go-to

My mom gave me Dinner: A Love Story for Christmas and I've loved reading her stories and recipes on family dinners.

While perusing one Sunday for my weekly menu, I stumbled upon our new go-to recipe for a quick delicious dinner: Baked Sausage with Apples, Potatoes and Onions.  I had all the ingredients already (frozen chicken/apple sausage from costco!), so I thought I'd give it a try since my guy is a meat and potato guy.
Her recipe is below, but I made the following changes... 2 chicken/apple sausages, large chunks of half an onion (T doesn't like onions), chopped up yukon gold potatoes and dried thyme.  Usually an amount of everything for 2 people.  We top with spicy brown mustard and it is marvy.

Baked Sausage with Apples, Potatoes, and Onions

Preheat oven to 425°F. In a large baking dish, toss 2 cups small whole unpeeled potatoes (or 3 to 4 medium potatoes chopped), 1 medium onion (chopped artlessly in chunks), and leaves from 2 sprigs of fresh thyme with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake for 20 minutes, then toss in 2 to 3 apples (unpeeled, preferably baking apples such as Cortland, Granny Smith, Jonathan, Northern Spy) that have been cut into large chunks, and 4 uncooked sweet Italian sausages (about 1 pound). Turn heat down to 400°F and bake another 30 minutes. During the last 5 minutes of cooking, stir 2 tablespoons of cider vinegar into vegetables. Serve with dollops of grainy or Dijon mustard.

the new me

Glasses.  I always wanted them, but never needed them.  T and everyone in my immediate family wears them.  My dad didn't need glasses until he was 50, so I figured I would follow in his footsteps and not wear them for years.

Recently I noticed while reading and using computer (what we do ALLLL day) that I was straining my eyes to read, and then when I looked up I'd have to readjust to focus my eyes for distance vision.  Who knows how long I've been doing this, but I hadn't been to see an eye doctor in, oh, maybe 15 years?  So I thought, maybe it's time for a vision test... But I can see!

I finally went.  Read the chart like a champ, and then he began to test my up close vision and things were a tad bit blurry.  Oops!  He said it was time for some reading and computer glasses.  I said, "but my dad didn't need them until he was 50! Surely I'm the same?"  He said that my dad probably NEEDED them way before that time.  So here I am, joining the rest of my family in the glasses party.  At least glasses are cool, right?  Jonathan, looks like you're next!

If you follow me on instagram, you've already seen this photo.

My good friend CindiLou helped me pick out these glasses and I'm liking them!

I'm now the lady who puts on her glasses to read, and then takes them off to look up. 

:)

a look at 2012

2012 was a great year at our house.  We gardened, got our green egg and cooked A LOT of delicious meals, I had a ton of job transitions and feel very blessed where I've landed, spent time with friends, Leslie and I had our first annual sister retreat in CA with Scottie, we welcomed new babies, celebrated marriages (our 4th anni too!), played in the grove, cheered for the grizzlies and rebels, and enjoyed just being together daily in our home.  We are blessed.  We are loved.  And we love Jesus most importantly and cherish his grace and love daily.

Here's to another great year for the Carters!  I can't wait to see what lies ahead....


Another year for desktop calendars, if you're interested.  January found here...