Spring Cleaning - Day 1

Today I started my week of spring cleaning. My hubby is out of town this week, so it is the perfect time to clean, since before it is all done it usually looks like a tornado has torn through the house.
My first room to tackle was my dining room. I did the typical things like dusting and windows. Then I went through our coats that were on the coat rack and moved the heavy ones upstairs. I also went through the shoes and weeded out the ones that don't need to be down here.
I tried something new I heard about when it came time to clean the baseboards. I wiped them down, and then when they were dry I wiped them down with a dryer sheet. This is supposed to help repell the dust, we shall see how it works.
To reward myself on my clean dining room I decided to make a table runner that I have wanted to make for awhile.

It is a piece of burlap one foot wide and long enough to have 9 inches on each side hanging over the table.
I added some lace from my re-purposed previous table runner.

I was planning on doing just the burlap and lace, but decided it needed a splash of color, so I added some red ribbon that I had gotten for 50 cents on clearance at Michaels.
My original plan was to add words like, "eat", "nourish", and "munch", but I kinda like the way it looks as is. I can always add them later!


Sidenote: when sewing onto burlap always sew "zig zag", also don't think that just because there are lines on burlap that it is easy to cut in a straight line!

Valentine's Day Crafts Revealed!

I have been wanting to post pictures of the Valentine's Day gifts my kids made for my parents. However, because of sickness and not being able to make it to the post office, they just now received them, so it is safe to post the pictures!

The kids made these for my mom, who has gone back to school to learn sign language! For those of you who might not know, the sign their hands are making means I LOVE YOU!

For my dad, the kids made this for him to hang in his office. And the saying is very true...my kids really love my dad!
So that is what our crafting day gave us....now on to St. Patricks Day crafts!!!

Blessed Beyond Measure

This past week we celebrated my little Roo's second birthday.
Last year it was shortly after her birthday she started having seizures. There were times last year where I wasn't sure if we were going to have her around for a second birthday. As I look back over the last year I see blessing after blessing. God has given us such a gift in our little Roo. He blessed us by having us stationed here, the best place in the country to deal with the health problems she has. He has surrounded us with wonderful friends who have been such an encouragement and strength when we needed it. I can't even begin to express how grateful I am.
Now we have a very active, imaginative two year old running around our house....literally and figuratively!
Last Thursday, my little professor informed me that Reagan would like to have chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. So that is how we started out her birthday!

We had a fun day, playing with some friends, and having Burger King for lunch. After dinner she got to open a few presents. My little professor gave her a lightsaber....that was by far her favorite present of the evening. Now they could play Star Wars together!!!
On Sunday we celebrated with family, my dad, sister, brother - in-law, uncle and mother-in-law were here to celebrate. It was great to be surrounded by family. She is all set now with a new trike, scooter...as well as the safety gear to go with it!

She had to have a little help blowing out the candles! But she didn't need any help eating the cake!

Today was her kid, owl themed birthday party. We had tons of fun playing with balloons, doing crafts and of course eating cake!!!

Crayon holders and art smocks were the favors!

So my little girl is two. I thank God every day for her!! (even on the days where she drives me CRAZY!) She has such a love for life! I can't wait to see how God uses her!!

Old into New

For awhile now I have been wanting to make my storage bins pretty. I know it might sound odd, but I would like something pretty to look at when I go to clean or even just open my closet.
Recently we have gotten a COSTCO memebership, and since you buy in bulk, you get some pretty cool, usable boxes! So this morning I went out to the garage and got one of our coffee boxes.

I really love the look of burlap, and at a recent trip to the fabric store I picked up a couple of yards. I was pleasantly suprised how in expensive it was.
Using the burlap I covered the box. It looked nice but rather plan. Then I remembered a table runner that my mother-in-law got me a few years ago. I love it, but it recently got ruined by some melted wax, so I decided to re-purpose it!

So I cut it a bit and used it to embellishment my new storage container!

Don't my supplies look "pretty" in their new home?

And my I think my laundry closet looks a bit prettier....I still have some more work to do, but it is a start!

Bringing the Sunshine In

Today is a very wet, very cold day outside. I really don't mind days like this when I don't have a ton of errands to run or places to go. I got to spend a very peaceful two hours in the kitchen while my little ones were napping/resting.
Tonight is Book Club (one of my favorite nights of the month). We each bring a snack to snack on. I decided to try an idea that I found on Pinterest. It is a healthy snack, as most of us are trying to get healthier. Sweet Potato Hummus. The bright orange color really brought the sunshine inside the house today.
I used the recipe I found as inspiration, switching a couple of things here and there. I really had to switch some things around since I found out I had no tahini, that the original called for (learning moment: check and make sure you have all the ingredients the recipe calls for and depend on your memory of once having alot of tahini!).
I plan to serve it with some toasted milk and honey bread as well as some sliced apples.

1 cup baked sweet potato (skin removed)
1 1/2 cups garbanzo beans, drained (save the juice)
2 TBSP apple cider vinegar
2 TBSP saved garbanzo bean juice
4 TBSP Olive oil (plus more for drizzling)
1-2 tsp agave or
1 TBSP frozen orange juice concentrate
2 tsp smoked paprika (plus more for sprinkling)


Directions:

1. Add all the ingredients to a Food Processor (I don't have my food processor yet, so I used an immersion blender and that worked quite well).
2. Pulse or blend until smooth. For chunkier hummus - pulse the mixture and keep a few of the beans half-chopped instead of pureed.

It was very easy to throw together and very, very yummy! What is even better....it is good for you!!!

Revalation In The Commissary

Today wasn't the first day I have had a revelation in the commissary. Usually they are not positive. They are things like, "this is why I don't take my toddler grocery shopping" or "life would be a lot cheaper if we didn't have to eat".
Things were a bit different today. Today my revelation had to do with the power of words and thoughts.
As I entered the commissary today I was braced for battle. They had been closed for the past few days to do a "reset". I knew that it was going to take longer and that nothing was going to be in the "proper" place. I had my list prepared and my game face on.
The produce section hadn't changed much, so I cheerily got my vegetables. "Maybe, they won't have changed things too much", I told myself. As I entered the aisles I knew I had that thought very prematurly. I went down the first aisle and my stress level starting rising. Nothing was were it normally was. I very carefully make out my grocery list according to what is in each aisle, so there isn't alot of thought needed. Suddenly my list wasn't so helpful.
I looked around and saw the same look of confusion and helplessness on the other customers faces, and I realized that I wasn't alone. So in the middle of the baking aisle I simply spoke outloud and said, "where are the cupcake wrappers?". To my delight another lady spoke up and told me where they were. A couple other people chimed in asking where things were that they needed. We all helped each other out, and another mom and I started chatting and ended up exchanging phone numbers.
After that I stopped and started looking around. The new layout is more organized and I started thinking about how much work they had to do to set this up. I remember my resets in my retail days and the stores I did weren't nearly as big as the commissary! A spirit of thankfulness came over me.
I chatted with the cashier as she checked me out, and with the bagger that bagged my groceries, making sure to thank them for their work. I left the commissary in a good mood, which seldom happens!
On my drive home I heard a quote on the radio. "You are a master of every word that you don't speak, and a slave to the ones you do." I have been trying to work on my thought life as well as the words that come out of my mouth. I tend to get stressed out and then react quickly and very emotionally. This morning proved to me that I need to stop and re-evaluate the situations that I find myself in, from parenting a very headstrong little girl to making sure I am speaking grace to every person I come in contact with (Col 4:6).

Here is the new layout of the Ft. Meade Commissary, just in case you want to get organized before you go!

Love....True Love

You get extra cool points if you know what movie I am referencing in my title!
Our "Valentine's Day Magic" started last night. After my little professor fell asleep I snuck into his room and decorated his closet.

Each of the 25 hearts listed one of the things that my husband and I love about him.

He really seemed to enjoy it. I am thinking of leaving them up, so that way when we have one of "those days" it can remind both him and I of all the wonderful things about him!
I also packed him a special Valentine's Day lunch, I only wish I were going to be there to see his face when he discovers all of his treats!

I got up a bit early this morning to put together our Valentines Day breakfast. Once I got it in the oven I had sometime to kill. So with my feet wearing Valentine's Day socks, that my dad got me a few years ago (because anyone who knows me, knows that this is the only day of the year I will wear the socks) and sipping coffee out of my Valentines Day mug, I started meditating on John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends".

The idea that we weren't even Christ's friends when He died for us just astounds me! That is definately a "God-thing". It is because of that sacrifice that we are able to celebrate Valentine's Day at all. It is because of that sacrifice that we are able to show love to each other.
After my few quiet moments I got together the kids breakfast. Puff pastry hearts with a berry sauce.

They were very yummy, but a little messy!
The kids came downstairs to a few little Valentine's Day gifts from us and their grandparents. I put them in little heart baskets that my dear friend had given me a few years ago.

I am sending my little professor to school for his first Valentines Day school party. Watching him fill out Valentines cards for his classmates brought back some fun memories. Later on we will enjoy a Valentine's Day party with our military family!

Our mailboxes are all ready for some Valentines!
So Happy Valentines Day everyone! Hope you have a wonderful day filled with love!

A Wonderful Winter Dinner

Last night I got to try a dinner that I have wanted to try for awhile. I actually saw the idea for it on the last season of "Worst Cooks in America". It was surprisingly easy, with most of the prep being done during naptime. (I love dinners like that!) It was quite filling as well.

Italian Sausage Ragu with Polenta Cakes

For the polenta:
1 cup cornmeal
2 cups milk
2 cups water
2 tsp salt
2 tsp oregano
2 tsp basil

Bring milk, water and seasonings to a gentle boil. Add the cornmeal, stiring constantly while you are pouring it in. Cook till thickened. Pour into a shallow pan and place in the refridgerator for at least 2 hours.

For the ragu:
2 zuchinni
5 mushrooms
1 cup carrots
1 onion
1 head garlic
1 lb Italian sausage
2 cans tomato sauce
1 can diced tomatoes
1 cup red wine
salt
pepper
2 tsp oregano
2 tsp basil
2 tsp thyme
parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400. Cut up your veggies and place in a 13x9 pan, this includes the head of garlic, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place in oven and roast for 25 minutes.
Meanwhile, brown the sausage in a pan. Once the veggies are done put them in with the sausage. Make sure to chop the garlic up finely. Add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil. Once it boils, lower the heat to low and cook for at least 3 hours. (you can also do this in a crockpot, just make sure you take the time to brown the sausage before you put it in)
When it is time to eat, take your polenta out of the refridgerator. Cut in squares or circles. Melt some butter in a pan, dredge the cakes in some flour and place in pan. Cook until brown and crispy on both sides. Place on a plate, top with the ragu and place some slices on parmesan on top. Enjoy!!!!

New Every Morning

Marilla, isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?"
- Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables


Today has been a day. My little professor is getting over a raging case of strep throat, my little Roo has been cranky because of her lack of nap yesterday, and I have been "yelly mommy".
It is a day when I could have risen to the challenge of keeping a calm and relaxing house. I could have put on my pearls and heels and vacuumed and folded laundry while listening to the blue birds sing outside my window.
However, I wallowed. I stayed in my pjs and did my chores with a less than stellar attitude. I felt sorry for myself and have had a grand ole pity party.
I often wonder if the Proverbs 31 wife had days like this. Most likely she did, but I really wish there had been a couple of verses dedicated to these kinds of days.
But as the day is winding down, only 3 hours and 15 minutes till bedtime, I am enjoying a few peaceful minutes. I am thankful that I can claim Lamentations 3:22-23, Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Today hasn't been the best, but tomorrow is another day.

"Say hey, it's a good day
Even if things aren't going my way
Jesus is Lord and I am saved
So, say hey, it's a good day"

Sugar and Spice

Carrot cake is my favorite cake EVER! However, that seems to be the one cake I have never been able to bake correctly. The carrots are either too thin, or too thick, something is never quite right.
Recently I found a spice cake recipe that I really liked, so yesterday I decided to change out the milk the recipe calls for and replaced it with carrot juice. The result was a really nice, light cupcake, with just the right amount of sweet and spice. I topped it off with a cinnamon vanilla buttercream.

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp ginger
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 cup carrot juice
3 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar

Preheat over to 350 degrees. Prepare muffin tins. Whisk dry ingredients and spices in a large bowl. Mix mil, eggs and vanilla extract in a 2 cup measuring cup.
Beat softend butter into dry ingredients, firt on low, then medium until mixture forms pepple sized pieces. Add about 1/3 of the carrot juice mixture and beat on low until smooth. Add remaining juice mixture in two stages; beat on medium speed until batter is just smooth. Add the sugar and beat until just incorporated, about 30 seconds. Pour batter into muffin tins.
Bake for about 25 minutes, until done. When cool frost with the buttercream frosting.

Frosting
1 cup butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
2 TBSP heavy cream
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon

*I also used walnuts for a garnish and to add a bit of texture

Yes, Another Bread Recipe

Last night I couldn't sleep. My mind tends to go to recipes when I am trying to sleep, so last night I came up with the idea for a milk and honey bread.
I was very pleased with how it turned out. The consistency and flavor would make it great for sandwiches. It is a simple recipe, with only four ingredients.

Milk and Honey Bread

3 cups milk
2 Tbsp honey
1 1/2 Tsp Yeast
7 cups flour

Heat milk and honey on the stove till it is simmering. Meanwhile in your mixer bowl add 3 cups flour and all of the yeast. Once the milk is simmering add it to the mixer bowl and mix for about two minutes.
Cover with a towel and let sit for about 30 minutes. It will more than double in size. Mix in the rest of the flour and hand knead the bread for about 5 minutes until the dough is elastic and smooth.
Place dough in oiled bowl and let rest, about 45 minutes, until doubled in size. Once it is doubled in size, gently press down on the dough and then form it into 2 equal logs.
Place the logs on your baking sheet. Preheat oven to 425. After about 20 minutes place your baking sheet in the oven. Bake at 425 for 10 minutes. Then decrease the oven temperature to 350 and bake for another 23 minutes.
Let cool, then enjoy!

Getting My Crafting On!

The other day I came across a really cute craft that I knew I had to duplicate! We are having a Valentines Day party and I thought these cute little ornaments would make awesome Valentines Day gifts for our friends.
It is a simple salt dough recipe:
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 cup water
food coloring
Mix ingredients together, you can adjust flour and water to until it makes a dough. Divide the dough into how many colors you want to make, I did four. Add your food coloring (be careful, this is messy and take more food coloring than you might think!
Roll out the dough and cut them into heart shapes. We made both big hearts and little hearts. Make sure you punch a hole in the hearts before you bake them.
Bake at 250 degrees for about two hours. Check on them a few times just to make sure they don't burn.

Once they are cool you can put ribbon through them, and use a red sharpie to write your messages of affection.

My little professor really enjoyed being able to help make these gifts for his friends, and my little Roo? Well she enjoyed playing with the dough!

Acorn Squash Soup for the Frazzled Soul

Today was a crazy day. Between two dr appointments (one planned, one spur of the moment) my nervous were a bit frazzled. My first instinct was to just call for take out, but we are trying to save on money and I needed to cook tonight because I was doubling the recipe to take to a playgroup tomorrow.
So as I got into the kitchen and started working on Acorn Squash Soup. I have blogged about this soup before, but I have worked on it a bit to make it a better fit for our family. Both the texture and the flavors came out really well. The end result is a soup that is velvety, with just the right balance of sweet and spicy. My nerves slowly started "unfrazzling" as I worked in the kitchen, (the glass of wine I slowly sipped while I cooked didn't hurt either!)

Here is my new and improved Acorn Squash Soup recipe.

Ingredients

3 whole acorn squash, approximately 8 cups when cooked
6 shallots, 1 cup diced, 3 left whole and peeled
6 garlic cloves, peeled
1 apple cut into chunks
2 carrots, chopped
1/2 cup cooking sherry
3 tablespoons olive oil, (plus more for drizzling)
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon pepper, freshly cracked, plus more for seasoning
4 Tbsp unsalted butter
4 cups chicken stock, low-sodium
2 Tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp smoked paprika
2 tsp ancho chili powder
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup grated Parmesan

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cut the squash in half on the equator and remove the seeds with a spoon. Cut a flat spot on each end so the squash will sit flat. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and arrange the squash, cut side up. To 3 of the squash halves, add a peeled shallot and to the other 3 add 2 garlic cloves on each. Add the apple pieces where they fit. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and season with 1 tablespoon each of the salt and freshly cracked pepper. Roast in the hot oven until very tender and starting to caramelize and collapse, approximately 1 hour. Remove from oven and when cool enough to handle, remove the squash from the skin. Reserve the roasted shallots and garlic with the squash. Can be done ahead.

In a large Dutch oven, melt the butter when the butter is starting to foam, add the raw diced shallots and carrots and saute until they are starting to caramelize, about 5 to 6 minutes. Deglaze with sherry and stir. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add in the reserved squash, roasted shallots and garlic and then the remaining chicken stock. Stir to combine,bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low and let cook for about an hour. Then puree with a stick blender. The mixture will be very thick. Add in the papricka, brown sugar, nutmeg and ancho. Stir in the cream and Worcestershire sauce and cheese and heat slowly over medium-low heat for about 30 minutes. Serve with a fresh crack of black pepper, a nice drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a light sprinkle of Parmesan. Ladle into soup bowls and serve.

(I realize I have been posting all recipe lately, but I promise more crafts and such should be coming soon....I am a well rounded person, dontcha know!)