Liam Finn

Jake here. So this guy rocks pretty hard. I've never seen anyone perform like this.

Screw Atkins!

I think they had it better in the early 20th. Ryan, maybe this could eat your diabetes.

WPM

375 words

Speed test

Jake here, and apparently so are my fast fingers.
Thanks Natalie.
And for those skeptics out there, here is my real score.
84 words

Speed test

#32

Jake here. Ryan Carlson is having his birthday party this weekend at his new place in Kirkland. Don't forget to be there.

Italian Creamy Chicken

HAVE I BLOGGED THIS BEFORE?

This is what I am making for dinner tomorrow. {Credit due to: Nicole. We used to eat this all the time in Hawaii. She would make it and then I started making it all the time because I loved it sooo much. Thanks Nic.}

Ingredients:

• 3-4 chicken breast
• 1 cube of butter
• 1 italian dressing package
• 1 can cream of chicken
• 1 8oz. package of cream cheese
• 1 cup milk
• rice

Directions:

• place chicken breasts in crock pot. cut slices of butter and place on top of chicken. sprinkle italian dressing package. cook on low for 3-4 hours.
• when chicken is cooked test to see how tender. you want the chicken tender enough to shred. if it is tender then take two forks and shred those suckers up. 
• in bowl mix cream cheese, cream of chicken and milk. add to crock pot and stir.
• cook on high for 1 hour. 

Serve over rice or noodles. I prefer rice. 

Here is a picture of Nicole's darling Macy Lou. 

Mini Golf

Since we can't upload photos I am stealing these from Carrie. The sun has been shining (plus) and giving off warmth (plus #2) so we took advantage. Over the long weekend we went mini golfing and it was seriously the most classy mini golf I have ever been to. Jake was disappointed there was no windmills and castles other decorative holes. Emma (our niece) was so good and carried around her ball and club the whole time. She was so tempted to grab all the golf balls but never did - it was funny watching her think about it, stretch out her hand and then pull back when someone told her not to. 

Check it Check it

I was revisited to the sounds of Tegan and Sara today by a friend. I did not realize that they were identical twins. Their new album is wicked. This is one of the more popular tracks (Back in Your Head). Walking With A Ghost is pretty good as well. You may recognize the song from the White Stripes cover. They are playing a show up in Bellingham in April if anyone up this way is interested.

There Will Be Blood Soundtrack

Jake here. I haven't seen There Will Be Blood yet but Radiohead's own Jonny Greenwood did the soundtrack. That's all.

Be Kind Rewind

Jake here. We went and saw Be Kind Rewind last night. Hilarious and well done, but definitely not Kaufman. Michel Gondry was on Conan when we got home.

Puffy Acts Like Idiot On Letterman

Jake here. Diddy Diddy Diddy makes a fool of himself on Letterman last night. Letterman loves making fun of guests to their faces.

Taking the Cake

And the apron goes to.....

Molly Malia Henderson who won't have to wear her daughters gingerbread apron anymore! I loved that Molly. 

I cut out 32 numbered square pieces of paper, threw them on my bed, closed my eyes and picked one. 

Thanks Heather for the shout out. There were so many unexpected comments- thank you. This is mainly just ramblings of family adventures and a few recipes thrown in so don't get expectations of a bone-fide blogger. For those of you who were interested in some baby stuff and aprons I will write you an email or you can write me one amberfolkman@gmail.com. 

Thanks for stopping by. 

* I will be posting pictures of the finished products as soon as I get some real sunlight. Sunlight may be iffy up here but I will try. 

You want?

{Note: This is not the apron, just where the inspiration is coming from.}

I am making big plans to get real crafty this week. I have mid-winter break and don't have to work again until Thur. My sewing machine is out and I already have 1 apron down and many more projects to come. Some include baby headbands, baby booties, felt animals, more aprons, skirts, baby bibs, spicing up a shower curtain and maybe I will throw in a dress. Anyway, I won an adorable onesie on Ashley's blog and thought I want to give something away also. I know I am not one of those real blogs that have real give aways but I thought this would be fun. So if you would like a cute hip apron just leave a comment by Tues. Feb. 19. You don't even have to know me, you could just be stopping by.

Extremely Enjoyable and Incredibly Healing

Book Review-
My bro. Monti gave this to me for Christmas and had recently read it and enjoyed. I finished this last weekend and have been meaning to tell you all how wonderful of a read this is. It is written from the perspective of a 9 year old boy who lost his father in the 9/11 tragedy. Oskar Schell is far beyond his years of maturity and is on a healing journey. The highly intelligent 9 year old is drowning with wit, imagination and sadly, pain. I did not realize how moving and healing this story was until the very last chapter when more information is divulged. Oskar travels all over New York's boroughs by himself for 6 mos. until he befriends an elderly neighbor. Then they venture for another 2 mos together as comrades. He meets many unique and important individuals along his way. They bring hope to his life (and humanity) and his journey. There are 3 sides journeys that include the mother and grandparents that make the book just phenomenal. My favorite sections of this book are with his therapist and his role as Yorick in Hamlet. His words during these conversation are completely inappropriate, and hilarious might I add, but then the words written continue to display that they are merely thoughts and not actually what he has said. It is a light laugh in the intensity of the book.
If you don't want to buy it use your local library.

Stuffed Bell Peppers

This weekend I watched my fair share of the FoodNetwork and loved every single second of it. I made this one last night for dinner.
Stuffed Bell Peppers
Ingredients:

• 6 Bell Peppers
• 1 1/2 Cups Orzo
• 1 Can chicken broth
  
• 1 Can whole tomatoes
  
• 1 CupFinely grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 Med. size Zucchini

Directions:

• Bring orzo, chicken broth and water to a boil and let orzo soften but not be completely cooked.
• Cut off bottoms of bell peppers so they lay flat on the pan. Cut off top and clean out middle. Line in 2 in. deep cooking pan.
• Empty can of tomatoes (juices and all) and cut up into large chunks. (I just used scissors.)
  
• Strain out only the orzo and SAVE the chikcen broth and water. Place orzo in bowl with tomatoes.
• Grate zucchini's up and add to bowl along with Parmesan cheese.
  
• Mix all together and stuff bell peppers with the yummy goodness mix.
  
• Pour remaining water in the pan with the bell peppers so the liquid comes up to 1/4 or 1/2 way on the bell pepper.
• Cover with tin foil and cook on 350 for 45 min.
  
• Remove tin foil. Top bell peppers with Parmesan cheese and place back in oven to let the bell peppers brown.
  

Enjoy!

I Am Zee Wiener

YAY FOR ME! I won the most adorable baby onesie from this lovely! Check out her skills. Thanks for picking me Velzy and Ash! SOOO stoked.
{At the moment I can't upload any photos because our internet is wack and disconnects when we try to upload anything. So no photos for a while.}
{And this week is sucky because I am doing conferences and IEP's all week.BOO!}

Central Coast

Photos from the Ty and Ash's house on the Central Coast. Someday...

Hobo Foil Dinners

The power went out one night so my clever mom helped us put together foil dinners.

Ingredients:

• 3 large potatoes
• 4 carrots
• 2 onions
• 2 steaks
• cream of chicken/mushroom
• Montreal steak seasoning
• olive oil/spray
• foil

Directions:

• cut up all food ingredients into pieces
• spray with olive oil
  
• place food in double foil rectangles
• season steak
• spoon cream of chicken/mushroom on top
  
• wrap up foil and place on hot coals/embers
• cook for about 30-40 min

Enjoy your camping dinner!

Picture Story

BEWARE OF POST OVER LOAD! We left our camera cord in CA so we couldn't get all our pictures up from our trips. Here are just a few. Sorry they are like 2 mos old.

Tribute To My Mama

I am not consistent with birthday shout outs on my blog (sorry!) but I wanted to take a post to say Happy Birthday to my Mom.
Amber Brimhall is from a small quirky town located on Route 66 in northern Arizona. When we go back to her home town to visit Grandma B. I wonder how she could have grown up in such a foreign land and turned out so amazing. I think that small town played on her ability to be creative, interesting, fun loving and adventurous (being bored and looking for activities to have fun!)
My mom has mastered so many talents along the way. My grandma had a dance studio in the basement of her home so my mom and all her sisters took dance lessons for years. She had a trampoline in her backyard that aided toward her incredible gymnastic abilities. She grew up in a hick town and fit the bill perfectly. She wore Wranglers and was a rodeo queen.
My mom's gymnastic abilities took her to Rick's college. After two years she transfered to BYU Provo and also competed on their gymnastics team. She was offered a position to train and prepare with the US Olympic gymnastics team. That same year she was of the first women athletes to be offered scholarship (Thank you Title 9). With all those opportunities my mom was also offered a hand in marriage and that is what she took.
My mom has been a wonderful ensign to our family. She is a strong woman and has always radiated qualities of honesty, integrity, service, fun and love. I have never known a woman who gives more to her family and others around her. Daily she puts others first. My gives and never asks in return.
The last few years she has taken on a new career and it has been a change for us children who are so used to being spoiled by her and her attention (not that she doesn't still do that!). But these last few years she has liberated herself and has sought out more talents. Good for you Mom!
Anyway, 6 children and two grandchildren and a life legacy. I think my mom has done a pretty good job at life.
I love you very much and Happy Birthday!

LOST Quiz

Which Lost Character Are You?

Created by BuddyTV

Jake here. I took the LOST quiz to find out which character I am. In addition to the above I guess it's possible I'm already dead.

Bag Tag

I got a bag tag {compliments of Heatdawg} and also some great photo tips from her. Thanks Heather this was so fun.


-this fake leather bag i got for $9 from Sarah Jessica Parkers line Bitten. {cheap is what you pay for and cheap is definitely what you get}
-my dirty wallet i have had for 3+ years. probably time for an upgrade
-polka dot umbrella {i bought knowing that i would use it all the time here in Seattle} $3 bucks from H&M
- gloves from Target that i wear every single day
- pens, lots of them. i love sharpies and all their new colors
-small cosmetic bag
-granola bar. i am hypoglycemic so i always have something.
-lost of lip conditioner. i love the mint ones.
- day planner that i live by and a note pad for good thoughts and ideas.
*Billie, Tara, Melissa and Erin I would like to see what you ladies carry around. If anyone else wants to do it, go for it!

Don't Watch Smash Lab

Jake here. The above pictured four morons are the new stars of the "MythBusters on crack" series Smash Lab. Don't watch it. No matter how good it may be, you must resist. If they called it The Smash Crap Cause We Think People Enjoy Seeing Crap Smashed Happy Hour I would say fine. But the simple notion that they think we actually believe there is some kind of scientific merit to this show is offensive. MythBusters is good because they bust myths and don't claim to be on any greater scale than getting paid to be dorks. Discovery Channel needs to stick to the simple shows that people enjoy that either document something interesting or entertain people in a simple way. None of this breaking new ground crap. Let's stick with Deadliest Catch, Dirty Jobs, Cash Cab, and of course MythBusters. I'll even allow for How It's Made. Even though it's so so boring, it's mysteriously hypnotic and mesmerizing. But please don't watch Smash Lab. I never have and I never will.

Happy Friday

I am excited for the weekend. Today I got my first paycheck with my signing bonus included and I was so stoked. Jake and I are going to the Sonics vs. the Nicks game tomorrow night. Jakes bro's are coming down and we are going to celebrate Zach's birthday. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

This is a marvelous scene from Little Miss Sunshine. This movie was so hilarious and beautiful.
(Side note: When I was teaching in Provo I subbed at a boys school all the time.Rick James son was in one of the classes and he was a really cool kid, just some bad habits. [Rick James sang the song Olive so gracefully danced to.])