Memorial Day Weekend

This past weekend was so fun!  We have both been so busy this month that it was nice to finally have a long weekend break. **note: I wrote this last month and am just now getting around to inserting pictures and posting...see post below about trying again :) 

We kicked things off by going to the Payson Temple Open House.(For more info on temples, click here)

The sun coming up just perfectly behind.

Not the best picture of us, but hey, whenever someone offers to take a picture instead of us trying to take a selfie I'll take them up on it! 

Really, really pretty

I found out Friday that Saturday was the very last day.  We didn't have tickets and knew that the standby line would be insane that day so we planned to get there right as it opened at 8am.  We had to wait just about 10 minutes or so, but that wasn't too bad (when we left there were cars backed up for miles just to get in the parking lot).  It was so gorgeous and I can't wait to go once it's dedicated and open.

Then we grabbed some yummy breakfast sandwiches at McDonald's.  I know everyone makes fun of McDonald's, but I really do love their breakfast sandwiches. There were tons of other people there that had also gone to the open house that morning.  It's funny because I feel like people are never wanting to admit that they go to McDonald's and it reminded David and I of this Jim Gaffigan sketch.  We kept quoting it and were laughing so hard.

Next, we met up with our friends Krista and TJ to go shooting.  David was so excited to finally try out his shotgun (it's been rainy every weekend since he got it), and I was pretty much just along for the ride.  He had a good time and I was finally brave enough to shoot it one time.  It's still not my thing, but at least I gave it a try.

I am pretty sure this was the first time he shot it.

^^This is much more my type of "shooting".^^

We even found some horses in an orchard on our drive home--such a gorgeous sight!

They came over to us right away, I was surprised.

...then left when they realized we had no food.

Then Monday we went on a little hike.  I heard Buffalo Peak was fun and quick and so we planned a little trip.  There are two ways to get there that I found out about.  One is just about a mile round trip and the other is about four miles round trip.  We decided on the longer one this time.  It was such a beautiful hike with lots of changing scenery and good views.

However, it was superrr muddy because it had been a little rainy that morning/weekend.  Then, on the way back we got a little lost....but ended up finding our way again (though we did have to go back to the last place we knew which was back uphill quite a ways...definitely not my favorite).  All in all it was a fun trip and a great way to end the long weekend.

Love,
Kristy Jane

Trying again

There have been a lot of things that I have tried lately and failed (or just plain got lazy or bored with) and given up on.  But then I try again and it all works out okay.  I have been thinking about that a lot lately.  A few things I've tried, given up on, and tried again.

Blogging.  I was all about it for a week and then totally left it in the dust.  (Although if I'm allowed to make excuses for myself I did get really busy and then my computer crashed, so hey.)

Running.  Tried to like it.  Seriously really, really tried.  Then I fell and hurt myself and went on a little break.  Then decided it's just not my thing (and didn't try again).  There's so many other things for exercise that I actually like to do, so I decided I'll just do those things instead!  Haha.  I'll enjoy it!  And maybe I'll try running again sometime later....maybe.

#Project365.  A photo a day for a whole year.  Really, wanted to do it.  Really thought I'd stay motivated.  Then I got busy and then just got lazy with it.  But now I'm back and enjoying it again.  And maybe my #project365 will actually take 2 or 3 years to get through.  But really, that's okay :)

Why do I share all my fails with you?  Well, because it reminds me that you can always always always try again.  Just because you make a mistake or get out of a habit doesn't mean you can't start again tomorrow.  So have something you want to do?  Try it!  Fail?  Try again! and keep trying again!  It really doesn't matter as long as you keep trying.

Anyway, wanted to share that today.

Keep Trying.

Love,
Kristy Jane

Current Favorite Recipes

Confession: I stalk pinterest multiple times a day for new recipes.  I love getting inspired by what I see and trying new recipes.  Sweets, treats, 30 minute meals, one pot wonders, restaurant copy-cats, healthy dinners, snacks, ect.  I love it all!

Here are some of my favorites that I've tried recently:

One Pot lasagna by: Damn Delicious

I do not even like lasagna, but I love this!  It's not too saucy and tomato-ey (which is what I don't like about lasagna).  Best of all--you make it all in one pan in under 30 minutes!  So great for when you want something tasty and quick.  David loves lasagna, so this recipe is definitely a keeper for us.  I'm making it tonight and can't wait to eat it again :)

Easier, Healthier Butter Chicken by:Half Baked Harvest

We love Indian Food and make it at home a lot!  This is probably my favorite recipe.  Now, it is "healthi-er", but it's definitely still not a diet meal.  Trust me, it is worth it though!  I love to serve this with rice (you can throw in a pinch of garam masala or turmeric for Indian flare), homemade garlic naan, and sprinkle fresh cilantro on top.  So yummy!  And best part?  It's a crock pot dish!

Pioneer Woman's Best Ever Fruit and Yogurt Parfait

This seriously is the "best ever".  I've actually been eating this a lot for breakfast, lunch, and dessert lately.  It is definitely something that you'll crave.  Fresh berries, cream, yogurt, brown sugar...mmmmm.  Make it for an indulgent snack--I promise it'll change the way you think about fruit and yogurt!  It is definitely a keeper for any brunch you might host.

Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps by SugarDish

This is a great, light dinner.  It packs lots of flavor and is so refreshing!  I cut back on the amount of buffalo sauce so that it wasn't too spicy.  Make a batch of "homemade ranch" (and by that I mean, use the packet and not the bottle) and pile your favorite veggies on top.  Yum!

Ooey, Gooey Caramel Corn

This is pretty fast and easy to make.  I love that it doesn't get hard, but stays "ooey, gooey",  It's just the right amount of sweet and salty.  I took this to a game night and it was devoured pretty quickly (mostly by me, but I was craving it, ok?).

What are you favorite recipes?  Let me know if you try any of these!

Love, 

Kristy Jane

Back To School??

So, for Christmas  this last year David got me Photoshop Elements.  I have always been interested in photography and wanted to learn more about editing.  I opened up Elements a few times, but really didn't know all that much about it.  I pinned a lot of tutorials to pinterest, but was so easily frustrated by them because I really didn't have a frame of reference for the program at all.  So, after about a month of fighting that losing battle I started to look into courses. UVU offered a community education course on the basics.  It was a good price, close by, and I thought the description of the course offered what I needed so I signed up.  It was back to school for a few hours twice a week for me!

I was a little hesitant about this because it was after all Community Ed.  I thought it would be filled with a bunch of retirees learning how to open up a picture.  Needless to say, my hypothesis was a little true.  My class was about 45% older "computer savvy" people (and by that I mean stuck in the floppy disc age, but still thinking they know what's going on), 50% moms, and 5% me.  Although it did move a little slow (and I felt slightly out of place), I still really really enjoyed it.  I was able to learn what the tools do and get a good base knowledge for what I want to know in the future :)

Here are a few things I learned to do:

Taking this picture.....

...to this picture of "Mr. Melonhead"

Fixing this scan (and kind of terrible quality picture)....

...to this better picture!

And this one I took a few weeks ago....

...Into this fun (and more flattering) picture!

^^^^Anyone notice one of the changes I made to the last one?  Haha, maybe a little vain and not the most "perfect" use of the tool.  But it was fun for me to think of this application and practice using it ;)

Also, I have to share this story because it is just too funny.  During my last semester (and even after graduating from BYU), I used to have this recurring dream that I completely forgot all semester about a class I had registered for and never attended. That would lead to me realizing months later that I got a big fat F on my transcript or couldn't graduate because it was a required course.  These dreams probably didn't go away for about a year.  During the first week of this Photoshop Elements course I was thinking about how I was so excited for my next class and wondering what we would learn next.  I thought about that for a while and then realized that I had completely missed my "next class"!  My "next class" was actually the night before and I had completely forgot about it until noon of the next day.  Too funny.  Good thing my recurring dream came true about a community ed class and not the real thing ;)

Love,
Kristy Jane

Spring Days (in February?!?)

So, I mentioned before that Utah has been weirdly warm this winter.  It has only snowed a handful of times and the weather has been nice enough to wear just a light jacket most days.  I know we'll need the water in the summer, but this California girl has really been enjoying it :)

This past weekend was especially warm.  I'm talking warm enough for me to wear short sleeves and flip flops and for David to wear his shorts.  It was absolute bliss for us.  That Sunday we decided we needed to have a picnic.  A picnic people.  Outside.  In the middle of February.  Like I was saying, pure bliss.

We made some sandwiches, packed a few snacks, and hopped on our bikes.  It was so fun to feel the sun shining on our faces.  The park was awesome.  Families were out on walks together and kids were having fun playing in the grass.  It reminded me of springtime.  My absolute favorite time of the year in Utah.

 Enjoying our picnic

Valentine's Hearts.  My favorite are the orange ones.

I'm afraid to jinx it, but maybe that little groundhog was wrong this year.

Here's hoping,
Kristy Jane

♥ , Kristy Jane

When I started this blog last week, it was a way for me to enrich my life and try to learn more and do more each day.  Even though I've only written a few posts, it has challenged me.  I am happy to say that I've been celebrating more moments in my life because I've been living it more fully and reflecting on it more often.  But--to be honest--creating this blog was really a spur of the moment decision.  And--to be even more honest--"celebrating moments" as the title sounded really lame to me, but I went with it because I simply didn't have any other ideas.

Since then, I've decided to change it to: love, Kristy Jane.  Consider each post an open letter from me to you.  A heartfelt experience, a shared tip, a mutual adventure.

But...why Kristy Jane?  Some of you might know that's actually not my name.  Like most of the girls in my family, I never had a middle name.  When I was dating my husband, he thought that was silly and started calling me "Kristy Jane".  He's kept calling me that ever since, and I guess you can say that I've adopted it myself.

For Now,

love,
Kristy Jane

Black Bean and Quinoa Enchilada Bake

Okay...so I know I'm a little late to the party, but I've just recently tried experimenting with Quinoa.  So far, it's proven to be a winner at our house!  It's a nice alternative to rice and (I think) has almost twice the amount of protein and all essential amino acids.  It doesn't have much flavor on it's own, but--just like rice--you can do a lot with it.

This recipe for a Black Bean and Quinoa Enchilada Bake is originally from Two Peas and Their Pod.  I think it's a great way to start trying quinoa if you haven't already because the other ingredients are so flavorful.

Start by prepping your quinoa.  You'll need to rinse it to get rid of the bitter taste.  Just run water over it a few times and drain that out with clean hands.  Then just throw it in your rice cooker with 2 cups water, hit start, and forget about it until it beeps.  Easy Peasy.

Next chop up all your vegetables.  I used a yellow and orange bell pepper because that's what I had.  It's such a colorful meal!

Throw them in a skillet on medium hight with a bit of oil until tender.  You'll do your fragrant onions, jalapenos, and garlic first and then the peppers and corn.  Be careful not to overdo it--burnt garlic and soggy vegetables are the worst!

Take it off the heat and throw in your seasonings, lime juice, and cilantro.  Give it a good stir and remember to salt and pepper to taste!  I love cilantro and lime, so I wouldn't hesitate to add a little extra of both ;)

Rinse your black beans and throw those into the skillet along with your cooked quinoa and 1/2 a cup of cheese.

Spread it into your baking dish and top with your cheese.  Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  Then take the foil off and bake for an additional 10.  You can even broil it for a few minutes or leave the tinfoil off if you like your cheese to get a little crispy (like I do).

Top with some fresh cilantro and avocado slices.  Yum!

Although I thought this dish was very flavorful, I think it needed a little more texture.  So, here's how I would change it for the future:
1. Use the leftover as a yummy dip with tortilla chips.
2. Make it as a filling for enchiladas.
3. Use it to fill burritos.*
4. Throw some crushed tortilla chips on top.

*I used our leftovers to make some frozen burritos for lunches and whenever.  Just spread the filling on a tortilla, roll it up, spray the tortilla with cooking spray (I've found this is essential for having the burrito hold it's shape when frozen), and cook each side on a griddle or skillet until it's slightly crispy.  Then wrap it up in plastic wrap and throw it in the freezer!  I cook mine for 1 minute in the microwave, then flip it and do another minute.


Black Bean And Quinoa Enchilada Bake
Serves 8-10
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
2 cups water
1 Tablespoon oil
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeno, seeds and ribs removed, diced
2 bell peppers, seeds removed, diced
1 cup frozen corn
Juice of 1 small lime (plus more if you love lime!)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/3 cup chopped cilantro (plus extra for garnish)
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 (15 oz) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 oz) can red enchilada sauce (mild or spicy, you decide!)
2 cups shredded Mexican Blend cheese
Optional Toppings: sliced green onion, avocado slices, sour cream, tortilla chips, etc.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Rinse quinoa.  Add quinoa and water to your rice cooker and hit start.

3. In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat.  Add the onion, garlic, and jalapeno.  Saute until softened (about 3-4 minutes).  Add in the peppers and corn.  Cook for another 3-4 minutes.  Add the lime juice, cumin, chili powder, and cilantro.  Stir to combine.  Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

4. Take off heat.  Add the cooked quinoa and black beans and stir to combine.  Pour in the enchilada sauce and 1/2 cup shredded cheese, stir.

5. Pour the black bean and quinoa mixture into the baking dish.  Top with remaining shredded cheese.  Cover the pan with foil.  Bake for 20 minutes, then remove foil.  Bake an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and edges bubbly.  Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes.  Garnish with desired toppings.  Serve warm.

Ice Princess?

Last weekend we went on a double date with another couple.  David's friend asked a girl named.....KRISTY!  I usually meet quite a few people named Christy or Kristi or Kristin or Christine or Christina, but I think this is the first time I've met anyone with the actual name Kristy (not just "goes by the name Kristy"), spelled the same way as me.  If you can't tell already, it was just a little exciting :)

We went to the Ice Castles in Midway. Usually the ice castles are open for the better part of winter, but this winter has been so weirdly warm that they were only able to keep them up that one weekend.  That being said, almost all of Utah was there.  Young families, older couples,  BYU-ers, Provo Allstars, etc.  It was jam packed!  We still had fun and were able to grab a few good pictures!

Our group for the night!

With Olaf!

On the ice throne :)

Anna and Elsa were there too

Afterwards, we went to a highly recommended Mexican Restaurant in Midway, Tarahumara.  I have to say, their salsa bar was impressive.  They had over 20 different kinds!  We probably got almost all of the different varieties and each rated our favorites.  My two favorites were the Mango-Pineapple and Cilantro-Avocado.  Yum!  As for the actual food, the reviews are mixed.  David got Chile Rillenos just the way he likes them!  I got beef enchiladas, but they were dry and weird...such a bummer.

It was a fun weekend date.  Be sure to check out the Ice Castles next year if you missed them!

Hello!

I have been wanting to start up a blog for a long time.  I have hesitated because it can be scary to share your thoughts with others--especially for me.  However, near the beginning of January I saw this picture posted on social media and it lit a little spark in me.

How true is that sometimes?  Especially true for me during the weekday, and especially when I am busy, and especially when I just want to be lazy.  Recently, I've made it a goal to learn more and do more each day to break up the monotony that can sometimes happen.  I've made it a goal to celebrate more moments and share those moments with others.

This blog will highlight life's simple moments and things that I love and learn.  Recipes.  Adventures.  Musings.  Etc.  I hope you'll enjoy celebrating these simple things with me!