Sorry!

I don't know what happened to the post about the dessert and hot chocolate.  I'll try to post it tomorrow!

Order

I think children are just so amazing!  They see so much that we are not aware of and really are like little sponges. 

Pnut made this: 

We haven't talked overly much about patterns.  There were some ABAB patterns in a book she did last year, but nothing like this.  I think children just see the order in the world God created and grasp that concept!

Joel and I got the stomach bug yesterday morning and were sick all day.  Joel was still feeling badly today.  Thankfully, I wasn't as I had to go to the dentist.  I haven't been for 6 years!  Thankfully, no cavities, and he was quite pleased with my teeth.  I've had one cavity, and never want to have another.  I passed out from the novacaine and that was enough! 

I'm trying to get this baby to come but without much success.  This would be the perfect time as my mom has off Thursday and Randa and Eric are here and could watch the girls.  But I guess we just have to wait on God's timing.

So now I need to lay down.  I may be over the yucky part of the bug, but I'm worn out tonight from activity!

Stew and Potatoes

Beef Stew with Mushrooms from The Pioneer Woman

1 lb beef stew meate
1 T flour
1/8 c butter (2 T)
1 T olive oil
1 whole shallot, minced
1.5 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 lb cremini or white button mushrooms
1/4 c red wine
1/4 can beef consomme
salt and pepper to taste
1 sprig thyme
1 T flour

Coat meat in flour.  Melt butter and olive oil in heavy pot.  Sear meat over high heat in batches, remove to plate when brown.
Add shallot and garlic to pan.  Saute 2 minutes over medium-low heat.  Add mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes.  Pour in wine and consomme (and extra half can water).  Add salt and pper to taste.  Bring to boil, then add meat back in.  Reduce to low and add thyme.
Cover and simmer for at least 45 minutes.  After that, thicken with 1 T flour with water and pour into stew.  Allow to cook and thicken for at least 10 minutes.  Turn off heat and allow stew to sit for 15-20 minutes.

NOTES:  I didn't use wine.  We don't drink and I did not want to get some just for this.  I also couldn't find beef consomme so I used canned beef broth and used the entire can.  I had read the notes people made about this recipe, and they said it could use more liquid.  I also added about a can of water.  I didn't have thyme so I put in dried rosemary instead.  I think mine actually simmered for about an hour before I added the flour mix in.  The longer you simmer, the more tender it is. 

Creamy Mashed Potatoes by The Pioneer Woman

2.5 lb potatoes
3/8 c butter (6 T), softened
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 c half and half
1/4 t seasoning salt
1/4 t pepper

Peel, chop, and boil potatoes until cooked through.  Drain and put back in pot.  Mash over low heat.  Add all other ingredients and mash more.
Stir well and place in baking dish.  Put a few pats of butter over the top and place in 350 degree oven and heat until warmed through. 
If making ahead, pull out of fridge 203 hours before serving.  Bake in 350 degree oven for 20-30 minutes until cooked through.

NOTES:  I don't know if I can return to regular mashed potatoes after this.  Pretty much perfect.  Pilly loves them too!

Both of these dishes went over quite well at Cooking Club:)  They are lovely comfort foods and just right for fall!  The problem is not eating too much of them!  I'll post the dessert and drink Monday:)

In the previous post, the difference is that Pnut got a haircut!  I went to the grocery store the other night and Joel cut her hair.  We knew it needed it done, I just didn't want to do it myself.  I think it looks really cute and healthy now!

?

Do you know what is different?

A different salsa soup

I got this recipe from someone on facebook, and I love it!  The corn just makes it for me:)

1 box Swanson Chicken Broth
1 can black beans, rinsed
1 can refried beans
2 c. salsa
2 c. frozen corn

Optional:
Diced cooked Chicken
Low fat sour cream
White Tortilla chips

Instructions:
Add chicken broth and refried beans together and bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Add salsa, black beans and cooked corn. Chicken may be added if desired. heat through and serve with tortilla chips. You may wish to garnish each bowl of soup with a small dollop of sour cream.

The only optional item we had was the sour cream, and it was delicious.  I think adding the chicken would be really good too!  We had quesadillas with ours and that just made it even better.  Really filling and warm for a cold day.

Snowball Cookies

These cookies are delicious and buttery!  The girls had a lot of fun with them too!  This makes about 2 dozen cookies.

3/4 c butter, room temp
1/2 c sugar
1 egg
1.5 t vanilla
2 c flour
1/2 t salt
1.5 c roughly chopped toasted almonds

Cream butter and sugar.  Once creamed, add egg.  Add vanilla.  Sift together four and salt.  Add to creamed mix and mix on low just until incorporated.  Add almonds and mix just until incorporated.  Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour. 
Preheat oven to 350.  Roll about 1 T of dough into a ball.  Bake 20-22 minutes until lightly golden.  Let cool for 5 minutes, roll in 10x sugar.  When cooled completely, dust again with 10x sugar.

You can fit quite a few cookies on the sheet because they really don't expand much.

The girls each had a bowl of sugar to roll their cookies in.

And I wondered why I chose to do this on the same day that I had already washed the floor.

 In the end, the cookies turn out really pretty and taste awesome!

Best Friends!

Last night, the girls danced together.

Then they showed us their ballet moves.  They practice these frequently!

Then they were challenged to make silly faces.  Some were sillier than others.

Pnut demonstrated her ability to pick up Pilly, although she is getting a little tall for Pnut to get off of the ground.

And finally, hugs were given. 

I love these sweet little girls!

On a side note, sometimes they just do this:

They will run around the house holding hands or hold hands on our walks.  Pnut helps Pilly go a little faster and keeps her from tripping sometimes.  Pilly helps Pnut trip sometimes.  In any case, super cute!