Adina helped me make a dessert yesterday. It's really delicious. It's actually my friend, Lindsay's recipe, that she made for us last year when she brought us supper right after Adina was born. It was wonderful...I asked for the recipe, and now make it once in a while...it's really refreshing!
I wrote that it's Adina's recipe because Clarence was still napping, she'd woken up, and wanted to help. I pulled a chair up next to the counter (I love that she's old enough to do that now!), and let her hold the ingredients until I put them together. So, my end result was a dessert with a lot of Adina's finger flavoring (because she touched everything as I made it...she stirred the graham crackers in the crust with her fingers; she dunked her whole hand in the bowl with the pudding and licked it and then repeated over and over; and she ate the cream cheese by the finger-full before I started mixing it.
She was a huge help! Actually I loved having her with me...since the dessert was only for us, it didn't matter that her fingers touched every ingredient.
Strawberry-Lemon Layer Dessert
Crust:
11 graham crackers, crushed
1/2 c. sugar
1 stick melted butter
Put in a 9x13 pan, mix with a fork, and spread out.
Filling 1:
2 (8oz.) bricks cream cheese, softened
1/4 c. milk
1/4 c. sugar
Cream cream cheese until smooth; add milk and sugar. Spread over the graham cracker crust. *You may need to use your fingers to just pat it on because otherwise it pulls the crust up. Trust me, I've made it a couple times and the fingers seem to work best!
Filling 2:
2 3oz. packages instant lemon pudding
3 cups cold milk
Mix pudding and milk in a bowl (I usually do this before the cream cheese filling so that the pudding has a chance to set up a little.) Spread over cream cheese mixture.
Topping:
1 carton cool whip, thawed
1-2 c. strawberries (frozen or fresh and depending on how many you want)
Mix together and spread over the lemon pudding layer. *I use the big carton of cool whip (12 oz. I think) because I like the topping thicker. I also use a lot of strawberries...they really add to the dessert. Refrigerate (or eat right away) for a while. Store in the fridge.
*If you want to make this into two desserts, use two pie plates. That's what Lindsay did when she brought us supper last year. She gave us a pie plate of it and kept a pie plate of it for herself. That works well, too!
And, obviously, if you only wanted to make a smaller portion of this dessert, you could half it...it would work fine to do that!
Enjoy!!!
Friday, August 12, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Stuffed Green Peppers
This is what I'm making for supper tonight along with corn on the cob. For the past couple of years, I've had way too many peppers. I end up cutting them up and freezing them, then never using them.
Last year, I looked on the internet (taste of home) for some recipes and found this one. I made it and loved it! I also made extra and froze them because I was looking for freezer recipes and finding ways to spend less time in the kitchen...all you have to do is pop them in the oven for 30-40 minutes.
These really are very good, and so simple to make!
Just don't forget the salt...I did last year, and we could tell...they are kinda bland if you forget the salt.
Stuffed Green Peppers
6 medium green peppers
1 1/2 lbs. hamburger, browned
1 medium onion, chopped up and browned with hamburger
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
2 1/2 c. chopped tomatoes
1 1/2 c. cooked rice
Cut tops off peppers and remove seeds. Place in a saucepan and cover with water. Boil 6-8 minutes. Cook the rice in a separate pot. Brown meat and add the rest of ingredients. Drain peppers and stuff with meat mixture. Place in a baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
Hints:
Last year, I looked on the internet (taste of home) for some recipes and found this one. I made it and loved it! I also made extra and froze them because I was looking for freezer recipes and finding ways to spend less time in the kitchen...all you have to do is pop them in the oven for 30-40 minutes.
These really are very good, and so simple to make!
Just don't forget the salt...I did last year, and we could tell...they are kinda bland if you forget the salt.
Stuffed Green Peppers
6 medium green peppers
1 1/2 lbs. hamburger, browned
1 medium onion, chopped up and browned with hamburger
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
2 1/2 c. chopped tomatoes
1 1/2 c. cooked rice
Cut tops off peppers and remove seeds. Place in a saucepan and cover with water. Boil 6-8 minutes. Cook the rice in a separate pot. Brown meat and add the rest of ingredients. Drain peppers and stuff with meat mixture. Place in a baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
Hints:
- Don't skip the part about boiling the peppers whole...it helps soften them so they're not crunchy when you eat them.
- If you want to add a little zing to it, replace some of the tomatoes with salsa. It would spice it up a bit.
- If you do want to make extra for freezing, I wouldn't make extra meat...I'd just add more chopped tomatoes, cheese, and rice to stretch it further. (Unless, of course, you have a huge family and want a lot for another meal...then make all of it over again!)
- These are really good as leftovers, too, so don't worry that they won't be good past the initial meal.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Busy, in every way possible!
We're all so busy around here! Matt and I are also a little overwhelmed, I think. It's just the busy days of summer, which we love, but we'd love a couple days to hang out just by ourselves (and that would take going away, because if we're home, we'll work, or at least Matt will). Please don't think I'm complaining about anything...we're just busy...it's the way our life is.
The Kids
They're so busy! They're in and out of the house...Clarence wants to go pick cherry tomatoes, but not so we can eat them...just for himself. They're running in the puddles out front, with their clothes on or naked, they don't care. It's cute and it's summer, so I let them. Kids are supposed to do that. They're hungry...a lot...well, at least Clarence is. Adina's been a bit of a bird lately...eating a little here and there. (Maybe it's a princess thing...? I'm not sure.)
Matt
He's trying to cut CRP for hay, cut CRP thistles for the neighbors, haul hay, fence, feed the cows, see us once in a while, fix the tractors/machinery...it's neverending! I help where I can...with the fencing, the haying, and the running for parts, but there's always more to do. Such is life on the farm! We wouldn't trade it for anything!
Me
I'm trying to keep up with my house...the kids undo everthing, I'm trying to can some vegetables, there's always a load or two or ten of laundry to wash, fold and put away...it's a neverending job here, too, but it is for every woman, I know!
Yesterday, I picked all five of my biggest tupperware bowls (you know, the biggest ones they have) FULL of green beans...so, today I've been trying to pickle some. It's really hard with the kids around. I wish I would've gotten my groceries yesterday, woken up at 5 this morning, and done it before I had others needing me for minor things. Live and learn, I guess...I'll have to remember that for the rest of the fall when I want to can by myself...wake up early, Jacki! It'll all be worth it in the end!
I love summer, but sometimes I can't help but wish for late fall and winter when we are able to hang out with Matt, do just the basics outside, and not have a yard and garden to take care of. However, I know I shouldn't wish...it'll all come so fast, and I'll be wishing for more time from summer to finish up last-minute projects. I guess my own advice to myself here is to use my time wisely!
_________________________
We were able to fence a bunch more yesterday morning...we layed posts out for a half mile, strung some wire, and put some clips (what holds the wire to the post) on. It helps to know we've started...it makes us want to keep working on it.
The kids were busy helping, too...Adina helped drive the pickup and hold clips for me; Clarence helped with the wire (he took a fencing plier and wrapped it around the wire and sat there pulling on it and talking about fencing...really so much help!). They're so cute!
______________________________
The kids and I are going to a Peter Eide concert tonight in Bronson at the park. I'm really excited. I haven't seen him since I was in high school at a youth group event somewhere. The people in charge were able to raise enough money so that the concert is free for everyone to attend. That's so awesome! I hope people take advantage of this and attend!
_____________________________
Potty Training Update:
Clarence is pretty-much potty trained. He hasn't had an accident in days, and if I remember to take his pullup off right when he gets up from bed or a nap, he doesn't have any accidents. He's even now just going on his own. I don't have to ask him...he just remembers and hurries to go. He's big on going outside right now. I'm okay with that. We don't have a downstairs bathroom, so it's quicker for him to go outside. That's ok for me because at least he'll be used to knowing he has to go by winter and will be able to run upstairs and go and still hold it.
I'm so proud of him and happy that he is potty trained. It's so much easier than changing diapers all the time! Yay!
Have a wonderful day! Enjoy the beautiful weather!
The Kids
They're so busy! They're in and out of the house...Clarence wants to go pick cherry tomatoes, but not so we can eat them...just for himself. They're running in the puddles out front, with their clothes on or naked, they don't care. It's cute and it's summer, so I let them. Kids are supposed to do that. They're hungry...a lot...well, at least Clarence is. Adina's been a bit of a bird lately...eating a little here and there. (Maybe it's a princess thing...? I'm not sure.)
Matt
He's trying to cut CRP for hay, cut CRP thistles for the neighbors, haul hay, fence, feed the cows, see us once in a while, fix the tractors/machinery...it's neverending! I help where I can...with the fencing, the haying, and the running for parts, but there's always more to do. Such is life on the farm! We wouldn't trade it for anything!
Me
I'm trying to keep up with my house...the kids undo everthing, I'm trying to can some vegetables, there's always a load or two or ten of laundry to wash, fold and put away...it's a neverending job here, too, but it is for every woman, I know!
Yesterday, I picked all five of my biggest tupperware bowls (you know, the biggest ones they have) FULL of green beans...so, today I've been trying to pickle some. It's really hard with the kids around. I wish I would've gotten my groceries yesterday, woken up at 5 this morning, and done it before I had others needing me for minor things. Live and learn, I guess...I'll have to remember that for the rest of the fall when I want to can by myself...wake up early, Jacki! It'll all be worth it in the end!
I love summer, but sometimes I can't help but wish for late fall and winter when we are able to hang out with Matt, do just the basics outside, and not have a yard and garden to take care of. However, I know I shouldn't wish...it'll all come so fast, and I'll be wishing for more time from summer to finish up last-minute projects. I guess my own advice to myself here is to use my time wisely!
_________________________
We were able to fence a bunch more yesterday morning...we layed posts out for a half mile, strung some wire, and put some clips (what holds the wire to the post) on. It helps to know we've started...it makes us want to keep working on it.
The kids were busy helping, too...Adina helped drive the pickup and hold clips for me; Clarence helped with the wire (he took a fencing plier and wrapped it around the wire and sat there pulling on it and talking about fencing...really so much help!). They're so cute!
______________________________
The kids and I are going to a Peter Eide concert tonight in Bronson at the park. I'm really excited. I haven't seen him since I was in high school at a youth group event somewhere. The people in charge were able to raise enough money so that the concert is free for everyone to attend. That's so awesome! I hope people take advantage of this and attend!
_____________________________
Potty Training Update:
Clarence is pretty-much potty trained. He hasn't had an accident in days, and if I remember to take his pullup off right when he gets up from bed or a nap, he doesn't have any accidents. He's even now just going on his own. I don't have to ask him...he just remembers and hurries to go. He's big on going outside right now. I'm okay with that. We don't have a downstairs bathroom, so it's quicker for him to go outside. That's ok for me because at least he'll be used to knowing he has to go by winter and will be able to run upstairs and go and still hold it.
I'm so proud of him and happy that he is potty trained. It's so much easier than changing diapers all the time! Yay!
Have a wonderful day! Enjoy the beautiful weather!
Monday, August 8, 2011
A List
1. I played organ in church yesterday.
It went pretty well...they're a forgiving bunch at church, so they just overlook the mistakes. It's nicer that way...much less pressure! Adina came with me, Clarence went with Matt (to check cows and play softball). Adina wanted to put lip gloss on for about half the service. It's the only thing that kept her sitting still. Otherwise, she was ornery and kept jumping around.
2. Matt played softball yesterday.
It was a beautiful day for a tournament. They played four games (I was there the whole day (after church, that is) and only really watched him hit like 3 times) and won the tournament! Great job, guys! Almost everyone showed up, so they had plenty of guys, and they all played well (at least, that's what Matt told me. :) )
3. We visited the Woodcarver's Festival at LB State Park.
It was fun...I bought some homemade soap, some ceramic cups, and an apron for Adina. I love the park...being out there makes me want to go camping.
4. We visited the museum.
Matt and Mark (Nikki's husband) had never been there. Nikki, Nathan, and I grew up going there all the time with my grandparents. They were both very involved in the museum and writing history for our county, and they wanted to share that with us. Clarence had a lot of fun looking at all the old things (especially riding in the train!) and gathering hay (old clumps of grass).
5. We went home, I brought the kids to Nikki's (Adina to play for awhile, and Clarence to spend the night), and Matt and I fenced for a couple of hours.
Our fencing consisted of tying up a corner (we have five railroad ties in the ground, in an L shape, with telephone poles horizontal making them meet; then, we tie them together with barbed wire.) and stringing one wire (for a quarter mile - that's how far a roll of barbed wire goes). We're working on fencing in our two quarters right by our house. Our land comes out of CRP this October, so we want to bring the cows home this fall and be able to let them graze on all the grass before winter. It would really cut back on hay for the start of the winter. Also, if we get it done now, it'll mean less work next spring during calving and seeding, which is better all the way around.
6. It rained last night.
That means Matt wasn't able to get up and start cutting hay like he was hoping. Instead, he went to town to sign up to hay disaster CRP (meaning we can hay fields we hayed last year instead of only fields that haven't been hayed for three years; this is a good thing because they hay is better quality, we know the spots where the fields are rough and where it's wet), run get some parts for the tractor, and stop at the grocery store to get me three boxes of peaches. When he gets home, he'll probably fence some more. I'm sure the kids and I will go out at some point and try to help.
7. Adina's wearing black Sunday shoes today.
She's darling. She carries those shoes around like they're really cool, so I decided to put them on her. It took me awhile. Her feet were arched (kinda like the stepsisters on Cinderella when they're trying to fit their really long feet in the glass slipper; this was Adina, only hers were too chubby for awhile...until I used my finger to open the shoe up a little more and stuff her feet inside them).
That she is even wearing shoes is significant because she usually doesn't like them. She does today, though. I think it's the shoes. She likes dressing up and looking fancy. They don't really match her outfit...they're a little too dressy, but we're not really all that fashion-conscious around here.
Have a Happy Monday!! Enjoy the beautiful weather!
It went pretty well...they're a forgiving bunch at church, so they just overlook the mistakes. It's nicer that way...much less pressure! Adina came with me, Clarence went with Matt (to check cows and play softball). Adina wanted to put lip gloss on for about half the service. It's the only thing that kept her sitting still. Otherwise, she was ornery and kept jumping around.
2. Matt played softball yesterday.
It was a beautiful day for a tournament. They played four games (I was there the whole day (after church, that is) and only really watched him hit like 3 times) and won the tournament! Great job, guys! Almost everyone showed up, so they had plenty of guys, and they all played well (at least, that's what Matt told me. :) )
3. We visited the Woodcarver's Festival at LB State Park.
It was fun...I bought some homemade soap, some ceramic cups, and an apron for Adina. I love the park...being out there makes me want to go camping.
4. We visited the museum.
Matt and Mark (Nikki's husband) had never been there. Nikki, Nathan, and I grew up going there all the time with my grandparents. They were both very involved in the museum and writing history for our county, and they wanted to share that with us. Clarence had a lot of fun looking at all the old things (especially riding in the train!) and gathering hay (old clumps of grass).
5. We went home, I brought the kids to Nikki's (Adina to play for awhile, and Clarence to spend the night), and Matt and I fenced for a couple of hours.
Our fencing consisted of tying up a corner (we have five railroad ties in the ground, in an L shape, with telephone poles horizontal making them meet; then, we tie them together with barbed wire.) and stringing one wire (for a quarter mile - that's how far a roll of barbed wire goes). We're working on fencing in our two quarters right by our house. Our land comes out of CRP this October, so we want to bring the cows home this fall and be able to let them graze on all the grass before winter. It would really cut back on hay for the start of the winter. Also, if we get it done now, it'll mean less work next spring during calving and seeding, which is better all the way around.
6. It rained last night.
That means Matt wasn't able to get up and start cutting hay like he was hoping. Instead, he went to town to sign up to hay disaster CRP (meaning we can hay fields we hayed last year instead of only fields that haven't been hayed for three years; this is a good thing because they hay is better quality, we know the spots where the fields are rough and where it's wet), run get some parts for the tractor, and stop at the grocery store to get me three boxes of peaches. When he gets home, he'll probably fence some more. I'm sure the kids and I will go out at some point and try to help.
7. Adina's wearing black Sunday shoes today.
She's darling. She carries those shoes around like they're really cool, so I decided to put them on her. It took me awhile. Her feet were arched (kinda like the stepsisters on Cinderella when they're trying to fit their really long feet in the glass slipper; this was Adina, only hers were too chubby for awhile...until I used my finger to open the shoe up a little more and stuff her feet inside them).
That she is even wearing shoes is significant because she usually doesn't like them. She does today, though. I think it's the shoes. She likes dressing up and looking fancy. They don't really match her outfit...they're a little too dressy, but we're not really all that fashion-conscious around here.
Have a Happy Monday!! Enjoy the beautiful weather!
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Date Night!
We're going on a date tonight...just me and Matt...I can't wait!
My favorite kind of date is going out for supper, doing a little shopping (because if we ever go on a date, it's to GF or Roseau, so I need to shop while I'm there...at Target!), and then going out for a movie.
Today, I'm playing piano for a wedding...(at 4). I'm so nervous! I hope and pray that I will play well to make their day special and go smoothly! I'm not all that experienced at playing for weddings...this is only my second wedding...and I know I'll only get better with more and more practice and experience. I've been playing on and off at our church for over a year and I love it, but playing in church is different...people are forgiving and look past (or don't notice) the mistakes. At weddings, everything has to be perfect. I don't want to be the un-perfect part of somebody's wedding! (As long as I breathe and stay calm, I should be ok, I think.)
________________
We don't get to go on dates by ourselves very often. I asked for a date for my birthday (June 16th) and this is our first date by ourselves. We've gone on dates with other couples, and that's fun, too, but it's just so fun to go hang out together and talk.
Today, I'm playing piano for a wedding...(at 4). I'm so nervous! I hope and pray that I will play well to make their day special and go smoothly! I'm not all that experienced at playing for weddings...this is only my second wedding...and I know I'll only get better with more and more practice and experience. I've been playing on and off at our church for over a year and I love it, but playing in church is different...people are forgiving and look past (or don't notice) the mistakes. At weddings, everything has to be perfect. I don't want to be the un-perfect part of somebody's wedding! (As long as I breathe and stay calm, I should be ok, I think.)Matt and Mary brought the kids over to my mom's house so she could watch them while I practice, get ready, and am at the wedding. The kids get to eat lunch, take naps, and play at Grandma's house...they love that!
Matt and Mary are going to treat cows, haul out some pairs, move the cows to a different paddock, and maybe fence. They've got a busy day, too, and they have to work in the rain. I feel bad about that.
Matt and Mary are going to treat cows, haul out some pairs, move the cows to a different paddock, and maybe fence. They've got a busy day, too, and they have to work in the rain. I feel bad about that.
I get to sit and play piano all day (which I love most of the time) inside, and they're plugging away at stuff in the rain.
________________
When I get home and pick the kids up from my mom and dad's house, we're heading to Roseau to bring Mary home, leave the kids with his parents for a couple hours, and go on a date!
It'll be the perfect way to end a stressful day!
Friday, August 5, 2011
Awkward, Uncomfortable, Embarrassing
I was 7-8 months pregnant with Clarence and driving to college a couple days a week. It was my last semester of driving down for class. My class started at 9 this semester, I think. That meant I had to be up by 6:45 a.m. and on the road by 7:15. Not really a big deal. However, I usually slept as long as I could and then I'd make breakfast to eat in the car to help occupy my time on my hour and a half drive. I always had juice and toast...it's my signature breakfast...although I like to drink coffee instead of juice now.
Throughout my whole first pregnancy, I would randomly get sick and gag a lot or throw up. I don't know if it was from my prenatal vitamins or the time of day or what...I'd just get sick (usually while driving) and have to stop quickly to puke.
On this particular day, I was in the big city (GF), about three blocks from the school and my class was going to start in 10 minutes or less. I was going around a curve on a back road. I had a feeling that I needed to pull over. I was going around a bridge that I couldn't stop on, so I hurried up to try and get past it.
Not a good idea.
As I pulled into a crossing right after that curvy bridge, I puked all over myself. Seriously, all over myself. It was absolutely disgusting. Gross. Nasty. Foul. Repulsive. I just sat there in my little Buick Riviera...what to do?
I called my mom. Mom's always know what to do in a situation like this.
"you call one of your friends and borrow some clothes?"
(No, mom, I'm 7+ months pregnant and none of my friends are.)
"Can you run in the mall/Target and buy something?"
(No, mom, I'm a mess.....I seriously have puke all over my shirt and part of my pants! There's no way I'm going in any store!)
"I don't know...it'd be a shame to drive all the way down and then just drive home because of that."
I totally agreed with that statement. What a waste of a trip. But, there was no way I was going in any store, or calling one of my much smaller, skinnier, non-pregnant friends to borrow some clothes. So, three blocks from school, as my class was starting, I turned my car around and drove home, puke-covered shirt and all.
After that, my mom found a puke bag that I could keep in my car for emergencies. Know what? It didn't happen again! Just my luck! :)
Throughout my whole first pregnancy, I would randomly get sick and gag a lot or throw up. I don't know if it was from my prenatal vitamins or the time of day or what...I'd just get sick (usually while driving) and have to stop quickly to puke.
On this particular day, I was in the big city (GF), about three blocks from the school and my class was going to start in 10 minutes or less. I was going around a curve on a back road. I had a feeling that I needed to pull over. I was going around a bridge that I couldn't stop on, so I hurried up to try and get past it.
Not a good idea.
As I pulled into a crossing right after that curvy bridge, I puked all over myself. Seriously, all over myself. It was absolutely disgusting. Gross. Nasty. Foul. Repulsive. I just sat there in my little Buick Riviera...what to do?
I called my mom. Mom's always know what to do in a situation like this.
"you call one of your friends and borrow some clothes?"
(No, mom, I'm 7+ months pregnant and none of my friends are.)
"Can you run in the mall/Target and buy something?"
(No, mom, I'm a mess.....I seriously have puke all over my shirt and part of my pants! There's no way I'm going in any store!)
"I don't know...it'd be a shame to drive all the way down and then just drive home because of that."
I totally agreed with that statement. What a waste of a trip. But, there was no way I was going in any store, or calling one of my much smaller, skinnier, non-pregnant friends to borrow some clothes. So, three blocks from school, as my class was starting, I turned my car around and drove home, puke-covered shirt and all.
After that, my mom found a puke bag that I could keep in my car for emergencies. Know what? It didn't happen again! Just my luck! :)
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Fajitas, pronounced Fah - Jee - tahs
That's what I told Matt's sister the other night when she asked what we were making for Nikki's birthday supper.
Fah - Jee - Tahs.
You know what? She believed me.
For real.
I had to tell her they were Fajitas (Fa - hee - tas). She's now much smarter on this subject.
She also didn't know what fajitas were...she now knows what they are and how much she likes them. I'm glad we, her brother and I out in the boondocks with no TV or any connection to the outside world besides this here darn computer, could broaden her horizons.
Fajitas
1 (or 2 or 3 or 4) round steak(s), pounded/tenderized (or if you have two freezers FULL of meat like we do, use sirloin...it's much more tender)
3 peppers (red, yellow, orange or green, whatever you have or can find)
2 onions
tortillas
corn, 1 can/bag (I say bag because we freeze corn in the fall and have bags to use)
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
lettuce
tomatoes
salsa
sour cream
cheese
Three to four hours before supper, thaw the meat. Tenderize and cut into thin strips. Put into a bowl and marinate with teriyaki sauce. Cut up the peppers and onions into strips (we like big strips) and put in a bowl. Marinate with the same teriyaki sauce you marinated the meat with. Set aside for a couple hours.
Thirty minutes before you want to eat, start grilling your meat, peppers and onions. I have a basket for the grill that works great. If you don't have this, butter aluminum foil and seal the veggies in one, and the meat in another. Just a plain old cakepan would work, too, as long as it's old and you don't care if you get it all charred.
Once the meat and veggies are cooked, it's time to eat! Serve it up the way you would tacos. It's that easy and so wonderfully delicious!
Fah - Jee - Tahs.
You know what? She believed me.
For real.
I had to tell her they were Fajitas (Fa - hee - tas). She's now much smarter on this subject.
She also didn't know what fajitas were...she now knows what they are and how much she likes them. I'm glad we, her brother and I out in the boondocks with no TV or any connection to the outside world besides this here darn computer, could broaden her horizons.
Fajitas
1 (or 2 or 3 or 4) round steak(s), pounded/tenderized (or if you have two freezers FULL of meat like we do, use sirloin...it's much more tender)
3 peppers (red, yellow, orange or green, whatever you have or can find)
2 onions
tortillas
corn, 1 can/bag (I say bag because we freeze corn in the fall and have bags to use)
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
lettuce
tomatoes
salsa
sour cream
cheese
Three to four hours before supper, thaw the meat. Tenderize and cut into thin strips. Put into a bowl and marinate with teriyaki sauce. Cut up the peppers and onions into strips (we like big strips) and put in a bowl. Marinate with the same teriyaki sauce you marinated the meat with. Set aside for a couple hours.
Thirty minutes before you want to eat, start grilling your meat, peppers and onions. I have a basket for the grill that works great. If you don't have this, butter aluminum foil and seal the veggies in one, and the meat in another. Just a plain old cakepan would work, too, as long as it's old and you don't care if you get it all charred.
Once the meat and veggies are cooked, it's time to eat! Serve it up the way you would tacos. It's that easy and so wonderfully delicious!
Spinach Salad with Lemon Poppyseed Dressing
Hello, everyone. Hope you're day and week are going great. Here's a recipe that my mom started making a couple years ago. It's now a family favorite and one of our favorite meals! The dressing is really easy to make, and you can add whatever you like to the salad!
Spinach Salad w/ Poppyseed Dressing
1 bag spinach
1 bag Romaine lettuce
1/2 c. shredded swiss cheese
1 c. broken cashews
1 cut up apple
1 cooked/grilled chicken breast per person (this wasn't originally part of the recipe, but something we've added to make the salad a meal rather than a side. It's great!)
To assemble the salad, we usually just put everything in little bowls so people can help themselves...you can mix it up in a big bowl, too, then pour the dressing overtop right before serving. The options are endless.
Dressing:
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dijon mustard
1 TBSP. poppy seed
1 TBSP. chopped onion (I use dried onion most of the time because I never seem to use up the rest of the onion I put in my fridge)
1/3 c. lemon juice
2/3 c. oil
Mix dressing ingredients together. Stir again before serving (as the poppyseeds settle, etc.) Put on salad right before serving.
Enjoy!
Spinach Salad w/ Poppyseed Dressing
1 bag spinach
1 bag Romaine lettuce
1/2 c. shredded swiss cheese
1 c. broken cashews
1 cut up apple
1 cooked/grilled chicken breast per person (this wasn't originally part of the recipe, but something we've added to make the salad a meal rather than a side. It's great!)
To assemble the salad, we usually just put everything in little bowls so people can help themselves...you can mix it up in a big bowl, too, then pour the dressing overtop right before serving. The options are endless.
Dressing:
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dijon mustard
1 TBSP. poppy seed
1 TBSP. chopped onion (I use dried onion most of the time because I never seem to use up the rest of the onion I put in my fridge)
1/3 c. lemon juice
2/3 c. oil
Mix dressing ingredients together. Stir again before serving (as the poppyseeds settle, etc.) Put on salad right before serving.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Do What You Can With What You Have
This is my new motto lately, told to me by a friend who fixed up her house, that I have taken on regarding my house.
Do what you can with what you have. It sounds so simple...it really is simple. Just take what you have in your house and improve from there. Don't try to out-do yourself or keep up with friends/family. Just make do.
It was a good time for me to hear this. At the time (a couple weeks ago) I was ready to bulldoze my house down and start over. That would take so much money, though. I do get frustrated with the condition of my house...
it is 24x24 with two livable floors...
the siding is rotting...
the windows are rotting...
the basement gets wet...
I don't have a front entry...
etc.
(Sorry...I'm not really complaining...it's all true! I'm not mad or upset about the state of things. It's the way it is, and we can either choose to do something about it or tear it down and start over.)
I think we're going to 'do what we can with what we have.'
For those of you who've seen my living room, it leaves a lot to be desired...it's not really cute or fashionable or anything...
Matt tore out a wall in there, so we have one big living room with missing sheetrock that needs to be fixed up. We didn't really know what we wanted to do, so we've just left it for over a year. However, since I can't do much about that, I do plan on repainting so it's all one color and rearranging the pictures to better fit the room. I'll be doing what I can...
We've talked about adding on to the back of our house sometime soon...within a year or two. We'd add a big back main entry, a little office space, and a big bathroom/laundry room. Right now, my laundry stuff is in my wet basement. (Not ideal.) I take baths because we don't have a shower in our bathroom (we have one in the basement, but it really creeps me out!). So, a laundry/shower combination would really improve that situation.
I'm hoping that will work out someday...it'd be so nice to have it all so close...and to have a bathroom on the main floor.
Anyway, my motto...do what you can with what you have...it's really a great way of looking at things (house-related). It makes me look at things from my standpoint...what can I do by myself that would make me feel better about what my house looks like...it puts things on my shoulders, too, not making it seem like I'm just waiting for Matt (which I'm not...I know he's busy...things will happen when they happen).
This wasn't a post to complain about my house...it's just a post to explain how I feel about my house, get it off my chest, and do something about it (i.e. paint my whole living room the same color, try to organize better, etc.).
Have a Happy Tuesday!!!
Do what you can with what you have. It sounds so simple...it really is simple. Just take what you have in your house and improve from there. Don't try to out-do yourself or keep up with friends/family. Just make do.
It was a good time for me to hear this. At the time (a couple weeks ago) I was ready to bulldoze my house down and start over. That would take so much money, though. I do get frustrated with the condition of my house...
it is 24x24 with two livable floors...
the siding is rotting...
the windows are rotting...
the basement gets wet...
I don't have a front entry...
etc.
(Sorry...I'm not really complaining...it's all true! I'm not mad or upset about the state of things. It's the way it is, and we can either choose to do something about it or tear it down and start over.)
I think we're going to 'do what we can with what we have.'
For those of you who've seen my living room, it leaves a lot to be desired...it's not really cute or fashionable or anything...
Matt tore out a wall in there, so we have one big living room with missing sheetrock that needs to be fixed up. We didn't really know what we wanted to do, so we've just left it for over a year. However, since I can't do much about that, I do plan on repainting so it's all one color and rearranging the pictures to better fit the room. I'll be doing what I can...
We've talked about adding on to the back of our house sometime soon...within a year or two. We'd add a big back main entry, a little office space, and a big bathroom/laundry room. Right now, my laundry stuff is in my wet basement. (Not ideal.) I take baths because we don't have a shower in our bathroom (we have one in the basement, but it really creeps me out!). So, a laundry/shower combination would really improve that situation.
I'm hoping that will work out someday...it'd be so nice to have it all so close...and to have a bathroom on the main floor.
Anyway, my motto...do what you can with what you have...it's really a great way of looking at things (house-related). It makes me look at things from my standpoint...what can I do by myself that would make me feel better about what my house looks like...it puts things on my shoulders, too, not making it seem like I'm just waiting for Matt (which I'm not...I know he's busy...things will happen when they happen).
This wasn't a post to complain about my house...it's just a post to explain how I feel about my house, get it off my chest, and do something about it (i.e. paint my whole living room the same color, try to organize better, etc.).
Have a Happy Tuesday!!!
Monday, August 1, 2011
August To-Do's
Our August is going to be very hectic...I've heard that writing down to-do lists helps keep people focused. That's just what we need, a lot of focusing!
According to mindtools.com, to-do lists are prioritized lists of all the tasks that you need to carry out. They list everything that you have to do, with the most important tasks at the top of the list, and the least important tasks at the bottom.
My list is just in order of how we're going about things this month. By the way, most of these things are things that Matt starts/finishes, and I jump in and help when/where I can (because of the kids and sitter issues, or my ability to do whatever is being done).
1. Start fencing.
2. Finish mowing CRP.
3. Rake and Bale 2nd-cutting alfalfa at Humboldt.
4. Start cutting CRP hay.
5. Fence some more.
6. Rake CRP hay.
7. Fence.
8. Cut more CRP hay.
9. Bale 1st round CRP hay.
10. Fence.
11. Rake 2nd round CRP hay.
13. Bale 2nd round CRP hay.
14. Fence.
15. Bale straw, lots and lots and lots and lots of straw!
16. Haul straw home (Matt has already informed me that I will be baling while he hauls continually...it's good to know in advance...I like to plan/prepare for the kids' sake!).
17. Fence.
18. Haul all the other hay home, from the many different fields we've cut around the county.
19. Finish fencing.
20. Finish hauling hay...CRP hay has to be off the fields by Sept. 1st or 15th, I can't remember which.
On top of all this, we have to check/move cows, feed the cows at home, I have to play piano at a wedding and two church services this month, etc.
Anyway, you can see we have a never-ending amount of work to do this month, but it's a good thing...it's all food/bedding for the cows, and the fence is right by our house, so the cows will have more pasture in the spring. It really is a good thing. As long as we get it all done. If anybody feels like coming to help string out barbed wire, pound in fence posts, or put on clips (they hold the wire to the post), feel free to stop over. We'd love to visit and love the extra help!!! :)
According to mindtools.com, to-do lists are prioritized lists of all the tasks that you need to carry out. They list everything that you have to do, with the most important tasks at the top of the list, and the least important tasks at the bottom.
My list is just in order of how we're going about things this month. By the way, most of these things are things that Matt starts/finishes, and I jump in and help when/where I can (because of the kids and sitter issues, or my ability to do whatever is being done).
1. Start fencing.
2. Finish mowing CRP.
3. Rake and Bale 2nd-cutting alfalfa at Humboldt.
4. Start cutting CRP hay.
5. Fence some more.
6. Rake CRP hay.
7. Fence.
8. Cut more CRP hay.
9. Bale 1st round CRP hay.
10. Fence.
11. Rake 2nd round CRP hay.
13. Bale 2nd round CRP hay.
14. Fence.
15. Bale straw, lots and lots and lots and lots of straw!
16. Haul straw home (Matt has already informed me that I will be baling while he hauls continually...it's good to know in advance...I like to plan/prepare for the kids' sake!).
17. Fence.
18. Haul all the other hay home, from the many different fields we've cut around the county.
19. Finish fencing.
20. Finish hauling hay...CRP hay has to be off the fields by Sept. 1st or 15th, I can't remember which.
On top of all this, we have to check/move cows, feed the cows at home, I have to play piano at a wedding and two church services this month, etc.
Anyway, you can see we have a never-ending amount of work to do this month, but it's a good thing...it's all food/bedding for the cows, and the fence is right by our house, so the cows will have more pasture in the spring. It really is a good thing. As long as we get it all done. If anybody feels like coming to help string out barbed wire, pound in fence posts, or put on clips (they hold the wire to the post), feel free to stop over. We'd love to visit and love the extra help!!! :)
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