The Arslains: March 2008

Monday, March 24, 2008

Easter with Friends

For Easter Chris & I were invited to have dinner at my favorite cook Anne's house in Santa Monica. It was a beautiful day and we had a great evening. Too much wine and food but that is okay!

The Easter bunny came by

Our lovely host Anne

The Bee Movie

We brought in the muscle to take care of the hamThen we compared our musclesChris was embarrassedAnne kept filling up my glass of wine - can you tell? :)Eat up everyone!
Happy Easter! xoxo c&a

Ok so I know I am a complete dork but I thought since I was making new yummy creations for Easter weekend that I should share them. The bad thing about making these recipes is that you will have to work out for a week after eating them. For my nieces Maddy & Millie's Easter baskets I decided to make them Martha Stewart's :

Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies
An important thing to do before getting started is unwrapping all of the cups and putting them in the fridge to chill. This will help them keep their shape when you put them in the half baked cookie and back into the oven.

Here is the finished product! They were too good. Literally. A peanut butter cookie with a reese's peanut butter cup inside? You can't really go wrong there. I hope the girls liked them!

Here is the link to the recipe:
http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.fc77a0dbc44dd1611e3bf410b5900aa0/?vgnextoid=6efe934be4b0f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&autonomy_kw=surprise%20cookie&rsc=header_6

Glazed Lemon Pound Cake
My next project was for Angela & Scott and our Easter dinner at Anne's. This recipe makes enough for two pound cakes which is nice because it takes a little bit of work. First you have to zest 2-3 lemons.

This is the delicious part of the cake - the buttermilk mixed with zest and fresh lemon juice

My finished product! This is actually my second one. Please do not judge the icing job - it was done after a few glasses of wine. oops! :)

Here is the link to the recipe:
http://www.marthastewart.com/glazed-lemon-pound-cake?autonomy_kw=lemon&rsc=header_3

Scalloped Potatoes with Leeks
Sunday morning I got up early to make my contribution for Easter dinner at Anne's. For this I made scalloped potatoes. They require about 45min of prep time but after that are very easy to put together and not fussy on timing. I was able to reheat these with no problem. We loved them!

Prep time Sauteing the Leeks with unsalted butter
Chris took this after it was cooked 30 mins. You then uncover it and cook for another 45 at 425 degrees. We reheated it at Anne's which only made it crispier and more delicious. We had none left! After it was reheated:

Here is the recipe:
http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.fc77a0dbc44dd1611e3bf410b5900aa0/?vgnextoid=77606d63a1ea7110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default

I hope you enjoyed the cooking show! haha...xoxo Amy

Monday, March 17, 2008

Congratulations to Chris & Jen!

Chris & Jen got engaged this weekend! Jen is amazing and we are so happy for her to become part of our family! Love you guys!

Cheers!

San Diego with Chris & Katie

Saturday morning Chris and I took off for San Diego to see Chris & Katie's new place in Carlsbad. It was perfect weather and we had a blast. Their apartment is adorable!

Next we went for a bike ride by the beach. It was a beautful day and so much fun!

Isn't she cute!

After our big ride we had a night out in Carlsbad.

Sisters Sushi dinner

The Village Pub - Awesome!

On Sunday after a big breakfast we went to see Tovah's new baby Paloma. She is beautiful! We spent two hours catching up but I wish we had more. Tovah and I have known each other for 12 years and it felt like we just saw each other yesterday. I guess that is what a true friendship is.

Proud Mama

Thanks for stopping by! xoxo c&a

Monday, March 10, 2008

Hawaii!!!

BEWARE: This is a long entry because this was a huge amazing trip. Isn't that what I am supposed to be doing? Documenting? Here it is!

I am putting this video first because this is reason we were there. Congratulations to Brian & Diane!!!

So on February 27th Chris and I left for the island of Oahu to celebrate our favorite peeps Brian and Diane getting hitched. While we were expecting to have a great time because it is Hawaii, our trip far exceeded our expectations when we left with great memories with the amazing friends we met up with on the island. It all began with a very uncomfortable flight there:

Chris and I could not help but laugh that our hotel decor brought us right back to LA along with a Nobu downstairs

Thursday we woke up early and got on the road for our big driving day around the island, just the two of us. We started with a short tour of the Wahiawa Botanical Gardens which was pretty and Chris chatted up the old volunteer ladies.

Next we ate some yummy pineapple ice cream at the Dole plantation which actually doesn't grow pineapple anymore. Then we were off to the North Shore.

My sis Katie helped us so much with this day by telling us where to stop for lunch and the best beaches to stop at. So we had lunch at Stortos a local sandwich shop that is known for famous surfers stopping by. Yummy!!!

Chris & I enjoying the North Shore

I made sure we stopped by the Byodo-In Temple with a 9 ft Lotus Buddha that was gorgeous

Our amazing day was topped off with our first night of drinks with the friends

The beautiful bride to be

The first thing we saw from our balcony Friday morning. You have to love Hawaii

On Friday Chris and I started first thing in the morning with a hike up to Manoa Falls. It was beautiful and fun to be in the jungle. A native we saw:

Chris and Brian then decided to take me snorkeling for the first time at a place called "The Wall". That should have told me something. Lets just say I could not have been worse at it, smashed my nail in half on the coral and caused Chris to scratch his knee on a brain coral that swelled his knee. Brilliant. After going back to the hotel and laying by the pool where I belonged we had a yummy dinner with friends at Nobu. Another great day in Hawaii.

Saturday we headed out to Hanauma Bay with Nick, Alan and Pam. This was when Chris and I realized how great the people we were there with were. They made our trip. While I was there with Chris, i did fall in love again with Alan and Pam. Or P.B. Snorkeling, kayaking, drinks, singing along to fergie, sunburns, puffy eyes, dingos...ahh memories. We made a great team exploring the island. Here is the beautiful Hanauma Bay: