Gourmet Chefs!

I really love to cook. At Ricks and BYU my roommates and I each took a night to cook. It was fabulous. I only had to cook once a week, but got a 4 course meal each night! Life was good then!

Since moving down here, things have been a bit different. My roommates and I each work such random hours or usually dont get home in time to fix a gourmet meal. So we end up throwing together a meal for one. Every once in awhile we decide to see if we still got it though. Tonight was one of those nights.

Yesterday my roommate said to me "Lets make bread tomorrow." Feeling all domestic- I agreed. We decided that we couldn't get married until we knew how to make this apparently crucial thing! (We figure that's the reason we're not married yet! I guess we have to prove that our kids wont starve :) ) And I mean, how hard can it be? I made bread once in my BYU cooking class. I felt like a pro. (Of course I didn't remember that my roommate was the "yeast queen" at the time and I am sure she helped me!)

We invited one of our friends over for dinner at 6:00. We planned to start everything at about 5. We figured the Pork Chops and potatoes shouldn't take too long. Why the length of time on the bread didn't phase me, I still do not know! At about 4:30 part of my brain clicked that in order to make bread with yeast in it- it needs time to rise. Like lots of time. Oops! Maybe they could be a good dessert! Somehow, I got put in charge of the bread. (It may have had something to do with my "cockiness" that I had done it before. First problem- the yeast. It said dissolve yeast in water. But how much water. Sarah and I both called just about everyone that we knew. No one answered. Of course they were all probably talking to family members since it is Sunday. But really, they should have been talking to us! :) Finally my sister answerd. So I ask her- how much water do you dissolve yeast in? She asks me to read the directions to her. So I begin "Dissolve 1T of yeast (then to the next line) in 1/2 C water." I felt like a fool! I didn't keep reading! It told me right there! Arg! Thanking my sister for her help in getting me to actually READ the directions we hung up. So the yeast was put to the side to"dissolve".

Next step...add milk, baking soda, sugar and shortening. Then it said to beat well. Well, I dont know if you see a problem with the whole list of ingredients, but shortening doesn't really mix all that well with the above list of things. And then adding the beaters on top of it...I had milk flying everywhere! I just sat there staring at it---what is wrong with this?! Should it really look like this?I was laughing to hard to continue. I told my roommate that we were changing jobs. She was the one that wanted the bread in the first place! So she should have to deal with the clumpy milky mixture! I would do the Pork.
She opted to start over. Then we found problem #1 I used baking powder instead of baking soda. I dont think that is what caused the mixing disaster, but had she not started over- I doubt the taste would have done much for our delicate taste buds!
Our other roommate sat on the couch and watched the whole interaction take place. "This is better than a comedy" was her comment. I agreed.

She found the same mixing issue (helping boost my self-esteem a little more). However, she decided to not use to the beaters and just add the flour- to kind of help the clumps out--and it worked!!! Amazing! But then problem #2 surfaced. Not enough flour. We both thought the other one had more. But that was not the case. We were about 2 1/2 Cups short!!! I thought our other roommate had some, but it turned out to be pancake mix! That would have been interesting had I mixed that up! "Well", we thought, "Lets just let it rise and see what happens". My favorite quote from my roommate as she was mixing/beating the dough, was "Man! This pioneer stuff isn't very easy!" I laughed a good long time about that one. But the truth of the matter is that it is very very true. I couldn't have done it. Making bread by scratch every day...killing chickens and cleaning them..etc.. I really respect them- so so much!

The Pork Chops were surprising delicious. As was the squash and potatoes. Once dinner was over and we decided that the dough for the bread was ready... problem #3 arose. Umm...we dont even own a bread pan!!! Why the 2 of us decided that we made a good pair at cooking is beyond me! Laughing, we got the muffin tins. We let them rise again and 20 min later they were in the oven. The smell was heavenly (which might not have been so, had we had left it with baking powder vs baking soda.) And believe it or not they were some of the yummiest rolls ever! I think my other roommate said that they were better than restaurant rolls! "and I'm not just saying that because you re my roommates". Was her comment.

So I guess it doesn't matter if you are 2 cups short on flour or don't have a bread pan. Take what you got, and give it a try --- You never know what youre going to get!
They were so good that I didnt even have a chance to take a picture before they were gobbled up!

The big day

I don't know if it has occurred to many people as to why the name of my blog is what it is. Those of you who know me well, unfortunately also know, all too well, that it's because it is all so TRUE. If I am involved- most of the time, things will be a little bit trickier than usual. I could write you mounds and mounds of books to prove this point. However, I believe that a simple recap of my birthday will show you all-how this is true...

Oddly enough, the beginning of the day went very smoothly.
I went into work a little early because the week before I had met a few kids on a pre-surgery tour and my birthday happened to be the day of their surgeries! It was so cute because as one of the 3 year old little boys walked into the hospital and he saw me, he ran up and handed me these... Yep...thats right. He brought me flowers! It was adorable. Granted, I'm sure he got them from the hospital grounds, but it was sweet nonetheless.

Thankfully, nothing "adventurous" happened during their surgeries! :) The kids all did great. I was so proud of them.

Then, I walked into my office and was greeted by "a little note" as my boss put it.
I'm sure it took her a long time to do it! They also made cupcakes and ordered lunch! It was great! And my co-workers were wonderful!

All the real fun, however, began when I got home. My roommates had decorated the kitchen before I went to work in the morning. It was a fun little party to walk into!

Then my wonderful roommate, who is a lot like me mind you, asked excitingly "Did you see your cake?!" To my response of "no" , she opened the fridge and then said "What happened to it?!" Quickly though, her confused state turned into laughter. She was laughing so hard that she couldn't explain to me what the joke was. After a minute she said " I forgot it was an ice cream cake!" (Remember the part that I said she was a lot like me?! :) ) Luckily the cake was in a tightly closed plastic container, because we could see it basically floating in there...Completely liquefied! We had a really good laugh about that one for awhile. My sides and cheeks were sore!(Thats the best laughter!) We quickly put it into the freezer- hoping for success for when we got back from dinner.

5 of us piled into my other roommates car and headed for our destination. While on the freeway, we noticed that traffic was starting to back up. The signs on the road mentioned a crash and that the freeway was closed. We got off quickly, but at the next light I noticed a strange steam coming from her car. Panic arose in all of us, as we quickly pulled over. She called her dad and he came as soon as he can. Unfortunately we were about 30 min from their house. However, the night was beautiful and we just enjoyed the parking lot atmosphere at Embassy Suites!

Soon, her dad saved the day- and we changed cars with him...headed for the greatly anticipated restaurant to where we were going about 30 mintues before! About 6 months ago, my roommate and I were driving somewhere when we saw a restaurant entitled "Jilly's". It was a very exciting moment for me! Never had I seen such a beautiful place. We decided that we needed to return one day. That of course was completely forgotten until a few days ago, we were trying to figure out where to go to eat for my birthday. Then it came to me---we shall go to MY RESTAURANT!!!

It was like an Iggy's sports grill type of place. Which was kinda odd. To me when I think "Jilly's" I would think like a TGIF or Chilis (not just because it rhymes mind you! :) ) So that was kinda weird, but I loved the fact that my name was EVERYWHERE!!! :) I felt like a VIP. I even asked if I got my meal for free since my name is Jill. Our waiter said he would ask, but I dont think it happened! He better watch out! Next time we're in Parliament I'll need to discuss that with the people...

When we got home we pulled out the cake to see what had happened during the time we were away. It took 3 of us to open the container since it had solidified around all the edges! One held the bottom and 2 pulled the top. It was so funny looking, but sure tasted great!

As you can see that brown "hill like " looking thing was actually the cake part since all the ice cream had melted around it. I think before the cake melted it was a little bit taller and completely white one top! :) However, that did not stop us from eating it! It was yummy yummy yummy! I love ice cream cakes. And this night I learned that I even like ice cream cakes that melted and are re-frozen! :)

The last adventure came today actually. Aaron had sent me roses yesterday as a surprise and did all in his power to MAKE SURE that they got to me at work. He even got a confirmation email that they were delivered to the hospital. So there he as sitting all cozy in his German house waiting for my happy and ecstatic email thanking him for the beautiful roses. Meanwhile, I left work without even a clue that Roses were waiting there for me. Apparently something happened and the information desk didn't know what to do with them when they were delivered. (Heaven forbid look up my name in the computer and have it delivered to my department! ) :) Luckily though, Aaron told me that he had sent me roses- So I was bound and determined to find them today! On my way into work today I passed the information desk and saw a beautiful array of Roses sitting there. I told the guy "Hi. I think those are mine". With a smirk he said "Really?!" I was like.."Um..really I do!" Surprised he got up and asked my name and sure enough they were and they were GORGEOUS. Honestly- very beautiful! It was a great day after your birthday type gift! I loved them!

So there you have it- if you are planning a evening and I'm coming along- be prepared for all you plans to be completely changed or at least twisted a bit. But- That's what makes it fun right- I can guarantee that it wont be boring! :)

All in All I had a great birthday - Thanks to EVERYONE that I am blessed to know!

I almost moved today!

Each morning I listen to this loverly talk radio station on the way to work. I think it stems from my parents listening to a similar station in Utah. I have actually really enjoyed it because I feel like it has kept me up on the latest news. I feel like I know more about politics and the stock market then EVER BEFORE! (Granted, thats not saying much... but...):)

So, Being a state wide show and really being my true source for what is happening, I trust it. Well, recently in the news, it has been talked about that Arizona is very much in debt. Therefore they are toying with the idea that Toll roads on the freeways will be a good idea. I have heard this here and there for the past few weeks. Not really thinking much about it because obviously a law like that wont pass, I went on my merry way. That is, until this morning.

At 8:30 My favorite "speak your mind" radio host comes on. He is freaking out because "Arizona lawmakers passed the Toll road law last night. Starting Wed. April 2nd, Toll roads will be in affect at freeway on ramps all along the valley!" He started playing clips from the news conference- from one of the Arizona Highways guys. Therefore, you must have exact change and if not, they will turn you around. My radio guy was so outraged and upset and all the callers were as well. Yes, it would take time to get the actual booths up, but they will have workers waiting to collect.

I myself was just in shock. How could this be?! And who in their right mind thought that this was actually a good idea. Granted there were a few things that just didnt sit well in my mind. The guy from Arizona Highways said "Commuters should plan an extra 3 hrs into their morning commute". I was like- are you serious? Then there is the 101 freeway, the 202 freeway and the 51. So they were saying that it would be $1.01, $2.02, and .$.51 as the toll price. It was just so weird! I couldnt believe that I was really hearing what I was hearing. I use these freeways on an everyday basis- many times a day. As I started adding it up in my mind- I was going to have to get another job!

The thing about it all was the way my "trusted" radio guy was reacting. He was just like "This is the most bizarre thing I have ever heard of." and "So if you happen to use the 202 you have to pay double what they pay on the 51?" I mean he was so convincing about his state of shock. He said all the right things, in the right ways that I found myself outraged when I got to work. I kept saying to myself, "This has got to be an April fools joke. But, why would a major radio station do that- on a stupid holiday?"
So as I walked into work, I called my roommate- "GUESS WHAT?!" I tell her the whole deal and then I was like- I might just have to move! Gas prices and now this! This is CRAZY! blah blah. We decide together that as much as we want it to be a joke, its probably real. Since it has been in the news for weeks---

I decided it just might be time to pack up and really move to Tahiti! :)

I forgot all about it until tonight when I got home. I checked the Internet to see just where the tolls would be and read "Popular radio station KTAR plays April fools joke about Toll roads." ! I got had!!! I totally fell for it! I cant believe it! Man- those radio people were so convincing.

I guess the scriptures were right- beware of false priests! And wolfs in lambs clothing! People really can be such good liars!

I still cant believe that I fell for it! I usually am pretty skeptical with things people tell me, but I really believed this one! I mean, I was planning my exodus from this state! :)

Okay KTAR- good one. I have to give you credit. That was a good joke! But tomorrow as you start reporting on how the stock market is doing, I have a feeling that there might be some hesitation on my part, on whether I believe you or not! :)