Best of 2007

There's something fresh about a new year, like the smell of clean laundry. Don't you love that smell? I'm always motivated at the beginning of the year to think about my favorite things of the last year and make a long list of ways to improve during the next year. (I won't bore you with the list of my resolutions, you can thank me later). But I have been thinking about some of the best things about 2007.

Best Books
There are lots of cliches and a few over the top metaphors, but The Goose Girl is so cute. The middle is a little slow, but the ending makes it all worth it. Action, friendship, and a little romance- great book and quick read.


Don't laugh that I loved this book! I thought Nicholas Sparks wrote cheesy romance stories. I was in for a shock when I read this book; I couldn't stop crying at the end.


Who doesn't *heart* Edward?


Best Song
Keep Breathing by Ingrid Michaelson. This whole CD is really great.


Best TV Show

Mike liked Friday Night Lights too because it uses football to teach the greater lessons of life.

Best Meal

Homemade Cafe Rio salad dressing, chicken, and rice. Mmmmm.

Café Rio Dressing

1 buttermilk ranch dressing packet (make per recipe)

2 tomatillos (tomato like vegetable, in Maceys you can find them by the jalepenos.)

1/4 bunch of cilantro

1 clove garlic

juice of 1 lime

1 jalapeño (Use the seeds if you like it spicy.)

Use a food processor to blend all the ingredients well. Refrigerate.

Cafe Rio Chicken

1 small bottle Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing

1 T chili powder

1 T cumin

3 cloves garlic—minced

5 lbs chicken breast

Cook all together in a crock pot for 4 hours, shred meat and cook 1 additional hour.

Cafe Rio Rice
3 c water

4 t chicken bouillon

4 t garlic –minced

½ bunch cilantro

1 can green chilies—or equivalent fresh

¾ t salt

1 T butter

½ onion

3 c rice

Blend cilantro, green chilies and onion together in food processor. Bring water to a boil and add all ingredients, simmer covered 30 minutes.

Time Spent Best

Our favorite vacations were to Island Park, California, and the annual trip to Sun Valley.

Moments I'll never forget

Watching Drew open his mission call and seeing how much he changed before leaving. Also saying goodbye, it was tough!

*No picture, but on our way home from Sun Valley, the left tire of my car blew out. I wish I would have taken picutres of my cute husband changing the tire in the middle of nowhere, and how white trash we looked driving home on the donut wheel and with my bumper attached by a bungee chord.

We've had a year of "firsts"- our first year married, buying our first house, new jobs, and living in a new town. We are so excited for what the new year will bring us.