Tuesday, March 31, 2009

spring break dinner




super nanny was looking for something she could make with the kids and we came across this yummy recipe @ real simple


Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 package refrigerated pizza dough (about 1 pound)
flour for the work surface
1 16-ounce can refried beans
1 1-pint container fresh salsa
1 8-ounce package shredded Cheddar
sour cream (optional)
we also added some taco seasoned ground beef

Directions:

1Heat oven to 400° F. Spread 1 teaspoon of the oil on a baking sheet. Divide the dough into 6 equal portions. Roll each into an 8-inch round on a lightly floured surface. 2On half of each round, spread some of the beans, then top with 1½ tablespoons of the salsa and 2 tablespoons of the cheese. Fold over the other half of each round, covering the filling, and press the curved edge with your thumb to seal. Lightly brush the tops of the empanadas with the remaining oil, then transfer to the baking sheet. 3Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden. Serve with a dollop of sour cream, if desired. (Perfect complement: the salad of avocado, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice pictured here.)



Thursday, March 26, 2009

I love my super nanny...

Friday, March 20, 2009

thoughts...

Moderation is a virtue only in those who are thought to have an alternative.
―Henry Kissinger

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

going back to high school....

i've gone to high school twice this week... and not in that nightmare dream where you realize you didn't go to class all year and now have to take the final...

in washington state you have to pass a project they call the culminating exhibit to graduate... community members sit on panels to help evaluate the presentations... i love it... so fascinating to watch these 17-18 year old kids reflect on their lives... and some times heart breaking to hear their stories and watch them struggle with public speaking...

this is my 3rd year in a row doing this and every time i pull in the parking lot i feel like i'm 16 all over again...

what i'm sure is adding to my anxiety is that the fashions right now are the same as they were 20+ years ago...

the people in this picture (the middle person's wedding circa 1993) were my world in the high school...

this picture has been on my fridge since it was sent to me that same year... when things get bad i look at that picture and remember something from that time that will make me laugh from my belly and relieve all that stress... i like to remember how lucky i was to have found these friends...
i wouldn't want to go back... but after this week i am more grateful than ever to still have them in my life...even if only thru email/facebook/ and the VERY occasional visit...

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

when mom's away...

i've been gone so much lately... seems like i'm in town just long enough to unpack and pack up again...

thankfully super hubby takes photos to show me what they are up to...



Monday, March 16, 2009

lego bread line

it started out with parents hanging out on a quiet saturday morning with their 7 year old... turned in to a gross display of how many lego dudes he had... and later he referred to it as the lego great depression bread line

Friday, March 13, 2009

my desk....


I really need to stop traveling so much because my desk needs some attention...


Thursday, March 12, 2009

back when life was simple...

when i was in jr high my best friend and i used to take photos of our fingers and feet and sometimes we'd go crazy and stick things between our toes and take photos...


i completely forgot about this until i came across this... i love how simple life was in jr. high...


Thursday, March 5, 2009

looking for a moose....


in my 10 years of traveling up to Alaska i have only seen moose once and it was when i was out of the city...
i hear the traffic reports that say watch out for the moose at such and such an intersection... but i never manage to see them... this morning i drove to wasilla there was one in midtown anchorage.... but i was headed in the wrong direction naturally...
this picture is one of my favorite signs in AK... i was driving by and shot it with my phone... a miracle it is even this clear... it is a sign that shows the number of moose killed on this particular stretch of road on AK1 from Anchorage to Willa....

i had time before my flight so i headed out on a moose hunt... the locals told me where to go... no moose to be seen... just a whole lot of snow and horrible road conditions... maybe next year...


Wednesday, March 4, 2009

tonights hotel lobby animals

mountain goat and a salmon meet for a drink...

Monday, March 2, 2009

I love alaska hotels...

there are animals in the lobby

to the last frontier

to alaska this week.... on a brand new plane... this was it's first trip... shiny new planes are nice... and yes they have a new smell