HAPPY NEW YEARS! Hope everyone has a happy, healthy and safe New Year that is filled with nothing but joy and laughter.

-Love, Mal

Okay, so I thought some people were creative but I think this takes the cake. I was going through my pictures on my cell phone today and I came across this picture and decided I had to blog about it before 2008 was done.
About a month ago, on my way to work, and spotted this. He is a robot that you can hire for parties and he will actually play Rock Band along with you. He also sings and dances. He was doing so as he was being chauffeured around Sacramento in the back of this truck! I am not sure what he is called or what the name of the en genius company is that created him but I really need to find out. I can just see him in the living room with the whole Janes, Jensen, Friedly, Judnich, Clark, Evans, Carlson gang now. Don't worry Candy, you will always be the SUPERSTAR of the family though. Darn I am bummed I missed that moment.

Okay so I admit it, Dustin and I just couldn't wait to open our stockings from each other so we opened them last week and Dustin surprised me with a new iPod since mine went kaput awhile ago. It is green of course and yesterday while I was at work he downloaded a ton of my favorite songs on it for me. So sweet! I don't think that I have taken the darn thing out of my ear since although I do have to say that I think he is rethinking his gift because last night I was dancing around the house and singing in all my tone deaf glory. Sorry babe!

Well everyone, we made it! Christmas shopping is done, presents are wrapped and it is time to celebrate the holidays with family. As soon as I get off work Dustin and I are going to spend Christmas Eve with Candy and Gran making cookies, sipping hot chocolate, watching movies and eating pizza. Tomorrow morning when we wake up it will be officially Christmas. I am cooking dinner at Candy and Gran's for the 4 of us so wish me luck everyone and cross your fingers for me. Hopefully it is delicious.
I hope that everyone has an amazing Christmas and I wish you were all here with us!
Hugs! Mal

With Christmas fast approaching, I feel the pounds packing on. Although, I feel like a little Christmas cold is coming on, it definitely hasn't stopped me from over indulging in all the goodies at the office. I started off this morning with some much needed hot chocolate (with whipped cream of course), Christmas sugar cookies with LOTS of sprinkles and some Almond Roca our lovely building manager dropped off last week. Honestly I am just shocked that it lasted this long!
Here I was thinking I was doing so good and my wedding dress was going to have to be taken in a ton but thank God I have until July to hit my Pilates machine and work off this Christmas weight. I think it may take that long at the rate I am going...

I have come to the conclusion that it is way to cold in California right now to not have snow. Friends and family have been sending me pictures of the snow in Washington and I am sad to say I really miss it! So beautiful.

Last month, Dustin and I went up to Washington to spend Thanksgiving (and an early Christmas) with my family and to visit friends. While we were there, my mom and Dustin convinced me to have my wedding band made by a family friend and I must say I was a little hesitant. In no way, did I want to leave my precious ring in another state for a few weeks without me but in just a few short days I will have it, and my wedding band, back. I am jumping off the walls!! I feel like it has been forever.

Since I can remember the first weekend of December my family has always been in Leavenworth, WA for the annual Tree Lighting ceremony, family, friends, shopping and SNOW. It is definitely one of my favorite places to go around the holidays.
This year I couldn't go but my parents took a stuffed GATOR I sent them a few months ago along for the ride and here are a few photos from the trip...

Hey Shelby - I had these from a deli next to work and they are amazing. Your brother and I both fell in love with them. I will definitely be making these for Christmas this year. Enjoy. Hugs!

UNION SQUARE CAFE'S ROASTED TOMATO MASHED POTATOES

2 pounds Idaho potatoes, peeled and quartered
2 teaspoons salt
1 stick unsalted butter
1/2 cup heavy (whipping) cream
1/2 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
1/2 pound partly moist oven-dried tomatoes

Place potatoes in 2-quart saucepan with 1 teaspoon of the salt. Cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, lower heat, and simmer, covered, until completely tender, about 30 minutes. Place in colander and allow to drain for several minutes.

In another saucepan, combine butter, cream and milk. Heat gently until butter has melted. Keep warm.

Working over the saucepan that was used to cook the potatoes, pass potatoes through a food mill or potato ricer. If you have any difficulty, add a little of the hot milk and butter to the potatoes.

Place potatoes over a low flame and begin adding the warm milk mixture, stirring with a wooden spoon. Watch the texture as the potatoes absorb the liquid, because you may not need the full amount of liquid. They should be fluffy, not runny.

When all the liquid has been absorbed, season with the remaining teaspoon of salt and white pepper.

If using tomatoes stored in oil, drain and blot first. Place them in bowl of a food processor and puree until nearly smooth. Add tomato puree to the warm mashed potatoes, stirring with a wooden spoon over low heat until tomatoes are completely incorporated and mixture is heated through.

Makes 4 servings

Check out Dustin and I's first tree! Saturday morning Dustin, Candy, Gran and I went to a place called Sloughhouse for our $35.00 tree. After finding the perfect one, we stuck it in the trunk and off we went.
Yesterday afternoon after some much needed Christmas shopping with Candy, Dustin and I decorated the tree. We also put up our new Seahawks Christmas wreath we got from Dustin's mom, Dany at Apple Hill and hung our stockings I bought last year. I am so excited I can hardly even stand it. I love this time of the year!

Wouldn't this be nice? I am ready for a nap...

While I sit at my desk, listening to Pro McCain chatter (STILL) I decided to do a quick post with my thoughts... Only 47 more days of BUSH in office.

Okay, yes, I admit it. I am head over heels in love with flip flops. I am one of those crazy people who wear them all year round (keeping in mind I grew up in Washington State) and even when the snow is up to my knees the flip flops are on but this morning I had a shocking revelation! I decided that the era is over and it is just way to cold to be wearing my favorite footwear. Maybe it is maturity, maybe it is the fear of getting sick or maybe this new revelation won't last more than a day but in the meantime, I am sad!

Hi Everyone,
I have come to the realization that I am in this amazing part of my life and surrounded with amazingly creative people. Right now, I am engaged and planning a wedding, living in a relatively new place, and have no documentation of it. Well that is about to change... More to come.
Hugs,
Mal