Bread Bread Bread

OK... first off... I SUCK.  I haven't blogged in forever and there is so much to share with everyone!
Let's start off by announcing that I have a new job and so does Drew!  Yes, you have read that correctly, Drew has a job!  He will be working at a CPA firm in Renton so he will be ready to do taxes come next tax season and I am now working for Amazon in their Seattle office (Main headquarters).  I have been there for the past month now and it's still an adjustment of waking up, taking a bus for an hour, getting used to the corporate feel and working for the legal department. So far I love it and it's been good.  There are times I feel all I do is work, but it's been really fun to learn new things and adjust to the new systems and so far so good!  Whoo Hoo!!!

So in honor of the new accomplishments in our lives... I decided to break some bread. Ok we didn't break bread to celebrate, but I have been on a cooking/baking kick and my newest recipe involves making homemade artisan bread.  I'm a sucker for good fresh bread and bought some new soup bowls so I'm hoping once I master the recipe I will make some french onion soup... mmmmm...  If you are in the market for good bread, make it yourself and buy this book (of course on Amazon.com and get a food storage container while at it... you will need it for the master recipe)...  A co-worker told me about this book and I want it so bad.  She sharted the master recipe with me but I want this book really bad...

Within the book, it tells you tips and secrets on how to make the bread recipe with only 4 ingredients (Flour, salt, yeast, water).  It can't be any simplier and you mix in within the food container...

After the rise, you get the gooey mess

Ripe a piece and place on your peel to wait for the final rest and dusting...

Place in the oven for it's steam bake (just like the spa), who knew dough needed so much TLC

And WA-LAH.... Check out this baby!!!!

Memories

I came across these pics from the past... aren't we so cute???

Hawaii maybe like 20 years ago (maybe more)

Hawaii - July 2011

Oh the memories!!!!  Sorry I haven't posted in awhile... busy busy.  I just started my new job at Amazon.  It's fabulous!

Look Who is turning 9!!!

It's Phoebe!!!!

For the past 3 years (this year included) I have made a cake for Phoebe.  I have to get very creative because my first cake (Princess Cake) was awesome and I have to continue to top it.  Last year was the Pumpkin and this year is the Dirt Cake.  She's now gluten free so I made everything with gluten free oreos (Glutinos).  They still taste like the real stuff.  So yummy!!!! 

Happy Birthday, Phoebe!

Congrats to Dan/Stephanie!

This weekend I went over to Chelan to attend my co-worker, Dan's, wedding.  His bride Stephanie is a doll and she looked GOREGOUS!  It was first time I have ever been to Chelan and I know now why people go there to vacation.  It's a beautiful place to visit.  Congrats to the happy couple!

Note my phone camera sucks... only picture that came out.

Go Storm!

My good friends Kim & Gavin had an extra ticket to the Storm Woman's basketball game last Sunday and what the heck, I went to it.  I don't know much about woman's basketball and it's definately not one of the sports I would like to watch but I've never been to a game so you have to try everything once.  It was actually a good game.  Someone famous named Nancy Liberman was there, don't know who she is, we had great seats like 3 rows on the main floor, the Storm won and I got Ivar's at the game.  Nothing to complain about.

Got some free thundersticks at the game.  Let's Go Storm!

Recap (part 3) - August

And now finally into August....  can you handle all the blogging???

Started off great with a new addition.  Kim (No, You're Funny blog) had her baby boy.  I went to see her at the hospital and brought her some amazing flowers from the Pike Place market.  Definately will buy more because for a HUGE bouquet I got it for $10!!!!  Congrats Kim/Colby/Elleanor and welcome Baylor.  And for a sneak preview.... this will be coming to you Kimmie :)

What do you think?  My newest quilt I'm finally getting around to...

Next up Drew came to visit and I planned a surprise 30th birthday party for him to see his baseball friends and go bowling.  Tish might have the best pics because she took pics of the cake and everything.  It was so much fun to plan this... he was really happy

Tish, Kyrsten & Mike in the back

Sam & Luke

Luke & Mike... hahaha I love this pic

Dwayne & Tanya

Jonah & Loranie (I think I spelled that wrong)

Stacy & Drew

At bowling... I bowled a 167 (new record for me.... those bowling league nights did help)

And us... I'm starting to realize a trend here with my outfits... I wear this shirt a lot!

And next was my birthday... I just celebrated on Monday... Happy 29th to me (and Lammy).  Drew and I went over to Ryan and Kiersten's for dinner.  They gave us these awesome shirts... I love them.  What a special treat. 

Cheesy I know.... hahahaha

Drew make me some Grandpa Wayne Mug cake... (another blog post, I promise).  Thank Drew.

Happy Birthday to me!

Recap (part 2) - July

Now onto July....

After Vegas, I had another week back home to celebrate the Fourth of July celebration.  From what I remember, I think I fell asleep around 10 and missed the entire firework show but woke up to my neighbors shooting some off so I got to hear them.  After that it was off to Hawaii!!!!  Yes I'm spoiled and have been to a lot of sunny warm places.  hee hee

Hawaii was not only just for vacationing but also for my sister's wedding, YEAH!  Lanny my older sister got married to Jason who is wonderful.  They are so a like (it's scary) and so happy.  Drew flew in from Arizona and met me at the airport.  Jason, Lanny, Lammy, Chae and I were all on the same flight from Seattle and Drew met us in Hawaii.  The airport on Kona is tiny, not like Seattle where you get lost.

Here is us having lunch at Bubba Gump.  I had fish and chips and Drew had this stuffed shrimp and the stuffing was a mixture of lobster and cheese.  So tasty.  We sat right by the water.

Jason and Lanny on the wedding day.

Me and Drew.  My hair was so nice.  Jenna who is Lanny's good friend is a hair stylist and did all of our hair.  It was amazing!

The family.  The mommas and Jason's grandma wore traditional Korean outfits.  They are called hanbok and are made of silk.  Traditionally the colors represent things, but I don't know what they mean, all I know is they look so beautiful.  GORGEOUS!

 

AWWW their first kiss as man and wife!

The day after the wedding, the entire family on both sides went sight seeing.  Jason's parents lived in Kona and knew the area so they were our tour guides.  It was such a nice day.  We first went to this village area and walked around the Hilton.  WHAT an amazing hotel... I got to meet a new friend... his name was Pablo.

Say hi to Pablo the sea turtle.

Then we went to a lookout place on the Northside of Kona.  The weather was so strange.  First it was sunny and nice then it was like Seattle... 60 and cold and RAINY!

Aren't my parents the cutest things you have ever seen?  I look just like my dad... scary!

What a great time in Hawaii.  Thanks family & congrats Unnie and Jason.  Then it was officially back to being home and getting back into life.  That was really hard as I was utterly spoiled... I want to go back!