Friday, March 25, 2011

I Completely Forgot

That I have a blog!

Not really.  Wow.  It's been a long time.  24 days to be exact since my last post.

Have you missed me?

I didn't think so.  But I know you've missed these two little sweet faces...



I don't even have an excuse like we've just been so busy.  I've been kind of busy, but mostly I just have a lot on my mind, and I haven't been taking many pictures.  Do you ever go through that?  Like your camera goes everywhere with you and then all of a sudden you don't bring it one time, and it feels really good to not be snapping pictures at everything so you don't bring it the next time, and before you know it, you have no pictures at all of the past 24 days?

No?

Well it happens to me. 

Honestly, I started this post about 4 days ago, and I've now deleted half of it, it was going to be one of those very long, drawn out posts that you get sleepy towards the end thinking I'm never going to stop rambling type of post.  Wow, run on sentence much?  So glad my blog doesn't get graded!

I've decided that instead of doing one long post that I should just get back into it a post at a time.  So, this first post is not about anything really.

First off, Tim and I got a new little gift for ourselves.  We've been Craigslist happy and I found this guy...

 

For 100 bucks!  Pretty good if you ask me since everything else I found was $250.00 and up.  Plus I got them to deliver!  Holla!  (I know, I'm not the type that can pull off holla, but I thought I'd give it a try)

Tim has been wanting a weight set.  He's trying to get pumped up, I'm not going to stop him.  And I want to get toned.  It's been so nice to have it and it works great.  I'm very happy with our find.

Plus, I hope you follow this, my brother is letting me borrow my Mom and Dad's treadmill that he had at his house while he is in San Diego, studying the law.



Do you think it would be against the law if I refuse to give it back?  I'll have to do a little research on that one.  But in the meantime, I'm pumping up my body guards, you know, in case someone tries to come and get the equipment back.



And in case you were wondering, yes, my girls live in dress up clothes.  Sometimes I don't even get them dressed because they just take their clothes off to put on something fancy.

One last thing before I go.  I found an awesome recipe.  It's by Giada.  I was not too sure about this recipe but Tim talked me into it one Sunday night.  I am so glad that he did.  This is probably the best Salmon I've ever had, and it's so easy.

First make your salsa.  This is the exact recipe.  The only thing different that I did was I just used a drizzle of olive oil.  You really don't need that much.  I think it tastes much more fresh with less oil.  Plus I'm on a health kick so I tried to keep it down on the points scale.  Oh yeah, and the second time I made this, I used mandarin oranges, and left out the mint.  And one more thing, I used much more red pepper, but if you remember correctly, I like things hot and spicy.

Grilled Salmon with Citrus Salsa Verde

Salsa:




2 large oranges
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 scallions, finely sliced
3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
2 tablespoons capers, rinsed, drained and coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons orange zest
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper


All you do for the salsa is free the membranes of the orange (this is the most time consuming part, which is why I used mandarins the next time around), throw them in a bowl along with all the other ingredients, season with salt and pepper.

Salmon:

Vegetable or canola oil, for oiling the grill
4 (4 to 5-ounce) center cut salmon fillets, skinned, each about 3-inches square
2 tablespoons amber agave nectar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the salmon, you can grill it, but I cooked it in a grill pan.  Brush the pan/grill with oil (I just used olive because it's always out) to prevent sticking and brush both sides of the salmon with some of the agave nectar (found at Fresh N Easy I think, Tim did my shopping that day) and season with salt and pepper to taste.  Cook over medium high heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side.  Then let it rest for 5 minutes.



I made it with grilled veges and brown rice.  Yum.  It really was delicious and something that would be great in the summer to serve to guests.

Here is the link to the recipe on foodnetwork.

So, that is it for now, I have much to catch up on and I'm hoping to get it on here within the next couple of days.  Wish me luck!

Hope you all have a great weekend, I'm off to shower and get ready for Miguel's at Two Lakes.  The brother is in town and will be joining us.


Tuesday, March 1, 2011

My Birthday Festivities

Yes you heard me correctly!  I said festivities...as in plural!

If you know me, you know that I've never been one to really celebrate my own birthday.  In most cases over the past 5 years, 3 of those, I've actually forgotten it was my birthday until around 11:00 am.

Yeah, that is bad.

But this year was totally different, I really didn't have a chance to forget my birthday!  I celebrated for about a week.

I thought it would be hard to celebrate so many times, but in reality I could get used to it!  I know some people....here...here...and here...that have no problem celebrating their birthdays for a week, or even a month.  They know how to do it!

Monday night, I went out with my team and I have no pictures of that.  But boy, was it fun!

Thursday was my actual birthday.  Nothing outrageous happened but my Mom and Grandma came over to keep me company until Tim got home.  We had dinner and Golden Spoon, and watched an episode of David Tutera...the venue in this particular wedding that he did, I have actually delivered a cake to.  I thought that was pretty cool!

We made what I thought was a 2 point drink...



Boy was I wrong!  The next day my Mom found out that they were 4 points a piece!  Apparently gin is no longer 2 points a jigger.  But it was my birthday!

Next up...the Mr's gift.
Tim came home on Tuesday I think it was and told me that we needed to talk.  See, I handle the finances so he never knows how much he can spend on me for special occasions, and I'm that girl that says, I don't need anything...let's save up for a patio cover.

Well, I'm glad that I let Tim do something for me because on Friday evening, he surprised me with a night away at Pechanga Resort and Casino.


 And they upgraded us to a Suite!  It was the prettiest hotel room I've ever stayed in.  I could actually live there.  Except for if you pick up a beverage out of the refrigerator and don't put it back in 5 seconds you get charged.  That could get pretty pricey.



Basically you walk in and to the left is a gorgeous kitchen then the sitting room, and dining.  To the right you can enter the bathroom, which leads through a door to a bigger bathroom complete with a sink area, gorgeous shower, separate tub, and a vanity.  Which, I was very vain and sat at that vanity to do my makeup and hair. 

And of course to toast myself with a little bubbly.


While I was getting ready, Tim called down to the Concierge to ask about the restaurants.  We decided on the Italian restaurant and honestly I can't tell you when I've ever had a better pasta.  It was so amazing!



Self portrait of us at dinner.


After dinner, we headed back up to our room to drop off our leftovers and preceded back downstairs to try our hand at gambling.

Let's just say that Tim was able to blow $60.00 in less than five minutes.

So we headed to the bar, had a few beers and just basically reconnected.  It was so nice to be away from our kids for a night, I think it's so important to go away with just your husband every once and a while. 

Well, I kept Mr. Rush up way past his bedtime and we checked out of our room at exactly 11:00 am.  You know, after we slept till 10:00, and I sat at that vanity again for hair and makeup!

Can you tell that he's tired?


After we left the hotel, we headed over to Yard House for lunch.  We had both never been.


The food is outstanding, and if you like to try different kinds of beer, the selection is unbelievable. 

When Tim first told me we were going away for the evening, I thought we were either going Wine Tasting or to Pechanga.  We ended up doing both, kind of!

He took me to a little winery that we had been to when Riley was just like six months old.  I loved this winery.  We had gone on a Saturday, they had live music and even a little dancing.  It was so fun to sit and people watch!

So we took the drive.



And were surprised to see that they had done some improvements, and changed the entrance.


There are no pictures of the inside because as me and the Mr. got out of the car, it began to sleet.  Yes, we were sleeted on.  So I forgot my camera and made a run for it!

After our glass of wine, it was time to go back home because my Mom had prepared an amazingly yummy dinner for me!  While watching my beast children I might add!

And she set the table!  Talk about super woman!




We had such a great evening at my Mom's, one of the best times ever I think, at least top 5...wouldn't you say Mom?

And thank you so much to my Mom, without her, we wouldn't have been able to act like crazy kids again!

So, there you have it.  My birthday was definitely a success.  And did I mention that I am now 29?  It's my last year before I turn the big 3-0!

 

Me

My Photo
I'm Kristi, the wife of one very lucky and handsome husband, and mother to two beautiful little girls. I'm honest and sarcastic, funny and easy going. I love to eat and love to hate that I love butter. And wine. And did I mention butter? I'm always learning new things, happy to lend a hand, and love my life. This is a blog of my family and the day to day crazy that we call Rush Hour. I hope while you are here that you enjoy yourself and come back often!

The Rush Family

The Rush Family

My Buddies and Me :)