list

Things I am thinking about today:
*we are trying to paint our family room a shade of green. I have tried two different colors, and I still don't really know what I want. Why is this so hard??
*I made a blackberry & peach crisp today and it smells delicious! I can't try it until I bring it to a BBQ though. What if it doesn't taste right?
*I allow Whiskey to have toilet paper and paper towel rolls when we finish them. He eats sticks all day, how could a little bit of cardboard hurt? I swear I had only given him like 3 total. However, the other day Matt put a new toilet paper roll on and Whiskey hurt the click of the roll and came running in from the other room!! He's too cute!
*I have to start swimming again to train for my Sprint Tri...otherwise, I will probably die in the water about 20 feet in.
*I got a new bird feeder (again!) a couple weeks ago, but I have yet to see a bird eating from it. Same bird seed and everything! And right next to it is a bag feeder with thistle in it that Goldfinches eat at ALL THE TIME. What am I doing wrong?
*We will soon be starting a retaining wall project in our backyard. This time, we are spending the money to have someone else do it. Yay!
*Matt and I rarely see movies-theater and home alike (I know, we're odd). However, I think I have seen Miss Congeniality I & II a bagillion times each...I just love Sandra Bullock! I will have to see The Proposal, but knowing me it won't be until it runs and reruns on tv...
*I love the "letleonardin.com" commercials for the aquarium...that fish is so cute! And when the seal smooshes his face up against the goldfish in the bag, adorable!
*There are 2 brand spanking new puppies in the neighborhood, and a husky puppy coming this weekend...yeeessss!!
*I hate that I can be idle and lazy so easily...

cookies

I made some cookies today made with whole wheat flour. I have to say, I would probably do this every time now!!

These are very simply 4-ingredient peanut butter cookies:http://www.thegoodmoodfoodblog.com/2009/01/yummy-wholewheat-peanut-butter-cookies_20.html

These are the chocolate chip cookies and are delicious!!http://www.aldenteblog.com/2009/02/whole-wheat-chocolate-chip-cookie-recipe.html

Pictures are in the links!

birthday shout-out

Happy Birthday, Nana!!! I am sorry I didn't call you today, I will call this weekend. LOVE YOU!!

dinner

I made this for dinner tonight:

it's called Chicken Masala, and I found it on http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/ I LOVE this website!! In fact, most of my meals have been from here lately. I just always seem to have the same ingredients in my house that she has! I made her Key Lime Pie the other day and it was to-die-for! I will be making the spinach salad with hot bacon dressing this weekend too! I can't wait!! She always posts pictures of the step-by-step process of her meals, so it is so easy to follow along. Plus, she's pretty funny!

Food Bank

I forgot to mention that Matt and I worked at the Food Bank in Shoreline on Saturday! It was with a group from Matt's work plus three other work groups. We were only there for about 3 hours, but I had a lot of fun! We opened the bags people donated, sorted, sorted and sorted!

Me (in the midst of the sorting)


Matt (this was at the end when we were just cleaning up)

BBQ

I got a recipe for a chicken marinade the other day and finally BBQed the chicken today. It was delicious!! Usually, my BBQed chicken comes out really dry because I tend to overcook it-not today, baby!!

I used halved chicken that I got on sale-bone-in, skin-on...this makes for some moist chicken!!
Marinade:
1 -1.5cup or so Apple Cider Vinegar
1/2 -3/4 cup or so Olive & Vegetable Oils total
1-2 eggs
1-2 TBS poultry seasoning
2 TBS salt
1 TBS pepper

Marinate for 24-48hrs...then grill


I actually used this very same marinade on some country-style ribs the other day, but only marinaded for about 4 hours. I then BBQed them, and they were also delicious!


Matt and I are obsessed with grilling lately. The one thing we have been loving is a BBQed onion. Cut it like a bloomin' onion, so not all the way through. Then put it on some foil, add some EVOO and garlic salt and BBQ away! Thanks to Bryan and Amanda for this one!

Trees and Whiskey

New trees in the yard as of this last week. The poor guys had to put them all in in the 90 degree weather :) Matt just told them where they were supposed to go, and voila! They are planted by the time I come home from work...yeeessss!!



Some more of the trees that are on the side of the front yard.



Whiskey found this HUGE stick last night and took it to his chair


It is at least 6 feet long!

Viburnum: snowball tree

The other day, lounging on his chair again

Another view of some of the trees

Another of the stick

Another...

Persian Parrotia

"What, Dad?"

Another of the Viburnum

We love our new trees and actually got a good price on them with delivery and installation! I am just glad Matt and I didn't have to plant those huge things...our soil is like clay.