Cauliflower Sticks

This my friends, is probably the most surprising thing I've ever made. When I saw the recipe I thought it was such a weird concept, that it had to be good. So I gave it a go! Everyone loved them so much, I made them two times in one week, and doubled the recipe on the second go around. Not a single stick was left. Our bellies were very happy :)

What you'll need:
- 1 head of cauliflower
- 1 egg
- 2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 (or less) salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning

What to do:
*Preheat oven to 400 degrees
1. 'Rice' the cauliflower. What does this mean? Simply wash it, chop it, then pulse it in your food processor until it looks like rice. (Mine was a bit mushier and still worked just fine).
2. In a saucepan, heat about an inch of water. Once it's boiling, add the ricey cauliflower. Cover it for about 4-5 minutes. Watch it, you may need to lessen the heat or it will boil over.
3. In a mesh strainer, drain the cauliflower. After allowing it to cool for a couple minutes, put the cauliflower in a clean dish towel (yep, you read that correctly) and squeeze the excess water out of it. (I used two towels due to the amount of water still in the cauliflower.)
4. Put the cauliflower in a larger bowl. Add 1 cup of mozz cheese, the egg, oregano, basil, and salt (I used just a pinch). Then mix it all together well with a spatula.
5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray it with a little cooking spray. Put the mixture on the sheet, and form in into a 8 1/2 x 11 inch rectangle. (You don't want it too thick or it won't cook as well.)
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown.
7. Remove from oven and let it cool for 10 ish minutes. Sprinkle the remaining cup of cheese, the Italian Seasoning on it. Cook for 7-10 more minutes.
8. Remove from oven and cut it into sticks. They're better served warm :)
*They're delicious plain, or you can dip them in marinara sauce, ranch, or whatever you fancy.

 Enjoy!

Owen's Birthday

I say it all the time and I'll say it again, life goes by so fast! This little boy is 3?? I still remember the day he was born p.e.r.f.e.c.t.l.y. It's crazy that that was three years ago. Goodness.

I've shared this picture before, but it's a fave, so here it is again :)

This was when we first met :)

Since that day we said hello, I've learned so much from him, it's unreal. He's the sweetest little guy. . .

A few weeks ago, I came home from work early due to a wack in the face and as a result, a black eye (that's a story for another day). My mom was watching Owen that afternoon. When I got home, I laid on the couch and Owen came up to me and said, "You okay Karinney?" My mom explained to him that I got hurt and needed to rest. He immediately picked up a blanket and put it on me and asked, "You want some music Karinney? You wanna watch a show?" It was the sweetest thing ever. He knew that blankets, music, and shows make him feel better when he's upset, so he wanted me to have those comforts too. Every time I saw him after that he'd ask with his concerned face, "Is your owie better? Does it still hurt?". Sweet boy :)

His imagination is so big. I totally forgot what it's like to play pretend, until he started to. One day we were walking up the stairs and he said, "I could fly up there, but I don't have wings." Another time, we went and saw The Croods (surprisingly great movie by the way). The next day we were playing and we 'got into the cave' (just like the Croods did) and he said, "Don't leave the cave!" He was so sincere about his concern of me leaving the cave, I almost forgot we were pretending.

I'm so grateful for this little guy, and all that he teaches me. A couple weeks ago went to the park. We were running in the grassy field for a really long time. It was the greatest thing ever. I love that things are so simple with him; all he wants to do is run in the park. We didn't need to talk or do anything at all, but run and laugh in a field together. And that was enough.

Last night was his birthday party. He wanted a Michael Jordan theme, so his mom went to great lengths to make sure everything was inline with that. When Owen walked into the decorated house, his reaction was priceless. He loved it! My sister thought of everything, to make his party perfect...

She made the invitations (adorable by the way) and blew one up and framed it for him. He's Michael Jordan :)

She made cupcakes and shaped them into the Air Jordan silhouette.

 And found this NBA table cloth, so cool.

Opening presents:

He got a Croods coloring book,

a Michael Jordan hat and socks (which I'm pretty sure he loved more than any toy), and a whole lot more.

Blowing out the candle :)

Sure love that kid :)

Happy birthday Owen!!

Timshel

I've recently become quite obsessed with Mumford and Sons. This came as a surprise to me, because I used find their music super annoying. 'Who likes banjos?' was my thought process. Oh how I was wrong! I didn't take time to actually listen to their music. I just switched the station as soon as I heard the banjo. Lesson learned: don't rule out anything until you try it... especially banjos.

After I got both of their albums, I had a hard time getting to know each one because I listened to each song at least 17 times in a row. I couldn't help it. They all have so many layers. I felt like I couldn't fully submerge myself into the song, or understand it in just a few listenings. So now, months later, I feel like I have a grasp on them. Out of all the lines, these, from 'Timshel', find their way to the front of my mind more often than any of the rest;

And death is at your doorstep
And it will steal your innocence
But it will not steal your substance
 
 I've seen so many things take people's innocence. I've seen untimely death cause children to have to grow up sooner than expected; sooner than what is fair. They shouldn't have to deal with the loss of a father, the loss of a brother, but they do... I've seen divorce cause children to step into roles they wouldn't have had otherwise; roles they don't want to have, circumstances they'd rather not be in, but they do it and accept it, because they have no choice. I've seen people lose things they can't get back, because of the actions of someone else. And they become scarred by those things they can't change; things they couldn't control.

One moment can steal your simplicity. One moment can take your security. One moment can change all that you thought to be true. One moment can alter your circumstances forever. Although your innocence in one form or another may have been lost, you're still more than that; it will not steal your substance. You are not what has happened to you. Things change you, but they don't define you. You can rise above the hurt that has been caused, the change that has taken place, and become stronger than you ever thought you could be. It can be a long road to get there, but you can get there.

The song continues;

Although loved ones can't reverse changes, they can help us cope, they can help us 'get there'; they can hold your hand. Sometimes all we need is one person to stand by us. Just knowing that they are there is enough to help us cope, to help us heal.

We don't know what people are experiencing in their lives. We don't know what's on their plate. We don't know how heavy their hearts are. Lately I've learned of a few acquaintance's painful circumstances and was shocked. I had no idea what they were dealing with. It's made me want to be so much nicer to everyone; people I know, and people I don't. We'll lose nothing by being kind. What's to stop us from reaching out?

 Let's all lend a hand <3

Arches Trip

Last week Dal and I took a little trip to Moab. We hadn't been there in probably ten years. I didn't realize how much I missed it until we got down there! 

Ready for the four hour drive. We were so pumped!!

When we got there we checked in to the Big Horn Lodge. It was a cute little motel. The decor was very country; wood walls, horse hoof towel hanger, and all!

Then we headed to Arches! Did you know it's only $10 per car to get into the park? Talk about a steal!

We attempted to recreate a picture we took from our family vacation here years and years ago...

We were so little :)

Our first attempt at taking a picture of the two of us and an arch, by ourselves. Turned out perfect :) It's my favorite from the whole trip.

The hardest thing about trips with two people is the picture challenge. I didn't want all of 

them to be just like the one above, so we got creative :)

Some lovelies from another country took this one for us. We were amazed at how many people on the trails were from another country. I felt like we were the only Utahns there.

Isn't my brother a stud??

These leaves were so green! My camera couldn't capture it, but aren't our feet cute?

 We found these on two different hikes... We think our brother-in-law, Justin Briggs, did some vandalizing ;)

At the end of day one, we ate dinner at a delicious Mexican restaurant. I had my first fried ice cream experience. It wasn't very fried, but so good nonetheless!

Day Two was my fave. We were able to spend the entire day hiking. Loved it, loved it, loved it.

 On our way to Navajo Arch, we found Dal a little home :)

 And stacked rocks, aka path markers called cairns. We couldn't remember what they were called, so we ended up calling them Timmys.

 'Being one' with the arch.

Oh hey :)

Partition Arch was our fave by far! I cannot describe it. Any words I could use would be an understatement.

 The hike takes you to where we're standing. Then you can go under the arch, and it leads to this ledge:

& this a.m.a.z.i.n.g view.

 

Dal, just hanging out in a little window :)

We hiked to Private Arch. It was a longer hike and we were the only ones on it. When we got there it was silent. And I mean, silent. It was awesome. Then we heard a sound our ears had never beheld. Did you know when a bird soars, you can hear the wind in its wings?? Coolest sound ever. It was so nice to get away from all the noise of life; no phone, no internet, no music, no traffic, just stillness. It was really rejuvenating.

Double O Arch.

 Look into his eye, what do you see?

The last hike of the day was Delicate Arch. We were hoping to stay up there and look at the stars, but darn clouds were in the way :/ That just means we'll have to plan another trip there soon :)

 

 We found some petroglyphs at the start of the hike.

 When you're on this hike, you turn the last corner, then bam! The arch is right there. It was a crazy feeling. It instantly felt like home. Living in Utah, we see pictures of this everywhere, but to see it with my own eyes is completely different. It felt surreal. I loved being up there.
 

 We couldn't end a long day of hiking without ice cream, so we made a stop at the grocery store for some Ben & Jerry's. You can never go wrong with them. Dal's fave is half baked. I decided to try it. Now I know why it's his fave. It's probably one of the greatest things I've ever eaten. We stayed up late talking, laughing, and complaining light-heartedly about how blasted uncomfortable our beds were. Oh what a night :)

We spent our last day walking through the cute little shops on Main Street (so many fun trinkets they have!) then headed up to a couple more spots we hadn't checked off our list.

 One of them was Sand Dune Arch. We played in the sand for a minute, before we froze (it was chilly) and ran back to the car four the drive home :)