ANA

so, my dr. called to let me know the results of the 6 tubes of blood that he took. he said all of my hormone levels looks great, but there is one concern. he said my ANA level is in the high 30's and the normal ANA level is 7. he wants me to see a regular doctor and then we will go from there. a little concerned, but very thankful we could have a lead on the problem and thankful that he even tested my ANA levels. i have heard that it is rare for a dr. to test for this. i went into looking for a fertility doctor pretty blind since we are new to the area. and i am so thankful for a friend who suggested this doctor to me. i had faith that the Lord would bring us to the right doctor and i know that he is exactly what we need at this time. a little concerned, but very thankful! does anyone have experience with ANA levels?

chilly

it is only early September, and the weather here is already in the high 60's. I haven't experienced the high 60's before late November maybe ever. i am starting to panic a little that maybe my wardrobe is not ready for an actual Fall season. I am in major need of sweatshirts and wind jackets. rain boots. thick socks. sweaters. and hoodies. my closet goes from summer to a little bit of winter to spring. i think it is time to introduce fall to the closet. closet, this is fall. fall, this is closet. you will become very close.

paella

my parents spent two years in spain back in the early 80's. they always talk about those two years so fondly like it was the best time of their lives. their time there really reminds me of me and my husband's time we just spent in DC. i think spain means to them what DC means to us. because my parents' hearts are in spain, i feel very fondly towards the country as well. plus, i was conceived in spain. so, obviously it is a great country.


my parents are constantly trying to find great spanish paella dishes that are similar to what they ate in spain. and i've enjoyed joining in the hunt.

so far, my favorite restaurant paella is found at Cobalt in orange beach, alabama (http://www.cobaltrestaurant.net/). rich. moist. full of flavor and tastes like it has been slow cooking all day.

the other day, creativity came over me and i created my own paella recipe. it has been my favorite homemade paella recipe so far and it is really easy.



Andie's Paella

Ingredients
2 cups yellow rice
1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp
1/2 large onion chopped
3 cloves garlic chopped
1 red bell pepper chopped
2 cups chopped asparagus
1 T lemon juice
1/2 cup white wine
1tsp paprika
2tsp parsley
1/2 tsp oregano
1/4 cup chicken stock - might need a little more

Directions
cook the rice according to directions. meanwhile saute onions, bell pepper, asparagus and garlic in olive oil on low. the goal is not to get the vegetables to cook fast, but to simmer slow so the vegetables absorb all of the flavors of the garlic and herbs. sprinkle with lemon juice, paprika, parsley, oregeno and salt and pepper. when the vegetables are almost done, on a separate burner pour the 1/2 cup wine in a saute pan and let boil till it is reduced. sprinkle a little paprika and salt and pepper on the shrimp then cook them in the wine till pink about 3-5 minutes. be careful to not overcook or they will be rubbery. combine shrimp wine mixture with the vegetables and toss in the yellow rice. gently toss everything together and add 1/4 cup chicken stock as you toss. you can use more or less depending on how moist you want your paella to be.

serve in a big pasta bowl. it hits the soul man. it hits the soul.

peach margarita

on our mini-vacay to branson a few weekends ago, i stumbled upon only the BEST drink i have ever had in my life. describing it as delicious does not even do it justice. i am so glad i took a picture of it. sometimes i just look at this picture and imagine what it tasted like and it makes me so warm and fuzzy inside.

now i am on a mission to find a good peach margarita recipe.

baby cheese

i just decided that when the Lord decides to give us children, i'm going to name all of them after cheese. brie and brinn if we have girls and colby and wellington if we have boys. we'll be a family of cheeses. glad the naming is over with. now just for the waiting...waiting for my little cheeses.


:)

Meal Plan - August 16

So, here is my dinner plan for this week...

1. home made pizza - one with bell peppers and one with 3 cheeses and arugula
2. macaroni goulash
3. cajun shrimp and rice
4. pot roast and mashed potato time!

i have been in the mood for soup....making some home made chicken soup right now. SO easy. just throw some carrots and onions in a pot and stir till tender. throw in 2 cloves of chopped garlic, a tomato chopped and about 2 cups of chicken stock and 1 cup of water. salt and pepper and a bay leaf and 1/2 cup rice. cover and simmer till rice is done. just what the dr. ordered.

the final rose

I can not stop talking about "the bachelorette." i'm way too obsessed with my guilty pleasure. i think my hubby is SECRETLY loving it too. I THINK. he somehow ends up sitting in the living room with me every time it comes on. he'll probably make me delete what i said as soon as he reads this. haha.

here are some random thoughts:

1. the whole time i thought she was going to choose frank. and then when frank left, i thought that maybe she didn't choose anyone.

2. so, for the past 2ish weeks, i thought she didn't choose anyone. she just looked liked she had lost her fire.

3. chris lambton is serisouly the best choice. BUT i have never thought she would pick him. i have always viewed him as the guy who gets his heart broken. and i will be so mad.

4. i really didn't see a connection with roberto on the last episode. so, that made me think she didn't choose anyone.

5. but, in her radio interviews, she is acting like she didn't pick anyone. and this makes me think it's all a ploy to make us think she doesn't choose anyone. so....now i'm thinking maybe she does?

6. does anyone remember a few weeks ago in the previews, we heard roberto say that "he wasn't sure if he could be with anyone who wasn't positive about their relationship?" hmmm..........

7. someone made a point that in the previews they don't show ali with any "guy" at the end. normally they show the bachelor/ette talking to a body and you have to guess whose hands they are etc. but, not this time. is it because she doesn't even let them get out of the limo because she knows she doesn't want either of them? or is it all again just a ploy??

8. after all of this evidence, i am thinking ABC wants us to think she doesn't pick anyone. but, she really does. who? i just don't think she is crazy about chris, which is upsetting. she has always loooved roberto and thought he was too good for her. so, i'm thinking if she does pick someone, my guess is roberto.


we will soon know the ending. and then i will be counting down the days till the next bachelor/ette. it's so addictive. like sour patch kids. the red ones.