Monthly Archives: February 2015

Feb 21

Saturday to Saturday

We haven’t really been up to too much. The weather has been really cold, so we have been staying in and close to home. I’m really missing the Spring warm weather days, and I know the kids are too. Here’s what we’ve been up to over the last week or so…

I’ve been reading lots of books. That is one really nice thing about cold Winter days and nights.

Agnes had a little Valentine’s Day program, and party at preschool. She was really excited for the party.

I got some super rad b-day presents from my hubby!

Thade had an early morning Spelling Bee.

Agnes and I both got pretty Valentine’s Day flowers from James and the little dudes.

I tried making homemade donuts.

We’ve been watching The Walking Dead, and I’m crocheting this cozy-comfy-chunky blanket as I watch.

I received a box full of yarn from my super sweet brother. His birthday is coming up next week!

Dylan lost another tooth! He was pretty excited!

Friday morning I started crocheting a scarf project. I’m using tapestry yarn in lots of different colors. I’m going to keep crocheting until I run out.

Oh yeah! Birthday cake!

Feb 19

Almost Two Months with Veggie Meals

Well, at the end of this month, I will have been back to vegetarianism for two whole months. I have to say that I am feeling so much better all ready, and I am happily cooking new dishes in the kitchen. I have also been under budget with every trip to the grocery store.

I haven’t really menu planned for my meals. I try to keep a lot of different things in stock, or frozen in the freezer. I also try my best to use what is fresh first, and freeze lots of leftovers too. It has been a fun and tasty project.

Here is a list of veggie meal ideas that are quick and easy, and also use what I’ve usually got on hand:

  • Veggie Lo Mien
  • Cheese Grits with Baked Sweet Potaotes
  • Salad with Edamame and Corn
  • Pasta Salad with Tomatoes and Olives
  • Veggie Shepherds Pie
  • Baked Potatoes with Broccoli and Cheese
  • Veggie Fajita Burritos with Salsa Verde
  • Veggie Quesadillas
  • Rice and Lentils with Green Beans
  • Corn Casserole, Brussels Sprouts, and Baked Sweet Potaotes
  • Veggie Pizza Rolls
  • Baked Pasta with Tomatoes and Olives
  • Veggie Moo Goo Gai Pan
  • Potato Soup
  • Broccoli and Corn Chowder
  • Broccoli and Lemon Pasta
  • Veggie Pizza
  • Black Beans with Rice and Acorn Squash
  • Spaghetti Squash with Tomato Sauce
  • Roasted Veggies with Dinner Rolls
  • Hummus with Pita and Oranges
  • Vegetable Soup with Croissants
  • Veggie Chili with Tortilla Chips
  • Croissants with Fresh Fruit and Cheese
  • Avocado Salad with Tortilla Chips
  • Bean and Cheese Burritos
  • Bean and Cheese Tostadas
  • Veggie Tacos
  • Breakfast Potatoes, Cheese Grits, and Oatmeal Muffins
  • Polenta and Baked Sweet Potatoes
  • Pasta Salad with Sweet Corn and Veggies
  • Rice and Lentil Cakes with Brussels Sprouts
  • Veggie Lasagna with Breadsticks
  • Veggie Pot Pie
  • Veggie Chili Mac
  • Hummus with Veggie Sticks
  • Rice with Snow Peas and Broccoli
  • Corn Chowder
  • Grilled Mozzarella Sandwiches and Tomato Sauce
  • Veggie and Barley Soup
  • Veggie Gumbo with Okra over Rice

Let me know if you have any ideas to add to the list. I am always looking for new veggie dishes to try.

 

 

Feb 17

Donut Making and Cake Baking

One of my birthday presents was donut pans. Two to make tiny ones, and two to make regular sized donuts. I searched for a few recipes on pinterest, so I could give the new pans a try.

I made one batch completely from scratch, and I used a cake mix for the other.

The recipes, cook times, and even oven temperature varied from recipe to recipe. But I figured it was cake, tiny cake, so 350-375 F max, 8-11 mins. I still need to work on the timing, but my first attempt was tasty. The mini donuts were made from a yellow cake mix, and I made around 40 dounts from just one mix. The only problem I ran into was over-filling my tins. You need just a bit over a teaspoon and a half of batter for one donut.

For the chocolate ones, I found a recipe for twelve donuts, and the batter (and icing) was all from scratch. Again the recipe called for a baking time of eight minutes at 375F, I added another 2-3 minutes of cooking time, they just didn’t look ready at eight minutes.

Now for the verdict. The whole family loved them. The kids liked the chocolate ones the best, but my hubby thought that they needed to be a bit lighter and fluffier. I agreed, the batter was a bit too thick, it needs a little adjusting. The powdered sugar minis ended up being James and Agnes’ favorite. They were really light and airy, they didn’t taste anything at all like the store-bought ones.

Some tips, if you are trying these at home. Use less batter, it is really easy to over-fill the molds. Be patient, it took me two hours to fill, and bake all of the donuts. I think we might be investing in some more pans, since everyone really liked them. Make sure they are completely cool before you ice them, or bounce them around in powdered sugar. If they are too warm, they turn into crumbs, still tasty, but crumbs.

Make sure you get one of these before the kiddos do, they were gone in a flash.

Since I was going to be in the kitchen, I made a few cakes too. I made a Chocolate Bundt Cake for my family, and a Red Velvet Cake for my birthday.

Red Velvet cake is my absolute favorite, but my family won’t touch it. It turned out absolutely delicious, so yay, more cake for me!

 

Feb 16

Hello To One More Year

When I was ten years old and in the fifth grade, I became obsessed with politics. I decided then and there what my future party would be, and I even wanted to be a political science major when I grew up. The thing that stuck with me most was when my social studies teacher talked about presidential campaigns, and just what it took to be president. One factor, that I remember best, was that you had to be at least thirty-five years to be eligible to run for president.

So with that, today I’m old enough to run for president…

Yarn party anyone?