Spicy Sweet Pork

Yesterday, I made some pork the hubby LOVED. I just added a bit of this, a bit of that. The pork turned out delicious. It was sweet but had a kick to it. This is a keeper.

• 1 1/2 - 2 lb pork loin roast
• 1 c. apple juice
• 1/2 c. Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tsp fresh ground pepper
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp garlic paste (found in produce section)
• 1 T fresh parsley finely chopped
• 1 medium sweet yellow onion sliced

Place pork loin in crock pot. Cover the pork loin with sliced onions. Mix the remain ingredients together in a separate bowl. Pour over the pork loin roast. Roast in crock pot for 3-4 hours on high or 6-7 hours on low. Shred or slice pork.

Homemade Pita Bread

I made homemade Pita Bread the other night using a recipe from Anna Can Cook. I have loved all of her recipes. It was really easy and so amazing with homemade hummus. This is a keeper.

A Sur La Table Sale...Yipeee

Sur La Table is having a wonderful sale. I love kitchen gadgets, bakeware, dishes, etc etc etc.... It only happens once a year. You gotta love this stuff. It makes my heart soooo happy. I am a freak!

Check out these little lovelies.....mmmm so so white and so clean.

A new year: 2010

I am looking forward to 2010. 2009 has been one of the very best years and also one of the most difficult. Here's hoping 2010 is a little more even keeled. I have a few goals I want to reach in 2010. Hopefully this list will help me keep track of what I want/need to do this year.

Projects:

• Get Pregnant
• Make hooded towels for nieces, nephews and project 1
• Nursery (are we seeing a pattern?!?)
• Aprons
  
• Natural cleaning products
• Lotion Bars
• Handmade pillows
• Molding and paneling
• Wrap around skirt (get your martha on)
• Recipe box
• Invent new recipes
• Wedding pictures organized
• Thank you's
• Backyard: add character
• Christmas stockings altered from Pottery Barn
• Embroider something
• Large white mirror
• Long curtains (find ones that I like) for living room and kitchen
• Quilted silk blanket
  
• New favorite recipes
• Plan dinners each week
• Get a library card
• Clean and organize office, guest room and closets
• House features that I love organized and categorized
• Find inexpensive nice ceiling lighting
• Metal tiles
• Invite more people over to our house
• Make homemade ice cream
• Plant herbs
• Front porch plant: Oversized terracotta pot with boxwood bush inside
• Book page wreath (domestic notebook)
• Wall in bedroom (pictures, sconces, shelves...)
• Headboard
• Goalboard for our family
• Take pictures of delicious meals
• Make a dress out of the ivory raw silk for Easter
• Homemade mustard and pretzels
• Cardtable "House"
• 72 hr kits
• Felt pockets for Tissues (MS blog)
• Go camping
  

Other:

• Dates with the hubby 1 x per week, atleast
• Get in Triathalon shape again (if not preggers). Otherwise continue to workout atleast 5x per week
• Triathalon in July
• Start running regularly (4 times per week)
• Practice piano for 45 min daily
• Read folio edition of Emma (my wonderful Christmas gift from Sarah)
• Read Scriptures daily
• Temple once per month
• Save $
• Take care of family
• Treasure friends
• Remember to breath, smile and laugh
  

2010 Motto:

"We must look for ways to be an active force in our own lives. We must take charge of our own destinies, design a life of substance and truly begin to live our dreams."

-Les Brown-

Apple Butter: Thanksgiving Gifts

A domestic triumph. These turned out really cute. A perfect warm inviting fall gift....picture to come shortly.

• 5 1/2 lbs, apples peeled and finely chopped (Braeburn and Granny Smith makes a great butter. You can also do half apple, half pear)
• 2 1/2- 3 cups sugar
• 2-3 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

In a large bowl mix sugar, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and salt.Pour over apples and mix well.Place in crock pot, cover and cook on high for 1 hour.Decrease heat to low; cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or until thickened and dark brown.Stir occasionally. If desired, whisk until smooth. Spoon into half pint jars, leaving 1/2-inch head space. Follow hot-water jarring method to seal jars.

Beechers Macaroni and Cheese

In Seattle at Pike Place Market, I ate the most outstanding macaroni and cheese at Beecher's. Martha Stewart had the owner on her show awhile ago. The recipe is posted on her website: Beecher's Mac and Cheese. The atmosphere in the store is classic, clean and calm. You can sit with your delicious cup of macaroni and cheese and watch the cheese being made. Make sure to go to Beechers while in Seattle! I am not kidding...the BEST mac and cheese!! Will make this for the hubby when we get home.