Yorkshire Pudding

For years it was a tradition to have these for Sunday dinner with roast, mashed potatoes, and the works. Yorkshire Pudding and roast go together like bees and honey.

Yorkshire Pudding

1 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup milk
2 eggs
oil or lard

Place scant Tbsp of oil (or a pad of lard) in each muffin cup. Heat in oven until temp reaches 425. Combine remaining ingredients and wisk until fluffy. Add batter to hot oil in muffin tins and replace in oven. Cook for 25 minutes or until golden brown. (They should get all puffy, but if they turn out to be disks... they still taste good!)

Italian Chicken

This is a great crock pot recipe. It was passed on to us from my sister-in-laws aunt. It's great for Sundays... Put it in the pot before you go to church and dinner's ready when you get home!

Italian Chicken

4 chicken breasts, boneless & skinless
1 pkg dry Italian salad dressing mix
1/2 cube butter
1 can cream of mushroom soup
milk
1 pkg cream cheese

Melt butter in crock pot, mix in seasoning. Add chicken and coat well. Cook 6-7 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high. 1 hour before serving, mix soup, milk to dilute, and cream cheese in sauce pan and pour over chicken. Serve over rice, pasta, or baked potato.

Just Hangin' Out

This afternoon after Maria's diaper change... she had a minor blowout... and before I could get her new clothes on she was rolling around on the floor, yelling her head off, having a grand old time!! She hung out like this for at least 30 minutes.

PS. I got my new lens today!! It came early!! I'm so excited.... it's sharp! I'm looking forward to playing with it a bunch.

Maria's so cute.

So, yesterday I brought Maria into the shower with me instead of giving her a bath. She was sitting there, feeling the water on her hands and she would lean forward and the water would hit the top of her head and she would look up and around like...what just happened?!? She did it every time. It was so cute.

Easy Breadsticks

These are the easiest breadsticks EVER!! You don't have to scald milk, or let it rise multiple times. There are a few different varieties of breadsticks that you can get..... when I need the bread fast I use method #1, when I feel like being fancy or have guests coming I'll use method #2.

Breadsticks

1 Tbsp yeast
1 1/2 c warm water
1 Tbsp sugar
3 c flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 cube butter (method #2)

Combine yeast, sugar and water. Set aside to puff up. Add flour and salt to yeast mixture. Mix well. Knead 2-3 minutes, set aside 2-3 minutes. (or if you have a Kitchen Aid you can mix it in there for 4-5 minutes.)

Method #1-
Divide bread into 12-18 pieces, roll into a bread stick shape, place on greased cookie sheet. Let sit 5 minutes. Bake at 375 for 12-15 minutes.

Method #2-
While yeast is puffing preheat oven to 375. Place cube of butter in 9x13 pan and place in oven to melt. Continue with the bread, but keep an eye on the butter, once it's melted take it out of the oven. After your dough has rested 2-3 minutes roll dough into a rectangle between 6-8 inches in height, and then as long as it takes to make the dough about 1/4 inch thick. Cut dough into 1 inch strips (I use a pizza cutter). Now, take the pan that has the butter in it and put a hot pad or towel under one of the sides, so that the butter creates a little pool in the other side. Take one of the strips of dough and dip it in the butter. Fold it in half and then twist a few times. Place it in the other side of the 9x13 pan. Repeat until all the dough has been buttered & twisted. Let this rise 15-20 minutes. Add topping* of choice and Bake at 375 for 15-18 minutes.

*toppings can be parmesean cheese, garlic salt, poppy seeds, sesame seeds or go for sweet and have it with cinnamon and sugar.

Note: This also makes a quick and easy pizza dough.

Green Chili Chicken Soup

I got this recipe from a roommate in college. She taught me a lot about cooking, and I have many favorite recipe's that she passed on.

Green Chili Chicken Soup

2-3 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 small onion chopped
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp pepper
pinch oregano
2 medium potatoes peeled and cubed
1 can diced green chilis
5 cups chicken broth
2 cloves garlic minced
1 lb chicken cooked and shredded

Heat oil in 2 quart sauce pan and add onion and garlic. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes. Uncover and raise heat to medium. Stir in cumin and pepper. Let cook 2-3 minutes stirring occasionally. Add oregano, chili's, chicken, potatoes and broth. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer 25 minutes. Serve hot with Monterey Jack cheese as a garnish.

Note: We love this with fresh homemade breadsticks!

Before & After: Maria

Before & After: Toyke & Lisette

Asian Flank Steak

We had this for dinner last night... oh so yummy.

Asian Flank Steak

1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 c Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbsp lemon juice
2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
1 Tbsp minced fresh ginger
1 1/4 lb flank steak

Wisk first 5 ingredients together and place in a 9x13 pan. Add steak and turn to coat. Marinate 1 hour at room temp, or in the fridge overnight.
Turn BBQ to medium-high heat. Grill steak about 5 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer steak to platter and let stand 10 minutes. Thinly slice across grain.

Note: Sometimes in a pinch I'll use garlic instead of the ginger, I know it's not the same, but it still tastes good. Last night we had this with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Brussel Sprouts.

New Blog Layout

So, here it is, the new blog layout.... there are still some features that i need to put to work, but that will take a little while. I still have a few reservations about some of the features, but we'll see how it goes. How do you like it? Is it user friendly enough?

PS. It snowed here all day yesterday. I thought we were done with that, but no, 8 inches later, it's still cold here.

PPS. I'm getting a 50mm lens for my camera for my birthday!!! I'm SO excited. My mom and I ordered it yesterday, should be here by Monday!!! Here's to happy shooting!!

Ribs

We got this recipe from my Aunt Mimi a few years back, and it has been a favorite ever since. It makes a lot of ribs, so we invite friends over, but we can't invite too many friends over 'cause husband likes leftovers!!

Ribs

1 cup vinegar
2 cup ketchup
2 tsp paprika
4 tsp celery salt
2 tsp dry mustard powder
3 tsp chili powder
2 tsp salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp pepper
ribs

Place ribs in a large roasting pan. Mix remaining ingredients together and pour over ribs. Bake at 325 for 2 1/2 hours.

Side dish suggestions: We like this with rice (that way you can pour the nummy sauce overtop), corn (or green beans), and a salad.

Pico de Gallo Salsa

Pico de Gallo Salsa

5 large tomatoes
1 medium onion
1 jalapeno
1 bunch cilantro
1 Tbsp lime juice
1/4 tsp salt
1 clove garlic, minced

Dice tomatoes and onion, place in a bowl. Grate the jalapeno with the small side of a box grater. Discard the skin. Add the grated jalapeno to the tomato mixture. Mince and add the cilantro. Add the lime juice, salt, and garlic. Gently stir.

Great with chips, grilled chicken, tac0s, burritos, etc...

Caramel Brownies

These are the BEST brownies EVER!! I got this recipe from a lady at church years ago. It makes a LOT of brownies.... a big jelly roll pan overflowing (sometimes I'll use two 9x13 pans.

Caramel Brownies

1 pkg Brownie mix
1 pkg chocolate cake mix
2/3 cup evaporated milk
3/4 cup butter
75 individually wrapped caramels
large Symphony bar chopped

Unwrap caramels, place in pot. Add 1/3 cup evaporated milk. Melt, set aside.
Make brownie mix, set aside.
Melt 3/4 cup butter, combine with cake mix and remaining evaporated milk. Mix brownie batter and cake batter together. Take 1/2 mixture and spread on bottom of a greased pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Take out of oven, sprinkle with chocolate chunks and drizzle with caramel. Place 1 Tbsp drops of remaining mix on top of caramel. Bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes. Cool and Enjoy!

Under Construction....

Ok, I found a blog layout that I think I might like.... but it's kind of labor intensive getting it completely up and running.... so for the time being we are Under Construction.

what the HTML?

I'm frustrated with my layout. There are many plus' and minus'. I kind of like the header, I think the flower's pretty. I like the idea of the 3-column layout, that way I don't have to scroll down a million miles to get to the link that I want to go to. (although I'd prefer a column on either side, the same width, that doesn't do funky things to text or pictures) I think that my main posting column is too small, it's larger than the others, but I don't think it's big enough. Knowing me, 2 days after I finally get a layout that I really like, I'll find faults and want to change it. I think my best solution is to learn how to read & write HTML so that I can make my own layouts... and be able to change them whenever I want to.

does anyone else get as frustrated with their layout as I do.... any solutions? and does anyone know HTML?

Here is a photo of my little maria with one of her favorite toys.... a spoon.

Special Valentine's Gift

I got these in the mail today:

and I laughed really hard.

they are NOT st patricks day m&m's....

here are some quotes from the packaging... enjoy:

"What is it about the Green Ones? Honey, let's talk! People are always asking me about their... ummm... special powers. Are they for real? There's only one way to find out!"

"M-portant notice: Consumption of The Green Ones may result in elevated Romance Levels. If you experience this effect, contact your Significant Other immediately. No official agency has verified these statements... but what do they know about romance anyway?"

a wonderful thursday...

today has been a great day. maybe it's the fact that the sun is out and it feels almost like spring, a whopping 52 degrees.( except i know it's going to get cold again) or maybe it's the fact that i turned up the music loud and danced, that seems to always make me feel better. or maybe it's that the laundry is done, or maria was super cute during bath i don't know what it is, but whatever it was, it was great.
i'll leave you all with a picture.... maria in the bath. she's learning how to splash. yesterday she didn't, today she did! it's so exciting!!

Photo Site

Yesterday my mom, Maria, and I were out running errands. We met my dad and Marco for lunch and then went for a walk. Along the way we found this gem... I think it's a great photo shoot location!!

My parents obliged and let me take a few shots of them....

... and then my mom got this one of Marco and I.

it was fun!! I'm looking forward to exploring more!

Happy V-day

i'm getting sick. ick.

I have to give a talk in church tomorrow... wish me luck

I painted one of Maria's white onsies to say "i have no teeth". which she doesn't. it turned out OK, but i know i can do better... i'll need to find my other paintbrushes though. I'm thinking of doing "i can't read" for the next one, since she'll probably have teeth before i actually find my paintburshes and get around to painting another onsie. let me know if you have any suggestions for other onesies...

This past week and a half or so a few of my cousins have come down to visit....
Dawn

Maxand then Krysta, but i don't have a pic of her.


Dawn came back down a 3rd time and we went shopping. I got the cutest heels. (it takes a lot to find cute heels that fit) i do have to admit that these are a little taller than i'm used to and i am going to have to practice walking in them.

Today we walked the railroad trail in Bellingham from Barkley Village to the pedestrian bridge over Alabama. That was cool. I'm looking forward to exploring more trails and parks around Bellingham.

Saturday

First things first.... I'd like to note that Maria is doing a pretty darn good job at sitting up all by herself!!

Ok, now on to buisness....

Today a few of the couples and their babies from the Birthing Class that Marco and I took came by today. We had a little cookie party. It was so much fun seeing them again!! They are all such beautiful babies!!

Charlotte, Logan, Olivia, & Maria

Here's Charlotte. She has a big beautiful smile (here she's making a cute face... it's not her big smile, we didn't catch that on film)...

...and she is the only one out of the bunch with any teeth.

Logan is such a handsome devil...

..he's got such beautiful eyes!!

Here is Olivia. She is so fun, and quite the mover...

..she smiles for the camera, and is interested in the other babies (at one point she had her hand in Logan's mouth.... it was the cutest thing ever!!)

I'm looking forward to many more visits with these wonderful people and their babies!!

Inspector Gadget

Sometimes I wish I had go go gadget arms. Mostly when I'm giving Maria her bottle and she's almsot asleep and I want the lights off, but I don't want to get up and disturb her, or her bottle is going to run out so I can make another one just in the nick of time. This morning I wanted gadget arms so that I could get the camera. Maria was reaching out to touch Marcos face while he was sleeping and it was so cute, she had that look on her face like she wanted to reach out, grab his face, and then bring it to her mouth to suck on. funny little girl!

Photography

I'm so excited. I just created my first action in photoshop!! I'm really diggin' this whole photography thing. I've been toying around with the idea of doing it on a more professional level. As in taking pictures of people other than my daughter and eventually getting paid for it, but I need practice, and an opportunity to build my portfolio. So to all of you blog readers out there, if you want some pictures taken (or know of anyone who does) shoot me an email (simplymer@yahoo.com) and let's work something out.

just in case you're interested...

i posted Maria's 5 month update on her blog here!

gotta heart that pioneer woman

The Pioneer Woman is GREAT!! She gives great tips on photography, and has some pretty mean recipe's on her website (Marco and I had some of these today!!) I haven't gotten into the other areas of her expertise.... I'll leave those for a rainy day. I was perusing her Photography section this evening and I came across this cool little tutorial. Basically taking your colored photos, making them sepia, yet keeping a little in color. (Like that picture of the little kids dressed up as an old man and old woman and the little boy is giving the girl a flower.) Remember the pictures i took of maria in the swing, I used the close up as a demonstration:

then on this one i ran her "seventies" action, i kinda like it.

Thank you Pioneer Woman!!