New Apron, Anyone?

Who wouldn't want a new, super-chic apron? Check out Epicurean Style for a chance to win one. OK,OK, I admit to having a selfish motive, but at least I'm letting you all in the running.

George Washington: My Hero

Today the teachers spent the afternoon at Mt. Vernon. It was awesome! I still can't believe that I stood in the very house where President Washington lived. One of my favorite parts of the trip was the drive. It was so beautiful. I have decided that someday I will be moving Alexandria, Virginia.



The backside of the 11,000 sqaure foot mansion



Melissa and me standing on the front porch of the mansion overlooking the Potomac River



Check out the beautiful fall colors

DC - Day 1

Today was such an eventful, exciting, sobering, and most of all, tiring day in DC.

We started off the day at our Nation's "most sacred shrine" - Arlington Cemetary. I was so excited to experience it, the last time I was in DC the power went out in the Metro and we were never able to make it. From the moment we made it to the top of the Metro escalator, something changed. Before we had a chance to lecture the students about the need to act mature and respectful (and believe me, if you would have spend the previous night with them you would have been worried) their entire countenance changed. It was a really amazing place, and the students could sense it. As we walked through the cemetary the students (and I) were captivated by the seemingly endless rows of tombstones.

Winding our way up the path to JFK's final resting place, we were stopped by cemetary workers who were asking visitors for silence as we neared the burrial ground. Near JFK's site was a scenic overlook. Looking down you could see the rolling hills of tombstones and DC in the distance. If you turned around to look up, you saw General Robert E. Lee's, the Civil War commander of the Confederate troops, home looking over the entire cemetary. Lee was asked by President Lincoln to command the Union troops, but being from Virginia, he turned down the offer and later led the Confederacy. I don't think it was a coincidence that they then burried the union soldiers in his backyard. Looking out over the hallowed grounds I couldn't help but feel so small, "who/what am I in comparison to these thousands of men who served our country, and what have I done to be worthy of ALL of this?"

Standing in the silence I turned to read a quote that was inscribed on the nearby wall. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed that one of our students was crying. Although his, yes his, eyes were covered by a pair of aviator sunglasses, you could see the tears streaming down his face. It was the kind of moment that teachers live for. The kind of moment that makes the the long hours and horrible pay checks worth it. Not that I played any part in that learning moment, but I couldn't help but feel proud that the students were soaking it all in, and for some, it was just too much to handle.

We continued up the path to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Another amazing experinece. The tomb is guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, rain, snow or shine. I could not believe the precision and dedication of those soldiers.

We spent the rest of the day visiting Ford's Theatre (where Lincoln was shot), the Peterson home (where Lincoln actually died), the National Archives, and the Holocaust Museum. My feet are killing me. Where is Gub when I need a foot rub?



Arlington Cemetary



Robert E. Lee's home overlooking the cemetary



The overlook at JFK's burrial



The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier



The National Archives

Happy Halloween!

Gub Who?

Last week as I was browsing through some blogs, Gub looked over my shoulder and said, "why don't you take my name off your blog, it's not like I have anything to do with it?" I'd like to say that I was surprised, hurt or even angry, but seriously, how did I not see that coming? Doesn't that just sound like him? So there you have it, Wendi and her anonymous hubby.

Mmmm, mmm good...

Since I don't have anything else to blog about here are those recipes that I promised a few of you.

Easy Mint Truffles

• 1 20 oz. pkg. Oreo brand cookies (I recommend the mint)

• 1 8 oz pkg cream cheese, light or regular, softened

• 1 20 oz package milk or dark chocolate chips (Andes mint pieces are delicious too!)
  

Crush the cookies fine with food processor. Add cream cheese and mix well. Roll into 1" balls (or smaller) and set on cookie sheet. Place in refrigerator to chill for 1 hour. Melt the chocolate in microwave safe bowl 30 seconds at a time until melted and smooth ( you may not need all the chocolate). Add 1-2 tablespoons of oil to the chocolate as it is melting to help with the consistency. Dip the Oreo balls into chocolate and place on cookie sheet to chill until firm.

Focaccia Bread

• 1 1/2 cups bread flour
• 1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 (.25 ounce) package instant yeast
• 1 1/3 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary or Italian seasoning (optional)
  
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

In a large stoneware bowl, stir together the flours and salt. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Sprinkle the sugar and yeast into that well. Carefully pour the water into the well. Let stand until the yeast begins to act, about 5 minutes. Pour 2 tablespoons of the oil into the well. With a wooden spoon stir the mixture in the center of the bowl. Gradually widen the circle of stirring to take in all of the flour at the sides of the well.

Turn out on a floured surface, and knead just until smooth. Keep the dough soft. Pour 1/2 teaspoon of the oil into a clean bowl. Place the dough in the bowl, turning once to oil the top. Cover. Let rise until doubled, 30 to 45 minutes.

Punch the dough down. Use 1 teaspoon of the oil to coat a baking sheet, and place the dough on the baking sheet. Gently press the dough out to about 1/2 inch thickness. Pour the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil over the top of the dough. Use the handle end of a wooden spoon to dimple the dough at 1 1/2 inch intervals. Sprinkle with the rosemary and the cheese. Place in a cold oven on the center shelf. Place a flat pan of hot water on the shelf below the bread. Let rise until doubled, 20 to 25 minutes.

Turn on the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Bake the focaccia for 20 to 25 minutes, or until browned on top. Remove from the pan, and cool on a wire rack. Serve warm.


Marlboro Man Sandwich

(Recipe courtesy of the pioneerwomancooks.com. Check out the details, including helpful pictures, at http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/marlboro_mans_f/)

• 2 1/2 pounds cube steak (tenderized round steak that’s been extra-tenderized),
  
• 2 Sliced onions
• 1-2 Green Peppers (Not included in the original, but they make it sooo much better!)
  
• Butter
• Lawry’s Seasoned Salt
• Worcestershire sauce
• Tabasco
• Deli Rolls
• Cheese (Also not included in the original, but it makes it extra tasty! Swiss, provolone or mozzarella are all delicious options.)
  

Slice onions and green pepper. Next, melt 1/4 stick of regular butter in a skillet. Add the onions and green pepper. Stir together. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and light brown (about 7-10 minutes.)

While the onions are cooking, go ahead and slice the meat into strips. Tenderizing has given the meat a directional grain - you’ll want to slice against—or perpendicular to—the grain. Season the meat with a nice sprinkling of Lawry’s.

Transfer the onions from the skillet to a plate. Add 2 Tablespoons butter to the same skillet. Turn the heat to high. Let the butter melt and begin to turn brown, about two minutes. You’ll want the skillet to be hot. Now add the meat to the hot skillet in a single layer. Do not stir. Let it sit for about a minute, or long enough for one side to turn brown. Using a spatula, flip the meat to the other side. Once the meat is brown, generously add Worcestershire sauce. Start with about 1/2 cup. Next, add Tabasco to taste. Stir to combine. Then add another 2 tablespoons of butter to finish off the sauce. Stir in onions, mix and cover.

Toast deli rolls. Spoon on mixture, add cheese and enjoy!

Congratulations Nicole!

Gub's sister Nicole and Ryan were finally married on Friday in the Timpanogos Temple. It was such a beautiful day and it couldn't have been more perfect! The reception turned out amazing, thanks to Pat, and it looked like they definitely made a haul on the gifts.