Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Payback
I don't feel too bad for Miles as he is our "cat from hell". Did I mention that he popped the water bed again (third time in three months.) Luckily this time the damage was minimal and we're patching the mattress with super glue. For those of you who haven't gotten the low down on the drama of Miles and the water bed here's a quick update. We have no entrance to our basement except a stairwell with a sharp corner in it. We can't get a big mattress downstairs thus the water bed. We put a drop ceiling up in the spare bedroom that Miles caved in twice (even though we thought we'd sealed up all entrances to the ceiling) and it was on these two events that he came through the ceiling and tried to eat the water bed. He succeeded in eating the bed both times. It's been a ball of laughs I tell you.
So I'm thinking that Avery's new found interest in Miles might be payback for all the stupid stuff he's done. I'll try to remember that next time it's midnight and I discover that the carpet in the spare bedroom is soaked with water.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Snowballing!
PS - no panic attacks yet from the excitement of Christmas so at least I've got that going for me!
PSS - pictures to follow!
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Pics that didn't make the cards.
So we got our Christmas cards out to most everyone with a few exceptions (tracking down addresses) but here are a couple of pictures that didn't make the cut, but are still pretty darn cute. Our camera is going on the fritz so the pics aren't the best quality - might be time for a new camera. But you get the jist. Oh and we did manage to get a ton of Christmas related stuff done last weekend. The lefse's made, a ton of presents wrapped and we baked a few batches of cookies. I'm giving up on getting lights up this year. I figure this late in the game, what's the point. Plus it's been really cold here! Although I feel like a little bit of a putz since a couple of our neighbors have kick ass light displays up. Oh well, that's something to strive for next year huh! We'll be back in Great Falls for the holiday. We're doing Christmas with Jeff's Dad Sunday, my family Monday and Jeff's Mom's family Tuesday. Busy but fun and I'm getting excited for it. I'm also hoping Jeff and I can squeeze a movie in. I really want to see, " No country for old men." I just love the Coen Brother's movies. With no family in Butte and my craziness with letting anyone else watch Avery, we don't get the chance to go out much without the kid. If we go I'll give a little review!! Oh and I just wanted to tell Chris to try and talk Tonya into going back so we can see you guys too :) If that doesn't work out, then we'll have to hook up again soon. Okay that's it for now. 12 days and counting!!
PS Avery's latest cute thing = roaring (I think she learned it at daycare) it's hilarious, she growls too :)
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Great Risotto recipe
Last night we went to dinner at a friend's house and she made the best Risotto. She put rosemary, bacon and kidney beans in hers and it was awesome. Definitely worth making. Here's the recipe.
Basic Risotto—Microwavable
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 c. minced yellow onion (can substitute celery for some or all if you prefer)
1 c. Arborio rice
3 c. chicken broth
2 tsp. Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Freshly grated parmesan cheese
Heat butter and oil in a 10” quiche or deep pie dish, uncovered at 100% for two minutes.
Add onions and stir to coat.
Cook uncovered for 4 minutes.
Add rice and stir to coat.
Cook, uncovered, for 4 more minutes.
Stir in broth and cook uncovered for 9 minutes.
Stir well and cook another 9 minutes.
Remove from oven and let stand, uncovered for 5 minutes to let rice absorb remaining liquid.
Stir in salt, pepper and parmesan, as desired.
From Barbara Kafka’s Microwave Gourmet
To Tweak it:
add some fresh, chopped rosemary
a little chopped bacon
cooked beans—cranberry/kidney/snowcap
add the rosemary when you add the broth
add the cooked beans when you start the second round of 9 minutes for the broth
add the bacon when youre adding the salt pepper and parm.