Pumpkin log :)

My friend Roxi asked me if I would post this recipe because she wants to make it.  It is soooooo yummy.  AND it is the PERFECT for the holiday season!

3 eggs, beaten

1 c. sugar

3/4 c. all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

2/3 c. pumpkin

Mix all ingredients in order given. Beat by hand until smooth. Prepare a well greased baking pan 9 x 12 inch and cover bottom with wax paper. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes. Prepare a tea towel with powered sugar and turn out cake on towel. Remove wax paper. Roll and refrigerate approximately 1 hour.

FILLING:

1 (8 oz.) cream cheese (let stand to room temperature)

1 c. powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

2 tbsp. butter

Cream ingredients by hand until smooth. Open roll and spread evenly. Roll again and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Green Grass... :)

David and I have been really into trying to get our grass green.  We have been watering it, and decided we should probably fertilize it, since we don't know the last time it was done.  While David was mowing the lawn, I decided I would fertilize.  I put the pellets in the container and fertilized the front yard grass.  Later, David went to do the backyard and this is what happened:

David: Where is the rest of the fertilizer?! (HE was gonna do the backyard)
Samm: In the garage.
Dave: No. The bag you were using earlier. (We had 2 bags-one opened/one not)
Samm: I used it all on the front yard. Use the other bag.

Dave: WHAT? A WHOLE bag??? ...... that was for 5,000 sq. ft!!

Samm: Oh...well how many sq. ft. is the front yard?!

Dave: ...about 1,000

Samm: Oops...our grass is gonna be REAL green.

Dave: uhhh...either that or it's gonna be REAL dead!

Samm:  Ehh...ya win some, ya lose some! :)

I am happy to report it has been about 2 weeks since that little episode, and our grass is not dead.  We just had to water it a lot.  It actually looks great!  See...I must know what I'm doing! ;)

What's been going on in the Ostapeck household...

Humm...

He's been playing poker, working hard, doing yardwork, loving football season, eating endless amounts of ice cream, playing bejewled, and doing the "boy chores," she hates to do (taking out the trash, killing spiders, etc)

She's back to work, reading a riduculous amout (for pleasure, not business), decorating the house for fall, baking, hopelessly waiting for rain and, of course cleaning, doing laundry, and all the other fun things wives do.

Since I've blogged  last, here is what has happened:

David is taking a break from tests.  He has decided he wants a little break, and I don't blame him.  He has been going strong for awhile now.  So, he has been spending a lot of time playing poker online.  He loves poker, and I tell him as long as he doesn't lose money, he can play with no complaints from me. :)

My friend Gabby went home to Eurpoe.  It's funny...she worked so hard to get her U.S. citizenship, and after 18 years, she FINALLY gets it...then 2 years later, she moves to Europe for vet school and will be there for 5 years. LoL!  Brittany and I called a last minute "get-together," to send Gab off.  The night before her flight, we gathered at Britt's and watched the award show.  I'm sad she's gone, but she'll be home at Christmas, so I have that to look forwad to.

My best friend, Roxi and her baby Adelyn came to stay with us on Saturday, and spent the night.  It was so much fun to have them over.  We hung out and just had some "girls" time.  To top it off, our friend Ashley joined us.  It's always fun to get together with the girls.

I am almost finished with the Hunger Games trilogy. 
It has been amazing.

I am trying to help fall along.  You see...Mother Nature has decided that California doesn't deserve fall.  The temperature has been in the hundreds lately, and there is no sign of fall.  So, therefore, I have made it my personal mission to help it along...well, I guess all I have really done is decorate for fall, and...most importantly...I have been making PuMpKiN LoGs!!!! :)  ...and they're yummy!!!!  Yay for Fall...hurry up and here, please! :)

I decided that I wanted to be a part of a book club.  So, I solicited my friends, and we all decided that would be a great idea.  It will be fun to be able to discuss books we are reading.  The book club starts today, and our first book is:  The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  I have heard it is good from a lot of people, one being my Aunt Terri, so we'll see...

I think that's it for our boring lives as of now...

Stop the h8!

Children are killing themselves.  Ending their LIVES because they are not accepted at school.  They are being bullied, and they feel ALONE.  This problem is REAL.  As adults, it is our responsibility to lead by example.  It is OUR job to teach ACCEPTANCE!  My heart is broken.

The Hunger Games

CAPTIVATING!  That is the best word I can use to describe this book.  I would also use INTRIGUING, too!  My Aunt Cindy suggested this book, and when she told me what it was about I kind of thought she was crazy.  The whole story line seems a bit far out there...Basically, it is about a torn apart North America that has been rebuilt and is now comprised of 12 districts.  Once a year, each district has to send a boy and a girl, between the ages of 12 and 18, to the Capitol.  These children participate in the Hunger Games-a fight to the death.

And while it sounds weird, it ISN'T!  It's AMAZING!  ...and you should read it!  One of my all time faves... I couldn't put it down, and ended up reading it in just hours...

ENJOY!

***Shmancy***

Shmancy.  I think Webster's dictionary would define it as "super fancy."  Now, I know what most are thinking.  Samm-yes, she's fancy...in fact, many people make fun of me and call me Fancy Nancy.  I get it.  I like big rings, I LOVE to accessorize (maybe to the point where I over-do it a bit), but I found a way in which I am NOT fancy!!!  Ready?!

So...David and I celebrated our 4 year wedding anniversary last week and we thought "Let's do something fun!"  David and I tent to be, what most people would describe as, a "boring married couple."  Now, don't get me wrong-we're a riot, but as far as the things we do...kinda the "boring married couple" stuff...date nights consist of: movies, a quick dinner at a local restaurant, etc.  Nothing in the least bit "shmancy."  So...we decided-for our anniversary, we are gonna be shmancy.

I had heard about a restaurant called The White House in Anaheim.  I knew it was a nice restaurant, but I was more interested to hear they provide 150+ meals for children a day who are less fortunate.  I was sold.  If they're helping kids, then I will support them.

We made reservations, and off we went!

Once we got there we were very impressed with the fancy-ness.  However, it was sooooo quiet in there.  We could barely whisper without feeling awkward.  So...we just whispered the whole time.  THEN, it was time to find something to eat.  Literally EVERYTHING on the menu was some sort of concoction.  I asked David if he saw any "normal" food. LOL!  Everything looked DISGSTING!  They had bacon pasta, and all of these weird things.  David ended up getting the bacon pasta (they had a prettier name for it) and just the smell of it made me sick.  My meal was no better.  I had a few bites and told David I was full.  Then I asked if we could go to McDonalds afterwards! :) 

Moral of my story...it was not our idea of a good time.  We had each others company, so we made the best of it.  But, we promised that next time we would resort to our "boring" ways.  We like our boring, simple, conservative lives just fine, thank you very much!  :)

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

The name of this book does it NO justice.  Something about it just turned me off.  However, I really enjoyed it.  It is about the German Occupation, and the whole book consists ONLY of letters.  It was not like anything else I have read before.  One thing I really enjoyed about the fact that it was written in letters, is that you can start and stop a lot, instead of waiting for a chapter to end.  It was nice while I was teaching and waiting for the kids to complete an assignment.

Some favorite quotes:

"She's one of those ladies whose more beautiful at sixty than she could possibly have been at twenty."  I loved this.  I think that about people sometimes.

"My friend Sophie calls it coincidence, and Mr. Simpless, my parson friend, calls it Grace.  He thinks that if one cares about someone or something new one throws a kind of energy out into the world, and a 'fruitfullness' is drawn in."

I would suggest this book!

Bradley Andrew Hoang Dornan

David's best friend, Derick and his wife, Lan had their first baby last week.  David and I were really excited to meet Bradley.  He was born on August 31st, 2010.  We went to visit them Monday (Labor Day).  It was so much fun!  He is SUPER cute, and a very good baby.  Congratz, Derick and Lan!

4 years down...FOREVER to go...

4 years ago, today David and I were married.  I am such a lucky girl to have such an awesome husband.  He takes such good care of me.  I couldn't have asked for a more caring, thoughtful, loyal husband.

...this is all on top of the fact that he is a stud! ;)

Lucky us!

My friend, Ashley called me one day and asked me if David and I would be willing to go in to a photo studio and be subjects for her sister.  Her sister, Kelly is pursuing a career in photography, and needed to have different shots for her portfolio...one being couples.  So, of course, I thought it would be awesome to have some pictures taken of the two of us.  Afterall, we haven't had any good picture taken since we got engaged. 

With that being said, I think we got some good shots.  Here are some of my faves...

Another recipe! :)

This is called broccolini and bucatina...and it's yummy!  I got this one from Rachael Ray's TV show. 

 You should DEF. try this!

Here are some suggestions though: 

I added chicken so that there was a protein with the dish.  I just put some extra virgin olive oil in a pan and then threw some chicken in there with pepper and thyme.  Then, later I sliced it into slivers and added it to the pasta.

Also, when adding the red pepper flakes, add with caution...it was pretty spicy.  Maybe use 1/2 of what she suggests, unless you like it hot!

Ingredients

Salt

1 pound broccolini or broccoli trimmed into 3 inch long, thin florets

1 pound bucatini pasta

1 cup pecorino Romano cheese, freshly shaved or grated

3 tablespoons EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 small Italian red chili or Fresno chili pepper, thinly sliced or substitute 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

4 cloves garlic, very thinly sliced or grated

2 tablespoons fresh thyme, finely chopped

 

Preparation

Bring a large pot of water to a boil for pasta. When it comes to a full boil, salt the water and add broccolini or broccoli and par-boil about 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted kitchen utensil and cool in an ice water bath, then drain. Add pasta and cook to al dente.

Heads up: you will need a couple of ladles starchy cooking water just before draining pasta.

Place cheese in the bottom of a shallow serving bowl.

Meanwhile, heat EVOO, 3 turns of the pan, over medium heat and add chili pepper and garlic, sauté a couple of minutes. Then add thyme and stir, then add broccolini or broccoli and heat through. Add pasta and cheese and toss with a little starchy water to combine and coat pasta.

Garnish with additional grated cheese.

ENJOY!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Today was my dad's 48th birthday.  I just wanted to wish him a happy birthday! :)

Man, they grow up so fast!

My Parents' 25th Wedding Anniversary...

July 20th, 2010 marked 25 years of marriage for my parents.  I was born 11 months after they were married, so I feel like I had the opportunity to watch their marriage throughout the years, which is neat.  I have always wanted to throw them a 25th anniversary partty, and had honestly been planning it for years.  These days, I feel like 25 years is REALLY something to celebrate.  So, I applaud all the couples who have made it through THICK and THIN.  YOU are something to celebrate!  And to my family...my mom and dad, my Aunt Terri and Uncle Jim, and My Aunt Cindy and Uncle Rick...THANK YOU.  Thank you for making it! :)

Here are some pics of the party.  It was held at our new house...that proved to be challenging, especially since we had only lived there for 6 days.   :)

This is a picture of our front room.  I decorated with their wedding albums.

These are the decorations.  We had the party in our backyard.  I chose my mom's favorite colors: Red, black and white.

Of course I thought the party would NOT be complete without a chocolate fountain.  THIS was WAY worth the investment!  It was a HIT!

David's best friend owns a catering business, so we had him cater it for us.  We had a taco bar.  It was really YUMMY!

I wish I could take credit for this AMAZING cake, but I can't.  My friend's sister did it for me.  It was BEAUTIFUL, and really good too!

This is a picture of my parents and their friends from high school.

My grandpa was hamming it up with all the ladies! :)

My mom wrote this letter when she was 9 1/2.  It was saved in a safety deposit box and taken out for her wedding, and NOW for her party!

Here are some more photos:

Overall, it was an AWESOME party.  Thank you to those who came, and ESPECIALLY those who traveled from out-of-state!  I SO appreciate your presence. :)  To another 25 years...

Lettuce Wraps

 I made these YUMMY lettuce wraps for dinner tonight!  I have had them at P.F. Chang's Restaurant before, but I wanted to try and make them at home, so that I could be in control of what went in them.  We like to try and stay away from salt and preservatives.

You should try them.  They were WAY good, AND easy to make.  They would even be a great snack.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup dry-roasted peanuts
2 tablespoons vegetable or peanut oil

1 1/4 pounds thinly sliced pork or chicken cutlets or 1 1/2 pounds ground pork or chicken

Pepper

1/4 pound oyster, baby white or shitake mushrooms, chopped or thinly sliced

1 bunch scallions, chopped or thinly sliced

4 cloves garlic, chopped

1 1 1/2-inch piece of fresh ginger root, cut into thin matchsticks or finely chopped

2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup unsweetened apple juice or chicken stock

1/4 cup Tamari (dark soy sauce)

A few dashes of hot pepper sauce

1 small head iceberg lettuce, core removed and head quartered

Preparation:

Using a food processor, finely chop the peanuts.

In a large skillet, heat the oil, two turns of the pan, over high heat. Add the pork and cook until browned, about 5 minutes; season with pepper. Add the mushrooms, scallions, garlic and ginger; toss for 2 minutes. Push the ingredients to the side of the pan and add the peanut butter to the center to melt. Whisk in the apple juice, Tamari (eyeball it) and hot sauce. Stir in the peanuts.
Spoon the satay into a serving bowl or individual bowls. Serve the lettuce wedges alongside. Scoop the satay mixture into lettuce leaves to wrap up as you eat.


****I also added wontons, which made for a good crunchy texture.  I would highly recommend!

VOILA!  Enjoy your yummy creation!

My Time in UTAH! :)

UTAH...that word makes me so elated!  Sappy, I know...but, I don't care what anyone thinks.  I left my husband for 2 weeks, and headed to the great state of Utah, to see my family.  It was blissful, to say the least.  How do I love them so much?!  My friend told me before I left that I had the most AMAZING family...and you know what?!  She's TOTALLY right!  I am sooo blessed!

Sometimes I think it's best that I live far away from them.  Maybe I appreciate them more that way ;)

I am a loser and didn't take any pictures, so I will just use some older ones to describe my experience the best I can.

Here is what I did...

I traveled with my GREAT Aunt Linda to Salt Lake via Jet Blue. :)  I do not have a picture of her, so you'll have to use your imagination.

Once we got to Salt Lake, my cousin Alison picked us up!

I stayed the night at her house.  The next morning she took me to my Aunt Cindy's (where I would be staying during the duration of my trip).

This would be Aunt Cindy and Uncle Rick.  I know, I know...I look just like my Aunt Cindy...we're practically twins...sheesh...if I aged a year every time I heard that, we WOULD be twins! bahaha! (She is gonna kill me for that little joke!) ...Love you auntie! ;)

So, I got to hang out with these two cool kids.  Lucky me, right?!  My Aunt Cindy and I did a lot of running around to get ready for the annual family reunion the first few days I was there.  We went to lunch and hung out too, so it wasn't all work. ;)

  Lucky for me, I got to have lunch with my Aunt Terri too.  It was great to spend time with both of my aunts.

...and I got to see these pretty ladies. love my cousins!


Unfortunately, because I suck at life, I have NO pictures of me meeting baby Charlie, or me and my aunt taking Luke and Layna to the zoo.  BUT, we did do that...and it was more than enjoyable.

Overall...it was amazing...and, while I may try, no amount of gushy words will begin to express how much I cherish the times I share with these extraordinary people.

The Adventures of Cindy and Samm

Later in the week we headed to our family reunion...Uncle Rick had a golf tournament, so he
was gonna have to meet us later. So, my Aunt Cindy decided she was going to just drive the RV herself. YA...I thought...girl POWER! So...we got in and drove off...but not before we almost drove off with the RV plugged into the house. Oops!
SO, now I must finish my story in a dialogue, because that is THE ONLY way I will do this story any justice.
Achem...
We get on the highway...and....


Aunt Cindy: (singing "I am Woman hear me Roar")
Samm: Wow...(thinking: are you really singing that right now?!)
Aunt Cindy: It's the adventure of Cindy and Samm!
Samm: (laughing...and thinking my aunt is sooo cute!) Yup, it is..
We keep driving...
Aunt Cindy:  I hear somthing weird...do you hear it?!
Samm:  Ya, I do...

Sound goes away...

Aunt Cindy:  Ahh...I think it went away...
Samm: Cool.

5 minutes later...

Samm:  Do you smell that?!
Aunt Cindy:  Smell what?!
Samm:  I smell something burning.
Aunt Cindy:  No...I don't
Samm:  Humm...
Samm:  Are you sure?!  It smells like something is burning...
Aunt Cindy:  No...let me check the gauge.  (looks at gauge)  No...the engine isn't overheating or anything.
Samm:  Oh, okay...just keep your eye on it.

2 minutes later...

Samm:  I STILL smell burning...

Meanwhile Grandpa and Aunt Terri are in front of us.  We're following them.
 
Aunt Cindy:  Woah, look at my dad swerve!
Samm:  Geez...grandpa is gonna kill someone.
 
Grandpa pulls over fast and so we pull over too...
 
Aunt Cindy:  I wonder why he is pulling over.
 
As we stop, smoke fills the air, and it's coming from the engine!
 
Aunt Cindy and Samm: (screaming!!!!!!) Ahhhhhhh!
 
Aunt Cindy:  Get the dog!!!!!!!  (yes, we thought the car was on fire, and YES she screamed "get the dog!"  not "save my niece...she's too young to die!")  LOL! :)
 
The RV was smoking and it looked like it was on fire.  Luckily it wasn't.  We just blew the radiator hose.
 

I knew I smelled smoke! :)

We had to call my Uncle Jim to come and save us.  He did...and we made it to the reunion...AND we had a good story too!

TOM'S

Have you heard of these?! They are called Tom shoes.  Now, you're probably thinking..."okay...so what?!  What is so great about them, anyway?!"  Well, ladies and gents...I have an answer!  They are so wonderful because everytime you buy a pair, the company "TOM" will give a pair of shoes to a child in need.  I told you it was pretty great, now didn't I?! 

What could be better than buying a pair of shoes?!  How about getting a pair of new shoes, AND helping a child...THAT'S what's better! :)

So, go buy some...seriously.  And, if you're thinking, "oooh...I wanna help a child in need, but I don't need those shoes...," well, of couse I have a solution.  I'm a size 8.5! :)

<3 SammAsh

PAUSE!

Ever wish you could make time stand still?!  I DO!  ...and if I had the power, I would have pushed the pause button here!  Then I probably would have rewound and replayed a few times.  <3 my family to pieces!

I did, however, make sure to soak up all the time with them the best I could.  Afterall...it's gotta get me to Christmas, and I am ALREADY having withdraws! :)

Okay...this is the real thing!

So, I have promised my self (again) that I will start blogging.  I still follow the rest of the family and their blogs, and when I look at them I realize how much I miss my blog.  So, I am starting again.  I REALLY, REALLY promise.  In fact...if I don't post, I request that you harass me, so that I do it :)

I suck at life...

...cuz I never update my blog.  LOL! Sigh...  :(