Family and Quilts

It’s almost the end of another year, I can hardly believe it. I have moved from WA to LA to ME and have enjoyed every stop along the way. Moving to Maine was by far the best move I have made. Not that I didn’t enjoy and learn from other places I have lived but because I realized how important family really is. I feel blessed really. I have a wonderful family that loves each other and gets along great. Having the ability to move to Maine to get to know my niece Hannah has really been the cherry on top. The smile I get when I walk in the door from her is priceless. I want her to always know me.

It’s getting colder and that means more inside time. I’ve already started venturing into the crock-pot world and think I might try out some more difficult recipes soon. I’ve also decided to set a goal for myself. By the end of 2011 I’ve decided I want to make a quilt. It may not be the best quilt but I’m feeling pretty confident that I can create something…well functional 🙂 I’ve started researching, ordered a couple of books and have found loads of blogs and informational tutorials that are a great start for inspiration. If any of you know websites, books, or videos that might be useful or if you have any tips of your own please feel free to send the information my way!! I know my sister-in-law Sarah is a craft master and I’m hoping I can steal some of her knowledge. Maybe trade babysitting for lessons? I’ll keep you in the loop and if it goes well I am hoping to set a goal for 2012, one new project/activity a month. I will take all your suggestions! Until next post…

Color Me Maine

Do you ever have those days when you wake up and just want to be somewhere else in your life? A new job, a new location, a new house, have a family, or maybe just a new shirt? I think I am having a week of the “wants”. There are lots of things I can not change, lots of things I don’t want to change, but this weekend calls for a small change…a new wall color.

I have been in Maine a little over 4 months now (I know! Time is flying) and I have yet to make the apartment feel like home. Maybe it was a lack of motivation or money(moving from WA to ME is expensive!) but I think I always tread carefully on new locations because I never know how long I am going to stay. I ordered a couch last week. To some people that is just part of a new place, for me it was a small (but potentially large) commitment to Portland, well at least the East coast. Not only did I order a couch but an area rug as well. I know, I know, HUGE! The goal is to paint the living room this weekend so when the couch and rug arrive we’ll be ready. We (my sister and I) are thinking a blueish/greenish/grey type color. Specific, right? Something on the lighter than the darker side, most likely muted or understated. I’m sorry Pat and Sarah we are stealing your wall color, or close to it. After that all we need to get is a coffee table, tv, and entertainment stand (a few minor things). Art for the walls is also a must. I have some ideas on making custom wall art but will need to get my hands on some pictures from my sister-in-law. One thing at a time I guess…

Side note: Utilizing the crock-pot again today. Pulled pork goodness tonight!

Crock-Potting It Up

So I bought this Crock-Pot a couple weeks ago and have been on a mission ever since. Tuscan White Bean soup…check, Guinness and Beef stew…check, Chicken (minus the noodle) soup…check. Today I am attempting  pulled pork. Who knows if it will turn out as amazing as I think it will be, but I have serious faith in this machine. It’s like you can throw in anything, set in on low, and in 8 hours it’s a little pot of Heaven.  And the metallic red color? Love at first sight. Here’s a recipe for Beef and Guinness Stew we loved.

-I found this recipe in The Gourmet Slow Cooker and adapted it to what I thought was good-

Grocery List:

¾ cup all-purpose flour

2 ½ pounds lean stewing beef (cut into 1 ½  inch cubes)

2 Tablespoons vegetable oil

2 to 3 large potatoes (peeled and cut into bite sized pieces)

2 to 3 carrots (peeled and cut into bite sized pieces)

2 large yellow onions quartered (I used sweet onions…really good)

1 to 2 sprigs thyme

2 cups Guinness

1 teaspoon salt

Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (I didn’t do this)

(I added celery and garlic but that is not in the original recipe but was awesome. I also added a little bit of beef broth(Maybe a cup). I guess it just depends how thick you’d like it.)

Place the flour in a resealable plastic bag. Add the beef to the bag, several pieces at a time, and shake to coat completely.

Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and add the oil. In batches if necessary, add the beef and cook, turning, for 8 to 10 minutes until browned on all sides. Using tongs, transfer to paper towels to drain.

Place the beef, potatoes, carrots, onions, thyme, (celery and garlic) in the slow cooker and pour the beer over top. (If you prefer the vegetables with more texture, let the stew cook for 1 hour before adding the vegetables.) Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, or until the meat is very tender. Season with salt. Remove and discard thyme.

Transfer to serving bowl and garnish generously with the parsley.

I added jalapenos to mine instead of parsley, which might sound weird but it gave it the kick I was looking for.  Try it out and enjoy!

Upcoming task for the weekend: painting the living room.

A Pan Am Bunny

What’s with all the new 60’s shows coming out now? Pan Am and The Playboy Club have me wanting to fly the skies in a bunny suit. Well, on a serious note I did look at flight attendant jobs online today, but I’m a long ways from being small enough to jump into a bunny suit!! Either way it makes me wonder what else is out there. I need to travel more. Goal before the end of the year: obtain a passport.

Let’s Do This!…Again

I’ve decided it’s time to get back into my blogging world but not the long and lengthy posts I’ve done in the past. Short and sweet, maybe even a couple a day.

Here it goes… In September I went to the beach with my whole family, I turned 29, and I bought a boogie board. In October my Aunt Christine came to visit, I made my first trip to the Portland Children’s Museum(my cash was stolen), and I bought a couch.

I’ve decided bars are probably not the best place to meet Mr. Maybe and that time is really all you need to get over things.