Spaghetti Squash

Two weeks ago our Relief Society went to a cider mill. For those of you who aren't familiar with cider mills, it is a place where they make apple cider and then sell apple cider with various products that are closely related or foster nostalgia like donuts and other produce items. To my 'delight one of these produce items was spaghetti squash. I have not eaten spaghetti squash since I was proabably nine or ten. I don't like squash in general but I loved spaghetti squash. My mom would make it and we would eat it with delicious marinara sauce and cheese to top it off.

Because of all these happy memories I decided to buy one and give it a go myself. I don't think mine got cooked long enough but it still turned out all delicious. Here are some pictures of the process and outcome:
The finished product with a pumkin I bought in the background

One more from Colbert

Colbert has done it again. Enjoy!

Chili Champion

Before I start my blog I would just like to wish everyone a Happy Canadian Thanksgiving. 

Last Friday I attended the Hillstreet Ward Hoedown sponsored by the elders quorum. It was a night of rural frivolity and country dance but the highlight was the chili cook-off. I initially made my chili out of the kindness of my heart as I took the term "chili cook-off" to actually mean "Please bring chili so the people will have something to eat." In accordance with this understanding I rustled through the cupboards looking for Chili-like ingredients. This is what I came up with:

Chili Cook-Off Winning Recipe

1/2 lb ground turkey browned with Red Onion

1-can kidney beans

1-can pinto beans

2-cans of stewed tomatoes with peppers 

1 pack Kroger Chili Seasoning

1/4 pkg of Ranch dressing mix

I felt a little guilty winning considering that much of the taste came from the Kroger Chili seasoning but there were no rules that disqualified one from using store bought seasonings. The real reason I won is probably because my friend Amy's chili was gone by the time the judge tasted the chili and there may have been some color discrimination as Amy brought White Chili- whatever that is- and I think the judge was looking for a more traditional chili recipes. 

My prize was the hat I am wearing in these picture. Notice how I got the country western cowboy hat while the runner's up had to settle for the outback, down under hats. All Hail the Chili Cook-off Winner!

"Yes, I love technology, but not as much as you, you see... But still, I love technology... Always and forever."

I would like to introduce all of you to my new love, BIG RED. After contemplating the purchasing a vacuum for awhile, last week I decided I was ready to make the commitment. I felt committed to vacuuming for at least the life of the vacuum and who knows how long that might be. But then I went to Costco where I fell in love with BIG RED. That's when I knew that I wouldn't have any trouble finding the motivation to vacuum. After a week my feelings and affections remain unchanged. I think this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

I approve this message

I was talking to my supervisor at work today about the presidential commercial's phrase "I approve this message" after we watched a McCain SNL clip. We were wondering where this phrase came from so I, like an good reference librarian, turned to Wikipedia. It states:

"I approve this message" (sometimes in the past tense, with "authorize" in place of "approve," or with "ad" instead of "message") is a phrase said by candidates for federal office in political advertisements on television and radio in order to comply with the so-called "Stand By Your Ad" provision of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA), enacted in 2002, that requires "a statement by the candidate that identifies the candidate and states that the candidate has approved the communication".


I hope you enjoy the accompanying video that hilariously demonstrates uses phrase.