Showing posts with label holiday eating. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday eating. Show all posts

Sunday, March 27, 2016

Easter






First off HAPPY EASTER! 

I had some fun today with Zorro, our adorable sweet male rabbit. He's so large and adorable now! I need to post new photos of him soon!

Gifts this year were different our kids are older now, Prissy is 12 and G'man is turning 10 in a few weeks. They did the Easter Egg hunt at Hubby's work like we do every year - this is where they bagged a ton of candy and a few nice prizes!
We however got them big kid gifts.




G'man got a wood burning kit and will be learning how to use it, while Prissy got a new art box.




For our adult friends and family (that live close by) we made up Easter Omelet baskets!
Highlighting our farm fresh eggs of course!
Each basket had 2 sets of 3 eggs. One set blue/green from our Easter Eggser (Americana's), one set brown from our Rhode Island Reds.
To go with the eggs we added cubed ham, cheese wedges, peppers, tomato, mushrooms and an onion.

We dropped them off yesterday so that they could wake up to an have a wonderful Easter Breakfast! So while we are all still feeling a little under the weather and haven't been very active. I hope to be posting more wonderful photos of our new cute additions soon!

Until next time, Happy Easter!


wink emoticon

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Easter Egging!



Last night when we went to lock up the house for the night, we found two buckets and two kites on our front porch. They had notes addressed to Prissy and to G'man! Indicating eggs had already been laid down and were waiting for the kids!
We'd been Eastered! A surprise Easter Egging!

Now before you wonder - yes I am that lucky, and yes I have some very amazing loving people in my life, as well as in my kids lives!
This morning while the kids hunted eggs, mama and papa hunted the givers! Our very good friends Shayne and Sara played Easter bunny and gave our kids much more than just candy! They have been smiling and feeling so very extra special today!




Also we finished painting the chicken coop and worked more on the outside fence. They are getting so large they will need to be able to run around the day coop soon!

Yesterday and today we worked on backyard projects. Hubby tilled the entire back garden. We fixed the tiller and ran into my besties sister - which is a whole other story.
Due to the amount of spring work we've been trying to get done, we had a very simple quite Easter dinner.
Here is the recipe and photo of dinner!

Whether you celebrate Easter or Passover I pray today was blessed and full of love.

Monday, May 14, 2012

10th Anniversary

Now for the rest of the story...
Sorry I have been so busy lately that while my photos and items to post have been compiling I have not had a chance to post them!
The rest of our ten days for our tenth anniversary were wonderful - we did a few game and snack nights, days with friends and of course for the tenth anniversary itself we went out to dinner!

Where?
The Cheesecake Factory!
A great place for an afternoon out with the one you love. ;)

Hubbies dinner from Cheese Cake Factory

Bread
Stuffed mushrooms
Soup and Turkey sandwich
Mocha Cheese cake










My meal
Bead
Bead dipped in the wine sauce of hubbies mushrooms (YUM!)
Spicy wonton appetizer
Turkey avocado sandwich
side salad
Pineapple cheesecake (my fav!)

The company and child free time with my hubby was amazing!
It was great to relax and enjoy the moment.
Thank you again Robert & Margie Walker for watching the kids and always being there for us!

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

10 days for 10th anniversary

Wow!
I have a lot to say so the shortest is - THANK YOU JESUS! Last night I went down stairs to turn off the lights and I smelled a awful smell, a few minutes later I found one of my son's shirts bundled up INSIDE his bedroom light about to catch on fire - really huge burn marks all over it!
So grateful I went down there! We could have lost our home last night!


Our tenth wedding anniversary is Friday. To celebrate Hubby took off 10 days. Ten days to celebrate 10 years.
Each day I have an envelope full of things for us to do - we pick one a day and voila! That's our special family time. Some days are family days - other days are couple days. To mark the difference I wrote, "need babysitter." on the special day envelopes.
This is very important as I wrote them all out a month ago when I had the idea, but didn't know when people would be available to watch the kids.

Day One:


Water balloon fight with our kids and all the neighborhood kids!


Day Two:


Family game night & Fondue!

We had a very yummy cheese fondue with two sausage's and a garlic bread
Then games! Lots and lots of games.
Then finished the night with Chocolate fondue, served with grapes, angel food cake & banana's.
Strawberries would have been nice, but the store didn't have a good selection.

I don't know what tomorrow's envelope will bring, but I know that it doesn't have to cost a lot to mean a lot.
I will try to keep up on photos and ideas.

However before I leave you I will offer one marriage advice tip:

When you fight (all couples fight) finish it to the end. I don't care how many times you have to say - that's not what I meant. I said this but meant this. I feel this about ----. I need you to hear....
Don't just get frustrated and quit. It's important to be heard and understood - you may need to breathe, start over and try again, but don't let it drop.
Any time you let something drop - as a peace keeping tool - it can fester.
You can finish an argument without coming to agreement.
You can calm down and finish a fight without heat.
Remember marriage is all about the long game.
You picked this person to marry because you wanted to grow old with them - to share your life with them.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Christmas Day

The morning and afternoon were just the four of us... along with our dog Patch (who was also spoiled rotten). Dinner was with our Friends (newly married) Shayne & Sara!

The morning started off with the kids opening their Christmas socks, then quickly moved on to breakfast.
I had to put my breakfast off to the side (several times) and allow the kids to open their presents - while taking photos of course - before I could fully finish all my food! Yummy!


I have to say this is about the BEST Christmas we've ever had!


Both of my boys (hubby included) got new remote control cars!
Prissy got the camera she has been begging for as well as another Barbie!
In half a day she managed to take 201 photos! 
Whew is she even worse then me!


Shayne & Sara's lovely house all decked out for Christmas!


Dinner with great food and wonderful friends!
That wasn't the best part!
Their present to us was amazing!
A date night for hubby and I - babysitting included!
The kids both got cloths and will look adorable!

This really has been the best Christmas ever!
Great times, Great friends and Great memories!

May the rest of this year be as blessed for you as it's been blessed for us!

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Christmas Eve


See those pretty plates on my Best Friends table?
Oh Yeah! I bought them for her Christmas present! 
Best part?
There Correlle! So they won't break, chip or crack!

Now I want to brag for a moment on my BFF, Tired Mom
She is the mother of two young Autistic children,
She is the Social Media Chair for Utah Autism Coalition & has Fibromyalgia (?). 
Full time wife, mother, cook, OCD house cleaner....
and she still has time to not only decorate her house but 
cook a gourmet dinner for her friends and family!


Want a closer look at that amazing food?


and yes it tasted ever better then it looked!
Do I just have the most amazing BFF or what?!
She gave me my Soda Stream - early ;)

Now her kids are regular Autistic children so sitting them down to eat - well she was smart and didn't even try it.
Thankfully everyone that came to Celebrate Christmas Eve,
know, and are known by, her children. 
So there are no awkward looks, judging comments or over helpful advice.
Making my BFF's Christmas even better!
My kids ate (a few bites) then went and played with her children

Bumps in the road - my son LOVES her daughter
so if she hands him a thing of bubbles and says open.... 
Yup he opens them and promptly spills it all over the floor!
Then later that night he also broke a flashlight - but apologized for it sweetly.

Then everyone trooped downstairs to play several rounds of Mario Cart.
My hubby and I learned that when Prissy starts driving we are going to need heart medicine!!!
It was a miracle each and every time she made it around all three loops!
As the majority of the time she was either running into walls or going the wrong direction!

Our Christmas Eve was wonderful!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Christmas at my Dads


Family! LM & Papa, G-pa & Prissy, Prissy & G-ma. Last shot is the family hanging out being together.

Tonight was wonderful! Good food and good times! 


Dinner was wonderful!


The day ended on a high note Prissy's Barbie and her new Ken were married.

12-22-11

We all attended the event and are sorry that we were unable to invite you all ;)
Merry Christmas
More holiday joy to come!

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Easter Fun

Now we believe and teach our children that Jesus saves, rose from the dead and that it's by his blood that we are saved. I want you to know this because it does not reflect in the following pictures. I am sorry its hard to show faith, belief and love in a photo. Instead I am posting the photos from Egg decorating and from the Egg Hunt. I will also blog on my recipe blog my Easter Dinner menu.

Have a blessed and safe Easter Sunday!


And yes before you ask, that's Eva!

Their Easter baskets
Again before you ask - 
Yes I think those are the ugliest stuffed animals
but they are soft and my son fell in love with the blue one.


All in all a wonderful fun filled, great food day!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Thanksgiving Day!


The dastardly due are really big helpers and such great cooks!


(cracked wheat rolls)


(weight watchers pumpkin cheesecake)





Today's menu

Appetizers:

Veggie tray
baked pita chips and spinach dip

Salad:

Romain lettuce
dried cherries
walnuts
dried cranberries
with home made oriental dressing

Main Menu:

Smoked Turkey
dressing (with celery, apple, dried cranberries & walnuts)
baked yams (butter and cinnamon)
relish (oranges & cranberries)
cajun broccoli
cracked wheat rolls

Desert:

weight watchers pumpkin cheesecake (with whipped cream)

For the last several years our goal was to eat healthier with out losing flavor, we stick to keeping the food as pure as possible - less ingredients = purer healthier.

I can tell you dinner was great! Good food, times and the family all together. The pictures are of our day at grandma and grandpa's home.
Of course the whole day could not be just fairy tale wonderful - Gideon got very hyper playing with grandpa and broke his glasses then because he was over tired - over stimulated so after minor chastisement (very minor) and he started crying so hard that he threw up all over the floor, himself and then several times in the toilet after that of course we packed everything up and headed home.
I am just glad I always bring extra cloths for the kids when ever we go out for a long day.

So tomorrow we are ready for a big big day! While I really hate going shopping on "black friday" we have limited time for all of us to be together so we are planning on going to our favorite cooking store "Spoons and Spice" first thing in the morning. I really am hoping that they are not having any huge sales and that there will not be a huge crowd of people outside waiting to get in.
Here's hoping as this will be my first time shopping on black friday :)

Friday, November 20, 2009

Wassil or Russian Tea


Ok this is a long story but when I was growing up my Mama was given a Wassil mix from our neighbor as a Christmas gift. We loved it so much that Mama asked for the recipe our neighbor then explained she had bought it from a co-worker who had since then quit. After that both mama and our neighbor started trying out different recipes for this fabulous drink.
Several years and many recipes later they both fell in love with this recipe.
Which is made using easy to get American ingredients (nice for me since this is very popular in Sweden, Russia ect) the first couple of recipes they tried had harder to get ingrediants.



When its almost done but not mixed it looks like this!


Helpers are a must!


My math when I make more then my normal recipe :) I try to make enough to last me one full year or enough for me to gift away to others for Christmas along with the recipe of course.


When its all mixed up it looks like this!

Then add around 2 tbls to a large cup of hot water.


Stir and enjoy!
Yummmmm

Wassil or Russian Tea Recipe

Mix together in a large container
2 cups Tang
1 1/2 cups Sugar
3/4 cups Instant Tea
1 pkg Jello (any flavor) I prefer the new tropical fusion however orange or lemon work well too)
3 Tbls Lemonade drink mix
2 tsp Cinnamon
1 tsp Allspice
1 tsp Cloves

The hubby is doing well after his surgery, while his pain is increasing and he still can't talk above a whisper he is very happy its over and that he is home; and I am very happy that I have some time with my hubby and family for the holidays.
Just a couple more days and Mid sis will be in then a couple days after that Big sis comes in!!
My home is almost all put together and clean - decorations are up and now the Wassil is ready!!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

DRAMA & Whoopie Pies


The story starts two years ago we needed to move from our apartment to an allergy free home.

We found a mobile home in a nice mobile park that became a safe haven for our daughters severe cat & smoke allergies.

We have worked hard fixing up the inside, taking care of problems as they came along but for the most part we had a friendly relationship with our park manegement --- til last month.

After finally being able to buy a new mattress we moved our old mattresses out onto the porch and contacted management to find out if they still offered trash pickup (something they offered as part of park services when we moved in 2 years ago). Turns out that while they have raised park lot fee's 20 dollars a month in 2 years they have lowered the services we recive from the park.

Instead what we recieved was a "friendly reminder" that our mattresses needed to be properly removed.

Within two days we were able of course to remove them and continue on with life right? WRONG our mobile home office management team decided to invade our property (Renters Rights Violations all over the place) take pictures of our property and then send us a 7 day clean or EVICT notice - what for right?? A wagon & two bikes that you can not see from the front of our home and my CHILDRENS TOYS on our front porch - all 5 toys. --- Not kidding. Since our mobile home's Property lease is up in June our first response was to try to move into a new home by June but while the rest of the country is having major cheap houseing I was unable to find a nice home for under 150K, so our new plan is to stay for another year save up every dime, hubby is going to work over time and we will move next spring hopefully for the last time for a long time.

We have also given the office in writting a warning that they walk onto our property without written warning that we will have them ticketed and/if needed removed from our property by the police, needless to say we have talked with 3 lawyers and the local PD.


So if you are ever in the market looking for a mobile home put this place on your list of NOTS.

MEADOWBROOK VILLAGE 1240 HUMMINGBIRD ST, SALT LAKE CITY, UT

Manager Teresa Wolfe.

Since I have been dealing with such ridiculous stress from some pathetic life forms I need a stress break hence Whoopie Pies!!

Maybe you have noticed this wonderful growing trend or have been reading up on these in the news they range in different flavors, sizes and fillings but they sound yummy!!

So I am adding in some of the recipes I found
Whoopie Pie
Time: 1 hour / yield 6
FOR THE CAKES:
1/4 pound (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa
1 cup buttermilk
FOR THE BUTTERCREAM FILLING:
3 large egg whites
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 pound butter (2 sticks), at room temperature
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon sea salt.
1. For the cakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until light and creamy. In a separate bowl, whisk together the baking soda, salt, flour and cocoa. Add dry ingredients to butter mixture in three parts, alternating with buttermilk, and combining well after each addition.
2. Using an ice cream scoop or a spoon, scoop out 12 1/4-cup mounds of batter and place about 6 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake until tops are puffed and cakes spring back when touched, 12 to 14 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely before filling.
3. For the buttercream filling: For best results, follow directions carefully, paying attention to required temperatures. Fill bottom half of a double boiler (or a medium saucepan) with an inch or two of water, and bring to a boil over high heat. In top half of double boiler (or a metal bowl), combine egg whites and sugar. Place over simmering water and whisk just until sugar is dissolved and temperature reaches 180 degrees on an instant-read thermometer.
4. Using a whisk attachment on a heavy-duty mixer, whisk egg whites and sugar on high until they double in volume and become thick and shiny. Continue to whisk until cool. Reduce speed to medium and begin to add butter about 1/2 tablespoon at a time, until all the butter is incorporated. Add vanilla and salt. If mixture looks curdled, continue to whisk until it is smooth. Increase speed to high and whisk for 1 more minute. Use immediately or place in an airtight container and chill for up to 3 days, whisking buttercream again before using.
5. For assembly: Using an ice cream scoop or spoon, place 1/4 cup buttercream on flat side of each of 6 cakes, spreading it to edges. Top filled half with another cake to sandwich the buttercream. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or wrap individually and freeze for up to 3 months.

Amish Vanilla Whoopie Pies Recipe

Ingredients
1 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
5 cups flour
1 tbsp vanilla
2 whole eggs and 2 egg yolks
1/2 cup hot water
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
.
filling:
2 egg whites
2 Tbsp milk
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cup shortening
4 Tbsp flour
1 pound powdered sugarDirections
Cream shortening, sugar, salt, eggs and vanilla. Mix flour, baking powder and add soda with water and milk. Mix together.
bake 425 degrees 5-8 minutes.
.
To make filling: beat egg whites until stiff. Add vanilla, flour and milk. Beat well and add shortening and sugar.
Place cream filling between two cookies.
Enjoy!!!

Amish Whoopie Pie Recipe
Cookies:1 cup shortening2 cups sugar1 cup hot water with 2 tsp baking soda4 1/2 cups flour4 eggs3/4 cup cocoa1 cup sour milk2 tsp vanilla1 or 2 shakes of salt
Filling:1 cup milk1 cup shortening4 Tbls flour1 tsp vanilla1 cup sugar
Preparation:
Mix cookie ingredients together. Batter is slightly thick so it can be dropped from a teaspoon. Drop onto cookie sheets into small rounds, trying to keep them roughly the same size. Bake at 375 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 8-10 minutes on an ungreased cookie sheet.
For the filling: cook together the milk and flour until thick. Place in a small bowl and add sugar, shortening and vanilla. Beat until spread-able.
Choose two cookies about the same size, spread some filling on one and place the other one on top, bottoms together


Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
MAKES TWELVE Prep Time: 35 minBake Time: 10 min
1 1/2 sticks (6 ounces) unsalted butter, 1 stick melted, 1/2 stick softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
1 cup canned pure pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon plus 2 pinches salt
1 2/3 cups flour
4 ounces cream cheese, chilled
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.2. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Whisk in the eggs, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon vanilla, the baking powder, the baking soda and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the flour.3. Using an ice cream scoop or tablespoon, drop 12 generous mounds of batter, spaced evenly, onto each baking sheet. Bake until springy to the touch, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.4. Meanwhile, using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter with the cream cheese. Add the confectioners' sugar and the remaining 2 pinches salt and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; mix on low speed until blended, then beat on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes.5. Spread the flat side of 12 cakes with the cream cheese frosting. Top each with another cake.


Now to make this world a better friendlier place lets all go make Whoopie!!

Friday, November 28, 2008

Thanksgiving & Christmas a little healthier


One holiday down and another to go, most people in America either shopped and fought insane amounts of people for "sales" or stayed home to stuffed to move.
For our Thanksgiving we went with a less is more attitude which is cheaper and healthier then the traditional meals.
Roast Turkey - baked in oven bag keeps it moist with out the "extra" sauces and grease poured on top.
Baked broccoli with shredded Parmesan
Baked Sweet Potatoes (whole nothing but maybe a little butter)
home made wheat bread
lettuce salad with healthier toppings

Our lettuce Salad for Thanksgiving was
Romaine lettuce
chopped green onion
chopped fresh broccoli
mandarin oranges
dried cranberries
dried cherries
pecan halves
with homemade Asian dressing

and for dessert sliced Angle food cake (sugar free options available) top with mixed berries and sugar free cool whip.

(the secret to making this a very low sugar is to add in 2 tsp of sugar with the berries the night before you plan to serve this that way the sugar will draw out all the juices from the berries without dumping in cup after cup of sugar plus the juice tastes much better low sugar.)

Walking away from a meal like that does not leave you tired, drowsy or weak. When you drop into a stupor after a huge meal its because of all the fat and calories its not a healthy sign, if you indulge to much you can eat as many as 6,000 calories in just the one meal one slice of pecan pie is 800 calories!! (while its my favorite pie its shelved for the time being)
The fun thing about a Thanksgiving meal like the one above is its more affordable and easier to cook.

I am facing a huge task of trying to lose weight during the holidays however as long as I stay focused and watch what I eat I can eat healthy tasty meals and still lose some pounds.
I encourage all around me to try simplifying their food and lives :).
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