50 Books in 2010: January Update

This month has been a BIG one for me!! I am proud to say I read 12 Books in January!!!
If I keep up at this pace I will make it to 144 in 2010. OK... TOTALLY not realistic! So I am going to stick to a goal of 50.

1. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
2. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
3. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
5. Hard Core Logo by Michael Turner
6. Running with Scissors: A Memoir by Augusten Burroughs
7. What the Dog Did: tales from a formerly reluctant dog owner by Emily Yoffe
8. Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story by: Christopher Moore
9. You Suck: A Love Story by: Christoper Moore
10. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
11. The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs
12. Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O"Neil

Same ingredients... different day...

So I have leftover beans, veggies and tortillas.

Quesedillas!!

Pre-heat oven to BROIL.

On a wrap, layer all the good stuff..
I used :

Cheese
Salsa
Tomatoes
Hot Sauce
Veggie ground beef
Lettuce
Refried Beans

Place all ingredients in the middle of the shell... otherwise it leaks... ew...


Place the other wrap on top, and bake in the oven until golden brown... you have to watch, it happens fast.

Flip the entire quesedilla and broil until browned.

Wait 5 mins or so for it to cool down, cut and serve.

Meals when J. is away

I always have a tough time figuring out easy, healthy meals when J. is away. He eats so much more than me, it is great to cook for 2.

An easy meal, and somewhat healthy, Bean burritos.

Heat beans in a saucepan.

Cut:
Lettuce
Tomatoes
cheese.

add salsa, whole wheat wrap and hot sauce...

stick it on the griddle for a bit...

More Puppy Portraits

Because I love my babies.

Burger Salad

I was craving a burger tonight.. but no buns on hand.. .so I made a "burger salad" with all the things I love on burgers, in a salad

Salad:
Lettuce
Tomatoes
hot peppers
red peppers
BBQ'd veggie burgers
Feta

Dressing:
Olive Oil
Balsamic
Mayo
Garlic
Mustard

One of my Favourite Wedding gifts.

My dear friend Kari gave this to J. and I for our wedding. I love it because it is full of thought, meaning and love. So simple, but so wonderful!

It sits in our main bathroom.
Thanks Kari!

Things that Make me Happy # 9

Ballerina Girl.

When I was in 4th- 6th grade, I used to take pottery lessons after school with Mrs. McKay. She was this awesome lady with 7 cats.

I made this in one of the first years I was taking classes. It was a Christmas gift to my Grandma. As she moved into smaller and smaller places over the years, this was one of the few possessions that she kept. It was always in her bathroom.

When she passed away, this was one of the things that I needed to keep.

Now, it is in front of my sink, in my master bathroom- and it always will be.

Dear Kathy...

There are many reasons why you are the best Mother-in-Law a girl could ask for.
Here are some of the MANY reasons....
1. You raised my awesome Husband.
2. You are a great friend.
3. You help me out when J. is away and when he is home
4. and most importantly, J. never argues with you- and you are usually on "my side" during decorating discussions :)

So I need your help. I am in LOVE with our new bedroom... it just needs 2 things to be PERFECT.



An AWESOME red chandelier I saw at Home Depot & curtains.... both of which J. says are "lame"


So, like always, I need your help convincing him... lol

Sparklers!!

1 Month until

The Olympics is here...
I have mixed feelings about this.. but that isn't the point. Just thought I would share a picture I took almost 4 years ago in Beijing.

Things that make me happy # 8

Friends & Family.
I am blessed to have a great family, and to have married into a great family.
One of the benefits of being a military spouse, is that I have had the chance to network with families all across Canada. These family and friendship bonds are something that I hold sacred to my heart.

The rewards are reaped every day. But the Holiday season is a time where I get some material rewards. Although these are trivial compared to the day-to-day love and support I have, they give me a chance to showcase....

Some of the many cards I have received from across the country, and around the globe.
Just another reminder, of how truly lucky I really am.

January Card Class

Bruiser

So we added another eskie into the mix this year....
well not really...
But a co-worker of mine gave me an eskie webkin. I named him "Bruiser"

Pillow Boxes

I made these a LONG time ago for Christmas from a template I found online...
So perfect for a gift card or small item!!

Guess What just Arrived in BC!!!

PIZZA PIZZA!!!

I have fond memories of my childhood in Ontario, picking up the $5.99 special at the Peanut Plaza. And trying to scrape up 99 cents for a square in Jr. High.

The pizza is still mediocre... but it was fun to dial an 11-11 number again.

Things that make me happy #7

A Well read book.
I took this book out from the library a while ago... it is just SO loved!!!!

Holidays are over :(

Here are some of my favourite holiday pictures....


As J. stated... the Holidays are officially done when he runs out of Eggnog.

Betsy....sacked

So Maybe it was too soon to take Betsy on a 6 km. walk after an hour at the dog park. She was SO tired, we had to bring her food to her...

Garlic Croutons!

J. only likes Caesar Salad.. so I make it quite a bit .

Making croutons is my favourite way to use the ends of a loaf of bread, which neither of us really like.

Defrost bread (if you have reserves of it frozen like I do)
Cut into generous pieces.

Melt butter, fresh garlic and herbs and spread over bread.

I then put it in the toaster over on "Broil" until the croutons are golden brown.

New Years Eve

Well... I took lots of pictures of the dinner I prepared on New Years Eve... but it looks like I was wearing my wine goggles. Only a few turned out...

Main Course:
Marinated Steak/ Tofu
Roasted potatoes
Leeks fried with butter, fresh garlic, lemon & pine nuts.