Cooking up a Storm

Cooking has always been something that I enjoy, and now that I have a husband who enjoys eating, I am able to do a lot more of it.  I recently read the book Julie and Julia after seeing the movie, and I really enjoyed it.  What a fun idea to cook your way through a cookbook!  Also, it seems like such a great way to learn about cooking new things!  Now, I am certainly not planning on embarking on a Julie/Julia Project of my own, but I have been experimenting with new recipes lately.  I have a growing collection of cookbooks in my kitchen that I have always loved to look through and read, but now I have also been cooking some of the dishes.  I have set a goal of trying at least 2 or 3 new recipes each week (including baked goods, which apart from cookies have never really been my forte...too much precision and patience involved). 

For the first week, we started with some new recipes for old favorites:  Apple Pie and Macaroni & Cheese (our ultimate favorite).  The apple pie turned out beautifully and also tasted just as delicious.  I was nervous about the crust (I have always used store-bought crusts in the past), but even it worked out after I carefully followed the directions and chilled everything completely (flour, butter, etc.) before starting.  Maybe baking won't be so bad after all!  The Macaroni & Cheese was a four-cheese version from my Martha Stewart cookbook.  It also turned out to be very tasty, but Drew and I decided it probably wouldn't be taking the place of our much simpler usual recipe.  It was much more expensive with all of the fancy cheeses (instead of our usual sharp cheddar), and took a lot longer to prepare.  We will save it for any special occasions or if we are just in the mood for something a little more upscale than normal.  It also made enough for at least 2 dinners and a couple lunches...always a plus in our house!

If we ever have a recipe that is truly unforgettable and amazing, we will be sure to share it here. Or if you have any suggestions, let us know!  We are always up for new ideas!!

Tucson Sunsets

Over the past month, there have been some very spectacular sunsets around here.  I find myself staring in awe as I drive home from work at the gorgeous colors that fill the sky.  I have even been known on occasion to pull over on the side of the road and gaze for a few minutes as the sky changes.  Now that I have a camera again, I have also been trying to capture some of these desert sunsets to share (again, pulling over on the side of the road to watch and now take pictures).  I have about 50 photos from the past month or so, but here is a sampling of some of my favorites.

Mmmm....Apple Pie!

Albert's Antics

Annabelle looks on as Albert gets into trouble yet again...

Thanksgiving

It has been about a couple of weeks since the Thanksgiving holiday has come and gone. I had a blast this year planning and executing a meal for 10! It was my first big Thanksgiving to do all on my own, and Drew's family was here to experience the fruits of my labor. I cooked for a couple days before Thursday, and had some help in the kitchen on Thanksgiving morning with all the last minute things. We had a very small window to eat, between the arrival of Jenny and Kyle's flight at 2:00 and the start of Drew's shift at the hospital at 5:00, so everything had to be timed perfectly, and thankfully it all went off without a hitch! The weather was gorgeous for most of the weekend, and so in true Tucson style, we were able to enjoy our feast outside in the sunshine. We set the dining room table up on the back patio, and had a Thanksgiving picnic. We all had a great time all weekend!

The Menu for the Sanders Family Thanksgiving Feast 2009

Turkey (a 20 pounder!) I ended up brining the turkey overnight, and seasoning with various herbs and spices...it turned out very tender and juicy!
Honey Corn Bread Muffins (a new recipe from Real Simple)
Spinach Salad (with Craisins, Feta, and Pecans) I tossed it with this sweet dressing from friend Abby: 2 tbsp sugar, 2 tbsp white vinegar, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, pinch of salt
Mashed Potatoes
Baked Sweet Potatoes (with large marshmallows per Drew's request)
Broccoli Casserole (the Levis-Phy version...very fattening, but also SOOOOOO good)
Scalloped Corn (a Sanders family recipe with a few green chiles added in to give it a little Southwestern flair)
Cranberry Sauce (in the shape of the Ocean Spray can it came in of course...)
Stuffing (well I guess technically it was dressing, since I didn't actually stuff the turkey with it)
Green Beans
Gravy...yum! (my favorite part!)
Pumpkin Pie (we started out the evening with 2 of them, but somehow ALL 10 people were distracted for about 10 minutes, and Annabelle managed to snag half of one of them off the counter...I guess she was feeling left out) with homemade whipped cream (add a couple of shots of Jack Daniel's while whipping for pure goodness...)
Bissinger's Chocolate Mints (a Levis family tradition)