most of my mom's side of the family was there so it was so nice to get together and spend time with everyone. We played apples to apples and catch phrase after we ate one of the best meals of all time. Thanksgiving is my second favorite holiday. I love the food...and its about the only left overs that I actually enjoy eating. Adam and I decided to end thanksgiving with a bang so we went out and bought an Xbox 360 pro along with Rockband. I have wanted it ever since I played it for the first time on Halloween. Adam has wanted it for A LONG time. We are so excited to now own it and have been playing it ever since we got it. I am on a break right now to write this and to rest my hands and shin. Those drums tire you out! Adam is still playing. He does check the football game every so often though lol he is far more addicted than me. I think its hilarious. He is already an expert on the guitar and can play drums at the hard level. They are so hard. I struggle with the easy level lol and I am only at the medium level for the guitar.

Grandma wanted us to set up Christmas last night. She was so excited; how could we say no? The only thing we still have to do is hang up some Christmas lights. We are debating if we should do icicle lights or some twinkling colored lights. All this setting up has put me in the mood for Christmas, so Adam and I are going to drive to Salt Lake with friends to go look at the lights at temple square tonight. I am excited! Also, Adam and I have been talking about going to see Phantom of the Opera this Christmas break, and spending some time in Vegas on our way to Cali!! We have both been dying to see it. I sure hope we go!

Sweet Husband & Cookies

I was craving some oatmeal chocolate chip cookies when I got home from church yesterday, but was too tired to make any. I laid down and took a nap and woke up to my husband making these cookies for me :D They are wicked good! I would go as far as saying probably the best oatmeal chocolate chip cookies I have ever eaten. I took some to school today and shared them with one of my research groups. Everyone enjoyed them so I thought I would share the recipe.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
(from The Frog Commissary Cookbook)
1 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 tbsp milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups oats (rolled or "quick," but not "instant")
2 cups chocolate chips (about 12-oz.)

Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and the sugars until mixture is light in color. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the milk and the vanilla extract.
In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Either by hand or with the mixer on low speed, gradually beat the flour in to the sugar mixture until just incorporated.
Stir in the oats and chocolate chips by hand.
Drop 1-inch balls of dough onto the cookie sheet, placing about 1 1/2 inches apart so they have room to spread.
Bake at 350F for 10-13 minutes, until golden brown at the edges and light golden at the center.
Cool on baking sheet for at least 1-2 minutes before transfering to a wire rack to cool completely.

Makes 4 dozen.

TWILIGHT

Even though Twilight got horrible reviews I had to go see it. I thought the movie was pretty good. There were parts that were left out but that is expected. A few parts were very cheesy and lame but overall they did a good job. GO SEE IT! ALL THE COOL KIDS ARE DOING IT! I am glad they are making "New Moon" into a movie :)

Red Mango vs. Hello Yogurt

Tonight Adam and I discovered a new frozen yogurt place after our temple trip. I am proud to say we have kept up with our monthly tradition. However, we weren't able to go on our anniversary date this month because it fell on Sunday. We have started the tradition of getting either ice cream or frozen yogurt after each temple trip.
We both really like Red Mango..and simply put who doesn't? But, we decided to venture out this time and try this new place that opened up called Hello Yogurt. I will now tell you the pros and cons of both that way you can decide which place suites your fancy. Red Mango by far has a better selection of fruit toppings. They ONLY offer original tangy yogurt though...but it tastes so good with raspberries and blueberries!! That is what I get everytime. (they have another flavor but its not important because who wants green tea yogurt?)Hello Yogurt offers 6 flavors at a time and they switch them out. So really the options are endless. Tonight I tried their Irish mint and chocolate swirl with gummy bears and reeses pieces, and it was VERY SCRUMPTIOUS!! They have more candy toppings to choose from than Red Mango. They are both really good. I just like the fact that hello yogurt has so many different flavors.

WHAT ARE THE ODDS?!?!?!

Sooo Adam and I went out to Red Robin tonight to sorta celebrate our three month anniversary, which was yesterday(Can't really go out on the sabbath) AND funny thing so everyone knows how Red Robin has fun signs all around right?..well I was pointing at this sign that I remember my 9th grade teacher having in her class room...and I started nudging Adam to look over at it...I turned to look at him to see if he was looking at the sign...then I turned back to notice MY EX standing right between me and the sign and I was pointing right at him...not to mention he was only like 3 feet away. I guess he was sitting right behind us. The booths are so tall we wouldn't have been able to see each other...but he stood up and there I was pointing at him with my full arm extended while I was nudging my husband. I thought it was pretty funny. I think he was totally embarrassed because he just walked away quickly. Our relationship ended on bad terms...otherwise I would have said hi and what not. Seriously though..what are the odds?

So I never mentioned how on the ball these Utah wards are up here. We got callings so quickly and just spoke in sacrament meeting yesterday.

Isn't this cute!

I made this cute tutu and headband at Lisa's baby shower tonight. I just thought it was such a cute idea and loved how easy it was to make them. I already told my cousin Lori I was going to give it to her baby girl. It was hard to take pictures of though b/c of the shinny tool. It looks a lot cuter in person. I even tried it on for fun :oP

School=Stress

There are only six weeks left in the semester WOO WHOO!! These next couple weeks are going to be killer trying to cram every project and paper in before thanksgiving break. I can't say that I enjoy these late night study sessions in the library. I practically live at school. Adam and I get up and go to school at 7:30am and sometimes don't get home until 7:30 pm. Its been paying off though, I was pleasantly surprised with my test score I received tonight. Thankfully I only have one more test left to take before our lovely two day break. I seriously wish I never had to read another text book again. My eyes are still hurting and recovering from my earlier studies.

On another note, I'm not sure if I am excited about Utah beating TCU. Like Adam, I am glad that Utah barely beat them. I would have been nice too though if TCU would have creamed Utah. Dang rivals! I sure hope they don't win the MWC.

Adam dyed my hair

It's a bit dark but he still loves me. He says I look like snow white. This is the first time I have used store bought dye because I have had a hair dresser my whole life. I think Adam did a fairly good job and we saved like $55 :)

Yum Yum!

I decided to make some pumpkin pie today :) I used this easy no fail pie crust recipe and used regular milk instead of butttermilk. It's a keeper!

2 c. all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 c. buttermilk
2/3 c. vegetable oil

Measure flour and salt. Add milk and oil. Stir only until dry ingredients are blended in. Divide dough in half. Roll each portion between 2 pieces of wax paper. Remove top layer of wax paper and transfer crust into pie plate with bottom wax paper still intact and on top. Remove wax paper from crust and shape edges as desired. Repeat with second portion of recipe. So easy and delicious.
NOTE: I like to chill my completed pie shell in freezer 1 to 2 hours before baking for extra crispness of a 1 crust pie. Yield: 1 double pie or 2 single pie shells.