7 - Make 12 new recipes from Whitewater Cooks cookbooks in 2011
Now this seems too easy!!! These books are a pleasure to cook from and I've already made 3 recipes and it's still January!!!
Alright, lets catch you up! While Princess Amanda was home this past weekend her boyfriend Brian (really he's already family!) was saying how his mom has made a list of 52 things she would like to do this year....what a fantastic idea!!!
So, I've started a list - although I haven't gotten to 52 it's a great start and it's only January!
I'm using it as part of my Happiness Year - yes, I just finished reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.
So far my list looks like this:
1. Sign up for Pilate's classes (I have signed up and made it to 1 - last Thursday snowed in)
2. Sign up for Zumba classes (I have signed up and it starts this Friday - alas! I will be shopping with my BFF Sandy in the USA for quilting fabrics etc.!)
3. Do Bunny Hill Designs Free BOM "Henrietta Whiskers" - each month (this is one of the fun reasons for above trip to the states!) I haven't started this months block because I need fabric!!! Technically this is number one on my list of 52 BUT I decided to put the exercise 1st because my New Years Resolution is to get 4 or more hours of exercise each week...I make this resolution every year so I have to take myself seriously (although secretly, I keep just missing the mark by 15 minutes each week this month - DUE to SNOW!!!) Shhhh! I can't drive in the snow and don't make me jog in the snow and I can't seem to turn on the treadmill in the snow either!!!!! Anyways - it's good to leave room for self improvement!
4. Join Flicker! I want to join Flicker because I want to share my Henrietta Whiskers block each month with other's making them! I really enjoyed Flicker when Bunny Hill Designs had "A Tisket A Tasket" BOM in 2009! (too busy blogging to learn flicker yet but watch out!)
5. Start a Blog!!! OK, I thought (while jogging with my husband I might add) that if I was going to flicker I might as well blog! This is really exciting since I really don't even do email (gave the wrong address AGAIN at quilting!) I'm Technology illiterate - until 2011! Whoop! Whoop!
6. Have my sewing machine maintained (I had this done earlier than this list started BUT I have been putting it off for a few years so technically I had to add it because it is quite an accomplishment!!!) PS great to have Lily 545 back at home!
7. Make 12 new recipes from Whitewater Cooks cookbook during 2011.
Back to the beginning of all this - I've already made 3 recipes!
These two cookbooks were the only things I wanted for Christmas and I received the first one from my son and the second one from my husband!!!!
I somehow got the recipe for "Toad Mountain Granola" before I was given the books - hmm - and I made this and gave it out to my peeps at Christmas. Lucky peeps!
The 2nd recipe I made was out of determination to use my ugly bananas for good instead of evil (frozen in the freezer for eternity) so I made "Old Fashioned Banana Cake" Quite yummy!!! I didn't have round cake pans so I made it in a square pan and a large rectangular pan (secretly I froze most of this -evil ugly bananas!!! Although some good came of it - I was able to give some to Princess Amanda to take back to University.)
I changed a few things in the recipe - regular Becel instead of butter (heart friendly)
Less Becel than butter called for (3/4 cup instead of 1 cup)
I then added 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce to make of for butter.
I also used skim milk instead of whole milk.
Then I blew it out of the water by adding 1 cup of semi sweet chocolate chips instead of walnuts (this is just one of the many reasons my husband loves me!)
Really great cake!!!
Tonight I made recipe number 3!!!! Ta Da! WhiteWater Brownies!!! These were fantastic!!! I made these purely to impress my husband and son who have been away overnight at our cabin! We had them warm with ice cream and YUM!!!!
I didn't change ingredients but I did change the method (I don't like change BUT look at me go!!!)
I warmed the butter and chocolate chips in the microwave instead of tedious double boiler! I melted the butter first in large measuring cup for 30 seconds, then added chips and did another 20 seconds, then stirred!) Impressive!
Interesting side note - I didn't want these books for the desserts as much as the soups, salads and mains!!!
Well! Sense of rambling and accomplishment at 2 blogs in 1 day!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Alone and Blogging
OK, I'm in!!! It only took me 20ish minutes with my great notes to remember how to get to this posting page!!! (in the end I just hit buttons!!!)
I really wanted to call for backup - I'm too stuborn!!!! Dictionary says stuborn should have 2 b's but I'm too stuborn to change it! If you're looking for a blog that's perfectly written - this site is not for you! Just saying - runnn! Or hit buttons to ESCAPE!!!!
Now, back to my week...
Thursday night late - after "Fitness Blast" with my BFF Sandy, Rod and I headed to our cabin. Quiet Friday working on embroidery and watching 2 eagles outside our window.
Late Friday night - already asleep - our son Zander called to check in and let us know that our daughters boyfriend's car was parked outside, his shoes at the door, and LITTLE shoes too!!! (Princess Amanda has LITTLE feet!!!)
I have just plugged in laptop as CRITICALLY LOW, struggled with LITTLE in above line as deleting and moving lines... and realize that stubborn does look wrong without the extra b...I was going to delete whole sentence but I guess I didn't!
Also, Amanda is newly (September 2010) away from home living at University!!!
Anyways!!! We repacked, rushed home (after 2 in the morning), YES!!! They are said PRINCESS SHOES!!!! Much excitement - contained myself and went to bed instead of rushing sleeping princess and boyfriend asleep in her bed!!!!
Great unexpected weekend surprise!!!
Although, never surprise me! I believe I've mentioned this before in only 3 blogs - I don't like change!!! Although this was great change (as many changes can be?!) Note to self - I'm seeing self growth here!
Growth or no growth I did mention to call ahead (I don't want to miss a minute of my baby being home!!)
Fast weekend - we did manage to go out for Indian food - yumm! We also played a few games of "Ticket to Ride" - Princess always wins!!!! And I got to make lattes for my Amanda again! Life is Great!
Monday saw my father-in-law John opening his door to his "sweat shop" once again! My mother-in-law Val and I spent the whole wonderful day sewing!!! We worked on our "tinner's" for our Tuesday quilt group.
Tinner's is our once a month block exchange! Lot's of fun and hair pulling at the same time! The women in our quilt group are very talented quilters - and it pushes me to do blocks I would otherwise shy away from.
This month I learned how to do "prairie points" and sew fabric strips to a backing piece! I made 3 blocks although I think one will not be used as the prairie points (not so hard to make) are in the cutting/seam zone...insert sad face now!
Val made me a latte in her special cup - Kindness!
John shared his bran muffins with me (I've got buttermilk and an egg on my counter to make some after I finish blogging!)
Val invited Rod and Zander down for dinner and served us the most delicious entrée -
"Val's Country Garden Cottage Pie"
1 can lentils, rinsed & drained
1 medium onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp dried basil
pinch cayenne or 1/4 tsp chili powder
2 Tbsp canola oil
2 carrots, diced
1 green pepper, chopped
1 cup corn
1 small can (1/2 cup?) tomato sauce
salt & pepper
4 large potatoes
tex mex shredded cheese
*1/4 cup cooked quinoa
Saute veggies in oil, add spices, lentils and tomato sauce. Mix in quinoa if using.
Cook potatoes & mash with milk (Val used 1 Tbsp cream cheese!)
Veggies into baking dish, potatoes onto, cheese sprinkled on.
Bake at 350 - 30ish minutes until golden brown and bubbling.
Val says just put all the Hot layers together, sprinkle cheese, broil cheese and enjoy!
We all really enjoyed this and the rest of dinner as well!!!
Now I really must go and make those muffins!!!!
I really wanted to call for backup - I'm too stuborn!!!! Dictionary says stuborn should have 2 b's but I'm too stuborn to change it! If you're looking for a blog that's perfectly written - this site is not for you! Just saying - runnn! Or hit buttons to ESCAPE!!!!
Now, back to my week...
Thursday night late - after "Fitness Blast" with my BFF Sandy, Rod and I headed to our cabin. Quiet Friday working on embroidery and watching 2 eagles outside our window.
Late Friday night - already asleep - our son Zander called to check in and let us know that our daughters boyfriend's car was parked outside, his shoes at the door, and LITTLE shoes too!!! (Princess Amanda has LITTLE feet!!!)
I have just plugged in laptop as CRITICALLY LOW, struggled with LITTLE in above line as deleting and moving lines... and realize that stubborn does look wrong without the extra b...I was going to delete whole sentence but I guess I didn't!
Also, Amanda is newly (September 2010) away from home living at University!!!
Anyways!!! We repacked, rushed home (after 2 in the morning), YES!!! They are said PRINCESS SHOES!!!! Much excitement - contained myself and went to bed instead of rushing sleeping princess and boyfriend asleep in her bed!!!!
Great unexpected weekend surprise!!!
Although, never surprise me! I believe I've mentioned this before in only 3 blogs - I don't like change!!! Although this was great change (as many changes can be?!) Note to self - I'm seeing self growth here!
Growth or no growth I did mention to call ahead (I don't want to miss a minute of my baby being home!!)
Fast weekend - we did manage to go out for Indian food - yumm! We also played a few games of "Ticket to Ride" - Princess always wins!!!! And I got to make lattes for my Amanda again! Life is Great!
Monday saw my father-in-law John opening his door to his "sweat shop" once again! My mother-in-law Val and I spent the whole wonderful day sewing!!! We worked on our "tinner's" for our Tuesday quilt group.
Tinner's is our once a month block exchange! Lot's of fun and hair pulling at the same time! The women in our quilt group are very talented quilters - and it pushes me to do blocks I would otherwise shy away from.
This month I learned how to do "prairie points" and sew fabric strips to a backing piece! I made 3 blocks although I think one will not be used as the prairie points (not so hard to make) are in the cutting/seam zone...insert sad face now!
Val made me a latte in her special cup - Kindness!
John shared his bran muffins with me (I've got buttermilk and an egg on my counter to make some after I finish blogging!)
Val invited Rod and Zander down for dinner and served us the most delicious entrée -
"Val's Country Garden Cottage Pie"
1 can lentils, rinsed & drained
1 medium onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp dried basil
pinch cayenne or 1/4 tsp chili powder
2 Tbsp canola oil
2 carrots, diced
1 green pepper, chopped
1 cup corn
1 small can (1/2 cup?) tomato sauce
salt & pepper
4 large potatoes
tex mex shredded cheese
*1/4 cup cooked quinoa
Saute veggies in oil, add spices, lentils and tomato sauce. Mix in quinoa if using.
Cook potatoes & mash with milk (Val used 1 Tbsp cream cheese!)
Veggies into baking dish, potatoes onto, cheese sprinkled on.
Bake at 350 - 30ish minutes until golden brown and bubbling.
Val says just put all the Hot layers together, sprinkle cheese, broil cheese and enjoy!
We all really enjoyed this and the rest of dinner as well!!!
Now I really must go and make those muffins!!!!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Change of Plans
Firstly, I don't like change - BUT today it's kinda a go with the flow (insert snow here) day!
I woke up ready to go to Pilates - then opened the blinds to SNOW!!! Beautiful! Unexpected! (I don't usually watch the news so surprise!!)
Never make me drive in the snow - especially down a long steep hill! So I'm snowed in here at the compound!!! Always makes me smile when there's quilting projects to work on and enough milk for my lattes!!!
I was sitting under my "Day Light" stitching when the mail arrived....New Years / Christmas card from my niece, Katrina - handmade with glitter - sprinkled onto my quilt block of trees and looked very pretty! Insert big smile here! Very lucky to have a niece who makes me thoughtful cards!!! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....
My "Day Light" is awesome! Every morning I get up, make my latte and breakfast, then sit under my own sunshine for 30 plus minutes and applique, embroider, etc. Fantastic way to begin the day! I don't know if its the light keeping me happy or the quiet time doing what I love! It works!!!
I woke up ready to go to Pilates - then opened the blinds to SNOW!!! Beautiful! Unexpected! (I don't usually watch the news so surprise!!)
Never make me drive in the snow - especially down a long steep hill! So I'm snowed in here at the compound!!! Always makes me smile when there's quilting projects to work on and enough milk for my lattes!!!
I was sitting under my "Day Light" stitching when the mail arrived....New Years / Christmas card from my niece, Katrina - handmade with glitter - sprinkled onto my quilt block of trees and looked very pretty! Insert big smile here! Very lucky to have a niece who makes me thoughtful cards!!! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....
My "Day Light" is awesome! Every morning I get up, make my latte and breakfast, then sit under my own sunshine for 30 plus minutes and applique, embroider, etc. Fantastic way to begin the day! I don't know if its the light keeping me happy or the quiet time doing what I love! It works!!!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
1st Blog Ever! Technically not really but still...
I'm BLOGGING!!!!
Well this has been exhausting - lots to learn!!! Not really computer savvy nor literate so this is a challenge. Then at dinner my son Zander said he was going to take my "Squirrel In My Pocket" as his own so lots of squealing, yelling and running to try and get name first (he was just teasing me!!!)
I really want to use flicker to post my BOM pictures on Bunny Hill Designs "Henrietta Whiskers" free BOM each month!
I LOVE Bunny Hill Designs! I have made many of Anne's quilts which I will also post. HA HA! More work for my unsuspecting husband!!!
I made Bunny Hill Designs BOM for 2009 "A Tisket A Tasket" and really appreciated all the flicker pictures people sent in - so now hopefully I can join in the fun!
Now back to the dishes!
Well this has been exhausting - lots to learn!!! Not really computer savvy nor literate so this is a challenge. Then at dinner my son Zander said he was going to take my "Squirrel In My Pocket" as his own so lots of squealing, yelling and running to try and get name first (he was just teasing me!!!)
I really want to use flicker to post my BOM pictures on Bunny Hill Designs "Henrietta Whiskers" free BOM each month!
I LOVE Bunny Hill Designs! I have made many of Anne's quilts which I will also post. HA HA! More work for my unsuspecting husband!!!
I made Bunny Hill Designs BOM for 2009 "A Tisket A Tasket" and really appreciated all the flicker pictures people sent in - so now hopefully I can join in the fun!
Now back to the dishes!
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