And the camera goes...

We did not go to Disney. Apparently it is too cold for Mr. Blog. I am going to work on it though hopefully we will go before I have to go back to work. I took some photos over the holiday weekend and I would like to post them but my camera software was uninstalled due to some computer stuff. Once I reinstall it I will backtrack a bit and show you some photos. Still no New Years plans but I am working on it. I can't believe it is only a few days away.

I want to go to Never Never Land!

Okay, Disneyland on Sunday or grocery shopping on Sunday. That is the question that I am facing right now. I am sure that we all have faced the dilemma of taking care of our responsibilities or tossing care to the wind. The thing about it is vacation just started and --I wanna go to Disneyland!!! The thought of spending hours scouring aisles and being hit by carts seems way less then appealing to me then singing "Yo-Ho-Yo-Ho a Pirates Life For Me!" as a boat lazily drifts along a fake sea. When is the point that we grow up? When do our responsibilities overshadow our desires? Will it all come to a head this Sunday??????Will we be living off soup and Top Ramen for a week?

A Previous Disney Trip:

Autotopia


It's the happiest place on earth!







Here we go!

I Must Confess

Hi All!

It's been awhile since I have posted. Well it is the holiday season and you know how that is. The other reason I have not posted is because I have become a total WOW head. WOW=World of Warcraft. Yes, I know there are usually WOW widows but I actually play right along Mr. Blog. Sometimes we even *gasp* fight for computer time. Well, not actually fight, more like beg/bargain. Such as "I will cook dinner if I can go on" or "I will be on 1 hour tops ....promise."

My interest at first was because of Mr. Blog and was limited to asking him if he would get off the computer and spend time with me, complete chores etc. One day I decided to see what this game was all about. This game that he could be wrapped in for hours only breaking for the bathroom or food. This game that took so much of his time and energy. A character was created and 59 levels later I am hoooooooooked. It reminds me of Legend of Zelda from my Nintendo years. No, not Wii or Nintendo 64. Early 90's Nintendo where you used those disks that resembled 8 tracks . I am so good even Mr. Blog can't believe it. Okay, I digress. I am sorry that I have left you hanging. I will be back with more posts!

The Evil Apple

So this isn't an apple tree...

Okay-- I hate apples! Well I don't but my body does and lets just say that if I eat one it's not pretty. All that being said I have been begging the hubs to take a day trip with me to Oak Glen. Yes, I was willing to brave my discomfort to go visit the place that I have heard so much about. The things that caught my attention were their seasonal fare which includes choose your own pumpkin patches and family style Christmas tree farms. There is also a local delicacy called apple cider donuts which I was anxious to try .


Well on Saturday we (hubs and I) finally made it to the famous Oak Glen. It is in or near Yucaipa--not really sure which. We drove this long scenic route to get there and it was so beautiful. I love the country outdoor feeling I got going through the winding roads. Mr. blog even suggested that we open the car windows so we could take in the fresh air.



G taking the wheel

We visited 3 ranches. There are cute little shops you can look in for things like homemade crafts, pantry items, and fresh baked goods. The shops carry other types of fruit products but you must realize that this is the place that pays homage to the apple. I am not sure how many different varieties we encountered but there were some varieties I am sure I have never seen like mini Fugi Apples. Most shops that were selling apples had samples of them so you could taste. The Snow-Line Orchard even let you sample their cider! The apple cherry was delicious --even if my tummy didn't think so. Also to be noted are the apple cider donuts that are made fresh at the ranch. 12 mini donuts ran us $3.00 and we devoured the still warm donuts as we walked around the ranch.


We ended our day with lunch at an outdoor bar-b-que at Riley's at Los Rios Rancho. We noticed that the cash register at this place was on overdrive with people ordering pies and que. There were tables inside and picnic tables outside where families and couples dined. We each ordered our own beef tri tip sandwiches and shared: potato salad, lemonade, and a warm apple turnover. Driving back toward home we stopped at a roadside stand and purchased some avocados. I will be turning them into guacamole pretty soon. All in all we had a great Saturday and look forward to going back.

The Weekend Cometh

I just wanted to say that I hope everyone has a great weekend. Next week is going to be pretty hectic with that turkey holiday coming and all. Am I the only one that is intimidated by this holiday? I can't even put in to words what is so intimidating to me about it (yes, I know this is a blog).

We have been invited to my in-laws and my parents are also going so it should be fun. Since it is the first married Thanksgiving for the hubs and I , I decided that I would still cook. It's not going to be a full blown out affair but we will have a few of the essentials--cranberry sauce, rolls etc. I thought it would be nice to still have our own "private" holiday meal together and the leftovers are pretty cool too. Although I am just cooking for two I am still freakin' out about it. Luckily today my mom and I hit up the grocery store together so I could steal--I mean use some of her ideas.

Breakfast for dinner?

Okay, today I was tired. Too tired to throw a meal together that I am not familiar with. I decided to go with what I know. Breakfast! This weekend I made spinach omelets for breakfast and the hubs loved them so I decided to go with omelets part II. I served them with hash browns, turkey bacon, and waffles (frozen ones). It's quick, easy and delicious. The photo makes it looks like there is tons of spinach but really it isn't all that bad. You could add a little less spinach if it's not your taste. We both agreed it might be a good meal for St. Patrick's Day!

Breakfast/Dinner Spinach Omelet for 2

3 Eggs
1 tbs milk
1 cup frozen spinach
1 shake pepper
pinch salt
2 tbs Gorgonzola Crumbled Cheese
Non Stick-cooking spray or butter to coat the pan

Directions-
Place spinach in microwave save bowl and microwave for 30 seconds , set aside. Whip eggs, salt, and milk with a fork or whisk until blended. Place skillet over low heat and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Place egg mixture in skillet. Use spatula and check for bottom of egg mixture to set. You can tell if it is set because the egg will no longer be liquid. Place spinach and cheese mixture on top of egg. After 1-2 minutes fold omelet with spatula. Flip omelet over with spatula to ensure all sides are fully cooked. Use spatula to transfer omelet to a plate. Cut omelet in 1/2.

Fall is the perfect time for.....

Banana Bread!


Ok, so I had a craving for something sweet and baked. I secretly love any excuse to use my KA mixer so I was prepared to make a boxed yellow cake mix that I had. I took out all the ingredients and was preparing to open the box when I spied some extremely ripe bananas on my counter. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to make banana bread.

This was actually my first foray into the homemade banana bread world but it turned out delicious. My husband and I couldn't stop eating it. I took a picture to show you. A few slices are missing ;). It came out so golden and moist I will definitely be making it again. I got the recipe from foodnetwork.com. The only modifications I made were to use 2 medium size bananas and 1 and 1/2 small bananas, 1 stick of Imperial Vegetable oil spread instead of the unsalted butter and all purpose flour. Enjoy!

Source:

Banana Bread c.1996, M.S. Milliken & S. Feniger Foodnetwork.com

1 cup granulated sugar 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature (I used 1 stick Imperial Vegetable Oil Spread) 2 large eggs 3 ripe bananas 1 tablespoon milk 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 cups all-purpose flour omit these if using self rising flour: 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan. Cream the sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. In a small bowl, mash the bananas with a fork. Mix in the milk and cinnamon. In another bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the banana mixture to the creamed mixture and stir until combined. Add dry ingredients, mixing just until flour disappears. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Set aside to cool on a rack for 15 minutes. Remove bread from pan, invert onto rack and cool completely before slicing. Spread slices with honey or serve with ice cream.

*I just spread a little olive oil butter on my slice*