More From Mexico + Christmas Devotional

With all this snow, I thought it fitting to post a few more beach pictures.  I'm already planning our next tropical vacation... Braedon just doesn't know about it yet.

  

I just want to eat her up.  Such a beautiful babe!  

A little squinty, but I could not be happier.  The sun, some beach, a diet coke and a book.

The Tennis Crew

Posed a little for that one...whoops.  I just can't help the foot pop.

Had so much fun with my family!  

By the way, the LDS church put on a fabulous Christmas Program tonight.  It's only an hour and pretty much incredible.  Perfect for family night.  You can listen to it here or watch below :)

Newlywed Dinners: Thanksgiving for Two

Ok, I have to admit, this was really intimidating, and definitely a learning experience! First of all, I really never cooked until I got married.  I loved to bake, but left the cooking for my mom.  I think I called her about 7 times while attempting to make my own Thanksgiving dinner today.  

Call 1: "So...um, how do you cook a turkey?? How do you make homemade gravy?  What should I stuff the turkey with?  How long do I cook it?"

Call 2: "Hey, I forgot, do I need to make a foil tent?"

Call 3: "All the recipe says is, "make a white sauce" for the cauliflower and carrots.  Where do I begin?"

Call 4: "My turkey has no juice...so now I can't make gravy"

Here's what I learned...

1. It's not as hard as it looks

2. You can't make gravy with a smoked turkey.  (oops).  I bought a smoked turkey

3. If you don't like the brown meat, just buy a turkey breast. Bonus: it's easier to cook

4. Don't be intimidated, you can do it!

I decided to make my Thanksgiving dinner favorites:

Mashed Potatoes

Cauliflower and Carrots

Turkey (of course)

Disclaimer:

Each of these are family recipes.  I come from a family of amazing cooks, which means that most of these recipes didn't have exact measurements or directions.  Apparently the cook inside of me was just supposed to know how!  My recipe posts tend to be long because I try to be very detailed- that's what my type A personality requires when it comes to cooking!  I'll do my best to be detailed, but if you have any questions just comment below. 

1. Mashed Potatoes

Directions: 

Peel your potatoes and place in a large pot. If you use large potatoes cut them in half and then lengthwise.  I chose not to cut my potatoes since they were pretty small.  Fill the pot so the potatoes are covered.  At the last second I decided to add three garlic gloves and some salt to the water to give my potatoes some flavor.  Definitely optional!  Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender.  

This turned out to be the perfect amount of potatoes (7 small).  We definitely have leftovers, but it was my intention to have leftover for this meal.  If you don't like leftovers you can easily half each of these dishes.  

Once tender carefully transfer your potatoes to a large mixing bowl.  This is where the measurements are up to you....add some butter (I started with 1/4 cup but added more later on) and a few dollops of sour cream.   

Mash those babies up!  You'll want to get all the clumps out (unless you prefer lumpy mashed potatoes).  Start adding milk little by little and beat the potatoes with a hand mixer on high speed.  I also decided to mince up one clove of garlic and add it in at this point (do not add three like I had in the water!). Also optional.  Keep beating, adding milk, sour cream, and butter until you get the consistency you want.  The key to this step is adding the mix ins little by little- you can always add more! Also, it helps to have your butter melted- at first while the potatoes are piping hot it won't matter- but I was beating and mashing for a while! 

2. Cauliflower and Carrots

Ingredients:

1 head of cauliflower

5 long carrots

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup flour 

2 cups milk

1/2 cup minced onion

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Bring water to a boil in a large pot.  Chop up your carrots and cauliflower into bite size pieces, then cook until tender but still slightly crispy. (maybe 3-5 minutes) I would recommend boiling the veggies separately, but you could certainly add them together.   

I actually added more carrots after taking this picture (from 4 to 5 long sticks).  But it will look something like this.  Next you will make your "white sauce". 

After calling my mom, I got some good directions on the mysterious sauce.  First melt the butter and add in the onions-let them get soft. Pour in the flour and be sure to whisk thoroughly.  Next, add in the milk very slowly, and whisk as you add, you don't want clumps!  I kept my burner at low-medium heat the whole time.  

Lastly, you can add your cheese.  It's ok if the mixture bubbles, but at this point you do not want it to be boiling.  Turn the heat on low, keep whisking and be patient while the cheese melts.  

I wish I had made a little bit more sauce.  You'll want the sauce to completely cover the veggies- that way it'll make everything "stick".  It still tasted great, but next time I would probably do 3/4 cup butter, 3/4 cup flour, 2 1/4 cups milk, 3/4 cup cheddar cheese and probably still 1/2 cup onion.  

3. The Turkey

It's so much easier than it sounds!  After you've washed, and cleaned out the turkey (taken out the giblet, etc), rub olive oil, salt, and pepper all over. You can also add a little sage and thyme- whatever fresh herbs you prefer.  Confession: I used my hands.  Don't worry I washed them first!  

I chose to stuff the turkey with carrots, celery, and an onion.  After we ate Braedon requested that I also add a baked apple- it's his claim to culinary fame!  I'll have to try it next time just for him.  

Next, stuff your turkey.  I just did whatever I could fit, and put the rest on the outsides.  

You can use a pot like this, or a baking rack to cook your turkey.  The package will have instructions on how long to bake the turkey.  *Mom trick: if you buy a pop-up turkey be sure to still check the internal temperature with your own thermometer.  Sometimes it will reach 165 degrees F before the pop up "pops". 

Create a foil tent around the turkey and remove halfway through cooking.  My turkey cooked for about an hour and fifteen minutes, and weighed 3.87 pounds.  Personally, I didn't love the smoked turkey, it was a little too salty for me, but Braedon loved it!  I was really sad I couldn't make gravy after... my mom taught me how to make it homemade and I wouldn't settle for a packet.  I guess it just means I'll have to try again!

So there you have it! Since we were in Mexico for Thanksgiving and didn't get a "homemade" dinner, I jumped at the chance to try it on my own...with less pressure to have it be like "Mom's" Thanksgiving dinner. It was my first time making each of these recipes and I think they turned out pretty good.  I learned a lot and I figure it can only go up from here right??  

Any suggestions or family recipes are more than welcomed!  Please share with me! 

Thanksgiving In Cancun

I have to say, Braedon and I were pretty spoiled for Thanksgiving this year.  We got to spend the holiday on the sunny beach with our family by our side!  We stayed at an all inclusive resort which meant our days consisted of lots of limonadas, diet coke, tacos, (more tacos), and beach bummin.  Get ready for a picture overload, I'll probably be posting more pictures from this amazing trip for the next few days!  We are so grateful we got to be a part of the fun, but even more grateful for the memories made with the fam.  This is what our past week has looked like...

Tuesday: Braedon and I took the red-eye and I was giddy in anticipation all day.

Wednesday: Some much needed resting at the beach. ahhhh.  We met up with the family each night for dinner and played some doubles tennis after.  I got my butt whooped....the Murdock/ Parrish family are all pro tennis players.  Really wish I would have listened to my mom when she tried to get me to take lessons way back when!  

Thursday: The boys golfed, and the girls laid out... typical.  We had our Thanksgiving dinner as a family and enjoyed some tennis afterwards.  It's a good thing my in-laws are patient....I had so much fun learning how to play and I'd like to think my beginner status at least kept the games entertaining!?

Friday: You guessed it, another day at the beach.  We found this amazing little cafe that made crepes and filled them with whatever you wanted...I was in heaven.  Before dinner Braedon and I decided to play a few games of pool.  I'm proud to say he was impressed with my skills....I think he was expecting them to be more like my tennis abilities!  More on that later...

Saturday: Our last day :(.  We definitely made it count.  We swam with dolphins, read at the pool (ok Braedon studied, I laid out), got massages, and ate tacos until we were sick.  

Sunday: Why is it that coming home from a vacation to real life feels like torture?  Luckily my mom invited us over for Thanksgiving leftovers- can I just say she is the best cook? Mmm. Mmm.  Braedon's been studying all day for his tests this upcoming week, and I've been doing a little schoolwork/laundry.  Ok, and looking at all of our pictures and wishing we were back on the beach.  

Gabbi LOVED the pool and would not stop splashing her chubby hands while we swam.  The pool was freezing but it didn't seem to phase her one bit!  Love that little bug and her contagious giggle.  

Always studying....notice the tattoo?  Hand drawn by yours truly.  

I love my gorgeous sisters

Alright, this is how the pool games went.

Game 1: Braedon

Game 2: Stef

Game 3: Braedon

Game 4: we both cheated...

Braedon's winnings: Gets to take me out to a steak house and we'll eat ribs with our bare hands

My winnings: A Park City overnighter

  Braedon and I don't drink and every time we asked, "no alcohol please", we'd get some funny looks. That night at dinner we were a little slap happy and I think I had one too many diet cokes.  One of the hazards of an all inclusive resort.  I was laughing over something and spilled my food- to which the waiter remarked, "no more tequila for you!"  It just made me laugh harder!   

After we swam with dolphins we were walking back and got caught in a downpour.  We were already soaked from swimming and had forgotten towels.  I couldn't help it, I had to belt it loud and proud...

If you like pina coladas...

And getting caught in the rain...

If you're not into yoga...

If you have half a brain...

And yes I kept going....I think Braedon was either really proud or really embarrassed. 

Ok I'm not sure why I thought this was so funny.  You know how on cruises the maid will leave you with your towels folded into a monkey or some other (sometimes unrecognizable) animal? Well we came back one night and she had also decided to get creative with my blanket.  So cute.  

The Christmas tree was up in the lobby the day after Thanksgiving!  I guess I'd better follow suit and get going on mine.  Thanks for reading and I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! I'm especially grateful for my supportive, loving, hardworking, and hilarious husband.  

Pumpkin Pie Crumb Bars

I know this happens every year, but I really just can't believe it's already Thanksgiving again!  Last year at Thanksgiving I had a great time with my family, but it was a little tainted because I knew I would be working the night shift at the hospital.  Sleeping is kind of precious to me.  This year, I'm feeling pretty thankful that I won't have work, or school (sort of) to worry about!  The Murdock's are taking us to Cancuun and I'm pretty giddy about it.  It didn't really hit me until today, but I'm suddenly feeling spring fever and not wanting to accomplish any of the tasks I should get done before we leave.  My thoughts have been totally occupied by finding the perfect book to read on the beach, and what swimsuits I want to bring on the trip.  

Anyways, if you're assigned to bring a dessert for a Thanksgiving party, I highly recommend this one!  I've made it three times already this fall- it's wonderful.  If you love pumpkin pie and particularly love the crust- this is a winner.  The crust is like an oatmeal cookie brown sugar heaven.  I brought it to a family party and my Aunt Pam even asked for the recipe- she is the queen of desserts people.  I felt pretty honored.  

Pumpkin Pie Crumb Bars

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups flour

1 1/4 cups quick oats (old fashioned works too)

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar

3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

1 tsp vanilla extract

Pumpkin Pie Filling:

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup packed-light brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp ginger

1 pinch ground cloves

1/4 tsp salt

1 large egg

1 large egg yolk

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups canned pureed pumpkin

1/3 cup evaporated milk or half and half

whipped cream and cinnamon, for topping (optional)

First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Next, you'll make your crust.  Start by whisking together flour, oats, salt and baking soda until it's well mixed.  Add in the white and brown sugar, mixing until no clumps remain.  Combine melted butter and vanilla, then pour into the mixture slowly, stirring as you go and making sure it's evenly moistened.  (I really hate that word- moisture- but there's just no other way to put it).  

Press half the crust into a greased 8x8 baking dish and bake in preheated oven 15 minutes.  

While the crust is baking you can go ahead and make the pumpkin pie filling.  Whisk together 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and salt. I also like to add a dash of pumpkin pie spice.  Here's a little mom *trick: packed and overflowing brown sugar-always! Whenever a baking recipe calls for brown sugar I always do a little extra.  Can't help it, that's what my mom taught me! Next you'll add in the egg, egg yolk and vanilla. 

There's probably a much better method to get the egg yolk but this is what works for me.  Just crack your egg into a bowl, and carefully scoop out the yolk with a spoon!  Sometimes the whites will kind of stick to the yolk but with a little patience it usually just falls right off.  

Next you'll mix in the pumpkin and milk, depending on how it looks, I'll add a little extra pumpkin puree. By this time, the bottom crust should be just about finished baking.

Pour the pumpkin pie filling over the crust

Spread evenly, and return to the oven to bake 15 minutes.  

Remove from the oven, and sprinkle the remaining cookie crumble bits on top (if you have any left).  I have the hardest time not snacking on the crust while I'm baking...woops. Return to the oven for another 20-25 minutes.  You'll know when it's done when the top is golden and the center jiggles only slightly.  Let it cool for 1 hour at room temperature, and another hour in the fridge. Cut into squares and top with whip cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon-honestly, it's great on it's own.  Or, you can just serve it warm with ice-cream right out of the oven like a crumble! 

Tonight I had somewhat of a wife fail.  I made german pancakes for dinner and we paired it with leftover stuffing from our turkey dinner at the in-law's last night.  I'm pretty sure Braedon mixed the two together- at least he has a full belly right? 

Happy Thanksgiving!