Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Gearing up...

I feel it coming. Thanksgiving is in two days. This means time with family and some really great food. It also means that the day after becomes a free for all on shopping and any retailer brave enough to endure it.

I'm not one to shop on Black Friday. I did for a while, but I have my list and went later in the day just before the end of the sales. I didn't want any of the BRAND NEW BESTEST things EVAR! Now, I make a lot of the things that we give. It's gotten me out of my creative plateau in many ways most years. Adding things I can challenge myself with.

This year, there's a little bit of a different plan. We'll still be making a lot, but there will be a few things bought as well, not on Friday though.

Little G is moving around more and I'm starting to realize that he makes me a little slower at things that I'm used to doing pretty quickly. I sit a lot more than I'd like. LOL I'm not as quick about things anymore...and that's o.k.

With so many things coming up in the next 5 weeks, I feel like I'll be holding a baby before I know it without really having taken the time to do what I needed to for him. I think that's a normal mom thing though...I think.

The kids ministry is...hopefully going to explode here shortly. Planning for the next 6 months is kind of weird. I mean, we always plan out, but with a big change happening sometime around mid March, it feels like even more in depth planning has to take place. To be honest, I think I'm a little backed up.

I feel more at peace but still behind the ball, which normally REALLY agitates me. Maybe I'm getting better at that control thing? One can only hope :)

B and I are making plans for December and it's getting a little overwhelming honestly. Understanding that we can't just speed down there, because we have to stop to walk around and take a restroom break. Realizing that late nights to prepare other things just don't happen anymore.

I'm hoping and praying that I can be more of a blessing than a Grinch this year. I do not want the season that I adore so much to be tainted by me acting ugly. I want to be a blessing to people I can be, to be a light where there is darkness. I always want it, sometimes this time of year just brings out the worst in people.

I know I haven't really posted the craft things and some of the recipes I want to. Hopefully I'll get that done before the end of the year. Thanks for your patience. :) I'll be pinning all the recipes so you can keep them all in one place if you like. Find me on Pinterest and follow my "My Cookbook" board if you want to keep track of the recipes as they come out.

So, I'll say it today because I may not get to in two days. Happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful for all the people that read this blog and even the ones that only follow for food :) Thank you for reading, I know I don't have a huge following, but I do know that I have a few people that check in. For you, I'll try to make it more often. You'll get more about Little G as we get closer to him.

Love. Always Love.

M :)

Friday, October 26, 2012

Growing in the Winter

Well, hello dear reader(s),

It's been a while since an actual entry and a lot has happened. :)

The thing highest on my mind today is our ultrasound appointment yesterday :) I'm sitting at just 20 weeks, and the tech is going through all the measurements (baby is big! Not in a bad way, just above average. Measuring up to a week bigger in the legs and head) (Gets the watermelon head from Auntie Sam) As she's doing the scan, she asks if we would like to know the sex :) We say yes and she finds the cutest little bum and legs...and right there for all to see...Itty Bitty is definitely a BOY!

Either way we were happy :) The theme will still be jungle. Just not pink or purple bows on the animals ;) We still have all the kid toys and all the things that Brian and I saved from our collections from childhood. I just hope I get all the fun things done before he comes :)

I have a great group of people to talk to for boy advice ;) Not to mention an amazing husband that wants to be involved in everything his child(ren) do. :)

We're also almost to our annual church Halloween event. It's two hours of trunk or treat, games, bounce houses and snacks. I can not even express how much this event makes me smile. I enjoy doing everything that we do for the community and this year, we have more banners, more Quest Bucks...more everything :)

I am so ready for it!

I've also taken on some hours at the game store and am so excited to be able to help this wonderful business go even farther with some new marketing and ideas :) 

We've got my cousins' wedding in early November and then Thanksgiving with my Uncle and Aunt. Christmas in LA with the rest of the family :) Busy time busy time. I'm ready to go :)

So, saying all that, there will be more updates coming with patterns for animals and blankets as well as recipes from my family favorites :)

What are you doing with the rest of your year?

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Cookbook: Comfort Mac and Cheese

This is a favorite of mine. I'm fairly lactose intolerant, so I REALLY have to want it. There are ways to change it up to make it with fewer calories. This is a take off of the recipe my grandmother makes, which happens to be from my great grandmother. If there's one thing these ladies know, it's comfort :)


Ingredients:

3 tbsp fat (I like to use butter here, you can use margarine, or olive oil if you like)
3 tbsp flour
3 cups milk (I've used soy milk and almond milk, they do just fine)
3-4 cups shredded cheese (many people cube their cheese, I shred. I also use Colby/Jack like grandma, feel free to use straight cheddar)
2 cups uncooked macaroni
6 cups water
1 tsp chili powder (don't be scared, it's not hot)
Pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Bring water to a boil, add uncooked noodles, cook 8 to 10 minutes. (this is a good time to shred your cheese if you didn't buy it shredded :) )
2. Drain pasta, return pot to stove over medium heat. Add butter (or your fat option), melt/heat.
3. Once the butter is melted, start whisking in flour one tablespoon at a time. It will get crumbly, make sure you cook it a little while whisking to cook out the "flour taste"
4.Once you have the flour totally absorbed into the butter, start adding milk, slowly. Your butter and flour mixture will absorb the milk fairly quickly to begin with. Add slowly, this will help keep lumps down. You want to add milk to a point that gives you a liquid consistency for the cheese.
5. Add pepper and chili powder.
6. Start adding the cheese one small handful at a time. Still using the whisk mix the cheese into the pot. You want to make sure it has melted all the way before adding more. You may need to add more milk or some olive oil if you see that the cheese is not mixing is evenly.
7. Add cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce. You can bake the mixture at this point if you like. I don't. I usually need to add more pepper at this point. I'm not quite sure why, but it's just part of what makes it taste like Grandma's .
8. Remove from heat and let stand to thicken slightly. You can add more shredded cheese to garnish or for that stringy texture some people like.

Enjoy! :)

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Crafts: Crochet - Bag

I know, I've lagged on this!

Without any further ado, I give you ONE of the projects I listed back in June. Did end up with a bag done for a my Dad and something for my Bonus Mom - though I'm not sure what hers is supposed to be.

The blanket was set aside when people started popping out BABIES! LOL I have pictures of those coming soon as well (like, probably tomorrow)

So, here are pictures, I'll add a good pattern for it later to this blog and then Pin it so you all can find it whenever you want ;) I like this particular product and will probably be making more in the future.


These were the yarn colors I used in the first bag. Blue, White, Yellow, Red and Black


I prefer to make all the squares first, then sew them all together. Some people sew them as they go. It's all up to what works for you. These squares didn't take long to make at all. 


I sewed panels together two at a time.


  
Then sewed those together.


And here's the resulting panel. I need to get a final picture, I can't find it at the moment though. I'll write you a pattern and then you'll be SET! :) You may be able to figure it out from the pictures ;) 




Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple...

Today, I feel energized and like we're making some progress toward the future.

Some ideas rolling around in the old noggin' while I think of how to get them all in a form to share. Think I might have figured it all out though...we'll see :)

I'll share here when I have it all done, promise!

Anyway, the title to this blog comes from a song I used to sing at the top of my lungs, as fast as I could when I was in Sunday School. The rooms for our ministry are going to be turned in to colorful kid areas...and this song just popped into my head as I was thinking about them :) What a bright and beautiful rainbow we have. What color and beauty we have in our lives.

Such an exciting time to be in this ministry as it builds. Is it bad that I want to do it all RIGHT NOW? It's just so clear in my mind :) Wish there were a way to connect the computer directly to the pictures in my brain. It would be so much easier that way:)

Today, I started with what I should have, I prayed :) Spent the time I should with the most important relationship in my life. And it showed me so much. Can't help but be so very humbled and thankful for everything. The amazing husband I've been blessed with, the wonderful family and great church. It's so much more than I could have done on my own. :)

What are you thinking of today as you go through the day?

Monday, September 10, 2012

Looking to the next 4 months.

The benefit, or curse, of living so far from family/working in kids ministry - is that you start thinking of the next few months a lot earlier.

This weekend we go to LA and visit family we haven't seen since May. I.AM.HAPPY! I seriously start smiling every time I think about it. Can not wait to see my sister. It would be perfect if our older sister could come too. Sometime soon :)

So, looking toward Halloween (which is JUST 6 weeks away). We have Halloween on Pollasky with the church, getting everything going for that. Some meetings, but things are falling into place :)

Thanksgiving will be next, have to figure out what the family is doing for that. Also, decorating the apartment for both Halloween and Fall! Not to mention my cousin's wedding! Yay!

THEN Christmas! Yaaaay! We're singing with the adults in service one weekend with the kids at church, we've got a "Happy Birthday Jesus Party" the 23rd. Seeing where we'll be and who we'll be spending what days with. The big thing is making sure we get everything made and ready to go. I need to start Christmas cards and Christmas gifts this month so they'll all be done and I won't be making them while traveling. Here comes the Pinterest lists! I'm already looking through the craft ideas and food gifts I've been pinning all year. Hopefully, this will make things easier.

We are also going to need to start thinking about what the baby area will look like in our apartment. We'll find out in just about 6 weeks if we're having a boy or a girl.

Whew! That is a lot don't you think? Good thing I have a few months ;) What are you up to the end of this year? Any ideas I've missed?

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Cookbook: Cinnamon Rolls

Here we are again :) I DID make these and they were AMAZING!

I even took series pics to help you out :)

Plated and Pretty!

 Ingredients

1 container of Grands biscuits (I think there are 8 in the grands container
4 tbsp melted butter
Cinnamon
Brown sugar

Icing:
Maple syrup
Powdered sugar

Preheat your oven according to the packaging for the biscuits. Lightly flour your counter.

Roll out your biscuits. For me, this looked a little funny being the first time. I'd recommend rolling them together a little bit first.
Brush melted butter over the surface of rolled out biscuits. Sprinkle brown sugar and then cinnamon.

Roll dough toward you in a straight line. Make sure to keep it all even as you go.
Once it's rolled, make sure you've pinched the seam together, then start cutting. I used a serrated knife to help make the cuts smooth, cutting about every inch. Place the pieces in a pie plate. Bake the amount of time noted on the package for the biscuits.



Mix maple syrup and powdered sugar until you reach a consistency you like for your icing.

All done! Let them cool before you eat them :)

 I'll grab nutrition information for you sometime soon :)





Cookbook: Easy Personal Apple Pies

Long time coming, but here it is!



These pies were amazingly delicious. I was a little worried because I honestly didn't know what I was going to get. 

Ingredients:
1 Container 6 biscuits
1 Med Green Apple (cut into slices, then cut in half lengthwise)
Cinnamon
Brown sugar

1. Preheat over according to biscuit directions
2. Press biscuit out with your fingers and into cupcake pan
3. Sprinkle cinnamon and brown suger
4. Nestle up to 6 pieces of apple into the middle of the biscuit
5. Sprinkle a little more cinnamon and brown sugar
6. Bake according to the biscuit directions.

Left cool on a wire rack and then enjoy! 

Brian took one to work and one to his boss the evening I made these. You'll be pleasantly surprised by how simple and yummy these will be!

Nutritional Info
  • Servings Per Recipe: 6
  • Amount Per Serving
  • Calories: 184.9
  • Total Fat: 1.6 g
  • Cholesterol: 0.0 mg
  • Sodium: 549.1 mg
  • Total Carbs: 39.9 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 1.9 g
  • Protein: 5.1 g
 






Something fun to share ;)

Ok, we'll get to the craft and baking posts, I finally got all the pictures in one place ;)

BUT

The big news today: B and I are expecting our first child in March 2013 :) Thursday was our first ultrasound. Stubborn but perfect in every way. October 25th we'll see if it's a boy or girl :)

So, there you go!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Back...been running crazy!

Well, let's see, the last time I posted anything (which doesn't count the drafts saved and waiting to be made in a real post) was honestly 6/18! Oi!

Since then we've had Quest Family Camp, B was out for two weekends at church and I've been trying to catch up on all the stuff I need to do for church.

I have a couple pictures to post of really tasty stuff, on you have you idea. BUT, that's not why I opened this screen this time.

I'm ranting. All I want is some cinnamon rolls. Is that so bad? B has the car, so running to the store is a no go. I'm a big fan of baking though, I even have the patience (sometimes) for dough to rise! So, I think to myself, "self, we'll just ask Google for a recipe." I have no milk in the fridge (shush, I have to go shopping, it just ran out)

I come to my computer, pop open a browser window and type in my magic words. Well, I found a couple that had no milk in them...but they had soy or almond milk. Not what I was thinking. I even found a page that had milk in every recipe when the top of the page noted my search criteria for NO MILK.

So, I'm going on an adventure, I will take pictures along the way for you. I am going to pop open the last remaining pre-made biscuits and roll and cinnamon my way to some rolls! We'll have to see about the topping.

I just wanted to rant for a bit. When I say no milk, I don't mean, "please suggest soy milk." I mean, "Show me a recipe that doesn't even have that listed as a line item.

I will return victorious...or very unhappy, but we'll go with the first one. I'm kind of starving right now...yes I know that cinnamon rolls are not a lunch item, however, I've been at this search for a while. I'll be bombarding you with posts shortly (with cinnamon rolls in hand!!!)

Monday, July 16, 2012

Lagging

Happens to the best of us! LOL

I do have things to share though :)

I'll be posting a YUMMY dessert that I kind of stumbled on in the kitchen the other day. I think I also may have a Jumbalaya recipe to put up.

The past couple weeks have been consumed by planning, packing and praying. The weekend before last, B was taking his crash course for his Real Estate License exam on the 10th, which he passed! (Go hubby!) Then just this passed weekend, B was out of town at a judge conference in San Diego (yes, the same weekend of Comic Con) So, needless to say, I was trying to get things done and worrying (like any good control freak) about all the stuff that I needed to get done. LOL

Tons of prayer got me through though. It was a lot of letting go and letting God. Everything went really well and the kids seem to have gotten the lessons they needed :)

I'm continually amazed by what God does. :) Totally loving the lessons in the Multiply work. We're reading through the story in the Bible :) Really looking at the character of God.

So, here we go. I'll be putting up the sinfully yummy dessert. We'll be back to regularly scheduled posts in no time :)

Have an amazing Monday!
M :)

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Crafts: Crochet!

Working on a couple different projects now :) Feels good!

Project #1 - Black and White Blanket - I'm working on this for my nephew, he has patiently waited. I think he asked two years, maybe three years, ago. I'll be posting some instructions and pictures as it comes together.

Project #2 - Bag - For my dad :) I'm winging this one as well, so we'll see, I'm excited to join some interesting fabric with the yarn. Pattern to come :)

Project #3 - Hair Pins - I'm working on flowers right now. I've been trying to do this...for a year? Yes, it's slow going because I have the idea in my head, but it never looks right.

Project #4 - Dinosaurs - I'll keep you up to date on the way I make these, hoping to mass produce a couple different kinds.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Deleted

I just started an entry...and deleted it. It sounded like word vomit. Ew.

So, here we are starting something else.

For those of you that are friends and have asked for recipes, please put a comment here so I can get to putting them up. I have pictures of a good portion of the foods I cook, so I can go from that as well, but I would like to know what you want :)

Also, starting to post pictures of craft projects. I'll put up patterns and information on different types of crafts to get you going. You'll be getting some DIY stuff as I make it. I have a list of projects that are in need of completion. ;) Lucky you!

Taking requests for bread variations. I'll try just about anything, we'll be learning together! Give me an idea, and I'll let you know how it goes!

Daily Dose will be replaced with a daily reading. I'm going to start with one verse a day from Psalm 119. I want to get closer to the Word. I want to write it on my heart and have it be so much a part of me that it permeates everything I do and say.

Also trying to do a Wordless Wednesday photo, look for a lot of water in the coming weeks :) Hot weather!

Are you ready for the summer? I am!!!

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Cookbook: Pasta Bake!

This is one of the good old comfort food recipes I make. It's flexible, I've made it without meat and substituted a few things, but this is the original iteration of my family favorite :)



Ingredients:

1/2 lb ground meat (beef, sausage...whatever you like :) )
2 cups pasta sauce (your favorite, I'll be posting a couple different red sauces I make.)
1 tbs olive oil
2 garlic gloves, pressed
2 stalks of green onions, finely chopped
3 cups cooked rotelle pasta
2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, hold over 1/2 cup for top
4 tbs cottage cheese
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
2 eggs
2 tbs dried basil
1 tbs dried oregano

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.Warm olive oil over medium-hi heat.
3. Saute garlic and onion, 2 - 3 minutes
4. Add meat and brown
5. Add pasta sauce, simmer 5 minutes
6. In large mixing bowl combine mozzarella, cottage cheese, parmesan, eggs and spices, mix thoroughly
7. Combine pasta, meat and cheese mixtures in bowl.
8. Pour in to oiled cooking dish, sprinkle with held over mozzarella.
9. Place in oven for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and slightly brown.

Serve! I'll put this in to Spark People and grab the nutrition for you. I'll also put up the alternative Veggie Pasta Bake :)

Friday, June 15, 2012

Sometimes, you just have to let it be...

In group on Tuesday night, we're reading through the Multiply "curriculum". I use quotes because, well, it's not really a curriculum. It's a disciple training, training stuff. Yeah, helpful right? (go ahead and pop over to MultiplyMovement.com to find out more, I will warn you, it is a life changing and completely shattering experience. We're on week like 4 and I've been rocked to crying a few times, up pacing at others. It's a good change ;) )

I open with that nutty paragraph to get to the pictures I'm putting up! We've talked about how I'm a complete control freak, and when things don't go the way I think they should, I get really down on myself. I hold myself to these rules that no one really should, it's not the way we're supposed to be. I've been really kind of depressed about a few of my plants (yes, it's minor, shut it.) Usually I can make anything grow, I can get things to flower and fruit like crazy. However, some of my plants have their own little idea of how they are going to grow. I have two hibiscus plants, one purple and one pink. I love them. They're a great source of joy for me...most of the time. This year, my pink hibiscus (the one that NEVER has issues) won't open a full blossom. I have ideas as to what I did that caused this and that just makes me MAD.

Anyway, explaining that leads me to the beautiful pictures I just took of these stunted flowers. They're amazing flowers, just they way they are. Sure, it's not a full bloom...but who cares? The mind of a perfectionist-control freak. I can not explain to you how liberating the scripture I re-read today was. Psalm 119. It was in the context of the Word, however, when I look at a lot of the verses, I'm reminded that if I'm trusting everything to God, those little things that stress me out don't even hit my radar because I'm already trusting that they're taken care of. It's hard to explain. There it is though :)

Without further ado: a few pieces of my garden :) If you're my friend on FaceBook, you can see the photo album containing the first seedlings too :)

Feel free to scroll a little slower to enjoy ;)


















  So there you have it :) Some things are just better all on their own. Monster tomato plants, weird bloom hibiscus plants and all :)

Monday, June 11, 2012

Starting the Process of Change :)

So, we're moving forward.

Today I had a GREAT meeting with Jennifer and Josh about the Crazy Squirrel Street Team (ok, the name is under debate, we're trying ;) )

Of course as the control freak-type A-list making person I am...my head is swimming with ideas ;) It'll be amazing to help Jennifer and Scott in their hopes to reach out to the community and provide some services that aren't currently being offered. :)

I'm also trying to get better about actually posting the recipes I talk about here :) You may have seen some already!

This blog is going to change more and more as I do other things. I'll be putting up some crochet patterns as I start to finish projects. I've got a cute baby afghan coming up. :)

Today is an amazing day!

M :)

Cookbook: Home Baked Bread


Before we get in to what I made with this recipe, let's talk basic measurements and mixing:

3 Cups Flour (any kind - wheat, rice, spelt, etc.)
4 Tsp Baking powder
1 Tsp Salt
1 1/2 Cups Liquid (I use this term because it can literally be any liquid you want - milk, juice, tomato juice, rice milk, twc.)
1/4 Cup Liquid Fat (Ok, this one sounds icky, but again, it's preference - melted butter, olive oil, vegetable oil, etc.)

1. Preheat oven to 400 Degrees
2. Combine dry ingredients (do not sift flower)
3. In separate container, combine wet ingredients
4. Mix in half of the liquid mixture, allowing flower mixture to absorb. It can look too dry or wet at first, give it time.
5. Add more liquid as needed. Depends on time of year and moisture in the air. Dough should be moist but definitely not sticky.
6. With oiled hands, form dough in to a round or divide in to two and place in oil loaf pans. (Be careful not to over work the dough)
7. Cook in oven 40 minutes. (If you have divided the dough, your cook time will need to be adjusted)

This recipe will make one 2 lb round loaf. This bread is a little more dense than loaf from the store, but hearty and delicious.

There are SO many different options though. So, let's get to what I've done so far.

Tomato Basil - I used tomato juice, and fresh basil from my plant. I chopped the basil and combined in with the dry ingredients. It's a savory loaf and goes well with soup.

Breakfast rolls - I used orange/mango juice as the liquid and added 2 tsp of sugar. I rolled small pieces of dough and placed in an oiled muffin sheet.

I will be trying a couple different options, and as always, if you try your own variations, please comment and let me know how it went! I will be experimenting with some sparkling water and juices as the liquid and also baking soda and vinegar to create a lighter loaf or bread. I'll keep you posted! 

Edit: Almost forgot to put the nutrition information! I'll do one for each recipe I try ;) I do think that it seems like a calorie dense bread and a little salty, working on all that as well ;)

Plain Recipe with Soy Milk
Nutrition Facts

Home Made Bread
  8 Servings

Amount Per Serving
  Calories 250.3
  Total Fat 7.9 g
      Saturated Fat 1.1 g
      Polyunsaturated Fat 1.1 g
      Monounsaturated Fat 5.2 g
  Cholesterol 0.0 mg
  Sodium 553.2 mg
  Potassium 103.2 mg
  Total Carbohydrate 38.1 g
      Dietary Fiber 1.5 g
      Sugars 1.4 g
  Protein 6.2 g

  Vitamin A 1.9 %
  Vitamin B-12 9.4 %
  Vitamin B-6 1.0 %
  Vitamin C 0.0 %
  Vitamin D 5.6 %
  Vitamin E 4.3 %
  Calcium 18.9 %
  Copper 3.4 %
  Folate 21.4 %
  Iron 15.1 %
  Magnesium 2.7 %
  Manganese 16.0 %
  Niacin 13.8 %
  Pantothenic Acid     2.1 %
  Phosphorus     10.1 %
  Riboflavin 19.2 %
  Selenium 22.7 %
  Thiamin 24.5 %
  Zinc 2.2 %

Tomato Basil

Nutrition Facts

Tomato Basil Bread
  8 Servings

Amount Per Serving
  Calories 287.2
  Total Fat 7.6 g
      Saturated Fat 1.1 g
      Polyunsaturated Fat 0.8 g
      Monounsaturated Fat 5.2 g
  Cholesterol 0.0 mg
  Sodium 662.0 mg
  Potassium 127.6 mg
  Total Carbohydrate 50.0 g
      Dietary Fiber 1.8 g
      Sugars 1.4 g
  Protein 3.9 g

  Vitamin A 2.2 %
  Vitamin B-12 0.0 %
  Vitamin B-6 12.9 %
  Vitamin C 18.8 %
  Vitamin D 0.0 %
  Vitamin E 4.6 %
  Calcium 14.5 %
  Copper 3.9 %
  Folate 0.6 %
  Iron 3.1 %
  Magnesium 5.4 %
  Manganese 35.8 %
  Niacin 7.7 %
  Pantothenic Acid     4.9 %
  Phosphorus     10.9 %
  Riboflavin 0.7 %
  Selenium 12.8 %
  Thiamin 5.5 %
  Zinc 3.2 %