Recipe

Ok due to a few asking for the recipe of my amazing meal, here it is....

Three Cheese Chicken Penne Pasta Bake

Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups multigrain penne pasta, uncooked
1 pkg. (9 oz.) fresh spinach leaves*
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
1 tsp. dried basil leaves
1 jar (14-1/2 oz.) spaghetti sauce
1 can (14-1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes, drained
2 oz. (1/4 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese, cubed
1 cup KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided
2 Tbsp. KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

*Advice: I used a frozen 9 oz. package of Spinach and it was way too much. When I make it again, I'll use about half of the frozen package.

Directions:
1. HEAT oven to 375ºF. Cook pasta as directed on package, adding spinach to the boiling water for the last 1 min.
2. COOK and stir chicken and basil in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat 3 min. Add spaghetti sauce and tomatoes; bring to boil. Simmer 3 min. or until chicken is done. Stir in Neufchatel cheese.
3. DRAIN pasta mixture; return to pan. Stir in chicken mixture and 1/2 cup mozzarella. Spoon into 2-qt. or 8-inch square baking dish.
4. BAKE 20 min. Sprinkle with remaining cheeses. Bake 3 min.


Chocolate Mousse

Ingredients:
4 squares BAKER'S Semi Sweet Chocolate
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed

Directions:
1. MICROWAVE chocolate in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 min., stirring with whisk every 45 sec. until melted.
2. ADD 1 cup COOL WHIP; stir until blended. Stir in remaining COOL WHIP.
3. SPOON into dessert dishes

*By the way, be prepared. That chocolate mousse is richer than rich. For me one small tiny serving was plenty!

And of course the last step to all of this..... is to ENJOY!

Proud Chef

I am not the world's best chef, and I never have been known to brag about my cooking successes, only my cooking failures. My family has heard all my funny stories. For example, say the words "Rice-Krispie Treats" around me and you can see me cringe. (I'm sorry but everyone says making those dang things is so easy. NOT TO ME!) So the other night with inspiration from probably one of my MOST FAVORITE shows ever "30 Minute Meals" by Rachel Ray, I decided to take on the kitchen and cook this yummy looking Three Cheese Chicken Penne Pasta Bake. And not only that, the best part was that I used everything from my pantry except a quick trip to the store for $0.94 worth of frozen spinach. These first two pictures are of the mess that I had created in my kitchen. Luckily for Jedd, he was working and didn't see me cook, it was a disaster area! And this was the meal. Ok it is a little hard to see and I'm shocked my camera didn't take a better picture but I'm not going to lie, I even patted myself on the back for this one. This dinner was amazing! It is full of pasta, chicken, spinach, cheese, tomatoes, sauce, and seasoning. I'm not going to lie, probably one of Jedd's and my favorite meals I've tried from the show. I normally cook the regular things of what Jedd and I are used to, from his and my mom's recipe books. Let's just say that Jedd is not a huge fan of "new" recipes. He has been really great to give things a try, and for the most part, everything has been really pretty good. This was the best one though, HANDS DOWN!
And not only did I slave away in the kitchen for dinner, I also made dessert! I'm not a huge fan of chocolate; it's definitely not my first choice for desserts or treats but Jedd just LOVES chocolate! When he got home this last time from Florida, he was telling me how he had chocolate mousse one day and how good it was. Well, to give him a surprise, I made chocolate mousse. And this is what it turned out to be. And let's just say that after eating probably about 4 bites of this rich mousse, where I didn't even make a dent into the bowl, I was done and probably won't eat chocolate for at least another couple days. It was good, but man it was rich and so chocolaty!

All in all, this is one cooking success I'm going to brag about! Not only that, but make for years to come!

New Calling.....

As some of you know, I am the Sacrament Chorister in my ward. Yes, I get to stand up every week in Sacrament meeting and lead the music for our ward. I've had this calling for about 3 months and yesterday, I was released and got a new calling. And my new calling IS.......Mia Maid Advisor in the Young Women's. OH MY HEAVENS! Can you believe that? Ok so let's first preface this with a few things that happened before my Bishop asked me to do this.

#1. My friend Emilee just got called to be the Laurel Advisor in her ward about 2 weeks ago and I was not making fun of her, but pretty much telling her how much I didn't envy that calling. It is a huge time commitment!
#2. I work with 15-18 year olds EVERY SINGLE DAY of my life! Ok, that's exaggerating, but 5 out of the 7 days a week.
#3. In Sacrament yesterday (before I got called) they announced that they were going to have a meeting for Girl's Camp and that everyone going and Leaders needed to attend. I was laughing thinking how great it was that I was not involved with that, since this will be the first summer since I was 18 that I have been in a family ward.

Ok so can you believe that? I'm just warning all of you think before you speak about having specific callings in your ward. It might come back to bite you in the butt! Ok not really, I am getting used to the idea, and am actually pretty excited about it. It is a huge time commitment every week to go to activities, but I think it should be pretty fun. We have a big Young Women's group so it will be good. And who knows, I'll probably end up going to Girl's Camp since I don't work summers, thanks to my job! No getting out of that one right? Ha ha!

One Year Yesterday....

Ok so I know that this is pretty boring for most of you, but I wanted to post it anyway for me. Exactly one year ago yesterday, January 19th, Jedd and I met for the first time on our blind date. Boy, how much has changed from that day. I thought I would just write down a few things from my memory, just so I have them written down.

Jedd and I were set up on a blind date by his mom and my head secretary here at my high school. I was going into it thinking "Ok just a typical blind date...won't go anywhere." I was still so very nervous though. I remember giving Jedd directions to my house and from what he says...I asked him if he was writing it down... We laugh at that now, it is the teacher in me for sure! So I remember they were a little late, I guess they couldn't find my house, it was tucked in a little bit and we didn't have our house number on it. So I remember sitting on my stairs just freaking out the moments before he picked me up. What would he look like, what did he drive, was he funny,would I like him, would he make me laugh, would he be interested...and everything else that runs through your head. He picked me up and I literally didn't stop laughing until I got home. We went with his friends (our friends now since I consider them my friends as well!!) to California Pizza Kitchen and then back to Bountiful to Orchard Lanes to go bowling. Seriously my cheeks hurt from laughing so hard. Jedd says I was quiet and I agree, it was hard to get a word in with them telling stories and just talking. Jedd and I were able to talk a little bit, but on first impressions, we are both really quiet people. I got to talk to him a little bit more while bowling and I remember thinking, hmmm..this guy is kind of awesome! So after bowling he took me home and talk about an awkward doorstep scene. Zann and Em were in the truck just watching us as we were involved with the door-step scene. (All of you know exactly what I'm talking about!!) So I ended up loosing my keys and digging in my purse to find them. Jedd says I found them and ran into my house, and I think I gave him plenty of time to ask me out again...I guess we'll never know which one happened. So I gave him a hug and left....without talking about another date.

The day after, I went to Stake Conference with my parents and my sister; she was down because her husband was out of town. They of course asked how it went and all I could say was it was so much fun, but I'll never see him again. I didn't think he was interested and come to find out later, Jedd didn't think I was interested. So after much prodding from my mom and sisters, I decided to take things into my own hands and text him about how much fun I had on that Tuesday night, 3 days after our first date. Jedd swears that if I hadn't texted him, he would have texted me, but I'm not so sure about that. And of course the rest was history! Fast forward one year and we are married, and just loving life!

It is interesting as most people ask me why I chose to work at the high school I do when I had so many other opportunities and options. I used to say, "I have no idea, it was the best option?" (As even I was a little perplexed by the question.) Well, I can finally say now, without just shrugging my shoulders, it was JEDD. Had I not come here, there was no way we would have met and our paths would have never crossed. How grateful I am to have made that decision to work here! My life has been changed forever and he seriously is the best thing that has ever happened to me! (I know, corny.) I love you honey and happy one year anniversary from our first meeting!

Florida Business Trip

So this last week Jedd went on a business trip to Marcos Island down in Florida. (I'm not sure how to spell that!!) He was gone from Wednesday morning at like 6:00 am to Saturday night at about 1:00 am. (Sunday morning more like). So while he was gone, I sure got a lot done. I deep cleaned my house, which has been needed to be done for a while. I did school work, and just tried to keep myself busy. It was so sad to see him go, and I was so excited for him to come home. He leaves again for another couple days for Florida next week, but at least this week he will be home. So this is the sign I made for him to welcome him home. The program I printed it in wouldn't let me print the graphics unless I had the actual CD for the software. So I made my own graphics, a sun, sun glasses, and an airplane. Pretty good huh??

Before Jedd left, we made a deal that if he spent less than a certain amount of money out of his own pocket (not business expenses) then we would be able to buy Mario Kart for our Wii. He called me one day and said he might have gone over. So I decided to buy the game anyway and surprise him with it when he came home. Let me tell you, Mario Kart is EXTREMELY hard to find, especially this time of year. Stores are all sold out, online stores are all sold out and no one knows when they are going to get more in. Well, after calling store after store AFTER STORE, I finally found a store that had them...Shopko in Bountiful. They had 3 of them. I think the guy in the electronics department thought I was a huge "gamer" because I called him and asked him to save it for me, I was going to drive down there right then from Ogden and get it. Well when Jedd got home at 1 in the morning on Saturday night, I couldn't wait any longer to give it to him, I was so dang excited! He loved it! It made all the struggle to find it worth while, just to see the smile on his face.
We don't play our X-Box, Playstation 2 or Wii very often. We played this Mario Kart game up at the cabin over New Years and Jedd absolutely loved it. I loved it to, as the only games I play are driving ones. Anyway, I am enjoying my husband being back home....at least until the next trip. I wonder what I can surprise him with then....Any ideas???

1st time with Grocery Smarts

For anyone who knows me, I'm not a big coupon shopper, and sadly, Jedd just lets me buy anything I want, sale or not.  So after talking to my mom yesterday and after many different e-mails from my amazing sister (who does this on a regular basis) I decided to take a try at shopping with coupons and "Grocery Smarts". 

Albertson's had an amazing sale going on this week where you buy $30 of select items and you get $15 back to use on your next transaction.  So I decided after much stress and sleeping on it that I would give this whole thing a try.  So I made out my lists last night (I had a lot of time because Jedd is currently in Florida on a business trip), and after going over and looking at the computer for what seemed like forever.  I decided to trash everything I did and not go to the store.  When I slept on it and woke up this morning, I thought that I had to go grocery shopping anyway, my fridge was running out of certain items.  So I thought why not, I'll just try it.  

So there I was standing at Albertson's probably looking like a complete idiot trying to figure out my coupons, trying to put things in order so I could get my $15 back and then trying to figure out what to buy with what transaction.  ANYWAY, after all that, I came to my conclusion that it really wasn't bad.  It did take a lot of time, and I am still trying to figure out all these coupon things, but it was actually quite thrilling to pay for my groceries on one transaction, turn around and by more things for FREE...well at least $15 worth!!  So here is what I got:

*loaf of bread

*gallon of milk

*a huge block of cheese

*laundry detergent (which will last me about 2 months!)

*tortilla shells

*5 cans of tuna

*3 soups

*2 toaster strudels

*5 fruit snack boxes

Everything turned out to cost me $30.  Now I still don't think I got the best deal possible ( my sister only spends $60 and saves hundreds), because I didn't have enough coupons and I don't get the Sunday paper so it I didn't do the best, but I still think I came out pretty well.  (At least I hope so, I am starting to freak out that I didn't get a good deal on my purchases, but I hope you'll all at least lie and tell me I got good deals!)   

So anyway, I really think I'm going to try and give this "Grocery Smarts" thing a try.  I'm not sure I'm smart enough to do it all and save like my sisters and mom do, but I'm going to give it a shot.  If I save $1 then that's a dollar to put somewhere else right?  

Christmas at the Cherry's

Christmas at our house was extremely fun and Santa sure came and stopped by our house. This Christmas was Jedd's and my first one together.  Actually last year we didn't even know each other existed at Christmas time, so it is so fun to actually spend the holiday together.  We were able to spend December 23rd with my family and December 24th with Jedd's.  We woke up at our house on Christmas morning (quite early I might add... thanks to the routine of waking up early).  We then went down to the Downs' house for breakfast and to the Cherry's house for dinner.  It was so much fun!   

Here are a few pictures of us with our presents.  Jedd got softball cleats, black dress shoes (slip ons!!), a Chicago Bears hat, a Chicago Bears money clip and some fun stocking stuffers.  (Look at that adorable smile..yes he has his dimple showing!!)

I got a new camera (YEAH!!!!), jewelry, clothes for work (YEAH!!!), a Tai Pan gift card and some fun stocking stuffers.   

Our parents were extremely great to us.  Jedd's family gave us money, and my family gave us a microwave (which was MUCH needed) and a card table with chairs.

Thanks to everyone, both of our families to make this a great holiday.  We hope you and your families had a great one as well!  And since I am a little late with this post, Happy New Year!

Sweet Caroline...Ba Ba Ba!

"Neil Diamond....the greatest song writer of this or ANY generation" is pretty much how we feel about this guy in our house. I used to not think this, but Jedd has since converted me since we have been married. Even though that is a movie line from ....(I can't remember which movie!), we still think it is hilarious and Jedd says it every chance he gets.

SO, for Christmas, I bought Jedd tickets to the Neil Diamond concert on Friday night. And let me just say, IT WAS AWESOME! I thought it would just be really fun to go to, and it would provide laughs for the two of us for the night. Well, after all was said and done, that was a COMPLETE UNDERSTATEMENT! I'm telling you, there was the biggest variety of fans there and it was so fun to see all the people. They ranged in age from being grandparents to young kids and EVERYTHING in between. Every one was up and dancing and it provided great "people watching" as Jedd and I put it.

The best part of the entire night was when the music of "Sweet Caroline" started. I'm not kidding, I have NEVER seen a group of people go absolutely insane in a matter of split seconds. Everybody sang along and it was "so good, so good, so good!" (quote from the song) Not only was it insane in the Delta Center for those minutes, Neil actually had to sing the last 2 verses of the song again because everybody was cheering and going crazy. Jedd and I of COURSE joined in, but mostly laughed the whole entire song. I've never had so much fun singing along at a concert in my life!

Neil left stage (to only come back of course), to sing "We're Coming to America", the second highlight of the entire night. Again, every one up and singing and even dancing. I perfected my "today" pose and Jedd has perfected his complete Neil Diamond impression. I have to admit, it is right on q. It is so funny!

Jedd is such a good guy and follows every rule so we were not allowed to take pictures with my camera in the stadium (even though I had my camera with me! BOO! he he) We still took pictures of what we could. Sorry for the same pose, it's pretty dumb to have the same picture, but oh well. Who cares! The one on the top was on the FrontRunner on the way down, and the one on the bottom is of us after the concert in front of the Delta Center waiting for the Trax Train. I'm not going to lie, it was FREEZING!

I had more fun than I ever thought I would and have since been converted to Neil Diamond. What a fun night!! Thanks honey for letting me spend a night with you laughing every single minute and having so much fun! Merry Christmas babe!

P.S. Also, thanks for taking me to the yummy Texas Roadhouse!

Baby Natilee Is Here!

First off, no we did not have a baby! Jedd's niece arrived Friday December 12th at 4:14 am. She was 6 lbs 1 oz. I decided to take a few pictures when Jedd and I went to go see her. Sorry if they are a little blurry, my camera is not working too well. Here is Natilee. She has got such dark hair, it is adorable! This is me, Hailee (the very proud big sister) and Natilee. Hailee would not let ANYONE just hold baby Natilee by themselves, she always had to be right there. She is so protective already, it is adorable. This is Jedd and I together with Natilee. Aimee (the mom and my sister-in-law) kept trying to give us a "sales pitch" about having a baby of our own. It made us laugh pretty hard, but after tending the 2 older girls that night for a couple hours, we thought that maybe we could wait a little while! We love you baby Natilee and are so excited for the Cherry family!

Date Night...

Jedd and I decided that before the Christmas season was over, we wanted to go to Temple Square to see the lights. So we made a date night of it all. We first went down to California Pizza Kitchen (one of our favorites!! and the place where Jedd and I had our first date!! AWE!!) While there, we were laughing pretty hard at a couple who were on a first date and it was not going well. Poor guy, you could just see that it wasn't going well for either of them. Jedd and I quickly laughed and thought how we were SO GLAD that wasn't us...however, we both remembered not too long ago how that awkward date was for us. Oh how glad I am those days are over. Anyway, that was a side story. The pizza was amazing. I love getting the tomato and basil pizza and Jedd loves the Santa Fe Chicken. (which is pretty good too!) After our adventures to the Gateway (yes fighting the busyness of the Jazz game attenders) we headed over to Temple Square. And yes as stupid as I am, I completely forgot my camera. However, it was as fun as could be! Jedd happened to tell me that this was his first time ever really walking around temple square with the lights (AND I FORGOT MY CAMERA! Obviously I'm still upset about it.) But is was extremely fun, and cold! It was so fun to be able to experience that with him for the first time. Jedd and I both misjudged how cold it would be, so we were freezing our tootsies off but it was still a blast! I LOVE this time of year, and how grateful I am that we live so close to Temple Square that we can go down and enjoy the atmosphere of the temple and Christmas.