Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Morocco

I love Morocco!



Granted, I haven't been there but I love everything thing I have read, seen in books or on the internet, the food I have eaten and the music I have heard. And OH! the smell of the spices. That, in itself is worth wanting to go there.

Morocco! Just saying the name invites intrigue.

Marrakesh! Another word of intrigue. Just the word lights me up.

Nestled at the foot of the snow capped Atlas mountains. Marrakesh beckons me.

The first place I want to hit when I get there is the souks. Djemaa el Fna. The square bustles with acrobats, story-tellers, water sellers, dancers and musicians. By night food stalls open in the square turning it into a huge busy open-air restaurant.



Sometimes I can smell what I think they will smell like. Spicy and musty, but not musty like mold musty more like intrigue musty. I can also smell animals nearby, food cooking and perfumes. At those times I close my eyes and can hear the venders hocking their wares, haggling with passerby's. I can see others sitting, drinking their tea (I hope that I am invited to sit and have mint tea with someone) and people watching like I would be doing. I would be in heaven weaving in and out of the alleys looking at the food and other items that are new to me but the place I am really looking for is the spices.



I am a spice hound. I love to spice things up when I cook especially with things that are not readily used or not found anywhere near where I live. When we moved 3 and a half years ago I was cleaning out my spice cupboard. I had 78 bottles of spices and herbs. There are not many I have come across that I haven't loved.

I think next I would hunt for a tagine. Or maybe 3 or 4. A tagine is a terra cotta cooking vessel. They have a pot/dish like bottom with a domed or peaked lid that one cooks in. I do not have one at this time but I so want one. Many of the dishes I cook I know would be so much better if only I had a tagine. This is the one I want first.....

Then, this one....


The first one is for cooking. The second one is for serving! How wonderful the food would taste if it arrived on the table served in this amazing vessel. Just looking at this vessel makes my mouth water.

And of course using the cookbook - The Food of Morocco by Paula Wolfert (once I purchase it) will be a gem in my collection. I do have the previous version but I cannot wait to get this one. Here is a link to her website

http://www.paula-wolfert.com/ There are recipes, articles and much more.



Ya know, Morocco is the first place on my Bucket List to visit. I have been many places and yet I haven't been here. I hope in the near future my number one choice on my list is lovely Morocco.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Nicole and Ryan



Nicole is engaged!

We are thrilled. Her beau's name is Ryan. He is a great match for her. We have known his family for 20 years and have loved them from the beginning. We met them when we were living in TX while John was going to Chiropractic school. They really embraced us and we felt so much love from them.

There is no wedding date yet. It will be no sooner then the end of 2012. It certainly will not be a quick engagement like in a lot of weddings. First of all he lives in another state. It will be a while before he will be able to move to UT and then after that the ate will be set. Nicole and Ryan will live in UT. I am sure it will be somewhere near us.

They are both looking forward to the day they will be sealed in the Temple. More details to come as they happen.

Monday, January 2, 2012

10 can soup

One of our most favorite soups to make is Chicken Tortilla Soup. We have made it for 15 or so years and each time I do it is comfort to the soul.

Years ago when I started making it the kids would call it 10 can soup because it takes 10 cans to make it.

2 large cans of chicken
2 cans of chicken broth
1 lg can of petite diced tomatoes
2 cans of Ranch Beans
1 7oz can of diced chilies
1 can of corn, drained
In a large pot add all the ingredients and warm through.
Can serve with crushed tortilla chips, shredded cheese, sour cream and olives.

When we serve this, first we crush the tortillas in a serving bowl then ladle the soup on top. Adding a dollop of sour cream, some cheese and a few olives to finish it off.

This is a great soup to warm up with in the winter but it is not so heavy that it cannot be made int eh summer also.

I hope your family loves this as much as we do.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Standard Works

OK...here goes.

I, Angi, will read the Standard Works each day to meet my goal of reading the entire Standard Works by December 31, 2012.

John and I are driving back from UT to KS when I decided to take up this challenge.

http://dailyclosertochrist.com/the-daily-journey/

This blog is Emily Freeman's. She, in my opinion, is a spiritual GIANT! I love her. I have read her books, heard her speak numerous times and been enamored by her words. I hope you will pop over to her blog and check it out. Join me in the reading of the Standard Works this year. I know it will lead me on a spiritual journey, none like I have been on before.

So...back to the drive. As we are driving through Colorado I am scanning my Facebook on my phone when a fellow Facebooker is taking on the challenge and challenging others. My heart was warmed at the thought. I immediately got my iPad out and opened my scriptures. I have begun...

Happy New Year, 2012!!!

Here it is...the beginning of a new year.

This past year has been an everything year. An everything year is one that everything happens. 'Happens' means so much going on, good, bad and indifferent.

I hardly got around to blogging last year which is too bad for you and me both. I don't have the record I want and I forget much of the details that it is hard to go back and fill in the blanks.

This year my resolve is to be a better blogger as well as get more organized (meaning, dejunking stuff) plan a wedding, work on my degree, try to finish my book and still be a wife, mother, caregiver, housekeeper, chef, assistant, student, neighbor, good citizen, taxi driver, gardener, disciple of God and all around good person. Now besides all of the above

I also have taken up the challenge to read the Standard Works by Dec 31, 2012. I have never read them ALL. Yes, I have studied them but to actually read them cover to cover has been a little bit (oh who and I kidding) a lot overwhelming.

This year, too, will be a busy year. But, since I am Wonder Woman I will be able to accomplish it all.