april {snow} showers + video!

There's nothing like a good snow shower to provide some after-dinner entertainment. Because let's be honest, me and the kids were far too comfy in our sweats and jammies to get outside any earlier. Blake and I built the snowman and then Evelyn joined in for some fun. I'm pretty sure we won't see tulips and snow together for a long time. 

Blake has been asking to watch family videos lately and I realized it's been a while since I've made one. Well, our snowy April Day gave us just the reason to make one. Find it after all the pictures of my cute kids all bundled up. Evelyn's tongue sticking out for snow is just about the cutest thing ever. 

P.S. For dinner we had our favorite wild rice soup and quick breadsticks. For those of you who want the recipes, they will be on So Festive tomorrow!

an impromptu pie party

We never got around to making an apple pie for the 4th of July, so Labor Day it was! We made a mess. We made memories. But we made an apple pie nonetheless. And it was yummy. We used this Apple Crumb recipe and I'll tell you what. We've found a winner of a crust. I'll never go back.

Our neighbors were outside that evening and claimed they could smell it all the way from their house. So we couldn't not invite them over! It was a great way to end our Labor Day.

To see a video of what Blake did with the extra pie crust, head over to So Festive!

sochi 2014 olympics

The Olympics ended today. I was certain I would watch them non-stop. I absolutely LOVE the Olympics. But for some reason (maybe because life happens or because I'm not very good at just relaxing), I didn't watch near as much as I thought I would.

At least we had a celebration during the Opening Ceremonies.  It was just our little family. Perfect. Since Brandon served his mission in Russia, he taught us all how to make Pilmini.

Here's how he did it: (with our help here and there). And he even documented it.

1. Make a nice, soft dough.

2.  Make a mixture of onions, pork, and beef. 

3. Roll out the dough. Cut it in small circles and fill each one with meat mixture. 

4. Freeze for 20 minutes. 

5. Boil for 20 minutes. Eat with sour cream or ketchup. 

In other cool news, Brandon was asked to come up with Olympic-themed Russian words for a "Word-Of-The-Day" that ABC-4 Utah (local news channel) wanted to air during the Olympics. So each day during the Olympics, we would watch a clip of him sharing the Russian word for that day. He did really well and he was grateful for the opportunity to get to use his Russian.

cookies a 16-month old can make

I've had the biggest sweet tooth lately. All I want to eat lately is fruit and treats. And I've definitely indulged too many times. A few days ago, I was really wanting some cookies, but in my effort to be a little healthier, I tried a recipe I found on pinterest using 3 ingredients: oatmeal, bananas, and chocolate chips. Blake and I gave them a go. They wouldn't be my first choice for a cookie, but since we wanted to feel okay about eating cookies for lunch, these were great.

Blake loves being in the kitchen with me. He always wants to see what I'm cooking or making. Since there wasn't anything bad in these cookies (like raw eggs or anything), I gave him the masher and let him go at it. I don't know which one of us had more fun--him mashing or me watching him make a mess!

 And I know I probably took way too many pictures of this little guy, but it won't always just be the two of us. I want to remember the cookie making, mess-making times we have together! I just love him. 

^^this one makes him look so grown up. in a cute, little boy way. i could just kiss him all day long, much to his dismay. ^^

To make the "cookies": mix 1 cup quick oats with 2 ripe bananas. add in chocolate chips or nuts if desired. bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

fruits + veggies

We are much better at healthy snacking when I'm on my A game and  have chopped fruits + veggies ready to grab from the fridge. I wish I could say I do this every week, but I can't.

At least we are trying. We are so much happier when we eat this way. 

12 months of cookies: january edition

Santa and I teamed up together for one of Brandon's Christmas gifts this year.  As long as I have been in their family, I have known there to be a square container on top of their fridge that is filled with cookies. After dinner or during a visit, I noticed how much Brandon loved grabbing a cookie or two. He has made numerous comments about how much he loves how his mom has a cookie container.

Truth be told, I don't make cookies, or desserts, that often around here. I know if I do, I will just eat way too many. But, I realized that I shouldn't deprive him of that after-dinner treat. So, Santa brought him a square container similar to what he had growing up, and I promised to make cookies once a month for him.
 
The end of January is nearly here, so I finally got around to making this month's cookie: Molasses Crinkles. I know these are one his very favorites.  

100% Whole Wheat Bread Recipe

Sorry for not sharing the recipe in my previous post. Like I said before, it's a recipe that has taken some time to perfect--not because the recipe needs perfecting, but my bread-making skills need perfecting. The lady who gave me the recipe invited me to her house one day so I could watch how to do it. Things have to be just right or it won't work out. And even though I've been making this for months now, I haven't got quite as big of loaves as she does, although I'm thinking it might due to the fact that I half the recipe. Not sure. 

Thanks Peg for the recipe and tutorial! 

Ingredients and directions: 

2 Tbsp. instant yeast

4 cups very warm water

a drizzle of honey

mix these together in a bosch or kitchenaid. let this mixture sit for about 15 minutes, or until bubbly. (this is one of the tricks--if it isn't bubbly, throw it out. Either your yeast is old or your water wasn't warm enough. Don't waste your time any further, just start over).

in the meantime, grind the whole wheat flour. (if you don't have a grinder, use wheat from a bakery store or as fresh as you can get)

add to the bowl of yeast,

1/3 cup honey

1/3 cup oil (canola oil)

1 1/2 Tbsp. dough enhancer

1 Tbsp. salt

mix around. then add about 9 cups whole wheat flour (this is another trick. you should start with about 5 cups of flour and proceed from there. you want to watch it jog around in your bowl until the sides come clean. don't be in a hurry. after your 5 cups, add more and then wait. add a little more if the sides aren't clean and continue that way. it seems to me that it takes a little time to thicken up after you add the flour, so don't be in a hurry.) too much flour won't help you end up with a soft loaf of bread. knead for 10 minutes. you don't want it sticky.

form into loaves. divide into 4ths. the dough should feel soft as a baby's bum, yet easy to handle. grease your hands and form into loaves and put into greased bread pans (preferably about 8 1/2 by 4 1/2) let raise until it looks like a loaf of bread-about 30 minutes. make sure you cover the loaves with about 3 layers of paper towels while rising. the size won't change much when you bake it, so make sure it is big enough before you bake it.

once it has raised, put in a cold oven. turn to 350. bake for 26-30 minutes, depending on your oven. invert onto cooling racks and butter tops of loaves.

*if using a smaller kitchenaid, half the recipe. i get two loaves. 

*fresh whole wheat flour can stay in the freezer for 3 weeks without losing nutritional value

*store in food and bread gallon size bags

*this is the best, soft whole wheat bread I've had. it is yummy for toast, but also good for sandwiches after it has cooled.

let me know if you have any questions. i tried to explain it as best as I could. 

COMFORT FOOD

It's no news that the temperatures have been on the brink of record-breaking ones. Just the other day, Brandon told me it was a mere 3 degrees when he left for work. Does that make me me feel a little guilty staying in the warm, comfortable bed while he gets up early to make it to work? It sure does. But I try to make up for it in other ways. Like making homemade bread.

I have almost mastered this 100% whole wheat bread recipe I got from a lady in my ward. Almost is the key word. Everything has to be just right. Today, I threw out the first batch of dough because it was too sticky. The second batch of yeast didn't rise. I was about to give up, but I tried one more time. And I'm glad I did.

Because the result was amazing! And worth it. Blake has eaten 3 pieces already and I'm close behind. Brandon better hurry home before it is all gone. Our house now smells like a bakery and it has reduced every ounce of guilt I have felt for being a little lazy this week so far.

Warm bread straight from the oven is just what we needed during this ever so cold winter. Now, please excuse me while I go eat some more.

the last bit of august

Hollie's last visit to Blake | homemade spaghetti sauce with our garden tomatoes | 6 month shots | farewell to Sister King

freezer meal recipes

For those of you who asked, here are the freezer meal recipes. Enjoy!

Rachel's Casserole
Wheat Pancakes
Chicken Tetrazzini
Chicken Enchiladas
Seashell Casserole
BBQ Pulled Pork
Burritos

love week: i love freezer meals

I love freezer meals. I love having things on hand and ready to pull out at a moment's notice.

I love to have a fresh meal each night, but sometimes, it's just not possible. And that is why I looove to have back-up meals in the freezer. It makes me feel productive and on top of things especially when I really am not. Since this baby has decided not to show up yet, we took full advantage of our time yesterday. We cooked up a storm and had lots of fun doing it. Have I said how much I love cooking with Brandon? He is the best partner to be in the kitchen with and not just because he is happy to do all the dishes. We got a little ambitious and made lots of food.

nearly every appliance and burner was used. got to love our tiny kitchen!

 We made Chicken Enchiladas, Burritos, Seashell Casserole, Rachel's Casserole, Chicken Tetrazzini, BBQ pulled pork, hamburger meat, wheat pancakes, and 2 loaves of wheat bread. Whew! It makes me exhausted and hungry just thinking about it.

Too bad it won't last forever :(

the start of love week

I have been inspired from this blog and this one who do love week each year before Valentine's Day and I think it is such a great idea. I figured I would try it out this year so we can share some of the things we have loved lately. Plus this may be the only festive thing we do this year if the baby decides to come before V-day.

First up: We love turkey sandwiches!

We've been working hard to finish our baby bucket list and cooking a turkey was on it.

We finally we did it (and by we I mean Brandon) and have been loving all the turkey sandwiches from it!

Lately...

We've canned salsa

I hosted book club (but don't ask me about the book)

We had a family potluck with my Peacock cousins 

 and Brandon finished his soccer coaching season

Calling All Bread Experts

I made this wheat bread today but for some reason it

came out of the oven with a flat top. Anybody know why?

Did I let it rise too long? I can't seem to get this bread-making just right.

what good dates are made of

our friday night turned out differently than expected.
in a good way i mean. 
usually we crash on fridays, but no naps for us!
we had dinner at home.
then we made a delicious oreo cheesecake
(of which we didn't get to taste the deliciousness until today.
boo hoo. it's terrible making something that you have to wait to eat).
i remembered how much i love cooking with brandon!
especially when we are making something new.
he has made double-boil skills and is a perfectionist where i'm not.
we're a great team, him and I.

we drove to the theater to catch a 7:30 dollar movie,
but to our dismay, it was all sold out.
the next show wasn't until 10:25.
we decided we would just kill the time.

we walked every aisle of shopko perusing for any good deals.
and then found a comfy patio swing
where we talked about our dreams, hopes, and ambitions.
it was interrupted by the announcement that was the store closing.

so we moved on over to wendy's.
over a frosty and their new natural-cut sea-salt fries (which we highly recommend),
we continued our deep conversation.
with bursts of laughter spread intermittently.

finally, we made our way to the theater.
saw the interesting The Tourist which made us think
and talk about it the entire way home.

cooking, lots and lots of talking, a little shopping, a good movie and laughter.
that my friends, is what a good date is made of.

heart s'mores

I posted this over at So Festive today, but since they were so cute, I decided to add them here too. My friend Marcelle had a great idea to make homemade graham crackers. They are a little time consuming to make, but are delicious! Since it was the month of love, we decided to shape them into hearts like this:

 We then melted down some kisses and molded them into a heart shaped pan. We added in a marshmallow, broiled for 30 seconds and had ourselves some "hearty" s'mores.

i'm a big fan.

guilty

we downed half a dozen of cinnamon rolls tonight
while watching Sound of Music.
who ate more?
that's our little secret.

happy things

i know. i know. things shouldn't bring us happiness. and for me, they really don't bring true happiness. life is already REALLY good, but there are a few things that have it extra cheery and bring a smile to my face.

want to hear them?

{recipe book holder}. since i AM cooking a lot more this year, i thought this might come in handy. thrifted for $1.50.


{blue ramekins}. i think this is one of my favorite words. i learned when i visited em this fall. say it with me. ram-e-kin. isn't it fun to say? picked these up with a store credit and our pazuki this weekend was delightful in them.


{rain boots}. i am loving boots of all sorts as of late. but i have never been more excited for rainy days until now.


{order}. i love new starts. i love new years. i love dejunking and making my house clutter free. there is so much peace that comes from order. i'm sure it won't be like this forever, but i'll enjoy it while i can. i read this article my cousin had posted on her blog. very interesting. a little eccentric when it comes to organization, but a few of the concepts i liked.