Chicken Fried Rice with Grilled Vegetables Recipe

Tonight I made Chinese Fried Rice for Charlie's mom.  I wanted something easy and we had left over grilled vegetables in the fridge along with chicken breast that needed to be used so this is what I did:

( I did not follow a recipe I just make it up as I am cooking)

Chicken Fried Rice with Grilled Vegetables
2 Chicken Breasts, cubed
1 C. Grilled Vegetables (They were grilled with Soy Sauce....broccoli, cauliflower, onion, red and yellow pepper, yellow zucchini, green zucchini, and anything else you want to put in there)
2 T. Olive Oil
2 C. cooked Brown Rice
Soy Sauce to taste
Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce

Heat the pan with Olive Oil and add the chicken until cooked.  Toss in the grilled vegetables and rice, stir together.  Add soy sauce to taste (I add quite a bit...at least a 1/4 C) I also add just a tsp or less of Hot Chili Sauce...again this is to your liking.  You can also add two scrambled eggs if you want.  To do this you push the rice mix to the side, cook your eggs in the same pan and then stir in with the rest of the ingredients once cooked.  You may also of course cook them in a separate pan...sometimes its easier depending on how big the pan is that the rice is in.

Hope you like! =)

Moving Part 2

Well...today the moving company arrived.  But not without making me mad first.  They called several days ago and said that they would be here in a couple days.  Then they called and said they would be here today bright and early around 7ish.  So I got down to the storage unit around 6:45am and waited until 8:45am.  At that time I called and asked if they were coming.  I woke them up!!  He says "Oh I wont be there until 1 or 2pm, I will call you at noon and let you know."  I left to go back to Charlie's mom's house (where I am staying for the time being) to wait.  I never got a phone call at noon and by 2:30pm I was extremely mad.  Finally at 4pm they call.  We got to the storage unit and loaded everything in it.  I didnt see too much damage, mostly things that I can fix, but we'll see once I get everything unwrapped and unpacked.  Im just so thankful that it is here.  One less thing to stress about.

P.S...not recommending the moving company

House Hunting

Technically I still live in Montana, but I took this month to come to Virginia, not only to see Prince Charming (aka Charlie) but to find a house and hopefully a job.
Once we got back from Vegas our house hunting began.  While we were in Vegas I had set up an appointment to meet with a realtor on Tuesday.  I let her know what we were looking for, our price range, and some of the houses that we had already picked to look at.  Before we went on vacation Charlie had talked to another realtor about another house we were interested in.  So Tuesday morning we were in house hunting mode.  We looked at the first house with the one realtor, didn't like the house, and then met with Linda our actual realtor.  She had 7 houses set up for us to look at.  The first couple were not even questionable...it was a no right away.  As the day progressed we got more into what we were looking for and then the last 2 were great homes.  We really liked the TC house, that's what we called it because of the road name, it was nice and big, plenty of space for the kids.  The next house, Wagner, we loved!  Very modern and came with 5 acres, no neighbors, could really see my kids grow up there. 
We went home really loving the Wagner house.  It was a little spendy but a beautiful house with all new updates...very modern.  The next day we requested to see the Wagner house again and I went to 2 or 3 other houses with Linda before that.  We met Charlie and his friend at the Wagner house so he could inspect it before making an offer.  There wasn't anything wrong with the house and it was still beautiful but we both felt this vibe...like something wasn't right.  Here we were...ready to make an offer and the next thing we knew we were looking at each other and thinking...lets hold off. 
So we went home.  And that night we decided that house wasn't for us.  It was awesome but in its awesomeness came a lot of extra expenses for what the house was offering.  It had an awesome kitchen and great land but really too small of a house.  It was a great house but too compact.  So we decided it wasn't our house.  We had looked at all the houses that peaked our interest online so now it was time to just sit back and wait for the realtor to come to us with different listings. 
Charlie got an email that night....it was from the realtor that had showed us our very first house.  He was confirming a question we had had about that house we looked at.  Along with his email he posted a few more houses that we might be interested in.  There was one on there that looked really nice....we decided to go look at it.  This was the one!!  We had found our house!  We looked through the entire thing...and while looking we kept looking at each other with big eyes...both thinking the same thing...THIS HOUSE IF AWESOME!
We put an offer in and it was accepted!  We just bought a house!  Now the paperwork begins, but nothing is more exciting than buying a house with the love of your life! 

Surprise Trip (Baja Racing & Vegas)

I didn't arrive in Virginia until late on Wednesday April 18th.  By the time I got to Charlie's moms house it was around 10pm.  I was so excited to see my man!  The last time I had seen him was March 2nd...way too long! 
In the beginning of the week Charlie had mentioned that we were going to a race in Charlotte and I was really excited because I wanted to see the race and to see friends we have down there.  So on Thursday morning I repacked my bags for our weekend trip.  We ran around town that day just doing errands and then went to dinner with friends.  All of them were talking about how we should take a trip together sometime and maybe it could be Vegas.  Wouldn't that be fun!? 
Charlie and I went home and I was making sure that I had everything packed to leave in the morning and Charlie was laying there watching me.  He said "I have something to tell you...we really aren't going to Charlotte, we are going to Vegas."  I didn't believe him and told him to stop teasing me.  I still didn't believe him even later....but then he showed me our plane tickets.  I was still skeptical and didn't truly believe him until he showed me the rental car confirmation.  OMG we are going to VEGAS!!  Haha!  All of his friends and family were in on the surprise.  We left the very next day and arrived there about 7pm.
We then drove an hour and a half north to Alamo for the night.  You see this wasn't just a vacation, this was also work for Charlie.  He was sent there to checkout the race course for his Off Road team. We stayed in the nastiest motel ever!  The name of it was Sunset View Inn right when you get into town.  Nice people that own it but man oh man do they need to do some work.  If you go down the road a little aways into Alamo and then on the other side there is a place called the Windmill Ridge Inn...very cute! 
The next morning we got up and got registered for the pre-run.  Charlie and his crew took off towards Caliente, NV via off-road, while I took the hwy.  I met them for lunch and then checked into our motel there. Nice place...much cleaner than the night before.  This place was called The Shady Motel.  I spent most of the day in the room until Charlie got back from racing.  We went to dinner and then to bed. 
On Sunday I was on my own; Charlie was out racing again.  I checked out of the motel around 11am and headed south to Vegas!  Charlie would meet me there later...it was his Birthday!!  I have been to Vegas before but I had never left the city.  This was my first time seeing the desert and so on my way back to Vegas I stopped along the way to take pictures.  It is very pretty up there...of course a little greener than probably say southern Nevada and Arizona. 
Once I got to Vegas I became very nervous!  This Montana girl was driving in Vegas...on the strip!  I was given a budget for a hotel room by Charlie...oh look the Wynn is in that range. =) wynnlasvegas.com I got the car valeted and checked in.  We stayed in a beautiful room!!  When I got to my room I contemplated on walking somewhere in the 100 degree heat to find birthday decorations but decided against it.  Instead I decorated the room in toilet paper and handmade signs that said Happy Birthday!  After being satisfied with my birthday decor I put my swimsuit on and hit the pool. 
Once Charlie got there (loved the decorations btw) we went downstairs to see if we could get into the SW Steakhouse at the Wynn.  They were booked.  So we decided to head out the doors and hit the strip to find another place to eat.  We ended up in the Venetian at a bar that has tons of beers to choose from.  I had a Bloody Mary that was made with Bacon Infused Vodka...yumm-o!!  We shared a steak dinner and then walked down to the Paris hotel and then to the Cosmopolitan because I had never been in them before.  Once in the Cosmopolitan we decided to catch a cab back to the Wynn.  We got drinks at one of the bars and then on our way back upstairs Charlie stuck $20 in the Wheel of Fortune slot and won $105!  Lucky guy!
We got up the next morning and had breakfast at the buffet downstairs....delicious!  Then we went back to our room, got our bags and headed for the airport. 
First vacation with my Prince Charming and it was wonderful!

Denver Trip

I am in the process of moving to Virginia, but before I went out there for a month, I went to Denver first to see some friends.  I drove my car down on April 16th, which took me about 10 hours.  I met some friends at Jose Oshea's for margaritas and then stayed at my friend Tracy's house.  The next day I went with another friend downtown to eat lunch and get a coffee from Starbucks.  I met back up with Tracy where we went to Colorado Mills Mall and then went to get gelato and checkout Charming Charlies.  That is an awesome store if any of you ladies haven't been in there.  It's an accessory store that is layed out by color.  Purses, hats, jewelry, scarves, watches, shoes, etc fill this fun store. I think you can find it online as well at  charmingcharlie.com. I ended up getting a watch that I absolutely love and it was only $15!  All of their stuff is priced right, it's awesome! Anyway we ended up hitting happy hour in that area and then went to P.F. Chang's for dinner.  Tracy and I then went to a pub where they play Bingo on Tuesday nights.  It was actually pretty fun!  Then unfortunately I had to catch a flight to Virginia the next morning. So glad my car is there so when I fly back I can stay another day and hang out with my friends.  I love Denver!

Moving

I have been soo busy the last couple of weeks!  I currently live in Montana, but moving to Virginia.  I have been sorting and packing, and throwing away, and donating like crazy! In the midst of all that, I threw in a Garage Sale and an Open House.  I hired a moving company, if all my stuff gets there in once piece I will recommend them for those of you who have no other choice.  Me personally will never hire a moving company again.  In the world today, even when you pay good money, people don't treat your stuff the way you would.  I decided to go with a moving company because I didn't want to drive across the country by myself.  Plus with the rate of a UHaul and the price of gas...it was about the same amount.  So why not have someone load all your possessions into a truck, then unload it at your destination AND do all the driving?  It's the easy route, but after seeing the two guys work and load my stuff and thinking about all the places my possessions will be going before actually making it to Virginia...I'm not so sure.  I think a single girl driving a UHaul across country to be with the man of her dreams sounds like quite the adventure. =)

Parks

Today was so beautiful!  It was 75 and sunny when I picked my daughter up from school, so we decided to go to the park, along with the other 500 people that had the same idea.  I know this is horrible, but I really dislike taking my kids to the park.  I like playing with them and seeing their happy little faces while they run around and burn energy, but it's the other kids that really irritate me.  I don't know about you but it annoys the crap out of me when I see kids walking up the slide.  Today there were two older girls (I would say 10-12 years old) that were walking up the slides.  I really wanted to say something, but kept my mouth shut...very rare by the way.  =)  Then of course you have the other kids who are pushy and have no respect whatsoever for other kids and even sometimes mothers.  Going to the park raises my blood pressure and adds another grey hair to my head.  We lasted an hour. =)

After that the kids were hungry and wanted to go to Subway. I don't like eating out if I don't have to so we decided to do Subway at home.  Instead of going there, we got meat, bread, and chips at the grocery store and made our own sub sandwiches.

Tiramisu Toffee Torte Recipe

Tiramisu is Italian for "pick me up".  I love serving this...everytime I do I get compliments for weeks!  I served this at our Easter Dinner as well.  If you have any leftover frosting...it is delicious in coffee! =)

Tiramisu Toffee Torte

1 pkg White Cake Mix
1 C. Strong Brewed Coffee, room temperature
4 Egg Whites
4 Heath Candy Bars (1.4 oz each), chopped
*I actually use the Heath Toffee Bits with the chocolate that you can find in the baking aisle with the chocolate chips
Frosting:
4 oz Cream Cheese, softened
2/3 C. Sugar
1/3 C. Chocolate Syrup
2 t. Vanilla Extract
2 C. Whipping Cream

6 T. Strong Brewed Coffee
1 Heath Candy Bar, chopped

Grease two 9-inch round baking pans, might even consider sprinkling a little flour in the pan as well; set aside.  In a mixing bowl, beat the cake mix, coffee and egg whites on low speed until moistened.  Beat on high for 2 minutes.  Fold in chopped candy bars.  Pour into prepared pans. 
Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.  Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire rack.  When cool, split each cake into two horizontal layers.
For frosting, in a chilled mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth.  Beat in the chocolate syrup and vanilla.  Add the whipping cream.  Beat on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
Place one cake layer on a serving plate, drizzle with 2 Tablespoons of coffee.  Spread with 3/4 C frosting.  Repeat twice.  Top with 4th cake layer.  Frost top and sides with remaining frosting.  Refrigerate overnight.  Garnish with chopped candy bar.  Store in fridge.

7 Layer Salad Recipe

My Grandmother always use to make this.  My Mom loves it so I decided to make it for our Easter Dinner.

7 Layer Salad
Head of Lettuce, shredded
1/3 C. Onion, chopped
1/3 C. Celery, chopped
1 6oz. can Waterchestnuts, sliced
1 10oz. pkg Frozen peas
2 C. Mayonnaise
1 1/2 T. Sugar
1 jar of Bacos
3 to 4 Hard Cooked Eggs, sliced
3 Tomatoes, sliced
Grated Cheese

Place lettuce in 9x13 pan.  Sprinkle next 3 ingredients on top, in layers, then sprinkle peas.  Spread mayo over top of peas like frosting (seal good), then sprinkle with sugar.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.  Before serving add last 4 ingredients in layers, ending with cheese.

My Easter

I have been so busy this past week!  I hope everyone had a Happy Easter.  My extended family got together on Saturday.  The women of the family decided that we were tired of the same holiday meal, you know...the ham, potatoes, green bean casserole, jello salad, blah blah blah.  This year we decided on Italian!  My Mom made a Lasagna that was delicious, she also made a Strawberry Pie.  One of my aunts made Spaghetti, we had garlic bread, a wheat salad, a broccoli salad, tossed lettuce, and I made a 7 layer salad and a Tiramasu Toffee Torte. Everything turned out great and it was a nice change. 

All the kids got to play together, which was nice to see.  We all live very close and it is very rare that we all get together.  It is pretty sad actually. When my Grandmother was alive we get together practically everyday.  Everyone would stop by her and Grandpas house and usually stay for dinner...and occassionally a game of cards.  My Grandmother has since passed (almost 9 years ago)  and it hasnt been the same.  She was the clay that molded us together.

On Easter Sunday the kids and I went to church and then went to my Mom's house.  She made a hashbrown and egg casserole, ham steaks, and I made Blueberry Muffins.  After lunch we dyed Easter Eggs and then hid them all over the house and yard.  We stayed until about 3pm and then I had to get home to finish packing up my house. (More on that later.)

I will add the recipes that I made for Easter following this posting.

Cooked Carrots with Almonds Recipe

My Mom is also taking a side dish tonight and it's super easy too!

Cooked Carrots with Almonds
Carrots
3 T butter
salt
1/4 C. sliced Almonds

You can use sliced carrots, cut into circles, or baby carrots, whichever you prefer
Cook as many carrots as you would like, just add a little salt.
Once they are done drizzle about 2 T butter over the top, and if you really like salt (I do) then add a little more salt.
In a pan saute 1 T butter and sliced almonds until toasted.
Sprinkle over the top of your carrots and wallah!  =)

Hope you enjoy!

Corn Side Dish Recipes

So tonight I am going to a Seder Dinner at our church.  We were asked to bring a dish and you could choose from Main Dishes to Drinks, and everything in between.  I chose a side dish, so I am bringing this Corn Dish.
I originally had a recipe I would go off of, but as I post more recipes in the future, you will notice that I never use a recipe, or I change it up.
So here is my first submitted recipe...yay!

Confetti Corn
1 16oz bag of Whole Kernel Corn
1 Green Pepper (you can use all or half, chopped into large pieces)
1 Red Pepper (you can use all or half, chopped into large pieces)
1/2 C. Red Onion, chopped
3 T. butter or margarine, divided
1 t. salt

Cook corn according to package, drain water.  In a pan saute green pepper, red pepper, onion, and 1 tablespoon butter.  Cook until tender, add to corn. Melt rest of butter and drizzle over corn combo.  Sprinkle with salt, mix all together.

Corn with Sugar Snap Peas
1 16oz bag of Whole Kernel Corn
1 Red Pepper, chopped
1 16oz bag Sugar Snap Peas
2 T. Butter, melted
1 t. salt
dill

Add corn and red pepper, and sugar snap peas together and cook until tender, drain water.  Drizzle butter over top, add salt, and mix all together.  Garnish with dill
Super easy and my kids love both!

Is it Spring or Winter?

Yesterday we were wearing flip-flops...today we wear snow boots! Yuck!  Welcome to spring in Montana.  =)  My 3 year old son, Gaige,  said this morning as he was looking out the window "Santa must be coming soon.  He is going to have to wake up so he can bring us toys."  Apparently he thinks that Santa sleeps all year except for Christmas.  Haha!

World's Shortest Joke

MirrorMirror

Took my kids to see MirrorMirror today after school.  Very cute movie lots of funnies!  Julia Roberts did a great job!

The Story Behind "Lauph"

You're probably thinking..."What in the world, doesn't she know how to spell laugh!?"  I'll tell you the story...I really wanted to get personalized plates on my car. So one day I was sitting in the Court House, waiting to see if I was going to be selected to be a juror for a court case in my local town.  I was getting bored so I decided to come up with some license plate ideas.  I felt the license plate had to say something about me and mean something.  Well after awhile I decided on the word "laugh".  It seemed very appropriate and described me to a tee!  I was so excited!  When the jury selection was over ( they didn't even get to my name before deciding on their jurors), I went down the hallway to the Motor Vehicle Department and asked if "Laugh" could be put on my license plate.  Turns out someone had it already.  So the lady behind the counter and I went through every combination we could think of and landed on "Lauph"!  Ever since then people always look at my plates and ask what it means!  Really!?  It's the "ph" that throws everyone off..I really didn't think it was that complicated.  A lot of people say "Lowf? What does that mean?"  I just laugh, thinking I should get a bumper sticker that says the "GH" was taken! =)  But since this license plate fiasco, my nickname has become "Lowf".  Who would've known!?! =)