housewifery

soaps are ready!

2012-02-04T14:58:00.000-08:00

My shop is being stocked and ready for some Valentine's Day shopping!

Grab some good smelling soaps and lotion for your gals (or yourself)!

Chicken-Veggie Tray

2012-02-03T09:26:00.000-08:00

So there isn't even a recipe for this meal.

Very easy. Very versatile. Very tasty.

Simply take some chicken -legs, thighs, whole chicken cut-up, whatever- and drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper.

Put on a cooking tray and broil on high about 6 inches away from broiler, turning until brown on both sides (about 6 min per side).

Next, add any veggies you want: potatoes, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, onion, etc.

Drizzle with olive oil and salt and pepper.

Add to tray of chicken and move to about 10-12 inches away from broiler.

Keep an eye on it and stir it once and a while.

Pull out when chicken is 165* and veggies are soft. (approx. 20 min.)

Some veggies, like broccoli, won't take as long to cook and you may want to add in the last 10 min.

There you go! A whole meal on one tray!
Add whatever fixin's you like- BBQ sauce, bread and butter, a salad

Restaurant Pancakes

2012-01-16T10:24:00.000-08:00

So I guess the secret ingredient to those yummy restaurant pancakes is malt powder!

We gave it a try and really liked the results!

Just try adding 1/4 cup of malt powder in place of any sugar in your favorite pancake recipe.

Here's mine.

Restaurant Pancakes

1 c flour

1/4 c malted milk powder (instead of 1 T sugar)

2 t baking powder

1/2 t salt

1 egg

1 c milk

1/4 c butter, melted

combine dry ingredients

combine milk and egg, pour into dry ingredients

add melted butter

In the works

2012-01-11T10:35:00.000-08:00

This week I tried my hand at a Pink Grapefruit bar of soap and it smells lovely! Look for this to be in my etsy shop by the end of January. It still needs to cure a few weeks.

Another batch of Rosemary-Mint soap is made and will be cured and ready to sell by the end of next week.

I also have an Orange-Ginger bar in the works. This too should be ready by the end of the month, just in time for some Valentine's Day shopping!

I still have some Cedarwood, Cinnamon-Clove,a few Rosemary-Mint, and hard lotion bars available now! Get them before they are gone!

2011-12-05T09:30:00.001-08:00

Hey guys, check out my Etsy shop.

I've set up a shop to sell my soaps and lotions and who knows what else.

If you are looking for some gift ideas, consider buying some homemade soaps or hard lotion bars.

I have the following in stock:

Cinnamon Clove Soap

Rosemary-Mint Soap

Cedarwood Soap

Hard Lotion Bars

remembering WHO we are giving thanks to

2011-11-23T10:35:00.001-08:00

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.
Let the whole world know what he has done.

-1 chron 16:8-

I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart;
I will tell of all Your wonders.

-Psalm 9:1-

I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to You among the nations.
For Your loving kindness is great to the heavens
And Yourtruth to the clouds.
Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
Let Your glory be above all the earth.

-Psalm 57:9-11-

I will praise the name of God with song
And magnify Him with thanksgiving.

-Psalm 69:30-

It is good to give thanks to the LORD
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
To declare Your loving kindness in the morning
And Yourfaithfulness by night,

-Psalm 92:1-2-

With my mouth I will give thanks abundantly to the LORD;
And in the midst of many I will praise Him.

-Psalm 109:30-

You are my God, and I give thanks to You;
You are my God, I extol You.
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

-Psalm 118:28-29-

Worthy are You, our Lord and our God,

to receive glory and honor and power;

for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.

-Revelation 4:11-

Almond Bark Popcorn

2011-11-21T16:11:00.000-08:00

An easy, yummy, salty, sweet, tasty snack.

Almond Bark Popcorn

6 T coconut oil

1 c popcorn kernels

salt

2-4 squares of almond bark, melted

1 c almonds

pop one half of your popcorn

(I put 3 T of coconut oil in a heavy pan with a lid. let it heat up for a minute, then add 1/2 a cup of popcorn kernels. Cover with a lid and shake until it is all popped)

dump into a large bowl and salt it to your liking

drizzle with melted almond bark (i only used 2 squares of almond bark because I just wanted a light coating)

add almonds and mix thoroughly until it is all coated

pop 2nd half of popcorn

salt it and mix in with previous batch

Chicken a la King

2011-11-16T14:22:00.000-08:00

A savory way to use up Sunday's chicken dinner.

Serve over puff pastry, english muffins, biscuits, or even toast.

Chicken a la King

1/4 c olive oil

1/2 onion, chopped

3/4 c carrots, chopped

1 t garlic, chopped

1 t salt

1/2 t pepper

1 T parsley

1/4 t thyme

dash cayenne pepper

1/2 c flour

30 oz box of chicken broth

2 c chicken, cooked and cubed

1 c corn

1 c peas

heat oil in large pot, add onion and carrots, cook until tender

add garlic and spices, cook another minute

add flour and stir well, cook for one minute

add broth and bring to a simmer

add chicken, corn and peas

serve over buttered biscuits

Pumpkin Bread

2011-10-21T08:11:00.000-07:00

'Tis the season to bake all things pumpkin!

I love the smell when baking pumpkin, cinnamon, clove, and ginger together.

So welcoming. So fall. So comforting.

This is a one bowl recipe that can be made into muffins or bread.

You should make this this fall.

Pumpkin Bread

adapted from kitchenstewardship.com

3/4 c sugar

2 eggs

1 c pumpkin

1 T molasses

1/2 c coconut oil, melted

1/4 c cold water

1 2/3c flour

1/4 t baking powder

1 t baking soda

1/2 t salt

1/2 t cloves

1/2 t ginger

1 t cinnamon

start by mixing all of the wet ingredients together until all incorporated

then add all the dry ingredients and mix together

put in a greased loaf pan or muffin tin

bake at 325 degrees

loaf = 45-50 minutes

muffins = 20ish minutes

I haven't made them as muffins yet so I'm guessing on the time. just keep an eye on them and check with a toothpick.

Apple Pickin' and Train Ride

2011-10-06T17:49:00.000-07:00

Apple picking at Pleasant Valley Apple Orchard

__________________________________________________________

Train ride on the Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway

Smoked Chicken with White BBQ Sauce

2011-10-03T16:49:00.000-07:00

I'd never heard of white BBQ sauce.
Have you?
This chicken is smoked on the grill over indirect heat with a pan of soaked wood chips.
The flavor is amazing!
best. chicken. ever.
And of course it's from America's Test Kitchen, so you know it's gonna be good, c'mon!

Alabama BBQ Chicken
Cook's Country - America's Test Kitchen

White BBQ Sauce

3/4 c mayo
2 T vinegar
2 t sugar
1/2 t horseradish *(I went w/o the horseradish and it was still good)
1/2 t salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Chicken

1 t salt
1 t pepper
1/2 t cayenne pepper
2 whole chickens (3 1/2- to 4-pound), patted dry and split
2 c hickory wood chips
Vegetable oil for grill grate

Instructions

1. For the sauce: Mix all ingredients in blender until smooth, about 1 minute. Refrigerate sauce in airtight container for at least 1 hour or up to 2 days.
2. For the chicken: Mix salt, black pepper, and cayenne in small bowl. Rub spice mixture all over chicken.
3. Soak wood chips in bowl of water to cover for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, open bottom grill vents completely. Light large chimney starter filled with charcoal briquettes (about 90 coals) and burn until charcoal is covered with fine gray ash. Place 13 by 9-inch disposable aluminum roasting pan in center of grill. Pour half of coals into pile on each side of grill, leaving pan in center. Scatter wood chips evenly over coals and set cooking grate in place. Cover, with lid vents positioned over center of grill and opened halfway. Let grill heat for 5 minutes.
4. Dip wad of paper towels in oil and oil grate, holding paper towels with long-handled tongs. Place chicken skin side down on center of grill. Cover (with half-opened lid vents over chicken).
5. Grill chickens until skin is well browned, 35 to 45 minutes. Flip chickens skin side up and grill, covered, until breast meat registers 165 degrees on instant-read thermometer, 15 to 20 minutes longer.
6. Transfer chickens to cutting board, brush with 2 tablespoons sauce, tent with foil, and let rest 10 minutes. Remove foil and brush chicken with 1 tablespoon sauce. Carve and serve, passing remaining sauce at table.

Buttermilk Waffles

2011-08-23T07:18:00.000-07:00

Look what I got for my birthday from my in-laws.....
Yeah! I love their recipes!!
Last night we tried the buttermilk waffles. They were great and easy.
I love how they try several methods to give you the best tasting recipe yet an easy process. For example, on the waffles they wanted an easier way to get the airyness that whipping egg whites gives traditional waffle recipes.
They figured most people wouldn't want the pre-breakfast workout of making a meringue. Solution: club soda! Club soda is what is used in most Japanese tempura batters to make it light and fluffy, so why not waffles! Brilliant!

Buttermilk Waffles
Americas Test Kitchen

2 c flour
1/2 c buttermilk powder*
1 T sugar
3/4 t salt
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 c sour cream
2 eggs
1/4 c oil
1/4 t vanilla
1 1/4 c seltzer water

whisk the dry ingredients.
in a seperate bowl, whisk the wet ingredients except the seltzer water.
gently stir the seltzer into the wet ingredients.
pour the wet into the dry and gently stir until just combined. (batter should remain slightly lumpy with streaks of flour.)

*if you dont have buttermilk powder you can do 1/2 c buttermilk and reduce the seltzer water to 1 cup.

Homeschooling It

2011-08-16T07:30:00.000-07:00

Have you heard we are homeschooling next year? (i could use your prayers!)

We are transforming our guest bedroom into our schoolroom. It is slowly coming together! I asked Tony to make me some book shelves for our little library. He did an excellent job! We love it!
And do you see that yellow cabinet? I rescued that from the thrift store for $10! It's a vintage jelly jar cabinet. I painted it a marigold yellow on the outside.

The inside is painted orange, green, and blue to match the kids' desks.

Left to right: Evan's, Addie's, and Isaiah's

Just a few more things to do...I still need to find myself a desk, hang our chalkboard, some maps, a clock, find an electronic pencil sharpener and figure out all this curriculum that keeps arriving at my door ;)

Applesauce Snack Cake

2011-07-20T13:22:00.000-07:00

A nice little cake to snack on, and it has no eggs!
Perfect for those days you want to make something, but realize you are out of eggs!

Applesauce Snack Cake
adapted from Allrecipes.com

1/2 c butter
1/2 c sugar
1 c applesauce
1 c flour
1 c whole wheat flour
1 T ground flax
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
2 t cinnamon
1/4 t ground clove
1/2 c walnuts

Cream butter and sugar.
Add applesauce.
Stir in flours, flax, soda, and spices.
Add walnuts.
Pour into a greased and floured 9x9 pan.
Bake at 350 for 40 min.

Summer Lovin

2011-07-12T07:44:00.000-07:00

We have just returned from our annual trip to Camp Shetek for a yet another amazing week! We love camp! It's so fun to see young kids excited about God and sharing about His glory in their lives. God is so good! I can't wait to worship Him with everyone forever!

One of the highlights of the week is seeing the new maintenance video being revealed.
And here it is.....

Orange Streusel Muffins

2011-07-01T13:34:00.001-07:00

I made this one up. Kind of tastes like my orange scones, but it's a muffin!
Feel free to change it up with any fruit.

Orange Streusel Muffins

muffin-
2 c flour
1 1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1/2 c butter, softened
3/4 c sugar
2 eggs
2 t vanilla
1/4 c milk
1/4 c juice from orange
zest from orange

streusel-
1/4 c sugar
2/3 c flour
1/4 c butter, softened
zest of one orange

Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs.
Combine muffin dry ingredients.
Combine milk, OJ, zest, and vanilla.
Alternate adding dry and wet ingredients into butter/sugar mixture.
Divide into 12 lined muffin cups.
Combine streusel ingredients and sprinkle on top of muffins.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 min.

No-Bake Cookies

2011-07-01T13:11:00.000-07:00

Another 104 degree day here. Good day for some no-bake cookies!

No-Bake Cookies

1 c sugar
1 stick of butter
4 T cocoa powder
1/2 c milk
1 c peanut butter
1 T vanilla
3 c oats

In a heavy saucepan bring to a boil, the sugar, cocoa, butter and milk.

Let boil for 1 minute then add peanut butter, vanilla and oatmeal.

On a sheet of waxed paper, drop mixture by the teaspoonfuls, until cooled and hardened.

Homemade Playdough

2011-06-30T13:03:00.000-07:00

It's been a manic summer.
Seems like it has been either in the 70's and rainy or 103!
Either way we are stuck inside, so we have found some fun indoor activities to keep us busy from Skip to My Lou's site.

One has been making homemade playdough. It turned out really well and has kept well wrapped in a baggie.
I doubled her recipe and it made the right amount for us to split between 3 kids.
Give it a try!

Homemade Playdough
from homemade by Jill

Ingredients needed:

1 cup flour
1 cup warm water
2 teaspoons cream of tarter
1 teaspoon oil
1/4 cup salt
food coloring

Combine all ingredients (except food coloring) in a medium-sized saucepan.
Stir over medium heat until smooth.
Stir continuously until the dough balls (about 1-2 minutes). Remove from heat.

When dough is cool enough to handle, knead until smooth.
Form into a ball.
Divide into as many colors as you'd like to make. A single batch makes a good amount for four colors.

Add food coloring to the divided dough. Gel food coloring works quite well. I have not tried liquid food coloring.
Knead the food coloring into the dough. To protect your counter top, knead over wax paper. To protect your hands, wear plastic or rubber gloves, if you have them (you could also put the dough and food coloring inside a ziplock bag and have the kids squish it around inside).
When the dough is a consistent color, ball and set aside.

Repeat with the rest of your colors.
Put the dough in separate containers. Toddler-sized snack containers are a good size, and I have also wrapped the colors individually in wax paper and stored in zip-lock baggies.
Store in an airtight container until ready to use. It will stay soft for several weeks if stored airtight.

Fabric Flowers

2011-06-22T13:01:00.000-07:00

I was given a free bag at a food show and decided to dress it up and make it more usable by adding some fabric flowers.

Here's how to make them:

I made two different sized flowers. The large ones started with a 8x8 square of fabric and ended up being around 3 1/2 inches round. The smaller ones were made from a 6x6 square and ended up forming a 2 1/2 inch flower.

If you make some, I'd love to hear what you use these for!

Bloomin' Onion Bread

2011-06-21T13:34:00.000-07:00

This is a tasty and fun appetizer or side dish to any meal. Can't go wrong with buttery, cheesy, onion bread!

Bloomin' Onion Bread
from The Girl Who Ate Everything

1 unsliced loaf sourdough bread

12-16 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, thinly sliced

1/2 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup finely diced green onion

2 teaspoons poppy seeds

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cut the bread lengthwise and widthwise without cutting through the bottom crust. This can be a little tricky going the second way but the bread is very forgiving.

Place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Insert cheese slices between cuts. Combine butter, onion, and poppy seeds. Drizzle over bread. Wrap in foil; place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
Unwrap the bread and bake 10 more minutes, or until cheese is melted.

Summer Shortcake

2011-06-01T13:21:00.000-07:00

This recipe comes from Martha and was quite easy to prepare, yet looks like you spent a lot of time! It is basically a sweet biscuit dough shaped into two large circles that you bake and layer with whipped cream and berries.
Give it a try!

Summer Shortcake
from Martha Stewart

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 stick (8 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
8 ounces cold cream cheese, cut into 2-inch pieces
3/4 cup buttermilk, plus more for brushing
Raw sugar or fine sanding sugar, for sprinkling
2 pints blueberries
2 pints strawberries, hulled (small berries left whole, large berries halved lengthwise)
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 cups (1 pint) heavy cream

Make the biscuits: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a food processor, pulse flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until combined. Add butter, and pulse until largest pieces are the size of peas. Add cream cheese, and pulse again until largest pieces are the size of peas. Add buttermilk, and pulse until dough comes together. Transfer to a bowl, and gently knead into a ball. Cover with plastic wrap, and let rest in the refrigerator at least 1 hour (or overnight).
Divide dough in half. Working with one portion at a time on a lightly floured work surface, pat into a disk, then roll into a 10-inch round. Transfer to baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
Brush biscuits with buttermilk. Generously sprinkle raw or sanding sugar over tops and sides. Brush off sugar from parchment. Bake until dough has risen slightly and is golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes (if bottoms brown too quickly, reduce temperature to 400 degrees). Leave biscuits on sheets. Using a 2 1/2-inch star cutter, cut out (but do not remove) 7 stars from one biscuit while it is still warm. Let cool.
Using a paring knife, carefully remove star shapes. Reserve for snacking or another use. (Biscuits can be made up to 8 hours ahead; store on wire racks, and cover loosely with plastic wrap.)
Make the filling: Combine blueberries, strawberries, and 2 tablespoons sugar, and let macerate until juicy, 10 minutes.
Just before serving, beat cream to medium peaks with remaining tablespoon sugar and the vanilla.
Assemble the cake: Place uncut biscuit on a large plate. Spoon half the berries and their juices on top of biscuit, then spread the whipped cream over berries. Top with all but about 1/2 cup berries. (Make sure surface is even; it will support the top biscuit and prevent it from breaking.) Carefully place cutout biscuit on top. Fill star cutouts with reserved berries. Serve immediately, or refrigerate, uncovered, up to 3 hours.

Shoestring Chicken Salad

2011-05-19T12:28:00.000-07:00

I remember having this chicken salad with the shoestring potatoes at church functions when I was growing up and loved the added crunch of the shoestring potatoes.
This is really only good right away as the potatoes get soggy quickly, so only make enough for what will be used.

Shoestring Chicken Salad

1 c. chopped celery
1/4 c. chopped onions
1 c. grated carrots
3 c. cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
1/4 c. whipped cream
3/4 c. Miracle Whip
1 tsp. salt
2 cups shoestring potato chips

combine all ingredients except for the shoestring potato chips and mix well.
chill until ready to use.
mix in potato chips right before serving.

Angel Food Cake

2011-05-16T08:26:00.000-07:00

Not really even a recipe, but an easy summery dessert idea.

Throw together an angel food cake, this yummy cream cheese-whipped cream frosting,
and add some berries!
Light, tasty, easy!

Dinnertool.com

2011-05-09T17:30:00.000-07:00

Hey gals,

If you enjoy searching the web for new recipes and meal planning ideas you should check out Dinnertool.com

They have lots of recipes, meal ideas, you can even make a shopping list.
And, at the very bottom of their website you can explore through a huge list of food blogs when you click on their 'friends' link.

Go check it out!

Cheesecake Swirl Brownies

2011-05-09T08:25:00.000-07:00

For those times you can't decide between brownies or cheesecake....make these!

Cheesecake Swirl Brownies

brownie:
6 oz chocolate chips
1/2 c butter
1 c sugar
3 eggs
1 t vanilla
3/4 t salt
3/4 c flour

mix above ingredients and pour into a greased 9x13.

cheesecake:
8 oz cream cheese
2/3 c sugar
2 t lemon juice
1 egg
1/2 t vanilla
1/4 t salt
2 T flour

combine and drop by spoonful over brownie mixture.
swirl with a knife.
bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 min.

Everest Chicken Curry

2011-03-30T11:20:00.000-07:00

This recipe was inspired by a dish we had at Everest on Grand in St. Paul. If you ever get the chance, you should eat there. Everything we've had there is amazing! Authentic Tibetan/Nepali cuisine.

Everest Chicken Curry
inspired by Kukhurako Maasu ( Chicken Curry) from Everest on Grand

olive oil
1 onion, pureed
1 T garlic, pureed
1 T ginger root, grated
4 T curry powder*
1 t cardamon
1 14 oz can coconut milk
1 lime, juiced
12 boneless/skinless thigh meat
salt
pepper
1-2 bell peppers, sliced
1/2 onion, sliced
1 c pea pods

heat enough oil in a large skillet to coat bottom of pan.
add onion paste, garlic, and ginger and cook 3-5 min.
add curry powder and cardamon. cook another min.
add coconut milk and lime juice.
once simmering, add chicken and salt/pepper. cook until chicken is cooked through - about 10-15 min.
meanwhile, in another pan fry sliced peppers and onions until tender and browned.
add to chicken along with pea pods continue cooking another 1-2 min until everything is heated through.
serve over rice and naan.

* The curry I found was at Cub Foods in the Ethnic Foods area and had the following ingredients:
turmeric, coriander, chili, fennel, anise, cumin, fenugreek, salt, garlic, cinnamon, nutmeg, bay leaves, and cloves.

Evan's Room

2011-03-24T08:39:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the hiatus around here. Life's been busy with sickness after sickness after sickness, followed by some sickness. Then we decided to re-do Evan's room. Isaiah and Addie got bunkbeds and moved into one room. Which left Evan with this.....
...plus imagine a 16" farm scene border connecting the grass to the sky. It was good when he was 2, but he's almost 10 now...WHAT?! We have a young man on our hands and he deserves a respectable young man's room.

So, between him and me and Tony here's what we came up with...
...a snowboarder jumping out of the paint into a scene of mountains and snowy hills.
I think it turned out quite well and was a lot of fun to do together. Everybody helped out.
And Evan and Addie had fun adding these little stick men hiding all over his room.
This one dropped his lunch off of the light switch.
I think this room will fit his adolescent years quite nicely!

Job Security

2011-03-04T09:58:00.000-08:00

Here's a conversation Isaiah and I had this morning while driving home from school.

Isaiah: Mom, we should go to the store and buy me a skate board (tech deck).
Me: Oh, well do you have any money?
Isaiah: No, but you have money!
Me: Well, mommy and daddy buy you things you need and you buy things you want. A skate board is something you would need to buy with your own money.
Isaiah: How do I get money?
Me: I guess you are going to have to get a job. What do you think you could do for a job?
Isaiah: (after a long pause and very serious) well, I can somersault...is that a job, mommy?

After some somersaulting and a little talk about what real jobs were, Isaiah chose to help me vacuum.
Now he has 25 cents to put towards a skate board.
Don't worry, buddy. Mommy can always find a job for you to do! And some days it might even include somersaults!

...but it makes me wonder what he thinks Tony does at his job all day?

Little Ladies

2011-02-28T08:52:00.001-08:00

I've been wanting to try making some dolls.
I needed something to give as gifts to bigger girls.

A short internet search for 'doll tutorial' brought me to a super cute and super easy doll from Black Apple.
I love these stylish little ladies. Black Apple did a great job creating these.
I couldn't decide how I wanted to do the faces, so I left them blank. They remind me of old-time dolls that way.
Addie has been playing with hers non-stop, so I think it's a keeper!

memorizing scripture

2011-02-24T07:48:00.001-08:00

I came across this great memorization tool which has been a huge help in memorizing big chunks of scripture. Productivity501 has a conversion tool where you paste in whatever text you want to memorize and it converts it to the first letter only of each word.

For example, Psalm 1:1-3 goes from this:

¹Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
²but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night. ³He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.

To this:

1 B i t m
w w n i t c o t w,
n s i t w o s,
n s i t s o s;
2 b h d i i t l o t L,
a o h l h m d a n.
3 H i l a t
p b s o w
t y i f i i s,
a i l d n w.
I a t h d, h p.

Give it a try!
Read through the Psalm 1 passage out loud, then scroll down and try it again with just the first letter prompts. The idea is that it gives your brain just enough info to help you recall the text without reading the original text and helps establish getting that info from your short-term memory into your long-term memory.

Let me know how this works for you!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

2011-02-23T08:43:00.000-08:00

It's hard to go wrong with making up a soup recipe. There aren't a lot of rules to making soup. I was pleasantly surprised how well this one came together. We'll definitely be making it again, especially since I now believe that winter is never going to end this year!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

1/4 c oil 1 onion, chopped
1 t garlic, chopped
1/2 t cumin
1 t coriander
1 t salt pepper
1 box chicken broth
2 small cans chopped green chilies
1 can white beans (pinto or garbanzo)
2-3 chicken breasts big handful of crushed tortilla chips
1 c corn

heat oil in soup pan.
cook onions until tender.
add garlic and spices and cook for 1 minute.
add broth and bring to a boil.
add chicken breasts.
simmer until chicken is cooked through.
remove chicken and shred into bite-sized pieces, then return to soup.
add beans, chilies, corn, and crushed chips.
serve once heated through and top with cheese, sour cream, avocado, cilantro, more chips.

Skillet Chicken Parmesan

2011-02-03T08:59:00.000-08:00

Another easy, brilliant, yummy (and a one-pan meal) from America's Test Kitchen. I love these guys!

Skillet Chicken Parmesan
Cook's Country - America's Test Kitchen

1 1/2	c fresh bread crumbs
3	T olive oil
1 1/4	c fresh parmesan cheese
1/4	c chopped fresh basil
2	cloves garlic , minced
1	(28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1/2	c flour
4	chicken breast, cut in half horizontally
3	T oil
3/4	c mozzarella cheese
3/4	c shredded provolone cheese

Instructions

Toast bread crumbs in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to bowl. Toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/4 cup Parmesan, and half of basil. In separate bowl, combine remaining olive oil, 1/4 cup Parmesan, remaining basil, garlic, tomatoes, and salt and pepper to taste.
Place flour in dish. Season chicken with salt and pepper and coat with flour. Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in now-empty skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 4 cutlets and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 5 minutes total. Transfer to plate and repeat with remaining
cutlets and vegetable oil.
Reduce heat to medium-low and add tomato mixture to empty skillet. Return cutlets to pan in even layer, pressing down to cover with sauce. Sprinkle mozzarella, provolone, and remaining Parmesan over chicken. Cover with lid and cook until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with bread crumb mixture and serve.

Greek Meatball Skewers

2011-02-03T08:23:00.001-08:00

This is an easy way to dress up a basic meatloaf/meatball recipe. By adding some feta cheese and greek seasonings, plus a little yogurt-cucumber sauce and some naan, you've got yourself an easy, tasty meal!

Skewered Greek Meatballs
adapted Martha Stewart Living

1 lb hamburger
1/2 c bread crumbs
1/4 c milk or cream
1 egg
salt pepper
1 small onion, chopped (green onion would be good too)
1 tsp garlic, chopped
1/2 c crumbled feta cheese
1 T oregano
1/4 t red pepper flakes

combine all ingredients.
shape into balls.
slide onto skewers.
place on an oiled or lined baking sheet and broil until cooked through, rotating meatballs until deep golden brown on all sides.
serve with naan, cucumber sauce, lettuce, tomatoes.

My Favorite Cookie

2011-01-17T11:57:00.000-08:00

This has always been my favorite cookie. They are buttery, crispy, and are topped with powdered sugar straight out of the oven. Something magical happens to warmed powdered sugar. I'm not sure how to describe it, you'll just have to try it for yourself.

You can see that my mom even wrote 'your favorite' on the recipe card. I haven't made these in years because I forgot what they were called. We had named them as kids as suicide cookies because we quite often choked on the powdered sugar topping. I was quite grateful when Summer posted them on her blog and reminded me of it's true name, which helped me find my copy of the recipe!

So, from out of the archives to you, here is my most favorite cookie ever!

Oatmeal Crispies
(a.k.a. suicide cookies - don't breathe in while eating a fresh cookie!)

1 c butter
1/2 c sugar
1 c flour
1 1/2 c oatmeal
1 t vanilla

Combine all ingredients and chill dough.
Roll into 1 inch balls and place on cookie sheet.
Press each cookie with the bottom of a glass that has been coated in flour.
Bake at 350 until the edges have just browned slightly.
Remove from oven and sprinkle immediately with powdered sugar.

Chunky Cinnamon Bread

2011-01-05T10:43:00.000-08:00

We really like the Chunky Cinnamon Bread that Cub Foods sells. But I was tired of paying $3 a loaf for it and decided to do some searching for a recipe. I came across a great post where someone had already figured it out! It turned out great! It's really yummy warm with butter. It's great as toast. It makes AMAZING french toast!

Chunky Cinnamon Bread
adapted slightly from The Changeable Table

1-1/2 c nonfat dry milk
1/2 c sugar
2 T active dry yeast
8 cups (+ or - ) flour
1 t baking powder
1 t baking soda
1 T salt
4 cups HOT tap water
2/3 c oil

Filling:
1/2 c melted butter
1 1/2 c sugar
3 T cinnamon
1 c brown sugar

Combine first 7 ingredients into a mixer bowl.
Add the hot water and the oil.
Add enough additional flour until the dough cleans the sides of the mixing bowl.
Place dough in a large oiled bowl, turning over to coat the top surface.
Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise until double.
Roll dough into a large rectangle.
Pour a little more than half of your butter onto the dough and spread all over.
Sprinkle generously with cinnamon sugar.
Add a healthy covering of brown sugar.
Roll loosely, cinnamon roll style. (Be sure it’s loose!)
Cut diagonally into 1” slices going first one direction, and then cut diagonally going the other direction. It should look like an "X" pattern.
Pour a little melted butter into the bottom of each parchment-lined loaf pan.
Heap the chopped dough into pans. (mine made 3 regular sized loaf pans, but could probably stretch it to 4)
If you have any extra melted butter, you can drizzle it over each loaf - then sprinkle with a little more cinnamon sugar mixture.
Allow dough to rise till double.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 - 30 minutes, until internal temp reaches 190 - 200.
Allow to rest in pans for about 10 minutes, then remove to wire racks.

How we celebrate Christmas

2011-01-01T12:10:00.000-08:00

As our kids are growing up we are finding our way into our own Christmas traditions. We always celebrate with Tony's side of the family before Christmas. And we celebrate with my side of the family on Christmas Eve. And Christmas Day is spent at my Grandma's house. Somewhere in there, we have our own family Christmas. We call it Christmas Adam because it's before Christmas Eve.
We plan a lot of thought in how we celebrate Christmas with our kids. We want them to understand the real reason for celebrating this time of year. It's not about santa, it's not about getting presents that you can unwrap. It's about celebrating Jesus' birthday.
This year to help lead us in that way of thinking, we decided to do an advent tree.
We found some ornaments and Bible stories that present a really neat way of leading us through the month of December from the creation of the world to Jesus' birth. It really did an excellent job of showing us each day that since the creation of the world, we need a savior! Each Old Testament story pointed out how God promised us a savior and he was coming (which is what advent means)! I could really feel the anticipation each night and joy of what it must have been like for those who actually lived in those times to wait for and finally see their savior! And then what a celebration to have on Christmas day when he at last arrived!

Then just as the wise men brought him their best as a gift, we talk about what gifts we could give Jesus on his birthday. He asks us in the Bible to love others, to obey him, to help the needy, the poor, and that when we do those things we are doing them unto him.

Matthew 25:34-40

34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

So instead of everybody getting everybody a present and spending lots of money on each other, each year we pick out one family in need and give them a generous gift according to how the Lord has blessed us that year.

Then one at a time we tell each kid that just as the shepherds and angels and wise men honored Jesus at his birth we would like to honor them with a small gift. Tony prepares a letter for each of us (my favorite part.)

Here's his letter to Evan:

"Finally be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might." - Ephesians 6:10

Evan,
Wow! 9! I was just thinking today about when you were Isaiah's age. You have grown much and in many ways.
I am thankful to God that you are kind young man and a good friend to those who don't have many friends. Jesus was mad fun of because he was a friend to gluttons, drunkards, tax collectors and sinners. I'm glad you are a friend to many.
I pray that as you grow in strength, you will be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. He will give you everything you need. No one else can promise you that!
I love you Evan!
love, daddy

And Addie:

"A gentle tongue is a tree of life..." - Proverbs 15:4

Addie,
What a gentle girl you are! You are also very kind and generous. You are also very willing to share with others. I love the presents and cards you make for us and your friends. You are a good example to the rest of us!
I pray your gentle spirit and words would be a tree of life to all around you. May God use you to bring life and light to all those around you!
I love you Addie!
love, daddy

And Isaiah:

"And before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him..." - II Kings 20:4

Isaiah,
This is the year where you found your voice! I enjoy hearing you share your "tories" (that would be "stories"!) This has been a fun change to watch this past year. One fun thing that hasn't changed is the affection you show to those you love. Your hugs and kisses are much loved!
While it will be a few years before you can read, I pray that God will give you a heart for His Word, and a desire to proclaim His Word, so that, you may be kept from sin, and God would use you to keep others from sin.

I love you, Isaiah!
love, daddy

Then they each open their one small gift from the family to them. Evan received a snowboard, Addie got a new doll, and Isaiah got the play barn.

I'm sure our Christmas traditions will continue to grow and change, but I'm enjoying the start that we have made.

Chocolate Crinkles

2010-12-21T12:12:00.000-08:00

Another holiday classic. We call these chocolate snowballs.

Chocolate Crinkles

1 c chocolate chips
1 1/4 c flour
1/2 c cocoa
2 t baking powder
1/4 t salt
1 stick butter
1 c brown sugar
2 eggs
1 t vanilla
1/3 c milk
1 c sugar
1 c powdered sugar

Mix butter and brown sugar until pale and fluffy.
Add eggs and vanilla.
Melt chocolate chips in microwave. Add to butter and sugar mixture.
Sift flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt.
Add alternately with milk to butter mixture.
Chill until firm (about 2 hours).
Roll into 1 inch balls.
Cover in sugar and then in powdered sugar.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.

Spicy Mocha Hot Cocoa

2010-12-20T16:09:00.000-08:00

Here's a little twist on hot cocoa.

Spicy Mocha Hot Cocoa

4 1/2 c whole milk
1 T cinnamon
1/8 t cayenne pepper (or more if you like a kick!)
3 c strong coffee
1/2 c sugar -or- 1/4 c honey/agave nectar
1 c cocoa

Heat milk, cinnamon and cayenne in large sauce pan until just about to simmer.
Add coffee and sugar.
Add 1/2 c warmed milk mixture to 1 cup cocoa and stir until not lumpy, then pour into saucepan.
Serve with whipped cream.

Fabric Playtime House

2010-12-16T11:57:00.000-08:00

Wanna see what Isaiah's getting for Christmas?

It's a portable little play barn.
Wanna see what's inside?

It unfolds into a little play farm mat.

I found a tube of farm yard figures at Jo-Ann's to go along with it.

Then when he's all done playing, he can toss them inside, fold it up, and button it shut.

I was so pleased with how this turned out and had such fun making it, that I needed to make a girl version too!

There is a great tutorial here if you are interested in making your own.
I started with her design, but then added an extra section at the end for more play space.

Beef Enchiladas

2010-12-15T09:05:00.000-08:00

Well, I say this every time, but it's true. I have yet to find an America's Test Kitchen recipe that I don't like. Those guys are amazing! This recipe is for a shredded beef enchiladas. A nice step up from hamburger and a nice way to use up that 1/4 of a cow in my freezer!

Beef Enchiladas
Cook's Country - America's Test Kitchen

3 garlic cloves, minced
3 T chili powder
2 t ground coriander
2 t ground cumin
1 tsp sugar
Salt
1 onion, chopped
1 to 1.25 lbs blade or chuck steaks,(or sirloin steak) trimmed to 2 " strips
1 T oil
1-15 oz can tomato sauce
½ c water
2 c shredded Monterey Jack or mild cheddar
¼ c chopped cilantro
¼ c canned japapenos, chopped fine (optional)
12 (6-inch) tortillas

1. Combine garlic, chili powder, coriander, cumin, sugar, and 1 tsp salt in a small bowl. Pat the meat dry and sprinkle with salt. Heat oil in a dutch oven (or I used just a deep saucepan) over med high heat. Cook meat until browned on both sides. Transfer the meat to a plate. Add chopped onions to the pot and cook over medium heat until golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic mixture and cook till fragrent, about 1 minute. Add tomato sauce and water, bring to a boil. Return meat and juices to the pot, cover, reduce heat to low, and gently simmer till meat is tender and can br broken apart with a wooden spoon or fork, about 1 ½ hours.

2. Adjust oven rack to the middle position and heat oven to 350. Remove the beef to a bowl, breaking meat into small pieces, reserve the sauce. Add the cilantro, jalapenos, and 1 cup of cheese to the shredded meat.

3. Spread ¾ cup of sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Microwave tortillas 6 at a time until soft, 1 minute. Spread 1/3 cup beef mixture down the center of each tortilla, roll the tortillas tightly, and set in the baking dish seam side down. Repeat with remaining tortillas and beef, you may have to fit a few down the sides of the pan. Pour the remaining sauce over enchiladas and spread to coat evenly. Sprinkle remaining cheese over, wrap with foil, and baked until heated through, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking till cheese browns slightly, 5 minutes.

Pecan Tassie

2010-12-11T13:36:00.001-08:00

Another favorite holiday treat that I need to have at least once around the holidays.....Pecan Tassies!

Pecan Tassie

crust
1 c butter
6 oz cream cheese
2 c flour

filling
2 eggs
1 1/2 c brown sugar
2 T butter, melted
1 c pecans, chopped

for the crust:
Beat the butter and cream cheese.
Add the flour.
Roll into bouncy-ball sized balls and press into mini muffin tins.
Bake at 325 for 8 minutes.

for the filling:
Combine all ingredients.
Fill crust cups and bake another 20ish minutes, until tops look crackly.
Let cool and enjoy!

Feta Dip

2010-12-11T13:23:00.000-08:00

Here's an easy, tasty appetizer good for anytime of year, but looks quite festive in its red and green!

Feta Dip
adapted from Clover Lane

1 baguette, sliced
olive oil
1 block of feta
4 roma tomatoes, diced
1 bunch of green onions, sliced thin
salt
pepper
garlic powder
oregano
marjoram

Pour olive oil in bottom of serving platter-enough to coat.
Crumble one block of feta cheese on top of oil.
Add diced tomatoes and green onion.
Sprinkle with remaining seasonings.
Mix it all up and serve with baguette slices.

Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

2010-12-08T12:52:00.001-08:00

Soup definitely warms the soul on a cold winter's day. And it has been mighty cold around here lately. This recipe comes from my childhood church cookbook.

Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

1/4 c olive oil
1/2 c chopped onion
1/2 c chopped celery
1 c shredded carrots
1/2 c flour
1 t salt
pepper
2 14 oz cans chicken broth
2 c wild rice (or white and wild mixture)
2-3 chicken breasts
1 c half and half

Heat oil in large pot.
Add onions, celery, and carrots and cook until tender.
Sprinkle with flour, stir and cook for 1 minute.
Add broth and cook until mixture comes to a boil.
Add in rice, chicken, salt and pepper.
Reduce to a simmer and cook until chicken and rice are done.
Remove chicken and cut into bite-sized pieces then return to pot.
Add half and half.

Pumpkin Roll

2010-11-22T11:08:00.000-08:00

You gotta do this at least once this season. Such an impressive but easy holiday treat.

Pumpkin Roll
adapted from Libby's

3/4 c flour
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t ground cinnamon
1/2 t ground cloves
1/4 t salt
3 large eggs
1/2 c sugar
2/3 cup pumpkin puree

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 c powdered sugar
1 t vanilla extract

FOR CAKE:
PREHEAT oven to 375° F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with powdered sugar.

COMBINE flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan.

BAKE for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. (If using a dark-colored pan, begin checking for doneness at 11 minutes.) Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack.

FOR FILLING:
BEAT cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

Slice into 1 inch rolls.

Cheddar Bites

2010-11-15T16:04:00.001-08:00

These are addicting!
These taste just like Cheez-Its!
These will be gone by tomorrow!

Cheddar Bites
Martha Stewart Living Magazine

1 stick butter
2 c extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 c flour
1 t salt
1/4 t cayenne pepper
2 T cream

In a food processor, combine first 5 ingredients and pulse until it resembles course crumbs.
Add the cream and pulse until combined.
Divide dough into 4 pieces shaped into rectangles and wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
Roll out a rectangle to a 1/4 inch thickness then cut into squares.
Place on lined baking sheet and chill again for about 20 minutes.
Bake at 325 degrees until golden about 15-17 minutes.
Let cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Peanut Butter Puffs

2010-11-12T09:21:00.001-08:00

I was at the grocery store and noticed for the first time a big bag of plain puffed cereal. No sugar. No coating. And I thought hmmmm, I wonder how hard it would be to make my own peanut butter coated cereal? Turns out it's quite easy and quite tasty!

(There is also a cocoa version still in the works. That one needs a few more tweaks, but I'll share it with you when I've got it figured out. Then you can make your own Reese's Puffs!)

Peanut Butter Puffs

8-9 cups of puffed cereal
1 cup peanut butter
2 T coconut oil
1/2 c honey or agave nectar
1/4 t salt
1 t vanilla

Melt peanut butter, coconut oil, and honey in sauce pan until smooth.
Stir in salt and vanilla.
Poor over puffed cereal in a large bowl and mix until evenly coated.
Spread into 2 baking sheets and bake at 250 degrees for 16 minutes, stir and rotate pans half way through.
Let cool and store in an airtight container.

The Many Faces of Prayer

2010-10-29T07:43:00.000-07:00

Here is a peek into a typical suppertime prayer with Isaiah.

He's been working hard at trying to keep his eyes shut.
So far so good.

Oh, it's getting hard!
When is this going to end!
Oh good! It sounds like Dad's wrapping it up.
Nope! False alarm.
Gotta focus.
I can do this.
I wonder what propitiation means?
I don't know, but I hope it's yummy.

Amen!

Mommy! I kept my eyes shut!

Chicken Skillet Stew

2010-10-25T08:52:00.000-07:00

A nice, hearty, cold-weather meal.

Chicken Skillet Stew

8 chicken thighs
salt
pepper
thyme
oregano
parsley
olive oil
-
garlic, diced
onion, chopped
red pepper, chopped
4-5 potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 c baby carrots
2 T flour
2 c water

Heat oil in large skillet.
Season chicken with salt, pepper and herbs.
Cook chicken until browned on both sides.
Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
Add garlic, onion, red pepper, potato, and carrots to skillet.
Cook and stir about 5 minutes.
Sprinkle with flour stir and cook another minute.
Add 2 cups of water and scrape up bottom of pan.
Season with more salt and pepper.
Bring to a boil.
Place chicken back in pan and cover.
You can either continue cooking on low on stove top or place in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
If it is too saucy, place on stove top and remove cover and cook on high until some water evaporates and sauce is thickened.

Fudgy Pecan Pie Bars

2010-10-25T08:38:00.000-07:00

Here's another big pan bar recipe good for feeding a crowd. It's like a pecan tassie, but in bar form and then you add some cocoa to the crust. Oh, and throw in some chocolate chips on top. It's a keeper!

Fudgy Pecan Pie Bars

crust:
2 c flour
3/4 c butter, softened
1/2 c brown sugar
1/4 c cocoa
1 t vanilla

filling:
4 eggs
1 c sugar
6 T butter, melted
2/3 c molasses
1 t vanilla
2 c chopped pecans
1/2 c chocolate chips

Combine crust ingredients until crumbly.
Press into cookie sheet or jelly roll pan.
Bake at 375 degrees for 18-20 minutes.
Meanwhile, beat eggs, sugar, melted butter, molasses, and vanilla until smooth.
Add pecans and chocolate chips.
Spread evenly over baked crust.
Bake again for about 15 minutes or until set.
Cool completely, about 1 hour.

Company Cresent Rolls

2010-10-19T08:27:00.000-07:00

These are fun to make with the kids and taste really good.
They are just a little bit sweet and buttery.
The dough turns out so nice, even softer than a baby's....you know!
You don't even need extra flour when you roll it out.
Can you tell which ones Isaiah rolled up?
Give these a try next time you want some rolls.

Company Cresent Rolls

1 pkg yeast
1/4 c warm water
1 t honey

3/4 c hot water
1/3 c butter, melted
1/3 c honey
1 egg
1 t salt
3 c flour

Soften yeast in 1/4c warm water and 1 t of honey and set aside.
In large bowl, combine hot water, butter, 1/3c honey, egg, salt, and half of the flour.
Add the yeast mixture.
Add remaining flour.
Knead until smooth.
Remove dough, oil bowl and return dough, rolling it around to cover with oil.
Cover dough with saran wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.
Divide dough into 2.
Roll out into a circle.
Spread butter on top.
Cut with a pizza cutter into 8 triangles.
Roll up starting with the outer wide side.
Place on a greased baking sheet and let rise until doubled.
Bake at 350 degrees for 17-20 minutes.

Strawberry Scones

2010-10-15T07:46:00.000-07:00

This is the original recipe that my orange scones is based off of. But I had never made the original. I know, I'm weird like that. I like to tweak. About a month ago I thought I should try the strawberry version. It's good to have some variety. And now, I think I like these better than the orange. Don't get me wrong, if you placed a strawberry scone and an orange scone in front of me and I had to choose which one.....I'd eat both!

Strawberry Scones

1 egg
1/4 c cream
1/4 c buttermilk
1 t vanilla
2 c flour
1/3 c brown sugar
2 t baking powder
1/4 t salt
6 T butter
2/3 c strawberries, hulled and chopped

Combine wet ingredients into a 1 cup measuring cup- egg, cream, buttermilk, and vanilla.
Top off with cream or buttermilk or milk till you reach 1 cup.
Set aside.
Combine dry ingredients in a bowl - flour, sugar, baking powder, salt.
Cut in butter.
(You can put these both in the fridge at this point if you are wanting to make these ahead of time.)
Pour the wet into the dry and stir just until all is moist.
Carefully fold in strawberries.
Using an ice cream scoop, scoop out 12 scones and place on a baking sheet.
Bake at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes.
Top with glaze made from 3/4 c powdered sugar, 1 smashed strawberry and 1-2T milk or cream.

Taylor's Falls October 2010

2010-10-14T10:14:00.000-07:00

So last weekend after snapping some family photos, we sat down to eat a picnic lunch and guess who came driving up?
My oldest brother and his family! They were camping at the same park the night before! Neither of us knew the other was there, until we bumped into each other. We were both about to go on a hike in the same spot! Crazy! God's cool like that! You should have heard the screams from the cousins when they recognized each other!
So we did some hiking.
Found a cool waterfall.

Some rested.
Played in the water. (It was cold!)
Practiced silly faces.
And just enjoyed God's creativity and artistry of the beautiful day!

What a mighty God we serve!

Fall Family Picture

2010-10-12T07:15:00.000-07:00

October's weather has been AMAZING!

This past weekend we decided to get out and enjoy it.
So we headed to a nearby state park and thought maybe we could snap a family picture while we were there.

I think it was like 86 degrees! Unreal for October in Minnesota.

I think we got the perfect shot!

Chocolate Chip Cookie

2010-09-30T07:19:00.000-07:00

Tony was in the mood for chocolate chip cookies and found this recipe from America's Test Kitchen. ATK has never disappointed us yet with one of their recipes, and this is no exception. It is a bit putz-y, mind you, but it you have the time and are up for it, they'll be worth your effort!

Chocolate Chip Cookies
from America's Test Kitchen

10 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup sugar ( white)
3/4 cup dark brown sugar ( soft & fresh)
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 eggs
1 egg yolks
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees farenheit. Line two cookie sheets with parchment.
Take 10 tablespoons butter and melt and brown in in a metal pan, swirling mixture as milk solids in the butter begin to brown. Pour into a heat-proof bowl.
Add in 4 tablespoons cold butter and whisk until melted.
Whisk in the two types of sugar.
Whisk in the salt, vanilla and then the eggs.
IMPORTANT: Let mixture stand for three minutes and whisk again. REPEAT this process two more times.
Combine flour and baking soda. Stir into wet mixture with a large spoon until incorporated.
Stir in chocolate chips.
Place 3 tablespoons of dough into mounds 2" apart onto cookie sheets.
Place in center of the oven (only one sheet at a time) and bake for 11-14 minutes.
Remove from oven and let cookies cool ON THE SHEET for 30-60 minutes to ensure the ideal cookie.

Instructions for Moms - Part 8

2010-09-28T09:58:00.000-07:00

Here is the final installment of this series on instructions to moms from truths found in God's Word. I know God has used these truths to help remind me of his purpose for me on those days when motherhood is challenging. I hope this has been helpful to you too.

-Part 8-

-And finally, do not grow weary in doing good-

It’s hard to always do the right thing, to explain the rules for the quadrillionth time in a gentle way, to discipline without anger, to go all the way downstairs to correct naughty mouths, to make a nutritious meal when you are tired, to get up out of bed when they cry…..remember that godly motherhood in this season is all about the hard work of nurturing and cultivating, and if you are diligent at spotting and pulling the weeds and watering and caring for your kids now you will someday reap the rewards of all your hard work if you do not give up!

James 1 is full of great advice to moms.

2 Count it all joy, my brothers [or mothers], when you meet trials of various kinds [mundane tasks, disobedient kids, long-hard days, sleepless nights], 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. [motherhood is for sanctifying us to be like Jesus]

5 If any of you lacks wisdom [who doesn't?], let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. [are you asking God for help in mothering?] 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. [do you believe He will help?]
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, [doesn't blow up at the kids or the hubby] for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire [my own little kingdom has been upset by messy, ungrateful, little people] . 15 Then desire [why can't they just remember what I've taught them?] when it has conceived gives birth to sin [anger], and sin [they won't be able to sit down for a week!] when it is fully grown brings forth death [lack of fellowship and love with each other].
19 Know this, my beloved brothers [mothers] : let every person be quick to hear [your children's needs in their disobedience], slow to speak [before correcting them. 1st words that come to mind aren't usually the most helpful!], slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man [mom] does not produce the righteousness of God [dang it!]. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word [oh, I need it!], which is able to save your souls [Praise God!].

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word [has God showed you any area you need to work on?] and not a doer [are you going to make any changes?] , he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law [looks to the Bible for help], the law of liberty, and perseveres [don't give up even when its hard], being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Galatians 6:9 - Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

You will be blessed for your hard work.

Proverbs 31:31 – Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

Your kids are the fruit of your hands. You will be known by your fruit. What kind of fruit are you raising?

So be humble, you can’t do this on your own. But, you can through Christ, because He is sufficient. So seek Him with all of your heart, and let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Then be content, and thankful, and pray and do not grow weary in doing good!

Strawberry Pinwheel Shortcake

2010-09-27T16:36:00.000-07:00

These are kind of a cross between a cinnamon roll and a biscuit. They're good for breakfast or brunch or even make for a good dessert. Sometimes I add a glaze on top or some whipped cream with the strawberries.

Strawberry Pinwheel Shortcake
America's Best Recipes

1 1/2 c flour
1 1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1/2 c shortening
1/2 c milk
1 T butter, melted
1/3 c brown sugar
2 T ground almonds
2 T cinnamon

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
Cut in shortening until mixture is crumbly.
Add milk, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened.
Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead 4-5 times.
Roll into a rectangle 11x8 inches.
Brush with melted butter.
Sprinkle with brown sugar, ground almonds, and cinnamon.
Roll up like a jelly roll and pinch seam closed.
Slice into 1 inch sections and place on baking sheet.
Bake at 425 degrees for 12-14 minutes.

Top with glaze or whipped cream and strawberries.

The Bread

2010-09-21T19:12:00.000-07:00

I wanted to try this bread recipe from Pioneer Woman. It looked really good. So I made it with our chili earlier this week. It's crazy good. But why wouldn't it be? It's only 2 ingredients and one of them is butter!

All you need is one loaf of bread and two sticks of butter. Yep, that's right. One stick per half loaf!
Simply cut the loaf in half. Spread with a stick of butter. Place in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes to melt the butter. Then broil until nearly charred. She says some areas should actually burn to get the right taste.

Jesse's Chili

2010-09-21T07:34:00.000-07:00

Fall came right on cue this year. School started, the temperatures dropped, the sun has been playing hide and seek. Perfect weather for chili. This is my brother Jesse's recipe. It is super simple, quick and easy.

Jesse's Chili

1 lb hamburger
1 onion
1 can black beans
1 can baked beans
1 can crushed or diced tomatoes
salt
pepper
cilantro
lime juice

Brown the hamburger and onion.
Dump in everything else to your liking.
Bring to a simmer.
Top with favorite toppings.
Serve with corn bread or garlic bread or fritos.

Instructions for Moms - Part 7

2010-09-16T07:36:00.000-07:00

We are nearly done with this series. So far we have talked about that we need to be humble, you can’t do this on your own. But, you can through Christ, because He is sufficient. So seek Him with all of your heart, and let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Then be content and be thankful and today we learn that we need to pray.

-Part 7-

-And pray-

James 5:16b - The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

As I was studying on prayer for this talk, I wanted to see what the first instances of prayer were in the Old Testament. Check how these people felt about prayer.

In Genesis 20 Abraham has told Sarah to say that she is his sister to Abimalech -

20:1 From there Abraham journeyed toward the territory of the Negeb and lived between Kadesh and Shur; and he sojourned in Gerar. 2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man's wife.” 4 Now Abimelech had not approached her. So he said, “Lord, will you kill an innocent people? 5 Did he not himself say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this.” 6 Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her. 7 Now then, return the man's wife, for he is a prophet, so that he will pray for you, and you shall live. But if you do not return her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.

These people were expecting that by the act of Abraham praying to God for them, they would live!

In verse 17 the story ends with:

17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, and also healed his wife and female slaves so that they bore children. 18 For the Lord had closed all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.

Here's another Old Testament example. In 1 Samuel we read about Samuel reminding the Israelites of past sins and punishments of their fathers by not following God, and now they once again are going against God’s instructions by asking for a king. 1Samuel 12:13-25

And when you saw that Nahash the king of the Ammonites came against you, you said to me, 'No, but a king shall reign over us,' when the LORD your God was your king. ¹³And now behold the king whom you have chosen, for whom you have asked; behold, the LORD has set a king over you. ¹⁴If you will fear the LORD and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God, it will be well. ¹⁵But if you will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then the hand of the LORD will be against you and your king. ¹⁶Now therefore stand still and see this great thing that the LORD will do before your eyes. ¹⁷ Is it not wheat harvest today? I will call upon the LORD, that he may send thunder and rain. And you shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking for yourselves a king." ¹⁸So Samuel called upon the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.

Samuel prayed to God to destroy their wheat harvest, and it happened^!

¹⁹And all the people said to Samuel, "Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king."

The Isrealites believe in the power of prayer and that it would save their lives.

²⁰And Samuel said to the people, "Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. ²¹And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. ²² For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself. ²³Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.

It was a sin for Samuel to not pray for them!

Do you see prayer as powerful? Do you use it the way you should? Are you praying for your kids? Have you ever thought of it as a sin not to pray?

Here's some more verses.

2 Chronicles 7:14- "if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

In here we have the humility, the praying, and the seeking Him.

Psalm 102:17 - he regards the prayer of the destitute and does not despise their prayer.

Proverbs 15:8 - The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.

Jeremiah 29:12 - Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.

God works through prayers of righteous and humble people. Are you praying?

John 16: 23b-24 - Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. ²⁴Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Are you asking God for help?

And when you don’t even know what to ask for…

Romans 8:26 - Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

The point is not having the right words, it’s having the right heart. Understanding that you are dependent on God for everything.

Philippians 4:6 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

And finally, do not grow weary in doing good-

Chicken Tamale Casserole

2010-09-11T14:53:00.000-07:00

My sister-in-law Ann found this recipe from Cooking Light and prepared it for us at a family gathering a while ago. Everyone really liked it and I finally got around/remembered to give it a try. Don't worry, we took all the 'Light' stuff out it so it's good to go!

Chicken Tamale Casserole
adapted from Cooking Light

1 c shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 c milk
1 egg
1 t cumin
1/8 t cayenne pepper
1 can cream style corn
1 box jiffy corn muffin mix
1 can enchilada sauce
2 c cooked shredded chicken breast

toppings-sour cream, tomatoes, avocado, salsa, black olives, cheese, etc.

Combine 1/4c cheese and the next 6 ingredients in a large bowl, stirring just until moist.
Pour mixture into a greased 9x13 dish and bake at 400 degrees for 15 or until set.
Pierce surface liberally with a fork and pour desired amount of enchilada sauce over the top.
Top with shredded chicken and remaining cheese.
Bake for another 15 minutes.
Serve and top with favorite toppings.

Re-purposing: Shirt to dress

2010-09-11T14:30:00.000-07:00

Addie has this cute little rainbow shirt that has been a favorite of hers, but is getting small and stained on the belly.

Instead of throwing it out, we decided to try and revive it.
I started by cutting the bottom 6 inches off of Addie's shirt.

I found an old tank top of Evan's that was a similar knit material and I cut it off just under the arm holes. This will be the bottom of the skirt.
I wanted to keep the cute little heart. So I cut it out and pinned it in the middle then sewed some crazy circles around it with pink thread.
And here's the finished product. I think we can get another season or two out of it now!
Addie wanted me to show you a picture of her boots :)

Cinnamon Roll Cake

2010-09-08T18:25:00.000-07:00

If you are wondering if this tastes as good as it looks.....it does!
If you are wondering if you should make it......you should...right now!
Go preheat your oven to 350!

Cinnamon Roll Cake
adapted from Picky Palate

Cake

3 cups flour
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 ½ cups milk
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
3/4 stick real butter, melted

Topping

1 1/2 sticks real butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 T flour
1 T cinnamon
2/3 cups nuts, optional

Glaze

2 cups powdered sugar
5 T milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

For the cake:

In an electric or stand mixer mix the flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, milk, eggs and vanilla. Once combined well, slowly stir in melted butter.

Pour batter into a greased 9 x 13 inch baking pan.

For the topping:

In a large bowl, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and nuts.

Drop evenly over cake batter by the tablespoonfuls and use a knife to marble/swirl through the cake.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out nearly clean from center.

For the glaze:

Place powdered sugar, milk and vanilla in a large bowl.

Whisk until smooth.

Drizzle over warm cake.

Instructions for Moms - Part 6

2010-09-01T06:00:00.001-07:00

We have been talking about some truths the Bible has to teach us moms on how to do our job well. So far we have discovered that we need to be humble, you can’t do this on your own. But, you can through Christ, because He is sufficient. So seek Him with all of your heart, and let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Then be content...

-Part 6-

-and be thankful-

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

In all circumstances...laundry piles, poopy diapers, bills, messy houses, crying babies…

Be thankful for the pile of laundry because it means you have clothes to wear!
Be thankful for another poopy diaper because it means your baby is healthy and the “plumbing” is working!

Be thankful for the heat bill because it means you are warm!

Be thankful for the mess of toys because it means you have children!

Be thankful for the crying at 2am because it means you can hear! And it means your child is alive!

Be thankful for the alarm that goes off in the morning because it means you’re alive!

My mom used to sing us the song Oh be grateful for the good things that you’ve got? Do you know it? It goes like this:

Oh be grateful for the good things that you’ve got.

Oh be grateful for the good things that you’ve got.
The good things that you’ve got, are for many just a dream.

So, be grateful for the good things that you’ve got!

How alert are you at noticing God’s grace in your life. Has he provided for you? Are you naked today? Did you get to eat breakfast? Do you have parents? Do you get to see your kids today? Were you able to drive somewhere? Do you get to pick what you will make/have for supper tonight? Take time each day to recognize whatever grace you have received from God is so much more than we’re worthy of, and indescribably better than the hell we deserve!

Every situation has two ways of looking at it and you have a choice in how you are going to respond to it. Are you going to be selfish and bitter and critical and complaining? Or are you going to trust in God's sovereignty in your life and find ways to be thankful in all circumstances?

Over and over in scripture we are commanded to be thankful.

Ephesians 5:20- And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 3:15 - Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Psalm 95:2 - Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.

Colossians 4:2 - Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

As we see in this last verse, not only are we to be thankful but we need to devote ourselves to prayer!

And that is my next point, for next time....And pray.

I Want to Grow Older With You

2010-08-26T08:13:00.000-07:00

The good Lord has given you me
And me to you
He knows just what He is doing 'cause
Even with all of our quirks
Somehow it works
Yes we are better together

I want to grow older
I want to grow older with you!

There's many things 'bout you I like
You're patient and kind
You're always careful to do what is right
Never uptight
You're out of sight
Yes we are better together

I want to grow older
I want to grow older with you!

I want to be by your side
In you confide
Let's live 'till we are one-hundred and five
If it's God's plan
Still holding hands
'Cause we're better together

I want to grow older
I want to grow older with you!

Thankful for 15 wonderful years with you Tony.
I love you and can't wait to grow older with you!
Happy Anniversary!

-cadence inspired from Expiration Date by pomplamoose