Shower Drain

Ever since Andrew and I moved in to our apartment we have had troubles with our shower drain. The water just did not want to go down. Ironically, when ever I wanted to take a bath the water doesn't stay up. It got so frustrating! We would use some draining liquid. It worked once, for about a day and that was it. So yesterday we went grocery shopping and bought what looks like a thin saw that's supposed to help unclog a drain. It worked! We got lots of hair! Probably some of mine, and some of whoever lived here before. Our drain already has very limited space for the water to go down, and it looks like it is divided into 3 sections. This is what we got in the first section. GROSS! The stick didn't go down the other two as well. So we ran the water to see if it had worked. The water went down a little faster, but there still seemed to be stuff blocking it. So we tried the 2 other sections again and there still wasn't much luck. I put the stick down the 3 section one more time, and I got even more! I think when we turned the water on, it moved the hair around. I still can't believe there was so much hair down there! Anyway, when I took a shower for church this morning, I didn't finish with my feet in 3 - 6 inches of water. No more clogging! Now the shower will stay cleaner longer too! Yay!

Lemon Curd Bars

Andrew got me a baking cookbook for Christmas that has a ton of yummy dessert recipes. So I've been trying some. So far I've made lemon curd bars, brownies and pound cake. The lemon curd bars have been the best so far. Andrew doesn't usually like lemon-flavored desserts, but he liked this! I wanted to share the recipe.

For the crust:

1 cup flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp of salt

1/8 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

For the filling:

1 tsp finely grated lemon zest (optional)

3 large eggs

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 3 lemons)

3 tbsp heavy cream

Confectioner's sugar for dusting

To make the crust, preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking dish, preferably heatproof glass.

In a food processor, combine the flour, sugar, salt and cinnamon. process briefly to blend. Add the butter pieces and pulse until the dough forms moist crumbs and sticks together when pinched, about 1 minute. There should be no trace of dryness. Press the dough into the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of the prepared baking dish, lightly flouring your fingertips if necessary to prevent them from sticking. Bake the crust until pale golden, 20-22 minutes. Let the crust cool completely on a wire rack. Reduce the oven temperature to 325 F.

To make filling, whisk together the sugar, flour, salt, and lemon zest, if using. Add the eggs, lemon juice, and cream and whisk until just blended. Carefully pour the mixture over the baked crust.

Bake until the filling is set but still jiggles slightly when the dish is gently shaken, about 20 minutes, or longer if using a metal pan. Let cool on the rack for about 30 minutes. Run the tip of a small knife along the inside of the dish to loosen the crust from the sides, then let cool completely.

Cut into desired size pieces and carefully remove from the dish with a spatula. Dust the pieces with confectioner's sugar before using, if desired.

Christmas Necklaces

I thought it would be fun to do something to make a little bit of extra money. (Don't worry, we're not suffering or aching for money or anything.) My Mom gave me the idea to make hand-painted Christmas necklaces. She has a Halloween one that is really cool. So I decided I'd give it a try. My boss let me put them in the window at our shop. I started selling them for $20. Today I sold my fourth one and I'm really excited!! Here is a picture of my favorite one.

The center bead with the snowman has three different snowmen painted on it. I had so much fun painting this one!

Christmas Party

First off, I'd like to apologize for the lack of pictures I have on this blog. I always have my camera with me in my purse for this purpose but it never occurs to me to take it out and use it. I'm working on it. I promise.

Today was our ward Christmas party. Since we are on the Activities Committee we were obligated to go. Andrew was asked to pick up all the food and take it to the church. So, at 4:40 pm tonight we went to the SVU cafeteria to pick up all the food. (SVU was catering) We showed up at the church by 5:00 and the party was supposed to be at 5:30. Nobody was at the church. The building was locked. We were confused.

We called around and finally got the number of the leader of the Activities Committee and told them our dilemma. Apparently, they were in New York. Someone showed up about the same time as us and we got the food in the kitchen. They seemed as confused as us because nobody was there and there wasn't very much decoration. Just green and red tablecloths. Someone in the ward drove by and asked us if it was cancelled.

The food was starting to get all set up as we scrambled around for spoons for the dishes and pitchers of water for the tables. Then the Bishop came up to me and asked if I was in charge. That took me by surprise. He explained to me that Andrew and I seemed to be the only ones there on the Activities Committee. I asked what was planned and a lady told us about entertainment that would probably be cancelled. Needless to say, there was no entertainment. Just food. No Santa either.

Everyone ate then left; some helped to stay and pick up. We had tons of left over food. So in church tomorrow they're making an announcement for everyone to come pick up some ham, green beans and rolls in the kitchen.

Marriage

Today was the perfect day being married to Andrew. It has been such a blessing. We've had so much fun. Andrew did a favor for one of his teammates and drove him to Lynchburg, so he can catch a bus ride. So Andrew and I took advantage of that and used the day to go shopping! We hit all the stores that we've been wanting to go to. And they were all convienently in the same shopping center. We also got to try a new restaurant. Five Guys. We had heard that it was an amazing burger. It was good; very comparible to In-N-Out but the price is what will kill you. Andrew got a double bacon cheeseburger and it was $6.19! My single cheeseburger was $4.19! Luckily they gave us a ton of fries that seemed to pay off a little.

Andrew's a lot of fun to shop with. We've grown accustom to each other's way of finding what we like. Last weekend I found a pair of shoes that I wanted and they didn't have my size. It is no longer available to purchase anywhere! So now we've been on the search to find shoes just like them. We both agree that if it doesn't have the same "shock" effect that I shouldn't buy it. Needless to say, we've come close, but nothing compares to these shoes.

Andrew and I have grown a routine when we're shopping. If one of us goes off to go to the bathroom or look at something different, when returning and we can't find the other person we whistle. Then I/ or Andrew will whistle back. I know it might sound weird but I think its cool. One more thing that makes me grateful to be married to Andrew.

I would also list all the jokes that Andrew and I have. But they would take too long to explain and I don't think they'd be as funny to anyone else. So, instead, I'll just say that Andrew and I have a lot of fun with each other and it doesn't get old. We laugh so much. I'm so grateful that we get each other's jokes!

Tomorrow... we drive to Richmond to pick up another teammate from the airport. That's about a 5 1/2 hour round trip. Andrew's such a good guy.