Saturday, February 26, 2011

Saturday Night... Live?

Saturday night is date night in the Ellingson household. Mom and dad either order take out and eat it in their bedroom together while watching movies, or they go out. During this time in their bedroom/out on the town we are not allowed to text, call, email, facebook, or use any source of technology used for communication to bug them. It's a commandment in our home and if it is neglected then... bad things happen.

Anyway, tonight my parents ordered dinner from Pei Wei and watched a movie in their bedroom (I think they bought a new one... "You Again").

They somehow forgot to inform me that I was in charge of dinner.

On a normal day I wouldn't mind this assignment at all. I have been looking for opportunities to broaden my cooking intellect and create new dishes. However, tonight the premier of the new season of Tabatha's Salon Takeover was on and I seriously couldn't miss it.

I told my siblings that were home with me (three of them were home, one was out) that they needed to fend for themselves. They're old enough to get a bowl out of the cupboard and pour some cereal and milk, right? Apparently not. My little brother broke the commandment (Thou shalt not disturb thy parents on date night) and tattled on me. He told them I didn't want to make dinner. As much as I wanted to deny this to stay out of trouble... I couldn't lie. So I explained the situation and thought they'd be cool with it...

I was so wrong. Instead, they told me I needed to make a nice dinner for the kids. I could record the show and watch it tomorrow.

Okay, there are soooo many things wrong with this scenario. One, who records PREMIERS??? If you record it you're missing the premier part. You're watching a re-run. No bueno. And besides, it totally takes away the experience.

Two, make the siblings a nice dinner? On a Saturday evening? Kids don't eat NICE dinners on weekend evenings. That's when babysitters come over and they have the gross babysitter food like macaroni, chicken nuggets, corn dogs, etc. What kid has an actual health benifitting meal on a Saturday night? No one. Promise.

Well, I didn't want to get into too much trouble so I turned on my show, locked the kids in the basement, turned on a movie for them, and went upstairs to create a nice meal on a Saturday evening while watching the premier of my show.

Can I just add that I never miss an episode?
Anyway. My plan was to just whip up the pasta dish that I made last Sunday and call it good. It's quick, easy, and everyone liked it.

This possibility was thrown out the window when I discovered we have no chicken in our freezer.... I used it all last week. And you CANNOT make this dish without chicken. That's like taking ice cream away from a slice of  warm, fresh-out-of-the-oven apple pie.

What to do now?

I looked in the pantry in hopes of finding ingredients for something new. I failed, because my mom didn't do the weekly grocery shopping due to a meeting at work and dad was at the fire station, so I was left with a bunch of random stuff that never would have tasted good together, no matter how many cups of cheese I added.

What I did find was a package of frozen edamame (soy beans), a box of rice, soy sauce, lemons, fresh chives, carrots, and onions.

I was determined to create an oriental dish.

I made the rice, mixed up some soy sauce and lemon juice (with a touch of vinegar), shredded the carrots, sliced the onions and sauteed them in butter, cut up the chives, and boiled the edamame.

The kids grew bored of watching tv downstairs so they came up to the kitchen and gathered around the counter to watch me experiement and create. My little brother said, "It's just like a cooking show... But live!"

When the rice was done cooking I immediately poured the sauce on top and mixed it up (so the rice wouldn't get sticky) and added the vegetables, minus the edamame. I put the edamame on a separate plate and sprinkled kosher salt on top.

It was pretty dang tasty :)

For dessert my siblings helped me make some lemon bars. I am sorry to say I had a recipe... But there is absolutely no way I am going to mess with baking. Cooking you can experiement with pretty easily. Baking is a different story.

Anyway, we had fun preparing, baking, and devouring our dessert together. Then, with full tummies and smiles on our faces, we cuddled up on the couch and watched "Megamind."

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Is the Chicken Done Yet?

Today I made the pasta dish (the one I created last week) for my family... FINALLY!

And guess what?????? Yeah, that's right. They all loved it. And had seconds. And thirds. I'm finally a cook! Well, almost.

One of the most important things I have learned while branching out is that if chicken is still pink in the middle it isn't quite done yet. Well, how did you expect me to know this? Every time I have a steak there is still some pink stuff oozing out of the meat... I always thought chicken was the same. No one told me!

So, the meal was almost disasterous because I almost put pink chicken into the pasta.. But mom stopped my hand just in time and said, "Mace, chicken isn't done til it's completely white in the middle."

Oh. Duh.

I put the chicken back in the oven for about 7 more minutes and when it came out c'est magnifique (it was magnificent).

Good thing I haven't started chicken recipes yet, huh? :)

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Cookbooks are Ideal

I have recently come to the conclusion that cookbooks are pretty ideal to any wannabe chef. I have had so much trouble coming up with recipes on my own! I got lucky with the pasta dishes, to be honest. Pasta is easy :) When it came to the macaroni... Well, we all know I failed. I am starting to reconsider using no cookbooks at all... But that would be changing the base of my blogging, again, and I don't think I can put you all through that emotional turmoil :)

So, my decision is to use simple/bland recipes for dishes and make them more extravagant on my own. I will be spontaneous and use the little education/talent in the art of cooking to creat new dishes and turn the bland recipes into works of art. This way I can be safe with the cooking and and make sure I don't cause bodily harm to anybody.

Since I am back on my regular work schedule it is hard to prepare meals for the family when I get home. Sometimes I arrive at home as late as seven o'clock at night, and by that point my family has already eaten. And cooking for myself isn't as fun.

Another reason I haven't tried anything new recently is because we have a TON of meat in our freezer (we buy a cow every year and get the meat it gives... Literally. We buy it.) and we need to use it pretty quickly, because the time is coming when we purchase a new cow. Answering your unasked questions, no, we do not buy the cow and raise it and then kill it ourselves. We choose a cow at a family friend's farm, they do the dirty work, and we get the meat. It's a pretty sweet deal. :)

For those of you who are totally against killing/eating animals I wouldn't suggest you continue reading my blogs because my family is a herd of carnivores and I can guarantee that I will be using meat quite often. :)

Anyway, that's really all I have to say today.

Oh! I did kind of come up with a recipe today... I put mashed potatoes in between two pieces of toast.

Don't judge.

Monday, February 7, 2011

On My Knees

I shed a tear
one single ear
as my heart pains
to know my worth.
As more tears
fall,
each one bears
their own
burden.
I glance at
my reflection.
The sad eyes and
small frown
stare back.
I fall to my knees,
bow my head,
and let the words
and feelings
locked in my heart
pour out.
"Father, help me,"
I whisper.
Those whispered words
grow fervent,
meaningful.
My voice becomes
louder and
stronger.
And then,
all of a sudden,
the tears stop.
My heart begins
to burn
and arms
I cannot see
hug me tightly.
Now tears
of joy, relief,
understanding,
slowly trickle
down.
I open
my eyes
for an instant
and a small smile
comes out
from hiding.
Sunshine from the
window
sneaks into
the room and
gives me light.
I close my eyes
once more
and whisper,
"Thank you, Father."
As i arise
the arms release
me
but I am comforted
without them.
I cannot contain
my happiness
and that
unfamiliar smile
as I go
throughout the day.
My Father
has assured me
I am His
precious daughter
and I am
worth more than
rubies.
"Go,"
He said,
"go share
your light with
the world."
Those few
moments
have saved me...
Those sweet
moments
of prayer.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Counting My Blessings :)

Before counting my blessings I would just like to say... NICE GAME, PACKERS!!!!!! :) I knew you could do it!! :) Thanks to their win my best friend, Luke, owes me a dinner ;)

Also, before I start naming my infinite blessings I would like to explain myself. Over the past few days I have found myself in some pretty bad situations, and I have had quite a negative spirit. All of you should know that I am normally a very happy person, so me being so pessimistic wasn't pleasant for anyone.

Now that things have settled down I have decided to count my blessings... Naming them one by one. I'm sure I'll be surprised by what the Lord has done :) Ha ha. Just had to finish the stanza :)

Anyway. Here goes:

1. My family- I am so blessed to have been sent to such wonderful parents who love and support me, no matter what I do. I also feel extremely blessed to have such excellent siblings who make family vacations so fun  :)
2. The gospel of Jesus Christ- I know without a shadow of a doubt that this gospel is the ONLY way to receive eternal joy. No ifs, ands, or buts. I am so grateful that I was born into a family built upon generations of faith, and I know I will live in joy and harmony with them for eternity.
3. The temple- I know that since my parents were sealed together for eternity in the temple that I will never lose them. Death cannot take my family away from me. I am so grateful that I will have the chance to enter the sealing room with my own eternal companion someday, and start an eternal family. I am so grateful that I am able to do work for those who are not able, or those who have passed on.
4. Prayer- What a blessing it is to have a one-way connection with our Heavenly Father!
5. The priesthood- Again, what a blessing to have the priesthood keys restored to the earth! Without the priesthood I know that most of the miracles I have witnessed would not have been possible.
6. The BOM- I like the bible too, and I know it's important, but there is something about the BOM that makes my heart burn with joy. I know the stories were meant for us, in these latter days, and I know that I can receive an answer to any problem within its pages.
7. Joseph and Emma Smith- Of course, I owe it all to Joseph for restoring this glorious gospel. However, I am grateful for Emma's example of motherhood and wife..hood. :)
8. My friends- Wow, I have such incredible friends! I have discovered who my true friends are recently and let me just say, I am soo extremely grateful and I know that it was not a coincidence that all of them are in my life.
9. My home- We just moved into a new, beautiful home and I am so grateful that my parents both have good paying jobs and can afford such a wonderful home, and everything else they provide for me and my siblings.
10. School- Yeah, I know. Who likes school? I am so grateful I will  have the chance to expand my knowledge and that the opportunity is right at my finger tips.
(Now I am just going to list things because I don't want this post to be terribly long. I think you'll all get the gist of it :) Also, they're not in a particular order. Just naming them as I go.)
11. Technology
12. Church buildings
13. Cars
14. The men and women who fight for our freedom
15. The men and women who protect our families, homes, and communities
16. Libraries
17. My bed
18. Vacuum cleaners
19. Shoes and socks
20. Toilets
21. Showers
22. Chapstick
23. Missionaries
24. The prophets
25. Music
26. Seminary teachers
27. Facebook
28. Books
29. Football
30. Baseball
31. Disneyland
32. Cameras
33. Freedom
34. Sunscreen
35. My jobs
36. Pencils and pens
37. Paper
38. Trax
39. Clean water
40. A pantry stocked full of food
41. Lemonade
42. The Pie
43. Dominoes pizza (BEST EVER)
44. The MTC
45. The Friend, New Era, and The Ensign
46. Water falls
48. Hiking trails
49. Mississippi
50. Journals
51. Movie theaters
52. Justin Bieber
53. Shriner's Hospital for Children
54. Other hospitals
55. Dentists
56. Maroon 5
57. Donuts
58. Dances
59. Bras
60. Cough syrup
61. Regular syrup
62. Electricity
63. My hair straightener and curling iron
64. Shampoo and conditioner
65. Soap
66. Chicken
67. Eggs
68. Tucano's
69. Puppies
70. Clothes
71. Valentine's Day
72. Halloween
73. The Holy Ghost- Okay, this should have been one of the top blessings. Without the Holy Ghost I would never be able to get through the day! I am so grateful that I received such a glorious guide as a gift.
74. Babies
75. The mall
76. Hot chocolate
77. Marshmallows
78. Lakes
79. Four wheelers
80. Bicycles
81. Tae Bo dvds
82. Glee
83. Cell phones
84. Red lipstick
85. Christmas
86. Diet sodas
87. Brownies
88. FHE
89. Single's wards
90. Scooters
91. My kids
92. Kissing
93. Rain
94. Rainbows
95. Hotels
96. Flowers
97. Harry Potter
98. CD players
99. My iPod
100. Play dough

Well, there's 100 for today :) I still have lots more but I'll save them for later.

And for those of you wondering (and asking me in text messages) my life is absolutely fantastic! I have never been happier :) Love you all!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Blessing upon blessing upon blessing... Do I really deserve this?

So lately I have had a ton of incredible blessings poured upon me. Continually. Nonstop. Daily. No joke.

I have been writing all of them down in my Blessings Journal and pondering what I have been doing to receive such glorious blessings. Surely I am not worthy enough. I feel as if I need to be the General Relief Society president to be blessed like this.

These blessings come in odd packages, mostly. For instance, my mom just got a full time job after being a stay-at-home mom for 17 years. It was very difficult for our family. However, after working for about 2 months she has come home with many job opportunities for me that can happen anytime I would like them. We looked at her getting a job as a huge burden and trial for us. Little did I know that such marvelous things could come out of such ugly wrapping.

I have come to the conclusion that there is a blessing in every trial. Whether it's before, during, or after the trial depends on the situation.

Last night I had a near-death experience. I was driving down 13400 South to pick up my sister from a friend's house at about 5:30... Rush hour. As I was about to turn left into the intersection my car died. I tried starting it over and over but.. Nothing. It was completely dead. I hit the steering wheel with my fist and started crying. About 2 minutes after the car died a few young men pulled up behind me and asked if I needed help. I replied with a weary "yes" and they pushed the car out of the intersection. Conveniently, there was a Tunex car shop about 100 feet away. My dad and his fire crew came and helped push the car into that parking lot (there were only 2 young men and they were on their way to a Jazz game so all they had time for was getting me out of the intersection), and my dad went inside to talk to the men working in the shop. I was frustrated because I had a babysitting job I was supposed to be at in approximately 15 minutes that I knew for a fact I wasn't going to make it to. What upset me more is the fact that I need money for my own car, and this job was going to bring in some extra cash to add to my funds.

Look at this trial. See any immediate blessings?

You probably spotted the obvious three. One, I had help from those 2 random men. Two, there was a car shop right there. And three, my dad wasn't on a call so he was available to help me.

Look more closely. My car died as I was about to turn left into the intersection. Had the car died 2 seconds later than it did, I would have been making the turn and I would have gotten T-boned. Also, the young men that helped me just so happened to be late for their Jazz game, and they just so happened to be passing me at that exact moment, so they were able to help me. My car broke down right next to a car shop, so we didn't have to pay for a tow truck or anything. My dad and his crew were able to figure things out with the workers in the shop (which I would have been waaaay too shy to do. I would prefer just being left in the intersection than talk cars with a shop owner!) The family I was going to babysit for was also going to the Jazz game, and the mom had enough time to come pick me up from the shop I was stranded at (mom was at work). Another blessing for this experience that came just today was from my mom's work.. Again. A nice man she works with is a very good mechanic, and he knows where to find cheap but GOOD cars. He offered to look around and find a car for me by next week. I only need to pay $1,000. Conveniently, next week I was supposed to take a vacation to Mississippi to visit my aunt but I cancelled due to another nanny interview, so it works out great that the car broke down right before my vacation so my family doesn't have to drive me every morning. By the time I go back I should have a car. Everything has fallen so perfectly into place.. It's almost as if this trial was a puzzle was designed and put together by God Himself.

I have a very strong testimony about trials and blessings. I believe that if all of us would look a little closer at our trials we would get so much more knowledge/learning experiences from them if we try to pick out blessings.. No matter how small they are. Let's all take a few moments in our daily prayers to thank our ever merciful Heavenly Father for the small and simple blessings He grants daily. Those may be the things we needed most on a particular day.

And never forget.. He never hands out a trial He knows we can't handle.