As of Late

I'd like to introduce you to our puppies! We've had them now about 4 months, and they are little handfuls! In the top pic is left, Cheery Lynn, and right, Dick. We picked them up when they were 5 weeks old, much TINIER than this. They were a good price and couldn't pass up the offer. I didn't really want two, but to take one and leave it at home alone just couldn't be accepted! So, we bought a brother and sister. No, we won't breed them. That is just wrong. On our way home, I knew John was going to name the boy Dick (he's always wanted a boy weiner dog to name him Dick...) and I just had no idea what to choose for the girl. The street we pulled off of was Cheery Lynn, and that was just TOO cute to pass up. They love sleeping, if you couldn't tell, but they love cuddling more. I love the days when I'm home alone and want to cuddle, they'll always be there! Yesterday-

Yesterday was the stormiest day I have seen in years! There was hail, extreme winds, power outages and LOTS of rain! That just meant I got to stay inside and make dinner. :)

The final product: Stuffed peppers and white steamed rice. YUM! This is what they do... They sleep. I brought this pillow home from my parents not knowing what I would do with it, it's HUGE and very pink. I put it down to do something, and there they were, layin' there, watching me like "what'd I do? This is for me, right?" I couldnt' take it away...





New Projects and Talents... If I can call them that...

I started knitting last week, sort of something to do while I watched conference... Well, it's grown on me, and I will be keeping you updated as I go! I'm currently working on a scarf, just for the practice of making big things. Eventually I want to make little blankets or jackets- you know, baby shower gifts... Also I'll make grown up sized stuff too, just give me some time for those!

These are blurry pictures, but I started making clip boards. It was an idea from my sister, and I got addicted to the idea, so I finally went out and bought paper, modge podge, clipboards... everything! haha. I love the final product, but making them is a pain! These I like to give as gifts for birthdays or maybe even wedding gifts.

John has been growing out his hair... He can't figure out how to style it, so he combs it all wacko and asks me to take pictures... This is the style that I HATE when he does it. Middle parts are for creepers... not my husband.
Other than all that, I've just been going to school and John's been working. We're so exciting that we watch movies a lot! Eventually we'll find a hobby we both like doing together, but for now it's that or playing Wii... (Wii would like to play)

Oh, here are some pics from school! These are some dishes I'm proud of... :D

Poached Pear Napolean. This is a salad with some pears poached in Port wine. The dressing and sauce are made from the poaching liquid.

This was a practical I did. We had to make two salads, and I chose not to go with the traditional ones, and made a Waldorf salad, and a warm potato salad. Both turned out great and tasted amazing!

I think I lied almost 3 months ago...

I told you all I would have more up in May... That didn't happen.

I have plenty to post, I just keep forgetting my camera when I go where there's internet.
BUT
I will update you, without pictures. :)

John was looking on Craigslist for stuff, and randomly fell upon weiner dogs for sale... cheap...
We decided to check it out, and on that same trip, we got two new puppies. eventually I'll get some pictures up, but for now, you'll have to imagine little fuzzy balls that are 5 weeks old...
Now they're almost 12 weeks old, and ready for their second immunizations. The first one, we decided to give ourselves, and it was really scary, and slightly difficult! This second one, I think we may bribe someone with experience into doing it for us! :D Now, they're taking training classes, and I really hope they work! So far, I think Cheery (oh ya, their names are Cheery Lynn and Dick...) is doing the best. She loves getting those treats and she'll figure out any way to get them... even if that means doing what I tell her! hehehahaha! (that was my evil cackle... kackle? i dunno how to spell that...)

These doggies are a huge handful, but I think in the end they'll be a lot of fun for us and our future kids.
What else is new?? Our house is doing great! We've finally finished our painting. All we had to do was our bathroom and bedroom, but deciding on the color for the room was so difficult. But, it happened! We chose a really happy, vibrant blue. It's pretty relaxing at times, and at other times, it makes me oh so happy. :D Our painting excursions are over for now, until we have a baby. haha.

School starts in less than a month for me, and I'm not ready to be cooking all night! I need to get pumped for it. Any suggestions??? :) School shopping always gets me excited, but I don't need normal school supplies... in fact I don't even need to buy any supplies... :( dang it. Ah well... just give me some pointers!

I'm pretty sure that's all the info I can conjure up for now, so, until the time I finally post some pictures, farewell.

Allie

Well we don't have anything to post just yet, but new pics and info will be updated soon! But welcome to Spring/ Summer!!! The blog needed updating... so here it is! I love the bright colors, and I've always wanted just the picture at the top. Enjoy! We'll be bringing you some new stuff sometime this month!
Happy summer, faithful followers. :D
The Griffins

Home:

Welcome to our humble abode. :D It still has some things we need to do before we can move in, but it's still home.
I'm so grateful for the economy right now! I know it's horrible, but it helped me get into such a wonderful property with a great price. :) I should call my blog "I'm grateful for" because all I ever say is what I'm thankful for! Anyway... Here are some pictures before everything gets fixed up and our stuff is inside.

Front yard


First sight of the front room


Entry way


Kitchen

Family room


And a random picture of John's beard. :D He's in love with his facial hair, so I thought I'd share it with you all...

SickNESS

Ok... So being sick is definitely not a fun thing. The cold or whatever I have is so persistent. It won't go away no matter what I do...



Sleep all day?? nope. Take so many drugs that you think you could ruin your liver?? nope. Ignore it?? nope. Blow your nose til it's raw?? nope.


But it's ok, because I have a wonderful husband who cares and understands, no matter how whiny I am. I swear I'm sick more often lately, and he still loves me. :)


Anyway.. I just feel so inspired when I get on here. I look at people's blogs and try to be poetic like them, but I never feel poetic. I just feel like I ramble. But saying what's on my mind is a good way to let everyone know how life is going... I think... :D


Speaking of life.. John and I got to go see a movie yesterday for the first time in a long while. Money is being saved for our house, so we're not wasting money on things like entertainment... Who needs the theaters when you have so many movies on your shelf that you haven't watched in years?? Well, the movie was Dear John. It was a good story, but I think the ending could've been better. I'm not trying to discourage you from seeing it! It was good. :) There was a preview for a movie called The Last Song. I thought it looked pretty good, and when I came home from work late last night, I had the book sitting on my pillow from John.

I loved the couple... They look super cute together!

This definitely isn't Miley Cirus, but I don't want to imagine her everytime I read, so I picked this cover. :)
I'm so grateful for John, I know I say it all the time, but when he's thoughtful, it almost makes me cry! I've already read a couple chapters in this book, and I love it. Everytime I pick it up, I think of John. LOVE HIM!

Well, I think that's it for now folks. I need a nap. Thanks for your love and support!


Love,


Allison

Week 1 of the Culinary Arts experience

So, as you, my followers know, I started Culinary school last week. I was so scared for it to start! The week before and even a couple days before I was worried I wouldn't like it, or that I wouldn't be good at what I was doing... But I'm doing great! I just wanted to update you with some of the yummy treats I got to make and experience for the first time.

This was my first dish I made. A brie flan with caramelized blueberries, bananas, and raspberries. It was a yummy treat!

Here's a closer shot of the flan.

On Friday, we had the day off for making things for customers, so we had more time to learn about new things. This is the start of a Danish pastry that was simply amazing! Sorry I don't have a finished product of this one. :(

Here's another Danish pastry... Just shaped differently. The filling was a Danish filling consisting of cream cheese vanilla and sugar. (wayyy easy!) The other two fillings were fruit fillings from a can. (that was even easier!)

Here's a shot of our professor/ chef teaching us how to frost a product... Baker's style!

Friday was an awesome day for learning... But I also got to eat and take home some AMAZING goodies. Not all of them were sweet either. We had one with mushrooms and bacon and cheese on it... another one was cheese and herbs. Baking and pastries isn't just all sweet stuff, I learned. I'm so excited to keep you guys updated on what's new in my Culinary world!

Love,

Allison

Grateful and in love

This month is a busy one! My big brother gets home this week from his mission and I just can't wait! John FINALLY gets to meet him. They don't have to be best friends, but liking each other would be a good place to start. :D Here's his picture--- In honor of him :)

The next day I start school! I'm starting culinary school at Scottsdale Community College. Go Artichokes! (who would ever want to be known as the artichokes?? beats me...) I bought all my clothes and knives, now all I need is my books. Just two cost an arm and a leg! Jeez!! Anyway... I'm going to start a career making wedding cakes and catering for any event... Mostly weddings and birthdays I think. I can't wait to see where my creativity will take me!

John's staying out of school this semester to explore his options and find what he'd like to major in. That way we won't be wasting money on school he may not need, and instead, we'll be saving up for a downpayment on a house!
Yes.. A house! We're finally looking around for houses and I'm hoping to be in our own home in the next 3 or 4 months. If it's 6 months I'll still be happy. :D

I love my husband very much and I'm so glad the love we share grows everyday He is the light in my life and always makes me smile. For our one year anniversary (yes it's passed... Dec 19 was the day...) he got me a heart necklace. I've been wanting one for ages and now I have the most beautiful one.. More than I could ask for. :)

I can't complain about my life right now because I am so blessed. I have two amazing and loving families that are always willing to help- with words, money, or just love. Thanks families! My jobs may not be what I want to keep forever, but they're fun and I love the people I work with. I'm so glad to have the life I have and I would never trade it for anything.

Grateful and in love,

Allison