Our Snapshot Life

The Gentleness Challenge

2012-01-02T17:54:00.008-05:00

Join Courtney and the rest of us over at
Women Living Well for The Gentleness Challenge for mom's. I know this challenge is for me as I am not naturally a gentle person. Yet....I want to be! Isn't that half the battle? Let me just say if you know you should, yet don't have the desire, pray for God to give you the desire. Can you tell I've been there? I have often snapped at my children or yelled in exhaustion or frustration only to feel bad about it moments later. Can you relate? Come on over and join us all as we strive together and sharpen one another toward godliness.

In relation to all of this, I have realized *again* that I didn't see a lot of my reactions, trying to figure the ends out, changing course of plans etc,...for what it really was. Yesterday I heard a sound bite on the radio that made me again realize that I allow fear to torment me, yet I don't see it that way at the time. Logic and clever sounding excuses allow me to get around that which I am afraid of and I don't even realize that is root of these issues at the time. That's a scary thought. It's also something that could very well, and in fact does lead to lack of patience or anxiety which makes being a gentle mother a hard thing to grasp practically.

Faith and perfect love cannot co-exist with fear. I know this logically when I take the time to reflect on the issues. *(note to self: take the time to reflect!!!) I am so done with living in fear. It is a torment, and doesn't change a thing for the better. Maybe for the worse, yes!!! God did not intend that for me, he gave me His son! His SON!!!!! Why would he withhold a lesser need from us when He has given us the most precious already? If He wants our kids for example to have something (such as musical training or other extra curricular things------one of the issues that had been nagging my mind BTW) then He will provide it. We can't lean on our own understanding. Perhaps it's not as important as it seems to me. Perhaps there is a more important issue that needs to be worked on first before adding an activity that would allow less reflection time. We have to trust in Him, anything less is a big slap to the face with all He has done for us already. Scary thought! I am going to be more of an intentional
mother this year, it's so important. I am going to try and look at the day at hand and stop worrying over the next.

Beatitudes For Homemakers

2012-01-01T16:25:00.001-05:00

*Blessed is she whose daily tasks are a work of love; for her willing hands
and happy heart transform duty into joyous service to all her family and God.
*Blessed is she who opens the door to welcome both stranger and well-loved friends;
for gracious hospitality is a test of brotherly love.
*Blessed is she who mends both stockings and broken toys and broken hearts;
for her understanding is a balm to her husband and children.
*Blessed is she who scours and scrubs; for well she knows that cleanliness is one expression of godliness.
*Blessed is she whom children love; for the love of a child is of greater value than fortune or fame.
*Blessed is she who sings in her work; for music lightens the heaviest load and brightens the dullest chore.
*Blessed is she who dusts away doubt and fear and sweeps all the cobwebs of confusion;
for her faith will triumph over all adversity.
*Blessed is she who serves laughter and smiles with every meal;
for her cheerfulness is an aid to mental and physical digestion.
*Blessed is she who introduces Jesus Christ to her children;
for Godly sons and daughters shall be her reward.
*Blessed is she who preserves the sacredness of the Christian home;
for hers is a divine trust that crowns her with dignity.

By Ella May Miller

Summer Re-cap

2011-09-14T12:17:00.006-04:00

Hello out there. Just pushing away the cobwebs up here to take a peek into blogland. I am thinking this blog may be ready to be laid to rest. Periodically I end a blog, publish it in book form and begin anew. We shall see.

This summer we had a lovely 3 day visit from my brother, who now lives in Florida, and whom we haven't seen in 3 years, along with my nephew Bryce. I am somewhat mellow of a person, but with a quick tongue..LOL You get my brother in the mix and you have a full side show going.

The confusion as our visitors get attacked by bright flashes...LOL
(mom, daughter and her boyfriend)

My brother and I

It was fun, we were crazy and loud and played games. My mom and eldest daughter were also up so it was the whole gang at our place! Boy was I hopping in the kitchen with the 12 of us. My little nephew is such a sweetie pie, it was great to see him after so long.

My brother and nephew :)

After 4 days my mom and daughter went home (a day after my brother and nephew),

bye-bye ALREADY?!

and came a couple weeks later, to stay for 2 weeks. We didn't do a ton as my mom has a hard time getting around. She has a wheel chair at home in MA but no way to get it in and out of the car yet....heavy stuff! So we stayed home and just hung out for that time. Monopoly Deal was the game of the hour!!

Mom and my brother

Cookout as much as possible....LOL

The boys and Felicia enjoyed swimming lessons 4 days per week for our short swimming season, and learned some new skills. We have a BEAUTIFUL town pool, complete with twirly water slide which they all love. I was turned off to the "public" pool idea until I actually saw it, and very happy to learn that a family season pass included lessons for all of our children, such a good deal. Yes, our taxes are high in Western NY, but at least we are benefitting by it with these facilities and others like it available at low cost! I will feel so much better when they are all strong swimmers as we are SURROUNDED by bodies of water and there is so much that can be done recreationally in them. From canoeing down the HUGE creek, or kayaking in the lake, wind surfing, sailing, fishing...you name it, we've got it! It will be nice for those doors to open for my children when they are older.

our town's public pool

We have also had the priviledge of visiting the Buffalo Zoo a couple of times this Summer. It was so fun to see a different zoo for a change, and especially the polar bears, rainforest area and gorilla family which our prior zoo never had. Here are a few memories of those visits:

While my mom and daughter was here, Mike and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary. We decided to go sailing on The Spirit of Buffalo and really beautiful schooner with RED SAILS!!! It was so luxurious, and our first time sailing. I made sure to load up on dramamine and away we went. It was a nice experience, and also sweet for the two of us to be able to take a few hours away and just relax. We never get to do that, but since their visit coincided with our special day, it worked out just right. Thanks mom!!!

Mike asked someone on board to take our photo and I love it! Great idea honey!!!

Check out the rain shower we got to see across the way (below):

Mike's brother Dave also came over from California to pay us a vist before heading down through MA and off for a tour of Europe, where he still is currently. We went to show him Niagara Falls for a couple of hours after our cookout lunch before his leaving. We hadn't seen him in several years.

In our Summer bag-o-tricks we also enjoyed a few picnics,

Fort Niagara where we picnicked

Setting things up

and outings at a friend's waterfront property on the Niagara River, where we spent the Fourth of July very happily getting to know a new couple.

I have recomitted to low-carb just yesterday. I have gained 10 lbs since April. The reality is that I COULD have lost up to 50 lbs if I had been following the plan. However, flip side is that I did not gain the 50 that I had lost last year back, only 10.....so that is better than I've done in times past. I've just got to really get on the ball now and take this seriously once again so that I am able to get where I really want to be! Yesterday I made a master list of meal ideas that I have made in the past that are low-carb. It will be a running list as I get a new idea, or try a new hit recipe. This way I will get myself out of the rut I've been in regarding meal-planning and cooking, and therefore eating. :)

We also have begun visiting a new church. We left the one we were visiting since moving here for several good reasons. This new church is huge, and normally I shy away from huge churches. However, after visiting for 2 months now, the messages are actually good, so it may be a good thing afterall. Soon the women's and other groups will be starting up so I hope to meet some new friends!

Not a whole lot is new other than that, and looking forward to fall, and pumpkin spice coffees (recreating them at home, thank you Dunkin Donuts for the inspiration). Apple picking and acorns, pinecones and apple picking. Time to update the mantle with berries and vines and all that fun stuff. I will think on what to do with this blog. I don't have a computer at home anymore, just my phone, or computer access from the library.

Until we meet again,

Jenn

My Cousin's Wedding

2011-05-09T13:34:00.001-04:00

Boy did we have a great time at my cousin Ronnie and Jessie's wedding!! On May 6th our family of 7 and two dogs headed down from WNY to Massachusetts to begin the festivities. We reserved two hotel rooms and had the night to relax and the next day to prepare before the big celebration.

On Saturday, May 7th we headed over to St Patrick's church in South Hadley Falls at the appropriate time. Unfortunately, I was having flash woes so most of the indoor church photos aren't that great. Here is one of the newly united couple!

The reception was following the ceremony at the beautiful Delaney House in Holyoke. It was an extravagant place to celebrate a marriage, we loved every moment of it. Here is a shot of our table:

What a simple yet elegant cake!

My honey and I

Me with all my children but one

Autumn and youngest brother, Aiden tore up the dance floor all night!!

The elated couple ;0)

This pretty much sums it up....boy were we exhausted!

~Happy Easter--He is Risen!!!~

2011-04-24T19:26:00.000-04:00

This morning we attended the 9am service at church rather than our usual 11am time. We were quite surprised that it wasn't crowded at all like we expected. The choir did a lovely job. I think I will join them for the next event. I couldn't for Easter because I couldn't make two of the three rehearsals due to being out of town.

We gave the children their gift baskets when we came home from church. Then I began making our large dinner. Ham, au gratin potatoes, corn, flaky biscuits, salad, coconut cake, cupcakes, soda, coffee. YUM...what a feast for the 7 of us. I think my body is in shock from the sugar we consumed, especially after being on a low carb diet for 2 months!!!

Here are some pictures from our day:

Easter "eve"

at home right after church

getting shoes on for church

the boys before church

mama's tall coconut cake

it barely fits the cake stand!

bountiful feast for 7

mom and son before church

My Bestie's Wedding!

2011-04-11T13:57:00.000-04:00

Mike and I were honored and privileged to join in my best friend's wedding as a bridesmaid and groomsmen on April 9th!! We had 3 days to ourselves as mom watched the children at our house so that we could take part in my friend's special day. We had a spectacular time!! ThHere we are walking down the aisle to start the ceremony.

part of our lil family

Mike and I at the Westover Officers club
I really "feel" people's perspectives in conversations...LOLOL

~so sweet~

Sealed with a kiss!

Mr and Mrs Rob Baham!!

My eldest daughter, (one of the readers) and I

Mike and I dancing to "Nothing at all" dedication by Alison Krauss

What a wonderful time seeing my friend and her family, and of course my daughter. This was like a little mini-vacation for Mike and I as we never get out alone, and it was such fun to really celebrate this occasion and not have to worry about all the childrens' needs. Thanks mom!!!

Hello Cupcake!

2011-03-26T14:15:00.001-04:00

Today I decided to whip up a batch of chocolate cupcakes for the kiddos, they gathered the ingredients and put them away while I mixed it all up into a bowl of chocolately goodness....and boy does it look rich! I am not eating any though, my friend's wedding is in 2 weeks from today and I am wearing a sleeveless dress!!! I am not where I would like to be but I have come far, and am not screwing it up!! My cousin's wedding is a month following my friends and I am wearing a dress a size down, finally, and it's shorter than I am used to so I am going to be very careful! ;0)

Simple Chocolate Cupcakes

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 cups white sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

3/4 cup water

3/4 cup buttermilk

1/3 cup vegetable oil or melted butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 Cup of dark chocolate, chopped (or you can use chocolate chips!)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F. Spray 24 cup muffin tins with Pam.

In a large bowl, whisk together cocoa, flour, white sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt until thoroughly mixed.

In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, water, buttermilk, vegetable oil and vanilla extract. Whisk into flour mixture until all of the ingredients are mixed in and no streaks of flour remain. Add in optional mini chocolate chips, if using.

Fill muffin cups evenly with the prepared batter.

Bake at 350F for 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, or with only a few crumbs.

Remove cupcakes from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.

And oh yes, if I am going to bother making cupcakes for the kidlets, I am going to pile the frosting high and swirly...and no, I am not a perfectionist! ;0) I used Wilton's Buttercream icing. It was super and thick and stayed where put!

My Review of Cast Iron 12" Skillet

2011-03-18T07:32:00.001-04:00

Originally submitted at CSN Stores

This 12" cast iron skillet can last a lifetime and become a family heirloom to be passed down through generations! It can hold up to high heat cooking or long, slow simmering, perfect for preparing meals. The skillet can avoid chipping and warping while developing a non-...

Perfect size for a family!

By Jenn the Photographer from Buffalo, NY on 3/18/2011

This pan is very heavy, which is what you want in a cast iron skillet. It stays where you put it!! No sliding around on your burners.

This skillet heat up pretty quickly. By the time I was done trimming and cutting the meat, the heat was ready to for it. The food cooked evenly, which was much appreciated by me.

When the stove top part of my recipe was done, it easily transferred to the oven for browning the top under my broiler. Another plus was that the chicken left the pan effortlessly, including the melted cheese.

I cleaned the pan immediately after use, and it was easy, I just used a nylon spatula to loosen the couple of bits left on the skillet. I enjoy my new kitchen toy, and can't wait to use it again.

(legalese)

On Weight Loss and Self Love

2011-02-25T08:56:00.004-05:00

As you know by now, if you have read my last few posts, I have been on a weight loss quest since Summer. I started out doing a low-cal/low-fat diet from June-October paired with daily 3 mile power walks. I lost 18 lbs in that time. Inevitably I would gain a couple lbs, and lose them over again but 18 was the grand total that stayed off. I ended up in a rut for awhile.....

To get out of the rut I decided to join Weight Watchers. I figured what I really needed, since moving out of state and feeling lonely, was some social interaction and accountability. SO join I did, and I lost approx. 16 lbs from October-Jan, the prime months I normally pack on 10 lbs or so. That was quite a victory, and yet I was less than satisfied, 1 lb. loss on average per week was too slow for me to keep motivated. Not only that, but I thought about food A LOT as I was quite a hungry person. I ate a ton of veggies and some fruit, but did not like the way I was always looking to what I could eat next. A couple of weeks ago I canceled my membership for these reasons, and also to save money. I felt like I had received what I had paid for, and what I could from them. I was ready to kick it up a notch.

About 3 weeks ago hubby and I decided to cut out sugar, heavy starch, and wheat from our diets. I truly believe that these are not healthful or necessary anyhow, and would help us continue in our journey toward our goals. I only got serious about it this past Friday though, Feb 18th, and I have lost 6 lbs. in this first week!! How wonderful, and I am not hungry all of the time, what a difference! I do miss the fruit, but once I reach my goal I can add them back into my diet gradually. I still have a ways to go, but I am 25% to my goal and feel energized and renewed in my efforts. WOOT!!

Another thing that dawned on me a few days ago, I thought I'd share here. Treat yourself! Do not wait until you are "good enough" to deserve to be treated well. I totally understand and applaud the rewarding yourself for reaching goals, yet do not wait until then to be good to you!

So many times I've said, "when I lose 15 lbs. I will get a new haircut and style because I can't stand my hair anymore"......well finally I threw caution to the wind and just went out and had it done, just because it would make me feel good, and you know it did! I didn't have to "earn" it, I didn't have to wait until I was "good enough". I did it, and I felt great. What I have come to realize is that when you treat yourself like a queen, you will believe it and the rest of you will follow! Actions speak louder than words. The proof is in the pudding! Once I started being good to me, and felt good about my appearance somewhat, I naturally wanted to do right by my body, and nourish myself properly, and especially exercise faithfully. And hey if you are not there yet, FAKE IT UNTIL YOU MAKE IT. I did not feel that way in the beginning either, it took some time.....and just dawned on me recently, 8 months into my journey!

Go and get that haircut, paint your nails at home, do something nice for you, just because you are you!

I understand not being able to afford a lot, believe me, as a family of 8 on one income over the years at different stages in our lives, I can totally relate. Why not take a bowl, pour in some olive oil and a ton of Kosher salt (it's coarse) and take a 10 minute shower. Toward the end, rub this luscious scrub over your body paying attention to your ankles, soles of feet, knees and elbows. Rinse and towel dry and you will feel like a new you! Baby soft! This is one of my cheap stand-bys. It can be done. ;0) Start today, you are worth taking care of. You just may be surprised in the renewal of your motivation.....

My Emerilware 12" Cast Iron Skillet Review for CSN stores!!!

2011-02-23T15:46:00.004-05:00

Look what Fed-Ex stopped by with yesterday!!

I thought I would make low-carb friendly chicken parmesan today in my new pan. This pan is very heavy, which is what you want in a cast iron skillet. It stays where you put it!! No sliding around on your burners.

Before using I simply hand washed in warm mildly soapy water. Then I dried it on the stove top and put a couple TB of vegetable oil on the inside, and rubbed it around evenly with a paper towel. In a few minutes it was ready to use. Very easy!

This skillet heat up pretty quickly. By the time I was done trimming and cutting the chicken breasts, the heat was ready to receive them. The five chicken breasts cooked evenly, which was much appreciated by me.

When the stove top part of my recipe was done, it easily transferred to the oven for browning the top under my broiler. Another plus was that the chicken left the pan effortlessly, including the melted cheese.

I cleaned the pan immediately after use, and it was easy, I just used a nylon spatula to loosen the couple of bits left on the skillet. I enjoy my new kitchen toy, and can't wait to use it again.

I had fun doing this review for CSN stores, and hope I am asked to do another in the future. I've got my eyes on a few of their products!

Now for the Low-Carb Chicken Parmesan recipe:
Add a couple TB of oil into your cast iron skillet, over medium heat.

Pre-heat your oven to broil.

Take your desired amount of chicken breasts, and filet each half, so that there are 2 thin pieces per half.

a cute outfit doesn't hurt!! Thanks to son for his interesting photo angle..hehe

When skillet gets hot, add chicken breast pieces, allow to brown, slightly crisp, turning to cook second side.

In the meantime, gather the simple ingredients. Granulated onion, Granulated garlic (I find the granulated to be much more pure and flavorful than "powder" varieties); you favorite sauce, pecorino romano grated cheese, deli-sliced mozzarella, and pepper if desired.

When almost done, top each breast with a good sprinkle of granulated onion and granulated garlic and 1 TB of spaghetti sauce of your choice.

Next add 1 TB of Pecorino Romano (found in a case near the deli...can be in block form and grated at home, or bought pre-grated in bags). I never use Parmesan, that is my secret, the Romano has a wonderful tang I have come to crave!

Top each piece with a slice of mozzarella, folded in half.

Get your potholders ready, and place this right into you pre-heated broiler for 1-3 minutes, watch closely for when the cheese is specked with brown. It looks GREAT!!

This is one of my favorite comfort foods I just whip up without busting my diet plans! This goes wonderfully with zucchini sauteed in butter, onion optional, and topped with grated romano. Load those veggies up!

And hey if you don't like this recipe, don't let that stop you from the experience of working with cast iron. Everything tastes better in this, so use your own favorite recipe. Or do a search for some! Next I think I will try Deep Dish Pizzafor the kids!

On Wish Lists and Shopping!

2011-02-10T10:17:00.006-05:00

I don't usually talk too much of wish lists and shopping, as we are a one-income family with a number of children.  However, when tax refund time rolls around, there are usually a few special things on our mind!  The one item I have really missed, since chucking most of  our things for our big out-of-state move last year is my desk!  I had  all my stationary, stamps, envelopes and letters from others in there.   Magazines, and school paperwork, odds and ends were all held neatly  stored away yet out of sight!  Mike and I are planning on getting a new desk when our tax refund comes in.   Have you heard of CSN stores before?  They have over 200 online stores carrying anything from  office desks ,  fitness equipment, or even cute cookware!  There are quite a few things in the cookware department I'd love to collect!!  Let me know if you have used them and what you think!

Another exciting happening, is I am partnering with CSN stores to do a product review. I am excited to be receiving a 12" cast iron skillet FINALLY!  I have been wanting some cast iron for awhile now.  When it arrives, I will make a special recipe in it to share with you all and post a review about my thoughts on the product.  I really  love cooking, and love old-fashioned things, so with this my two loves will meld together.  ;0) 

What is on your wish list??

Doggie Woes

2011-02-07T15:22:00.009-05:00

A couple of weeks ago, almost 3 weeks now, I adopted a rescue dog, Quincy. He's reported to be 4 years old. His story is that he was rescued from a dog shelter in OH. I know this to be true. Supposedly his family had made a trip for Christmas, the dog got out and would not listen to them to come back. They had to journey back home without the dog. Because he has a microchip, the family was contacted but did not want to, or perhaps were not able to come back to get him from where ever they live. Then a rescue person took him out of the shelter and placed him with the lady I got him from. She had him 2 weeks or so before placing an ad on Craigslist for a new family for him. Enter Jenn, (myself) looking to adopt a rescue dog.

Quincy is on the right with his best bud

Jamie, the lady who had the dog, brought him over for a playdate on a Thursday, and he never left! He is a calm, sweet and loving dog. The kids took to him immediately! He got along with my punk labrador 3 mos. old puppy. I kept harping on this poor lady about his health records. I finally got a copy of his rabies cert. that does have the name of the dog shelter as well as the vet who did the rabies shot. I kind of "let it go" about the rest because it was a sticky situation due to how he came to me. Apparently, when you adopt a dog from a rescue group, if you are unable to keep the dog you are supposed to return him to the group. So there was a bit of an issue since this wasn't done and he was placed with us. The original lady didn't even get his health paperwork yet due to them being backed up, busy or what have you. So the chance of me getting any of it is slim to none.

Quincy Jones

He is a sweet dog, calm and loving, yet playful with the pup and cute as pie, especially when his ears perk up. TOO CUTE! I did notice, though, that something about his eyes was slightly different. It wasn't cloudy per se, but the pupils weren't clear either when the light hit them a certain way. It was subtle and I really didn't think too much of it.

This morning when I woke up around 5:15 AM, I saw that his entire right eye looked red! Not the whites part, but the pupil and iris. You could see the pupil underneath vaguely but it was like a red haze over the entire eye. So weird! YET as it got more light outside, it didn't look as bad as it did in the dim light. I have been looking at this all day, along with reading on Google and Google images. I am afraid it may be some early stages of Glaucoma. I called the vet and they are going to fit him in between two other patients at 5pm. I am just hoping that it is something that can be treated in a relatively affordable way. please please please!! I'll update later after the appointment.

**UPDATE**

Well I wish I had some good news to pass on, but the fact is that he has uvelitis which is caused by inflammation in the body, but the bad news is that he is HEARTWORM POSITIVE. This dog pants all the time, even in the middle of winter, and now I am understanding why. This is a truly sad situation. This is the best dog ever. Sadly, though heartworm is SO EASY to prevent, and it only costs around $10 per month if you buy 6 mos. at once, we are past that now.

Since he is already infested, the choice is to put him down or take the very expensive and very torturous road to treatment. Treatment costs about a thousand dollars. First a very thorough work up including chest X-rays, blood work etc,...to see severity. Next, we poison the dog with arsenic for 3 months to weaken the worms so that we can treat to dispel them without killing the dog. Oh, and he must be confined for 8 weeks during that last leg of treatment as well because the worms are in his lungs. What a nightmare. What a decision. Our family is in love with this dog, in only 2.5 weeks. This is not what I bargained for. All I wanted to do was give this dog stability and a happy safe life, and this is what he gets.

*UPDATE-2/8: After much E-mailing back and forth, I found out through the shelter that was scribbled on his Rabies Cert (how I found them) that he was tested for heartworm and tested negative. This was just a couple of months ago, and as it is the middle of winter, and there are no mosquitos around, the vet guesses that perhaps he had gotten infected this past summer. It takes up to 7 months to show up consistently on the testing. Therefore they may not have been mature enough in Dec. I guess it is better to know now though, than to let it go on and on before finding out. This is certainly more than I bargained for. We love him so much already though, we are going to treat him and hope the tax refund HURRIES UP!

Homeschool Rant

2011-02-07T15:00:00.000-05:00

ugh..Can I just say I hate the fact I am no longer homeschooling? Oh sure, I have me time and all, and some quiet time, and can do chores with much more ease. BUT these boys fight like cats and dogs now that they are segregated most days, and aren't very good helpers anymore. ugh...

...granted I had a good reason to send them, but there sure are some downfalls.

Low Carb Chicken and Beef Meals I am going to try this coming week

2011-02-03T14:16:00.002-05:00

I am tucking these away in my blog, as full recipes, with source, so that I will NOT lose them. It will also be easier making my shopping list with it all laid out here. They look like such winners, sure to help my family reach our goals!! Tell me if you try any.

Creamy Southwestern Chicken

http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/maindishes/r/greenchilechick.htm

Ingredients:

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/4 C minced onion
2 cloves minced garlic
6-8 oz canned chopped green chiles (depending on can size)
Optional: small amt of chicken stock or Better than Boullion
1/4 C cream
1/3 C shredded cheddar or jack cheese
Olive oil
Salt, pepper

Preparation:

1) Heat large skillet with oil.

2) Cut chicken into bite sized pieces and season with salt and pepper. Saute' till brown on both sides, adding onions about half way through.

3) Add garlic and cook for another minute.

4) If needed, deglaze the pan with a little water or chicken stock. Add 1 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon if desired.

5) Add green chiles and cream, and simmer until chicken is done and sauce is thickened.

6) Top with cheese, and serve when cheese melts.

Optional garnish: avocado slices; cilantro

Makes 3-4 servings

Nutritional Analysis for each of 3 servings: 4.5 grams of effective carbohydrate plus 1.5 grams fiber, 38 grams protein, 18 grams of fat, 347 calories.

Skillet Chicken Divan

http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/maindishes/r/chickendivan.htm

Ingredients:

2.5 cups (or so) of chopped cooked chicken
3 cups cooked chopped broccoli
8 oz mushrooms, sliced, 1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 Tablespoon Better than Boullion and 3/4 cup water, or 3/4 cup chicken broth and salt to taste
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup unsweetened soy milk (see note above)
2 teaspoons low carb thickener such as NOTStarch or 2 T whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
3/4 cup walnuts, chopped (it's nice if you toast them, but not vital)
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Preparation:

1) Saute onion and mushrooms in oil for 4-5 minutes.

2) Add wine and boil most of it away.

3) Add thickener. If you are using flour, cook for a minute or so before adding the rest of the ingredients.

4) Add liquids and seasonings. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients except the cheese - you can mix that in or sprinkle it over the top and put the whole thing under the broiler to brown.

Nutritional Analysis: (with NOTStarch): 6 grams effective carb plus 6 grams fiber, 31 grams protein, and 400 calories.

.

Creamy Apple Bacon Chickenhttp://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/maindishes/r/applebaconchick.htm

Ingredients:

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast, either whole or cut into pieces (see below)
1 small apple, cut into ¼ inch slices
¼ cup apple juice (see below for alternatives)
¼ cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
1/3 cup heavy cream
2 Tablespoons oil plus one more of oil, butter, or bacon grease
1 teaspoon dried thyme -- or use tarragon or a mix of "French-type" herbs, or fresh if you have it -- 2-3 teaspoons
2 strips bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
salt and pepper

Preparation:

One-quarter cup apple juice has 7 grams of sugar, spread over 3 servings. This is less apple juice than any container you can buy, so I will sometimes just add water or chicken broth and zero-carb sweetener to the sauce, or even apple-flavored herb tea. The chicken breasts can be either left whole, cut in half, or cut into bite-sized pieces. I like the bite-sized pieces for taste, but use the larger pieces when looks are more important. Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides.
1) Heat 1 to 2 Tablespoons fat in pan. I don't like to use more than half bacon grease, as it burns. Lightly brown apple slices in pan. You don't want them to be too soft, just to the point where you can start to easily put a fork in them. Remove apples.
2) Add another Tablespoon of oil, and brown chicken on both sides. The chicken probably won't be cooked through at this point, which is OK. Push chicken to one side or to the edges. Add the wine, which should deglaze the pan. Add the rest of the liquids and herbs and simmer until reduced and chicken is cooked through.
3) Serve with bacon bits sprinkled over the top.
Makes three servings (or four less-hearty servings).
Nutritional Information with apple juice: Each of 3 servings has 7.5 grams effective carbohydrate plus 1 gram fiber, 37 grams protein, and 403 calories (actually a little less, because most of the wine's alcohol will cook out).
Nutritional Information without apple juice: Each serving has 5 grams effective carbohydrate plus 1 gram fiber, 37 grams protein, and 393 calories (actually a little less, because most of the wine's alcohol will cook down.
**note by guest Kathie:

This is one of my favorite recipes to make and eat. It can be made low carb by substituting regular apple juice with a no/carb powdered apple juice.

Korean beef

http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/maindishes/r/koreanbeef.htm

It can be marinated anywhere from an hour to overnight, and the strips of beef cook really quickly on the grill. Suggested Side Dish: Asian Broccoli Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

Beef -- flank steak, sirloin, or your favorite -- cut in ½ inch strips or whole
For Each Pound of Beef, make the following marinade:
¼ cup soy sauce
¼ cup chicken broth (or water, the difference is subtle)
2 Tablespoons artificial sweetener (or brown sugar -- not much of it probably actually gets into the meat)
2 Tablespoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon fresh garlic or ½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
2 green onions (scallions) chopped
1 Tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)

Preparation:

Cut the beef into half-inch strips if the butcher didn't do it for you. Mix the marinade ingredients up, and put the meat in. Marinate anywhere from an hour to overnight. If you use artificial sweetener, consider adding just a teaspoon of dark molasses for flavor.

Grill quickly on a hot grill.

There is no carbohydrate to speak of in this recipe if you use the artificial sweetener. It's hard to tell with sugar in a marinade how much gets in.

Chicken or Beef fajitas

http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/maindishes/r/beeffajitas.htm

Ingredients:

1.5-2 lbs skirt steak or other beef or chicken easily cut into strips
1 medium onion, sliced, or 15 medium scallions (green onions) - same amount of carb!
2 large Bell peppers, sliced - two different colors is nice
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup lime juice
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 Tablespoons oil

Preparation:

1. Combine soy sauce, lime juice, chili powder, and oil. If grilling, save a couple of Tablespoons aside to toss with the vegetables.

2. Slice the meat into about 1/2 inch slices. If using skirt steak, flank steak, or other meat with an obvious grain (lines through the meat), be sure to cut perpendicular to the grain, or you will be chewing a very long time. (Think about it - you want to create a lot of short fibers, not a few long ones.) How to Cut Meat Against the Grain

3. If cooking in a skillet, marinate everything together in a bowl or plastic bag (a zip-type works well). If grilling, marinate the meat and veggies separately. Even a few minutes helps, up to 2 hours is great.

4. If grilling, remove from marinade and grill.

5. For cooking in a skillet (preferably regular, not nonstick), cook the meat first (it will probably take two batches, depending upon your pan). Add a little oil to the skillet and get it very hot (the oil will shimmer). If you don't get it hot enough (or crowd too much meat in), the meat will steam instead of browning. When the meat is browned, remove and add veggies. When they begin to soften, return meat to skillet to heat through.

6. Serve with salsa, sour cream, cilantro (if desired) and guacamole. If low-carb tortillas are available, that is a nice addition, but a fork works fine.

Serves 5

Nutritional Information:Meat and vegetables, with 1.5 pound skirt steak and green onions, have 4.5 grams of effective carbohydrate and 2 grams of fiber, 28 grams of protein, and 307 calories per serving. The marinade could add as much as 1 gram of carb (the whole recipe has 5 grams), but obviously not all of it makes it to the table.

Meatloaf ---your favorite recipe minus the bread crumbs....can use crushed up pork rinds if desired

Lunch Ideas

Deviled eggs or egg salad

Chicken salad with bed of greens (baby spinach or romaine) and walnuts

Tuna salad occasionally (be careful for mercury exposure)

Stuffed bell peppers (use riced cauliflower in place of white rice)

Huge chef salad with full fat ranch (yeah!!)

Buffalo chicken salad (the chicken will NOT be breaded so it won't be quite the same, but I'll make do and the ranch will make up for it..hehe)

meatballs with sauce and cheese and a green salad

Breakfasts

Coffee with:

Fried eggs with cheese and sausage

veggie and cheese Omelettes

Pizza Omelette (mozzarella, green pepper, onion, pepperoni or hamburger)

farmer scramble (minus potatoes) with salsa

any dinner or lunch leftovers =)

Tomorrow I go shopping and will have a very happy kitchen!!

I have a wedding I am a bridesmaid for coming in April. I've got about 7 weeks until my dress comes in and I am measured for alterations. I hope to be down 20 lbs. by then.

~Black Forest Cake~

2011-02-01T12:05:00.003-05:00

Oh I am so glad you stopped by! Come on in out of the cold, let's set your things by the fire to dry and warm up. Here's a cup of coffee and an apron, I was just setting up to make a very easy lovely cake for our family's dessert this evening. This recipe idea was given to me by my internet neighbor and friend, Connie. Could you hold this camera for me and take a couple shots as we go along so I can share this with some dear friends online? Thank you so much. It's great having an extra pair of hands, and some girl talk besides!!

See this lovely bowl, isn't it old fashioned looking and simple? I am drawn to that type of style. I love everything retro, vintage or farmhouse.

Preparing for the evening's meal early on in the day while I have some quiet time when the home is still has become a helpful habit. This way when the day's activities are at its peak, I am not running around trying to do too many things at once. Attention, care and prayers can be put into the meal. The salad's been made, and is covered in the ice box. The dry ingredients for our baking powder biscuits have been mixed, in that covered bowl on the counter. All that needs doing come supper time is to add the milk, flatten out, cut and pop them in the oven.

Speaking of oven, I will set my oven to 350 degrees now, so that by the time the cake is ready to go in, it will be ready at the proper temperature. That is an important step to any baking.

I suppose that is enough gabbing, now onto the recipe. This really couldn't be any simpler. It's simply a devil's food cake mix, 2 eggs, and a can of cherry pie filling. Let's pour these each into the bowl, and I will mix it up with my old fashioned wooden spoon.

You know, this would be a good recipe for when company is coming, or you are pressed for time, but want to have something simple yet lovely to take to your dinner party.

Would you hand me that orange Spoonula over there? Thank you. I love using this to scrape every last bit of batter from the batter bowl.

You could also just make this in a retangular pan. This cake will not come out perfectly flat and smooth, it has a more rustic look to it, which is part of it's charm.

That's all there is to it! Now in half hour or so I will test it with a toothpick or knife to be sure it is fully finished, and let them cool. I think this will be great as is, or with my favorite, a huge dollop of sweetened home whipped-cream. It's really your preference. Get creative in your kitchen.

Recipe Ingredients:

devil's food cake mix
1 can of cherry pie filling
2 eggs

Directions:
Into your favorite bowl pour the cake mix, cherry pie filling and 2 eggs. Mix up good with fork or your best stirring spoon. Scrape with your silicone spatula into well greased cake pan/s, and bake at 350 degrees for about half an hour. Toothpick test to be sure it's done. Cool. Flip into best plate or serving dish, or if using large rectangular pan, just serve from there. Be sure to have plenty of fresh whipped cream to dollop on top. Enjoy!

You Are What You Eat

2011-01-26T07:28:00.003-05:00

Well I have been on Weight Watchers since mid-october and managed to get past my plateau after having lost 20 lbs over the summer. I lost another 15 lbs. which adds up to about 1 lb loss per week. Not what I hoped for, but still 15 lbs. gone forever which makes me smile.

Well after having lost these 35 lbs, I had some blood work done to satisfy requirements for our health insurance this year, in order to get a deductible credit. Our family deductible is $5,000.00 but if Mike and I fulfilled these requirements, it lowers to $3,500.00. Definitely worth the trouble in my eyes!

So my fasting blood glucose was 99! Under 100 is normal, and 100-125 is considered pre-diabetes. Mike already is in the pre-diabetes stage, and though I am normal, I am at the very top edge of normal, and that is nuts. I really thought my numbers would be better considering the weight I've lost, and the .8 mile walks I take with the dog!!

So we have decided we will be cutting refined foods out of our diet. I believe the ideal diet consists of lean meats, veggies--many raw, fruits, nuts/seeds. The hunter-gatherer diet basically. I believe it's best to limit foods produced in a lab or highly processed or with a zillion year shelf life in a box, with the exception of salad dressing and Frank's red hot perhaps. I am just being realistic here!!

I know it won't always be easy, but at the same time, if we can see that the standard American diet is not healthy for us, then something must be done! I am not going to go all gung-ho and commando mom on my poor family. In fact we have a lot of wheat products, and some cake mixes I've stocked up over the winter. I am simply trying to limit them. I will not buy more mixes, and I am choosing to make home made breads and biscuits over store bought. Baby steps upon baby steps. Cooking from scratch is not new to me, yet I had been relying more on convenience this past year since moving.

I figure that as Spring arrives I can include even more fresh fruits and veggies and rely a bit less on the "white starch stuff".

Triple Birthday with photos

2011-01-22T08:43:00.000-05:00

It's *someone's* birthday!

one of many pizzas!

The banner is up!

~The birthday kids~

Had fun trashing the entire kitchen making pizzas for 9

watching funny Youtube videos

The birthday girls favorite, Carvel ice cream cake

On January 11th, my eldest daughter drove up for an 12 day visit. We have had SUCH fun!! It's been so wonderful having here home to be with during the days, watching movies at night, making homemade pizzas way too many times. How could I say no?

On the 16th we celebrated her and Danny's dual birthday, like usual. She didn't want to have hers alone, and since she was on winter break, we made sure our tradition carried on, and we added her boyfriend, Tyler to the mix also. His birthday is on the 26th, and he goes to school in Rochester, so he will not have his family or long time friends around. He expressed being sad about that we turned our double birthday into a triple. Nothing fancy, just some homemade pizza for 9, followed by a Carvel ice cream cake and funny Youtube videos like Brian Reagan, comedian, and Marcel the seashell with shoes on, oh and Baby Monkey riding backward on a pig (that was strange).

I don't know what I'll do when Sunday comes and she'll have to leave in order to begin the new semester.

Going to the Dogs...

2011-01-22T07:09:00.004-05:00

On December 3rd, our 8 week old male, purebred, Labrador Retriever named Cooper made his way to our home from his original pack. He is so beautiful and loving, except that he is waaaay too mouthy (to be expected, but he hurts!!) and my children cannot even pet him without getting puppy mauled. I have literal bruises over my arms and legs. I was constantly locking him in his crate when I couldn't take it for another second, and he was not responding to my other efforts to stop him. My poor kids had to get to elevation to be safe. May I add, he is growing rapidly and can now reach counters even, at 15 weeks of age? WOW!

I had also been looking on Craigslist and different agencies for a second dog. I know, I know. Am I a glutton for punishment? NO! I was looking for a young adult dog, someone who my children could actually pet and love. Someone who could play with Cooper and maybe show him the doggie ropes of chilling out? I fell in love with a German Shepherd in a foster home in Rochester. Just learned about her and her story online from the site and photos. The process is lengthy though to adopt, and so I sent in my application but kept my eyes open.

Well, on January 20th I saw an ad on Craigslist for a loving, wonderful 4 year old dog named Quincy. He's part Labrador, and Mike and I think he looks Australian Shepherd as well. The information I have is that this woman rescued him from "death row" from an Ohio shelter, and he wasn't there long.

She dropped him off at my house for a playdate Thursday around 4pm and we've had him ever since. He is so gentle with my kids, and he just loves them. I even trust him enough to let him sleep in their room. He is so patient with Cooper. This dog has been getting trampled and dominated (LOL) by Cooper and he puts up with it. They also both frolic and have fun all the live long day. I can also tell sometimes Cooper is pushing the envelope and the poor other dog is sick of it, yet he doesn't get mean or retaliate. I try to take them outside to redirect Cooper's mind at times like that.

He doesn't come without issues though. The first is that he is a runner, so we need to be SO very careful about opening doors.

Second, he is marking inside the house, and there is a lake effect when he goes, since he is no pup. He is such a wonderful dog though I am going to give it my all. This is his second or who knows how many chance.

I need to watch him like a hawk, catch him when he tries to go and get him outside. Each time he goes outside I need to praise and treat. Pet store here I come to buy even MORE training treats. !! This dog seems real eager to please and for praise so I am expecting the best. (PLEASE!!)

Oh and the best news of all? Cooper is no longer mauling us. We can walk and do what we need to do, and no more biting, pulling and constant harassment. Amazing what having a doggie friend can do! I am also taking Cooper to a few dog training sessions to work with him.

Quincy-1/20/11--first day with us


big dog/little dog, purebred/mixed breed


playing famously!


up close and personal with pig ears

FINALLY...both faces at once!!

Today we have our first dog group playdate. I am taking these two boys to a new friend's house who has a Rottie puppy and and adult Rottie and adult Golden Retriever. I so hope they get along because it will be great for all of them!

~Menu Plan Monday~

2011-01-17T05:00:00.004-05:00

breakfasts:

cereal and milk

yogurt and fruit

pancakes or waffles and eggs

Lunches: soups, salads, sandwiches

snacks: nuts, yogurt, piece of fruit, carrot sticks

Suppers:
homemade pizza

meatloaf, potatoes, green beans

buffalo chicken strips, celery and carrot sticks with ranch

taco salad with tortilla chips

spaghetti and meat sauce with italian bread and salad

lemon chicken and herbed rice, carrots

Roast beef, mashed potatoes, green beans and corn

~Menu Plan Monday~

2011-01-10T05:00:00.004-05:00

Lunches:

turkey pozole soup

roasted veggie soup

fancy chicken salad on sandwich thin and carrot sticks

large chopped salad with hardboiled egg and cheese

meat, olive, veggie, italian and romano tri-color rotini pasta salad

leftovers x2

Suppers:

Little Cheddar Meat Loaves with chopped veggie salad

Ground Turkey Taco salad with corn bread

broccoli stir fry with beef (or chicken) and mushrooms

Hebrew national low fat beef dogs with Boston baked beans

Chicken and cabbage stir fry
Ingredients
1/4 cup smooth natural peanut butter
1/3 cup orange juice
3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon vinegar (preferably rice vinegar)
4 teaspoons canola oil, divided
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound chicken breast, trimmed and thinly sliced
1 small head white or Savoy cabbage, thinly sliced
2-5 tablespoons water
2 medium carrots, grated Directions
Whisk peanut butter, orange juice, soy sauce and vinegar in a medium bowl until smooth.
Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add chicken and cook, stirring, until browned and barely pink in the middle, 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
Reduce heat to medium. Swirl in the remaining 2 teaspoons oil. Add cabbage and 2 tablespoons water; cook, stirring, until beginning to wilt, 3 to 5 minutes. Add carrots (and more water if necessary to prevent sticking or burning) and cook, stirring, until just tender, about 3 minutes more. Return the steak and any accumulated juices to the pan, then pour in the peanut sauce and toss to combine. Serve over brown rice.

Skinny Slow Cooked Pernil (Puerto Rican Pork)
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/01/skinny-slow-cooked-pernil-puerto-rican.html#more
Servings: 6 • Serving Size: 4 oz • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 4 pts
Calories: 176 • Fat: 7.2 g • Protein: 24.4 g • Carb: 3.6 g • Fiber: 0.2 g

3 lb pork shoulder blade roast, lean, all fat removed
4-5 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tbsp coarse salt
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tbsp cumin
1/4 tsp crushed black pepper
3 oranges, juice of (1/2 cup)
2 limes, juice of

Using a sharp knife, cut slits into the pork and stuff holes with half of the crushed garlic. Combine the remaining ingredients and pour over pork. Place in the ceramic part of the crock pot, cover and refrigerate, turning pork occasionally so the marinade covers all of pork.

The next day, remove the crock pot and cook on low, 8 hours.

After 8 hours, remove pork and shred using two forks. Remove liquid from crock pot and add pork back to crock. Add about 1 cup of the liquid back and adjust salt, pepper and cumin (you will probably need to add more). Let it cook another 15-30 minutes.

A glimpse of our Christmas....

2011-01-05T08:15:00.001-05:00

Day after Christmas, that was a great day. My daughter from MA arrived with my mom for a five day visit! They also met puppy Cooper for the first time. It's really something the difference that two people can make in an atmosphere.

For dinner on the first night we had spiral ham, and some side dishes. We cheated and had a store bought Turtle Pie (maybe Mrs. Smiths?) that was very very good! Of course, it wouldn't be the Christmas season without some peppermint chocolate fudge or cinnamon rolls for breakfast!

Here are some pics of our time together:

had to keep it simple due to chewing puppy! Some year we shall have tree skirts and garland..haha

Autumn opening her gifts

My baby girl from MA

yay! Some help in the kitchen...

my girls with grandma 12/26


Here is my new baby boy, Cooper, at 12 weeks

we've had him a month now

More menu ideas for this upcoming week from the Today show!

2011-01-05T08:00:00.002-05:00

Recipe: Broccoli stir-fry with chicken and mushrooms

Mark Bittman

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
4 scallions, chopped
1 pound broccoli, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces with the stems no more than 1/4-inch thick
8 ounces button mushrooms, cleaned, trimmed and sliced
Salt
8 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into 1/2- to 3/4-inch chunks or thin slices and blotted dry
2 tablespoons soy sauce
Freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Put a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. When it's hot, add half the oil, swirl it around, and immediately add half the garlic and ginger. Cook for 15 seconds, stirring, then add all but a sprinkling of the scallion, and the broccoli and mushrooms. Raise the heat to high, and cook, stirring, until the mushrooms release their water and the broccoli is bright green and beginning to brown, 3 to 5 minutes.
Sprinkle with salt and add 1 cup water. Stir and continue to cook until almost all the liquid evaporates and the broccoli is almost tender, another minute or 2 more, then transfer everything to a plate.
Turn the heat down to medium, add the remaining oil, then the remaining garlic and ginger. Stir, then add the chicken and turn the heat to high. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken has lost its pink color, 3 to 5 minutes.
Turn the heat down to medium, return the broccoli, mushrooms, and juices to the pan, and stir. Add the soy sauce, sprinkle with more salt and some pepper; add a little more water if the mixture is dry. Raise the heat to high and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is reduced slightly and you've scraped up all the bits of chicken. Taste and adjust the seasoning, garnish with the remaining scallion, and serve.

Serving Size

Serves 4

Recipe: Chopped salad

Mark Bittman

Ingredients

2 tablespoons or more white or red wine vinegar
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon minced garlic, or more to taste
A large pinch of salt and a smaller one of black pepper
2 celery stalks (preferably from the heart), chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 small red onion, minced
3 or 4 radishes, chopped
1 red or yellow bell pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped
1 small cabbage, cored and shredded

Preparation

Combine the vinegar, oil, garlic, salt, and pepper in a salad bowl beat with a fork.
Add the vegetables, sprinkle lightly with more salt and pepper, and toss. Taste and adjust the seasoning, and serve immediately.

Serving Size

Serves 6

Soup's on!

2011-01-04T18:01:00.000-05:00

This morning I happened to watch the Today show, and came across two soup recipes I am going to make this next week. I am posting them here for easy reference.

Recipe: Turkey pozole soup with green chilies

Michael Lomonaco, executive chef at Porter House New York

Ingredients

2 pounds turkey meat cut into 1 inch cubes
1/4 cup olive oil
2 large onions, peeled and chopped
2 red peppers, seeded and chopped
1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped
2 tablespoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons Ancho chili powder
2 tablespoons peeled, chopped garlic
1 15 ounce can chopped green chilies
1 cup crushed tomatoes
2 quarts chicken broth
1 28 ounce can golden or white hominy
1/4 cup roughly chopped cilantro leaves
1/2 cup chopped scallions
Sour cream
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Serving

Pour the oil into a large, heavy-bottomed pot and heat over medium heat.
Season the turkey with salt and pepper. Add to the pot and sauté in until well-browned. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the turkey to a bowl and set aside.
Add the onions, red pepper and jalapeño to the pot and brown until golden, which takes approximately seven minutes.
When the onion begins to caramelize, return the turkey to the pot, sprinkle with the cumin and Ancho chili powder, stir in the garlic, green chilies and tomatoes.
Add the chicken broth plus 2 cups of water, stir and bring it to a boil over high heat. Lower then heat and let the chili simmer, partially covered, for one hour.
Add the hominy. Continue to cook until the turkey is tender, which takes approximately 15 minutes.
Taste and adjust the seasoning and serve with cilantro, scallions and sour cream as a topping.

Serving Size

Yields 3 to 4 quarts

Recipe: Roasted winter vegetable soup with parsley pesto

Michael Lomonaco, executive chef at Porter House New York

Ingredients

1/2 cup olive oil
2 large onions, peeled and diced
6 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
2 turnips, peeled and diced
1/2 pint Brussels sprouts, cut in quarters
3 quarts vegetable broth
1 cup canned plum tomatoes, chopped
Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup parsley leaves
1 clove garlic
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Serving

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Toss the onions, carrots, celery, turnips and Brussels sprouts, add a generous amount of the olive oil and season it with salt and pepper. Pour the mixture into a roasting pan and place into a hot oven for 45 minutes or until caramelized, stirring and shaking the pan occasionally to prevent scorching and to make sure the vegetables cook evenly.
While the vegetables roast add the vegetable broth and chopped tomatoes to a large soup pot and bring to a boil. Gently simmer for 15 minutes and then keep warm.
Add the parsley leaves, garlic, extra virgin olive oil and Parmesan cheese to a blender and puree till smooth.
When the vegetables have roasted, remove and transfer to the hot vegetable broth. Bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat and let the soup simmer until all of the vegetables are tender, approximately 30 minutes.
Divide the soup among four to six bowls and serve with a drizzle of parsley pesto.

Serves 4-6

I heart New England!!!

2010-12-28T15:39:00.003-05:00

Plantain Salve for bug bites/stings, cuts, sores, pimples, burns +

2010-12-26T08:41:00.001-05:00

Plantain is very common, and easily recognizable, often found growing out of sidewalks and other common areas. You likely have your very own in your back yard, unless you treat your lawn chemically. What many folks regard as unwanted weeds, is a goldmine of natural medicine in reality. You will want to be selective in choosing WHERE you get your plantain from of course for this usage. Look it up in your field guide or under google images and you'll be on your way.

Simple Green
Plantain Salve

12 oz. jar of Vaseline
2 handfuls of plantain leaves
1 large or 2 smaller aloe leaves,
sliced and crushed

Heat Vaseline on low, only
enough to liquefy. Carefully
drop the plantain leaves into the
liquid—it will quickly produce a
mass of thick foam. Add the aloe.
Let simmer until foaming has
stopped.

Pour through strainer.
Pour back into Vaseline jar. Let
cool. Mark container and store
on shelf. It is easy to make and
works on bug bites, stings, cuts,
sores, pimples, burns, and more.

Garlic oil for ear infections/aches

2010-12-26T08:32:00.002-05:00

I have tried these solution for relief of common childhood ear issues.

Make some garlic oil by crushing a clove and letting it sit in an a few tablespoons of slightly warm oil for a couple minutes. Strain ALL of the garlic out, and I lay the child on his side in my lap to administer a few drops of oil in his ear. He continues to lay there for a few minutes.

A garlic poultice can also be made to place on the outside of the ear Fold a paper towel around a peeled clove or two, and crush with the bottom of a jar. Then run hot water over the poultice, squeeze out the extra water, and hold the warm (NOT HOT) poultice to the side of the child's head while reading a book aloud to keep him distracted. Keep it there 5 minutes. Make sure there is at least two layers of papertowel between the garlic and your child's skin.

Home made chest rub

2010-12-26T08:14:00.002-05:00

coconut oil
peppermint oil
eucalyptus oil

Add drops of the two essential oils to the coconut oil until it smells somewhat like Vicks. We do not use Vicks due to the petroleum content, and the satisfaction of using my own recipe to heal. Yes, quality oils are an investment, but you use very little per batch so in the "end" it works out well.

note: oils are used at no stronger than 4% essential oil to a carrier oil. 4% works out to be 2 teaspoons essential oil to 1 cup oil, or 1/2 teas essential oil to 1/4 cup carrier oil. That would be the STRONGEST you would want to make it, for a toddler you may want to make it weaker.

When the kids had a nasty cold, I would spread this on their chests, back and generously slather on the soles of their feet, followed by cushy socks. The feet's ability to absorb is tremendous.

Garlic OIl Ointment Treatment

2010-12-26T07:54:00.003-05:00

This is a remedy I have used for almost 5 years now. The original recipe I can no longer find in the original place I had found it. Because of that, I am posting it to my blog so that it can be found and used, rather than lost.

Goot is a garlic oil ointment that uses 3 tablespoons of coconut oil, 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and 3 tablespoons of finely minced garlic. Make sure to use high grade coconut oil, I usually get mine at Choice health. The cheaper grades at Walmart and the like are in my opinion, not suitable for medicinal purposes. Goot is antibiotic, antifungal and antimicrobial. In addition, it can penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream by topical application and is safe to use on sensitive areas.

Simply warm the oil very slowly to only slightly warm, just enough to melt it to a liquid. If it is too warm, the heat will kill the healing properties in the raw garlic. Remove from heat source and add the minced garlic. Put in storage container. If it is cool in your home, it will solidify and be ready to use at any moment. I make small batches at a time so it never lasts long. Keep plenty of oil on hand and garlic and you will be well prepared. Go a step further and learn to grow your own garlic ;0)

Merry Christmas!!!

2010-12-25T13:46:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope your hearts are bursting at the seams with joy this season. Today our children at home opened their gifts bright and early. Our family celebration, though, will be tomorrow as my daughter is arriving from MA. I am starting to get excited. Girls seem so much different than boys, don't they? They are so unique and special, but in very different ways. A lot of what I do goes un-noticed it seems when it comes to my boys. The girls really noticed and looked forward to the little things, stuff the boys don't seem to notice or care about.

However, I wish to keep at it. I want them to be used to beauty and loving details so that they will seek it out on some level when they are grown. I guess I am saying I want to set a certain standard. I am NOT a perfectionist, no where near one, and I am not all that creative nor competitive. So I am not talking about a standard that will make a nightmare for someone down the road. I am just speaking of love, attention, and care toward things that give an extra special feel to a home, tradition, or celebration.

But I digress....
I was talking about our Christmas. Our mantle is decorated very cute. It's not quite what I wanted to achieve being our first few months in our new home, but it's well on the way. Now that we can settle and stay, we can add to it each year until we have a cozy little wonderland. ;0)

Our new pup sure puts a damper on things, too, as he chews, pulls and knocks down everything within reach. Since he is a labrador, it won't be long before everything is in his reach. We will be enrolling in puppy Kindergarten REAL soon and I absolutely cannot wait! I hope to get some help with this biting especially. It's unbearable, and getting his attention. I find it hard to get his attention. The way I feel in having dealt with him for 3 weeks is I am thinking I have gotten myself a somewhat dominant dog, not agressive, but dominant. Not perhaps the best choice with a house full, but I am confident with a lot of work and dedication we will get thru puppyhood and enter into a fulfilling life long friendship with this sweet dog. I want him to have a full and rewarding life, so it is imperative that he accept his role as bottom dog of our pack. Imagine the life of a dog, loved by all due to his good manners and able to come everywhere we go, welcomed by all. That is what I want for him. NOT a lonely life of being left alone when we go on a family outing or in a kennel when we go away because he is too unruly.

He is doing great on his housetraining, though there are accidents still, and he sleeps in our bedroom on the floor atop his little doggie bed. He's great with that. Just the biting and chewing the house up...oh and having to keep the cats and him apart.....ugh! I'll keep ya posted on him and post pics as he grows, he's too cute, but camera shy for sure.

Back to Christmas..... ;0)

Today I am making cinnamon rolls and all the things that my sweet daughter misses about home. Spiral sliced ham with brown sugar glaze, turtle pie for dessert tomorrow night, oh and peppermint hot chocolate--can't forget that! Things that are particular to our family and she doesn't get elsewhere!! We will be splicing wires and relighting the tree especially for her arrival (dog clean chewed thru one strand and throughly pulled a lot of them as well) She made such a point of missing and wanting things that it perked me right up and made me excited again to prepare for it. She is also excited to meet Coopersaurus (puppy Cooper's nick name, and quite fitting!). I was even able to borrow a small cheap camera. Not the greatest pics perhaps, but better than my Canon Rebel with NO FLASH. One day I WILL replace that, I really really will!

I wish you all the peace and joy of Christmas, to overflowing in your hearts as we reflect on the miracle of Christ's birth and the hope and peace that brings to all who believe. It would be very easy to be depressed and despondent this year, with several loved ones gone, and being in a new place where we are away from friends and family, but when reflecting on Him and what He's done for us and what that means I can't help but be thankful and joyous. I wish you all a blessed, adventurous and meaningful new year!!!

Cuban Pork Medallions, Black Beans and Rice, and Natilla

2010-12-10T14:27:00.002-05:00

Today I happened to catch a show on Lifetime that is totally new to me called Mom's Cooking. They featured a mom and daughter making their signature holiday meal. Good thing I took notes because the recipe is not available on the site like some of the others are unless you have itunes. I am posting here for you to try, and for me not to lose for the time being since my printer is not cooperating. ;0)

Ingredient list:
Pork loin
2 lemons
1 orange
garlic
onion
cubanelle green pepper

salt
pepper
cumin
oregano

salt pork with some meat on it
28 oz. can of black beans

4 C. milk
stick cinnamon
sugar
eggs
cornstarch

Directions:

Cut the pork into medallions of equal size and set aside while making the mojo

For the mojo:

juice 2 lemons
juice 1 orange
peel and crust 2 cloves of garlic in mortar
to that add 1 tsp salt and crush more
1 T oregano
1/4 t pepper
pinch of cumin

Blend all of this into a paste and slater onto the meat.
Over the top sprinkle 1 T brown sugar to flavor
and 1 T soy sauce.

Turn medallions over twice to fully coat.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. After that time set out on counter for 20 minutes to bring up to room temp before cooking!

For the Natilla (custard type dessert):

3 Cups of milk, scalded
1 C cold milk, set aside to temper later
1 t. lemon zest
1/2 stick cinnamon
1/2 C sugar

stir and bring to boil.

To a bowl add:
6 egg yolks
1/2 C sugar
whisk this well
add 3 T cornstarch
and 3 T water
mix very well

Add remaining cold milk to the pot to temper, stir

Keep stirring and add corn starch egg mixture.

Add 1 T vanilla

Keep stirring until thick and then pour into custard or dessert cups.
Chill in fridge for 1-2 hours

*note: remember at this time to set out your meat on the counter where it can come up to room temp before cooking.

For the black beans and rice:

Start with the sofrito base:
1 whole onion
3 cloves garlic
chop 3/4 of a green cubanelle pepper

Now onto the salt pork, score the top horizontally and vertically deeply. Then heat 1 T oil to a skillet over med heat and brown well. Remove most of the melte fat into a bowl to keep this dish a little lower fat.

Put 3/4 of the Sofrito in the pot (reserve 1/4)

sautee on low heat

add a pinch of black pepper. Cuban food should be flavorful, but not hot.

add 3 bay leaves

28 oz. can of black beans

1 C. water

1/4 t. cumin (too much will make it bitter)

Cover, for 15 minutes

Add 1/4 Cup white wine

and 1 T brown sugar

and the rest of the sofrito.

While beans continue to simmer, start a pot of white rice to go with the beans.

Sit down to a fantastic meal and Enjoy!!

UPDATE-12/11: The recipe was up today, here is the link:
http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/moms-cooking-pork-medallions-mojo-sauce-black-beans-and-rice-and-natilla

Ringing in a little Christmas Cheer

2010-12-09T12:34:00.000-05:00

Christmas is coming and you've got a million things to do! We're here to help. We have 101 Easy Ways to Decorate for Christmas. These ideas are all quite simple, but they'll will give you lots of quick, easy, inexpensive ways to add some Christmas cheer to your home.

1. Create a charming display of teddy bears dressed for the season. Gather together three or more teddy bears and arrange them on a table or on the floor in a corner. Dress the bears with touques, scarves and mittens. Place candy canes in their hands or tie bows around their necks. You can even wrap up some small, empty boxes with Christmas wrapping paper to place in the bears' hands.

2. Make simply bows from Christmas print ribbon and pin them to your curtains.

3. Display a collection of nativity scenes from different cultures.

4. Hang a collection of Christmas stocking on your mantle, a shelf or the wall (even if you don't stuff them). The more the merrier.

5. Revisit your childhood. Cut snowflakes from white paper and hang them in all of your windows.

6. Use red and green 3-dimensional fabric paints to trace simple Christmas patterns (like stars, bells, Santas, stockings, etc.) on a white tablecloth. Click here to print out our basic Christmas shapes.

7. Buy a clear plastic shower curtain. Use a hot glue gun to attach Christmas decorations to the outside of the curtain. Don't use breakable ornaments - instead, try small wooden or plastic ornaments (remove any hooks), bows, garland, etc.

8. Dress up your house plants - hang small Christmas ornaments on them.

9. Tie a red ribbon around a tall, slim drinking glass. Fill the glass with candy canes and display on a shelf or side table.

10. Fill a small glass bowl or decorative Christmas bowl with small cones and display on end tables, shelves, buffet tables, etc.

11. Purchase plain green or red place mats and attach Christmas ribbons, bows or small wooden ornaments with a hot glue gun.

12. For quick ornaments, hang Christmas cookie cutters with ribbon. Hang them on your tree or in a window.

13. Decorate plain red, white, green or gold candles with 3-dimensional fabric paint. Draw stars, bells, angels, snowmen, etc. If you make a mistake, let the paint dry and peal it off, then start again.

14. Create a cookie wreath centerpiece for your table. Just arrange Christmas cookies in a wreath shape right on the table cloth. No need to attach them to anything 'cause everyone will want to nibble at them. If you like, place a pillar candle on a small plate in the center of the wreath.

15. Pile a collection of Christmas books on a side table.

16. Purchase an inexpensive mail box. Spray paint it red or green. Use craft paints to add simple Christmas shapes (use our patterns), or attach store-bought ornaments with a hot glue gun (make sure your ornaments will be able to stand up to the elements).

17. If you have a large, bare outside wall, try this simple idea. Cut a Christmas silhouette from a piece of plywood (a silhouette of Santa, a snowman, etc works well). Using screws, attach your silhouette to a short post that you can drive into the ground. You'll want the silhouette to stand right a ground level several feet away from the wall. Position a spot light on the other side of the silhouette so that it will shine on the silhouette and project a large shadow on the wall. We've seen this done with a silhouette of Joseph leading Mary who is sitting on a donkey. It's beautiful.

18. Wrap indoor Christmas lights around a railing or banister. Secure periodically with tape. Be careful to tape down the electrical cord so that no one trips over it.

19. Add color to a room with vases of red and white flowers. Use roses, carnations, mums, daisies, etc. Or, float the flowers in large crystal or glass bowls.

20. Wrap an assortment of medium to large sized boxes with Christmas wrap. Attach ribbons and/or bows. Pile the boxes in a corner from floor to ceiling.

21. Sew scraps of Christmas print fabric into a patchwork tablecloth. Simply cut your fabric into square pieces and stitch together. Hem the entire cloth. Sew ribbon the edges, if you like. Make smaller cloths to cover end tables, night tables, TV trays, shelving, etc.

22. Cover an end table or a shelf with white paper. Arrange cut evergreen boughs on to cover the table top. Place tall tapered candles in glass candleholders here and there on the table top. Before lighting candles, be sure that the greenery is not close enough to catch fire.

23. Use pliers to bend coat hangers into a simple wire-frame tree shape. Wrap a string of outdoor Christmas light around the frame, attaching with electrical tape or duct tape. Stick the decoration in a flower bed or on your front lawn.

24. Hang mistletoe everywhere. Use false or fresh mistletoe.

25. Wrap your doors in Christmas wrapping paper and attach large bows make from fabric or purchased at your local craft store.

26. String a ribbon from one end of a wall to another. Attach the ribbon to the wall (at each corner) with thumbtacks. Clip Christmas cards to the ribbon with clothespins. If the ribbon is too long, the weight of the cards will pull it off the wall, so tack it here and there with more thumbtacks.

37. Purchase a large glass plate. Paint the underside of the plate with gold craft paint. Dry. Place the plate on a table and fill with several white or off-white pillar candles of varying sizes.

28. Make basic sugar cookies or gingerbread cookies. Before baking, make a hole toward the top of each cookie using a straw. Bake and cool. String a ribbon through each cookie and hang them on your Christmas tree.

29. String popcorn, cranberries, cereal, beads, etc. and hang the garlands everywhere.

30. Make some old-fashioned tree decorations. Wrap nuts with aluminum foil; use a needle and thread to stitch a thread through the foil for hanging. Glue ribbon to pine cones for hanging. String popcorn streamers. Make paper chains. Cut snowflakes from white paper.

46. Add a few drops of food coloring to white glue. Put the glue into a squeeze bottle or icing piping bag. Draw simple Christmas star outlines on waxed paper. Pipe glue onto the paper, following your drawn outlines. Dry. Peel glue ornaments off of the waxed paper and hang in windows with thread or ribbon.

32. Cut pictures out of old Christmas cards and create a collage by gluing them onto a piece of poster board. You can frame the poster board if you like or simply hang it on the wall.

33. Wrap a lampshade with translucent Christmas tissue paper. Put the paper on the outside of the lamp shape, overlapping the edges just a little and tape the edges down on the inside. Be careful that the tissue paper doesn't come too close to the light bulb or it may catch fire.

34. Replace your fish tank background mural with a piece of Christmas wrapping paper or a collage made out of pictures cut from Christmas cards.

35. Twist garland or popcorn strings around railings or banisters and secure here and there with tape.

36. Using a glue gun, glue candy canes, side-by-side (standing on end with their hooks at the top) to the outside of a terra cotta pot. Tie a red ribbon around the pot. Place a small poinsettia inside the pot or fill the pot with wrapped candy.

37. Tape a doily to the outside of a glass canister or clean glass mayonnaise jar. Spray the outside of the container with artificial snow. Dry. Remove the doily. Fill the container with cookies, candy, ornaments, etc.

38. Remove your favorite pictures from their frames. Wrap the frames with Christmas wrap and replace the pictures.

39. Make a gingerbread house. They make wonderful centerpieces or decorations for any table top.

40. Use scraps of Christmas print fabric to create quick sachets. Place two pieces of fabric right sides together. Pin a paper pattern of a Christmas shape to the fabric (use our basic patterns). Cut the shape out of both layers of fabric. Stitch the fabric layers together all along the edge, leaving a one inch gap. Turn the sachet right side out. Fill the sachet with potpourri. Hand stitch the gap closed. Place your sachets in a basket by the front door so you can hand them to departing guests (meanwhile, they'll fill your entryway with wonderful scent).

41. Use a child's Christmas pop-up book as a centerpiece. Just open the book up to a desirable picture and place the open book in the center of your table.

42. Hang a large December wall calendar on your wall. Count down the days to Christmas by gluing a brightly-colored bow on each passing day.

43. Tie five or six cinnamon sticks into a bundle using red ribbon. Create a bunch of these bundles and display them in a bowl or on a plate. Or, tuck bundles into nooks and crannies on shelves and table. They add a nice scent to your room.

44. Pull out your old toy trains. Run the track around the perimeter of the Christmas tree.

45. Paint the inside of a glass white to simulate milk. Display the glass along with a plate full of cookies and a hand-written Santa's wish list. It looks great if you take a bite or two out of one cookies.

46. For easy Christmas tableware, tie red, green, or gold ribbons to the stems of wine glasses or the handles of cutlery.

47. To make a decorative cookie plate, glue cinnamon sticks and whole cloves to the edges of a large plate.

48. Cut pictures from Christmas cards and Christmas wrap. Decoupage the pictures to the inside of a serving tray. Be sure to cover the entire surface of the tray. Once all the pictures are in place, cover the entire inside surface of the tray with one or two more layers of decoupage medium.

49. Screw small hooks into the ceiling and hang indoor Christmas lights from them.

50. Print your favorite cookie recipe on Christmas stationary (or print it on a white piece of paper and have it photo copied onto Christmas stationary). Roll each recipe up like a scroll. Tie the scroll with ribbon. Place the scrolls in a basked by your front door so you can give them to departing guests. You could also bake up a batch of cookies. Wrap each cookie separately in plastic wrap and attach one cookie to each scroll with ribbon (string the ribbon through a hole in the plastic wrap).

51. To add a lot of color to a room quickly, use red or green towels, blankets or even scraps of fabric as throws for your chairs, couch, tables, etc. Large pieces of polar fleece make great, cuddly throws.

52. Display colored glass ball ornaments or even beads in bowls instead of hanging them on your tree.

53. Wash and dry half a dozen small jars (it's better if they're all different sizes and shapes). Fill each jar 2/3 full of water and add a couple of drops of red or green food coloring to each jar. Stir. Place one sprig of evergreen in each jar and display the jars in a group on a table or line them up in a row on a shelf or window sill.

54. Use children's bath crayons (for coloring in the bathtub) to draw Christmas decorations on your mirrors and windows.

55. Spray paint the outside of large, clean coffee cans with gold, red or green paint and use them as cookie canisters. Once painted, you can decorate further by using decoupage medium to glue Christmas card cutouts to the cans, or use a hot glue gun to attach small plastic or wooden ornaments, tinsel, garland, whole spices etc.

56. Using a small brush, paint the tips of pine cones with gold craft paint. Place on a rack or piece of waxed paper to dry. Display cones in bowls or vases or attach a ribbon and hang them on your tree.

57. Spruce up plain red or green bath towels with Christmas ribbon attached using a hot glue gun or ironed on with fusible web.

58. Create an easy wall hanging using a piece of sheet music for a Christmas carol. Cut a piece of red poster board a few inches larger than the sheet music and glue the music to the center of the poster board. Use a hot glue gun to glue a small sprig of artificial holly to the top right-hand corner of the sheet music.

59. Create an inexpensive set of Christmas glassware. Purchase a set of glasses or mugs and paint holly leaves and berries on the outside of each glass or mug using red and green glass paint.

60. Dress up your dinner table: cover the table with a plain red, green or white tablecloth and sprinkle with red, green or gold cut-outs from your party decorations store. Or, make your own cuts out with specially shaped hole punches and solid colored wrapping paper.

61. Turn an old blanket chest into a treasure chest. Place the chest on the floor against a wall and open the lid (prop the lid up securely if it's prone to closing by itself). Line the inside of the chest with fiber fill to create the illusion of snow. Drape strings of beads and white indoor Christmas lights over the chest. Fill the chest with wrapped presents or wrapped empty boxes. Sprinkle with gold-wrapped chocolate coins.

62. Create personalized gingerbread men as place cards for your dining table. Use colored icing to decorate each gingerbread man with a guest's hair color and usual clothing. Using icing to print each person's name across the chest of the gingerbread man.

63. Paint a terra cotta flower pot gold using craft paint. Let paint dry. Glue on plastic or glass "gems". Let glue dry. Pipe white glue in a circle around the perimeter of each "gem". While the glue is still wet, sprinkle on gold sparkles. Let glue dry. Fill pots with flowers, nuts or candy.

64. Create an eclectic centerpiece using a large glass plate. Place a collection of containers on the plate. Use small bowls, vases, candle holders, flower pots, clean ash trays, etc. Fill each container with a different type of nut or candy.

65. Purchase inexpensive plain lampshades for your lamps. Use a hot glue gun to attach fabric bows (in Christmas prints) to the shades.

66. Trim door frames, window frames and the edges of mirrors with Christmas garland (secure with tape).

67. Place 1/2 cup of whole cloves on a plate. Apply white glue to the outside of a small terra cotta flower pot. Roll the pot in the cloves so that the outside of the pot is completely covered with cloves. You may have to press more cloves onto the pot in places. Let the glue dry. Tie a red ribbon around the outside of the pot - knot the ribbon. Tie three cinnamon sticks into the ribbon (knot the ribbon around the sticks). Tie the ends of the ribbon into a bow. Use the pot as a flower pot or fill it with potpourri.

68. Decorate with mittens, gloves, touques and scarves. String jute cord from one end of a room to another and clip knit items to the cord with clothespins.

69. Purchase small bells from your craft store. Tie each bell to a piece of ribbon between 6" and 18" in length. Gather all of the ribbons together and knot together at the top. Drape the bells over a door knob so that they ring when someone enters or exits.

70. Poinsettias are a beautiful way to add Christmas color to a room. But don't just stop at one. Create a stunning display using at least six plants - all different sizes. Group them together, larger plants in the back. Tie a large gold fabric ribbon around the whole group of pots. Sprinkle the plants with gold glitter.

71. Wrap a large empty coffee can in Christmas wrapping paper (leave the top open). Place and the floor, add some water and fill with evergreen branches. This looks wonderful on its own, or you can hang ornaments from the branches.

72. Replace your usual curtain valence with a large piece of Christmas print fabric, draped over your curtain rod.

73. Tie bows around door knobs.

74. Create an easy wreath. Tear Christmas print fabric into strips (or use ribbon, instead). Wrap a styrofoam wreath with the fabric or ribbon. Hang the wreath as is, or hot glue Christmas picks, ornaments, nuts, candies, etc. to it.

75. Wrap a table in Christmas wrapping paper.

76. Purchase cork place mats or coasters, Christmas print stamps and red/green/gold stamp pads. Then, stamp shapes onto your coasters and place mats. You can even stamp shapes onto your table cloths and napkins.

77. Cut pictures of people and objects from Christmas cards. Glue each object to a magnet sheet. Cut the pictures out of the magnet sheet. Stick the magnets to your fridge. Visitors can arrange your magnets into scenes.

78. Put some color into your bathroom. Display red and green glycerin soaps, bath gels and oils.

79. Use florist wire to wire Christmas picks to railings, banisters and door knobs.

80. Make a snowman. Better yet, make a whole snow family or even a whole snow village!

81. Wrap your front door in plain white paper and decorate with a large bow. Place red and green pens by the front door and have guest sign the door as they leave your home.

82. Cut pictures from Christmas cards and pin them to your curtains or bedspread.

83. Purchase inexpensive white bathroom accessories (soap dish, toothbrush holder, garbage can, etc.). Paint holly leaves and red berries on the accessories using craft paints. Or, use a hot glue gun to attach bows, sequins, beads, buttons, etc.

84. Create an red and green display in your kitchen using a collection standard food items. Jars of olives, sun dried tomatoes, pickles, red peppers, cans with red or green labels.

85. Quick wreath: Use a glue gun to attach nuts or wrapped candies to a styrofoam wreath. Attach a large red ribbon.

86. Paint nuts gold with craft paint (use a variety of nuts of different shape). Line a large bowl or basket with Christmas greenery (artificial or real), fill the bowl wit oranges, apples and the gold nuts. Add a large red bow.

87. Display a large collection of photos from Christmases past. This makes a sensational conversation piece. Use a collection of odd frames or create frames using colored cardboard or craft foam. Instead of displaying each picture individually, you can create a collage. Use a large piece of red craft foam. Cut photos into interesting shapes (just cut around what's important in the photos). Glue the photos to the foam, overlapping them and leaving a 1" - 2" border of red foam showing. Cut holly leaves from green craft foam. Glue three leaves to each corner of the red foam frame. Cut small circles from left-over red foam (these are the holly berries). Glue them next to the holly leaves.

88. Make a Christmas bedspread. Trim the edges of a large piece of red polar fleece with pinking shears. Stitch a collection of mittens to one side of the fleece.

89. Put a Christmas screen saver on your computer.

90. Paint Christmas stars or bells on the outside of your bathtub or on your shower curtain using washable children's soap crayons.

91. Place a plate full of wrapped Christmas baking by the front door as parting gifts for guests.

92. Remove your mugs from their cup hooks and hang Christmas ornaments in their place. You can do the same thing with spoon racks or key racks.

93. Shred colored paper and use it to line a basket. Fill the basket with red and green scented votive candles.

94. Make a fresh flower garland using red carnations. You'll need a few dozen carnations. Cut the stems off just below the bud. String a length of double thread on a needle (make the thread as long as the garland you want to make). String the buds together by pushing the needle through the bud and out the top of the flower. Tie the ends of the garland together, if you wish. This garland should be stored in the fridge.

95. Decorate with giant cookies. Mix up your favorite sugar cookie or gingerbread cookie recipe. Roll out the dough. Instead of cutting into small cookies, cut out one tree shaped cookie using a knife. Don't bother using a pattern. A hand-cut shape has more charm. Transfer to a cookie sheet and bake. Cool. Cover with icing made of confectioner's sugar, green food coloring and water (no butter). While the icing is still wet, decorate your tree with peppermint candies, M & M's, jujubes, etc. Let the icing set. Your giant cookie can be displayed on a plate or you can wrap up a box in colored foil wrap and glue your cookie to the front of the box with dollops of icing. The box can be displayed lying down or standing on end.

96. Make simple Christmas puppets. Cut Santas, angels, snowmen, etc. from old Christmas cards. Paint craft stick red or green. Attach one cut-out to each stick using tape. The kids can play with these or, you can display them in a vase or a bowl. Just fill the vase or bowl with beads, nuts, candies, etc. and stick the puppets' sticks into the bowl.

97. Wrap your plant pots in red or green foil wrap. You don't even have to remove the plants first.

98. Create a display by your front door with unused boots. Assemble a group of boots and fill them with wrapped gifts or empty boxes.

99. Purchase an inexpensive glass vase (or better yet, three or four vases). "Paint" the vase with white glue and roll in red or green sparkles. Use the vase to display a large collection of white or red carnations.

100. To create an easy Christmas card display, purchase a large red bow that has a vertical ribbon attached. Hang the bow and ribbon and pin Christmas cards to the ribbon, starting near the top.

101. Paint fruit such as apples and pears with egg white and roll in gold sparkles. Air dry on a rack and display in a basket along with nuts.

Thanks Julieann for passing this great list on!!

Come, enjoy a cookie!

2010-12-08T13:26:00.000-05:00

A couple of years ago I attended a cookie exchange party and my friend, Jenn, made some caramel apple cookies that I begged her to give me the recipe for. They were so unique and delicous, my favorite cookie of all. I typed it up at cooks.com and figured I would pull them out to have a cookie baking session this week.

Another yummy cookie I am surprised to even like is the no bake cookies My friend, Sheila, brought these last year to a cookie exchange party I hosted. Can you believe I had never had one before? I love the sweet and salty blend these cookies give. There are many variations to this one, but I chose one that looked most similar.

I have never really made the roll out type of cookie dough. I am not much of a decorator, but may try one this year. Sounds like a fun activity for the kids to get involved in. And some for just mommy to try her hand at as well! ;0)

What is your favorite cookie recipe?

Holiday Inspiration

2010-12-08T07:36:00.003-05:00

Today I stumbled upon a new-to-me blog, and foud a great post with Mr. Linky featuring lots of fabulous vingettes of many bloggers' Christmas decorating. How festive it is in blogland. Get inspired yourself, by clicking here.

~New Boy~

2010-12-07T16:16:00.002-05:00

Cooper at 6 wks of age

This is our new boy, Cooper. We picked him up this past Friday and brought him home. He is beautiful, shiny and so soft. A male black lab, and all sorts of trouble!


This is Cooper at 8 weeks, when he first came home

Boy he is a ball of energy and bites and bites and bites. He also bites! It is driving us all mad. When he bites me, I try to have a toy handy, and simply stick it in his mouth over and over again, to try and redirect his focus. I know puppies need to chew and teethe but it hurts, and it's so totally unacceptable to be chewing human friends, the house or our things. He has already tried several times to take my books right off the book shelf. ugh.... What was I thinking? Then I look at his sweet little face when he sits so pretty for a treat and I know we will get thru this.

I've been reading a lot on clicker training. It's positive reinforcement based training. I will have to hire a trainer for a couple short sessions to basically (hopefully) come into our home and basically teach me to teach him. Especially in the biting dept. What I have learned online, the basics of the basics is great and I taught him to sit and make eye contact, and we're learning ''down" which is a bit harder for him. Sometimes you just need help for fine tuning or for more complex behaviors from someone experienced. I can't wait until we can do this.

Also, please be careful to do your dog business locally. I acted with an error in judgment in this department. My intention was to do this initially. I googled NY breeders and found the place we did business with. I later realized they were in Florida NOT NY, they just had it set up so no matter what state you type in they pop up. My intent was to talk with the breeder, view the pups, hold and watch how they react and choose one. At this point, I was already highly impressed with their website. There were already 2 dogs I liked, and these people were very attentive, and wasted no time in calling me once I filled a form out for more info on a pup. They made me feel very comfortable. I was emotionally involved, even if it was only slightly.

Two days later, both pups were gone. I felt it was safe to reply to one of the E-mails thanking the person for taking the time to speak with me and send photos of the pups parents etc,... I also mentioned that I saw both pups were now scooped up by other parties and that we would do business in the future, now was just not the right time.

That same night the consultant called as my husband and I were talking about puppies to inform us one of the pups was available again. My hubby impulsively on the spot arranged the purchase and deposit for my birthday present.
(((Sweet Guy)))

The people from this place were still very attentive, sent periodic emails with info we would need, guided us through the process of picking the dog up from the airport, giving us a list of everything we would need to bring to care for him upon receiving him.

Then the day of his arrival came. We were very excited. I had bought his food and toys for him, and all the necessities. I had my bag of supplies for the airport in case he had an accident in his crate. Mid-morning I receive a phone call from the brokers. Yes, I came to realize they are a middle man. They work with many breeders and hook up buyers with breeders. They supposedly have strict guidelines for the breeders they allow in. They have glowing testimonials from people like Miley Cyrus, Kim Kardashian as well as everyday people.

But I digress....
They were calling to inform me that he was ready to be shipped that day as scheduled, but also that he got in a fight with a litter mate and has a cut on his lip but it was not at all bad. I was told the breeder's vet saw him and didn't think it would be a good idea to put a stitch in before flying for fear of him making a mess out of it. I was made to feel comfortable that it wasn't so bad.

When I received him I was a little shocked. In reality it was considered a "small laceration". But it looked hideous. I had a vet appt. set up for him for 3:30 that afternoon, less than 2 hours after getting him off the plane. There I learned that it was a bunch of garbage the excuse that was given me for not stitching him. When I told the vet the reason they didn't stitch him, she and her assistant both instantly looked at each other and made a quick, sharp sigh noise that told me so.

He ended up needing 3 staples and an antibiotic to be sure no infection set in. It was only $50 but that in not the point. The breeder is reimbursing us for that at least, but I think I should have been given the option of a replacement pup rather than them downplaying his injury as they did. I almost feel guilty to say such a thing since he is now my pup and we are growing fond of him, but business is business.

Also, as beautiful as my puppy is, he has a tiny patch of white on him which is a fault for conformation. In all fairness to the breeder, I didn't say I was looking for a show dog. But I did let the broker know about it today, and that I feel that info should have been disclosed to me. I purchased an AKC black lab advertised for his champion bloodlines, and saw 3 different photos of him. He looked perfectly black in them. I had no way of knowing or suspecting he would not be. This disqualifies him from ever being shown, which I had hoped to do. Then again, his scar would have prevented him as well I'm sure.....
Learn from my mistakes, and only deal locally!

my poor baby the day after, only 2 staples left, one fell out.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate, a family favorite

2010-12-07T15:33:00.001-05:00

This is a repost from a blog I wrote in 2005. Enjoy!!
If you haven't tried this, you're missing out! Since this is dh's only weekend off we are celebrating all weekend. This recipe came from a Big Y supermarket magazine they give out free. It didn't sound all that great, until we TRIED it. YUUUUMM! See the picture for the finished result.

Ingredients:
2 cups whole milk
2 cups heavy cream
8 oz. white chocolate morsels
1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
-red food coloring (optional)
-prepared whipped topping
4-6 peppermint sticks or candy canes

In a medium saucepan over med-low heat, heat milk and
cream to a simmer, stirring often. Mix in Chocolate.
Whisk until chocolate is melted and smooth. Add
peppermint extract and stir. Slowly add food
coloring, a couple of drops at a time, stirring
between additions until desired color is reached.

Pour into mugs and top with whipped topping; garnish
with whole peppermint stick or candy cane.
4-6 servings yielded

~Happy Thanksgiving!!!~

2010-11-25T11:13:00.003-05:00

Ah! on Thanksgiving day....
When the care-wearied man seeks his mother once more,
And the worn matron smiles where the girl smiled before.
What moistens the lips and what brightens the eye?
What calls back the past, like the rich pumpkin pie?
...John Greenleaf Whittier
If  I have enjoyed the hospitality of the Host of this universe, Who daily  spreads a table in my sight, surely I cannot do less than acknowledge my  dependence.  ~G.A. Johnston RossThe  rain has foiled our plans to eat outside to recreate the feel of the  original Thanksgiving, yet it is still shaping up to be a nice  celebration.  The calm,  the smells, the absence of stress of high  expectations.  This year it is just our own little family, and while  that fact depressed me when comparing to times past, it is also a new  beginning in a new place and I am grateful.  With  that, the bird roasting, fudge setting, and Macy's parade gracing our  great room we indulge in a little known phenomenon called nothing to  do.  Doing what we like.  Meandering through our celebration as the  feeling strikes, truly relaxing and reflecting.  Perhaps next year we will go to the city and experience the parade in person!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!!

2010-11-24T13:14:00.004-05:00

It will be just our little party of 7 this year. Normally my dad joins us but this year he is not up to traveling 5-1/2 hours as I found out this morning, and my eldest daughter is staying in MA to spend the holiday with her boyfriend's family.

I cut down my menu after receiving my dad's news today. He usually makes the french meat stuffing which my grandmother always made for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It was my grandfather's mother's recipe but my kids don't eat it. Since I've already shopped twice, and I'm not going back, it is going to be off the menu this year. I am noticing it's going to be quite easy for me to not go overboard and do too much damage weight wise.

Since it's just the 7 of us, and I don't want to get stuck with so much food and temptation this is our simple little menu. I think it is enough for our kids since they are less adventurous in the taste bud department anyhow:

Turkey with gravy
classic stuffing
mashed potatoes
Sweet potato Casserole with pecan topping
green bean casserole
parker house rolls
cranberry sauce
pumpkin pie
granny's fudge
with french vanilla ice cream
egg nog

coffee

soda

I am glad that God gave me the desire to have six children so that when they grow up and have spouses and children they will all have lots of family. There will be aunts, uncles, cousins etc,... I am sorry they never had that growing up, but I do look forward and pray for the day they do have just that. God Bless everyone, and remember to savor these times, as things do not stay the same....

~Happy Birthday to me!!~

2010-11-19T06:48:00.002-05:00

Meet Cooper, my new baby boy, coming home for December 3rd. He is my early birthday present!! His dad is American style and his mother is English style. I wanted full English style, but got caught hook line and sinker when faced with bringing this sweetheart home. I can't wait until he is fully ready to leave his mama and join our family!!

Prayerfully Considering

2010-11-16T14:50:00.016-05:00

Our family has been considering adoption. We would like to add another child or two, or three to our family, girl/s specifically. Both of us have a desire for a girl/s. I've been reading up on adoption a LOT. We were originally interested in International adoption, yet the exceedingly high cost associated with that has turned us away from that avenue.

Next, I just found a child placing agency that is the only one in our area that deals with domestic adoption. So though I am requesting more information from them, I am learning that can cost as much as international adoption, and a lot of times open adoption is wanted. I want nothing to do with an open adoption.

I was a google master today! I even came across some embryo adoption pages. What that is about is couples that had frozen their own embryos for IVF, completed their family and now have the dilemma of what to do with these embryos, and not wanting to destroy life, they donate them for adoption. You still have to go thru all the adoption formalities, mind you, and there is no sex guarnatee obviously. While an interesting concept, me carrying another man's child is not sitting right with our convictions.

We are currently at a fork in the road. I really loved the idea of giving a baby girl that had no family a home and a future and hope, unfortunately, the legalities and costs make it an upward strain and as I am almost 36, time is of the essence. If it doesn't work out and we want to do the vasecotmy reversal afterall, then that is time lost.

Anyway back to said fork: Adoption of a girl or very young sibling group with a girl with the arduous road of scrutiny and approval or disapproval, waiting times, red tape and uncertainty........or vasectomy reversal and more than likely a boy (LOL) (who would be cherished by the way if that is who God chooses to send us!!). So many obstacles just disappear when considering this.

The end result of all this thinking is we will save like our life depends on it while learning about adoption from the local foster care system. There are many risks involved with this, even though the cost is minimal. I figure by the time we have the money for the vasectomy, we should have a good idea of our standing. If the adoption route doesn't work out, vasectomy reversal it will be.

I was just really hoping for the adoption to pan out. If you are an expectant mother, who finds herself having to make a choice to find a secure home for your child, thank you for you utter selflessness. It is such a gift to your child to put him/her first and allow them to live this beautiful thing called life. God has a special plan for your child. There are so many families wishing and waiting to adopt. God bless you and give you peace in your journey.

Update--11/19--The reversal is off the table. I think I had baby fever there for awhile..whew! Anyhow, it's a lot of money and there's no guarantee. We remember the original surgeon mentioning that the tube was short and challenging to do in the first place, so to me that makes a greater risk of it not working out and we would be out all that money.

IVF was a lot of money and it would be a lot of wear and tear on my body. I think what my neurologist said recently about the pregnancy hormone being good for me may have been the suggestive factor in me considering a biological child after all of this time.

My heart was really for a child already out there, who needed us to make a difference in their life! Also, my heart is very strong for a child overseas. It just such a boat load of money! It's a crying shame, really!!! The risks and torturous road of foster care, I am not certain that is for us. Our original intent was for a little girl or two in China to put it plain. I wouldn't be against another country, that is just what our "vision" was. If it is in the plans, it will work out.

Whirlwind Weekend

2010-11-16T06:03:00.005-05:00

This afternoon we arrived back home after a whirlwind trip down to MA for a good friend's kids' birthday bash. I decided to go down on a Friday so I could visit with some family also beforehand.

On Friday the kids and I took a run up to the Yankee Candle flagship store in South Deerfield after a brief visit with my mom. It's one of the two flagship stores in the country. It's such a wonderland, and the boys were in wonderment taking it all in!!!! I couldn't take pictures inside because I have no flash .

Later we got together with my dad and aunt at Friendlys where the kids got the royal treatment, literally. Wow what a feast complete with 3 appetizers for our party of 9, dinners and desserts. WHEW. I enjoyed it with reckless abandon and just right back on my WW plan immediately after. I don't think I did any real damage. It was so nice to see my favorite aunt, lots of good memories I have involving her home around the holidays and such when I was young.

The next day we moseyed around a bit and around lunch time made our way to Liquori's to get the famous pizza slice! If you haven't read the famous "slice story" you can find it here. Actually we bought 3 cheese slices and 1 pepperoni for the 5 kids and my grandmother to share. We were on our way to visit her. My mom and I split a foot long sub from Subway to keep me within my points. Then we visited for a few hours, and my eldest daughter Autumn met us there to visit as well. Later the kids and I met my dad for dinner at Applebees. I love how easy it is for me to stay on plan at this place!!

The next day was Sunday, so we went up to my dad's place for late morning after an early lunch on the run and stayed a couple of hours. We watched a movie and the kids watched his canary. He is very active and can be fun to watch! Then it was time to head over to Jenn's for the big duel birthday bash. The kids had so much fun and it was so great to see Jenn and her family, and the new baby I was seeing for the first time in like 7 mos or so!!! A lot of other friends were at this party too so it was great fun!

Anyhow the weather was beautiful, sunny and in the 60's, perfect party weather! It was camo themed, and the activities were an obsctacle course with lots of leaves and physical challenges, there was also tug-o-war, a bounce house, cotton candy maker, pizza with wings and soda, goodie bags made with camo material squares tied up with ribbon, a tanker pinata, as well an awesome military cake Jenn made herself (man she is good!) The night wound down with a camp fire which was great as it grew quite chilly afer the sun set.

Oh and the babies! I got to see 3 friend's babies all at about the 7 month old stage. And for the first time since we had moved up here 8 months ago, right before they were all born. I got to see the two kiddos I used to babysit for, and sadly the youngest didn't remember me....boo*hoo!

sadly my flash died 10 mos. ago so as it gets dark, my picture taking is promptly ended

We left shortly after dark, grabbed a movie for the kids and back to grandma's we went. Can you believe that I was in bed around 8:30 each night. Granted I was up at 6, because my body is accustomed to our regular rhythm after all these years with children, but STILL! haha

I am so glad we were able to go, and while we were gone Mike got some father/son time alone with Michael who is now 12. They were even privileged to go to a Buffalo Bills game!! What a big deal! And they even had the courtesy to win the first game while my guys were there. WHAT A TEAM! My son was so overjoyed by the heated stadium seats...hehe What an all around great weekend. Now, I am ready to hibernate for the winter.

16 Candles

2010-11-07T08:41:00.002-05:00

This weekend we celebrated Felicia's 16th birthday. Hard to believe as it seems Autumn just turned 16 a few months ago, yet in reality she will be 19 in two months. Two of her new friends came to share the day with her, and we made our own personal size pizzas for the activity. There were Hawaiian pizzas made, pepperoni, and the works with mushrooms, onions, peppers and pepperoni. It was fun.

Afterward Felicia opened her presents. Her friend Bianca drew her a sketch and gave her a blockbuster gift card, and he friend Christina gave her a movie which she really liked and we watched later that night.

Carvel ice cream cake topped off the celebration and boy was it good! I even managed to stay within my points range on Weight Watchers with a little pre-planning. WOOT!

The girls walked Bianca home, then when they came back they watched a scary movie in their room. What a fun night. Here are some pictures:

Aiden rolling out his pizza dough

Ryan's turn

Felicia and her friends trying to get the dough to stop sticking!!

The finished product

Danny creating his dinner

Happy diner ;0)

Here comes the cake!

~16 candles~

Friends that make a birthday more special

Looking Ahead to a New Year

2010-11-02T12:21:00.001-04:00

November in all it's red and gold splendor is upon us and with it comes the frost and cold air which makes me want to stay closer to home. Stocking up our pantry and craft supplies is very much on my mind. Also on my mind is the New Year ahead. Each year is a renewal of sorts, for we are not the same as we were last year. Individually and collectively this is true in our little community. We look upon things we have learned, experiences we have shared, ideals we have practiced and we are molded little by little into who we are at this moment, and we move ahead to who we will be tomorrow.

For me, finding a balance was a major shaping theme as of late, and simplicity. Knowing and believing that I can embrace and practice what is useful and lovely without having to carry everything to a "T". All or nothing is not a requirement in most areas, though I have struggled with that in all areas of my life.

Simplifying is another theme for my days. Unplugging at times, getting back to the earth, physically engaging in the world around me, art, bringing ideas to life by creating. It's so easy with all of what the world offers to live in our heads and I find that dissatisfying and barren land which I am happily leaving.

I want more creativity in our home and exposure to experience for our children. I am looking ahead with much anticipation of a new life. Getting rid of lots to make room for the best.

Fall Crafting

2010-11-02T10:26:00.000-04:00

Try these simple and beautiful glittered pumpkins to liven up your Thanksgiving table! I think this idea would work well with acorns as well and I plan to do this for our home this year.

~Simple Crafting for Christmas Part Two~

2010-11-01T10:13:00.007-04:00

Make a lined basked here for gift giving any time.

Soap always makes a nice gift.

You can learn to make fancy Salt Dough Ornaments with the instructions and examples shown.

Use this tutorial to make a super crinkly sounding inside baby toy yourself!

Perhaps baby would love a felt ball with bell inside for a handmade Christmas.

For an older child, these home made stilts could make someone very happy and very occupied for some constructive hour passing, and balance gaining!!!
**note on this craft: My husband went to buy the materials to make a friend's little boy stilts for his birthday. Well....because he could not buy the screws separately but had to buy boxes of them for each type, and apparently wood has gone up since this tutorial was published, it cost close to $75 for the materials. EEK! Just thought I should warn you!! The good news is now that we have all those screws we can make additional pairs for our own children for $40.
Here is a site with lots of hand made toy ideas from wooden block sets to all natural material dolls.

Perhaps an older child would like their very own pencil or crayon or variation of both rolled supply holder.

Try your hand at some handmade cards. This is just a photo idea to get your ideas flowing.

Perhaps a beautifully decorated chipboard momento box is just the idea for a young lady on your list, or yourself. ;0)

I thought this french memory board tutorial was elegant and useful.

Take a peek at this super cute ruffled shirt tutorial!

I really want to make these beautiful tree branch drink coasters. No tutorial, just photo. So beautiful!

This is a simple Father's Day book tutorial, but it can be suited to any occasion. I have done similar for my husband, and he was very touched.

ideas & tutorials for the fellas

Just a few ideas I found that looked fun and to get the creative ideas flowing. Happy Crafting!!

Weight Watchers fall treat Makeovers

2010-10-28T14:02:00.002-04:00

I thought I would dedicate a post to some of the wonderful low point treat recipes I come across through my journey with Weight Watchers. I will add them here as I come across them.

Crustless Pumpkin Pie
Serves 4, 2 points per serving

1 can pumpkin--15 oz.
1 Cup fat free evaporated milk
3/4 Cup egg substitute
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
3/4 Cup Splenda

Cinnamon-Spice Popcorn

Makes 4 serving (note: a 1-cup serving has a POINTS value of 1)

Ingredients

8 cups air-popped popcorn
Nonstick spray
1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground or freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground allspice

Instructions

Place the popcorn in a large bowl; spray with nonstick spray, tossing well.
In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. Sprinkle over the popcorn, tossing all the while until well coated.

Pour into 10 inch pie plate.
Bake at 400 degrees for 15 min, then 300 degrees for 45 more minutes.

Make Ahead Lasagna

2010-10-27T08:26:00.000-04:00

using regular noodles, not having to cook them ahead!

I love this lasagna because I do not have to cook the noodles (or buy special no-boil noodles). What I do is let it sit overnight in the refrigerator all assembled so that the noodles soften. I love to make this, you can freeze it, make it a day ahead when you have a busy night, not having to sacrifice a good meal because of a busy schedule; use it for hospitality when someone has a new baby, or is ill.

I brown a pound of 90% ground beef, and add granulated onion, granulated garlic, salt, pepper, basil and parsley.

I don't measure, just eyeball it. I like a lot of spice. I use "granulated" rather than "powder" because the flavor is more pure.

I drain the fat from the beef by pouring it into an empty tin can, or into a pyrex glass measuring cup until I am done with my spaghetti sauce jar. Then I use that to dispose of the grease! You don't want plumbing issues by letting this stuff down that drain.

Slowly pour your sauce of choice (I use a 2 lb, 13 oz size jar)into your browned beef, stirring and allowing the sauce and meat to simmer for a few minutes. I mix about 1/4 Cup water in the jar and shake it, to get every bit of sauce out of that jar, adding it to the pan. Don't worry it won't be watery, the noodles will absorb it. ;-)

If you are going to pour the grease into your empty sauce jar, this would be a good time to do so, replacing the lid, and either throwing into your trash or storing somewhere to keep using until it is full.

Add 3/4 cup Ricotta cheese, 2 eggs, more spices if your prefer...I do add more granulated garlic, granulated onion, little bit of basil and little bit of parsley. Mix very well until nice and smooth.

Time to get out your 9x13" casserole pan, 2 blocks of mozzarella cheese, a bag or block of Pecorino Romano cheese (normally found in the fancy cheese case near the deli). Also, I buy two 1-lb. blocks of mozzarella, cut into medium cubes and run through my food processor. Grating myself, I save $$.

Spread a small amount of meat sauce or just enough to lightly cover the bottom of the pan.

We are going to be making layers:

noodles
1/2 the ricotta cheese mixture spread evenly over noodles
meat sauce
romano
mozzarella

Repeat another layer as above.

For the last layer we will add:
noodles
no ricotta for this layer
sauce
romano
a healthy amount of mozzarella

This looks wonderful, and it's so heavy to lift!!! Now we simply cover with foil and set in the fridge overnight to soften the noodles and mingle the flavors. If you prefer to make this for your freezer it freezes for future use beautifully.

Important note:When it's time to cook, let this sit out awhile to come up in temperature. Secondly, do NOT preheat your oven, on the contrary, put the dish in the oven, then set to 350 degrees for an hour and a half. The last thing you want is your cold pan going into a hot oven and shattering!!! I know, because I've done it in the past. LOL
If you are making this for hospitality, you may choose to use a disposable pan, and not worry about getting your pan back. If you are freezing, thaw in fridge overnight before cooking, and the cooking time will remain the same. ;-)

Now it's time to clean this place up!

It literally only took minutes to clean my work area. Next I will spend 5 minutes doing the dishes and everything will look as usual. Later I will make some bread.

~Make your own mix: Cocoa edition~

2010-10-26T13:17:00.002-04:00

Today  I am mixing up a simple dry hot cocoa mix.  The packets are only a  dollar for 10, but I've got 5 children here, so they are gone in no  time.  Now this mix here is really a deal!  I can make it once and have  it last quite a while, no need to throw it in my cart each week.  I  really enjoy being able to "make my own groceries" when possible out of  simple ingredients that I can stock up on.  I was really into that a  couple years back and have lost my gusto, though I am getting it back.  I  am stocking my pantry for the winter and holidays and I feel such  satisfaction from that.  This mix is from Alton Brown on Food Network.  

Hot Cocoa

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown

Serves:

5 1/2 cups dry mix

Ingredients

* 2 cups powdered sugar
* 1 cup cocoa (Dutch-process preferred)
* 2 1/2 cups powdered milk
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 2 teaspoons cornstarch
* 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or more to taste
* Hot water

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and incorporate evenly. In a small pot, heat 4 to 6 cups of water.

Fill your mug half full with the mixture and pour in hot water. Stir to combine. Seal the rest in an airtight container, keeps indefinitely in the pantry. This also works great with warm milk.

Another fun thing to do is top with some whipped cream and lightly dust with cinnamon or nutmeg. My children love it when I let them have a candy cane to stir their hot cocoa with during the holidays. What a rich treat, and it thrills them so.

P.S. To make it easier to stay in line with my WW points I buy myself the Swiss Miss fat free packets. It lasts a lot longer when just for one or two. ;0)

Back to Basics

2010-10-25T16:22:00.009-04:00

A lot of things concerning the buying of this home and changes in our health insurance have been on my mind lately. I found it hard to focus. I am for the most part a calm and easy-going person, and don't let stress or worry get to me. This time, the issues were over the top and got the best of me for a quick bit there.

Today I feel a desire to just get back to the basics. Stay close to home, putter and fluff, dust and rearrange, enjoy my role as wife and mother, homemaker. I got out my big red bowl and made some very simple applesauce puff muffins for the children this afternoon. Actually I mixed up a double batch so I could make 12 muffins and also a quick bread. 2 for me...hehe One for each child's snack at school tomorrow, and one to go with their lunch as well. The bread I cut up into 5 thick slices for each of them to enjoy an after school snack.

Just now I got out my newly washed red bowl and tossed in 2 TBSP yeast, a bit of warm water and about 1 TBSP sugar. After a little while I added some oil and flour and a mix of vanilla pudding I had on hand, and stirred with my wooden sppon. Then I added some more warm water and some more flour. I kneaded it right there in my bowl. Added a little more flour until it stopped sticking to my hands so much. Then turned it out onto the counter and gave it a full knead. It felt great, and since I am experienced with bread, I know the feel it should have which helps for sure.

The funny thing about all of this is that I have a recipe I normally faithfully use, and funnier yet, a Bosch mixer in which I can mix up 6 loaves at a time. I just felt like getting in touch with the spirit of yesteryear I guess. And as I type I have a shaped loaf in a greased glass loaf pan sitting with a kitchen towel covering it awaiting its second rising. Tucked away is also a pan of cinnamon rolls. To think this stuff was once beyond me is both comical and sad. Sad to think I could have grown up and had five children before learning how to bake a bread from scratch. But wow, then I see how far I have come in the past 9 years and it's amazing and encouraging and I can let out my light-hearted laugh.

Boy there was a time I didn't think I was worth all that much, or more specifically that my role was. Boy was that a lie straight from the pit. I am greatful the Lord opened my eyes and let me realize it from His view, and more importantly that my husband knows and supports my high calling as homemaker and nurturer. As we wives are faithful to our calling, our works will speak for themselves. As my husband sees the money I am able to save us, knows there will be a hot meal to come home to, secure children coming home to mother each day, this is very affirming. He then places great value on my role and supports me in staying home. There are natural ebbs and flows, but the homemaking spirit always calls me back and I truly enjoy getting caught up in the creative arts and savoring a quiet atmosphere as I primp our home.

Now I know somebody will be sure to think, well all that flour and sugar isn't healthy for those poor kids. Well ya know, I used to be a health fanatic. But guess what? We can cook nothing but whole grains and sprouted beans and still come down with something. Food can't be an idol. Not only that, but mama's planned ahead for homemade cinnamon rolls with yes, white flour, pure butter, fresh cinnamon, sugar and love sure is better than a bag of Fritos or a Twinkie at the corner store, or a $1 burger at McD's. All those preservatives are sure to kill ya. Also I am a firm believer that sugar does not make children hyper, but rather the food colorings and preservatives are the culprit. Just the same I am no longer a food tyrant with my children, and I thank God for that, and I'm sure my children do even more!!

~Simple Crafting for Christmas Part One~

2010-10-21T13:16:00.002-04:00

Last year I made an adorable country style Christmas tree in a small terracotta pot, thanks to Monica for sharing her idea! I made it for a swap but wish I had made an extra for myself. hehe

I went to Jo-Ann's and bought 4 little packs of quilting material in different green colors, with patterns. I also bought a Styrofoam cone and a small terracotta pot, sized to fit the cone.

Then I cut the fabrics in strips. I tied them together at the end in strips of 3, and proceeded to braid them. Then with a hot glue gun, I wound these braids around the cone, careful to hide most knots, and to cover the white cone completely. Then I added a little peat moss to the pot underneath and around the base of the cone. Later, I made cinnamon ornaments and used a tiny star to make one to dry out for the top of the tree. Too precious.

I am making more of these this year to be sure, so thought I would share. I will try to do a few more posts with other simple Christmas crafts to show you what I am working on as I get to them.

Comfort Food and a Real Eye Opener!

2010-10-19T17:03:00.005-04:00

Cube Steaks with country gravy

I totally realize this is a high point recipe, and considering my new journey with Weight Watchers and all, my sharing it may leave one confused. However, I had some cube steak to use and this is what I came up with and it was so wonderful!

First I got out a huge skillet and heat up some oil in it.

Next, a medium sized mixing bowl was set on the counter,and some flour was dumped into it.

I dredged the cube steaks into the flour to coat both sides and placed them in the hot skillet. I browned both sides, on the second side I sprinkled the steaks with some granulated garlic. This was done in several batches since we have a large family to feed. Remove and just tuck them away someplace warm. I found the freshly cooked ones kept the underneath ones warm just fine.

Now you just take about 1 Cup of flour, and some pepper to taste. I used quite a bit of a gourmet quality pepper that I bought at a meat store. It wasn't as fine, and had a bolder bit, perfect for a pepper lover. I added some Kosher salt to the mix.

To the brown bottomed pan, I splashed in some more oil and using a whisk I loosened the bits up from the bottom of the pan . In went my flour concoction, whisking away, making a paste with the oil. I whisked it and allowed it to cook a short time to develop a brown color. Then I added about 1-1/2 Cups of milk. I set the heat to low and whisked while it quickly thickened right up to the gravy consistency I wanted. I then removed the pan from the heat and added the steaks back to the gravy-laden pan.

MAAAAAAN was this good stuff! I had also "baked" some potatoes in the microwave to go with this and some veggies. This is something I won't indulge in often, but will definitely keep in the "comfort files."

Now at this point, one may be wondering, what is all this eye opener talk about?? Well!!! We all know and expect that those fancy coffees and lattes at places like Starbucks topped with fluffy mounds of whipped cream are high calorie and to be avoided. Of Course!! But would you necessarily assume that of a "normal" coffee at say Dunkin Donuts? I have to be honest, I did not.

I LOVE their pumpkin spice coffee. I love to drive up, order a large pumpkin spice coffee with half and half. Until the other day, when I looked up the nutritional info on the Dunkin site, and plugged it into the points calculator online. WELL I'LL BE! 8 points. That's right EIGHT! As in 8!! That's the amt of an average hearty meal on WW plan. It is a sad sad day when I realize that must come to an end. Also, since I learned this, when I do have one it now sets the tone for the whole day, so it must be stopped! Not saying I'll never have one again, but it must be a treat and not a regular thing. BOO!!!

~Get more Omega 3: Salmon Recipe~

2010-10-16T17:39:00.004-04:00

I joined Weight Watchers last Wednesday. I certainly know about good nutrition, and I know the hows when it comes to losing weight, I've certainly done it enough times. The missing key for me I believe is the social dimension of going in person to a meeting, hearing stories you relate to, tips and ideas, makeover recipes for seasonal/comfort foods, tracked weigh ins and incentives etc,... I have a good feeling about it. I also desire to get more Omega 3 in my diet, and really don't want to have to choke down pills to do so, hence more salmon in our diets from now on. We tried this recipe and LOVED it. So simple, easy and flavorful.

Salmon with Molasses and Mustard

INGREDIENTS
2 Tbsp brown mustard (I have also used Dijon to good result)
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp molasses
4 salmon steaks, about 3/4 inch thick
seasoned bread crumbs
1 Tbsp olive oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Mix the mustard, lemon juice, and molasses together and brush the mixture over the salmon steaks, then dredge the steaks in the bread crumbs.
2. Set fish on a rack for ten minutes.
3. Heat the olive oil in a nonstick pan over medium-high heat.
4. When hot, cook the steaks for about five minutes per side, until the salmon has browned and flakes easily.

Serves 4.

Fruit of the Season

2010-10-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

I am recycling this past blog of mine from last year since Fall is fully upon us. I decided to keep my home making hands busy and make my own pumpkin puree! The first thing I did was choose two small sized sugar pumpkins.

I then cut a slice off the top to remove the stems, and sliced each pumpkin in half. Next, remove the seeds and pulp with a strong spoon.

Place on a roasting pan, in a 350 degree oven to roast for 45 minutes or until tender.

Once they cool, it will be easy to peel the skin off. Take the pumpkin and blend thoroughly in a food processor until smooth and beautiful.

Now look at the beautiful color you have in front of you! Scoop one cup at a time into a quart ziploc and freeze for convenience in making breads, cookies or pies throughout the year.

Here is a peek at my pureed pumpkin. I got 8-1/2 Cups out of two small pumpkins from the farm. Total cost $2 and some effort. I'm pretty happy, and it's so much prettier looking than the canned stuff.

Next time I would prefer to do 4 pumpkins, and store them 2 cups at a time in bigger ziplocs! Just to get the most out of the session.

Don't forget to clean up and roast those seeds with some coarse Kosher salt....YUM!!

~Pure and delightful apple pie recipe~

2010-10-04T16:42:00.004-04:00

Apple Pie by Grandma Ople from allrecipes.com

"Grandmas from all around can be proud of this unique recipe that brings fabulous results. Sliced apples are mounded in a prepared pie shell, covered with a latticed crust, and just before slipping into the oven, doused with a sugary butter syrup."

Ingredients:
1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust
pie
1/2 cup unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup water

1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
11 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored
and sliced

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add water, white sugar and brown sugar, and bring to a boil. Reduce temperature and let simmer.
2. Place the bottom crust in your pan. Fill with apples, mounded slightly. Cover with a lattice work of crust. Gently pour the sugar and butter liquid over the crust. Pour slowly so that it does not run off.
3. Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes, until apples are soft.

WOW I was struck right away how different this apple pie recipe really was! However, the thousands! of reviews made it irrisitable to give it a whirl. I really must admit I struggled to NOT add the usual cinnamon or allspice, yet I followed the recipe to a "T" and I have to say I am SO glad that I did. This pie-- so simple, so pure tasting, buttery and appley, tasted like something straight off of grandma's farmhouse window sill. REALLY. Give it a try.

~Welcome Autumn~

2010-09-22T10:00:00.011-04:00

Yesterday I went on a little jaunt down the street to visit the Christmas Tree Shops store less than a mile away from our new house! The result is a newly decorated mantle to celebrate all things Autumn. It's so nice to refresh our home with a new look as each season changes. There is something refreshing and calming about using simple and natural items with pops of color here and there to drink in with the eyes while enjoying the comforts of home. Now that we are in the process of buying our own home, I can start collecting and saving these things for use year after year.

I also have a couple small leaf shaped dishes on our coffee table and a vase filled with squashes, pumpkins, berries, pinecones and Autumn leaves.

Ryan, age 9, rewarded my efforts after school with a big smile of appreciation, with a long happy gaze at the splashes of festivity.

"Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower."
Albert Camus

"Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile."
William Cullen Bryant

Easy WW Pumpkin Mousse

2 Small pkgs sugar free vanilla pudding or butterscotch -- or one of each
3 cups Skim Milk
1 can Pumpkin 14 ounce
1 teaspoon Pumpkin pie spice
1 cup Fat Free Cool Whip

Beat pudding, milk, pumpkin and spice with a whisk. Fold in Cool Whip. Refrigerate for an hour minimum. This is so good!!
(Keeps about 3-4 days in the fridge).
2.5 Points per serving (3/4 cup)

Easy Meals for Busy Seasons of Life

2010-09-21T08:05:00.005-04:00

I am posting some easy recipe here in response to a fellow blogger's request for ideas as her pregnancy nears to full term.

Italian Beef Hoagies (Taste of Home)

Ingredients

* 1 beef sirloin tip roast (4 pounds), halved
* 2 envelopes Italian salad dressing mix
* 2 cups water
* 1 jar (16 ounces) mild pickled pepper rings, undrained
* 18 hoagie buns, split

Directions

* Place roast in a 5-qt. slow cooker. Combine the salad dressing mix and water; pour over roast. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until meat is tender. Remove meat; shred with a fork and return to slow cooker. Add pepper rings; heat through. Spoon 1/2 cup meat mixture onto each bun. Yield: 18 servings.

Make ahead chicken Bake (Taste of Home)

Ingredients

* 5 cups cubed cooked chicken
* 2 cups chopped celery
* 5 hard-cooked eggs, sliced
* 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
* 3/4 cup mayonnaise
* 2 tablespoons lemon juice
* 1 tablespoon pimientos, optional
* 1 teaspoon finely chopped onion
* 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
* 1 can (3 ounces) chow mein noodles
* 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted

Directions

* In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. Transfer to a greased 3-qt. baking dish; sprinkle with cheese, chow mein noodles and almonds. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
* Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30-35 minutes until lightly browned and cheese is bubbly. Yield: 12 servings.

Beef stew

2 pounds beef stew meat
1/4 cup olive oil
flour for coating meat
salt and pepper
1/2 bottle red (optional)
1 cup water
2 bay leaves
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
6 cloves garlic, smashed and chopped into large chunks
3 cups beef broth
3 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
5 medium yukon gold potatoes
1 cup baby carrots

Season the meat with salt and pepper. Coat in flour. Brown the meat in hot oil in a large dutch oven. You will probably have to cook the meat in batches so you don’t over crowd the pan. Once the meat is browned on all sides, remove it from the pan and set aside.

When all the meat is cooked, pour the wine and water in the pan. Bring to a boil while scraping the yummy bits off the bottom of the pan. Add the meat back to the pan then add the garlic, bay leaves, garlic, beef broth and cloves. Turn heat down to medium and allow to bubble for 20-30 minutes. Turn the heat down to lowest simmer, cover, and cook for 1.5 hours.

Add the potatoes, carrots, and sugar (to cut the acidity from the wine). Cook an additional 30 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Taste broth for seasoning. Add salt/pepper if needed.

Serve this with an amazing loaf of wheat bread, buttered and warmed in the oven. A nice, easy meal that doesn’t require a lot of work just before dinner time.

**If you have leftovers you can use them to make a pot pie, using refrigerated pie crust that rolls out. It's very good actually. I know a lot of us like to cut out prepared items but there are times I like to rely on them when needed.**
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Here is a soup I found several years ago on another blog and have made and enjoyed several times since. You can even adapt to making it in a crock pot for those busy days!!

Pasta E. Fagioli
1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained
1 onion, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
4 stalks celery, chopped
2 cans diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can red kidney beans, drained
1 can Great Northern beans, drained
4 1/2 cups beef stock
3 tsp Italian seasoning
2 tsp pepper
5 tsp parsley
1 jar spaghetti sauce
4-8 oz. ditalini pasta

Put everything except the pasta in a stock pot or crock pot and simmer for several hours. About 30 minutes before serving, cook pasta according to package directions and stir in to soup!
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New England Clam Chowder

5 lbs of red potatoes, chopped

About 6-8 stalks of celery, chopped

2-3 onions, chopped

3 tablespoons of fresh parsley, minced

2 lbs of bacon, cooked and crumbled

2--32 to 51 ounce containers of fresh or canned clams--chopped
Just barely cover the potatoes with water and cook until they're tender

Saute celery, onions, and parsley

Add celery, onions, parsley, bacon, clams and all the clam broth to the potatoes

Add salt, freshly ground pepper, and 4 tablespoons of butter

For clear broth chowder serve as is. Be sure and have fresh cream for those that enjoy a creamy chowder to add to their bowls.

Serve hot with oyster crackers.

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Chicken Italiana

4-6 chicken breasts - boneless and skinless
1 can cream of mushroom soup (or homemade equivalent)
1 envelope of Good Season's Italian dressing mix
1 cup of dry white wine or chicken stock (wine cooks off so no worries about feeding alcohol to kids or new mommy but if you don't have it chicken stock is just fine)
1 stick of butter
8 oz of cream cheese

On stove melt butter and cream cheese together in a pot and mix together well. Add can of cream of mushroom soup, mix well. Add envelope of italian dressing mix, mix well. Add cup of wine or chicken stock, mix well. Place chicken in 9x13 pyrex casserole dish and pour cream cheese etc. mixture on top. Bake uncovered at 350 for about an hour or until chicken is done. Serve with white rice and ceasar salad and garlic bread.

It's really good, yeah it's got real butter and all that but it's really good and easy.

EASY Apricot chicken

4-6 chicken breasts-boneless and skinless
1 envelope of lipton onion soup mix
1-16 oz jar apricot jam

Place chicken in a crockpot. Mix lipton onion soup mix and apricot jam in a bowl together and pour over chicken. Cook on low 5-6 hours or until chicken is done. Serve with a salad and rice.

Dijon Chicken BreastsJuice from 2 lemons
1/3 cup of brown sugar
2-3 Tbsp of dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper

Family pack of chicken breasts, sliced in half lengthwise

~~Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Mix first 5 ingredients
Pour over chicken and bake for 10-15 minutes or until no pink remains inside.

Yummy Pork Dish
in a large skillet brown 4 boneless pork loin chops on both sides - season them with salt, pepper, garlic and cinnamon.

remove from skillet - add to skillet 1 cup apple juice, 1 cup of chicken stock and the contents of a long grain an wild rice seasoning packet - bring to a boil - then add the rice mix - stir. Place the chops back on top toss in some craisins and cover and simmer about 20 minutes - top with some shredded cheddar - close lid and let it melt ( I usually transfer to a disposable aluminum pan at this step - put the cheese on and melt it)

This is so good and easy and a great change from chicken!
Serve it with a salad, rolls, fruit and brownies!

Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

This recipe makes enough potatoes to fill a 6 quart crockpot, or a large baking pan.

5 lbs of potatoes (we prefer red) washed, peeled/or no--as you prefer, and cut into consistently-sized chunks. Cook until nice and tender-ly done.

Drain water off potatoes, and return to pot, or place in a large bowl.

Add:

1 stick of butter

3/4 cup of sour cream

4-6 ounces of cream cheese

and salt and pepper to taste.

Mash all together until smooth. Add in 1/4 to 1/2 of a cup of milk, and continue to blend, until smooth.

Place in your buttered crockpot or baking pan or crock and heat as follows:

Cold in crockpot--cook 3 hours or so

Warm in crockpot--1 and 1/2 to 2 hours

Cold in oven--about 1 and 1/2 hours

Warm in oven--45 minutes to an hour.

Keep warmed until serving time.

They should be hot and bubbly when they're ready.

Overnight layered salad
1 head of lettuce, chopped
1 cucumber chopped
1 red pepper chopped
1 c. of celery chopped
1 onion chopped (white, yellow, red, or a combination)

1 10 oz. package of frozen green peas, uncooked. Thawed under cold water.

1c. mayonnaise
1/2 c. sugar

3 c. grated sharp cheddar cheese

1 1/2 to 2 lbs of bacon fried and crumbled

In a large baking pan or bowl, layer lettuce, cucumber, pepper, celery, onion and thawed peas on top of each other.

Spread mayonnaise over all layers.
Sprinkle sugar over top of mayonnaise.
Toss grated cheese evenly over mayonnaise.
Sprinkle crumbled bacon over all.

Cover and chill in refrigerator overnight, or throughout the day.

We like to leave the veggies fairly chunky, and layer them deeply. You can vary ingredients and amounts to your family's liking. Quickly made and delicious. Great with crusty bread and quiche. Great because it's made ahead during your down time and readily available at dinner time. =0)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ideas for prepped mains to freeze:

You can buy some fresh ground beef and mix it up with meatloaf seasonings it advance, then freeze it in a ziploc freezer bag, dated. When the day comes to use it you can thaw it out and pop it into a pan and oven without too much fuss.

You can buy chicken in bulk and do the same. Find a few diff. ways of seasoning/marinating them that your family would like and then do so in family meal size portions in gallon freezer ziplocs. The tedious part is done and all that is left is easy. I am thinking sticky chicken, italian dressing marinade for grilling, asian marinade, taco seasoning etc,... add some frozen or canned veggie and a bread or salad. Pretty good!

OR buy a chicken and split it into quarters. Season it in whatever way you will like (salt, pepper, garlic, olive oil, dijon mustard, white wine, fresh herbs?) and plop it into a disposable aluminum roaster. A layer of onions, carrots and celery on the bottom will help the chicken elevated and cook. This would probably take about 30-40 minutes (uncovered). That's simply a quick idea, but it's different than the typical lasagna.

You can make meatballs and sauce ahead to freeze like above. Then just cook the pasta and side.

**If anyone asks to help out, let them!! We rob others of being a blessing when we don't accept help. If they ask what you'd like you can use some of these ideas.**

Here is a link for some additional ideas for frozen casseroles and other easy meal ideas.

When the harvest comes in, can some salsa!

2010-09-18T08:10:00.001-04:00

This is a salsa recipe I found online and have used for a couple years now. We love the fresh taste of this when cold packed, so GOOD! I use a HUGE 13 qt stainless steel bowl for this recipe.

About 6 pounds chopped tomatoes
About 2 pounds chopped green bell peppers
About 2 pounds chopped onions
2-5 hot peppers, minced (homegrown ones tend to be spicier so use your best judgement)
2/3 c. apple cider vinegar
2/3 c. fresh lime juice (about 4 limes)
lots of fresh chopped cilantro, to taste
1 tablespoon of ground cumin, or to taste
1 tablespoon (or more) of moist grey sea salt

Here's how I do it: First I pick everything...the tomatoes, bell peppers, hot peppers and cilantro all come from our garden, and this year since we don't have a garden, when the harvest comes in faster than the farmers know what to do with it and the price drops as low as it's going to go, I will buy it then. ;-)

Next, I core all the tomatoes and then I chop them in batches in the food processor...I just pulse the processor 3-6 times depending on how small I want the chop to be.

Then I put them in a big colander to drain the juice off.

Next, I process the bell peppers and put them in a BIG bowl.

Then I process the onions and hot peppers together.

Then I add the chopped onions and hot peppers to the bell peppers in the BIG bowl.

By this time the tomatoes should be drained enough (save the juicee for some yummy drinking later on!), add them to the big bowl along with the vinegar, lime juice, the cilantro, cumin, and the salt.

Mix Well!

We prefer the taste of a raw pack method, if you want you can cook the salsa, boil it for about 10 minutes and then put it into jars :-) Ladle Salsa into hot sterilized jars and leave 1/4 inch head space. Add the 2 piece lid and process for 30 minutes using the boiling water canning method. Yield: 3 Quarts

Fall Means the Oven is Back in Business

2010-09-15T08:04:00.001-04:00

Very happy to have comfortable weather enough to once again employ the oven without wilting the entire household, I eagerly prepared some sandwich bread (we had none) along with cinnamon rolls for breakfast yesterday morning. The two littlest boys slept until almost 10 o'clock in the morning, much to my surprise!! As soon as the rolls were almost ready to pull out, the aroma roused them out of beds and beckoned the two downstairs. Their faces alight with merry surprise, they watched me slip the pan from the oven to the stovetop to cool. Below, is my roll making in pictures. ;-)

Start by rolling your dough out into a thin oblong shape

Spread the sauce all over top surface of the rolled out dough

This is the way we roll them up..roll them up..roll them up..

all rolled up nice and snug

all prepped, just after spooning extra sauce to the tops, and ready to rise

fully risen and ready to go into oven

fresh out of the oven

To make cinnamon rolls, take a basic bread dough recipe:

Basic Bread Dough
Yields:3 loaves

3 cups comfortably warm water
2T yeast
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup olive oil
1 TBSP salt
9 cups flour

I set this in my Bosch kitchen system on level 1 for a couple short minutes to knead. You can also knead by hand.

Then divide dough into 3 equal amounts. I usually make 2 loaves of bread and 1 batch of cinnamon rolls, but you may do it differently depending on your needs. I take the 2 portions and allow to rise covered, until doubled in size, in a place free of drafts. When risen, punch down, shape into two greased loaf pans and allow to rise a second time while you prepare and rise the cinnamon rolls. At the end, they can all go in the oven together, though the bread loaves will take an additional 10 minutes than the rolls.

Now onto the rolls:
Start a stick of butter to melt on low heat in a small saucepan. Add some brown sugar and cinnamon once it begins to melt and stir until dissolved and uniform. I then take my single portion and roll it out very thin in an oblong shape on a sparsely floured surface (to prevent sticking). Spread a good amount of the sauce all over the surface of the bread dough.

Prepare a lasagna type oblong pan with cooking spray.

Be aware: This will be a messy job! Roll up tightly as you can, length-wise as in the pictures above until all the dough is rolled like a carpet ;) Then slice in about 20-26 slices. I use an extremely sharp knife so that I can cut without flattening. I've also seen it done with floss. You can "loosely tie" the floss around the roll and pull to slice each portion from the roll.

Gently place the rolls into prepared pan and allow to rise in a warm place. I then spoon some of the leftover sauce atop each roll. What I do is preheat my oven to 350 degrees, and set the pan of rolls in the microwave above my stove to rise in a warm and safe place. In about 30 min. they will be risen, and you may pop them into the oven to bake for 20 min or until golden brown. Serious. Yum.

You could glaze with maple syrup, but I leave as is. They don't last long enough with the 8 of us to dry out.

~The best laid schemes of mice and men often go askew~

2010-09-07T08:48:00.012-04:00

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21

My well laid plans have been put to rest. We moved into our new home with the help of our new friends and set up rather quickly. Unfortunately, immediately following move-in, on Sunday, August 29th, a flare up began.

I don't talk about it often, as I allow myself to forget about it when I am not constantly physically reminded, so for any who may not know, I was diagnosed with MS 3 years ago. May 10th of 2007.

It was our 12th wedding anniversary this day last weekend, and it began with numbness on part of my left foot. Now, a week later I am experiencing almost total body numbness/tingling. The only places not affected are my upper arms, collarbone area, neck and face/head. Thankfully it's mild enough and not total numbness so that I can still do the everyday things. It's just that things like typing is more cumbersome, washing dishes gets tiring, as well as stairs and that type of thing. The crazy part is not "looking" sick and people not realizing you are having an issue.

I thought long and hard, and was already struggling last year with the fatigue and lack of energy I can deal with at times, and decided last minute to sign the kids up for school. On Friday I grabbed my very organized binder with all of our documentation (birth certs, SS cards, immunization and physical sheets etc,..) and ran down to our district (which I've been hearing is very good) and signed the 3 littles up for K, 2nd and 4th grade. They get a bus which comes to our door and may start tomorrow. I have to call and make sure this afternoon, since it was last minute, they may have to wait an extra day.

I am coming to the realization that there are different ways of doing things, and that which cannot be accomplished one way can still be accomplished another. Instead of tormenting myself I am being compassionate to myself finally, and allowing God to do HIS work no matter where we find ourselves, we will bloom where we are planted, and I will be as mightily involved as God wills me to be.

Robert Burns said it best when he spoke To a Mouse so poetically, "The best laid schemes of mice and men often go askew."

Family Portrait

2010-09-04T16:54:00.006-04:00

Our family has not had many portraits done over the years as a group. In the past 11 years we've had a family portrait done only twice! Once was 3 years ago done by a lady that went to our church who was a photographer among other talents. Then just this past Sunday, while Autumn was here to visit, I hopped on the opportunity to get another. Each year it may be more difficult to have us all together, so I want to take advantage of every opportunity to do so now that I realize that.

We went to Sears and I am pretty happy with the results overall. It is so hard to get perfect photos for a large group and I know better than to hold out for that. HA!

We ordered a huge 16x20 I believe for our great room. It truly is so nice to be able to gaze at my whole family together throughout the year. ;0)

Natural Body Care for Women

2010-09-01T08:11:00.001-04:00

Chickpea flour is used in Indian Ubtan (body pack) as a gentle exfoliant for the skin. Blend with other dry powdered ingredients such as oatmeal, rice flour, almond or cashew meal, cinnamon powder, turmeric, cardamom, rose petal powder, sandalwood powder and milk or yogurt to create naturally cleansing ubtan mixes. Blend your dry ubtan with heavy cream and apply to dry skin. Massage the ubtan until it dries and falls off the skin and then rinse clean. Ubtans have been used since ancient times as part of the tradition Indian beautification rituals before marriage. The use of ubtans as natural soap-free cleansers are often prescribed for individuals with sensitive skin.

The best part? This flour by Bob's Red Mill can often times be found in discount stores such as Ocean State Job Lot, or Big Lots! :D

Last Call of Summer

2010-08-25T12:15:00.005-04:00

Hello Friends,
And a Merry day to you! What a beautiful, lovely sunny day we are enjoying here today. The sun has shone brightly and steadily for the second day in a row, with a gentle breeze tickling the trees, frolicking around bare feet and chubby cheeks. Drinking in the beauty of the lush grass and green leaves, knowing by the coolness in the air, all too soon Summer will fade away and in will rush Fall. How deliciously comfortable the weather is now, like a precious little gift with a fancy bow and my name on the tag. I shall gather my loved ones, merrily tie heart-strings and fully embrace this last bit of summer. Enjoy your day friends, I hope it is beautiful wherever you are~

Peanut Butter Pie

2010-08-23T09:14:00.001-04:00

1 chocolate cookie pie crust
1 cup peanut butter
8 oz. cream cheese (room temp)
1/2 cup sugar
12 oz. Cool Whip
1- 11.75 oz. jar Smucker's Hot Fudge Ice Cream Topping, divided (see below)

Drizzle:
2 T Hot fudge
2 T peanut butter

In a medium-ish bowl, beat together the peanut butter, cream cheese and sugar. Gently fold in 3 cups of Cool Whip. Spoon the mixture into the pie shell. Smooth mixture to edges of the pie.

Set aside 2 T hot fudge from the jar (put it in a baggie). Microwave the jar of hot fudge for 1 minute. Stir. Spread it over the pie to cover the peanut butter layer. Refrigerate until serving time.

Just before serving, spread the remaining Cool Whip over the hot fudge layer. Be careful not to mix the layers! Remember you want it to look pretty and all!

Place the 2 T hot fudge in a small baggie and knead it for a few seconds. Cut a tiny hole in the corner of the bag and drizzle over the pie. I do it in lines about an inch apart. Do the same thing with 2 T of peanut butter going in the opposite direction of the hot fudge stripes.

Donut Holes

2010-08-20T07:18:00.005-04:00

This is the third recipe of Jonni McCoy's, and the last for some time, that I'm blogging about. I returned the book yesterday, but not before taking a can of biscuits (the small, cheap variety), halving each one, frying them very quickly, for mere seconds on each side in very hot oil. I removed them to a paper toweled plate, then dipped and rolled in a bowl of cinnamon sugar. In no time at all we had a delicious and completely addicting snack for the whole family, 12 servings in all for $3. Not too shabby at .25 per serving, eh? I have to say, good as these were, it's not something I plan on making very often if at all. They seriously sent the kids into cravings, and myself. Not. Good.

First Day of School Time Capsule

2010-08-17T06:59:00.005-04:00

Last week I found a paper amongst my photos that was unprotected, unthinkably. It had a tear in the side and was quite old. It was a finger paint handprint with a poem about leaving handprints on the walls and growing up when my daughter was about five-ish.....she is now EIGHTEEN!!! My heart ached so bad for a minute, then I quickly snatched up this treasure and put it in an album. What an unbelievable gift to have this now, and how sad I am that I do not know if I have them for every child or not. If I have even one from my 15 y.o. or 12 y.o. and I cannot be sure, I may not. Then I came upon a very very SWEET sheet that Monica posted on her blog, First day of school time capsule!! I am so glad she shared this find with her readers. How sweet this will be in years to come, for them as well as myself!

Inspiring Videos

2010-08-16T09:47:00.002-04:00

Neat Women's Club

2010-08-15T16:11:00.004-04:00

I had been a reader of Mary Janes Farm magazine awhile back, but let my subscription run out. I happened upon it again recently while taking advantage of a free issue I received by mail this month, and learned of
the farm girl sisterhood. It's like a girls club, there are local chapters for you to join in the fun, or start one of your own as I just did. There are even merit badges to earn for different skills/projects you complete, think girl scouts/4H for women! This is really exciting for me as I am a farm girl at heart, living right smack dab in the city, and there are many skills I want to learn! I don't know too many likeminded women in real life that love old fashioned skills/crafts and farm-goodness. Have you checked this out yet?

Miserly meal number two

2010-08-11T05:42:00.005-04:00

Last night I made Jonni's baked chicken nugget recipe (page 102). Let me just tell you they were the BEST nuggets I EVER had!! So tasty and moist. The secret lies in the coating in mayo before the bread crumb mixture. I didn't measure any spices, just dumped in per my usual style. WOW At first the kids weren't too excited, guess they didn't have the look they expected nuggets to have. However it was love at first bite and every child ate them.

I used 2.5 lbs. of chicken breast to feed 7, and I am guesstimating it cost .72 per 4 oz. serving. Jonni's 2002 price was .67 so that's not too shabby for 8 years later. I actually got my chicken breast for a steal at 1.78/lb during peak grilling season. YEAH!

I also fried up some homemade french fries using 4 huge yukon gold potatoes. Prob. not the best potatoes for frying but they were very good!

So for 1.47 per plate, dinner was served.

I also threw in some green beans with margarine and almond slivers on top to round out the meal. Still under $2.00 each plate with the fancy green beans.

Miserly meal number one

2010-08-09T16:56:00.008-04:00

Tonight's menu is Jam chicken and oven roasted vegetables right out of Jonni McCoy's Miserly Meals. Also, I am making a beer bread to go along with it. This beer bread I had a good year or maybe even TWO *gasp!* It's still sealed and perfectly good, so I mixed it up and popped it in the oven. It looks GREAT!! The beer was even free because our landlord (the guy, not the wife...LOL) gave us 4 bottles last night because he didn't like these. They are from Great Lakes brewing Co. and honestly, I tasted some, it's kind of bitter.....so perfect for the bread hopefully ;-) I am not really counting the bread toward the cost of this meal since I have had it for so long.

For the Jam chicken on Page 80, Jonni says it's .66 cents for a 1/4 lb. serving. This was in 2002, however, my guesstimate for today based on my shopping is .88, which is not too shabby at all!

As for the oven-roasted veggies on page 72, .57 per 3/4 Cup serving is the winning number. According to my experience, it is more like $1.00, which we have to admit, is pretty decent.

I said I wasn't going to mention the beer bread, but for curiosity's sake (watch out cat!) the total batch is $4, with 14 servings, coming out to slightly over .25 per serving, (and no I am not obsessive) including the beer as if we had bought it. Honestly, WHO are they kidding??? This really is going to be 7 servings, so let's call it .50.

Here is a pretty little plate for a hungry tummy, for the grand total of $2.38. Of course, we are feeding seven, but when you put it that way, it sure puts things in perspective. Also, since the beer bread was free, we could just call it $1.88. WOW.

My thoughts on Stepping Heavenward

2010-08-09T06:26:00.004-04:00

I received my very own copy of Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss a couple of days ago, it arrived very shortly after ordering, which I was happy for! I started reading large portions right from the start, it was very captivating. I could identify with a lot of what "Katy" wrestled with coming to faith, as I had experienced myself.

An example of the aforementioned, is when Katy wanted to "do something big for God", and she was gently counseled by Dr. Cabot to "do everything you do for Him who has loved you and given Himself for you." --page 37

Another favorite is when she was so disappointed and harsh with herself and realizes her love, how it is so imperfect and so selfish, and in her own estimation, not worth her giving nor God's accepting. When she shared that with Dr. Cabot he painted a word picture for her, of a "little infant caressing its mother, would you have me say to it, "You selfish child, how dare you pretend to caress your mother that way? You are quite unable to appreciate her character, you love her merely because she loves you, treats you kindly? ...You are as yet but a babe in Christ. You love your God and Saviour because He first loved you. The time will come when the character of your love will become changed into one which sees and feels the beauty and the perfection of its object, and if you could be assured that He no longer looked on your with favor, you would still cling to Him with devoted affection".--P 38 To me this was powerful, and simple. Sometimes what can be difficult to grasp, can be made so simple with analogies, and I suspect that's why Christ favored parables in His teachings as well. How wise! and reassuring!

When Katy thought she should give up her pleasures of this world, for fear they may take her from her God she was counseled to go on singing. Her power of entertaining and gratifying her friends was given by God, but to "pray without ceasing, that you may sing from pure benevolence and not from pure self-love". I think that is an issue a lot of people must struggle with, and what a sound bit of advice given.--p. 48 It takes time and growth to find that balance, and I have not found it yet to be sure.

I love how it is made clear on p. 58 that the work of making one Holy is His work, not the individuals, and yet the individual must avoid laying hindrances in His way, and to exercise faith in Him as he is just as willing and able to give sanctification as He was to give redemption. How powerful, how true, and yet how easy to forget!! I have to remind myself of this very often as a fairly new Christian. I am finding this book very edifying and reassuring.

I find it amusing and at once sweet how she once dreaded Ernest, and later comes to love him so! His faults just melt away before her very eyes. ;-) I am relieved and so happy that her engagement to Charles came to an end with purity intact. The way she asserts her belonging to God above all and not wanting to become absorbed in marital love to the point of losing that shows her real heart for God. Also, it is frustrating to see how she longs for her husband, and him having no clue, choosing to confide in his sister and leave his wife alone so much of the time. And yet, when it is all brought out in the open in honest communication, no matter how difficult, mutual understanding is found and love is deepened.

Oh how much she wanted her lonely mother to move into her new home with her new husband and she, and how quickly that was thwarted. How well it was that she had a godly mother reminding her that it was God that had chosen to send her this trial, of father-in-law and sister-in-law coming into her home at the very start of her married life. How wise to remember that God is in control of all, and truly it is easy to see her mama's eyes were fixed on Him. What a godly example to follow in! As a reader, we can see points of Katy's character being challenged and molded, indeed often painful, as she is chiseled in her sanctification during these many trials.

There is much more that has touched me, as her attending the death of the woman and offering the last prayer before her passing out of this life into the next. How her eyes were opened to her husband's work as a ministry alongside sickly and dying people who need him.

I will close here for now. I am a little less than halfway into the book. I very much look forward to my reading time! Thank you Marqueta for suggesting this book, and hosting this month. =) Eager to hear your thoughts soon~

update: 8/6--
To hear how worn out and overwhelmed dear Katy is, in keeping up with all her domestic duties, I have to say it is exactly how I felt while homeschooling last year. I could be very sharp and short, yet hated myself for it; by years end I was ready to give up, and yet I could not be at peace with that decision. Wondering how it will work out with this book.....

update: 8/7--
I have finished this charming book. I went from feeling kinship with young Katy, understanding so many of her common yet difficult struggles within herself, to yearning for the type of mentor she came to find herself visiting and gleaning nuggets of wisdom from. Over time, I came to see the picture of 'iron sharpening iron' throughout her life, first as she sought wisdom from others, had many trying experiences that deepened her faith, and later as she passed doses of wisdom onto those with less experience than herself. What a beautiful picture as her faith comes full circle, and it was not lost on me that her writings, remain a sort of mentor still for those who read today.

~Adventures in Sourdough~

2010-08-07T05:41:00.011-04:00

**note: I have attempted sourdough in the past, using rye flour and it was soooo slow to become active, and sooo slow when rising to make bread that it came out smaller than I would have liked and waaaay too super sour. This time I am using whole wheat flour, and documenting the process.**

This morning, I began a batch of sourdough starter using GNOWFGLINS eCourse. I have a button for it on my left sidebar if you are interested. The great thing about this paid course is that they have a "pay as you can" policy. Therefore it is up to your discretion how much and when you pay. Each month you pay there is a free "gift" video for a new recipe. Mine today was sourdough bread bites. A sweet cinnamon, raisin, nut bread cut into snack size bars, made from sourdough starter. She said you could make it savory if you prefer by adding different spices and such. UM!

Day One, August 3rd, 9:30am:
I simply cleaned out one of my remaining 4 C mason jars, added 1/4 cup Chlorine free water. By the way, all it takes to remove chlorine from water is to let it sit at room temp for a couple days and the chlorine will dissipate and it will be ready to use. I used Poland Spring water, and it has set awhile so we should be golden, I hope!

Next I added 3/8 Cup of whole wheat flour. Simply use 1/4 cup, use one full scoop and then a half scoop. Mix well with a non-reactive utensil (I use the wooden handle to a silicone spatula personally because it works so well), cover loosely with saran wrap, set in a warm yet undisturbed, safe spot in your kitchen and you are on your way! I didn't take a picture, but I will update as I go through the process.

Feeding: Same day, August 3rd, 11:15pm, 13 hours after starting, I gave the starter a feeding before heading to bed. I added 1/4 C. poland spring water, stirred well, added 3/8 C soft whole wheat flour, stirred again and covered back up. Back to its corner it went.

This morning 8/4: Well 24 hours after beginning this starter, there are signs of life already! I am so pleased!! How rewarding to see your labors cooperate with you and produce something before your very eyes. I will be feeding my starter again in about an hour but first I took a couple shots to share with you my 24 hour old starter.

From now on when the starter is fed, we will remove half of the starter, to discard, and continue feeding as usual. It may seem wasteful but this is necessary until the starter is well established. Also, I change the container every couple of days so that I can clean them throughly. They get gross pretty fast. I change back and forth between a mason jar and a glass mix/pour bowl with measurements on it (thanks pampered chef--one of the 3 items I own and love by that company).

update-8/5/10--9:00AM: I forgot to feed my starter before bed!! This morning I saw a thin layer of hooch!! I stirred it in and then fed the starter. I think it's already very active from the looks/smell of it. I am so surprised how easy the experience is this time, with the whole wheat flour!!

Continue removing half, and then feeding your starter, stirring very well to incorporate air into your mixture before covering and setting aside for 12 hours. After about a week of a good process of bubbling, rising, receding and feeding you are ready to use your sourdough in some recipes.
_______________________________

Now that the starter has done it's thing for a good week, with bubbling, rising, receding and feeding, I am ready to utilize my starter to make some sourdough pancakes!

Rather than discarding half of my starter, I am going to add to it to double it. In the evening before bed I add 1/2 Cup of Poland Spring water and 3/4 Cup of whole wheat flour, stirring vigorously. Cover and place back in safe, quiet, warm corner. In 12 hours it will be ready for breakfast time!!

Once I use it for the pancakes, I will feed it again and continue in the Sourdough routine.
_______________________________

Sourdough pancakes and carmelized bananas

Ingredients:

* 1 Cups sourdough starter
* 3 Cups soft whole wheat flour
* 3 Cups milk (nonfat dried is what I used, reconstituted)

Leave out at room temperature, covered overnight (12 hours max)

In the morning, mix batter well. In a separate bowl beat 2 eggs, 2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt. Gently mix into the pancake batter, but do NOT beat.

Ladel into hot skillet by 1/4 Cups. Cook until brown on bottom side, crispy on edges, and bubbles on top. Then flip and allow to cook on other side.

When pancakes are done, melt butter in skillet. Slice bananas and carmelize in butter. When hot and browned, top the pancakes with them. Add maple syrup and ENJOY!!!

P.S.
These babies came out way too thin for my liking, and a bit rubbery when cutting. I usually use an old fashioned recipe and they are SO thick and FLUFFY. Lovely! However I wanted to add the health benefits of soaking, which is why I wanted to try sourdough. These had mixed reviews. Hubby and eldest son ate with no complaints. Younger sons didn't want to eat them. I would prob. also add a sweetener to the batter. There was just the right amt. of sourdough tanginess on a good note! When I figure it all out, I'll update this post.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is my starter today, 8/9/10, 14 hours after being fed:

It's definitely doing it's thing....

....and now it's stored in a new home

I have noticed that my old-fashioned pancake recipe calls for baking powder, whereas this sourdough one called for baking soda. I'm going to give it an old try with the baking powder and see if that makes any difference.....stay tuned!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
August 10th, 8:11AM--

This morning I had at it again, this time replacing the 2 tsp of baking soda with 2 TBSP of baking powder. I also used 2% store bought milk, and added 4 TBSP of sugar. Today's sourdough pancakes were a bit more fluffy and not rubbery so I will definitely remain with the baking powder! They also take a tad bit longer to cook through the centers. They had just the right amount of tanginess, any more and I wouldn't like it. I lathered them with a LOT of syrup for the boys because they are just NOT used to anything like that and I would rather give them a little extra sugar than have them refuse it. It worked. They ate them up and I know they had a super healthy breakfast with soaked grains. WOO HOO!

If you are the type who only uses your starter once a week, you can keep it in the fridge and simply pull it out, bring to room temp, and feed the day before you plan to use it. If you use it often, keep caring for it as you have been. Now that I have a well established starter, and made my first successful recipe, I guess that means this post closes! Stay tuned for other sourdough recipes to come as I make them.

~Eating well while saving~

2010-08-05T10:57:00.015-04:00

In order to meet our closing costs for our new home in less than two month's time, and an unexpected bank fee to lock in our rate due NOW, we are tightening our budget belts! This means being as frugal as possible, and eating cheap!! Our food budget is where we can save the most money since we really don't spend a lot on anything else, save gas for the car and household bills which we can't do much to change. We will continue conserving resources like we always do, and I am already not driving much as I need a brake job.

The meals I have chosen for the coming week are coming from 3 resources:

-Not Just Beans by Tawra Kellam

-Miserly Meals by Jonni McCoy

-More-with-less cookbook

Breakfasts:

Sourdough pancakes

Quiche Lorraine

Peanut butter toast

fried egg sandwich

Simple omelette

basic muffins with jam

Lunches

Pasta E. Fagioli soup with bread

tuna florentine

chicken turnovers

peanut butter & jelly/grilled cheese

hot dog w/mac and cheese

fried bologna sandwich with carrot stix

sheala's ham and noodles with peas

Suppers

Jam chicken and potato salad

calzones

boston chicken with honey dijon vegetables

meatballs and spaghetti

baked chicken nuggets and oven roasted vegetables

chinese beef with egg noodles

meatloaf with green beans and coleslaw

homemade pepperoni pizza

snacks

banana smoothie

Orange jubilee

chocolate frosties

strawberry milk

easy donuts

Desserts

zucchini bread

shoofly pie

I have chosen a lot of desserts and snacks. Normally we do not even have desserts, only once in a while. Yet, when we have very frugal menus and less free fruit around ($$) I try to have extra cheap treats so no one feels deprived.

Since I have a stock of meat in supply and some pantry items, this week we can get by with a minimal shopping list which should be less than $95ish for groceries to feed the 7 of us, which is great because all I have is $100.00.

Shopping List

bananas
apples
peaches (if on sale)
tomatoes (only if on sale)

carrots
cauliflower
broccoli
red bell peppers
zucchini
ginger
green onions
small cabbage
potatoes

2 boxes mac and cheese
1 pk egg noodles

oats
granulated sugar
soft whole wheat flour

1pk hot dogs
turkey pepperoni
chicken bologna
3-1/2 ground beef
1-3/4 lb cheap cubed beef

cans of small biscuits

milk
cheddar
margarine

lime
lemon

4 frozen O.J.
large bag of ice

~Adventures in Cheap Eating~

2010-08-04T12:53:00.007-04:00

Well I have taken some time to peruse the Miserly Meals book I grabbed from the library yesterday. There are quite a few meals that sound good and agreeable to a typical family. After reviewing this book, I am looking for my own copy, and just entered it into my wish list on paperbackswap.com. If I have no luck, I will probably buy a used copy from Amazon. I seem to have found this book at just the right time now that we need to come up lots-o-cash for the closing costs. We have some seller concession, though not the amount we were trying to get, so still need quite a chunk of change. WHEW.........

Here is the list of meals I have decided to try first:

--banana smoothies 3/4 cup serving @ .57 ea.

--oven roasted vegetables--1/2 Cup @ .30

--Jam chicken--1/4 C @ .66

--calzones--1 calzone @.34

--Boston Chicken--1/4 lb @.75

--Basic freezer meatballs--6 meatballs @.24

--Broccoli Beef--1 C @.64

--Baked chicken nuggets--1/4 lb @ .67

--meatloaf--6 oz @ .37

--honey chicken--1/4 lb @ .75

As I make each recipe, I'll update and show *actual* cost for the recipes today.

Looking Ahead

2010-08-03T18:10:00.014-04:00

Today I took the boys and Felicia to the library. I came back super excited. I found 3 books to bring home, two that were a great find.

1-Miserly Meals by Jonni McCoy

This book's copyright is 2002 and it claims each recipe comes in at .75 cents per serving or less. That certainly catches my attention! Even if the prices have doubled to 1.50 per serving now in 2010, that is still a good deal so I am looking forward to a few new ideas. I have read articles and such by Jonni McCoy in the past and gleaned a few ideas that were quite helpful back in the day. I don't necessarily buy into the "healthy" aspect, because my views on nutrition have been changing over the last couple years, yet in a pinch it is handy for cheap home cooked meals. Resources like this I have *always* appreciated in my adult years. I do plan on getting back to someNourishing Traditionsways of cooking once we get settled in the new house.

I am going to make some of the recipes in this book while we are still living here, and try to use up my pantry as much as possible in these next 3-1/2 weeks before moving to our new home. I'll plan to blog about what I cook up, and try like the dickens to remember my camera! Yeah, my poor camera with the dead flash....also meaning I need to cook while there is still enough sun to snap a shot by a window!!

2-The second book I am excited about is The Frugal Gardener How to haveMore GardenforLess Money (A Rodale Organic Gardening Book)

This book is jam packed with tons of great tips from how/where to get cheap plants, saving your own seeds, to building a simple fan trellis of your own. I am super excited about adding a little flower garden to the front of our new house, and I have never had experience that was positive from flowers the one year I tried them. This book is going to come in so handy! I know I definitely want peonies, dahlias and coneflowers. I would LOVE a blueberry bush and lilacs, and strawberries, and the list could go on and on! Now, off to research what will go well with those. Daffodils will be nice to see in the spring time, long before the summer flowers bloom.

The last book I checked out was Cottage Gardens, for some landscape ideas, just think, nice landscape of easy flowers and bushes means less mowing. haha! Off to devour some books now! Stay tuned for the cooking cheap experiments. Until next time, enjoy the rest of summer while you can~

This is my canvas:
I want to rip these shrubs out and replace with beautiful flowering peonies and dahlias!

Menu Plan Monday

2010-08-02T05:00:00.013-04:00

I love Menu Plan Monday. It allows me to share my menu plan for the week, sometimes including recipes, and I also use it as a way to glean ideas/inspiration from others' menus when I feel stuck in a rut from time to time.

Suppers

#1 apricot glazed pork chops and veggies:

Ingredients

* 2/3 cup apricot preserves
* 1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
* 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
* 4 boneless pork loin chops (1 inch thick and 6 ounces each)

Directions

* In a small bowl, combine the preserves, dressing and mustard. Pour 3/4 cup marinade into a large resealable bag; add the pork. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Cover and refrigerate remaining marinade for basting.
* Drain and discard marinade. Using long-handled tongs, moisten a paper towel with cooking oil and lightly coat the grill rack. Grill, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 4-5 minutes on each side or until a meat thermometer reads 160°, basting frequently with reserved marinade. Yield: 4 servings.

#2 chicken with rosemary butter sauce and veggies:
Ingredients

* 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each)
* 4 tablespoons butter, divided
* 1/2 cup white wine or chicken broth
* 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
* 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary

Directions

* In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chicken in 1 tablespoon butter for 4-5 minutes on each side or until juices run clear. Remove and keep warm.
* Add wine to the pan; cook over medium-low heat, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan. Add cream and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook and stir until slightly thickened. Stir in rosemary and remaining butter until blended. Serve sauce with chicken. Yield: 4 servings.

#3 beef stroganoff with salad:

Ingredients

* 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 pound beef top sirloin steak, cut into thin strips
* 4 tablespoons butter, divided
* 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
* 1/2 cup chopped sweet onion
* 1 garlic clove, minced
* 1 tablespoon tomato paste
* 1-1/4 cups beef broth
* 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
* 2 tablespoons sherry or beef broth
* Hot cooked egg noodles or brown rice

Directions

* In a large resealable plastic bag, combine 2 tablespoons flour and salt. Add beef, a few pieces at a time, and shake to coat. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown beef in 2 tablespoons butter. Add mushrooms and onion; cook and stir until vegetables are tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Remove and keep warm.
* In the same skillet, melt remaining butter. Stir in tomato paste and remaining flour until smooth. Gradually add broth; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
* Carefully return beef mixture to the pan. Add sour cream and sherry; heat through (do not boil). Serve with noodles or rice. Yield: 5 servings.

#4 italian marinated and grilled chicken breast and bruschetta with salad

#5 beef roast, potatoes, green beans, and biscuits

#6 convenience meal

#7 Chuck Wagon Casserole with side vegetable or side salad
Source: Home Grown Jones and The Pampered Chef Stoneware Sensations p 63
1/2 c onion, chopped
1/2 c green bell pepper, chopped
1 lb 96% lean ground beef
1 can (151/2 oz) mild chili beans in sauce
3/4 c BBQ sauce
1/2 t salt
1 pkg (81/2 oz) corn muffin mix (include eggs and milk as needed on package directions)
1 can (11 oz) Mexican -style corn, drained

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Chop onion and bell pepper. Cook ground beef with onion and bell pepper, drain if any fat. Stir in chili beans, bbq sauce and salt. Bring to a boil. Spoon mixture into a 9" sqaure pan. Prepare corn muffin mix per package directions, stir in corn. Spoon over meat mixture. Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Lunches

#1 deli beef heroes:

Ingredients

* 2 large onions, chopped
* 1/4 cup olive oil
* 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
* 3/4 cup ricotta cheese
* 3/4 cup pimiento-stuffed olives
* 2 garlic cloves, peeled
* 2 French bread baguettes (10-1/2 ounces each), split
* 1 pound sliced deli roast beef
* 2 jars (7-1/2 ounces each) roasted sweet red peppers, drained and julienned
* 2 jars (7-1/2 ounces each) marinated quartered artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

Directions

In a large skillet, cook onions in oil over low heat for 15-20
minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, place the cream cheese, ricotta cheese, olives and garlic
in a food processor. Cover and process until blended. Spread over
baguettes.
Layer bread bottoms with roast beef, peppers, artichokes
and caramelized onions; replace tops. Cut each into six slices.
Yield: 12 servings.

#2 leftover meat and cheese salad

#3 cheeseburgers with lots of fixins

#4 Fire Island Ziti leftovers:

Ingredients

* 2 pounds plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise
* 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
* 2 garlic cloves, minced
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 8 ounces uncooked ziti
* 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
* 1 pound Italian sausage links, cut into 1/2-inch slices
* 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
* 1/3 cup grated Romano or Parmesan cheese

Directions

* Toss the tomatoes with 2 tablespoons oil, garlic and salt. Place cut
* side down in a 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake at 450°
* for 20-25 minutes or until tender. Chop when cool enough to handle.
*
*
* Cook ziti according to package directions, adding broccoli during the
* last 4 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, cook
* sausage in remaining oil until no longer pink. Add pepper flakes;
* cook 1 minute longer. Stir in tomatoes and heat through.
*
* Drain ziti mixture; toss with sausage mixture. Sprinkle with cheese.
* Yield: 5 servings.

#5 deli sandwich/deli salad

#6 ramen noodles and carrot stix

#7 salmon and frozen california veggie blend (frozen bag)

Breakfasts

cereal and milk

fruit with yogurt and nuts

egg sandwich

omelettes

simple fried eggs

Dessert
raspberry lemonade pie:

Ingredients

* 1/3 cup sweetened raspberry lemonade drink mix
* 1/2 cup water
* 2 cups vanilla ice cream, softened
* 1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
* 1 chocolate crumb crust (9 inches)
* Chocolate syrup, optional

Directions

* In a large bowl, combine drink mix and water. Add ice cream; beat on
* low speed for 2 minutes or until blended. Fold in whipped topping.
* Spoon into crust.
*
* Freeze for 4 hours or until firm. Remove from the freezer 10 minutes
* before serving. Serve with chocolate syrup if desired. Yield: 8
* servings.

*note: The dessert did NOT turn out. It was too sour to stand, and it didn't hold it's shape. What a puckering mess. LOL*

That's our plan for the upcoming week! Share yours at I'm an Organizing Junkie

FREE Audio Books!!

2010-08-01T10:08:00.002-04:00

Who doesn't love a good refreshing or challenging read? Even better, who doesn't love a FREE read? You can get yours here at Books should be free.

Home-made skin beautification

2010-07-29T13:08:00.003-04:00

Chickpea flour is used in Indian Ubtan (body pack) as a gentle exfoliant for the skin. Blend with other dry powdered ingredients such as oatmeal, rice flour, almond or cashew meal, cinnamon powder, turmeric, cardamom, rose petal powder, sandalwood powder and milk or yogurt to create naturally cleansing ubtan mixes. Blend your dry ubtan with heavy cream and apply to dry skin. Massage the ubtan until it dries and falls off the skin and then rinse clean. Ubtans have been used since ancient times as part of the tradition Indian beautification rituals before marriage. Ayurvedic practitioners prescribe the use of ubtans as natural soap-free cleansers for individuals with sensitive skin.

The best part? This flour by Bob's Red Mill can often times be found in discount stores such as Ocean State Job Lot. :D

Make Your Own Hummingbird Nectar!

2010-07-28T10:16:00.002-04:00

In March our family moved from Massachusetts to Western New York for my husband's career. My dad was really sad to see us go, even though we are only 6 hours away, he was certainly melancholy about it. The day we actually moved he gave me the MOST beautiful hummingbird feeder I have ever seen. It is actual red glass. It's got a hummingbird etched on it and it just brightens up the yard.

When I got it to my new home unscathed, I realized it had no fluid or food to put into it. I couldn't find any at the store. I asked my dad about it and he said you can make your own. Off to trusty Google, to search for a solution I went. Turns out it is REALLY easy to make.

It is simply 4 parts water to 1 part sugar. So for every 4 cups of water, I added 1 cup of white granulated sugar. I heat it on the stove top, stirring occasionally, so that it is completely dissolved, allow it to cool, and then fill your clean bird feeder. It takes 2 batches to fill the feeder, however you should really throughly clean these things each week to ensure that the birds do not get sick, as yeast and bacteria grow really quickly, especially in the heat of Summer. Because of this I will only half fill it from now on. On a side note, Artificial dyes, honey and sugar other than white table sugar should not be used in nectar feeders.

We have seen a hummingbird on 2 occasions so far, which to me is really impressive since we just put it out a few months ago.

Rental Headaches

2010-07-26T10:04:00.009-04:00

Well, we have been having some landlord issues. We are renting a beautiful home in WNY, on of three Queen Anne's in a row, right across the road from Lake Erie, and while I NEVER thought I would live in such a house, it's been a headache in the last couple of months. Apparently, the owner's realtor was in a hurry to get a commission and did not carry out their wishes properly, and they did not have proper communication with their own realtor.

Unfortunately, said realtor did us just as much of a disservice as he did his own client. We are dealing with the ramifications of the landlord not wanting to provide what the lease states such as snow removal, water, and trash fees. We had a budget in mind while selecting houses, and these items being included was a major rental point, and had they not been included, this location would have been taken off of our potential rental list.

Also, the landlord hates cats and after we had lived here 3 months brought the issue up of my two cats, and it's been brought up since. We wrote down on our rental application that we had two cats and a little dog. I feel unwelcome here with all manner of issues being brought up such as the cats. They are part of our family and I am not abandoning them for a 2 year lease. Not. Happening.

There are many more issues like her antiques being stored in the house, wanting to come in more than I think necessary, etc,... I am just used to paying my rent and minding my business and that is the end of it. I am not accustomed to having to deal with so many issues, nor do I think I should have to because we are paying GOOD money to live here.

Since she wants to break our lease by refusing to pay for the snow removal (and it is a super long driveway, nothing we could possibly shovel ourselves) I am believing that will free us from the lease as well. She is so nervous about my cats, perhaps she would not argue the case should we decide to move.

This all really is too bad because it's a dream house, and we just moved almost 5 months ago!! The company provided professional movers which we will not have again, so we would be completely on our own as usual. I never dreamed something like this would happen. Not only that, but my kids are all set for school, and one son already started school and I can't move him, what a disruption!!! This is a school he REALLY needs to be in, I can only hope that continuity of schooling would not be an issue if we move out of district. He has an out of district placement, which the current district is paying for. Mike is trying to find out about that today so we know what we are dealing with.

Hubby just got approved for a mortgage today, which I totally did not think would happen for quite some time. What a surprise. The approval, and *supposed* interest rate sound way too good to be true. Are they really that desperate to get people to stop moving out of the area and move in instead? I don't know what to believe. It would certainly be nice to have our OWN house, and one that cuts our rent in HALF at that, as the calculators online are claiming. I guess we shall see where this all takes us, for now I am having a hard time believing what I am hearing. :P

UPDATE-7/31:

The way I see it, we either have a binding lease or we do not.

If we do, then the landlord is breaking it by refusing to honor the provisions as laid out in the lease we signed. We need to have a free atty consult to be sure on NY state law, but I am thinking this *should* free us from any obligation.?

If we do not, because of the landlord not signing it (as she recently conveniently mentioned, which we had not even noticed) then we also do not have a lease.

I mean it can't be both ways right? We can't be obligated yet the landlord not be obligated on their end right?? hmmmmmm......I'll keep ya posted.

Also, we saw a pretty little house in a very CUTE neighborhood yesterday and it was love at first sight! I want it soooo sooo bad!! Not a bad price at all, and there should be plenty of kids on that street for my boys to make friends with, unlike here. Oh please please, I want it sooo bad!

UPDATE 8/3:
The very pretty home? We are buying it! The only downside is that it has no garage to get us thru these Brutal Buffalo winters, but we LOVE it. It's very charming and in a cute neighborhood.

Also after a late night phone call with the landlord (she lives in AZ), all is settled and we are free to move without legal hassle. In the meantime we are open to their realtor, possible showings, plumbers and electricians at a moment's notice. God is good! Now once we move, we can stay put for a good while. =)