Tax return! Yes, I said it.
We have decided to make good use of the money we received from the government. The plan is to re-vamp the bathroom, buy a shed for the backyard and some new light fixtures.
Tony also decided to get a little something extra yesterday... A blu-ray player! Including the movies WALL-e and the Dark Knight. Oh sweet lordy, how wonderful! I refused to buy the dark knight until we could see it in hi-def on the big tv!
As for the bathroom, first off, the carpet has to go! So black or gray tile will be on the floors, the walls will be a nice seafoam green, and a new cabinet and sink to finish it off. I bought the paint 7 months ago, so its ready to get to work.
The shed for the backyard is needed desperatly. Our sad little one car garage is just too small with all my shit piled everywhere and the lawnmower and bikes and christmas boxes and a car! It will be wonderful.
Our light fixtures aren't quite our style, so they are going as well. They are fine and they work for lighting up rooms, but basically we are just snobs. We are in real need of a ceiling fan in the bedroom so we don't sweat our faces off in the summer. So that one makes sense to change.
Yeah for boring things to buy to make our house ours!!!
24 February, 2009
13 February, 2009
Friday the 13th dinner...
Well, since Tony and I are both working on Valentine's Day, we decided to have a super romantic Friday the 13th. We both love grilled steaks, roasted asparagus, and ceviche (a citrusy shrimp appetizer), so we bought all the ingredients. I also made Red Velvet cupcakes for my honey, since they are his fav. Would you like to make our dinner for yourselves?
Shrimp Ceviche "Cocktail"
1 qt. salted water
1/2 C. plus 2 Tbls freshly squeezed lime juice
1 generous lb unpeeled small shrimp
1/2 medium white onion, chopped
1/3 chopped fresh cilantro, plus several sprigs for garnish
1/2 cup ketchup
1-2 Tbls vinegary Mexican bottled hot sauce
2 Tbls extra virgin olive oil
1 small ripe avacado, peeled, pitted and cubed
salt
several lime slices for garnish
tortilla chips for serving
Shrimp...
Bring 1 qt salted water to a boil and add 2 Tbls of lime juice. Add shrimp, cover and return to boil. Immediately remove from heat, set pot lid askew and pour off all liquid. Replace lid and set aside, letting shrimp steam in closed pot for 10 minutes. spread out shrimp in large glass or stainless steel bowl to cool completely. Peel shrimp. Toss shrimp with remaining 1/2 C. lime juice, cover and refrigerate for about 1 hour.
Flavorings...
In small strainer, rinse chopped onion under cold water, then shake off excess liquid. Add to shrimp bowl along with chopped cilantro, ketchup, hot sauce, olive oil, and avacado. Mix gently, taste and season with salt, usually about 1/2 tsp. Cover and refrigerate up to a few hours or serve immediatly.
Serving...
Spoon ceviche into sundae glasses, martini glasses or small bowls. Garnish with cilantro and limes. Serve with tortilla chips.
Steaks
We will probably just put a rub or some spices on the steaks and cook them in our new cast iron pan.
Roasted Asparagus
1 or 2 bunches medium Asparagus
2 Tbls extra virgin olive oil
S+P
Preaheat oven to 350 degrees.
Trim ends of asparagus. Spread shears in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with foil, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with S+P and roll to coat throughly. Roast asparagus until lightly browned and tender, about 8-10 minutes. Give the pan a good shake about halfway though to turn the asparagus. Enjoy!!
Now, we are off to the library for some music, gardening books, and a movie for the night. We are also off to get some champagne!!
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!
Shrimp Ceviche "Cocktail"
1 qt. salted water
1/2 C. plus 2 Tbls freshly squeezed lime juice
1 generous lb unpeeled small shrimp
1/2 medium white onion, chopped
1/3 chopped fresh cilantro, plus several sprigs for garnish
1/2 cup ketchup
1-2 Tbls vinegary Mexican bottled hot sauce
2 Tbls extra virgin olive oil
1 small ripe avacado, peeled, pitted and cubed
salt
several lime slices for garnish
tortilla chips for serving
Shrimp...
Bring 1 qt salted water to a boil and add 2 Tbls of lime juice. Add shrimp, cover and return to boil. Immediately remove from heat, set pot lid askew and pour off all liquid. Replace lid and set aside, letting shrimp steam in closed pot for 10 minutes. spread out shrimp in large glass or stainless steel bowl to cool completely. Peel shrimp. Toss shrimp with remaining 1/2 C. lime juice, cover and refrigerate for about 1 hour.
Flavorings...
In small strainer, rinse chopped onion under cold water, then shake off excess liquid. Add to shrimp bowl along with chopped cilantro, ketchup, hot sauce, olive oil, and avacado. Mix gently, taste and season with salt, usually about 1/2 tsp. Cover and refrigerate up to a few hours or serve immediatly.
Serving...
Spoon ceviche into sundae glasses, martini glasses or small bowls. Garnish with cilantro and limes. Serve with tortilla chips.
Steaks
We will probably just put a rub or some spices on the steaks and cook them in our new cast iron pan.
Roasted Asparagus
1 or 2 bunches medium Asparagus
2 Tbls extra virgin olive oil
S+P
Preaheat oven to 350 degrees.
Trim ends of asparagus. Spread shears in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with foil, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with S+P and roll to coat throughly. Roast asparagus until lightly browned and tender, about 8-10 minutes. Give the pan a good shake about halfway though to turn the asparagus. Enjoy!!
Now, we are off to the library for some music, gardening books, and a movie for the night. We are also off to get some champagne!!
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!
05 February, 2009
25 things...
Stupid Facebook. I can't stand it really, but it is so darn addicting. If you are my friend on facebook, sorry you have to read this again. I hope you enjoy my totally random 25 facts...
1 - I love lists. It has to be #1! I have lists for movies, people, art, to do, what I want, and anything else. I love having a top ten for everything and i am retarded about it!
2 - Titanic is my favorite movie! I can't even tell you how many times I have seen it. I saw it 3 times in the theater, I have owned 3 different copies of the movie, and have seen every bit of extras about it.
3 - I love to collect b+w photography. I have a nice collage on my wall including famous photos, my photos, Tony's photos and other family members'. I like color photos, but there is nothing more beautiful than a perfect b+w photo.
4 - I love wine, cheese and fruits. Is there a better snack?
5 - I am a flight attendant and i hate it. I did love it at the beginning, but I am sick of leaving all the time. You wouldn't understand, unless you live the life.
6 - My favorite band is Bush. Has been since I saw their performance on SNL in 1994. That's quite a long love affair! I saw them once at OU in 2000 and i cried!
7 - I didn't enjoy college, but I loved my photography and art history classes. I am pretty sure I will only do well in school if its an art school. Maybe that's where i will be soon...
8 - I LOVE my husband! He is so wonderful and kind and funny. We laugh all the time and he makes me feel good when I am down (or sick, like now). If you know Tony, I think you love him too!!
9 - I truely love my little house. It is SUPER small, but just what we always wanted. Hopefully we can build an addition in the next few years!
10 - Colorado weather is just the best! It has been in the 60's this week and it will snow this weekend. In 2008, every season was actually accounted for!
11 - I hate to say it but I love to Blog. I really hate the name though, so I am trying to come up with a new name for it. http://emerald622.blogspot.com/
12 - I am a crafty girl. I really enjoy quilting, embroidery, attempting to make clothes, photography, art, and anything else to do with my hands.
13 - I secretely wish I was famous. I dont want to be an actress, but either a writer or fashion designer. I like to think about what name I would have for myself...
14 - I am kinda obsessed with Law and Order: SVU. I am more obsessed with Netflix and the view instantly movies on the XBOX!
15 - My cat, General Tokyo, is super whiny lately. He is a brat and I just love him.
16 - I feel so good every other Thursday when the recycling truck comes down my alley. I feel like I am doing something to help.
17 - I want to finish 2 specific lists; The AFI top 100 list and the Academy Award winners list. I am over 60% finished on both!
18 - I love cooking. Maybe its because I am gone so often, but it it makes me feel so good to cook something new for Tony and I.
19 - I only have 4 states left to visit to have all 50. Darn those last few states!
20 - I am eating cookie dough and watching Troy with dozens of tissues surrounding me. Don't worry I ate a really balanced breakfast!
21 - I am in the middle of Revolutionary Road. It is such a great book and such a sad story. Next up... Darkly Dreaming Dexter!
22 - I love waking up in the morning in my own bed, with Tony and the General next to me. I love how the sun comes through the kitchen window and warms the room.
23 - I love my blackberry. It is so darn handy when I am out of town.
24 - I am so happy that my friends and family were all together for our wedding. I never thought I would see the day that almost everyone we love would be in one room!
25 - I wish I could finish the laundry, but I dont feel like it! I also wish I could stop sneezing!!
1 - I love lists. It has to be #1! I have lists for movies, people, art, to do, what I want, and anything else. I love having a top ten for everything and i am retarded about it!
2 - Titanic is my favorite movie! I can't even tell you how many times I have seen it. I saw it 3 times in the theater, I have owned 3 different copies of the movie, and have seen every bit of extras about it.
3 - I love to collect b+w photography. I have a nice collage on my wall including famous photos, my photos, Tony's photos and other family members'. I like color photos, but there is nothing more beautiful than a perfect b+w photo.
4 - I love wine, cheese and fruits. Is there a better snack?
5 - I am a flight attendant and i hate it. I did love it at the beginning, but I am sick of leaving all the time. You wouldn't understand, unless you live the life.
6 - My favorite band is Bush. Has been since I saw their performance on SNL in 1994. That's quite a long love affair! I saw them once at OU in 2000 and i cried!
7 - I didn't enjoy college, but I loved my photography and art history classes. I am pretty sure I will only do well in school if its an art school. Maybe that's where i will be soon...
8 - I LOVE my husband! He is so wonderful and kind and funny. We laugh all the time and he makes me feel good when I am down (or sick, like now). If you know Tony, I think you love him too!!
9 - I truely love my little house. It is SUPER small, but just what we always wanted. Hopefully we can build an addition in the next few years!
10 - Colorado weather is just the best! It has been in the 60's this week and it will snow this weekend. In 2008, every season was actually accounted for!
11 - I hate to say it but I love to Blog. I really hate the name though, so I am trying to come up with a new name for it. http://emerald622.blogspot.com/
12 - I am a crafty girl. I really enjoy quilting, embroidery, attempting to make clothes, photography, art, and anything else to do with my hands.
13 - I secretely wish I was famous. I dont want to be an actress, but either a writer or fashion designer. I like to think about what name I would have for myself...
14 - I am kinda obsessed with Law and Order: SVU. I am more obsessed with Netflix and the view instantly movies on the XBOX!
15 - My cat, General Tokyo, is super whiny lately. He is a brat and I just love him.
16 - I feel so good every other Thursday when the recycling truck comes down my alley. I feel like I am doing something to help.
17 - I want to finish 2 specific lists; The AFI top 100 list and the Academy Award winners list. I am over 60% finished on both!
18 - I love cooking. Maybe its because I am gone so often, but it it makes me feel so good to cook something new for Tony and I.
19 - I only have 4 states left to visit to have all 50. Darn those last few states!
20 - I am eating cookie dough and watching Troy with dozens of tissues surrounding me. Don't worry I ate a really balanced breakfast!
21 - I am in the middle of Revolutionary Road. It is such a great book and such a sad story. Next up... Darkly Dreaming Dexter!
22 - I love waking up in the morning in my own bed, with Tony and the General next to me. I love how the sun comes through the kitchen window and warms the room.
23 - I love my blackberry. It is so darn handy when I am out of town.
24 - I am so happy that my friends and family were all together for our wedding. I never thought I would see the day that almost everyone we love would be in one room!
25 - I wish I could finish the laundry, but I dont feel like it! I also wish I could stop sneezing!!
this is the most amazing video...
EVER!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIaovi1JWyY
In that horrid training the other day, they showed us this video. It is of the new Airbus A380 aircraft in their emergency evacuation test. They had to prove to the FAA that they could successfully evacuate the entire plane in under 90 seconds. Well, there are just under 900 people in the plane with about 18 flight attendants and they get it done in 78 seconds!!! They also blocked half of the exits to make is somewhat realistic!!
AMAZING!!!
The plane is made in Germany, so you may not be able to understand what they are saying!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIaovi1JWyY
In that horrid training the other day, they showed us this video. It is of the new Airbus A380 aircraft in their emergency evacuation test. They had to prove to the FAA that they could successfully evacuate the entire plane in under 90 seconds. Well, there are just under 900 people in the plane with about 18 flight attendants and they get it done in 78 seconds!!! They also blocked half of the exits to make is somewhat realistic!!
AMAZING!!!
The plane is made in Germany, so you may not be able to understand what they are saying!
03 February, 2009
date night for us...
I had a supremely awful day yesterday.
I was at the Frontier General Office for our yearly training to refresh our memories of security, evacuations, and medical procedures. It was 8.5 hours of bordem and hell. We have to do a fake evacuation with our commands and motions and if you fail, you are fired. Every year, I have to take mine over at the end of the day b/c i mess something up. This year, I told them that i am not an idiot and I do know exactly what to do in an emergency, but if it were a real evacuation, I would not have people grading me and judging me!! I HATE HATE HATE taking tests and I am pretty positive that I have test anxiety. I eventually passed the door drills but only after sitting through the entire day of trainers attempting to make it a fun day!
After crying and then finally getting the day over with I called Tony to see if his day was better than mine. Well, he gave me super news! One of the beer reps that gets beer for his liqour store had extra tickets to the Colorado Avalanche game. They were not only normal tickets but box seats in a suite and a VIP parking pass! Tony loves hockey, but the avs even more, and basically it's his dream to have box seats to a game. We walked in to suite #36 to find a huge fridge full of beer, soda and water, snacks at the bar and about 12 people mingling about. We found our 2 seats out of 8, ate our food and watched the game from maybe 20 rows up!! Oh and the best part, we had our own bathroom! It was AMAZING!!!
Tony and I have had a hard couple of months and this has been our first real date night since we got married. I think we spent a total of $13.00 last night, and it was probably worth about $200. It was such a great stress reliever and I just love to see Tony super duper excited, as its kinda rare. We will try to get as many of these tickets as we can! Needless to say, my day turned around completely, and it was a great one.
I highly recommend a suite, it is so choice!
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