Just a little review of the year for our family. I need to do a better job keeping track of the highs (and lows) over the course of the year.
January:
Plagued by a lingering bout of bronchitis that started in mid-December.
Oldest daughter made us Hungry Girl Fast Food Spicy Chicken Sandwiches for the first time. (She got to make them over and over and over the rest of the year!)
Youngest daughter had her First Reconciliation
February:
Still plagued by bronchitis.
And apparently, it was rather quiet other than that.
March:
Still plagued by bronchitis. . .and then discovered that it's asthma! A whole new world of fun!
Decided I wanted a reading nook in the basement and storage shelves. (I don't have either of them.)
Took a trip to the lake for Spring Break.
April:
Bronchitis/asthma finally cleared up!
Youngest daughter gave us a scare. . .kept crashing with a low-grade fever and lethargy, like clockwork every four weeks. All testing came back normal.
We built our kitchen table!
Cried when I learned that my school was adopting a "uniform" policy; I sooo hoped my kids would be able to wear regular clothes instead of uniforms for high school.
Choked back tears when I fell and skinned my knees.
May:
Learned that my 11 year old still had trouble remembering how to spell her middle name. Oops.
Youngest child made her First Communion. Awwwww.
I learned how to spell my father in law's first name. (Hubby and I have been together 19 years.)
Cracked up when my youngest said "Are deer allowed to go anywhere? Except where there are signs that say 'do not enter?'"
Oldest got her first cell phone; we told her we were going to the
tractor store for yard equipment and she fell for it until we pulled
into the cell phone store.
Oldest graduated from Eighth Grade
Loved it when the youngest talked her middle sister into folding laundry with her. . .rare thing in this house.
Was totally in awe of my kids doing the food prep for a big family cookout; HUGE help for me!
June:
Skinned my knee again :-(
Took another trip to the lake--bliss.
Attended a day lily convention and got a bunch of plants for the property--sooo excited because I love love love day lilies and we had a lot of gorgeous day lilies at our old house. Thrilled to have some at this house!
Middle child went away for camp. I was a nervous wreck the entire time and thrilled to get her back under my roof!
July:
Took the girls to their first professional baseball game, a doubleheader at night. . .temp was 95 when we got home at 11 pm.
We cleaned out dressers and closets. Located 68 pairs of shoes in the kids' closets! How does that happen?
We went swimming as much as possible. . .in 100+ heat.
Septic system broke again. And got fixed again.
August:
We took another impromptu trip to the lake before school started.
Oldest daughter started high school!!
Middle child is now the oldest child from our family at her school
Attended a mandatory meeting at middle child's school while she was off at soccer practice with her dad. Sadly a storm blew up while I was gone--major blinding lightening and winds. Oldest and youngest were home alone for this :-(
Oldest attended an audition for voice lessons and was accepted by a fabulous vocal teacher!
Someone smacked my mailbox hard enough to separate the mailbox from the post. . .he/she also lost the sideview mirror for the car. And he/she just kept on going. Special thanks go out to the idiot grinned at me as he veered off the road and nearly hit me when I was trying to take care of the torn up mailbox
September:
Discovered that Jack Reacher doesn't know much about how women in their forties drink their coffee. Sad to see this because I thought Jack Reacher was a really smart dude.
Oldest daughter attended her first high school dance. With her mother as a chaperone. We successfully avoided each other.
Middle daughter stayed busy with soccer practice and games during August, September and even October
October:
Had a killer trip at Kohl's--picked up 3 pair of jeans for the youngest daughter for under $10 total!
Middle daughter participated in her first speech meet and got 4th place--way to go!
Missed my 25th class reunion to do a school event. :-(
Because of a lack of communication between schools and buses, thought we lost the youngest child after school one day. Luckily she was located just 20 minutes after she didn't show up when expected. Extra hugs for all the kids after school that day!
Asthma spiraling out of control again :-(
November:
Chaperoned a trip to a convention with a group of 20 girls; got very little sleep that weekend!
Asthma still ugly
Busy month with basketball practice and games for the youngest child
Had a very lovely Thanksgiving with my family. . .probably the least stressful holiday I have known since childhood.
Last day of the month was very stressful--oldest lost her purse, I misplaced keys and alterations on her dress for the winter formal were twice what I was expecting them to be. Ouch!
December:
Winter Formal dance was gorgeous. Oldest daughter survived yet another dance with her Mama hanging out all evening on the other side of the hall.
Monday morning after the dance we got to school and found that someone had brought her purse into school. Apparently she dropped it when she got up from a bench and didn't realize it and someone who had been at the school working our blood drive found it and took it home for safekeeping over the weekend. Good people do exist in our world!
Youngest child had a successful Christmas program! I was asked to help with makeup. It was my pleasure to do so!
A friend at work lost her home in a fire :-(
Middle child got sick and had to miss the last 3 days of school before Christmas Break. This is the second year in a row she missed the Christmas party at school :-(
Got everyone well in time for Christmas--very pleasant holiday! Kids were so excited they got the very things they had asked for from Santa.
Day after Christmas a blizzard hit! We got between 8 and 11 inches of snow across our property. Gorgeous!
Second day after Christmas the middle daughter got sick again. Seems her strep either didn't go away OR she got hit with it again. Poor babe. What a miserable end to the year for her.
More snow hit on the 29th. Kids got to enjoy sledding with Daddy and even with Paw-Paw!
As we head into the last day of the year, more snow is in the forecast
Happy New Year!
Monday, December 31, 2012
Saturday, December 29, 2012
If It Wasn't For You!
It's a great little song. Thanks to Zales for getting it stuck in my head as part of their Christmas advertising campaign.
No really. I love the song and if it wasn't for Zales. . . .
So it's not a song from my past.. . .I'm using it as my Saturday song anyway.
And thank you all for reading a long this year. I don't have any kind of tracking to see who you are or where you are checking in from. So I don't know how often you check in. But it is fun seeing how many people stop in each day to see what's on my mind. Thanks!
No really. I love the song and if it wasn't for Zales. . . .
So it's not a song from my past.. . .I'm using it as my Saturday song anyway.
And thank you all for reading a long this year. I don't have any kind of tracking to see who you are or where you are checking in from. So I don't know how often you check in. But it is fun seeing how many people stop in each day to see what's on my mind. Thanks!
Friday, December 28, 2012
Breakfast Brownie Bars
These came from the Fat Witch Cookbook and they are absolutely to die for. I like to think that since they have oatmeal on the top they aren't really bad for me. Surely you agree with me on that one. . . .
Breakfast Brownie Bars
Brownie Base
7 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 c bittersweet chocolate chips
¾ c granulated sugar
2 large eggs
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/3 c unbleached flour
Pinch of salt
Oatmeal Top
2 teaspoons instant coffee
2 teaspoons boiling water
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 c packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1¾ c unbleached flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2½ c quick cooking oats
1/3 c walnuts, coarsely chopped (optional--mine prefer without walnuts)
Grease a 9 by 9 pan with butter. Dust with flour and tap out the excess. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
To make the brownie base, melt the butter and chocolate together in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently until melted and smooth. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside to cool.
Beat the sugar, eggs, and vanilla together until smooth. Add the cooled chocolate mixture and continue mixing until well blended.
Measure the flour and salt and sift together directly into the batter. Mix gently until well combined and no trace of the dry ingredients remains. Spread the brownie base evenly in the prepared baking pan and place it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
While the brownie base chills, make the oatmeal top. Mix the instant coffee with the boiling water in a small bowl or cup to make a paste and set aside. Cream the butter and brown sugar together in a medium bowl until fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until well blended. Add the vanilla and coffee paste and mix until well combined.
Measure the flour, baking powder, and salt and then sift together directly into the batter. Mix until well combined and no trace of the dry ingredients remains.
Stir in the oats and the walnuts by hand. The batter will be thick and a little hard to mix, but keep at it until thoroughly combined.
Using a spoon or spatula, spread the oatmeal top evenly over the chilled brownie bottom layer. It's OK if the chocolate batter gets mixed in with the oatmeal layer.
Bake for 27 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with only crumbs, not batter, on it.
Remove from the oven and cool on a rack for 1 hour. Cut just before serving.
Makes 12-16 bars.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Side note, I used a rectangular pan, I think it is 8 by 13ish inches. We had 18 generous brownies. . .still plenty thick too. I think I could cut back the sugar and they would still be amazing.
Brownie Base
7 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 c bittersweet chocolate chips
¾ c granulated sugar
2 large eggs
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/3 c unbleached flour
Pinch of salt
Oatmeal Top
2 teaspoons instant coffee
2 teaspoons boiling water
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 c packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1¾ c unbleached flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2½ c quick cooking oats
1/3 c walnuts, coarsely chopped (optional--mine prefer without walnuts)
Grease a 9 by 9 pan with butter. Dust with flour and tap out the excess. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
To make the brownie base, melt the butter and chocolate together in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently until melted and smooth. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside to cool.
Beat the sugar, eggs, and vanilla together until smooth. Add the cooled chocolate mixture and continue mixing until well blended.
Measure the flour and salt and sift together directly into the batter. Mix gently until well combined and no trace of the dry ingredients remains. Spread the brownie base evenly in the prepared baking pan and place it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
While the brownie base chills, make the oatmeal top. Mix the instant coffee with the boiling water in a small bowl or cup to make a paste and set aside. Cream the butter and brown sugar together in a medium bowl until fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until well blended. Add the vanilla and coffee paste and mix until well combined.
Measure the flour, baking powder, and salt and then sift together directly into the batter. Mix until well combined and no trace of the dry ingredients remains.
Stir in the oats and the walnuts by hand. The batter will be thick and a little hard to mix, but keep at it until thoroughly combined.
Using a spoon or spatula, spread the oatmeal top evenly over the chilled brownie bottom layer. It's OK if the chocolate batter gets mixed in with the oatmeal layer.
Bake for 27 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with only crumbs, not batter, on it.
Remove from the oven and cool on a rack for 1 hour. Cut just before serving.
Makes 12-16 bars.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Side note, I used a rectangular pan, I think it is 8 by 13ish inches. We had 18 generous brownies. . .still plenty thick too. I think I could cut back the sugar and they would still be amazing.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
The Funny Papers, Strawberries and Canasta
Twenty one years have passed since my Papa died. Twenty one years.
And still I get all choked up over him.
My Papa was born in 1909. He grew up on a farm out in the country. He and his brothers used to tell people their family had eight brothers and each of them had a sister. He wasn't able to attend school beyond the sixth grade. That amazed me.
When I was really young--maybe 5 yrs old--he retired from his main job. He had worked for this company since the 1920s and even after he was involved in a debilitating accident at work, he continued to work for them. Many thought that the company guaranteed him a job because he was handicapped and couldn't do the kinds of work he had done before; however, his only guarantee for keeping his job was to keep showing up and working hard. He lost the use of his right arm and all of his teeth were either destroyed or had to be removed. He was a young man--strong and determined. He continued to work to take care of his family.
So when he retired, he was able to relax and enjoy his grandchild and luckily, I was one of the younger ones so I got a lot of quality time with him. I remember sitting in the La-Z-Boy chair reading the funny papers out loud to him. He always said he enjoyed listening to me read them. Only once did he read to me and that was the time my sister and I spent the night with our grandparents. They gave us their bedroom. Before we went to sleep he read And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street. He read it to us by the light of a (tacky) aqua colored (plastic) lamp. The next day he took us for a drive down Mulberry Street and retold the story. We were delighted!
Shortly after that my grandparents moved back out to the country. There my Papa put in a strawberry patch. Oh my the time and energy he put into his strawberries. And they were oh so very delicious!! There is nothing quite like strawberries still warm from the sun. I don't know that I have ever had strawberries that were quite as sweet, juicy and delectable as the ones he grew.
As I got older, we began to play cards. Often it was just the two of us so clabber was not a good choice. So we played Canasta for hours on end.
The day he died my mother got a call that she needed to get there in a hurry. I had to get to work myself so I got my keys and headed out the door. I remember the moment when I just had a dull empty feeling. I just knew he was gone. I was driving down the road and suddenly everything was just different. And empty. It was probably an hour later that my mother called and told me that he had died. I told her I already knew.
He was a hard-working man who loved to be outside in the sunshine. He wasn't afraid of anything. And to me it seemed he could do pretty much anything.
Oh Papa, you would have taken great delight in playing with my children. You would have loved watching our house be built. . .and no doubt you would have had some very common sense ideas for us during the
process. You would have loved sitting on my front porch watching the world go by, or maybe sitting on the back deck or even the downstairs patio watching the wildlife in the woods.
Miss you Papa.
And still I get all choked up over him.
My Papa was born in 1909. He grew up on a farm out in the country. He and his brothers used to tell people their family had eight brothers and each of them had a sister. He wasn't able to attend school beyond the sixth grade. That amazed me.
When I was really young--maybe 5 yrs old--he retired from his main job. He had worked for this company since the 1920s and even after he was involved in a debilitating accident at work, he continued to work for them. Many thought that the company guaranteed him a job because he was handicapped and couldn't do the kinds of work he had done before; however, his only guarantee for keeping his job was to keep showing up and working hard. He lost the use of his right arm and all of his teeth were either destroyed or had to be removed. He was a young man--strong and determined. He continued to work to take care of his family.
So when he retired, he was able to relax and enjoy his grandchild and luckily, I was one of the younger ones so I got a lot of quality time with him. I remember sitting in the La-Z-Boy chair reading the funny papers out loud to him. He always said he enjoyed listening to me read them. Only once did he read to me and that was the time my sister and I spent the night with our grandparents. They gave us their bedroom. Before we went to sleep he read And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street. He read it to us by the light of a (tacky) aqua colored (plastic) lamp. The next day he took us for a drive down Mulberry Street and retold the story. We were delighted!
Shortly after that my grandparents moved back out to the country. There my Papa put in a strawberry patch. Oh my the time and energy he put into his strawberries. And they were oh so very delicious!! There is nothing quite like strawberries still warm from the sun. I don't know that I have ever had strawberries that were quite as sweet, juicy and delectable as the ones he grew.
As I got older, we began to play cards. Often it was just the two of us so clabber was not a good choice. So we played Canasta for hours on end.
The day he died my mother got a call that she needed to get there in a hurry. I had to get to work myself so I got my keys and headed out the door. I remember the moment when I just had a dull empty feeling. I just knew he was gone. I was driving down the road and suddenly everything was just different. And empty. It was probably an hour later that my mother called and told me that he had died. I told her I already knew.
He was a hard-working man who loved to be outside in the sunshine. He wasn't afraid of anything. And to me it seemed he could do pretty much anything.
Oh Papa, you would have taken great delight in playing with my children. You would have loved watching our house be built. . .and no doubt you would have had some very common sense ideas for us during the
process. You would have loved sitting on my front porch watching the world go by, or maybe sitting on the back deck or even the downstairs patio watching the wildlife in the woods.
Miss you Papa.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Post Christmas thoughts
We're getting a blizzard today...or so they say. We'll see what things look like in a few more hours.
(Update at the end of this post--the snow made it!)
But even an impending blizzard is good reason to stop and take a look back, rather than go running out to some after-Christmas sales (as though we don't have enough stuff now, right?)
Christmas is a tough holiday. It's supposed to be a magical season where kids are wide-eyed and amazed by the lights, the decorations, the cookies and the generosity of people. Of course for the adults, it means much stress and pressure to be sure that everyone is happy. Funny how that season of magic often means a very grumpy mama. I'm sure other parents know just what I mean.
And yet when I look back, it was worth it. All of it.
Midnight Mass was every bit as beautiful as it always is. I cried just like I always do. By the end my little girl, the only one who got to sit with me in the pew for Mass (others were serving and reading), knew just when to reach into my pocket and find me a tissue.
After Mass the girls went up and went straight to bed, knowing Santa would soon be here.
They awoke plenty early but politely waited for me to get up. They were patient and grateful as they opened their presents.
We had a really lovely day in our home with grandparents. Once we got up on Christmas day there was no pressure, no stress, just a good relaxing day together.
As it should be. And with the prediction of snow for the day after Christmas, all the better to just have a good visit with family from outside the house before being snowed in with our own family!
Good stuff.
(Update at the end of this post--the snow made it!)
But even an impending blizzard is good reason to stop and take a look back, rather than go running out to some after-Christmas sales (as though we don't have enough stuff now, right?)
Christmas is a tough holiday. It's supposed to be a magical season where kids are wide-eyed and amazed by the lights, the decorations, the cookies and the generosity of people. Of course for the adults, it means much stress and pressure to be sure that everyone is happy. Funny how that season of magic often means a very grumpy mama. I'm sure other parents know just what I mean.
And yet when I look back, it was worth it. All of it.
Midnight Mass was every bit as beautiful as it always is. I cried just like I always do. By the end my little girl, the only one who got to sit with me in the pew for Mass (others were serving and reading), knew just when to reach into my pocket and find me a tissue.
After Mass the girls went up and went straight to bed, knowing Santa would soon be here.
They awoke plenty early but politely waited for me to get up. They were patient and grateful as they opened their presents.
We had a really lovely day in our home with grandparents. Once we got up on Christmas day there was no pressure, no stress, just a good relaxing day together.
As it should be. And with the prediction of snow for the day after Christmas, all the better to just have a good visit with family from outside the house before being snowed in with our own family!
Good stuff.
It did snow! At 1:30 am this morning it was raining. By 4 am it was definitely snow. By 8 am it was a gorgeous blanket of snow! Our driveway has upwards of 8" of snow, probably more like 10" While it's hard on the kids being stuck at home, it's been OK. They have plenty of things to keep them busy in between trips out to play. They've been out twice and plan to head out again in a bit.
Pics from around the property:
Looking back into the woods
Over at the greenhouse
Grog mug and Dad's chocolate chip cookies
Other side of my mug :-)
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Twas the Birthday of a King!
I do believe this one is my absolute favorite of all Christmas songs. Every year the choir at my church finishes Midnight Mass with this one. And I stand there listening to them, unable to sing along because I cry every single year. (Oh yes, my poor kids are used to looking at me during Mass and discovering me in tears. . .what can I say?)
I am quite partial to my choir's version of this piece but I cannot find fault with Judy Garland for the recording she did.
Merry Christmas. . .may you, your family and your friends have a beautiful and safe holiday.
I am quite partial to my choir's version of this piece but I cannot find fault with Judy Garland for the recording she did.
Merry Christmas. . .may you, your family and your friends have a beautiful and safe holiday.
Monday, December 24, 2012
The Magic of Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve has always been the most magical holiday. For some kids
it's Christmas morning but for us it was always Christmas Eve.
We would always get the "early" visit from Santa. He has so many houses to get to on Christmas Eve and our house was one of his first stops. By 7:00 in the evening we would meet in the living room to see what Santa had brought us. After our celebration we were supposed to take a teeny little nap so that we could make it through Midnight Mass.
Oh Midnight Mass. Probably my favorite Mass of the entire year.
It's magic. You go into church late at night. Everyone is dressed up. They smell good (lots of new perfumes that night). The music is gorgeous. The church is decorated with trees and lights and a huge nativity scene.
Truth be told, I cry every year. . .and I have for years. Something about the whole experience.
But it isn't just the Mass experience. The magic continues even after Mass. The most magical is when it starts to snow while you are in Mass. There is nothing quite like coming out to a light layer of snow. The world is so still and quiet--that intensely powerful and quiet moment where you feel that you are surely the only creature witnessing the soft quiet snowfall. And for that moment, there is peace on earth and goodwill to men.
Magic.
We would always get the "early" visit from Santa. He has so many houses to get to on Christmas Eve and our house was one of his first stops. By 7:00 in the evening we would meet in the living room to see what Santa had brought us. After our celebration we were supposed to take a teeny little nap so that we could make it through Midnight Mass.
Oh Midnight Mass. Probably my favorite Mass of the entire year.
It's magic. You go into church late at night. Everyone is dressed up. They smell good (lots of new perfumes that night). The music is gorgeous. The church is decorated with trees and lights and a huge nativity scene.
Truth be told, I cry every year. . .and I have for years. Something about the whole experience.
But it isn't just the Mass experience. The magic continues even after Mass. The most magical is when it starts to snow while you are in Mass. There is nothing quite like coming out to a light layer of snow. The world is so still and quiet--that intensely powerful and quiet moment where you feel that you are surely the only creature witnessing the soft quiet snowfall. And for that moment, there is peace on earth and goodwill to men.
Magic.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
All I Want for Christmas is You!
I have a great love of the classic Christmas songs. But I absolutely LOVE this one from Mariah Carey. She has an amazing voice--vocal range of something like five octaves and she sounds good in all of them. This song is just delightfully peppy. I can't help but sing along with her (truly funny if you could hear my voice these days)
Friday, December 21, 2012
You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen
Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen
But do you recall? The most famous reindeer of all. . .
Of course we do! Who didn't love Rudolph?
A definite Christmas classic!
Personal little side note there: I cannot wait to get some time with my girlies over the holidays! After a busy busy semester we need the downtime to hangout. Love you girls!
But do you recall? The most famous reindeer of all. . .
Of course we do! Who didn't love Rudolph?
Personal little side note there: I cannot wait to get some time with my girlies over the holidays! After a busy busy semester we need the downtime to hangout. Love you girls!
Thursday, December 20, 2012
White Christmas!
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
The Unicorn Song
December is always hard for me. So many ups and downs in this month
Today I am taking a step back from the Christmas music. Don't worry, I'll be back in the Christmas spirit tomorrow.
This one takes me back to college days. . .good friends and late nights studying. But most of all, this song reminds me of my sister, born forty-five years ago today.
Today I am taking a step back from the Christmas music. Don't worry, I'll be back in the Christmas spirit tomorrow.
This one takes me back to college days. . .good friends and late nights studying. But most of all, this song reminds me of my sister, born forty-five years ago today.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Sleigh Ride!
The weather around here has been anything but sleigh worthy, but this certainly is a song we need to pull out to help us feel more Chritmas-y! When I was searching for it to include in this post I learned that it was first recorded in the 1940s. ..and that the Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops version that I grew listening to was one of the first recordings of the song.
I hope you enjoy it!
I hope you enjoy it!
Monday, December 17, 2012
The Best of Christmas Music
So Saturday's Song was Christmas Dream. That got me thinking about what songs I would win top marks for Christmas music for me.
It's a tough one.
Not sure I can find a way to narrow the list down too much so I'm just going to highlight some of my absolute favorites.
Today's song is The Little Drummer Boy. Many versions are out there but this is the one I remember listening to as a little girl which of course makes it the best version out there, right?
It's a tough one.
Not sure I can find a way to narrow the list down too much so I'm just going to highlight some of my absolute favorites.
Today's song is The Little Drummer Boy. Many versions are out there but this is the one I remember listening to as a little girl which of course makes it the best version out there, right?
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Christmas Dream
With Christmas closing in on us it's fitting to choose Perry Como's Christmas Dream as today's Saturday Song
For years this was my mom's favorite Christmas song--the one we listened to over and over and over and over while baking cookies. (And this was back in the day of having to run back to the stereo and move the needle on the record back so we could hear the song again!)
Enjoy it. It's a good one for sure.
For years this was my mom's favorite Christmas song--the one we listened to over and over and over and over while baking cookies. (And this was back in the day of having to run back to the stereo and move the needle on the record back so we could hear the song again!)
Enjoy it. It's a good one for sure.
Friday, December 14, 2012
The Eddy Duchin Story
Oh how my mom used to love this movie. I bet she hasn't seen it in ages now. It's another one of my youtube surprises.
Eddy Duchin was a famous pianist and band leader from the 1930s and 1940s. . .right up my mom's alley. Tyrone Power played Eddy Duchin in this one. Oh how Mom loved Tyrone Power. Classic leading man good looks. Delightful!
Enjoy!
Eddy Duchin was a famous pianist and band leader from the 1930s and 1940s. . .right up my mom's alley. Tyrone Power played Eddy Duchin in this one. Oh how Mom loved Tyrone Power. Classic leading man good looks. Delightful!
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Savory Breakfast Muffins???
I came across this recipe while searching for another favorite breakfast muffin recipe. I can't help but think that it looks intriguing. . .something I might like but I can't imagine all my kids loving. But then again, I guess you never quite know until you try it, right?
I'd love to hear from you on this one. Do they sound good or is this one a pass?
2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 1/3 cups buttermilk
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup thinly sliced scallions (about 1 bunch)
3/4 cup diced Canadian bacon (3 ounces)
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/2 c finely diced red pepper
Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat 12 muffin cups with cooking spray.
These can be wrapped in plastic and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month. To reheat, remove plastic, wrap in a paper towel and microwave on High for 30 to 60 seconds.
Original recipe here
I'd love to hear from you on this one. Do they sound good or is this one a pass?
2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 1/3 cups buttermilk
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup thinly sliced scallions (about 1 bunch)
3/4 cup diced Canadian bacon (3 ounces)
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/2 c finely diced red pepper
Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat 12 muffin cups with cooking spray.
Combine
whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, pepper and
salt in a large bowl.
Whisk
eggs, buttermilk, oil and butter in a medium bowl. Fold in scallions, bacon,
cheese and bell pepper. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add
the wet ingredients and mix with a rubber spatula until just moistened. Scoop
the batter into the prepared pan (the cups will be very full).
Bake
the muffins until the tops are golden brown, 20 to 22 minutes. Let cool in the
pan for 5 minutes. Loosen the edges and turn the muffins out onto a wire rack
to cool slightly before serving.
These can be wrapped in plastic and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month. To reheat, remove plastic, wrap in a paper towel and microwave on High for 30 to 60 seconds.
Original recipe here
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Extra thankful for the beautiful people in the world
And by beautiful people, I mean the ones who know the importance of taking care of each other.
Yesterday I stopped by to see my friend who is picking up the pieces after a fire at her house. My first visit to the house it was really too dark to see much.
But for my visit yesterday it was still bright enough to see.
Stunning. In the darkness there was an eerie quality to the house. But in the daylight it was just sad. Every surface is covered in soot. It is likely they will gut the house and start over.
Absolutely shocking. One of my little ones stepped just inside the house but it was too much. The smell was overwhelming to her and the burned out kitchen was frightening.
Yet through it all, the overall good of people shines through. Another friend put together a little bag of essentials so that our friend won't have to rely on hotel supplied toiletries. People sent boxes for her to pull out the things she can save from her home. She has been given jackets and coats, scarves, hats and gloves..
Even though she has lost so much she is well aware of just how beautifully blessed she is.
Amazing.
Yesterday I stopped by to see my friend who is picking up the pieces after a fire at her house. My first visit to the house it was really too dark to see much.
But for my visit yesterday it was still bright enough to see.
Stunning. In the darkness there was an eerie quality to the house. But in the daylight it was just sad. Every surface is covered in soot. It is likely they will gut the house and start over.
Absolutely shocking. One of my little ones stepped just inside the house but it was too much. The smell was overwhelming to her and the burned out kitchen was frightening.
Yet through it all, the overall good of people shines through. Another friend put together a little bag of essentials so that our friend won't have to rely on hotel supplied toiletries. People sent boxes for her to pull out the things she can save from her home. She has been given jackets and coats, scarves, hats and gloves..
Even though she has lost so much she is well aware of just how beautifully blessed she is.
Amazing.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Thankful. . .
Yesterday morning when I got to work I saw a co-worker leaving. That's never a good sign. Always means that something is wrong.
A bit later I learned why she was heading home. Her house had caught on fire over the weekend and she needed to take care of things there.
After work I made the drive across town to check on her. She wasn't there when I first drove past her house but on the second pass we saw her. A company was there to do some work to winterize the home (draining the hot water heater and all the pipes so she wouldn't have to worry about them freezing and bursting). So we stopped to talk for a while. She asked me if I wanted to see the house. It was nearly dark but I went in.
Absolutely amazing how fire works. The home is structurally sound to walk around it. Maybe it was the shadows that made it look so bad? Or maybe in daylight it looks even worse. The fire started in the kitchen. Her cabinets had fallen and the ceiling had come down. And yet the antique table in the kitchen--not more than 4 feet from where the fire started--was just fine.
She's spent a few nights in the hotel and is in need of everything. And yet she seems in good spirits and is so thankful for all the help that people have given to her already.
I hate that she has to go through such a headache as this.
But I am thankful she is safe and warm and has the support of so many people.
A bit later I learned why she was heading home. Her house had caught on fire over the weekend and she needed to take care of things there.
After work I made the drive across town to check on her. She wasn't there when I first drove past her house but on the second pass we saw her. A company was there to do some work to winterize the home (draining the hot water heater and all the pipes so she wouldn't have to worry about them freezing and bursting). So we stopped to talk for a while. She asked me if I wanted to see the house. It was nearly dark but I went in.
Absolutely amazing how fire works. The home is structurally sound to walk around it. Maybe it was the shadows that made it look so bad? Or maybe in daylight it looks even worse. The fire started in the kitchen. Her cabinets had fallen and the ceiling had come down. And yet the antique table in the kitchen--not more than 4 feet from where the fire started--was just fine.
She's spent a few nights in the hotel and is in need of everything. And yet she seems in good spirits and is so thankful for all the help that people have given to her already.
I hate that she has to go through such a headache as this.
But I am thankful she is safe and warm and has the support of so many people.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Oh look, it's another recipe! Tuscan Lemon Muffins
These babies are amazing.
And I'm not just saying that to get you to try them.
They really are!
They are delicious and healthier than you might expect. They have a decent amount of protein in them so they are a nice little muffin to have on hand for a quick breakfast.
7.9 ounces all-purpose flour (1 3/4 cups)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 large egg, lightly beaten
Cooking spray
2 tablespoons turbinado sugar
Preheat oven to 375°.
Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 3 ingredients (through salt); make a well in center. Combine ricotta and next 5 ingredients (through egg). Add ricotta mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until moist.
Place 12 muffin-cup liners in muffin cups; coat with cooking spray. Divide batter among muffin cups. Sprinkle turbinado sugar over batter. Bake at 375° for 16 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes in pan on a wire rack.
Original recipe here with nutrition information
And I'm not just saying that to get you to try them.
They really are!
They are delicious and healthier than you might expect. They have a decent amount of protein in them so they are a nice little muffin to have on hand for a quick breakfast.
7.9 ounces all-purpose flour (1 3/4 cups)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 large egg, lightly beaten
Cooking spray
2 tablespoons turbinado sugar
Preheat oven to 375°.
Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 3 ingredients (through salt); make a well in center. Combine ricotta and next 5 ingredients (through egg). Add ricotta mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until moist.
Place 12 muffin-cup liners in muffin cups; coat with cooking spray. Divide batter among muffin cups. Sprinkle turbinado sugar over batter. Bake at 375° for 16 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes in pan on a wire rack.
Original recipe here with nutrition information
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Beep Beep!
This one comes from the 1950s. My dad used to sing this one just for fun as we drove down the road. You can't help smiling as you listen to the story unfold. Absolutely love this song.
Friday, December 7, 2012
More chocolately yumminess!
When I was younger, I worked at the mall. Yes. "The Mall," because while my town has 2 malls, only one is really recognized as "the place to shop" anymore.
I used to treat myself to some really amazing cheesecake brownies once in a while. They were made at a shop just outside the store I worked in so I couldn't resist the temptation.
Sadly, my husband doesn't share my fondness for these cheesecake brownies. Or maybe that's a good thing. Maybe I need to make more--like these! After all, this is another "healthified" recipe :-)
Cream Cheese Brownies
1/3 cup sugar
2 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup canola oil or unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup water
4 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
Step 1:
Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In medium bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in remaining filling ingredients until well blended.
Step 2:
In large bowl, stir brownie mix, oil, water, 4 egg whites and 1 teaspoon vanilla with spoon until well blended. Spread in pan.
Step 3:
Spoon filling mixture over brownie batter in pan. Cut through filling mixture and batter with knife several times for marbled design. Sprinkle with chocolate chips.
Step 4:
Bake 28 to 32 minutes or until toothpick inserted in brownie 2 inches from side of pan comes out clean or almost clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour. For 24 brownies, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator. (Ha! As if storage instructions are needed!)
Cream cheese brownies
I used to treat myself to some really amazing cheesecake brownies once in a while. They were made at a shop just outside the store I worked in so I couldn't resist the temptation.
Sadly, my husband doesn't share my fondness for these cheesecake brownies. Or maybe that's a good thing. Maybe I need to make more--like these! After all, this is another "healthified" recipe :-)
Cream Cheese Brownies
Filling
1 package (8 oz) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel), softened 1/3 cup sugar
2 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla
Brownies
1 box (1 lb 2.3 oz) Betty Crocker® fudge brownie mix 1/4 cup canola oil or unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup water
4 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
Step 1:
Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In medium bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in remaining filling ingredients until well blended.
Step 2:
In large bowl, stir brownie mix, oil, water, 4 egg whites and 1 teaspoon vanilla with spoon until well blended. Spread in pan.
Step 3:
Spoon filling mixture over brownie batter in pan. Cut through filling mixture and batter with knife several times for marbled design. Sprinkle with chocolate chips.
Step 4:
Bake 28 to 32 minutes or until toothpick inserted in brownie 2 inches from side of pan comes out clean or almost clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour. For 24 brownies, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator. (Ha! As if storage instructions are needed!)
Cream cheese brownies
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Enough with the music! Let's talk chocolate!
After all, today is St. Nick's day and in my world, that's a reason to celebrate with chocolate!
I waswasting time researching a project one day and came across this recipe for truffles. I think it looks fabulous and cannot wait to try it myself. I see this becoming teacher gifts this year. . .and since I teach, what better way to gift myself, right?
Recipe below and link to the original recipe is included at the bottom of this post:
4 oz bittersweet baking chocolate, chopped
4 oz semisweet baking chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup half and half
2 tablespoons hazelnut liqueur
1/2 cup crushed Chocolate Cheerios cereal, finely chopped toasted pecans or flaked coconut
Step 1:
In 1 quart heavy saucepan, heat both chocolates over low heat, stirring constantly, until mentled and smooth. Remove from heat; stir in half and half and liqueur. Refrigerate about 2 hours, stirring once, until thick enough to hold a shape.
Step 2:
Place cereal on sheet of waxed paper. Drop chocolate mixture by rounded teaspoonfuls onto cereal; roll lightly to coat (truffles do not need to be perfectly round). Serve immediately or cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve. Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes before serving.
Dark chocolate truffles
They sound divine don't they? And so easy to make! I can't help but giggle over "serve immediately." As if I will have a choice. Once my family sees these, they will be in the kitchen asking over and over "Are they ready yet? What about now--are they ready now?"
I do hope you have a lovely St. Nick's day filled with special treats!
I was
Recipe below and link to the original recipe is included at the bottom of this post:
4 oz bittersweet baking chocolate, chopped
4 oz semisweet baking chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup half and half
2 tablespoons hazelnut liqueur
1/2 cup crushed Chocolate Cheerios cereal, finely chopped toasted pecans or flaked coconut
Step 1:
In 1 quart heavy saucepan, heat both chocolates over low heat, stirring constantly, until mentled and smooth. Remove from heat; stir in half and half and liqueur. Refrigerate about 2 hours, stirring once, until thick enough to hold a shape.
Step 2:
Place cereal on sheet of waxed paper. Drop chocolate mixture by rounded teaspoonfuls onto cereal; roll lightly to coat (truffles do not need to be perfectly round). Serve immediately or cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve. Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes before serving.
Dark chocolate truffles
They sound divine don't they? And so easy to make! I can't help but giggle over "serve immediately." As if I will have a choice. Once my family sees these, they will be in the kitchen asking over and over "Are they ready yet? What about now--are they ready now?"
I do hope you have a lovely St. Nick's day filled with special treats!
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Enchanted!
I am not a giant Taylor Swift fan. But I do see that she does a fine job of putting into words and music what every young girl feels. A few years ago I heard this song on my way to a winter formal dance. It was so fitting for the night--Christmas lights, crisp but not too cold weather. Just a beautiful night and a beautiful song.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Seven years went under the bridge Like time was standing still
Today is a day of remembrance. Apologies for being a bit self-centered today. But it has been seven years. And in some ways it is like time was standing still. And yet it marches on. So much has changed in seven years. Kids have grown. Celebrations have been had. Without a key player in the family--my first friend and best friend. So many songs remind me of her. I can be in the grocery store and be reduced to tears. One of the girls will ask me what's wrong and another will realize, it's the song.
This is one of the songs that always makes me think of her.
This is one of the songs that always makes me think of her.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Johnny and June
Powerful song. Johnny Cash and June Carter met on the road while married to other people. Some would say it was inevitable. . .they were meant to be together. Eventually they became the king and queen of country music. Inseparable. And people came to accept them even during a time when divorce and remarriage was not accepted. Even though Johnny had been quite a troublemaker and a drug addict. Some could argue that June Carter had too many husbands. But obviously, the life they built together was one that people could see was a life built on love and respect for each other.
Love this song.
Love this song.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Home of the Blues
Love me some Johnny Cash. I couldn't have imagined anyone else could do such a great job with this one but Norah Jones did a lovely tribute to Johnny Cash a few years ago. It's good enough to drag back out and share now
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