Pasta Recipes!

Acorn Squash Lasagna
Chicken Tenders Parmesan with Penne
Farfalle with Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese (Omit the Kapers!)
Fettuccine with Spinach Pesto
Broccoli Calzones
Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Turkey Meatballs
Home Made Mac and Cheese
Scallops Florentine
Thai Peanut Sauce with Chicken and Noodles

Beef Recipes!

Asian Beef Kabobs
My Favorite Meat Loaf
Guy Fieri's Tangerine Beef
PF Changs' Mongolian Beef

Chicken and Turkey Recipes!

Coq au Vin (I use regular old cooking wine, and no congac :)
Chicken Ham and Cheese Roll Ups
Lighter Chicken Pot Pie
Jean's Chicken Curry
Light Turkey Meatballs
Trattoria Mollie's Meatballs SO GOOD! From the Oprah Website. I don't have a deep fryer, so I just pan fry!
Chicken Divan (K-lo Style)
Chicken Divan-Red and White Cookbook
Thai Peanut Sauce with Chicken and Noodles

Coq au Vin

I have to admit, I am a big fan of comfort food. One of my favorite is Coq au Vin. My mom used to make it all the time when I was growing up, and I loved it.. When I eat it now, it is like taking a quick visit home, and remembering eating it on a Sunday afternoon after church. Anyway, there are a lot of recipes for Coq au Vin, I found one on the Martha Stewart Website, and added it to my recipe links. It is pretty close to the one she made.

I am going to have to figure out a different way to post these recipe links! I DID organize them so they will be easier for you to look through. I think I am going to have to create their own pages. We will see. I am not sure how I would do it yet!

Cashew Sweet and Sour Pork ***** (Five Stars)

2 Tablespoons Cornstarch - Divided
1 Tbls. Sherry
1 (1-pound) pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut
into 1/2 inch pieces
1/3 Cup Water
1/4 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup Cider Vinegar
3 Tbls. Soy Sauce
3 Tbls. Ketchup
1 Tbls. Peanut Oil (I used regular oil)
1/3 Cup finely chopped dry-roasted cashews unsalted (I used salted, it was ok)
1/4 Cup Chopped Green Onions
2 Tsp. Bottled Minced Fresh Ginger
1 Tsp. Bottled Minced Garlic (Bottled Just makes it faster)
1/2 pound snow peas, trimmed (I just used frozen peas-makes it easier)
1 (8-ounce) can pineapple chunks in juice, drained.

Serve over Rice

Combine 1 Tbls. Cornstarch, Sherry, and pork tossing well. Combine remaining 1 Tbls. Cornstarch, water, and next 4 ingredients (through ketchup) stirring with a whisk until well combined.

Heat oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add Pork mixture, stir fry 3 minutes. Until lightly browned. Add chopped cashews, green onions, ginger, and garlic. Stir Fry 1 minute. Add snow peas and pineapple chunks, stir fry 3 minutes or until snow peas are crisp tender.

Add vinegar mixture to pan. Bring to a boil and cook 1 minute, stirring frequently. Serve over rice.

The First Step is Admitting It. . .

Ok, I admit it. I am a serial cookbook purchaser... No, I am not kidding... When I am standing in the check out line, I look at and sometimes even read the tabloids... (I subscribe to People Mag, and I look forward to it! OK! We all have our vices!!)

HOWEVER, when it comes right down to it, when I am looking at the mags... my eyes always are drawn to the cooking magazines... I already subscribe to Everyday Food. Which I ordered because my sister recommended it. I DO love it... I love it when it comes and my favorite things are their "Healthy Start" ideas... (Breakfast Ideas) and "After School Snacks" They are just fun to read, and great ideas... Do I make them? Not always, but I love to read them, and I save them because I think I will use them some day.

Now, I DO make a lot of the dinner recipes.. many of them I have posted on the right as a link. I think I have mentioned they also have a TV show here on Saturday mornings that I tivo. (PBS) I love their recipes because they use stuff I usually have in my pantry, and they are always super yummy. Visit Everyday Food Mag.
Anyway, I am not sure why.. I guess I just get tired of cooking the same thing over and over and over and over. However, I know I scare my family sometimes when I am trying something "new". I know I have bought at least three of these said mags in the last two or three months. I bought Weight Watchers Five Ingredients in 15 Minute Cookbook (because how does that not sound great, and easy). I have bought Betty Crockers Soups, Stews and Chilies (because whatever on the cover looked great). And I recently bought The Best of Cooking Lights Super Fast Weeknight dinners. Out of all of these cookbooks, I have only tried one recipe so far (not that the recipes didn't look great- but because I have been in the post holiday fog for about 2 weeks) ANYWAY, the recipe was AWESOME, FAST and YUMMY! AND EVEN JAXON ATE IT- SO IT MUST BE GOOD!

Check it out!

Jaxon-isms

Life with Jaxon is a lot of things. . . tiring, busy, rewarding, challenging, and hillarious!

Here are just a few of the latest Jaxonisms..

Me- Jaxon, what did you do at school Today?
Jax- Ummm... hmmm.. ahhh... hunty dunty?
M- Oh, you talked about Humpty Dumpty at school today?
J- (Tentatively) Yeah... uhhhhhh.... there was a problem. . .
M- What was the problem? (Not sure if he is referring to school, or humpty dumpty)
J- Well. . umm. . . it didn't turn out so good....


Jaxonism #2

At 8:20 a.m. I call for family prayer. Jaxon was completely disgruntled about having to go to this activity, so I had to drag him up the stairs to our bedroom. He complained the entire time, even through the prayer, and after word on our way to the bus stop I asked him what was wrong, and why he was being so grumpy. .

M- Jaxon, what is wrong bud? Why are you so grumpy?
J- I DON'T WANNA SAY PRAYER!
M- Why not bub? We have to say prayers to Heavenly Father. .
J- But, we say prayers ALL THE TIME!!

Jaxonism#3

Just now, sitting at the kitchen table. Peter and Abby are discussing something, and Jaxon felt the need to be involved. . . Jaxon interjects. . .We need pajamas for rock and roll! Cuz rock and roll is cool!!!


My favorite response to any negative response... like... Jaxon, "Can I have a sippy cup?" Mom, "Not right now" Jaxon, "Um, how bout tomorrow?"

Resolutions......

There is something great about starting a new year... putting away the Christmas "throw-up" and having a clean slate... I mean, my kitchen hasn't been this clean in... well, I don't know.... months! Maybe even since Wade was born! Having new goals, a clean house, and a new resolve feels good, but at the same time... I feel like it could all slip away at any moment! (I guess I won't mention the fact that I haven't even taken a shower today... that makes me seem so much less put together.)

Sure my house looks great right now, but it is one bad day of mail, or homework papers away from being disshevled again. That is ok. At least I can enjoy it for one day. I am excited that there is nothing looming over my head.... Last New Year, "BABY" was looming over my head... then "SUMMER". . . then "SCHOOL" . . . then the "HOLIDAYS". It seems now, for the first time in 12 months I can actually. . MAYBE. . . get a few side projects done. Things that I wanted to get done... things that are only important to me. Now, THAT is exciting!

I wish you all a Happy New Year, and hope that you will have a clean kitchen, time for yourself, and I hope that you have time to take a shower too! :)

Finally Some Christmas Pictures!

Away in a Manger

Away in A Manger

FAMILY 2007 TOP TEN LIST

WELCOME TO THE OUR FAMILY BLOG!
If this is the first time you are visiting, we are happy to have you! If you are visiting because I stuck a sticker on your Christmas card, consider this you newsletter... (I see no need for redundancy) Anywho, this is a quick look at our year!

10. Wade was born on March 16th, 2007. A fabulous addition to this wild and crazy home. He is nine months old now, and crawling all over the place. He is a charmer, and keeps us very busy. see post: Santa Baby


9. Abby Started FIRST GRADE! She LOVES going to school, spelling tests, and hot lunch?? (Seriously, I have never seen a kid want hot lunch sooooooooo bad.)


8. Abby lost her first tooth! See blog post: Abby's first Tooth

7. Jaxon was finally formally diagnosed with ASD. Autism Spectrum Disorder. He is a great fun loving boy, with his own set of challenges, but hey, don't we all have challenges?
See post: Day of Miracles
or post: Our Kid Jaxon
but especially post: Bubba Dub


6. We went on a great trips to Sun River, OR. and Salt Lake City Utah! (For Pix, click on the corresponding photo link to the right)


5. Peter lost 55 lbs! (I kid you not!) The picture that you see to the right was taken back in August, when he had lost about 30 lbs, so, since then, he has lost about 25 more! His transformation has been fabulous, and he weighs as much as he did when we got MARRIED! (I wish I could say that!)


4. Abby fulfilled a life time dream of being in the CIRCUS! (No kidding) To see her performance, click on the video link to the right. :)


3. We are now the proud owner of THREE HOUSES! I know, it seems excessive, but actually, we our trying our hand at real estate development as well as being landlords... I will let you know how THAT is working out next year. As for right now, I spend 60% of my day being a general contractor, and landlord. Of course, I spend the other 40% doing laundry...


2. We just received a new calling to teach the Marriage and Family class at church! You think I am joking? We thought they were joking too. Obviously, we have something to learn.


1. WE DIDN'T MOVE THIS YEAR!!!! That is right! We are still living in the same home that we lived in LAST YEAR, and we don't have plans to move! It is a CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!


We wish all of you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS, and a Happy New Year. We love you, and hope that you will stay in touch! Love,

Peter, Lindsey, Abby, Jaxon, and Wade

Fun with FOOD!

Oh... this stage of babyhood is the absolute messiest.. I can't decide if letting him feed himself, and get COVERED in whatever it is he is eating is better or worse than having to feed him spoonful, by spoonful. Why can't they just go right into feeding themselves with a spoon, and using a napkin! I guess it really doesn't get that much better... Abby and Jaxon still get food on their clothes, in their hair, and on the floor too.

I couldn't resist taking a few pictures. I mean, the kid was using Chicken and Broccoli like the latest hair gel trend! It is pretty hard to see in the picture all of the broccoli that ended up in his hair, but just imagine it. I think it was the perfectly placed piece of rice on his nose that made me run for the camera, or maybe it was the smattering of broccoli on his right eye, it is hard to say.

Enjoy! Oh, and Enjoy the new recipe link to Butterscotch Bark. I saw it on-line today and I had all of the ingredients to try it out. It was fun, quick, easy, and yummy, so check it out!

Have a Very Elfish Christmas!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1305699702

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1315163830

Santa Baby

This is what happens when you put a Santa Hat on Wade..

At first, he wants to chase after you because you have the camera...

So, you don't get a clear shot...

Then he notices that he has the Santa Hat and tries to pull it off..

Then, it is a battle to keep the hat on..

Then you enlist your older daughter to help..

Then it becomes a wrestling match...

And so, it doesn't really help..

And so you give up..

Merry Christmas!

The Blessings of Missionary Work

After our 11 hour car ride home from Utah on the Saturday after Thanksgiving (yes, we shaved an hour off by only stopping for one meal) I had to re-group quickly and head over to Seattle(a 4 hour car ride) for a very special occasion.

Andres Bennin, who I taught when I was a missionary 11 years ago in the Washington DC South mission, was getting off his mission in Tacoma, WA. For the past two years I have written him letters telling him that SURELY, SOMETIME, I would be in Seattle and I would drive over to see him, and take him to lunch or dinner, and visit. Well, two years seemed to go by in a flash, and I never did get over to Seattle.. I guess with moving from Sandpoint, and having a baby, and dealing with Jaxon issues... I didn't have much free time on my hands.

Anyway, my loving and very supportive husband, sucked it up and took care of the kids for a couple of days so I could go over and see Elder Bennin and his mother who came from DC to get her boy. It was the last chance I was going to have!

It was an amazing and wonderful experience. One that I don't think I will be able to put words to. But I am going to try...

I entered into the transfer meeting and was able to hear his final testimony of the gospel. It was an amazing meeting, and I almost wanted to go out tracting after...but that is another story..During his testimony, he stood and pointed out that the missionary who taught him the gospel was in the back, sitting next to his mom. I almost turned and looked myself, because it seems like a dream that I had long ago. He reminded me that they were found while we were tracking in the blizzard of '96. Truly... it was called by all of the media outlets the BLIZZARD OF '96. I really don't remember how much snow was on the ground, it was a lot.. but mission rules are, if there is snow on the ground with un-plowed roads, you must leave your car parked.

I was companions with a sister I was training at the time, Sister Petty, and we were not in the area where the Doris Larbi and her boys lived, but my next companion was.. and Doris and her boys were found during that week because Sister Burgess and her companion were hoofing it, and tracting, because that is all we could do. I was too, but not in that area.. I was blessed enough to meet up with Sister Burgess the next transfer where we followed up with Doris and her boys to teach a first discussion. I know sister Burgess and I were blessed for tracting during that blizzard! Doris and her boys were baptized two weeks later.

The ward family was very upset that we wanted to rush their baptism along, stating that they had not come to church enough times, and that people fell away too often. This was a ward that had not had a baptism in their ward for a few years... and it was easy to see why at times. The bishop called me and insisted that the baptism be postponed, and to make matters worse, church was cancelled the Sunday they were to be baptized because sludge was coming up through the pipes in the Stake Center. It sure seemed like hell was combining against us. A quick call from my mission President to the bishop, and a relocation to another Stake Center and they were baptized that Sunday. The following week James (the older of the two sons) gave his first talk as a youth speaker at 16 years old. I remember laughing, almost out loud in the back row of the church because he bore the most powerful testimony of the gospel of any new member of the church that I had ever heard. I was laughing because it was a testimony to me, and my companion at that time that the work had not been thwarted, and the Lord's side had won! It was so amazing to hear that testimony.

I came to find out, on this trip to see Andres, that his brother had no notes for that talk, and he had quoted Book of Mormon Scriptures as well as scriptures from the Joseph Smith History... and that he had gone to each ward in the Stake as a speaker with the Stake Predsident....amazing. Now, 11 years later, James has graduated from BYU TWICE and is now an Attorney in North Carolina. He also served a mission in the Los Angeles, CA. mission. He was married in the DC temple about 3 years ago, and just had his first daughter. Andres graduated from BYU in Molecular Biology before he left on his mission and now is planning on getting his JD as well.

I had probably 100 missionaries come up to me after Andres' final testimony, and tell me how knowing him had changed their lives. His nickname in the mission was the rain-maker, because he would baptize in every area... even if there had not been baptisms for years. He baptised over 100 people and had 7 people scheduled for baptism as he was leaving the mission.

Many of those Elders who knew him thanked me... for finding him... But I thank Doris and the boys, for being humble, and prepared, and Heavenly Father, for showing me for years and years the amazing miracle of missionary work, and what a blessing it is in not only your life, but the lives of others, and not only for 18 months, or two years but for a lifetime, and an eternity. I love you guys, thank you for keeping me a part of your life.

More Thanksgiving Memories

What would thanksgiving be without a little Guitar Hero? Well, not much by my family's standards. We had a great time in SLC, and to prove it, here are a few pix. Thanks for the memories!
Trevor and Peter strutting their stuff with guitar hero.


Enjoying the fab food at the Grand America Buffet. I think I may have eaten my weight in shrimp.




Here we are decorating gingerbread houses. Did I mention that a Stewart will use any excuse to put frosting in their mouth? Cool trick hills. . .

Tis the Season to eat FOOD...

Falalalala..la..la..lala..

Well, as part of the Stewart tradition... we stuffed our faces for Thanksgiving. It was a wonderful affair, and we didn't even lift a carving knife! That is right! The Stewart's took the day off in the kitchen by going to the GRAND AMERICA Buffet in SLC. It was great, but I have to admit.. I missed fresh dinner rolls as part of our fabulous dinner tradition. But... NEVER FEAR, we still made dinner rolls anyway.

This picture seemed appropriate after the last statement.



As to the dinner roll dilemma. After 30 years of making "Rita" rolls at all Family affairs, there was actually a NEW roll recipe introduced this holiday. I was mortified that a tradition of 30 (or more) years could be cast aside so carelessly. But, I have to admit, the new recipe was pretty phenomenal. I will post both, and I will still probably use both, because I have been using the "Rita" roll recipe to make home made scones on Sunday nights as part of another family tradition for the last 7 years, so, I can't change that!!! The Rita roll recipe seems to make these scones OHHHHHHHHHHH SOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD... however, I am sure that any old roll recipe would probably be ok.

JUDITH ROLLS were amazing, and I will probably be making these rolls for years to come because this recipe was light, and fluffy, and amazing..so, thanks for sharing Judith!

I am also attaching a link to Paula Deen's Gooey Pumpkin Bars....which we also tested this holiday season.... yummy...

What else did we make? Well, if you know me, or my family, we will use any excuse for CAKE. My little sister Hillary has become quite the baker and I am sure if we had a bake off, it would be a very difficult and close competition. She does have amazing recipes though, and the one she used this time was from Magnolia Bakery (Magnolia Bakery Cook Book) in NYC. The cake was incredible, and I had fond thoughts of it all the way home in the car. Thanks for making that cake Hilby. Check out the posts below. Happy Holidays!

Magnolia Bakery Cake with Butter Cream Frosting

Just don't think about the butter... believe me... it is worth it.

Traditional Vanilla Birthday Cake

1 Cup Softened Butter
2 Cups Sugar
4 Large Eggs at Room Temperature
1 1/2 Cups Self Rising Flour
1 1/4 Cups All Purpose Flour
1 Cup Whole Milk
1 Tsp. Vanilla Extract

Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour three 9 x 2 inch round cake pans. Line the bottom with waxed paper.

In a mixer, cream butter until smooth. Add the sugar gradually and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time and beat after each addition. Combine the flours and add in four parts the flour, milk and vanilla alternating with each addition. Beat well after each addition. Divide the batter among the cake pans. Bake for 20-25 minutes until a cake tester comes out clean. Leave in pans for at least 10 minutes, and then remove to cool completely.

If you are making cupcakes, line two 12 cup muffin tins with papers. Spoon the batter into the cups about 3/4 of the way full. Bake until the tops spring back when lightly touched..about 20- 22 minutes. Remove cup cakes from pan and cool completely before frosting.

Traditional Vanilla Buttercream

1 Cup Butter (Very Soft)
8 Cups Confectioners Sugar
1/2 Cup Whole Milk
2 Tsp. Vanilla Extract

Place butter in a large mixing bowl. Add 4 cups of the sugar and then the milk and the vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the remaining sugar 1 cup at a time, until icing is thick enough to be of good spreading consistancy. (You might not need all of the sugar) If desired, add a few drops of food coloring and mix thoroughly. Use and store icing at room temperature, as icing will set if chilled. Store in airtight container for 3 days.

Aunt Judith Rolls

1 Cup Water
1 Cup Butter
3/4 Cup Sugar
2 Tsp. Salt
1 Cup Cold Water
4 Beaten Eggs
2 Pkgs. Yeast
7 1/2 Cups Flour

Bring 1 Cup water to a boil. Add Butter, Sugar, and Salt. Remove from heat and pour into bowl. Add 1 Cup of cold water. Dissolve yeast in 1/2 Cup warm water. When first mixture is luke warm add yeast mixture and beatten eggs. Stir together and add flour. Cover and refridgerate overnight. Divide into thirds. Roll out 1/2 inch thick. Let rise for 4 hours and bake at 400 for 12 minutes.

Freezer tip:

Freeze after rolling out on a cookie sheet. Once frozen, place rolls in a freezer safe bag. To bake, remove from freezer, and let rise for 6 hours, or over night.

Aunt Rita Rolls

2 Pkgs. Yeast
1/4 Cup Warm Water
1 tsp. Sugar

Stir together until yeast dissolves (Let it rest for 5 minutes to foam)

Mix:
1 Cup Hot Water
1/2 Cup Sugar
2 tsp. Salt
1/2 Cup Shortening (melted)

Stir together until sugar and shortening dissolve. Let cool.

Add 3 beaten eggs to shortening mixture. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Fold in yeast mixure and stir in 4 1/2 cups of flour. Mix until smooth. Coat bowl and dough with shortening and let rise 30 minutes then punch down. Cover and refrigerate for eight hours (overnight). Roll out and let rise for 3 to 4 hours. Bake for 10 minutes at 400 degrees.