The Wonderful Dinner Group

For about three months now I've been involved in a dinner group. This is how it works, we have a group of four. My day is Monday, Anjie is Tuesday, Jennifer is Wednesday, and Kelley on Thursday. On our day to cook we each make four main courses, and deliver them to each others houses (preferrably by 3 pm). It's the best thing ever! I kind of fought it at first, but when you have kids that you care about feeding a good dinner it's a life changer! I used to dread dinner time SO bad, never knowing what to make and never having the desire to make it. We have had delicious dinners, and all we have to do when it's not our day to cook is heat it up and get a side together. I HIGHLY recommend it! Here's the recipe I made today, I haven't eaten it yet, so it might not be all that great. Jennifer recommended leaving out the arugula because of it's bitter taste, so I did.

Turkey Burgers with Chipotle Tarter Sauce

Ingredients:

3/4 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons minced red onion

2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

1 tablespoon minced canned chipotle chilies*

1 tablespoon drained capers
1 pound ground turkey

4 whole wheat hamburger buns, split

4 red onion slices

8 plum tomato slices

2 bunches arugula (about 1 ounce)

Preparation:

Whisk first 6 ingredients in small bowl.

Season with salt and pepper.

(Sauce can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill.)
Prepare barbecue (medium heat).

Form ground turkey into four 1/2-inch-thick patties.

Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Grill burgers until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.

Grill buns until just toasted.

Spread 1 tablespoon sauce on bottom half of each bun.

Top each with 1 burger, then 1 more tablespoon sauce.

Top each with 1 onion slice,

2 tomato slices,

then 1/2 bunch arugula.

Cover with bun tops.

Serve, passing remaining chipotle tartar sauce separately.

*Chipotle chilies canned in a spicy tomato sauce, sometimes called adobo, are available at Latin American markets, specialty foods stores and some supermarkets

My First Madam Alexander Doll

When I was about three years old, my grandma and grandpa Miller gave Jennifer and I our first Madam Alexander dolls. Jennifer was given Scarlett O'Hara with the beautiful green eyes, black hair, and the fancy ruffled dress. I on the other hand got Meg from Little Women, gingham dress, hair pulled back, with a white apron. I remember thinking Jennifer's doll was prettier, so I grabbed it's hair and pulled.

Band of Brothers

I recently read a wonderful article called "Band of Brothers" in the Ensign. The front of the article had a picture of men at war. Thinking that the article had nothing for me I began to flip past it until my eye caught the word "fear." Since "fear" is my best subject, I decided to read the article. It had an impact on me. I loved what Elder Wirthlin said about fear, I also really appreciated how Elder Wirthlin talked about "settling into the harness." I seem to have a hard time settling into things. It's kind of given me a different outlook on my responsibilities, especially as a mother and as a homemaker, can I say that word? Read it!

Lampshade Class

Recently in Country Living magazine there was an article about a woman in VT. who created beautiful custom lampshades. Well, ever since I made several lampshades myself (and loved every minute of it) I took a great interest in the article. It turns out that I went on her blog recently and learned that she gives classes on how to cover lampshades. Well, I signed up the next day. I was so excited! Something inside of me isn't allowing me to do the waiting game anymore. I feel like going for things. SO... Rob and I are headed to Pawlet, VT. in April so I can go to Judy's class. YAY!!! If I can figure it I'll post her link. She mentioned our conversation on her blog. I'm one of the "young mothers" she talked to in her blog "A Great Day." Isn't the internet amazing? Connecting so many people from so many different backgrounds and places.

I'm taking an art class

I recently signed up for a drawing class. The class will be in this charming barn that was converted into an art center. I'm really excited because I've always wanted to "try me hand at drawing." Hopefully I won't disappoint myself, get overwhelmed, lazy or quit. Forever an optimist!
I'm also interested in painting and I thought this would be the first logical step. So, Thursday night at 7:00 I have a date with destiny. We'll see how it turns out.