Thursday, January 26, 2012
Cheesey Souffle
My first souffle! Of course, I was make a large batch and really didn't know how full to fill the little ramekins (she uses larger ones on her recipe, which I didn't notice until after I began mixing everything)... they did rise to the top, but soon after settled in! They were so cute... so puffy... so TASTY! I highly recommend this recipe for Parmesan Cheese Souffle!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
The nose knows
Well, the nose is supposed to know... unfortunately mine never got the memo. What memo? You know, the memo about being normal and not always having a sinus infection and all that jazz... yeah we missed that one! I've been fighting a nasty and frustrating sinus infection since September, which brought on bronchitis at times and fluid in the ears. I've had a handful of okay days in there, but mostly really crappy days. I've been to several appointments, tried several meds... one gave a little relief, while two caused me to have unpleasant reactions to say the least, oh then there was the shot with two steroids (not pleasant), a handful of nose sprays, the netti pot (sometimes 4-5 times a day, even with the threat of the dreaded brain bugs), tons of over the counter meds, allergy testing, CT scan, and finally a consult with an ENT (who stuck a camera down my nose, not one of my funnest moments).
The one phrase the allergist used to sum it up: "You have anatomical abnormalities that cause you to have recurrent and long term sinus infections!" Yeah, I didn't need a medical degree to figure that one out either! So off to the ENT we went because that was really the only other person that could do anything about my situation. As it turns out surgery is the way to fix my anatomical abnormalities... oh JOY!
In a few weeks I will go under the knife and wake up to a straightened septum and smaller something or others that need to be smaller (thanks to a laser), and 10 days after that I will be breathing a lot better! Yeah!
The one phrase the allergist used to sum it up: "You have anatomical abnormalities that cause you to have recurrent and long term sinus infections!" Yeah, I didn't need a medical degree to figure that one out either! So off to the ENT we went because that was really the only other person that could do anything about my situation. As it turns out surgery is the way to fix my anatomical abnormalities... oh JOY!
In a few weeks I will go under the knife and wake up to a straightened septum and smaller something or others that need to be smaller (thanks to a laser), and 10 days after that I will be breathing a lot better! Yeah!
Thangs and Stuff
Thangs and stuff, that is how Snooker will answer the question, "What have you been up to, today?"... and that, my friends, is what I've been up to all these weeks of not posting. Life has been busy this school year. Starting in September I began teaching twice a month at our homeschool co-op. I enjoy it for the most part, but it is somewhat time consuming on my brain. I'm working with 12 students (including Snooker and Bubba)... 6 boys and 6 girls, who for the most part have never picked up a needle. So coming up with the projects, and working out the directions, at times has been a real brain puzzler.
Our own school year has been a little rocky. In some ways I wish I could say the problems are all new, but in all honesty, it's the same old problems just at a slightly higher level. I'm sure the even more seasoned homeschoolers out there will chuckle at that statement. I mean, for real, what was I expecting... that somehow their personalities would change and suddenly what they hated before they would love and that they would find new things to complain about... ha ha ha... not a chance. Same old, same old! Thankfully Daddio has once again stepped in and taken over the forever old reluctance in the math department! I can't even begin to imagine our homeschool running without his help and support... I would be in the loony bin FOR SURE without him (or in a quiet house all day because they are away at school, hmmmm don't tempt me :-)!
So schooling has been stressful... what could be the only other thang that could be more stressful that that? Obedience of course! The last few months have been fraught with bizarre and frustrating behavior. In all honesty, I have no idea where most of it has come from. Although, Daddio reminds me regularly not to ask WHY, because there is no good answer... they are boys and that's what they do... we must just try to find ways to persuade them not to do really stupid things. Yeah, that's work, NOT! How bizarre you might ask?! Well, 3am pantry raids, picking up pre-chewed gum off the street and putting in their own mouth, getting into his allergy pills and taking far too many, deciding not to get up to use the restroom (not a fun one to find out about), eating Nutella with their hands hidden in the corner of their room, stashing large sums of half eaten granola bars in their book case and then the pillow case (Daisy the dog found those for me, some need bomb smelling dogs... we have a food stash finding dog!)... the list goes on and on really!
Let's see what else has been keeping me busy... oh yeah, the holidays and my business. Turns out if you have a shop on Etsy and products people want to give as gifts you will do quite nicely for yourself! It is a lot of fun having a shop and creating products, but it has also been very time consuming. Along with the sewing for my shop, we decided that all of the extended family gifts would be hand made (my hands would be doing all the making). So between all the custom orders for the shop, and tons of gifts for the family, I WAS BUSY! I can honestly say that I'm glad that is done! Now that I know how it works, I will be far better prepared for it! On a side note, while it is so exciting to see my goods here in the continental US, I've also had sales in London and Australia! Boy, I was super pumped going to PO to ship those!
So that's it in a nut shell.
Our own school year has been a little rocky. In some ways I wish I could say the problems are all new, but in all honesty, it's the same old problems just at a slightly higher level. I'm sure the even more seasoned homeschoolers out there will chuckle at that statement. I mean, for real, what was I expecting... that somehow their personalities would change and suddenly what they hated before they would love and that they would find new things to complain about... ha ha ha... not a chance. Same old, same old! Thankfully Daddio has once again stepped in and taken over the forever old reluctance in the math department! I can't even begin to imagine our homeschool running without his help and support... I would be in the loony bin FOR SURE without him (or in a quiet house all day because they are away at school, hmmmm don't tempt me :-)!
So schooling has been stressful... what could be the only other thang that could be more stressful that that? Obedience of course! The last few months have been fraught with bizarre and frustrating behavior. In all honesty, I have no idea where most of it has come from. Although, Daddio reminds me regularly not to ask WHY, because there is no good answer... they are boys and that's what they do... we must just try to find ways to persuade them not to do really stupid things. Yeah, that's work, NOT! How bizarre you might ask?! Well, 3am pantry raids, picking up pre-chewed gum off the street and putting in their own mouth, getting into his allergy pills and taking far too many, deciding not to get up to use the restroom (not a fun one to find out about), eating Nutella with their hands hidden in the corner of their room, stashing large sums of half eaten granola bars in their book case and then the pillow case (Daisy the dog found those for me, some need bomb smelling dogs... we have a food stash finding dog!)... the list goes on and on really!
Let's see what else has been keeping me busy... oh yeah, the holidays and my business. Turns out if you have a shop on Etsy and products people want to give as gifts you will do quite nicely for yourself! It is a lot of fun having a shop and creating products, but it has also been very time consuming. Along with the sewing for my shop, we decided that all of the extended family gifts would be hand made (my hands would be doing all the making). So between all the custom orders for the shop, and tons of gifts for the family, I WAS BUSY! I can honestly say that I'm glad that is done! Now that I know how it works, I will be far better prepared for it! On a side note, while it is so exciting to see my goods here in the continental US, I've also had sales in London and Australia! Boy, I was super pumped going to PO to ship those!
So that's it in a nut shell.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Hi, All!
I'm hosting a quick and easy online party and I would love to share some great gift ideas with you. My friend, Anne Dering, is an Independent Demonstrator with Uppercase Living (a home decor company) and they have just launched two fun catalogs. Uppercase Living is a company whose mission is to uplift and inspire others through beautiful vinyl decor and meaningful jewelry. Anne's website is www.uplift-and-inspire.com
The Blume Jewelry line of Uppercase Living blends inspiring messages with artisan jewelry. Shop for any mood, any personality - elegant, graceful, or bold. Shop for any lady in your life - including something sweet and pretty from our children's collection. Each gorgeous collection can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/blumejewelry
The Holiday Edition Catalog features exclusive hip and heartfelt products that will bring good cheer to every gathering. From decorations to gifts, from Halloween to Christmas, you can shop from this great catalog here: http://tinyurl.com/holidaycatalog2011
When you shop, associate your order to my online party. To do this, when you're ready to check out, click on the button "Associate With Open House". This button is found in the top below my friend Anne's picture. A drop down list will appear. Find the button for my online party and select it (Stephanie H.). Then, check out! :) Your order will be sent directly to you.
A virtual copy of all the Uppercase Living catalogs can be found here: http://annedering.uppercaseliving.net/CatalogPreview.m
Simply click on the button "2011-2012 Catalog" to see the options for the Blume jewelry and the Holiday catalogs.
Other fun information: You will receive one exclusive free gift if you spend $60, two gifts if you spend $80 and three gifts if you spend $100. This quick and easy party will be a fun way to find something beautiful and meaningful for yourself AND the special people on your Christmas List!! My party begins now and will end at midnight on October 28th. You will definitely have all your orders back with enough time for wrapping your Christmas gifts.
I'm hosting a quick and easy online party and I would love to share some great gift ideas with you. My friend, Anne Dering, is an Independent Demonstrator with Uppercase Living (a home decor company) and they have just launched two fun catalogs. Uppercase Living is a company whose mission is to uplift and inspire others through beautiful vinyl decor and meaningful jewelry. Anne's website is www.uplift-and-inspire.com
The Blume Jewelry line of Uppercase Living blends inspiring messages with artisan jewelry. Shop for any mood, any personality - elegant, graceful, or bold. Shop for any lady in your life - including something sweet and pretty from our children's collection. Each gorgeous collection can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/blumejewelry
The Holiday Edition Catalog features exclusive hip and heartfelt products that will bring good cheer to every gathering. From decorations to gifts, from Halloween to Christmas, you can shop from this great catalog here: http://tinyurl.com/holidaycatalog2011
When you shop, associate your order to my online party. To do this, when you're ready to check out, click on the button "Associate With Open House". This button is found in the top below my friend Anne's picture. A drop down list will appear. Find the button for my online party and select it (Stephanie H.). Then, check out! :) Your order will be sent directly to you.
A virtual copy of all the Uppercase Living catalogs can be found here: http://annedering.uppercaseliving.net/CatalogPreview.m
Simply click on the button "2011-2012 Catalog" to see the options for the Blume jewelry and the Holiday catalogs.
Other fun information: You will receive one exclusive free gift if you spend $60, two gifts if you spend $80 and three gifts if you spend $100. This quick and easy party will be a fun way to find something beautiful and meaningful for yourself AND the special people on your Christmas List!! My party begins now and will end at midnight on October 28th. You will definitely have all your orders back with enough time for wrapping your Christmas gifts.
Monday, October 3, 2011
What to do...
Have you answered the same question a million times (regarding some homeschooling thing)???? Yeah, me too. So what do I do? I make the 6th grader help the 4th grader. Genius, I know. I figure, it will reinforce what he should already know, he has far more patients with his younger brother at this stage of the day, and I can take 5 minutes to get a drink of water (cough me head off) and re-collect me thoughts!
So there you have it, solving the world's problems one day at a time :-)!
So there you have it, solving the world's problems one day at a time :-)!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Tasty and stuffed
This weekend we were looking to try something different and tasty... off to the 5 Ingredient Fix list to see what looked like it would hit the spot. Stuffed Pork Chops and Rice Pilaf, of course! And boy was is GOOD!
Stuffed Pork Chops
Cut a pocket on the side of each pork chop from the fat side to the bone. Season the outside of each chop with salt and pepper, to taste. Stuff each chop with 1/2-ounce of goat cheese, pushing it to the bottom of the opening, then stuff with the prune mixture. Secure with toothpicks.
Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons lemon olive oil in a large shallow Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the chops on both sides until golden brown. Add water to come 1/4 of the way up the side of chops. Cover and simmer until the chops are cooked, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove chops to a serving platter and simmer the liquid and any stuffing drippings until reduced to a thick sauce. Pour the sauce over the chops and serve garnished with toasted almonds.
Rice Pilaf
In another saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add the scallions and cook for about 3 minutes. Stir in the rice, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and cook for another 2 minutes. Pour in the hot broth mixture and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the saucepan. Cook until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Stir in walnuts and taste for seasoning, adjusting as necessary. Transfer the pilaf to a serving bowl and serve.
*Go... go now, get what you need to make this... and ENJOY!!!*
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup chopped prunes
- 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds, chopped, plus more for garnish
- 3 tablespoons lemon olive oil
- 4 pork loin rib chops, 1 1/2 inches thick
- Course salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 ounces goat cheese
Directions
In a bowl, mix the prunes and almonds with 1 tablespoon of lemon olive oil.
Cut a pocket on the side of each pork chop from the fat side to the bone. Season the outside of each chop with salt and pepper, to taste. Stuff each chop with 1/2-ounce of goat cheese, pushing it to the bottom of the opening, then stuff with the prune mixture. Secure with toothpicks.
Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons lemon olive oil in a large shallow Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the chops on both sides until golden brown. Add water to come 1/4 of the way up the side of chops. Cover and simmer until the chops are cooked, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove chops to a serving platter and simmer the liquid and any stuffing drippings until reduced to a thick sauce. Pour the sauce over the chops and serve garnished with toasted almonds.
Rice Pilaf
Ingredients
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup chopped scallions, white and green parts
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup toasted chopped walnuts
Directions
Bring the broth and water to a boil in saucepan over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and keep hot.
In another saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add the scallions and cook for about 3 minutes. Stir in the rice, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and cook for another 2 minutes. Pour in the hot broth mixture and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the saucepan. Cook until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Stir in walnuts and taste for seasoning, adjusting as necessary. Transfer the pilaf to a serving bowl and serve.
*Go... go now, get what you need to make this... and ENJOY!!!*
Monday, August 15, 2011
Ring, Ring, Ring
"Hello, yes, Paddy Wagon people, I'm ready for pick-up!"
Parenting is like living in an insane asylum! Every day you have no idea what to expect from your ward. They could be perfectly normal, or they could be living in fantasy land that day, or the naughty/angry personality has shown up (un-invited). Okay, some of you wonderful, loving, ultra patient parents are probably reading this thinking that I'm off my rocker for sure this time, and what business do I have parenting with such thoughts.
Well, to your first thought... YEP! To the second notion... I question that myself!
So what spurred on these thoughts today, of all days... Anybody notice it is Monday?! I dislike Mondays; the only Mondays that are good Mondays are Mondays at the beach otherwise I bite my thumb in their direction!
This Monday started off like any other Monday, up and breakfast in a quicker pace than usual because the boys have gymnastics (just the summer at this time) at 8:00am! Snooker is NOT A MORNING PERSON! After he finally finished his breakfast, got dressed and all the other stuff they do in the morning, he knew he needed to do stretches. I asked about one of them, he lied about it, I told him he needed to do it... then hit the restroom before we left. As he walked away from he muttered under his breath (I should mention here he has a terrible back-talk habit)... "You just Shut-UP!"
Daddio relayed the morning's events to a co-worker, and she said, “How old was he? Notice how I used the past tense because I already assume he’s dead…”
Oh, Mondays... why must you be so cruel!?!
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