More Fishing

I went to see the Dr. this morning since my back is still hurting.  Dr. Taylor (who looks just like Dr. Kevorkian) thought it was an SI joint issue...  No.. It can't be.  I had that 10 years ago and couldn't even bend over.  Totally different symptoms than what I have now.  I have pain in the same area but I can pretty much do everything I want - I just can't sit for very long.  He recommended PT so I went down and saw my Therapist - who is also my neighbor and helped me rehab my shoulder 2 years ago.  He says - "Its your SI joints.  They're not locked but the right side is really twisted".  Huh... Shows you what I know.  He worked on both sides for about 10 minutes, twisted them around, put the electro machine on the joints, and now it feels 90% better.  So... in celebration I went fishing for an hour!  :)

Fall Fishing

So...It has been awhile since I've posted as Pam has taken over the blog so here goes my first post in months.  Tuesday I hurt my back golfing and haven't been able to sit much.  Hopefully its nothing major and I'll be back to normal shortly.  I was supposed to go to the track today and get some practice in our race car (that my brother and I blew the engine up in first time out back in July) with the new engine but since my back hurts - extended driving is not an option.  So, since the weather is perfect this afternoon, my partner and I decided to go fishing for a few hours up Provo Canyon.  The leaves are starting to change, the scenery is incredible and being outside is very enjoyable right now.  I caught three fish in a couple of hours.

Insalata Caprese

The best thing about having a garden this year was making this salad. Derek and I first tasted caprese in Italy last year. It is made with fresh tomatoes, usually buffalo mozzarella (we just get the fresh mozzarella at costco) and fresh basil. Then we drizzle it with olive oil. We had the tomatoes and basil from our garden. Deliciouso!

It's not easy being green

When I was little I remember watching my Grandma Allen hang clothes on the clothesline. We loved it when she washed sheets because we could hide behind them and make outdoor rooms to play in.  I actually hang quite a few clothes to dry in my laundry room. I do this more for shrinkage and long torso issues than saving electricity. Yesterday Derek helped me install a retractable clothesline outside. I don't know why, but I am so excited about it. I found a great little bag to hold my clothes pins at Kmart.(Thankyou Martha!) I couldn't wait to google the cost of running my dryer per load. I was sure my carbon imprint was getting smaller. 35 to 40 cents per load?? I have to admit I was a little disappointed. What about my time and effort? How much is that worth? But when I thought about how happy I was when the clothes were dry in 45 minutes, and how they looked blowing in the hot August breeze, I felt like it was worth it.

After telling Lindsay about my great new exploits in laundry she said, "Mom you are a nerd."  

Allen Reunion

Thankyou all for coming. It was fun to see you again. Grandma had 11 of 12 Grandkids there. We missed you Chris. We had 50 of 57 possible family members in attendance. I've included some recipe's that I got requests for.

Easy Raspberry Lemonade

1 (12 oz.) can frozen raspberry lemonade concentrate

3 c. water

3/4 teaspoon lime juice

1 (12 oz.) can 7-up

1 c. crushed ice

1 cup fresh raspberries, garnish

1 cup fresh mint, garnish

In a large punch bowl, combine raspberry lemonade concentrate, water and lime juice. Stir in lemon-lime soda and crushed ice. Garnish each glass with a fresh raspberry and a mint leaf.

(I just bought frozen raspberries and poured into punch bowl.)

Pecan-Crusted Artichoke Spread

1 tablespoon butter

1/2 c. finely chopped onion

3 cloves garlic, minced

4 cups coarsely chopped fresh spinach

1 14 oz can artichoke hears, drained and chopped

1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened

1/2 c. mayonnaise dressing

2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese

2 dashes hot pepper sauce

1/4 c. finely chopped pecans

baguette style french bread slices

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic; cook for 3 minutes. Add spinach; cook for 3 to 5 minutes more or until onion is tender and spinach is cooked, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Stir in chopped artichoke hearts, cream cheese, mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese and hot pepper sauce.

2. Transfer to an ungreased 1-1/2 quart casserole dish. Bake for 40 minutes. Top with pecans bake for 1o minutes more.

3. Serve with toasted bread slices. Makes 4 cups spread

 Salsa

1/2 sweet onion chopped 

1 small can green chilies

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

3 tablespoons vinegar

1 can stewed tomatoes (mexican)

1 can diced tomatoes

1/2 jalapeno pepper chopped (or 1/2 small can diced jalapeno's)

clove of garlic

put all ingredients into blender and mix until smooth

Me and you and a dog named Boo

Pack Leader

I am not sure who looks more tired.

So cute! He always gets called a girl.

Once a week Derek and I take Boo for a long

hike along the Bonneville shoreline trail in 

the foothills above our house. When we let

him off of his leash, he runs back and forth 

  between Derek and I. He always waits for me,

  to see if I am o.k. I may not be the pack leader, 

but at least I won't be left behind.

Summer Vacation

Just some fun pics from the pool.

Our nephew Collin came to visit from California.  Boo still doesn't like the water. He would rather sit on the lounge chairs. Erica has been stopping by to swim with her kids and it has been fun to spend more time with her.