The Best New Recipe I've Tried in a Long Time

This is a slow-cooker meal, which means it is automatically a new favorite.

Pulled-Pork Tacos (Boo hoo pork haters!)
2 cups store-bought salsa, plus more for serving
2 tbsp chili powder
2 tbsp dried oregano
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
kosher salt
2 1/2 pound boneless pork butt (tee hee) or pork shoulder, trimmed of excess fat
18 corn tortillas
1/2 cup fresh cilantro sprigs
sour cream
1 lime

In a 4 to 6-quart slow cooker, combine the salso, chili powder, oregano, cocoa, and 1 tsp salt. Add the pork and turn to coat.

Cook, covered, until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily, on high for 4 to 5 hour or on low for 7 to 8 hours

Twenty minutes before serving, heat oven to 350 degrees, wrap them in foil, and bake until warm, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, using 2 forks, shred the pork and stir into the cooking liquid. Serve with the tortillas, cilantro, sour cream, lime, and extra salsa.

So here is what I did. Basically I did exactly what the recipe called for; however, I felt the two-cups of salsa wasn't enough to adequately blend in the spices. Unfortunately, I was out of salsa, so I tossed in a can of tomatoes. I put four slabs of pork shoulder into the crock-pot on top of the salsa mixture, and I smothered them with the sauce. I left the crock-pot on low, then went to work. It cooked for exactly eight hours, and it was PERFECT! The meat just dropped right off the bone, as you can see.

I heated the tortillas as directed and was intrigued to see how they would turn out because I've never warmed tortillas that way. Maybe I purchased cheap tortillas, but I was not a fan of how they turned out. They tore way too easily, and I ended up eating my tacos with a fork, o un tenedor si prefieres. I ate some leftovers today and just heated up a couple tortillas in the microwave, and they were perfect - did not break. Therefore, I personally do not recommend the oven-foil method.

Here is a picture of my finished product. I added some delicioso avocado, as you can see. Dave just could not get enough of these babies! He was going... hog wild. Tee hee hee... get it?!

My First Knitting Project

I don't know why, but back in November, I decided I wanted to see if I could pick up knitting. I bought a $5 kit on sale at Michael's that provided me with two sets of knitting needles, other accoutrements like stitch markers and stitch counters, and a book of simple projects. I began making the scarf - I figured that would be the easiest one with which to begin . I also used Youtube videos quite heavily when I got confused with stitch directions.

I really thought highly of myself when I began and even ran out and bought more yarn in hopes of finishing my project and making a scarf for my mom for Christmas. By the time Christmas came and went, I was maybe halfway done with my own scarf. Finally about a week ago, I finished the darned thing. This project took me nearly three months to complete! I couldn't believe it. I felt I was a reasonably paced knitter, so I don't know why it took so long.

Anyway, as you can see, I have posted some fabulous pictures of this scarf. First though, some disclaimers about the modeling photos. #1) It's Superbowl Sunday, okay? If I can't dress casually on Superbowl Sunday, when can I dress casually? Therefore, please look beyond the boyish, short-sleeved, grey t-shirt. #2) Picture number one shows me in an annoyed state with my cameraman, David Gamble. He decided to cease counting off, and instead decided to just take pictures willy-nilly. #3) Picture number 2 is me trying to make up for picture number 1 by appearing extra happy with my new scarf. Finally, #4) Picture number 3 shows me in the way I will most likely be wearing my scarf, as I generally wear most scarves this way. My expression is intended to show you how warm I am at that very moment!

#1#2#3

Lastly, I wanted to share how this scarf also works unisexually. Don't let the color mislead you. It's less a pink, and more of a salmon, if you ask me.