Table for Eight

(c) Chef-in-Training, 2013. I know it's summer, so the last thing on most people's To Do List is "Make Cauliflower Soup." But this is INCREDIBLE cauliflower soup. Like, my kids can't stand cauliflower, but they get it EVERY time we go to Zupas . (PS: Zupas doesn't know me, but if you are in Utah, Nevada, and Arizona, they have locations near ya. Jussayin'.) Anyway, I have a huge bag of cauliflower, so we decided we are going to try and copy-cat Zupa's recipe for Wisconsin Cauliflower soup tonight. And just in case it doesn't turn out supa, we're making bread. (You can always fill in the gaps with a big chunk of bread. Carbs have a way of making everything A-OK.) My bread. (Tee hee) Here's the complete recipe, in case you'd like to try it, too. It's from Chef In-Training (which is a beautiful blog, PS): http://www.chef-in-training.com/2012/09/copy-cat-zupas-wisconsin-cauliflower-soup/ **** PS: In other

Is there anything better than time with a book you love? (PS: Jr. loves to read, but I'm pretty sure this scenario was staged. He was teasing me about loving reading more than video games. If we look closely, the book may even be upside down. And it's on Pompei!) Turns out it's always summer when you're a housecat! Bam and Papaya on the kayak at the lake near our home. (Our community lets us check these out for use. It is so cool.) I love cooking in the summer--tho my pesto was only medium. I haven't mastered the recipe. I love coconuts. (Even after Survivor. Heck, BECAUSE of Survivor.) Bam is probably the most creative person I know. I was never like this as a kid--and I love that she is. Zu went to visit Janae's Service Hamster, Silver. The running joke between us all: I'd like Janae's family to get a service dog. Janae thinks her hamster fills the bill. "Silver-the-Hamster calms people," she claims.

Kind of random, but I'm making pesto today for the first time. Ever since Elder Meehan left on his mission, I feel the need to try new things. I guess it's my way of distracting myself, getting lost in new things?  Oh, who knows?! (And probably, who cares? Ha ha ha.) It's a way to pass the time-- that's all I'm sayin'. But back to my point! Today I'm making pesto at Janae's--using her basil, her AWESOME BlendTec blender, my homegrown garlic, my olive oil ... and my $49.99 per pound PINENUTS! Yup, you heard me: Pinenuts are $49.99 per POUND here in Utah. What in the honk?  Funny, yesterday I tweeted about how expensive pinenuts were and people immediately replied "pesto doesn't really need pinenuts." WHAT?!  That's not what FoodNetwork says.  Now, I may only be able to afford two tablespoons of pesto, but I'm making it according to The Iron Chef's recommendation, people.  Work with me here.  I do

Harriet with her homemade Service Dog backpack. (Made by Lu. Filled with First Aid supplies.) We have always been a pet family. (In fact, Dave brought his dog--a Golden Retriever, Barney--on our very first date.) There's just something about having animals that makes our family/life seem more normal and more fun. So over the years we have had cats, guinea pigs, fish, turtles and beautiful dogs. They have each been a huge part of our lives. (And the reason for our expertise in carpet cleaning. Ugh.) But my point! This past week I read a book about a "Service Dog" entitled "Comet's Tale," and as a result I learned that there's a whole world of animal care/life I didn't even know existed. Sure, I'd always known what a "Seeing Eye Dog" was, and our local library has a "Therapy Dog" that the kids can read with once a month, oh--and I remember from childhood cartoons that Saint Bernards carry bourbon in a tiny b

Ree Drummond's (Pioneer Woman on Food Network) Chicken Fried Steak (and broccoli). Dave made it for us last night and it was awesome. (And messy. Holy deep fryer.)   I'm affectionately dubbing this summer my "Chicken Fried Summer." Why, you ask? Because I think my post-Survivor way of coping with transitions, stress, etc., has been to EAT. Anything and everything! Sour gummy worms? Don't mind if I do. Chocolate cake? Sure. Green olives and chocolate cake?  Uh ... okay, sure! The overeating is kinda (emphasis on KIND OF) funny for someone who starved on an island in the Philippines for 39 days last year, but work with me: I'm doing the best I can. And when I can do best er , I will. Promise. In the meantime, I'm just trying to begin a regular exercise routine to balance out the extra food intake AND love myself as I journey through this phase. And even that hasn't been super easy for some reason.  (For those of you w

I have had bronchitis for 20+ days now. And I'll tell ya, it's close to cracking me. (If there's anything Survivor taught me, it's that a healthy body is a major blessing.) So when I'm sick, I try my best to focus on the good vs. being crabby. And that's what I'm doing today--I'm focusing on the good with a list of My Favorite Things: July 2013 Edition. Because even amidst this incessant cough and fever, there's good all around.  I know that. For sure. My Favorite Things: July 2013 Edition 1. Hearing from Elder Meehan after his first week in Indiana! (Photo taken with Jay and Mission President/wife: The Clevelands) www.elderjonahmeehan.wordpress.com 2. The kids at Dave's work for "Kidday 2013." (Dave works for an incredible company! Face-paintings, treats, etc.) 3. Family Night at Buca di Beppos.   4. Bam and her friend at our ward/congregation Taco Party Saturday night. 5. Whitney t