Gotta love giveaways!

Crave photography is having a giveaway.
(1) You can get a Nikon 85 mm 1.4 lens. OR Canon 85 mm 1.2 lens.
(2) Mentoring Session
(3) Gift certificates to Crave design.

K, so what are the chances? Of course I'm entering though!

Crave Photography Giveaway

Christmas Vacation

We just got back from our two week vacation in Havasu. We were there during Christmas and spent Christmas day in the pool! It was the first Christmas Ben and I have ever spent away from home... and snow. 

We took a trip into Oatman. It's an old town with wild Burros roaming the streets. Pretty cool town but not a fun drive in a car. Windy road with crosses everywhere.

 We rented a 4 seater razr and took the jeep out for a day and drove around in the desert. We found a lot of cool mines. Ben of course was walking right on the edge... because he can. And I of course, being the wanny I am, was hyperventilating just watching him. 

We went to the grand canyon on our way back home. It was a windy and chilly, we were ready to turn around and head back to Havasu! There were no fences on the ledges so I didn't get close at all (unlike Ben). The picture Ben and I took together was the closest I could get. 

We went out on the skywalk, which was SO cool! I had a death grip on the rails but I'd definitely say everybody should try it. When you walk out onto the furthest point and look straight down through the glass, it was something like just under a mile down. I didn't look down much. I never knew I was so afraid of heights until then. 

 The Colorado river running though the grand canyon. Those 'little bushes' on the side of the river are 30' trees. Pictures just don't do it justice.

Never a dull moment between these two!

Day outting

Ben and I had to take two trips this year to get our firewood. My sister came with us on the second trip. She wasn't too excited to shoot the gun, but she enjoyed it after she took the first shot. We had a lot of fun. She is a darn hard worker too! She was packin' and stackin' wood right along with us. She's turning into quite the fun and helpful girl. Couldn't ask for a better sis!

Shelby's surgery #2

I took Shelby to Sun Valley again to get all her pins and plates taken out. She's back to her ol' shaved self. This surgery is a lot easier on her and she's bending her leg much better. 

Why do both my animals sit like this?

             

I can always use a little laugh...

I can always use a little laugh to give me a boost. Thought maybe I'd share some thoughts that make me laugh.

* I think part of a best friends job should be to clean out your closet and clear your computer history when you die.

* Map Quest really needs to start the directions at #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my own neighborhood.

* Bad decisions make good stories.

* Can we just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to restart my collection... again.

* "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means: I will never wash this - ever.

* I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Dammit!) but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail. What did you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

* I keep peoples phone numbers in my phone so I know not to answer when they call.

* I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

* I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I bet on any giving Friday or Saturday night begin with Bud Light than with Kay.

* Sometimes, I'll watch a movie I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no clue what the heck was going on.

* I would rather try to carry 10 oversized grocery bags in than take 2 trips. 

* I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

* How many times is it appropriate to say "what?" before you just nod and smile because you didn't hear or understand a word they said?

* There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you're going to die after you realize you tipped you chair just a little too far back.

* Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a purse or pocket, finding their cell phone, and pinning the tail on the donkey, but I'd bet my ass everyone can push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 second, eyes closed, first time, every time.

Smile. :)

- From a post on pinterst:)

mmm, mmm... food!

I'm in love with these cookbooks. I got one as a gift from my Aunt Carolyn and scored the other one at Barnes and Noble for like 90% off. I'm still trying a bunch of new things and most of them are all successful and delicious meals. 

One of our favorites is the Roast Pork Tenderloin w/ Black Cherry Sauce. It's A-mazing! I've made it a couple times and my sister requests it when she's over. ;)

I know fruit and meat scare some people. It shouldn't. And some people just don't like it. I don't understand them at all. This is some dang good stuff!

2 trimmed pork tenderloin (about 1-1.5 lbs each)

salt to taste

1/4 cup coarsely ground black pepper

2 tbsp vegetable oil

1-2 gloves garlic, crushed

1/3 cup balsamic vinegar 

1/2 cup black cherry preserves

1 cup chicken stock

2 tbsp cold unsalted butter

(I've always used 2 cloves garlic because I love garlic, but one could be enough for some. Oh, and 1/4 cup sounds like a LOT of pepper... I've never actually measured I just know that it's essential you have the tenderloins coated. Trust me, it wouldn't taste as good w/out it.)

1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Trim tenderloin and coat all sides with black pepper, add to taste. (YES, it really says you can add more! I thought it was funny, but Ben always adds more when it's done...) Heat vegetable oil in a large ovenproof frying pan over med-high heat, until it begins to smoke. Sear the pork on all sides about 2 minutes per side. Turn off the heat; place the pan in venter of preheated oven.

3. Roast pork for about 25 minutes, or until the internal temp reaches 150 degrees. When the pork is cooked, remove it from the pan to warm plate and tent with foil while sauce is made.

4. Place pan over high heat. Add garlic and cook for 15 seconds, then add vinegar, cherry preserves, and chicken stock. Cook, scraping the bottom of the pan the deglaze pan drippings.

5. Boil until the sauce reduces by about half, about 6-7 minutes. Turn off heat and whisk in the cold butter, stirring constantly until the butter disappears. Taste for salt and adjust the seasoning. Slice pork and serve with sauce spooned over personal servings.

:)

I've been making this w/ cream cheese mashed potatoes and baked lemon asparagus. 

I use smuckers Orchard's Finest: Michigan Red Tart Cherry Preserves. I didn't use the black cherry. Oh, and I added some craisins the last time too and it was good, be careful not to add too many though or you'll make the sauce too sweet. Next time I might add some cherries. And once, I added beef stock instead of chicken and it was still wonderful. I don't think there are many ways you could mess this one up.

I'll probably add more recipes because there isn't a lot to blog about lately.

Oh, it snowed... a lot! It didn't stick though. Ugh, I'm not ready for winter!

It's a boy

Kitty is a boy and his name is Hitler. He loves to play. When I lose him, I look in my closet and he is always there, sleeping in my clothes basket.

 Shelby and Hitler love each other now.

Shelby is a little rough occasionally so sometimes Hitler runs away from his wanna-be mommy. She doesn't realize that her paw is as big as he is. She means well.