Weekend!!!!
08 Apr 2011 Leave a Comment
in Family life and all that comes with it!
Yeah, the weekend is here. Hopefully the weather will be kind to us and the boys can play outside some. Hayden had a game last night and they took a beating. But Hayden was cool about it and seemed to take it all in stride. He even started the game pitching! Granted he was nervous and had never even practiced pitching over a plate to anyone before. But ha got some great strikes in there. He did great. He got pulled early but for never having pitched even in practice he was awesome, if I don’t say so myself.
So since we had a late game I made an Eye of Round roast early in the day and made French Dip sandwiches. Here is the recipe I used:
High Temperature Eye-of-Round Roast
Ingredients
* 1 (4 pound) beef eye of round roast
* salt and pepper to taste
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C). Season the roast with salt and pepper and place in a roasting pan or baking dish. Do not cover or add water.
2. Place the roast in the preheated oven. Reduce the temperature to 475 degrees F (245 degrees C). Roast for 28 minutes (seven minutes per pound) then turn off the oven and let the roast sit in the hot oven for 2 1/2 hours. Do not open the door at all during this time!
3. Remove the roast from the oven, the internal temperature should have reached at least 145 degrees F (65 degrees C). Carve into thin slices to serve.
This was great and then I made an Au Jus with the juices and a store bought packet of Au Jus mix. Served on hoagie rolls with au jus on the side for dipping. We had a salad as a side and the boys actually took some for lunch today! Enjoy!
Food Quote: “Beef is the soul of cooking.”
Marie-Antoine Carême (1784-1833
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Heartbroken!
07 Apr 2011 Leave a Comment
in Family life and all that comes with it!
Well, it turns out that yesterday was not such a good day for my oldest, Hayden. He got in trouble yesterday in the after school program. And the teacher was so shocked because he is basically her go-to kid when she needs help. So he had to sit out the activity. And when I got there to pick him up he looked so sad. We talked and then he went straight to ball practice. Once we had dinner and got ready for bed we talked. And what he said tugged at my heart so hard. He said ” Mom, I am a terrible person”. Well my eyes teared up and and I told him that he is not a terrible person. He is a great person but he had a bad day. I told him that bad things happen to good people. And at 9 yrs old he asked why good things happen to bad people. I had to tell him that even though bad things happen it is how he deals with them that makes him the person he is. And bad people will get theirs eventually. It just sucks that he had to feel that way and I know that it is all part of growing up but as a mom it hurts so bad. Everyone who knows my boy knows that he is a great and caring kid. I get compliments all the time on how sensitive and caring he is and how helpful. So I know that it is way of figuring out things. He also said that a couple of girls in his class have been bugging him to play with him and as he said ” but they are girls, they can’t play right!”. So I had to explain that in 3rd grade girls start liking boys and one way for them to get close to the boys is to play with them. Needless to say, he has no interest in girls yet! Fine with me!
So last night I made breaded pork chops and I found a great recipe for a casserole to go with it. It is a recipe by Emeril Lagasse so it is yummy! Here is the recipe found on the Food Network website.
Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse
Ingredients
* 10 large russet baking potatoes (about 7 pounds total)
* 8 tablespoons (1 stick) plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, at room temperature
* 1 cup sour cream
* 1/2 cup heavy cream
* 2 teaspoons salt
* 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
* 3/4 pound bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled
* 1/2 pound sharp white Cheddar, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
* 3/4 pound mild Cheddar, grated (3 cups)
* 1/2 cup finely chopped green onions
* 3 eggs, lightly beaten
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Scrub the potatoes well and rinse under cool running water. Pat dry with paper towels and prick the potatoes in several places with a fork. Place the potatoes in the oven and bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until tender. Remove from the oven and set aside on a wire rack until cool enough to handle.
When the potatoes have cooled, cut each potato in half and, using a spoon or a melon baller, scoop the flesh out of the skins, leaving as little flesh as possible. Place the potato flesh in a large bowl and add 1 stick of the butter, the sour cream, heavy cream, salt, and pepper and mash until chunky-smooth. Add the bacon, cubed white Cheddar, half of the grated Cheddar, the green onions, and eggs and mix thoroughly.
Butter a 9 by 13-inch casserole with the remaining tablespoon of butter and reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F.
Place the seasoned potato mixture in the prepared casserole and top with the remaining grated Cheddar. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until bubbly around the edges and heated through and the cheese on top is melted and lightly golden. Serve hot.
Food Quote: “You have to eat to cook. You can’t be a good cook and be a noneater. I think eating is the secret to good cooking.”
Julia Childs
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Whooped!
06 Apr 2011 Leave a Comment
in Family life and all that comes with it!
The one thing about starting exercising is that the first couple of days seem a breeze and then you push yourself to find out that maybe you overdid it! But it sure feels good to be out and about and walking again! My shins would argue that but I make them take it and love it!!!!!
Busy day today for the kids. They both participate in a program after school 2 days a week called Go Far. This program trains them to run either a 5k or a 1 mile Fun Run. Hayden loves it, Grayson could take or leave it but he is hanging in there. But as soon as they get out today Hayden has to go straight baseball practice. Needless to say he will be whooped tonight and sleep like a baby!!! But when we were kids that’s what we did every day, no TV or video games. But I am lucky, my boys love to go outside and play when they get home from school. I would much prefer this to coming in and plopping in front of the TV.
So last night I made chicken stir-fry and it was yummy! Here’s what I did:
Chicken Stir-Fry
Take 1 to 2 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breasts and cut into thin strips. In a ziplock baggie put some soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, garlic powder, minced garlic, ginger, onion powder, and salt and pepper. Put the cut up chicken in the baggie and swoosh it all together. Put in fridge and let sit for at least 4 hrs. When ready to cook, heat some sesame oil in a wok or large sauce pan. Add chicken and cook. Put cooked chicken in another bowl. Use the same pan with a little more oil and add whatever veggies you like. I used some cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, and bean sprouts. Cook very quickly, add a little more hoisin and salt and pepper. Add cooked chicken and add a little chicken stock to get some sauce. I served this over steamed rice. Very healthy and tastes great.
I am sorry about no measurements but this recipe is really based on personal tastes so just play around with it and have fun and enjoy!
Food Quote: “Enjoy yourself. It’s later than you think.”
(Chinese proverb)
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Stormy!
05 Apr 2011 Leave a Comment
in Family life and all that comes with it!
Wow! It is very stormy here and we are under some warnings but at least it should blow over quickly. And then sun and warm weather! Yeah! My husband Tom and I have started walking yesterday and we even got a walk in today before the rain hit. We are going to Phoenix for spring break and I need to get ready for shorts and bathing suits! The boys are soooo excited to be going to see their Pop and Gigamom!!!! To be honest, I can’t wait either! And Pop, if you are reading this, Grayson misses The Python!
So last night Hayden had his 2nd baseball game. The team lost by 1 but they gave it their all. It’s tough because we have had so much rain here and they had no practice between the 1st game and the one last night. So all in all they did great! Here are a couple of pictures of my big hitter!
I am a proud Mom!!!!!
As I said yesterday I made tacos last night! At 7:45 pm they were scarfed down! Tonight will be chicken stir fry. Will get that recipe tomorrow!
Food Quote: “Don’t take a butcher’s advice on how to cook meat. If he knew, he’d be a chef.”
Andy Rooney
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Yeah!!! The Sun!!!
04 Apr 2011 Leave a Comment
in Family life and all that comes with it!
So the sun was out this weekend here! Finally! It wasn’t as warm as I would have liked but at least the sun came out and the boys got to play outside for most of the time. And with a 3 day weekend it was nice. Now, Hayden has a game tonight and he is soooo excited. Last week there was no baseball because of the weather. So finally we can go and watch the game and not be bundled up against the harsh weather. I will be able to take some good pictures of Hayden to post tomorrow. So other than running much needed errands nothing else exciting happened.
So because of the game tonight I am making Tacos tonight. I will use ground turkey meat, simmered in taco seasonings. But I like to add cans of corn, diced tomatoes, and black beans to it to make it more hearty. And it sits nicely in a crock pot warming until we get home!
Food Quote: “In Mexico we have a word for sushi: bait.”
- Jose Simon
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Rain Rain Go Away!!!!!!
31 Mar 2011 Leave a Comment
in Family life and all that comes with it!
I know that I don’t have to say anything else. But actually it’s okay today because I have lots to do today. The kids don’t have school tomorrow for a teacher’s workday. So I decided to get as much done today before I pick them up from school. Therefore I haven’t too much to say. So everyone have a great weekend and hopefully spring will start making an appearance and next week I can write about more than just how depressing the weather is.
Last night was homemade burgers and homemade french fries. Totally the way to go. Forget fast food restaurants!
Food quote: I still love making hamburgers on the grill. I guess whenever I eat them childhood memories come up for me.
Bobby Flay
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Ridiculous!
30 Mar 2011 Leave a Comment
in Family life and all that comes with it!
So I write about how the sun appears yesterday after days of no sun and what happens? Right, no sun! It appears I may have offended the sun by my remarks. So bye bye sun for today! Rain rain here to stay! Whatever! Maybe the lack of sun and warmth is affecting my little one Grayson. I swear Satan has taken over. He is just acting like a possessed. One minute is as sweet and cuddly as ever and then 2 seconds later he is screaming and yelling at me or his Dad or Hayden. In fact, yesterday after I picked the kids up from school Hayden was sad. When I asked him what was the matter he said that he had been sad all day. He said that Grayson had told him that he hated him and he was upset the whole day. Well, I told Hayden that Grayson did not really hate him but I realized that Grayson has been saying the Hate word much more lately. I finally got Hayden okay but Grayson, well I am trying. My sweet baby is growing into a moody young man. I know Hayden went thru this same phase but I don’t remember it being quite this extreme. But I know we will get thru it and everyone will be fine. A little worse for wear but okay!!!!!
So last night I made BBQ marinated pork chops and they were yummy. We made cheesy grits to go with it to complete the meal.
BBQ Marinated Pork Chops
4 bone-in pork chops
1/2 cup any brand or flavor barbeque sauce
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp minced onion
salt and pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients in a zip lock baggy. Add chops and mush around so all chops are coated. Put in fridge for at least 4 hours.
Take out and heat a large skillet. Add 1 to 2 tbsp of oil. Once oil is hot add chops and cook on each side for 4 minutes or so depending on thickness. Serve over cheesy grits.
Cheesy Grits
2 tbsp butter
2 c milk
2 c water
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp hot sauce
1 garlic clove pressed
1 c uncooked stone-ground white grits
2 c chedder cheese grated
Directions
1. Bring 2 tbsp butter, milk, water, salt, hot sauce, garlic to a boil in a medium size saucepan over medium high heat. Gradually stir in grits and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer stirring occasionally. Approx 45 mins to 1 hour or until thicken, stir in cheese until melted. Serve immediately.
Enjoy!
Food Quote:“Porkchops and bacon, my two favorite animals.” Homer Simpson
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