Butternut Squash Soup with Red Lentils
1 day ago
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
goodies
Lots of baking going on around here this week. Want a cookie?
Glitter Balls with Ginger Butter Cream Filling
Triple Ginger Cookies
Peppermint Bark
Lemon Glazed Candied Ginger Cookies
Spiced Candied Nuts and more Peppermint Bark
There are still tons more I'm dying to try in the Martha Stewart Cookies Magazine. I don't bake typical treats for the most part during the year, but in December I unleash the beast throw caution to the wind. This is only a sampling of what we've made! My body has been craving kale for the past few days. Time to come down from the sugar cloud.
Glitter Balls with Ginger Butter Cream Filling
Triple Ginger Cookies
Peppermint Bark
Lemon Glazed Candied Ginger Cookies
Spiced Candied Nuts and more Peppermint Bark
There are still tons more I'm dying to try in the Martha Stewart Cookies Magazine. I don't bake typical treats for the most part during the year, but in December I unleash the beast throw caution to the wind. This is only a sampling of what we've made! My body has been craving kale for the past few days. Time to come down from the sugar cloud.
The Best Candied Nuts!
Sugar-and-Spice Candied Nuts
Adapted from Elizabeth Karmel of Hill Country
1/3 cup dark-brown sugar
2/3 cup white granulated sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt (I might up this by a 1/2 tsp. next time for more of a sweet/salty balance)
1/4 teaspoon of hot smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon of chipotle powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pound walnut or pecan halves or whole peeled hazelnuts
1 egg white, room temperature
1 tablespoon water
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Mix sugars, salt, cayenne, and cinnamon, making sure there are no lumps; set aside. Beat egg white and water until frothy but not stiff. Add walnuts, and stir to coat evenly. Sprinkle nuts with sugar mixture, and toss until evenly coated. Spread sugared nuts in a single layer on a cookie sheet fitted with parchment paper. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from oven, and separate nuts as they cool. When completely cool, pour the nuts into a bowl, breaking up any that stick together.
Adapted from Elizabeth Karmel of Hill Country
1/3 cup dark-brown sugar
2/3 cup white granulated sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt (I might up this by a 1/2 tsp. next time for more of a sweet/salty balance)
1/4 teaspoon of hot smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon of chipotle powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pound walnut or pecan halves or whole peeled hazelnuts
1 egg white, room temperature
1 tablespoon water
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Mix sugars, salt, cayenne, and cinnamon, making sure there are no lumps; set aside. Beat egg white and water until frothy but not stiff. Add walnuts, and stir to coat evenly. Sprinkle nuts with sugar mixture, and toss until evenly coated. Spread sugared nuts in a single layer on a cookie sheet fitted with parchment paper. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from oven, and separate nuts as they cool. When completely cool, pour the nuts into a bowl, breaking up any that stick together.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Nina's Littlest Bakeshop Party
We had Nina's birthday party early this year because December 28th is a tough time to find friends in town. Last year Sela had a big birthday bash and this year was Nina's turn to celebrate with lots of friends. We all decided that alternating years on the friend parties would allow for other fun adventures with family or a friend or two on the "off" years. Last year I had planned to do a baking party for Nina but it kept getting pushed back because of Christmas and other things. She ended up having a small surprise dinner and movie with our good friends and I shelved the idea for a future date. Anyway, there was no stopping the Littlest Bakeshop this year! Nina loves a party and to be surrounded by friends...and treats, of course. Sela was a huge help setting things up and assisting the little bakers. We had a great time and it was so fun celebrating Nina style!
Finally, my party is here!
Sela painted the cupcake sign for the door. It later became a "pin the cherry on the cupcake" game.
After getting suited up in their darling aprons made by my Mom (thank you a hundred times, Mom!!), the bakers decorated chef's hats.
Sam wasn't too crazy about a flower hat so we scrambled for the owl stamps and just look at how color-coordinated he is!
Crowd surfing
Sela kept everyone entertained with games while we set up for the next treat.
my sweet boy
Sela keeping an eye on the chocolate
the job has its benefits
It was so fun to have Lisa there to help me.
cupcakes
The mini- pie station. I was so excited to find some of these recipes on a party planning site a couple weeks before the party. This pie idea was my favorite!
cranberry-apple pies
Happy Birthday dear Nina!
Nina wanted Sela to sing a solo. She sang a very silly version of Happy Birthday. Wish I would have videoed it!
the goodie box before we packaged them all up
Nina and Cuppy
Nina and Carly
Nina and Micah
Sela got a new haircut (and highlights :O) for her birthday. She was extra happy about her new do.
Happy Birthday Nina!
Finally, my party is here!
Sela painted the cupcake sign for the door. It later became a "pin the cherry on the cupcake" game.
After getting suited up in their darling aprons made by my Mom (thank you a hundred times, Mom!!), the bakers decorated chef's hats.
Sam wasn't too crazy about a flower hat so we scrambled for the owl stamps and just look at how color-coordinated he is!
Crowd surfing
Sela kept everyone entertained with games while we set up for the next treat.
my sweet boy
Sela keeping an eye on the chocolate
the job has its benefits
It was so fun to have Lisa there to help me.
cupcakes
The mini- pie station. I was so excited to find some of these recipes on a party planning site a couple weeks before the party. This pie idea was my favorite!
cranberry-apple pies
Happy Birthday dear Nina!
Nina wanted Sela to sing a solo. She sang a very silly version of Happy Birthday. Wish I would have videoed it!
the goodie box before we packaged them all up
Nina and Cuppy
Nina and Carly
Nina and Micah
Sela got a new haircut (and highlights :O) for her birthday. She was extra happy about her new do.
Happy Birthday Nina!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Sela is 10!!
Wow, 10 years sure went by fast! Sela made me a mother ten years ago. Her birth was peaceful and serene and one of the most treasured moments of my life. The days and years since have been an amazing journey. I haven't been a perfect parent, but she has been a remarkable child. I love her with all of my heart.
There is so much to say about this sweet child and so many conflicting feelings I have about her growing up. Here are a few things we have admired about Sela this year and a snapshot of our 10 year old. We're in the double digits now. The beginning of the end. Just kidding. It's no secret I never want my kids to leave home! Life is beautiful with the laughter, energy and enthusiasm of children.
1. Sela is happy. She can be serious at times, but she is such a happy child. Some of the things that make her happy are feeling understood, a clean house (she can't focus in a mess so she will completely tidy a space before sitting down to draw or read) She is often found telling Rollin to pick up his paper cuttings & and markers that seem to take over the table on a daily basis. Riding the bus, trying new activities,receiving the Friend magazine in the mail, all kinds of animals, PE, chats at bedtime, making breakfast for the family, special outings, potato soup, music, notes on her bed, playing board games, sports, writing and creating all bring a smile to her face.
2. Sela is a dedicated artist and burns through erasers as she constantly self-edits her work and tries to improve her technique. I enjoy having her art all around the house. She loves her art class. It doesn't matter how tired she is, she always loves to go to art. She and Nina go in the evening and both the teacher and the environment are so empowering.
3. Sela loves to try new things. This year she joined the orchestra at school and is playing the cello. This commitment requires her to get up at 6:30 on Tuesday and Thursday and ride the junior high bus to practice. Because this was entirely her decision, she is committed to getting there each class and it only takes a whisper into her room for her to almost leap out of bed. She gets on the bus in the dark.
4. Sela is competitive. Along with cross country and tennis this year, she joined basketball this season and oh my gosh, it's so much fun to watch her scramble for the ball. I love to cheer for her. You can't cheer much in tennis so it's fun for me to be able to be loud and cheer her on!! She's working hard and having a great time and enjoying being part of a team. She totally gets how important it is to work together and she has made several assists. She made her first basket in the first game but focuses more on stealing the ball.She's also a really good sport, win or lose. And given that they are a first year team and the others all played last year, they have experienced being pummeled.
5. She has an incredible group of friends. I could not be more pleased with the group of girls she spends her time with. They are all so nice and supportive of one another. Their families are great. I haven't seen the cattiness that I feared might crop up at their age. This is such a blessing and probably a reason why she loves school and is able to focus on learning rather than the social dynamics.
6. Sela is driven. She wants to improve in different areas and will spend lots of time working on things on her own. Her interests change, but she will key in on something for a few weeks or more and then most of her free time will be spent researching or reading about the subject. Right now she has decided she wants to work on her presentation skills. I know they recite poetry and lots of other things in class and she does really well. She enjoys the positive feedback and the feeling of being in front of an audience. She made a power point this week at home (for fun) on exercise and presented it to me. As soon as that was done, she wrote a Polish Christmas story and illustrated it.
7. Sela loves family. She loves to be home. She looks forward to family home evening, movie night, and lives for the weekends as long as we're home for the most part. She's loves her brothers and sister.
8. She loves her grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. She loved getting a message for her birthday on facebook from Erin and Granny this year as well as the phone calls. I love knowing she has such a wonderful and supportive family and I know she is strengthened by those relationships.
9. Sela has become hugely more responsible this year. I don't have to remind her about anything school or homework related. She has a planner and takes care of it right after school. She takes care of big multi-week projects on her own and also fits in time to write her own stories just for fun. At her parent/teacher/student conference, she lead the entire discussion. The teacher only said a few words. They make this switch in 4th grade but it was so fun to watch her self-assess. She identified her strengths and set goals to improve certain areas.
10. Sela has a kind heart and wants to do what is right. She has prayed and received answers and has felt the spirit in her life which is such a blessing. I love her with all of my heart and couldn't be more pleased with who she is at age 10. I love you, baby girl!
There is so much to say about this sweet child and so many conflicting feelings I have about her growing up. Here are a few things we have admired about Sela this year and a snapshot of our 10 year old. We're in the double digits now. The beginning of the end. Just kidding. It's no secret I never want my kids to leave home! Life is beautiful with the laughter, energy and enthusiasm of children.
1. Sela is happy. She can be serious at times, but she is such a happy child. Some of the things that make her happy are feeling understood, a clean house (she can't focus in a mess so she will completely tidy a space before sitting down to draw or read) She is often found telling Rollin to pick up his paper cuttings & and markers that seem to take over the table on a daily basis. Riding the bus, trying new activities,receiving the Friend magazine in the mail, all kinds of animals, PE, chats at bedtime, making breakfast for the family, special outings, potato soup, music, notes on her bed, playing board games, sports, writing and creating all bring a smile to her face.
2. Sela is a dedicated artist and burns through erasers as she constantly self-edits her work and tries to improve her technique. I enjoy having her art all around the house. She loves her art class. It doesn't matter how tired she is, she always loves to go to art. She and Nina go in the evening and both the teacher and the environment are so empowering.
3. Sela loves to try new things. This year she joined the orchestra at school and is playing the cello. This commitment requires her to get up at 6:30 on Tuesday and Thursday and ride the junior high bus to practice. Because this was entirely her decision, she is committed to getting there each class and it only takes a whisper into her room for her to almost leap out of bed. She gets on the bus in the dark.
4. Sela is competitive. Along with cross country and tennis this year, she joined basketball this season and oh my gosh, it's so much fun to watch her scramble for the ball. I love to cheer for her. You can't cheer much in tennis so it's fun for me to be able to be loud and cheer her on!! She's working hard and having a great time and enjoying being part of a team. She totally gets how important it is to work together and she has made several assists. She made her first basket in the first game but focuses more on stealing the ball.She's also a really good sport, win or lose. And given that they are a first year team and the others all played last year, they have experienced being pummeled.
5. She has an incredible group of friends. I could not be more pleased with the group of girls she spends her time with. They are all so nice and supportive of one another. Their families are great. I haven't seen the cattiness that I feared might crop up at their age. This is such a blessing and probably a reason why she loves school and is able to focus on learning rather than the social dynamics.
7. Sela loves family. She loves to be home. She looks forward to family home evening, movie night, and lives for the weekends as long as we're home for the most part. She's loves her brothers and sister.
8. She loves her grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. She loved getting a message for her birthday on facebook from Erin and Granny this year as well as the phone calls. I love knowing she has such a wonderful and supportive family and I know she is strengthened by those relationships.
9. Sela has become hugely more responsible this year. I don't have to remind her about anything school or homework related. She has a planner and takes care of it right after school. She takes care of big multi-week projects on her own and also fits in time to write her own stories just for fun. At her parent/teacher/student conference, she lead the entire discussion. The teacher only said a few words. They make this switch in 4th grade but it was so fun to watch her self-assess. She identified her strengths and set goals to improve certain areas.
10. Sela has a kind heart and wants to do what is right. She has prayed and received answers and has felt the spirit in her life which is such a blessing. I love her with all of my heart and couldn't be more pleased with who she is at age 10. I love you, baby girl!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Curried Cauliflower Soup
Curry Cauliflower Soup
1-2 yellow diced onions
4-5 Yukon gold potatoes cubed (I don't peel these)
1 head cauliflower chopped
1 tsp curry powder or more
1 tsp cumin
1 pinch cayenne or more
salt and pepper
lemon juice for 1 lemon
1 quart veggie or chicken broth
milk or evaporated milk
In a bit of olive oil, saute the onions about 5-7 minutes. Add the spices and the potatoes and saute another 5 minutes. Add the chopped cauliflower. Then add the broth and a bit of water--you need to cover everything. Bring to a boil and then turn down to a simmer and cover. If you are in a hurry this will take about 40 minutes to cook, otherwise I let it simmer all day. Puree with the stick blender and then add the lemon juice and enough milk to change the color and make it creamy. Taste and add more salt/pepper/cayenne as needed.
1-2 yellow diced onions
4-5 Yukon gold potatoes cubed (I don't peel these)
1 head cauliflower chopped
1 tsp curry powder or more
1 tsp cumin
1 pinch cayenne or more
salt and pepper
lemon juice for 1 lemon
1 quart veggie or chicken broth
milk or evaporated milk
In a bit of olive oil, saute the onions about 5-7 minutes. Add the spices and the potatoes and saute another 5 minutes. Add the chopped cauliflower. Then add the broth and a bit of water--you need to cover everything. Bring to a boil and then turn down to a simmer and cover. If you are in a hurry this will take about 40 minutes to cook, otherwise I let it simmer all day. Puree with the stick blender and then add the lemon juice and enough milk to change the color and make it creamy. Taste and add more salt/pepper/cayenne as needed.
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