Our First Recipe Swap Party!

Hello hello beloved fam and friends! Our first recipe swap party was a delicious success and oh so much fun! Thanks Julie, Brandi, Kristen, and Ami for lots of fun and some great food! (Mama P we missed you so and hope that your bug passes quickly!)It was so much fun to get together and enjoy some incredible creations and see your cute kids! The contributed recipes can be found here The Open Pantry. I can't wait for the next one! We need to do it every 2 months! Anyone have any ideas for a theme or foods to make? Lets plan it early!

First time Golfing!

Today Toph and I hit the golf course for my first official time golfing and I have to say it was a lot of fun! Chris got to show off his skills with his new clubs and I was very impressed and proud of my hubbies golfing skills! I used his old clubs but tried out his new ones on the last hole, if I had known whata HUGE difference it made I would have taken up his offer of sharing. He now thinks that I need to get some . . . (we will see) I felt so bad every time I took a nick out of the grass! (I was probably the only one on the course filling everything in with grass seed) I was so embarrassed with my first hit but after that I got a few good ones in. (I learned that I was using the wrong clubs for some of my shots too). We will definately go again sometime. I am glad that Chris likes it so much and that he has so many buddies who he goes with. I don't know if I will go pro anytime soon though! I got a bit carsick on the golf cart too whenever Toph would chase the prairie dogs, but other than that it was a ton of fun and a great date with my hot hubby! Tonight we are having some friends from our ward over for dinner . . . so I have to get dinner prepped . . . if anyone is hungry we will have leftovers for sure . . the menu is Apricot Chicken, rice pilaf, steamed carrots and chocolate chip cheesecake. I have worked 7 days this week and only cooked twice . . . so we I am in the mood to try out something new! Check out The Open Pantry to see the results!

Home alone . . . bummin' around . . .

So my sweet hubby headed off to work right as I was on my way outta work to go home . . . we are sometimes two ships passing in the night/afternoon/morning . . . so here I am home alone . . . thinking of a load of things that need my attention at home . . . but I haven't painted in quite a while . . . and I have a million doodling ideas that I want to paint . . so I guess tonight is Monet/Picasso/Rene night at the Liechty home! I am bummed that all of the series that I have been reading are waiting on 1 more book to finish up! Hey if you haven't read the Gideon Trilogy . . . do! I really liked the first two . . . and will have to be patient until the third comes out next year! Speaking of reading . . Breaking Dawn is just around the corner! It is kinda bittersweet when a series ends! Remember what a bummer it was to finish Harry Potter? Now what? Mensch! All I can say is that Bella is on my clueless/spoiled and "what is she thinking" list! Enough said! Okay now I feel inclined to go and browse at the bookstore! I love reading the classics too, although "The Three Musketeers" is nothing like the movie (heads up). I need to get what reading I can in before school starts! The end of August my life will be Math, Economics, Geography and Psychology again. (Yee-haw)

The Gideon Trilogy

I have been reading a new book trilogy called "The Gideon Trilogy." The first book "The Time Travelers" was really good and I have eagerly started book two "The Time Thief." I just discovered that book 3 has not yet been published so that is a bit annoying, but still they have been fun to read and I highly recommend them! They are so up my alley as a history buff too! I have learned quite a few new things about merry old England and some of its history. (European History is my emphasis of study.) We only have a little over a week and a half until Breaking Dawn comes out so I will be ready to read it once I finish "The Time Thief" this week. Hey we so need to have a recipe swap before school starts. I tried out the ham and pasta salad that I was talking about with sweetened condensed milk in the sauce for supper. It was yummy! Oh my house smells like rain right now! Yum-o!

Morning at the cannery

Well I spent a wonderful morning in a hairnet and apron at the cannery in SG on Friday morning! My sister-in-law Brandi signed us up and we canned dried milk, spaghetti, rice, potato flakes, refried beans (I craved these while on my mission! So yummy!), and dried apples. The last 20 minutes I felt like Lucille Ball on the "I Love Lucy" episode where they are hurrying and shoving chocolates in their mouths! We had a few things that we didn't get done but will next time we go in February! (Yes they are completely booked until then!) Thanks Bran for booking it and thanks Mom, Jules, Bran, and Dad for including me and focusing on being prepared and heeding the prophets words!

Day off . . .

I had the day off today so my handsome husband took me out to lunch and ran some errands with me! I hit the library and grabbed some books, one of which is a series that I have never heard of called "The Time Travelers" . . . it said on the cover that if you liked Harry Potter that you would love these books . . . so I will let you know if I "love these books." I have joined the Utah Hive, which is a group of Utah bloggers that do food blogs (yes I am doing a food blog for fun . . . I can hear you Dan & Jules!) When school starts it will probably die off . . . but until then I will just have some fun with it! I am making falafels for dinner tonight . . . they are really easy and were a favorite on my mission! (So now Toph GETS to enjoy them). We are going to round out our night by watching 10,000 BC! Toph went with the Lowry's when I was working and said it was pretty good . . . does anyone know if it is scary? (Lucky Toph, sleeping with the lights on again!!!) For those of you who know me know full well that I major freak out with movies! Our esciting week continues tomorrow with a trip to the driving range! Toph is eager to get the feel of his new clubs and he really wants me to get into golfing! (We went on our first date, and that was the last time I have gone . . . or had a great desire to go!) But I love my hubs . . . so off we go! Maybe I'll remember to photograph the event! (Stay tuned)

Congrats Mom!

Congrats to my mom on graduating with her Masters of Education! She has been very dedicated and worked very hard to continue her education all while teaching and managing her home life! Way to go! I guess we now get to call you Master! (you've earned it!) You have always been such a great and positive example and support to all of us and have always emphasized the importance of education! I'm proud of you Mutti! (Chris thinks that you should keep going and get your doctorate!)

Recipe Swap Party

Okay ladies, I do believe that we desperately need a recipe swap party! Each gal brings a favorite food and the recipe and we chow down and swap recipes! I already have some cute ideas (decorations, favors etc) for our little gathering so I am willing to head up the planning . . . I just need to know when a good time is! We are doing our food storage stock up this coming Friday . . . so is that a good day? Let me know ASAP! It will be fun!

My little day maker!

I was doing some major house cleaning today (as in red raw knuckles, major calorie burning, sweaty get in every nook and cranny cleaning!) and I got a text message that made my day! My little nephew Austin wanted to say hi to Auntie Em! He is too cute and growing so fast! We went down to SG this past weekend for his blessing. Dan did such a good job! It was fun chillin' with the family and having a movie night with the Demas'! Lauren just melts my heart! We just love our nieces and nephews!

Congrats Lowry's!!! It's a boy!

Congrats Dan and Luisana on your wonderful news that you are expecting a baby boy! We are SOOOOO excited for you and the new little life that you are bringing into the world! We miss you guys and hope that you aren't freezing in Alaska! We haven't had a game night since you left :( ...! Wa-hoo though! You are going to be great parents! Stay warm and watch out for grizzlies!

Happy Independence Day!

I can't believe that today is the 4th of July! It seemed to sneak up on us this year! We celebrated with take out after work and watched Independence day (this is the 2nd time Chris has stayed awake while I fell asleep during a movie) and the Macy's fireworks on TV. We were just excited to get to spend some time together! Our schedules keep us pretty busy! I had to work until 4:00 and Chris takes off for work at 4:00 so sometimes we just get to say good morning and good night but today he got to stay home a bit longer and didn't have to work until 10:00. So now I am home watching "The Office" episodes and laughing my head off just chillin' after a LONG day at work! We hope that everyone had a great 4th!

Fishing with Dad

This poem is for my dad, who braved taking his kids fishing while knowing what was in store for him!

Fishing with Dad

By Emily Liechty

The ground is soggy around the rim of the lake.
We trudge through the brush in search of the perfect spot to cast our lines.
My hook gets caught on a tree and tangled in the brush.
Dad sets down the cooler, tackle box and fishing poles he is carrying to deal with my mangled mess.
I wait patiently, swatting at dragon flies and nearly fall into the water as a big one turns back on me.
My little sister throws sticks into the water while we wait.
The sound of a splash up ahead and the yelp of my older sister around the bend causes my dad to look up.
After a minute she comes around the corner sniffling with one muddy leg and a soggy shoe.
Another victim of the narrow rocky lake trail.
Dad tells her to wipe her leg off on the grass and that the sun will dry her off soon.
He finally gets my line clear of the branches and we trek on,
we pass the point of impact on the lake shore and the muddy foot indents left behind.
My brother has already settled down and cast out by the time we get to our spot.
Dad situates each child, finding boulders and coolers for each of us to sit on,
grabbing arms as we teeter near the water in our eager search for our positions,
each face anxious to make the catch of the day, . . . . or get a bite.
He pulls out a Styrofoam cup with a lid on it and digs his fingers into dark dirt,
searching for worms to bait the three hooks hanging from our lines.
My little sister finds a rock and tosses it into the lake, clapping as the rings in the water grow.
My brother scowls while saying something under his breath, he reels in his line, grabs his gear and moves farther down the shore line.
Dad tears a worm in half and we all squeal and wrinkle our noses
as he tries to pass a half to my older sister and I to bait our own hooks with,
we back up to the edge of the water in protest.
Better to go for a swim than touch that squirmy, slimy thing.
He shakes his head as he baits our hooks.
My little sister throws another rock in the water . . .
managing to move more fisherman away from our little entourage.
We finally cast out, the farthest making five feet.
I start to reel in again not happy with the distance of my cast.
My next cast gets my line caught in the trees again.
It is a long day for dad . . . .
Grape soda stained faces greet my brother in the afternoon as he comes around the bend,
we toss our tuna sandwich crusts into the water and admire the 3 nice fish on his line.
The girls catch of a rotten stick, a pile of seaweed
and a few minnows, that we voted to release, are all that we have to show for our efforts.
But at the end of our day we leave happy, with my little sister covered in mud, my older sisters shoe no longer squishing,
and me managing to get my hook caught in one more bush as we make our way back to the car.
Dad just cuts my line this time, he is ready to go home.

Teaching Primary

Chris and I have the great blessing of teaching the 11 and 12 year old primary class in our ward. It is a bit of a change from serving in the Relief Society Presidency and Young Mens and Young Womens program but it has been a blessing in our lives. Occasionally Chris takes some of his clients to church so I get to fly solo . . aka teach the class alone! The kids in our class are all awesome, but when some of them get together it can be a little hard to keep everyones attention and get through a lesson. I was checking out the Primary section on www.lds.org the other day and they had role plays and suggestions for teaching, which inspired me! This last Sunday I only had 4 kids in the class and they were really good! (Sharing time is another story) I had worked late into the night finishing my lesson and creating an (amazing) visual aid. (Chris got to be my guinea pig at 11:30pm as I went thru the lesson when I was done . . . lucky him!) Each Sunday I am just reminded of experiences that I have had and things that have touched my heart from studying the scriptures and I just become more grateful for Prophets and events recorded in the scriptures. President Kopischke always taught missionaries in our mission that their is nothing that the scriptures can't answer or help you with and it is just so true! I also think that teaching the Valiant 11 class rocks and I am so glad that we are studying The Book of Mormon this year!

Summer trip . . .

We were able to get away from work for a few days and visit Chris' family this weekend! It was fun to get to hang out with Mom and Dad Liechty (who keep us well fed and active! We love you!). We caught the new Indiana Jones movie our first night their (hmmmm, very interesting storyline). We were able to cross the border into Idaho and visit the old tabernacle in Paris, which was so neat, on our way to a night of fun and frolicking at the Pickleville playhouse at Bear lake (which was too funny to even get into!. Sunday we enjoyed a visit with the Anhders (whom we wish we could see more of) and enjoyed playing and visiting with their fam. Their new little Jetta Sophia is darling! Chris got a head massage and style from the talented little hands of Miss Stella and Talia who kept us entertained with their questions and talents. It was great to get to visit Grandma Liechty and meet Chris' cousin Jenny (whom I have heard so much about) and catch up on crazy family antics as well. Another highlight of our trip was a trip to the golf course for Dad L and Chris with Chris' new golf clubs that he got for his birthday! (El Tigre has competition now baby!) We just had a blast and are glad that we got at least one visit in! Thanks for the fun times Mom and Dad L!

Guess who's having a birthday . . .

My handsome husband is celebrating his 27th birthday today! Chris you are the best! (and not just because you are willing to eat the cake that I baked!) I hope you have a fabulous 27th year on this earth! Your a stud and make each day more amazing than the one before! You are such a good husband and will make an amazing dad one day! I am so grateful to have you in my life! I look forward to many more celebrations together! I love you babe! Enjoy the day!

A new favorite . . .

I made this recipe for dinner last week and we are still wanting more! The sauce is SOOOO GOOD! Toph made chicken tenders another night and we made the sauce to dip them in! It is too easy and too good not to make!

Honey-Mustard Chicken
Prep/Cook: 20 minutes

Serves: 4
Sautéed chicken breasts are topped with a sweet-spicy sauce, served over rice and garnished with toasted nuts.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp. butter OR margarine
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup OR Campbell's® Condensed 98% Fat Free Cream of Chicken Soup
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp. honey
1 tbsp. spicy brown mustard
Chopped toasted pecans OR walnuts
4 cups hot cooked rice

Directions:

HEAT butter in skillet. Add chicken and cook until browned.

ADD soup, mayonnaise, honey and mustard. Heat to a boil. Cover and cook over low heat 5 min. or until done. Sprinkle with pecans. Serve with rice.

Little Known Facts . . .

Did you know?

*A duck's quack doesn't echo, and no one knows why.
*The combination "ough" can be pronounced in nine different ways. The following sentence contains them all:
"A rough-coated, dough-faced, thoughtful ploughman strode through the streets of Scarborough; after falling into a slough, he coughed and hiccoughed."
*The only 15 letter word that can be spelled without repeating a letter is uncopyrightable.
*Cats have over one hundred vocal sounds, while dogs only have about ten.
*The word "Checkmate" in chess comes from the Persian phrase "Shah Mat," which means, "the king is dead".
*Pinocchio is Italian for "pine head."
*In every episode of Seinfeld there is a Superman somewhere.
*The United States has never lost a war in which mules were used.
*All porcupines float in water.
*The airplane Buddy Holly died in was called "American Pie." (Thus the name of the Don McLean song.)
*The only nation whose name begins with an "A", but doesn't end in an "A" is Afghanistan.
*The longest word in the English language, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis. The only other word with the same amount of letters is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconioses, its plural.
*An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.
*Al Capone's business card said he was a used furniture dealer.
*Wilma Flintstone's maiden name was Wilma Slaghoopal, and Betty Rubble's Maiden name was Betty Jean Mcbricker.
*Dueling is legal in Paraguay as long as both parties are registered blood donors.
*The characters Bert and Ernie on Sesame Street were named after Bert the cop and Ernie the taxi driver in Frank Capra's "Its A Wonderful Life."
*The phrase "rule of thumb" is derived from an old English law which stated that you couldn't beat your wife with anything wider than your thumb.
*"Stewardesses" is the longest word that is typed with only the left hand.
*A group of unicorns is called a blessing. Twelve or more cows are known as a "flink." A group of frogs is called an army. A group of rhinos is called a crash. A group of kangaroos is called a mob. A group of whales is called a pod. A group of ravens is called a murder. A group of officers is called a mess. A group of larks is called an exaltation. A group of owls is called a parliament.
*Every time you lick a stamp, you're consuming 1/10 of a calorie.
*The phrase "sleep tight" derives from the fact that early mattresses were filled with straw and held up with rope stretched across the bedframe. A tight sleep was a comfortable sleep.
*Studies show that if a cat falls off the seventh floor of a building it has about thirty percent less chance of surviving than a cat that falls off the twentieth floor. It supposedly takes about eight floors for the cat to realize what is occurring, relax and correct itself.
*111,111,111 x 111,111,111=12,345,678,987,654,321
*If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle; if the horse has one front leg in the air, the person died as a result of wounds received in battle; if the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes. (note: if the rider's head is up the horse's rear, the rider died a politician.)
*No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver, and purple.
*Clans of long ago that wanted to get rid of their unwanted people without killing them used to burn their houses down - hence the expression "to get fired."
*There are two credit cards for every person in the United States.
*A snail can sleep for 3 years.
*If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter "A"? -- One thousand
*What do bullet proof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers and laser printers all have in common?-- All were invented by women.
*Married men revealed that they change their underwear twice as often as single men.
*40% of all people who come to a party in your home snoop in your medicine cabinet.
*The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time television were Fred and Wilma Flintstone.
*Coca-Cola was originally green.
*Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the US Treasury.
*It is possible to lead a cow upstairs but not downstairs.
*The reason firehouses have circular stairways is from the days of
old when the engines were pulled by horses. The horses were stabled
on the ground floor and figured out how to walk up straight staircases.
*State with the highest percentage of people who walk to work: Alaska
*Percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28%
Percentage of North America that is wilderness: 38%
*Average number of people airborne over the US at any given hour: 61,000
*Iceland consumes more Coca-Cola per capita than any other nation.
*First novel ever written on a typewriter: Tom Sawyer.
*Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history.
Spades - King David, Clubs - Alexander the Great,
Hearts - Charlemagne, and Diamonds - Julius Caesar.
*The term "the whole 9 yards" came from W.W.II fighter pilots in the South Pacific. When arming their airplanes on the ground, the .50 caliber machine gun ammo belts measured exactly 27 feet, before being loaded into the fuselage. If the pilots fired all their ammo at a target,it got "the whole 9 yards."
*The Eisenhower interstate system requires that one mile in every five must be straight. These straight sections are usable as airstrips in times of war or other emergencies.