Tuna Family Update

Big Tuna and Little Tuna





As most of you know, Tuna and I moved to Youngstown, OH at the beginning of December this past year. I have been a little vague here on our "life" happenings other than running around with Puppy. 

So here's an update that I hope will make you feel more "caught" up with us.

Tuna likes his job. He's a Park Ranger with the Army Corps of Engineers. We're always looking for something "permanent", but like it here so far. If you're confused, thinking this job was permanent, well...it is kinda. It's a 4 year term position, that is funded for sure for the next year. Even the feds are making budget cuts, so who knows what could happen. 

And now...drum roll please....and maybe a little thrum of cymbals....as of Tuesday...I am officially the newest member of the Millcreek Metropark team! Wahoo! 

What a blessing eh!? That's right. The project that doesn't have any money, managed to hire me :) 

Here's the story: 

In late January, Millcreek had a job fair. I was the only one dressed up, and was either older than everyone by 5 years or younger than everyone by 25. Highschoolers and retirees showed up for all the summer positions. And so did I mind you. They have a historic mill here and I was interested in one of the summer interp positions (tour guide). I spoke to a man in the recreation department who basically told me I was the best thing to walk into their job fair since sliced bread. *polishes finger nails on shoulder*

Anyways, he remembered me. And called me on Thursday of last week and said can you come in tomorrow? I might have something you're interested in. 

And boy was I interested!

I will be the working (yes I took the offer, because they offered it to me before they interviewed anyone else) with the recreation department basically....as an assistant is really the best way to put it. It's part time, but it'll be more hours in the summer and less in the winter and it is permanent. I will primarily be stationed at the farm, but I will spend time at the nature center too, help with programs there AND at the mill. Coordinate volunteers, help set up major events and non-profit org events, and lead outreach programs in the further reaches of the county which tend to get left out. I'm so excited. I'll get to do bird walks, and come up with other new programs, and help plan big parties, and check shelters, and eat cereal! wait. 

Yes. All of the above and more. I'll be working with a large variety of people and projects and it just sounds like the best opportunity to expand my resume EVER! 

Can you tell I'm pretty excited?

Because I am. 

Did I mention I'll get to do bird walks? 

OH YEA!

So that's the job update.

We've found a church we really like here too. We've both joined bible studies and a small group with other young couples and it's been great! 

I am sort of co-directing the children's musical at church that's coming up in May. We just had our first rehearsal this passed week and it went well. I'll be leading the choreography. :) 

I don't have to come up with it, I just have to learn it backwards from the DVDs and then teach it to the kids! It's gonna be fun. The kids seem like really good kids. And some of my favorite memories from children's church are from the plays I was in, so being a part of that for them is really great.

Other than that. Not much else is going on. We have been enjoying our first 8 months of marriage and are looking forward to a busy Spring and fun Summer!

Here's one last picture to leave you with. This was when Tuna Puppy was about 3 months old, now she's over 5 months! She's so big now! But she looks so dang cute in this picture. :)

Love,
Little Tuna

Homemade Salsa and Glamour Shots

Homemade Salsa. This my friends...is my vice. 

I worked at Abuelo's in college. And they made their salsa in house. And it was good.  Since then, I've been ruined. For nothing other than some thin, tangy, sweet, spicy, salsa. 

I haven't had salsa anywhere else that was as good. Other than when I make it myself. Oh yea. :)

Pictures. Then recipe. 

If tomatoes are in season. Use fresh. It makes a big difference. And I prefer it. But when their not, it's really cheaper and easier to use canned. Someting with a little kick is nice (like the one in the middle with "zesty jalapenos") but you can always just get regular and add some kick yourself. I used these because it's what I had.

Small onion. Couple garlic cloves (plus powder if your a garlic FREAK like me!)

Chop.

Get out your blender (or a large food processor would work too!) and place tomatoes in. I drained about half the liquid from each because ALL the liquid makes it a little too runny. I would error on the thick side, and if your worried about it, save some juice for the end, you can always add juice but can't really take it away once you've processed it.

Add the garlic and onion.

Oooh lala my favorite part.

Chop a few table spoons full of jalapenos more or less to taste. Include the seeds. Your macho.

Some red pepper flakes for good measure. And texture. ;)

Wait. I lied. THIS is my favorite part. FRESH cilantro. I promise. Dried won't cut it. Fresh baby fresh.

Add in jalapenos and cilantro and give a few pulses!

Don't forget the lime juice! Oh yes. Fresh would be better. But I already had some on hand. 

Now the trick is taste and see! Try and try again with little additions. Each time I make this I'm always using a bit more of this or that depending on the base I use.

I ended up adding a bit of cumin, chili powder, more cilantro, and jalapenos.

And voila! 

Oh man. I made this about two weeks ago. My mouth is watering. And I just had lunch. 

Please. Make homemade salsa. You won't regret it. 

Restaurant Style Salsa 

Adapted from Pioneer Woman

Ingredients

• 1 can (28 Ounce) Whole Tomatoes With Juice
• 2 cans (10 Ounce) Diced Tomatoes (with some kick if possible: jalapenos, green chilies, etc)
• 1 small Onion Chopped
• 2-3 cloves Garlic, Minced (or to taste)
• 3-4 table spoons Minced Jalapeno (or to taste) fresh or jarred
• ¼ teaspoons Sugar
• ¼ teaspoons Salt
• ¼ teaspoons Ground Cumin
• ½ cups Cilantro (more To Taste!)
• 2 table spoons Lime Juice 

My other additions: Red pepper flakes, chili powder, EXTRA cilantro :) 

Preparation Instructions

Combine whole tomatoes, dice tomatoes, onion, jalapeno, garlic, sugar, salt, cumin, lime juice, and cilantro in a blender or food processor. Pulse until you get the salsa to the consistency you’d like—I do about 10 to 15 pulses. Test seasonings with a tortilla chip and adjust as needed.
Refrigerate salsa for at least an hour. Serve with tortilla chips or cheese nachos.

And now. For some close ups of my sleepy puppy.

What is that clicking sound?

Mom. What are you doing? I'm trying to sleep.

Are you kidding me with this?

Fine. If I wake up enough to give you a cutesy pose will you stop?

I'm done with you.

But if you give me treats I might cooperate.

 

I will give you the puppy stare until you stop clicking the camera and give me another treat. 

And that's all for today. Have a great weekend!  

Go make salsa. 

Love,

Little Tuna

Chocolate Eclair Cake

Valentines Day was pretty simple around the Tuna Can. (We celebrated yesterday) I'm not much for the holiday and definitely not into flowers (have we discussed that already?) so for V-day, Tuna and I decided to cook. 

He made dinner, I made dessert. 

A simple, easy, decadent, addicting, sinful, delicious dessert. 

Oh yea. 

Seriously. You're going to look at these directions and say there is no way that dessert is that good. And maybe you're right. BUT to me? This is the best dessert I've tasted that required this little amount of work and prep. It doesn't even need to bake. 

Take that gas man. (have I mentioned we have a gas stove here? I don't really care for it yet)

I sort of took the recipe and made somewhere around a 1/3 of it. Why? Well...remember a couple posts back when I mentioned I am NOT a "details" kinda gal? yea....well details really come into play when you're cooking. The recipe called for two boxes of THREE oz jello boxes. I thought, okay no problem I've got two on the shelf! I go to make the dessert and realize ohhhh...I have two ONE oz boxes. 

Details. 

I loathe them. 

 But! Not all is lost. I just made an 8x8 pan instead of a 9x13

Which my love handles will appreciate.

Start. With pudding. I obviously used the low cal stuff.

Add the milk and whipped topping and play some michael jackson. (beat it? Get it? meh meh meh)

Layer the graham crackers in the pan, and place half the pudding mixture on top 

It will be thick and sticky, that's okay. It doesn't have be pretty. Just tasty.

Repeat layers, ending with graham crackers.

My favorite part. The chocolate sauce topping.

Once the chocolate sauce has cooled a little bit, pour over your layers and spread evenly.

Side view just to get your mouth a little moist.

 

Let it set for as long as you can. I believe this dessert does better letting it sit overnight. The graham crackers really soak up the pudding and it's magnificent. But other than that, give it at least a couple hours to set. De-lish. 

 And not nearly as calorie dense as the name makes you think it would be! 

Here's the recipe found at All Recipes:

Ingredients

• 2 (3 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
• 3 cups milk
• 1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 1 (16 ounce) package chocolate graham crackers
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine pudding mix and 3 cups milk; mix well. Fold in whipped topping and beat with mixer for 2 minutes.
2. In a buttered 9x13 inch baking dish, spread a layer of graham crackers on the bottom of the dish.
3. Spread 1/2 of the pudding mixture over crackers, then top with graham crackers. Spread remaining pudding over crackers; top second pudding layer with another layer of crackers.
4. To make topping: In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine 1/4 cup milk, cocoa and sugar and allow to boil for 1 minute; remove from heat and add butter and vanilla. Mix well and cool.
5. Pour sauce over graham cracker layer and refrigerate until set; serve.

Now here's a little glimpse of what my tuna love made for dinner.

Have I mentioned asparagus is my favorite veggie? Oh yea.

These were so good. Cheesy melty garlic mashed potatoes. mmmm.

Oven fried chicken. :)

My big tuna chef.

I hope this picture makes you giggle. I made him pose cheesy for me.

YUM. Valentine's Day dinner! AND he cleaned up everything for me. What a man.

 

And what would a post be without at least one snap of tuna puppy. She was just happy to get valentines day kibble.

I have job stuff to update you on. But LOTS is going on all at once in that department so I'll let you live in suspense a little longer. 

We took Macey on a group hike with other people and their dogs. It was so fun. I'll post pictures up this week.

Oh and remember that Valentines Day wreath I mentioned last week? Yea it's still in it's basket a quarter of the way finished. MY BAD! 

Love,

LT

Macey goes for a hike

Mill Creek Metropark is the local favorite around here (Youngstown) for hikes and scenery. It's literally a gem in the middle of an otherwise developed area. It has some neat geology, and lots of history.

I took Macey for her first hike this week. I like to think that she loved it. :) 

Some texture for you.

She's annoyed with me stopping to take pictures.

Don't you just want to go and sit by the pond because of this picture? Maybe not. Because it's covered in snow. But it's still pretty.

Trying her hardest to not pull on the leash. It's so tempting.

A tired pup.

The command "look" we're learning in puppy class really comes in handy when I'm trying to take her picture. 

Hey. Hey. It's snow. And I'm outside. Hey. Watch what happens to my ears when I run. Hey. Hey. Are you watching? Wee!

Trail # 2 - next to the river

Macey is a bit fearless when it comes to sniffing over the edge.

As you can imagine, taking a picture without the leash in it was rather difficult.

Surprise! This trail led us to the pioneer house.

Hey. Hey what's that? Hey I think it...Hey did it honk at me??

After I got a few shots, I let Mace chase the stupid Canada Goose around a bit. :) 

And that's our hiking adventure. 

NOW for some smokin deals from Rite Aid this week. (Unfortunately these prices are only good through today so most likely, too late to snag them. That being the case I won't take the time to post the coupon links)

 Buy 6 Edy's for 2.99 a piece. 

Get 2.00 back in UP rewards for each one you buy

Plus 5.00 UP when you buy 6.

Out of pocket: $18.00

$17.00 back in up rewards. 

1.00 for 6 icecreams. 

Saved 32.00

SCORE. 

Now the best part, is using that 17.00 to buy all the other deals. Oh yea.

1.99 for each JIF- used rite aid video value coupon for 1.00 off two, plus rite aid winter reward 1.00 off coupon and you got two 1.00 UP rewards back. so free in the end.

Chex Mix- 1.50 each

Used .50 off two rite aid video value coupon

and got 1.00 UP for each. 

so .50 for two. 

Total: 2.50 (used $2 UP rewards from ice cream) so paid .50

Saved 5.58

2.99 for Cesar Treats- Used two 2.00 off one printable coupons and got 1.00 UP for each = free

Beggin strips- 2.99 got 1.00 UP 

So 1.99 for Beggin Strips and used coupon from 1/23 smart source Buy one beggin strips- get busy bones free

Got 1.00 up for getting Busy Bones (even though it was free)

 so .99 for beggin strips and busy bones

Total: 3.00 (used UP rewards for it)

Got 4 UP rewards back

Saved: 8.99

Lays Stax- 1.00 each - get 1.00 back in UP rewards = FREE

Dixie plates- 3.99 BOGO plus used 3.00 off two. so 1.00 for two packs

Finish dish detergent pack- (originally 10.99!) on sale for 3.99 used rite aid 1.00 off plus manufacturer 3.00 off one. = Free

Total: 5.00 (used previous UP rewards)

Got 5 UP rewards back

Saved 10.29

Moral of the story. I paid 18 dollars out of pocket. Got 17 dollars back. Used parts of that 17 to buy other deals that gave me bucks back too. So I still have 17.00 in UP rewards. So for 18.00 bought 75.85 worth of merchandise. so far. :-) I'll keep you posted on the total.

Tuna and I went to a thrift store today to buy Macey some stuffed animals to chew on (she loves them but they don't last long!) We bought her a few things, and of course I found something too. I love this wreath. It's hard to see in the picture a bit (it's actually a bright pale green) it's got green confetti type paper and beads glued all over it. It's perfect for St. Patrick's day but also come Easter I'll throw on some bows and wire on some eggs and it'll be perfect for both holidays! and it was only 1.50. woo hoo.

Last but not least. Rulli Brothers (a local market) had this dip for sale for 1.00 a piece. (usually 2.00) and I had a dollar off two coupon from 1/23 smart source so we got two for a dollar. And trust me. It's called heluva good for a reason!! Yeehaw. 

Well that wraps it up for today. I'm working on a valentines day fabric wreath...it's going slow. Really slow. So we'll see how soon that gets posted ;)

Love, 

Little Tuna