Just so happy

I have been SO incredibly happy lately. This week was so uplifting and I feel great because I have been meeting ALL my goals.

*I read the Book of Mormon in 2 months
It was such a positive experience for me. I would lay out a couple days a week (when the weather permitted it) and would read my scriptures for an hour or two. Reading the scriptures this way is so much better, for me. I get the whole picture, instead of bits and pieces. I use to read a chapter at a time and its hard to put it all together this way, when you have so much going on everyday. Now I am going over all the conference talks.

* I've been going to the gym 4-5 times a week
Usually 5 times a week (unless there is a Holiday, or I go out of town, which doesn't happen very often) I feel SO great. I know I look great too :) Its nice when you work so hard and see results. There are so many benefits of working out. First of all, its a great stress reliever. Second of all, it really improves lovemaking ;). It's simply awesome. It also adds motivation to do other things like clean the house. I also get together more with my good friend Erika this way. I get to eat whatever I want this way which is fun. I have been baking a lot, b/c I am putting together a recipe book of all the good recipes I have tried and liked. Of course, I would feel healthier if I ate better. I've done healthy diets in my life, my sugar free diet lasted 4 1/2 years and my ovo-vegitarian lasted 4 months,  but I am just not ready for that kind of change right now.

*I started our wedding book
 It's about time right? ha. I am really excited about it. It would be nice to finish before we move in July. I am going to set the 2 month goal for this one, since its a little more realistic. I am so excited because we find out where our area is going to be in like 3-4 weeks. 

The reason this week was so uplifting is because Adam and I had to speak in church on Sunday. I learned so much this week, as I was preparing my talk. It was simply AWESOME. We got A LOT of compliments. Everyone Adam and I ran into had something nice to say about it. People even quoted stuff from the talks. It was so good to know that people enjoyed them and actually got something out of sacrament meeting. People told my mom stuff like "Wow, Holly is smart. I learned so much today. She is a great speaker. " So....since they were surprised, does that qualify as a compliment? ha. I got a lot of help. I don't want to take credit b/c I know the Lord directed me. The spirit was so strong. Adam definitely brought the spirit. He made a lot of people cry. He is the better speaker. I can't wait till next time we speak. It's fun. I REALLY enjoy giving talks now. I use to be terrified when I was younger. ha.

The only bummer this week was the fact that Adam didn't get home till late in the afternoon on Saturday. His flight got cancelled in New York and there was no other flight he could get to make his connecting flight. The only hope he had of getting home Friday night, was flying to Atlanta and then catching a flight from their to SD. He made it to Atlanta but the flight to SD got cancelled due to bad weather. There were no other flights he could take b/c they were all cancelled. It was a madhouse at the airport, if you could imagine. Everyone was rushing the counter. He was able to get a flight on Saturday to Ontario, but my car was in SD. I went with Adam's parents to pick him up at the Ontario airport then we drove to SD to pick up my car. I brought everyone brunch ( lemon blackberry scones). We had to run some errands after, so we made it home in time for him to prepare his talk and for me to cook a late dinner (spicy honey glazed chicken). -I halved it and left out both chili powders. It was spicy enough without it. I made potatoes with it, but rice would have been a much better option.

Because our weekend was cut short, I am very much looking forward to memorial weekend with my husband!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

My mom made her yummy orange rolls yesterday, so I am going to work extra hard at the gym tonight with Erika before I watch the bachelorette! You don't want to know how many I ate. I think Adam had more than me. lol.

My favorite thing out of everything I made this weekend were the Scones for sure!! Those are amazing.  Some other things I made were oatmeal chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches (substitute a little of the flour for a little oatmeal and add 1/4 cup peanut butter to the famous nestle toll house chocolate chip recipe and put some vanilla bean ice cream in between two cookies). I made 3 dozen and just ate the last cookie. ha. The banana souffle was pretty good too.

Cafe Rio and other weekend adventures

 Friday we slept in and ate some good breakfast, then we started getting excited to see Robbin Hood. We went to the movie theater to pick up tickets around lunch time (There was no need people are still all hyped up about Iron Man 2). We ended up eating lunch at Yard House, since we were right there. It's a new favorite (both times have been delicious)!! They give you a huge side of fries. I am in love with them. They are sublime, thin strings that are delicately crisp and tender and perfect. YUM YUM YUM. I have always been a potato lover.  I will get random cravings for anything in relation to them. Adam asked me what I wanted for lunch and I said I just want fries. Of course I ate more than that. I got their ceasar salad and chicken club sandwich. Adam stuck with the roastbeef dip.

 After, we went over to Harveston and walked Riley. He was one happy dog. The weather was perfect. It was a nice day for sure. We played some wii afer our walk. Adam dominated in boxing. It was fun to watch him get all into it.

Adam and I got to the theater and hour early to see Robbin Hood. We were both a little disappointed with it because there were too many cheesy parts. They made it authentic and everything, but it was lacking. Because we both really like Russel Crowe, and think he is a great actor, we went in with high hopes which was our first mistake. It was good, nevertheless. You could wait and rent it if you haven't seen it yet.

 We ate some El Pollo Loco that night. It had been years since we both had eaten there. I've always enjoyed it. I forgot that you can get two churros for a buck! Score. We threw in a flan as well, since it was also cheap.

We finished the night Watching Neon Trees perform on Jay Leno. I am so proud of them. They are doing so well and deservie it. They have come a long way, over the years.

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Decided to hit up Cafe Rio this Saturday with Cameron and Celine.




The nice thing about going to Cafe Rio in Lake Forest is the line isn't too long. At least it wasn't when we went on Saturday with Cameron and Celine. Maybe the hype of it has gone down, since it opened quite a while ago. There was always a huge wait when we would go to the one's in Provo and Orem, because of all the college kids.

Celine probably doesn't know I took her picture right before it was her turn to order. ha. I hope you don't mind :) I tend to be sneaky with a camera.

Look at that goodness!!! We always get the pork salad. It is probably the best thing on the menu. They do have a sign that says, "I sold my soul for a pork salad." ha. We usually both get one, but we had eaten lunch already. We still had room to polish this off together. This is also the most recent picture of Adam and I. It's been a while since we have taken a picture together, so I thought I would blow it up. Now that I think of it, we probably haven't taken a picture together since his birthday (March 11).

 Cameron and Celine. Too bad the sun had to get in the picture. It is still cute.

We went to the Rainbow outlet and the Rip Curl outlet for fun. The Rainbow outlet was picked over for the single arch which I finally decided I wanted. There were too many major defects in the most popular color, which my husband liked the best on me.  Celine was able to find one decent pair, to replace her old ones. I will be coming back during the week sometime, or Adam said he would just pick me up some next time he is in the office, since its right across the street from where he works. I guess the shipment comes in around Tuesday, so by Saturday there isn't much left to chose from.  My problem is I like too many colors. ha. I decided I will just end up getting the one's Adam liked best. I don't need more than one pair. lol.  The Rip Curl outlet didn't have much of a selection at all. It's changed a lot since Adam was in high school, apparently. If you have small feet, they sell Rainbow shoes for 24 bucks. A great price. No defects I could see.

After we finished shopping, Celine and Cameron cooked us a yummy dinner (isn't that nice!) and then we went and saw Iron Man 2. We all really enjoyed it for the most part. Definitely enjoyed it more than Robbin Hood. Adam was expecting Gladiator 2, which didn't happen at all by any means. lol

Then on the way home Adam spoiled me with some Cold Stone ice cream. We both hadn't had it in a SUPER long time. Years. I think the last time I had some was right after high school. It's just so expensive! I got the mud pie mojo. Adam got the peanut butter cup perfection. They were both delicious. My mouth is watering just looking at that picture below of the mud pie mojo.

Lately

Some good recipes that I have tried lately:

blogging about them for documentation purposes & for you all to enjoy if your interested. They are all pretty easy to make =)

dessert

*Peach crumb cake (recipe)

* Non crust topping Apple Pie (A favorite)


1 9inch frozen pie crust
1/2 cup unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
6-8 granny smith apples (depending on size)
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
 


Topping: (can double but not necessary)
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add water, white sugar and brown sugar, and bring to a boil. Reduce temperature and let simmer. Stir in cinnamon and nutmeg. Fill pie crust with apples (mounted slightly). Pour the sugar and butter mixture over the apples. 


mix together 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup sugar and butter until evenly distributed and crumbly in texture. Sprinkle over apples. Put pie in the oven on a cookie sheet to catch the juices that may spill over. Bake 45 minutes.

*Chocolate Mint cookies -made with chocolate cake mix (1 tsp vanilla, one less egg, 1/4 cup water, 1/2 cup oil, and 3/4 cup chopped Andes mints/ sprinkle powdered sugar on top)

*Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Cupcakes (recipe)
With Reeses peanut butter chip icing (just melt the chips and add a little oil)

*Paula Dean's Cream Cheese Frosting (for cupcakes)
yield 24 cupcakes. I usually half the recipe.

• 1 pound cream cheese, softened
• 2 sticks butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla together until smooth. Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated. Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy.

Perfect Sugar Cookie Frosting (glazes on and dries quickly)
1/2 cup butter
3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp almond extact

*Best Scotcheroos (recipe)

*flourless peanut butter cookies (successful experiment-rich like fudge)

1 cup peanut butter
1 egg
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking soda


Bake at 350 for 8-10 min. Shape and push down with fork-otherwise will bake as is.

* Favorite Hot Fudge Sauce (heavenly with ice cream and brownies) -Silvia Allen recipe with added help

2 cups sugar

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

1 cube butter

1 can evaporated milk

Mix sugar and cocoa together thoroughly. Heat all incgredients in a two quart sauce pan at medium heat stirring constantly (about five minutes DO NOT let mixture overboil). Look for the sauce to darken and thicken testing it in ice water occasionally.  Most important part. When done pour mixture into another container so it will not continue to cook otherwise it will crystalize.  Serve or let cool and then refrigerate until ready to use. Can stir in 1 tsp vanilla (optional). Before serving, stir to make it shiny.

* Creamy Fruit Dip (Mom's recipe)

1 (8oz package of cream cheese, softened

3 tbl orange juice

1 jar marshmallow creme

1 tsp grated orange rind, optional

In mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and orange juice until smooth. Fold in the marshmallow cream. Serve with fruit. Store in the refrigerator. 

drinks

*Orange Julius 

1 6 oz can frozen OJ concentrate

1 cup milk

1 cup water

1 tsp vanilla

1/3 cup white sugar

10 ice cubes

strawberry smoothies (recipe)

Breakfast

*Vanilla Crepes (recipe)  (great with lemon juice and powdered sugar, bananas and syrup, or of course strawberries and creme)

*Puff Pancakes (mom's recipe)

3 eggs                                                

1/2 cup all purpose flour                

1/2 cup milk                                     

1/4 tsp salt                                       

2 tbl butter

 Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Set 9inch glass pie dish in hot oven on lowest shelf until very hot. Mix everything together in small mixing bowl besides the butter. Remove dish from the oven; add butter and rotate pie dish around till butter is melted. Add batter immediately. Bake on lowest shelf for 20 min. Serve immediately.


Dinner

*Grilled Pineapple Orange Chicken (recipe) with strawberry smoothies and salad 

*Apricot Chicken (recipe) with roasted asparagus and mashed potatoes

*Chicken Enchiladas (recipe)

*Chucks Favorite Mac and Cheese (recipe)

*Lemon Grilled Chicken

1 package boneless skinless chicken thighs (Sam's Club/Costco size)

6 cups water

3 tbl salt

1 tbl pepper

3 cloves garlic, ground in blender

3 tbl lemon juice

Add all ingredients in a zip-lock bag to marinate chicken. Marinate 4-6 hours. Grill until done on medium heat.


* Roasted Asparagus
1 lb asparagus spears (thick spears are best for roasting)
1-2 Tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
Kosher Salt
Freshly grated black pepper
Lemon Juice (optional)


Preheat oven to 400. Rinse and clean the asparagus. Break the tough ends off of the asparagus and discard. Lay the asparagus spears out in a single layer in a baking dish or a foil-covered roasting pan. Drizzle olive oil over the spears, roll the asparagus back and forth until they are all covered with a thin layer of olive oil. Sprinkle with minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Place in oven and cook 9-10 min, until lightly browned and tender when pierced with a fork. Drizzle with a little fresh lemon juice before serving.

*Seasoned Baked Potato


4 medium baking potatoes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1-1/2 teaspoons dried basil
1/2 teaspoon onion salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

• Scrub potatoes and cut in half lengthwise; place cut side up on an ungreased baking sheet. Brush with oil. Sprinkle with basil, onion salt and garlic powder. Bake at 400° for 35-40 minutes or until tender. Yield: 4 servings.

*Chicken Cobb Salad (orange pepper, celery, boiled eggs, black beans, beats, olives, tomatoes, feta cheese, bacon, cucumbers, chicken cut in cubes) great colorful combo thats tasty with ranch

*Crockpot Pasta- an experiment that the fam enjoyed

* 1 lb ground turkey (since I add pepperoni can't taste the difference + a little healthier)

* Add a package of pepperoni slices (8 oz)

* 1 large onion, finely chopped

* 1 large jar spaghetti sauce 

* (8 ounces) penne regate noodles uncooked 

* 3 cups colby jack cheese

*1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

* 1/4 cup water

* 1 egg

Brown the beef and onion in a little oil in a frying pan. Drain off any grease.

Add the spaghetti sauce into the browned meat mixture. Mix well.

In a separate bowl, mix the cheese, milk, and egg.  

Grease the slow cooker/Crock Pot with some vegetable oil on the bottom and sides.

Put about 1/4 of the meat and sauce mixture in the bottom of the crock pot. Put a layer of noodles on top of that. Put about 1/3 of the cheese mixture on top of that. Then repeat with sauce, noodles, cheese for another 2 layers. Top with meat sauce. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or until noodles are tender.

O.P.I

I am a new fan!!

JC PENNY was having a buy one get one 1/2 off sale, so I decided to give it a try.  I picked up Cajun Shrimp(the color above) and Meet Me On The Star Ferry. This is seriously the best nail polish ever!! :) Thanks baby for buying me a little something something.

The only reason Adam and I went to JC PENNY is because we were trying to walk off the huge meal we had at Islands beforehand. Hence, we chose to walk around the Temecula Mall. Adam and I get so lost in that mall now. There have been so many changes since we got married.

Sometimes it is just hard to branch out. Does anyone else find it hard to order something new? When we go to Islands, I can never seem to order anything other than the Hawaiin burger. It is just so tasty, and I can't imagine liking anything else as much. Adam always gets the endless bowl of Tortilla Soup with his order. It is seriously the best tortilla soup either one of us has ever had. I was disappointed with the guacamole and chips we munched on before our order came. They advertised a huge side bowl of guacamole and it was barely bigger than the small salsa bowl. BOO!!

Oh another BOO goes out to the Furry Friends shop by the mall. We went in there looking for puppies, and they had NONE!!! They had one guinea pig and a few birds. They can't even call it a pet shop. It's super lame.

I am extremely puppy hungry right now!!!! When we move we are thinking about getting one :) We are thinking about getting a meagle, only if it's a cute one like this....