Holiday Baking #3 - Brittle

I started making this several years ago but I have never made it with peanuts. Instead I use roasted, unsalted macadamia nuts. My parents usually go to Hawaii every year around Thanksgiving so I have them bring me back a pound. This is a bit time consuming but it's worth it! Very yummy!

Nut Brittle

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon water

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup water

1 cup light corn syrup

3 tablespoons margarine or butter

1 pound (I use slightly less) shelled, unroasted peanuts (again, I use macadamia nuts)

Butter 2 cookie sheets 15 1/2x 12" (I use my jelly roll pan only). Keep warm in a 200 degree oven.

Mix baking soda, 1 teaspoon water and vanilla. Set aside.

Mix sugar, 1 cup water and the corn syrup in a 3-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, to 240 degree on a candy thermometer. (This takes quite awhile. At least 1/2 hour or more)

Stir in margarine and nuts. Cook, stirring constantly to 300 degrees. Watch carefully so mixture does not burn. Immediately remove pan from heat and quickly stir in baking soda mixture until light and foamy.

Pour half the candy mixture onto each warm cookie sheet, quickly spread to about 1/4" thick. Cool. Break into pieces.

Just for kicks, here's a picture of me asleep on the couch with the cat. I've been working hard lately and am pretty darn tired by the time I get the kids to bed. It's hard not to drift off when you have a little motor running next to you.

~Menu Plan~

Yeah, I know, it's Tuesday!

• Sunday - Enchiladas made with leftover shredded turkey, rice, salad
• Monday - Shrimp in homemade alfredo sauce over penne, corn.
• Tuesday - Chicken picatta, parmesean cous cous, steamed broccoli
• Wednesday - Was planning on meat loaf but now I have to work so FG and the kids will either have chicken nuggets or a frozen pizza or soup - Daddy's turn to figure out what to feed these kids!
• Thursday - FG works so we'll be doing one of the options from Wednesday that FG didn't choose.
• Friday - Meatloaf, noodles, glazed carrots
• Saturday - Basketball game so I'm hoping we can go out for pizza beforehand

The homemade alfredo sauce is easy and yummy and full of fat!

1-2 Tablespoons olive oil

1-2 cloves minced garlic

2 Tablespoons flour

1 cup chicken stock (I used turkey stock since I made it last week from our bird)

1 cup heavy cream

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

a couple of handfuls of grated parmesean cheese (probably about 2/3 cup total? I eyeball it)

salt & pepper to taste

heat olive oil, saute garlic briefly and sprinkle flour all over pan. Whisk in chicken broth until lumps are gone and it starts to thicken. (This is where I added the raw shrimp). Whisk in heavy cream and nutmeg. Stir to thicken and cook on medium heat for a few minutes. Add grated cheese and salt and pepper to taste. Let thicken over low heat and serve over pasta.

* Exported from MasterCook *
Parmesan Couscous
1 can chicken broth

3/4 cup couscous

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Bring chicken broth to a boil in a saucepan; stir in couscous. Cover and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Stir in cheese and parsley.

Introspective

• I am thinking that me working a bit has been really good for this family. Not only does it get me out of the house and around adults (though I work with mostly college kids, I feel REALLY old at work unless my friend who owns the store is there with me), it brings me a bit of extra cash and the best part? My kids are realizing that Daddy can do things too. DD was a "daddy's baby" but not a "daddy's girl". It's been "Mom, mom mom" for a few years now. Mom is the only one who can read good stories before bed. Mom is the only one who can take care of anything that happens in the middle of the night. Mom is the only one who can pour more milk. Mom is the only one who can fix a toy, play a game, blah blah blah. But since I've been working in the evening and on the weekends part time it has definitely brought the three of them closer. Last night they both snuggled on the couch - WITH DADDY. DS said, "Dad, you & I are best buds." DD said, "Daddy, I love you lots." It's been the BEST thing to come out of me working. It reaffirms my belief that my kids need to know the security of others besides just mom (and dad too). I think I'm still tops in their book but they know that they have two capable parents to count on, not just one.
• We had a pet tragedy on Thanksgiving. My parents came home from their vacation and their kitten was missing. The neighbor had seen her the day before but not since. The other neighbor found her drowned in his pool. She was a great kitty. Fun and very playful. She was also great company to my retired father. So my parents were late to our gathering because they were waiting for the neighbor to bring their kitty's body back. I told DS because he overheard me on the phone but I haven't told DD. I didn't tell DS how she died though.
• Our Thanksgiving dinner turned out good. It seemed like forever for the dang turkey to cook. But all turned out well. FG told me to never have his brother bring anything that involves cooking or preparing food again. That leaves rolls which um, ok, they brought last year and weren't what we asked them to bring. Wine, which future SIL likes the $3 cheap swill from the fine establishment of Wally World. She certainly sucked down the $20 bottle of Spatlese I had for us. We had TWO bottles left at the wine store and I bought them knowing that my mom loves it. I didn't let FG open the second bottle even though my mom barely got one small glass and I got one small glass. Next time SIL can bring her own wine.
• Still prepping for our big party. We did a Costco trip yesterday which was all the Black Friday shopping we managed. (Not buying presents this year is cutting the shopping way down!). Besides eggs and some more flour, I think I'm good with the giant bag of sugar, pecans, and four pounds of butter.
• I am actually letting my kids play OUTSIDE in our neighborhood alone. It's a beautiful day. They wanted to go ride their scooters and the safest place is in the court off of our court (we're like a lopsided figure 8). Usually the neighbor kids are out there with them but they had to leave to run errands. They told them to go ahead and use the ramps they play on. So my almost 8 year old and 4 1/2 year old are out there alone riding around. And I'm 98% ok with it. It's so hard to let go but gosh, I cannot stifle them! I was out alone at their age. If they can't play outside in their own neighborhood then there's a problem considering we're total suburbia. Another neighbor is out hanging his Christmas lights and he's a sweet guy, single dad with a teenage son. So at least there is someone closer when I'm not watching them. Now I MUST go get my chores done so I can relax and enjoy my eveing. I love having a free day with no plans, nothing set in stone, nowhere to be. It seems rare anymore!

Thanksgiving

My Thanksgiving menu is B-O-R-I-N-G this year. Totally un-exciting. So I'm not sharing any recipes because they aren't anything fabulous. That's the problem with feeding this crowd we'll have. They like it traditional. So we'll have a completely carb-loaded meal. Basic roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, rolls, homemade cranberry sauce, red cabbage (it's the German in me), pumpkin pie, pecan pie (made by MIL with, EEK!, a pre-made pie shell). I've asked the my mom make the red cabbage, MIL make the pecan pie and a small appetizer, BIL & fiance make a side dish and a small appetizer and SMA to bring me a newspaper and wine. I need to delicately explain to him that cabernet does not go with turkey nor do you start off sipping on a cab in the early afternoon prior to eating and having a riesling, rose or pinot noir with your dinner. I'll just make sure to pick up several bottles tonight at work (yay! LOVE working at a wine shop for the holidays!) and put his aside for the next beef roast or spaghetti dinner I make.
I have no idea what side dish BIL's fiance is bringing. Do you realize how nerve wracking that is for me?! As soon as I get home from picking up DD I'll make the pumpkin pies and mashed potatoes. I've never tried to do them ahead of time but this year I am going to attempt it. I want to spend the time playing board games, watching football and enjoying our company, not mashing potatoes. Tonight while I'm at work, FG will have got get out the extra banquet table and figure out seating. I worked my little butt off yesterday. Not only did I do ALL of the laundry, I also: scrubbed the bathrooms, scrubbed the kitchen sink, mopped the floors, poop-scooped the backyard, took apart the stovetop and cleaned all the parts, vacuumed, washed & dried the crystal, got out the silver serving dishes, washed the decanter, vacuumed downstairs and cleaned the carpets (LOVE my Bissell carpet cleaner!), made dinner, watched Charlie Brown with the kids AND gave FG a little action last night. To reward myself I polished off 1/2 a bottle of wine. Yeah, while I slept great after all that activity and wine, it was NOT a good idea as I'm having my "hormonal shift" when AF leaves the building. I get the worst headaches during that time and it's always due to those damn hormones. Add too much wine to that and my head is killing me today and meds aren't touching it. Though I have a feeling that the wine didn't make too much of a difference because I went through the same thing last month. Woke up with a headache one day and the meds took care of it. Woke up with another one the next day and NOTHING touched it. Same as yesterday and today. I woke up with one yesterday, took my meds and felt fine (obviously with all that damn work!) all day. Woke up today and they just aren't working. I'm praying that tomorrow is better. I have to work tonight so I can't even turn in early! We'll be busy tonight too with everyone scrambling to get their wine for dinner tomorrow. Hopefully that will keep my mind off the pounding pain in my head.

My good Samaritan moment for today: I listed a bunch of stuff on Craigslist. One thing being a Tickle Me Elmo Surprise plush doll. It's barely been played with as DS got it when he was, I think, 1. It's pretty much sat on the shelf for years. I listed it for $5. I've had a girl who wants it and said she would meet me at the wine store on Monday night. She called my cell phone and told me she can't leave her grandmother alone so she couldn't make it. Then she called me yesterday to say she would like to come pick it up. Well, in my busy-ness I didn't have my cell phone on so I ended up getting back to her 5 hours after she called. I felt awful so I told her she can just have it if she's willing to come by the store tonight to pick it up. She sounds young and I heard young kids in the background. I totally understand wanting to give your kids a good holiday but not having a lot of extra $$ to do so. I hope that silly doll makes someone very happy.

Menu Plan Monday

This week is, well, Thanksgiving! And I have to work 2 nights at dinner time so FG is on his own feeding himself and the kids. Thank goodness when I make spaghetti sauce, I usually freeze a meal's worth of leftovers. Hopefully FG can handle boiling the noodles. I'm sure he can. After all, he has to eat it too!

• Sunday - Sausage, mashed potatoes, veggies
• Monday - (I work) soup & grilled cheese
• Tuesday - Chicken & proscuitto tortellini w/ alfredo sauce & steamed broccoli
• Wednesday - (I work, FG has to work as well since he won't on Thursday AND he has to take the kids with him. He may end up wanting to switch out Monday & Wednesday's dinners) Spaghetti, garlic bread
• Thursday - A feast to be Thankful for!
• Friday - Enchiladas (leftover turkey meat), steamed rice
• Saturday - Leftover Thanksgiving Dinner

Holiday Baking #2 - Molasses Sugar Cookies

Another recipe from my Grandmother. This time it's from my paternal Grandmother and the only grandparent I have alive. She was very young when she had my father. She is the grandmother who taught me to bake by feel. So this is another recipe that could probably be made better with some better ingredients (butter instead of shortening) but I know that these turn out well and they taste wonderful. So I'll stick with the recipe for now. One day I'll get brave and try some others that use butter.

* Exported from MasterCook *
Molasses Sugar Cookies
3/4 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup molasses

1 large egg

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon cloves

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ginger

2 teaspoons cinnamon
Cream shortening and sugar. Add molasses and egg. Beat well until fluffy.
Sift together flour, soda, cloves, ginger, cinnamon and salt. Add to molasses mixture.
Mix well and chill until easy to handle.
Form into 1" balls and roll in granulated sugar. Place on greased cookie sheet 2" apart. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.
Cool slightly on cookie sheet and cool completely on wire rack.

My kids love 'em!

Holiday Baking #1 - Petite Cheesecakes

This was my maternal grandmother's recipe. I have it in the church cookbook from the Lutheran church my mother grew up next to and attended until she married my dad. I love the cookbook because it's got so many old treasured recipes in it. Ones that say "oleo" and aren't always the healthiest. But there are some excellent tried and true tested recipes by real women who came together over many potlucks, baby showers, picnics and birthday parties.

I make these every year for my Christmas party and I literally have to save some out or I never get any! They always go fast. The perfect little bite size cheesecake to pop in your mouth and let it melt.

* Exported from MasterCook *
Petite Cheesecakes
16 ounces cream cheese -- softened

3 egg yolk

3/4 cup sugar

3 egg white -- beaten

3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

3 tablespoons butter -- melted

1/2 cup sour cream

2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Beat cream cheese with mixer until fluffy. Add egg yolks and mix well. Add sugar. Mix until fluffy and creamy. Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites.
Melt 3 tablespoons butter and brush mini muffin tins generously. Sprinkle with graham cracker crumbs and shake until well coated. Tap out excess.
Fill cups with cheese mixture and bake at 350 degrees for 13 - 15 minutes.
Combine sour cream, sugar and vanilla in small bowl. Pour 1/2 teaspoon into the depression of each cake after baking. Bake an additional 3-5 minutes.
Let cool slightly and remove to wire rack. Cool completely.
Store tightly covered in refrigerator with waxed paper between each layer. They may also be frozen.

Yield: "4 dozen"

EDIT: Yes, that is a mini-cupcake pan. There are 24 to a pan. I really should make these more than once per year. They would be excellent with fruit topping as well. You are right Liz, the possibilities are endless!

Let the Holidays begin!

And the pounds pack on.

I'm cooking Thanksgiving dinner next week. I have to work three days next week, including the night before the big turkey day and the morning after. Yeah, I'm crazy. But my last paycheck which FG told me I can go spend however I feel it needs to be spent, was 100% spent on new clothes for my amazon daughter. Yeah, she's FOUR and I had to buy her size 6 clothes. I couldn't handle her crack hanging out, her skirts barely covering her girly parts and her pants all being way too short. So anyway, I will willingly work 3 crazy days next week to go buy them toys for Christmas and let Santa get all the fucking credit.

In the meantime, I've started my holiday baking as well. I'm a bit on the insane side when it comes to that. I throw a big ass party every year so I don't FG doesn't eat everything I like to make at Christmas time. This year between family, his golf friends, preschool parents we've gotten to know, school parents we've gotten to know, playgroup moms and our neighbors that we boat with I've got over 70 on the list. Damn. I had some friends asking me in SEPTEMBER when my party was so they could plan around it.
This year I'm baking the minimal to avoid 1) the huge grocery bill that comes along with it 2) the outrageous gas bill that shows up after running the oven for 3 weeks straight.

I started my baking today. I start with things that freeze well and work from there. Today, Petite Cheesecakes. I took pictures, I'll share the recipe. I'm hoping to do that with many, if not all, of the goodies I make. I wish I could bring all of my cyber-friends over and share so this will be the next best thing. Now I must go do the dishes and head to a basketball game. Stay tuned for goodies, hopefully tomorrow!

I need to find that elusive happiness again

I don't even know where to start. I know I'm not alone in the fact I'm not looking forward to this holiday season. FG is just worried and stressed. That makes me worried and stressed. That makes both of us snap at each other and the kids more than, well, more than we should at all. It's not pretty. I hate this. I hate this struggling. I keep reminding myself that we are lucky ones. We have our home, we have food, we have warmth, we have each other. Only so much reminding works though. There's the constant struggle of exactly where and how to spend the little money we have. I went to the store yesterday to do the shopping for Thanksgiving. The pricier turkeys were calling me but I opted for the super cheap one. We're feeding a lot of people again (there will be 11 of us this year - I've put my foot down on SMA bringing any more "dates" because I'm done with a 40 year old acting like a 16 year old but that's an entire other post). I've asked that they bring things. The controlling part of me is uncomfortable with that. But I have to let go because we simply cannot do it all. Anyway, I managed to get a 17+ pound turkey for $4.88. My store has a great deal where if you spend over $50 you get the turkey for $.23 or something per pound. Crazy huh?
After that, I'm not looking forward to the holiday season. I feel like I can't get my children the things they want and that really bums me out. I need to find something for FG from the kids because the lessons of giving shouldn't go away because we can't afford the pricy presents. I'm at a loss with him anyway but even finding something for the kids to make him is a tough one!
Speaking of that, we are planning on making lots of presents. I feel like I'm running out of time though. I have to get ready for our annual holiday party AFTER hosting Thanksgiving. Ugh. Way too much to do! But I am planning on having the kids help me make notecards with stamps for some family and I'll do some beading and make some jewelry for family and friends. Neither of those really apply to Daddy.
I dread the thought of even buying a Christmas tree this year. Damn those things can get expensive. We'll be getting a smaller one, I know that much. I'm cutting back on the amount of sweets I make for our party and beyond. Presents will be few. It all puts a big damper on the holiday to have so much stress in our lives.
There are few people that seem to be either oblivious or they simply are not affected by the economy. They continue to spend and buy. It amazes me I guess because the majority of people I know are struggling. All extras have been cut out. Shopping for anything beyond essentials and necessities has ceased. So when I read and hear things from these people who are still buying up things it now throws me for a loop.
How have you been affected? Is it just that I have so many friends who are independent business people that they are hit a bit harder because they, like us, do not get a "regular paycheck"? Even still, people I know who get a regular salary are not getting their bonuses this year or the rising cost of everything has made their dollar go less far. Has it hit you and how are you dealing with it? What have you cut out that has made it easier to get through this? Finally, do you have hope that this will soon turn around? Someone told me this weekend that they don't see it getting any better for 5 years. I'm wondering if they voted Republican.

Menu Plan Monday, on Tuesday

Boring day around here. Lots of little things to just get done. That's ok, I'm looking forward to having the day to do it all, even if they are incredibly boring tasks!

Here's this week's menu. I'm making banana bread today. Maybe I'll post that recipe since I don't have any others that are worthy of sharing.

• Sunday - Lemon Chicken w/ veggies over rice, scalloped pineapple (needed to use up some stale sliced bread), chocolate peanut butter chip cookies
• Monday - Leftover buffet! Chicken noodle soup for FG and me and leftover spaghetti for the kids. I used the french bread from spaghetti night last week to make toasted garlic cheese bread
• Tuesday - roasted chicken thighs, roasted squash, mashed potatoes w/ gravy
• Wednesday - Tacos, rice, beans, salad
• Thursday - whatever the kids and I feel like eating
• Friday - kielbasa sausage, mashed potatoes, veggies
• Saturday - 1st home basketball game and I'm hoping we can go out for pizza before the game with friends

My persuasive child

That would be my darling son who is 7 3/4.
We recently got his 1st report card of 2nd grade. It was the usual. Nothing out of the ordinary except for his music grade. That he just can't seem to get up there.
We had is Parent Teacher conference. I like it that FG goes to these as well. It's important. He and DS have similar brains, which work very differently than mine. So I don't always understand what's happening with DS but FG can.
FG and I sat down on the little chairs with the teacher and we talked to her for awhile. I like to take the last spot of the day, that way no one is kept waiting and I know we have extra time for discussion. I don't like to be or feel rushed when it comes to talking about his school performance.
We discussed how we wish for her to handle his sensory issues. I think she's dealing with him just fine so that was a short discussion.
We talked about his academic performance and the fact he's freaky smart.
I read some of his journal and clarified that he does not spend all weekend watching TV and playing video games and eating candy. (Obviously my encouragement of writing down some of these crazy stories he comes up with did not do well because DS insists he only likes to write about what actually happened and obviously in his head he does nothing but screw around all weekend. Where were the family activities? Where are the games, crafts, cookie making, outside play?Forgotten in the buzz of an electronic device that just zaps it out of his head. )
We talked about how he gets along with other kids and how it bothers him if he thinks someone doesn't like him. He can and will win you over if he thinks that you are not his #1 fan. He is relentless in his pursuit! But he also prefers to play alone a lot of the time. I've come to accept it. He'll be fine.
We discussed his "red" status earlier in the week. The teacher kept saying she felt just horrible having to do that to him. I gave her my theory as to why he couldn't calm himself down that day. FG and I gave her some of the language and tools we use to get him to calm himself down. But she just kept saying how awful she felt putting him on "red" because his reaction was so strong. I honestly think she came close to moving him back because of the way he reacted! He just has this way of making you feel like shit for something he did.
We discussed why his music grade is poor. The kid LOVES music and always has. He has a good musical ear as well. She found it odd that his grade was poor from the music teacher as well. She promised to look into it.

Fast forward to today when I took DS's backpack to school. I intentionally went while the class was at recess so I didn't disrupt class. The teacher was in the classroom grading papers. She told me she talked to the music teacher and the music teacher now felt awful. She looked up his records and realized that he has excellent tone and is enthusiastic in her class. She said she had forgotten that he has sensory problems and was thinking he was just not paying attention, thus the poor grade. She wanted to apologize to both DS and us. I'm glad that his class teacher told her that isn't necessary. We were just wondering what was going on, that's all.
Then I also told the class teacher that I didn't want her to feel bad for disciplining my son. We, as parents, have a philosophy we are raising him to be an adult, not an overgrown child. And with that comes acting appropriately and paying the price when he doesn't. She thanked me for that and told me again how she just felt so awful because of how he reacted. That's his persuasive personality I told her and it will serve him well but it doesn't mean he gets off easy every time.

I've been robbed!

I feel so cheated.

http://www.nbc.com/The_Office/video/clips/baby-shower-1016/767481/

Check out #1 on my list.


Busy crazy day here that started with meeting friends for breakfast before getting both kids to school. Now I'm full and lethargic and it just feels so odd to start the day like that. Then DS forgot to take his backpack with us and he was a minute or two late to class. I brought him his backpack while he was on his morning recess break. This afternoon both kids get the flu mist squirted up their nose. So I have to pick him up from school early and he'll miss dissecting an owl pellet. I think today is just going to be a weird weird day all around. I am wearing my new jewelry that I made over the weekend. I will have to have one of the kids take my picture. I used very pretty blue stone beads with a touch of silver. Though I think I'm going to re-string them. I'm not pleased with the spacing.

Gone

Gone is the bloggy post I had running through my head in the middle of the night. Damn. It was a good one too but I'll be a monkey's uncle if I can remember even the idea of it. I guess that's why people put notebooks at their bedside huh? Though I was mostly sleeping so maybe it was all just a dream.

Gone is FG. Another business trip. Blah! It got extended so I have to handle the work he normally does here that he scheduled for tomorrow thinking he would be home tonight. So I get to do it. I've never done it. Not all of it. Not on my own. holy shit

Gone is DS's good standing in class. They use a "traffic light" system and the little bugger got on RED today. He claims he can't remember why as he was fighting back tears. I didn't yell. I didn't have it in me. I just told him I was really disappointed in that. I guess I'll find out what happened later this week at his Parent/Teacher conference.

Gone will be my parents (ok, I realize that is horrid grammar!) tomorrow as they fly off to sunny & 82 degrees in Hawaii. If only my dad would realize that we 1) don't want to go to Oahu 2) FG is really not comfortable taking up a room at the military resort when so many men his age have to be away from their families risking their lives and they deserve it more than we do. Dad keeps mentioning how we should go with them and how he can get us a room at the resort. I don't say anything because I've already tried to explain it and it hasn't seemed to work.

Gone are our kitty's bladder stones! She had her surgery last week and is doing amazingly well. Now I want her medicines to be gone. Giving an unwilling cat 3 meds, 2x a day is no walk in the park. But she's already feeling so much better and thankfully, not peeing anywhere but the litter box!

Gone is my complete SAHM status. I'm doing holiday work for my friend who owns a wine store.

Thus, I will be gone quite a bit. Holding down the fort, dealing with 1/2 school days for DS, working both for our business and scheduled hours at the store, still volunteering at school, attending a Parent/Teacher conference, disciplining over the "red" today, caring for our aging dogs and ailing cat... this all leaves me little time to blog, no time to bake anything new or try out new recipes. It leaves me time only to exist and get through this week and hope next week is slightly better!

A quick guide to pancakes

I grew up with my mom making homemade pancakes. I never knew a mix existed. Mom always mixed up the flour, milk, eggs and cooked them up on a weekend. I do the same now. I do keep some mix on hand for school days or days that it's just the kids who want them. Quick, easy and they are happy. But for the over 14 years I've been married, I've made big weekend breakfasts for FG and I and now the kids.

Pancakes do not need to be scary. They are quite easy, even from scratch. The ingredients I use are basic and common and generally on hand in most kitchens. Except now I started making buttermilk pancakes and waffles and oh yum! The buttermilk gives them such a light texture they just melt in your mouth!
The recipe I use is from The Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book.

Here's my step by step on making pancakes:

The ingredients

1 cup buttermilk (I usually add a few table spoons more after mixing to thin the batter a bit and get it the consistency I want it)

2 Tablespoons cooking oil

1 beaten egg (I just toss it in the milk & oil and mix it in there)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder (2 t. if you are using regular milk)

1/2 teaspoon baking soda (omit if you are using regular milk)

1 Tablespoon sugar

1 cup all purpose flour

Mix dry ingredients in separate bowl. Mix wet ingredients in large bowl with pour spout (I like to use my large measuring cup or my PC Batter Bowl). Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix just until combined. Batter will be slightly lumpy.

While you are mixing up the ingredients. Start warming a griddle or pan. The biggest mistake most people make with pancakes is having the pan too hot! Start warming it on medium heat.

Get the pan warm but not sizzling hot.

Pour the batter on the pan. I like to do smaller pancakes so I get 4 on my one-burner griddle.

Then wait. Patiently. The pancakes will look wet and bubbly in the middle and dry on the edges. Wait just a tiny bit more and THEN flip!

Then they only take a minute or so until they are finished!

If you like blueberries in your pancakes (I'm the only one in the house who does!), wash, drain and add them AFTER you pour the batter.

I have frozen cooked pancakes before. I cool them then put waxed paper between each one, put them in a Ziploc bag and freeze. They are ok. Not as good as fresh but most food isn't.

Now, go make pancakes! They really aren't scary!

Follow up!

Everyone vote today? Ha, listen to me.... the girl who spent as little time as possible in past years dealing with politics! I think I last voted, um, yeah.... Anyway, I DID register to vote this year and I voted early. I read the two sides of every issue I voted on, discussed it with various people, paid attention to the presidential debates... all of it. I was a much more informed voter! That was my problem in the past. I didn't have (or take) the time to really pay attention and make informed choices. When I last voted, I hated how I felt because I didn't know enough about what or who I was voting for. So I stopped and let FG deal with all that politics stuff. This year, as soon as the VP nominations were made, I realized this was a very historic year. I guess I sorta grew up. I thought about what a privilege it is for me to have a say in how my life is governed and as a woman, how past women have fought for my right that I had been so passe about. DS was WAY into it as well. From before the tickets were decided he was interested in who and what and where. So I took him with me to vote. Which was a big reason I voted early. Also, they closed the schools to students today and I knew I would be waiting in a line with two squirmy kids. (Though FG just came home and said that there was NO line. Probably because I saw a gazillion people voting early this year.) I have the TV off right now. I'll watch later. I am so over the political ads that I rented a movie for myself last night. I snuggled on my bed with my glass of wine and watched. It was great. The only attacks on anyone's character were against Anne Boleyn.

Today we're having a slow day. I'm wasting time on the Internet. The kids are hanging out and I just gave in and let them watch some cartoons. They have been good today and I need to scrub the bathrooms. If I don't occupy them they come in and bug me and slow down the process. Do you know anyone who wants the process of scrubbing a bathroom to slow down for one second? Didn't think so. My dad called and he's going to take us to lunch. I freaked him out yesterday. I started crying on the phone with him. I'm an only child and a girl. Therefore crying does not go over well with a Daddy. He's worried about us so he's going to help us out. We'll be fine in the long run, we just have to get through this financial mess the country is in. So when I was crying over our kitty and the possibility of having to put her to sleep because we simply cannot afford her expensive surgery, he drove over here. It's a 40 minute drive. He brought me money. The cat will get her surgery tomorrow and will be as good as new. We just simply do not have the extra money at this moment to help her. That or literally no Christmas presents for the kids. I was sick over it. Sick over the thought of killing a fairly healthy cat and beloved member of the family just because I want to be able to get my kids a Wii. It made my dad sick too to hear me cry, to think about what the cat faced and the sadness that would bring to the kids. So Daddy to the rescue with half the money for her surgery! Aren't parents great? I know FIL has always been a willing helper for both FG and his brother. Help getting into our first house, help getting into our second house, help getting a car when we were 23, newly married and dead broke with only one car and two jobs each. I don't ask much of my parents except time with my kids, even though they are willing and able. And I didn't ask this time, I was sort of forced. He's on his way here now to take the kids and I to lunch. Part of that is he's bored and he knows we're all home. He's retired and my mom still works. He gets very lonely and very bored. Sounds better to me than doing more laundry or scrubbing more bathrooms!

Per my Menu Plan yesterday.... Karly, yes, we have had the MM sandwich before and YUM. Last time I made them I didn't have the kids eat them. Last night I did. They liked them as much as we do! I was shocked when their sandwiches were gone and there were still french fries on the plate! I didn't use as much butter as she does in her recipe but they were still yummy. It's a once in awhile thing around here because I try to cook fairly healthy. Except when I feel like DS needs a little fat and I make homemade Alfredo sauce with heavy cream and Parmesan over tortellini. Definitely not a dish to eat before a cholesterol test!

Happy Voting Day everyone! I'm entirely too anxious to see the results tonight!

~Menu Plan Monday!~

This past week was a busy one! This week will be a little bit better then the following week is going to be another doozy! FG is going back out of town this weekend for work. I start working at my friend's wine store again starting this weekend and DS barely goes to school this month. He's off tomorrow for Election Day (schools are polling places and there's no way they can use the Multi-purpose room for voting AND school because the kids eat lunch in there), then he has an early release day on Friday, off next Tuesday for Veteran's Day and all of next week is Parent/Teacher Conference week so they get out early every day. The following week is a full regular week of school and the week after is Thanksgiving so they barely go that week as well! Between FG working out of town, me going back to work part time and the kids going to school only part time, it's going to be a busy time around here!

This past weekend, I decided to take my ripe bananas and bake some yummy banana bread for my friend. To the party, we took a bottle of wine and I gave her a little birthday gift as well. She said she didn't want to share her bread and I told her that I figured she may want to just save it for breakfast the next day to help herself feel better from her night of dancing and celebrating. It worked out well. I made a delicious apple pie for our dinner at FIL's house last night and every last bite was eaten. I think I'm going to have to go get more apples and make another pie. I am already craving more!

Last week's menu was barely followed. Things just kept getting in the way! This week's we should be on track a bit better, even with FG out of town the end of the week through the weekend.

• Sunday - Dinner at FIL's house
• Monday - Pioneer Woman's Marlboro Man Sandwiches, french fries, salad
• Tuesday - Chicken & Broccoli Wreath (Pampered Chef recipe), apple slices
• Wednesday - Balsamic Pork Chops, roasted acorn squash, mashed potatoes
• Thursday - Just me & the kids from her on out... Hot dogs, noodles, veggies
• Friday - DS's Request! Homemade pizza & garlic knots (pizza dough rolled out, cut into strips, tied in a knot, baked & then tossed with olive oil, granulated garlic and Parmesan cheese)
• Saturday - Stir fry shrimp & veggies over pasta

* Exported from MasterCook *

Chicken and Broccoli Wreath

2 cups cooked chicken -- coarsely chopped

1 1/2 cups broccoli -- coarsely chopped

1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

1/3 cup mayonnaise

2 teaspoons dried dill weed

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 clove garlic -- pressed

1 egg white -- lightly beaten

1/4 cup slivered almonds

16 ounces crescent rolls

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In mixing bowl, combine chicken, broccoli, cheese, mayonnaise, dill, salt and garlic.Mix well.
Unroll crescent rolls and divide into 16 triangles. Arrange 8 triangles in a circle on large round baking stone with wide ends 3 inches from edge of baking stone and points towards the outside. (points will extend off the edge of baking stone).Arrange remaining triangles in center of stone matching wide ends with triangles already in place. (points will overlap in the center).Flatten seams of triangles where wide ends meet, creating a smooth surface for filling. Do not seal center of triangles.
Scoop the filling mixture evenly over flattened part of the dough in a continuous circle.
Beginning with last triangle placed in center of baking stone, bring point of triangle straight across filling. Next bring point of opposite outside triangle diagonally across filling, covering point of previous triangle. Repeat, overlapping points of inside and outside triangles to form a wreath.Tuck last end under first.
Brush wreath with egg white and sprinkle with almonds.
Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
Source: "Pampered Chef"

Go check out Laura's site I'm an Organizing Junkie for more menu plans!

EEK! Pressure!

We've been invited to a birthday party on Saturday night. It's a friend's 40th birthday tomorrow. They have little kids, they get it as far as the Halloween thing and so she is graciously pushing back her celebration one day so it's a good weekend for all.
I met the woman through our girls at preschool. We've gotten together for a few playdates but as far as I know, FG has never met her, her husband or really her kids except in brief passing at preschool. FG isn't the most socially outgoing person. He's fine but I am sure he would rather stay home than go to a party with people he doesn't know at a house belonging to people he's never met. While I don't know the family all that well, I like what I do know and am happy to be included in her celebration. So I worked on finding a sitter. Limited funds won't allow me to hire a sitter now and the grandparents aren't working out this weekend. Dang.
Then I get a phone call from the husband who says, "We'd really like to have you guys at the party. We've hired a sitter and I don't think it's a problem if you just bring your kids over with you. I know how it's tough to find someone sometimes so bring them with." Now really, HOW can I say "No thanks." to that?! FG will just have to suck it up and I already told him I know this isn't his first choice but I would really like to go.
So we're going. We'll bring along a bottle of wine. Then I hear my friend in the background after I asked her husband if there's anything we can bring. She says, "No, unless she wants to bake something."
Ahhhhh!!! You would think this is old hat for me. EVERYONE wants me to bake something. Every time. I'm always assigned DESSERT. The problem right now is I don't know what to make. I guess it's time to go through the old recipe lists and see what I can do. I'm already making an apple pie to take to dinner at FIL's house on Sunday. The best thing about Saturday is the fact if I have to bring dessert, I don't know anyone! So they've never had anything I have made. I can take ANYTHING! Yipee!!!!! When we get together with our regular groups of friends, they all expect different things. Hee hee hee. So I have pressure to make something good because my friend said, "I've had her baking and I won't pass it up." (She had the pumpkin chocolate cake here when she & her kids came over to make pizzas while our DH's were both out of town.) I have reduced pressure because there's nothing I can't bring. Well, except maybe the same pumpkin chocolate cake. Then I'll be labeled "The girl who makes the pumpkin chocolate cake."

My next problem.... WHEN am I going to figure out what to make? I'm totally slammed with kid stuff between now & then and I have plans to clean the carpets in part of the downstairs before the 2nd grade Halloween party today. I have to iron DD's dress, gather the stuff for the party, gather the stuff for the trick or treating event after the party, gather the stuff I need to take to my parent's house....... then of course tomorrow is Halloween and we have 3 different trick or treating events to go to with friends. The only thing keeping me going is the fact I will soon have boatloads of candy in this house. We are seriously low on chocolate and I don't function well without my daily dose.

Because I won't remember tomorrow....

I am at the end of one of those "Super Woman/Super Mom" Days. You know the days where you have 10,000 things to do and you manage to get 10,001 things done? They are rare but they occasionally occur and when they do, you feel like puffing up your chest and holding your head high. So I'm going to pat myself on the back, toot my own horn, whatever. I'm gonna be proud of myself before I collapse into my bed and start round 2 tomorrow.
For those of you that have these days every day, Shut up and let me be happy. For those of you that think this is no big deal, Shut up and let me be happy. For those of you that have more children, more responsibilities, a high power job, heck, a paying job, Shut up and let me be happy.
Today:
Got out of bed at 6:30
Trudged downstairs and let the dogs outside
Usual shower, etc.
Got DS up
He requested a waffle & bacon for breakfast. Waffle was a frozen homemade one. Bacon was cooked fresh.
Made FG, DD and I egg mc muffins w/ bacon
Packed DS's lunch
Vacuumed the downstairs (yes, at 8:30 am!)
Got DD dressed in her Dorothy dress
CURLED her hair. Her ultra baby fine hair that she asked me to curl with a curling iron even though she's terrified of it. It was a fight but she ended up with adorable bouncy curls.
Gathered canned/boxed food for the food drive for DS's school
Grabbed the camera to take DD's pic at school
Packed DD's lunch with all the requested items
Got DD to school at 9:15
Took her picture with her teacher & a friend
Ran to the office to do some work
Went to Michael's for game prizes for DS's class party tomorrow & picked up a few little crafty Christmas presents for my kids (LOVE those 40% off coupons every week!)
Went to DS's school to help the teacher at 10:45
Took down all the artwork on the bulletin board in the hallway (1 million used staples anyone?)
Hung up new artwork/stories on the bulletin board
Cut apart other artwork that had been laminated and hung that on the wall around the bulletin board AFTER I hunted down some masking tape
Nearly got ran over by the 4th, 5th & 6th graders as they went to lunch!
Came home & gathered the dirty laundry
Changed out the bathroom towels
Hid the Christmas gifts I bought for the kids
Made a sandwich for me & then FG showed up and made himself one
Mixed up 4 pie crusts
Picked up DD from preschool
Sat down for 10 minutes and ate a Snickers bar
Emptied the dishwasher
Loaded the dishwasher
Did some dishes
Filled the ice cube bin & refilled the trays (I don't like ice makers)
Mixed up the filling for a quiche for dinner
Rolled out and baked one pie crust
Wrapped the others up to use this weekend
Cleaned up after all of that (more dishes and that includes drying them)
Cleaned DD's Ruby Slippers (sand from school :( )
Cleaned up cat puke
Took some laundry out of the dryer & folded it
Ironed half of the clothes in the ironing basket (most importantly, DS's clothes for his costume tomorrow)
Swept the kitchen & bathroom floors
Put the ironing stuff away
Chatted with a neighbor when I met DS coming off the school bus
Met my friend at the door when she dropped off her two DS's
Got the kids a snack
Got dinner ready & into the oven
Set the oven to come on while I was at the boy's acting class
Changed out a booster seat because neither boy was willing to sit in the pink seat
Left friend's DS & my DD at home with FG while I took the older boys to acting class
Took notes on DS's lines while they rehearsed
Finished cooking dinner when we got home from acting class
Fed the kids dinner
Fed FG and I dinner
Helped FG clean up after dinner
Washed dishes
Bathed DD
Put folded laundry away
Read DD bedtime stories
Helped DS get ready for bed
Cleaned out lunchboxes
Took out recycling
Put stain stick on DD's Dorothy dress so I can wash & iron it in the morning
Ran back up the stairs 5 times for various things the kids needed
Read a couple blogs & commented
Typed all of this out

Now I'm dead tired and I'm headed to my own bed! Besides the 10 minutes I sat down this afternoon, the 5 minutes I sat down to eat dinner and sitting on the floor at school cutting out the artwork, I didn't sit down from 6:30 am until 9 pm. Tomorrow is a little better but not much! I don't have as hectic of a morning but I have a hectic afternoon. Anyone else really looking forward to that extra hour this weekend?

Follow the Yellow Brick Road....

A preview. My mom brought it by yesterday and DD is beyond excited. She's in love with the shoes most of all but she gave her Grannie 10,000 kisses yesterday for sewing her costume.

Thankfully she gets to wear it 3 times this week. To preschool tomorrow (they are supposed to dress as Farmers for their "Harvest Party", hey, it's a church preschool. FG says, "Dorothy was a farmer!" so I'm letting her wear it.) Thursday she'll come with me to help with DS's class party and then we're going to a trick or treat function at a local shopping center where my friend's wine store is located. Friday, obviously, is Halloween and we're going with some friends to another local trick or treat event at a gym in the morning then I'll put tights and a turtleneck on her for nighttime TorTing.
DS is going to be a Vampire. NOT Dracula as he keeps insisting but just a Vampire. See, he's actually a vampire and when I think he's sleeping at night, he actually flies out the window to meet his vampire gang and they go bite people. They are nice though and don't kill anyone. They just eat a little blood, play with their pet bats and fly around. This whole fantasy has been going on for quite awhile now, I would say at least a year. So his costume this year was easy. A white button up shirt, a cape we've had for ages, black dress pants, black hairspray, white make-up, fake blood. He doesn't want to wear teeth and I can't blame him. With his oral sensitivities I didn't even spend the money on a set of fake teeth.
I'll wear my usual black witch hat. Except DD is worried a house will fall on me. I guess that makes me the Wicked Witch.

Menu Plan Monday and update

First I'll post this week's menu. I'm trying VERY hard to not go to the grocery store if I can help it. I know I will have to go for milk but the budget may not allow me to do any big shopping. We are seriously out of veggies. ARGH!

• Sunday - Pork Roast w/ honey, rosemary, garlic, salt & pepper, olive oil glaze, mashed sweet potatoes, corn, homemade buttermilk biscuts, brownies
• Monday - Chicken Picatta, parmesean cous cous, carrots
• Tuesday - Beef Fajitas, wagon wheel noodles
• Wednesday - (watching my friend's kids after acting class, not home until 6:15) Chicken Nuggets, mac & cheese, green beans, apple slices
• Thursday - Frozen pizza
• Friday - Trick or Treat! Soup & Grilled cheese if I can keep the kids in their seats long enough to EAT anything!
• Saturday - Roasted Chicken & ?????
• Sunday - Dinner at FIL's house.

* Exported from MasterCook *
Chicken Picatta

4 boned and skinned chicken breast halves

1 egg

3 tablespoons lemon juice

1/4 cup flour

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon paprika

1/4 cup butter or margarine

2 chicken bouillon cube

1/2 cup boiling water
Beat egg with 1 T. lemon juice. Mix flour, garlic and paprika. Coat chicken in egg then in flour mixture. In skillet, melt margarine and brown chicken. Dissolve bouillon in boiling water and add 2T. lemon juice. Pour liquid into skillet, cover & simmer for 20 minutes. Turn chicken after 10 minutes.

Now that's done, here's an update on me & us. First, money is TIGHT. The good thing about owning your own business is that when it's good, it's usually great. But when things are bad, it sucks. There is no "regular pay". So with the economy the way it is, it's affecting everyone, us included. I'm trying to find creative ways to save money, thinking about possibly finding a part time job but that's not going well either. There is way too many people looking and I have limited time available because of the kids. We'll see. FG is very sweet and when I suggest something he tells me it will make me miserable and he only wants me to find something that I would like to do. But I'm open to doing something that wouldn't be ideal if I need to. Again, we'll see.

We attended the family reunion for FG's Father's Family this past weekend. FIL is one of nine kids, they all had a bunch of kids and FG is one of the youngest of the cousins. So the cousins are almost all married with kids. My kids have no first cousins as I am an only child and FG's brother doesn't have kids. Relatively speaking, our immediate families are very small. They got to go meet a gazillion cousins this weekend as well as great aunts & uncles that they don't see often or have never met. I think the last one of these we attended DS was a baby so that was 7 years ago and DD wasn't even a glimmer in our eyes. We got crap on Friday for not bringing the kids. Um, HELLO. They had been at school all day, DS came home from school complaining of not feeling well and his head felt warm. He rarely gets ill. It was chaos where we were and when I saw one of the 5 year old girls crying at 9:45 I felt total sympathy for her mom. They are from the east coast too so the time difference alone was 3 hours, on top of most 5 year olds are not up that late on a normal basis. FG and I knew we made the right decision to have our kids stay with his mom for the night and get a decent night's sleep so they could play all day the next day. Yet, we still got questioned and goaded for not bringing them. "Don't you want them to know their family?" Yes, but we also want them to be happy about it. "Don't you want them to be a part of this?" Yes, but we have to put their needs first and they are little kids, not grown up's who can handle all of this all the time. Ugh. We got to visit with the family and not have to be constantly worried about them. Saturday we were there all day and evening and everyone had a good time. My kids were excellent! At one point, the kids were downstairs doing a handprint project for the uncle turning 70. DS came upstairs to ask me if it was ok for him to paint his hand and participate. They asked me every time they went from one house to another (essentially a main house and the giant garage/workshop we were having meals etc. in). They asked me every time they were going to change activities where there was any question about where they would be (in a room where I didn't expect them to be etc.). I was very proud of them. They were kind to their cousins, pleasant and appreciative to their aunts & uncles and just in general good kids for us.

I on the other hand still had my headache. FG rubbed my neck and shoulders and helped ease some of the tension. I ended up having to keep taking my meds but they kept making me feel weird too. Yesterday was AWFUL. Full on migraine. (Thankfully we didn't attend any more of the reunion). It's due to hormones and I get the worst of it when my hormones shift. Oh man. I managed to feed the kids breakfast, clean it up and get to the couch. FINALLY late in the afternoon I started to feel human again. I made a great dinner, did a little project with the kids and got everything cleaned up. Then as they were going to bed it started to rear it's ugly head again. I managed to get through it with no more drugs and I'm hoping I can not take any for awhile now. Yikes.

Now I'm facing the week with the Halloween Festivities. Lots to do for the kids both at home and school. It's going to be a busy one!

Relief needed

I've got a headache. Not quite a migraine but close. I've had it for a few days. I'm tired of taking drugs and feeling all woozy and out of sorts but I'm also tired of having a headache and feeling the need to keep one eye closed.

Sorry no menu plan or recipes this week.
This weekend is a Family Reunion on FG's Dad's side. They are huge. As in HUGE amounts of people. I'm not sure how my kids are going to do. DS's sensory issues are going to go into overdrive and I'll be damned if I can adequately explain it. I'm not even going to try with these people as they will just think something is "wrong" with him. DD doesn't like crowds so I fully expect her to hide in my neck or on Daddy's shoulder. All these people know who they (my kids) are, they (my kids) don't have a clue who these people are. And well, you know, they are family so the kids are automatically supposed to take to them, right? Why are people so damn stupid?

So I'll be absent with no recipes for several days. Thankfully we don't have to travel to the reunion - it's close as we live in a spot lots of people love to visit. We even got MIL to take the kids overnight on Friday so FG and I can go be around the family without overwhelming the kids. They will be there ALL day Saturday, that will be plenty for all of us.

oy, I need another dose of migraine meds. ARGH.

Monday Monday

No menu plan yet - I'll post that later today.

I am feeling much better. I'm a bit out of my funk.
And I've jumped on the Facebook bandwagon. I have to say, it's addicting and exciting. I have found several old friends and have caught up with them, found out about the sorority reunion breakfast yesterday because of it, learned a few things about old friends and new. I'm liking it. The Grown up version of Myspace but with better security. I like that no one can see my stuff unless I know them. I have been chatting with three old friends from high school that were very dear to me. I screwed things up big time by dating the jerk I did. These friends were guys, GREAT friends of mine, and that didn't go over well when I started dating a guy they didn't like. It didn't go over well with my controlling boyfriend that I had 1 best girlfriend and 4 best guy friends. I ended up losing all of them except the boyfriend. I stayed with him for 5 years until I met FG one day and decided it was time to kick this guy to the curb. I realize now how much I screwed up and what I lost from it. I sure hope I don't sit and watch my daughter make the same mistake. I don't know how I'll stop her because no one was going to stop me back then. But I will be damned if I sit and watch without nagging the crap out of her about my own life mistakes! Poor thing.

Anyway, it's been a good thing for me to bring me out of my funk. It's been nice to know that those friends of mine still care about me and have been thinking of me as I have them. Even though we'll never be close again, it's nice to feel that my past choices didn't completely change who I really am.

La de dahhhh

Oh I'm bored! I could be doing lots of things but none of them seem overly exciting right now. I've been in a funk lately. With a Capital F. No wall unit (boo hoo!), no granite counters (yet, FG says "it's not over."), no window shade... Wahhhh! All the little upgrades and changes I was looking forward to on our house shot right out the window in one day. I keep telling myself to be happy I HAVE a home because a lot of people are facing losing theirs. It still hasn't gotten me out of my funk though.
I can't BELIEVE we are not going to the homecoming football game today. I mean, really, I can't believe it. I guess I should have been more stern with FG and told him that we should go. He gave me a bunch of really dumb excuses as to why "we" decided not to go but it boiled down to that he just didn't feel like going. ARGH! I don't think I've missed a homecoming game in oh, 19 years. Maybe on the rare instance that I was out of town or something but nope, I've gone to every one of them since I started college in 1989. (Quit yer laughing at the old lady!) Instead I get to go to a birthday party for a 5 year old with a bunch of other 4 & 5 year olds. Whoohoo. And I may have to get into a bathing suit while I'm there! This is the month for ghosts and horror and me in a bathing suit would fulfill both of those instantly.
Tomorrow I do get to go to a reunion with some sorority sisters. That will be fun except I know most of them have kept in touch and I haven't talked to most of them, except in passing, in years. I know, I know, good time to get reconnected right? Sure. I guess so. I just feel like a loser because I am so far removed from it all now. And I have two huge zits on my face. Wheeee!!!!
Usually I look forward to weekends because we have something fun planned. This weekend, nothing. Ho hum. I should bake, I should clean something, I should go read a book or watch a movie. I should enjoy the relaxing. But this darn funk has me saying I just want to go to sleep until something exciting happens.
I shall return a happier person, hopefully with a recipe or two!

Big Bummer

I just got off the phone with FG. He got the quote for the built in unit we had planned for the front room. His client did not give him any sort of great deal. In fact, he added 10% PROFIT to the already outrageous price he quoted! So this will not get done. I'm totally bummed because I know he & I were both really looking forward to it. It will have to wait.

On a better note, we may (and I say may because it isn't started yet and I really don't want to jinx this one!) be getting granite counters next week. Which means I will be without a kitchen for a week but hey, I'll deal so I can have pretty new counters! Now I just hope that one doesn't fall flat either. :( We were just so looking forward to the transformation of downstairs with the addition of the built in unit and the new counters.

Oh, and the shade for the big front window above the entry way.... yeah, that's not happening yet either! Wow! That was one very very pricey shade. We've lived without it for 8 years, I'm sure we'll survive. But maybe that will kick me in the rear to finally pick a paint color for the wall and find a good fabric to make (read, have my mother make, maybe as my Christmas present) a curtain for that window. I don't want to cover the whole thing, I just want to give it some dimension. Right now it's a boring blank white wall, a big blank window and a shelf with some cool travel themed items on it like our metal globe on a tripod that I adore. The white and plain and boring needs to go!

Alrighty, off to take DD to a playdate. The mom graciously invited her over and told me I could take a few hours to myself. I don't have anything exciting to get done but it will recharge me a bit to play some more with her this afternoon.

Easy Enchiladas

Sorry, no picture. They looked just like enchiladas though. Trust me. I think we've all seen enchiladas.

Easy Enchiladas

1 cups shredded cooked chicken (I used leftover turkey)

1/4 cup chopped onion (I used green onions because I had 'em)

3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

1 cup sour cream, divided

1 10 oz can of Enchilada Sauce

6-8 8" tortillas

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, lightly grease a 9 x 13 baking dish.

In a saucepan melt together the can of enchilada sauce, 2 cups cheese, 1/4 cup sour cream until smooth. Pour a small amount into bottom of the baking dish and spread evenly.

In bowl, mix chicken, onion, 3/4 cup sour cream and 1 cup cheddar cheese.

Warm tortillas so they are easy to fold. Fill evenly with chicken mixture. Roll and place seam side down in baking dish on top of sauce.

Top enchiladas with remaining sauce.

Bake for 20 - 30 minutes until hot & bubbly.

Sprinkle with chopped green onions, cilantro, black olives if desired.

This seemed to make a lot of sauce. I may cut it back a little next time but it didn't overwhelm the dish. I just saw that there was a lot left in the pan after we ate the enchiladas. I used mild sauce so it wasn't too spicy for the kids. Though they only ate 1 or 2 bites each. FG and I both enjoyed them though and I'm looking forward to having one for lunch today too. These could be made vegetarian (Liz :) ) with spinach or even with cooked small shrimp.

Enjoy!

It's Monday, time for a menu!

It's slowly warming up but still pretty cold here for this time of year. The snow, eh, I'm just not ready for it! I don't like going from sleeping with the window open to sleeping all bundled up, heat running and long jammies on. I prefer the gradual change. But the past few years that certainly hasn't happened. We've just jumped right from one season to the next here.



That said, my meals have changed. Saturday night when it was so cool, FG requested soup & grilled cheese. Now this week I'm planning pretty much nothing on the grill because I don't mind having to run the oven - it keeps me toasty warm in the kitchen. Here's my menu for the week. Lately things have been fairly "Fly By The Seat Of Our Pants" with FG gone so much.

• Sunday - Roasted Turkey, roasted acorn squash, garlic mashed potatoes, stuffing (in the bird), corn (for the kids & SMA because they won't eat squash), pumpkin cheesecake.


• Monday - Enchiladas (with leftover turkey), rice, cabbage salad.


• Tuesday - Leftover turkey dinner - meat, gravy, stuffing and I'll make a fresh veggie.


• Wednesday - I'll make creamed turkey for myself and whatever the kids request for themselves - they have tried it and don't like it. FG is gone.


• Thursday - FG gone again. The kids and I will have quesadillas w/ beans, veggies and fruit on the side.


• Friday - Homemade sausage & pepperoni pizza


• Saturday - out.

Right now I'm making the stock out of the turkey carcass. I am going to freeze it in small containers of 1 or 2 cups each. ***

It really wasn't bad to save the carcass. I just had the pot out with the neck in it when I cleaned and prepped the turkey. Then I stuck it in the refrigerator and pulled it back out when I was cleaning all the leftover meat after dinner. It was a 12 lb. turkey for 3 adults and 2 kids. I sent a bunch home with SMA and still have plenty to feed us for the rest of the week. Now I'll get a great stock from it as well. I bought the turkey last year and kept it in my big deep freezer. I think I paid around $4 or $5 for it when they are super cheap around Thanksgiving. Ok, I just paid that for a chicken the other day as well and the turkey will get us more meals than 1 chicken will! FG kept asking, "WHY are you making this big turkey for just us?" Then I explained the $$ side of it and he got it. How economical is that?! I get 4 dinners for us out of it (two for SMA with what I sent home), lunches for me by way of sandwiches then the stock to make a great soup or whatever I need stock for later! ***

That should make up for what I paid for pumpkins last week.

Sorry, DD never looks at the camera! And I got my hair done this weekend - whew!

***I got over 15 cups of yummy smelling and looking stock! I used six 2-cup plastic containers and put them in the freezer then I have one 1-cup jar and one 2-cup jar in the fridge. Whoohooo!!!!!

Random Friday

• It's Fucking Snowing. Forgive my language but DAMN! I knew it was coming. I watched the weather but holy shit it was hard to get out of my toasty bed at 6:30 this morning when it was dark and FREEZING. I had on sandals on Monday. And short sleeves.
• I worked at DS's school for 2 hours today. We are fortunate that there is an overabundance of parent volunteers. The kids are so cute. I am loving being there and listening to how the teachers interact with the children as well. FG told me maybe I should get a teaching certificate. I have thought about it but then I would have to deal wtih OKP. I think what I'm doing now is just fine for now. I like being there. DS knows I'm there to help with his teacher and class. And I get to spy on the other kids abilities when I'm checking homework. I was thankful today that about half of the class missed a question on a paper. Completely missed doing it altogether. Can you guess which half DS was in? Yep. We didn't even see it either. Also, when I'm making copies, I know what work he has coming up.
• Today is Friday. I don't have to get out of my warm bed at 6:30 tomorrow morning. I don't have to pack lunches, don't have to make sure the backpack has all the necessities, don't have to lay out clothes tonight for everyone, don't have to remind them to EAT constantly. Oh wait, no matter when it is I have to do that every meal. Damn.
• My father found out who I'm voting for and it isn't who he's voting for. He hasn't disowned me yet. I'm shocked. Hey, maybe he's figured out I am an adult with the brain in my head to form my OWN opinions. "I'm just a girl...." (thank you Gwen Stefani).
• My parents are taking my children away from me tonight. Whoohooo!
• FG and I are going out for sushi! And wine. Because I've never tried sake.
• Then we're coming home to get naked and hop into bed and I'm not going to worry about any sorts of noises I may make. (giggles like a school girl)
• Then we're going to catch up on some shows on the DVR, UNinterrupted.
• FG is getting up early Saturday to go play in a golf tournament at his club aptly named The Icicle Open. Ha! He's going to freeze his ass off!
• I get to sleep in and have a lazy morning to myself.
• I'm cooking a turkey dinner on Sunday. I'm going to attempt to save the bones and make stock too. Can you believe I've never done that?! Usually by the time the whole sha-bang is finished I'm over the whole cooking thing and don't want to look at any turkey bones. This weekend, discipline baby, discipline! (And FG and SMA doing all the dishes :D)

My turn for the Grammar Police!

I'm joining up. Right now.
Pet Peeve #1 - THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS FIRST ANNUAL! It cannot be annual until you have had another one. The first of any yearly event is called "Inaugural".

Pet Peeve #2: Please do not say "I seen it" or "ain't" That is terrible grammar and your 3rd Grade teacher would really be ashamed.

One of my friend's biggest pet peeves is the misuse of lay/lie/laid. I cannot for the life of me remember the rules of it. So I'm sorry for the many times I am sure I have annoyed her with my own misuse!

OK, got that off my chest. Back to 2nd grade homework!

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cake

I made this yesterday. I was worried because it seemed dense and I thought for sure it was going to be dry. But it was surprisingly moister than I imagined. It isn't a moist cake like a traditional chocolate cake but it wasn't as dense and dry as a pound cake type either. The flavor was excellent and I really enjoy the cinnamon in with the chocolate. I got it from the Taste Of Home mag.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cake

Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
2 squares (1 ounce each) unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
3/4 cup finely chopped pecans, divided
Directions: In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon; add to the creamed mixture alternately with pumpkin. Fold in chocolate chips. Divide batter in half. Stir melted chocolate into one portion. In a well-greased 10-in. fluted tube pan, sprinkle 1/2 cup pecans. Spoon chocolate batter over pecans; top with pumpkin batter. Sprinkle with remaining pecans. Bake at 325° for 65-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Yield: 12 servings.

Now I'm going to go stuff some in my face because I did the Race for the Cure this morning with my cranky DD, my DS who wanted to walk farther (so did I actually but DD wouldn't have it), my MIL and her boyfriend. I emailed FG and asked him if I get brownie points for doing something with his mother while he's gone. Something that involved getting up really freaking early, dragging two unhappy kids out of bed and into a cold house because I refuse to turn on the furnace yet. All in all, it wasn't bad. MIL's boyfriend took us to IHOP for breakfast afterwards which is when DD straightened up and started acting like a good kid instead of the indignant brat she was earlier in the morning. It's a beautiful Sunday here, much nicer than yesterday's blustery weather, but the couch is calling my name rather than the outdoors. I guess I *was* outside for awhile today it was just unpleasant with having to drag along a uncooperative 4 year old. And we did this in honor of her preschool teacher from last year too!
Enjoy the cake if you decide to make it!

Time to change....

That is what it looks like out my bathroom window this morning. See the mountain top? The ski slopes that I will hopefully be swishing down in a couple of months? Yep, that would be snow up there! Fall has definitely arrived.

For me, that usually means cleaning. Along with the leaves changing and Mother Earth settling down for the cold months, I start changing things around the house as well. Yesterday I cleaned out the storage container outside, kicked out all the spiders living in the dead leaves inside and put away the outside toys. The kids can still get them out when it's a nice day but the scooters, bubble blowers, croquet set and rubber balls will no longer reside on the patio next to the back door for easy and daily access.

I got out my "seasonal tub" and packed away my shorts and capris along with summer blouses. I took out all of my hanging shirts and went through them. They either got smoothed out and fixed on the hangar to go back into the closet neatly or into a donate pile. I am embarrassed at how long I've had some of my clothes! Out came the velvet and wool pants and warm sweaters. As soon as I post this I'm going to attack my closet with the hose attachment of the vacuum and switch out all my cute sandals for my cool weather shoes. If I had a huge closet, I wouldn't need to do this every 6 months but at least it keeps me on top of things that I need to purge.

Next came DD's closet. I moved around her short sleeve shirts that are on hangars and her summer skirts. Her clothes are just a matter of switching sides of the closet and purging what doesn't fit. I have yet another bag of clothes to go to friends. I have several outfits that have tags on them for next summer, thanks to Gymboree and their 30% off Friends & Family sale along with summer clearance.

DS, who hasn't outgrown anything in years, is similar. Because we installed a closet organizer in his closet, it's a matter of moving the short sleeve nicer shirts up a rung and the long sleeve shirts down a rung. We've already gone through pants to see what needed to be tossed and what needed to be replaced. He's set except for winter boots and you know, maybe a new shirt or two so we can distinguish what year a picture was taken. Seriously, the kid has the same shirts he's had since Kindergarten. I do feed him. I really do.

FG changed the air filters last weekend. The kids and I got out the Halloween decorations and changed out the summer knick knacks to fall. I am going to make a yummy sounding pumpkin & chocolate swirl cake today. I bought chicken and leeks and want to make some soup (anyone have a great recipe that uses those? Please share!)

Change is definitely in the air. Often this time of year makes me sad because I have such fun in the summer with my kids. But this year I'm hosting Thanksgiving (again) and I've already picked a date for my annual Christmas party. I'm thinking of starting to bake even earlier this year. A couple of extra weeks in the freezer won't matter for those items I make that freeze well.

And I do have to mention something that just thrilled me. Yesterday DS got invited on a playdate to a friend's house. Twins actually. One of them was in his class last year and the other is in his class this year. I was overjoyed when they called yesterday to see if he could come play. DS can be quite a loner yet he wants everyone to like him. So I was a happy Momma when I dropped him off and they were very excited to see him. Then when I picked him up, their mom had the same reaction most adults do when they've spent time with him. "Oh, he's SMART. He's going to be somebody someday and do something big." She said this as she pointed to some elaborate space station looking thing he built out of Magnetix. When we got home, there was a message from another friend of his who was wanting him to play as well. This kid is 11, has a lot of the same sensory problems mine does and they get along beautifully. It definitely made me proud to hear that people wanted to be around him. Since FG is still gone we're having one of DD's friends over today with her mom & brother. The two boys play together fairly well and the girls have been friends for awhile too. We're going to do Make-Your-Own-Pizza and let the kids do their own. It should be fun and a good way to break up the weekend. Tomorrow is the Walk For The Cure and I'll have unhappy kids as I drag them out of bed early. We have to pick up MIL at 7:45. I better get some brownie points for doing something with MIL while FG is out of town!

Cross your fingers

Say a prayer, rub a belly, whatever you want to do.... just send me some good vibes.

DS earned back his PSP. He took it with him on the bus so he could play with his friend that has been letting him play with his for months. I labeled the crap out of that thing; hidden and obvious. I gave him very very specific instructions on the rules of the PSP. Only on the bus, to go immediately back into the FRONT pocket of the backpack (he doesn't get in there regularly so less chance it will fall out) when the bus approaches school and the stop for home in the afternoon, it is NOT to come out at school for recess or any other reason, no showing it off to friends at school, if it's lost it will NOT be replaced and he will also lose his allowance for 1 year. Oh yeah, I scared the shit out of the kid with this thing! He's just so easily distracted. I can see him putting it down on the bus seat to unzip his backpack, losing his train of thought and seeing it's time to exit the bus and blam! there is the PSP sitting on the seat all by it's lonesome until some dishonest little shit picks it up and keeps it. Hopefully because it is something he really cares about, he will take extra good care of it. He does hate to lose things, he gets really stressed out. Gee, I wonder where that could have come from???

*****It made it home safe and sound!****