Spinach Feta Roulade

1 Large Skirt or Flank Steak
2 - 3 cups uncooked baby Spinach
1 - 1 1/2 cups Feta
Butcher's Twine
BBQ
Patience

Lay the steak out flat and if it is more than 1/4 inch thick slice through leaving 1/2 in before cutting it completely in half. Pound to tenderize. Layer the spinach on the steak only covering 2/3's. Add the Feta to the top of the spinach still leaving 2/3 of the steak uncovered. Now here is where the patience comes in...starting with the side of the steak with spinach and feta, roll the steak as tightly as you can. Tie with butcher's twine tightly. (if you need to know how to do this...Google it.) Cook on low heat on the BBQ until steak is cooked like you like it. Remove the butcher's twine slice and enjoy!

I got a BBQ for Christmas and LOVE it! The above picture is of the Roulade I actually cooked! I am so proud...although it cooked longer than I liked, it was still pretty tasty. Also, I did a horrible job tying it with butcher's twine...I am definitely going to need to practice.

January 22nd

Tomorrow, January 22nd will be my 1 year anniversary with my current employer Intermountain Healthcare. I really like it there and am excited with what I hope to be the first of many milestones. However, tomorrow also means that I only have 2 months left in my 20's...and this fact makes me want to cry.

Why is turning 30 such a big deal to me? Why do I feel like I haven't accomplished enough? Why do I feel like if I turn 30 I will automatically be a failure? Weird. One reason maybe that I have this voice in the back of my head telling me that if I don't have my first child by 30 then the risk to me and my future children increases significantly. What rat face would tell a single woman that on a repeated basis? Even in jest? (I can give you a name if you are really interested.) This thought literally seeps in every time I think of being 30 and I want to cry.

In reality, I am not a failure, I have accomplished a lot, and turning 30 is just a beginning to a new decade of amazing life experiences. As for the having children after 30 comment...well Ardell had me at 46 and I am freakin' amazing and so is she.

Specifically for: CHAIN, CLYDE, TREE, and CHEW

Hey Punk,

I didn't take you precious basketball...but I did find it. If you want it, maybe you should put more effort into finding it. While you are searching you should sing "Beautiful Girls" out loud, I think it would help you think more clearly, since it is your favorite song.

D'Nell

p.s. FIRE aNdy
p.p.s. DIE

True Color

What's Your True Color?

My Result: Red

Your color is red, the color of racy sportscars, blushing cheeks, and luscious roses. Red symbolizes passion, romance, and love. So, since you're ruled by red, you probably trust your feelings more than your brain and tend to act spontaneously. If you see something you want, you go for it without thinking twice — impulsive is your middle name. You don't wait around for people to make decisions, either; you dive right in. Quite the romantic, you pay close attention to your emotions. In fact, if your heart isn't in what you're doing, you won't be satisfied. Of course, even when you do pour all your energy into the projects you tackle, your impetuous nature means your passions can shift as frequently as the wind. That's why some reds have trouble with commitment. Our advice? Next time you're feeling fickle, think before you act, if possible. You might be surprised at the results. Overall, though, it's great to be red. No one lives life more completely than you do.

Take this test >

Ummm....please leave a comment on whether you think this describes me or not...I am on the fence and would like to hear your opinion...

Chicken Enchilada's

I am making Chicken Enchilada's for dinner tonight, it is a family recipe...just not my family recipe. So tasty, so simple...

1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 small can Green Chilies
1 can Refried Beans
16 oz Sour Cream (original recipe says 8oz, but it isn't enough)
3-4 chicken breasts cooked and cubed (I boil my chicken)
Tortillas
Cheese

Add can of refried beans to meat and mix together. In a separate bowl mix soup, chilies and sour cream together. Coat bottom of pan with soup mix (thin layer so the tortillas don't stick to the pan). Set 1/4 of soup mixture aside. Roll Tortillas with meat and soup mixture along with grated cheese and put in pan. Top the rolled tortillas with the soup mixtures set aside earlier and cheese. You can also top with green onions. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes...and enjoy!

Side note: Refried beans are optional, if not using them, replace with a can of cream of chicken soup. It is tasty both ways, one is just creamier.

My Brain Is Fried

I have worked so much in the last 2 months that my brain is fried. I want to blog more, but I have no random or interesting thoughts...all thoughts are work or survival thoughts. Hopefully just one more month...although while my mind is suffering currently...my savings is LOVING it!

Blast From The Past

Does anyone remember these? While, they look like they are fun, I just want to throw up when I see one. In fact, I have gotten dizzy just thinking about writing this blog....uh oh...I think I am going to be sick.....

A Must Read

I read this great book in 2006...I loved it so much I even read parts out loud to my niece...I am sure she loves it when I do that...she is just great and so patient.

"Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything"
by Steven Levitt and Stephan Dubner. Disclaimer, I am not one who normally likes these types of books. That being said. I would read this book any day of the week.

I recently purchesed the Freakonomics calendar with interesting tidbits everyday. The one for Friday, January 4th...included another love of mine...the Chinese...so without further ado...

"The Chinese government has cracked down on the custom of having a stripper perform at burials. The deceased is thought to fare better in the afterlife if more people bid him farewell, so some families had taken to hiring strippers to draw a crowd."

As the CIRCLE girls would say "Those cRazY Chinese!"

Looking Back and Looking Forward

2007:

*New job, which I love. I have such amazing bosses, I didn't know bosses like this existed. Intermountain has given me a lot of opportunities. I am happy there.
*New shoes, Keen's and Earth shoes. I love them. I can't believe I didn't purchase them before December. Seriously, I LOVE THEM. So comfy, so cute.
*A changed mom, Ardell today is amazing to see. 2007 started off with her is so much pain. She bent over when she walked or stood. Always in pain. She tried not to let that limit her, but it did. Her temper was short and her attitude was not always the best. Just last week, I saw her standing straight up in the kitchen getting something out of the cupboard. Every time I see something small like this I want to shout and cry for joy. The old Ardell is back, the happy nice one.
*New FANTASTIC friends, and some amazing old ones. I made some great friendships this year. People who inspire me to be me, the best me. We laugh and support each other. Reconnected with several "old" friends. They are amazing. I hope to never let the connection lapse. I learned this year the true importance of good friends. Ones who will always be there no matter if for a month you just cry to them...or just need a support. They are there for the good and the not so good. Thanks for being there.
*Hard year, 2007 may have been the hardest year I have had. December 2006 some really frustrating things in a lot of areas had built up. I was at a breaking point. Slowly over the months I was able to work though each item. Today, I am so much happier than last year, and am looking at the world and my life through different eyes. More knowing educated eyes. With this said, I hope my crying days are, if not OVER, at least reduced by 75%
*Words, I started a blog, and it has caused me to think more about MY WORDS. I reflect more now before I let things just spew out of my mouth. My words have caused a lot of pain and unpleasantness, I hope they cause less if any in the future. Words are important, words should lift and not tear down. I have learned so much about myself, and blogging is cheap therapy.
*The importance of silence. So I can hear the Still Small Voice more often and when it is needed.

2008
*Started off a bit rocky: 8 hours in...My car door lock is frozen, key goes in, but won't turn. Don't wash your car in the late afternoon in WINTER. Lesson learned. Also, I have already cried this year, not about the car, something else. I don't want to cry anymore about this, I try really hard, but it still gets to me. I will be strong and not such a baby. I have already filled my quota for the 1st 3 months...let's hope I don't exceed it.
*More education, I am actually looking forward to going back to school. I love to learn and am excited to see the opportunities in my career open up a lot more with an MBA. Let's all pray I get a good score on the GMAT.
*A year to teach, I am now a relief society teacher, my first lesson as such is in 2 weeks. I am really excited, REALLY excited. I never thought I would be this excited over a calling...but I am.
*Big decisions, I have some big decisions to make this year. Honestly, I am a little scared of the decisions and the consequences. But either way, I will move forward.
*Goals. The first one is to actually make a goal about my goals.
*Fun, 2008 has some fun things planned...I will write about them all in due time, so stick around, I hope it is going to be "one wild and crazy ride!"