JERSEY-EAST COAST ADVENTURE

Danny and I were lucky enough to have the opportunity to go visit our friends Ed and Melissa Maroon, who live in Medford, New Jersey. We stayed for 2 weeks with them and their awesome kids Kyle, Taylor, Avery and Jackson. We got to experience so many wonderful things. Melissa had her 40th birthday party, Danny and I went to NYC for 2 days, we visited the Boardwalk in Ocean City, NJ, we stayed for a few days at their vacation home in the Poconos in PA and spent one of those days at Hershey Park. Sheesh, that's a lot huh? We met some wonderful friends and family at her birthday party, it was a nice time.

Of course we ate some incredible food along the way. We were able to stop at the Reading Terminal Market in Philly (one of my fav places) and ate cheesesteak sandwiches of course. We also ate one at the airport on our way out of town. Philly is just about 30 minutes or so from where they live in Jersey. While at Ocean City I tried Conch Fritters for the first time. Y-U-M-M-Y!!! We also had Mussels twice, once in Jersey and once in NYC. Ed made some amazing peel-n-eat shrimp and we got great cheese at the little cheese shop in their town. In NYC we chowed down on some authentic NY pizza at John's Pizzeria (featured on Man vs. Food), had a special dinner at an Italian restaurant called Basso56, indulged on cheesecake at Juniors (featured on the Food Network and the Travel Channel) and tried a pretzel and chicken kabobs from a street cart. Back in Jersey we went to the Pop Shop for one of their famous grilled cheese sandwiches. (featured on the Food Network) All DELICIOUS!!

During our jaunt to NYC we stayed in Time Square at the Marriot Marquis. We did a harbor and Miss Liberty tour, visited Chelsea Market (where the Food Network studios are), strolled through the Central Park Zoo, took a carriage ride through South Central Park, saw Mary Poppins on Broadway and saw lots of iconic landmarks while driving through the city in cabs.

We both got to see fireflies for the first time and they were MAGICAL. Everyone should get to experience that at least once in their lifetime. We had such a fantastic vacation. So nice to spend time with the Maroons and do some site-seeing. Can't wait to be together again.

I've added a new page at the top that includes slideshows of all of our adventures....

Gourmet Girls Update

We've had two Gourmet Girl meetings since my last post. LEMON APPEAL and BREAKFAST/BRUNCH were the themes. As usual the food was fantastic. I'd like to share some of the recipes, check 'em out below...



LEMON TIRAMISU (Cindi)
LEMON SYRUP:
juice from 3 lemons
½ cup water
½ cup sugar
zest from 1 lemon
In a small saucepan, combine lemon juice, water, sugar and zest. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Take the pan off the heat and allow the syrup to cool. Set aside.

FILLING #1:
1 ½ cups whipping cream
½ cup confectioners sugar
1-8 oz. mascarpone cheese
2 teaspoons vanilla
zest of 1 lemon

Whip the cream in a large bowl until thick. Add the lemon zest; continue to whip until the cream holds soft peaks. In another bowl, cream together sugar, mascarpone cheese and vanilla for 30 seconds. Whip the cream into the mascarpone mixture. Set aside.

FILLING #2:
1-8 oz. mascarpone cheese
1 cup lemonade concentrate, thawed
1/3 cup confectioners sugar
¼ cup cream mixture from above
yellow food coloring

In another bowl, cream the mascarpone and then add the concentrate, sugar, food coloring and cream mixture. Set aside. Mix until smooth. Set aside. Pull apart angel food cake into very small pieces. In serving bowl or baking dish put a layer of the crumbled cake, press down a bit. Spoon or brush the lemon syrup mixture over the cake crumbles. Just enough to lightly moisten. Spread a layer of the mascarpone/cream mixture. Spread a layer of the mascarpone/lemon mixture. Repeat with cake and both mascarpone layers. Top with the sweetened cream (1 ½ cups whipping cream, 1 tsp. vanilla and ¼ cup sugar). Sprinkle with lemon zest. {Even better if you can make a day in advance.}





LEMON CHICKEN PASTA SALAD (Brittany)
4 chicken breasts
2 stalks of celery, chopped
1 lb. bag of penne pasta (can use lemon juice when boil)
2 ½ c. mayonnaise
¼ c. fresh lemon juice (approx. 2 large lemons)
1 pkg. fresh dill, chopped
1 c. buttermilk
Feta (optional)

Cook chicken in oven at 350 for 45 mins. Season with lemon pepper,garlic salt,
onion salt. Combine chicken, celery, and pasta. In a separate bowl mix together mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, dill and buttermilk. Add to chicken and toss (may not use all of the sauce – save so if you store in the fridge you can add later because the noodles will soak it up). Mix in one container of feta. Chill in fridge for 30 mins.




LEMON CAKE (Jen)
1 lemon cake mix
1 small instant lemon pudding
1/2 cup oil
1 cup orange juice
5 eggs

Icing:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice

In a bowl combine the cake mix and lemon pudding. Add the oil, orange juice and eggs. Mix well. Bake according to the directions on the cake mix package. Cool for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the icing. Combine sugar and lemon juice and mix with fork until smooth. Poke holes into the top of the cake with a fork. Drizzle icing over cake. Store in refrigerator.
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TRIPLE DEVILED EGGS (Cindi)

(all recipes are for 12 boiled eggs)
Start by boiling 12 eggs. In a large saucepan place eggs in cold water, enough to cover all of the eggs. Bring to a boil. Boil for 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Allow water and eggs to cool down to luke warm temperature. Peel immediately using cold water to aid in removal of shell. Slice eggs in half lengthwise and scoop out yolk. Reserve yolks in a mixing bowl.

Bacon Balsamic Filling:
¼ cup mayonnaise
1 tsp sugar
1½ tsp balsamic vinegar
¼ tsp celery salt
¼ tsp salt and black pepper
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled, plus garnish
1 heaping T. finely minced red onion
1 heaping T. chopped fresh parsley

Smoked Salmon Filling:
2-3 T. mayonnaise
1 T. sour cream
1 T. fresh lemon juice
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp dried dill, plus garnish
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
2 oz. smoked salmon, finely chopped
1 T. fresh chives

Italian Filling:
3 T. mayonnaise
2 tsp. sundried tomato oil
1 tsp dijon mustard
½ tsp balsamic vinegar
¼ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp salt
pinch of pepper
2 T. sun dried tomatoes (in oil), finely chopped
1 T. paquillo red peppers, finely chopped
1 teaspoon basil, fresh or dried
garnish with fresh parsley

Mash the yolks. Add the wet ingredients, herbs and spices; stir until thoroughly combined and creamy. Add the remaining ingredients; carefully stir until incorporated. Spoon the mixture into the egg whites. Garnish.




CARAMEL SOAKED FRENCH TOAST (Kathryn)
4 large eggs, beaten
2-1/2 cups half and half
1 T. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt
1-1/2 cups brown sugar
3/4 cups butter
1/4 cup + 2 T. light corn syrup
3 T. sugar
1-1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup melted butter
10 thick slices french bread (1-2 inches thick)

Combine eggs, milk, vanilla and salt. Stir and set aside. Combine brown sugar, 3/4 cup butter and corn syrup in a medium saucepan. Stir until combined and bubbly, about 3-5 minutes. Pour syrup mixture in greased 9x13 pan. Arrange bread over top of the syrup mixture. Pour egg mixture over top. Refrigerate over night. Combine 3 T. sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle over top, drizzle with 1/4 cup melted butter. Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes at 350 degrees, until golden brown.

BACON, SPINACH & MUSHROOM CREPES (Michele)
12 sliced bacon, chopped
8 T. butter
1lb. sliced mushrooms
2 cups milk
2-1o oz. pkg. frozen chopped spinach
1/2 cup flour
2 T. chopped fresh parsley
4 T. grated parmesan
1 cup chicken broth
4 eggs
1 cup lemon juice
8 crepe wraps

Cook bacon pieces, drain and set aside. Use 2 T. butter and 2 T. bacon grease to saute mushrooms with your choice of seasonings. Set aside. In a saucepan melt 6 T. butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour stirring constantly until a smooth paste is formed. Gradually stir in milk stirring constantly until a smooth thick grave is achieved. Season with desired seasonings (salt, pepper, onion, garlic etc) Add the bacon, mushrooms, spinach, parsley and parmesan cheese. Let cook until thick, about 10 minutes. In another saucepan bring broth to a boil. In a small bowl whisk eggs and lemon juice together. Temper the eggs with a small amount of the broth. Add remaining broth slowly, stirring constantly careful not to scramble the eggs. Add salt and pepper to taste. Fill each crepe with the spinach filling. Roll and top with the warm lemon sauce.

Visit from Mom and Pop

Danny's Mom and Dad (Jane and Fino) came to visit us in April. It was such a nice time. There were here for a week and really enjoyed having them. We took a drive up to Snow Basin, then down around Pineview lake and the little town of Huntsville. We made a trip out to Smith & Edwards, Fino's favorite place to go. Danny also took them out to Cabella's one afternoon. We love when his family comes to Utah. Can't wait for the next visit.

Meatball Subs!

Ok, so I've tried my hand at meatballs a few times and I have never really been pleased with the outcome. Until now. My friend Kathryn recommended a food site to check out called Smitten Kitchen and while I was browsing I came across her Meatball Sub recipe. Oh My Goodness! These meatballs are FABULOUS! Even on my first attempt they came out perfect. The recipe makes quite a few for just 2 people, so I was able freeze a bunch of them to eat later. The first time I made them we had spaghetti, then we used the frozen batch for subs. Here is my picture dairy and the recipe. I hope you'll try 'em and LOVE 'em!

THE MEATBALLS

2 lbs ground meat of your choice
(I used beef, but she has used pork, veal, chicken, turkey or a blend thereof)
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1-1/3 cup fresh bread crumbs (2 to 3 slices bread)
3/4 cup beef broth, warmed
1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 small garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 large egg
sub rolls
Olive oil

Before preparing the meat; split your rolls almost the whole way through, leaving one side attached. Scoop out some of the roll to create a channel for the meatballs to rest in. Grind the bread you pulled out in a food processor or tear it into minuscule bits. You will need 1-1/3 cups of fresh breadcrumbs for the meatballs. If you’re not making subs, you can get this same amount of breadcrumbs from 2 to 3 sandwich bread slices. Set rolls aside until later.

Place the fresh breadcrumbs in a large bowl with 3/4 cup warm beef broth and all of the meatball ingredients except for the olive oil. Combine with a fork, breaking up clumps of meat until the ingredients are evenly distributed. Form mixture into 2-inch meatballs are arrange on a tray. I find wet hands make it easier to form meatballs without them sticking too much. Heat a generous slick of oil (few tablespoons) in a large saute pan with a lid.



Brown meatballs in batches, being careful not to crowd the pan or nudge them before they are nicely browned or they will stick and you’ll leave delicious meatball bits in the pan. These meatballs are soft, so use a gentle hand. Transfer meatballs to a paper towel-lined tray and continue until they are all browned.



Discard the oil and heat your tomato sauce in the pan. Add the meatballs, cover the pan and simmer them on the lowest heat possible for 25 to 30 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through.

Butter sub rolls and sprinkle with garlic powder. Put under broiler until lightly browned.



Sprinkle one side of sub with parmesan cheese, on the other side add the meatballs, some sauce and top with mozzarella cheese. Place back under broiler to melt cheese.

Serve hot! SO YUMMY!

Some good reads...

Here are the last two books we've read at bookclub! Definite recommends. I really enjoyed them both.

The Snow Flower book is by Lisa See and we've read another one of her books that was just as good. I really enjoy her as an Author. It is all about Chinese culture and customs during the 19th century. Very informative and intriguing.

The Kitchen House is based during the days of slavery on plantations in th U.S. It follows a family of slaves, the plantation family and the connections between them. Very gripping.

Both books fall under the historical fiction category and while the stories are not completely true you do learn quite a bit about the era and life during those times.

The girls in the bookclub do such a great job at picking wonderful books. I still love meeting with them each month. They are a special group. Happy Reading!

A new season begins...

OLE OLE OLE OLE, REAL, SALT LAKE!

Another season has begun. We got season tickets again this year for the Salt Lake Real. The Correa's also got two tickets. We are really having fun, as usual. Our seats are great, front row-second deck. Perfect view and no one walks in front of us. I can't believe that I am enjoying soccer as much as I am. Never in a million years would I have guessed it. But I love RSL and their players and I am consider myself a true fan. Can't wait to see how the season turns out...

We've been HACKED!

Our MSN email account was hacked! This has NOT been a fun experience at all. What a pain in the you-know-what. It's been 3 days now and I still can't regain access to our account. If any of you use free email services like MSN, Yahoo, etc., be so careful. Make sure you have all of your securities in place and have all of your recovery information written down somewhere. One of our big problems is that Danny created the account a few years ago and he can't remember the answer to his "security question." It too could have been compromised, we're not sure, but it won't accept the 2 answers he thinks he would have given. Because we use the "free" MSN service getting help is a complete joke. You cannot talk to a live person, everything has to be done on-line and it is ridiculous. Anyway, we are working on it and have switched our email account over to Comcast. (we should have done this months ago, duh!)

I sent out an email to all of our contacts that I could recover, if you didn't get that email then I don't have your address. Please email us your address.

cdamador@comcast.net

Happy Days Are Here Again

This is my all time favorite song from Glee. Turn off the music and the bottom of the page and enjoy Kurt (Chris) & Rachel (Lea)in this amazing classic.

My new Food Bible

I finally got my new "food bible!" It's called The Illustrated Cook's Book of Ingredients. It is AMAZING. Everytime I open it I swear I can hear the angels singing from heaven. The information on everything food related is so useful. The photography makes your mouth water. I can't stop looking at it. If you love food, you need this book. I promise, I wouldn't steer you wrong here.

Irish Meat Hand Pies

1 T. olive oil
1/4 head green cabbage, shredded
1 cup shredded carrot
1/2 lb. red potatoes, diced
1 lb. ground beef
3 T. tomato paste
1 tsp. Worchestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. dried thyme
salt and pepper
1 cup beef broth
2 pie crusts (homemade or ready roll store bought)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a skillet saute cabbage, carrots and potatoes in the olive oil. Cook until beginning to brown, about 12-15 minutes. Add ground beef, cook breaking up meat while stirring, until meat is cooked through. About 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, worchestershire sauce, thyme, garlic, salt, pepper and broth. Cover and cook until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Lightly mash mixture with a potato masher. Let cool completely.

(sorry couldn't get the pic to turn the right way)

On a lightly floured surface, roll each crust out a bit to make slight thinner. Using a circle cutter cut out as many circles as possible. Roll remaining dough together and repeat until all of the dough is used. Put a dollop of the meat filling on one side of the circle. Moisten the entire edge of the circle with water and fold over into a moon shape. Press the edges to seal. Use a fork to seal edges further.

Lay pies on a foil lined cooking sheet. Cut slits into the tops of each pie to allow the steam to release. Brush tops of pies with either milk or egg wash to aid in browning. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Rotate the cooking sheet halfway through cooking time.

Luck 'o the Irish

We had a really fun St. Paddy's Day this year. I hadn't gotten a new recipe through cooking club, Irish Hand Meat Pies, and I really wanted to make them. My sister had recently made a Shepards Pie for cooking club also, so the fam got together and with combined efforts came up with a y-u-m-m-y St. Paddy's Day menu. I made the hand pies, Irish soda bread and a dessert called Queen of Pudding. My mom made corned beef, cabbage, carrots and potatoes, and green jello salad. My sister made her Shepards Pie. My mom had the table decorated with shamrocks and gold chocolate coins, very cute!

BIRTHDAY SURPRISES

Wow! What a birthday. But you only turn 40 once right? So here's how it went down...

On Tuesday the 25th around 11pm I started feeling feverish and achy. Then my stomach starting bothering me. Well, I ended up with the stomach flu. Chilled and cramped all night long. It was one of the worst 24 hours of my life, no joke! On Thursday my cousins called to let me know that they had been planning a surprise bday party for me that night, boooo. So, I ruined my own party, not to mention the confusion I caused by sending out my own invitation to a party I was planning for myself on Saturday. (Yes, I do plan my own bday parties, don't hate!) It was so nice of them and I was so dissapointed. On Friday I had an appointment to get my hair colored. It was a hot mess and I wasn't going to miss it, no matter what. So in my slippers and lounging pants I headed to my girlfriend Christy's to get my hair did. HA! When I got home I was really tired. It was the first thing I had done since being sick and it wiped me out. My Dad called right as I was walking in and said he had wanted me to stop by his house, but to forget it now, huh? So, I plopped on the couch. Then someone was ringing the doorbell, so I got up and it was D and my sister, huh? Danny says, "oh, I forgot my key." huh? So Michele and I go back into the family room and sit down, D goes out into the garage, huh? (Shiryn, Jen, Michelle, Missy and Marlise) Next thing I know 4 of my best friends and my sister-n-law from California coming busting in from the garage yelling SURPRISE! HUH? I was so out of it, confused and shocked I didn't know what to do. I know that I didn't react of the way I should have but all that was going through my mind was HUH?

So, come to find out my sister-n-law and brother-n-law had been there since Wednesday and were supposed to be part of the surprise at Thursday's party. Danny told me that his boss told himt o stay home on Friday to take care of me. Before my appointment he turns to me out of no where and says, "I'm gonna go work out." Ok. Truth was the girls were to come in on Friday, so he was going to pick them all up at the airport. He had to find something for them to do cause of my hair appointment. They went to lunch and then to my parents house. Hence why my Dad called and wanted me to stop by. But it was too late, I was already home. So they had to come all the way to our house to bust in through the garage. whew! That's a lot of info I know. There was one more thing. There was 1 friend still missing (Erica). She was coming in later that evening. D had to pick her up.

So, my sweet cousing Amy offered up her house for an impromptu bday party on Saturday so my Utah family and friends could meet my California family and friends! This was one of the best birthdays ever, despite being sick. Thanks to everyone for making it happen!

CHECK OUT THE PICTURES OF THE PARTY ON A "PAGE" LISTED ABOVE!

Maya Angelou

"I don't trust anyone who doesn't laugh."
— Maya Angelou

"Nothing can dim the light which shines from within."
— Maya Angelou

Have you ever been so inspired by someone? Touched deep in your heart? Someone who heals your soul? One of those very few people for me is MAYA ANGELOU, singer, actress, teacher, author. I was introduced to her though the Oprah show. Thank goodness for that day. I've read her poetry and a few of her books. I try to watch her on TV each time she's on. I love to hear her speak. I love to hear her recite her poems. She is so smart. So spiritual. I am comforted just by looking at her and listening to her. I often cry because she effects me so deeply. I told my friend the other day that I just want to crawl into her lap and stay there. Be comforted, sung to, recited to and maybe even nap. I marvel at her and how she makes me feel. It amazes me even. It's so strange to have another human being whom I've never met have this effect on me. She is profound. She has so much to share. She is a life teacher. If you don't know who she is or have never read anything she has created or listened to her speak, please do so. Take a minute for yourself. Take her in. I hope she will have the same impression on you.

"Be present in all things and thankful for all things"
— Maya Angelou

"You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it. "
— Maya Angelou

cardio check-up

ECHO: An echo cardiogram, often referred to an ECHO, is a sonogram of the heart. Also known as a cardiac ultrasound, it uses standard ultrasound techniques to image two-dimensional slices of the heart. It allows assessment of cardiac valve areas and function, any abnormal communications between the left and right side of the heart, any leaking of blood through the valves (valvular regurgitation), and calculation of the cardiac output as well as the ejection fraction.


EJECTION FRACTION: In cardiovascular physiology, ejection fraction (Ef) is the fraction of blood pumped out of the right and left ventricles with each heart beat. Healthy individuals typically have ejection fractions between 50% and 65%.

So, I had an ECHO recently to check on the function of my heart. I had been feeling very very tired recently and having trouble keeping the fluid off of my body. My Cardiologist, Dr. Olsen, decided to move up my ECHO to check things out. So far, so good with that! My "ejection fraction" was at 29%, which is good because the last ECHO also showed it at 29-30%, so it hasn't decreased. My pacemaker is doing a pretty good job of keeping my heart steady. Anything is better than 15%, which is how low it got before the pacemaker was implanted.

I mentioned that I was having problem with water retention, so they doubled my diuretic (80mg) and I ended up getting 6 lbs. of fluid off. Which was awesome!! I tried to get myself back down to my normal dose (40mg), but it didn't seem to be working very well. Now I am taking 60mg and it seems to be working. That could affect my kidney function, they might need to change that med.

My bloodwork was all pretty good as well. My cholesterol has improved with the helps of meds and fish oil. (Inherited that one, thanks Dad!) It's not really too bad, but with my heart already being at a disadvantage she wanted me to start on the meds to help. My Vitamin D level is very very low, so I will probably have to take something for that for a short while. My thyroid function was off a little more than usual also, so my general doctor, Dr. Taylor, will probably fuss with that med too. The consensus was that I was probably so tired due to the water retention, low vitamin D and thyroid. I am feeling a little better now, but still tired. Hopefully that will get a little better soon. I've started riding my exercise bike too, hoping that would help wake me up and improve things all around.

Soooo, that is the medical update on me. If I could get rid of all of the pea soup hovering over our valley I'd also feel a TON better! HA! Not gonna happen.

Our Year In Review

JANUARY

charleston, south carolina

FEBRUARY

california kids in vegas

MARCH

cassie...1st place in vegas

APRIL

girls weekend at the red rock

MAY

philadelphia, pennsylvania

JUNE

dinner with the allinsons

JULY

ole, ole, ole, ole, real salt lake

AUGUST

visiting with the Maroon's

SEPTEMBER

america concert

OCTOBER

ahoy matey

NOVEMBER

kristin's fundraiser

DECEMBER
christmas crazy