Way to go Miss Caleeforneea!

A few days ago the annual USA pageant was held in Las Vegas, Nevada (pronounced NE-VAH-DAH). While the pageant has long ago lost its luster (I think it's shown on Country Music Television or something), there was one particularly entertaining bit to come out of it: Miss California's response to bottom-dwelling scum bag "Perez Hilton's" question on gay marriage. Here's a video clip:



The Miss USA pageant isn't the place you expect to find such a brave display of principles, especially since she must've known deep down it cost her the crown. "Perez" said he gave her 0 points for her answer, which is pretty messed up considering she gave an honest answer to a very difficult question. And of course, all kinds of people have come out since the pageant to display their righteous indignation at Miss California's bigotry, like shrill feminist attorney Gloria Allred.

But the best part of the story could be the comments that came from Miss California's grandma! Elderly people (especially those 89 years old like the grandma) can always be counted on for an awesome sound byte because they don't realize that nowadays your comments can be transmitted over radio, television, "email," as most elderly refer to the internet, and other instruments of witchcraft. But most importantly, in another similarity between the very old and the very young, elderly people have generally lost all remnants of the mental filter that gives you pause before saying things that in your youth you'd know would elicit a negative response, like "I didn't know there were so many gays out there!" or this diddy: "I don't know why that gay guy Perez was even judging a contest with a bunch of girls. That doesn't make any sense. He should've been judging a Chippendale's contest." Zing!

Favorite Indian Recipes

A few months ago, we had book club at my house.  I made Chicken Tikka Masala and Mango Lassi.  These are two of my favorite things I order at the Bombay House (my favorite restaurant). It was fun because none of my girlfriends had tasted either.  I was happy that they all enjoyed it and promised them I would post the recipes.  I thought I better do it now, b/c as of Wednesday, I will be hitting the road to Pennsylvania!

Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe #25587 from recipezaar.com

This recipe appeared in the Chicago Tribune today (4/17/02). I haven't tried it yet but it promises to be delicious and I thought I should share it.

by tgobbi

2 hours | 1½ hours prep

SERVES 4

1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken, cut in 1 inch cubes

Marinade

1 cup plain yogurt

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 teaspoons ground cumin

2 teaspoons ground red pepper

2 teaspoons black pepper

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

1 piece minced ginger (1-inchinch" long)

6 bamboo skewers (6-inchinch")

Sauce

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 jalapeno, minced

2 teaspoons ground coriander

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon garam masala (buy in Indian market)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce

1 cup whipping cream

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Soak bamboo skewers in water.

For sauce, melt butter on medium heat.

Add garlic& jalapeno; cook 1 minute.

Stir in coriander, cumin, paprika, garam masala& salt.

Stir in tomato sauce.

Simmer 15 minutes.

Stir in cream; simmer to thicken- about 5 minutes.

Thread chicken on skewers, and marinate (in the refrigerator) for an hour or so.

Discard marinade.

Grill or broil chicken, turning occasionally, to cook through- about 8 minutes.

Remove chicken from skewers; add to sauce.

Simmer 5 minutes.

Garnish with cilantro Serve with basmati rice, naan or pita bread.

Note: You can make your own garam masala.

McCormick also makes garam masala; it's available in super markets.

Mango Lassi

Ingredients:

Ripe mangoes - 2 or substitute 1 cup canned mango pulp in case you don't have fresh mangoes. If using sweetened mango pulp, reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe.

Sugar - 3 tablespoons or as per taste

Milk - half cup

Yogurt - 1 cup

Method:

Peel the mango skin and separate the pulp from the seed. Discard seed.

Combine all the ingredients in a mixer/blender.

Adjust the ingredients as per your taste.

Serve cold.

"Let Me Google That For You"

Today I was chatting with a friend. He asked me, as he always does, some inane question that he could've easily answered himself if he had taken the time to use the popular internet search engine "Google." So I, being the smart pants that I am, sent him a link to a website I recently discovered: http://www.lmgtfy.com/ (Let Me Google That For You). Go to that website, type in the same question that was posed to you, then copy the link and send it to your lazy inquisitor. The person clicks on the link and receives a very simple and sarcastic tutorial on how to use google while being sent to the link with the search results. Real fun.

Big News

Most of you probably already know this, but for those few of you who do not, we're moving!  That's right, the Steeners are moving to Pennsylvania.  Many of our readers will be surprised to learn that Pennsylvania is, in fact, outside of the state of Utah and that anyone would actually want to move away from the Beehive state.  Moving to Pennsylvania will probably present a better work opportunity for me in the long run.  Here in Utah I'm lowest on the totem pole, while in Pennsylvania, if a regional office flourishes as is predicted, I'll be in a better position.  We'll leave the second week of April, around the 7th or 8th.  

Now a word to Robyn's friends who are afraid that this move will signal the end to your lifelong friendship with my wife.  Let me assure you that your fears are well founded.  As Robyn becomes more enamored with the east coast, we eventually become encumbered with children, and we make new friends, I predict Robyn's new cosmopolitan lifestyle will make visits to the west almost completely untenable.  The good news is you can remain connected with Robyn the one or two times a year she posts on the blog.  

Stranded in San Antonio

I'm not really stranded, but I am here on a Friday night when I thought I'd be home by now. But it's definitely a good thing. You see, as I was in the San Antonio airport today waiting for the second leg in my three flight odyssey back to Utah, Southwest announced they needed someone to give up their seat to Denver because they over booked it. They offered me $200 in travel vouchers plus the value of my ticket overall in travel vouchers. The total came to $593 in free travel. Using my superior negotiating skills, I got them to throw in a hotel room for free, too! I passed it by Robyn first because I've been away all week. She was all for it considering what she stood to gain from it. So there. There's your stupid blog update.

A Romantic Weekend in Boise

                                                           
We went up to my sister, Holly's house in Boise for the weekend. We absolutely love our nieces and nephew! Friday we arrived just in time for dinner. Holly is an amazing cook. I always look forward to eating at her house. She had made some sort of chicken salad type thing, but the chicken was shredded and marinated in a special sauce. After sending the kids to bed, we stayed up with Holly, Steve, Gary, and Marlene and watched Vantage Point (well, Matt and I actually fell asleep, so I will be renting that one again). Gary and I made caramel popcorn for the movie. Saturday, we played Rock Band with the girls. Most of them can play on the expert level, putting Matt and I to shame. Steve happened to be on call all weekend, so we only saw him at night. We took all of the girls to go bowling and then out to ice cream at a place called Goody's. They make their own ice cream there and had a really great set up complete with a candy bar and chocolate. I had truffles and cream ice cream which was good, but when I tried Sienna's chocolate almond - the chocolate was to die for! We had Valentine's dinner that night which is a huge deal at the Casos house. They spoiled us with chocolate and presents and a fantastic lasagna dinner. We left Sunday after church. I always hate leaving and wish we lived closer!

My team's bowling score - Holly was the big bowler of the day - beating out Matt by 10 points.

Candy heaven!  Matt found an old childhood favorite - Zotz - the girls loved them too.

We took home a variety of chocolates.  The mint truffle was by far the favorite.  Eating these chocolates next to the Hershey Pot of Gold chocolates - we realized just how mediocre store bought chocolate is.

Hearts hanging from the ceiling and Holly enjoying her "Romeo and Juliet" ice cream cone.

Danielle, Capri, and Kristina enjoying their ice cream and ice water.  

Capri sitting at the girls' table - excited to open her Valentine.  I'm not sure how she got into every picture!

The adult table complete with candies, presents, balloons (courtesy of Danielle), and candles.  

Matt and I sitting down for dinner.

Yummy lasagna and delicious artisan bread made by Gary.  

Steve bought chocolates for everyone and a big 1 lb. Sugar Daddy for his plate.

We always knew Steve had a big mouth - but I was still impressed he could fit that thing in!

I gave Matt a mini fridge for his office stocked with some of his favorite things.  I think he was very surprised.  

Matt surprised me with tulips sent to Holly's house Saturday morning.  They are beautiful!

P90X!

You've probably seen the infomercials on TV. It's the latest workout craze that promises extraordinary results in just 90 days. P90X is sweeping the nation, convincing out of shape human pears that they, too can look like the Adonises taunting them from their tv screen. Last weekend while we were vacationing in Las Vegas with Robyn's family, I got to see an impressive demonstration of P90X up close. Below is a brief sampling.







For those of you unable to make out the persons in the video, that's Jon Shipley struggling to complete a pull up, while Jess half heartedly tugs at a couple of rubber bands. The droning in the background is Matt "Bleeding Gums" Shipley belting out a tune on Rockband, while Jess's children scream in vain for attention. I'll withhold judgmenton P90X until the entire 90 days are up, but it's not looking good so far.