"Turkey for you and turkey for me!"

I have a dilemma!

    This years turkey will be the third or fourth turkey we have prepared. We have tried a few different methods. Last year with a medical grade serum bag.... (Yikes! Um, what? From the hubs work! Insert image of "Frankenturkey". Anyway, they actually make fantastic bags for brining, and of course.. Thank goodness! Medical purposes!) We brined for the first time. Delicious moist and flavorful! Really splendid! My hubby usually gets a turkey from work. "Frankenturkey".  I hit a few different stores looking for the right spices and ingredients. Intent upon recreating the juicy goodness of last years bird. Bought them all. Got home. Saw turkey was pre injected.

Great! Commence hair pulling!

    I just spent half my paycheck on spices. Good grief. I have been trolling the internet for rescue. Someone to say "Yes! Proceed with your dream of turkey that falls off the bone! Brine your already salted turkey! Rejoice with a triumphant leap from the table as they shriek Eureka!" High fives all around! Tears of joy! Victory! Random, vivid imagination. Oh how your dreams change as you age. Laughing. Out. Loud.

    Determined am I! I think Tom will get a bath anyway. I think he will spend a luxurious 24 hours in chilled apple cider. Floating amidst fleshy pomegranate kernels. Orange peel swirling around our esteemed guest. Steeping in spices and crisp fall apples...

Because I'm Fairly certain last years turkey was also pre injected!

In addition to my usual determination I am also an:

op·ti·mist

  (ŏp′tə-mĭst)

n.

1. One who usually expects a favorable outcome.

    The cheesecake turned out silky smooth. No cracks on the top. Buttery golden. Happy birthday to my Grammie. Baby girl made the most beautiful place cards for the guests. Rolls are rising as we speak. The people I love, and who love me will gather to give thanks. At this time next week Thanksgiving 2015 will be on the books. What will we remember?

How is your turkey day prep coming?

Mini Cheesy Turkey Shells...

        This is the picture that popped up in my "memories" from Facebook this morning! Two years ago today we were enjoying our first snow fall! You would have to know my family to really understand the disappointment today's mere rain showers are bringing! I promised my hubby a snow dance before he left the house for the day. Channeling ancient Winnebago Indian powers....... Just kidding, but really we are on pins and needles. 

     You could say we bleed ski doo. Its an old family tradition passed down through many wintery generations. The past few Utah winters have been... meh! We have had snow of course, but it has been years since we got a good dumping.

     So as I sit here with my hot chocolate and Ludo omelet... Did you watch "What Phil is having" last night? He is a riot! The little one is busy with "homework" and AM 1390 has been transformed into the annual holiday station fittingly playing "Let it snow"... I realize just how ready for the season I am. Yesterday the little and I got a jump on Christmas shopping. Putting the horse before the cart as usual, because first of course is turkey day! Our family will have the opportunity to host, and I couldn't be more excited. Stuffed with the fixings, blissfully content as we welcome the holidays! I can hardly contain myself waiting for time spent with my little family away from the hub bub. 

     Just in case you are feeling like me today, lets talk turkey! Lets take it a day at a time. A holiday at a time. Here is a turkey recipe to rein the emotions back in....  

My intention was turkey pot pie but I ended up with a "cheesy turkey shell" due to my poor planning and not purchasing enough pie crusts to top these tasty little things!

Try them out my kiddos and husband loved them! You cannot go wrong with a creamy white sauce and cheese! You will need:

1/4 cup butter or margarine

3T. finely chopped onions

3T. finely chopped celery

3/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1/4 cup flour

2 c. milk

paprika

two 9" pie crusts

about a cup each of your choice in veggies

and of course turkey!

    Preheat oven to 375. In a medium saucepan, melt butter. Add onions, salt, pepper and celery. Saute until tender. In a separate saucepan bring your diced mixed veggies to a boil. Do not overcook them! They will cook in the oven, so you want them slightly crunchy. Once your onions and celery are tender add flour and cook over low heat, stirring constantly until thickened. Stir in milk and bring to a boil. Boil one minute then remove from heat. Stir in your veggie mix and your turkey...diced or shredded will work!

1. Roll out the pie crust. Using a cookie cutter or kitchen glass cut out 12 circles.
2. Place pie crust circles into greased muffin tin.
3. Load them up with your turkey mix! Don't be afraid to fill them up as they will cook down in the oven! Top with cheese.

                   Top with shredded cheese and paprika. Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes.

Enjoy!

Pita Pockets from scratch!

    We have all heard the news! How our store bought, over processed foods are making us sick and causing an obesity epidemic. How scary! When I look around the dinner table each night at my family I yearn to provide the best for them.

    Processed foods are convenient, quick and over purchased. It is overwhelming to imagine eradicating every processed food in the pantry! In fact it was so overwhelming to me that I could not fathom where one would even begin! Many of the foods we create in our own kitchens become "processed" but at home we do not possess many of the harmful components big brands are adding to our foods. 

    I began to realize that little by little, step by step... we are very capable of learning new ways to provide nutrition for our families. With a little bit of time and effort, which is hard to come by at times... we can teach ourselves to be less dependent on convenience foods. 

    In an attempt to cut down on the lunch meats my family consumes I had chicken on the stove ready to be used for chicken sandwiches. Then my mind wandered to the bread. Grabbing the pita bread out of the fridge I glanced at the nutrition information...Yuck! After a little research and a few experiments the following recipe delivered pita bread gold! So easy! So basic! Great for a family on a budget!

Ingredients:

1 cup warm water

2 teaspoons yeast

2-3 cups AP flour (you could also use wheat)

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons olive oil. Plus a little more for coating a mixing bowl

Directions:

Mix the warm water and yeast in a medium size mixing bowl. Allow the mixture to set until the yeast is nice and foamy. About 10 minutes. Add 2 1/2 cups flour, salt and olive oil and mix until combined. Turn dough out unto a lightly floured surface, adding flour to hands and surface as needed. Knead dough for 5-7 minutes. Until it is soft and stretchy. Form a ball and let the dough rest as you rinse out the mixing bowl and dry thoroughly. Coat the bowl in a little bit of olive oil and add the dough turning to make sure the dough is coated. Allow the dough to rise in a warm area covered until it is doubled in size.

Once dough is doubled, punch down. Pre heat oven to 450 and place a baking stone on middle rack, you may also use an inverted baking sheet. Divide the dough into 6-8 even pieces and set aside under a dish towel. Take your first piece and roll it out on a floured surface. Roll until it is about a quarter inch thick. Place it on the warm baking stone for about 4 minutes. (I only baked one at a time but feel free to place as many as will fit on your stone.) While one is cooking you can prepare the next. You will notice the pita has puffed. That means it is ready! The bread is meant to be light in color. Do not cook until golden, or you will have a crunchy flatbread! While the pita is still warm slice in half and use a small paring knife to gently separate and open the pocket. Store in an airtight container until ready for use!

It was an instant hit! Soft and chewy! Warm and salty! Whip up your favorite salad and feel good about knowing what your family is eating! Enjoy!

Of Monkeys and bread...

    
Can you believe that the end of Summer is upon us?

    Where exactly has this year gone?! This morning as I sat down at the computer to download our vacation pictures I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness. Our precious vacation now is down in the memory banks! Each year we take a week long break from the ordinary. Escape the routines and enjoy spending time together as a family! I remember the anticipation I felt as we prepared to live out of our trailer for nine days! Nine Days! How on earth would we survive such close quarters for such an amount of time! How would I keep the kids from killing each other? Would the baby sleep? Or would we have a weeks worth of all nighters! The anxiety almost unbearable as we pulled out of the drive way and onto our adventure!

    What happened within those nine days in paradise was nothing short of a miracle! We grew closer than we already were, and learned so much from one another! We shared laughter and knew in our hearts this was indeed a special time! In fact the time went by so fast we were sad to see it end! We visited places we had never seen! Experienced new and exciting adventures! Jumped into rivers! Bathed in streams! Ate like wild little animals...

 Speaking of food!

    We tried many new and different camp style dinners on our trip! Campfire Mac and Cheese, camp quesadillas, chicken and sausage foil packets... Our favorite however had us searching for a grocery store so we had supplies to make it again!

    Bacon Cheddar Monkey Bread

I found this recipe on the Rhodes rolls website! With a few tweaks of our own it is now a camp favorite!

You will need:

24 Rhodes frozen rolls

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup Parmesan

1 package thick cut bacon

1/2 cup jalapenos (optional)

1 dutch oven liner

Directions:

    Cut the bacon into bite size chunks and brown. We used a liner for this process. Once bacon is browned remove from dutch oven. Remove about half of the bacon grease and discard. Layers the rolls in the bottom of the liner on top of the remaining bacon grease. There should be no gaps. Once the rolls are covering the bottom, top the rolls with cheeses and bacon, making sure to get in the nooks and cranny's! Your dutch oven is warm from browning the bacon, so put the lid on and allow the rolls to rise until double in size! Once doubled place your coals, or begin baking on your camp stove. Bake for approximately 30 minutes checking often that the bottom is not burning. We use our camp Chef so this was more of an issue than if you are using coals top and bottom! Once cooked, using the liner in the dutch oven remove rolls and devour!

    I hope yours was a summer to remember! Children are only children for so long! Cherish the road trips! Embrace the bickering! Enjoy the laughter! Hug and kiss their sweet little faces...

Bread and Better....

What are you feeding your kids? There is an amazing web article in Parents that has some sandwich ideas that will give you confidence and your kiddo's proper nutrition! 

Throwback Thursday

Yesterday was my Poppa's birthday! This is one of many cherished photos I have of him as a youngster! A good ol Idaho boy with his Chevy! Happy birthday grandpa! Much love!

Time...

A loss for words...

    Yesterday as I posted the pictures from our Fall Fun weekend there were so many things I wanted to say in addition to the photos. I wanted to share with you the joy of watching Sweet Baby K paint her first pumpkin. Tell you how we all laughed and spit out burnt, but coveted pumpkin seeds....Let my readers in on the emotions I was feeling when last Sunday I made time to do all the small things my kids had been wanting to do....

    These feelings began Saturday as our family gathered around my grandmother who has recently been diagnosed with Leukemia.... When looking at her you would never know. The woman is a spit fire, has been all her life! Even with all the helping hands available Saturday she still insisted on keeping busy. I finally sat with my husband and children feeling all that was to be done, was done...Grandma, once every one was seated and plates full, finally served herself and was on her way to her seat. Approaching our table we slid in to let her pass. I touched her arm and noticed eyes full of fresh tears threatening to spill as she surveyed the crowd that had assembled on her behalf. "Grandma, please sit down." I urged.... 

    "Grandma, what else can I get for you? What do you need?" A single shiny tear escaped and rolled down her cheek as she grasped my arm and replied "Just more time."

   This singular statement has been haunting me all week. Make time, no matter the cost. Make time no matter the inconvenience. Make time today to put the truly important things on top. Make time....

Vals spaghetti sauce...

 
  My friend Val is an amazing cook! I miss her cooking! On a fine afternoon such as this, thee  first day of October! The crock pot beckons!

    Last year we were lucky to receive a quarter of beef. Our deep freeze was full with delicious roasts, steak, and hamburger until late spring! Range fed beef is delicious not to mention the benefit of a healthier meat. This year although the timing was rough we dug deep into our pockets to purchase another quarter! We are once again glad we have done this! It will more than pay for itself and save us money in the long run!

Back to the Crisp Fall air and beckoning crock pot!

    1 package of stew meat
    1 large sliced onion
    a few cloves of fresh garlic
    1 26 oz can tomato sauce (you can use spaghetti sauce)
    a dash of  oregano
    salt and pepper to taste
    pasta

    Cut stew meat into bite size pieces. Brown. Combine everything but the pasta in crock pot. Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours stirring occasionally. Serve over cooked pasta! So easy and sooo delicious! The stew meat literally falls apart! Yummo!

Don't forget the garlic bread!

Silver Slipper...My amazing little sister!

A kid with a dream! 

 That is what she calls herself! I am so proud of my sweet little sister! Maggie began playing the piano at the age of ten and she is amazing! Her talent will move you to tears! Now she is taking on the world!  Please show your support and move the word about her fundraising efforts!

Eight tips to surviving the outdoors with your toddler...

 

Because sometimes the real danger is the screaming toddler in footed jammies!

    As a mother of three, two of which I raised up from newborn I am not immune to all nighters! Three insanely long nights in particular stick out in my mind...The first two would be the deliveries of my babies. My babies take a long time to get here. Seventeen and fourteen hours of anxious anticipation!

    The third insanely long night of my life? 

    That would be the first night my family of five crammed into our new camping trailer for what we hoped to be a restful nights sleep....

    Sweet baby K was convinced that camping's sole purpose was... baby torture! As we listened to her scream, a scream that was not from this earth I felt my last nerve snap! Wondering if this was what we were in for...long nights of  sleepless screaming! It is funny how dedicated we become when sleep training our little ones. Training them to have the confidence to sleep in their own bed and to fall asleep on their own...

    Take them away from their comfort zone and all that confidence is lost as they try to figure out why, and where, and what the?! 

    But dedicated campers and parents are we! Here are eight tips to make your camping trips a little easier this summer season!


Tip one: Get your toddler used to the idea of sleeping in your tent or trailer! Baby K and I took a nap in our trailer yesterday. I let her lay by me and look around. Once she was drowsy I slipped her into the small bed we had crafted for her of the side of our bed.

Tip two: Camping only toys! Grab a tote full of your baby's favorite toys and store them with your camping gear! Toys that she only plays with while camping. This builds excitement as she looks forward to the next time she plays with them!

Tip three: Let her explore! This is hard for me as I am a helicopter mom of sorts! Dress her  in long pants, light long sleeved shirts with shoes and socks then let her roam safely  within eyesight! The new sights and sounds will fascinate your baby and wear her out!

Tip four: Anticipate getting no sleep! If you are prepared to comfort fears and anxiety you will be a much better parent at three in the morning. Lay down in the afternoon with your child and gear up for whatever your baby has in store!

Tip five: Recruit older siblings and the hubs. If you are like me you have the main responsibility for baby. However, I am also fortunate to have an amazing husband and two older kids that are just waiting for me to hand over baby. Hand her over for a hike with daddy while you prepare meals then switch off. Help your husband relax too! He will also be a much better parent and support system at three in the morning!

Tip six: Breath! Your little one will soon get used to the idea and learn from your reactions whether camping is a good or bad thing! Smile! Relax!

Tip Seven: Pack for safety as well as comfort! Recreate the creature comforts of home and pack small travel size portions of baby's favorites! Remember pain and allergy relievers!  Our Sweet baby K was cutting top molars and we were so grateful for infant Advil!

Tip eight: Remember fire precautions! We got in the habit of not even allowing our little one to play near the unlit fire pit. That way when we did roast hot dogs she already knew it was not an area she was allowed in. Use caution with hot dogs and warm foods.

    Enjoying activities year round with our families is indeed a privilege! Learning the little tricks of traveling with kids is worth it's weight in gold!

How do you survive summer travels?

In the mood for something new...

 
   Do not say Yuck! Yet! I love Lidia Bastianich! Of course you may know this from my post about Boston Cream Cupcakes! The lady amazes me! A few weeks ago my kids and I happened upon an episode where she made these lovelies! My daughter and I were salivating! I could not wait to try this recipe! Enjoy!

Lidia's Italy: Home

serves: 6 to 8

"You might be used to breaded and fried zucchini cut in French- fry fashion, but when my mother fried zucchini, she would always cut them in rounds or slices. I liked them that way: they made great sandwich stuffers, especially when the flavors and moistness of the zucchini seeped into the bread. For over-the top flavor, add a few slices of Swiss cheese and melt under the broiler or in a sandwich press. The perfect Italian lunch."
 

vegetable oil, for frying
4 large eggs
kosher salt
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 cups fine dry bread crumbs
1 cup grated Grana Padano or Parmigiano-Reggiano
2 pounds medium zucchini, sliced into 1/4-1/2 inch-thick rounds on the bias*

Heat 1 inch of the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Beat the eggs in a bowl with a pinch of salt, and stir in the mint. Put the flour in one shallow bowl, and mix the bread crumbs and grated cheese in another. Dredge the zucchini, in batches, in the flour, then the egg, then the bread crumbs, shaking off the excess. Let the rounds rest on sheet trays while you finish all of the zucchini. When the oil reaches about 365 degrees (or when a piece of zucchini sizzles on contact), slip a batch of zucchini into the oil. Fry, turning occasionally, until crisp and golden all over, about 2 minutes. Drain the zucchini on paper towels, and season with salt. Let the oil return to temperature between batches, and repeat with the remaining zucchini, seasoning with salt as soon as they come out of the oil.



*Note: Cut slices 1/4 inch thick if you like crispier

slices, or ½ inch thick if you like meatier slices.

The bestest firstest birthday...

I love Duff! I am coveting every cake supply he sells! 

I used cake tattoos for the first time! So fun!

So as I said it would Saturday has come and gone...

But what a fantastic day it was!

Move over Cowboy! Momma's got a new favorite!

What you are looking at is heaven on a bun... er crust!

   Papa Murphy's delectable Cheeseburger pizza is divine! My cute neighbor brought me a slice last weekend and it is all I can think about! Hence the blogging via treadmill:) My husband had different sentiments...H said, and I quote "If I wanted a cheeseburger I would just get a cheeseburger!' Men! 

You have to try this pizza! While you are there try the new pizza kits for the kiddos!

Be my Valentine...

    Once again valentines day is upon us! I enjoy Valentines day! The chocolates! The flowers! The general feeling of love! The extra time certain girls spent in the bathroom this morning! Oh boy! It is happening! My poor husband is in for it! Three little girls....

 Adam Levine is beautiful! Not many women would argue this....

   Last night as I tucked her little body in snug, my eight year old was grinning from ear to ear. An obvious case of butterflies had her. "Momma?" She asks kissing my face. "Yes baby?" I reciprocate. "Who is that guy on the Voice with all the tattoo's?"  My girls inquiry forces me to giggle because the smirk on her face now has an explanation....a tattooed older man explanation! "Adam Levine? He is a cutie huh!" I reply.

    By now my baby doll is hiding her face blushing and giggling uncontrollably. This is the same girl who cannot resist pausing Twilight to gaze upon Taylor Lautner! "Oh Jacob I loooove you!" I can support a crush on a admittedly cute young man, but I wonder if her Adam "Guy with all the tattoos" crush should concern me?

   Ahhh! My poor husband! Three girls!

    Happy Valentines day!

    

Kids Creative Chaos scavenger hunt!

    Fun, Family Game to Boost Mommy Blogs! Hosted by:
         Kids Creative Chaos

Have fun scavenging the internet and get to know more Mommy Bloggers

Your Mission, if you choose to accept it is:

1. Type the words below into a Google Search.
 2. Find an image (any G image will do). (R click/copy url or save as title below)
3. Pin it to Pinterest and share your Pinterest board, so we can follow.
4. Link up or leave a comment below.
5. Like 'Kids Creative Chaos', on Facebook.

    To be eligible for our Kid's Basket of Goodies Prize pack, valued at over $50 (includes signed copy of (Adam Rubin's book Those Darned Squirrels and The Cat Next Door) you must complete all task in the hunt.

Happy Hunting!


1. Easy Elephants
2. Snowman in a Jar
3. Slipper Flop
4. Colors of the Faith
5. Snowball Socks

*If you live outside the U.S. you can participate but you'll have to pay shipping costs. You have one week to complete the mission. Everyone who completes all Scavenger Hunt tasks will be entered to win!

Dinner and dishes night...

 

   How do you make chores bearable?

    For the longest time my husband and I thought the recipe for happiness was to expect happiness! Our older children had no chores, no responsibility...The only expectation was to "Just be happy!" As we have matured and evolved in our blending process we have come to learn that children need responsibility. They need expectations that promote a constructive outcome. Expectations equal love.

    About six months ago now we implemented a chore/reward system that seems to be working. The only thing not in check that drives every parent bonkers....the complaining! The chore that brings the beast out!? Dishes! I don't even like to do dishes! Whining and slamming dishes..... It made me wonder if there could be a reward in dishes? They are forever bugging me to let them help with dinner. Come on mom's you will be able to reason with my always "Not tonight." Response. It is just easier to do it myself!

    Having a hand in raising our oldest and knowing what I would like to pass on to my own girls it is time to buck up! Let the cooking lessons begin ladies! On their dish night they are also now cooking! Last week was our first try and it was a success! Being involved in doing something important made them feel important and they can't wait for dish night this week! The complaining will never end it comes with being a kid, but giving them something to look forward to.... The smiling "I did it!" face is worth it!

Wordless Wednesday...

Farewell to an amazing year...

    As the final hours of 2011 wind down I have found myself reminiscing as I am sure many of you are doing as well....

    2011 was a year full of triumph and defeat, soccer and basketball games.... life! The year started for us with the transition of my schedule. First after years of full time work and daycare into part time and then finally full time stay at home mom with a part time emphasis on dental billing.

    Just as we adjusted to our new routine an even bigger transition was headed our way. In early March a routine weekly visit to the baby doc sent us to the hospital a week early as the onset of HELLP threatened our health....the grueling fourteen hours of labor during which my husband never left my side....

    Yes 2011 was a terrific year. Heartache and challenges were never far but always taught us who we are and what we are made of. Rising up from our defeats to dry our eyes and try to smile...

Summer came and went

Fall found us in all directions preparing for the best of all....

I wonder what is in store for us in 2012?

    Happy New Year friends! Count your blessings! Give thanks for your health and of those you love! Pray for the needy and the weak. Bless their hearts with the joy you have in your own!

Much love!

 

Happy dollidays....

    How was everyone's Christmas? Ours was truly grand....and it continues!

                                                                         

    During a three A.M. delirium with baby K my eyes wandered to her diaper changer. She is growing! Nearly too tall for it we were coming to the end of its use. As I sized the changer up wondering where it should go next I got the idea for dolly beds!  Our older kids are growing too! If you have girls then you know all about AG dolls! My kids are fans! I always find their dolls in dresser drawers or other strange "beds".....It was perfect! Santa brought a new girl and I have not seen my girls all morning:)

What I call a good day...