Rissoles

Last night we had our good friends Jan (my sewing buddy) and Ben Francisco over for dinner. They are moving this week and I'm very sad. I made rissoles with mashed potatoes, gravy, and carrots. a.k.a. a good Aussie meal. Rissoles are kind of like savory meatballs.

Ingredients
2 lbs ground beef (mince) or turkey
2 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup breadcrumbs (or cornflake crumbs or oats)
1/3-1/2 cup shredded carrot
1/2 cup chopped onion (or to taste)
onion salt, to taste
fresh ground pepper, to taste
sea salt, to taste
garlic powder, to taste
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce (to taste)
vegetables (you can add any leftover veggies you may have on hand, if desired) (optional)
olive oil (for frying)

Directions
1. Place all ingredients in mixing bowl; mix well.
2. Roll into golf ball size meatballs.
3. Heat oil in heavy frying pan.
4. Cook meatballs in oil over medium heat, turning as needed, until each side is quite well done and very browned.
5. Serve with beef gravy.

Just as a side-note, in my 7th grade agriculture class, we had a cow that someone named Rissole. So funny.

Another Anniversary

I don't always remember, but this year I did; Today is the seventh anniversary since our first date! Here's a picture.

Sonogram Scheduled

My first sonogram has been scheduled for May 20. I'll be twenty weeks along and I can't wait to know if this baby is a girl or a boy. By the way, at present, I can't zip any of my pants but I don't quite look pregnant just yet.

Today Makes Eight

The trip that was going to be for eight months has now stretched all the way to eight years (and still counting). It was eight years ago today that I arrived in the United States as a little eighteen-year-old, bound for Brigham Young University. When I left home that day, I couldn't have known how much a semester or two away would change my entire life. It's mind-boggling! Each little choice can take us far.

Bread and Butterflies

I think I felt the baby for the first time today, although I can't be entirely sure it wasn't just my lunch. However, I'm told that if I feel a fluttering sensation inside, it could be the baby. I'm almost at sixteen weeks, so if that wasn't the baby, it won't be long before it is. By the way, if you think the bread and butterfly was a cute idea, congratulate Lewis Carol, not me. I'm sure LC never thought to apply the term to pregnancy though. Also, I want this cupcake.

That's Why They Call 'Em Boxers

My dog got a little over-excited at the prospect of walking yesterday, and gave me a nice upper-cut to the jaw with the top of her head. Thankfully, no lasting damage.

Tropical Fever

A giant bag of frozen mangoes called my name at the store today, so I brought them home with me. I'm gonna make smoothies outta you guys!

30 Ways in 30 Days

You'll likely be reading Dennis Prager's name a lot on my blog. I listen to his radio show most days of the week. His guest for this hour, Rebecca Hagelin, has a new book called Thirty Ways in Thirty Days to Save Your Family. I wouldn't mind reading it. I'm going to skip the whole reading books about pregnancy phase, and move onto the parenting books. Of course, I'm sure the scriptures are the best parenting books around, and I'd better get reading those too.

I recently heard someone say something like "If you read the scriptures as religiously as you read your e-mail, you'd be a lot better off". The first person who can find the exact quote on lds.org will win a mystery prize. I'm reasonably sure it was said in an LDS General Conference in 2008. On your marks... Get set... Go!

Starting Out

There's nothing like a pregnancy to stir a person to start a blog. Joe has been encouraging me for years to start posting... Tah-dah! Here I am... Finally. I've enjoyed reading blogs of family members and close friends and it's past time for me to start returning the favor. I'll do my best.