Happy Halloween!!

Happy Halloween! We had a great day of parties at both Jaxon and Abby's school. Jaxon was "Spiderman", Abby was a "Ballerina Girl" - she really just wanted to wear her costume from her ballet performance last spring. Fine by me, less effort to find a new costume, and Wade, he was Charlie Brown... I have to admit, he made a pretty great Charlie Brown!

Hope you all had a fun, and safe Halloween!

Here is Jaxon at his school parade... I didn't get there in time to get his mask on...


Here is a close up of our crawling, slobbering, Charlie Brown....









Spook courtesy of Peter

Wade Crawls- Sort of....

So, Wade turned 7 months old on October 16th... unfortunately, and much to my dismay, the little tyke has decided that he is going to take on crawling... Well, he isn't quite to a quick and easy crawl yet, but as you can see, he can get to what he wants in some sort of fashion. I am sure it will only be a matter of days until he gets down the coordinated motion of it all and has us all scrambling to baby proof doors, cupboards, electrical sockets, and stairs....We have a few guest stars in this video... so, enjoy!

Roller Queens

I had a girlfriend invite me to take Abby rollerskating with her daughters. I thought... what could it hurt? She hasn't been before, but, they give the kids a lesson, and then let them skate! Well, Abby and Jaxon's skates were on one of the tightest settings, but Abby still managed to get familiar with the floor. Just a few pictures to illustrate the point... (notice, she had a favorite falling side)



Abby's disgusting bruises didn't stop her... She skated for two more hours because of course, once the disco ball starting twirling, and the music started pumping, she just couldn't stop herself. . . What can I say... I can't blame her!

Stein Erickson Lodge Turkey Chili

I got this recipe from my sister. It is our most beloved Chili. Don't be intimidated by the list of ingredients. Most of it is just spices.... it goes together just as quickly as any other Chili... just a little more saute time. This recipe goes a long way, so invite someone over, eat it all week, or freeze it!

4 cups canned Black Beans
1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter (regular works fine, just don't burn it)
2 Medium Anaheim Chiles- Seeded and chopped
2/3 Cup Chopped Red Onion
2/3 Cup Chopped Celery
2/3 Cup Chopped Red Bell Pepper
1 Large Leek (White part Only)
2 Cloves Garlic Minced
2 Tbs. Dried Oregano
1/4 Cup Flour
2 1/2 Tbs. Chili Powder
2 1/2 Tbs. Cumin
2 Tbs. Coriander
1 tsp. Salt
1/8 Cup Sugar
4 1/2 Cups Chicken Stock
2 1/2 Cups Frozen Corn (Thawed)
4 Cups Diced Turkey (Buy a chunk from the deli, that you can dice, or buy a pre-cooked turkey breast from Costco- in the deli section)

Garnish with grated cheese, sour cream, and cilantro.

Melt Butter in large pot. Add chiles, onion, celery, bell pepper, leek, garlic and oregano. Saute for 10 minutes- then add flour and reduce heat to low. Add spices including sugar and cook 5 minutes.

Add 4 cups chicken stock and simmer for 10 minutes. Puree 1/2 cups of corn and add to chicken stock. Add beans, turkey, and remaining cup of corn. Heat through and serve.

Hearty Logger's Chili

We LOVE CHILI! These are our favorites! Want to make this one a little lighter? Use ground turkey, and 1/2 lb. of keilbasa... just makes it a little less of a heart attack. :0

1 lb. Lean Ground Beef
1 lb. Kielbasa Sausage
1 Tbs. Olive Oil
1 C. Onion
1 C. Green Peppers diced
2 Cloves Garlic diced
1 16 oz. can Kidney Beans
1 16 oz. can Stewed Tomatoes- undrained
1 16 oz. can Tomato Sauce
2 Bay Leaves
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Chili Powder
1 tsp. Dried Oregano
1/3 tsp. White Pepper
1/3 tsp. Black Pepper
1/8 tsp. Cayenne Pepper

Garnish wish sour cream, and cheddar cheese.

Sautee ground beef in a large skillet. Drain, and set aside. Cut sausage into 1/2 inch pieces. In the same pan, saute sausage until brown. Set aside. Saute onions and green peppers in olive oil unitl soft. Add garlic, and saute, add ground beef, and sausage and remaining ingredients. Simmer uncovered for 1 hour.

Butterscotch Sauce Part Deux

A while ago I posted a link for a recipe for Butterscotch Sauce (Banana Splits)on my recipe links. If it is over there, I have tried it, and liked it! Anyway, I Tivo Everyday Food on PBS which is on Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m. here in Spokane. One of the episodes had ANOTHER recipe for Butterscotch Sauce. However, this recipe called for sweetened condensed milk instead of cream which I liked, because I don't usually have cream on hand. Sweetened condensed milk is rare too, but it is more likely since I love to bake.

I checked the Everyday Food website, and the recipe wasn't there!! Thankfully I hadn't gotten around to erasing the episode from my tivo, so here it is!!! I am updating this post to add pictures. . .PIONEER WOMAN STYLE!

3/4 Cup Brown Sugar in a Sauce Pan. This recipe is so stinkin' easy you can do it right now!

Add 3 Tablespoons of water and 1/3 cup corn syrup. Stir it up and let it come to a boil. The longer you boil, the harder the sauce when you poor it on ice cream. If you want it more candy like, boil 5 mins, if not, boil 1 min. . If you can't decided, boil sometime in-between.

Add 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk. Lick the lid, you know you want to.

Here is the boilin' part...


And 5 tablespoons of butter. Remove from heat and stir in your new additions. It will start to look CREAMY. . . Oh yum.

Poor it over ice cream, add some bananas for that "bananas foster" feel, or just dip some apples in it. You will THANK ME! (You're welcome)

A couple of years ago, I bought glass jars and delivered this as a Christmas gift to friends and neighbors. I started a little obsession with a few friends who, I am sure, are still making it today! YUM-O!



3/4 Cup Brown Sugar (packed)
3 Tbls. water
1/3 Cup Corn Syrup

Dissolve sugar completely and let come to a boil.

Add

5 Tbls. Butter and stir until melted, then remove from heat.
Add
1/4 Cup. Sweetened Condensed Milk.

Store in a jar, or plastic container for easy re-heat!

The Artist

Jaxon has evolved, from Map Making Fool, to artist extraordinaire. Every day Jaxon insists on making MAPS! However, we have determined that we need to curb that behavior, and get him making something else! (Not to mention that he was single handedly killing rain forests in Guatemala, and increasing the earth's temperature by 1 % each day by his personal paper consumption)

Anywho... when I tell him he can't make a map, he gets a little stressed, but today, he said he was going to make a picture of Daddy, so here it is! I believe there is also sun, grass, and a possible flower!

Enjoy!

Abby's School Photo

Here is Abby's School Photo... I guess as far as school photos go, it is alright. I have got to figure out how to get the more "natural" smile... To get a REAL treat, please scroll down to the Three Bears Video... you'll love it.

Subscribe to my Blog!

So, you may get tired of my e-mails TELLING you that my Blog is updated. Now you don't have to! There is a link on the right hand side of my blog (scroll down a bit) that you can SIGN UP to get an e-mail each time I update my blog! If I don't update it, you won't get an e-mail, and even if I updated it TWENTY times a day, it will only e-mail you once a day! Lets make it easy, and SIGN UP! Thanks!

Look A Like Meter

Thanks Hillary! Great Idea!

Our Kid Jaxon

Jaxon, what can I say about Jaxon? He makes us laugh, he makes us cry, he makes us.... well, mostly cry. No..... he is a great kid, with LOTS of energy, and love. He has a hilarious personality which he displays mostly in the Primary at church when he has the attention of the entire primary.... (ask about the "I'm a Man" Story)

I was sitting on the couch paralyzed by a day of Preschool outings to Farms, Dr.'s appointments, 6 month old double-ear infections and double preschool days with a 4o minute round trip drive which we do twice a week... anyway........I could hear someone misbehaving upstairs, and asked Peter to go "lay the smack down." I mentioned to him that it was probably Jaxon, and after an investigative mission upstairs, he said it was Abby, who was taking the rollers that she asked to be put in her hair... out of her hair. That seemed to make sense, so I continued on in my comatose state, waiting for the Tivo to finish recording "Dancing with the Stars" so I can watch it commercial free....Anywho...

Later that night.... .I am on my way to bed, about 11:00 p.m. to do the routine tuck in... When I go to Jaxon's room, I find it difficult to open the door! When I finally get it open a crack, I notice that the light is on, but it is very quiet in his room... I get the door open enough to get in the room, and find that his bed is completely stripped... everything, even the fitted sheet. All of the bedding was blocking the door. Jaxon was peacefully asleep to the side of his bed with no blanket, or pillow... Well, it looked like he could have been using the pull up diaper next to his head as a pillow, but since it was NEXT to his head, we will say he wasn't. And he DID have his blanket to the side of him, but it had a far more important purpose which was... acting as "wrapping paper" to a "present" which contained a bunch of his toys that we let him keep in his room.

I went about making his bed in complete light, and made him get up and get in as I scolded him for taking all of the sheets off his bed... Will he remember? I doubt it. He will probably think it was all a dream... even the part where he dismantled his bed.

Kids... they never cease to amaze me.

Here is our Pirate Jaxon. He LOVES making "Treasure Maps" (one is proudly displayed on the fridge). If I let him, he would make about 20, but we cut it down after 2.... don't want to kill too many trees. :)

Wade Sits Up

Ok, I know, it is event overload at our house, but since I was posting about Abby and Jaxon's milestones, I decided that I must add Wade too. After all, he has been sitting up for about 3 weeks! Oh well, I am a little behind the curve on Wade, but that is what happens when you have a third child... they come third..

He is trying tremendously hard to crawl, but his head gets in the way. He digs his head into the ground to keep his balance when up on all fours. For now, he gets around by rolling all over the place, which at times is hazardous. He never likes rolling from the carpet onto the hard kitchen floor, or into the Iron console table, but he is learning that once an obstacle is reached, stop rolling, or roll the other way. It is cute, and fun to watch where he ends up!

Here is a video of our cutie tooter red head. What is not to love. He is a great baby, fun and loving, and he is an absolute joy in our house. (Scroll to the bottom of the page to view the video)

Abby's First Tooth!

It finally happened! Abby has been wanting so badly to loose a tooth. I wouldn't be surprised if she took a hammer to her mouth to get rid of one. It seems to be the "cool" thing in first grade, however, Abby is probably one of the youngest in her class! I wasn't really expecting her to have one until the end of the year, but she was determined! And once she puts her mind to something, LOOK OUT! ( I wonder who she gets THAT from! ? !)

Last week she came home and told me that one of her teeth was loose, and I could hardly believe it! She worked with it all week, and it came out today! I just happened to be volunteering in her class today. Her friend Bryant came up to show me that he had just lost a tooth yesterday. Shortly after that, she came running up to her teacher and yelled, MRS. PARKER! I LOST MY TOOTH! (Um... Hello? I am sitting right there! How about MOMMY, I LOST MY TOOTH!) Well, it turns out, it was MUCH more important to tell Mrs. Parker because she instantly got permission to go to the office where they give the kids a tiny treasure box to keep it in for the day.

I can hardly believe my little baby lost her first tooth. There aren't as many milestones that are momentous once your kids reach a certain age, but I can tell you most certainly, this was MOMENTOUS! It is a fun and exciting time for her, and for us. We love watching them get older!

My Favorite Meatloaf

For some people, Meatloaf is a turn off. Want something a little leaner? Cook it on a broiler pan so the grease and juices drip through to the bottom. When it is done cooking, let is stand for 10 minutes so the juices redistribute.

1 Cup Boiling Water
1/2 Cup Sun Dried Tomatoes
Combine and re-constitute dried tomatoes in water. Drain water off, and chop.

Combine with
1/2 Cup Ketchup
1 Cup Seasoned Bread Crumbs
3/4 Cup Grated Onion
Add Sun Dried Tomatoes
2 Cloves Garlic Minced
1/2 Cup Shredded Sharp Provolone (if you can't find it, use Parmesan)
2 large egg whites
1 lb. Lean Ground Beef
3/4 Cup Fresh Basil Chopped, (or 3 Tbls. Dried)

Combine all of the ingredients together well. Shape on a broiler pan in 9 x 5 shape 2 inches high. Spread sauce on top and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Sauce:

1/2 Cup Ketchup
3 Shakes Worcestershire Sauce
1 Tbls. Vinegar
1 Tbls. Brown Sugar

Fish Soup

My mom made this dish growing up, and I crave it when it is cold and wet outside... My mom was a pro at making soups on cold drizzly days. I loved it.

1 medium onion
3 stalks celery
3 carrots chopped
2 small zucchinis chopped
3 cups chicken broth
Frozen Green Beans
Frozen Corn
1 can Stewed Tomatoes
Thyme
Pepper
Worcestershire Sauce
White Fish

Saute Onion and Celery together. Add Carrots, zucchini, and any other veggie that sounds good to you, or that you have on hand. Add chicken broth, Stewed Tomatoes, and spices to taste. Bring to a Boil and add fish. Let fish cook until you can break it apart into small pieces. (Use cod, Tilapia, or any other soft white fish that will break down when it cooks) Add frozen corn, and beans, and bring back up to a boil. Serve with french bread... it is fab!

Pita Pocket Bread

I received this recipe from a girl in my ward in Sandpoint, ID. This is a great recipe... FAIRLY easy, but there is one tricky part. However, if you have some time, and want something great... this would be it!

1 3/4 C. Warm Water
2 1/2 t. Yeast
2 t. Sugar
2 t. Salt
2 T. Oil
2 Cups Whole Wheat Flour
2 3/4 to 3 Cups White Flour

Mix water, sugar and yeast together. Let stand for 5 minutes. Add salt, oil, and wheat flour. Mix well. Add white flour one cup at a time until dough is soft and slightly sticky. Knead for five minutes. Let dough rest for 30 minutes well oiled and covered.

Roll into eight balls for smaller pitas, six balls for larger pitas. Roll out into circles on a well floured surface until 1/4 inch thick. Let rest on well floured surface for 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 500 degrees. VERY CAREFULLY transfer bread to oven, and bake on a un oiled sheet pan. (Preheat the pan in the oven and keep it in there, so it stays hot. Transfer dough from floured surface to oven using a flat large surface, like you would a pizza) MAKE SURE to not touch or push down on the pitas after the rest period. You want to be sure they "fluff" up. Do not let the pitas touch each other while they rise or bake.

I know this sounds a little technical, but once you have done it, it is much easier than it sounds... Just takes a little practice!! Enjoy!

Falafels!

Peter and I catch a few shows on the food network from time to time. Lately, Peter enjoys watching Guy Fieri's Diners and Drive Ins where Guy goes from dive to dive showing all of the great eats around the country. On Saturday, we saw Guy's own show called Guy's Big Bite, where we watched him make Tempura Stuffed Avocados. I commit formally to trying them soon. Especially since Peter brought home boxed tempura batter the other day. I guess that is my cue....they looked incredible though.

Today, Peter was watching Diners and Drive ins, and one place was making Falafels! What are those? Wikipedia will tell you.

Falafel ( Arabic: فَلافِِل falaafil (help·info), also known in Egypt and Sudan as ta'meya (طعمية), is a fried ball or patty made from spiced fava beans and/or chickpeas. It has become a popular form of fast food in the Levant and in the Mashriq (Arab East), where it is also served as a mezze (snack or tapas). The word "falafel" is the plural of the Arabic word فِِلِِفِِل (filfil), meaning pepper.[1]
Falafel is usually served as a sandwich wrapped in pita bread, and outside the Middle East, the term "falafel" commonly refers to this sandwich—falafel in a pita is typical street food or fast food. Along with the falafel balls, which may be crushed onto the bread or added whole, topping variations are usually included. Falafel balls may also be eaten alone as a snack or served as part of a mezze. During Ramadan they are sometimes eaten as part of an iftar, the meal which breaks the daily fast after sunset.

Anyway, I had my first falafel in Israel many years ago. I would eat them from street vendors, and practically died of food poisoning from one of them, but I still love them. I am not sure if it is the Tzatziki sauce, or the chickpeas and seasonings, but they taste so fresh and yummy!!! Peter suggested that I make them for dinner. Not our typical dinner fare.... but I have to admit, sometimes I get excited about a challenge in the kitchen.

I tried a recipe from Martha.. Really, for most recipes, I trust her most, and I will search her website for a recipe first. I was right, it was fab. However, I did not measure my liquids very closely and regretted it later when my falafel patties would not firm up... However, they were still incredible! Try them when you are feeling VERY adventuresome, but don't skip the Tzatziki sauce! Links are to the right!