Asian Treat: Pocky!

If you haven't tried this, you better! They are chocolate covered sesame biscuits called Pocky. It is my favorite Asian treat. I should break it up and try it in ice cream. Keith stocks up every time he passes Kim Hung grocery on his way back from work. You can buy regular Pocky in the international aisle of most grocery stores. Almond Crush is my personal favorite.

Featured Recipe

Since Keith and I have been getting into cooking at home more, I thought I would share recent favorite recipes here. I get nearly all my recipes from Recipezaar so I want to make sure to give credit where credit is due. I'll later tweak them to our tastes.
We made this dipping sauce for our favorite frozen veggie dumplings. It beats out anything you can buy in a bottle. Believe me, because we have tried them all! I like to add extra chili oil for an added kick. It makes enough to store in the fridge for up to a week.

Pot Sticker Dipping Sauce

1 tablespoon sesame oil
1/2 cup soy sauce , plus
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1/3 cup rice vinegar
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
dash of chili oil

Mix ingredients and serve with your favorite pot stickers, dumplings, or egg rolls!

No Time!

11 days and counting to Remington's debut! I have such a LOOONG list of things to do. I wish my mommy were here to help me. My only comfort is knowing that the nursery is ready and the dogs haven't peed on the baby bassinet...yet. Here are a few of the things I have to tackle in the next 11 days (minus two because of the last days of work)
~Mountains of laundry
~Freshen guest room for future helpers
~Plan/prepare a week of frozen meals
~Buy birthday presents for 5 people
~Pack hospital bag
~Clean the study
~Take dessert to neighbor having surgery
~Pay all March's bills so Keith won't worry his sexy shaved head
~Design baby announcement
Ugh! Just looking at this list makes me tired.

SICK AGAIN

I've caught a bug again. Sinus infection, sore throat, aches and pains. Keith was sweet enough to go get herbal tea for me at 11pm and he watched the pups for a good 2 hours so I could take a much needed nap earlier. We ended the night on a high note, by watching the democratic debate. Actually when it was over, I had the overwhelming sense that I had completely wasted the last 90 minutes of my life. I might have fallen into a coma during that time, but I can't be sure...Talk about wanting to vomit.

Oh, Remington!

Here is the latest mug shot. We are told he is about 6lbs already. The tech called him 'fluffy.' I think it is the perfect description for our little fella. I can't believe how chubby his little cheeks are! At the most we have 5 weeks to go. His lungs are really strong which = me being scared. Meaning he is ready at any time or he will be a screamer like his daddy.
Face:


Arm and Fist:

6 YEARS

Today Keith and I celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary. It has been a wild ride! From getting married in Vegas to moving across the country 3 times, I can honestly say I have enjoyed almost every moment with my sweetie!
A few highlights come to mind:
-Our first anniversary at the Alaskan Inn, getting forcibly blessed by a crazy old monk at Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity.
-Playing games with friends and family.
-The Lazy Husbands Club. While not so amusing at the time, I find it hilarious now!
-Keith finding his passion in flying helicopters.
-Christmas tree hunts at The Bear River Lodge.
-The General Store in Eden for Sunday lunch.
-Asian grocery stores in Salt Lake, Costa Mesa, and ghetto downtown Houston. Finding Pocky!
-Discovering Thai Siam.
-Driving from Brighton to Park City in the summer.
-The boat at Pineview, Bear Lake, Flaming Gorge, Jordanelle, and East Canyon.
-The Blue Boar Inn. Riding scooters, dinner in Park City, brunch with the innkeeper.
-Moving truck adventures.
-Learning how to cook, especially learning how to cook meat for Keith.
-Seeing the chapel we got married in 4 years later. Keith was horrified. can you say GHETTO?
-La Jolla, rain or shine, holding hands and drinking Starbucks. Dinner and homemade water at La Dolce Vita.
-Helicopter flights up the coast.
-Keith showing up with a ratty, stinky, pound dog that would become our Baxter!
-Fruit stands in Pueblo.
-Trips to the antique store and IKEA. Keith is such a trooper during the twice a year sale!
-Buying our first home.
-Ultrasounds! Esp the one where Keith found out he was getting his son.

I'm so excited for another 6+years. We are having so much fun. We honestly love each other's company and we are best friends. I can't wait to start our little family.
I love you, shmoo. Happy Anniversary!

He must have set a record by now...

Keith and I have been married for 6 years on Wednesday and I am proud to say he has NEVER passed gas in my presence. Just one of his amazing attributes. He should win some kind of award.

Whoa!

Today Keith pointed out that we only have 1 month and 10 days until Remington's scheduled arrival! We find out on Wednesday if it will be even sooner. Yikes!

Congrats, Ryan!

My dear, sweet friend from high school, Ryan, got married last month. I had the good fortune of finding his announcement in the Clipper. I haven't seen him for years! Looks like he is doing great!



Arguedas-Mortenson
Clipper 17.JAN.08
Ryan Allen Mortenson and Adriana Arguedas will be married Jan. 18, 2008, in the Bountiful Temple. A reception will be held at The Grand Ballroom from 7-9 p.m.

Adriana is the daughter of Vilma Ballon and Carlos Arguedas.

Ryan is the son of Scott and Patti Mortenson. He graduated from Bountiful High and served in the Antananarivo Madagascar Mission.

The couple will make their home in Salt Lake City.

RIP: MITT'S RUN FOR PRESIDENT

I was so upset when I turned on The Dennis Prager show just in time to hear Mitt suspend his campaign for prez! At least he is ending it on a high note with a fantastic speech! I don't think we've seen the last of him, but I don't want to wait another 4 years! This is just another thing for my mom to be depressed about...

Habit Tag

Emily habit tagged me, so let's see what I can come up with:

1. I have to take a glass of ice water with a bendy straw with me to bed every night. I guess that's part of the reason I sleep so poorly...I get up at least 4 times a night to pee!

2. Bad Habit: I don't take my water glasses back down to the kitchen until I have about 7 or 8 accumulated on my nightstand. I think my record is 11.

3. I carry Chapstick (has to be the brand name) with me everywhere. I have about 3 in my purse. I also keep a stick on my nightstand, on my keyboard at work, by the toilet, and in the kitchen. A ten pack from Costco lasts me about a year. I use the cherry as a last resort.

4. On the weekends I let the pups sleep in bed with me. They sleep under the covers on either side of me so that I can't move. I pinch their noses every so often to make sure they are still alive.

5. I keep my fingernails short (no white showing) and I NEVER bite them.

TAX TIME

I hear the Jaws theme everytime I long in to TurboTax to update my information. The pay/refund calculator has taken me on a wild, wild ride. I think I am almost done, thank heaven. We are celebrating the fact that we only have to file in one state this year, compared to three last year!
Go to Deseret First Credit Union to get a discount on TurboTax. Will save you a couple bucks that the government will promptly try to take away from you...

Hooray for Keith!

Congrats on the big 18! Popkin says hello. Now go to sleep, monkey!

Responding to Bird Craze

Emily's 'Bird Craze' post got me thinking about these wall decals from Ferm-Living Not that any would work in my house, but I have loved these from the moment I saw them.
Lovebirds:

Sparrow:

and Owl: