Not your Grandma's Vegas

Going to Vegas for a non Elvis wedding and mini vacation takes on a whole different flavor, literally. This Vegas had amazing food, outlet shopping and a day at the Mandalay Bay Pool with the best Cabana Host in Vegas! It costs considerably more, but being able to say that you didn't eat at ONE buffet the whole time is worth it :) This picture is at the bar at Bouchon, a French restaurant in the Venetian. It was one of the best French meals I have had, even compared to France itself. Dining in Vegas has taken on a whole new meaning if you want to drop the cash and want a meal that doesn't involve standing in line for peel and eat shrimp.

My two Vegas Men!

Why Iron Man?

I tend to get excited about Super Hero movies. Maybe it's because of my love of Wonder Woman or growing up with Underroos or maybe it's just because they are so much fun. The hard part is that so many of them are really not that good. Enter...Iron Man! This movie had an early trailer that made me NOT want to see it. It seemed weird and strange, I didn't even know who Iron Man was other than the beginning of a kick ass Ozzie Osborn song (or was it Black Sabbath?). Anyway! The reviews came out and it sounded like a movie worth seeing, despite the trailer I had seen months before. I am here to attest...go see Iron Man for the following reasons: Robert Downey Jr. is amazing, it is funny, legitimately funny and it makes you root, silent, in your seat for the most believable manufactured Super Hero in a very long time. Batman Returns, awesome! But, Iron Man is giving it a run for it's money because it is smarter than it is dark.

15 Minute Mexican Rice

This recipe really only takes 15 minutes and taste better than it should for that amount of time! Of course, it's not authentic Mexican Rice, but Darren loves it.

Shopping List

Minute Rice- 4 servings

Chicken Broth- 2 cups

Ground Lean Pork- 1 lb

El Pato Mexican Salsa- 1 can

Rotel Diced Tomatoes- 2 cans

Green Onions- 2 or 3

Cilantro- 1/4 bunch

Pantry Ingredients

Garlic Fresh- 4 cloves

Garlic Powder- 1Tbs

Garlic Salt- 1tsp

Peel Garlic Cloves and slice, lengthwise (do not chop).  Prepare Minute Rice, using 2 cups Chicken Broth in place of water with sliced garlic cloves, cover and micro as directed.  While the rice is cooking, saute Ground Pork with Garlic Powder until it looses it's fleshy color but now browned.  Pour El Pato salsa over pork and simmer until the salsa reduces and creates a "heavy" coating on the pork.  Chop Cilantro and Green Onion while El Pato is reducing, set aside.  Remove rice from micro, fluff and let sit for 2 minutes.  Pour Rotel into simmering pork and let simmer for 1-2 minutes.  Pour hot rice into skillet, stir in green onion and cilantro.  Let sit for 2 minutes and serve with Garlic Salt to taste.

FYI

I prefer the Green or Red El Pato (the little can with the Duck) Mexican Salsa, but the yellow can works just fine too.  There are several types of Rotel Chopped Tomatoes and Chilies- I use 1 can of Mexican Fiesta and 1 can of Original.  If I am making it just for Darren (& his Mom) I use the "Extra Hot" can of Rotel instead of Original.  They like it HOT, but that is usually a bit too spicy for me.  Of course, you can spend more time and use traditional rice (40-50 min cooking time). You can substitute Ground Turkey for Pork (pork adds a better flavor) and be sure to check that the pork or turkey is extra lean (then you don't have to drain it!)  I can honestly say that Darren is always amazed that dinner is finished so quickly.  It is a great 1 skillet meal for those nights you get home late from work.

8 days in France- For less than $600

Rick Steves- eat your baguette out!  Ok, so maybe you would need fabulously adventurous friends (Brook, Marissa & Max) to move to France and a husband who travels all the time to do it!  But, it can be done using frequent flyer miles, crashing at your friends house and a bit of restraint on the shopping day in Paris.  I even got to drive while I was there and luckily it was late enough at night that I had the round about to myself!

Click HERE for pictures from my trip

Rangers Opening Day

Thanks to our friend Jennifer, who we met on the cruise in September, we were welcomed into the Rangers Opening Day Party!  We have been to 2 Rangers games and went to Frisco yesterday to see the AA Rangers team, the Roughriders, play the Midland Rockhounds.  It is more fun watching the Roughriders than the Rangers right now ;)  It makes us miss Phoenix, since the Diamondbacks are kicking so much MLB butt right now.  The Ranger fans boo'd their #1 players (Kinsler & Young) on opening day...terrible!  It was fun cheering for Kinsler, since he played at Central. And, I will be going to see the Rockhounds play the Roughriders again tomorrow since my friend from CAC, ASU Softball Coach Clint Myers' son, Casey Myers is the hitting coach and will be catching the game.  It was great to see him in the bullpen yesterday!  I think I am going to try to give Alyssa Milano a run for her money with her Dodger Blog!  I mean, really, I doubt she can keep score like me!  She does, however, have her own line of MLB clothes for women that are pretty darn sexy & cute (kind of like her).