I think I shall never ever move again. I’ve “misplaced,” “lost,” or “accidently thrown out” more than one item. Let’s start with my muffin tins. I had 2 of them. Now where are they? These things don’t just disappear into no where do they? Soap dish, gone. And the worst (and most sombre loss)… my foot peddle to my sewing machine, MIA. Where on earth could it have gone??? I swear I saw it here in the apartment. However, when I went to look for it today, it was no where!! Conor and I both looked (that’s how dismal an distressing this situation was). It’s gone. I was so sad, heartbroken really. I didn’t know how to contain my grief. Devastating. I had set aside today as my sewing day. It was a day for me (you know in-between conference and during). I had made a deal with myself, if I worked really hard and got the house all cleaned up on Friday then I could have Saturday. It would be mine. Well I kept my side of the deal and I worked really hard (even cleaned the bathroom for the second time this week). Despite the fact that the house was a little rough and tumble this morning I still let today be mine. You know, because it was clean for the good portion of the day yesterday. But no. The other side of the deal was not upheld. I even think I know the true and wretched fate of that very important piece of my sewing machine. I think it ended up in the trash, by complete twist of fate. And if it’s not there, then it surely will “turn up” in whatever amount of time just because I ordered a new one today and isn’t life ceaselessly ironic? The point: I’m crushed and am mourning today. I even made No-Bake Fudge Cookies to console myself with.

I’m pleased to announce that the house is coming together quite well. I will post pictures soon however, I’m frankly not ready to yet. There’s still so much that needs doing! Conor and I did get some photo frames up on the wall making the place seem so much more like home! But like I said, still so much more to do (today’s a “ride my bike to Target day”).
Speaking of Frames, I remember reading about this really cute and easy decorating trick in some magazine (maybe Martha Stewart?). The needed materials would be: A frame, a colourful piece of paper sized to fit within the frame, paint, paint brush and a leaf. Paint the leaf on it’s more textured side (the side with all the veins) and then stamp it down onto the colourful piece of paper. Let dry and frame! Voila! I personally envision a white frame, bright pastel green paper (with a bit of texture) and white paint. I think this would be a really cute thing to do in a kitchen and I’m considering it for next spring. I think I would do 3 separate white frames with different inner colours and white paint. It would be easy to change the mood of it too. Black paper with white paint would be much more modern with a twist of nature. Warmer, darker, more mature colours (burgundy, teal, moss green… the likes) would give off sophistication. The brighter colours and the pastels would be funner, more relaxed and less mature (yes colours have maturity). You know, less serious! There’s my little bit of knowledge for the day! Hope you enjoyed!

Monday, I did a crockpot. And Conor loved it! All he talked about the entire time we ate was what we were eating!! I really liked it too! I served it with celery sticks to take the edge off the heat. This recipe serves 4 to 6 and is from the Company’s Coming Slow-Cooker Dinners Cookbook. Here it is:

Spicy Peanut Chicken

1 tbsp. cooking oil
4 bone-in, skinless
4 chicken drumsticks, skin removed (I used 7 boneless, skinless chicken thighs) 

1 1/2 cup thinly sliced onion

2 garlic cloves (or 1/2 tsp. powder)
2 tsp. curry powder (add less to make mild)
1 tsp. dried crushed chillies

1/2 cup prepared chicken broth
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/4 tsp. salt

2 tbsp. warm water
1/3 cup smooth peanut butter
3/4 cup chopped red pepper

1/4 cup chopped, peeled english cucumber
2 tbsp. coarsely chopped unsalted peanuts
1 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro or parsley (or 3/4 tsp. dried), optional

Heat cooking oil in large frying pan on medium. Add chicken thighs and drumsticks. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned. Transfer to 3 1/2 to 4 quart slow cooker.

Add onion to same large frying pan. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until softened.

Add next 3 ingredients. Heat and stir for about 1 minute until fragrant.

Add broth, tomato paste and salt. Stir well. Pour over chicken. Do not stir. Cover. Cook on low for 8 to 9 hours or on high for 4 to 4 1/2 hours.

Stir warm water into peanut butter in small cup until smooth. Add to chicken mixture. Stir. Add red pepper. Stir well. Cover. Cook on high for about 15 minutes until red pepper in tender-crips. Remove to large serving bowl. Scatter cucumber, peanuts and cilantro over top. Serves 4.

Make Ahead: The night before, chop vegetables and prepare broth mixture. Chill overnight in separate covered bowls. Assemble and cook as directed.

Today marks my first bike ride to the grocery store. Before heading down Colorado blvd. to the Safeway, I meandered my way to Barnes and Noble. It was a nice little route. We are so close to a public library! It’s GREAT!
And then off to the Safeway! From our home the Safeway is approximately 1.2 miles (aka nearly 2 km). I don’t know how long it takes to get there however I do know that it takes less than 10 minutes for me to ride my bike back to the apartment with a really heavy back-pack. And that’s at a slow and steady pace! Hallelujah! I think that we can in deed do this no car thing! Just an idea of how heavy my backpack was: I had 2 acorn squashes, 1 bottle of salad dressing, 1 jar of jam, 1 jar of fish sauce, 1 big pack of salsa (I’ll do anything for my husband ), a tub of peanuts and a can of coconut milk (don’t I sound ethnic!). My neck is a little sore and I have a slight headache but boy! Will this ever keep me healthy and fit!

Church went well today I must say. On top of a couple spiritual experiences, I also managed to introduce myself to church members. As it turns out, Crestmoor ward is more packed full with student couples than I thought it was. How impressed I am! After church, there was a “Linger Longer.” New members were introduced (including ourselves, except our introduction was done loudly by Jim). We introduced ourselves to other new members in our ward. I stepped out of my comfort zone and my shy shell and I managed to strike up conversations with other couples. It helps that everyone is out to find friends. I feel so relieved that there are indeed other young couples in our ward. I even found something similar with each of the wives! Sewing, kitchen stuff, running… it was great! Heck, I’m even looking forward to our next Sunday in that ward! And Conor and I may even invite some new friends over in the next couple weeks. Woo hoo!

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