Ballard Business: I finally did it!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

I finally did it!

Well, after 20 years of wondering what I would look like if all my hair was chopped off, I finally did it! I used to honestly say if I moved on from this life without ever taking the plunge and chopping my hair off I would be bummed. I have been so happy with it all! I love the new style and all that short hair brings (less shampoo, no pony tails at night, less hair falling out, quicker brushing, you know - that sort of thing). I was so worried I would look really odd (and one of my neighbors kids did tell me I looked weird, but I am taking it as a compliment!) but feel like it is a fun change and told Mike that it didn't really matter if I looked ugly or not cause he was stuck with me anyway. Thank goodness he liked it though - he has too!

Anyway, cheers to short hair!!!!

I have been preparing to run the "RACE FOR THE CURE" with my dear family in honor of my wonderful Aunt Mary Ann who passed away a few months ago from breast cancer, and decided donating my hair would be another way to honor her. Even though the donations go to children who have permanently lost their hair, it was still a wonderful cause. So on a whim and with encouragement from some dear friends, I just did it.

p.s. Karly loved my pink bandana that I wore in the race and just had to have it on!

The race was absolutely fabulous and watching 18,000 people just in one city come together to honor those who have had this disease is impossible to describe. It was over whelming to see so many different kinds of people who have lost mothers, wives, grandmothers, and sisters. Then there were so many women wearing their SURVIVOR shirts that walk with pride in their step and hope in their faces. I honor my dear Uncle Steve and his 3 children for their strength in participating as well.

11 comments:

Amanda said...: Super cute hair, Kelly! Love it! You'd look cute even if you were bald!; May 12, 2009 at 7:09 PM
Lynsie said...: I love your hair....but I can't believe you cut it!!! Sounds like you family is doing great!; May 12, 2009 at 7:29 PM
The HousewifeTravels said...: I screamed out loud! Almost woke up the kids. ADORABLE! I can't wait to see what you can do with that wave you get in your hair. So cool. Miss ya.; May 12, 2009 at 8:48 PM
Marion said...: Oh my goodness. I'm so proud of you. I love it!!!; May 13, 2009 at 7:56 AM
Shalee said...: What a great day! Loved every minute:); May 13, 2009 at 8:43 AM
Chatty Natty said...: You're amazing as usual and I love your short hair (although it's long for me:)) more and more each time I see your pic. Seriously...U R HOT! And not that you didn't have gorgeous long hair but what took you SOOOO long?? Love and miss you....hope to see you soon!; May 13, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Lis said...: Way to go girl! Funny how you JUST told me you'd always have long hair, huh?! Funny that I just chopped mine. Not quite as short though. I should have gone just a bit shorter and then I could have donated too. Looks so cute! Love it!
Thanks again for having everyone over! You are such a wonderful host!
love ya Kel!; May 13, 2009 at 10:32 PM
reyesohana said...: looks darling on you!; May 14, 2009 at 10:19 PM
Messimoo said...: Hey Kelly, so as my hubby calls it, I was blog stalking.....actually I found your blog on Jamie Christensen's, and thought, it couldn't be. Anyway, you probably don't remember me, we lived in Lookout Point around the time you had Mikey, then you moved into the Heaton's.

Anyway, I would love to tell you who I am but I'm a bit paranoid about personal info. Anyway, send me and email to jssc_busgyt@yahoo.com and I'll send an invite to our blog. If not, I'm glad to see you are doing well and that you finally have a little girly! Your yahoos are so cute!; May 15, 2009 at 6:43 PM
Thressa said...: You will never know what a gift you have given. You Rock! Thanks for all you do to inspire my life. The destination is always the goal but it is wonderful to make the journy with hair!; May 19, 2009 at 2:02 AM
Brittany said...: Shocked!!!! I can't believe you cut your hair....so cute!!!!! I love it! I loved your long hair, too, but it went to a good cause and you still have cute hair:) Thanks for encouraging me to keep blogging:) When you asked me how our move was on my blog, I realized I had been slacking...thanks!; June 2, 2009 at 2:16 PM

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.