Simplifing My Life, For Now.

As you might be able to tell, I greatly simplified our blog. I did this for a couple of reasons. 1) I needed a change from the one I had up and 2) I didn't have the patience to make a new one. Anyone who makes their own blog template knows very well that it takes a lot of time and energy to put it together...and I just don't have either tonight. So green it is, since its my favorite color...I think it fits nicely.

Earlier this week I received a fun package from my sister-in-law, Mackenzie. For Christmas she made Andy and me aprons! You can imagine how excited I was when I found out, seeing as how I didn't even own one! We also got the Weight Watchers 'Make it in Minutes' cookbook and the Ellie Krieger cookbook 'The Food You Crave'. We have already used our aprons and made meals from both cook books! We love them! Thanks Kenzie...for sharing your sweet sewing skills with us!



As a side note, today is Andy and I's 7 month anniversary. To celebrate we had ice cream! What a treat...it has been so cold here the last 1/2 of this day but it still sounded so good! I can honestly say it has been the best 7 months...we really love being married. Even if we are lost in the woods! :)

Us in Times Square

Love, Meliss

Expect More. Pay Less.

Yes that's right, you heard it my friends...I am officially a new employee of Target. After a long search for a job (about 5 months) I finally found a job! I had my first official day yesterday. I always said there were a few retail places I wouldn't mind working...(mostly for the discount :) and Target was one of them. Along with Nordstrom and Anthropologie and Banana Republic, heee. Anyway, I will be working at the Photo Center, Front End (cashier, guest service etc) and on the sales floor. I am not about to deny that my most favorite part is probably scanning things. Yesterday I had the chance to "test the waters" a little and boy was it a good time. For some reason I have always thought it would be fun, don't be shy...I have already talked to several of you who feel the same!

Anyway...I will be sure to take a picture in my khakis and red...and next time you shop at Target think of me!!

Shake Your Groove Thing, Yeah Yeah.

Andy and I love shakes. Fruit shakes, frozen shakes, shimmy shakes....all kinds. So when a friend of mine from church told me about the oh so tasty Spinach shake I was really curious! So she made them, and I fell in love right from the start...and we have started making them at home. For those of you who love shakes as much as we do, this one is sure to please....don't care for spinach? Give it a try, you can't taste a hint of it if you make it right!

Spinach Shake

1 1/2 Frozen Banana (by peeling and freezing your ready to eat banana's ahead of time it keeps you from having to use so much ice, or any for that matter)

2 1/2 Spoon fulls of orange juice concentrate (un-prepared, straight from the can)

Several hand fulls of baby leaf spinach (until your blender is packed)

Put all of your ingredients in your blender, just add water and mix. Feel free to add extra banana or OJ to taste. Also, add ice if you want a thicker consistency. They taste just like a banana/orange drink! I dare you to try it!

mmm WE LOVE THEM!

As a side note, I watch a lot of Food Network. I love it and wish that I could be as successful in my cooking abilities...alas, I don't imagine that will ever happen. However, Andy really hates the face people make after they taste the food they have prepared...its a signature taste testing face that is always present on every Food Network program. In honor of that, here is Andy's impression of the Food Network Taste Test.

Not Quite Bare Naked...

Last Sunday we had dinner at the Ashton home along with the Missionaries (Ben and Emily are the best hosts)! One of the missionaries kindly asked if we knew how to make granola bars...I love exploring different things to bake and decided I would take on the task of making granola bars for the Elders (and some for us too!) I found this great recipe off of Food Network.com The only thing is...it turns out pretty hard and crunchy. I was hoping they would be chewy, but if you like granola...you can also break it up to make granola cereal instead of bars. You pick.

Granola Bars (or granola cereal)

Recipe From: Alton Brown, Food Network 2005

2 Cups old-fashioned rolled oats (I used quick oats)

1/2 Cup raw sunflower seeds

1 Cup sliced almonds

1/2 Cup wheat germ

1/2 Cup honey

1/4 Cub packed dark brown sugar

2 Tbs unsalted butter

2 tea vanilla extract

1/2 tea salt

6 1/2 ounces of your choice dried fruit

Grease (non-stick cooking spray) a 9x9 baking dish and set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix oats, sunflower seeds, almonds and wheat germ in a mixing bowl and spread out onto half-sheet pan. Place in oven and toast for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

In the mean time, combine the honey, brown sugar, butter, vanilla extract and salt in a medium saucepan and place over medium heat. Cook until brown sugar has completely dissolved.

Once the oat mixture is done, remove it from the oven and reduce heat to 300 degrees. Immediately add oat mixture and liquid mixture to a mixing bowl and stir to combine, also add in dried fruit and any other desired ingredients (I added coconut as well). Turn mixture out into the greased baking dish and press down, evenly distributing the mixture in the dish. Place in the oven to bake for 25 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Cut into squares to make bars or crumble to make granola. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Enjoy!