Thursday, November 26, 2009

Grateful!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
I have so much to be thankful for...
...my health...
...my job that involves hormonal 8th graders who somehow make me laugh everyday...
...the dedicated and fun colleagues that I work with...
...our cozy little apartment that is our home...
...the public library...
...great friends...
...our families...

..and my pair of tennis shoes that will carry me through a 5K this morning and the mashed potatoes that will be my reward..

..and my hubby!!

Friday, November 6, 2009

Tag You're It

Marie-Etta tagged me in this fun Friday game!


What were you doing 10 years ago?
I was working for an education company--unhappy because so much of my job involved sales instead of actually working with kids. So I was applying to grad school to get my teaching credential.

What are 5 things on your to-do-list today?
--get my grading done and entered
--send in my lesson plans
--install my clicker software and test it
--Go to library and turn in books and pick the ones I have on hold!!
--spend quality time with my hubby--no meetings or class tonight!!

What are 5 snacks you enjoy?
--anything chocolate
--bananas
--tortilla chips
--granola bars
--rice cakes(the ones with chocolate)

Places You Have Lived
Santa Clarita, CA
Davis, CA
San Fernando Valley, CA
San Diego, CA
Denver, CO
Grand Junction, CO

What are 5 things you would do if you were a billionaire?
--pay off student loans
--let my hubby build a house(even if it means living in an apartment longer)
--take my family on a tropical vacation
--trick out my classroom(or build myself one so this one isn't so cramped)
--get a new computer

I tag anyone who wants to play along!!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Tasty Tuesday


a la Rachael Ray

Ingredients:

* One 1-pound loaf peasant bread
* 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
* 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
* 1 pound onions, thinly sliced
* 1 pound sirloin steak or sirloin tips, very thinly sliced
* Salt and pepper
* 1/4 cup dry red wine
* 8 slices provolone cheese

Directions:

1.Preheat the oven to 375°. Slice off the top 1/2 inch of the bread; reserve. Scoop out the insides of the loaf, leaving a 1/2-inch-thick shell, and cut into cubes.

2.In a large skillet, heat 6 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Stir in the garlic and rosemary for 2 minutes. Place the bread shell on a baking sheet; brush the inside with some of the seasoned oil. Add 3 cups bread cubes to the skillet with the remaining seasoned oil and toss to coat; transfer to the baking sheet, surrounding the bread shell. Reserve the skillet. Place the bread top on the baking sheet cut side up. Bake until browned and toasted, 10 to 15 minutes.

3.Meanwhile, in the reserved skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until golden, 10 minutes; transfer to a bowl. Add the steak to the skillet and cook for 4 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Add the wine and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the onions.

4.Spoon half of the steak-onion mixture into the bread bowl; top with half of the cheese, then half of the croutons. Layer with the remaining steak-onion mixture, croutons and cheese. Bake until the cheese has melted, 3 to 5 minutes. Top with the bread lid. To serve, slice into wedges.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Baby Shower Gift Box


Here is the loot I sent my brother and sister in law for their baby shower last weekend. I made a ton of appliqued onesies and matching burp cloths. I bought a homemade puppy shaped quilt from a parent of one of my students, and ordered some cute note cards with their baby's name. I had a hard time adjusting to this pregnancy as they are younger than me and we are having some trouble, but in the end I just moved on(sort of) and decided to get creative and make stuff.