Cajun Night

Last night my surrogate roommate family and I shared a delicious Creole meal :)

Jambalaya
Jalapeño Cornbread
Sauteed Cajun Veggies
and a special cake (family recipe)

My apron worked its magic again :)

Jambalaya

Zatarans Jumbalaya Mix
(yes, I know, I cheat.  But it's so GOOD)
1 lb sausage
2 cups rice (if you want to mellow the spices)

Follow the directions on the box

Jalapeño Cornbread

2 boxes Jiffy cornbread mix
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 or 2 sliced Jalapeños
1 can cream corn
2 eggs

Heat oven to 400 F.  Mix all ingredients together.  Grease 9x13 in pan and pour batter into pan.  Cook for 15-18 minutes or until golden on top.


Cajun Sauteed Veggies

1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (Tony Cachere's is my favorite)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 zucchinis, cut into 1/2-inch slices
1 large white onions, sliced into 1/2-inch wedges
2 yellow squash, cut into 1/2-inch slices

In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, Cajun seasoning, salt, cayenne pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Place zucchinis, white onions, and yellow squash in a bowl, and cover with the olive oil mixture. Cover bowl, and marinate vegetables in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes.

Saute veggies for desired length :)

Cake.  

1 tub cool whip

Chocolate chips

1 package Oreo's

Spread cool whip on one side of Oreo.  Stick another Oreo to it. Cool whip again, Oreo, cool whip Oreo (it's like a snake of Oreo's and cool whip).  Twist into any formation.  Once you've achieved desired shape, ice with remainder of cool whip.  Freeze.  Take it out and drizzle chocolate over the top.  Freeze again.  Then eat 'til your heart's content :)

Yes, the cake is half gone.  I forgot to take a picture until after we'd eaten :)

Glitter Toes

Wednesday

RS movie night

Tangled

icecream

polish party

featuring

it was a good time :)

Too Legit to Quit

See the yellow sticker?
It makes me legit.
I don't have to observe anymore.

I am officially MRI Safety certified.

thank you Tony

for a {decent} workout tonight
Michelle and I had a good time making fun of you while you killed us.

It looked a little like the video below

the adventure continues

yes indeed.
I do have the best (ex)Home Teachers in the world.
even though we were assigned new HT's,
I still get an addition to the story every week :)

Engineering Ali begins a NEW ADVENTURE!

April showers bring May.... showers?

Oh Mr. Sun please come out to play.
It has been raining all week.
And while I enjoy playing in the rain,
I think I like you better.

besides, playing in the rain is no fun unless you have time to participate :)

If you could consider my request, I would really appreciate it.
You would make at least one little girl happy :)

Yours Truly,
ALi

Facebook Status Classifications

I found this on GraphJam.
I think it's hilarious, and so true.

90% of Facebook statuses can be broken down into these two categories.

Which one are you?

Nearer My God to Thee

Ward Prayer, 

the most spiritual part of my day. 

Olivia shared a really touching story, 

then we sang the song below. 

The way everyone harmonized naturally, 

the peaceful tone,

it was beautiful.

Nearer My God To Thee

Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! 
E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me, 
still all my song shall be, 
nearer, my God, to thee; 
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! 

Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down, 
darkness be over me, my rest a stone; 
yet in my dreams I'd be 
nearer, my God, to thee; 
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! 

There let the way appear, steps unto heaven; 
all that thou sendest me, in mercy given; 
angels to beckon me 
nearer, my God, to thee; 
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! 

 

:)

singing in the rain

Michelle and I took a little walk in the rain yesterday : )

 

 

 

 

 

a DIY day

Saturday,

I made 2 awesome scarves out of tshirts

a picture mural

and my awesome new dinnerware : )

Today, 

I made a italian breaded chicken dish for lunch (homemade italian dressing), 

then pound cake with a crumbly top

which I graciously shared with the ward

(I know I don't need to eat the whole thing)

Needless to say it's been a homemaking weekend.

I guess I'd forgotten how much I love this stuff; 

but then again, that happens when you spend your days working with testosterone only.

Did I ever mention I am the only girl in my class right now and on my research team?

If I talk to the secretaries in the Clyde, I see girls. 

But that's about it. 

But hey, 

I'm used to it. 

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

I'll post some thoughts from my sacrament talk tomorrow :)

Not Like the Movies

Okay, I'm not trying to hint at anything by posting this song.
I just really like it.
And this performance in particular made me appreciate Katy Perry as a real vocalist.

read along with the lyrics found below

He put it on me, I put it on,
Like there was nothing wrong.
It didn't fit,
It wasn't right.
Wasn't just the size.
They say you know,
When you know.
I don't know.

I didn't feel
The fairytale feeling, no.
Am I a stupid girl
For even dreaming that I could.

If it's not like the movies,
Thats how it should be, yeah.
When he's the one,
I'll come undone,
And my world will stop spinning
And that's just the beginning, yeah.

Snow white said when I was young,
"One day my prince will come."
So I wait for that date.
They say its hard to meet your match,
Find my better half.
So we make perfect shapes.

If stars don't align,
If it doesn't stop time,
If you cant see the sign,
Wait for it.
One hundred percent,
With every penny spent.
He'll be the one that,
Finishes your sentences.

If it's not like the movies,
Thats how it should be.
When he's the one,
He'll come undone,
And my world will stop spinning,
And thats just the beginning.

'Cause I know you're out there,
And your, your love came for me.
It's a crazy idea that you were made,
Perfectly for me you'll see.

Just like the movies.
That's how it will be.
Cinematic and dramatic with the perfect ending.
It's not like the movies,
But that's how it will be.
When he's the one,
You'll come undone,
And your world will stop spinning,
And it's just the beginning

Ali day

I have a tendency to hold very high expectations. For that reason, I am often disappointed.  Disappointed with myself, disappointed with how things work out.  One thing I've discovered is how much time I spend worrying about external things.  I focus so much on schoolwork, social life, etc. that I forget to ask myself if I am happy.  Forget academic success, forget if I have people to hang out with on the weekend - am I happy?

I dedicate so much time to school, and now work, that I forget to take time for me.  After the worst part of winter semester last year, I took an Ali day. I skipped my classes, had someone cover my shift at work, and spent the day at the beach.  That single day made all the difference in my year.  

I can't afford to take a whole day off.

What I can afford to do is take a little time every day.  A little time to spend for me, not doing school work or socializing with other people.  A time to sit on the couch and read a good book, take a bike ride, or make something crafty.  Those are the things that make Ali happy. 

That being said, I took a little trip to DI today after reading some DIY blogs.  I was feeling crafty and needed a break from circuits. I bought flatware and dinner settings for 6 and plan to make these little babies : ) 

fondue

went to every apt in the ward today

great idea michelle

so excited : )

these are a few of my favorite things

shopping
decorating
organizing
      that is what my Saturday comprised of :)