Thursday, November 11, 2010

Fall!

Yay! Fall is finally here...now if I can only figure out how to light our gas fireplace :) Scratch that, I've learned thanks to YouTube, however I am trying to find the faux logs for cheap since they are about $50 at Lowe's. Dislike.

I forgot to post that we went to Vegas this summer - it was BLAZING hot and the traffic was the most horrid thing I've ever experienced. I've learned a few things -

1. I will never live in Vegas, EVER.
2. Even if you're from Bakersfield, Vegas' air feels like a solar flare on your face.
3. I have more fun spending my money on food and shopping than gambling.
4. Even though I am biased, Vegas has some pretty awesome Elvis impersonators.
5. Don't drive to Vegas - or leave on Sunday since you'll be stuck in traffic for 8 hours. I'll fly next time.

One of our favorite places in NYC is found at Caesar's - Serendipity's III. My treat is the Frozen Hot Chocolate - VERY enjoyable in the heat. YUM. Also, Serendipity's has the best sweet potato fries! DOUBLE YUM.







So we went to Downtown Disney early October (eventually we'll get our annual passes). We were hankerin' for some Beignets from the Jazz Kitchen. Mmmm they were so good, I ended up saving my last one for Sunday morning :)


We celebrated our 2nd Halloween together as Mr. & Mrs. Bryant in Laguna Niguel (we surely missed our friends back home, but next year maybe!). We didn't dress up since it was so cold and rainy - but we splurged on a huge pumpkin from the pumpkin patch in Laguna Hills - to our dismay though we never even had a chance to carve it, it decomposed early in our living room. LOL.

Eric started work as a Steam Maintenance Helper at Southern California Edison. It's only temporary, but he's making good money. Unfortunately, he'll soon be on graves and :( Oh well, we're saving up for a new TV and possibly a new car next year. We most likely will spend Thanksgiving here in Laguna, sad since Thanksgiving is one of our most favorite holidays to spend with family. It'll just be this year and next year we'll make sure to make it up. Excited to bake Pumpkin pie and try out some new cookie recipes. I guess I can count my blessings that I won't have to plan to cook as much as I usually do! ;)

Saturday, June 26, 2010

June Bloom

Ok, so everyone is talking about "June Bloom". This terminology is NEW to me lol. Wikipedia says it's a So Cal term for a weather pattern that results in overcast skies with cool temperatures. So indeed, it is June Bloom.

My birthday came and went in May - Eric surprised me with a lovely weekend getaway to
Cardiff by the sea. I did not know where we were going until we reached Encinitas - I got off of work late and then we headed south in the lovely Friday traffic. But oh, was it romantic! He reserved a lovely Bed & Breakfast - which was finely named, "Cardiff by the Sea". We were able to pick our themed room; one by one we were led to the available rooms. There was a French Country room, which was not my style lol. We saw the Santa Fe room which donned pieces like Navajo art and a huge jacuzzi in the living room. The room we picked however was the Tommy Bahamas room. We laughed at it because we went to the Bahamas on our Honeymoon and apparently that's what we like. It was a fabulous room with a rain shower and adorable flower sinks. There were mirrors near the bar area and on the ceiling LOL and a nice, big flat screen tv :)We dined at a local Italian restaurant and then adjourned to the hot tub on the roof terrace under the stars. It was honestly the most relaxing, romantic weekend ever! I heart my hubby.

Our laptop crashed and therefore resulting in Eric sulking for awhile - we just received our new computer, hence me having time to blog! We're loving it in South Orange County - many things to see and places to eat. The people here are quite friendly and wonderful; I've made a few friends from Visiting Teaching and glad to be in the Marina Hills Ward.

We're going to the Temple today, the Newport Temple for the first time, too! We originally had set the Newport Temple as our Temple to get sealed in but it was under maintenance. Hindsight I'm so happy that we chose the Los Angeles Temple, it's simply my favorite - even though Oakland comes in close second - has to, that's where he proposed! Anyway, I'm exciting to share these spiritual experiences with my husband and to serve in the church the best way I can.

Today will also consist of cleaning - I'm on a 'purge' attitude. I'm not nesting (even though a baby sounds so good right now) but I'm wanting to clear things in our apartment that aren't needed. Mainly it's my stuff from college and just random stuff from the wedding. Any ideas on how to start this huge project of mine?

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Veggie Delights

So what have we been up to since the last post, honestly a whole lot lol. Primary has been going well, it's a bit overwhelming for me since I've never worked with this age group. I've had either 2-3 year olds or teenagers. Pre-teens are definitely a different breed. I have my work cut out for me. lol.

Kim and Daniel got married last week! It was such a beautiful ceremony and everything went well. I had a great time getting ready with the bridesmaids and all in all it was a wonderful weekend with friends and family.

We went to the San Diego Temple yesterday for a session and it we had a wonderful time. They are currently working on leaks throughout the temple so one of the towers were covered. It was a great time and I cannot wait to go back.

Eric received a Bakersfield College Alumni Association scholarship! I'm so proud of him; with great efforts he was a selected few to receive this award and we greatly appreciate it. He has a Honor Reception that we are invited to attend on Friday, but unfortunately we will not be in Bakersfield. He can use the scholarship either at Saddleback or wherever he transfers (UCI, hopefully?!). Anyway, he has earned this and I'm so proud of him.

So for the month of May (May is the greatest month btw since my birthday is in it), Eric and I have decided to try some new vegetarian dishes. No, do not fear fellow meat-lovers we are not going to the dark side, we just want to try some different dishes and eat a bit healthier since we are getting older *sigh*. Now don't get me wrong, I'll never turn down a good piece of tri-tip or Caribbean Jerk Chicken, but it wouldn't hurt to make some veggie dishes. Wish me luck!

Saturday, April 17, 2010

New beginnings....in a different way!


Last Sunday Eric and I received our new callings! Not only did we receive a calling in Primary but a JOINT calling lol. I'm excited to start this new calling but I'm super nervous since I'll be in Primary! I've NEVER been in Primary lol. Lately I've been listening to the songs and memorizing them for the most part, but it'll be different from Young Women's that's for sure.

I'm excited to use my visual aids in teaching, since that's my style. It's the Valiant 10 class with about 5 girls and 1 boy, should be very interesting.

If anyone has any tips on this class or Primary in general, I'd greatly appreciate it. We're teaching in the Primary 6 book: The Old Testament. I always love those stories and better yet the kids won't know them as well as the Book of Mormon stories so that's going to be a relief lol.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

April showers...

So we've moved! We're currently in the beautiful city of Laguna Niguel and enjoying the beach breeze. After many months of prayer, fasting and faith I was hired at Southern California Edison. We quickly jumped on the opportunity to live in a new area and for Eric to continue his education in Southern California.
We love our new apartment, even though it's a downsize from our town-home (we love you Panorama Pines!). We live at Pointe Niguel Apartment Homes now and it's so close to the beach, dining and shopping that we've had our hands full each day with new places to eat and see. Eric will start summer school at Saddleback College to finish up his A.A's in Biology and Spanish and will be soon applying to the universities nearby. He's been searching for laboratory jobs and anything at the hospitals nearby, so hopefully he will find something rewarding here as he did at KMC.

My new job has been keeping me quite busy; I'm in Talent Management with the Staffing Department at Edison and we're recruiting and hiring everyday. It's really rewarding to see someone who has trouble finding a job as I have, gain a great position at Edison. It's extremely fulfilling to know that there are good people around and they care about what they do.

I think our biggest transition, besides being away from my parents is going to a new ward for church. We've met the most amazing people in First Ward and will always love them for what great friends they were and are to us.
We are now in the Marina Hills Ward; which thanks to boundaries is not in the Capristrano Ward like previously thought (which is like 3 miles away). Oh no, Marina Hills Ward is about 10 miles away and is in the most beautiful church building I have ever seen! Two wards meet at the same time, there is Chapel A and Chapel B. It's a highly active ward, full of newly married couples (sweet) and lots...I mean lots of children lol. The people there have been nothing but nice and surprisingly I've been learning in classes hah.

We are celebrating Eric's 26th (eek) birthday this weekend since his birthday falls on a Monday. Going up to Bakersfield to see friends and family. We sure miss everyone. We're really glad to be in Laguna but alas, there's no place like home. Until next time...

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Lil bugs

January brought the birth of baby Elana Lilly Quevedo. Amanda and I threw a baby shower for Mayra and were lucky to have it early since baby Elana came a few days in advance! She's such the sweetest little thing and we're so happy to have her in our lives. Such a bundle of joy and she's so funny with her facial expressions and personality. I can't wait until we have one of our own!

Monday, January 11, 2010

Happy New Year

Cheers to 2010! I hope this year will be a better year. 2009 was good as far as good goes: I mean, we got married, went to the beautiful islands of the Bahamas, snowboarded in Park City and celebrated our first Christmas as husband and wife.
This year hopefully we will be blessed with financial stability and more! What I can say is that I've accomplished many great dishes over the last few months. For Christmas Day dinner I made lobster tail, veggies and mashed potatoes. I thought the lobster tails were going to be so easy; I tried to remove them from their bag and to my surprise I became a bit squeamish! They weren't the beautiful red color as you always see in restaurants and their legs were loose and out there. Looked like a radioactive roach lol. I sucked it up and laid them in about 3/4 cup of boiling water and let them steam for 7-8 minutes. I didn't have metal skewers but I recommend them- that way for asthetic reasons (they curl up a bit if not used).





Anyway, the other new thing I learned was the clarified butter. You know, that yummy liquid butter mixture at the restaurant were you can dip anything into it and it just be delightful? Yeah that. The clarified butter was pretty easy to make; I used 3 sticks of butter (cut into slices) and some lemons, zested. I used my Paula Deen small, heavy saucepan (what other way to melt butter than to give homage to Ms. Deen?!) and let that set under med-low heat. After melted, let it stand and then using a spoon remove the foam on top. Pour butter over lemon zest in a small bowl and discard the milk solids. So what exactly is clarified butter? In simple terms it's the separation of milk solids and water from the butterfat. Which equals YUM.




So on to other lovely things I have made! :D Breakfast is big in the Bryant house, so what better way to kick off a good day with french toast? Well I like to kick things up a notch and found a delightful receipe for Bananas Foster French Toast.
Here's the link...thanks again Ms. Deen Bananas Foster French Toast For Thanksgiving (lol I know these aren't in order) I used the turkey leftovers and made an amazing Turkey Pot Pie. Seriously, Marie Callendar's needs to eat her heart out. Delicious. Craving it right now. Really easy to make, too!



Ingredients


1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie
2 cups cubed cooked turkey
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
2 tablespoons chopped onion
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line bottom of pie pan with crust. In a skillet saute the chopped onion until slightly soft and set aside.
2. Mix together the turkey or chicken, mixed vegetables, onion, soup and milk. Pour into pie crust, cover with top crust and crimp edges.
3. Poke holes in top crust and bake for 40 to 50 minutes.

The other night I was craving kabobs; since we don't have a grill really thanks to our porch and the balcony right over it, I found a cool receipe that allowed kabobs to be used in the oven broiler. FYI make sure if you use wooden skewers like I did to soak them under water for at least 30 minutes, otherwise you can find metal skewers at a Bed, Bath and Beyond. Again, I wanted to challenge myself and put a twist to the normal kabob and add a Hoisin glaze (asian in me) with pineapple salsa. Yum! P.S. I used flank steak instead of pork and added some steamed rice!

Ingredients

1 lb pork tenderloin, cut into 1-inch cubes when slightly frozen
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon chile, minced
2 tablespoons sliced green onions
1 teaspoon fresh ginger
pepper, to taste
1 small firm fresh pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into 1-inch cubes


Directions
1 Combine hoisin sauce, ketchup, chili,green onion, and ginger; set aside.
2 Season pork cubes with pepper. Thread pork and pineapple onto skewers; grill over direct heat for about 4 minutes, turn and glaze with hoisin mixture. Continue cooking on grill until pork browns, about 8-10 minutes total cooking time.