Box Seats for the Grizzly Game

My coworker's husband works for Pepsi and they invited us to the Utah Grizzly Hockey game with them tonight. The Grizzlies won and it was fun to sit in the box! The doc thought Joe's finger looked better so we are just going to watch and wait and continue what he's been doing. I think it is finally starting to get better.

Vindigo

I used to have Vindigo on my Palm and I think I dropped the subscription when I moved to Fort Collins and now I have a use for it again, so I just downloaded it for a free 30 day trial. It's a great tool. You just type in your cross streets and it will show you on a map where you are and how to get where you want to go (i.e. restaurant, movie, shopping, or even the closest bathroom). I'm getting ready for our trip to San Fran next weekend, so I also was able to download the BART (subway) map as well. I have been out of the technology world for a while and it's time I use the tools I already have!

Joe is doing better!

His finger looks better this morning! I am so happy that the infection is finally under control. I feel bad because he is still so nauseous from all the antibiotics! We'll see what they say tonight.

Crazy Evening

So, you already heard we didn't eat the fresh tomato sauce, nope - we froze it! Instead we had Dorothy over for a delicious Dream Dinner of Chicken Cordon Bleu. I illicited everyone's help to puree and bag the tomato sauce, then we ate dinner quicky and rushed Dorothy out so Joe and I could head to Urgent Care. He has been ordered to come back daily! His finger infection is bad. He goes back daily for an antibiotic shot and so they can drain his finger and watch the infection. He's one sick kid! He's on 2 oral antibiotics in addition to the lovely shots and will be going back tomorrow for more poking and prodding!!!! I think it is getting better slowly. I just have to convince him that he needs to soak it - even at work, evening during his big meetings!!!! Poor guy! I'll keep you posted!

Tomato Sauce

So.....I was excited by the great Christmas sales and with the help of my mother-in-law (she went to Kohl's just for me) I got a Cuisinart Food Processor. In the past, I had disregarded all recipes that required one and recently found myself wondering why I ever got one! Well, Joe's birthday is just around the corner, so I decided it was time to attempt homemade tomato sauce. I am even picky about which kind I buy (only Classico will do) at the store and now that I've made my own, I don't know if I can even go back to that! This is Giada De Laurentiis recipe. Give it a try! We actually didn't try it yet, I just made it to freeze so Joe can have it around his birthday next week since I work Friday - Thursday!!!!! Keep in mind it is entitled "Simple Tomato Sauce" - I'm not sure I want to ever make "Complicated Tomato Sauce". Maybe if I brag up some of my cooking more of you will come visit!!!!

Simple Tomato Sauce
Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 stalk celery, chopped

1 carrot, chopped

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 (32-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes

4 to 6 basil leaves

2 dried bay leaves

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, optional

In a large casserole pot, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft and translucent, about 2 minutes. Add celery and carrots and season with salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, basil, and bay leaves and simmer covered on low heat for 1 hour or until thick. Remove bay leaves and check for seasoning. If sauce still tastes acidic, add unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon at a time to round out the flavors.
Add half the tomato sauce into the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Continue with remaining tomato sauce.
If not using all the sauce, allow it to cool completely and pour 1 to 2 cup portions into freezer plastic bags. This will freeze up to 6 months.

FYI - I doubled the recipe and added 1/2 stick of butter - it's hard to sample, because all the flavor isn't there until you puree it.

Ski Day Cancelled!

I had planned to ski today with my co-worker, but the schools in Park City are closed, semis aren't allowed on I-8o and 4X4 restrictions. We both have a 4x4, but with those conditions, it's just not worth it! We'll try again tomorrow! I sent Joe to work with the jeep. I guess I'll head outside and shovel. We only have an inch or two outside, but it doesn't look like sunshine, so I might as well get it done. I guess Plan B for the day will be errands, the gym, and organizing my clothes! Have a great day!

A Trip to Urgent Care

Well, after the trip to the airport, we headed to Urgent Care. Poor Joe has a finger infection and his finger is swollen to twice the size. It was quite an adventure, including a trip to the scary 24 hour Walgreens, but finally we are home and ready for bed!

Ahhh...a trip to the salon

Nothing like a quick trip to the salon when half your face is numb! Actually, it was great. I always go a bit early to enjoy the delicious aveda tea and catch up on celebrity gossip with a magazine. Memorie, my stylist, is great! She has an eclectic personality and always entertains. I left relaxed and my numbness from the dentist is almost gone! Just a few more hours and I get to pick Joe up at the airport. Nicky and I will be very happy to see him!

Dentist Day

I have always hated going to the dentist and now that I need more invasive procedures I hate it even more! Today I go in for my crown seating and they are going to do something new, an overlay, I think. Hopefully it won't be too bad. I just started going to a new dentist and I hope I have better luck this year!!!

We should have bought the snowblower!

Well - I have my regrets for telling my husband that we didn't need a slowblower after shoveling the 8 inches of snow by myself tonight! The neighbors say this only happens every 7 years, but with thoughts of more snow Wednesday and Friday, I'm thinking about TODAY, not the next 6 years. I need to think positive and know that I will have great snow to ski on Wednesday and hope the ski season lasts through March this year. I just wish the snow could pass the valley and only drop on the ski trails!!!

Nicky - he even made me a dog person

When Joe and I got married, it was clear that he really loved me, but he couldn't live without a dog! We had ventured to the local pound a few times and never saw the perfect fit until the day we saw Nicky! He was in the back area of the Denver pound and they told us he was not available for adoption yet. We inquired further and got our names on a waiting list. We returned at 5PM, met Nicky and instantly knew he would have a home with us. It took me a while, but he has really become my dog and now I am a dog person! He knows that Joe is the one who he can easily convince to play fetch in the backyard and I am more likely to walk him or let him ride along on all my errands. He is also my best buddy and clean-up guy while I am cooking in the kitchen. His second favorite home is Camp Bark Alot where he goes for daycare occasionally or when we go out of town. He is very spoiled and his hobbies include: fetching, playing with his toys, and laying around. Enjoy the pictures: Nicky and his Mexican monkey, sleeping in his new bed, looking cute, my fav - him lying by the greenery at our old house, and last Nicky in the hawkeye blanket!

Snow Day!

We've been waiting for The Big Storm since Sunday. As soon as I opted to load up Nicky and head out to run my errands, the storm set in with great vigor! I made it 2 blocks and realized I was sliding and couldn't really see more than 10 feet in front of me and turned around. I'm on the couch with my laptop and ready to watch the Hallmark movie I DVR'd last night. The snow looks great from the window and it will be great for me to ski on Wednesday! Just like when I was a kid, it's a true snow day.

It's Official, I've given up Diet Coke

I decided that I was drinking way too much diet soda (2-5 cans a day). I decided that all the nutrasweet was driving my hunger. I'll have soda when I'm out to eat, but we don't buy it anymore and I don't drink it at work. I've switched to anti-oxidant rich TEA! I'm having fun trying new teas and picking some of my favorites. I love the Tazo Zen and Bigelow Plantation Mint. I still can't get into unsweetened iced tea, but maybe by summer. I can always go with the standard iced americano for my caffeine fix! I think I feel less hungry and I feel like I am making a healthier choice!

Even I can IM, but it takes me a while

Joe is traveling for work this morning and I woke up (quite late) to the sound of a text message on my phone. After a few texts back and forth he suggested that we chat on google. Well ---- sadly, I didnt' get it at first, but I eventually figured it out and we got to chat online. Very nice. I wish I could "chat" while I am at work, but my internet clicks are carefully counted and tallied! I used to be on top of all the new stuff, but lately I've really fallen behind! Next it will have to be webcam. My co-worker was telling me about some great sites that her and her kids are able to use to chat with her husband living in California. If her 5 year old can figure it out, I sure hope I can!

It's My Friday!

YEAH! The long weekend of work is over and it was a long weekend. I have made my list of things to accomplish this week which includes: the gym, returning things to Ann Taylor Loft and Target, haircut, and some great rest and relaxation! Have a happy Monday!

Boo...it's Friday!

Since I work in a hospital, I rarely have a real Friday! Today is my Monday! Weekends are my very least favorite part of my schedule. I don't really want to give up being off Monday - Thursday, but I hate working the weekends. What do you do? At least Joe is kind enough to always remind me when it is my Friday and I do get quite excited when I have a real Friday (3 times every 9 weeks). Have a great weekend everyone!

Being a home owner is so fun!

Today I have new hardware in my shower - it looks so nice. My home 92 years old and anytime we need anything done it takes 3 times longer than expected and costs at least twice what they guess. Fun times!!! Today it took the plumber 3 hours to install the new faucet. The last few weeks have included many home projects. I painted the living room and bathroom. I ordered some new art for above the mantel which should be here in a few weeks and we assembled a collage of photographs in the dining room thanks to Joe and his new Laser Level. We also added some pictures to the bathroom. I couldn't bring myself to hang anything when it was pink (the whole bathroom looked like the shower)!!! Enjoy the beautiful photos.

U23D

U23D

Joe and I went to see U23D last night. It was our first time to the Imax in town and the show was fabulous. Bono was singing just to me and we could almost reach out and touch him. It was quite cool and I highly recommend the show if you can see it in 3D. Bono and the gang were at Sundance to open the show on Saturday. I wish I could have been at that show! I'm disappointed in myself for not getting tickets to anything at Sundance - my house is 20 minutes away from all the stars!!! It's just a bummer that I had to work both weekends. Next year I will be there! It's quite an experience if anyone wants to come visit!

First Blog

Welcome to my blog!!! Like most things on the internet, my sister started a blog and it is time for me to join in! I will blog about my life including good and bad days. I intend my blog to be a place for my friends and family to check in on the happenings of Laurie. Email has been a great way for me to stay connected with family and friends as we have all scattered ourlselves around the US and I figure this is the next logical step! Maybe I'll convince more of my over-3o frineds to start blogging. Enjoy!