Rainy Days

Today was a very rainy day so I tried to come up with things to keep the girls busy all morning.  We made bread and brownies and chicken noodle soup for lunch.  They did finger painting and played in their room and listened to an Adventure in Odyssey.  They were also actually allowed to watch TV this morning as well.  They have done really well with barely being able to go outside all week.  Hopefully tomorrow things will be cleared up by the time the cleaning is done and we will be able to go for a walk. 

We have a busy weekend coming up and will enjoy some time together just as a family!  I'm so looking forward to it:)

Granola Bars and Cuteness

First of all, I have to post this picture of Pilly for Randa and my mom to shock their order-loving minds:

Pnut and Pilly dress themselves in the mornings, and sometimes the choices are interesting:)

We collected acorns today and tried to paint them orange to look like pumpkins, which I saw on a homeschool blog.  However, our orange finger paint didn't show up very well.  The girls still had fun.

An now for granola bars:

This from the Taste of Home magazine that Randa left here by accident, p. 64, current issue!

3.5 c quick-cooking oats
1 c chopped almonds
1 egg, beaten
2/3 c butter, melted
1/2 c honey
1 t vanilla
1/2 c sunflower kernals
1/2 c flaked coconut
1/2 c chopped dried apples
1/2 c dried cranberries
1/2 c packed brown sugar
1/2 t ground cinnamon

 Spray a cookie sheet generously with cooking spray and then spread oats and chopped almonds evenly over tray.  Bake at 350 for about 15 mintues to toast.  Meanwhile, combine egg, butter, vanilla, and honey and stir until everything mixes together evenly.  The honey resists a little bit.  Add everything except oat mix and coat evenly.  Then add oat mix and mix thoroughly.  Regrease cookie sheet and spread with granola.  Pat down evenly over tray.  I think if you press it more than I did, it won't be so crumbly when you remove it.  Bake at 350 for 13-18 minutes until edges are lightly browned.  Allow to cool and then cut into bars. 

This stuff is good!  I think it would make a good granola cereal too, so I may have to try that out. 

I failed my glucose test.  They just hadn't gotten to call yet yesterday.  Boo.  Oh well, by the time I get the blood sugar monitor, I will only have 10 weeks left.  And hey, Pnut was only 6 pounds so may be this baby will be small like that too!  I actually think it will be easier this time because we don't eat a ton of carbs.  For supper, we usually just have our meat and vegetable and breakfast is easy to do without going over the carb limit.  The only thing will probably be lunchtime with sandwiches, and bread isn't the worse thing to eat carb-wise.  At least the diabetes goes away after the baby comes! 

Have a lovely evening!  I'm going to try to clear the table off.  Again.

I haven't heard from the doctor's office yet so I am considering that good news!  I am so glad that Joel had off of work.  I came home and slept for about an hour.  After I got up and worked a while, I wanted to lay down again, but there was no time.  We just ook it easy tonight.  The girls got to watch a movie, which they never do during the week.  Now Pilly is upset, probably overtired, so I am going upstairs to see about her.  Have a good night!

How long it takes to do 3 bushels of apples...

We got a lot done last week!  We cleaned the entire kitchen and made applesauce and canned it.  Some goofball (me) bought 3 bushels of apples.  We started around 10:30 in the morning and finally finished around 7:00.  It was a long day!  Over the weekend, I cleaned our computer room completely.  Now the only room downstairs to be done is the living room.  That shouldn't be bad because it is smaller and has less clutter in it than the other two rooms.  I love to get rid of stuff, and a lot of that was accomplished!  Joel was complaining about all the trash he had to carry around to the front!  The children had a ball together, and they played so nicely, which was wonderful! 

We also exhausted the dog!

He is sleeping on Pilly's puppy:)

The girls were so sad that Anthony and Laine went home.  They wanted to know how soon they would be back to play!  Meanwhile, Pilly consoled herself with "tattoos."

She had about 6 stickers on one arm.  Silliness.

Tomorrow I am going for my 3 hour glucose test because I failed the one hour.  Joel took off work and is going to take care of the girls so I can sleep or whatever when I get home!  It will be nice to have him drive me afterwards too.  I know I'll be hungry! 

So now I am going to try to find something to do.  Have a good night!

Sorry

Randa and I are cleaning and making applesauce this week so I think I will post again next week!

I've been working again this evening so I am now super-tired and just want to go to bed.  I haven't taken any pictures recently so I have nothing to show or tell:)  We had a fun weekend, and the girls spent the night with my parents Saturday and had a ball.  Hopefully tomorrow will be more productive post-wise on my part.

The cleaning is done one day early and we are looking forward to an exciting day tomorrow!  This is the time of year for fairs around here, and Joel took the day off so we can take the girls to one.  We were supposed to go with our Mom's Group, but I guess no one else could go.  It will be fun to go as a family, and the girls will love having Joel there (as will I)! 

I'm hoping to start skirts for the girls that I got the material for 2 weeks ago.  I always want to do it during the day when there is no time...*sigh*  Isn't that the way it goes?  So now I am off to work on that until I feel the need to go read my book instead:)

Bread Pudding

Whew!  Last night and tonight we have taken walks, and I come back so tired!  Joel and crazy Java chase squirrels at the park, and Joel just walks a lot faster than the girls and I do!  So I am just going to give you this recipe that I made for Bible study and sign off and lay on the couch!


2 cups whole milk (or 2 cups half & half)
1/4 cup butter
2/3 cup brown sugar (light or dark, depending on taste preference)
3 eggs
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups bread, torn into small pieces (french bread works best)
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
1. In medium saucepan, over medium heat, heat milk (or half & half) just until film forms over top. Combine butter and milk, stirring until butter is melted. Cool to lukewarm.
2. Combine sugar, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed for 1 minute. Slowly add milk mixture.
3. Place bread in a lightly greased 1 1/2 quart casserole.
4. Sprinkle with raisins if desired. Pour batter on top of bread.
5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 to 50 minutes or until set. Serve warm.

Bengals Fans

Joel is a Bengals fan, which is funny because he did not grow up anywhere near Cincinati.  He is trying to convert the girls early while their Mom-Mom works hard to get them to be Ravens fans.  Oh the silliness that goes on.  But Joel prevailed for this week at least:

They were quite proud of the nails (which Joel painted).  They were even showing them off at church:)

Joel has also brought the dog into it! 

Tomato Sandwiches and Pudding Pie

These recipes are a litte more than the title suggests.  It is actually Broiled Tomato and Goat Cheese Sandwiches and Come Here Puddin Pie, made from scratch.  Delicious!

I just wanted to point out that it must be the angle of the camera that makes my dollop of whipped cream look so large.  Just a camera trick:)

Tomato and Goat Cheese Sandwiches

1 loaf Crusty Bread
1 pound Tomatoes
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
6 ounces, weight Goat Cheese
2 Tablespoons Minced Fresh Basil
2 Tablespoons Mayo
1 dash Garlic Powder Or Garlic Salt Or Roasted Garlic (optional)
Salt And Pepper, to taste
¼ cups Shredded Parmesan

Cut slices of bread and broil until lightly toasted.  Slice tomatoes and marinate in olive oil and vinegar for several minutes.  Microwave goat cheese for 10 seconds to soften and then mix with basil, mayo, and garlic powder.  When in a spreadable "paste," spread over bread.  Add tomatoes, salt and pepper, and parmesan.  Broil for a few more minutes until cheese is melted and tomatoes are warmed.  Eat while warm!

These are scrumptious!  The tartness of the vinegar and goat cheese complements the sweetness of the tomatoes so well.  I have enough leftover goat cheese to make one more, and I am trying to think of an excuse to not make supper tomorrow night so I can do it then!

Pudding Pie

Crust:

15 chocolate wafer cookies
15 gingersnaps
3/4 stick unsalted butter, melted
Generous pinch salt

Filling:

2 cups whole milk
3 yolks
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
5 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
Pinch salt
2 tablespoons chopped candied ginger
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar

In food processor or with Ziploc bag and rolling pin, smash cookies with melted butter.  Smooth into pie plate or cake pan until evenly distributed on sides and bottom.  Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.   Try to let cool completely.

Combine milk, egg yolks, and vanilla in sauce pan and mix well.  Stir in sugar, cornstarch, salt, and chocolate and place over medium heat.   Whisk constantly and bring to a boil over medium heat.  Boil for one minute.  It will get very thick very quickly!  Quickly stir in ginger and then pour into pie crust.  Cover with plastic wrap touching the pudding to prevent skin from forming.  Put in refrigeratory for at least 3 hours.

Whip heavy whipping cream and sugar.  Cut pie.  Devour.

Instead of ginger snaps and wafer cookies, I used half a package of oreos at my husband's suggestion.  I also omitted the candied ginger.  I did want Joel to eat it so it had to go!  This stuff is so delicious!  I love the thickness of the pudding.  I used Ghiradelli choclate, which I do think is superior for baking especially!  Joel likes Jell-O Pudding better, of course.  He has a legitimate reason this time:  He thinks it tastes milkier, and he likes that.  Whatever.  This stuff is awesome! 

We took these two things to my friend Jackie who just had her baby last week.  We were trying to think of a reason to get into her house and snuggle her baby up!  He is so sweet...it makes me even more excited for ours to come!  Pnut would look at the baby, but she didn't want to hold him.  Pilly was more interested in Kate's toys.  Babies are just so soft and smell so nice!  Yay!  So that was the highlight of our day!  The girls then played for 2 hours in their room instead of taking a nap, and since I was getting work done, I just ignored them and then put them to bed early tonight:)  Pilly is also sleeping in underwear for the first time tonight.  Oh boy! 

I hope you all have a lovely weekend.  We are doing another yard sale at my parent's this weekend to try to sell more baby clothes so I need to go look in the basement at the boxes down there to see if there is anything I can weed out.  Good night!

Almond Sandies

I am warning you...if you make these, you may end up eating the entire batch!

1 c unsalted butter, softened
1 c sugar
1 t almond extract
1 t vanilla
1.75 c flour
1/2 t baking soda
1/4 t baking powder
1/4 t salt
1 6-oz pkg sliver almonds, toasted and chopped
10x sugar

1.  In mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy.  Add extracts and mix.
2.  In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.  Slowly add flour mixture to butter.  Stir in almonds.  Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 2 hours until firm.
3.  Preheat oven to 350.  Have cookie sheet ready
4.  On a floured surface, roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness.  Cut out cookies.  Try to only re-roll scraps twice.  Bake for 12-15 minutes until lightly browned.  Immediately sift 10x sugar over cookies.  Let cook on pan for 10 minutes.  Cool completely on racks and then dust again with 10x sugar.

Ha!  I just noticed that...I dusted mine as soon as I moved them to the rack.  I don't think it matters that much.  I didn't have the almonds, and they are still excellent!  I used a tiny heart cutter for all the small pieces thinking that it would be great.  Ha!  Now I can eat 10 of them without realizing it.  They are very addictive!  I love how pretty they are.  Wrapped up in cute bags for Valentine's Day, they would be so sweet!

Java

This was last week.  If we have to take the carseats out of the car, he loves to sleep in them.  He has been getting a lot of knots in his fur, and Joel has been brushing him a lot.  So tonight this happened...

Joel shaved his fur!  He looks so cute...and skinny!  I'll try to take a picture tomorrow when it isn't dark so you can see better.  He is so soft!  Joel said he did great and didn't cry at all!

Plum-Vanilla Preserves

Finally, I am posting this recipe!

1.5 lb firm-ripe plums, cut into 1-inch pieces, with skin on
2 1/4 c sugar
2 t vanilla
4 small cinnamon sticks
1 lemon
1.5 lb firm-ripe plumcots or apricots, cut into 1-inch pieces, with skin on

1.  Put plums, sugar, vainlla, and cinnamon in a large saucepan.  Squeeze lemon juice through a strainer into pan.  Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture boils, about 10 minutes.
2.  Reduce heat to medium and continue to cook, stirring freqeuntly to prevent sticking and burning, until a thermometer reaches 220 degrees, about 30 minutes.  If you take a little out and put it on a plate in the freezer, it should set.  Continue to cook if it is not to that consistency.
3.  Sterilize your canning jars.
4.  Return mixture to medium-high heat.  Bring to a boil, stirring, and then add plumcots.  Reduce heat to medium and simmer until plumcots are tender, about 5 minutes.  Discard cinnamon sticks.
5.  Fill jars with plum mixture, leaving 1/2 inch headspace, then seal and process.

You can look canning up on the internet, it was pretty simple.  I had to do these for 15 minutes.  This is supposed to make 4 eight-ounce jars, but I only got 2.5 and only 2 of them sealed correctly.  This stuff is so good!  I am trying to resist opening my second jar until this winter when we need some winter comfort!  I think this would be great as a gift!  You could get the 4 ounce jars and hopefully get 8 out of the recipe.  This is making me hungry.