Broccoli!!

We have broccoli! I am so excited! Our first little bud. Check it out!

Doesn't it look delicious?

 And here's the before, after and after picture collage. I really need to take them all from the same angle so you can get the feel for how big these plants have gotten.

I can't believe how much these plants have grown in such a short time.

Dave at Harvest to Home has me on his e mail and text list to tell me when to cover the plants which is really a great idea because this has been such a no-brainer that I have forgotten about these guys a few times. This service has really helped keep the plants healthy.

Hopefully soon I will have some cauliflower to show!

Garden, Week Three!

This little guy is really growing! Check out the before and after:

I was a little concerned about this Fall edition. I didn't know if our patio would give the plants enough shade and then there was the self watering issue. When David from Harvest to Home installed the system it was leaking a little bit. I told David about it and he came right over and fixed it. The problem was my diverter. He fixed it up as best as he could but since the diverter is messed up we have to leave the water off and turn it on to make sure it gets enough water.

This of course has me a bit panicked because I am not exactly responsible in the watering department. The dogs and the cat have taken to drinking out of the toilet and staring at me pointedly when their water dishes are empty.

So far though, the plants are looking great and the watering is not an issue. I am salivating in anticipation of the crops of broccoli and cauliflower soon to come!

Garden, Fall Edition!

It’s here! It’s here! The new garden from Harvest to Home is here! 
David and his assistant Ralph delivered the new container garden last weekend and I am SO excited! 


The great guys at harvest to home were kind enough to offer me a complimentary fall garden to replace the cucumbers from the summer season. Turns out no one expected those plants to turn in to Godzilla cucumbers and they sucked out all of the nutrients in the soil which is why they didn’t produce the way they were supposed to. It was really great of David to give me a complimentary garden and I hope to do him proud this go round.

First off, they provided me with some stuff to keep the caterpillars and other pests away. David was leaving nothing to chance and he WROTE ON THE BOTTLE the water to mixture ratios. He was taking no chances on a repeat of THIS.

The garden I chose was a cauliflower and broccoli mix. I am super excited to mix up some of my famous broccoli salad and to cook up some cauliflower with cumin cream sauce. Yummolicious!

Here’s some pictures of the plants.

Hi little guys, welcome to your new home. Good luck to you!

Turkey Day!!

Is everybody in the holiday spirit? I am! After spending a relaxing weekend up north with just Mike and I and the pets, I can hardly wait to get started on my Christmas shopping!

Thanksgiving this year Mike and I decided to try something different. We went up north, just the two of us and, of course, 3 dogs, 1 cat and a 2 car loads of food.

We kicked off the feast by by making a champagne turkey, well, sort of. We did a little bit of a hybrid of that recipe. We tried a dry brine along with some fresh herbs and the champagne turkey recipe. It was without a doubt the best turkey I have ever had! Sorry, mom. :-)

Here He is, ready for the final touches

Glug Glug Glug, Mike is getting our turkey drunk

There were six new recipes in the rotation this year so it was not your traditional Thanksgiving day feast. The first new recipe was a twist on sweet potatoes. We had chipotle sweet potatoes. I must admit, I am not a sweet potato fan but these were really good. I think I may be a convert. 



We also had a brussel sprout, asparagus salad. It had pomegranate seeds and bacon and almonds in it. It was really pretty. Definitely going to make it for Christmas Dinner. Plus, there's nothing like adding a little bacon to lower the nutritional value of your greens.

We also had two new types of pie, buttermilk pie and chocolate mousse. Delish. Both of the recipes were courtesy of my dear friend Suzanne who also provided us with a great turkey tetrazini recipe which I am excited to make with the leftovers.

I confess, we were a little ambitious with the turkey buying. I got a 14 pounder for just the two of us. I know, lots of left overs. Turkey sandwiches for everyone! I did make some turkey and sour cream enchiladas and we will be mixing up turkey tetrazini for dinner tonight.

And, because I am all about over sharing, I thought I would also post before and after pictures of our kitchen.

Yes, he did help clean up. I know, Husband of the year!

But I digest ha ha, I mean, I digress. This Thanksgiving wasn’t just about the food for us. Mike and I were so happy to be able to get away and spend some time just hanging out together. In our hectic lives we don’t get to do that as often. I did miss being with my family and it was a tough decision to be away from them but I am glad we did it this way this year. 


This was a great kick off for the holidays and now I am energized and ready for the season to begin!


Oh!! Check out cheapthrillsinaz.com Beth and I are posting about some great inexpensive gifts and holiday celebration ideas. I am excited to get some posts up there. I have found lots of cool ideas!

Grandmother Huss turns 93!

 Everyone is the age of their heart.  ~Guatemalan Proverb

Sunday afternoon Mike and I made the journey over to his parent's house to celebrate Grandmother Huss and her 93rd birthday. What a treat!

After a delicious lunch of lasagna, Mike's dad busted out the guitar to lead us all in a round of Happy Birthday.

And then it was time for my favorite part of any birthday..... the CAKE!

As you can see Grandmother Huss had many helpers

It was a lovely afternoon catching up with family and celebrating this milestone. Happy Birthday Grandmother Huss!!

Wasting away again in Margaritaville

One day over lunch Shannon mentioned that the Jimmy Buffett concert was coming in October. I had never been to Jimmy Buffett so I just filed that info away without a second thought.

Then came the e mail from Jackie that Jimmy Buffett was coming and they were tailgating. I took this as a sign that I needed to see what Cheeseburgers in Paradise tasted like. I promise that is the last Jimmy Buffett song reference.

October 20th could not come soon enough!

As we pulled in to the tailgating area I could tell this was going to be a good time! The crazy hats, the RV's with dance floors on them, the margarita machines going at full blast, this concert is definitely an EVENT

We located the Griffith compound with ease and commenced with the grilling and the drink making. I am glad they didn't start without us!

Hanging with Scooter and Jackie and the rest of the Mesa crew is always a good time and tonight was no exception. There was a rousing game of cornhole and the music was going. We scarfed down some burgers and the guacamole that Mike made for us did not last very long.

The concert was great! We got a spot on the lawn up by the wall so we were out of the crowd and could just enjoy the fantastic weather as we sat under the stars and did some people watching.

I am so glad that I went! I am no longer a Buffett virgin.

Great Bowls of Chili!

 On October 15th the masses descended upon the Hand household for the 2nd annual Chili Cook Off!

Jackie Griffith was the winner from last year so she was strutting around showing off the winner's apron.

All TEN of the chili entries (double the amount from 2010) were lined up and ready for tasting.

We got smart this year and had smaller tasting cups so that the tasters wouldn't get too full from the first few tastes.

Also new for 2011, we had categories for the spiciest, the most original and the best overall recipe. I knew we were all in trouble when mom said she had "dynamite" in her freezer and she was ready to unleash it on the tasters.

As we waited for the sun to set and the heat of the day to break, everyone enjoyed chatting, listening to some Johnny Cash, playing games and painting pumpkins.  We also sampled the other treats brought by everyone. Jackie's caramel apple dip did not last long.

The tasting began at about 4:30 PM. There was a frenzy at the tasting tables and everyone was excited and ready to judge! A clear front runner for the spiciest chili was crock pot number 5.

After much fun and deliberation, the winners of the Hand Chili Cook Off 2011 were Susan Hand for the best overall recipe, Tony Scardina for the most original recipe and Irene Hand for the spiciest recipe.

It was a great time and I can't wait for next year!