Oscar bids

I always get so excited about the Oscars. I don't actually enjoy watching the show that much, but I like to see who wins. I watch a lot of movies so I usually end up seeing at least half of the movies nominated.

I've heard a lot of people predict The Artist as the winner for Best Picture. I didn't see that one, but my vote is for Hugo. I loved that movie. If you haven't seen it, you should. Seriously, you need to see it. Other Best Picture nominations worth seeing: War Horse, Moneyball, The Help, and Descendents.

I thought Ronney Mara was amazing in Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and I would like to see her win. However, Viola Davis was really great in The Help and I would be happy if she one too.

I thought George Clooney's character in Descendents was really entertaining.

Anyway, those are all my thoughts for the show tonight. Do you have any predictions/favorites?

What's cookin: Refried Beans

Ah beans. Such a great food group. So much fiber, so much protein, so much gas. :) Just kidding.

Pinto beans are packed full of vitamins and minerals.  However when you buy canned beans, they are full of sodium and preservatives. Refried beans also have a lot of added fat.

Well my friends, it is so easy to make your own refried beans and it tastes much better. Another benefit - beans are so cheap. You can buy a 25 lb bag of pinto beans at Costco for less than $20.00. We bought the bag over a year ago and are still using it.

1. Soak pinto beans over night. (I usually soak 1 to 2 cups.)

2. Put the beans in a pressure cooker with some water. You can add onions and garlic at this point.  

3. Close the lid to the pressure cooker and cook for 20-30 minutes after it's been sealed. The cook time will vary depending on the amount of beans.

 4. Place the cooked beans in a food processor. Add seasonings. (I usually add salt, cumin, some form of pepper, and cheese.) Turn on for a few minutes or until the beans are smooth.

5. Make sure the beans are the consistency you want. Add water if too thick. Add more seasoning if desired.

6. Get a tortilla and make yourself a fresh bean burrito.

7. Warn your family that you are about to consume a large amount of beans and drink lots of water.

***This recipe is really flexible and after a few times you will learn the amount of water and seasonings you like.

*** I know these beans have not technically been "re-fried". You can do that if you want, but I don't because then I have to wash another pan. 

More information on pinto beans - 

http://www.livestrong.com/article/274057-pinto-beans-nutrition-facts/

Take off

Dave's boss was looking for crew members for a sail boat race he was doing on Lake Union. We joined the crew and enjoyed a nice sail around the lake. I allowed everyone else volunteer for the duties (so kind of me, I know), so I got to sit and relax the whole time. :)

This is a video someone took on their iphone of a flow plane taking off in the middle of the race. 

V-day

To celebrate Valentine's Day, I wore my red and white socks and brought some treats into work:

Everyone was so impressed that I even put little hearts on the toothpicks. Obviously these people don't follow pinterest because if they did, they would know the that it was not that impressive. The cakes were pretty good. It was my attempt to make a healthier/less sugary treat. I'm not so sure it was really healthy, but I tried. See the recipe below.

We decided to go and get some chocolate at a local candy store called Boehms. It's a cute Bavarian looking shop that is located in Issaquah. I think in the summer you can go and tour the building. The chocolate was delicious and didn't last long around this Johnson house.

Applesauce Cakes

1 cup apple cider

3/4 cup dried apples, cut into 1/2 in pieces

1 cup unsweetened applesauce, room temp

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

2/3 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

1 large egg, room temp.

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons canola oil

1. Adjust oven rack to the middle position, heat oven to 375 degrees, line muffin tin

2. Simmer the cider and dried apples together in a small saucepan over  medium heat until all the liquid has been absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes, let the mixture cool to room temp.

3. Process the cooled apple mixture and applesauce together in a food processor until smooth

4. In a separate bowl, whisk the flour and baking soda together

5. In another bowl, whisk the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves together; reserve 2 tablespoons of the sugar-spice mixture for the topping

6. In a large bowl, whisk the remaining sugar-spice mixture, egg, vanilla, and salt together by hand until well combined; whisk in the oil until thoroughly combined and emulsified; whisk in the apple mixture from the food processor until combined; fold into the flour mixture until just incorporated

7. Use a greased 1/4 cup measure to portion evenly into the muffin tin; sprinkle with the reserved sugar-spice mixture

8. Bake until a toothpick interested into the middle comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, about 22 to 27 minutes

MOHAI

A couple of weeks ago we visited the Museum of History and Industry in Seattle. We had a buy one get one free coupon that we wanted to use. Overall, it was an interesting museum filled with information about the history of Seattle and different industries here. The visiting exhibit was closed due to an event so we were unable to see the whole thing. 

My favorite piece in the museum was this pink toe truck. When I was little, I used to see this toe truck everytime we visited Seattle Center (it was located on top of a building in South Lake Union). I used to think this truck was so funny. I was excited when I saw it in the MOHAI. Another Seattle nostalgic item located there was the Rainer sign.

Cost - $8 for adults

Return? Probably not anytime soon.