Say it with me now, AWESOME!

The Fire

I was stuck on the 91 on Saturday trying to get home for SIX hours. The fire was terrible and tragic...and made me want to pull out my hair because I literally couldn't get home. My parent's home is fine - just smells like a camp fire - and Grandma was temporarily evacuated, but she's home now. I don't know anyone who lost a home, but I have heard of friends of friends situations who have. So sad. Here's a pic from my car when I was at the 91/71 interchange for two hours without moving. They sent all traffic up the 71, and then there was a terrible accident there. Idiots...

Christmas tunes

We had a little friends Thanksgiving dinner at Clare and Matt's house that Jennifer actually planned, but because of the ashes and fires, had to be moved from her house. It was delicious and fun to be surrounded by a large group of friends. I made some soup, which was a disaster...tasted like hot apple sauce and not the squash/apple soup concoction that I copied off of someone else's blog! Ha!

While we were all hanging out (me with gorgeous little Jackson on my lap), Jennifer asked us all what our favorite Christmas songs were. I couldn't think of a favorite carol, but there are two songs that I LOVE to hear at Christmas time and keep in the rotation on my iPod. Enjoy!

Christmas Song, by Dave Matthews

Point of Grace, When Love Came Down (don't mind the cheesy video)

The holidays will be here soon...

...which means it's totally FINE to bring out the Christmas movies! Here's a clip from a newer favorite. Enjoy!

Call me crazy...

...but I love to read the weird news of the day. Below you'll find today's favorite:

Man's coffin kills wife on way to cemetery
A traffic accident hurls coffin against the back of woman's neck

SAO PAULO, Brazil - Police say a woman has died on the way to a cemetery when a traffic accident hurled her husband's coffin against the back of her neck.

Police said 67-year-old Marciana Silva Barcelos was in the front passenger seat of the hearse when the accident occurred Monday in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul.

Barcelos died instantly.

Her 76-year-old husband, Josi Silveira Coimbra, died Sunday of a heart attack while dancing at a party.

The driver of the hearse and Barcelos' son suffered minor injuries.

Centrevol Show

My cousin Pete's (Sara-Britt's husband) band had their CD launch party and show on Friday night in Long Beach. Missie, Emily Shuler, and I met up at SB's apartment for a little pre-party action, then we all went to the show together. Pete is really talented and you can tell the guy just LOVES making music. I was really proud of their performance and the turnout. We had a lot of fun! Check out http://www.centrevol.com/ for more info on the band and get their CD, Beggars and Thieves!

Missie and I goofing off with Bryan

Shuler, Missie, Bryan, and I

Pete rockin out

Bryson Turned Three

Carlee's son Bryson turned three this weekend and we had a bbq/pool thing at Uncle Craig and Julie's house. He was adorable with his new toys, but had some fussy times, too. I felt the same way on my birthday, kid!

Bryson with Brian on his new bike!

With Katlyn, Sara-Britt, Katie, and Miss (cousin lovin!)

Carlee Kajsa

My wonderful cousin Carlee turned 30 on Monday! We celebrated this weekend with a murder mystery cruise in the Long Beach Harbor, Bryan flew in two of her best friends, he bought her the dining room table she's wanted for years, and then we all got together for our traditional Hibachi dinner last night!

Carlee posted on her blog and included some hilarious pics from our childhood...so I'll post some from this weekend; the adult versions of ourselves. : ) Carlee is more than a cousin to me, she's like a fabulous younger sister, and most definitely a dear friend! Carlee and I were raised across the street together, went to church and school together, and even danced together. We had ups and downs like siblings often do, but at the end of the day, she's someone I admire so much. She's an incredible wife and mother (with another on the way), and on top of that, she gives so much of her time to good causes, her friends, and constant learning. When they say that we eventually become our mothers, I can honestly say that she's already becoming Auntie Candy (my fav aunt), in that she is always doing something fun with Bryson and lately she's the queen of the crafts (which totally cracks me up!). Carlee has an infectious laugh and can be silly with the best of us, but she also craves knowledge, which makes me admire her even more.

Me and Carlee before the dinner cruise

On the dinner cruise, we all had to use aliases. I was Jewish Matchmaker and Carlee was Chinese Acrobat. At one point, she had to stand up and people thought her baby bump was fake!

Happy birthday, once again Carlee. I love you!

I'm also including this pic of Sara-Britt and Pete. When we picked him up, she just noticed his new mustache. We were teasing him quite a bit, so his alias became Stache! He took the murder mystery VERY seriously and ended up winning the whole thing!

Funny Birthday Card

I got this today from an old roommate. It made me laugh, so I had to share it!!! Ecards are becoming more and more clever!!!

http://www.bluemountain.com/view.pd?i=198363545&m=4017&rr=y&source=bma999

Tuscan Pork

I saw a recipe in my Traditional Home magazine on Saturday morning, which made me think "I'VE GOT TO MAKE THIS." It just so happened that I had friends scheduled to come to dinner on Sunday evening, and when I looked at the ingredients and instructions, I realized it was totally in my wheelhouse to make! While my photo doesn't compare to the deliciousness of the photo in the magazine, or the deliciousness of the taste, I wanted to share my latest culinary achievement!

Ingredients:
1 pound pork tenderloin
2 teaspoons each snipped fresh sage and rosemary
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon fennel pollen or fennel seeds, crushed
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 crusty baguette loaf

Instructions:
Trim fat from pork. In bowl combine sage, rosemary, salt, pepper, garlic, and fennel pollen; set aside. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add tenderloin to skillet. Cook 8 to 10 minutes or until evenly browned, turning often. Remove pork from skillet' cool slightly. Rub entire surface with herb mixture; set aside.

Have baguette horizontally. Remove bread from inside of crusts, forming a thin shell. Brush inside of shell with remaining olive oil. Place pork on baguette bottom; cover with top. Trim ends of loaf. Tie at 1- to 2-inch intervals with kitchen string. Place on baking sheet; bake, uncovered, in 375 degree over 30 to 35 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of meet registers 155 to 160 degrees. Let stand 10 minutes. Slice; serve.

Now, in all fairness:
I screwed a couple of things up. I didn't crush the fennel seeds, but I don't think any of us noticed. AND, I forgot the garlic, so at the last minute, I dusted the pork with garlic salt. I actually thought it gave a nice light flavor! I also had a thicker tenderloin, so I probably baked mine for 40 minutes when all said and done. Still, it was incredible! I served it with a baked sweet potato, some rice pilaf, and light green salad. It was a feast fit for a QUEEN! And the guys loved it, too!

Kitchen Confidential: Recipe Reviews

I'm learning to cook...and conquer my fear of the kitchen! Sometimes, I hit a slam dunk and sometimes...not so much. Here are some of my fun escapades in the kitchen!

September 22, 2009 My Lowfat Version of Fast Food

August 31, 2009 Baked Caramel Apple Goodness

August 23, 2009 Amazing Chicken Brine

June 11, 2009 The Best Dang Corn EVER

May 25, 2009 Chicken Nacho Pizza

May 11, 2009 Seal the Deal Tacquitos

April 20, 2009 Mexican Meatloaf

April 13, 2009 Homemade Salad Dressing

March 14, 2009 Gingerbread Pancakes

March 8, 2009 Cheeseburger Bake

February 28, 2009 Tenderloin with Plum Chutney

February 16, 2009 Risotto, Flank Steak, and Baked Fudge

February 2, 2009 Kitty Litter Cake

November 3, 2008 Tuscan Pork