Super Cute !

Isn't this adorable? My friend Ann and her kids made it for me and delivered it. A pumpkin shaped cookie with a hidden treat inside!! One with M&M's and one with candy corn. Thanks Ann !!

Distribution Center

Effective today, I have a new location to park at work. It is a lot farther than before as they have moved all employee parking to one area (south corner of the center). We now have to use our scan badge to exit the employee parking and enter the distribution center lot. And we have to continue using our scan badge to enter specific doors within the center. We even have to use our scan badge to exit the lot and enter the employee parking. I'm hoping the extra exercise will give me some health benefits, but it will be interesting during the winter rains/snow falls. I had to buy some work slacks (as I won't be wearing high heels and dresses anymore) and some "sensible" work shoes.

Greenbluff with Marcie

We started calling our events with Marcie our Quarterly activities. We did a summer activity together and decided we needed a fall one as well. We met Marcie and her family and went to Greenbluff. This year we went to a different farm than we normally do called Hidden Acres and had a great time. We rode a wagon around the farm, petted the farm animals, checked out the little store and had a caramel apple. They even had places to take photos near the hay maze. And because it was a rainy day, they had an outdoor fire going. Here are some fun pictures!

Diversity Diner - Take #2

As a reminder, I have two districts at work. So the Diversity Diner that was on October 10th was only for Spokane District. Today was our contest for Columbia. However, I was still feeling a little anxious from the last event so asked not to be a judge for Columbia. I found a sub, but was able to run downstairs for the Spokane portion of the contest. (The other areas were Wenatchee and Moses Lake).

The Spokane area one had samples of Pierogies, Nacho stuffed shells, Spanish Gazpacho and Breakfast Cookies. The breakfast cookies were my personal favorite, but all were delicious. Below is the recipe for the Breakfast Cookies.

BREAKFAST COOKIES
2 eggs
2 cubes of butter (room temp)
1 tsp vanilla
1 & 1/2 c. brown sugar
Mix above items in a bowl with an electric beater for a couple minutes.

In another bowl combine the following ingredients.
1 & 1/2 c. wheat flour
1 & 1/4 c. oatmeal (quick oats)
1/3 c. ground wheat germ
1/3 c. wheat bran
1/3 c. flax seed
1 tsp. baking soda

Combine the dry mixture with the liquid mixture. Stir well then add chocolate chips and/or raisins.
Bake 350 degrees for 8-12 minutes.

Sesame Chicken

SESAME CHICKEN
1/2 cup chicken stock
1 TB brown sugar
2 TB toasted sesame oil, divided
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 TB soy sauce
1 TB white vinegar
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into pieces
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
3 TB flour
1 TB olive oil
2 to 3 TB toasted sesame seeds
Fresh or frozen green beans, steamed
Cooked rice

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. in a bowl, whisk together chicken stock, brown sugar, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, garlic cloves, soy sauce and vinegar. Set aside.

Heat a large oven-proof skillet over medium heat. Toss chicken with salt, pepper and flour. Add olive oil and 1 tablespoon sesame oil to skillet, and once hot, add chicken in a single layer. Cook until seared and golden on one side, then flip and cook until golden again, about 2-3 minutes. Pour chicken stock mixture over top and toss to coat. Turn off heat. Place skillet in oven and bake for 20 minutes. Remove and add sesame seeds and steamed beans. Serve over rice.

Jersey Boys

We got a call earlier this week from some friends who had 2 extra tickets to Jersey Boys and were looking to give them away. We took them up on the offer and went on a date night. We started out our evening trying to pick a great place to go to dinner. We were standing in line at Luigi's, but realized the wait to be seated would not allow us to eat and get to the performance in time. As we were leaving we started talking to an older couple. They had driven up from Pullman for him to have a medical appointment and were looking for a place to have dinner. They too thought the wait at Luigi's was long so we started explaining the choices in walking distance. They asked us where we were headed - and we told them we were going to Azteca a Mexican restaurant a block away. They asked if they could "Tag a long" so we walked with them to the restaurant and got to know them a bit. How fun!

After dinner we headed to the INB performing arts center to see the Broadway production of Jersey Boys. We had not heard much about the show before going. It was the story about The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. "This is the story of how four blue-collar kids become one of the greatest successes in pop music history. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide - all before they were 30." The music was great and the story line interesting, but "oh my" the language! I was amazed at how many times they could say a bad word in one sentence. It is a pity that some producers think adding bad language makes it more believable or real somehow. I certainly did not need the reminder they were blue-collar and from Jersey.

Women's Conference

Safeway has an Eastern Washington Women's Networking group and they sponsored a conference for any female employee to attend. They brought in a motivational speaker who spoke on stress and how to stop trying to do it all. They had a presentation on the educational reimbursement program and two employees who are currently utilizing the program gave their experiences. They provided a light lunch and we were able to spend time visiting. After lunch we heard from our human resource representatives on gender communication. And finally we heard from a financial planner who answered questions ranging from saving for retirement to how much insurance to carry. It was a great event and I was glad to be able to help (a little) on the preparations.

Below is a picture of my friend from Yakima (on the left) who got to attend. Dee has the same job I have but for the Yakima District Manager. Below that is a picture of me with my two district managers. Sorry for the bad quality of pictures - Audrey had to take them off a video as the person who took the pictures and created the video deleted the pictures by accident. So this is better than nothing...

Pumpkin Chocolate and Peanut Butter Chip Cookies

Since I needed another recipe to finish up the rest of my 29oz can of pumpkin puree, I found this one and tried it. Took it to a youth activity and they loved it.

PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE AND PEANUT BUTTER CHIP COOKIES
1 c. pumpkin puree
1/2 c. oil
1 egg
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 TBS milk
2 c. flour
1 c. sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 c. mini chocolate chips
3/4 c. peanut butter chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line cookie sheets with parchment paper (or grease them). In a large bowl combine pumpkin, oil, egg, vanilla and milk until smooth. In another bowl sift flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt together. Add flour mixture to wet ingredients and mix until smooth (it will be quite stiff). Stir in chocolate and peanut butter chips. Scoop cookie mixture on sheets and bake for 11-13 minutes or until edges turn golden brown and cookies are baked all the way through.

Diversity Diner

This week was busy with Safeway related functions. On Tuesday I went to the Hire Ability luncheon with my boss and a few other Safeway managers. It was a great event held at the Davenport Hotel. They highlight the ways that businesses can work with special needs individuals. The great way they do this is by sharing experiences of those employees and how they are valued at their company. It really is a wonderful event. Remind me to look up a good recipe for "Golden beets" as I had some today with my chicken dish and they were delightful.

The other event that was held this week was our annual Diversity Diner. It is an opportunity for employees to share a dish that they enjoy from either their own cultural background or one they are interested in. In previous years they have required all recipes to be one type - so soups one year, salads the next. This year anything goes! My district manager Brian, my human resource manager Nancy and I met at one of the stores this morning to carpool and start our "judging road trip". We first drove to Pullman to try recipes from our Moscow, Lewiston and Pullman stores. Surprisingly, sampling a seafood pesto pizza and Chicken tikka masala with homemade naan bread tasted OK at 8am in the morning. The judges took notes and then we drove back to Spokane for the stores in the CDA and Spokane area tasting. This group included a myriad of choices from gluten-free cinnamon rolls to bangers & Mash to Kalua Pork to African Sweet Potato soup. Here is Margie demonstrating an instrument she got while visiting Africa called a Mbira - made out of bed springs (flattened) and piano wire and pop tops. She actually sat down and played some of the instruments she had brought for her display.

By this time we are completely full, but needed to drive up to Sandpoint for the remaining contestants. We arrived and there were the following dishes available to sample: chicken puffs, Italian Lemon Cookies and one contestant brought Roasted Rabbit, Moose bacon-wraps and a moose crock-pot dish.

We got ready to head back to Spokane. I had started to feel a little woozy and had rolled down the window. By the time we were getting close to Rathdrum, I had to ask my boss to stop at the next store so I could use the facilities. After that I rode with my window getting as much fresh air as possible. When we got back to where my car was parked, I quickly got in, drove home and then ran inside and threw up. And then lost it a couple more times throughout the evening. The motion sickness plus all the rich foods today did not make a good combination. We had been on the road a total of 5 & 1/2 hours and 299 miles.

Fall Snacks

I made the scarecrow crunch for the ladies I visit each month. I made the Pumpkin Bars for a craft night I had at my house. My friends failed to let me know they were not eating sugar right now... so needless to say there were plenty of leftovers.

SCARECROW CRUNCH
4 cups Honey Nut Cheerios
4 cups tiny twist pretzels
1 bag candy corn
2 cups Reese's pieces
2 boxes Crunch 'n Munch
1 box chocolate Teddy Grahams
Mix gently in a large bowl. Store in airtight container until ready to share.

PUMPKIN BARS
Bars:
4 eggs
1 & 2/3 cup sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
16 oz can pumpkin
2 cups flour (sifted)
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp nutmeg
Frosting:
3 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar (sifted)

In a large bowl beat eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin until fluffy. In a medium bowl stir together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, soda and spices. Add to pumpkin mixture. Spread in greased 15x10 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool.

For frosting, cream together cream cheese, butter and vanilla. Gradually add powdered sugar. Beat until smooth and creamy. Frost on cooled pumpkin bars.

Parmesan Crusted Chicken

PARMESAN CRUSTED CHICKEN
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 teaspoons Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs

Place mayo and cheese in a small bowl and mix. Lay chicken breasts on baking sheet (lined with parchment paper) and spread mayo mixture evenly atop each. Next evenly sprinkle bread crumbs on top.

Place in 425 degree oven and bake for 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked thoroughly and crust is slightly browned. 

Conference Highlights

John had a Bishopric meeting this morning at 7AM at our house and we had prepared breakfast. After the meeting was over the Bishop stayed and watched General Conference at our house as his wife was out of town. Below are just some of my favorite speakers & quotes.

President Deiter F. Uchtdorf - "Of regrets and resolutions the more we devote ourselves to the pursuit of holiness and happiness, the less likely we will be on a path to regrets."

Ann M. Dibb - "I know it. I live it. I Love it. We are followers of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Such conversion and confidence is the result of diligent and deliberate effort. It is individual. It is the process of a lifetime."

Linda K. Burton - "First observe, then serve. Sometimes we are tempted to serve in a way that we want to serve and not necessarily in the way that is needed at the moment."

President Thomas S. Monson - "I never cease to be amazed by how the Lord can motivate and direct the length and breadth of his kingdom and yet have time to provide inspiration concerning one individual - or one cultural celebration or one jumbo-tron. The fact that he can, that he does, is a testimony to me."

Busy Saturday!

While John went to volunteer at Habitat for Humanity all day, Audrey and I went downtown to see the movie Hotel Transylvania. It was cute. We headed to Northtown afterward to do a little shopping. Starting at the Hallmark store to pick up the annual Star Trek ornament and then to CJ Banks. And finally Bruchis for lunch. Audrey and I split the Chicken Malibu.

Later that evening I went to the Symphony with mom. On the docket tonight was the Music of John Denver. Below is the excerpt from the brochure. It was an enjoyable concert and it was really uncanny how Jim Curry sounded like and looked like John Denver.

The music of the late John Denver is like an old friend, outlasting trends and standing the test of time. Join the Spokane Symphony and acclaimed performer Jim Curry for this tribute to the music of one of the most beloved singer/songwriters ever to grace the stage. Tribute artist Jim Curry, whose voice was heard in the CBS-TV movie Take Me Home: The John Denver Story, has performed Denver’s music in sold out shows throughout the country and has emerged as today’s top performer of Denver’s vast legacy of multi-platinum hits. Jim’s uncanny ability to mirror John’s voice and clean-cut look takes you back to the time when Rocky Mountain High, Sunshine, Calypso and Annie’s Song topped the charts.