Yikes, summer is coming to an end, and school will soon be starting, NOOOOOOOOO!!! I really thought I was ready for this a couple weeks ago, but now I'm not so sure. My sweet little Emma will start half day Kindergarten, and I'm really stressing that she will be away from me. She is my little sensitive, gets her feelings hurt girl:( I know she will do amazing, but I feel like I'm not quite ready to let her go yet. Rachel is soooo ready! She is counting the days. I ended up taking the first day of school off because A. I NEED A BREAK. and B. I want to relish every minute of hearing them talk about the first day of school:) mom is going to come out in the morning for coffee, I think she knows I might need some moral support!!
I'm so excited for Emma, because she started reading this summer!! We have always worked on letters and sounds, but she really started this on her own! And Rachel is 5 pages away from finishing her first chapter book for the summer (Junie B Jones). She is a hard one to get to sit down and read, so I am very proud of her accomplishment! I will miss these two when school starts, but they are both ready. We got to see our new school, and it ROCKS!! It is beautiful, and spacious, and bright, so different from the old one.
In cooking news, there is nothing to report. Suppers have been a tad boring the last couple weeks, only because I have been SWAMPED with planning daycare activities, and and getting our Walk for World Breastfeeding Week going. I feel like my head has been spinning for a few weeks, not sure if I'm coming or going, LOL!!! Although, I did make fried chicken for the first time last week, and it was awesome!! Rachel found a great recipe, and it was delish!
I pray that everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday weekend!!!!!!!!!
Aug 29, 2008
Aug 7, 2008
No camera, bah humbug
Well my trusty ole camera has gone kaput. No, actually it's just the batteries have died. I've been fighting a low battery for a couple months, but now I really have to buy a new one. We were hoping to buy a new camera, as our Kodak isn't faring well these days. The pictures aren't good anymore. Brad found a Canon that he really wants, but Rachel has a molar coming in wrong, and now we have to spend $500 to fix the issue. So long camera.....
The week went by fast, I was down two of my daycare kids this week, so it was a bit quieter than normal. Last night I made another peach pie with the remaining peaches from my crate. I was so bummed the camera didn't work, because it really was a beautiful pie. Brad laughed when he saw it:) Oh, and the ham with the peach sauce was WONDERFUL! I will definately make that again.
Tonight we had chicken/veggie fajitas. The marinade was a combo of soy sauce/worcesteshire/minced garlic/cumin/lemon juice/oregano and oil. It was delicious! Even the girls liked it. I also made a huge batch of chicken noodle soup. Mine is very simple, chicken stock, carrots, celery, chicken, noodles and then I put a pound of spinach in, and cook that for awhile, then remove the spinach. It makes me feel like we're getting extra nutrients, who knows??!! I froze them in 1 cup freezer bags, it's always nice to have some homemade soup on hand when someone is sick.
This weekend is "cousin's camp" with my mom and her husband. They take 6 of the grandkids (Alayna is too little yet) for the weekend and have all kinds of fun things for them to do. The girls are sooo excited! So it will just be the three of us. Saturday Alayna and I are going to the annual Bluegrass and Old Time Music Festival. We went a couple years back when Alayna was a baby, and it was such a fun time! I think Brad is hoping to get his garage cleaned and organized. WOOHOO!!!
The week went by fast, I was down two of my daycare kids this week, so it was a bit quieter than normal. Last night I made another peach pie with the remaining peaches from my crate. I was so bummed the camera didn't work, because it really was a beautiful pie. Brad laughed when he saw it:) Oh, and the ham with the peach sauce was WONDERFUL! I will definately make that again.
Tonight we had chicken/veggie fajitas. The marinade was a combo of soy sauce/worcesteshire/minced garlic/cumin/lemon juice/oregano and oil. It was delicious! Even the girls liked it. I also made a huge batch of chicken noodle soup. Mine is very simple, chicken stock, carrots, celery, chicken, noodles and then I put a pound of spinach in, and cook that for awhile, then remove the spinach. It makes me feel like we're getting extra nutrients, who knows??!! I froze them in 1 cup freezer bags, it's always nice to have some homemade soup on hand when someone is sick.
This weekend is "cousin's camp" with my mom and her husband. They take 6 of the grandkids (Alayna is too little yet) for the weekend and have all kinds of fun things for them to do. The girls are sooo excited! So it will just be the three of us. Saturday Alayna and I are going to the annual Bluegrass and Old Time Music Festival. We went a couple years back when Alayna was a baby, and it was such a fun time! I think Brad is hoping to get his garage cleaned and organized. WOOHOO!!!
Aug 4, 2008
Another Day in the Kitchen
We had a great, but busy weekend! Saturday morning Rachel, Emma and myself sat at the kitchen table to plan our weeks menu. Rachel got to find a supper meal, and Emma got to pick the dessert and a muffin recipe. Rachel chose a recipe for Crispy Fried Chicken and Parmesan Potatoes from one of my Taste Of Home cookbooks. Emma chose Strawberry muffins, and fancy white cake as her dessert. I'll make sure and post pics of these. I made the muffins yesterday morning and they were delicious!!! Very moist, and fruity.
I also made two loaves of Honey Wheat bread yesterday, but I didn't have any honey, so I used molasses instead. It still turned out good, I just prefer the honey over molasses. I had also gotten a box of canning peaches, so I made my first peach pie, and was that GOOD!!! I have eaten way too much already:)
Tonight I have a ham in the crockpot, I made up a peach sauce to go over it, we'll see how that turns out. I have so many of these peaches that I'm trying to think of anything and everything to use those babies up!! I think I'll make one more pie, as I only have 7 peaches left, or maybe I'll make some muffins. I would love some great muffin recipes, Thursdays are always muffin days for breakfast. Please share!!
Jul 16, 2008
I'm Back!
After a short hiatus, I'm back! We were on vacation from July 4-13, and it was WONDERFUL!! On the 4th, we went to our town's parade and festival, the weather was great, but man were there a lot of people! On Saturday we went to the lake and spent 5 days there. It was fun, although not really relaxing, chasing after a two year old is enough to wear anyone out:) We got a ton of fishing in, and lot's of swimming, so it was a great vacation!
Friday the 11th Brad and I went up to Two Harbors for the weekend to celebrate our 10 year anniversary, and that was pure heaven:) We satyed at the same resort we honeymooned at, and we had an amazing time. We didn't do much other than relax, eat out, and we did do some local shopping. The highlight of the week for me, was on Thursday night, when Brad gave me a three diamond princess cut anniversary ring! It is beautiful, and I am still so amazed that he did this!!
So now we're back to the real world of kids and work:) I got two new daycare kids, a 2 month old, and a three year old. They are doing awesome, and it's a nice addition to my little daycare family!!
As far as food goes, this week I've been doing a lot of preparing things the night before so I won't have to do much during the day. Last night I made a batch of banana muffins, and baked them this morning, tasts just like banana bread, yum! I also made a batch of pizza sauce for the homemade pizza I made for lunch. I didn't have any tomato paste to thicken it up, so I pureed garbanzo beans and added that, worked great and the kids ate every last piece of pizza!! Even my Emma who never eats takeout pizza!! For supper I am making a Southwestern Beef Bake, it has Fritos on top. And last night I made Hearty Maple beans that were sooo good! I will post the recipe for that one, it's super easy, and so very good.
Tomorrow I am making Beef Stroganoff in the crockpot, and Friday will be a free for all days, as Brad is gone. This weekend we have an outdoor party at some friend's of ours, and I am going to make a big batch of Salsa.
That's it for now, I will try to remember to post the recipe for the Hearty Maple Beans....
Friday the 11th Brad and I went up to Two Harbors for the weekend to celebrate our 10 year anniversary, and that was pure heaven:) We satyed at the same resort we honeymooned at, and we had an amazing time. We didn't do much other than relax, eat out, and we did do some local shopping. The highlight of the week for me, was on Thursday night, when Brad gave me a three diamond princess cut anniversary ring! It is beautiful, and I am still so amazed that he did this!!
So now we're back to the real world of kids and work:) I got two new daycare kids, a 2 month old, and a three year old. They are doing awesome, and it's a nice addition to my little daycare family!!
As far as food goes, this week I've been doing a lot of preparing things the night before so I won't have to do much during the day. Last night I made a batch of banana muffins, and baked them this morning, tasts just like banana bread, yum! I also made a batch of pizza sauce for the homemade pizza I made for lunch. I didn't have any tomato paste to thicken it up, so I pureed garbanzo beans and added that, worked great and the kids ate every last piece of pizza!! Even my Emma who never eats takeout pizza!! For supper I am making a Southwestern Beef Bake, it has Fritos on top. And last night I made Hearty Maple beans that were sooo good! I will post the recipe for that one, it's super easy, and so very good.
Tomorrow I am making Beef Stroganoff in the crockpot, and Friday will be a free for all days, as Brad is gone. This weekend we have an outdoor party at some friend's of ours, and I am going to make a big batch of Salsa.
That's it for now, I will try to remember to post the recipe for the Hearty Maple Beans....
Jul 1, 2008
Baby it's HOT outside!
I caved and turned the air conditioning on this morning. Ugh, I hate having the air on during summer, no I don't like to be hot, but I so love having my windows open, and the fresh air coming through. It's supposed to be 90 today, so I figured it's time. Not too bad that it's the 1st of July, and this is only the second time I've turned it on!
I am trying to find some easy recipes to make for this weekend and next week, we're on vacation from July 4-13. We are going to the lake on the 5th and staying until Tuesday or Wednesday. I cannot, nor do I WANT to eat hotdogs or hamburgers the entire time. I need to make a big batch of muffins, some bread, and a pasta salad and salsa. Hmm, when exactly am I going to do this??!!
I did make a casserole yesterday, and my kids LOVED it! All it was was browned hamburger with onions, broccoli, and potatoes in a cream base (3 Tbl butter melted, and add 3 Tbl flour and one clove of garlic, saute for a minute or so, then add milk to thicken to the right consistency). At the end of the baking, I added some cheddar cheese to melt. I only had maybe a cup of it left! Big hit for me:)
I am trying to find some easy recipes to make for this weekend and next week, we're on vacation from July 4-13. We are going to the lake on the 5th and staying until Tuesday or Wednesday. I cannot, nor do I WANT to eat hotdogs or hamburgers the entire time. I need to make a big batch of muffins, some bread, and a pasta salad and salsa. Hmm, when exactly am I going to do this??!!
I did make a casserole yesterday, and my kids LOVED it! All it was was browned hamburger with onions, broccoli, and potatoes in a cream base (3 Tbl butter melted, and add 3 Tbl flour and one clove of garlic, saute for a minute or so, then add milk to thicken to the right consistency). At the end of the baking, I added some cheddar cheese to melt. I only had maybe a cup of it left! Big hit for me:)
Jun 29, 2008
Bread Day
Sundays and Wednesdays are my bread making days. I have a tried and true recipe that works great for us, it's a Honey Wheat Bread. It uses two cups of whole wheat flour, and three cups of white flour. My family absolutely loves this recipe. I used to use my bread machine for all my bread making, but this one is super easy, and there is no better taste than fresh bread that you've kneaded yourself:) I find it's very therapeutic! I've tweaked the recipe to our tasting, and I also find that lard makes the bread taste better than shortening, but you can certainly use the shortening. I have also done half and half with the flour, and it was just as good.
Honey Wheat Bread
1 (.25 ounce) pkg rapid rise yeast
1 tsp. white sugar
½ cup warm water (110 degrees F)
1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk
¼ cup water
¼ cup melted lard (can use shortening)
¼ cup honey- I actually use a little less than 1/4 c
2 tsp. salt
2 cups whole wheat flour
3 cups bread flour
2 TBL. Butter
Directions
Dissolve yeast and sugar in ½ cup warm water.
Combine milk, ¼ cup water, shortening, honey, salt and wheat flour in bowl. Mix in yeast mixture, and let rest for 15 minutes. Add white flour, and mix until dough forms a ball. Knead dough by hand for 10 minutes. Place dough in a buttered bowl, and turn to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Let dough rise for about 45 minutes, or until almost doubled in size. (I usually let it rise for an hour)
Punch dough down, and divide in half. Roll out each half, and form into loaves. Place in buttered bread pans. Butter the tops of the dough, cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let rise in warm area until doubled, around 30 minutes or so.
Place a small pan of water on the bottom shelf of the oven. Preheat 375 degrees. Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until tops are golden brown.
Mmmm, cinnamon rolls
I decided Saturday night to find a yummy overnight recipe for cinnamon rolls. This would be the third recipe I've tried, and this one is definately the best! I made the dough in my bread machine, and then filled them, rolled them up, and put them in the fridge overnight. This morning I put them in a slightly warm oven and let them rise for about an hour. They didn't rise as well as I thought they would, but they were DIVINE!! The frosting was a cream cheese frosting. I will definately be making these again, I know the girls will eat them up!!
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