If You Ever Want a Steak-

-Just head on over to our house because my husband has it on lock down. Oh yeah, it's sooo good. It's become our little treat. Every once in a while, if he's up in Park City, he'll stop by the butcher up there and I know we'll have a tasty night. On Friday he called me at work and very excitedly told me he had acquired some Kobe beef, which is apparently a big deal in beef world. Problem is, we always end up with too much for just the two of us to enjoy, so we start asking around to see who wants to come over for dinner. Consider yourself warned, it may be you next time.
Step One: Marinate meat of choice(my favorite is rib-eye) with a wonderful marinade my husband found called Soy Vey. It's usually in the chinese aisle with the soy sauce. Island Teriyaki is the flavor. I know, Teriyaki steak? Just trust us, it's good. Try to give it a good 3-4 hr 'soak' as my husband calls it.

Step Two: Fire up the grill! Cook to your preference. We like it medium, or medium rare(gasp!). That's right, sorry for all you out there who differ in opinion on this one. I used to always order my steak well done, but after a while I decided I was daring enough to try medium well. I also thought this sounded much more edgy, and I liked a little pink. Then one fateful day, a coworker finally convinced me that I just had to try it medium. I'd heard this time and time again, that you really weren't tasting the meat if it was too done, or that it was an insult to the chef, or whatever else. So after a few times of just tasting a medium steak, I decided I might as well order my own like that since I obviously liked it. And what do you know, I'm hooked. It's medium all the way for me now. Why this is important I have no idea, but I figure I am posting about steak so I might as well go with it right?

Step Three: Saute some mushrooms, mmmmm.
Step Four: Enjoy! Oh yes, enjoy.

Winter Poem

'WINTER'

by Abigail Elizabeth McIntyre

Crap....It's Cold

The End

Re-do

Here it comes. I can't control myself any longer, not that I was really ever trying in the first place. The paint swatches have been sitting on my table for days. I can't stop looking over my shoulder to the kitchen and imagining all the different colors that would be happy covering its walls. It's more indeciciveness than self control that holds me back, but the breakthrough is coming. Brad has that look in his eyes. That look of, "Oh mercy. Here we go again. What did I marry?" But to be honest, I am a one woman show with the painting. He just has to come reassure me every now and again.

Some of you may be thinking, didn't she just paint the whole house? And I would say, not the whole house. Just this room:

And I changed this shade to this shade:

And I started this, but didn't like it:

You see, I had been a running a commentary in my head for awhile ("Ohhh, this would really look better in turquoise, or maybe a cool slate color. And then I could . . "), then Brad went out of town for a couple weeks and I went stark raving mad. Really it was a little heavenly, changing around the whole house on my every whim. But to everyone else probably leaning a little more towards stark raving mad. I simply think I am addicted to that new fresh feeling of change and color and personality and new perspective and . . . . Yes, I am still talking about 'interior design.'

Please tell me someone else has the incessant desire to take on some new household project every month or so? Anyone that doesn't tire of visiting Ikea & Tai Pan Trading? I need to know who I can call to come give me feedback when I'm on a rampage(thank you Sharalee) because Husband, well he always tells me likes it and everything I do looks good, but he says that on autopilot and not because he truly appreciates the way the yellow and green compliment eachother.

Anyone??? Just me? Dang it.

High School Tag

I have been meaning to do this tag for awhile, but as I think it is much more entertaining with pictures I figured I'd wait till I actually had a date with my scanner and got it all done. The scanner was not very good company, if you were wondering. I caution you: High School was not filled with many of my brightest moments, but I will share with you none the less.

high school tag

1. Did you date someone in high school? Nope. I went on dates, but not anyone steadily.
2. What kind of car did you drive? Well at first there was the big purple van. That was a fun one. We would play 'name that rattle'. And then I got my glorious black Nissan 200sx, stick shift. It was sweet. The guys were jealous.
3. Did you pass your driver's license test the first time? Sure did.

4. Were you a party animal? I am not proud of any kerfuffles, shenanigans, or shindigs I may or may not have participated in.

5. Were you considered a flirt? Heavens no!!! I am completely unable to grasp the art of flirting. Still no clue. Brad is the flirt in our relationship.

6.Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? Choir, I'm an Alto. I can't go any higher than a C.

7. Were you a nerd? no.

8. Were you on any varsity teams? no

9. Did you ever get suspended or expelled? no

10. Can you still sing your fight song? I was never even close to knowing that thing.

11. Who were your favorite teachers? Mrs. Russell-biology(sheer entertainment factor here, the lady had 'anatomically correct' earrings and collected animal bones), Mrs. Barney-english, Mr. Allan-math.

12. Where did you sit at lunch? Well, not very often in the lunch room. So I guess it was either the local Pizza Hutt, friends' houses, the parking lot. I can't remember them all.

13. School mascot: Pioneers

14. School colors: purple & white

15. Did you go to homecoming and who with? I went with some kid named Nick junior year, and Dan Piereder senior year.

16. If you could go back and do it again, would you? I miss certain aspects of life at that time like friends and the social scene. I would do a lot of things differently like, oh say, actually attend. But regrets are worthless right? So no. For no amount of money. Definitely not.
17. What do you remember most about graduation? Graduation was not my favorite day for many reasons that shall remain not written on my blog. I remember it being long and corny. But that's how they're supposed to be right?

18. Where did you go on Senior Skip Day? Every day was Senior Skip Day for me.

19. Were you in any clubs? I think I was in the French Club and the Art Club???

20. Have you gained weight since then? yes (sigh)

21. Who was your prom date? Oh my gosh. I actually can't remember!!! He didn't go to my school. I have a picture though.

22. Are you planning on going to your 10 year reunion? No. I think most the people I would want to see would not show up.

23. Did you have a job while in high school? I did small stints at the Sno Shack & the Lehi Bakery. But I spent many a night at Taybo's Wraps. It was this tasty little wrap shop right next to the Gandolfo's in American Fork. Many, many memories. I am still so sad it closed.

24. Worst class? Physics. Mostly because our teacher was a joke. We spent of the time eating 'chewy' Everlasting Gobstoppers and gossiping.

25. Favorite class? I really liked my Popular Literature class I took as a senior. We read cool stuff and just had class discussions everyday.

I tag: Andrea, Jamie, Nicole, Brad

Holiday Rundown

I know, I know. You all are thinking,"Oh great, a very late holiday post(yawn)."

Christmas has been over and done with for awhile, and everyone has already given a review of their festivities. But we just got done celebrating. And I can't very well just not tell you all about it! Better late than never right? Well maybe not, but here goes anyway.
At Brad's parents' house we had in impromptu nativity play. It was so fun and hilarious, and I'm glad it was a surprise or Brad's brothers would have run for the hills. I wish I had some better pictures of it. It began with Samuel the Lamanite (bro in law Guy with a towel on his head) climbing a ladder and prophesying whilst the rest of the family was armed with straws and rocks made of aluminum foil to 'lightly throw' at him. That quickly turned to pelting. But it was wonderful, complete with a star held up with a fishing pole, and everyone in costume.

At my parents', we loved our homemade gifts,


loved our matching pjs,


and Brad sang along to Josh Groban's Oh Holy Night.


On Christmas morning we ran for our gifts,


and I gave in to my serious addiction of Christmastime puzzles. Really. I have a problem.



Happy New Year!!!




Think this post is over? Oooh, no. We are no where near done with holiday-ness. Still with me anyone?




On New Years Eve, my family came up from San Diego to stay for a week. Hooray!!!


We absolutely love them. The days that followed included football, football, football, shopping, eating, laughing, football, crafting, eating, more shopping, more crafting,


also some sledding,


a trip to the Dinosaur Museum (Happy Birthday Garrison!!!)


and sleepovers at our house which included making shapes out of popcorn (this one's a cheerio). Sadly, they had to actually go back home (what!) and we'll have to wait until our next trip down there so see them. But it was a fun few weeks! Now, back to the grind.

Happy Holidays!!!

First Project

Well, I have finished my first project on my new Brother sewing machine. The whole thing, start to finish (thanks to help from mom). I did buy a sewing machine this summer, but it was the cheapest Singer you can find. And it was horrible. I was questioning whether I actually did take all those sewing classes in school. Can you just imagine two semesters worth of pajama pants and scrunchies? Can you forget how to sew and jam the machine every other second? I was highly discouraged. So we took it back and I put the thought out of my mind for awhile. Well, more like I tried to put the thought out of my mind. So I was very happy to find myself the new owner of a sewing machine that works like a charm! Turns out, I don't ruin every sewing machine I touch. Don't look closely, it's my first project.

Christmas Tag

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, & try not to be a SCROOGE! Copy this entire post & paste onto your own new post! Change all the answers so they apply to you. Then tag whomever you'd like to see answer these questions.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both. I love actually wrapping the gifts for several reasons, but I resort to the occasional bag when needed.

2. Real tree or Artificial? I just adore real trees with their smell and the process of picking one out, but I must admit that my artificial tree competes in that I take it out, plug it in (it's one of those pre-lit, especially for lazy people trees), and voila! Instant gratification.

3. When do you put up the tree? Our tree comes up as soon as we can get away with it. This year, the day after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? Take the tree down? Can't I just have a tree all dreary winter long? It's good for the soul.

5. Do you like Egg Nog? In small amounts.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Hmmm. Well I will always remember the year my Grandma made me the most beautiful red quilt. I didn't know a quilt could be so beautiful. Also every year we get a book and some kind of craft or something to work on.

7. Hardest person to buy for? Brad!!!!

8. Easiest person to buy for? Brad's family. But this is because it is required of everyone to make a 'wish list' so you have an idea of what to get people.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes! I have the most beautiful nativity complete with actual fabric on the figures, a tent, water fountain, camels and elephants. As you can assume, it is a little massive so I can never put the whole thing out(Can you say 'little' and 'massive' in the same sentence?).

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? One year I will actually do one and you'll all be surprised!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? It's the thought that counts!!

12. Favorite Christmas movie? Okay. This one is hard. But every year I am most excited to see National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Oh dear, what does that say about me?

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Thanksgiving-ish. This year I actually got it done early, and then it felt so strange not running around like a crazy person at the last minute.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? EVERYTHING

16. Lights on the tree? Oh yeah. Our tree is so bright you can't look directly at it! Well not really, but it is definitely lit.

17. Favorite Christmas song? It is impossible for me to choose. I love it all!

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Home.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? I grew up with an angel atop the tree, and it was for a reason. My mom lost a baby at Christmastime when I was two, so in our family we would always say our angel was our sister Kimberlee. I loved this. And so I always thought that I would have an angel on my tree. Only problem is I can never find one I love. So for now, a star is shining bright.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? In our family we always give one handmade gift. Christmas Eve is the time for pajamas (yes, we match) and the handmade gift exchange. Christmas morning is for the mayhem.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Trying to please both families. I guess this is more stressful than annoying. Some year we will get it right.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I like ornaments that reflect light, like glass or glitter or beads. I think they should all be individual and I like seeing what different people do with their trees.

24. Favorite Christmas dinner? The classic dinner. Hot and homemade. Cheesy potatoes (funeral style) please.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Well since I am a super blogging slacker lately, I actually already got it! Sewing machine.