Monday, December 20, 2010
Ice Skating
Since the kids took "Learn to Skate" classes at the end of the summer, we decided to put their skills to good use. :) We got there about 10am or so and we had the whole rink to ourselves. Very nice! And good family fun!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Let It Snow...Let It Snow...Let It Snow...
Snow...we have lots of it!! Good for exercise, good for work, good for fun, good for keeping my mom here two extra days! :) Yep, snow is good (for now anyway!).
New Game
We got this new game last week and had so much fun playing it!
Things help you and hinder you on your way "to Bethlehem." The game is all about family togetherness and fun. If you're afraid to be silly for a moment, I don't recommend it. It definitely good for a few laughs!
Things help you and hinder you on your way "to Bethlehem." The game is all about family togetherness and fun. If you're afraid to be silly for a moment, I don't recommend it. It definitely good for a few laughs!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
First Snow of the Season
We've seen flurries before this, but nothing that actually stuck around. It was beautiful to wake up to a thin blanket of white this morning, thus, we had to spend some time enjoying it!!
My little boys.
Get it off me!
Here it comes!
My three snow sweeties!
Peek-a-boo!
Pretty blues!
Snow angels. A must.
And a fun time was had by all!
My little boys.
Get it off me!
Here it comes!
My three snow sweeties!
Peek-a-boo!
Pretty blues!
Snow angels. A must.
And a fun time was had by all!
Our Advent Tree
I like to make the kids some sort of Advent calendar each year so that they have some understand about time passing and when Christmas will be here. I also like it because the way we do it, it gives us the opportunity to do things that will strengthen our family unit and to do things for others.
Here's the calendar this year.
Here's an up close. The ornaments have numbers on them and under each ornament is an activity to do either as a family or for someone else. So far, so fun!
Here's the calendar this year.
Here's an up close. The ornaments have numbers on them and under each ornament is an activity to do either as a family or for someone else. So far, so fun!
Papa's Shoes
Elijah loves putting on Papa's shoes and walking around in them! It's pretty fun to watch also!
Upside-down Taco
While browsing around the internet, I came across this recipe and we enjoyed it very much last night!!
1 can (16 ounces) fat-free refried beans
1 tablespoon dry taco seasoning mix
Cooking spray
2 cups cooked white rice (warm slightly if using leftover rice) - I used brown.
1 can (4 1/4 ounces) chopped green chilies
1 cup (4 ounces) finely shredded, reduced-fat, mild Cheddar cheese (I used Daiya vegan cheese shreds and it was great!)
Toppings:
2 cups shredded lettuce
1 cup diced tomato
1/4 cup chopped purple onion
2 cups crumbled baked tortilla chips (about 30 chips)
4 tablespoons fat-free sour cream (used a vegan ranch instead)
4 tablespoons salsa (none for me please)
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, stir together beans and taco seasoning until mixed well. Set aside. Coat an 8″ x 8″ pan with cooking spray. Layer rice in bottom of pan. Dollop on seasoned refried beans and spread over rice. Spoon on green chilies. Sprinkle evenly with cheese. (At this point, the casserole can be refrigerated for baking later.) Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and beans are heated through. Remove from oven and allow to cool about 10 minutes. Top with lettuce, tomato, onion, and crumbled tortilla chips. (If all of the casserole will not be eaten at one time, then add these toppings to each individual serving, because they will not reheat well when the rice/bean portion of the casserole is reheated. Store remaining toppings in individual zip-top bags.)
Use a large spatula to serve. Each serving may be garnished with 1 tablespoon sour cream and 1 tablespoon salsa.
Taken and adapted from http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/Recipes/Beans-And-Legumes/upside_down_taco/.
This is the rice, bean, cheese, chili layers that you bake.
This is the whole thing. Just another twist on haystacks or any other layered food.
1 can (16 ounces) fat-free refried beans
1 tablespoon dry taco seasoning mix
Cooking spray
2 cups cooked white rice (warm slightly if using leftover rice) - I used brown.
1 can (4 1/4 ounces) chopped green chilies
1 cup (4 ounces) finely shredded, reduced-fat, mild Cheddar cheese (I used Daiya vegan cheese shreds and it was great!)
Toppings:
2 cups shredded lettuce
1 cup diced tomato
1/4 cup chopped purple onion
2 cups crumbled baked tortilla chips (about 30 chips)
4 tablespoons fat-free sour cream (used a vegan ranch instead)
4 tablespoons salsa (none for me please)
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, stir together beans and taco seasoning until mixed well. Set aside. Coat an 8″ x 8″ pan with cooking spray. Layer rice in bottom of pan. Dollop on seasoned refried beans and spread over rice. Spoon on green chilies. Sprinkle evenly with cheese. (At this point, the casserole can be refrigerated for baking later.) Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and beans are heated through. Remove from oven and allow to cool about 10 minutes. Top with lettuce, tomato, onion, and crumbled tortilla chips. (If all of the casserole will not be eaten at one time, then add these toppings to each individual serving, because they will not reheat well when the rice/bean portion of the casserole is reheated. Store remaining toppings in individual zip-top bags.)
Use a large spatula to serve. Each serving may be garnished with 1 tablespoon sour cream and 1 tablespoon salsa.
Taken and adapted from http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/Recipes/Beans-And-Legumes/upside_down_taco/.
This is the rice, bean, cheese, chili layers that you bake.
This is the whole thing. Just another twist on haystacks or any other layered food.
Pastor Story
This is just so funny, I had to share...
VISITING PASTOR
The new pastor was visiting in the homes of his parishioners. At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door. He took out a card, wrote 'Revelation 3 verse 20' on the back and stuck it in the door.When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card had been returned. Added to it was this cryptic message, 'Genesis 3 verse 10.'Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in gales of laughter. Revelation 3 verse 20 begins 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock.'Genesis 3 verse 10 reads, 'I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid for I was naked.'
VISITING PASTOR
The new pastor was visiting in the homes of his parishioners. At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door. He took out a card, wrote 'Revelation 3 verse 20' on the back and stuck it in the door.When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card had been returned. Added to it was this cryptic message, 'Genesis 3 verse 10.'Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in gales of laughter. Revelation 3 verse 20 begins 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock.'Genesis 3 verse 10 reads, 'I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid for I was naked.'
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Pesto Pizza
One of my favorite dishes is pesto pizza! I just love it! Usually I put more toppings on than this, but I didn't want to go to the store just for those toppings. So this is simply topped with black olives, onion, and mushrooms. The pesto and the crust made it DYNAMITE!!
The crust recipe came from naturallygourmet.com. I love watching her shows right from the website!
Pizza Crust Made in Bread Machine—Makes 2 Crusts (I used it as one crust)
1 1/3 C whole wheat flour
1 1/3 C unbleached flour
2 Tbs vital wheat gluten
1 tsp salt
2 Tbs honey
2 Tbs olive oil
1 C warm water
1 ½ tsp yeast
1 ½ tsp Italian seasoning
Mix dry ingredients. In bread machine put the honey, olive oil, warm water and then add theflour mixture. Even the flour out and make a well in the center and add the yeast. Close thelid and set machine on the dough cycle. This makes 2 crusts. When the cycle is finished take enough dough to make one crust and you can freeze the rest of it.
Spread the dough on the pizza pan, poke the center of the crust with a fork in several places so it won’t puff up and then bake just the crust for 10–15 minutes at 375 degrees until the crust starts to brown. Then take it out of the oven, spread the pesto sauce on the crust. Top with sliced tomatoes, sliced green olives, sliced black olives, sliced artichoke hearts, chopped onions and then you can sprinkle Parmazaan (optional) on top. Return the pizza to the oven for 10–15 minutes or until done.
Yumm-O!
The crust recipe came from naturallygourmet.com. I love watching her shows right from the website!
Pizza Crust Made in Bread Machine—Makes 2 Crusts (I used it as one crust)
1 1/3 C whole wheat flour
1 1/3 C unbleached flour
2 Tbs vital wheat gluten
1 tsp salt
2 Tbs honey
2 Tbs olive oil
1 C warm water
1 ½ tsp yeast
1 ½ tsp Italian seasoning
Mix dry ingredients. In bread machine put the honey, olive oil, warm water and then add theflour mixture. Even the flour out and make a well in the center and add the yeast. Close thelid and set machine on the dough cycle. This makes 2 crusts. When the cycle is finished take enough dough to make one crust and you can freeze the rest of it.
Spread the dough on the pizza pan, poke the center of the crust with a fork in several places so it won’t puff up and then bake just the crust for 10–15 minutes at 375 degrees until the crust starts to brown. Then take it out of the oven, spread the pesto sauce on the crust. Top with sliced tomatoes, sliced green olives, sliced black olives, sliced artichoke hearts, chopped onions and then you can sprinkle Parmazaan (optional) on top. Return the pizza to the oven for 10–15 minutes or until done.
Yumm-O!
Caramel Popcorn
This is just plain yummy!!!!
And pretty healthy, too, as far as sweets go! After Chaeli tried it the first time she said with a huge smile, "This doesn't taste like it's healthy!" That's how it should be, right? Healthy treats should taste good too!
The recipe comes from Kyong's Weatherby's facebook page of recipes as well as one of her Taste of Heaven cookbooks. It is as follows:
POPCORN CARAMEL
1/2 c unpopped popcorn or 14 cups popcorn
1/4 c maple syrup
1/4 c peanut butter
1 T black strip molasses
1 T turbinado sugar (I used cane juice crystals)
1/4 tsp sea salt
Preheat oven to 225 degrees. Make popcorn and put into a large bowl. Set it aside. Mix remaining ingredients in a small bowl. Mix well. Pour liquid mixture into the popcorn, and mix well with two spoons or hands. Put it on 11 x 14 cookie sheet and bake for 45 minutes. Cool it completely. It should be crunchy and delicious!
Original recipe by Barbara Watson.
And pretty healthy, too, as far as sweets go! After Chaeli tried it the first time she said with a huge smile, "This doesn't taste like it's healthy!" That's how it should be, right? Healthy treats should taste good too!
The recipe comes from Kyong's Weatherby's facebook page of recipes as well as one of her Taste of Heaven cookbooks. It is as follows:
POPCORN CARAMEL
1/2 c unpopped popcorn or 14 cups popcorn
1/4 c maple syrup
1/4 c peanut butter
1 T black strip molasses
1 T turbinado sugar (I used cane juice crystals)
1/4 tsp sea salt
Preheat oven to 225 degrees. Make popcorn and put into a large bowl. Set it aside. Mix remaining ingredients in a small bowl. Mix well. Pour liquid mixture into the popcorn, and mix well with two spoons or hands. Put it on 11 x 14 cookie sheet and bake for 45 minutes. Cool it completely. It should be crunchy and delicious!
Original recipe by Barbara Watson.
My Hobo Boy
Here's Dillon all dressed up with no place to go! I can't really even give you an explanation for this outfit...just because. :)
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Dinner Rolls
I'm so excited about this new dinner roll recipe...I'm actually excited about the small detail I learned doing it. Put them in a 9x13 pan!! I really like this for some reason. And I love finding a new recipe that I love! Although you can't tell from the picture, I do know they taste yummy too!! :)
This recipe was adapted (my husband keeps telling me to try things the way they are written the first time around, but I just can't help myself when I think something should be different!) from Kyong Weatherby's facebook page - A Taste of Heaven Cookbooks and Recipes. I'd put the link but for some reason, I can't get my computer to make it a workable link.
Jill Morikone's DINNER ROLLS (maybe they're really mine now since I adapted a few things!)
1 1/2 c warm water
1/2 c honey
1 T active yeast
2 c whole wheat flour
2 c unbleached flour
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 c canola oil
In a large mixing bowl, let water, honey, and yeast bubble - about 5 minutes. While waiting for yeast to bubble, mix dry ingredients together in another bowl. Add canola oil to bubbly yeast mixture. Then add dry ingredients. Mix well. Dough will be very sticky. Slowly add just enough extra unbleached (or wheat) flour to make dough workable so you can knead it (approximately 1 cup). Knead for 2 to 3 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 9 x 13 inch glass casserole dish. With well-floured hands, pinch small amount of dough off, and roll well between palms of hands. Makes 24 rolls. Place rolls in greased pan. Cover with a damp towel, and let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes or so. Bake for 25 minutes. Cool on wire rack. These rolls freeze well. Very Delicious!
Yay for new recipes!!
This recipe was adapted (my husband keeps telling me to try things the way they are written the first time around, but I just can't help myself when I think something should be different!) from Kyong Weatherby's facebook page - A Taste of Heaven Cookbooks and Recipes. I'd put the link but for some reason, I can't get my computer to make it a workable link.
Jill Morikone's DINNER ROLLS (maybe they're really mine now since I adapted a few things!)
1 1/2 c warm water
1/2 c honey
1 T active yeast
2 c whole wheat flour
2 c unbleached flour
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 c canola oil
In a large mixing bowl, let water, honey, and yeast bubble - about 5 minutes. While waiting for yeast to bubble, mix dry ingredients together in another bowl. Add canola oil to bubbly yeast mixture. Then add dry ingredients. Mix well. Dough will be very sticky. Slowly add just enough extra unbleached (or wheat) flour to make dough workable so you can knead it (approximately 1 cup). Knead for 2 to 3 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 9 x 13 inch glass casserole dish. With well-floured hands, pinch small amount of dough off, and roll well between palms of hands. Makes 24 rolls. Place rolls in greased pan. Cover with a damp towel, and let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes or so. Bake for 25 minutes. Cool on wire rack. These rolls freeze well. Very Delicious!
Yay for new recipes!!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Three Little Indians
As I mentioned in my last post, we've been studying the pilgrims lately (really enjoying History Pockets-Life in Plymouth Colony) and have been a lot of fun. Today Dillon really wanted to focus on the Indians again. He wanted a "headband with feathers" to wear. So finally not long before supper we got out the construction paper and went to work. Turned out to quite a little review on the Indians. After their "war paint" was applied, we ate supper and talked about life as an Indian around the pilgrims time. Then they hunted buffalo with their rubberband "arrows" and made a tepee. What fun!
Even the back of his head is so cute with feathers!
War paint and ready to go (with a smile!).
Bow and arrow practice!
Miss Indian
Their tepee fortress! (no hole in the top for the smoke to escape...I couldn't allow it)
Even the back of his head is so cute with feathers!
War paint and ready to go (with a smile!).
Bow and arrow practice!
Miss Indian
Their tepee fortress! (no hole in the top for the smoke to escape...I couldn't allow it)
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
From Cream to Butter
We've been studying the pilgrims lately and one of the things they had to do was to churn their own butter. So out of the ordinary for a vegan family, today we joined the pilgrims in making their own butter. We didn't churn, mind you...we had to shake! The kids were glad that we didn't have to do that every time we needed more butter! :) It was a fun project!
shake, shake, shake
Could have stopped here if we just wanted whipped cream
Pouring off the buttermilk
Butter!!
shake, shake, shake
Could have stopped here if we just wanted whipped cream
Pouring off the buttermilk
Butter!!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Fun in the Sun
This was November 11 and although it was sunny, it was oh so windy and cold! It was actually in the mid to upper 50's but it didn't feel like it! I really need to find a local park that isn't by the water because it seems to be quite windy on the bay!
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