Ten on Tuesday

Guess who wrote this week’s set of questions?  ME!  You may have guessed once you saw the completely random nature of the questions, or the possibility that one or two of them is a repeat.  Oh well, I’m still happy that I get to be a part of my fertile sister-in-law’s fun feature, Ten on Tuesday!

1.  If you could travel back in time, would you?  What decade would you visit?

Yes, I definitely would, but not to stay.  Just a visit.  It’s hard to narrow it down to one era or place, so I’ll pick three: the early 1800s in England, the 1920s in France, and the 1940s in America.  All because they were fun and social!

2. What was your best Halloween costume?  (fun to make? most creative?)

Polygamist Wife costume, Halloween 2008

3. Do you like your name?  If you weren’t called by your name, what would you want to be called?

My name is fine, but it’s just SO common.  Everyone in the 80s was saddled with a trendy moniker like Jessica, Jennifer, or Courtney.  If I could rename myself as an adult without any of the hassles, it would probably be to something a little more related to my family history and less trendy.  But as far as the name itself goes, I like it.

4. In the past year, what is the BEST recipe you made.  Please share it!

The Pioneer Woman’s Fancy Macaroni and Cheese.  MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.  <- that’s a link to the full recipe on her blog with pictures and everything.

Ingredients

• 4 cups Macaroni
• 8 Tablespoons Butter (Salted Butter)
• 2 whole Medium Onions, Cut In Half And Sliced Thin
• 10 slices Regular Bacon
• 1 Tablespoon Bacon Grease (reserved From Bacon Slices)
• ¼ cups All-purpose Flour
• 2 cups Whole Or 2% Milk
• ½ cups Half-and-Half
• 2 whole Egg Yolks, Beaten
• Salt And Pepper, to taste
• ½ cups Grated Gruyere Cheese
• ½ cups Grated Fontina Cheese
• ½ cups Grated Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese
• 4 ounces, weight Chevre (soft Goat Cheese)

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook macaroni for half the time of the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Fry bacon until slightly, but not overly, crispy. Drain on a paper towel. Reserve grease.

Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a skillet and then saute onions over medium-low heat for 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown and soft. Set aside.

In a pot, melt 4 tablespoons butter (and add 1 tablespoon of the reserved bacon grease for good measure!). Sprinkle in flour and whisk to combine. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat for 1 minute. Pour in milk and half & half, then cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until thick. Reduce heat to low. Add salt & pepper to taste. (Do not undersalt!)

Beat egg yolks and drizzle 1/4 cup hot mixture into the yolks, stirring constantly. Stir to combine. Pour egg mixture into sauce and cook for another minute.

Add cheeses and stir until melted. Add onions and bacon and stir. Taste for seasonings and add more salt if needed. Add cooked macaroni and stir to coat.

Pour into a baking dish and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until sizzling and hot. Serve with red meat or a green salad.

5. Look around – what is the nearest object or picture hanging on the wall?

The only thing on my walls is a mirror.  ONE mirror.  4 months after move-in.  Sad.

6. What was the last movie you saw in a theater?  Would you recommend it?

Avatar, and yes definitely.  We saw it in 3D, which was AMAZING.  Storyline’s kind of silly, but worth seeing.  That was months ago, so it’s about time we went to the movies!

7. Did you go to summer camp?  Will you/do you send your kids to camp?

I went to Vacation Bible School, which was about as close to summer camp I ever got.  I remember not wanting to leave home for more than one night or maybe weekend.  Based on Andrew’s amazing experiences, I’m pretty sure I will send my kids to camp.  Also, I’m planning to have children with Andrew, and he will definitely be sending his kids to the same camp he went t0, Lanakila.

8. What kind of ringtone do you have?

A beautiful Bon Iver song, Flume.  You can hear a bit of it on Amazon at the link.

9. Where is the farthest away from home you have ever been?

Australia and New Zealand.  Now, how to get back? 🙂

10. Has anyone ever written a song or a poem for or about you?

Yes.  A boy in college wrote a very sweet song for me.  And being the mature 19 year old I was, I promptly never went out with him again.  I’m guessing I was scared off.  I regret that!  If you are out there, Mike, I’m sorry!

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