Our heat is out. Hopefully they will fix it tomorrow. In the mean time I have been making soup. There is just something about it being cold, that makes me crave soup. As a little girl, I remember my mom making soups when it would start to get cold outside. :)
This is an original. I even measured stuff tonight so that I could share the recipe. (Those that know me well know that I rarely measure things.)
Broccoli Soup
4 cups frozen broccoli
1 large onion
3 cloves of garlic
2 T olive oil
2 cups heavy cream
2 cups water
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste
potato flakes (enough to thicken to desired consistency I use about 3/4 cup)
In large stock pot cook frozen broccoli with just enough water to cover bottom of pot. Cook 15 minutes, or until mushy. Meanwhile in a small skillet, cook diced onion and pressed garlic until caramelized. Once broccoli is done, let it cool for a few minutes, then put into a food processor and run until mashed. If you don't like large chucks of onion, add onion mixture. Other wise return broccoli and onion mixture back to pot. Turn stove to medium high heat. Add cream and water. Salt and pepper to taste. Once it has returned to a boil, turn off heat and add cheese. Stir until melted in. If soup is too thin add potato flakes.
Soup Bread Bowls
2 can Pillsbury pizza dough
olive oil
Parmesan cheese
Unroll can of dough. Cut half. Place on slightly greased baking sheet. With palm of hand smush down on dough to make a mound. Brush with olive oil, and sprinkle with fresh Parmesan. Bake in a 375 degree oven until golden brown. Let cool for a few minutes. Cut out well in center. Cube remaining bread. Place your favorite soup in bread bowl. Enjoy!
Monday, January 26
Sunday, January 25
Give Good Blog
A blogger that I read out of Canada came up with the idea of "Give Good Blog." The idea is based upon pay it forward mentalities. And I have decided to join. I haven't decided what my first act is going to be yet. I will need to think about it. But I will let you know soon!
Saturday, January 24
Cinnamon Rolls
So several people from Facebook have asked me for the recipe to the homemade cinnamon rolls that I made today. The recipe that I used came from my Better Homes and Gardens Cook Book. The recipe seems lengthy, and detailed, but it really isn't that bad. I mixed the dough, and kneaded it in my Kitchen Aid mixer. It worked really well. I really think they tasted just as good as Cinnabon cinnamon rolls.
Cinnamon Rolls
4 3/4 to 5 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 package active dry yeast
1 cup milk
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup butter or margarine
1 tablespoon half-and-half or light cream
Vanilla Glaze (recipe below)
In a large mixing bowl combine 2 1/4 cups of the flour and the yeast. In a saucepan heat and stir milk, 1/3 cup butter, granulated sugar, and salt just until warm (120F to 130F) and butter almost melts; add to flour mixture along with eggs. Beat with electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping bowl. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Sir in as much remaining flour as possible. (I simply added a little four at a time to my Kitchen Aid, with the beater attachment on. Then I placed the dough hook attachment on.)
Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately soft dough that is smooth and elastic. (3 to 5 minutes total) Shape dough into a ball. Place in a greased bowl; turn once. Cover; let rise in a warm place until doubled in size. About 1 hour. (I let my Kitchen Aid knead the dough for about five minutes. I then poured about 3 tablespoons of oil into the bowl, and coated my ball of dough. I then covered the bowl and put it into the oven, with a bowl of hot hot water underneath. This helps in the rising process. Especially when its cold outside.)
Punch dough down. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide in half. Cover; let rest for 10 minutes. Meanwhile lightly grease two 9x1 1/2 inch round baking pans, or 2 baking sheets; set aside. For filling stir together brown sugar, the 1/4 cup flour, and cinnamon; cut in 1/3 cup butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Roll each half of dough into a 12/8-inch rectangle. Sprinkle filling over dough rectangles. Roll up each rectangle starting from a long side. Seal seams. Slice each roll into 12 pieces. Place cut sides down in prepared pans or baking sheets. (I did one big rectangle, and made large cinnamon rolls. It just depends what kind you want.)
Cover dough loosely with plastic wrap, leaving room for rolls to rise. Chill for 2 to 24 hours. Uncover; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Or to bake rolls right away, don't chill the dough. Instead, cover loosely; let dough rise in a warm place until nearly double, about 30 minutes.
Break any surface bubbles with a greased toothpick. Brush dough with half-and-half. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until light brown. Remove from oven. Brush again with half-and-half. Coll for 1 minute. Invert rolls onto a wire rack. Coll slightly. Invert again unto a serving platter. Drizzle with Vanilla Glaze Serve warm.
I did place mine in the refrigerator over night. It seemed much easier that way.
Vanilla Glaze
In a small bowl stir together 1 1/4 cups sifted powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon light colored corn syrup, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Add enough half -and-half or light cream (1 to 2 tablespoons to reach drizzling consistency.)
These where really good in my opinion. Let me know what you think.
Cinnamon Rolls
4 3/4 to 5 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 package active dry yeast
1 cup milk
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup butter or margarine
1 tablespoon half-and-half or light cream
Vanilla Glaze (recipe below)
In a large mixing bowl combine 2 1/4 cups of the flour and the yeast. In a saucepan heat and stir milk, 1/3 cup butter, granulated sugar, and salt just until warm (120F to 130F) and butter almost melts; add to flour mixture along with eggs. Beat with electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping bowl. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Sir in as much remaining flour as possible. (I simply added a little four at a time to my Kitchen Aid, with the beater attachment on. Then I placed the dough hook attachment on.)
Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately soft dough that is smooth and elastic. (3 to 5 minutes total) Shape dough into a ball. Place in a greased bowl; turn once. Cover; let rise in a warm place until doubled in size. About 1 hour. (I let my Kitchen Aid knead the dough for about five minutes. I then poured about 3 tablespoons of oil into the bowl, and coated my ball of dough. I then covered the bowl and put it into the oven, with a bowl of hot hot water underneath. This helps in the rising process. Especially when its cold outside.)
Punch dough down. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide in half. Cover; let rest for 10 minutes. Meanwhile lightly grease two 9x1 1/2 inch round baking pans, or 2 baking sheets; set aside. For filling stir together brown sugar, the 1/4 cup flour, and cinnamon; cut in 1/3 cup butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Roll each half of dough into a 12/8-inch rectangle. Sprinkle filling over dough rectangles. Roll up each rectangle starting from a long side. Seal seams. Slice each roll into 12 pieces. Place cut sides down in prepared pans or baking sheets. (I did one big rectangle, and made large cinnamon rolls. It just depends what kind you want.)
Cover dough loosely with plastic wrap, leaving room for rolls to rise. Chill for 2 to 24 hours. Uncover; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Or to bake rolls right away, don't chill the dough. Instead, cover loosely; let dough rise in a warm place until nearly double, about 30 minutes.
Break any surface bubbles with a greased toothpick. Brush dough with half-and-half. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until light brown. Remove from oven. Brush again with half-and-half. Coll for 1 minute. Invert rolls onto a wire rack. Coll slightly. Invert again unto a serving platter. Drizzle with Vanilla Glaze Serve warm.
I did place mine in the refrigerator over night. It seemed much easier that way.
Vanilla Glaze
In a small bowl stir together 1 1/4 cups sifted powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon light colored corn syrup, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Add enough half -and-half or light cream (1 to 2 tablespoons to reach drizzling consistency.)
These where really good in my opinion. Let me know what you think.
A NEW look!
So I am tired of winter. I am sick of winter. I MISS HAWAII!
I am hoping that not looking at the cute snowmen may help me a little. Don't get me wrong...I love snowmen. Absolutely love them. They are just about my favorite thing about winter and the holidays. But I am tired of it being cold. I am tired of it being dreary. I am ready for a Change. (Haven't I heard that somewhere? Uh Oh) :)
It's been a pretty typical Saturday. I made cinnamon rolls, and ate two. So of course I was then knocked out into a sugar induced coma. Sugary things for breakfast always do that to me. Kayla and I took a nap together on the couch. I got up, and started working on organizing and cleaning out the girls room. Then I realized that I really want to shampoo their carpet. So, that's what I am about to do. But first I had to take a break, eat some left over Alfredo from last night. Ummmm....I love food. Most of my day is centered around food.
Okay, now I must get busy.
I am hoping that not looking at the cute snowmen may help me a little. Don't get me wrong...I love snowmen. Absolutely love them. They are just about my favorite thing about winter and the holidays. But I am tired of it being cold. I am tired of it being dreary. I am ready for a Change. (Haven't I heard that somewhere? Uh Oh) :)
It's been a pretty typical Saturday. I made cinnamon rolls, and ate two. So of course I was then knocked out into a sugar induced coma. Sugary things for breakfast always do that to me. Kayla and I took a nap together on the couch. I got up, and started working on organizing and cleaning out the girls room. Then I realized that I really want to shampoo their carpet. So, that's what I am about to do. But first I had to take a break, eat some left over Alfredo from last night. Ummmm....I love food. Most of my day is centered around food.
Okay, now I must get busy.
Monday, January 19
mummmm greek food
So I love Greek food. I mean absolutely love it. And I finally got brave, researched recipes, and made some this weekend. I was throwing a birthday party for my mother, who also loves Greek food. I made Tabbouleh (A refreshing grain salad mix of parsley, Bulgur, wheat, garlic, fresh tomato and mint topped with olive oil,) Tzatziki (Yogurt dip seasoned with grated cucumber and mild garlic,) Hummus (A blend of garbanzo beans, Tahini, fresh garlic and lemon topped with olive oil,) pita bread, and lots of other things. But the before mentioned where the new recipes that I was trying out. They all turned out so great. I really enjoyed them. I linked to the recipes that I used, and of course, if you know me at all, you know that I tweaked them. :)
I also wanted to share a recipe that I made up the other day. I was making burgers for dinner, and had wanted to have baked beans to go with them. But I didn't have any. I did however have a bad of died pinto beans. I have been buying more and more bagged beans, using them to supplement protein in our diets. So here is my recipe for baked beans. They where soooo yummy.
BBQ Baked Beans
1 lb bag of dried pinto beans
bay leaves
2 cans tomato soup
1/2 brown sugar
1 T mustard
2 cloves pressed garlic
4 T Captain Morgans Spiced Rum
Salt
Pepper
Place sorted and rinsed beans in crock pot. Add water so that it double covers the beans. Add salt, pepper, and bay leaves. (how much depends on your taste preferences. I used 3 bay leaves, about 3 T salt, and 3 tsp. pepper.) Set on high and cook for 6 hours, or until tender. Meanwhile in a medium bowl combine tomato soup, brown sugar, mustard, garlic, and rum. Mix until well blended, and refrigerate.
After beans are done, drain and add BBQ sauce mixture. Place back in crock pot and cook for another two hours.
It may seem like a lot of work, but I promise the results are well worth it.
I also wanted to share a recipe that I made up the other day. I was making burgers for dinner, and had wanted to have baked beans to go with them. But I didn't have any. I did however have a bad of died pinto beans. I have been buying more and more bagged beans, using them to supplement protein in our diets. So here is my recipe for baked beans. They where soooo yummy.
BBQ Baked Beans
1 lb bag of dried pinto beans
bay leaves
2 cans tomato soup
1/2 brown sugar
1 T mustard
2 cloves pressed garlic
4 T Captain Morgans Spiced Rum
Salt
Pepper
Place sorted and rinsed beans in crock pot. Add water so that it double covers the beans. Add salt, pepper, and bay leaves. (how much depends on your taste preferences. I used 3 bay leaves, about 3 T salt, and 3 tsp. pepper.) Set on high and cook for 6 hours, or until tender. Meanwhile in a medium bowl combine tomato soup, brown sugar, mustard, garlic, and rum. Mix until well blended, and refrigerate.
After beans are done, drain and add BBQ sauce mixture. Place back in crock pot and cook for another two hours.
It may seem like a lot of work, but I promise the results are well worth it.
Friday, January 16
Rest In Peace Beaner
On one of the blogs that I read regularly, there was a post. A post about a woman, needed to decide what to do with her baby. She had upon discovering that she was pregnant first had decide weather to abort or not. I was rejoicing as I read that she determined to keep her child. And then she had to decide weather or not to put the baby up for adoption. She decided to keep her child. There where circumstances that I couldn't possibly understand. I couldn't possibly know. But this guest post on this blog that I sometime read and mostly get laughs from, had suddenly touched my heart. I started reading while pregnant, and just after Makayla was born.
Today, as I sat enjoying a few moments of peace before my girls woke up, I log on to catch up on my blog friends. And I read this. Beaner died of SIDS back in October. I am filled with grief. And then as I sit crying, I feel guilty. It is not my grief to have. It was not my baby. Oh, Father in Heaven, thank you that it wasn't my baby. I feel guilty again. I sit for a moment. I pray, Lord please touch her heart. Heal that hurt that I am so thankful that I don't know. I can not type, I cannot see. My vision is blurred by my tears. I don't understand. It brings back questions that I don't have answers to.
I hear my girls. They have woken up, and are playing together in Makayla's bed. I wipe my tears. I will go to them. And hug them, and Cherish them. I will try to remember, always remember, the joy it is to have them in my life. Even when I am tired of cleaning the dirty diapers, the messy toys. Even when I sometimes wish that I could go to the bathroom by myself, I will remember. And Cherish them for as long as possibly, and I pray that is a very very very long time.
Today, as I sat enjoying a few moments of peace before my girls woke up, I log on to catch up on my blog friends. And I read this. Beaner died of SIDS back in October. I am filled with grief. And then as I sit crying, I feel guilty. It is not my grief to have. It was not my baby. Oh, Father in Heaven, thank you that it wasn't my baby. I feel guilty again. I sit for a moment. I pray, Lord please touch her heart. Heal that hurt that I am so thankful that I don't know. I can not type, I cannot see. My vision is blurred by my tears. I don't understand. It brings back questions that I don't have answers to.
I hear my girls. They have woken up, and are playing together in Makayla's bed. I wipe my tears. I will go to them. And hug them, and Cherish them. I will try to remember, always remember, the joy it is to have them in my life. Even when I am tired of cleaning the dirty diapers, the messy toys. Even when I sometimes wish that I could go to the bathroom by myself, I will remember. And Cherish them for as long as possibly, and I pray that is a very very very long time.
Sunday, January 11
It happens suddenly...
In our house, there are rules. There has always been rules, and I am sure, sort of a nuclear Holocaust, there will always be rules. And as with any rule, there are consequences. If you follow the rules, A happens. If you don't follow the rules B happens. I grew up that way, and so did my husband. I think its very good for my children. And I will say, that although we have rules, we do sometime break them. (IE eating of the cookies before dinner, so much so that it sometime results in little eating of dinner.) And I am okay with this. For if I was to follow every rule, all day long, that is all I would ever do. Enforce rules. I wouldn't have time to eat, sleep, or think for myself. So breaking of the rules is necessary, and sometimes that includes letting my children think they pulled one over on mom. (Now, let me be clear this does not apply with really big things like teaching her sister to play in the toilet, or the use of a knife to cut open the box, even if she feels that she has "grown bigger enough" :)
But sometimes, I find that I must have not been following the rules enough. I must have over looked that attitude one to many times. For all of the sudden I am hit with something. It might be big, such has the throwing of a tantrum in the middle of walmart, because we can't "eat here." Or it might be as little, (well, less noticeable anyways) as when I ask for her to put away a toy, she says, "I can't, I am playing with moon sand." It is in these moments that I think, I can't believe she just did that. My little precious three year old, when did she become a teenager. And it is in these moments that I vow to do a little better, try to be more proactive in making sure she doesn't act like a heathen, and tell her that she will not play with moon sand for one more minute if she talks that way to me again, and demand that she put the toy away. To which she agrees, because after all wasn't she just testing the limits?
We really should be paid more... :) I think I will go get that extra hug for today!
But sometimes, I find that I must have not been following the rules enough. I must have over looked that attitude one to many times. For all of the sudden I am hit with something. It might be big, such has the throwing of a tantrum in the middle of walmart, because we can't "eat here." Or it might be as little, (well, less noticeable anyways) as when I ask for her to put away a toy, she says, "I can't, I am playing with moon sand." It is in these moments that I think, I can't believe she just did that. My little precious three year old, when did she become a teenager. And it is in these moments that I vow to do a little better, try to be more proactive in making sure she doesn't act like a heathen, and tell her that she will not play with moon sand for one more minute if she talks that way to me again, and demand that she put the toy away. To which she agrees, because after all wasn't she just testing the limits?
We really should be paid more... :) I think I will go get that extra hug for today!
Friday, January 9
Where has this week gone
So we spent most traveling. The weekend before Christmas we went to see some of Bennett's family, and attend a 90Th birthday party. And then the day after Christmas we went down to see Bennett's dad and step-mom. But traveling with two young children is no joke, and I am glad that its over for now.
The girls I think enjoyed their Christmas, and I enjoyed mine. Bennett got me very thoughtful gifts, and of course the thing that I love most, his Christmas card to me. Every year he finds the most beautiful Christmas cards, and writes the most beautiful messages in them. I look forward to it every year. I thought at first that he hadn't done it this year, but he had. And I am glad that he did. It made me cry. I love every minute of it.
Okay, so the funny for the day. My kids are great! They are always coming up with things that make me laugh. And I enjoy it. It always catches me off guard, because it is always something different. When Makayla woke up from her nap this afternoon, she was a little more fussy than normal, I don't think that she was done with her nap. So I take her back to the computer with me, where I have been working all day at installing updates, and defraging, and what not. Trying to get it to move faster than it has been. Anyways, so Alyssa comes up, and is talking to Makayla, and all of the sudden whacks her on the head. It wasn't hard, and Makayla barely noticed, but I responded quickly..."Be gentle. Be gentle." Alyssa looks at me, and sweetly says her new favorite "get out of JAIL free card" line, "It was an accident." And then just as smoothly she turns to Makayla and says, "I'm sorry, I thought you where a drum."
I couldn't stop laughing. I probably laughed for a good five minutes, and I have laughed every time I have told that story this evening, including now. I am so thankful for those little moments of comic relief. They make my days of endless toys, dishes, laundry, and bills to pay that much easier.
:-)
The girls I think enjoyed their Christmas, and I enjoyed mine. Bennett got me very thoughtful gifts, and of course the thing that I love most, his Christmas card to me. Every year he finds the most beautiful Christmas cards, and writes the most beautiful messages in them. I look forward to it every year. I thought at first that he hadn't done it this year, but he had. And I am glad that he did. It made me cry. I love every minute of it.
Okay, so the funny for the day. My kids are great! They are always coming up with things that make me laugh. And I enjoy it. It always catches me off guard, because it is always something different. When Makayla woke up from her nap this afternoon, she was a little more fussy than normal, I don't think that she was done with her nap. So I take her back to the computer with me, where I have been working all day at installing updates, and defraging, and what not. Trying to get it to move faster than it has been. Anyways, so Alyssa comes up, and is talking to Makayla, and all of the sudden whacks her on the head. It wasn't hard, and Makayla barely noticed, but I responded quickly..."Be gentle. Be gentle." Alyssa looks at me, and sweetly says her new favorite "get out of JAIL free card" line, "It was an accident." And then just as smoothly she turns to Makayla and says, "I'm sorry, I thought you where a drum."
I couldn't stop laughing. I probably laughed for a good five minutes, and I have laughed every time I have told that story this evening, including now. I am so thankful for those little moments of comic relief. They make my days of endless toys, dishes, laundry, and bills to pay that much easier.
:-)
Saturday, January 3
Yo Gabba Gabba
For those of you that haven't watched an episode of Yo Gabba Gabba, I highly recommend it. Every mother should be subjected to that kind of torture! My daughter now routinely sings "it's your turn, it's my turn" when ever she wants me to do something.
Well, I haven't gotten to finish posting about our holiday adventures, but hopefully I will soon! I do not, however have time tonight. :0
But I had to post about my ... I am not sure what to even call it. Alyssa has been in a fine mood lately. She has always been a strong willed child. And conventional methods of dealing with her behavior have never worked. And believe me we have tired everything. She has always kept me on toes. But lately she has seemed worse. Everything I say is meet with disapproval, and distain. It seems like all I do all day long is correct inappropriate behavior. I am exhausted. And tonight I had definitely meet my match.
It had been an exhausting day. It started out that I was tired. Makayla kept me up most of the night. She isn't feeling well, as she is teething. But after going back to bed this morning for a nap, while Bennett watched the girls, I felt better. We went to the park and feed the ducks...and then went to a place in the mall called Jump'in Land. It's an indoor play place, complete with token games, tubes to climb through, and a host of big inflatable jumping things. It was a great time. Bennett spent time playing and chasing Alyssa all around the place. But when it was time to go, you would have thought that we where telling Alyssa that she never good again play.
I managed to avert that crises, but just barely. So tonight, when Alyssa was throwing a fit, because I had washed her hair, I had finally had it. I set her in her room, put her in her bed, and told her that when she decided to act like a big girl, then and only then may she come out. I walked out and (gasp) closed the door. I took one look at Bennett, and told him I needed a minute...and to let me know if she came out of her room. And with that I walked outside.
It worked. When in just moments she came out of her room. And she hasn't thrown a fit since. Could I have found the magic solution? Probably not, but for now I am going to enjoy this moment. :)
Well, I haven't gotten to finish posting about our holiday adventures, but hopefully I will soon! I do not, however have time tonight. :0
But I had to post about my ... I am not sure what to even call it. Alyssa has been in a fine mood lately. She has always been a strong willed child. And conventional methods of dealing with her behavior have never worked. And believe me we have tired everything. She has always kept me on toes. But lately she has seemed worse. Everything I say is meet with disapproval, and distain. It seems like all I do all day long is correct inappropriate behavior. I am exhausted. And tonight I had definitely meet my match.
It had been an exhausting day. It started out that I was tired. Makayla kept me up most of the night. She isn't feeling well, as she is teething. But after going back to bed this morning for a nap, while Bennett watched the girls, I felt better. We went to the park and feed the ducks...and then went to a place in the mall called Jump'in Land. It's an indoor play place, complete with token games, tubes to climb through, and a host of big inflatable jumping things. It was a great time. Bennett spent time playing and chasing Alyssa all around the place. But when it was time to go, you would have thought that we where telling Alyssa that she never good again play.
I managed to avert that crises, but just barely. So tonight, when Alyssa was throwing a fit, because I had washed her hair, I had finally had it. I set her in her room, put her in her bed, and told her that when she decided to act like a big girl, then and only then may she come out. I walked out and (gasp) closed the door. I took one look at Bennett, and told him I needed a minute...and to let me know if she came out of her room. And with that I walked outside.
It worked. When in just moments she came out of her room. And she hasn't thrown a fit since. Could I have found the magic solution? Probably not, but for now I am going to enjoy this moment. :)
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