Ballard Business: August 2009

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Surprises in my grocery cart -

When Mike and I used to go grocery shopping as newlyweds he was always sneaking Dorito's or Oreo's into the cart. I had no idea the items would just keep piling up once little kidlets came to be! So its a must that I scan the grocery cart as I unload or I make it home with serious extras that are of no consequence.

Today though, Joey won. I was so careful as I unloaded at Walmart - took out 5 sneeky things that were not supposed to be there. But as I was soothing crying babies, wiping up spilled Gogurts near the check out stand and picking all the items that kept falling off the convaer belt because I stacked them too high - this one got past me...

SPONGEBOB Termomater!

Seriously, I haven't even looked at my receipt but I am sure this thing was at least 10 bucks just for having SPONGEBOB on it. Now I need to go wait in the return line because my four year old master mind beat me today. We did buy SPONGEBOB Mac and Cheese though (which I approved), something I would have never dreamed giving to Mikey, but hey - I'm on my fourth kid - its all about survival.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Childhood buddies-

Sometimes all you need is to visit with an old childhood buddy who seems to know all about you even though you aren't neighbors anymore. You don't even really have to know the details of each others lives because you know the core about that person. So when you do get together it all just seems to fall into place and you don't have to do alot of explaining or preparing. You are who you are and who you have always been with that person - and that is a child hood friend. Comfortable. Easy. Unsuperficial. For Real. Dedicated. Simple. Fun.

Thanks Angie for the wonderful visit. I needed that.

CREATIVE KIDLETS!!

Wherever we go and whatever we do, my kidlets come up with a fun adventure in their little minds to carry out. Some are funny and some are just darn upsetting. But once again I say, "Dont get mad, take a picture!"

Karly found the dress up's and galloped all around the kitchen in pure delight as the cowgirl with disformed wolf hands.

And her awesome toilet fiasco happened while I was trying to have a Young Women's Meeting at my house...those always seem to go well! We usually get something accomplished after about 3 hours. Thank goodness those fantastic gals I work with helped me laugh over this one.

We love to go to a local man made beach and this particular time Joey and his buddies made their own "hot tub!" We thought it was quite adorable. Another one of Joey's addictions? HOT tubs. He will sit in mine forever and when I say hot and I am extra serious. I have to turn it down when he is not looking and he will always sense that its not hot enough. His tolerance is really high or he has no feeling in his legs - not sure which one yet.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Yahoo for Good Teachers!!!

As each new year rolls around I count the minutes I get to see my kids name listed on the door of the school under which new teacher they will have. Every kid comes home with the one that they want who looks "nice" in the hall or the one they don't want (whom all the kids talk about at recess). Our school does not allow you to choose your teachers and so its always the luck of the draw. I am not terribly picky with personality as long as they can mesh with my child well and my kids feel safe in the classroom - by far that is the most important thing to me. So I prayed my guts out this year in hopes of the best teachers for my boys because they really need a good year. Our move hasn't been the easiest on them and making deep friends has taken alot longer than expected. So anyway we just needed a good experience this time around. So I walk up to the school last week and BINGO!!!!!

Mikey got my cousin who teaches as the school and whom I have watched grow up and adore like a sister! I can not be more excited for him and I am going to spoil her to death. Plus, all the kids at recess thinks she is so nice!!

Dallin got a teacher I did not know about and then my girlfriend found out who we had and told me she was so jealous! She had the best things to say about her and then when we got home from vacation Dallin had a letter in the mail from her letting him know how excited she was to have him in class - so awesome.

So, most of my fears are now laid to rest as we approach the 09-10 season of school, now I just have to worry and "The Birds and The Bees" talk, not forgetting money for school lunch, and hoping Mikey doesn't start to notice girls any time soon...just the easy stuff.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Fun in the Sun

We love to sit in our backyard and watch the birds fly all around us. Since we finally have our grass its even better.

A few Sunday's ago I got a visit from my Mom and Aunt Steph who is just like a sister to me. Loved being with these ladies!

Karly loves this rock in our "soon to be flowerbed." She sits on it and sucks her two fingers - she is just so darn cute! Love summer time!!!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Our Pets...

For forever my boys have asked us for a doggy, but heaven knows I can only potty train one child (or animal) at a time. So for now its a NO. But we thought of all the possibilities and dove into the world of birds. We love it! Each morning Karly asks to see the "Tweet Tweets" and then proceeds to see if they will give her a HIGH FIVE. Silly girl. They sing all day and I just love the sound. My bird cage find was the kicker, I fell in love with it and insisted I needed birds to go with it. Thanks Mom!

Dallin got a frog for his birthday so of course we had to go buy all the good things to make it have a happy and enjoyable life. Watching it eat crickets is our new found fun time! But all in all it helps the kids know how to take care of something that depends on them, and we love it for that reason alone.

Happy Trails!

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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.