This is the day I see my classroom for the first time.

It's not quite ready for me to move in yet, but they were nice and let me in so I could take some pictures and measurements and grab all the teacher editions...got a bit of work to do now...and the room is a bit of a fixer-upper yet...but I saw it! And I can't believe it's mine!

My monster teacher desk! Lol. It's too big to move!

My initial sketch of how I *think* I want things...subject to change!

My homework now...and for the next month at least!

If you don't hear from me in a while, send up a smoke signal or something... :)

Salmon Penne

Paul and I were blessed to score a gift card to one of the more upscale restaurants in town, a little French place called Bistro 501. I've been there a few times before, and I love trying new dishes out. Well, this time I ordered a dish that wasn't bad, but it was the first time I've eaten out and thought, "I could do this, and better!" So I give you my own copycat-but-slightly-improved salmon penne. It's not too expensive, but not super cheap either. It's not the fastest recipe, but it's not too long or hard either. This is a great go-to recipe when you want a date night cook-in, to impress the in-laws, or just are craving something fresh but still very filling thanks to the pasta. Paul agreed that this was awesome and better than Bistro's...and he's not one of those husbands that says things like that all the time to be nice, so consider that my first testimonial! :)

You will need:

1 box penne and water to boil :)

1 bunch asparagus, ends cut and cut into penne-sized pieces

6 tbsp butter

1 lemon, halved

4 small salmon filets, boneless skinless and thawed if frozen (I think it's a pound or so)

8 Tbsp sundried tomato pesto--bought a small jar at Walmart in the spaghetti sauce aisle, worth every penny!

4 Tbsp butter

4 Tbsp flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp garlic powder or 1/4 tsp. minced garlic

2 c. Milk

LOADs of dill!!! Loads. As much as you like. :)

1. First, get the water boiling in a large pot for the penne.

2. Melt 2 Tbsp butter in a medium sauce pan and then add your asparagus. Stir just to cover with butter, then squeeze half a lemon into the bowl. Stir occasionally as you sauté the asparagus, about 5 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, lay out the salmon on a greased cookie sheet and squeeze the other lemon half over the filets. Sprinkle with about 1/4 tsp dill and a bit of pepper. Broil for 5 minutes.

4. By this time your asparagus should be done. Remove from heat and pour into a bowl for later. Rinse out sauce pan and get it ready for your white sauce! Melt 4 Tbsp butter on low-medium heat.

5. While that's melting, take out salmon and flip. Spread 2 Tbsp sundries tomato pesto on each filet, or just until top is covered. Return to broil for 5 minutes more--remove from oven when timer goes off and set aside!

6. Add penne to boiling water and cook according to instructions.

7. To melted butter in sauce pan, add 4 Tbsp flour, 1/2 tsp salt, garlic powder, and dill. Lots of dill. I probably started with 2-3Tbsp and then added some more at the end! Whisk together and cook for 1 minute or so.

8. Add in 2 c. milk and whisk. At first the bits won't seem like they're mixing, but when it's close to boiling you will notice it blend smoothly and start to thicken. Stir constantly, and boil for about 30 seconds or just until it starts to thicken. 

9. Add sauce to noodles and stir. Add any extra dill, if desired.

10. Stir in asparagus. Flake salmon into large chunks and then stir into noodle mix.

Makes at least 8 servings...more if you're not pigs like us...and takes about 45 minutes from start to finish. 

Enjoy! Serve up with a homemade baguette and some fresh fruit and baked Brie for a true French experience! :)

Indy Zoo!

We took advantage of a long weekend and went down to the Indy Zoo! It's not bad...a little pricey, but definitely an all-day experience! We got to feed a giraffe, pet a shark, and if we had the energy we would've raced a cheetah. :) Definitely got me on an animal kick--I bought 20 books about animals from Goodwill this morning! :)

4th of July!

We got lucky and got to bring some kiddos from our church downtown to watch fireworks, eat too much junk, and play with sparklers. Very laid back and fun! I think holidays are just sooooo much more fun with kids. They get excited about everything!

Cerene's Wedding!

I'm a little late about posting these pics, and I will hopefully have some better ones to scrap with once the three family/friend photographers get some in for her, but here are some pics from my little sister's wedding! 

June 29th, 2013

Happy Hollow Park

President Ellis officiating

The kids were the only wedding party...sooo cute!

It rained. Lightly, but constant. We had prayed for better weather, but in the end it was actually super romantic and perfect and sweet, especially since it was a very intimate and casual wedding with just a short ceremony and then a family barbecue afterwards. 

Their story is sooo sweet, too. Best friends and next door neighbors all through childhood. Childhood sweethearts, too--we used to play wedding all the time. :) Went their separate ways, had some kids, then timing worked out and they met back up with each other and fell in love all over again. And for good. It's a great love story. And he is adopting Caida, so she will finally have a dad! God is good.

Grandpa Hall walked her down the "aisle"; she had to hobble a little because of her recent foot surgery, but guess what? No one cares! She was so happy.

My mom cried. 

My dad came.

It was a simple, good day! I wish every wedding were so laid back! It really helped the focus to be on them, not on the decor or the money, just the family they were creating. *Happy sigh*

Welcome to the club, little sister! And welcome to the family, Casey!

Sisters!