I love to cook. I love to try out new recipes and add a little of my own "signature" to them. Sometimes it works...sometimes it turns out better when I stick to the recipe! These, however, are a couple of my favorite recipes and I have had several people ask me for them recently. I thought I would share with anyone who might be reading my blog. Please share your favorite recipe with me, too! Did I mention I love trying new recipes?
Tex Mex Bake
Ingredients:
1 bag success rice (I use brown...and when I don't have the boil in bag rice I use instant rice and make 2 servings according to box directions)
1 small jar salsa
1 lb browned ground beef (I have made this with chicken and also ground turkey)
4 cups crushed tortilla chips
1 can (15 oz) pinto beans
1 lb Velveeta cheese, cut into cubes, divided (I have also used shredded cheddar cheese, 2 cups)
Sliced green onions and sour cream (optional)
Directions:
Prepare rice according to package directions and set aside.
Preheat oven to 350F. Spray a 13x9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. In a medium bowl, combine rice, beans, salsa and ground beef; set aside. Cover baking dish bottom with chips. Layer 1/2 of the cheese over the chips. Top beef mixture. Top with remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Garnish with sour cream and green onions if desired.
Pizza Crust
Ingredients:
1 (0.25 oz) dry active yeast (can be found in the dairy department...I use Fleishman's rapid rise yeast)
1 tsp. white sugar
1 cup warm water
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour*
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
*I sometimes use 1 cup wheat flour and 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
**To make a stuffed crust pizza, allow crust to hang over edge of round pizza pan (or stone) and line edge with string cheese. Fold excess crust over the string cheese and add desired toppings.
Directions:
Preheat oven to 450F. In medium bowl, dissolve yeast & sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
Stir in flour, salt, & oil. Beat until smooth. Let rest for 5 minutes.
Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface & pat into a round. Transfer crust to a lightly greased pizza pan. Spread with desired toppings** & bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
**Last week I topped with 3 or 4 Tbsp of light caesar salad dressing, mozzarella cheese, 1 tsp italian seasoning, freshly ground black pepper, cooked and cubed chicken and steamed broccoli. It was SO yummy!!
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened, 3/4 cup sugar, 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, 2 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 3 cups quick cooking oats, 1-1/2 cups flour, 1 pkg instant vanilla pudding, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt, 2 cups (um...or more) chocolate chips
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375F. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter & sugars. Beat in eggs & vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine the oats, flour, pudding mix, baking soda & salt. Gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in chocolate chips.
Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls, 2-in apart, onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 375F for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.
This recipe makes a LOT of cookies.
ENJOY!!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Ryan's Birthday Celebration
Though Ryan's actual birthday isn't until Monday, we celebrated it on Saturday (James' birthday). We invited some of Ryan's neighbor friends (and their parents) to join us at a local apple orchard. We started the visit by going on a hayride through the orchard, and then we picked some apples. Each child got their own bag and were allowed to pick 2 apples. Tbe adults ALSO got their own bag, but we had to pay for what we picked ;)! The kids enjoyed looking at the farm animals, and then we sat down for some warm donuts and apple cider while Ryan opened some birthday presents.
Checking out an old tractor
Getting ready to go on the hay ride
Me and my little (big) guy
Ryan munching on his apple
Later on, James' parents, as well as his sister and her two kids, joined us for dinner (homemade stuffed crust pizza...at James' request) and cake and ice cream. It was a busy day, as there was much to celebrate!
A visit from the Coleman Family
The end of August brought with it a visit from our friends Don & Bridgette and their two kids. The whole family stopped by on their way through to their vacation cottage, and then Bridgette and the kids came back to play for a couple of days! We had a great time visiting and letting the kids play together (okay, so when you get two boys of the same age together with the same interests, it's really more about breaking up the arguments about who was playing with what car first, but, we'll call it playing...because it sounds nicer... right, Bridge?!).
Ryan & Brennan being silly at the table
Ryan "flying" a plane
Aidan playing with wind chimes
Ryan & Brennan being silly at the table
Ella & Aidan...only 9 days apart in age!
It rained most of the time they were here, so a lot of our activity was INSIDE. We were going to head to the zoo one of the days they were here, but it started raining pretty steadily, so we decided on The Discovery Center instead. As far as children's museums go, I don't think this one is the greatest, but the kids had a good time, which is what really mattered.
Brennan & Ryan "driving" the fire truck
Ryan "flying" a plane
Aidan playing with wind chimes
Monday, August 10, 2009
Summer Splashin'
I found a WHALE of a deal recently on this little kiddie pool, as our other kiddie pool had a hole in it. (Lame play on words...I know.)
The kids enjoyed some splashin' fun this afternoon. We haven't had too many days of sweltering heat this summer, so they had a good time splashing around (and climbing in...and out...in again...then out...you get the picture) for awhile. Notice that the whale's blow hole is squirting water? Ya, that was pretty much Ella's favorite feature of the pool.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
A busy July...
I can't believe it has been so long since I posted, though looking back on the past month I can see why! We had a very busy July. The good busy kind that makes for a fun summer. We have had something going on every weekend for the past month. Here is a peek at what we have been up to...
Birthday cupcakes!
Hmm...interesting.
What do I do with this thing?
The whole gang
More gifts...
Chillin' after a much better (chocolate!) cupcake experience
The following weekend we had kind of a break. Well, if you consider Ryan's little neighbor friend's birthday a break. Complete with a bouncy slide, pull string pinata, and lots of rambunctious little boys, it was most certainly a busy (but fun) day. I have to proudly say (because I usually can't) that Ryan was the "last boy standing" (OK, all of them were standing) at the end of the party. He was the only one who wasn't crying, having a complete meltdown, or just down right grumpy. Don't worry though...he just saved it all up for when we got home. An early bed time did the trick and all was well again.
Bridgette in the kitchen...we each brought recipes with us and took turns making meals. It was fun to try new meals and to share our favorites.
Jenn and Bridgette at Coastal Flats (we did take a night off to enjoy dinner out!)
Phew--I'm tired just reading through the events of the past month. We don't have much planned for August. Just hoping to relax a little before Ryan starts pre-school in the fall (a post about that will most DEFINITELY follow).
On the 4th of July we went to a party at one of James' co-worker's house. We had a good time, but as you can see by the pic above...Ella was ready for bed when we got home. Ryan, too...but he was a little less obvious about it!
I won tickets for July 5th to attend a B-Mets baseball (our local team) game through the Mom's group that I am part of. We invited our new-ish neighbor friends to join us. They have two little boys that Ryan just loves to play with. It was the perfect way to attend our first baseball game as a family, as we didn't have to pay for the tickets and therefore didn't feel bad leaving during the 6th inning! In fact, we were pleasantly surprised to have made it through that many innings and decided to leave just as the kids were starting to show signs of getting antsy.
Ryan and his friend Taylor
What baseball game is complete without a hot dog?
Batter up!
On the way out of the park there was a jump tent and a fun baseball/tee ball game to play. We are discovering that Ryan is quite the little ball player!
I won tickets for July 5th to attend a B-Mets baseball (our local team) game through the Mom's group that I am part of. We invited our new-ish neighbor friends to join us. They have two little boys that Ryan just loves to play with. It was the perfect way to attend our first baseball game as a family, as we didn't have to pay for the tickets and therefore didn't feel bad leaving during the 6th inning! In fact, we were pleasantly surprised to have made it through that many innings and decided to leave just as the kids were starting to show signs of getting antsy.
Ryan and his friend Taylor
What baseball game is complete without a hot dog?
Batter up!
On the way out of the park there was a jump tent and a fun baseball/tee ball game to play. We are discovering that Ryan is quite the little ball player!
The following weekend we celebrated Ella's FIRST BIRTHDAY! Wow--I really can't believe she is a whole year old. It seems that the year has flown by. We are enjoying her emerging personality and of course applauding all of the cute little things she is learning to do. Her current tricks include walking, giving high fives, trying to put shoes on (doesn't matter whose it is...if it is a shoe, she tries to put it on!) and pushing her "babies" in the doll stroller. Her current repertoire of words include: baby, kitty, Mama and Dada (discriminately), hello, night night, shoe and ball. Oh...and she calls Ryan "YaYa"...which is pretty accurate, most of the time! ;)
Birthday cupcakes!
Ella carrying her birthday loot!
Hmm...interesting.
What do I do with this thing?
The actual tasting of the cupcake did not make for a great photo opportunity, as she basically gagged on it. I think that the frosting may have been too sweet for her!!
We spent Ella's actual birthday just the four of us, but celebrated Ella's Baptism and birthday with extended family the following weekend at Chenango Valley State Park. My family (Mom, my Uncle and his wife Sue) made the journey from Maine, as did my best friend, Sarah, and her family and Sarah's parents, who were like "second parents" to me growing up. We were only missing one of my nephews from James' side of the family, as he was participating in his last soccer tournament of the summer. We had fun celebrating together!
The baptism
The whole gang
Us
More gifts...
Chillin' after a much better (chocolate!) cupcake experience
The following weekend we had kind of a break. Well, if you consider Ryan's little neighbor friend's birthday a break. Complete with a bouncy slide, pull string pinata, and lots of rambunctious little boys, it was most certainly a busy (but fun) day. I have to proudly say (because I usually can't) that Ryan was the "last boy standing" (OK, all of them were standing) at the end of the party. He was the only one who wasn't crying, having a complete meltdown, or just down right grumpy. Don't worry though...he just saved it all up for when we got home. An early bed time did the trick and all was well again.
What better way to end an already terrific month, than to spend the last weekend with my girlfriends from college (er, minus Marcie)!? Our husbands were so kind to watch the kids all weekend while we spent some time doing fun girl things. We met up at Tara's house in Virginia and had a great time catching up. What girl's weekend would be complete without some outlet shopping, a pedicure, a chick flick, and some yummy eats!? Oh...and did I mention the staying up until 2 am? Ya...the bags that still linger under my eyes are proof positive that I am definitely not as young as I used to be (sniff).
Bridgette in the kitchen...we each brought recipes with us and took turns making meals. It was fun to try new meals and to share our favorites.
Jenn and Bridgette at Coastal Flats (we did take a night off to enjoy dinner out!)
Tara and Matt's son, Noah. I think he rather enjoyed having us around for the weekend!
We also had a mini baby shower for Jenn, who is due to have a little boy in October!
I didn't do the best job taking pictures to document our weekend together, but again, it was a fun time! Thanks to Matt and Tara for hosting (and especially to Matt for putting up with all of the hoopla in addition to taking care of their kiddos!).
Phew--I'm tired just reading through the events of the past month. We don't have much planned for August. Just hoping to relax a little before Ryan starts pre-school in the fall (a post about that will most DEFINITELY follow).
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Happy Father's Day
Faithful
Attentive
Trustworthy
Helpful
Eager
Respectful
These are all the things I celebrate in James today, for the wonderful father that he is to our two children. (Oh, and he’s a pretty good husband, too!)
Father’s Day, is, of course, the day we celebrate our earthly fathers. However, I have been reminded today of the Heavenly Father’s love for me. I was one of the lucky ones (though I don’t believe in luck) who was blessed with a Dad who loved me and never hesitated to tell me so. It’s hard for me to fathom the fact that the Heavenly Father’s love far surpasses that which my earthly father had for me. But, it’s true. Today I mourn that it was exactly two years ago that I had my last face to face conversation with my Dad. It was the next day that my Dad became ill and ultimately ended up in a coma for a week with severe brain trauma, from which we were told he would never recover. I recently read a post on this Mama’s blog about clinging to God in the hard times in our lives (and she went on to further say that we should cling to Him ALL the time), and I could totally relate. I clung to God with all my might that week, and in the weeks that followed. God did not provide the miracle for which we had been praying, but He did envelope us in His love. Never in my life had I so strongly clung to His promises…promises that He has a plan…and though it may not always add up with what I think should happen…His plan is the Right Plan…the Perfect Plan. Never in my life had I felt so much peace, peace that could have ONLY come from God…given the circumstances. I am an only child, and the overwhelming weight that I felt on my shoulders to care for my Mom, and to help her through her grief, was much too much to bear on my own. I had NO CHOICE but to lean on God. It was during that time that a popular praise song kept coming to mind, and kept coming up on the screen at church, and on the radio in the car…you get the point…I heard it ALL the time. That song was “How Great is our God”. It really spoke to me, and even though I was grieving, I was able to praise God…because I KNEW He loved me. So, with that said, I am missing my Dad today on Father’s Day. Even more so because it starts a painful week of memories regarding his death. On the way to church today I was thinking to myself that I really hoped that song would be part of worship. Like I said, it just really speaks to me. Guess what…the closing song today was just that. Seriously. Oh, and the way our church sings it is to include a portion of “How Great Thou Art” in the middle of the song. Did I mention that that was my Dad’s favorite hymn? Seriously. Once again, I just felt my Heavenly Father’s arms wrapping around me and letting me know that Yes, everything is in His hands…and it is well. So, yes, I’m missing my Dad today…but how GREAT is it to have a Heavenly Father who loves me…and who knows my every thought…my every need. How great. Now, if only I can remember to give Him the praise for the good times as well…when everything is A-Ok! I’m a work in progress…what can I say!?
I’m looking forward to celebrating the rest of the day with my husband, and with his parents, and to relish in the blessings of family. May you do the same on this Father’s Day!
Attentive
Trustworthy
Helpful
Eager
Respectful
These are all the things I celebrate in James today, for the wonderful father that he is to our two children. (Oh, and he’s a pretty good husband, too!)
Father’s Day, is, of course, the day we celebrate our earthly fathers. However, I have been reminded today of the Heavenly Father’s love for me. I was one of the lucky ones (though I don’t believe in luck) who was blessed with a Dad who loved me and never hesitated to tell me so. It’s hard for me to fathom the fact that the Heavenly Father’s love far surpasses that which my earthly father had for me. But, it’s true. Today I mourn that it was exactly two years ago that I had my last face to face conversation with my Dad. It was the next day that my Dad became ill and ultimately ended up in a coma for a week with severe brain trauma, from which we were told he would never recover. I recently read a post on this Mama’s blog about clinging to God in the hard times in our lives (and she went on to further say that we should cling to Him ALL the time), and I could totally relate. I clung to God with all my might that week, and in the weeks that followed. God did not provide the miracle for which we had been praying, but He did envelope us in His love. Never in my life had I so strongly clung to His promises…promises that He has a plan…and though it may not always add up with what I think should happen…His plan is the Right Plan…the Perfect Plan. Never in my life had I felt so much peace, peace that could have ONLY come from God…given the circumstances. I am an only child, and the overwhelming weight that I felt on my shoulders to care for my Mom, and to help her through her grief, was much too much to bear on my own. I had NO CHOICE but to lean on God. It was during that time that a popular praise song kept coming to mind, and kept coming up on the screen at church, and on the radio in the car…you get the point…I heard it ALL the time. That song was “How Great is our God”. It really spoke to me, and even though I was grieving, I was able to praise God…because I KNEW He loved me. So, with that said, I am missing my Dad today on Father’s Day. Even more so because it starts a painful week of memories regarding his death. On the way to church today I was thinking to myself that I really hoped that song would be part of worship. Like I said, it just really speaks to me. Guess what…the closing song today was just that. Seriously. Oh, and the way our church sings it is to include a portion of “How Great Thou Art” in the middle of the song. Did I mention that that was my Dad’s favorite hymn? Seriously. Once again, I just felt my Heavenly Father’s arms wrapping around me and letting me know that Yes, everything is in His hands…and it is well. So, yes, I’m missing my Dad today…but how GREAT is it to have a Heavenly Father who loves me…and who knows my every thought…my every need. How great. Now, if only I can remember to give Him the praise for the good times as well…when everything is A-Ok! I’m a work in progress…what can I say!?
I’m looking forward to celebrating the rest of the day with my husband, and with his parents, and to relish in the blessings of family. May you do the same on this Father’s Day!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Vacation
James went back to work today after an almost 2 week staycation/vacation. We started his vacation off at home...with a little work! We sent the kids to James' parent's house for a night and used that "kid-free" time to put down a patio. As you have seen from past posts, our back yard is in a state of disarray! There used to be a deck off of our dining room, but the wood was starting to rot so with a little help from some family members, we tore it out. Thanks to our home's previous owners, we had all the supplies we needed to make a paver brick patio. Here are some before and after pics...
Bringing in some top soil to level out the ground
James hard at work on his first day of vacation!
The finished (well, almost...we are missing a step down) project!
After a few days at home, we headed off to Maine. We stopped for a night at my Uncle's house and from there went to separate locations. James went to the Allagash Wilderness Waterway for a fishing trip, and the kids and I traveled on to my Mom's house in northern Maine.
The bridge from New Hampshire to Maine
LOVED seeing this sign on my many long drives home from college! Never had a picture of it until now!
Ryan napping in the car
James' fishing trip was bittersweet. It was two years ago this month that James and I took off to New Hampshire, where my parents were living at the time, so that he and my Dad could go fishing in the Allagash with some of the same men that went this year. It was the first day of that trip, once they crossed the lake to get to their campsite, that my Dad fell ill and had to be air lifted to the hospital in Portland, ME where he passed away after a week of being in a coma. I know it brought back painful memories for James, but he felt that my Dad would have wanted him to go on this trip and to experience the beauty of the Allagash (a place my Dad loved so much and where he spent time with his brother and father every year since he was in his 20s). Despite the bitter memories, James did have a good time on the trip and even caught a few fish!
Uncle Mark, James and Andy waiting for a bite
James got one (actually, I believe he got five!)
Up close and personal with a Moose
Make that two Moose!
After a fun, though brief, visit with my friend Sarah and her kids, Ryan, Ella and I went on to my Mom's house. It rained the WHOLE time we were there, but we had fun visiting anyway!
Lydia, Ryan, Eliza and Ella...the best picture I could get!
Ring around the Rosy
Lydia holding Ella
MiMi and Ella
MiMi with Ryan and Ella (I snapped the picture before Ryan could tackle them!)
James still had two days off when we got back, which was a nice way to unwind after a long trip and a busy vacation! Now it's back to work...and back to real life. Sigh.
Bringing in some top soil to level out the ground
James hard at work on his first day of vacation!
The finished (well, almost...we are missing a step down) project!
After a few days at home, we headed off to Maine. We stopped for a night at my Uncle's house and from there went to separate locations. James went to the Allagash Wilderness Waterway for a fishing trip, and the kids and I traveled on to my Mom's house in northern Maine.
The bridge from New Hampshire to Maine
LOVED seeing this sign on my many long drives home from college! Never had a picture of it until now!
Ryan napping in the car
James' fishing trip was bittersweet. It was two years ago this month that James and I took off to New Hampshire, where my parents were living at the time, so that he and my Dad could go fishing in the Allagash with some of the same men that went this year. It was the first day of that trip, once they crossed the lake to get to their campsite, that my Dad fell ill and had to be air lifted to the hospital in Portland, ME where he passed away after a week of being in a coma. I know it brought back painful memories for James, but he felt that my Dad would have wanted him to go on this trip and to experience the beauty of the Allagash (a place my Dad loved so much and where he spent time with his brother and father every year since he was in his 20s). Despite the bitter memories, James did have a good time on the trip and even caught a few fish!
Uncle Mark, James and Andy waiting for a bite
James got one (actually, I believe he got five!)
Up close and personal with a Moose
Make that two Moose!
After a fun, though brief, visit with my friend Sarah and her kids, Ryan, Ella and I went on to my Mom's house. It rained the WHOLE time we were there, but we had fun visiting anyway!
Lydia, Ryan, Eliza and Ella...the best picture I could get!
Ring around the Rosy
Lydia holding Ella
MiMi and Ella
MiMi with Ryan and Ella (I snapped the picture before Ryan could tackle them!)
James still had two days off when we got back, which was a nice way to unwind after a long trip and a busy vacation! Now it's back to work...and back to real life. Sigh.
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