because I wanted to

We had cheese fondue for dinner tonight. No, we weren't celebrating anything, I simply wanted it. I started to think about it last night and scoured the internet for recipes and for non-alcoholic renditions. Here is the recipe I ended up using. It was really good. Not too strong (which I sometimes think fondue can be).

Cloves of garlic, smashed
1 1/2 cups Gruyère cheese
1 1/2 cups Fontina cheese
1 cup white grape juice (substituted for the white wine)
1 T of lemon juice
2 T of cornstarch (or flour)
Pinch of Nutmeg

Grate cheese. Coat with cornstarch. Rub fondue pot with smashed garlic. Add grape and lemon juice and heat up. Add cheese and stir until melted. Add nutmeg.

I cut up french bread and steamed some mushrooms, carrots, broccoli and cauliflower. Voilà, dinner is served.

things i'm excited to do

Okay, it probably should be called "Places I'm excited to eat at" when I go back to Utah. I'm getting excited for my trip back to Utah in a week or so. Of course I'm excited to see family and have a sleep over with my niece Sadie and all that jazz but I'm also excited to hit up a few spots that I have desperately been missing since moving to Texas on a permanent basis.

Kneaders. Throughout my whole pregnancy I have been craving their Turkey Bacon Avocado sandwich on foccacia of course. I have been on a constant lookout for a similar sandwich here in Texas but alas everyone uses deli meat and the bread is no where close.

Del Taco. Don't even get me started on how much I miss this place. I went into a serious mourning phase when I came to the realization that they didn't have Del Taco's in Texas. I've tried to embrace the other taco chains here, and Taco Bueno does in a pinch, but I can't wait to eat me a small red bean burrito. Yum.

Pizzeria 712. Quinn has never been here. I'm excited to introduce him to it. It opened after we moved to Texas but I got to know it during my stays last fall. It changed my life.

no sticker

Quinn and I went early this morning to vote. We only had to wait about 30 minutes. This actually seemed like a long time to me because I can't remember a time that I ever had to wait in a line to vote. Everything went smoothly but apparently my precinct is lame, because they were not handing out the "I Voted" stickers. What is up with that? That is one of my favorite things about voting. I was very disappointed and seriously considered driving precinct to precinct until I secured a sticker for myself (ok, not really but you get the point).

a halloween post

I was driving home from Plano today where I was up getting my hair done (finally after four long months!) and getting onto the highway I look in my rear view mirror and who do I see driving the Dodge pickup behind me but...



It was a little bit creepy being followed by the Joker.

His costume and makeup were spot on. Much like Creed's from last night's The Office episode.

wrapping paper

I'm extremely picky about my Christmas wrapping paper. I can't use just anything you might find in say the grocery store. Lots of stores already have wrapping paper out so I've been surveying but have yet to find anything I like, until now.

The Container Store and their Gift Wrap Wonderland

Check out all the delights.

I'm on my way there this afternoon to pick up a few rolls.

definitely a....

Baby Boy!



The bottom picture is a face shot. Isn't he beautiful?

Click on the picture to enlarge for the full glory.

hey sister

Just because...I seriously couldn't help myself...had to post this pic of my little sis...



Check the ij blog soon (hopefully tomorrow) for other highlights of my niece Sadie's Princess Party Extravaganza.

edamame

I've had a bag of edamame in my freezer for months now. I don't know why I have been avoiding it. Today I was surveying the contents of my freezer/fridge for lunch options. It came down to either making a quesadilla or edamame. I opted for edamame out of sheer laziness. I didn't want to have to sit by the stove and grill the quesadilla. Edamame you just pop in the micro and voila.

I am mad at myself for letting the bag sit there for so long. It was such a delicious, easy and most important NUTRITIOUS lunch. The best part is I only used half the bag so I have another tasty lunch in my near future.

one week

One week from today Quinn and I get to go for THE ultrasound to find out what we are having. So what say you? Boy or girl?

observations on quinn

Quinn is like an emotionless robot when he watches the New York Giants play. He just sits there and concentrates on the game and shows no emotion whatsoever. The only give away are the clammy hands he gets during the games because he is so nervous. A couple games ago I did catch him pumping his fist (but no sound came out) when the Giants scored.

On the other hand, Quinn takes absolute sheer delight in watching the Dallas Cowboys lose. Nothing makes him happier then seeing Tony Romo (he goes by another name in our house but it might offend some of you) throw one of his interceptions or T.O. drop another ball. Let's just say yesterdays game when Romo fumbled the ball 5 times probably made his week! He loves the Cowboys losing so much that after their suckage he makes sure to DVR all the Cowboy postgame shows here in Dallas so he doesn't miss out on one moment of ripping on the Cowboys.

In a non-football observation, I discovered yesterday that Quinn rolls his r's when he sings. During stake conference yesterday he just couldn't help himself. It was adorable!

I love you Quinn!

state fair

Quinn was able to leave work a little bit early today so we could hit up the Texas State Fair.
We had a good time enjoying the the food like my fried cheese on a stick (tame, I know but it sounded good to me) and Quinn's fried peanut butter and jelly and banana sandwich.




Then we hit up the Texas Star (other wise known as the ferris wheel).



Sometimes I don't know why I do things like this since I'm not all that fond of heights.


A view from up high.

Next we took out some paddle boats on the pond. We lucked out and were on the lake right when they launched off the fireworks.



Next, Quinn really wanted to get a smoked turkey leg. Here it is in all its glory.



I have to admit that I had a really hard time watching him eat that...and the smell...it made me a little sick. I had to walk a few steps in front of him while he ate it. But he managed to put it to bed.

our weekend

LDS General Conference weekend is always so relaxing and refreshing. We started our Saturday off by watching the 1st session. During the break we did some cleaning and then I made a trip to Destination Maternity to buy some maternity jeans. Yes, the time has come. I can still wear my pants but not that comfortably. So I caved. And I think it was worth it. Maternity jeans are very very comfy.

I made it back in time for the 2nd session and watched it with Quinn. Then I was off for a girls night with my good friends and old roommates from my Utah days Candice and Lindsey. It was so fun to go out. We went and grabbed some dinner with another one of their friends, Nicole and then went and watched Flash of Genius.


Lindsey, Nicole, Me, Candice

I'm still not sure how I felt about the movie. I did like it. I thought it was a bit slow in places and it left me sort of questioning how long and at what cost does one fight for what one feels is right. If anyone else sees this movie I would be interested in their thoughts.

We woke up leisurely this morning and I made Quinn some blueberry muffins. Then I got my crockpot dinner going and now I''m settled down to watch more General Conference.

not so subtle

Yesterday I had another doctor's appointment. Let's just say it wasn't good for the self esteem. I guess I had gained a few (ok, 4 lbs) since my last appointment. So my doctor in a not so subtle way basically said I needed to stop gaining weight...basically she called me fat. She gave me such advice like drink skim instead of whole milk...hello? I don't remember the last time I drank whole milk. Oh, and she told me to lay of the sweets. Um, what is the point of being pregnant then? Don't get me wrong, I'm not using this as an excuse to shove anything and everything in my mouth, but I also don't feel like I should have to deprive myself.

But all in all it was a good appointment. I got to hear the heartbeat again which was good since I haven't really felt the baby move yet, so I was starting to get mildly paranoid about that. So, my mind was put at ease.

16 weeks

Giving in to popular demand, here is a pic of me in all my pregnant glory. I think I feel fatter than I look now that I see myself on camera.



I've had a bit of a relapse. The last few days or so I've been feeling quite queasy again and have even had to pay a few visits to the toilet. Hopefully this won't last long.

I'm obsessed with lemonade and limeade. I can't get enough of applesauce and last night I had an entire dream based around me trying to get my hands on some salami and cheese. I keep threatening Quinn with a trip to Whole Foods to buy out their cheese counter and eat nothing but gourmet cheese and crackers. But right now my Monterrey Jack courtesy of Walmart is having to suffice.

a package

My mom sent me a much needed package today of some maternity clothes. Check out how stylish I will be in these...



In fact, I liked the one above so much that I bought it for myself last week when I was at Target. So tomorrow, I get to take the one I bought back. Yes!

She also picked me up this little delight.



She also sent me another cute shirt, but I couldn't find a picture of it online. Just take my word for it, it is cute.

Thanks Mom (and Stacey too who I'm told picked them out)!!

They are just in time as I'm slowly but surely running out of clothes that still fit me.

vinyl wall art

I've been busy heavily perusing etsy trying to find the perfect vinyl wall art decal to put above my couch. I think I might have found it. I think it is a perfect and inexpensive solution for the bare wall above my couch. Also the easily removable wall decals are perfect for us apartment dwellers/renters.

What do you think??



I also have my eye on these...



and these for above our bed...

ob update

I finally went to the doctor today. There was a little delay while we sorted things out with our insurance. I was very pleased with my doctor. She is very petite, cute and attentive...all important, right? Anyway, she said all looks good and I'm 14 weeks and 1 day along. The baby's heartbeat was a good 155 bpm. She did an ultrasound and I was able to make out a head and a torso with a spine. It was very cool to finally be able to finally see what has been making me so sick for so long. I've gained 4 lbs. I'm sure I'm the only one who throws up everything she eats and still manages to gain weight. Oh, well.

And along the sick lines, a miracle has happened. Over the last few days I have started to feel so much better. I have had a few vomiting relapses (last night and this morning) but overall I feel worlds better. I guess it happens just right on schedule.

ike

I just got back from my Ike shopping trip to Walmart. Obviously the storm will be much weakened by the time it reaches Dallas but they say we could have lots of rain and high winds. So yesterday I realized that we will be in big trouble this weekend if I don't get to the store. So I went and bought some bottled water and food to get us through the weekend if we have to stay in. Of course this is all worst case scenario, it will probably be nothing more than heavy rain, but better safe than sorry.

I also heeded my friend Elise's advice on a delicious food concoction.

Here it is in all its glory.



Water and this should get us through the weekend, right?

ramblings

i just want to ramble today...

I feel like I could write a book on throwing up. It would be full of tips and tricks like try throwing up in the dark, then you can't see what you are throwing up and you will still be able to eat it again, or try to avoid things like leaning over to load clothes from the washer to the dryer, this causes one to start dry heaving.

I actually made dinner on Sunday. This is a huge feat. I haven't been able to stand cooking for a month or so. It just makes me so sick. I made tacos (yes jla I even made your salsa) and we even had people over. I made tons of meet, tortillas etc...because I figured as long as I was cooking I should make a lot so that we can eat them over the next few days, but of course the next day I had to go and throw up the tacos after I ate them. No more tacos for me.

I didn't shower for two days. I showered Sunday for church and didn't shower again until yesterday evening. That was a new low.

My new obsession is freezing orange juice or lemonade and then eating it in the morning by chipping away at it, like flavored ice chips. I use to do this all time time when I was younger and it is really hitting the spot these days. It is about all I can keep down in the morning and even then not always.

Can you tell that my life pretty much consists of sleeping, eating and throwing up? Then the cycle starts all over again

catching up

We were living in a dead zone for the past week or so with no TV or internet. We finally got up and running Wednesday night and it feels so nice to be back in the loop.

Cameron came to visit Quinn and I for Labor Day weekend. We had such a great time visiting, eating good food, shopping, going to the temple, seeing where JFK was shot and playing Halo (not me, just Quinn and Cameron).


Here is Cameron in the street where JFK was shot with the grassy knoll in the background.


Cameron and I outside of the temple


Quinn and Cameron at the temple.

Also, I've developed a new obsession thanks to Quinn. During our TV blackout he introduced me to Lonesome Dove.



I'm so mad at myself for not knowing about the delights of this miniseries for the last 20 years of my life. Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones, how did I not know about this? Anyway, I really enjoyed it and now I'm on a quest to get everyone to watch it. While I was watching it for the first time I really couldn't stop thinking about it.