i heart chuck

I had to post a shameless plug for CHUCK on NBC Monday nights. I thought the previews were kind of crazy but intriguing at the same time and we started watching the show and love it. The characters are funny and the humor is pretty clever. If you are lacking in tv show love, check this.

we are late for winter

yes...this photo was taken 3 days ago. Due to the rather strange warm fall we've had here in the south, the leaves are barely changing and falling. WHAT IS UP WITH THAT? Where is the cold and the snow?!?!

giving thanks

Thanksgiving for the Clarks...well there was definately some good eats - minus the turkey. Basically, the turkey ended up being undercooked due to an experimental cooking technique (lol) suggested by Steve's Aunt to Steve's mom and there was barely enough cooked breast meat for the actual dinner for everyone. Instead of trying to save the bird and finish cooking it, it just stayed out on the stove and ended up dying a lonely death in the garbage. :( Desserts were a hit though to top off the meal and I took my turn in making the Pumpkin Chocolate cake which was delicious and a hit with the relatives.



This pic is for my mom...I was in charge of the table and glittered a bunch of gourds, good times.



Adult table, cousins table, and the messy little boys table.


Cute Cole just wanted his picture taken - posed and ready.

great fall dessert

rustic apple tarts with calvados whipped cream

If you have leftover apples from Fall Festivals then try this great dessert. It's easy and tastes so good. (instead of the Calvados liquor which it calls for you can substitute apple cider which I did.)

gotta love tiger woods

For the love of the game, Steve and Adam enjoy playing Tiger Woods PGA Tour just as much as being outside playing golf - a new common activity at the Barlows when they decide it's too cold to venture onto the fairways. Well Kenedee loves the controllers and she was so cute cuddled up to Steve hanging out with the guys - had to post a few pics.

the infamous tag A-Z

A-Attached or Single: Attached
B-Best Friend: Steve Clark
C-Cake or Pie: I will go with Cheesecake
D-Day of Choice: Saturday
E-Essential item: cool purse, umbrella, lip gloss
F-Favorite color: I love grass green right now and red-orange
G-Gummi Bears or Worms: Worms
H-Hometown: Idaho Falls, ID
I-Indulgence(s): Lindt Chocolate, LOVE hot chocolate
J-January or July: July - usually consists of 4th of July fun and Lake Powell
K-Kids: zero
L-Life if incomplete without: my family
M-Marriage date: December 22, 2004
N-Number of siblings: 2 brothers, 2 sisters
O-Oranges or Apples: Oranges
P-Phobias or Fears: Cockroaches, Sharks
Q-Quote(s): be your best self
R-Reason to smile: dessert, great music, vacation
S-Season: I love them ALL, being in Atlanta makes me really miss cold snowy winters, I love every season and look forward to the next season.
T-Tag three: Kandis, Nicole, Ashley
U-Unknown fact about me: apparently Steve didn't know I play the piano until like a week ago. (We don't have one, nowhere to practice) I can't think of anything else
V-Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: Meat
W-Worst habit: not washing my face every night?
X-Xrays or Ultrasounds: either
Y-Your favorite food: Mangos, Homemade Mac and Cheese, Crab, Salsa
Z-Zodiac: Libra

one week

dinner divas do november

The THEME was soup tonight and there was a great variety: Chicken Tortilla Soup, Taco Soup, Tomato Bisque Soup, Italian Vegetable Soup, and Minestrone Soup.

I brought one of my favorites - Italian Vegetable Soup with Phyllo Croutons. It is a Giada de Laurentiis Recipe from Everyday Italian. I served it with Phyllo Croutons and the Phyllo Croutons recipe can be found here.

Italian Vegetable Soup
Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis
Show: Everyday Italian | Episode: Hearty Italian

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 leeks (white and pale green parts only), chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
6 zucchini, thinly sliced crosswise
2 (13 3/4-ounce) cans quartered artichoke hearts packed in water, drained
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
10 cups vegetable broth
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
4 ounces dried wide egg noodles
Freshly grated Parmesan

Heat the oil in a heavy large pot over medium heat. Add the leeks and saute until translucent, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and saute until tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in the zucchini and artichokes. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper. Saute until the zucchini are tender, about 10 minutes. Add the vegetable broth. Stir in the thyme and cook for 2 minutes. Cover the pot and bring the soup to a simmer. Decrease the heat to medium-low and simmer gently until the flavors develop, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the noodles and cook until al dente, stirring constantly, about 5 minutes.

Ladle the soup into bowls. Sprinkle with Parmesan and serve.

it's sew time

I am so excited for Season 4 of Project Runway. I hope you all are watching tonight or setting your DVR's for another killer season.

colour like no other: egypt

Also check out Paint and Balls.

how awesome is this...

My Dad loved that all of us kids were sending Halloween pics to share with them, and so he thought he'd be funny and send a pic back to us of his cute kids from Halloween. - yeah circa 1991.

I mean let's break it down here: Kristopher's sweet outfit and creative pumpkin whose teeth say 'HI"; then you have me with those rockin bangs (olson trademark) and awesome 90s perm, plus you gotta love those giant hairbows; Kandoram, also with the killer bangs (not as good as mine) and mad skills with the pumpkin already - eyelashes on it even; then classic Kurt with the bowlcut and spiked part (that trend was sweet) with a pumpkin face surely designed by The Hurt himself; and KateO how we all remember her with her cute cheeks, smile, and perfect little hair. This is a great glimpse of the past showing how our coolness back then helped us become what we are now - LOL. thanks dad.