Happy Love day!

David and I had a great Valentine's day. We went up to Salt Lake City for a nice dinner, "Valentines Day" movie, and then stayed the night at the Radisson in downtown. It was the perfect day and made me feel so much better. I think it was the first time I had been outside the apartment in 2 weeks. I hope everyone had a beautiful day with their honey!

We just want to say THANK YOU also for all the kind words and advice, meals, flowers, emails, visits, and strawberry chocolate bouquet that made us feel so loved. We truly appreciate all the niceness that everyone showed towards us during this time. We've been super sad but are finally feeling a little better. I had surgery last Wednesday and everything went great. My mom was able to come down and be with me and help me, which was so helpful and nice. I am so thankful to have such a loving mom who will drop anything to be with us. I'm not sore anymore and am feeling a lot happier. We love you all. Thank you again for all that you did for us. We won't forget it!

MAKE THIS NOW!

Ok, so David and I had Amy and Nathan over for dinner and I attempted a new recipe. I have been wanting a good pasta recipe FOREVER. I looked online forever for something suitable but ended up on the Olive Garden website instead to look at their beloved food that I never get. Well, low and behold they put some of their delicious dishes online for you to make at home. Talk about YUM! (To be honest, I would rather have THEM make it for ME, but I'm just happy to get to eat it!) I made Chicken Castellina and you must too RIGHT NOW! No serioulsy, it was delicious. Go get the ingredients. I am making my most favorite dish of theirs, Tuscan Garlic chicken, tomorrow and I expect deliciousness again. Here is the recipe...


Chicken Castellina
Sauce
1/4 cup diced bacon
6 T. butter (I never said it was remotely healthy)
1 tsp fresh chopped garlic
1/4 cup sundried tomatoes, chopped
1.5 cups heavy whipping cream (once again very fattening but scrumptious)
1.5 cups milk
1 0z cornstarch
1/4 cup grated fresh parmesan cheese
1/2 cup smoked gouda cheese, chopped
1/4 tsp salt
1 T. fresh rosemary (I omitted this because I couldnt find it and dont care about it)
8.5 oz artichokes, drained
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 cup chopped mushrooms


pasta of your choice


Chicken
1.5 lbs chicken breasts, cut in cubes
3/4 c. flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
3 T. olive oil
1/4 c. white wine (you dont have to use this or can use chicken broth instead)


Saute bacon in large pot over medium/high heat until crisp and golden brown. Reduce heat, add butter, and let melt. Add garlic and sundried tomatoes and cook approximately 1 minute (stirring frequently); do not brown.

Whisk in together whipping cream, milk, and cornstarch together. Raise heat to medium/high heat. Add parmesan and gouda cheeses. Once cheese melts, stir in remaing sauce ingredients and bring to a boil; stirring continuously.

Remove from heat and let stand uncovered.

Chicken
Mix flour, salt, and pepper together and coat chicken in it. Shake off excess.
Heat oil in pan and brown chicken thoroughly on both sides; until juices run clear. Add wine (if wanted) to chicken pan and toss until evaporated. Add chicken to sauce and let heat up again.
Place on pasta and ENJOY! Yum Yum in my tum tum.

Hope you all enjoy!

Time to get back to real Life

We had a fabulous Christmas break filled with lazing around, spending time with family, eating, treats, parties, David's 50th birthday party, fun at Six flags, opening presents, getting lost in L.A., playing my new Original Nintendo system (Super Mario 3 baby) that David got me, playing games, sleeping in, being WARM, riding bikes at the beach,and just enjoying the time off. We were able to get a week and a half off of work and it was just what the doctor ordered. David is now back in school and I"m back to work but we're loving 2010 already. I hope everyone had a great break.

CLOSED FOR BUSINESS

Merry Christmas everyone! We hope you have a great little break from school, work, stress, and any worries and have a fabulous time with your families. David and I will be closing up shop here soon and be off to California for a nice LONG week break (finally some WARM weather). We hope you travel safe and remember the Savior during this time of the year. We are thankful for the birth of Jesus Christ and for the gospel in our lives. Merry CHRISTmas and a happy New Year! We love you all.

Enough already

Is it just me or are you as sick of all the snow as I am? Granted, it's beautiful and it's nearly Christmastime, but a little less would be nice. I normally don't mind it THIS bad, but shoveling snow every day has just been annoying. I hope you're having a warmer holiday season than we are!

Speaking of which, maybe NOW wasnt the time for David to do THIS to his look...

ONE YEAR AGO!

David and I got married exactly a year ago today. Time really flies when you're in love and having fun. This has been the best year, and I look forward to a million more anniversaries. Happy Anniversary Sweetie! I love you!

Happy THANKSgiving

Happy late Thanksgiving everyone! We had the best holiday this year. My parents and Autumn were able to come to Utah and stay at Melissa's house for the holiday. We had the best time eating, playing games, eating, playing guitar hero, eating some MORE food and PIE, shopping, celebrating Autumn's birthday, and just enjoying one another's company...Oh did I mention the Eating? I am SO excited for Christmas now. And it's officially December 1st so I'm good to listen to Christmas music the rest of the year. It's crazy how quickly time flies. David and I celebrate our ONE YEAR anniversary this weekend which just seeems nuts to me. It really has been a great year and I am so thankful for family and friends and the gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope everyone had a great time.