Potatoes O'Brian (haha, I know that's not how you spell it)

You know when you go to the store and you are like "Oh my word, a ten pound bag of potatoes for $0.99!! I gotta have em."? Well that happens to me a lot and before I know it, I have a ten pound bag of soft potatoes that should really be thrown out. So if you are in need of something to use potatoes for, try this.

When I made these, I made enough for twenty people because I was going to a breakfast potluck so my numbers are going to be much larger. I'll let you do the math for your appropriate serving sizes.

Ingredients:

9 potatoes cubed

salt

pepper

red pepper flakes

oil/butter

1 pound of bacon

2 large bell peppers diced

1 medium onion diced

parsley

In a good sized skillet (non-stick works the best for frying potatoes) heat oil or butter, whichever you prefer. Depending on how many potatoes you are cooking the amount of lipids will vary. If it looks like your potatoes are getting dry add more. Add potatoes to pan when the oil is hot, season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to taste. Cook potatoes until soft and they start to brown. If you are cooking large quantities of potatoes, you can add a little amount of water to the pan and cover to steam the potatoes. It helps them cook faster. After the potatoes are cooked remove them from pan.

Now with the bacon, there are a few options. You can fry the bacon in a skillet and then use the bacon grease to cook the potatoes, or you can bake the bacon in the oven at 350 degrees for about 30 min. Oven-baked bacon will be crispier and you can do this while cooking the potatoes; pan fried bacon is fattier and you can use the grease. Once again your choice. After the bacon is cooked, crumble into the potatoes.

If you want to have a quick breakfast, these two steps can be done the night before. I just put them in a baking pan and stored in the oven over night. When you are ready to resume in the morning, just turn the oven on the 350 and heat up the potatoes. Last cook diced onions in pan until they start to soften and then add the bell peppers (I use red). Cook until pepper are soft and onion starts to caramelize. Add potato/bacon mixture to the onions/peppers and heat thoroughly. Finish by adding dried parsley for that nice green touch.

Banana-Chocolate Cake...or is it Chocolate-Banana Cake?

As promised here is my cake. I would have posted this sooner, but the day that I had planned on making it my stomach decided that it wasn't going to cooperate with food, and so I instead spent the day on the bathroom floor. Not a fun place I assure you. Here is what to do.

First off you must be aware that when you put fruit into cake batter things change. Mostly you add less liquids because the fruit has water in it, second baking time usually increases and it is better to cook the cake at a lower temperature than recommended (about 15 degrees or so), third your toothpick will never come out clean, and fourth the edges of the cake are usually golden brown by the time the inside is done. If you understand these concepts you are ready to start.

Ingredients:

1box cake mix

3 eggs

1/4 cup of oil

water* (see instructions for more detail)

1 3.40z box of Banana Cream instant pudding

2 bananas

1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Frosting:

Banana Cream Pudding

2 bananas

Chocolate chips

Out of laziness, I got a vanilla (or white) cake box mix. I like Betty Crocker, usually because they are on sale more often than not. First, beat the eggs until fluffy. Add the cake mix, about 3/4 box of instant pudding and oil and mix until well blended. Cut up two bananas and mix into batter. You will want to use an electric beater to mash up the banana pieces. Mix until there are no large pieces in the batter. Now we add the water. I ended up using about 3/4 cup, but it is best to add the water in smaller amounts until the batter is normal consistency for a cake. Remember the cardinal rule of baking: you can always add more water, but never can you add more dry ingredients. Mix in chocolate chips and spread batter into greased and floured pan.

As a general rule, I will always check on a cake about 5-10 min before I expect it to be done. If the box says 30-35 min, I will check at 25. You can always add more time. You should know that the cake is done because the middle is no longer wobbly and the top and sides are golden. When you cook a cake with fruit in it, it looks like you over cooked it, but not the case. The fruit keeps the inside moist and soft. Remove and cool.

For the frosting I simply took the left over pudding mixture, added milk and let it set into pudding. Add milk until you get a consistency that you like. Cut up two more bananas and place over the top. Finally melt about a 1/4 cup of chocolate chips and put into a plastic sandwich bag that has a corner cut off. Squeeze chocolate onto cake.

Don't be afraid to make this cake you own. If I were to make it again, I would get a larger box of pudding and use more in the cake and then have more to use for frosting. I baked mine at 350 which I feel was too hot so I would also lower the temp. Happy Baking!!

Concert in the Park

In the city of Maple Valley, on the shores of Lake Wilderness our story takes place. During the months of summer a series of concerts is hosted by the city and is a place where people with nothing better to do gather to pass away the evening. Thursday August 12th was one of those days. My mother prepared a picnic lunch and we set off an hour early to get a good spot (parking that is, one that is close enough to the venue so we don't have to walk half a mile but also in a convenient get away spot in case the concert is lame). Father met us there on his way home from work. The three of us ate our pan-fried chicken as we watched the band set up.

The name of the band was 'Magic Bus' complete with its own set of gogo-girls, Shauna and Andrea. The youngest member of the band was most likely in his mid-fifties or so. He claimed to be in another band that would be playing in Detroit the next day. I had never heard of them and so I must assume it is another all senior citizen band. I wonder if they were successful enough to have their own gogo-girls. The audience consisted of retirees and young families, non of which were prepared to rock. It was quite amusing to see the band members try to get reactions out of them. About twenty minutes into to concert I had an interesting realization: the difference between flamers and rockers is in the way they take of their hair, everything else is the same. Both wear rainbow T-shirts; both wear girl jeans. They are both flamboyant in manner of speech and slightly annoying. Both have an unusual attachment to headband. Really the only difference is that flamers will use ten different hair products and rockers will use a bar of soap.

Shortly after that we made our escape; which was fairly noticeable. We were sitting in the middle of the hill, and as we made our exit, the rocker with a gig in Detroit was like "don't leave"; maybe some other people had the same sense that we did, but I like to think he was talking just to us. Besides 'So You Think You Can Dance' was about to start and they were going to announce the winner.

Adventures in Salt Lake City

Yesterday I took a trip with my ward into Salt Lake City. The plan was to go to Temple Square to visit the Joseph Smith Memorial building to watch the Joseph Smith movie playing there. I thought to myself, if I go up, I can get a free ride to Salt Lake and then go shopping at the Gateway. So after arriving in Salt Lake, I promptly ditched my ward and headed to the Gateway shopping area. It is an outdoor strip mall with lots of stores. After looking at a ton of clothes I wanted but couldn't afford and shoes that they didn't have in my size, I finally got two shirts at American Eagle. I have been trying to break out of the AE style, but they just fit too well.

It was quite interesting to walk around Gateway. I saw several smokers, same sex couples, and nice cars. Definitely not in Provo anymore Toto. Well, the movie was almost out by the time I had explored everywhere and I didn't want too many people to notice that I bailed so I headed back to Temple Square. My car decided to go back instead of get ice cream with everyone else so we headed back into the JSMB parking lot only to find that our key was locked in the car. No security or police officers could help so we decided to wait while my friends parents came to bring him a key.

It was just the three of us; Jason, who served in my mission and his fiance Amy. I tried not to be a third wheel while we walked the streets of SLC bu talking to my mama. It wasn't to bad actually; we saw fireworks, walked by a black-tie event at the museum and got Carl's Jr. Finally around 11 Jason's parents arrive with the key and the engagement ring that he had bought. (He had already proposed with the diamond on a band, this is the ring that she picked out so it was all set). When we are in the car, I asked if I could see the ring and so I took it out of the box. While I was looking at it, I was stupid enough to put it on, not even thinking that Amy had yet to put the ring on. Oh I felt so terrible, I just wanted to see how it looked on a hand. Anyway, I give the ring back, and while we are at a stoplight, Jason puts the ring on Amy and then they kiss. I then felt really awkward, at least it wasn't the actual proposal.

We hit two construction site on the way home and then as we exited in Orem this man in his ugly minivan almost hit as we crossed 3 lanes. We had to swerve out of the way to avoid the collision. Luckily no one was next to us. We ended up getting home at midnight, which I most likely would have been up until anyway. All in all it was quite the adventure.

Limbo

So here is an update as to my state of being. About a week ago I finished my World Dance Tour. We spent an entire month going around to elementary schools totaling about 55 shows by the end of the tour. Each day we (in case you are wondering, but I bet you don't really care, "we" refers to the BYU International Folk Dance team) were running around getting to each school in time to do the show. Very busy, but very fun. Now we are finished and everyone has gone home. This too is my plan, but for some stupid reason which I don't seem to remember, I decided to stay two more weeks. I don't have an apartment, so I am staying with some friends (none of which have been here for the past two days). I am quitting work soon so it is hard for me to even want to go, but I would feel bad if I were to bail. So I find myself in limbo; I am not really in Provo, but I am not quite home yet either.

Two nights ago I decided to see "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" at the dollar theatre with some friends. First of all, never go see it. Second it too depicted a state of limbo: Middle School. Yes I think we all remember the raging hormones of pubescency. A place where no fit in, where summer vacations would pass and all of a sudden the kid that spoke with a high-soprano voice was now a bass. I think though that my middle school days were not as bad as most. First of all let me explain the set up of good old Tahoma School District. When I left Lake Wilderness Elementary, I was entering the 7th grade. At that time, Middle School and Junior High was organized as such. The entire 7th grade and a third of the 8th grade was at Glacier Park (built to be a middle school). The rest of the 8th grade and the entire 9th grade was at the Junior High (known for its architectural use of duct tape, toxic mold, and the ever present smell of urine). At Glacier Park I think I avoided most trouble by hanging out with the 8th graders who were most likely to get in trouble for bomb threats. Not saying I was a bad kid, but I rode the bus with them and the girls in the group thought I was cute (like puppy-dog cute; I was pretty tiny back then). So it was easy to avoid trouble, I just kept my mouth shut and no one would pick on me because of who I hung around with. Outside of school I had my church friends to do stuff with. Then there are always the people in your classes that you are friends with. I also tried to make friends with my teachers. They are more interesting that fellow classmates and if your running late they can write you notes to excuse your tardiness.

In 8th grade Glacier Park became an Elementary School, and Cedar River became the middle school. I was shipped here with about a third of the 8th grade and the 7th grade. Here, because we were such a small grade, we all became friends during school. It was easy to know everyone's name because you most likely had a class with them. Besides, we were the top dog so it was easier to adjust. At this school, Jolly Ranchers suckers were just as good as cash (you could buy them from the student store during breaks). They were the base for many transactions. It was here that we made friends that took us through to 9th grade.

I was the first class to go to the new Junior High. It was a great school. If I remember correctly at this time Cedar River now hosted the 6th and 7th grades and 8th and 9th were at Tahoma Junior High. Once again, being top dog, and having a strong friend base built from 8th grade, the end of my Junior High career was pretty easy. During this time, I joined the swim/dive team and the high school musical so I was interacting with upperclassmen that I would soon be going to school with. It was also helpful to have a brother at the high school too.

Now of course I had my not so great moments of middle school, but all in all it wasn't that bad. If there was any secret to surviving I would say it is to attend a small school. Small grades usually force you to become friends with each other.

Barbeque Ribs

I was looking at the store adds one day on my couch, and I saw country-style pork ribs for $0.97 per pound. So I turn to my roommates, and say "how about we's cook some dinner for the lady folks this Sunday?" I mean who doesn't love ribs? Well, we decided who we should invite from our tour group (currently on a folk dance tour) and I go and buy ten pounds of meat; wonderful meat.

Not that I am a bad cook ( I am actually quite good), but I have never attempted ribs before. I looked online at recipes, and then decided that I was going to make up my own. I mean it's meat; how bad can it turn out. I think that you can tell for yourself how delicious it turned out. It was tender and all fall aparty; just the perfect ribs. Served with a side of garlic mashed potatoes and fresh pineapple, I think that things turned out rather spectacular.

Here is how I cooked it:
Heat 2Tbsp. of olive oil over medium-high in pan
Add 1 Tbsp. of minced garlic to hot pan (it is best to use a metal pan with tall sides)
Season ribs with favorite seasoning (I used Cajun) and sear on all sides
Mix one part water, one part barbecue sauce and add to pan until ribs are mostly covered
Cover pan and put in 300 degree oven for about 3 hrs

Remove pan from oven and transfer ribs to baking dish (ribs should be very tender at this point; try to keep the meat from falling apart)
Mix 1 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup barbecue sauce and 1 Tbsp. mustard until a runny, sand-like glaze is formed; smother ribs with sugar mixture
Place dish in oven uncovered and bake at 325 degrees for about 30 min. or until glaze has set.

First Attempt

So the time at last has come. I suppose we all enter the world of blogging one way or another; whether is is because we have grown up and we want to keep in touch with friends and family that come and go, or because new adventures have started in our lives and we want to share that with the world. I wish I had such an occasion to start out my blog, but alas it is a Saturday night and I have nothing better to do. And so, on this evening of nothing, I will begin my tale with a narrative as to who I, the author, am.

It would be near impossible to share the details of my life that have shaped me into the person I have become, but there is always a beginning and I shall start there. I was raised in western Washington and as such, I love oceans, forests, lakes, rivers and mountains all within a 30 minute distance. While I am not an outdoors enthusiast whatsoever, I enjoy hiking, swimming, and being outside just as long as I get a bed at night and a shower in the morning.

I have a wonderful family; and honestly they are the only ones who will most likely read this anyway. We all enjoy music, reading and gardening. In fact, it is rather normal for us to spend the holidays in the same room reading a book than actually talking to each other. I always found that relaxing really. Unfortunately, I usually find my thought patterns are influenced by what I just recently read and since I just today finished the Twilight series, I am currently considering how cool my life will be when I become a vampire. Lets just say I would rock.

I am currently studying to become a doctor, most likely a forensic pathologist, by working towards an undergrad in Public Health : Health Science. I attend BYU and while I like Provo, I miss the forests I grew up in.

Nearly two and a half years ago I served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Japan Tokyo Mission. I love Japanese everything and I am proud to say that it isn't because I was a greasy anime kid in high school. To put myself through school, I work as a Japanese teacher in the Provo Missionary Training Center. I have a group of missionaries that I teach for 3 months, from how to be a missionary to how to speak Japanese. I absolutely love it and I just said goodbye to my 11th district today (they head to Japan on Monday).

I suppose that is sufficient for now. Like I said, I bet only family members read this so they know everything already.