30 by 30

Well 2012 has arrived. I knew this year would come...the year I turn 30. (Yeah, you should be jealous!) I know it's just a number, but it has me thinking.

I'm going to be 30 in 221 days, no matter what, so why not meet that day with a pocket full of confidence? I don't want to do "Extreme Makeover: Kaycee Edition", but I do want to accomplish a few things.
Here goes....

I will update this post as I accomplish any of these "goals".

1. Read the Book of Mormon (again). (8/23/12)
2. Go down 2 sizes. (5/1/12 - Completed and then regressed back to original size. :( )
3. Visit a friend in another state. (2/25/12- went to Arizona and visited my cousin friends April and Christy.)
4. Create (and not touch) an emergency fund.
5. Make a list of things I want to accomplish in my 30s (40 by 40?).
6. Finish the New Testament.
7. Complete a 5K.
8. Delete MySpace and Xanga (transfer info to Facebook?).
9. Create a budget and live by it.
10. Buy a camera.
11. Perform ordinances in the Mesa, Oklahoma City and San Antonio temples. - (Mesa was awesome, 2/24/12)
12. Be a vegetarian for a week.
13. Learn "Single Ladies", "Shuffle" and "Thriller" dances.
14. Pay off consumer debt.
15. Get a passport.
16. Make dinner and bring lunch 3 times/week.
17. Trace family tree back 2 more generations on Mom's side. (Completed 8/1/12 - Went back 1 more generation with the Mulleavys which opened another 4 generation. Woo hoo!)
18. Read 12 books for fun (Here's the list so far:  A Lucky Child, The Darcy Connection, Goodnight Maman). 3/12 = 25%
19. Read the Conference Ensign before Conference. (Completed 3/12/12)
20. Mail a card to someone every month.
21. Post to Pinnovations blog at least 30 times.
22. (Re)Memorize all the Seminary Scripture Mastery scriptures.
23. Go to 2 Mid-Singles activities.  (Completed 7/4/12)
24. Decide what I want to be when I "grow up".
25. Memorize the Family Proclamation.
26. Take the Jeopardy audition test.  (Completed 1/18/12)
27. Memorize 1 quote from each of the members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
28. Memorize a piano piece.
29. Scan my old photos.
30. Readers’ choice!  Leave a comment with a goal for me to accomplish - something exciting, attainable and awesome.

John Besh Is a Genius

Mom and I went to the grocery store on Wednesday night before closing. Crazy? Yes! But necessary. We did not have enough butter, heavy cream and whipping cream to complete our annual Butter Day feast. I was also on a quest to find the elusive mirliton to recreate a delicious dish that Aunt Rite made 3 years ago (Happy 3rd Anniversary Megan and Justin "Anything but Beiber" Bush).

The adventure began at Aldi where we were able to buy 8 dozen eggs and 12 cans of rotel tomatoes. (Don't ask.) Then we made a pit stop at Yogurtville (tasty deliciousness) before heading to Sprouts. Sprouts had a spot for chayote (the Spanish name for mirliton), but alas, it had been taken over by eggplant. Boo!

So off we went to Wal-Mart. Yes, that evil place. But, they came through with the mirliton. And so it began...

Mirliton, Andouille and Shrimp Dressing
Adapted from John Besh
TOTAL TIME 1 hour 30 minutes .

Ingredients
Salt
4 mirlitons (also called chayote)
1 1/2 cups unsalted butter
2 yellow onions, in medium dice
2 bell peppers, in medium dice
4 stalks celery, in medium dice
2 bay leaves
Freshly ground pepper
Creole seasoning mix, to taste
1 baguette
1 1/2 pounds medium shrimp (30 per pound), peeled and deveined
1 pound andouille sausage, or smoked Polish sausage, in quarter-inch slices
1 cup shrimp stock (see note)
1 bunch green onions, julienned
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups panko

Preparation
1. Bring about a gallon of water, with 3 tablespoons of salt, to boil in a large pot. Add mirlitons and cook covered for 30 minutes. When tender, remove to a bowl of ice water. Once cooled, peel, then cut each in half and remove seed. Cut into medium dice and reserve.
2. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter over medium heat in a large Dutch oven. Add onions, peppers, celery, bay leaves, salt, pepper, and Creole seasoning. Cook for 25 minutes, until vegetables are soft, and butter browns slightly.
3. Meanwhile, tear up baguette and grind in food processor with metal blade attachment.
4. Add shrimp to vegetables. When shrimp begin to take on color, add ground bread. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly, to fully incorporate bread and let it absorb liquid. Remove from heat and add mirlitons, sausage, stock, green onions, and cheese. Stir well and adjust seasoning.
5. Transfer to 9-inch-by-12-inch casserole and top with panko. Bake until warm and crusty, about 30 minutes.

NOTE
For stock, simmer shrimp shells for 10 minutes in about 1 1/2 cups of water.

So it's been a while...get over it!

I just wanted to say "HI" to the blogosphere and offer my promises that the blog will soon have some fun stuff posted. Without a camera, I've felt my posts are boring. So, I vow to you - my blog lurkers - that I will post what I've been up to and some fun ideas of what you can do with your time too! See you real soon!

Pick your poison....hurricanes or zombies?

With hurricane season on the horizon and flooding along the Mississippi River, emergency preparedness is at the forefront once again. I was impressed with the CDC's cleverness in trying to share the same information in a new way...ZOMBIES!



On another note, who knew it was Zombie Awareness month?

Friends and co-workers will support weight loss - latimes.com

Friends and co-workers will support weight loss - latimes.com

Let's see if this really works...

Crazy, Sexy Tiger...

I was reading my scriptures tonight and saw the phrase that the sons of Mosiah were desirous to "go up to the land of Nephi." Now for normal people this would mean nothing...but for me...it brought back memories...ENJOY!

Go Up to the Mountain

Sobe Fuel sound bite

Latin Guy wit a Ponytail (and maybe play some guitar)

Sobe Green Tea: Monkey Cat sound bite

I'm not acting, baby!

Sobe Dragon sound bite

Chubby Little Love Handles

Sobe Lean sound bite

The Fat Got Scared

Sobe Lean: Promoting FatLoss sound bite

Crazy, Sexy Tiger

Sobe Energy sound bite

What have I been up to?

Well....not much to be honest. I am still unemployed - but looking ever more for a job. I have applied with a few school districts in the area and I'm hoping to be getting calls soon for interviews. I know someone needs a High School Biology Teacher with my skills!



I finally hung some of my bedroom decor that I got for Christmas in 2007! Wow! It's been that long! It looks pretty good if you ask me. I used Modge Podge on the mirrors to put the words that I wanted up - Dream and Love. Then I hung the shelf, pics, and put up some empty votive holders. I'm not really a candle person, but the colors went well in my room of black and white, so they were included on a whim.

I've also been a crochet machine. My bud MaryAnn asked for my help to make some end-of-school presents for her 3rd graders. I said Sure since I have the time. She created a monster! I have now started making crochet animals and can't stop! They're so cute and fun. I love it! I thought I would share some of my creations. The crocheting continues... I started a baby afghan, some cute bookmarks, and next up....who knows, but I'm sure it will be fun!

I have also resumed my summer exercise of choice - swimming in the lake! I'm so excited that it's warming up. I love swimming. The buoys have moved since last year due to all of the rain and the higher water levels. I can't see swimming safely to the peninsula now without have a large bright pink flag or something so the crazy people driving boats in Lake Lewisville can see me! Ideas?