Tomorrow's trip.......

This is where we will be going tomorrow.
http://www.childrens-museum.org/cmnh/Default.aspx
We have gone here before when it was in Portsmouth, NH. They just moved it to Dover and it looks great! Hopefully the kids will have fun!

Summertiiiiiiiimmmme

I still cannot believe the kids only have 20 days left of their summer vacation! It just flew by this year. I remember when we were younger the summer would drag on & I would actually look forward to school. (maybe that was just me......)
So, I am trying to figure out some fun things to do with them before Summer is over.
This is my list so far:
~Beach
~Parks for picnics
~Museums-we have plenty of those in NH
~Camping
~The Penny Candy Store (very nostalgic country store)
~Ice Cream Parlor (we really do have a "parlor" around here lol)
~Canoeing
~Fishing
~Toasting marshmallows

So, these are the things I have come up with. I will take pictures of everything we do. If you have any recommendations, please, please share them!!!!!!!!!

What my kids do on vacation!

So, last week was school vacation. It was beautiful 70-80 degree weather ALL WEEK!! It couldn't have been more perfect. Now it's raining and cold outside.

So, my kids had the week all planned out. Since it was Earth Day on Tuesday, we planned to pick up trash and paint pictures outside with the neighbor kids. That was so much fun-except it was nearly 85* and the kids were soooooo hot! They survived.

We then explored the woods in our backyard. It goes for about 3 miles. We have a cute little stream where they like to catch frogs-ewwww! The kids had a blast!

We then visited my sister in MA. It was pretty hot that day too.

All in all it was a great vacation! The first I have never dreaded in 7 years! YIPPEE!

Here are the kids in action!

Enjoy!

Cooking made easy

Well, I haven't been on here in a while. School vacation & nice weather does that to me! :) I have been a baking & cooking fool! I bet my kiddos don't want to go back to school to eat that nasty "hot lunch!" Austin always complains. I probably should be a nice mom & make his lunch, huh? Maybe next week!

So, tonight I tried a chicken stir fry recipe. It was soooo yumy! I used a ton of garlic, which my hubby loved me for! It was a kinda throw-together recipe. I used boneless/skinless chicken breast, garlic-chopped, shallots-sliced, carrots-diced, celery-chopped, green, red & yellow peppers-thinly sliced and soy sauce all on top of a bed of brown rice. It was sooooo yummy! My whole family devoured it!

Anyways, I did take pictures! (YAY!) Here they are:

Shallots & garlic sauted in olive oil:

Next is chicken cubed & mixed with soy sauce:

Then, chop all the veggies:
Oops! No Diet Pepsi in the recipe-that's mine! ;)

Chicken & veggies simmering in soy sauce.

Then cook the brown rice:

Voila! The finished dish! It was so good! I will definitely make it again!

Finally! Burrito night!

Well, what a week!! I still feel like crud but I managed to make the burritos-yes me! Austin was too busy enjoying the 60 degree weather we were having to come inside & cook! I promise, next week it will be the children cooking!

So, these burritos were probably the best I have ever made myself! Even Arron was impressed!
I did take pictures up until the steak was done.....then my camera died! Ooops!
So here is the burrito in the making!


First, I cut up all the veggies and it looked so yummy. (this is so good just eaten with Tortilla chips!)

Then, Arron suggested that we grill the steak. Great idea!! So, me, the woman who nevah grills, started the grill. This is the meat on the grill!

Next, I made the rice. I looked at the box and was like, huh? Darn it! I got chicken flavored! Ah well. So, I cooked it.

So, here are the tortillas & salsa (the boys like extra salsa!) I just thought i would take this one. :)

And this is the last one before my camera died! It is the meat fully cooked! Soooooo yummy! I highly suggest making this recipe! I don't think I will be buying any burrito kits again!

Really, you should make these soon! They are so easy & soooo yummy! Hopefully, next time you can see the finished result!!

Enjoy!

Pushed back another day.

I just wanted to post quickly that I am so sick with strep! I will be postponing the meal again tonight. Hopefully tomorrow I will be feeling better!

What's for dinner?

So, I am menu planning starting this week. I did a trial run last week & it went pretty good. I am usually not a meal planner-I like to decide that day what we will be having. Since I am sick (horrible cold) the kids will not be doing their "pick a meal" tonight. (bummer!) So, depending on how I feel tomorrow night, it will be Austin's night.
I did my groceries this past weekend and I cannot belive how expensive food has gotten! I remember when a can of tuna was $.89-it's now $1.49-crazy!! I got all the ingredients for this weeks meals. (although tonight, my sweet husband will be cooking!)
So, for tomorrow, Austin said he would like to make steak burritos. I always like to make a side of Spanish rice but none of my children will eat it. More for hubby & me! So, I went online and found a good steak burrito recipe from Rachael Ray's website. It looks great & Austin agreed! So, that is the recipe for tomorrow night. Here is the recipe:
Rachael Ray's Skirt Steak Burritos with Tomato-Corn Salsa
I will post pictures tomorrow!
Enjoy!

Ah, love!

I know this has nothing to do with food in the least but I just love the book The Notebook-I love the movie even more! I just finished reading it for the 6th time-yeah, I'm weird! lol

Just the idea of having a romance like Noah & Allie is so dreamy. It is my absolute favorite movie-ever! I love the way they loved each other. I don't know if that's how all romances were back then but I would have loved to date & fall in love like that. (Oh, I love my husband dearly but the way they make it seem in this story is just incredible!)

I plan to watch & read this one many, many more times.

Anyway, here are some pictures from the movie that I adore!

Cooking with the Kids

So, today I was going through all of my old magazines as a part of my Spring cleaning. I have soooo many! I tried to pawn some off on my neighbor but she didn't want but 2. (That didn't help me too much!) The one magazine that I never throw or give away is Family Fun. It is my all time favorite magazine! I got a subscription for me and my sister in 2007 until 2010 for $5! That's an amazing deal. So worth every cent!

So, I have been reading this magazine since Dayton was a baby. Trying to find the best new baby toys, games, ideas for crafts, places to visit across the US, holiday ideas (they have the best Halloween costume ideas!) party ideas (the best!) and so, so much more. I could never throw them away! As a mother, I depend on this stuff!

So, I sat down today & tore out the recipes that I have used and loved over the past year or so. My kids love to help cook, especially Sierra. She brings a bar stool up to the counter and helps me mix, stir, pour and taste-the best part! The boys help sometimes but they aren't really into that kinda thing-except licking the spoon full of cake batter. I ended up with quite a stack of pages. I indeed will be using these recipes often. The kids have one night a week that they get to pick what to eat for dinner. Monday is Austin, Tuesday is Dayton & Wednesday is Sierra. They are pretty easy meals. Austin usually picks mexican, Dayton is usually some sort of meat & potatoes and Sierra varies-a lot! lol

So, I am going to start sharing what the kids chose to eat on "their" night. Every week I will share the recipe along with a picture. I am really looking forward to this!

Here is one of my favorite (easy) recipes that me and the kids have made.
Enjoy!

Cheese Calzones

Easy Pizza Dough
3/4 cup Quick Marinara Sauce
1 1/2 cups grated cheese
1 1/2 cups chopped broccoli crowns or 1 1/2 cups sliced precooked sausage

1. Make a batch of Easy Pizza Dough and prepare a large baking sheet.
2. Divide the dough in half. With floured hands, press each half into a large oval, then switch to a rolling pin and roll it out until it measures about 6 by 9 inches.
3. Now your child can spoon sauce across the bottom half of each oval, leaving a 1-inch border uncovered. Then she should sprinkle on the cheese, followed by the broccoli pieces or sausage, dividing the toppings equally between the 2 calzones. TIP: Cut the broccoli into small pieces--the steam in the baking calzone will cook it to just the right tenderness.
4. Use a fingertip to lightly moisten the entire edge of the dough with water, then fold the top over the side that's piled with toppings, matching up the edges. Pinch together the edges, making sure the layers stick. TIP: When sealing the calzones, pinch together the edges and give them a short roll to create a roped edge.
5. Transfer the calzones onto the baking sheet, spacing them well apart, and use a knife to poke 3 or 4 small steam vents in the top of each one. Let the calzones rest for 10 minutes while you heat the oven to 400°.
6. Bake the calzones on the center oven rack for about 30 minutes, until dark and crusty on the top and bottom. Slide the calzones onto a wire rack and let them cool for at least 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. Be careful--the steam inside can be very hot. Serves 4 to 6.

Good eats!

I just love this bunch of pictures. My niece turned 1 in January and my sister, Amy, is so funny about Ava being "messy!" I thought these pictures were priceless! My mom & I laughed because it is so my sis!

This is Ava enjoying her yummy, chocolate frosted, organic cupcake! Delish, right Ava?!

Mom looks thrilled at her messy little Ava! It's only once in a lifetime your baby gets to do this, right! (especially for Ava!) It didn't last too long because she was quickly swept away and cleaned up for gift opening.

There's my sweetie! She was tuckered out but definitely had her good eats!

Shake Shake Shake...Shake Shake Shake

I was never really one for dairy. Being on this health kick has brought out a new side in me. It's a pretty good side! I love eating something and feeling good after. I love to exercise and feel great after! You get the point.

So, I needed something to fill me up as a mid-day snack. I was sick of the same old thing and decided to check out new recipes for snacks. That's when I found these delicious smoothies. My kids even like them!

I don't like bananas at all and a lot of smoothies call for them. I looked and found very simple recipes.

Enjoy!

Strawberry Smoothie

2 cups fresh strawberries
1 cup ice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 tablespoon Splenda

1/2 cup skim milk
6 ounces light vanilla yogurt
Mix together in blender.

Vanilla Honey-Nut Smoothie

2 cups vanilla low-fat frozen yogurt
1/2 cup vanilla soy milk

1/2 cup fat-free milk

1/3 cup cubed soft silken tofu

1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon ground flaxseed (optional)

Combine the first 6 ingredients in a blender; process until smooth. Sprinkle with flaxseed, if desired.

Berry Surprise

1/2 cup strawberries

1/4 cup blueberries

1/4 cup raspberries

1/4 cup of milk

Mix together in blender.

Homemade Bread

I have just learned that homemade bread is better than anything I have ever made! It is so tasteful, moist and easier to make than I thought. I used to think of making bread like the women did back in the 1800's. That was enough to keep me away from the kitchen! I recently purchased 2 stoneware bread pans from a friend who sells Pampered Chef. (thanks Jamie!) I've gotta tell you, these are awesome!! Nothing sticks to these pans, I mean NOTHING! The bread comes out perfectly!

So, here is a great recipe I got from a friend. This bread is divine!!

Enjoy!

1-1/2 cups hot water

1/3 cup oil1 cup cold milk

1/3 cup honey

(The resulting temperature will be lukewarm so as not to kill the yeast)

4-1/2 tsp. instant yeast

3 eggs

6 to 7 1/4 cups freshly milled flour

1 Tbs. salt

Combine water, milk, oil, honey and eggs in the bowl of the mixer. Add yeast and about 5 cups of the flour. Mix on medium speed until well blended. Add the salt. Continue to mix adding the flour 1/2 cup at a time. When the dough pulls away from the side of the bowl enough flour has been added. Turn the speed to high and allow to knead 8-10 minutes, or until the dough, forms a smooth ball . Let rise until double. With a single or double batch, you may let the dough rise in the bowl. With a triple recipe, turn the dough out onto a floured surface to let rise.

After rising, form into loaves or other shapes using any of the variations that follow.

I like to braid my loaves. To braid, divide the dough for one loaf into three pieces and roll into ropes. Braid, tucking the ends under. Place in greased loaf pan. Let rise until at least double in size. Bake loaves at 350o for 25-30 minutes. Recipe makes 3 medium size loaves or about 30 dinner rolls.

*Note: One package of yeast is about 2-1/2 tsp. of yeast. With instant yeast you do not need to sprinkle the yeast over the liquids. You may add it with the flour.

Feel like cooking?

Today is just so blah outside. It's about 32 degrees and snowing. Yesterday we had such beautiful, sunny weather. I even opened my windows for a while. I ended up cooking a delicious turkey for dinner and now have a ton of leftovers! So, I decided I would look in my cookbook and dig up recipes that have turkey in them. Soooo many! I had to pick a few and I do have one tried and true turkey-leftover recipe. I just made it a few weeks ago for my sis & her husband-it got rave reviews! (yay!) Turkey Tetrazzini! Oh, it's so good! There is heavy cream in it so it's not so fat free.
So, anyway, here is the recipe. VERY easy and delish!
Enjoy!

Turkey Tetrazzini

1 (7-ounce) package spaghetti, broken into thirds
1/4 cup butter or stick margarine
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup whipping cream (heavy)
2 tablespoons dry sherry or water
2 cups cubed cooked chicken or turkey
1 (4-ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1. Heat oven to 350°.
2. Cook spaghetti as directed on package.
3. While spaghetti is cooking, melt butter in 2-quart saucepan over low heat. Stir in flour, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly; remove from heat. Stir in broth and whipping cream. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute.
4. Drain spaghetti. Stir spaghetti, sherry, chicken and mushrooms into sauce.5. Pour spaghetti mixture into ungreased 2-quart casserole. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake uncovered about 30 minutes or until bubbly in center.

Penne with Peppers and Sausage

This is a new recipe that I have tried. Yes, since I am trying to lose some weight, I am using some low cal/fat recipes as well. (This is a Weight Watchers recipe) It's really a great dish with lots of flavor. I never thought turkey sausage would be appetizing but I couldn't tell......well, maybe a little! ;) I added a little extra onion-just because there can never be enough onion in my food! I even had my 5 year old daughter help me with this one.
Enjoy!

Penne with Peppers and Sausage

Preparation Time: 15 min
Cooking Time: 20 min

1 sprays cooking spray
2 medium green pepper(s), cut into thin strips
1 medium garlic clove(s), minced
1 medium onion(s), thinly sliced
1 cup mushroom(s), sliced
1 pound raw turkey sausage, spicy-Italian flavor
1/8 tsp dried oregano, crushed
1/4 tsp table salt
1/8 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
14 1/2 oz canned diced tomatoes
3 cup cooked whole wheat pasta, penne, kept hot
6 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese


Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and set pan over medium-high heat. Add green pepper, garlic, onion and mushrooms; cook, stirring frequently, until almost tender, about 7 to 8 minutes.
Remove turkey from casings; add to skillet and brown sausage until no longer pink, stirring occasionally, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks, about 6 minutes. Add oregano, salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes; stir in tomatoes. Simmer until heated through and to allow flavors to blend, about 5 minutes.
Spoon penne into a deep serving bowl; spoon sausage mixture over top and then sprinkle with cheese. Yields about 1 1/2 cups per serving.

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

This is the best coffee cake recipe EVER!! It is a classic Betty Crocker recipe that my Mother-in-Law makes every year for Christmas morning. I look forward to this every year. I try not to make it too many times throughout the year so not to spoil it on Christmas!
It is best right out of the oven!

Enjoy!

Classic Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Filling
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Coffee Cake
3cups Gold Medal® all-purpose or whole wheat flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups sour cream

Light Brown Glaze
1/4 cup butter or margarine
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 to 2 tablespoons milk

1. Heat oven to 350ºF. Grease 12-cup fluted tube cake pan or 10-inch angel food (tube) cake pan.
2. In small bowl, mix all Filling ingredients; set aside.
3. In medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside. In large bowl, beat granulated sugar, 3/4 cup butter, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla and the eggs with electric mixer on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat in flour mixture alternately with sour cream on low speed.
4. Spread 1/3 of the batter (about 2 cups) in pan; sprinkle with 1/3 of the Filling (about 6 tablespoons). Repeat twice.
5. Bake about 1 hour or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack. Cool 10 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, in 1 1/2-quart saucepan, heat 1/4 cup butter over medium heat until very light brown; remove from heat. Stir in powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until glaze is smooth and thin enough to drizzle. Drizzle cake with glaze.

Cooking, Baking.....

Ah, well, I guess I will start by saying that I LOVE to be in the kitchen! I could bake all day! I do a lot of baking for my children's schools and parties. I love to entertain just to be able to cook and try new recipes. (who doesn't?) My family claims I am the best cook (even though my husband tells me to call his mom quite frequently because I don't know how to cook a certain recipe! - I try and ignore that!)
I got a lot of my recipes from my sweet Mother-in-Law! She has some great ones passed down from her Mother-in-Law. Some of the best are traditional on holidays. My mom has also passed down some really good ones-especially desserts! (YUM!) I think I am the only sister out of 4 of us that really enjoys being in the kitchen cooking/baking. It may be a motherly thing though. My younger sister is definitely doing more cooking/baking now that she has a daughter.
So, I plan on getting all the great recipes on here starting tomorrow. One a day or maybe more.