Spring cooking

With the weather starting to get warmer, I really haven't felt much like getting out the crock-pot to cook. Instead, I've been craving lots of fruits and veggies and "fresh" food. Does the same thing happen to you? Well, here's two super easy dishes I made this weekend that just tasted like spring to me. Yum!

Pasta Primavera
I realize this is not a difficult dish to put together-veggies + pasta = pasta primavera. But, I roasted my veggies in the oven versus steaming them, and I think it makes a really good flavor. Plus, roasting the veggies nearly ensures they won't be mushy. There's nothing grosser than mushy veggies. Also, I just used what I had on hand, I think this would be delish with some bell peppers and cherry tomatoes!

Ingredients
2 medium zucchini, cut into thin strips
4-5 carrots, cut into thin strips
1 sweet onion, cut into thin strips
1 head broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces
12 oz. pasta, I used whole wheat spirals, but this would be good with anything
Salt
Pepper
Italian Seasoning
Olive Oil
Fresh Parmesan cheese

Directions
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Scatter cut veggies on a baking sheet and cover with 1/4 Cup olive oil and 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning. Salt and pepper to taste. Roast for 20 minutes, stopping at the 10 minute mark to give everyone a stir. Meanwhile, boil pasta according to directions on box. Drain pasta and toss with veggies. Top with fresh grated Parmesan cheese. Yummm.

Homemade Chicken Salad
I love chicken salad. If I had them on hand, I would have added toasted walnuts to this mix for some extra crunch.

Ingredients
2 chicken breasts with bone-in
olive oil
salt
pepper
1/3 cup mayonnaise-I always use low-fat Hellman's. It is the best. Never fat free and NEVER EVER MIRACLE WHIP. That stuff is disgusting.
1 cup red seedless grapes cut in half
1 cup chopped celery (about 2 stalks)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon fresh tarragon, chopped

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Rub chicken breasts with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 35-40 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear when you cut into it. Let cool completely.

Once chicken is cool, cut off skin and cut chicken in diced pieces. Combine mayo, mustard, tarragon, Dijon mustard in bowl. Add mayo mixture to chicken, grapes and celery. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

Blog suicide.

I don't know what happened to my blog, but all my pictures are gone and instead it was replaced with ads! I've basically had to start over. Bleh.

Irish Dog

I AM tougher than I look!

It's hard work studying Beth Moore! Good thing I have this comfy lap to sit on.
I can never get enough petting! How can you resist this face?!

Whew, being an Irish doggie is a lot of work...must nap.

Ok, well I am not Irish. At least I don't think so. But, Fi is! Cairn terriers originated in the Scottish Highlands, but got their name because they would hunt in Ireland's cairns (large rock piles) for rats and other rodents. Fantastic!

I always love an excuse to post pictures of Fiona. She even has a Gaelic name! Did you know Julia Roberts' middle name is Fiona? Interesting!

Perhaps I did a bit too much wikipedia research this morning...

I couldn't resist.

Aren't these tulips so cheery? (Ok, I used my cell phone, so don't judge the terrible light in this picture!) I couldn't resist picking them up at Kroger yesterday. And a fantastic price! Spring is here! I love it and I love spring flowers.

(And you can kind of make out just the corner of one of Steve's birthday presents...what could it be?!)

Up, up and away

I am crossing my fingers that Up wins for best picture Sunday night. Though, I'm realistic Avatar will probably take home most of the Oscars and further stroke Mr. Cameron's ego. Bleh.

I absolutely loved this movie. Sentimental, but not too mushy. Ellie's last line to Carl in her scrapbook: Thanks for the adventure. Now go have one of your own...awwww!

And funny! I loved how the dogs would yell "SQUIRRELLLL!" (Reminds me of Fi when we are taking walks.) In fact, I saw wedding invitations with a couple in a hot air balloon and I secretly wanted to get them...but, the girl had red hair, so that would not have worked.

Here's to hoping Up takes the little gold statue...and to hoping I can stay awake to watch the Best Picture award category.

On my nightstand

I like to keep the essentials right next to my bed. I have a small nightstand with two small shelves. The bottom one keeps books I've recently read or that I simply treasure and love to have nearby, i.e. Pride and Prejudice!

The top shelf contains the following:

• small lamp
• glasses-completely blind when I take off my contacts
• hand cream-I am convinced I have the driest hands in Ohio this winter.
• two pictures-one of Steve and me and another of my immediate family circa 1988 in bathing suit attire (hot!)
• The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
• The Sickness by Steve Fuller
  

Wait a second...yep! My fiance has written a real book..one that you can hold in your hand, and dog-ear the pages. And, it's a great story! I keep glancing at it and think "hey I know that guy pictured on the back cover!" You can purchase it here. You should buy it. Then, you should review it. And if you don't give it 5 stars, I'll sue you. Kidding! (kind of)

I've mentioned to Steve several times since he began undertaking this whole "writing a book" thing how impressed I am by not only his writing (I was surprised by his first draft at how good the writing was..he he!), but also at courage it took for him to pursue his ambition to write. Most of us are employed in careers we may like, but don't necessarily make us come alive with excitement. I think pursuing writing this book has done that for Steve.

More importantly, it takes a lot of guts to write about a topic that is essentially taboo in our culture, and even more so amongst Christians. And now, he's got something he can physically hold to show for all his work.

And in 108 days, this man will be my husband. Lucky me!!!