Who will win??

Well, during our short time in California we were able to find the new HGTV DREAM HOME in Sonoma, CA. Some lucky person will be winning this home in a week or so! It is in a cute little area in Sonoma - wine country. I thought it would be grander and larger... but it actually was a nice farm style home. The other homes in the neighborhood were gorgeous (and actually more lavish than the dream home). Not that I would complain mind you! The lucky winner will have to cough up about $700,000 for the tax man.

I learned while there that actually HGTV picks several names; then does interviews with the perspective winners finding just the "right" person to win the home. So, I'm betting I did not win or I would have heard by now! Oh well, back to reality.

Off to California!

Well, I'm gearing up for a week long trip to northern California. I leave Wednesday morning for San Francisco to attend a yearly summit put on by a company called CORE. I will be in Burlingame (near the airport) for the first part of this trip. Some well known reading researchers are going to lead sessions, so I'm looking forward to hearing them!

Part two of the trip is spending the weekend in city itself - near Fisherman's Wharf. I'm hoping to get in touch with a friend who lives in the area and be able to see her! It truly has been years since we have been able to see each other.

Then, finally part three of the trip will be in Sonoma. I was lucky enough last year to be part of an intensive reading training. It was the best training I've ever experienced! (four trips; 12 days of intensive training - and it "WAS" intensive) I will be involved in a follow-up session focusing on grades 4-6 this year with the same trainer.

I'm hoping for warmth and sunshine, but in looking at the weather report it will most likely be chilly and possibly rainy as well. Oh well, it will be warmer than here in Alaska! Now to figure out what to bring...

Inservice Day Lunch - Ole'

Well, tomorrow we are putting together an old favorite in the crockpot for lunch - TACO SOUP! There are a million different recipes, all quite similar. Here is the one I'll be using (which I have modified)...

Taco Soup In the Crockpot
(serves around 8)

1 pound of browned extra lean ground beef (drained)
1 chopped onion
1 can of kidney beans (undrained)
1 can whole kernel corn (undrained)
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
2 14.5 oz cans peeled & diced tomatoes (undrained)
1 4 oz can diced green chiles
2 cups water (you will want to judge the consistency of your soup here - very likely won't need to add the water... with the undrained canned goods - you probably will be fine)
1 pkg taco seasoning mix
1 pkg ranch dressing

Mix everything in the crockpot and turn on high for 4 hrs; or low for 8 hours. Top with Fritos; cheddar cheese and sour cream. Enjoy.

Facebook!

Well, this is quite an addicting site I must say. It is a fun way to touch bases - keep in touch, with friends from near and afar. I have "friends" from the Caribbean; England; and an old friend that was a co-cub scout leader with me (eons ago) who is living in Budapest. I'd love to find more friends (you know, those friends you lose contact with when you move away), and I just sent out another batch of "invites".

If you haven't tried Facebook - try it, you'll like it! And when you do, find me as a friend!

Have fun...

Another yummy breakfast!

This recipe again comes from Kalyn's Kitchen (my favorite website). Enjoy!

Southwestern Egg Casserole
Serves 10-12)

18 eggs
4 oz can diced green chiles
14.5 oz diced tomatoes, well drained (organic preferred)
Seasonings (Spike Seasoning; Freshly ground pepper)
12 oz grated cheese (4 cheese mexican blend works great)
3 Tbsp sliced green onions
Optional: you could also top with bacon crumbles; or browned sausage

For Serving:
Sour Cream & Salsa

Preheat oven to 375. Drain your canned diced tomatoes in a collander and let sit to completely drain. Spray a 9x12 glass casserole dish with nonstick spray. Whisk eggs until well mixed, stir in well-drained tomatoes, green chiles with any juice, and seasonings.

Put the cheese in the bottom of the dish. If you are using bacon or sausage, put this over the cheese. Sprinkle the green onions. Pour the egg mixture on top. Bake uncovered 40-45 minutes (until eggs are well set and top is starting to brown). Serve with sour cream and salsa to top. Yummy!

To look at Kalyn's website for a picture and other recipes for breakfast casseroles, follow this link!
SOUTHWESTERN EGG CASSEROLE

Transitioning to new technology can be tough!

Well, one thing always leads to another right? This time around it is all related to efficiency. I went to a wonderful conference that taught us to work efficiently and with our secretary with the utmost of organization. Part of this plan involves calendaring, and how our secretary should be handling our calendar. So, being open and willing to get more organized, I thought I'd give it a try. I dug out the old Palm Pilot, got it all charged up and "synced". Strangely enough it did not want to sync with the Palm software, but it seemed to like ICal. OK, I can go with that - so I spent one night entering all the data I had in my Palm calendar over to ICal. Worked great! But, to make things more complicated we wanted to have my secretary have my calendar on her computer where I could sync my Palm with her ICal. Oops - little did I know there is a rule about multiple computers - a definite no-no. The district IT person said we need to use Google Calendar, then it will load to my ICal, then I can sync my Palm. Easy right? NOT... In order to get Google Calendar to talk to ICal, he had to take my computer away, update it, and he returned it at the end of the day. All my e-mails disappeared in the process - not good. I then re-entered everything from ICal into Google Calendar and tried to sync. Well, Google did move everything to ICal like it was supposed to, but now it has been determined that my Palm is ancient and to not even try it. IT's recommendation: Get an IPhone. So, that was yesterdays journey - the AT&T store.

I've spent the day (Sunday) getting things sync'd (now it works). Next step - take the IPhone to the Ford Edge and get the two to talk to each other so that I can use my handsfree phone. Don't ya love technology? It is absolutely a love/hate relationship!

P.S. My Ford Edge and iPhone can now talk. (I had heard there were issues getting the two to communicate. Luckily, I was not one with trouble...)

Prime Rib (Smoked)

Doesn't that sound yummy? Today (on this very cold day) we are pretending it is summer and using the smoker for a prime rib. Here is our recipe:

6 pound standing rib roast
1/2 cup freshly ground pepper
2 Tbsp granulated garlic
Smokey Beef Rub
Sea Salt
1/4 cup olive oil

We let our roast sit out of the fridge about 3 hours. Rub with olive oil over the entire surface. Sprinkle with garlic, pepper, beef rub, and sea salt making a heavy and even coating over the meat. Place the roast in the smoker, fat side up and smoke until the thickest part reaches 125 degrees. It should take about 3 hours.

I'm serving it with creamy horseradish; salad and twice baked cauliflower. Who wants to come to dinner?

Oh, and the best part - leftovers for tostadas and burritos!

Dessert Anyone?

I love dessert and I love chocolate! But, when you are trying to be healthy (and not eat sugar) dessert can be difficult, right? Here is my favorite EASY dessert - south beach style! Who remembers eating frozen fudgsicles as a kid? I do - used to love them. Apparently, I still do!

Peanut Butter Cup (South Beach style)

1 sugar free fudgsicle
2 Tbsp organic peanut butter (no sugar added)
2 Tbsp fat free Cool Whip

Take your sugar free fudgsicle from the freezer, stick in a bowl and microwave for about 15 seconds. Scrape the fudgsicle from the stick. Mix in your peanut butter and cool whip. Stir, stir, stir. Eat & enjoy!!

Easy and yummy. ENJOY...

What a GORGEOUS morning!

It is almost 50 degrees (heat wave), and today is the most gorgeous morning. These shots were taken from our deck, however do not display how beautiful the skies were today. Have a terrific day everyone!

Dreaming about paradise!

Well, even though we are not freezing (at least for a few days), I'm still dreaming about being in a warm, tropical paradise! This is the pool of the Hawaii timeshare we stayed in. I'd love to be there right now...

Stand Up Paddle Surfing

Since it is winter, cold, icy and snowy here in Juneau, I thought I would blog about a warmer place (and a warm activity). I had never heard of Stand Up Paddle Surfing before our trip to Hawaii. If you are not familiar with the sport, it entails standing on a very long board and propelling yourself with a paddle. It is quite popular now, and a great way to work your CORE! I can see why...

I guess the learning curve is a steep one. I know it would be for me! While we were on the beach, we noticed two very pale paddle surfers and one very tan surfer on a paddle board. I imagine the two were taking lessons (from the tan one). They were definitely having difficulties! You can see them in the picture - one is standing, the other is kneeling and the instructor is shouting directions. Looked like a lot of work! (but fun...)

Check out the VIDEO as well - this person is not a beginner to be sure!

Snow Day Today!

Well, our first snow day of the year. LOTS of snow, with more expected. (possibly 30 inches total) We have a path wide enough for the car in our driveway. Our driveway needs some attention to be sure. I'll post a picture here soon.

Warm Chili to help keep you warm?

Here is a great chili recipe I found on my favorite website, Kalyn's Kitchen. Yum - delicious. Try it - you won't be sorry...

BLACK BEAN & BEEF CHILI WITH CILANTRO, LIME & AVOCADO SALSA
6 servings

3 cans black beans
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1 diced Chipotle chili pepper (or like I did - substitute a square of Chipotle chili powder)
1-2 Tbsp olive oil
1 # very lean ground beef
1 large red onion, diced
1 Tbsp or more regular chili powder
2 tsp ground cumin
2 cups homemade beef stock (or not homemade - like me; I used Wolfgang Puck)
1-2 Tbsp tomato paste
1/4 cup + 1/4 cup lime juice
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
2 avocados, finely diced
salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Drain 2 cans black beans into colander. Rinse well (till no more foam appears) Let beans drain while you use the blender or food processor to puree the third can of black beans (undrained), the diced tomatoes & liquid, and the diced Chipotle pepper. Blend about 2 minutes till fairly smooth.

In bottom of soup pot, brown beef. Break into small pieces as you cook. Remove been to bowl, add a bit of olive oil and half the onions (about 1 cup). Lower heat and cook onions till soft. Add all the chili powder and cumin and saute about 30 seconds.

Add beef stock, ground beef, pureed bean mixture, drained beans from colander & tomato paste. Simmer uncovered, 30 minutes or longer. Taste - you might add more chile powder.

While chili simmers, dice avocado and place in a plastic bowl with 1/4 cup lime juice. Rinse and finely chop cilantro. Mix the rest of the chopped onion and half of the cilantro into avocado-lime juice mixture. This can be kept in fridge while chili cooks. Be sure to mix the lime juice with the avocado as soon as you cut it to keep it from turning brown.

Just before serving, stir in the other 3/4 cup cilantro and 1/4 cup lime juice to the chili. Cook about 5 minutes. Taste and season with salt, pepper. Serve hot, with scoop of avocado salsa on top of each serving. Yummy!

Thanks Kalyn's Kitchen for another wonderful recipe. Easy, healthy and low calorie! Check out the website for a picture.
http://kalynskitchen.blogspot.com/2008/01/black-bean-and-beef-chili-recipe-with.html

Christmas Day... Golf Anyone?

Here is how we spent our Christmas Day... This seaside putting course at the Hilton Waikoloa Village in Hawaii was a blast! I was the "Loser"! Thats OK - it was a gorgeous day.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Well, we are in 2009 now (hard to believe). We returned from our Hawaii trip Tuesday night. Going from sunshine and warmth to about eight degree weather - quite the transition!

I'm including two pictures today (well, trying to - they are not wanting to load) - one of the Seattle airport the morning after the "big snow". And, the other is of our favorite Hawaii activity - helicopter volcano viewing! Very cool... Next trip we all want to do the longer helicopter trip that takes you all over the island, into valleys with huge waterfalls and lush green jungles.



We loved Hawaii and can't wait to go back. However, the Caribbean is still our favorite (warmer water to play in), but Hawaii was easier to get to for us to be sure (well - should be easier without snowstorms to deal with). We actually want to try another Christmas trip next year (two islands hopefully).