Marriage

There are a lot of people who look down on marriage, joke about it, hate it, refuse it, been hurt by their spouse and so forth and so on. To me, marriage is the most sacred of trusts; that unbreakable love bound by two people who truly care for each other, and give 100% to the other person and to their relationship. I cannot imagine not being married to my soul mate. If something ever happened to my wife, I am content to stay single for the remainder of my life because I know what true love is. I have had enough love to fill two lifetimes, and I’m only in my 30’s. Just imagine how much love that will be if we both live into our 80’s or 90’s?

This is something I wrote and posted on my personal site a while ago, but it is fitting to share with everyone to show how strong and wonderful my wife is. She means the world to me, and I am a better person because of her:

“My hero and most influential person in my life is my wife. She has gone through so much in her life that it could have easily broken her, but it made her stronger. She is the friend that everybody wants, but is not always given the same respect. She has a heart of gold that easily forgets negative feelings, but she is no push over and is able to cut ties when needed. She is the most supportive person that I have ever known and takes care of me and our kids on a daily basis. I love her more than words can describe. I am honored to know her and blessed to be married to her. My wife is my best friend and I would do anything for her because she would do the same for me.”

 

 

Last Night’s Dinner #2

Ghetto fabulous - Creamy Mushroom Rice with Spicy Sautéed Chicken paired with golden crisp tater tots. I haven’t had tater tots in a long time and I have to say that they were good.

A homemade Lemon Meringue Frappuccino for dessert was so refreshing after the sun set, a perfect ending to a long day.

My Protector

My life is full of ups and down, both physically and mentally. However, even in the darkest of times I find the light of positiveness protecting me from what could be, or maybe should be, a negative path through life. I know that God does not give you more than you can handle, but sometimes what he gives you is more than you can bear on your own.

My protector, the person I have so that I do not have to bear any journey alone, has been by my side through my prime and will continue by my side of whatever lays ahead. God is with me and I feel His presence, but my protector has known me longer than I have known God.

I am a positive person by nature, but even the most positive sometimes need reassurance. My protector does not have to be seen or heard for her to spread her love and cast out the darkness, for sometimes only a thought or a memory is enough to keep me focused. She is my conscious, myself awareness and the awareness of the world around me. She is my humility, finding that balance of arrogance and being a person of humble thoughts. She is my savior; not as in the Lord or in the battle for my soul in Heaven and Hell; but as in the one I can count on to always be there, the one who has always been there, the one that I need, the one who has never disappointed me or made me feel less than I am.

The length of anyone’s life is unknown, but as long as I breathe I know who I’ll be spending Christmas with this year, next year, and every year that the Lord allows me to remain on Earth. My wife is more than my protector; she is my hero, my best friend, my partner, and the one who I strive to be like.

 

 

Last Night’s Dinner #1

Crispy, soft, delicate, sweet, savory, spicy…everything one would want in a dinner + dessert. Tostadas + a stunning Blueberry Lemon Curd Cake = a full belly and a happy cook.

Friends

Eggless Berry Cake

Eggless Berry Cake is probably the easiest cake in the world to make. I have made it with lots of different types of berries, either frozen or fresh, or I have even left the berries out all together when we did not have any on hand and I was looking for a quick breakfast when we were getting ready to leave for the day; literally put the ingredients together, put in the oven, and get ready while it bakes. It is compact, it slices nice, it travels nice, and it tastes nice. Make it for breakfast, for dessert, or a snack; no matter what this will become your backup recipe when nothing else seems to be going right.

Iron Man 3 Movie Review

“Iron Man 3” was by far the best Iron Man movie to date.
I was very skeptical in going to see it because the previews sucked. I am a fan of comic book movies, but was very hesitant to go see this one. I am happy to report that I was very wrong, and I look forward to seeing it again on DVD. The 3^rd movie is a solid movie on its own, but having it follow the stories lines of both the Iron Man series and “The Avengers” made it so much more.
“Iron Man 3” is two big thumbs up, and I recommend seeing this in theaters.

Fast & Furious 6 Movie Review

“Fast & Furious 6” is a predictable high-octane adrenaline rushed movie.
The adrenaline rush being on the screen of course, not anything the audience would ever feel. I think the only reason they made a part 6 was because they need 6 to get to 7, which is in the making. To make things more complicated, “Tokyo Drift” happens after the latest installment and the movie does a bad job trying to clarify this major factual mishap.
There are a lot of long drawn out scenes that seem to never end. However, this movie does have The Rock, who we get to see dust off an old wrestling move, which can’t quite save the movie even though it was by far the part.
I give this movie two thumbs way down, and I recommend you wait to see it when it comes out on TV.

Doubly Orange Fried Pieces of Dough

Doubly Orange Fried Pieces of Dough is a huge time saver when you want a doughnut but don’t have the time, the skill, or the patients to take on such a task. Basic fried dough was something that I grew up with in my community and it is still something that has deep roots in regions all across the U.S. and other parts of the world. This is an easy recipe to change up and add your own twists to it based on what you like or where you’re from.  I rolled and cut my version out to the size I was going for, which was a smaller handheld size with no real uniformity of shape (size and diameter are important for cooking times). I could have altered the recipe and cut out larger pieces of dough and rolled it just as thick creating fry bread. I could have taken that same cut of fry bread dough and rolled it out even thinner, creating a larger surface diameter, fried it and then covered it in a cinnamon sugar mixture making an elephant ear.

Cattlemens Steakhouse Restaurant Review

 Cattlemens is everything you want in a steakhouse…meat and a Western themed atmosphere. Everything looked great and the food was delicious, especially with all you can eat salad and warm sourdough bread.
The only downside was that I was semi-confused on the waiter’s job function. We had a waiter and sous-waiter (???), who seemed to do all of the work but get none of the credit. Our waiter didn’t know the menu but he could recite the specials, unless you asked him a question and then it was obvious that he memorized the spiel wording only. He seemed bothered by questions and our needing of refills, which he passed on to his backup, who I am calling his sous-waiter for a lack of a better term. The sous-waiter was the one at our table doing all of the work, but our conversation was through the main waiter if that makes sense. Once we figured out the rules of the game it was much easier, still frustrating, but easier.
Overall the experience was great, and the prices were what one would expect of a steakhouse.

Applebee's Restaurant Review

 Applebee’s is a kicked back restaurant with a fun lively atmosphere. However, it is also a joint that I haven’t visited in about seven years. Why? There is nothing that really draws me in when there are other similar restaurants with better value and better food. My favorite menu item? The fried cheese sticks.
Honestly, the only reason I ventured back into Applebee’s after all this time was that we were out of town and it was conveniently located within walking distance of the hotel. Will I go back? Sure, next time it fills a convenience. Like I said, the food’s not bad there is just better out there.

Man of Steel Movie Review

 “Man of Steel” was a decent telling of the Superman story.

The humanizing of the ultra-powerful Kryptonian made Clark easier to relate to, if one was able to relate to an alien of Superman’s abilities. This version of Superman himself was better, although the rest of the movie did not hold up its end of the deal. A lot of hype leading up this summer’s blockbuster release, but like the old saying goes, its bark was worse than its bite; as in there was not a lot there to back up the hype.
Kneel before Zod? Not this time, and so the “Man of Steel” gets one thumb up, and I recommend you wait to see it when it is released on DVD.

My Father’s Day

My Father’s Day was the best one yet! Gifts from my wife and kids, I was the center of attention, and we ate gloriously delicious food (pictured: Jam Dandy Muffins, Cheddar Bacon Jacket Potatoes, Cherry Pie, and Spicy Orange Glazed Butterflied Chicken). My family means the world to me, and love them with all of my heart!

Why Have a Little English Muffin When you Can Have a Loaf

English Muffin Bread is ridiculously fantastic. It’s made in a loaf like your everyday standard bread, but the taste is that of an English muffin. I love eating it with butter and honey after I have toasted it on both sides (I cut it thick and so it won’t fit in the toaster). I love the UK and I feel that this is a good adaptation of something that you would find there.

 

For the recipe go to http://chrisallreddesign.com/layout/starters/104-english-muffin-bread

I Want Homemade Pie, and I Want It Now! What Kind of Pie? Cherry Pie!

Cherry Pie is a classic dessert that I don’t usually have time to make because when I want some, I want it now. It is rarely something I plan out; more likely it is a last minute dessert, or something that I can quickly pull together if guests were to stop by. So my version is quick and simple, with ingredients that are usually found in my pantry. The crust has a great crisp texture with a sugary crunch, and the inside is bubbly with cherries in a thick gooey sauce; it is everything I want in a pie.

 

For the recipe go to http://chrisallreddesign.com/layout/desserts/89-cherry-pie

Coffee Cookie That Will Get You Caught

Coffee Cookies are as beautiful to look at as they are to eat; the dark rich cookie peeking through the cracks of the snow white outer shell makes this a crowd pleaser. If you have trouble making friends, show up with a basket full of these, and people will pretend to like you to get more cookies; yes the cookies are that good. These are naughty cookies; you know you want a cookie, but you know you shouldn’t have one, and yet you sneak one anyways because nobody will ever find out. Undoubtedly the crumbly powdered sugar cookie crust gives you away, because even though you covered your tracks by wiping your hands and your face, you forgot to notice the white powder trail on your shirt. What do you do? You bribe the person who busted you with a cookie, and then when the eat theirs you feel better about yourself and eating the cookie in the first place; it’s a win win situation.

 

For the recipe go to http://chrisallreddesign.com/layout/desserts/99-coffee-cookies

The Perfect Accompaniment to Any Dish…Chucky Apple Compote

Chunky Apple Compote is a delicious side to a pork dish or for Thanksgiving; it is also a great substitute for apple pie and a topping for ice cream, waffles, or French toast. The uses for this compote are endless, as are the ingredients that you can add and really make this your own and enjoy for years to come. Peel or not peel the apple is up to you, but the vibrant apple colors can really add to this dish; remember we also eat with our eyes (plus it saves time not having to peel the apples).

 

For the recipe go to http://chrisallreddesign.com/layout/desserts/98-chunky-apple-compote

Can Only Eat One, Sickly Sweet Chocolate Dipped Cream Cheese Frosting Treats

Chocolate Dipped Cream Cheese Frosting Treats are almost as easy to make as they are to eat. As a kid (and as an adult) I loved eating graham crackers with a nice layer of my favorite frosting spread across them. This is just an over the top version of that childhood snack. Literally I can only eat one of these a day, and it has to be with a big glass of ice cold milk.

 

For the recipe go to http://chrisallreddesign.com/layout/desserts/97-chocolate-dipped-cream-cheese-frosting-treats

Killer Burger is the place to be…always eating is the life for me!

“ The Classic” burger at Killer Burger…Vancouver, WA location is a fantastic choice when you’re needing to get full with fresh made in house burgers and fries. The taste is out of this world! I highly recommend both the Vancouver, WA and the Portland, OR locations.

Side note: All you can eat fries!!!!

 

Killer Burger Restaurant Review

Pic of me taking a pic

Now Kids, I Want You To Eat Your Vegetables and Your Cake Too!

Carrot Cake seems to have a persona about it; either you love it and rave about it, or you hate it and give it two thumbs down, similar to (insert actor’s name here) career. Raisins or not to raisins, that is the question? Vegetables in a cake seem wrong and it sort of defeats the purpose of eating cake, because when you want cake…you want cake. Personally though I like carrot cake and if I really wanted to I could probably convince myself that if I ate enough of it, that it would supply me with my daily recommended dose of vegetables; it is “carrot” cake after all.

 

For the recipe go to http://chrisallreddesign.com/layout/desserts/83-carrot-cake

Chris Allred Design’s mission is to help guide you to who you want to be, and to help you get what you want out of life; that can be anything from writing that first great novel, to cooking soup, or baking a pie.  You may like where you are in life and your chosen career path, and that is ideal, but we can help get you to the next level by promoting your proven skills and company vision with a top-notch resume and a solid written plan.

 

http://chrisallreddesign.com