christmas yarn

A very tired me modeling my chunky christmas cowl - thanks for the lovely yarn fmil!

one for you and one for me

Behold, Lemon-Thyme Cornish Hens with Garlic Red Potatoes. Delish!

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Lemon-Thyme-Cornish-Hens/Detail.aspx?src=etaf

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Garlic-Red-Potatoes/Detail.aspx

do blondes have more fun?

Hunter Style Chicken - a quick one-dish meal that makes the house smell delish! Simple to make and the splash of white wine in the sauce makes it feel rather elegant.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Hunter-Style-Chicken/Detail.aspx

Today's menu:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Lemon-Thyme-Cornish-Hens/Detail.aspx?src=etaf

Felipe has been asking me to make every day of his vacation! (Extended vacation I might add.) Somehow the suave-surgeon in him managed to score 2 extra days of vacation, gaining him 4 whole days off rather than just the 2 he was scheduled.

So, I've been dying to chop off my long locks that I have painstakingly grown out since the big engagement last February. Well, after playing around on the In-Style makeover website I'm starting to realize that a pixie is just not for me. But, maybe a blond bombshell is in my future?

christmas morning

Christmas breasfast - big soft gingersnaps and a steaming mug of coffee. Delish!
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Big-Soft-Ginger-Cookies/Detail.aspx
Felipe playing with his new present (a digi-camcorder!) Soon I will have to post a movie of felipe and elo "playing."

It's a white christmas!

Elo - playing with her old toy. The new ones only interested her for about 5 minutes. Jingle toys are where its at.

I've had a WONDERFUL christmas this year. Felipe and I opened up gifts last night with christmas carols playing in the background, a steaming mug of gingerbread tea in hand, and the tree casting sparkling lights. I must have been extra good - felipe got me this locket that I've been wanting for years! It even came with his and elo's pictures inside:) And miss elo got me my very own i-pod! Awesome!

twas the night before christmas

Last night I had the "best meal I've had all year." (Haha - bit of an inside joke there.) My fmil made a scrumptious meal of beef tenderloin with mushrooms and carmalized onions, spicy green beans, fingerling potatoes, and cranberry rice. Delish!

Dinner was followed by various christmas snacks. I got to try this new type of candy made from saltines. I went home and immediately looked up the recipe, I'm going to have to make some of my own here soon. I just love the mix of salty and sweet: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Crunch-Bar/Detail.aspx?src=etaf

After dinner was time for gifts! I got tons of fabulous treasures - a gigantic knitting bag to hold all my projects, some beautiful green/brown yarn (I already have a pattern picked out!), a soft pink pashmina, and a charm-bracelet to add to each year with new memories. I was a wonderful evening and I felt right at home with my new family:)

when the weather outside is frightful. . . . .

. . . . you gotta have somewhere great to hang your coat. Right now we are hanging our coats in the laundry room - which is frigid this time of year! Its no fun to put on a freezing cold coat. Today I remedied that situation with the most awesome coat tree ever, literally a tree! I've been wanting this for ages, and when I found a 20% off coupon I knew it was time to make the dream come true.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Christmas came early in Arkansas this year. I'm down for a long weekend to interview at AHEC's family medicine program. This was the first time mom has gotten to have Christmas at her house since I was in high school! Very special indeed. We opened gifts around the tree this morning and I think the whole family was on santa's nice list. because we all received fabulous treasures.

Here's a quick list of some of my christmas loot:

• spacious red purse
• barefoot contessa cookbook with scrumptious recipes
• 2 pairs of slipper socks
• 1 pair of tall warm wonderful slippers
• yummy treats
• bath and body works lotions and potions
• the perfect beach bag/carry-on for my jamaican weddingmoon
• an amaryllis bulb
• kitchen gadgets

Yummy yummy cinnamon rolls!
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cinnamon-Rolls-III/Detail.aspx

I hope everyone in KC is staying warming - brrrrrrrrrr!

christmas time is here, happiness and cheer

Sigh. Contentment. I could not sleep Thursday night. For some reason I decided 11pm was an appropriate time to think about my future, so I toiled over the computer until the wee hours Friday morning making charts and doing research into the FM residency programs here in town. I woke up the next morning no closer to a decision. If only I had waiting another day for this debate because as soon as I arrived at my KU interview it felt like coming home, it felt like I was with family. Which truly is what your colleagues become, since you spend more time with them than anyone else. So now my mind is at rest and I'm decided that KU is the place for me (at least for the next 3 years.) I even scored an invite to the Family Medicine holiday party which was SO much fun. Felipe got to see me in my element and I think he was pleasantly suprised.

Should be a fun golden weekend for us. Felipe is off, we're decorating holiday cookies with our good friends the Schumachers, and then we are registering! I cannot wait!

Stay tuned for cookie pics - here's the recipe for now. Super easy, makes approximately 2 dozen, which is awesome b/c I hate rolling out cookies. I'm much more of a drop cookie kind of gal. http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Gingerbread-Men/Detail.aspx?prop31=1

UPDATE: Cookies were fun (check out Felipe's blue tongue!) Registering was AWESOME! You can look it up on Target.com.

smitten mittens

Behold -
My first pair of mittens, think I'll start on a matching hat next! Finished up another project today which I'm loving. But its a Christmas gift to someone who might be a reader of this blog and I can't chance it. Remind me and I'll post pics after the holiday!

who's been naughty this year?

Looks like someone couldn't wait until christmas to open her gifts!

And she's caught:) Look at that innocent face.

purple shrinkage

felipe. put. my. cashmere. sweater. in. the. dryer.


I once read that if you can find 3 positives in the situation, it really isn't all that bad. So here goes:

1. Felipe was doing laundry - not too shabby for a busy intern:)
2. Felipe remembered not to dry other items that do not belong in the dryer - this is definitely progress.
3. There is now a nice little hole in my closet just waiting to be filled!

Another lovely (almost perfect) day

My day started off rather uneventful. I slept in under the cozy cover of my electric blanket paired with a nice down comforter and a furball foot-warmer (ie miss elo.) A bit tired after a late evening last nice impressing the truman surgical department. I tried to be the prim and proper surgeon's wife but I think I might be a bit too sassy for that;)

After a lovely steaming mug of coffee and a good half-dozen pumpkin muffins in front of the tv I decided it was time to be productive. But before that could happen my phone began to ring, and next thing I knew I was off on a shopping adventure with my favorite partner in crime - annie. We hit up Oakpark for some shoes to complement her bridesmaids dress for Emily & Brians New Years Eve wedding extravanganza. We also ended up with some fabulous holiday head-wear. I got this amazing purple velvet peacock feather headband to wear to the wedding. It's the pizazz to go with my simple black velvet sheath. Now if only Felipe could be my date. It's sad enough to go to the wedding alone, but to have no one to kiss at midnight is almost tragic.

This evening I set in cleaning. Whew! It's been a good 6 weeks since this house has seen a good scrubbing. I forgot how happy a sparkling house can make me:) Kitchen and bath are done, living room and bedroom left for tomorrow. And Felipe has promised to clean his bedroom, no easy feat (especially post-call.) Wish him luck:)

Muffin Top

Anyone remember that commercial (re: title)? It was one of my faves.

Speaking of muffins, I made some fabulous pumpkin-butterscotch muffins today. A dozen of the mini's with a bakers dozen of the full size. The two-bite mini's are disappearing into my tummy at an alarming rate. The combination of the pumpkin and spicy cinnamon goes so well with the sweet butterscoth. Mmmmmmmmmm! http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Mini-Pumpkin-Butterscotch-Muffins/Detail.aspx?src=etaf

And a pic of my pea-green vintage mixer:

And a final pic of the two loves of my life:

One looks a bit more excited to be cuddling.

Oops!

So while I was out this afternoon tuning up my car for the winter and finishing up my christmas shopping I just happened to pick up a few things for myself. No big deal really, I deserved them. Except I got BUSTED big-time by Felipe when I was sneaking my new faux-leather coat into the closet. He made me get every single coat out of the closet and describe why I needed to keep it. About 20 coats, and 10 minutes later I thoroughly felt like I was in big trouble. He just doesn't understand how the perfect coat is crucial in the winter when that is all people get to see. The perfect accessory.

I also happened to pick up one of my holiday favorites - cinnamon pine cones! (Another thing I've quickly discovered Felipe doesn't share my passion for.) Anyways, my car is now winter-proofed with anti-ice windshield washer fluid and our tiny tree is packed with freshly wrapped presents. If you get a chance check back to my previous post and see the "angel" on top of our tree, I think it is especially cute.

Tomorrow we get to go to Truman Surgery Department holiday party - I can't wait to wear one of my fabulous coats!

Wreaths that are knit ... I mean *fit* ... for the nifty knitter

Wreaths that are knit ... I mean *fit* ... for the nifty knitter


So cute! The little nester in me is dying to make one!

Posted using ShareThis

O Christmas Tree

This weekend Felipe and I put up our first tree while listening to Christmas carols. Tis the season and the start of our own traditions. Its a humble tree-begining and a little crooked but we have grand plans for next year. I think it just barely beats the sad little Charlie Brown tree:)

I spent the day interviewing medical students for acceptance into KUMed. It was nice to be on the other side of the table, asking the questions rather than in the hot seat. I was very impressed with 2 of the candidates and didn't make a single person cry or break out in hives. I really need to learn to be tougher;) Plus I rocked my first pair of high heels (my new red ones I got for interviews). This was my first day-long high heel experience. Two band-aids later my feet aren't barking too loud.

Tonight I made Felipe a lovely meaty meal which we ate lounging on the couch while watching the new Get Smart movie. Absolutely hilarious, and just what we were in the mood for. (I apologize for the poor picture, I was halfway through my dinner when I realized I had forgotten to snap it!) http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chile-Pork/Detail.aspx?prop31=1

Hope everyone's week is off to a great beginning. Felipe and Miss Elo seem to be getting along, so my week is off to a lovely start.

back in the kitchen

You would think after 2-days of cooking in preparation for Thanksgiving dinner I would avoid the kitchen at all costs, but its been quite the opposite. I LOVE to try to recipes, and both of them today were winners:

• Candy Apple Martini http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Candy-Red-Apple-Martini/Detail.aspx?prop31=1


• Fish Taco http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Grilled-Fish-Tacos-with-Chipotle-Lime-Dressing/Detail.aspx?src=etaf


• stay tuned for pumpkin butterscotch cupcakes http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Mini-Pumpkin-Butterscotch-Muffins/Detail.aspx?src=etaf

I'm thankful for. . . . .

1. Heat! Amen!


2. Felipe (I think he's thankful for beef jerky)


3. Eloise (she's thankful for her warm winter fur)

A Garber Family Thanksgiving

happy thanksgiving!

Felipe and I had a lovely Thanksgiving with the Garber family. We ended up with 21 guests - 5 of which were children, 2 twinsies still in the oven, and even 4 in-laws. Not to mention 5 doggies (who rather enjoyed my whole wheat chicken-cheddar biscuits, http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Doggie-Treats-II/Detail.aspx.)

We had some yummy food - turkey, mashed potatoes w/ gravy, sweet potatoes w/ toasted marshmallows, cranberries, cream corn, ramen noodle salad, 5-cup salad, relish tray, cheese ball, pickle rolls, crescent rolls, pumpkin pie, raisin pie, earthquake cake, gingersnaps, candies, and puppy chow!

I am thankful for my wonderful family!

Now if only I had some heat to be thankful for as well:)

Pictures to come.

when pea-green dreams come true

I've dreamed of this day since I first began nesting, only a few years ago. My dream was to bake cookies using my very own stand mixer. Granted, my mixer does not look quite the way it did in my dreams (the colorful brand-new kitchenaid dreams), but it mixed up some delightful gingersnaps. For that I am glad.

You see, I bought my mixer at the HUGE garage sale held at the state fair a few weeks ago when I was in Hutchinson. Vintage, pea-green, Hamilton Beach. Complete with rusted beaters and two bowls. Now, the cord happened to be missing. But when the booth's owner assured me he knew exactly where it was and he would run it by promptly, I quickly (and naively) handed over my $20. I ran home and cleaned that mixer until it gleamed, and am still waiting on that silly cord. So I formed a back-up plan, I was going to put a houseplant in the bowl and display it on the kitchen counter.

To my amazement, when I got back to Kansas City I discovered the cord from my vintage hand mixer (a hand-me-down from mom) was a perfect match for my new vintage stand mixer. And that brings me to today, when I mixed up Felipe's favorite cookie.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Big-Soft-Ginger-Cookies/Detail.aspx

3 cheers for the microwave!

A big thanks to Percy Spencer for inventing the miraculous microwave (http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/microwave.htm). In a mere 20 minutes we had a lovely dinner of garlic bread, pork roast, steamed broccoli, and mashed potatoes. I think it was Felipe's first complete meal in a month!While in Hutchinson I found Miss Elo the perfect pink winter parka for those cold winter days. Isn't she cute?

November has been a great month. I got to spend some quality time with my family and explore a field of medicine very dear to my heart. This month was also Felipe and I's 4 year anniversary. Time flies when you're in love:) Only 5 months until Jamaica!

Wedding update. . . . . .

After searching near and far across the town of Hutchinson I think I have finally stumbled upon a wedding reception site: http://www.renocountymuseum.org/ Not much from the picture, but the courtyard is very nice in person and they have a room upstairs for backup in case the weather doesn't cooperate. Of course, this is all dependant on Felipe's approval.


Other than that I have been keeping SUPER busy seeing patients all around town. We make rounds at the hospital, 6 different nursing homes, hospice, and then see patients in clinic. Makes for busy (and educational days).

I'm heading back to the city this Saturday:)

dr. garber-rosso

let the interview season begin:)

euthan-washington

Interesting -
http://perezhilton.com/2008-11-06-washington-approves-of-suicide.
I'm totally on board for hospice, and plan on pursuing training in palliative care. I don't know if I could ever write the lethal script.

I made the BEST holiday cookies this week:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cranberry-Orange-Cookies/Detail.aspx
They were a HUGE hit at work and I highly recommend giving them a try. A little sweet, a little tangy, and very appropriate for the season.

I have my FIRST interview Monday in Salina - its an all-day affair. I have about 6 interviews, whew!

Felipe & Elo: I'm missing you two bunches!

hutchinson halloween fun

I missed the family halloween party this year - lots of scary munchies and cute costumes. We had and angel and devil duo. . . .I did get to see miss jaelyn the cowgirl on halloween night before she went out. We forgot to turn on the porch light and ended up with a nice bowl of candy that we've been snacking on (not the mention the 50% halloween candy sale I hit up the next day. . . . .) Mom scanned in our engagement pic that will be going out in the Arkansas newspaper. True love! This was taken before the rigors of residency (note the absence of dark circles under the eyes along with the presence of a sincere smile.) I cooked dinner for the gparents last night, complete with dessert. Alas, there are no pics but my tummy is still full of the scrumptious leftovers.
-http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Philly-Cheesesteak-Sandwich-with-Garlic-Mayo/Detail.aspx
-http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Acorn-Squash-with-Apple/Detail.aspx

adventures in hutchinson

Yesterday, I set my alarm to wake me before the sun even thought of rising and hit the asphalt and back country roads to Hutchinson. The weather ended up being perfect for a drive, and not even the piles of paperwork could rain on my sunshiney day.

Today, was another early morning. I think daylight savings is going to save me this weekend. I rounded on patients in the hospital, checked on a patient at hospice house, followed patients in one of the local nursing homes, and then saw patients in clinic during the afternoon. What a full day! I rewarded myself with some warm and cozy rice pudding which I am about to dish into.

I think I will enjoy my time here. Dr. Scheel is very nice and friendly and wants me to tailor this experience to my educational goals which will make it that much better.

chicken pot pie!

After a lovely breakfast of a pumpkin donut from the famous Lamar's I whipped up some comfort food for lunch - chicken pot pie!

Recipe:

• 2 cooked, chopped, chicken breasts (or 1-4lb rotisserie chicken, shredded)
• 10 oz pkg frozen mixed veggies
• 10.75 oz can condensed cream-of-mushroom soup
• 3/4 c. water
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 10-ct tbe of refrigerated biscuits

Heat oven to 400. Combine the chicken, vegetanbles, soup, water, salt, and pepper. Transfer to an oven-safe casserole (or individual ramekins). Cover with foil and bake 45 minutes until bubbly. Remove the foil, cover the filling with the biscuits, and bake until the biscuits are golden brown and cooked through, about 15 minutes.

hello kitty!

made for a friend's daughter-

so you want to be a doctor. . . .

studying hard;)