Some random thoughts

Use cream of tartar or lemon juice when you are caramelizing sugar (trust me)

DO NOT (I repeat: Do NOT) go to JoAnn Fabric on Black Friday (I may have stepped in, but I left. Rapidly. Sorry family member of mine who's gift I was going to buy, better luck next year)

Naps are much better than football after your tryptophan high (Matt disagrees with me).

Check out this post for how to deal with holiday shopping (hint hint mom this might be good for everyday use, you who hates shopping!)

Don't use a mug to collect the rainwater dripping onto your kitchen counter. Use a bucket. There is a chance the drip will move and thus avoid the mug.

Lastly, check out this cool new search engine that I use. You can get gift cards by using it. Just click the link, read the FAQs, and then sign up, with me as a reference :)




I am taking final entries for the recipe swap... well it's not a contest, but umm.... recipe swap cool club. Right now our members are: Me, Mom, Emily, Katie (?), Lisa, and Wendig. Any more takers?

Creamy Herbed Potatoes

A few weeks ago I found this recipe on Pioneer Woman. Oh man. It looked delicious. And I liked her whisky carrots (mmm mmmm), so I figured, why not give it a try? It ended up tasting so wonderful that i might make it for Thanksgiving. And I should point out that I do have a mandolin slicer. But why used it when I have wonderful calphalon knives and want to prove a point? So yeah. Here's my hand sliced (and yes I did wash the taters, Mom) Creamy Herbed Potatoes. There aren't pictures of all of the steps, because I always forget to take them. But that picture of me with the gum, last week, yeah that was taken in the midst of this baking session.

First, get your potatoes...

Next, chop them thin with your beautiful knife. Fun cupcake apron and taking backwards pictures is optional

Look at all of those sliced potatoes and chopped onions. My oh my that is a lot of work!

Too much butter (oops!) and onions and cream cheese

Mmmm fresh herbs from the Nadalets! Yumo!

In the oven. See that insane layer of butter on top, yeah I used too much. (I think this was when I left the butter on the stove, while the oven was on, and it melted ALL over the stove and then when i replaced it, I put too much in...)

Breaded chicken, homemade bread, and herbed potatoes, delicious dinner!

You will have to try out this recipe. It is so good. I'm sure it is horrible for you, but it is sooo good. Trust me. And Ree...

Date Night

I tried to take some recent pictures of a date night. Here's how it went:

First, rent (for a dollar), that movie your husband keep mentioning that he wants to see, Leatherheads.

Then get some pumpkin beer and chill it in the fridge. Hubby actually likes pumpkin beer because it's sweet.

Then look in the crockpot and realize that the dinner you started earlier looks weird. You can't tell if the chicken is actually cooked, and that's not a good sign:


Call the Bonns back and accept their invitation to dinner, because yours looks weird. Enjoy a fun time with family friends. Then come home and watch Leatherheads. (Note: I tried to puree pumpkin in between dinner and a movie, not a good idea. On date night I recommend giving hubby your full attention!) Better luck next time!

Side note: Matt is going to make me a gourmet dinner soon, I am very excited!

Free Stuff

I have been getting various free things in the mail and in stores lately. I love the blogs that alert me about free deals, and that point me in good shopping directions. I am also thankful for a frugal Mother in Law who loves taking me under her wing. Thanks to her, I got all of the free stuff from Rite Aid, below. I would have never known about Single Check Rebates if not for her! I saved 40.40. Well, the check from RiteAid is missing right now, but if I find it, then I got all of that stuff for free. (bottomest picture). I also got this whole pack of Stride gum for free, from their website. How awesome is that? And I'm still lovin my apron! The 2 lipglosses (in that unflattering picture of me) were also free from the Rite Aid trip, just a close up. Yay free stuff!

Kitchen Aid & Aprons

I love my Kitchen Aid. I recently pulled it out of it's box and started using it again. It is definitely the best for kneading bread dough. Goodbye time wasted kneading dough. Hello time to enjoy my husband!

I also love Aprons (oh yeah, and Jenna is the reason for my hair curling all cute in the ponytail, I love new haircuts!). I mean, how cute is this cupcake fabric? Never mind the fact that there is a super cute rolling pin button that is in it's pocket, waiting to be sewed on, one year after its completion. Its still a super cute apron! I have a thing for sewing all things kitchen. My delicious page is quickly filling up with all sorts of apron, towel, and oven mitt tutorials. So wonderful. And what's even more wonderful, you ask? Oh the 12+ yards of Hawaiian Christmassy fabric from my Mutti! Oh my!!!

And don't even get me started on all things baby! I love babies! [no we are not having a baby now]. But i do want to sew baby things. Let's be realistic... if I sew blankets and clothes and fishing sets for my babies during the next 4 years, then by the time they are born, i will have time to spend with them, and their cute clothes! hehe

Free Feast

A few weeks ago (okay maybe it is more like a month and a half ago...) Matt and I were bored and trying to figure out what to do for dinner. We decided to have a free feast. You see, his mom got a great deal on entertainment books, and gave us one for free, as well as all of the fast food coupons. So we decided to use up a bunch of gas and go through a bunch of drive thrus and get all of our free food (oh yeah, I know your fast food places, you figured that we would spend money on other food... not us!) So here is our completely free (well see note below) fast food extravaganza.

Our meal: 2 Chili Dogs from Wienerschnitzel, 1 taco from Del Taco, 2 Famous Stars from Carls Junior, one salad & one quesadilla from El Pollo Loco, and 2 honest teas from the Nadalets.

Matt and our free Wienerschnitzel Chili Dogs

One free Loco Value Menu item...


Bored in the drive thru


Free Taco from Del Taco


I love the entertainment book & it's coupons!


Free HonestTea from the In Laws (Woo!)

Lots of free food (ok we paid 72 cents because someone [Matt] just HAD to have cheese on things)

Wow entertainment book, look at how much free stuff you got us!

We visited Brooke for the devouring of our food

Ahh delicious feast

Not really, we felt so sick that night / the next day. We realized that's why we do not eat fast food very often. Oh well, it was an adventure. And it was a free feast!

Email forward / Tagged / Wasting time!

haha I feel like a 13 year old again, doing this. I'm doing it just for you Jess, we will see how far I get!

1. What time did you get up this morning?
6:00 (I had to get up early to shower, boo... well hubby got up at 5:30, so 6 is better than that)

2. Diamonds or pearls?
Love them both! but i always wear my wedding ring which is diamond

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Fireproof, at 10 pm on a Wednesday night, loved it though!

4. What is your favorite TV show?
The Office

5. What do you usually have for breakfast?
Hmmm usually oatmeal or toast. I was gonna have banana bread this morning but someone burned the rest of it in the toaster (haha)

6. What is your middle name?
Elise

7. What food do you dislike?
Raw fish

8. What is your favorite CD at moment?
I don't really listen to cds. But I love Gary Rea

9. What kind of car do you drive?
98 Toyota Avalon, I miss my Dakota :(

10. Favorite sandwich?
Whatever has avocade

11. What characteristic do you despise?
Selfishness

12. Favorite item of clothing?
Jeans & sweatshirts (and undies!)

13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
I want to take Matt to Salzy, but also Santorini, Tahiti, etc

14. Favorite brand of clothing?
Um I like Old Navy & Express Jeans? H & M is awesome. I don't shop much

15. Where would you retire to?
No idea

16. What was your most recent memorable birthday
I dunno. This years was pretty cool. Matt put postits around the house telling me all of the things that he loves about me! :)

17. Favorite sport to watch?
Hockey! haha and Baseball

18. This was a dumb question, I'm making a new one: What is your favorite kitchen appliance?
Most definitely my kitchen aid!

19. Also dumb: Do you like to do any crafty things?
Why yes, I'm totally into sewing right now. Can't get enough of it!

20. When is your birthday?
April 18, stalker

21. Are you a morning person or a night person?
Day person

22. What is your shoe size?
7 and a 1/2

23. Pets?
Just Matthew (hehe jk)

24. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us?
Actually yes, we are expecting.... ah I can't even think of anything fun to say that we are expecting. Nothing exciting going on here

25. What did you want to be when you were little?
An actress & a veterinarian

26. How are you today?
Tired from school & work. Really itching to sew

27. What is your favorite candy?
Sour Patch Kids

28. What is your favorite flower?
Don't really have one

29.I'm changing this too: Favorite holiday tradition?
Umm so many! I love just being with the family. Cutting down our tree. Eating a lot. I'm excited to make new ones this year!

30. What is your favorite pastime?
Being artsy craftsy

31. What are you listening to right now?
It's actually really quiet right now...

32. What was the last thing you ate?
homemade toast with hummas (breakfast of champions!)

33. Do you wish on stars?
No, but I love gazing up at them

34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
Pink!!

35. How is the weather right now
Uh pretty warm for it being mid-November!

36. The first person you spoke to on the phone today?
only person that I talked to on the phone was Mel Grochowski

37. Favorite soft drink?
Dr Pepper

38. Favorite restaurant?
Don't have one.

39. Real hair color?
Brownish

40. What was your favorite toy as a child?
My Little Ponies, Poppels, Barbies, Polly Pockets (when the whole set fit in your pocket, not just the stupid doll like now)

41. Summer or winter?
Both. But Fall the most. ditto that Jess

42. Hugs or kisses?
Both.

43. Chocolate or Vanilla?
Vanilla Bean

44. Coffee or tea?
Both, but coffee much more regularly

45. Do you want your friends to email you back?
In general? Because this is on a blog... not an email... But yes, I like getting emails

46. When was the last time you cried?
On Sunday when Brad called me out to sing. Oh man

47. What is under your bed?
Photo Albums & sweaters & now journals

48. What did you do last night?
Class. Missed Karen. :(

49. What are you afraid of?
Weird things like people breaking in. Demons, cuz they are real.

50. Salty or sweet?
Both

51. How many keys on your key ring?
2 on my car ring, 4 on my apt, so 6 total on my beaner hahhaahhahaa

52. How many years at your current job?
well on and off for 3... full time for 1 1/2

53. Favorite day of the week?
Don't know

54. How many towns have you lived in?
3 (Emeryville til I was 2, San Leandro, Redlands)

55. Do you make friends easily?
Sometimes, depends on my mood

I deleted the last 2 questions. They were about emails. Stupid emails. Now, I tag Sarah, Brooke, Krista, & Jodie. If you don't do it. I'm not offended. If you aren't them and do it, that's cool too!

Halloween Happenin

And now we have some pictures that you have all been waiting for from the big event! I also need to add that Halloween was a bit stressful for us, Matt and I had to go to AAA to renew his registration and it took forever. oh and somehow we just forgot to make his costume. So his picnic table was thrown together in like 20 minutes (and he did most of the work, isn't he dreamy!) Anyways, this is a costume that I have been wanting to do for years, so I am glad that it finally came to fruition. We just forgot ants!

Me (apparently I really looked like a diner girl, but how do you do that without being trashy. Also note, no one told me that my "bow" was sticking straight up, once I realized it, it came off and was replaced by a real bow) and my picnic!

Shift 1: Joy, Staci, Kyndra, Me. Yes I know I'm the only one with the apron tied in front. I'm a small girl and needed the extra tie room.haha

The lips that Lorene and I painted!

Most of us diner girls being sassy (we missed you Staci!)

Such nice looking Ruby's girls. What a fun night!

Recipe Exchange

I have a fun new idea.  It involves recipes, a mailbox, and my favorite friends!  What am I talking about?  A good old recipe exchange. Basically email me (megan.nadalet[at]gmail[dot]com) or comment on this post if you are interested.  Once I get a group of us (can be as small as three or as large as 100+) together, I will email everyone once a month with who they will send recipes to.  Here's the catch:  it will be by snail mail. There's something about a handwritten recipe that just speaks volumes.  I love seeing someone else's writing and knowing they tried out the recipe first!  Everyone will be split up, so you are sending handwritten recipes to 2 or 3 people, and receiving 2 or 3 recipes.  You can opt in and opt out of this as often as you like. It's just something that's a little fun.  And let's be real, something fun in the mailbox always makes me smile!

So: once a month (around the 15th) you will write out 2 to 3 copies of your chosen recipe for the month (can be a main dish, a side, a drink, etc.; right now it is just general recipes, maybe we can narrow it to something else later on), and drop them in the mail (I'll give you the name and address), then wait a few days and open up your new recipes in the mail!   You can use a plain notecard, a fun recipe card, or make your own recipe card.  But don't use a 8 1/2 by 11 piece of paper, that's just no fun!

Halloween Happennin Preparation

Our church, Trinity, does a major outreach on Halloween: Halloween Happenin'. About 5000 people from the surrounding area visit the church to play games and win candy. There's a live show (this year it was magic) and music (this year there was a roaming pirate band) and other fun things. It's not an evangelism thing (although it is at the church, so people see the church), but just a fun outreach. Praxis usually does 3 or 4 booths. One is always the dunk tank. In the past I have fun the Princess Toss (throw tiaras and necklaces onto the Disney princess cutouts), Finding Nemo Throw (toss plastic fish from Finding Nemo into fish tanks), and a few others that I cannot think of. This year all of student ministries (junior high through college) was a "Surf City" theme. The pastors even got to sit on a lifeguard tower! Matt made a really cool sign (sorry I don't have a picture). But I'm a difficult person. You see, I did the Nemo booth last year and dressed up like a mermaid. I did not want to do the same thing again. So Matt and I came up with a Ruby's theme. I mean, it's beachy, but still stands out (I know, I'm difficult, that's just who I am). The idea was to throw a burger onto a plate, and dress up like Ruby's girls. Well it evolved into 2 booths, one was a race to pick out matching objects for your plate, and the other was to throw hamburger parts into a mouth. This may look simple, but it took lots of work. The girls and I (mostly girls from Praxis) made our own Ruby's aprons at Lorene's house, the week before Halloween. Then we got together on the night before Halloween to set up the booths. Here are the photos of the getting ready part of HH.

Nichole & Joy cutting & ironing

Cutting and Sewing


Me & my Janome, sewing aprons. The cool thing is that we each have a cool apron now!


Joy & Nichole painting our little logos that Matt made (he duplicates Ruby's logos, they are not his own design, and we are not selling anything...)


Maleah & Jenn ironing


Me painting the lips


Joyride on the golf cart with Steve


Modeling the lovely aprons! (I wanted them to be straight cut on the bottom, not curvy)


Staci & I stole Lorene's camera for a pic while getting the booth set up

Tune in tomorrow for pictures of the finished booth and all of the Ruby's ladies together!

I Voted

For the first time on a presidential election. And also for the first time at a polling place. It was kinda fun, actually. I got to see my old neighbors and Linds. i feel like an adult, proudly wearing my "I voted" sticker. My Mom always had one and I was jealous. haha And I got a free doughnut:

Later I'm going to get my free Starbucks and ChikFilA. Even tho it is a felony to hand out free things for voting (but it's not to accept free things!)

My New Love

I have to admit, I have a new love. And it's name is Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. I doubted him from the start, but then he changed my world! I got a free sample in the mail, and then got a box of two for like 50 cents (oh Vons sales and coupons i love you too). So on Monday night, I tested him out. I got on my knees and started scrubbing the shower. If you were near you would hear me saying "holy crap [sorry mama] this thing works! oh my goodness! oh... wow!" I was in shock. The built up soap scum crap that wouldn't go away (and we even use a shower cleaner thingie that the awesome emily west got me) was disappearing before my eyes. And I did not even have to scrub very hard. Now I do not know the physics behind my magic eraser, but I love it! The tub now looks white, something that I thought was impossible!

Now the next question... do I try it on the toilet with the ring that won't disappear, no matter how hard I scrub? What we need to think about: that means putting my pretty little hand in the toilet. Is it worth it? Sound off in the comments, please!!

Also if you have not yet purchased a magic eraser, I highly recommend it. Great way to impress your parents when they come and visit.

Disney and the Bible

In Praxis we are going through the book of James. My wonderful husband wrote the study. I am not actually in a Bible study anymore, but doing it on my own, and doing a different study with Mel. I digress, last week I made a connection to a Disney movie. I was pretty excited about it. So I thought I would share it here.

James 2:1-4
1My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 2Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," 4have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

Now, I want you to remember Beauty and the Beast. Do you remember the beginning scene? The history of the beast? Well there is a beautiful woman who comes by and he talks to her and blah blah. Then later, and old hag comes to his door asking for food and he rejects her, telling her to leave. Well that hag turns back into the beautiful maiden and curses Beast for his inability to see inside the person, for just judging by her looks. That's how he turns into the Beast (from a prince). This relates to the verses above, we are not supposed to show favoritism [or judge] people by outward appearances. We are supposed to love all equally. so next time you think about judging someone by the appearance, think about turning into a beast! haha But really, I thought this was a cool little representation of the Scripture. Thoughts?

Year One

Yesterday marked the one year point of Papa being with the big man upstairs. I know he is loving it, and just enjoying being in God's presence. But we all miss him down here. The day started with a text from my Daddy to pray for my mom, Dan, Katie, & mostly Mama. I had already started doing that, but I love that he cared enough to remind me (that shows how tight knit our family is). It still feels like it was just yesterday that I got the phone call from my Mom. I woke up at 6 am and had 2 missed calls from my Mom at about 3 am. I knew something was up. I also knew my Dad was flying to Italy that night, so I just knew it was either Papa or my Dad. Either thought was scary. And I remember just crying when she told me what happened. Thankfully Matt had spent the night at Kevin and Scott's, so he was only 2 doors away. He came right over and just sat with me. It was very surreal. I tried to remember the last time I had talked to Papa, I think it was when I called to tell him that we were engaged. He was so happy for us. The day continued with Mike announcing his engagement to Sarah. Such a bittersweet day. He had already laid his plans, and family members were where they needed to be, but it was still hard to do. I know Papa is happy that Sarah got to join our family too, though. Like Emily said, no one can replace Papa, but many wonderful things have happened since then.

It was weird at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and all three weddings that Papa was not there. I wanted him to see me walk down the aisle, and yet, he was not there. But what was also weird, was how semi-normal the holidays and events seemed too. Like Thanksgiving did not seem much different, until we hit a part of the day that had something which Papa always did. Like he always did the dishes with Uncle Warren, and it was weird that he was not there for that. And he always say next to Mike at the table, but he was not there this year. I was reflecting upon this yesterday. How much has happened since that day that he has missed out on. Three weddings, Alex, Jessica, & Josh all starting new schools. And me starting a new school too. And it is just weird that he is not around.

Mama, if you read this (which maybe you do if Dan prints it out for you). I am praying for you and I love you. You and Papa have both been such inspirations to both Matthew and I. Each time we talk about finances, we remember Papa and how he handled his finances. In one of my classes there is a guy who works with Teen Challenge, every time he talks about it, I think about those guys and how much they loved Papa. And how much he loved them too.

I do not know what else to say, except my Papa was an inspiration to us all. He was an inspiration to all of the people who came to the funeral, who could not even fit in the room. May his legacy of finding strength and power in Christ live on through us all. We love you Papa.

And yesterday,others in the family were feeling nostalgic too. But what's interesting is we each had a different thing to say:
Emily
Davis
Alex

Yucaipa Pumpkin Patch

On Saturday evening, after my very long day of class, Matt and I went to the pumpkin patch. It was nice to get out and enjoy each other's company. Plus, I am a huge fan of fall, so it was great to see some fallish things, plus I had a pumpkin spice latte that morning. I am also enjoying wearing sweaters and fall outfits. Oh how comfy! We didn't get any pumpkins, they are just too expensive, but we did get some cute fall decor. I found a little scarecrow thing (25% off) and a little basket-esque thing and leaves. Matt actually liked my finds, and they were all in the bargain bin. I did not expect to buy anything, because those places are usually so pricey, but I left with 3 new things for only $3.99. I wanted new decor because I opened up my fall basket and realized my "decorations" consisted of 3 things: a basket (red lining with embroidered leaves), a door hanger (happy harvest) and a little scarecrow guy for my desk at work. I had been so excited to get out the decorations, so I was a little depressed when I saw what they were! haha Now I just need to remember to go to CVS after the "fall rush" and get their stuff for really cheap! Next year, I will be prepared! Enjoy some pictures of our evening at the Pumpkin patch:

Matt and his new bluetooth!

Pumpkins or Christmas Trees? I was confused!