Things I learned from my dad...

A couple of days ago was my dad's birthday and since then I've been thinking about what I learned from him.   

Because of my dad I have an eclectic taste in music, I have everything from Eminem to Carrie Underwood on my iPod.  As a kid we drove thousands of miles up and down highway 395 always listening to something.  I remember singing along to John Denver, Linda Ronstadt, Carly Simon, Elton John, Supertramp, Barbra Streisand and Pink Floyd.

I think I learned to see beauty in everything from my dad.  He is an amazing photographer and had his own shop/studio when we lived in Mammoth.  He took pictures of ski races for both Mammoth and June mountain, did portraits and weddings and lots of landscapes.  I can't tell you how many times he'd see something forming in the sky and yell to grab the cameras because we were heading to shoot the sunset.  I have fond memories of watching the film develop in the darkroom.

I think the most important thing I learned from my dad was to think for myself.  Growing up with two households for any kid is at the very least difficult, but when the two households are extremely different it's even more-so.  My dad's philosophy was question everything, don't take my word for it, make your own mistakes  (which I did and plenty of them!).  One of his favorite sayings is "everyone has a constitutional right to be stupid".  We often disagree on things but hey, we agree to disagree.  

I love my dad and hope he had a great time celebrating his birthday!

Until next time, Ciao.

How Many Christians Does It Take to Change A Light Bulb?

First, let me start off by saying this is not meant to offend anyone.  I got this in an email yesterday and thought it was hilarious, so please take this as it's meant...just to be funny =)






How Many Christians Does It Take to Change A Light Bulb?
=========================================================


Charismatic: Only one. Hands are already in the air.


Pentecostal: Ten. One to change the bulb and nine to pray
against the spirit of darkness.


Presbyterians: None. Lights will go on and off at predestined
times.


Roman Catholics: None. Candles only.


Baptists: At least 15. One to change the light bulb and three
committees to approve the change and decide who brings the
potato salad.


Episcopalians: Three. One to call the electrician, one to mix
the drinks, and one to talk about how much better the old one
was.


Mormons: Five. One man to change the bulb and four wives to
tell him how to do it.


Unitarians: We choose not to make a statement either in favor of
or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own
journey you have found that light bulbs work for you, that is
fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance
about your light bulb for the next Sunday service, in which we
will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including
incandescent, fluorescent, three-way, long-life, and tinted, all
of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.


Methodists: Undetermined. Whether your light is bright, dull,
or completely out, you are loved. You can be a light bulb,
turnip bulb, or tulip bulb. A church-wide lighting service is
planned for Sunday. Bring a bulb of your choice and a covered
dish.


Nazarene: Six. One woman to replace the bulb while five men
review church lighting policy.


Lutherans: None. Lutherans don't believe in change.


Amish: What's a light bulb?

Recipe of the week: Baked Potato Soup

I've seen lots of potato soup recipes over the years, I've been making this for quite a while.  I think I started out with a recipe a long time ago and just kept changing it.  I used to use chicken broth but I don't anymore for the vegetarians in my house.  I also don't use any flour in it either so it's gluten free.  If your comes out too thick you can add a little more vegetable broth or milk.  It shouldn't be too thin as long as you leave the potatoes a little chunky.  Let me know what you think.  A Votre Sante!

Baked Potato Soup

8-10 medium russet potatoes baked and cooled
3 Tbsp butter
1/2 large brown or white onion diced
2 gloves chopped garlic
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp dried parsley
4 green onions chopped
3 cups vegetable broth
2 cups low fat milk
1 cup shredded cheese
1 cup light sour cream

Bake the potatoes at 375 degrees for about an hour, remove from oven and let them cool.  Peel half of the potatoes and chop.  Leave the skins on the other half and chop .  In a large pot melt the butter, saute the brown or white onion and garlic.  Add the chopped potatoes and vegetable broth, salt, pepper and parsley.  Cook on low for about 15 minutes.  Add the 2 cups of milk and 2 chopped green onions.  If you have an immersion blender, use that to make the soup somewhat smooth, other wise you can use a regular blender.  Scoop the soup into the blender in a couple of small batches and blend on the chop setting, you don't want mashed potatoes.  Return to the stove and simmer for another 10 minutes, stirring often so it doesn't scorch. Taste and add more salt and pepper if you need to.  Turn the heat off and add the cheese and sour cream.  Serve with the remaining green onions, more cheese and sour cream if you like.  Enjoy!  (You can always add bacon or bacon bits).

Working on my Bucket List...

So, this year I decided I’d make a bucket list, this is by no means complete or in any particular order. It’s been very fun brain storming, dreaming and writing things down. Here’s what I’ve got so far….do you have a bucket list, if so I’d love to hear it!

Until next time. 

Ciao.

Ride in a hot air balloon

Drive a 356 Porsche

Own another convertible, this time a BMW or Mercedes would be nice instead of a jeep

Go back to the Virgin Islands

Ride and sleep in a train in Europe

Tour Italy and go wine tasting


See Vatican City

Crush Grapes with my feet in a vineyard

Visit the Grand Canyon

Own a pair of Louboutin's

Go horseback riding on the beach

See the Eiffel Tower

Go whale watching

Visit my friend in Boston

Swim with dolphins

Visit my friend in Minnesota, so that I can hear the tornado sirens on a Wednesday

Go see my aunt and uncle in Chicago

Live at the beach again

Spend a week in New York and see a Broadway musical

Recipe: Greek Seven Layer Dip

I think this is what I'm going to make for the Super Bowl.  What's your favorite game day snack?


Greek 7 layer dip

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups hummus
1 cup tzatziki
1 cup tomato (diced and mixed with 1 tablesoon lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon oregano)
1/2 cup cucumber (cut into small pieces)
1/4 cup red onions (diced)
1/4 cup feta (crumbled)
1/4 cup kalamata olives (pitted and coarsely chopped)
1 handful mint (chopped)
4 whole wheat pitas (cut into triangles and toasted until just crispy) or pita chips and cut vegetables.
Directions:
 Assemble dip starting with the hummus and stacking each ingredient on top of the last on a tray or in a pie dish and serve.  Enjoy!

Recipe of the week: Oven Roasted Cauliflower

I love roasted vegetables and I love cauliflower, I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner.  Now it's my new favorite thing.  My daughter tells me I go on these spurts and I burn everyone out on my newest recipe.  So, I'm trying to only make this once a week.   Last week there was leftovers that I was looking forward to and the next morning they were gone...guess who ate them! Oh well, hopefully there will be leftovers tomorrow.  You can add any kind of seasoning you'd like depending on what you're serving it with, sometimes I just like neutral flavors to go with whatever I'm serving and this is now a staple.  As always let me know what you think.  A Votre Sante!

Oven Roasted Cauliflower

1 large head of cauliflower
1 lemon
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Chop cauliflower into small pieces, when you're done put in a bowl and  add olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.  Toss well.  Pour into a 9 X 13 pan and place in the oven for approximately 45 minutes or until fork tender.  Enjoy!

Ten Ways to Love

I saw this on someone else’s blog and it was too good to not repost. Happy last day of January!

Until next time.

Ciao!

Ten Ways to Love

1. Listen without interrupting. (Proverbs 18)

2. Speak without accusing. (James 1:19)

3. Give without sparing. (Proverbs 21:26)

4. Pray without ceasing. (Colossians 1:9)

5. Answer without arguing. (Proverbs 17:1)

6. Share without pretending. (Ephesians 4:15)

7. Enjoy without complaint. (Philippians 2:14)

8. Trust without wavering. (Corinthians 13:7)

9. Forgive without punishing. (Colossians 3:13)

10. Promise without forgetting. (Proverbs 13:12)