off white

conversation yesterday morning:

kat: i think we are supposed to be there at 12:30 to get our class ready for the primary program. right?
bj: yea i dont know. i think so. your shirt looks dirty and dingy.
kat: oh okay. wait, what?
bj: nothing.
kat: did you say my shirt looks dirty and dingy?
bj: um. yes. and it does. those white shirts of yours get dirty so fast
kat: bj my shirt is off white.
bj: we should really buy you some more of those white undershirts you use so often
kat: i said my shirt is OFF white bj. its cream. its supposed to look like this.
bj:. oh. well its kinda ugly.


lol....gotta appreciate the boys honesty ;-).

*and yes, shortly after this conversation i changed into my actual white shirt. not because i agreed, but because i didn't want the whole ward to think i was wearing a dirty shirt when in fact my shirt was just off white. OFF WHITE.

girls weekend

ashley, heather and virg came down from utah to visit us this weekend. it was SO much fun! we talked, laughed a lot, shopped, ate, played games, and talked some more. it was the first time i have stayed up past 1:00 am in a looonnng time. the only bummer part about the weekend was that it was HOT. i have been/am trying to convince heather and nick to come to medical school here, and this weekends 104 degree weather didn't really help my case. and of course, the day after she goes back to utah the amazing weather decides to come back.

it was such a fun weekend and i cant wait to see those 3 girls again, hopefully soon!

fall dip

this weekend i made this yummy dip. its perfect for this time of year and was sooo easy to make. i have only had it with apples but it would be good on bread, ginger bread cookies, gram cracks or other fruit too. actually anything. its delicious.

yummy pumpkin dip

1 package of cream cheese

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 cup pumpkin pie filling

1 tsp vanilla

mix until creamy and smooth. enjoy!

bragging rights

excuse me for a second but im going brag about some of the talented people im related to. my wonderful sister (basically) heather took some pictures of my beautiful sister virg. they turned out amazing. they are so fun, creative and TOTALLY fit virg.

so if you are in the utah area and are looking for an amazing photographer go to

http://heatherannettephotography.blogspot.com/

she has such good prices, takes great pictures AND will have you laughing the whole time! you cant beat that really.

also if you are in the utah area and are lookin for a single hottie call 940-595-......juuuust kidding virg! haha. but for real she is on my blog list.... just sayin :-)

anyway, here they are! hot dang, im related to some very talented and beautiful people!

these are a few of my favorite things....

lately i've been loving....

1. my magic bullet! it helps me make yummy healthy smoothies every morning, without the clean up of a normal blender. yuck.

2. roasted red pepper hummus. with sliced up cucumber or peppers it makes a perfect healthy snack. yum.

3. mayday parade. they are a band that ashley recently introduced me to and i really like them. i guess they have been around for a while but i am just finding out about them. i tend to not find out about "cool" stuff until years after it comes out. so if anyone out there further outside the loop than i, here is a great "new" band you will like.

4. my pink kitchen aid mixer. oh wait...i don't have this. yet. christmas is coming up. what a coincidence. hint, hint beej ;-). 5. my swivel sweeper. truly heaven sent. it makes cleaning up so much easier. if you don't have one, you should.

5. duke. i love this little guy. what a smart, sweet, quiet, lovable puppy.

and uuuhh...not so much moose. for obvious reasons. anyone want a dog? he is for sale. pure bred chocolate lab. slightly special. ill take $50 or your best offer.... and i have zero offers, so try me. i beg of you.

yum.

a friend gave me this recipe and it has become one of our favorites. super quick and easy. try it out, you wont regret it, i promise :-)


Spicy Broccoli and Sausage Pasta

12oz small pasta (farfalle or penne. i use farfalle)
3 tbsp olive oil
1lb ground sweet chicken sausage (can be found at any local health food store)
3 garlic cloves minced
1 pinch dried crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 TSP pepper
3 heads of broccoli

In large pot bring salted water to boil. Add broccoli and cook 2 min. Remove broccoli, set aside. Cook pasta in same water. Drain and save 1 cup of liquid. In large pan brown sausage in oil. Add garlic and red pepper, saute 30 seconds. Add broccoli, pasta and 1/4 cup liquid, or more as needed. Stir in cheese and salt to taste. Enjoy!

i serve it with garlic bread it and bj loves it. this recipe makes a ton but it makes really great left overs too.

TIP: it seems odd to cook meat in oil right? or at least it did to me. the chicken sausage produces almost zero oil when you cook it, and the olive oil its cooked in has tons of flavor once the meat is cooked and the garlic and red pepper are sauteed in. along with 1/4 cup of liquid, the oil serves as the sauce when you add the broccoli and noodles to it. ALSO, if you don't feel like going to a health food store to get chicken sausage, you can buy sweet turkey sausage at any store and it works fine. its a tad bit greasier and i have found it usually doesn't come ground up already, but it will work fine in the end.

happy happy birthday!

happy 24th beej! i am so glad that today your little 4 lb body came into this world and survived! youre the best and i love you!!!!

we started the day off with a long bike ride, we watched a lot of football and then bjs family came over for dinner. bj got an iphone for his birthday and is LOVING it.

i forgot to buy candles...so here he is blowing out his lone candle.

i had to put this picture up bc bj just looks unbelievably handsome in it. oh wait, no he does not...i had to put it up bc im hoping if i put enough bad pictures up of bj he will stop trying to ruin every picture i take of him. turd ;-)