Lettuce Wraps

He is the recipe for the lettuce wraps that I make for every one who wants it. 1 head iceberg lettuce 1 tablespoon vinegar 2 large chicken breasts halves, diced 1 (8 ounce) can water chestnuts 1 teaspoon garlic, minced 2 green onions 1 tablespoon Hoisin sauce 1 cup fresh mushrooms 1/2 teaspoon minced ginger 1/2 (6.75 ounce) package thin rice sticks optional Dipping sauce 1. Remove core from lettuce wraps and wash in cold water. Drain. 2. Separate leaves and stack upside down on a plate. Refrigerate until very crisp (overnight if possible.) 3. In large skillet, stir-fry chicken in 1 tablespoon oil until no longer pink in center. Lower heat to medium. Drain. 4. Stir in garlic, soy sauce, Hoisin sauce, sesame oil, ginger and vinegar. Cook 3 minutes. 5. Dice water chestnuts, green onions and mushrooms. Stir into chicken mixture and cook until onions begin to wilt. 6. Fry rice sticks according to package directions. Drain on paper towels. 7. To serve, place nest of fried rice sticks on platter. top with chicken mixture. 8. For each serving, spoon mixture onto crisp lettuce and roll up. Serve with dipping sauce. Asian Dipping Sauce 1/4 cup sugar 1/8 teaspoon sesame oil 1/2 cup water 1 tablespoon hot mustard or brown spicy mustard 2 tablespoon soy sauce 2 teaspoons hot water 2 tablespoon vinegar 1 to 2 teaspoons red chili garlic sauce (this is really hot) 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1. Dissolve sugar in water. Add soy sauce, vinegar, lemon juice and sesame oil. Mix and refrigerate. 2. Mix hot mustard with hot water. Add garlic sauce. 3. Stir into the refrigerated sauce and serve with lettuce wraps.

My new project

The reason no one should watch home improvement shows is they make every thing look so easy. All I wanted was a black kitchen table and I could not make my self spend two of three hundred dollars on one. So Nate and I went to Ikea and found one that was just the natural pine wood and we could finish it. Well we went to Home depot to get all the paint and things we would need. Like always there was no one to help us so we just got some spray paint, primer and clear coat. We did buy ones that said good for wood on them but who knows if that is true or not. We have started the project but we do have some coats of top coat. I will post the final pictures when we are done so every one can see why I am not going to be the next Martha Stewart.

The fun cold weekend

When Nate and I first started dating we had planned to go to Lagoon one day. When we were one exit away from Lagoon I came up with the idea we should go to Logan for a few hours. Well we went up to Logan and had so much fun talking the whole way up and wondering around. After a few hours of shopping and getting ice cream and a root beer milk at the cheese factory. We headed for Lagoon. Since then we have loved to go up to Logan and wonder around just for fun. We also started our own family tradition of going up to one of the stands to buy pumpkins. We get to see the leaves and have an excuse just to sit and talk. Well this year we went a little over board. We got four pumpkins and two of which are rather large, and a bale of hay. Well I called my mom and got three pumpkins and a bale of hay for her. I am sure glade we drove the jeep so we had room and even then it was a tight fit. All in all it was a fun day even though the weather was cold and it did rain and snow on parts of the drive.

Yet another diaper cake from me. It was fun that I was able to create a cake for a girl since all my other ones were for boys. Though on this cake I did not have as much time to think and plan for it since Nate broke his leg. It turned out good I thought and was fun to make just like the other ones were. I finished the cake about the time I needed to head over for the baby shower.

New Ride

It came time for me to register my passat it would not pass and needed to be fixed. I was so feed up with having to fix my car. So we went just to look at a new car. It was about seven when we got there and three hours later we drove home our new jeep. We did test drive lots of other cars but I really didn't like them that much. I love our new car so much. We have had it about a month and it is nice. We took it up to Park City and we only used a quarter tank of gas.

My big brave husband

As many of you know Nate broke his leg a few weeks ago. He is doing very well. He went to see the doctor and he was surprised how well Nate was moving around. The Doctor said he could go back to work on Monday but his work does not have any thing for him to do, so he will be staying home for awhile. We wanted to say thank you to every one for being so great. All the phone calls and well wishes meant so much to us. We as very lucky to have such a great family and appreciate all the help in moving us in to our new place. Thanks to Cynthia we have pictures of Nate after he fell. Once we get more moved in I am going to put the x-rays on that blog too.

The Long Hard Trip

Sorry to every one about now keeping this up to date. I am going to try harder to update it. If I start to slip please bug me to get going. The really point to this post it to talk about Nate's first backpacking trip. We both went with my dad to Notch lake. Most people know my dad and me go ever year. This year was a lot of fun to have my two favorite guys. I must be really out of shape because I thought I was going to die on that hike. The really bad thing is the hike is mostly flat and is only 2.5 miles long. My dad kicked my but and how old is he. I think that is the worst part about it. Nate did awesome, he was in the lead most of the time. We had lots of fun and before the next trip I am going to go walking first. Sorry no photos but I forgot to bring the camera along.