Can't Stop

I made baklava last night for my daughter's Greece project. It was super freakin easy. I used the recipe from The Pioneer Woman. If you haven't read her blog start now, it is that good. Anyways, the only problem with the baklava is I can't keep my hands off of it. And I know it is going straight to the junk in my trunk. And I know no matter how much P90X I do if I keep eating it the trunk is only going to get fuller.

Please help, on second thought don't worry it is almost gone,

Mads

Ever Get Hooked

Have you ever been hooked on a TV show that you just have to watch all episodes until the end? Well, right now I am hooked on this show out of Australia called "Mcleod's Daughters". I should have known better when I saw on Netflix that it had 220 episodes. But I just can't stop. Everyday I need to watch 1-2 episodes. I think it is the accents that keep bringing me back. I love those Aussie accents and really want to start talking like them. Also the scenery is BEAUTIFUL! It was filmed in South Australia. I totally want to go there even more now and live on a farm/ranch and ride horses all day long. Right now I am only on season 4 with 4 more seasons to go. I am trying to get things done around the house and sometimes I succeed, but I keep finding piles of things that I have built up to take care of later after my show. Good thing I have a understanding husband that just finish watching for the third time all the seasons of Scrubs. I think right now I can squeeze in half a show before I have to take my daughter to guitar.

Good Day Mate,

Mads

I Don't Wanna....sometimes

Ever feel like folding your arms across your chest, pouting your lips and screaming " I don't want to". Well, I am in nursing school right now and am in the mode of don't want to study ever again. But, I will totally fail if I don't and I don't want to fail. So even though I feel like pouting and I might even make that position of folding my arms across my chest. I suck it up and keep plugging along.

On a side note. Finished reading "All Quiet on the Western Front". What a powerful story! The language was beautifully. The story was sad and oh so prominent in today's society. Even if the way soldiers fighting style has changed since WWI. Can't wait until book club to discuss it.

Plugging along,

Mads

A Lucky Meal

Hoppin John - A New Year's traditional meal that if eaten on New Year's Day will bring good luck for the whole year. My Grandmother Bernice used to make this every year. I saw the recipe on another blog and had to try it.

Black eye peas canned or dried. If using dried soak for at least 6 hours prior to using.

Two pork ham shanks or ham hocks. Ham shanks have less of the shiny, tough outer skin to deal with.

One small-medium onion chopped, one bell pepper chopped(any color), 3-4 celery stalks chopped

One tablespoon of EVOO and one tablespoon butter, because the flavors are good together. I have butter in about every dish I make, and you can use higher heat for longer with the added butter.

Saute veggies until soft about 10 mins.

Seasonings: Splash of Apple cider, couple of bay leaves, cayenne pepper, S/P to taste. If you liking spicy add more cayenne. Like mild add less cayenne. I think you get the picture.

I forgot the garlic. I love garlic as much as I love butter! 2-3 cloves garlic chopped and add to saute veggies. Your house will smell Amazing.

Put all ingredients into crock-pot and give it a stir. The picture doesn't give this dish the justice it deserves. Doesn't look appetizing now, but the end result was DE-licious.

Set Crock-pot to low if you have 6 or more hours. High if you only have 5 or less. I went to church and when we came home we could not wait to eat. You can also make this on the stovetop in a large pot. Cut cooking time to 1 - 1 1/2 hours. Your goal is to have tender meat that comes easily off the bones.

I served it over brown rice made in the rice cooker to soak up the yummy broth.

One thing I forgot. The after picture. This if my first time posting a recipe. Like with most mistakes you learn and improve.

I think this meal will bring good luck. If not, it was filling and delicious! I think I will stick with this tradition.

Love to eat,

Mad

It's a New Year

Welcome 2012, goodbye 2011. A short recap of 2011. Started a nursing program. Well, technically started Nov. 2010, but finished my LPN Oct. 2011. Full time school and managing to stay sane was my goal.

My oldest received his driver's license. Hallelujah!

Did some repairs on our first purchased home. Putting in toilets and sinks takes more work then I thought.

Ran my fourth 1/2 Marathon.

Purchased a third car for said new driver.

Now goals for 2012.

Short and sweet, I can keep it to one word. PRIORITIES.

1. Finish RN program

2. Exercise often

3. Try new recipes

4. Keep blogging

And of course some priorities that never change, but I need to work on everyday.

1. Family

2. Personal scripture study

3. Personal relationship with my Heavenly Father

I have a recipe for the new year. That I will post later. It is suppose to bring good luck for the new year.

Looking forward,

Mad