Chicken peanut Thai Noodles

I made this last night. My good friend Jessica Nelson came over to help me eat it.

http://picky-palate.com/2007/10/19/chicken-peanut-thai-noodles/

It seemed like a lot of work, but wasn't too bad. The picture doesn't make it look too yummy, but it is. I added too much pasta, so it was a little dry, but the flavor was amazing. And it was yummy for lunch today again. Plus it actually makes whole wheat pasta not taste like whole wheat pasta. (which I don't mind whole wheat pasta either way)

It will be made again.

Who says Happy Halloween

you know...the Who from whoville. Two of them actually.




Andrewho and Elizaboo-who

Church trunk or treat 2011

just a little proof

My Friend Katie is becoming an Ultra Sound Technician, and she wanted to practice doing Ultra Sounds. Of course I was more than happy to let her =)

It is a boy indeed! (The top of the picture is the top of his legs/waist. then there is an upside down V or U - those are two legs. His feet would be at the bottom of the picture. His man parts are in the middle of the V/U)



I love his little spread legs. haha.

The verdict

Well the polls are closed, the gender has been made known.

We are having a BOY!

We are very excited!!! The family grandkid count is now:

Erekson's: 4 girls and 4 boys (my sister is pregnant with a boy too!)
Sanders': 3 girls and 1 boy

Fun fun fun!!

Now accepting Votes

We find out on Monday 10/10 what we are having. Thought you all might want a guess too!

Is it a HE or a SHE? Vote on the Right side bar.

Schoolhouse Rock - 3 is a magical number

I ran across this little number the other day...from Schoolhouse Rock

Three is a magic number,
Yes it is, it's a magic number.
Somewhere in the ancient, mystic trinity
You get three as a magic number.

The past and the present and the future.
Faith and Hope and Charity,
The heart and the brain and the body
Give you three as a magic number.

It takes three legs to make a tri-pod
Or to make a table stand.
It takes three wheels to make a ve-hicle
Called a tricycle.

Every triangle has three corners,
Every triangle has three sides,
No more, no less.
You don't have to guess.
When it's three you can see
It's a magic number.

A man and a woman had a little baby,
Yes, they did.
They had three in the family,
And that's a magic number.



Yes, three is a magical number. And in March we will be a family of 3! Baby Sanders is on the way!! 14 weeks on Friday! woot woot.

Whip it up...

Last night Andrew had to go to school until late, so I decided to make dinner for my parents (to save them from eating out) I looked in their freezer and found frozen Ruffe (type of light white fish) and I found some lemons in the fridge. I used my grill pan and I sliced the lemons thin and put them in the pan with some olive oil. Then I grabbed some fresh Thyme from our garden and added that. Then I put the fish on top with a nice spice rub (it has stuff like oregano and red pepper flakes, etc.) Then in another saute pan I put pickled beets and spinach and a little red wine vinegar. I cooked it until the spinach had wilted.

I served it on a plate and TA-DA!!! DELICIOUS! I love making things up as I go!! I wish I had taken a picture. It looked really nice too.

TV

I watched a lot of TV as a kid. Too much in fact. But I saw on this blog a throw back to old shows and it made me want to remember other childhood favorites. Here is my top 20 list in no particular order:

1- cosby show.
2- boy meets world
3- full house
4- family matters
5- family ties
6- Alf
7- Punky Brewster
8- The facts of life
9- dougie howser
10- Charles in Charge
11- blosom
12- different strokes
13- whos the boss
14- growing pains
15- threes company
16- Dinosaurs
17- the wonder years
then there were a few I found that I had forgotten about - I don't think I remember the shows, but they are a distant memory
18 - Silver Spoons
19 - small wonder
20- perfect strangers

any of these your favorite too?

Easy Peasy

and delicious!

http://goodcheapeats.com/2011/07/baking-your-own-bread-a-guest-post/

so easy - I made two batches in one day...just b/c I wanted to!

HOT HOT HOT cold HOT

Right Now in St. Louis it is 95°F, but "Feels Like": 101°
we are under and "EXCESSIVE HEAT ADVISORY" until tomorrow evening.

So why may I ask did I have to turn off my Office AC, sit outside for 10 minutes and now put on my jacket? Not sure...but I am cold.

I love being warm...and it was great getting a little vitamin D in the "101°" weather

I am sure I will get hot and need to ditch the jacket and turn on the AC again.

=)

fresh summer veggies

I made this last night:


http://farmhousetable.wordpress.com/2011/05/12/braised-zucchini-with-sun-gold-cherry-tomatoes-basil/

I was so excited about it - but no one was home to enjoy it with me. I sat out on the deck by myself and enjoyed.

Next time I think I will add mushrooms.

I also made a chicken breast for Andrew to add to his. It was lovely.

One of "those" days

(source)

You know what I am talking about - where you KNOW you shouldn't get out of bed. You KNOW the day isn't going to go well. Not that you are in a bad mood or anything, but you can just TELL that things are going to be off.

Well folks. Today is one of THOSE days.

It is not even lunch time and I have already had 5 or 6 mishaps. Nothing huge. But the kind of feelings where you want to crawl under a rock - or better yet your bed covers and not come out unless it is for something sweet and maybe a movie. (Luckily my bed is in my kitchen and living room, so I don't even have to travel far to get either.)

I am just glad that it is Friday and that I won't have to cause more damage for the rest of the week. Hopefully I can make it through the afternoon.

Goes to show you - reading scriptures in the morning really does make a difference. I should have made the time this morning like I usually do...but I wanted to be lazy instead. bummer.

Thought provoking

This talk was sent to me by a friend.

I love it. I want to study it b/c in my quick "run-through read during lunch" I know I missed LAYERS of eternal truths.

http://lds.org/ensign/1986/08/i-stand-all-amazed?lang=eng

my soul is filled by this. Thank you Elder Holland.

Inspiration

I am grateful to people who make a difference.

In the last two days I have been inspired by two different blogs that shared inspiring videos/websites.

Check out this website values.com
and this Mormon Messages video (Chantal had it on her blog)

oh one more: https://lds.org/youth/video/the-first-step?lang=eng

I hope I can take these messages to heart.

really now?

Did she not learn from the first bad hat? (click bad hat)

http://www.starandstyle.com/princess-beatrices-royal-wedding-hat-gets-mocked-by-thousands-of-facebook-fans.html

why??

"These will make you regular"

I have heard that a lot since making these little beauties. Sarah, I don't know you, but I sure do like what you made here.

ready for a little TMI: Since having my gallbladder removed "being regular" isn't always happening. lame. I just might have to eat one of these each day, for the rest of forever. Which is FINE by ME!

thank you: http://northwesthospitality.org/

(this is her picture too)

Sarah’s Super Healthy Oatmeal Chewies
Posted on April 14, 2011 by Northwest Hospitality

*Can be GLUTEN-FREE, VEGAN*

Someone save me. I can’t stop eating these! Once a month it strikes me. Hormones. Ugh. From the time I wake up, I want a cookie for breakfast (or three)…one for lunch….and 2 for dinner.

Sarah s Healthy Oatmeal Chewies

Well, why can’t we “have our cookie and eat it too”? These little babies will keep you on track with your fitness goals when even the biggest sweet tooth strikes. They are like a little guilt-free mini meal.

I hope you find your own enjoyment tweaking my recipe. Sometime I throw in some vanilla protein powder, fresh spinich, sunflower seeds, or ground raw almonds. Follow these basic recipe guidlines and they’ll turn out great. And, YES, your kids will love them. (Just don’t let them see you make them!) I call the kids in to the kitchen to help when it’s time to lick the spoon and put chocolate chips on top. Chances are they are much healthier than their breakfast cereal. Let them eat them for breakfast and think, “My Mom ROCKS!”. ‘Cause you DO rock, but sometimes they need a cookie to remind them.

Preheat 375, Bake time 8 mins on convection, maybe a min or two longer otherwise

10 pitted dates (find at the store next to raisins)

1/2 a zucchini, cubed

1 apple, cubed

1/4 c honey, or agave nectar for vegans*

2 tsp vanilla

1/4 c canola oil, or softened soy butter

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 c whole wheat flour. I use Bob’s Red Mill Whole Wheat Graham Flour. *For gluten-free use their brown rice flour, coconut flour, or quinoa flour

1/2 c ground flaxseed

1/2 c brown sugar or sucranat

1 1/2 c raisins

1 c old fashion oats

semi-sweet chocolate chips, or vegan chips*, or Craisins

Place dates in a blender or food processor with a 1/2 c hot water over top. Soak at least 5 minutes to soften. Add zucchini, apple, and honey. Blend to form a puree.

Place puree in a mixing bowl and slowly spoon in all remaining ingredients.

Place on baking sheet and add 6 chocolate chips or Craisins on top of each cookie

Bake at 375 degrees for 8 mins.


yum. her website had other clever food ideas too. check it out.

new baby!

It is so fun to be an aunt!

I have the cutest nieces and nephews! And now after much hardship (see older post:http://elizabetherekson.blogspot.com/2010/11/prayers-please.html ) and lots of prayers...

Please Welcome William Rock Erekson



7lbs. 2 oz. 19 in.

Healthy and cute as can be!

Don't you love that chin! Oh gosh. And when he smiles he has dimples. Look out ladies...

Wouldn't it be nice...

to pull something like this off. (yikes!)



she wore this at a royal wedding.

Kristen, what do you think?

(source: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05_04/weddingR1705_468x333.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-566968/The-Royal-Wedding--sponsored-Hello--Blue-blood-meets-blue-collar-Peter-Autumn-marry-sea-green.html&usg=___VYzVi7vjzFDvG3JC628yW0qHG0=&h=333&w=468&sz=26&hl=en&start=14&sig2=XHZcekMU5sGS0ywN750BCw&zoom=1&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=KAYnyKNy2N11YM:&tbnh=91&tbnw=128&prev=/images%3Fq%3Droyal%2Bwedding%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26rlz%3D1T4GGLL_enUS393US406%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=LHGDTaatEqHg0gGl9L29CA the rest of the wedding is great, in fact I love the bride's get-up)

Talk about a cookie

HOLY MOLY! People amaze me.

http://sweetsugarbelle.blogspot.com/2010/12/best-of-2010.html

Makes me want to become a cool cookie maker. But then I would ALWAYS have cookies as my house - I need a hobby that won't add pounds to my body.

seriously amazing though.

One Reflection on Cinderella

The other day I was going down the stairs at work and BAM - my shoe fell off. I hurt my toe in the unexpected recovery process. I was lucky. I was moving slow and holding onto the railing. But I do have to say that the real miracle - or fairy tale of Cinderella is that she didn't KILL herself when her shoe came off.

Seriously.

It might be more amazing that they found her and were able to match the shoe to her. maybe they could see the skinned knees to match the fall...

"Honey I'm Home"

I love being a domestic wife. It is fun to get home from work and start cookin'

Man I made some tasty things this last week…and plan to make more. Check them out:

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/quick_chicken_tikka_masala_for_2.html

http://www.food.com/recipe/mahi-mahi-with-fresh-pineapple-salsa-213302

Plus I made homemade granola and fruit roll-ups!

this is tonight's Mac and Cheese adventure – not as good as the pioneer woman's recent post. But it should be yummy. We are having FHE with Maren and Sheldon and the girls...I think they will like it.
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/no_bake_macaroni_cheese.html

later this week: Orzo Stuffed Peppers

Sneak Peek!

Check out my photographer's blog for a sneak peek of my wedding pictures!!

http://jaephotography.blogspot.com/

LOVE IT!

"It sounds gross...but I promise it is good"

Those are words that make you a little nervous. But seriously. Trust me.

Since I am a new domestic wife I have to make yummy meals to feed my honey. We have made 2 that I thought were creative and delicious.

1- in a pan saute mushrooms. then add black beans. then an egg (I didn't think this was necessary, and you can leave it out...) cheese. A wee bit of milk and curry seasoning. wrap in a warmed tortilla and ENJOY! We added in some cottage cheese. See - sounds/looka gross, but is yummy!

2- last night I took left over brown rice (my new obsession) and added tuna fish, a little mustard and mayo. then added some relish and Greek vinaigrette dressing. mix in shredded mozzarella and then bake for 15 - 20 min at 350. Tuna rice casserole. TASTY!! This one was actually rally good cold too - so you don't even need to bake it! what a deal.

just thought I would share.

honeymoon feedback clarification

I Love the ideas - these are the ideas we have been having...

What I didn't clarify was: We need LOCATION ideas. We do want to go on a cruise. Or to visit somewhere cool. But we need location ideas.

ex) Go to the Galapagos Islands. They are amazing b/c of the wildlife, historic nature, and just plain amazing beaches, cruise life.

So let me hear about actual places you have been, or places you want to go and why...it will help our searches go faster...it is hard to search for a cruise when you have VERY wide parameters...we want to go somewhere cool that people recommend

=)

Thanks for the ideas though - very fun so far...

Now Calling for Honeymoon ideas!

Hey all -

Andrew and I did not go on a honeymoon trip after we got married...but we are planning to take a trip in April/May during his next break.

I need suggestions of places to go!!

If we leave the country we would like to leave from the following places so we can tag it with other trips...
- Baltimore (tag it with a trip to see sisters/DC)
- FL (tag it with Disney World)
- San Diego (tag it with a trip to San Diego!)

Let me know if you have any suggestions (Emily...do not only suggest Hershey)

Thanks all!!

married

Yep. I am married.

http://lindseyortonphotography.blogspot.com/2011/01/utah-wedding-expo-at-thanksgiving-point.html

(this wasn't my photographer, but pretty fun to be on a website!)