Do you know any good classics?

I want to start reading more classics. The problem is there are so many out there, I don't know where to start. I want to invite anyone who reads this blog to leave a comment with the name of their favorite piece of classic literature. I'm open to all genres. I just think it will be interesting to see which ones people think are worth reading. Thanks!

Story of Pictures!

Exactly 3 weeks from today

will be getting on an

to go to

.

I am going to see two of my favorite people

get married here.

I will also be lucky enough to see

as they will be en route to take

to
!

I also get to see

and many
.

These friends include

who recently returned from being a

in

and (in the middle)

who will soon leave to be a

in
.

If I'm lucky, I'll get to eat at

and

.

Boy am I excited to go!

Don't worry about

because

is coming to visit. They are going to climb a

and do other manly things like drink lots of
.

Wow that was a long story, but I think you get the picture. (Sorry, I couldn't resist!)

help please

If anyone could let me know how to make it so my list of "blogs we visit" shows when was the last time everybody updated their blogs, I would appreciate it. That would save me from wasting time looking at blogs that haven't changed since the last time I looked at them. I know there is a simple way to do this, I'm just technologically challenged. Thanks!

New Recipe

So our friends Landon and Camille had us over for dinner a few weeks ago and it was so amazing i asked for the recipe. Camille quickly referred me to Rachael Ray. So thanks Camille and Rachael because this is a good one. i'll give you the Reader's Digest version, if you need more details check out rachaelray.com. I like this recipe because it's easy, few ingredients, easy to adjust for more or less people and everything can go in the oven at once.

Plain Jane Chicken and Potatoes with Roasted Garlic Gravy
Serves 4

-1 head garlic
-extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
-4 chicken breasts
-4-5 tablespoons grill seasoning
-salt and freshly ground pepper
-4 medium russet potatoes, cut into small wedges
-2 heads of broccoli, cut into spears
-2 tablespoons butter
-2 tablespoons flour
-2 1/2 cups chicken stock

Prep:
-Preheat oven to 425.
-Roast garlic in oven with a little EVOO and wrapped in foil for about 45 minutes. When it is done squeeze out the garlic and mash in a bowl.
-Drizzle chicken with EVOO and sprinkle with grill seasonings. Put in oven alongside garlic until done (about 35 min.)
-Toss potatoes and broccoli separately in EVOO and grill seasoning. Roast in oven along side chicken until tender and crispy (about 20 minutes).
-Once everything is in the oven melt butter in a saucepan. Sprinkle in flour and stir. Add chicken stock. Allow it to simmer and thicken, about 3-5 minutes. Add mashed garlic. Season with salt and pepper.
-Serve everything with the garlicky goodness on top!
TIP: Save left over gravy. I served it with chicken grilled on the Foreman, instant mashed potatoes, and steamed broccoli a couple days later. It was almost as good as the first time and ready in 10-15 minutes!

Nate had a birthday!

Monday was Nate's birthday. I know I'm a little late, but I wanted to let you know what a great husband I have. My favorite thing about him is that he can make me laugh! I also love how patient he is with me and my many faults and how he is always striving to be a better person. I love you Nate! Happy 24th! We had a great time on the big day. Here are some pictures to prove it!

Nate and his "Fudgy Pudgy Cake"

We went bowling to celebrate!

Andi and Spencer were nice enough to join the festivities.

Our friends Landon and Camille and Tyler and Rachel (they missed the pictures) were nice enought to join us too. It was a party!

I told Nate he can't get any older because only 24 candles come in a package!

The goings ons...

Well, I feel like I haven't done a "real" post in awhile. Here are a few of the things going on with us lately. We went to a Rockies game (thanks mom and dad for the sweet tickets) our first week here. It was Nate's first major league baseball game, our tickets were pretty sweet, the Rockies just couldn't manage to win though! They were playing the Padres and we got to see Greg Maddox pitch, so that was cool. That's a pic of Greg below. It was a fun night!

Fourth of July we spent hanging out with Andi and Spencer. We went and hiked up near Boulder then we went to the AVP volleyball tournament. That was sweet! Then there was some entertainment (not so sweet) and some amazing fireworks! It was a great way to spend the holiday.

One of the huge dandilions we found along the trail.

This picture managed to duplicate itself and I can't get it to go away!

One weekend we pulled out our trusty Colorado guidebook and read about the Buffalo Bill gravesite in Golden. So we went and checked it out.

Us in our best wild west attire.

On the way home we decided to check out the Red Rocks Amphitheater. It is pretty cool. We can't wait to go back for a concert sometime.

And we planted a garden on our balconey! We have zucchini, tomatoes, basil, and rosemary. WE got kind of a late start so we weren't sure if we would get anything,but the zucchini and tomatoes both have blossoms! Yay!

New Recipe!...Monte Cristo Sandwiches

This is my new favorite recipe. It is so easy and so yummy!
grilled cheese+French toast=Delicious!

French bread, sliced
eggs
milk
ham
swiss cheese
powdered sugar
strawberry jam

So all you do is assemble the sandwiches with the french bread, ham and swiss. Then dip the top and bottom of each sandwich in a mixture of the eggs and milk (like you would French toast, but you're only dipping one side of each piece of bread). Then fry in a hot pan like you would grilled cheese. Cook until both sides are brown and cheese is melted. Serve with powdered sugar sprinkled on top and strawberry jam.

Nate was hesitant about the powdered sugar and jam at first but was nice enough to try it. I made these for the second time today and he went right for the powdered sugar and jam. It's a classic and it's delicious!