So, I mentioned cakes in my last post and thought you might like to see some of the cakes I've made.
(Or maybe I just want to show them off!)
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| Jace's 3rd birthday - trucks (FYI - the oreo tires didn't actually touch the ground - Jace noticed!) |
About Me
- Annie
- Like all of you, I'm a number of things to a number of people...Navy wife, homeschooling mama, educated woman and aspiring writer. Read my thoughts on all of it here. Please feel free to leave your thoughts on all of it too!
Showing posts with label baking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baking. Show all posts
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Cakes
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Getting Ready For Christmas
November was a great month of daily thanks. I think it was a great way to celebrate Thanksgiving. Starting last Sunday we've been looking forward to Christmas as the holiday season continues.
We have an Advent wreath on the table and lit the first candle last week, symbolizing the hope of the season. That's a tough concept for the kids to grasp, but we talked about it all week long, lighting that candle each night. Tonight we got to light two candles, the second being for preparation: much easier to explain. Getting ready for Christmas has been the name of the game around here, and today we kicked it into high gear.
Each day of December we're doing at least one thing to celebrate and prepare for Christmas. Let's see...what have we done so far? We've sent all the gifts that need to go out through the mail and started the cards. Hopefully we'll finish that task this week. We've also made a batch of cookies and decorated them with friends. We're doing more of that this week too! We've read some stories, and checked out many more from the library.
We got our tree today and Scott's got the lights on it. The kids and I will be making some decorations and putting them and the ones we already have on the tree this week too.
See what I mean about kicking it into high gear?
We've also got plans for going to see Zoolights, go out for a holiday breakfast, finish our shopping, make more cookies, sing more Christmas songs, watch more movies and television specials, and generally have more holiday fun!
What are you doing to get ready? Whatever it is, I hope your season is filled with all the love and joy you can handle.
We have an Advent wreath on the table and lit the first candle last week, symbolizing the hope of the season. That's a tough concept for the kids to grasp, but we talked about it all week long, lighting that candle each night. Tonight we got to light two candles, the second being for preparation: much easier to explain. Getting ready for Christmas has been the name of the game around here, and today we kicked it into high gear.
Each day of December we're doing at least one thing to celebrate and prepare for Christmas. Let's see...what have we done so far? We've sent all the gifts that need to go out through the mail and started the cards. Hopefully we'll finish that task this week. We've also made a batch of cookies and decorated them with friends. We're doing more of that this week too! We've read some stories, and checked out many more from the library.
We got our tree today and Scott's got the lights on it. The kids and I will be making some decorations and putting them and the ones we already have on the tree this week too.
See what I mean about kicking it into high gear?
We've also got plans for going to see Zoolights, go out for a holiday breakfast, finish our shopping, make more cookies, sing more Christmas songs, watch more movies and television specials, and generally have more holiday fun!
What are you doing to get ready? Whatever it is, I hope your season is filled with all the love and joy you can handle.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Primal Bread Substitutes
Bread. In the past I've been known to eat it as part of a sandwich, dip it in soup, smother it with butters, jams, anything! I have been a lover of bread. But, honestly, I haven't thought about it much now that I'm primal. It must be true that once I broke that addiction to carbs and gluten, I no longer had cravings for them. Cool, huh?
However, I'm the only one in the family who doesn't eat bread anymore. Tyler has "toast jelly" every morning. Gracie is working on getting on the primal wagon, but still eats toast probably three times a week. Jace is doing really well, in part because he loves primal cereal with almond milk, and only has toast once or twice a month. Scott doesn't eat bread during the week, unless he goes to Subway. He's not committed enough to order a salad there. When he goes to the galley for lunch, though, he forgoes the hamburger bun and has just the meat and cheese. And, of course, everyone loves pizza!
So, as a mother/wife who's not willing to deal with the aftermath of simply not buying anymore bread I've turned to sprouted loaves of bread from the store and trying to find homemade substitutes that the kids, at least, will enjoy. Here's what I've got so far:
Pizza
I've tried two different crusts. Here are links to them: almond flour crust and cauliflower crust. And I just came across a third variation that I haven't tried yet, but I will. I'll share it here so you can take a stab at it if you'd like. If you do, let me know how it goes!
Dessert/Snack Breads
Bananas always seem to get gobbled up until there are one or two left. I've always been certain that it's because everyone loves banana bread! So now, instead of pulling out my flour, oatmeal, and whatever else went in the old recipe, I open the cupboard and grab my almond meal. Here are my two favorite recipes: Carrot Banana Muffins, Moist Banana Bread
Soup and Sandwiches
I just made some really tasty ham bone soup with sweet potatoes, summer squash, carrots and mushrooms this weekend. Scott doesn't like warm liquids and has made this very clear on several occasions. However, I do. Mom used to make left over soup and it is one of my favorite food memories from childhood. I love kitchen sink soups, you know...where you through in whatever's left over from the week and let it all cook together and maybe, if you're good, you can drink it out of a mug instead of having to use a spoon. You know that one, right? Well, if you don't you should get acquainted. It'll warm you inside and out, and I love it. So, every so often I make it and Scott gets a little broth and a lot of whatever else is in it. In the past I've always tried to have a hearty sandwich (who doesn't love dipping) and maybe a salad to round it out. Now that we're not eating bread I had to find something to replace the sandwich. I made two somethings to try out.
Spinach Bread
This recipe is directly from Mark Sisson's Primal Blueprint Cookbook.
What you need:
3-4 eggs, whisked (for a firmer version, add a few more eggs)
16 ounces of frozen spinach, thawed
2 Tbsp butter
1/2 cup pine nuts
2 cloves crushed garlic
small bunch of basil (about 15 leaves)
1/4 tsp salt (optional)
What you do:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Squeeze as much moisture from the spinach as possible, set aside. Melt butter over low heat and add pine nuts and garlic, toasting until golden brown. Pine nuts burn easily, so watch closely. When browned, put into a food processor with basil and pulse a few times until the nuts are broken up but not completely smooth. Add spinach and salt and pulse for ten seconds. Stir in the eggs. Scrape into a buttered pie pan or a 7"x11" baking dish. Bake 20-30 minutes until set. Let cool, then cut and enjoy.
Mark notes that this can be used to make sandwiches is you need something for that purpose. We tend to just roll our meat, cheese, and veggies up and call it a day. But this could work too!
What do you do when you want bread? Just dig in or look for something a little different? If you're looking for something new...try these recipes and see how your family likes them.
However, I'm the only one in the family who doesn't eat bread anymore. Tyler has "toast jelly" every morning. Gracie is working on getting on the primal wagon, but still eats toast probably three times a week. Jace is doing really well, in part because he loves primal cereal with almond milk, and only has toast once or twice a month. Scott doesn't eat bread during the week, unless he goes to Subway. He's not committed enough to order a salad there. When he goes to the galley for lunch, though, he forgoes the hamburger bun and has just the meat and cheese. And, of course, everyone loves pizza!
So, as a mother/wife who's not willing to deal with the aftermath of simply not buying anymore bread I've turned to sprouted loaves of bread from the store and trying to find homemade substitutes that the kids, at least, will enjoy. Here's what I've got so far:
Pizza
I've tried two different crusts. Here are links to them: almond flour crust and cauliflower crust. And I just came across a third variation that I haven't tried yet, but I will. I'll share it here so you can take a stab at it if you'd like. If you do, let me know how it goes!
Dessert/Snack Breads
Bananas always seem to get gobbled up until there are one or two left. I've always been certain that it's because everyone loves banana bread! So now, instead of pulling out my flour, oatmeal, and whatever else went in the old recipe, I open the cupboard and grab my almond meal. Here are my two favorite recipes: Carrot Banana Muffins, Moist Banana Bread
Soup and Sandwiches
I just made some really tasty ham bone soup with sweet potatoes, summer squash, carrots and mushrooms this weekend. Scott doesn't like warm liquids and has made this very clear on several occasions. However, I do. Mom used to make left over soup and it is one of my favorite food memories from childhood. I love kitchen sink soups, you know...where you through in whatever's left over from the week and let it all cook together and maybe, if you're good, you can drink it out of a mug instead of having to use a spoon. You know that one, right? Well, if you don't you should get acquainted. It'll warm you inside and out, and I love it. So, every so often I make it and Scott gets a little broth and a lot of whatever else is in it. In the past I've always tried to have a hearty sandwich (who doesn't love dipping) and maybe a salad to round it out. Now that we're not eating bread I had to find something to replace the sandwich. I made two somethings to try out.
Spinach Bread
This recipe is directly from Mark Sisson's Primal Blueprint Cookbook.
What you need:
3-4 eggs, whisked (for a firmer version, add a few more eggs)
16 ounces of frozen spinach, thawed
2 Tbsp butter
1/2 cup pine nuts
2 cloves crushed garlic
small bunch of basil (about 15 leaves)
1/4 tsp salt (optional)
What you do:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Squeeze as much moisture from the spinach as possible, set aside. Melt butter over low heat and add pine nuts and garlic, toasting until golden brown. Pine nuts burn easily, so watch closely. When browned, put into a food processor with basil and pulse a few times until the nuts are broken up but not completely smooth. Add spinach and salt and pulse for ten seconds. Stir in the eggs. Scrape into a buttered pie pan or a 7"x11" baking dish. Bake 20-30 minutes until set. Let cool, then cut and enjoy.
Mark notes that this can be used to make sandwiches is you need something for that purpose. We tend to just roll our meat, cheese, and veggies up and call it a day. But this could work too!
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| Spinach Bread, ready to go in the oven |
Onion Crisps
This recipe is from my new cookbook, Grain-Free Gourmet: Delicious Recipes For Healthy Living, by Jodi Bager and Jenny Lass.
What you need:
3 cups almond flour
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
3 eggs
1 cup plain yogurt
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 small onion, finely diced
What you do:
Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine the almond flour, cheese, parsley, oregano, thyme, basil, salt, and baking soda in a bowl. In a second bowl, combine everything else. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix well.
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| Onion Crisps, ready to go into the oven the first time! |
Pour the batter into a loaf pan lined with parchment paper and bake for 40-50 minutes. Cool the loaf completely and refrigerate to make slicing easier.
Once cool, heat oven to 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut the loaf in half length-wise and slice each half into 1/4 inch thick pieces. Place on a cookie sheet and bake for two hours, or until they are very hard. Turn off the heat and let the crackers cool in the oven. Store in an air tight container to maintain crispness.
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| Onion Crisps, ready for their second baking |
So, what did we think? Jace loved the spinach bread. Scott and I thought it was OK. If I'm yearning for a sandwich I think I'd make it to use for that purpose, but it didn't dunk well. And, surprisingly, it tasted like spinach!
The onion crisps smelled incredible when they were baking and tasted pretty good, too, I thought. None of the kids liked them, though. They dissolved in the soup, so weren't so great for that, but tasted good just to eat along side it. I didn't bake mine long enough at some point, though. I think I should have left them in their longer the first time, at least. They were pretty soft going into the second baking. Even after more than two hours in the oven with the second baking, they never got crisp. I'm still eating them, though...yum!
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| salad, spinach bread, and onion crisps |
What do you do when you want bread? Just dig in or look for something a little different? If you're looking for something new...try these recipes and see how your family likes them.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Blackberry Crumble and Cheese Stuffed Meatballs
During our unit on healthy living we foraged for blackberries and then made a crumble...mmmmm!
I didn't take pictures of the crumble, but it was tasty...trust me!
Blackberry Crumble (Thanks to yESiCan, from the Mark's Daily Apple forum)
3 cups blackberries
drizzle of honey
1 1/2 cups almond meal (I only had one cup left, so I used 1/2 cup hazelnut meal)
1 egg
2 Tbsp coconut oil
cinnamon to taste
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Pour the blackberries into a pie pan or small Pyrex dish. Drizzle with honey. Mix together almond meal, egg, coconut oil, and cinnamon. Crumble the mixture over berries. Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes. Serve warm.
And, tonight...we had cheese stuffed meatballs. I could have these every other day! Check out the recipe at Wilderness Childe's fantastic site!
Happy primal eating, everyone!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Birthday Buys, Bags, and Baking
My 32nd birthday was almost a month ago. Some very generous loved ones gave me some money to spend on myself. This week I went out and enjoyed a little me time and bought myself something new and fun.
OK, a few somethings. Honestly I went looking for a bra, but after trying many on I decided to give up on that quest and see what else the mall had to offer. I got this fun and incredibly comfortable dress and the cute sweater to go with it. The purse is also a new purchase and one that's been a long time coming. Here's a close up of it:
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OK, a few somethings. Honestly I went looking for a bra, but after trying many on I decided to give up on that quest and see what else the mall had to offer. I got this fun and incredibly comfortable dress and the cute sweater to go with it. The purse is also a new purchase and one that's been a long time coming. Here's a close up of it:
I've been looking for a new purse for probably six months. I wanted one a little bigger than the last one I had with at least one small pocket on the outside and a long strap so I can wear it across my body, as I am in the picture. I didn't think that would be too much to ask for. I was also hoping for a bold color, but not orange, and I didn't want to sell any of my kids to afford it.
I found a few that I liked but none that I loved. This one fit the bill and I'm really enjoying it. It's nice to get something new. I still have some money left and I'm planning on getting a massage in a few weeks. I need to get our medical insurance switched to the region we now live in, see a chiropractor, and then I'll be signing up to lay on some one's table and get pampered. Aaahhh...
Oh, yeah...back to the post. Bags. I have several canvas bags that I use for grocery shopping. I never remember to take them with me to other stores, though. When I run to the mall or WalMart I end up coming home with more plastic bags that I don't need. Well, when my brother-in-law got married last month I got a few of these handy little berry bags.
Aren't they cute? And they unfold into this:
I know...it's easy, fun, and handy! So, now I have a few berries tucked into my glove compartment for easy picking when I get to Target, or wherever, and remember that I forgot bags from home. Love it!
And now...baking. We had a little get together last night. A few friends came over for burgers and dogs. I made cookies. The white kind are very slightly orange flavored, and I even doubled the orange peel called for. Tasty, though.
The chocolate ones have bacon in them! We all agreed that they were good, but thought the bacon didn't add too much to them. As chocolate cookies go, though...I'd bake them again. But not for a while!
Scott and I have been feeling pretty good about how we're eating and our activity levels and goals. Last night might have set me back a little. Getting back on track today and staying there...until the next friendly gathering!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Pictures!
I know, I know...you've been sitting on the edge of your seat waiting and waiting and waiting for some pictures of our new house. Well, don't fall off...but here are a few. This is day two of homeschool. We baked banana bread. It took them a minute to figure out how to get 3 1/2 cups when we didn't have a 3 cup measuring cup. But seeing the light in Jace's eyes when it clicked was fantastic!
And here are the kids in the classroom. It takes up about half of our basement room. We have a toy box that Scott's Dad built for him when he was a kid. I put pillows on it and that's where the kids currently like to sit and work. We have chairs for them too. They might need to be separated a bit more at some point!
On the same side of the basement we have a book shelf with games, Scott's military books, my small collection of psychological thrillers, school books, and writing schtuff. We snuck in a little play area and my sewing desk too!
I didn't take a picture yet because it's still in a bit of disarray, but the other half of the room has a corner desk with our desk top computer. That's our office. We also have a television in the corner for movie watching and it gets local channels...that's 76 local channels for anyone who's counting! What happened to local channels being ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox if you held the antenna just right? I guess that's gone the way of the rotary dial phone and actually getting up to change the channel.
We don't have a pull out couch yet, but we plan on getting one to put back to back with the toy chest. That will serve as a comfy place to sit and relax and also our guest bedroom. So, let us know when you're coming and we'll get on the ball and get a couch!
And here are the kids in the classroom. It takes up about half of our basement room. We have a toy box that Scott's Dad built for him when he was a kid. I put pillows on it and that's where the kids currently like to sit and work. We have chairs for them too. They might need to be separated a bit more at some point!
On the same side of the basement we have a book shelf with games, Scott's military books, my small collection of psychological thrillers, school books, and writing schtuff. We snuck in a little play area and my sewing desk too!
I didn't take a picture yet because it's still in a bit of disarray, but the other half of the room has a corner desk with our desk top computer. That's our office. We also have a television in the corner for movie watching and it gets local channels...that's 76 local channels for anyone who's counting! What happened to local channels being ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox if you held the antenna just right? I guess that's gone the way of the rotary dial phone and actually getting up to change the channel.
We don't have a pull out couch yet, but we plan on getting one to put back to back with the toy chest. That will serve as a comfy place to sit and relax and also our guest bedroom. So, let us know when you're coming and we'll get on the ball and get a couch!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Starting to Feel Like Home
We've almost been in our new digs for a week! Time flies, as they say. And it's not only starting to look lived in but to feel like home too. For example, this morning the kids were in the bathroom together and giggling a lot, so I checked in.
"Hey, what are you guys doing?"
"Farting!"
There ya have it. Apparently they're feeling comfortable in their new surroundings. I'll be making some cookies tomorrow for a BBQ at the neighbors. Nothing makes a house feel more like home than baking.
Tyler's bed got put together today. He was the last holdout...but the hardware was in one of boxes that got emptied today. Don't worry, though, he's been sleeping just fine on his mattress on the floor. He took a four hour nap today before Scott put the frame together!
We've met some of the neighbors and are sticking around here for eating and merry-making tomorrow night. Hopefully everyone enjoys our cookie offering and we'll get off on the right foot with our little neighborhood...because this is home.
"Hey, what are you guys doing?"
"Farting!"
There ya have it. Apparently they're feeling comfortable in their new surroundings. I'll be making some cookies tomorrow for a BBQ at the neighbors. Nothing makes a house feel more like home than baking.
Tyler's bed got put together today. He was the last holdout...but the hardware was in one of boxes that got emptied today. Don't worry, though, he's been sleeping just fine on his mattress on the floor. He took a four hour nap today before Scott put the frame together!
We've met some of the neighbors and are sticking around here for eating and merry-making tomorrow night. Hopefully everyone enjoys our cookie offering and we'll get off on the right foot with our little neighborhood...because this is home.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Be Nice To Me
I gave blood today. I remember my dad used to come home with heart shaped stickers that said "Be nice to me I gave blood today." How come I don't get those? Hmmm... I do get smiley face bandages wrapped around my arm. So, that's cool...I guess. But you should be nice to me anyway!
Aside from letting you know that little piece of info, I also wanted to say welcome to all my new followers!
"Welcome!"
I do believe the Ultimate Blog Party 2010 is still going on at 5 Minutes For Mom. (It is...I just checked.) But even when it's over and you can't add your blog to the list you can still weed through the 1000's of blogs that are already there and find some new e-friends. I know that I'm excited to get new followers (including my husband...a special hello to you) and I'm guess that other bloggers are too. I've been taking a few minutes each night to go back to the UBP post and visit a few new blogs...some catch my eye and others don't...but it's great fun.
Another little tid bit I'll let you in on is that the kids and I are heading North earlier than originally expected. I just filled out the withdrawal form today at Jace's school and we'll be in New York by his birthday. He's one very excited little boy! Oops, sorry...big boy! Now we just have to decide what his cake will be this year.
Here's a look at years past:
Whale Shark (6)
Monkey (4)
Trucks (3)So, what will happen for the big 7? We don't know yet...but it'll be something fun. No doubt about it!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Simple Gifts
The DJ on the radio this morning was looking for ideas to make his wife feel extra special this Valentine's Day. Knowing what I want, and that everyone is always looking for ways to save a little cash, I called in and suggested that he take her by the hand...and go for a walk together. We live in a part of the country that is very beautiful and there are walking trails in a few places that I can think of. He laughed and said his wife would never go for that unless there was a reservation waiting at the end of the path. And he didn't play the idea for others to hear either. He wanted suggestions that were extensive and expensive. After all, for so many, how much you care is directly related to how much you spend.
Sad, really, don't you think?
Life is full of so many simple gifts. I'd love a long walk, hand in hand, with Scott this weekend. And, despite the DJs dislike of my idea, I think there are others out there who appreciate the simpler things in life. In fact I know I'm not alone. My little sister pointed me in the direction of several sites that celebrate the simple life.
Simple Mom - Live simply, stay sane. Life hacks for the home managers.
Simple Bites - Real food for the family table.
Simple Homeschool - Never let your schooling interrupt your education.
Simple Kids - Uncomplicated parenting in a complex world.
Simple Organic - Back to nature, back to basics.
Four of these five sites are brand spankin' new! In celebration of their launches all five are hosting a give away. Each of these give aways is packed full of incredible gifts that can help center us in our goals and help us lead simple, and incredibly rewarding, lives.
So, check 'em out! In the words of my little sister, "Good luck, but I hope I win!"
And enjoy your Valentine's Day, no matter how you celebrate. I think we're going for a family experience...a day at the Jacksonville International Car and Truck Show! Now, that's romantic! OK, maybe not, but the kids will have a great time and Jace and Gracie can take turns pushing the stroller so Scott and I can walk hand in hand.
Sad, really, don't you think?
Life is full of so many simple gifts. I'd love a long walk, hand in hand, with Scott this weekend. And, despite the DJs dislike of my idea, I think there are others out there who appreciate the simpler things in life. In fact I know I'm not alone. My little sister pointed me in the direction of several sites that celebrate the simple life.
Simple Mom - Live simply, stay sane. Life hacks for the home managers.
Simple Bites - Real food for the family table.
Simple Homeschool - Never let your schooling interrupt your education.
Simple Kids - Uncomplicated parenting in a complex world.
Simple Organic - Back to nature, back to basics.
Four of these five sites are brand spankin' new! In celebration of their launches all five are hosting a give away. Each of these give aways is packed full of incredible gifts that can help center us in our goals and help us lead simple, and incredibly rewarding, lives.
So, check 'em out! In the words of my little sister, "Good luck, but I hope I win!"
And enjoy your Valentine's Day, no matter how you celebrate. I think we're going for a family experience...a day at the Jacksonville International Car and Truck Show! Now, that's romantic! OK, maybe not, but the kids will have a great time and Jace and Gracie can take turns pushing the stroller so Scott and I can walk hand in hand.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Little Bits
For you: a compilation of things that have been on my mind. Imagine these tid bits presented on a grand platter, held firmly by the gloved hand of a handsomely dressed servant. There's a little something for everyone...crunchy, sweet, savory, smooth...take all you'd like and enjoy.
That little bit of fun imagery comes from a house my husband found online while looking for places to live someday without me. (It was brought to my attention that this sounds like Scott wants to live apart from me in the future. I don't think that's the plan. After all, who would keep my feet warm? What it should sound like is that Scott was looking, without me, at future homes, that we could live in together.) The rule is that we're not aloud to look/dream without the other, but he admitted he'd been naughty so he could show me this place he found in Victor, NY (one of our possible retirement areas). It's on the market for 3.9 million dollars. I told him he'll have to work for a long time to be able to afford that one! But it did have a nice covered entry so I, or the servants, could bring the groceries in without getting wet or snowed on.
******
The other day the kids and I were eating at the dining room table, which has a window into the front yard. Gracie excitedly announced that there was a baby butterfly fluttering about. Jace promptly told her, "There's no such thing as baby butterflies. That's a caterpillar." Of course Gracie got upset and wanted me to stand up for her. Alas, what's a mom to do? I told them it was probably a young butterfly and gave Jace a look that clearly asked him why he needed to torture his poor sister and urged him to stop. He reiterated that baby butterflies are caterpillars and left it alone. Thank goodness.
******
In college we had a big piece of poster board or paper, can't remember what exactly. But, we kept it under the couch and occasionally pulled it out to write some great quotes that people came up with at random times. It was a fun little conversation starter. Every now and then I think of recreating it with things I never thought I'd hear my self say, especially quite as often as I do. My current least favorite thing to say is directed toward Tyler. "Keep your fingers out of my arm pit." It drives me nuts that he seems to constantly scratch me and play with my arm pits. I know their warm and whatever...but they're my pits! Arg. I hope he finds something better to do with his little pinchers, and soon.
******
Why is it that just when I think I've caught up with life I realize that the dishwasher never got run or that I forgot to empty the dryer and the clothes are all wrinkled? Just why? I'd like to get ahead for just a little bit. Maybe?
******
My least favorite thing to clean is the bathroom, specifically the toilet, and even more specifically the under side of that. And I have so many more years until the boys are supposedly old enough to not dribble over the edge of the tank and drip, drip, drip...anyway, what age is that again?
******
I'm starting to enjoy, more and more, being in the kitchen. I've always loved baking but have put in on the back shelf so we could eat healthier and not have so many cookies lying around. (Now when I say lying around...what I mean is barely making it off the counter and into the cookie jar. We love cookies around here!) I've gotten more into cooking to take the place of the baking I enjoy. The kids help me twice a week. Mostly we have a lot of fun! There are days, though...whew! Isn't anything like that, though? Can't love everything all the time.
Back to my point, I just joined a baking and cooking challenge blog. It's called The Daring Kitchen and there are monthly challenges to create and post about fun new recipes! I'm very excited about this. First of all, once a month I won't have to figure out what to cook for dinner. Also, we'll get to try new things, which I very much enjoy. So, along with the normal tales of Gebel family life, you can now look forward to daring baking and cooking challenge posts. Then you can try your hand at something new in the kitchen as well.
******
One more thing...I've been working out with Denise Austin and taking walks several times a week with Tyler. I really enjoy it. Well, not while Denise is kicking my tush first thing in the morning, but when we move into the stretching exercises at the end of her workout...then I love it. I like feeling a little sweaty, more active, and ready to go...
And, now, it's time for me to go...Tyler's awake and we need to go pick up Gracie and Jace. Have a great Monday. I hope you enjoyed your sampling of tasty tid bits!
That little bit of fun imagery comes from a house my husband found online while looking for places to live someday without me. (It was brought to my attention that this sounds like Scott wants to live apart from me in the future. I don't think that's the plan. After all, who would keep my feet warm? What it should sound like is that Scott was looking, without me, at future homes, that we could live in together.) The rule is that we're not aloud to look/dream without the other, but he admitted he'd been naughty so he could show me this place he found in Victor, NY (one of our possible retirement areas). It's on the market for 3.9 million dollars. I told him he'll have to work for a long time to be able to afford that one! But it did have a nice covered entry so I, or the servants, could bring the groceries in without getting wet or snowed on.
******
The other day the kids and I were eating at the dining room table, which has a window into the front yard. Gracie excitedly announced that there was a baby butterfly fluttering about. Jace promptly told her, "There's no such thing as baby butterflies. That's a caterpillar." Of course Gracie got upset and wanted me to stand up for her. Alas, what's a mom to do? I told them it was probably a young butterfly and gave Jace a look that clearly asked him why he needed to torture his poor sister and urged him to stop. He reiterated that baby butterflies are caterpillars and left it alone. Thank goodness.
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In college we had a big piece of poster board or paper, can't remember what exactly. But, we kept it under the couch and occasionally pulled it out to write some great quotes that people came up with at random times. It was a fun little conversation starter. Every now and then I think of recreating it with things I never thought I'd hear my self say, especially quite as often as I do. My current least favorite thing to say is directed toward Tyler. "Keep your fingers out of my arm pit." It drives me nuts that he seems to constantly scratch me and play with my arm pits. I know their warm and whatever...but they're my pits! Arg. I hope he finds something better to do with his little pinchers, and soon.
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Why is it that just when I think I've caught up with life I realize that the dishwasher never got run or that I forgot to empty the dryer and the clothes are all wrinkled? Just why? I'd like to get ahead for just a little bit. Maybe?
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My least favorite thing to clean is the bathroom, specifically the toilet, and even more specifically the under side of that. And I have so many more years until the boys are supposedly old enough to not dribble over the edge of the tank and drip, drip, drip...anyway, what age is that again?
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I'm starting to enjoy, more and more, being in the kitchen. I've always loved baking but have put in on the back shelf so we could eat healthier and not have so many cookies lying around. (Now when I say lying around...what I mean is barely making it off the counter and into the cookie jar. We love cookies around here!) I've gotten more into cooking to take the place of the baking I enjoy. The kids help me twice a week. Mostly we have a lot of fun! There are days, though...whew! Isn't anything like that, though? Can't love everything all the time.
Back to my point, I just joined a baking and cooking challenge blog. It's called The Daring Kitchen and there are monthly challenges to create and post about fun new recipes! I'm very excited about this. First of all, once a month I won't have to figure out what to cook for dinner. Also, we'll get to try new things, which I very much enjoy. So, along with the normal tales of Gebel family life, you can now look forward to daring baking and cooking challenge posts. Then you can try your hand at something new in the kitchen as well.
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One more thing...I've been working out with Denise Austin and taking walks several times a week with Tyler. I really enjoy it. Well, not while Denise is kicking my tush first thing in the morning, but when we move into the stretching exercises at the end of her workout...then I love it. I like feeling a little sweaty, more active, and ready to go...
And, now, it's time for me to go...Tyler's awake and we need to go pick up Gracie and Jace. Have a great Monday. I hope you enjoyed your sampling of tasty tid bits!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Cookies
I've heard you should exercise when you're stressed. I've heard it's not only good for you but also releases something in our brains that will help battle the stress. This may all be true, but you know what really helps?
Ice cream, big spoonfuls right from the container, or canned frosting if you're in a fix.
Lasagna, leftover and rewarmed so the cheese extends in those long, glorious strings.
Wine coolers, or occasionally butterscotch schnapps on the rocks, something cold and soothing.
And cookies. Cookies of every shape, size, and even doneness. Sometimes eating the dough while the first few trays are baking starts the feeling better process going. From the store you can get some Oreos to dip in milk or eat by the bag full. Why did they think it necessary to make the bags resealable, anyway? If I'm angry about something I find something crispy very satisfying, like ginger snaps or the hard oatmeal ones in the cookie aisle. But if I'm sad or worried, I want something soft and yummy...like Grandma Gebel cookies.
If you're not familiar, Grandma Gebel Cookies are a comforting peanut butter dough with chocolate chips. I've tweaked it over the years I've been a Gebel and added whole wheat flour, they're healthier that way. I use chunky peanut butter for the nuts and three types of chocolate chips; milk chocolate chunks, mini chips, and dark chocolate chips. In the past I've used applesauce in place of butter, but when I'm looking for cookie comfort, I don't want to go too far into the health food column. Remember, they do have whole wheat flour.
If you're not allergic to peanuts, aren't suffering from some strange aversion to chocolate, and have some stress you don't want to exercise away...Grandma Gebel Cookies are what you need!
How do I know? Well, experience, of course. And Scott knows it too. Yesterday he called and asked if I'm make some for him to take to work, considering the long hours they're all putting in this week. See? Stress.
And hours after getting that request I found out my mother was in a car accident 17 hours away. See...stress. Don't worry. She's OK. She's got pain meds and doctors and nurses taking good care of her, not to mention Jody and Dad.
As for us? We eat cookies.
I'll have to make another batch for Mon in a few days. Rather they'll likely be for Dad. Mom may be the one healing, but Dad will be the one trying to get her to rest. See? Stress. Cookies it is!
Ice cream, big spoonfuls right from the container, or canned frosting if you're in a fix.
Lasagna, leftover and rewarmed so the cheese extends in those long, glorious strings.
Wine coolers, or occasionally butterscotch schnapps on the rocks, something cold and soothing.
And cookies. Cookies of every shape, size, and even doneness. Sometimes eating the dough while the first few trays are baking starts the feeling better process going. From the store you can get some Oreos to dip in milk or eat by the bag full. Why did they think it necessary to make the bags resealable, anyway? If I'm angry about something I find something crispy very satisfying, like ginger snaps or the hard oatmeal ones in the cookie aisle. But if I'm sad or worried, I want something soft and yummy...like Grandma Gebel cookies.
If you're not familiar, Grandma Gebel Cookies are a comforting peanut butter dough with chocolate chips. I've tweaked it over the years I've been a Gebel and added whole wheat flour, they're healthier that way. I use chunky peanut butter for the nuts and three types of chocolate chips; milk chocolate chunks, mini chips, and dark chocolate chips. In the past I've used applesauce in place of butter, but when I'm looking for cookie comfort, I don't want to go too far into the health food column. Remember, they do have whole wheat flour.
If you're not allergic to peanuts, aren't suffering from some strange aversion to chocolate, and have some stress you don't want to exercise away...Grandma Gebel Cookies are what you need!
How do I know? Well, experience, of course. And Scott knows it too. Yesterday he called and asked if I'm make some for him to take to work, considering the long hours they're all putting in this week. See? Stress.
And hours after getting that request I found out my mother was in a car accident 17 hours away. See...stress. Don't worry. She's OK. She's got pain meds and doctors and nurses taking good care of her, not to mention Jody and Dad.
As for us? We eat cookies.
I'll have to make another batch for Mon in a few days. Rather they'll likely be for Dad. Mom may be the one healing, but Dad will be the one trying to get her to rest. See? Stress. Cookies it is!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The Final Four?
I just made some cupcakes...I know, you're jealous! When I was putting liners in the pans I was hit with a burning question: What happens to the final two liners? The package I last purchased was 50 count. My cupcake tins, and I think all cupcake tins, have 12 each. The cake mix, or for those of you more established bakers...the recipe, makes 24 servings. Why 50 little paper liners? I'd already made one batch of cupcakes or muffins, so, in just a moment I would be left with two lonely liners.
Should I throw them out? Keep them? Hope I remember them with the next batch? Worry that I won't find them until I clean my cupboards out...someday?
Wait a minute...there's nothing to worry about. I ended up with four extra liners. Cool beans! A little extra for my money. And four pretty pastel papers are definitely worth saving until my next tasty treat. Just think, after my next two batches I'll be left with six liners! It gets better and better. Perhaps by the time I use the exact number of liners someone will have started packaging them in multiples of twelve.
Should I throw them out? Keep them? Hope I remember them with the next batch? Worry that I won't find them until I clean my cupboards out...someday?
Wait a minute...there's nothing to worry about. I ended up with four extra liners. Cool beans! A little extra for my money. And four pretty pastel papers are definitely worth saving until my next tasty treat. Just think, after my next two batches I'll be left with six liners! It gets better and better. Perhaps by the time I use the exact number of liners someone will have started packaging them in multiples of twelve.
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