Attempting to.......

Make what I thought would be a brilliant taco salad, but ended up tasting somewhat like my eighth grade school lunch......

Attempt failed.

Opening a bottle of red......

Attempt failed.

A little incentive to clean ones room......

45 minutes later......

Attempt failed.

Baking cookies at 8:00 p.m......

Fresh apple cookies

Attempt=SUCCESS.

The process

Cream butter, applesauce, &  sugar

Add fresh apple & vanilla

Sift dry ingredients

Form into balls

Roll them in sugar mixture

Pat down slightly on cookie sheet

Bake & hope they turn out

Redemption

Fresh apple cookies:(adapted by, my mom)

Ingredients:

1/4 cup softened butter

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

1 tsp vanilla

1 medium apple peeled and grated

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

Sugar mixture:

4 T sugar

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven 375

In a large mixing bowl cream butter, applesauce, and sugar. Stir in grated apple and vanilla. Sift dry ingredients right over creamed mixture; stir to combine. Make approximately tablespoon size balls and roll in the sugar mixture.(your hands may get kind of sticky, but I just rinse them every now and then) Bake on non greased cookie sheet for 10-12 minutes. 

I guarantee these wont hang around long, especially if I keep using them as incentives.

Yes, for "creamy tomato soup"

Yes, I'm still on my soup kick. Yes It's 10:00 at night. Yes I still don't have a computer. And I'm thankful!

Mostly that I get a good giggle at least five times a day or so from Avery and our very annoying, but loved dog Copper 2. I can always find something very imaginative when I walk in a room.


If this picture doesn't convince you that this indeed is Ariel.......the next one will.

The dingle hopper is a must in ones collections. Unfortunately though she thought the dog had some tangles and needed a good scratching.

And then ate pears.

Don't worry it was a different fork.........I think.

My point to all this you ask? It's not the long flowing hair that entices my daughter to ware tangled, nappy looking wigs. And I don't even think it's Ariel herself that she admires.

Avery loves Red.

She wares it, she colors with it, and if the food is red by golly, she eats it.



Almost red, creamy tomato soup



The process

(Note: This soup, no doubt, is amazing)



Roast tomatoes



Soften onion & garlic



Admire your roasted tomatoes



Smell your basil



Chop & add it all to the pot





Admire the red wax cheese





Bring to a simmer





Put it all in the food mill





Pour it back in the pot





Add a healthy scoop of pureed butternut





And savor every single spoonful.

Creamy tomato basil soup:

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter
3 pounds Roma tomatoes, halved and quartered
1 cup chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1 quart quality vegetable stock
1 1/2 cups squash puree
1/4 tes cayenne pepper(or to taste)
olive oil
salt & pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 400. Place quartered tomatoes on sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper; roast 30 minutes. Meanwhile soften onion and garlic in large soup pot with butter. When tomatoes are roasted add them to the pot along with the basil and cayenne pepper; stir to combine. Add vegetable stock. Simmer mixture for 10 minutes. With a large ladle, spoon the mixture into a food mill.(if you don't have a food mill, treat the tomatoes the same only peel them, and add the soup to a blender) When all the soup is worked through the mill, add it back to the pot. Keep heat on very low. Add the squash puree, but don't boil as this will curdle the no fat half-and-half. Whisk it into the soup until it's all heated and smooth like. Season with salt and pepper if needed.
I toasted a multi grain baguette and shredded Fontina cheese over the top for a dipper in the soup. Wow!



It speaks for itself, except I do need a better camera to rid of all the shadows. Oh well, it's by far the best creamy tomato soup I think I've had.

Yes I'm bold to say that. Yes it's 12:23 a.m. Yes my daughter loved the soup, and yes this post might be a bit long.

Bye now!!



I'm taking advantage

While I am still without a computer, I am not without great friends and family to take advantage of let me borrow theirs. I couldn't resist waiting, and sharing with you a soup(National soup month) that was so delicious and comforting to the soul  I could probably linger on this one for quite some time.

Moving on.......

This couldn't be more easy, and I'm telling ya, it's that good.

Chicken & rice soup w/ butternut squash puree

The process

Roast the squash

Roast the chicken

Cook the rice as directed

Saute the veggies

Put it all together

Blend this first though

Admire the baby food puree

Add it to the soup

Chicken & rice soup w/

butternut squash puree

Ingredients:

1 small butternut squash, peeled, insides removed, and cut in 1 inch cubes

3 chicken breast

1 box long grain & wild rice(I use Near east)

1 carrot, peeled and chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

1/2 onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

5 fresh sage leaves, chopped

6 cups low sodium chicken stock

1 1/2 cups or more no fat half-and-half

Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400

On large sheet pan spread out squash, drizzled with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. On another small sheet pan lay out chicken breast, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Put both in the oven and roast for 30 minutes. Meanwhile cook rice according to directions. In large stock pot add 2 tablespoons olive oil and start softening the veggies, and garlic. Add sage. When chicken is cooked through, and squash is tender remove from oven and cube the chicken. Add the chicken stock over the veggies, along with the chicken and cooked rice.  Bring to a lite boil. 

Take half of the squash and add to a blender with 1 1/2 cups half-and-half. Blend until smooth like baby food.(you may need to add more half-and-half) Remove the soup from heat and add the squash puree. Mix in until all is dissolved and everything is nicely incorporated. Season if need be with salt and pepper.

 

We dunked

 

We slurped

 

We gave silly faces

 

And I pureed the rest of the squash for a creamy tomato basil soup to come.

 

I wonder which person computer I'll take advantage of next???

 

 

 

 

 

Content to move forward

If everything in life were smooth going, you would think happiness would follow, right? If I had the perfect house and the perfect marriage, the perfect daughter, and the perfect body. My soul would not waver. I think we could all question in those times of peace, and stillness in life,  how could ones joy be contaminated. But somehow it creeps in like a thief  in the night ready to destroy everything you dream of, and every ounce of happiness you feel. It's a struggle to fight through these emotions and give up and let go of any possible hope you had to run the race that was given you.


When I woke up this morning and heaviness worked it's hardest to suffocate my soul, I fought back and claimed the life I was given, and that it wasn't for sell to distress and torment. It took every bit of myself to stand on my feet, take up my shield, and not waver under the pressure. It took every bit of myself to move forward in confidence that no matter what problems got solved today, or what problems may arise,  I would survive it all. 


As I drug my feet to meet two very amazing mothers this morning to discuss our triumphs, our heartaches, accomplishments, and failures, I was reminded by them that in the scheme of things our problems are minuscule, (not that they don't matter, because whatever matters to you, matters to him) but that if these were the only problems we faced in life, well...... were pretty blessed. I'm very confident that by taking everything to him, he will do above and beyond anything we could ever imagine. 


I close by saying that the joy in me has not been stolen, even if everything around me closes in. I can take this and manage the challenges, and still be hopeful that I have purpose right where I'm at. Whether I have everything I want, I know I have everything I need. I know I will never be left to fend on my own as long as I seek the strength Iv'e received. I know I have the best tools to work with, and the ability to iron out the disappointments I may feel.


I began this post prepared to fire back all the fiery darts that were given me. Express every negative thing that has deflated my spirit, and hopefully feel relieved somehow by sharing it all with you. However, as I began to type, my heart softened again, the flames died down, and I felt completely content to move forward no matter how that my be, or no matter what time line it my fall in. 


The joy of the Lord is my strength.

"I love you no matter what"

I know I'm not the only one to use a old desk top computer to satisfy my posting addictions. The last couple days it's been shutting down, and freezing up, so I know it must be a sign that I need the new "Apple". Right? Justin couldn't agree more; that I have an addiction, and that just to post tonight was a do or die if I couldn't. My mom is here with her fancy lap top so I pulled all sorts of strings to make sure my fingers were typing in this late hour. I asked Justin what I should title this post and he said "I love you no matter what". How sweet I know. Actually his first choice of title was "I had to blog so bad tonight that I couldn't spend time with my family". I'll have you know I'm sitting at my kitchen island listening and answering everything my family needs. Tell me I'm not the only one.

Enough of that already. Lets get to the point!

I'm having a party soon so my Sister and I(not allowed to say bff) wanted to test run some of the appetizers to see what's a go and what's not. Her mom and her were a huge help, and encouraged me to relax and have fun. I don't mess around when I throw a party.  Everything was great though and nobody noticed that I didn't flat iron my hair.

I had my favorites of course, but mostly just enjoyed making the food, getting together, and sharing some laughs.

Also I can't leave out the refreshing champagne cocktails made by Amy. Her very own preserves and they were delicious.

So as I close this post and get back to my family I need to leave you with this scrumptious starter for all occasions, maybe thanksgiving, or Christmas perhaps, or just make them and eat them.

The process

Tuscan stuffed mushrooms:

Ingredients(inspired by Giada)

1/2 cup diced jarred roasted red bell peppers

1/2 cup diced pitted green olives(I got mine in the Olive bar at the grocery store)

1/2 cup grated pecorino Romano cheese

2 scallions, diced

2 Tb extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper

1 pound crimini mushrooms, cleaned and stemmed

1/4 cup fresh basil finely chopped

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400

In a medium bowl mix together the roasted peppers, olives, cheese, scallions, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

On a parchment paper-lined baking sheet place the mushrooms, cavity side up. Spoon the filling into the cavity of the mushrooms. Bake until the mushrooms are tender, about 20 minutes.

Transfer to serving platter, sprinkle with fresh basil, and serve. Yum!!

As I pry my fingers from the convenience of this computer, I know weather or not I get to post tomorrow, my family loves me know matter what.

They seemed pretty concerned with my absence.