Homestyle Cooking: Hamburger Gravy

This is one of my go-to meals. It's nothing fancy schmancy but it is pretty good.
I remember my mom making this fairly often when I was younger. It wasn't ever the meal I picked when it was my birthday and I got to choose dinner. BUT, every time she made this I always always wanted more.  And it really is the easiest dinner (excluding the really quick stuff like maybe mac and cheese, grilled cheese, smoothies, toast and eggs, etc.. I'm talking about DINNER dinner here.).
For example, I got home a little after 6 today because traffic was awful (THANK YOU, NEVER-ENDING CONSTRUCTION) and I stopped to get gas. This was ready to go by 6:40 - including defrosting the meat - when I went to get David.

[Note: I DID use a rice cooker so that helped cut down time, but I also changed clothes, got on twitter, emptied out some containers from the fridge, unloaded the dishwasher, partially loaded the dishwasher, put makeup on and ate a mini ice cream cone, so I think it all evens out somewhere in there....]

I know you might think it looks like a weird pot of mush, but I PROMISE it is delicious when you put it on rice/mashed potatoes and pair it with green vegetables (namely, broccoli or green beans). Green beans are my favorite, and I actually like to mix them in with the rice/gravy as I eat it. It's just so good.

[Second Note: My mom makes this with mashed potatoes and rice. I've done both and I usually keep the recipe the same(ish); she likes to replace the milk with water if she is having it with rice. I just like creamier stuff I guess...]

Ingredients:
1 lb hamburger (If it's more than 1 lb, just add extra milk/onion/and a little more butter/flour)
half of one onion (Sometimes I just forget about this, so if you don't like them leave them out!)
salt and pepper (to taste)
rice/mashed potatoes (*this is also a good recipe to use leftovers)
2 - 4 Tablespoons butter/margarine
1/4 - 1/3 cup flour
3 cups(?) milk (or chicken broth) - really, there is no set amount on this. You just add until you think you have enough (or if you want it thinner. With more meat, I always add more milk so it is less like stew.)
beef bouillon cubes - I usually put in 1 or 2 depending on how much meat it is. Do one at a time and taste it and then if you think you need the second, put it in! (I have also put in chicken bouillon cubes and there really isn't a noticeable difference.)

Directions:
Brown the hamburger and the onion together over medium heat - add some salt and pepper.
When it is done, add the butter/margarine until melted.
Then add the flour until it makes a mixture that starts sticking together. Then add a little more flour. Mix it in. Then add some milk and stir it until it thickens. This is where you add more milk if you want it thinner. I usually do.
Then add the bouillon cube(s) to taste (and salt and pepper to taste).

Then you are done!
Put on rice or mashed potatoes.
And go with the green beans.

Happy Monday!

Look what picture I found today while thumbing through a time-wasting magazine! I laughed so hard. Phil is one of our favorite characters in Modern Family.

Here are a couple good lines:

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Going Home (part 2): Walking My Vacation Away

By far the cheapest thing to do when going to NYC is to walk every where. Yes, you get tired. Yes, you look like a tourist if you are wearing sneakers to do it. Yes, it is worth it.
You come home physically exhausted but filled to the brim with the satisfaction of being a part of the energetic, bustling city. And that right there is what makes you get up the next day and go do it again.

Over the years as visitors have stayed with us, we've crossed off a lot of the "touristy" things to do. Like the Empire State Building, MoMA, Guggenheim, Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Natural History Museum (which I really love). But some things that are worth repeating - like the Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park.
So here's my list of potential things to do when we go back (in less than 3 weeks!):

the high line - a park that is built on unused train lines that goes over the meatpacking district.

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manor park - We went here fairly often in high school. It's not in NYC at all, it's up in Larchmont. If you click the link, there are some other gorgeous pictures of the park.

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botanical gardens/bronx zoo - they used to do holiday lights at the zoo, but I think it's been cancelled for a couple years. I found people saying it is happening, and people saying it isn't, so I don't know who to believe. But zoos are always fun.

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rockwood hall/rockefeller estate - I went here on a field trip in high school once. Taking a tour of the mansion costs money, but you can walk around rockwood hall (it is the summer home built by John D. Rockefeller's brother William. John built the huge mansion) for free and it is right on the Hudson river. Directions here

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Nutcracker Ballet - I've been twice and loved it. Tickets are a little bit pricey, so we probably won't go this year. Even though you know the story so well, it is enchanting to see it come alive.

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 chelsea market -- it's an indoor mall/food court. they also film some of the food network is on top level. Apparently the food is really good and there are decent shops too. I've never been, so I'd like to try.

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whispering arches in grand central station  - you stand in opposite corners of the archway and you can whisper sweet nothings to each other as if you were standing side-by-side!

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staten island ferry - it's a free ride across NY Harbor with great views of both the city and the Statue of Liberty. Best part: FREE. It will probably be pretty cold this year though.

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9/11 memorial -  The last couple times I came down to ground zero the construction fences blocked everything. Everyone is kind of standing around trying to get a glimpse inside. It will be nice to see the new memorial. If you want to go, it does require an advance pass but you can reserve one here.

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NY LDS temple - I worked at the open house for this temple as a teenager. I remember hearing a lot of the behind-the-scenes stories. It is so pretty inside. I'm always amazed at how you can walk from the noisy city into the temple and the noise is gone.

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chinatown - definitely a fun place to go. My favorite part of Chinatown are the guys that come up to you that want to sell you the knock-off handbags --- Not the ones on display. The ones that you have to follow him for blocks before he will show you a picture catalog of the bags and when you finally choose the bag you want, he makes a suspicious phone call. Then a car shows up and hands you a black bag that you can only look inside for a second, just to make sure it is the bag you want, before they rush you to close the bag. Yeah. Those handbags. I kind of want a wallet this year.

central park - I would go with a bagel and hot chocolate in hand, of course. -- I've even considered maybe doing a carriage ride through. Mostly because I'm a girl and I think it would be romantic.  But look how pretty the park is! Although it probably isn't that color when we go.

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broadway show - always fun. I wish I could have seen Les Mis before it closed. Wicked was also great.

brooklyn bridge/park - David mostly wanted to come here the first time because of Newsies and the scene where they are spitting off the bridge. But it really is such a fun thing to do. And there is the Brooklyn Bridge Park at the end conveniently located close to Grimaldi's. What a great coincidence!

rockefeller center - definitely a Christmas-time must-see. Plus all the lights on the storefronts around it are way fun too. Our Stake goes Christmas caroling in NYC - we start on the steps of the NY Public Library and sing and hand out doughnuts to people walking by. Then we would all walk down to Rockefeller Center and carol there for awhile. So fun. One of my favorite NY Christmas memories.

What else?! Anyone done anything else that they loved?
Linking up here:

Going Home (part 1): Eating My Vacation Away

I love going home to New York. I love being with my family, I love the east coast and the trees and seasons, I love seeing all the things I associate with being home - like the park across the street that my family is at every day (and probably has been since we moved there years and years ago.)

You'd never guess that behind this hill of rocks was a park....

with a creek (and the baseball field in the background)

and really fun swings.

Anyways, a lot of my memories of NY also involve eating/food. In between Christmas shopping and work, I started trying to make a list of where I want to go. Some places I've been to, others I've just heard about and want to try.  We definitely can't do them all. But here's some of what we are choosing from:
(I had a couple pictures on here for some of the restaurants listed, but for some reason it wouldn't let me load with them on, sorry.)

hampton chutney - last time I was in NY, we took the subway out to the Indian neighborhoods in Queens and had some good authentic food. (Naan!) I've heard/read some really good reviews about this place.

jake's wayback burgers - I'm pretty sure my dad goes here at least once every week. The people behind the counter recognize him now. And I'm a burger girl. So yes, while I am on my way to get a delicious piece of junior's cheesecake, I will be stopping by.

cosi - kind of like a panera bread/zupas soup salad bread place. There is one close to my house and I can't even begin to count how many times I've eaten there. It's not a one-of-a-kind experience, but for me, it's a memory.

the bagel place at quaker ridge (which I just learned is officially called H&R Bialy. Who knew?!)  I used to get a bagel here before school very often (especially junior/senior year before AP tests when we'd go to school really early for extra review sessions. I'm pretty sure that was my key to success.). With a strawberry-banana-orange juice. I keep hoping to find a bagel place out here that comes close, but there's nothing quite the same. I like the bagels off the street vendors too, but this place is at the top of my bagel list. Neri's is up there too.

the mexican corner restaurant - I actually can't remember what I've eaten here. But I do remember loving it.

shake shack - again, burger girl here. I don't think I could say no to a burger/malt from there. Definitely going to keep this one on the list.

national underground - it's a music venue but it apparently has good burgers.
 also, it's owned by gavin degraw and his brother. fun little fact.

candle light - there is a facebook page dedicated to the wings. Yes, they are that good. Sometimes I have dreams about them. We've made some homemade wings that are pretty close to these. But it's not quite the same.

doughnut plant - I've always heard how the doughnuts here are pure bliss. And who doesn't like doughnuts? (actually, for about 2 years I just didn't want doughnuts after having them every week in seminary. But I wouldn't fight them putting in a Dunkin Donuts here in Utah. Please?)

grimaldi's - classic delicious NY pizza. That I LOOOVE. We drove to Vegas just to eat this (although, the boys thought we were going for basketball games, so the pizza was just my reason) once because it was the closest store to Utah. Oh, how I miss thin crust pizza I can fold and eat.

chinatown/pho - you know all the meat hanging in the windows of Chinatown? It's really good, according to David. I personally LOVE their sesame rolls with the different fillings.  And the pho places down the street. We had some really good food last time and I'm excited to get more.

quickly - their website makes me laugh. But we love their smoothies with the tapioca balls. Last time we ran around the city based on where the quickly's were so we could get more than one. Here was the last ones we had before we went home.

Anyone else have any good places I forgot? Because I am very open to more good food.
Next part - my list of what to do!

Linking up here:

Just throwing this out there...

So we have been talking a lot in our little household about an internship for next summer.
Now most of the debate is about whether or not I go with him.
  (And by debate, I mean, most of this is just me going back and forth)


Here is the basic situation.


I go with him:
- I quit my job -- but I'd look for one down there anyways.
- We have an adventure together
- He doesn't have to move there alone.(I don't have to be alone here.)
               - This is the biggest one. One night alone is bad enough....
- We don't save as much money if I don't get a job.

I don't go with him:
- We save quite a bit of extra money
- It is only for about 12 weeks and we can fly and see each other on the weekends
- We only pay one rent (his) so it wouldn't be as expensive as it sounds
- I keep my job which gives me something to do, plus it keeps my insurance. (Then when we move back in the fall, I will still have a job/insurance....)
- IT IS 12 WEEKS OF NOT BEING TOGETHER.


Plus other things that I maybe didn't list.
So, opinions please. 
Should I stay or should I go??

Thanksgiving.

Idea for this post from this blog.

1. Who do I appreciate? , my Heavenly Father, my family and friends

2. How am I fortunate? so many ways. my job. other job offers. that we have practically everything we need and want

3. What material possessions am I thankful for? home, working car, iphone

4. What abilities do I have that I'm grateful for? being able to listen to people yell at me quite often and not care -- maybe this isn't a great thing, but today, especially, I am grateful for it.

5. What about my surroundings (home/neighborhood/city/etc.) am I thankful for? the mountains!, snow falling, no humidity

6. What experiences have I had that I am grateful for? College Education, growing up in NY, being married young(er), lots of work experience, to make my own decisions, to be able to help others

7. What happened today/yesterday/this week/this month/this year that I am grateful for? Successful job interviews, being able to work in the nursery, playing the organ in church, spending quality time with family and friends

8. What opportunities do I have that I am thankful for? nursery (most of the time...), organ, having a job that allows me to interact with others, the chance to have new ones in different places

9. What relationships am I thankful for? my marriage! and my wonderful family and friends.

10. What am I taking for granted that, if I stop to think about it, I am grateful for? wayyy too much. sadly. but isn't that what Thanksgiving is for? 

Hooray for Fridays!

Fridays are my day off.

Best.Thing.EVER

I didn't even write myself a to-do list for today. 

Plus David is back from Seattle and isn't going on a plane again without me! 

(we leave for NYC together in 34 days!)

Thanksgiving is only 6 days away and I am just feeling so grateful right now!

Grateful for David getting interviewed.

Grateful that they went well (or so we think)

He did get to stay in some pretty swanky places - like Hotel 1000 in Seattle.

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Grateful I could spend time with his family while he was gone. 

Grateful he is home. 

It was bad enough without him for one night. Even more would be awful.

Happy Friday!

Memory

I have two distinct memories that I associate with this picture.

1. I lost my wedding rings. 

We were meeting by the side of the road next to a random field (see picture above? That's Utah Lake in the background.) to take my bridals. I was wearing my dress and I decided I wanted to put on lotion. But I had just gotten my rings cleaned so they would be all sparkly for pictures. So I took them off to put the lotion on. Bad idea. 

Notice the ruffles on my dress? My rings slipped under them and I completely forgot about putting them on. (Being engaged did weird things to my memory. I had a hard time remembering a lot of things.)

We get to the field, I get out of the car and my rings just slipped off my dress.

But did I notice? 

Of course not.

We just went ahead and did a 2 hour photo shoot - including driving from place to place... 2 large fields, one amphitheater, one gazebo at an apartment complex.

It was only when we were back in the car driving home that I realized I didn't have them. Or couldn't find them.

ANYWHERE.

So what do I do? Start crying and freaking out. 

We drive back to the first field - but how are we to know where exactly we pulled over on the side?
We pull over and get out of the car.
I'm still crying. And sort-of-not-really looking at the ground.
David at least has his head on straight.
The first place he looks is in the side of the door in our car.
And underneath all the junk,
there were my rings.

2. My wedding dress broke on our wedding day.

I know I mentioned it, but here's the whole story.
I got my dress altered - and by altered, I mean I needed to have the top completely custom built. The wonderful lady who did it for me had to put a whole new zipper in, so we just went with one of the cheaper/easier to do zippers. However, when I was trying it on, the zipper pulled apart. Luckily, we were able to fix it that time by just undoing it and redoing it. (But just in case, I sewed a handful of hook&eyes to help.)
Fast forward to our wedding day. I'm changing into my dress, right before we walk out of the temple together. And my mom and another sweet lady were helping me.
And my zipper did it again. Just split. We worked on it for a little bit.
Except this time, we couldn't zip it down and back up.
No matter how hard we tried.
Then the zipper came off on one side.
Oh man.

I just started laughing.
Of course something like this had to happen.
Luckily, after one phone call, a group of seamstresses come upstairs to help us.
They unstitched my whole dress in the back, reconnected the zipper, and sewed it all back together.
Then after they had zipped me up and fastened my pointless hook&eyes (great job, Nat. They didn't do anything.) they did a couple stitches on top of my dress. Just to make sure I could go the day without any more trouble.

I love this memory. I'm sure David was just sitting out there wondering what could have possibly happened to me. And no one told him what was going on. Mostly, I can't believe I didn't cry. (That is my go-to reaction for anything - happy, sad, angry. Sad, huh?) I laughed.

Because if that is the worst thing that could happen to me on my wedding day, then that was great. We were married already and nothing - not even a broken zipper - can make me give this up.

Hope

Today has been all about this:

I'm not supposed to get my hopes up. But I can't help it. 

in transition.

I think this title kind of sums up where I am right now with my blog. I'm trying to find a look I like, but nothing is the way I like it...... ugh. Plus it keeps doing weird things with my pictures, so if you can't see them or if they are weirdly huge, I apologize.  I guess it's one of those days.

David comes back from Dallas tonight! I never knew I was such a baby on my own, but after not really having to be apart, I really miss it.  But his trip to Dallas went well, so I guess I'm okay with missing him for a night.

His plane gets in at 9 which means I get to go walk around the mall (specifically the new H&M!) and buy Christmas presents.  Also. I bought a bathing suit today from Jcrew. Normally $104, I got the top and bottom for $10. I love good deals.

Also.
David just told me he was hungry.
So I told him to go eat. Except my phone decided to tell him go war!
haha!