A Year of Food...Ok Just Part of the Year

So I realized as I was going through photos that I have a bunch of photos of the recipes Brendan and I have tried/made up and needed to post!

None of the photos are that great (can I tell you how much I hate how early it gets dark here in the winter so all I have to work with is yellow light), but it gives you a good idea of the fun Brendan and I have been having cooking together.

Broccoli, Rice and  Fish! - Backstory, I tried cooking fish in our second year of marriage and it was awful! So, I refused to cook it again, but having a year to cool off, I decided I would be willing to try again. It turned out pretty good!

Basil and Heirloom Tomato Pizza

Butternut Squash  Stuffed Shells with Lemon Sage Brown Butter Sauce

Potato Nachos- a new staple

Brendan's Birthday Dinner

Pistachio Fish

Stuffed Artichoke

Green Rice

A Huge Mistake- Otherwise known as Chocolate Ice Cream Brownie Pie with Whipped Cream

We learned we should NEVER create a recipe while fasting. 

Butternut Squash and Onion Cheese Tart- YUM!!!

Kale Chips- Failure! Disgusting!

First batch of Chocolate Chip Cookies that actually got big and fluffy! 

One benefit of being lower in elevation!

Tres Leches Cake! Can't go wrong with this one.

Another fish recipe. Almond Roasted Tilapia

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Maple Syrup Frosting- Thank you DC Cupcakes!

Potato Pizza

My first attempt at Marshmallow Fondant and WOW is it sticky. It was worth it to make the cookies below!

Christmas Dinner-

 Roast, Chili Sauce, Potatoes, Carrots and Brussels Sprouts 

(If you would have told me I  would like Brussels Sprouts a few years ago, I would have laughed in your face.)

I am excited for the new recipes of 2013! 

Happy Thanksgiving

Things I am most grateful for this year in no particular order...

Family
My job
Brendan's buckeye status
New friends
The Lord's hand in my life

Columbus Art Museum

 

This is Olivia/My Favorite Little Girl In The Whole World

We spent a good deal of time making twisty-tie sculptures, mobiles, forts and magnet robots.

Brendan's Robot

Giant Lite Bright! Yeah, so fun! 

Then we went and looked at some awesome art!

Go Buckeyes!!!

Brendan and I went to our first OSU game! It was so much fun despite the and we won! During the game we noticed a few slight differences between a BYU game and an OSU game.

1. The OSU student section yelled "Rip their f$&*ing heads off!" after ever OSU kick off., which was often.

2. Tiny vodka bottles littered the stands and the girls in front of us were having... Lets just say a very funny time.

3. The football players could catch the ball. Sorry BYU, OSU played a much better game to watch.

Yellow and Grey Babyshower

Last weekend, I also helped throw a baby shower for my friend Lyndi. 

I don't think I could ever get enough yellow!

Apple Picking!

I think I have gotten lazy about writing lately. So in an effort to try harder...

Brendan and I have been crazy busy. But between studying, callings and work we found some time to play. We went apple picking at an orchard just outside of Columbus with some friends this weekend. Apparently everyone else also had the same idea this weekend. The place was PACKED! Regardless, we had lots of apples to choose from and we all came home with 10lbs of apples. My apple butter is cooking now and I am planning on apple pie and apple chips later this week! Plus we picked up a gallon of apple cider. YUM!

Brendan and I are LOVING fall!

It's Fall In Columbus

Having fun with my camera!

DC Cupcakes

Last Friday, Brendan, being the amazing man he is, took me on the 

BEST DATE!!!

He took me to see Katharine and Sophie of DC Cupcakes. They talked all about how they got started, how they grew and how they dealt with the rapid expansion and TV show. They then taught us how to make the Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes! 

Then to top it all off, I finally to to try a DC cupcake! Brendan got the Peanut Butter Fudge (right) and I got the Pumpkin (right). And you know what? They were the best cupcakes I have ever had! I can't wait to try out the recipe myself!

 

Before the show, I met Brendan on OSU campus and we got delicious pitas then ice cream at the creamery. 

(Yes, I got two desserts that night. Don't judge!)

Lemonade Cake

Delish!

Pink Boxing Gloves

 

Girls Night after work.  Punching bags, wrist wraps and yes, those are PINK boxing gloves! I was really grateful for them too. Those bags are hard! I wished I had more protection for my legs. I think I was a bit too enthusiastic with my kicks. I came home with bruises! Super fun though!

Where Did the Cucumbers Go?

After the plethora of cucumbers we got creative and made pickles!

Playing on Labor Day!

On Labor Day, we did no work. We played! Our friends the Moons came to visit from Michigan so we showed them the town. One stop we had to make was Shmidt's. A fantastic restaurant in German Village. I have to say, I have heard over and over again how good it was, and we were not disappointed.

We also made it to the Book Loft, which is the best maze of a bookstore I have ever been in. In there, we found this particular book. In case you cannot read the little red sticker, this book is Bella and Edward's favourite book. I noticed that lots of classic books are now come with these new "twilightish" book covers. I guess if it gets more teens reading... 

There is nothing, I repeat NOTHING, better than a baby falling asleep in your arms.

Little Joseph kept us highly entertained!!!

After a fun day with the  Moons, we got to go to this adorable little girl's golden rainbow birthday party.

Overall a very great day!

Odd Compliment

Not sure if you have ever seen those Daily Odd Compliments. If not, here is an hour or so of entertainment. If so, here is one I got that kind of made my day.

Why, thank you!

Guess all my early morning runs are paying off!

Balloon Festival

 

Brendan and I took some friends and enjoyed watching all the hot air balloons at the Balloon Festival. I mostly had fun trying to take photos as fast as possible!