Eggplant parmesano

This was one of my grandpa Dales recipes and we have just loved it. I made it last night and decided to share it with you for something new.

2 Medium Eggplants. Sliced (about ½ inch thick)
2 Beaten eggs w/milk
1 cup Italian Bread Crumbs
a few TBLS. Olive Oil
1 Jar, Marinara sauce
1 pound Italian sausage
1 chopped onion
3 cloves garlic
1/2 Italian parsley chopped
1/2 Lb Mozzarella Cheese (Sliced)
1 Cup Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese

I first began just like making a red sauce. I diced up onion and garlic and sauteed them in olive oil. after a few minutes I added the sausage. you can definitely do with out this or use hamburger. I just think it adds a nice flavor. and I am the biggest non sausage fan ever, but this is different. after that was all browned I added my favorite pasta sauce a tomato and basil sauce. then I added the chopped parsley and let it cook down in a simmer.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Soak the eggplant slices in salt water for approx 30 minutes, drain & rinse.


Dip each slice into egg mixture, then into bread crumbs, coating well.
Grease a cookie sheet with olive oil and arrange coated eggplant slices on it. Drizzle each slice with olive oil. Bake in the oven about 15 minutes. Check that the slices are golden brown, then turn over and bake for another 15 minutes. They should be browned on both sides.



In a baking dish, arrange eggplant slices in 1 layer. Put half the mozzarella cheese and half the marinara sauce, repeat with the rest of the eggplant, cheese and sauce. Top with Parmesan cheese and bake for about 20 minutes at 350. sorry no picture of process but here it is waiting to go in oven and get all melty and gooey and yummy!



enjoy! Parker even devoured it. I love it and it is much healthier than the traditional fried way.

New favorite

While on Alaska airline(which we love) they served us wonderful in flight snacks. they had complementary beer and wine, which we did not partake in, but those who did loved it and gourmet sodas and starbucks and then fancy snacks. on the the snacks was the flat earth chips that are made from potatoes rice and vegetables and I think are very yummy. With Parkers new VERY restrictive diet(which is so hard) I have been trying to think out side the box and i remembered these. They were at walmart today so we picked some up. HE loved them and so do I, every ounce I eat is a 1/2 serving of real vegetable. so if I ate the whole 6 oz bag a day that would be 3 veggies, right. I love chips so this was a nice thought.
we tried the tangy tomato, but others looked good too and they have fruit ones too. they are made by frito lay so they should be widely accessible.

Caribbean here we come

All day yesterday and half of today I have been scouring the internet looking at cruise ship itineraries and ports of call trying to decided what is best. It has been so hard. I like to be educated when I make decisions like this, but sometimes I take it to extremes. I wanted to read everything about every single island there. I wanted to know everything about each one. I do not know everything yet, but I do feel better informed. I mainly realized that most islands are almost all the same. We will not miss out too bad missing a certain island. I could not find the perfect itinerary but I have thought and debated for far too long and have decided on this: We are going on a princess cruise. which I am excited about my past three cruises were all carnival I want something else. I heard princess's were nice too. We are going out of Puerto Rico. It was a little more to fly there instead of Miami or fort Lauderdale, but we get one more place to see that is cooler than Miami or FLL. then we go to St Thomas/ Dominica/ St. George, Granada/ Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles/ Oranjestad, Aruba/ day at sea then back to San Juan. There are so many beautiful beaches, snorkeling places, water fall and pools it should be amazing. we are very exciting and hope to have some great adventures, just the two of us. We will miss Parker terribly, but I am sure once we are there we will be over it quickly!

Lucky Peak

Last Saturday we met our friends Brian and Stephanie with their kids at lucky peak resivor for a day of lake fun. we played in the water for a while and then took out their boat. Dan had never been on a boat before like that and he tried water skiing it only took him a few tries, but he got up and then a few more to stay up, but he did good. The I decided to go. I have been water skiing but last time was 15 years ago when I was 10. I got up pretty quick too, but couldn't stay up long.
Then we went tubing very fun and minimal skill involved. the kids were so funny doing all their tricks. Dan took Parker out and we pulled them slowly on the raft I think he liked it. HE didn't love us pulling away from the raft. I guess he thought we were leaving them on a raft in the middle of the lake alone. On dan's turn he went crazy he kept wanting faster and more turns. I can not believe he held on that long! I made sure they knew I didn't want as crazy as a ride as Dan, but it was still so fun. we went back to camp and dove off the dock and then ate dinner and then went out again. They said the water was much better at night for skiing. Dan went again and got up on the first time and actually stayed up and rode in between the wake trying to get over it. I was cold and didn't want to go but then after seeing Dan do so well I decided I could not let him show me up. I jumped back into cold water and got up fast too and rode for a while. It was So fun! I made it over the wake, but then biffed it so hard and hit my bum really hard. IN fact if it wasn't for its placement I would show you a picture of the bruise I have. it looks like I got hit with a baseball batt. huge and black. but doesn't hurt when I sit. I guess that is because of all the padding:). Brain and Steph went out too. they were both so good. Steph even hooked her foot in the handle. they both rode single skis. Very cool. We really had a blast.
After that we went back and started a fire and made s'mores. At 10 we headed for home, Before we were out of our parking spot Parker was out. it was a LONG day for him. he did really well. he didn't even mind his life jacket he kept it on all day until we got in the car. Thanks Morrils for the fun day. We will do Sushi soon!

Allergy test.

You know it is a bad sign when the doctor says it would be easier to talk about the things he ISN'T allergic too!!!
After Parker's peanut scare I knew we should get him tested for allergies to see what else he will have problems with. I knew he was allergic to Milk and Strawberries too.
Today we went to the allergy specialist where they had me hold Parker on my lap facing me and and I held his shoulders tight to me so he could not move and then they did 3 sets of 8 pokes to inject a small amount of the test allergen on his skin. He did not like that at all, like I imagined. The they said now just hold him like that for 10 minutes while we wait for it to react. He can not move and it will itch really bad and he CAN NOT TOUCH IT! Great I thought. I was wondering what army they were sending in the room to help hold this mad man down. He is freakishly strong too. the Doctor could not get over it. When no one came in the office with a tranquilizer gun I realized I was on my own. He some how did it. I tried to entertain him by serenading him and the whole office I am sure at the top of my lungs the words to his favorite nursery rhymes. It was the longest ten minutes of my life I swear. I thought maybe they forgot what room we were in. Got lost... where were they??? When they finally came in the made an audible gasp looking at his back and the severe reactions he had. his whole back was covered in welts bright red, varying in size, (not a good sign)I took some pictures of his back today, but only on my phone, that is all I had with me and I am no where technological enough to know how to put it on the computer.

The things he tested positive for: Environmental, birch (small allergy), cottonwood, grass, kochia, Russian thistle, sagebrush (very allergic).
Dog dander, cat dander (very allergic) and Cat hair, outdoor mold.
Food allergies: Eggs, milk, wheat, soybean, cashews, walnuts and peanut(very allergic. most of the foods were small allergies, they tested for 7 foods and he was positive for all of them. HE thinks he will outgrow them for the most part besides peanuts. He was very severe in that reaction, but he said it isn't where he can not be around them and that 1 in 500,000 people who have this allergy actually can not breath the same air as them they usually just separate them so they do not get contaminated or feed that on accidentally. He said there is a ton of hype about respiratory peanut allergies and that it isn't as common as we hear., Who knows. I know some like that. But oh well.
the conclusion is Parker is allergic to just about everything but water. The Doctor said that some of the things I feed him on a regular basis like wheat and soy (he drinks soy milk) that since I do not see a reaction maybe it is internal, he asked is he very fussy and often upset. I was screaming on the inside YES!!! but I calmly agreed, yes he can be that way.... So the next step is to completely remove him from wheat, dairy, soy and eggs for a week or soo and slowly add them in one at a time and keep for behavioral or physical changes. Ok I can do that, but what is this poor kid supposed to eat until then. That list was his daily meals. So I can give him fruits vegetables and meat. not so bad I guess. But I do not want to be the one to tell him he can not have anymore goldfish, cheese and graham crackers. I swear he lives on these. This will be a diet change for the better I guess.
I hope we can get him healthy especially if it means he will be happier because he doesn't have an upset stomach. Poor little guy!

We miss Zhou

Zhou's first kiss!!




Zhou was our Chinese exchange student while in California. She was from Shanghai and was so cute. she is the sweetest most innocent looking girl. Parker loved her. The second time he saw her and he went crazy laughing and squealing so loud with excitement and runs right to her. He drug her to the garbage pointed and said "ka-ka" we all died laughing. HE had to show her the ropes. They had a blast playing together. She had never really been around babies before and they just adored each other. the next few days she left Parker kept saying her name and pointing to Oras house (my grandma, she stayed with her) and when we went inside he would run from room to room looking for her and come out with his hands up like where did she go? he sure loved her. AS we all did. I am so glad she was to come and stay with us. She is a very special girl. I look forward to keeping in touch with her.

my first Trialthon

Warning: if any of you have called me vain in the past you will now need to bite your tongue I will be showing some very bad picture of myself. The old Nicole would have never let these out of her vault, but this goes with the territory of the event. So if you would like to keep a perfect image of myself in your head. Do not look at the following pictures. I was VERY tired and not feeling photogenic!


At the beginning of this summer my friend Sara and I decided we would do a small triathlon the YMCA here puts on. it was their version of a sprint one: 1/4 mile swim 6 mile bike and 2 mile run. Sounds easy right???? That is what I thought too. I was never too serious about training. It did help me get back in the water again. Which I really enjoyed. So then the day came last Thursday for the race. I really did not feel ready, but decided to give it a try. Sara decided she wasn't ready either and will do it the next time. I was able to borrow a nice road bike from my friend here Amy and rode it for the first time on Tuesday two days before. I was nervous about using the clip in shoes. I have never done that before. I knew it would use my hamstrings and save my quads for my run and be much faster. SO I figured it was worth it, even if my feet were attached to this bicycle.
We arrived at the pond (yes we swam in a pond) it was kind of gross lots of seaweed all over my legs and smelt gross, but I didn't see too much duck poop like I thought I would and the water wasn't too cold either. I got all checked in and put my bike in the transition area and got ready to get in the water. Sara came and helped me get set up too. When I was in the water I saw Dan and Parker arrive they came and stood on the dock and watched from there. There were so many people I could not believe it. In my race it was divided by all beginning women (about 150+) and we would do the whole thing together. Once the swim started I was afraid it would be a huge group of people all over each other. So I made sure I was out in front and would get out of the group. The hardest part about the swim was we were facing the sun and it was 7:30 at night and it was setting in the water. I could not see anything!!! I could not see the kyackers leading us front group and I definitely could not see the buoys. I had to stop, block my eyes from the sun and look around for a shadow. I didn't swim it as efficient as I would have liked I was all over the place. Once we turned around half way through it was much better. There was one girl ahead of me from what I could tell so I did my best to pull even with her and then the last 100 yards sprint ahead and beat her out of the water. I had no idea til later when I was running up the hill toward my bike that I was the first one out of the water. I was so proud of that. My time wasn't great, Earlier in the week I had swam it 2 whole minutes faster in 5:30 minutes, but I blame my slow time here for no walls to push off and not exactly swimming in a straight line. I took too long getting my shoes on and bike ready there were already 7 girls on their bikes and gone before I was. The biking was hard and long. The back of my legs BURNED. I am not an experienced biker, but I think because of the bike I did a good job. I finished around 12th from that. So a few people passed me and I passed a few too.

then off to the run. I again had to take time and change my shoes to my running shoes and then off again. That was the hardest transition. I was already so tired how would I now run. But it was only two miles, but it felt like an eternity, maybe because it took me close to one, but it was sure hard. Once we turned around at the half way point it was much easier on the second half, because I had some clue of how much farther I had to go. I was able to sprint the last few hundred yards in and cross the finish line. that felt soo good. my final time was 53 minutes. my goal was to finish under an hour so I am glad I did that. I finished overall 6th in my division. I think I can do so much better next time. It was great to have Dan Parker and Sara there to route me on and help me transport stuff. overall it was a great experience and now I am much better prepared of what to except next time. MY new goal is 47 minutes. That was the winning time for my division this time. I think I can do it!

Jamies Wedding

I know that her wedding was 2 weeks ago, but I just got the pictures from it so I was waiting til now to post. The day before while decorating the church I brought the programs to the church so people could help assemble them. I know we should have done it much sooner, but it was hard to coordinate all the information and then getting them printed. It was a long drawn out process at Kinkos, but ended up turning out well. I went to the church we set up an assembly line and about 8 of us did it. they were two pieces of paper with the column down the middle lengthwise and printed front and back. so when assembled they were 8 pages each. So some of us scored the middle (so it would fold nicely and evenly, one person cut ribbon and the rest put the ribbon through the spine holes to keep it together. I do not think I have picture of them, but they were very pretty. Then we had the rehearsal that afternoon, followed by the rehearsal dinner. it was so yummy at a Mexican restaurant. then I went to watch them do Karaoke and went home to try and get some sleep. The next morning we all met at the church at 11 to finish getting ready and take pictures and the ceremony started at 2:30. It was truly a beautiful day.

 

The only flaw I saw was in our processional
MY MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT OF THE DAY!!! . we had practiced the night before that all the bridesmaids would enter then I would be last right before the flower girls because I was maid of Honor... excuse me MATRON of honor...yikes that sounds so old!. But then the coordinator said that everyone was supposed to come out except me and the bride., we thought that was weird but gave it little thought. then we realized we had been in this back room for a long time and no one had come to get us. so we walked out and all the music had stopped the flower girls had gone down the aisle. I asked the lady, was I already supposed to go and she said no not yet. we waited a few more seconds she opens the doors to the chapel and sends me on my way. As I look up a few people started to stand until they turned around and saw it was just me. They all thought it was supposed to be the bride. So I walk down the aisle to no music, and the mothers were lighting the unity candle up on stage and me not knowing whether to stop in the middle or run up and maneuver my way around. The other bridesmaids were laughing at me and motioning me to hurry. so I did. I went up on stage and scurried around trying to find my spot and not be int he mothers way. the whole thing made me want to hide. not stand on stage for all to see my humiliation. luckily the music sounded the doors opened again and there came a beautiful bride. my eyes immediately went to Jeremy as his face light up and was chocking back tears it was so sweet.

 

I cried way to much during the whole ceremony. It was just so beautiful!! The pastor did a really nice job and they just looked so happy. After pictures again we all headed to the golf course where it was just beautifully decorated the tables were so gorgeous.
Jamie really did a nice job setting up everything.
The food was great too. I was a little too nervous to actually eat much, but what I did eat, I really enjoyed. I was nervous from my speech I was about to give. I usually do not mind things like that, and love being the center of attention, but not that day. Oh I was scared. I think it went ok though, I forgot many things I was going to say, but made up new stuff too. I also forgot to have everyone raise their glasses with me and actually toast them (the whole point) but oh well.

Parker is 1 1/2

A few weeks ago Parker turned 18 months. I can not believe how old he is already and how smart he is too. He is really a little sponge right now. which is so awesome. I have taken a second to document things in his life right now so I can look back on later. Mainly for my benefit.
Words Parker can say:
hi, bye, momma, dadda, gapa (grandpa, grandma, and g. grandma) Kitty, meow, dog, ruff, moo, pecok (peacock, Quack, cracker, ka-ka, car, truck, choo (train)think and he points to his head, again, yeah, shakes his head for yes and no,
Food parker likes, green beans, brocooli, and any kind of meat, milk, juice, anything sweet, (not usually given by me) tomatoes, yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs, bread. He does not usually like pasta or rice, he spits it out. lately he spits out everything but we try.
He weights 23 maybe 24 pounds 33 inches tall he has 14 teeth with two more coming in all that is left is his last set of molars. He still takes 2 naps a day This boy NEEDS his sleep, I promise I do not just stick him in there because I need the time(which I do) he wakes up around 6:30 foes to be between 7:30 and 8 then naps at 9-11:30 and then again at 2:30 till about 4 sometimes 5.

He likes to clean up, stacking things, watch the wiggles and elmo, read books, destroy blocks towers, point out big trucks and tractors as we go bye. he is very interested in babies lately, he likes to sing songs like wheels on the bus and twinkle twinkle little star and heads shoulders, knees and toes, he does the hand motions. he really copies anything we do. he loves to play ruff by screaming and jumping on you and hitting. he thinks it is hilarious...I do not... it hurts man! and it is bad. He likes to climb up on stuff and play on the computer, doing anything with daddy, and play with anything that has to do with water. big fan, especially of the hose. I am sure there are so many other things it is so hard to remember right now. he is a VERY busy boy. always running and playing. HE loves to be chased and to hide from us. Many days I am not sure how we will make it through the rest of the day, but I could not imagine my days with out him, we are buds and he is so wonderful. A handful, but wonderful. Parker I love you little guy.
This is my favorite picture. He just looks so cute

Just reading

a collage of lots of good ones. there are some crazy faces he is making.

parker is 18 months

Here are some of the fun shots of him from his photo shot

Peak-a-boo I see you!


Swing batter batter swing. Man he was so good. Notice how he is keeping his eye on the ball. This is right after he hit it. (swinging left handed again)



Parker, Where's your nose?

best news ever!

After my extreme disappointment yesterday with the whole mail situation I called every book store in town for them to tell me they sold out of the book with in 15 minutes and I was out of luck. Luckily Borders had an extra shipment they had just pulled out. I scooted down there and picked it up for myself. and because it was release day it was 40% off with my rewards card. So I didn't end up spending too much extra anyways. So whenever Walmart does decided to send me theirs I will return that one. I started reading last night and it is so good so far. Happy reading to you all. Let me know what you think of it so far.

As I looked out the door I saw the flag was down on our mailbox, meaning the mail had come. I ran down the driveway as fast as I could and with great anticipation open the door and peak in....and NO BOOK! I can't believe it! I see the mailman again and flag him down ( I sound crazy huh!) He says wow you must be looking for something important and I ask him if he has something that will not fit in the mailbox if he walks it up tot he door. he said yes, but he would have already since he delivered my mail. I ask him to look again and nothing. he said, but I am sure it will come tomorrow. oh wait tomorrow is Sunday well I guess Monday. I think Sunday is a great day and all, but it is really annoying this week. I am so sad right now. If any of you have it and live near me and finish this book before I POSSIBLY get it Monday, please let me borrow it, Please read fast!

The waiting game

Our mail comes almost everyday by noon. Everyday but today. The only day that I have been to the mail box 100 times. You see a few months back I pre-ordered Breaking Dawn, Stephenie Myers new book in the Twilight series that was released today. I should have just pre-ordered at a regular store, and it would have been reserved for me and I would have went to pick it up today, but it was like $10-15 bucks more, so I said no, Walmart will do. I will be ok if i get it one day late, oh well. I was stupid! (I really should have learned my lesson last year I did the same thing and my book got lost and it came 2 weeks late. I was giving them the benefit of the doubt and trying again.) I received shipping confirmation that it went out on the 31st. and was expected to deliver today. Well I started to worry for our mail man wondering if something was wrong I walked around my neighborhood around 2 and found him. He was about 3 loops into the development. I asked if he delivers mail for this whole subdivision and he said yes, why? "Well I am just really anxious to get my mail, at least I know it is coming." He laughed and drove off. I watched the way he went it was opposite of my way, that meant that our loop would be his very last stop out of the development. Lame, but how long could a couple hundred houses take anyways? It is now 4 two hours later and nothing and I walked to the block ahead of me and they have not received their mail either. I am about ready to report this mailman for slow service and obviously being lazy on the job. I bet he is parked under some tree somewhere taking a little siesta. So lets hope that when the mail comes that the book will actually be in it, if not I will have to endure all day tomorrow with no mail and hope for Monday. I do not think my nerves can take it, or your eyes can read it because this may not be the last post about this topic. Well gotta go check the mail again... Hopefully I will report good news soon. any one know the latest the mail can come, what time does the carrier get off work? do they have to stay until their whole route is delivered? I hope so!

pre wedding pampering

Jamie, Kim and I went to go get pedicures and Manicures a few days before the wedding. it felt so good. they did a great job. We got French on both our toes and nails. they looked so pretty.

 

 

I love how it looks like these hands are about to attack me. You can barely see it in this poicture, but Jamie got me this cute shirt for my birthday that says Maid of Honor. I wore it to pre wedding stuff. I thought it was a cute idea.