Cooking for a month during nap time. .....

Here's how I cook for a month during naptime.  Please note, these meals are not gourmet, and I use very few ingredients in each dish so that I can mass produce them.  I seriously only cook once a month.  This has saved our family a great deal of money because I don't impulse buy or run to the grocery store and end up walking out with food I don't need.  Also, it provides me with extra time and peace of mind.  Also, Spencer and I don't eat white flour or sugar so it is difficult to find foods that are fast that fit within those limitations.  This way, we always have good, healthy food ready.  Anyway, here goes:




Note: Each pan feeds our family twice.  When you cook the trays, leave the tin foil on - just lift it on one end so that the steam can escape.  If you want the tray to cook faster, get it out in the morning so that it can thaw during the day.  I cook the pasta, eggs, sausage, rice, meats, etc. before I start. Divide your counter top into stations according to the meal you are making and put the supplies you need for each meal at that station - keeps things cleaner and faster.  Have the dishwasher empty so that you can just load as you go.  Less mess on the counters makes this so much faster and less cleanup afterwards.  I am including more recipes than I usually make on one given afternoon but I thought it would be useful.  Put stuff in the crock pot for chicken taco chili in the morning - this takes about 4-5 hours to cook.




Supplies:  Tin baking trays from Sam's, tin foil, freezer baggies, containers for stock (I use old containers from butter, etc.) *Always spray the trays with cooking spray before you fill them so that they don't stick and lay baggies flat in the freezer for easier storage.*




Prep: Buy 3 rotisserie chickens from Sams or Costco.  When you get home, take all the meat off and shred it.  Put the bones, skin, etc.  in a big stock pot filled with water and boil it.  You will use that chicken broth in the recipes instead of water for flavor and you will freeze the rest.  Also when you get home make a big pot of rice.  I usually put in 6-8 cups of uncooked rice.  That will yield enough rice for all of your recipes. 


Grocery List: You don't have to make all of these recipes for one month.  Whatever you like.  The amounts are approximations because it depends on how many trays you want to make.
3 rotisserie chickens
1-2 Large bags of frozen mixed vegetables
4 cans cream of chicken soup with herbs
4 cans cream of chicken soup
2 bags of brown rice
Bar-b-q sauce - one for every tray you plan to make.
4-6 cans of refried beans with green chili and lime
2 cans of refried black beans
1 large bag cooked, chopped bacon.  - not the bits, the real stuff!
2 lbs breakfast sausage
4 cans of rotel 
2 large bags of shredded mex mix cheese
2 large bags of shredded mozerella
garlic salt
1-2 large cans green chili sauce
1 bunch of cilantro
2 cans of chopped green chilis
6-8 bags of whole wheat tortillas
4-8 cans of your favorite pasta sauce
2 bags of whole wheat spaghetti
2 boxes of whole wheat rotini pasta
2 boxes whole wheat lasagna noodles
chopped garlic
2-3 large container of ricotta
8-16 large green peppers
grated parmesan cheese
Italian sausage
Seasoned ground turkey - taco
Seasoned ground turkey - italian
Taco seasoning mixes - 4-6
Ground turkey
2-3 cans of sloppy joe mix
bags of whole wheat hamburger buns
1 bag frozen chicken breasts
2-4 cans chili con carne
2 pkgs cream cheese
eggs



Chicken pot pies:  I buy big bags of frozen mixed veggies from Sam's.  Spray the tray.  Mix frozen veggies, cream of chicken soup with herbs, shredded chicken, and some of the broth in a big bowl.  Pour this into trays - however many you need, and cover with shredded cheese.  Cover with tin foil, label the top with a sharpie - bake at 350 degrees until bubbly.  Add canned biscuits on top (or make your own) for the last 10 minutes.  Done.  Each tray feeds our family twice. 


Bar-b-q chicken over rice: This one could not be easier.  Spray the tray.  Put cooked rice on the bottom.  Layer with cooked chicken.  Cover with bar-b-q sauce.  Cover with shredded mozzarella cheese.  Cover with tin foil.  Label: cook at 350 until bubbly.  Done.


Chicken enchiladas:  prep: put a handful of cilantro, 1 tsp garlic salt, and 1 can of rotel in the blender and blend until somewhat smooth - homemade salsa fresca.  In a large bowl mix some of your shredded chicken, rice, one cup of broth, refried beans - green chili with lime, shredded mex cheese, salsa fresca, green chilis,  and 2 cans of cream of chicken soup.  Put some of the mixture in each tortilla, roll up and put in your pan (don't forget to spray it first).  When the pan is full - usually with 6-8 enchiladas, pour the green chili sauce over the top and cover with shredded mozerella.  Cover each pan with tin foil.  Label - bake at 350 till bubbly.  Done

Chicken taquitos:  These are easy and fast.  In a large bowl mix shredded chicken, refried beans, shredded mex cheese, and rotel.  Fill tortillas with a small amount and roll up.  Layer them in a pan.  Cover with tin foil and label.  To cook these:  spray a cookie sheet and put taquitos down.  Cook at 400 degrees until browned.  Serve with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole


Spaghetti: This one could not be easier.  Cook the pasta but for only half the time - like 6 minutes.  Spray the tray.  Put the spaghetti in the trays, cover with your favorite pasta sauce, cover with mozerella cheese.  Cover with tin foil, label 350 till bubbly.  Done.  If you prefer meaty pasta sauce, add some Italian sausage cooked and crumbled.


Italian pasta bake:  Spray trays.  In a large bowl mix ricotta, chopped garlic, parmesan cheese, and Italian sausage.  Mix half of this with rotini (only cook for 1/2 the recommended time) and pasta sauce - pour into trays.  Cover with shredded mozerella.  Cover with tin foil, label 350 till bubbly. Done.


Stuffed green peppers:  Cut tops off of peppers and clean out seeds.  Cut in half to make cups.  Spray trays and fill with peppers - cup sides up.  :)  Fill each cup with the other half of sausage mixture and some rice.  Cover with pasta sauce and shredded mozerella cheese.  Cover with tin foil and label 350 till bubbly. 
*You can also make taco stuffed peppers - just fill with enchilada filling and cover with mex cheese instead. *


Taco meat:  I love to have baggies full of this ready to go.  I just thaw it out and put it in taco shells with toppings.  Cook the seasoned ground turkey, mix with cans of refried beans and taco mix.  Put this mixture in freezer bags, label with a sharpie.  Done.


Sloppy Joe Mix: Cook ground turkey, add some rice.  Put this mixture in freezer baggies. Label and you're done. 


Chicken taco chili (family favorite):  Put chicken, 2-3 cans of chili, 3-4 cups chicken broth, taco seasoning mixes -2, 2 pkgs cream cheese, 1-2 cans of cream of chicken soup.  Let this cook 4-5 hours.  Pull chicken breasts out, shred, and put back in.  Spray pans, put rice in each pan, cover with chicken/chili mixture, cover with shredded mex cheese.  Cover with tin foil, label at 350 till bubbly.  When we eat this we put taco toppings on top.  Yum!  Done.


Chicken stock:  Fill any spare containers you have with chicken stock from the boiled, strained chicken bones.  Label, freeze.  This is good to make quick soups.  I also use this to cook my rice with - it adds a lot of flavor. 


Breakfast Burritos:  This is super easy.  Cook breakfast sausage, drain and cool.  Make scrambled eggs (I make mine in the microwave), cool.  In a large bowl combine eggs, sausage, chopped bacon, shredded cheese and refried black beans.  Fill tortillas, roll up, wrap in plastic wrap, and freeze.  To reheat, microwave for 1 min 30 seconds and you have a great, fast breakfast.


Lasagna:  This recipe is great because you don't have to cook the noodles at all.  Cook seasoned Italian ground turkey, drain and set aside to cool.  In a large bowl mix ricotta cheese, egg (2-3 depending on how many lasagnas you are making), pasta sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, grated parmesan cheese, chopped garlic, and chopped green pepper, chopped onion (optional).  Spray tray.  Pour some pasta sauce in the bottom of the tray and then put down a layer of uncooked noodles, cover with mixture, layer noodles and mixture until it's all gone.  Cover with more pasta sauce, then mozzarella cheese.  Cover with tin foil, label with 350 till bubbly.  Done!


I have other recipes but I'm out of time.  :)  I'll post more when I find more I like.  Love you all! 


Becca

Banana Chocolate Chip Bread

Banana Chocolate Chip Bread Recipe.

1/2 c. butter flavor shortening
1 c. white sugar
2 eggs
2 c. mashed bananas
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. soda
2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 TBS cinnamon
1 cup chocolate chips.

Cream shortening and sugar.  Add over-ripe bananas and eggs.  Add sifted flour, salt, and soda.  Add vanilla, cinnamon, and chocolate chips.  Bake at 350.  If you do a loaf, bake for 45 minutes.  If you do muffins the time will vary depending on your muffin tin - approx. 25 minutes.  When you insert a sharp knife and it comes out clean, it's done.

This is my Grand-mother's recipe.  Love it!  Enjoy!

Citrus......

 We have been enjoying the citrus these days.  It seems to be growing everywhere.  We decided to go ahead and buy and juicer and it has revolutionized our beverage life.  :)  Fresh squeezed orange juice - it's liquid health! 

 My little man and I were picking lemons in the backyard.  He kept picking up the ones that had fallen on the ground and studying them.  What a sweet boy!

Soft grass and popsicles

 I love this time of year in AZ!  It's just the right temperature.  Love my backyard and my cute little kiddos!

Breakfast ham cups.....

 You simply place a slice of ham in the bottom of a muffin tin to make a "cup."  Then you put a little bit of cheese in the bottom of the cup and cover with beaten egg.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.  It's that simple.  They feed a crowd quickly and they re-heat beautifully. 

No carbs, full of protien, and super yummy to boot!  You seriously can't beat that.  Oh and they are fast to make. 

Dear Children...

When I was young I had really big dreams.  I imagined packed houses on opening nights, my name on a billboard, penthouse apartment in NY, stuff like that.  By now I was supposed to be in a completely different place.  But this morning as I was patting the back of my 2 month old with one hand and pouring milk over cheerios with the other it struck me that I am in the right place.  You are worth it. I dedicate my life to you and your Dad.  Every load of laundry, every washed dish is part of my pledge to you and an expression of my love.  There aren't any applause now, there aren't glamorous costumes or lights, but there are other things.  There are sweet little hugs, kissing your chubby cheeks, and hearing you call for me in the night.  You will never know the girl I was, the girl who stood on a stage and that used to make me a little sad.  But now I realize that you will know the woman that I was always meant to be and that is the woman who is cheering you on. 
I love you. 
Mom.

Faux Fireplace love!

I have always wanted a big fireplace.  I live in Arizona so I don't really want the "fire" part, just the mantel really.  I love the idea of hanging stockings, beautiful mantel-scapes for every season, love love love!  Well, my home doesn't have a fireplace.  I thought about building one and was actually drawing up plans when I decided to look online and found a used one that was absolutely perfect.  Here's the process

Here's my handsome husband with the mantel after we first brought it home.  I loved the shape but not the coloring.

 

I cleaned it and then painted the base white.  Then I stained the top a dark walnut.

 

I cut a pallet in half for the hearth then sanded and stained it.  We attatched beadboard to the wall to fill in the empty fireplace and give some texture.

 

I love how it turned out!  I will post mantel-scapes for each new season.  Yay!

 



It's been a while....

I'm so crafty, I make people!

Yup, I've been away for a while now.  I was a little busy bringing this little guy into the world.  :)  I am so happy to show him off!

 

Roman

 

I love the name, I love the boy, I love the hair!  Yes, it's love.

Privileged

It is Thursday night and school starts on Monday.  I have gone to meet the teacher and check out the classroom.  I have given pep-talks and bought new shoes.  School supplies are already packed in the back pack and the fridge in the garage is full of juice boxes and lunch "stuff".  I am sitting here while my lovelies sleep upstairs.  This last week I have been doing the whole school clothes shopping thing.  One particular day I was wandering into a store and it struck me how privileged I am to be doing this.  As much as I could grumble about the expense, time, irritation it is to do it, I am more than anything - grateful.  What a sublime privilege it is to have these three little bodies to clothe.  How blessed I feel that I live in a place where I can easily purchase the things that they need and send them to a school that is safe.  How lucky I am to be their mother.  My kids have issues, some more serious than others, and sometimes I would love to escape their antics but they are mine.  Each smile, each slobbery kiss, each pony-tail is mine to see and cherish.  They irritate me and drive me to near insanity but I love them more than I knew I could love.  I am feeling so grateful to kiss their cheeks and send them off to another year where they will become more of the person they are going to be.  I'm excited to get to know them as they change before my eyes.  Life is complicated, expensive, sticky, and cluttered but most of all - it's good, and it's mine, and once again - I am grateful. 

Vacation....

I needed a rest.  I fought for a rest.  Vacation was coming and I was ready.  I cleaned the house, scrubbed out the refrigerator, packed and unpacked and packed again, planned for every possible scenario.  I rearranged piano lessons, therapy sessions, doctors visits, and more.  I even squeezed in my daughters tonsillectomy so that we wouldn't have a nasty ear nose and throat situation whilst on my dream getaway.  Puerto Vallarta called to me.  Sandy beaches, swimming in the waves with my lovelies, building sand castles and my tan all at once, my dreams were lofty but I felt they were coming.  I had crafts ready, floaties inflated, meal plans and shopping lists at the ready.  I even packed each outfit with coordinating underwear and hair accessories for each child in marked, airtight ziploc baggies - a secret that pinterest claimed would simplify and uplift by travel experience.   My husband and I were going to provide our children with the trip of a lifetime.  They would thank us for this for years to come.  They would appreciate each coordinating outfit, plane snack, and coloring page I had created for them.  I could barely sleep the night before in pure anticipation.
Then it came.
We waded through the mess that is traveling with three children under the age of 6 and a pregnant mother to an international location.  We found taxi's and paid tips, opened endless fruit snacks and sang "twinkle twinkle little star".  Through it all I maintained my hope, my enthusiasm, my vision of what life would be like on "vacation." This dream that I would find myself relaxing on a beach with a cool drink in my hand while my husband frolicked in the pool with my perfectly obedient and exceptionally clean toddlers.
We finally arrived.  We checked in to the resort, dragged 8 pieces of various luggage up to our room, opened the ziploc baggies labeled "new swimsuit", sprayed ourselves with spf 50 and headed out.  That is precisely the moment where reality and the "vision" collided.  When we reached the pool and someone was crying because they had sunscreen in their eyes.  A floatie came off.  This one needed a snack, that one needed to pee.  Someone went out of turn at the water slide causing immediate chaos, mosquitoes, pouting, etc. etc. etc.  So this is vacation.
The reality of vacation is this:  moments of pure bliss surrounded by real mom-ness.  There were bug bites and sun burns, threatening glances to menacing strangers, hot sand, peeing on beds, blown out diapers on pirate ships (yes, you read correctly and there is a long, disgusting story to go along with that one), sandy bum cracks, diaper rash, threats, terrible picture taking, endless correcting and kissing of owies, and one strung-out mommy trying to keep two eyes on three children all the while needing to take her pregnant bladder to the bathroom. 
I have to say though, there was a moment when it was all worth it.  When my vision was so real it literally made my cry with excruciating happiness.  We had gone on a pirate ship adventure that is geared for families.  It was amazing, wonderful, entertaining, delicious, etc. all rolled into one.  They take you on a short cruise in a real pirate ship, staffed by pirates who sing to you and bring you food and drinks (yeah baby!), to a private beach.  When you put your feet on sand they have beach chairs with umbrellas waiting, cool drinks, and activities for everyone.  It was magical.  I was amazed when one pirate scooped up my two little boys, loaded them up on a canoe and happily rode them out to a lagoon to feed fish.  Shannon played with my husband in a small inlet where they watched minnows.  I stood watching it all in amazement.  Each person whom I love most happy, entertained, and feeling cherished.  I was in heaven.  I literally stood there with tears coming down my cheeks.  I was on a perfect beach, on a perfect day, with the perfect people - it was well - perfect. 

So, vacations are what they are which is kind of a mess.  They are humid, dirty, stress-filled chaos with moments of absolute loveliness woven in-between.  In the end, it was worth it.  If I get to choose one day, one moment, to pattern my version of heaven after - I know exactly which one it will be. 
So now I'm off to wash the mountain of laundry with a smile on my face.  I am exhausted and could really use a day off after my vacation but you know what?  I can't wait until next time.  :)

Why do we need each other????

I got a call from a close friend about a month ago and she was in tears.  She explained that she was lonely.  She said that she lives in an area where there really aren't many women her age to associate with.  It is a military base area where people move in and out frequently and she was struggling.  She said, "I need some kindred spirits!"  She had had a conversation with another woman who told her she shouldn't have these feelings - that her husband was all the friend that she should need.  This only intensified my friends sadness and guilt because now, not only was she lonely, she felt like a bad wife.
 
This conversation has been tickling my consciousness for a while now.  Do I really need other women in my life or can my husband fill all of those rolls?  Is that even fair to expect of him?  My answer is:  I don't know.  I don't know that there is a right or wrong to those questions.  I have a fantastic husband whom I confide in and trust with everything that I am.  He fills the pieces of our little world that I cannot.  He is my prince charming and goof ball friend all rolled into one.  I love hanging out with him any chance I get.  But there is something about 'girls night' or 'park day' that I look forward to every time it comes. 

I went to the park today with a bunch of ladies from church.  Some of whom I know well and others I don't really know at all.  I tried to talk with everyone I could.  The conversations ranged from episiotomes to cellulite, really good pizza to eczema.  We didn't talk about personal things, we didn't talk about relationships or gossip about whose doing what (which made me very happy because that really makes me uncomfortable), we just laughed with each other.  We had brownies while our kids played.  We compared nail polish and favorite restaurants.  We could relate to each other about stretch marks and nausea, labor and karate class. 

I wouldn't say these women are necessarily "kindred spirits" in the Anne sense.  I don't have much time between soccer and groceries, homework and bedtime to cultivate many intense friendships but, I must say, I felt better after spending time with these amazing, unique, beautiful, understanding, intelligent women.  I felt relieved, like a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders.  Like maybe now I don't have to carry around all of the crazy, weird, funny thoughts in my head because I got some of them out. 

I still love hanging out with my husband and he is the only person that I share my innermost thoughts with but, perhaps tonight he won't have to hear about my cellulite thighs or which color nail polish I am contemplating.  Maybe there's a context for certain things.  Maybe there's room for both.  Maybe both are necessary.  Maybe both are vital.  Maybe time spent with people of our same gender makes us appreciate and be all the more present in time spent with our spouse. 

So next time you're at the park, or in church, or whenever you get the chance - strike up a conversation.  Ask the lady next to you how she's doing, ask her how old her kids are, ask her what her favorite food is, share the goodies you brought.  You just might find that you feel a little better, a little more in-tune with something, that spending time with one of your sisters makes you a better wife.  Maybe you will find that "kindred spirit" or maybe you will find someone who just laughs at the same time you do - it really doesn't matter either way.  There is something healing about being around other women - the kind of women who uplift you, make you laugh, speak kindly of their husbands, help you with your kids, wipe a nose even if it's not related to them.  There's something indescribable about it that we need.  So, hooray for splash park day and girls night out and talking on the phone.  Husbands - we need time with other women, we are better wives for it, it's time invested not spent.  Women - get out there and talk to someone, if they make you unhappy - move on, but I am sure you will be surprised at how many women out there would love to chat with you and you will both be better for it.

Love,
Me.

A little here and a little there.....

We finally got the rest of our house painted and we are thrilled with the result.  It was so nice to put that job in someone else's hands.  We even had him re-do several areas of the house just to freshen things up.  I am so happy with all of it!  We are also slowly decorating our dining room.  We got a new table and chairs which I LOVE!!!  I have always wanted a table that could comfortably seat 8-10 and now we have it.  Hoooooray!  Anyway, here are some pictures.  :)

The wall color is Gobi Desert and the ceiling is called Pinecone.  Love love love!!!!  Now to make a centerpiece for the table and get a chandelier hung.  :)

Words to live by....

"You can be excellent in every way. You can be first class. There is no need for you to be a scrub. Respect yourself. Do not feel sorry for yourself. Do not dwell on unkind things others may say about you. Polish and refine whatever talents the Lord has given you. Go forward in life with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face, but with great and strong purpose in your heart. Love life and look for its opportunities." ~ Gordon B. Hinckley...LOVE

Happy Tuesday!!!!!

Hello everyone!  If you are following my When to do what??? cleaning schedule then you will know that today is FLOORS!!!!  Sweep and mop those floors and you will feel better about everything. 

I have never been a big fan of Tuesdays.  I'm not even half-way yet.  But, today is sunny and beautiful and I am going to have a better attitude.  (Do you hear the pep-talk voice I am giving myself right now?)  :)

I am also starting to get ready for Easter.  I am really excited to start.  I found some ideasand thought I would show you my favorites.

Jelly Bean Easter Bark.  Doesn't that look amazing!  I love the colors.  You can find the recipe here:  http://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/144801/Jelly-Bean-Easter-Bark/detail.aspx

This is a free Easter Printable.  I just love it!  I thought this would look spectacular printed in vinyl and put onto a mirror. 
http://craftily-ever-after.blogspot.com/2012/03/free-spring-easter-printable.html

My trees are suddenly in need of some trimming.  :)  I love this tablescape. 
http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2010/04/blues-and-branches-a-spring-tablescape/









Here are a few others to check out:

http://www.craftyendeavor.com/2012/03/08/easter-egg-garland/

http://www.parenthacks.com/2011/04/muffin-tin-as-easter-egg-dye-container.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+parenthacks+%28Parent+Hacks%29

http://itsallfiddlefart.blogspot.com/2010/02/bunny-tails.html

Keeping your front-loading washer clean and fresh....

I read a great article the other day in Real Simple magazine.  A reader asked the question, "Why does my front-loading washing machine smell like mildew?

We recently purchased a new washer for that very reason.  It smelled bad and I couldn't figure out why or how to fix it.  Our solution was to buy a new one.  I wish I would have known how to prevent this problem and then how to fix it if it did happen.

Here are the tips that were suggested in the magazine:

1-Don't use too much soap!  Front loaders use 1/3 of the amount of water of a regular washer.  If you put in too much soap, there won't be enough water to wash it away.  The residue left by the soap can result in mildew.  Make sure you use HE detergent and then only the recommended amount.  Less is actually more in this case.

2-Check to make sure your front-loader is level.  If the machine is not perfectly level, it could not be draining properly.  If you find this is the problem, then call a service man to adjust it.

3-Re-think using liquid fabric softener.  It has a waxy bas which sticks to the tub of the machine giving mildew a place to grow.  If you do choose to use it, use a VERY small amount. 

HOW TO FIX IT.....
Quotes from Real Simple Magazine, "To get rid of the mildew odor, run an empty machine on the hottest setting with bleach or Affresh ($8, homedepot.com), a cleaner that deodorizes a washer's interior.  And after each load of laundry, leave the door ajar to allow the interior to dry." 

Many newer front loaders have a cleaning cycle also.

Good luck and I hope this helps. :)

Busy with this....

You probably  have noticed a definite lack of posts lately.  The reason is wedding cakes.  I am a cake baker and I had a big wedding last weekend.  I thought I would post it for fun.  Wedding cakes are expensive for a reason - they take a loooooong time to make.  :)  Anyway, here it is.  Enjoy!

Chair rail.....

I have been itching to add chair rail somewhere in my house and I have been re-decorating my dining room lately so it was a perfect fit.  I don't have the "after" photos yet because I am still working on it but here's the chair rail photos.  This was actually a really easy project - definitely do-able during nap time.  :)  Give it a try!

First, measure and then measure again.  Start from a corner.  Cut your pieces and then tape them to the wall to make sure everything is fitting as it should. 






There are two trains of thought when it comes to placement of the chair rail on the wall.  The first is to place it 1/3 of the way up the wall.  The other is to place it at "chair height" thus the name "chair rail".  I went slightly above 1/3 of the wall - more in line with my chairs.  It is completely up to you though.  Tape it up and look at it for a while.  Nail the rail on with locking finish nails that are made for trim work.




 
 Here is the rail all cut and nailed up.  I wish I had a nail gun but I don't.  It would have been much faster that way.  Make sure you nail into the thickest part of the rail.  After it is up, go back and sink your nails in slightly. 
 
 







The next step is to fill the nail holes with caulk.  Then run a small bead of caulk along the top and bottom of the chair rail to make it seamless.  I like to go back with a damp cloth and wipe along the rail to take off the excess caulk. 





After the caulk is dry, tape off both sides of the rail and paint it. 










Don't leave the tape on very long.  As soon as you have it painted, pull it off.


 
There you have it.  The finished project.  As soon as I finish decorating the dining room, I will post pictures of that.  Chair rail is simple, easy and relatively inexpensive.  You can do it!

Healthy lasagna....

We had this lasagna for dinner last night and it was a big hit!

Ingredients:
1 box whole wheat lasagna noodles
1 lb sweet Italian sausage
1 green pepper (chopped)
1 Tbsp basil
1 Tbsp oregano
salt & pepper - dash
1 jar of your favorite red pasta sauce
1 egg
1 15 oz carton of low-fat ricotta cheese
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
2 Tbsp parsley (I used dried but fresh works great too)
2 cups shredded cheese of your choice - mozzarella, cheddar, provolone, whatever - I use a blend.
           (1 cup will go in the with the ricotta mixture and the rest will go on top.)

Cooking Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare a 9x12 baking dish - spray evenly with non-stick spray
Put 1/4 cup of red pasta sauce in the bottom of the dish and spread over the bottom of the dish.

Boil pasta noodles at a rolling boil for 10 minutes.  (I know most noodles boil for 12 but I like lasagna noodles a little firmer because you don't want them falling apart when you stack them.)

In a medium size bowl, combine: ricotta, egg, parsley, and 1 cup shredded cheese.

Cook the sweet Italian sausage until it is crumbled and no longer pink.  Add the chopped green pepper and spices.  Continue to cook until the green pepper is tender.

Layering the lasagna:
Place a layer of noodles over the 1/4 cup of sauce in the pan.  If the noodles don't completely cover the bottom of the pan - it's okay.  It's better to not come all the way to the edge than to have noodles pushing against the edge - that's how they get dry.
Crumble a thin layer of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, then add a thin layer of the sausage over that.  Now, use a spoon to pour a VERY thin layer of sauce over the meat.  Don't do too much sauce of the lasagna will be soupy.  Then place a layer of noodles over the sauce.
Keep repeating this pattern until all of the ingredients have been used. 
Sprinkle extra cheese on top.

Cover the dish with tin foil and seal it up as best you can. 
Bake for 40 minutes.
Uncover the dish and bake for 10 minutes more.

Serve and enjoy!!!

This lasagna doesn't get too soupy so it doesn't need to rest before you serve it like traditional lasagnas.

Pot Roast and "real" gravy.....

Sorry it's been a little while since the last post.  After the kitchen re-do, I really haven't felt like doing much of anything at all.  I did change the mirror out in the downstairs bathroom with a gorgeous one I found at a thrift store for $9, (SCORE!!!) but other than that, not much.

Anyway, I was making dinner last Sunday and thought I would talk over a few points about gravy.
Most of you probably already know how to make gravy from scratch and how to thicken various sauces but just in case - here are a few tips. :)

Making pan gravy:  "real" gravy is made from the leftover juices from the meat you cook.  It is simple, delicious and will always compliment your meat.  Here's how I do it.
I cook most of my meats in the crock pot so I will use that in my example but it will work with whatever your desired cooking method.  I will use a beef pot roast as my example.

Beef Pot Roast in the crock pot:

4 long stalks of celery
1 medium onion
4 large carrots
1 three to four lb pot roast - whatever cut you like best
1 pkg McCormick pot roast seasoning mix (or whatever herbs you prefer)
1 can beef stock
1 cup water

Cooking directions:
*Roughly chop the veggies and place them in the bottom of your crock pot.  Place your defrosted pot-roast on top of the veggies (if there is a fattier side, place that side up).  Pour beef stock in.  Mix the seasoning mix with the water and pour over the roast.  Cover and cook for 6-8 hrs on low.

*This is a great time to throw some baked potatoes in: Wash potatoes, poke with a fork, spray lightly with cooking spray, wrap in tin foil, place in 350 oven for 1 - 2 hours.  Yum!*

After the roast is finished cooking, put it in your serving platter and surround it with the cooked veggies.  Cover the whole thing in tin foil and let it rest until the rest of the meal is ready.

Gravy:
There will be a lot of juices left in the crock pot after you take out the meat and veggies.  Strain the juice to remove any leftover bits of meat or vegetable.  I strain it twice just to make sure.  Put the juice in a medium sauce pan over high heat.  Bring it to boiling.  While it's coming to a boil, put 1/2 c. ice-cold water in a cup and stir in 2-3 heaping Tbsp of corn starch until it's dissolved.  When the juices are boiling stir in the water/corn starch mixture.  Reduce the heat to medium and continue stirring until you achieve the right consistency.  Remove from heat and serve.  (If your gravy is too thick, just add a little more water).

Voila!  Pan gravy!

This cold water/corn starch mixture is good for any gravy or sauce that is not dairy based.  I use it for all of my meat gravies and sauces such as sweet and sour sauce.  If you are making a sauce that has a milk or cream base use RUE for thickening it.  Rue is equal parts butter and flour that you mix together and add to the sauce as it is cooking to thicken the mixture. 

Good luck and have a great day!

The "desire" timeline.....

Me.



I have been all about self-reflection lately and after hearing a talk in church today about recording your life story I am itchy to do it.  I thought I would start with this:  A short list of what I have wanted at different phases of my life.  I think making a list of things you yearned for paints a very good picture of who you were and are inside.  Also, it's fun!  :)  Try it out, I think it will make you smile to remember the things that were on your internal Christmas list. 

Wants: purely things I desired, most of which never came about - thank-goodness.

Elementary School:
*cheese (yum!)
*a cure for acne (yup, started at 8 years old - my poor kids)
*fruit roll-ups in my lunch box
*ballet lessons
*a baby named Chevrolet (weird right?)
*to be psychic
*a perm


High School
*to be an actress
*a cure for acne
*a date
*jeans that weren't handed down from my sisters
*combat boots
*to be like "everyone else"
*marry Brandon Fraser



College
*have a nose ring (didn't really get one, just dreamed about it.)
*a cure for acne (are you sensing a pattern here?)
*be an "artist"
*a jeep
*not be broke
*be different than "everyone else"
*be skinny
*work as a designer on Broadway



*Insert a time period where I served a mission to Brazil.  Then came home to meet and marry the man of my dreams.  Those two events changed absolutely everything for me.  Again, thank-goodness!









Today
*wainscoting
*still a cure for adult acne (sheesh, I'm 32 already!)
*a minivan with doors that open with the push of a button on my keys
*hardwood floors
*children who remember to flush
*various un-necessary surgeries to "tune-up" this mommy body
*find the perfect salsa recipe
*live on the coast in Oregon
*To enjoy my kids while they are still little

Oh how life changes what we think we want.  I think it's good to reflect on who we were and to delve into who we are.  It doesn't always have to be in serious, time-consuming ways.  I think our kids would probably rather know these silly, fun things about us anyway.  :)

p.s.  I didn't include anything spiritual or too deep.  I thought it would be fun to record things that probably wouldn't normally be known about me. 

Me.