Ballard Business: April 2010

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Bird Watching...

I LOVE BIRDS. Its sounds silly, but I always have. Watching them fly around the sky, especially in the large swarms and groups - it absolutely amazes me. They follow each other so exactly and precisely - I just think it is fascinating.

I remember when we were thinking about buying our house and we were standing on the lot. Then all of sudden I heard this loud barking noise and was immediately bummed out - thinking we hard a neighbor with a loud dog. I turned around to my surprise only to see TONS of geese flying over head and calling to each other. I soon learned that our lot buffers the preserved wet lands in our area. Seriously, that was the like biggest selling point to me and we snatched the lot right up!

Three years later, I never cease to enjoy looking out my large living room windows to watch these birds enjoy life. They eat the bugs out of my grass, hang out in the big trees, and annoy the life out of my yorkie.

So, this post is only for me, to remember one of the most favorite things that I adore about living in my house. Its the birds...

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Our School Chess Club

Our boys have loved going to our school chess club every Thursday morning. Its their second year in a row and its awesome! My friend Sasha runs it with her husband and does an amazing job. They really have learned so much and moved up ranks a ton (I didn't even know chess had ranks!). Dallin became a Knight this year and Mikey became a King.

So many kids come each week, they have over 100 participants from all different grades.

Mike and I went to the last day of class so we could see them receive their medals. Great job boys!!!! My little smarty pants...

(P.S. it was pajama day at school this day, just so I clarify that we don't look like this everyday~!)

Monday, April 12, 2010

Happy St. Patty's Day Kids!

We had a fun Leprechaun come and visit our home. Little stinker made a huge mess. But at least they got green clothes so they wouldn't get pinched at school! He even left them fun green treats to bring to their classmates...what a nice guy (or gal...) he was!!!

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

FHE Unity

I do not know why I haven't thought of this before. But we were diving into the boys Faith In God booklet to start passing off things so they can get the Square Knot for scouts and we came across the activity of having them do their own Family Home Evening on the Prophet Joseph Smith. I thought - Perfect! I won't need to plan one tonight!

Well, it was so much more than that. As Mikey and Dallin scurried away to the living room to plan their special night I was amazed at how sweet they were to each other and how well they worked together. Even after they were done planning it the sweet spirit remained. Then the evening came and they were so excited to share their thoughts, stories and testimony of the Prophet Joseph. I couldn't believe how much they had remembered from what we had taught them and from what they had learned in Primary.

Dallin played Book of Mormon Stories and Mikey led the song, with perfect formations and beat! I owe all of this to our amazing piano teacher Chelle - oh how I love her! Then they proceeded to include all the family in the evening with different assignments. Joey beamed when they asked him to give the prayer and Mike was in charge of dessert. Mikey conducted so well and Dallin hosted a wondered activity that he learned from Conference this weekend! The experience where they gave kids candy and asked them not to eat it and then followed them through out the years and noticed those who waited had more patience. Well that is exactly what he did using his own Easter candy.

I was so impressed that tears were in my eyes. I KNOW that FHE brings family's together, but I never imagined the blessing that would come from giving our children the responsibility of hosting their own evening. Unity, genuine love for each other, kindness and happiness were overflowing.

We will definately do this again, but not just for scouts, for us.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

10,000 hits give away!!

Thanks to those of you who entered! The winner is...

RONELLE C. from Cali!!!

Can't wait to put your DVD together. I need about 100 digital pictures from you and we can get started!

Hope everyone had a great Easter!!!!

Friday, April 2, 2010

Almost to 10,000 hits!

I am almost to 10,000 hits and will be the winner for my first give-away! See the side bar of how to enter (leave a comment of something you have learned from my blog or follow me). Winner will be emailed in a few days once I hit my 10,000th hit!

Prize? DVD photo montage made by me!

Freebies2deals give aways!

One of my favorite websites is giving away some awesome stuff, including an adoreable swimsuit by Essential Swimwear. Go to freebies2deals.com to enter!

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Good Bye Aunt Carol...

My dear Aunt Carol who has suffered so gracefully from cervical cancer finished her fight this week and returned home to her Heavenly Father. This woman has been such an example to me of Womanhood, full of deep love and kindness. Oh how we will miss her...

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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.