Ballard Business: December 2009

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Happy Anniversary!

This week Mike and I got to celebrate our 11th Anniversary. The funny thing is I told my girlfriend Natalie it was our 12th until Mike reminded me otherwise...I guess I am getting old. We went to dinner and then spent forever wandering around Barnes and Noble reading books and laughing - so simple but so enjoyable. (notice the diaper on the ground next to us...so classic)

I honestly can say that I just love being married to this guy. He is so perfect for me and all my ups and downs. I couldn't be more grateful to have him in my life. So many highlights of my life have happened with him:

*College life we shared together
*Mission life we kept in touch
*4 kids have blessed our home
*Moving 7 times about killed us
*Law School was one of the best choices we ever made
*Our first home was a dream come true
*Our final home is the dream I didn't know I had that came true
*A yard helped us work side by side for WEEKS - totally worth the farmers tan
*So many wonderful friends that we have crossed paths with together
*Callings have helped us support and encourage one another
*Lots of late night movies and brownie sundays have bonded us
*Wonderful family members have encouraged us through tough times
*Sacrificing, budgeting, vacations, homework, laughing, crying (always me), and serving the Lord has made our marriage even better.

I love you Mike and I look forward to the next 11 years: high school, dating, missions, colleges - am I ready?

My awesome deals!

So I used to be a food coupon freak in our younger years, but got tired of it after a while because I was buying food would we normally wouldn't eat, usually all the processed stuff. Well thanks to a dear friend (CHARMOIN!!!), I have be converted again. But this time its for lots of non-food things...check out my latest deal:

I got all of this (Blue - Ray movie, 20 packs of batteries, hot chocolate & a camera) at Target for $12!!!!! I also got the new Tinkerbell DVD for $5 but it is already wrapped! I should have spent $76 but only spent $17!!!!!

The website is Freebies2deals.com and she posts all the things that are up for grabs that day. Usually its at Target cause they have their own coupons. You can price match at Walmart but they won't take Target coupons.

Anyway, I am loving my new way to save some cash...hope it helps!

P.s. The battery deal lasts until March, so go to her website and look at the post from 12/14/09 or around there and it will send you the link to Rayovac! They are completely free!!!

Friday, December 18, 2009

Congrats Mike!

Mike just got named as one of Utah Business Magazine's 2010 Utah Legal Elite...so proud of you honey and how hard you work! Can't believe we have been graduated from Law School for 6 years already...where does the time go?

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

This girl cracks me up...

All of this done while we are potty training...never a dull moment!

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Halloween Piano Recital

Mikey and Dallin have the coolest piano teacher. We love Chelle! Each Halloween she has a concert where all the kids have to dress up and play spooky songs.

This year she also had them come up with their own compositions. The boys did such a good job practicing and writing their music. Dallins was entitled "The Devils Song" and Mikeys was "Beware of the Haunted House."

They got to submit their music to the school Reflections program and got advanced to the next level! They were so excited - mainly for the cool medal that hangs in their room. I figure I want these kids to be well rounded, so music and sports seems like a good medium! I just want them to be able to play hymns on their missions - nothing fancy. Mikey now has the job of playing our opening songs in Family Home Evening!

Good job cute boys!

Science Experiements!

Our kids LOVE science experiments. It comes from their smarty pants Daddy who thinks physics and chemistry is the coolest thing ever. Today we played with dry ice...they were amazed!

Karly was having issues sharing...we are still working on that one.

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From My Kitchen

I got this from my Aunt Steph and served it at my little brother's wedding. Since then I can't even count how many times people have asked me for the recipe. I could probably eat it for a week straight and still LOVE it! Combine: 1/2 c. red wine vinegar 1/2 tsp. fresh basil 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning 3 cloves of minced garlic 1/2 tsp. oregano 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. pepper 1 T. sugar 1 T. parsley or chives Mix well then add 1/2 c. olive oil, 5 to 6 Roma tomatoes (diced) and 1/2 red onion sliced very thinly. Marinate for several hours or overnight. When ready to serve mix 3/4 c. mayonnaise & 3/4 c. Parmesan cheese in a bowl. Cut 1 loaf baguette bread into thin slices. Spread with mayo-cheese mix. Top with one tablespoon of tomato mixture then sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Broil about 5 minutes till crusted and serve promptly.

Frosted Cinnamon Rolls

Quick Cooking

Add into bread machine:
1 c. warm milk *
¼ c. water *
¼ c. butter *
1 egg *
1 tsp. salt *
4 c. flour *
¼ c. instant vanilla pudding mix *
1 T. sugar *
1 T. active dry yeast *

Cook on dough setting until finished. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and roll out to 17 in. x 10 in. Spread with ¼ c. melted/softened butter. Sprinkle with 1-2 c. brown sugar and 2 tsp. cinnamon.

Roll up into jelly roll and pinch sides to seal. Cut into 21 slices and place in 9 x 13 pan and 9 x 9 pan greased pan. Let rise in warm place for 45 minutes or until doubled. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Cool on racks for 5 minutes and frost with the following:

4 oz. softened cream cheese *
¼ c. softened butter *
1 ½ c. confectioners sugar *
1 ½ tsp. milk *
½ tsp. vanilla extract *

Beat together and frost warm rolls.

Homemade Orea Cookies

Our Favorite Sausage Gravy

1 lb. pork sausage

1 onion, finely chopped

1 green bell pepper, finely chopped

1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

2 T garlic, minced

4 T unsalted butter

salt and pepper to taste

4 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon minced fresh sage

1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme

2 cups milk, divided

2 cubes chicken bouillon

1/4 cup minced fresh parsley

In a skillet on medium heat cook pork, onion, green pepper, red pepper flakes, and garlic until pork is crumbly. Drain off excess fat, but leave a small amount.

Combine butter, salt and pepper with the meat mixture and stir until butter melts. Slowly sift flour over the top. Mix gently and allow mixture to cook for 5 minutes. It will burn, so do not let it sit unguarded. Don't forget to scrape the bottom of the pan. Add the sage and thyme (if you used Italian seasoned sausage, omit sage and thyme)

Slowly stir in milk, about a half a cup at a time, and incorporate it well. When the mixture thickens, add more milk. Do not let it boil vigorously, or it will burn. Add chicken bullion and let cook for five minutes. Again, if it thickens too much, add more milk. Adjust taste with more salt and pepper if needed.

Just before serving, add the parsley, and about a 1/4 cup more milk; the gravy will thicken quickly as it cools.

Chicken Rolls

Nola's Pizza Sauce

I have looked for a great homemade pizza sauce and this one has past the test so far....

Combine in sauce pan:

15 oz. can tomato sauce or blended diced tomatoes

¼ tsp. oregano

¼ tsp. dried thyme

¼ tsp. salt

½ tsp. lemon juice

1 ½ tsp. sugar

¼ tsp. dried basil

¼ tsp. garlic powder

1/8 tsp. pepper

dash of onion powder

Heat until bubbly, then turn down to low and simmer for 30-60 minutes. When cooled store in fridge in tightly sealed container. Double the recipe and freeze some too. Use for pizza or dipping sauce for bread sticks.

Croissant French Toast

Great Cooking Magazine

Vanilla Sauce:

1 T. Flour 4 egg yolks

1 T. Vanilla extract ½ c. sugar

2 c. whipping cream

2 scoops vanilla ice cream

Combine flour, yolks, vanilla- set aside. In saucepan over medium heat, bring cream and sugar to boil. Remove from heat and add small amount of cream to egg mixture. Return all to pan, stirring constantly. Bring to gentle boil and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in ice cream until melted. Set aside.

Berry Sauce:

2 c. raspberries 2 T. Sugar

Combine in saucepan and simmer for 3 minutes. Remove and set aside.

Beat 3 eggs and dip 8 slices of croissants in mixture. Brown both sides on griddle in butter. Serve with vanilla and berry sauces on the side.

Homemade Pretzels

Dissolve: 1 T. yeast

1 ½ c. warm water

Combine: 4 c. flour

1 ½ tsp. sugar

¾ tsp. salt

Add yeast water to flour mixture and mix well until blended. Knead until smooth and elastic. Shape (they grow twice the size, so make the pretzels thin- about ½ inch wide) and place on greased pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or on convection speed for 10-12 minutes.

After baking brush with butter, then sprinkle with kosher salt (this can be done before baking as well) OR cinnamon sugar. Great activity for groups of kids.

Apricot Chicken

My dear buddy Liza brought me lunch one day during a tough time in my life (Law School, 2 toddlers, & RS President among other things...) It was SO yummy and each time I eat it I remember her thoughtfullness that touched me that day.

1 pkg. Onion Seasoning Mix
1 jar Apricot Jam
1 bottle Russian Salad Dressing

Mix and pour over 4 chicken breasts in sauce pan. Simmer for 20 minutes until chicken cooked through (works great in crock pot too). Serve over rice and veggies or mashed potatoes. Such a great food storage recipe. Love you Liza!

ps-other weeks recipes are found below

Green Beans with warm Bacon Dressing

I love this with FRESH green beans from our local market!

3 slices bacon, chopped

1 large shallot, minced

½ c. chicken broth

1 Tbs. cider or red-wine vinegar

1 lb. green beans, trimmed

In skillet, cook chopped bacon till crisp. Remove and set aside. Add shallot and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in chicken broth and vinegar, and bring to boil over high heat; cook for 2 minutes. Reduce to low and keep warm. Boil 4 quarts of salted water. Add beans and cook for 5 minutes, or until they are crisp-tender. Drain well. Whisk warm dressing and spoon evenly over green beans, then sprinkle with bacon. Makes 6 servings.

Kelly's Favorite Bruchetta

Combine:

1/2 c. red wine vinegar

1/2 tsp. fresh basil

1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning

3 cloves of minced garlic

1/2 tsp. oregano

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 T. sugar

1 T. parsley or chives

Mix well then add 1/2 c. olive oil, 5 to 6 Roma tomatoes (diced) and 1/2 red onion sliced very thinly. Marinate for several hours or overnight.

When ready to serve mix 3/4 c. mayonnaise & 3/4 c. Parmesan cheese in a bowl.

Cut 1 loaf baguette bread into thin slices. Spread with mayo-cheese mix. Top with one tablespoon of tomato mixture then sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Broil about 5 minutes till crusted and serve promptly.