maebysaurus rex

As it turns out, Maeby is a puppy.  Meaning she loves to chew.  Anything.  Hence the nickname "Maebysaurus Rex."  However, we are being very diligent about supervising her, so there haven't been any serious casualties, if you don't count the stuffed Monkey's arms.  It's okay... he wasn't using them anyway.  

She's been pretty fun.  She loves playing fetch and can usually go about 10 rounds before the puppy-ADD kicks in and she is off to tackle the nearest stuffed dog toy.  She is very observant and has pretty much already caught on to the command "Sit" by watching 'Nora and Franzie.  And, Nora and her are getting along pretty well and have become awesome playmates.  But Nora doesn't mind putting her in her place when she bites a little too hard with those sharp puppy teeth.  Let's see... Her favorite place to catch an afternoon snooze is under the coffee table.  AND, the BEST news is that, after the first few nights home that were a little rough, she has been sleeping through the night!!!  Yay!  

She has already doubled her weight in the two weeks that we have had her, weighing in now at 8 lbs.  Oh, how they grow up so fast.  :)

maeby falls asleep

Maeby likes to fall asleep upside down.  It is really cute.  

maeby

Meet the newest addition to our family.  Her name is Maeby (Arrested Development, anyone?)...

Maeby and her froggy best friend, Tobias.

Maeby is an Australian Shepherd.  We just adopted her today and she is a sweet heart!  We think she is going to be an awesome running and hiking buddy!  She is so funny because she will fall asleep anywhere, practically mid-stride.  Narcoleptic?  Could be fun.  Ha ha!

And, we feel that she is taking everything pretty well.  She seems pretty calm and collected considering she was taken away from all of her brothers and sisters today, had to endure a complete change of environment and take her first bath.  Whew.  What a day!  Maybe she will sleep well tonight?!  Well, here's to hoping...

Post bath and our reading material for the next few months.

Sonora has taken to her better than expected.  While she is treating her with somewhat bored indifference, it looks like they are going to get along.  

Future BFFs.

We are so excited about our newest little family member!  I'm sure there will be more puppy pictures to come in the near future!

bringing colorado to arizona.

I have a new hobby...  Trying to find ways to bring everyone I love to live here in Arizona.  This is proving to be somewhat difficult.  However, I did make some some progress over the last couple of months by having several of the future AZ residents come visit their home.

First, there was the infamous, one and only Jenny Jones.  Her arrival couldn't have been more perfectly timed as I was incredibly homesick that week.  As the weather was crummy (it DOES, contrary to popular belief, Snow in Arizona), we spent the time chatting and catching up on life.  Jenny and my life have this awesome/weird way of aligning, in that, we generally experience the same life occurrence one right after the other.  It is kind of hard to explain, but it is like we are living the same life, just one or the other of us is a little bit ahead.  Therefore, you can see why it is important for us to check in with each other because it is like being able to see your future.  We are just kind of cool like that.  :)

Yay for Polaroid pictures!  Note the amazingly awesome manicures that we got!

Jenny, I miss you SO much.  BUT, we are in the final stages of purchasing your home which, conveniently, is right next door to our house.  Yay!

***

Next to visit was my older brother, Brian.  It was so much fun to have him here!  Just like the good ol' days, we went hiking... we just weren't wearing the dorky "desert hats" and tall socks that mom and dad used to make us wear on our excursions back in the day.

The West Fork Trail and Mormon Canyon.  Beautiful.

Favorite.  But, where is Franz??

I even went so far as to marry Brian off in hopes of keeping him here.  It didn't work...yet.  :)

***

Finally, the baby brother, Jared, stopped by on his way to fame and glory in California.  It was a very brief visit which, unfortunately, did not include any picture taking.  But we ate a In-N-Out so, all in all, it was a successful visit.  I heart you, little 'mano.

All of these visits had 3 things in common:  1.  In-N-Out.  2.  Amazing people that I love more than words can express.  3.  Crying when the above mentioned returned to Colorado and I stayed here.

Now, back to CraigsList where I'll continue to find everything (and them some) I need to help expedite the process of getting everyone to move down to the AZ... 

salmon potato chowder. yum.

It has been snowing on and off all weekend!  So, for dinner I made one of my favorite meals... and I don't even generally like soups!

Salmon Potato Chowder
Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 6 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
• 1 pound potatoes - peeled and cubed
• 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
• 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 8 ounces cooked salmon filet (or smoked salmon), shredded
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
• 1 cup half and half

Directions

1. In a large stockpot over medium-high heat, combine the butter, olive oil, onion, garlic, and celery. Cook 8 to 10 minutes, or until the onions are transparent. Sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir well to make a dry roux. Gradually add the chicken broth and stir until slightly thickened. Stir in the potatoes, dill, tarragon, thyme, and paprika. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
2. Stir in the salmon, wine, lemon juice, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Simmer over low heat, uncovered for 10 minutes.
3. Mix in the half-and-half and continue to simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Do not let the chowder boil after adding the half-and-half. Serve hot.

OR...  you can mix Step 1 and 2 and leave all day on med/low in a crock pot.  Then, do Step 3, let it heat up and serve!!

martha stewart incognito.

Congratulations to Mark and Lindsey on the pregnancy!!  Ryan and I can't wait to be an uncle and aunt!!

I had so much fun sewing for Lindsey and baby "Gus Gus."  Here are some of the fun things that I made for them for the baby shower:

Baby blankets!  Didn't Diane and Hayley pick out adorable fabric?!

Diaper/Burp cloths!

Diaper Bag!

I'm thinking about opening an Etsy store...  We'll see what happens.  But it could be fun.  If only there were more hours in the day.  :)

And, since it is snowing here in Arizona, there are Carrot Cake Cookies in the oven.

Martha Stewart, watch out.

coconut sherry chicken curry.

I was told a couple of times that I should start sharing some of my favorite recipes on my blog, so here it goes:

It is stinking cold here so, to help warm us up tonight, I made Coconut Sherry Chicken Curry.  So amazingly yummy and it makes the house smell so good!

Coconut Sherry Chicken Curry ::

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into chunks
• ~ 4 white potatoes cubed
• ~ a handfull of baby carrots
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 large onion, cut into chunks
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup cooking sherry
• 2 cubes beef bouillon
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 3 tablespoons curry powder
• water to cover
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 2 C Jasmine Rice, prepared

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Coat chicken with cornstarch and place in skillet with garlic, onion, salt and pepper. Add sherry and beef bouillon and let liquid reduce a little.  Add potatoes and carrots.
2. Stir in peanut butter and curry powder and add water to cover; add ginger, reduce heat to low and simmer for 40 minutes, or until potatoes and carrots are soft.  Then lastly stir in coconut milk and serve hot over Jasmine Rice.

I know it doesn't look very pretty but trust me...this is amazing. 

SOOOO yummy!  This is definitely one of Ryan's favorites!

On another note, I would like to wish Grandma Hansford a big Happy Birthday!  We love you!