Last week brought about a new wave of food in our FFF fun :) My sister chose Indian Corn Stew and Quick Cheese Bread for our dining pleasure. And it was a pleasure :)
My husband serves as the sound technician once every three weeks at our church and he was on duty until 1p last Sunday so the two youngest children came home with me (Lauryl serves in the toddler room once a month so she stayed at church too). We dove right in - well, at least Aubry and I did :) Brendan wanted to read his Bible verses from their lesson at church that morning; what an awesome kid he is!
The stew consisted of ground beef, some spices, corn, green peppers, crushed tomatoes, onions, garlic, and zucchini (although I didn't have that on hand). Concurrently, Aubry and I mixed up the quick cheese bread which was also very simple - flour, oil, eggs, sugar, baking powder, salt, and shredded cheese. This we put right in the oven to bake while we finished stirring the stew together and then let it simmer for about 30 minutes.
We went the route of serving the stew on the cheese bread rather than in tortillas. There were definitely some cheers around the table as we ate ... my husband especially. He would have voted for more spice, but when doesn't he want things spicier?!
All in all, these two recipes are perfect for a fall lunch or dinner when you have about an hour to give to the kitchen. They are easy for children to help with and will meet just about anyone's taste bud preferences. It is also yummy upon re-heating; I took the leftovers to work the next day and plowed right through them :)
This weekend?! Birthday cupcakes are on the menu! You can start checking them out here, http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/best-birthday-cake/, and then check back in with me for a review early next week! I'm most excited to try the frosting. Why? It looks super unique and unusual :)
To cupcakes! Always a delicious treat :)
21 October 2010
11 October 2010
FFF, Week 3!
This week brought about Pumpkin Scones to our Fantastic Fourteen for Fall foray :)
I choose this recipe to bake with my sister and Mom this week:
http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2010/02/19/pumpkin-scones-spiced-glaze/
Why?! I wanted to try my hand at scones again - I only remember baking them one other time - and I also love baking with pumpkin. Saturday evening I donned my bridal shower apron, turned on The Decemberists, poured a glass of wine, and began putting together the dough. I put it together exactly as it stated and found the dough easy to work with and pliable. I ended up cutting it into 16 triangles simply because I didn't want the scones to be quite as big (less calories per serving that way!). I baked them on stoneware for 15mins and they turned out perfectly done. My husband got home from work while they were baking and commented how good they smelled - always a good sign :)
The glazes were ultimately easy to stir together. I'm always heavy on the cinnamon in recipes and wasn't sorry again for this recipe. I let the scones cool for about 30 mins and then painted on the plain glaze with a brush, quickly followed by a drizzling of the spice glaze. Hubby and I couldn't resist having one with the rest of the wine - a delicious way to end the day. They got the ultimate compliment from him, a scone-skeptic: they're sweet and don't taste like flour!
The next day, we shared the scones with friends who invited us over for brunch. They made a delicious compliment to steak, eggs, hash browns, and biscuits with gravy; a sweet side to a salty brunch. I do believe the pumpkin was the key ingredient responsible for these compliments!
Today, the children were home to have a taste. Lauryl's comment: "If I were a pumpkin, I would give it 8 thumbs up!" I think that means she liked the pumpkin part too :) Aubry and Brendan enthused with words like awesome, spectacular, and great.
I do believe it was a hit all around! Up next: Indian Corn Stew and Quick Cheese Bread, chosen by my creative, amazing sister :)
Stay tuned: more deliciosity coming your way this week!
I choose this recipe to bake with my sister and Mom this week:
http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2010/02/19/pumpkin-scones-spiced-glaze/
Why?! I wanted to try my hand at scones again - I only remember baking them one other time - and I also love baking with pumpkin. Saturday evening I donned my bridal shower apron, turned on The Decemberists, poured a glass of wine, and began putting together the dough. I put it together exactly as it stated and found the dough easy to work with and pliable. I ended up cutting it into 16 triangles simply because I didn't want the scones to be quite as big (less calories per serving that way!). I baked them on stoneware for 15mins and they turned out perfectly done. My husband got home from work while they were baking and commented how good they smelled - always a good sign :)
The glazes were ultimately easy to stir together. I'm always heavy on the cinnamon in recipes and wasn't sorry again for this recipe. I let the scones cool for about 30 mins and then painted on the plain glaze with a brush, quickly followed by a drizzling of the spice glaze. Hubby and I couldn't resist having one with the rest of the wine - a delicious way to end the day. They got the ultimate compliment from him, a scone-skeptic: they're sweet and don't taste like flour!
The next day, we shared the scones with friends who invited us over for brunch. They made a delicious compliment to steak, eggs, hash browns, and biscuits with gravy; a sweet side to a salty brunch. I do believe the pumpkin was the key ingredient responsible for these compliments!
Today, the children were home to have a taste. Lauryl's comment: "If I were a pumpkin, I would give it 8 thumbs up!" I think that means she liked the pumpkin part too :) Aubry and Brendan enthused with words like awesome, spectacular, and great.
I do believe it was a hit all around! Up next: Indian Corn Stew and Quick Cheese Bread, chosen by my creative, amazing sister :)
Stay tuned: more deliciosity coming your way this week!
02 October 2010
14 for Fall - Week 2 - Pumpkin Cheesecake!
What a fantastic week for Cheesecake!
Today is my husband's 34th birthday (Happy Birthday, Love!) and we celebrated in many, super-great ways - including this lovely treat:
http://sugarcrafter.net/2010/09/14/pumpkin-cheesecake/#more-4898
My oldest, Lauryl, and I set about making the cake yesterday afternoon. I decided to half the recipe (like my sister - http://shortcakessweettooth.blogspot.com/2010/09/fourteen-for-fall-recipe-2.html) but cheesecake experience told me to keep the FULL recipe for the crust. Good thing too - it was just enough :) Lauryl began putting together the batter ingredients while I finished up the crust and put it in the freezer to cool. As I helped Lauryl finish making the batter, I found myself curious about the amount of pumpkin and spices. Instinctively, I kept the pumpkin at full recipe amount as well as the cinnamon. With every other ingredient, we stayed true to the halving.
Let me just say that this is a winning cheesecake! It was thoroughly enjoyed by ALL of us. During the dessert-tasting, Brendan asked his Dad if he would rate the cheesecake as insanely, wicked, or extremely good (with insane being the best). Following Paul's lead, we all settled for the insane side of good. (Hmmm, we could get philosophical with that now couldn't we?! - but that is for another post).
This is a keeper! Oh, and we loved the caramel on it - as a side note, caramel topping (like you would purchase for ice cream) is a quick and easy way to 'caramelize' your desserts ... just fyi :)
Next week's pick: Pumpkin Scones with a double frosting!
Today is my husband's 34th birthday (Happy Birthday, Love!) and we celebrated in many, super-great ways - including this lovely treat:
http://sugarcrafter.net/2010/09/14/pumpkin-cheesecake/#more-4898
My oldest, Lauryl, and I set about making the cake yesterday afternoon. I decided to half the recipe (like my sister - http://shortcakessweettooth.blogspot.com/2010/09/fourteen-for-fall-recipe-2.html) but cheesecake experience told me to keep the FULL recipe for the crust. Good thing too - it was just enough :) Lauryl began putting together the batter ingredients while I finished up the crust and put it in the freezer to cool. As I helped Lauryl finish making the batter, I found myself curious about the amount of pumpkin and spices. Instinctively, I kept the pumpkin at full recipe amount as well as the cinnamon. With every other ingredient, we stayed true to the halving.
Let me just say that this is a winning cheesecake! It was thoroughly enjoyed by ALL of us. During the dessert-tasting, Brendan asked his Dad if he would rate the cheesecake as insanely, wicked, or extremely good (with insane being the best). Following Paul's lead, we all settled for the insane side of good. (Hmmm, we could get philosophical with that now couldn't we?! - but that is for another post).
This is a keeper! Oh, and we loved the caramel on it - as a side note, caramel topping (like you would purchase for ice cream) is a quick and easy way to 'caramelize' your desserts ... just fyi :)
Next week's pick: Pumpkin Scones with a double frosting!
28 September 2010
Recipe for Week 1
I forgot to include the recipe yesterday in my post!
Here it is; definitely give it go, everyone - it's super tasty and fun to make :)
http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/easy-caramel-apple-cake/
Here it is; definitely give it go, everyone - it's super tasty and fun to make :)
http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/easy-caramel-apple-cake/
27 September 2010
Fourteen for Fall, Week 1!
The first recipe, Easy Caramel Apple Cake, is made and the first bites have been eaten. The taste-testers - my children and husband - have entered their verdicts!
Brendan declares it a -34 on a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being the best. WOW! I guess that's a compliment, in some sort of mathematical sense :) Aubry agreed with Brendan, although it was "at least a zero" in her terms; slightly less mathematically significant but I'll take it. Hubby and Lauryl chose non-verbal feedback; a second slice was quickly chosen and consumed by Paul while Lauryl took her time, savoring each bite, a trait that is commonly chosen by her when she wants the experience to last as long as possible.
All in all, I'd say that's a resounding 'yes' to this cake! My thoughts? Super moist, easy to make (as the recipe not-so-subtly implies), and made even easier by using caramel sauce pre-made for ice cream! (Yep, this was a busy weekend for me.)
On to Week 2: Pumpkin Cheesecake for my husband's 34th birthday this coming Saturday!
To Fall and all it's beautiful blessings!
Brendan declares it a -34 on a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being the best. WOW! I guess that's a compliment, in some sort of mathematical sense :) Aubry agreed with Brendan, although it was "at least a zero" in her terms; slightly less mathematically significant but I'll take it. Hubby and Lauryl chose non-verbal feedback; a second slice was quickly chosen and consumed by Paul while Lauryl took her time, savoring each bite, a trait that is commonly chosen by her when she wants the experience to last as long as possible.
All in all, I'd say that's a resounding 'yes' to this cake! My thoughts? Super moist, easy to make (as the recipe not-so-subtly implies), and made even easier by using caramel sauce pre-made for ice cream! (Yep, this was a busy weekend for me.)
On to Week 2: Pumpkin Cheesecake for my husband's 34th birthday this coming Saturday!
To Fall and all it's beautiful blessings!
20 September 2010
I'm taking up the sister's Fall challenge: Fourteen for Fall! We're going to making one new, yummy Fall recipe each week - starting the week. First up: Easy Caramel Apple Cake.
Small group, work friends, children, hubby - look out! I'm going to be baking up a storm ;) One of my favorite things to do is spend time in my kitchen. Our wedding gift from my Mom was a red Kitchen Aid Mixer - oh my goodness, I'm in heaven. (Just ask my husband how much I've been using it!) And now my sis challenges me to take up a 'season of baking'. I'm so there!
To Fall! Stay posted :)
Small group, work friends, children, hubby - look out! I'm going to be baking up a storm ;) One of my favorite things to do is spend time in my kitchen. Our wedding gift from my Mom was a red Kitchen Aid Mixer - oh my goodness, I'm in heaven. (Just ask my husband how much I've been using it!) And now my sis challenges me to take up a 'season of baking'. I'm so there!
To Fall! Stay posted :)
15 August 2010
Start Now
I want to make real, lasting, impactful change in other's lives. I want to be able to combine my gifts, talents, knowledge, and personality into artwork. I want to be able to live in my strengths in every aspect of life.
I don't want to lose that dream.
Preventative Step 1:
My husband and I were dreaming about my ideal job on the way home from a southerly county last night. With some prodding (he's gifted in conversing), I began to explain my ideal 'job' (which wouldn't really feel like a job anymore then would it?!) ...
A proactive, working-alongside-you consultant to stressed leaders of children. Teachers. I want to be able to walk into their classroom, ask questions, dig into our one-to-one relationship, find out what is working and what is not, explore their passions and struggles in their classroom, offer influence and resources in my own strengths and experience, build something new together for their teaching experience, teach alongside them, tweak and replace, and ultimately - have fun again!
As I was loquaciously spilling the proverbial beans, I felt the energy inside again. You know what I'm talking about don't you?! It's the very same energy I had when I was creating a K-12 gifted program from scratch as a first year teacher. The energy I feel when I sit with my small group leader friends and create change where there was deadness. The energy I sense when, after listening intently and asking key questions, I share the clear path I see towards success for my best friend both personally and professionally.
"So what's the next step?", I sincerely ask my wonderful husband, who's been listening as well as he converses.
"Start now," he says.
All I could see were green flags everywhere.
I don't want to lose that dream.
Preventative Step 1:
My husband and I were dreaming about my ideal job on the way home from a southerly county last night. With some prodding (he's gifted in conversing), I began to explain my ideal 'job' (which wouldn't really feel like a job anymore then would it?!) ...
A proactive, working-alongside-you consultant to stressed leaders of children. Teachers. I want to be able to walk into their classroom, ask questions, dig into our one-to-one relationship, find out what is working and what is not, explore their passions and struggles in their classroom, offer influence and resources in my own strengths and experience, build something new together for their teaching experience, teach alongside them, tweak and replace, and ultimately - have fun again!
As I was loquaciously spilling the proverbial beans, I felt the energy inside again. You know what I'm talking about don't you?! It's the very same energy I had when I was creating a K-12 gifted program from scratch as a first year teacher. The energy I feel when I sit with my small group leader friends and create change where there was deadness. The energy I sense when, after listening intently and asking key questions, I share the clear path I see towards success for my best friend both personally and professionally.
"So what's the next step?", I sincerely ask my wonderful husband, who's been listening as well as he converses.
"Start now," he says.
All I could see were green flags everywhere.
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