Perfect Potatoes Au Gratin

While reading another blog today I came across this recipe for potatoes au gratin. This may be one of my favorite ways to eat a potato and her pictures were making me drool. These are on the menu for tomorrow night so I'm a little shy about posting early but look at those pictures! How could it go wrong? If you haven't read the Pioneer Woman's other recipes, I encourage you to check some others out, she also has a great blog to read! Let me know if you make the potatoes too!

Perfect Potatoes Au Gratin

Colorstrology

I came across this from another blog I follow (Lindsay & the Johnsons for you curious folk). I always think it's fun to read little personality blurbs and this one is based on your birthday and colors. How did you match up? Mine was 50/50; Nolan's was fairly accurate and Emery's was interesting--it'd be fun to see if she matches up to that since most of her personality is still changing.

Find the website here

Brown Rice

Ingredients
1 stick butter
1 cup long grain white rice
1 small can mushrooms (optional--we're opting out)
1 can Beef Consomme
1 can French Onion soup

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in an oven-safe baking dish. Bake at 350 for 60 minutes; stir and serve! So simple and so delicious!


It's on the menu for tomorrow evening and thought we'd share! Enjoy!

Parenthood

Tuesdays on NBC

Starring: Peter Krause, Lauren Graham, Craig T. Nelson, Erika Christensen, Dax Shephard, and Monica Potter

I've been watching this show for a couple weeks now and I have to say I'm hooked. I think it's a great show! At times it's a little awkward but I love each of the individual family units that make up this group! My favorites are Adam & Kristina (Krause & Potter). Peter Krause is so great and I love the relationship they portray between this married couple. They don't have it all together but they are normal and both consider each other's thoughts, they act like a team. In comparison, I also watch Modern Family. It makes me laugh a lot but at times I do get tired of watching Phil & Claire flounder and contradict everything the other says. Adam & Kristina are a breath of fresh air.

I'm also enjoying the Julia & Joel story play out. They have role reversals of the mother working and the father staying home. Of course he's a hit in the mom's circles because he'sa guys' guy but he will enjoy a tea party with their daughters so trouble is brewing between Julia and one of the moms.

I even like Lauren Graham in this show! I can't handle Gilmore Girls but she's much more entertaining here as a single mother of two teenagers. I also like the kid that plays her son, Drew. Dax Shephard is doing a great job too which is great since my first introduction to him was Ashton Kutcher's sidekick on Punk'd. I like him in this role much better!

I just like the mellowness of this show. It's drama but it also adds humor and family charm. It's just a nice change of pace around here because our other shows are either intense (Lost, for example) or outrageously and sometimes over-the-top funny (like Modern Family and NBC's Thursday night lineup). Parenthood sneaks right in there and makes me look forward to Tuesday nights! check it out!

How to Train Your Dragon

Featuring voice talents of: Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, and America Ferrera

Nolan and I had a date last night so of course we hit up our favorite theater in Bloomington (the Wehrenberg if you're curious). If you know my husband you'll also already know that we saw it in 3-D.

I was pleasantly surprised by this movie. Of course the overall plot was predictable from the first few moments but the details were not as easy for me to spell out. Even with predictability, the movie had great charm. You'd have to ask Nolan to tell you how great all the technical stuff was. I just watch the movie for the story.

I've never been a huge fan of dragons but it would be awesome to train one like Toothless! If you have a free night, check this one out!

(sorry to both of you that read this blog--march was a hiccup in my motivation--back in full swing now!)

Salsa Sirloin Salad

This is one of our e-mealz from last week and it was delicious!
Ingredients:
1/2 lb to sirloin steak (pound to tenderize)
1/2 bag mixed salad greens
1/2 can chili beans, drained
1 can corn, drained
1/2 large tomato, diced
1/4 cup salsa
1/2 cup oil&vinegar salad dressing (we used Italian)
package of garlic bread
Directions:
season steak with chili powder & garlic salt. Cook steak over a skillet on medium heat; 5 minutes per side or until desired doneness. Carve steak into thin strips. Combine salad greens, beans, corn to your liking. Mix salsa and dressing in a seperate bowl. You can either pour over the entire salad or serve individually. Top each with the steak strips and tomato. Serve with garlic bread and enjoy!

Children's Music

I was looking for some new music for Emery that I could enjoy along with her so I asked for tips on Facebook. I got a few great responses and now have some great recommendations for children's music. It's folky and easy on the ears. Here's my top three choices right now:

3. Frances England 'Family Tree'

Her 'Fascinating Creatures' cd is also excellent

2. Renee & Jeremy 'It's a Big World'

The lyrics on this album are so great!

1. Elizabeth Mitchell 'You are my Sunshine'

She might be my new favorite singer. I picked this album but really any of hers, I love.