Last minute--how we fill our minutes...

Daily life ... Shaun started school last Monday. He's taking Math, Econ., and Political Science. He's getting used to his new schedule and meanwhile, I'm calling him into the bathroom to look at how romantic our toothbrushes are.

On Saturday, Shaun and I went to the temple in Bellevue. We really had a special time together. Afterwards....we went to our favorite Indian restaurant (also in Bellevue) with a killer lunch buffet.

We would encourage anyone to go! Lunch buffet is M-Sun, 11am-2:30pm. We had many delightful treats. Then we went to Whole Foods in Bellevue and bought a lot of Sliced Apple Cider--made by Reeds. Everyone thought Shaun was an alcoholic when they looked in his cart because he had so much (and it comes in amber bottles). Many dirty looks---and even a rude comment from a display lady that worked there.

We came home. Sunday, we had some friends over for a potluck and Family Feud. It was a nice evening. Gotta go!

Did you do the Puyallup?

On Saturday, we left Bellingham and headed to Puyallup for the fair for the for in good spirits...but soon were joined by the rest of the state's enthusiastic fair-goers on the freeway exit. So, we crept to the fair and made it from the Pioneer Exit to the fair's parking in about an hour. Actually, we parked in a locals yard. It cost us $15.00....but we were parked.

We had free tickets from a co-worker and headed directly inside the grounds. Originally, I was determined to ride a ride at the fair with Shaun--since we had never done that before together, but after the traffic getting there, we were not interested in waiting in anymore lines! So...maybe next year. Check out some of our fair pictures. (Lots of flowers because they were the prettiest.)

This was a juggler----juggling 3 golf clubs. (Please exuse my poor camera skills.)

This was a man carving a huge pumpkin. You could buy the huge seeds and plant them at home. Unfourtunatley, we were not motivated enough to spend $5 on a seed...or growing our own gigantic pumpkin. (Please note the enthusiasm of the carver--he's wearing a pumpkin shirt!)

We saw a fair-size cow...from behind.

Look at the cute bunnies cleaning themselves in the video below! We both agreed they were adorable.

This turkey tried to eat our camera strap.

Shaun figured this sheep was going to be a ghost for Halloween.

And then Shaun found his own wool bunny!

Now the pretty flowers...

Also, we spoke to a man who does art in the Western art building. He said that he'd been participating in the fair forever--but was stuck in the boring building. (He used to get more crowds when there wasn't a "Western Building" I guess.

We left the fair shortly after this and made our way to the Tupper's house. We ate pancakes, eggs, bacon, and fruit in the morning. (Shaun's the one in the Batman pants, duh...)

Then we met up with Shaun's family at a park (Tuppers came too). Shaun played with Richie all over the park's playground toys. He was pretty beat afterwards...but I think Richie was not at all affected by any type of exhaustion. (Kids... :)) And by the way, Andrew (6 months) has gotten so big since the last time we saw him!
Cuties! (Kimi and Andrew)

We talked, ate, hung out... and then took off to make it home for Sophie's 10 year birthday dinner (she's one of the sweet-awesome Booths we live with).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOFIE!

"The Office" Premieres September 25th!

I can't wait until the big Season Premiere of The Office! Everyone who cares...tune in...or watch on the Internet the following day.

Life is still Awesome. For example, our Jeep Wrangler has been out of commission for a few months. The clutch was having issues...and we couldn't get it to shift....and it kept driving us crazy. Shaun could only get it to drive in 2nd gear...and he had to restart the engine at each stop. BUT---when we finally took it to the mechanic last night we found, to our surprise, it worked great...and the mechanic couldn't find anything wrong we he looked at it today. He said there may have been an air bubble in the line. It only cost us $30 to be looked at! ...AND our prayers were answered in a way we didn't expect. It was a miracle!

2 years---just enough time complete an elder's mission. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US!

That's right...2 years! (With our powers combined....get it...it's like a superhero slogan.)

A couple shot...

A couple kissing...

A couple with passion....

We enjoyed reflecting on the moment we caught one another's affections and sealed it for time and all eternity in the Seattle Temple September 9, 2006. Please raise a glass of lemonade to us....Cheers! (I love the private Holiday an anniversary can be--the one holiday people don't want to hang out. :)--- but we love ya'll!)

We love you too!

I get that this isn't what it looks like---but it's still funny.

So, at our reception we had everyone sign the matte of a picture frame that had our engagement photo centered inside. It was smart and cool and totally great because we could, and do now, hang our friend's words of congradulations and signatures on our wall. Well, yesterday I was looking at the matte--reading the messages--when I found one that looks odd. See if you pick it up too. I thought it was sooooo funny. I couldn't stop laughing for a few minutes. Shaun thought I was going crazy---or was really tired.

We love you guys...or gays? (It's funnier the second way.)

So, that's all I have to say for now. Bye.

Ikea and a Potluck...two funny words

Shaun and I went to Ikea last weekend (looking for a new rug--no luck) and had a fun visit when Lindsay's dad came up Saturday night to visit. We were able to show off our sweet new pad and chat. He left Sunday...and forgot his pillow. We hope he can have it back soon--but that requires a visit. (You'll see from his picture that he LOVES taking photos.)

Then yesterday, we had a joined in the Booth's Sunday potluck. We brought chili and chocolate chip/walnut cookies. We got great reviews on the chili---and cookies....so, we are providing the recipes. Please note that we made up the chili and the exact measurements are unknown. (But I think it's pretty close.)

TURKEY CHILI

Saute in large pot over medium-high heat:

1 T olive oil

1 medium onion

3 cloves of garlic

1 medium green bell pepper

1 small can (4 oz. ?) of mild green chilies

Season with salt and pepper.

After they have cooked a bit (don't over cook--keep a little crisp---it will have PLENTY of time to simmer in the chili), add:

1.5 pounds of lean ground turkey (raw)

1 T cumin

1 t red pepper flakes

1 t oregano

4 shakes of worshtershire

4 shakes of Chalula Hot Sauce (has wooden cap and a woman on front of bottle)

1 T chopped fresh cilantro

More salt and pepper to taste

Break up ground turkey with a spatula. When turkey has finished cooking, add (do not drain canned items, allow juices to go into pot):

1 12 oz. can Black beans

1 12 oz. can White beans

1 12 oz. can Northern beans

1 12 oz can Butter beans

1 12 oz. can Kidney beans

1 12 can diced tomatoes

1 12 oz. can tomato sauce

Mix everything together. Add any additional salt and pepper you would like. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to simmer for about 30-45 minutes. Then turn off heat. Add:

1 cup of chopped cilantro

Allow to sit and cool. If not serving for a while, you will want to refrigerate to avoid any risk of bacteria or germs from growing. (Since the beans are already cooked--too much heating may end up overcooking. By turning off the heat, you allow the flavors to still marry without turning everything to mush.) Reheat on stove before serving. I found that serving it at a warm temperature, that wasn't BOILING hot--allowed for the flavors to be tasted better and didn't burn any tongues.

So, there's the turkey chili!Now, the cookie recipe is from Pam Dickey's cookbook at the Bellingham institute. They are called, "Best-Ever Chocolate Chip Cookie." I have added walnuts to the recipe.

Best-Ever Chocolate Chip Cookie

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a big bowl, cream together:
1 c of softened butter
3/4 c white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 t vanilla

In a separate smaller bowl, blend:
3 c flour
3/4 t salt
3/4 t baking soda

Add flour mixture slowly to the butter mixture until completely blended. Add:
12 oz bag of chocolate chips (or a little more if you like)
3/4 c walnuts

Mix well. Then drop the batter in small balls onto GREASED cookie sheet. Bake for 13 minutes. (Original recipe says 8-10 minutes.) Allow to cool for about 1 minute on cookie sheet. Then transfer to wire cooling rack. Enjoy. Best if eaten warm.

Note: Do not over cook or will become hard shortly after cooling.

Happy cooking and baking....'til next time!!!