Playing the Violin

Cheyanne had her first violin recital today. She was adamant that she wouldn't play for it but my brother bribed her with McDonald's so she agreed to perform. CLICK HERE to hear her play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

More Uses For My Yarn

I went to the Shepherd's Harvest Sheep and Wool Festival in Lake Elmo, MN today with 2 knitter friends. We looked at all of the wonderful yarn, spinning wheels, and weaving looms in the first barn we came to and loved it all! 2 of us even bought our first looms. Mine is a very simple Ashford Weaving Frame.

I also bought some Woolch. It is a blend of wool fibers and wood toothpick shavings that is used as a pesticide-free mulch and can later be tilled under to add nitrogen to the soil. Pretty cool!

After looking at everything we realized there were 2 more barns full of vendors. It was spectacular and I didn't even buy more yarn to add to my stash.

Just Try It! You'll Like It!

C'mon everyone. Try one of my recipes and leave me a comment so I know what you thought of it. I'll even take suggestions on how to improve the dish. Here is what I made last night. The kids didn't try the bright yellow chicken, but the grown-ups asked for more.

Chicken and Cashew Nut Curry

2 TBSP peanut oil
2 small onions, finely chopped
salt
3/4-inch piece of fresh ginger, minced
3 cloves garlic
2 small green chillies, seeded and finely chopped (or 2 tsp green chilli paste)
1 tsp tumeric
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander
14 oz can unsweetened coconut milk
1/2 cup chicken stock
2-lb 3-oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
3/4 cup cashew nuts
1/4 cup sour cream

Heat the peanut oil in a wide saucepan and fry the onions with a bit of salt to prevent burning. Add ginger, garlic, chillies, tumeric, cumin and coriander and cook for another minute or so. Stir in the coconut milk and chicken stock. Add chicken. Bring everything to a boil and then simmer gently for about 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. In the meantime, toast the cashew nuts in a dry frying pan until just a bit brown. When chicken is cooked, add toasted cashews and sour cream.

From the Windy City to Life on the Mississippi

Here are photos of the building where I had to go for my job interview today. I drove 7 hours to Chicago for a job interview and then drove home again. Fortunately I took a day and a half. I'm beat. I sure hope I don't have to do that too many more times. Driving back home I realized how much I love living where there is so much green and so few buildings. After I move, I will have to spend some weekends in the country to make up for my week in the city.

Trying Not to Be Nervous

I'm going to Chicago tomorrow for a job interview on Tuesday. My interview is on the 13th floor of a big skyscraper. I already feel out of place just thinking about it, but the experience will challenge me and I guess there's nothing wrong with that. Heck, I used to go downtown Chicago every weekend when I graduated from high school. What's the big deal? They still have trees and grass there, right? So what if it is surrounded by sidewalk. Besides, I really think I'd like the job. I'll fill you in when I return!

Turn on the Grill

It's the season for grilling again! Here is a recipe for the Teriyaki Chicken that I made last night. YUMMMMM!!

Teriyaki Chicken
1/4 Cup ketchup
1/4 Cup hoisin sauce
2 TBSP soy sauce
2 TBSP rice vinegar
2 tsp minced fresh garlic
2 tsp minced fresh ginger
2 tsp dark sesame oil
5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Put all ingredients in a ziplock bag and marinate overnight or all day. Cook them on the grill and then eat!

Ember is Three

Ember turned 3 today! She was pretty excited about it. She was also proud that she "didn't make a puddle" today. She finally decided to work on potty training and that makes ME happy.

On the weekend we went to a horse show. The girls loved riding the horses and ponies.