The Banes of Cleaning

Being a mother one of the things I should be able to handle are the Early Mornings...but I'll admit, I hate waking up early.  I always feel like I don't get enough sleep, and I guess since I often don't get to bed until midnight or later, it's probably true.  Both my girls are early risers...Kenna mostly because Lizzie wakes her up.  They are always up before the sun...and very sneaky (Payback from my own Childhood...of that I am sure!).  Every morning my husband wakes up with the girls, because he too is an early riser, and he often tries to allow me to sleep as long as possible, then before he leaves for work, he comes in and wakes me up.  First thing in the morning, I'm always a little sluggish, and it takes me a while to get going, but once I'm up...I'm up! 

Often I wake up in the morning, dreading the state I'm going to find the living room in.  It seems like the girls know how to destroy the house in one take.  And I know what most of you are thinking...that is not possible...but believe me...it really is.  So usually I have to take the time to clean up...or attempt to get my girls to help me clean up.  That has shown to be a true challenge. 

Kenna often will pick of the things I ask her to do.  She loves picking up the shoes and the little stuff.  But Lizzie, is a force to be reckon with.  She fights and argues and whines whenever I ask her to help me clean.  After I make a few threats, and turn off the T.V. she whines some more and then sulks on the couch, before reluctantly getting up and helping me clean. 

The one mess I haven't managed to tackle, is their bedroom.  It seems like no matter how often Nick and I get them to pick it up, moments later it's a complete mess again.  It always manages to baffle me and I spend hours a day just trying to clean. 

I haven't even started to try to get the pen marks off the walls.  They clearly are not on the top of my list...keeping my house clean is more of an issue.

So here's to trying to get my girls to clean up today...since once again, the house is in a little need of some TLC!

Long Saturday...Homemade Dinner

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Today was just one of those days.  Kenna had a Doctor's Appointment in Palm Desert, so she and I had to be at the bus stop by 7:45am.  For an early Saturday morning the first thing I noticed was that there were a lot of cars and bicyclists on the road...and that was when I remembered that today was Tour DE Palm Springs...a very popular Bike race.  But here, they don't actually close down roads...they just place warning signs throughout the desert.  It was pretty cool to see, and Kenna loved watching them ride past her. 

On the Way to the Doctors

So Kenna and I hopped on the bus and were off to catch the next bus which would end up taking us to Kaiser.  After spending over an hour and a half on the bus Kenna and I arrived to find that it was very windy and that the bicyclists were also riding throughout Palm Desert.  It was, I have to admit, pretty awesome to see so many people out on their bikes!

Since Kenna and I had over an hour until her appointment was, I took us to Jack in the box for some yummy Breakfast Jacks!  Kenna loved it, and ate almost half of mine!  When it was time for Kenna's appointment she was very well behaved and allowed the Nurse and the Doctor to check her out.  She needed four shots and it was very hard to hold her down.  She did not like having the shots at all.  But she got a new book out of it, and while we waited for the bus to come, she read the new book to her baby doll and two Ty Beanie Bears. 

Kenna's New Half-undressed Doll

We took the bus to Target and I let her pick out some new dolls, because it had been a long day for her, and she was being very well behaved.  Once we were done with that we headed back home.

When I got home, had Nick finish the dishes I needed to make dinner and then I got started!  The recipe I'm going to share tonight, is the first recipe my sister Nicole, ever created for me!  If you guys didn't know, Nicole is a master when it comes to cooking!  She's always my go-to person when I'm stuck on a dish or when I have a question!

A couple years ago, I had made a complaint about how I was tired of Boxed Mac n' Cheese, so Nicole sent me a basic recipe for Homemade Mac n' Cheese.  This recipe is so fool proof that when I wasn't able to cook, I was able to make it.

Nicole's Simple Mac n' Cheese


1 Tbsp butter - unsalted
1 Tbsp flour
1 cup milk
1 box of noodles (any kind that you like)
Desired amount of any kind of cheese

Cook noodles.
Melt butter in medium pan, then add flour.  Mix flour and butter until it's the texture of sand and smells like popcorn.  Add the milk and stir until thickened.  Then add the amount of cheese, for your own desired cheesiness.  Once sauce is done, add cooked noodles. season to taste, and serve!

Finished Mac n' Cheese

So that's simple right?  It really is very simple to make, but here are some other ways that you can make it.  To make your Mac n' Cheese more creamier you could do half cream and half milk, or Nicole suggested Cream Cheese.  I also added bacon to our dish, and baked some cheese and Italian bread crumbs on top.

It turned out really well and my girls loved it!  Next time, I plan to use turkey bacon, because the bacon we used was a little too crispy, but I still liked it!

Tomorrow we're going to have a nice family day, maybe go out for lunch!  I'm really looking forward to spending the day with Nick and the girls!

Lizzie eating Dinner

Kenna enjoying Dinner!



Homemade Taco Salad

One day after we had gone to Carl's Jr. for a rare lunch out, Nick ordered the taco salad.  I sat there looking at it and I told him that I bet I could make it and that it would be better (and cheaper) then the one he always gets from Carl's. 

So he put me to the test.  The first time I used it, he was amazed at how much he liked my version of the salad...and now I'm going to share my recipe with you!

Cooked Meat

First thing I did was I started browning and flavoring the meat.  You can use any kind of ground meat you like, but I just used the beef.  I often will just use the Taco seasoning packet with a little of the HOT taco seasoning, since Nick likes his food spicy.  But you can also use any type of seasonings that you prefer.  Tonight I made my meat with a little salt, pepper, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, dried oregano, carne asada seasoning mix, and a little bit of Enchilada HOT sauce.  I brown it until all the sauce is gone and then set it aside.  Thankfully ground beef is the type of food that can be left alone while you work on other things.

Pre-cooked tortilla

Next I moved on to the tortilla's.  Rather then spend six dollars on pre-made tortilla shells, I made my own.  I have my sister, Nicole, to thanks for how to make a nice crispy corn tortilla without frying it in oil.  I preheated the oven to 400 degrees and then I placed some Extra Virgin Olive Oil in a bowl and then used a pastry brush to lightly brush the oil on the tortilla's.  You want to make sure that you oil both sides of the tortilla and then you can even season to taste.  A little salt and pepper will go a long way!  Once I had them oiled I placed them in the oven and just kept a watch on them.  Sometimes you can turn them every once and while, but I just left mine alone. 

Bean Mixture

Once the tortilla's where crisp to my liking I took them out to let them cool.  Now it's time to move on to the bean mixture.  Now there is no right or wrong way to make the mixture.  It's really all about what you like best.  I use three different kinds of canned beans (doesn't need to be the name brand...using the store brand is just as fine and even cheaper!) - black beans, red beans, and pinto beans.  I drain the beans in a colander and let them sit.  I then add some canned tomatoes (but I'm sure fresh will work just as well!) and olives. 

You could also add onions, but since I don't like onions I choose to leave them out.  Although often I will add onions to my husband's meat because he does happen to like onions.

Once you have all that, I add a lettuce, little shredded cheese, sour cream, and some salsa to make my salad.  You could also take your tortilla's and crush them up to make a chip-like salad. 

The finished look!

Overall for this entire meal I spent under $10 to get this meal made.  In my house we always have tortilla's, cheese, salsa, canned beans, and olives in the house, so it can make shopping easier.  But like I said, you can made your salad any way you like.  This is just the version we like in this house!  I hope you enjoy my version of homemade taco salad!  It's cheaper, healthier, and something light for those who really don't want a heavy meal.  And for you non-meat eaters (like me!) using the beans is a good way to get some substance and protein!

Baking Blunders



So there comes a time in life when you realize that what you bought...wasn't actually what you thought it was.  I bought the stick Crisco because I always remember that it's easier for me to work with...rather then trying to measure it out.  But let me tell you, when you buy the stick kind...make SURE that you buy the right kind of Crisco.  I mean I did not want the butter flavor Crisco...so instead of having nice flaky pie crust, I ended up with crust that was hard to work with and wouldn't roll out, so one of my pies died...even though it's still baking.

I so did NOT want Butter Flavor

Flat Apple Pie with Perfect Pie Crust

2011 Ree Drummond, All Rights Reserved

Prep Time: 20 min

Inactive Prep Time: --

Cook Time: 40 min

Level: Easy

Serves: 2 pies

Ingredients

• 5 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 recipe Perfect Pie Crust, recipe follows
• 6 tablespoons butter

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

In large bowl, stir together the apples, brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, salt and lemon juice. Set aside and see how long you can keep from sneaking a slice of apple.

With a rolling pin, begin rolling out the Perfect Pie Crusts into large circles. Roll the dough from the center outward. Be gentle and patient, it'll take a little time to get the dough completely rolled out.

If you think the bottom is really sticking to the surface below, use a nice, sharp spatula to loosen the dough and sprinkle some extra flour on top. Then flip it over to finish rolling. Remember to roll from the center in single, outward strokes, no back-and-forth rolling.

Again with a spatula, loosen and lift the dough and carefully place the circles on large baking sheets.

Place half the apple mixture on one crust and the other half on the other crust. Fold over the edges of each crust so that it covers 2 to 3 inches of the apple mixture. No need to be artistic - the more rustic the better. Dot the tops of the pies with chunks of the butter.

Bake until the filling is golden and bubbly, 30 to 40 minutes. If the crust appears to brown too quickly, cover the edges with aluminium foil for the remaining baking time.

Allow to cool slightly, then slice into wedges with a pizza cutter. Eat 'em on the go!

Perfect Pie Crust:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 sticks cold butter
• 3/4 cup vegetable shortening
• 1 egg
• 5 tablespoons cold water
• 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar

Combine the flour and salt in a large bowl. Add in the butter and shortening. Using a pastry cutter, gradually work the butter and shortening into the flour until the mixture resembles tiny pebbles. This step should take 3 or 4 minutes.

Lightly beat the egg with a fork, and then add it to the mixture. Next, add in the cold water and vinegar. Stir the mixture together until it's just combined, and then remove half the dough from the bowl. Yield: dough for 2 crusts.

 

Next time I will make sure I have what I need on hand... so this doesn't happen again.  I was really cringing at the finished look, but thankfully it doesn't taste as bad as it looks!  Of course now I have to try and get the goo off my cookie sheets, but overall I'm happy that they are at least editable!

At least I made Nick a happy camper!  He hasn't stopped trying to eat little bits and pieces since it was cool enough to touch.  Tomorrow we shall see what the girls think of it!

Completely collasped, lightly burned edges

Held it's shape, slightly burned in some areas

So let this be a lesson to anyone who, like me, shops and go.  Always...and I mean ALWAYS check your products before you buy them, because you don't want to end up with pie like mine.  Lesson to be learned.

Game Day

So today is game day, and while no one will be at my house...other then me and my girls...I decided to get a few things to make the day a little more special.  Earlier the girls and I headed off to the store to get a few things that I happened to be missing from my kitchen, and then we came home and tried to do a little picking up.  They tried, but we're working on it.  Once the girls were down for a nap, I got to work.

Last night I was visiting recipe sites, because I live for new things to try out!  And I came across something that looked good, and I figured it would be a good, light dessert for me and the girls!

Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

2011 Ree Drummond, All Rights Reserved

Prep Time: 10 min

Inactive Prep Time: 30 min

Cook Time: 40 min

Level: Easy

Serves: 24 servings

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 sticks salted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for greasing pan
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cup oats
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• One 10 to 12-ounce jar strawberry preserves

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch rectangular pan.

Mix together the butter, flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder and salt. Press half the oat mixture into the prepared pan. Spread with the strawberry preserves. Sprinkle the other half of the oat mixture over the top and pat lightly. Bake until light brown, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely, and then cut into squares.

Now, I'm just a simpleton, so I love that this recipe was quick and easy to make.  I didn't use a 9-by-13-inch pan, because I didn't have one, but as you can see, a 9-by-9-inch pan works just as well.  I really can't wait to try it and I know that my girls are going to love it!  My next attempt I'm going to try Raspberry Jam and I have a feeling that it will really be something that disappears quickly!

Something that I was really looking forward to make was Ree Drummond Flat Apple Pie.  I mean it seriously the smartest way I've ever seen to make a pie.  She doesn't need anything but a cookie sheet!  So I really can't wait, but sadly I left my lemons and apples at the store, so tomorrow I will have to go and get them.  Well it's almost game time and I'm gearing down for t-time!  And in case you were wondering, yes I am cheering for the Giants!

Starting Fresh

So I realize it's been beyond a year since I last posted, so I've decided to start anew.  First I'm going to point out that I plan to leave my old blogs here, but that I want to take a different approach to blogging.  For a while I've just been trying to blog while not being me...and it wasn't working for me.  So here I am...the new Stephanie. 

First I would like to say that this Blog is all about me and my girls.  Yes I know it's hard to believe, but that baby, Makenna is now a toddler!  She will be two in June and I just can not believe how much time has flown.  Lizzie is a preschooler now, and she is so smart!  Well honestly both my girls are very smart!  Yes I'm one of those bragging mom's!

So getting back on topic I want to talk about some ways I'd like to see my blog go.  First I want to be able to post about my wonderful daughters!  Even when they are annoying me, and driving me insane!!  I can't help but love them and want the best things in life for them.  Also I want to post recipe's on my site.  They are not recipe's I've created, but Recipe's I've used, and have come to love!  I've been getting heavily into baking, because my four year old, Lizzie, loves to bake!  Her Aunt Coley even made Lizzie her very own apron to help Mommy in the kitchen!

Lizzie is the silliest, funniest, most creative four year old I've ever seen!  I like to call her my girlie-girl/tomboy and I'll tell you why!  Lizzie loves the color pink...everything with her, has to be PINK!  But then sometimes she'll decide she wants a different color instead.  She always knows exactly what she wants, it's just sometimes hard to understand what it is she's trying to say.  Like today, for example.  Charlie Brown had fallen down behind the coach and she kept asking for what I swear sounded like her eyebrow...now can you see how I could confuse the two?  When I finally figured how what she wanted, we tried to work on how she was supposed to pronounce Charlie's name...but I'm afraid that she was just too suck with the lisp. 

"I'm going to be a Princess!"

Everything with Lizzie is Princess.  She loves Dressing up like a Princess!  To Lizzie dressing up like a ballerina means that she is dressing up like a princess.  We took her to a ballet class, but she was so excited she just couldn't sit still long enough to listen to the teacher, so the teacher suggested we wait a few months.  Instead she suggested having Lizzie watch a lot of Angelina Ballerina, and her Aunt Coley took that to heart!

Thanks Aunt Coley!

In the next coming week, Lizzie (and Kenna!) will be getting some books, DVDs, and just a lot of fun ballerina things in the mail!  Another thing Lizzie loves is her Rapunzel dress!  Now this dress isn't like others out there...in fact, Lizzie has a one of a kind dress, because her Aunt Coley (the Auntie Homemaker!) made Lizzie a special Rapunzel dress.  It really does look like the dress from Tangled, but it is completely Lizzie's!  Lizzie wears this dress almost everyday, and if I allowed her to, I'm sure she'd live in it! 

Now I say that Lizzie is a girlie-girl/tomboy because not only does she love girlie stuff, but she is heavily into Cars...and I'm not just talking about McQueen and Mater.  This girl lives for different types of cars.  Especially Queen (as Lizzie calls him!) and Mater, but she also happens to love hug trucks...like bulldozers!  She loves trains (she gets it from my dad!) and when she goes to Grandpa's house she could spend hours in his train room!

Proud Supporter of Uncle Monkey!

Now Kenna...Kenna is sweet, but man oh man you better watch out, because she's got an Irish temper like you wouldn't believe.  Kenna, I like to call her my mother hen.  She loves to mother things.  She has her own little baby doll and two Ty beanie baby bears which go everywhere with her!  Kenna is also really into Elmo.  Elmo is Mommy's best friend, because when Kenna wakes up from nap (while Lizzie is still in school) Mommy can put Elmo on and Kenna will sit there for a whole hour just watching it!  She knows all the songs and can follow anything they tell her do!  She is so super smart!

Dancing in my Princess Skirt

Kenna is only nineteen months old, but sometimes I forget that she is, because she's already understanding and listening far better then I though she would.  She pretty much can ask for anything she needs or wants, verbally, and she is very good at repeating what other people say.  I'm afraid my husband is still learning that he has to watch his mouth around the girls!  But Kenna is an amazing learner!  She loves to learn, and I'm trying to teach her all I can!  Kenna's favorite thing to do, is sitting in Mommy's lap.  (Honestly Mommy loves it too!) 

Dancing Along with Angelina Ballerina

I seriously love my girls and I love how different they are.  I love watching them grow and learn and play!  It still amazes me at how fast time flies with those two!  It seems like only yesterday they were just babies, and now...they're big girls ready to take on new experiences.  I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!!