Kitchens are Dangerous Places

This is what Chef said to me right after I did this to my hand


It was a really good day it class. It marked the halfway point and we were learning about vegetables. I stayed after class to help with prep for the brunch the following day. This is when things took a turn. The chef assigned me to make bacon. I've never done this before but had seen others, so I quickly went about the task of putting the parchment paper and tray on the sheet pan, placing the the pieces of bacon in a row and putting it into the 450 degree conventional oven.

The first tray came out fine. Then I moved to take the second sheet out. I opened the doors of the oven, which open vertically like French door. The next thing I know grease spilled over the edge of the pan. I don't exactly have reflexes like a cat so my attempt to push the tray back in failed and greased spilled out the other side of the tray. This is when I screamed, "I need help!"

As soon as Chef had the tray in hand my hand was under water and then reaching for ice. I enjoyed my afternoon sitting in urgent care. So yes, kitchens are dangerous places!

Texas

This is why we live in Texas

Steve and I went last weekend. We looked at the pigs and cows and baby animals. We also went to an equestrian show.

Although parts were kind of boring we thought this was really cool

This is not why we live in Texas

This is what we woke up to Thursday morning. It kind of reminds me of Utah. Steve and I moved to Texas about a year and a half ago; apparently mother nature didn't get the memo.

Although, I really do have mixed feelings about the whole business. On one hand last February it was high 60's and I was planting our garden in frantic, thinking we'd missed our planting window. A part of me would really like to have the weather be mid 60's. On the other hand I think north Texas needs to stop whining and come to grips with the fact that it snows here. This is our 4th snow of the season. Maybe it's time for the city to invest, I don't know, in a snow plow. I would even go for some salt, anything to help remove the snow that doesn't use natural elements like the sun. But, it is gorgeous and it was all worth it because I came home to this cuteness



So, it snowed all night and this is what we found Friday morning


We think we got somewhere between 6-7 inches. No, it not like the storms out east, but for a place that acts like it never gets cold it's quite the storm.

Have You Ever Wondered

Have you ever wondered what you would look like if you spun in a circle and took a picture of yourself


It would look something like this

Sharp Knives and Such

So this past Saturday I pulled on my clogs, buttoned up my coat, and began a dream


For the last few years I've wanted to attend culinary school. I even contemplated dropping out of BYU to do so. Luckily I didn't (because I wouldn't have met Steve if I had). But, now the time has come and I am so excited. It really is cool having a chef's coat and floppy hat.


Okay, so it's not really attractive, but it is cool. The first day of class went really well. We practiced sauteing, learned about sanitation, etc. As excited as I was it did overwhelm me; it was like this sudden shock of "oh yea, this is school. I'm in school again." But, it will be good. The coolest part is the knives.

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

So as you can tell it is pretty much fantastic. Thank you Steve for supporting me in my dream!

The Christening of a Kitchen Aid

For Christmas I got a Kitchen Aid

I was really excited

The first night Steve and I were home I we took her on her maiden voyage and made Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies


Now, not only is this a Kitchen Aid, but this is a 90th anniversary Kitchen Aid- notice the glass bowl with medal attachments


Thank you to Steve and my mom and Cindy for this fabulous gift!

Christmas Vacation

I just got home for Christmas; Steve and I are playing with my family. A few weeks ago my parents bought a Wii and I played Wii fit for the first time.

What We're up to

We have been up to a lot lately including

Going to the Rainforest Cafe with our friends Tina and Greg


Making bread*


Refinishing an end table**


Steve also finished his third semester at medical school. Get excited.


* This is a fabulous way to relieve stress at the end of the semester.
** Yes, we are doing this outside in the middle of December.