Misfortunes and Perfect Timing.....

I'm disappointed to say that my computer is down once again and the only source for blogging, face booking, and whatever else I seem to use my computer for (everything) is my moms. The unfortunate thing about hers is I'm not able to upload any pictures of recipes, hospital visits , or wacky photos of my feet in the kiddy pool . I knew you'd be disappointed. Plus, half the time it's not even available because it's typically glued to her side with work projects, face booking, and whatever she uses her computer for. Everything!

My absence here on L.G.E.W couldn't have come at a better time since we only have about 6 weeks before move-in date. . Most of my time will be last minute organizing, hopefully the garage sell, and the start-up of my Ave's first weeks in kindergarten. Not to mention the finishing touches on our new home will need every bit of my attention. I wont be far though as I will still maintain my face book page (Life given, eat well) and will have an occasional appearance on The farm wives face book.

I hope to be back in a few weeks with updates, recipes, and new beginnings. Until then, I hope you all enjoy the last bit of summer!

Luvs, Ang

Recipe~ Keep it buckled "Blueberry Buckle"

I made a blueberry buckle recipe a couple years ago that was so delicious, even the non blueberry eaters in our family loved it. It was moist and fluffy and the bit of crunch on top was to die for. It was also full of butter and sugar, then more butter and sugar. I had heart palpitations when i ate it! 


To avoid cardiac arrest this year I decided to play with the recipe a bit and replace some of the ingredients with healthful ones, and cut back on the fat and sugar. I was pleasantly surprised! It was moist. It was fluffy. And the top had those little bubbles of brown sugar goodness. The best part! I didn't loosen my buckle for this buckle.

Not So Guilty Blueberry Buckle


Ingredients


Cake:
1 1/4 cups white wheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 stick quality butter at room temp
1/4 cup quality light sour cream
2/3 cup sugar
2 large quality eggs
3/4 cup nonfat or 1% milk
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 cups fresh blueberries (thaw if frozen)


Note: White wheat flour has all the nutritional advantages of whole wheat flour, but with lighter color and milder tastes.  It's a great alternative when transitioning to whole wheat flour.



Topping:
1/4 cup white wheat flour
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice
pinch of salt
3 Tb cold butter, cut in small cubes


Directions:


Heat oven to 350. Coat an 8 by 8-inch pan with cooking spray


For the topping: In small bowl mix flour, sugar, cinnamon, allspice and salt. Using pastry cutter or hands, mix in butter until mixture resembles pea size. Set aside.


For the cake: In small bowl mix flour, baking powder and salt.


In stand mixer (or hand mixer) mix butter and sugar until creamy and light in color; About 2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time until well mixed. Then sour cream, milk and vanilla. Slowly add flour mixture until well incorporated, but do not over mix. Fold in Blueberry's. Pour in prepared pan and sprinkle with topping. Bake 45-50 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

Just another day at the hospital.......

It's not much of a surprise when I get a call from Justin after he's played in the dunes for two days on his dirt bike and he reports of a broken collar bone, torn ACL, or a split open eye brow. I'm always concerned of course, but kind of roll my eyes in a "here we go again" kind of roll. I get off the phone and make all the necessary calls. I pray a baggilion times, and then make a check list of all the things I need to grab and take to the hospital. 


1. My make-up.


2. My book.


3. My computer. Cause it's all about me.


I line up a sitter for Ave (usually my mom) and make sure the dog is set up for potty breaks, and night time feedings. And then grab anything I think Justin might need for comfort or boredom and load up the car for the long 2 or 3 day journey to recovery. 


The drive time is filled with all sorts of thoughts "how bad could this be, will this be the last time he rides, and dang, I forgot my snacks".  I approach the hospital and drive in circles to find the closest spot since I know when we leave I'll have forgotten where I parked. I load up my arms like my waitressing days at Denny's and head straight for the emergency room, and it's then that I find ol' gimpy as calm as a cucumber. We exchange smiles, we hug, we kiss and he tells me all about this wild jump that went south mid air, how he landed, or rather didn't, and how the rush before the pain distracted him. I frown with concern and we smile again. 


It's not too long after that they move us to a more permanent room. I make home in my 3 by 1 couch space, he gets comfy in his new bed and we wait for the next step in the process. 


As crazy as this sounds, I actually look forward to my time in the hospital. I look forward to coming and going as I please, putting life on hold and most responsibilities for another day. I enjoy browsing the cafeteria without the helping hands of a five year old. I enjoy stocking my overnight bag with corn nuts and dried fruit, and drinking lots of heart burn induced coffee.


What I find most enjoyable though is the time Justin and I get to have together. We talk about things we never have time to discuss. We giggle and laugh about things we never have time to find funny. We talk about our dreams. We talk about our aspirations. We talk about all  we desire for our little Ave. And then we realize how big the hospital bills will be after the visit. And then we laugh some more. Maybe it's the pain pills. Maybe it's the dress attire. Or lack of. It's a time to succumb to the circumstance and regard it for what it is. A time to be lazy.


A couple days ago with the exception of a few changes, the situation wasn't much different in order. But this time it didn't include the dirt bike and this time I was woke up at 1 am with Justin's lower abdomen in it's most painful state. I did everything as usual to prepare for our trip to the hospital where we later found out he had an appendicitis. Not an uncommon thing, but none the less it was scary, it was unexpected, and worst of all, we missed our camping trip!


Justin was a trooper and the surgery was successful with little to prove it. Aside from our wait time (18 hours plus) we managed to keep our hospital routine up to par. We had time for uninterrupted visits. We had time to laugh at peek a boo hospital gowns. 


He charmed the nurses with humor and wittiness, and he milked it for all it was worth. I have three chocolate puddings to prove it.


At the end of his visit when home was just around the corner, there was only one request he had.




To see his little bunchkin.

She was dressed to her best and toted goodies for daddy.




She charmed the nurses with humor and wittiness.

She milked it for all it was worth.

Therefore you are the fruit of your parents, and as the saying goes "the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree. Let's just hope my hospital visits don't increase. 

Recipe~ Grilled Chili Cumin Steak Fries.....Plus! Burger Reci"pea"

You might be a redneck if you snip green beans while soaking your feet in a kiddy pool. 

And snip the beans with your teeth.

I'm getting these ready for the best Spicy dilly beans EVER!


Ave had other plans as she said "be-tend we were back like the bible people and all we ate were beans" I said "The bible people must have had a tootalicious time" As we did too.

We're outside every chance we get. Ave likes to carry the hose on full blast watering herself, the dog, and the plants serveral times over. She makes mud couches out of water and dirt so the bees have a place to rest. She pickes my herbs and lays them out over the deck so the bugs have something to eat. I love summer! 

Which is why I spend most of my cooking time over the outdoor grill. The food tastes better. It smells better. And it's better for you. 


Like these Grilled Steak Fries

Grilled Chili Cumin Steak Fries.....Ooooh Ya! With Lime Cilantro Sour Cream

These taters were so good I ate them just like they are, but for those of you that fancy dipping, the cilantro lime cream sauce cooled these hot spuds off perfectly. Or some good ol' ketchup works too.


Ingredients


5 russet potatoes 
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1/4 cup chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish
1/2 lime juiced
4 Tb olive oil
salt pepper


Sour cream sauce


Combine in small bowl
1/2 cup quality sour cream
1/2 lime zested
1/2 lime juiced
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp chili powder
2 Tb chopped cilantro
salt pepper (to taste)


Directions


Scrub the outside of each potato and prick with a fork on both sides. Place in microwave for 4 minutes, turning once halfway through. Note: You want the potatoes to still be firm. Cut in wedges and place in Ziploc bag. Add all the ingredients, season with salt and pepper, zip it up and gently toss the fries. Place in fridge for 20 minutes.


With grill on medium heat coat grill plates with cooking spray. Spread potatoes out evenly and cook until obvious grill marks and charred a bit. Remove and serve immediately with lime cilantro sour cream. Or your favorite dipping sauce. 




The second reci"pea" I'm sharing will now be a family favorite. If you haven't noticed I don't eat beef, but I love a good burger. This has all the right flavor, texture, nutrition, and substance. It's AMAZING!

I wish I could take credit for this "not your average" burger recipe, aka, "black bean burgers". Straight from mama's kitchen! Mama pea's kitchen that is. No doubt the best black bean burger I've EVER had. And bonus! If you make enough, you get to have them for lunch the next day! Now that's what I call a tootalicious time.


You can find it here in the book.

Or here on the peas blog. 


Whatever you decide to do with the last bit of your summer, make sure you take time to enjoy it, be with family and friends, and grill something!