I have fallen for Alton

I am a fan of the Food Network, but I've never really latched on to shows like Barefoot Contessa and Everyday Italian. I do like shows like America's Test Kitchen and now I have another, Alton Brown's Good Eats. I think the reason I love these shows is the same reason I loved Rose Levy Beranbaum's "The Bread Bible". In all of these mediums they explain the science behind the magic. You not only get killer recipes, but you understand the science behind why they are so wonderful. Once you have the understanding behind it, then you can apply those same principles to other meals. I totally geek out over science based cooking. Alton has served us well this past holiday season. He provided the recipes for the most loved dishes at Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.

Squash Soup
Pumpkin Mousse
Christmas Soup

Above you can see him making a smoothie with my other favorites Jimmy Fallon. BTW, if you don't already watch Jimmy Fallon, you really should be. I never watch it in real time, but my DVR is full of it.

MPA stands for Midwest Psychological Association

This email popped into Scott's inbox the other day, I'm a proud wife:

Dear Mr. Barrett
Congratulations! Your submission to the 2010 MPA Conference entitled "Nicotine enhances resistance to extinction of operant responding in rats" has been selected for a Graduate Student Research Award. This award is given to the best submission by a graduate student in each of the five content areas of the conference (i.e., clinical, developmental, neuroscience, cognitive, and social psychology). Your award certficate will be presented before the Presidential Address on Friday, April 30, 2010 at 3:00. You will also receive one year membership in MPA.

Sincerely,
(name withheld by blogger)

He won in the Neuroscience category. He's the man.

The Barrett Christmas Card

Gimli loves the Christmas tree and spends a lot of time underneath it, so we decided it would be our Christmas Card. We are fat and ugly now with no kids so we figured our cute cat would have to do. We hope you have a Merry Christmas.

Love,
Scott and Jentry Barrett

Hold on, it's not October?

For some reason I keep thinking that we're in the middle of October. And every time I write the date I'm taken aback by the fact that we are in December. This semester has rocketed by. I have discovered Google reader and it has changed me. Why I didn't do it before I don't know. But I think it keeps me from blogging more. Because I'm not visiting my blog everyday I don't think about posting. So updates:

We are doing great. Scott's parents came out for Thanksgiving and it was my first time cooking everything. I think it went well, I only slightly burned the stuffing. Thank you food network for your recipes.

While Scott's parents were here Gimli (our cat) had a very big break through. Whenever visitors are in the apartment she hides in her box. But the first night the Barretts were here she came out after about 20 minutes and stayed out. It was a big step. We are proud parents.

Scott is working his fingers to the bone. He spends 10+ hours on campus every single day running experiments, writing articles, analyzing data and writing computer programs. His work is starting to pay off and he is really enjoying what he is doing.

I am doing great. I'm up to 27 students and I feel like things are starting to calm down a bit. I am working a bit in the studio office and hanging door advertisements in the area as well so the days are long but the weeks are short.

Besides that not much is going on.

Vogue Fashion?

Looking for the next fashion trend this season? Want that look to really set yourself apart from the crowded masses? Or maybe you're looking for that next piece to wear to the big gala that is sure to be the talk of the event. If so, look no further! Follow the link below or watch the embedded video on the newest fashion statement fresh from none other than London: R.P. - Encore

A friend of mine from USU tipped me off to this site. At first I thought it was a big joke, but then I watched the CNN video. The results were myself and my fellow graduate students in the lab nearly wetting ourselves in concert. I really like the gem-encrusted headpiece. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. :)

What happened to the Barrett family? Long time no post. Any news from Nebraska?

My sweet friend Cassidy made the above comment on my last post this past weekend. I knew I hadn't blogged in awhile, but I didn't realize it had been almost two months. It seems like school just started a few weeks ago. Things have been kicked into high gear here. Now that I'm teaching full time my days are long but the weeks are short. I've been doing marketing for the studio in the morning and then teach all afternoon and evening. And then usually have a wedding to play at on Saturday.

Scott spends all day at the lab. He is working like crazy and getting a ton done. He's presenting at the Neuroscience Conference in Chicago next week.

Today is Gimli's birthday (we think). She got a piece of cat furniture and a new litter box.

And just for your viewing pleasure:

Here is a picture from our vacation in Colorado this past summer. Scott and his dad are guarding the entrance to Mike and Kelly's kitchen.

First Day of School

Now that Scott and I are not driving to campus together and Scott doesn't want to wait until 8:30 at night to be picked up we decided we needed to get another vehicle. So off to the scooter store we went and picked up this little beauty. So we took a picture this morning as Scott goes off for his first day of school as a second year graduate student. Not that Scott got much of a summer vacation. I think there were four days total that he didn't have to go into the lab (including Saturday and Sunday). He works very hard and it is paying off for him. I'm so proud. Plus I think he looks hot with his helmet and avaitors.