Christmas 2009

Christmas photos 2009

Hot Milk Cake Recipe

Hot Milk Cake

4 eggs
2 cups of sugar
2 & 1/4 cups of flour
2 & 1/4 tsp of baking powder
1 tsp vanilla
1 & 1/4 cups of milk
10 Tbsp of butter

Beat eggs and sugar, then add flour, baking powder and vanilla. Heat milk and butter until butter is melted, and add to the batter. Spray a cake pan or cassorole pan with oil and bake on 350 for 30-35 min. or until toothpick comes out clean. No need to ice this cake, it is good all by itself. You can add some chocolate sauce, or hot fudge on the warm cake if you like. This is very good to eat with the potato soup. I always have made them together.

Potaoto Soup Recipe

Potato Soup Recipe

6 potatoes, peeled and chopped
2 chopped or grated carrots
1 onion, diced
6 Tbsp butter
1 1/2 cups of milk

Cook Veggies, save 2 cups of liquid from the cooked veggies. Saute onion in butter, add flour and brown it. Then add your milk, veggie liquid, salt and pepper to taste, and let simmer for 20 min. stirring every now and then. This soup is so good, and easy!

Christmas time 2009~

What a busy time of year this has been for our family. We have gone to dance recitals, band and singing concerts, Christmas party's and even the new Disney movie. My family's Christmas party was last weekend, so we were in Lawrence for that. It was so wonderful to see everyone. Lauren and Megan were so excited about spending time with their cousin Sarah. Sarah will be coming to stay with us for almost a week soon!!! The girls can't wait!!! The children got all sorts of toys and games for Christmas. I got a new purse, watch and a really awesome pair of boots!!! Steven got a basket ball and new Michael Jordon tennis shoes to use when he plays basket ball. My parents got Steven and I, not one, but two sets of Cotton sateen sheets with pillow cases! They are so soft and wonderful to sleep on. They got Justin a huge dinosaur toy, Tristyn money (which is what he likes now!) and Lauren and Megan a beautiful new quilt and bed skirt a long with some money also. We got such nice gifts, and had such a wonderful Christmas this year. We stayed home this Christmas day, which was really nice. Steven and I made a big Christmas lunch, and I am still full!!! Before our family opened our gifts, we paused to remember the greatest gift of all, Jesus. We said a family prayer of the Our Father, and then opened our presents. I could not have asked for a better day. Merry Christmas!

Let is Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow~

Today our little Kansas town is covered in a cold white blanket of snow. I love the look of the snow as it falls in fluffy white flakes from the sky. It just makes everything look so light and sparkly outside. I just feel so blessed to have a cozy little house that keeps us toasty warm. I could not resist lighting my favorite candle today to scent my house so nicely, and just sit and look at our Christmas tree aglow and the snow outside. What a beautiful day. I have been cooking lots of winter time meals to keep our tummy's happy. I made my favorite Potato soup and hot milk caked combo for last night's dinner. This afternoon, I made some home made hot fudge sauce to put on top of the left over hot milk cake. All I can say is it is beyond decadent. Sigh... No doubt I could not eat like this everyday and stay fit, but every now and then it is just such a treat. I will post the recipe's for my favorite potato soup along with the hot milk cake tomorrow. They are both so worth trying. I've been making them for over ten years now.
The children were out of school today, and have for the most part played nice with each other. :) We had been dealing with flu, but seem to be all better now! I am grateful for that fact. Christmas will be here before too long, and my husband and I are almost done with our Christmas shopping. We still need to purchase stocking items, but the big things are done! So bring on the wrapping and the bows, I am ready for Christmas!

Lauren's 8th Birthday~

We just celebrated Lauren's 8th birthday. It was special because her grandfather was up from Denver, Co. to visit our family. Then the day after, we were able to celebrate with her Grandpa and Grandma Smith, and Aunt Lori and Uncle Pradeep as well. My Mom and Dad made her a cake, and we all had such a nice time. Next week is her party with her friends and class mates from school. She is having it at Jumpin J's just like Megan did. She invited her whole class so, I have a lot of cup cakes and goodie bags to make up. My parents are coming up to help with the party, which I am very thankful for. :) I don't know what we would do with out family, they are always there for us when we need them, and I am grateful and blessed.

Our Christmas tree is up!!!

The photo of Lauren with her doll, Pradeep Jr.

Happy Birthday to Pradeep~

Tomorrow is my sister's husband's birthday. Pradeep is so dear to our family, it is hard to remember it without him as a part. He is a kind, caring, understanding and very intelligent man. When we have a family get together, he plays games with all the children, like hide and go seek. My girls love him so much. Lauren for her birthday last year got a baby doll, and named it Pradeep Jr. :) Our family would like to wish Pradeep the happiest of birthday's and tell him, how blessed we all are to have him for family. Happy birthday Pradeep!!!

Basic Gluten Recipe, Veggie meat

4 cups whole wheat flour
4 cups white flour
3 cups cool water

Let knead in kitchen aid (with dough hook) 10 min. Then soak ball of dough in a large bowl, under water for 1 1/2 hours. Next go to the sink with the bowl and squeeze dough over and over adding new water to get most of the starch out. (about 5 min.) Keep adding new water. You can use a large colander for this process. Then you have your gluten. pressure cooking is the best method, add 6 cups of water. I don't own a pressure cooker, so I boil it on a low boil, checking water levels for about an hour. Then take it out, cut it, and season with your favorite seasonings. (I use a steak seasoning) and then I put a can of cream of mushroom soup, a small pat of butter on each slice, sliced onion and tomatoes, and pepper, garlic powder and a little basil. Let bake 350 degrees for a half an hour. It is very good! You can make this veggie meat any flavor you like with seasonings and sauces. Yummy.

The holidays are comming!!!!

I am so excited about the upcoming holidays this year. My children and I are already playing Christmas tunes around our home. My husband and I have already found the Christmas wreath we are going to hang on our door, the colors are silver and blue! Steven and I have planned our Thanksgiving feast. After which we will have a Christmas decorating party, complete with Christmas music, hot coco and a Christmas movie after the beautiful tree is up. Our little children really enjoy our tree decorating party each year, so it should be great fun for all. I have a buffet of food planned to bring to my Dad and Mom's house for our extended family's Christmas party. Dad and Mom's house (despite being quite large) always is so cozy this time of year. They will have their fire place aglow and all the aunts,uncles and cousins talking and playing happily together. It is one of my favorite times of year. Not to mention all the incredible food. At my parents house everyone brings something to add to the already bountiful meal that my parents prepare, so it is like eating at the best buffet restaurant in the world. :) In case you did not know, I love eating and making good food! So bring on the holidays...I'm ready!!!

~Photo of the Cauliflower Banana Bread~

Photo of our "cake" candle~

This week, we have had a lot of family fun. We have had park play dates, enjoying our beautiful 70 degree days! Library story time and oddleplex play. We have made a cake shaped candle. My husband and I had a dinner date. We found a new yummy and healthy recipe, called Cauliflower Banana Bread. You can't taste the cauliflower, and it uses some whole wheat flour. My friend turned me on to this bread and I am so glad she did. Little Lauren is reading the book Dick and Jane. I am reading her a little of the Kit Kitridge collection book every night before bed. She is finally old enough to enjoy it. :) I think that it is so much better than the movie they made. I will post the recipe, in case anyone wants to try this bread. When I had just heard her talk about it, I did not really want to make it...but when she gave me a taste of it, I could not make it fast enough. It truly is that good!

Cauliflower Banana Bread Recipe

3/4 cup wheat flour
1/2 cup unbleached flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup oil
2 eggs
1 and 1/2 cups banana puree
1/2 cup cauliflower puree (cook and then puree with a little water)
1 tsp vanilla
Add dehydrated cranberries (they kind of look like raisins, but plump when baked)
Add Chocolate chips
You can add nuts if you like also,I leave this out, because of an allergy.

Blend sugar, oil, puree's and eggs and vanilla. Then add dry ingredients. Bake on 350 in a spray oiled bread loaf pan for 1 hour or until the center is set.

Trick or Treating 2009

Unfortunately, my camera's battery ran out during our cook out and trick or treating time. I was able to get two photos though. Tristyn is the scary guy in the gold mask, Jeremy is the crazy woman, and Steven K. is the ninja. :)

~Boo at the Zoo 2009~

~Halloween 2009~

The first part of our Halloween, we took the children to a skating party. My oldest son, Tristyn and his friends had other plans, so they did not join us for skating. We met Christine and Jeff and their little girl Gianna at the skating rink. They had the fog machines going inside for a very spooky effect. The children all had fun skating, even Justin and Steven and I skated! Megan won the limbo contest again! (she had won it the last time she was there too.) There is a photo of her sharing her winning soda with Gianna. It was a great time. After skating we went to the park, and then to Boo at the Zoo. After Boo at the zoo, we picked up the boys from a friends house, and took them to a cook out and trick or treating. It was great fun for all! Then we dropped the boys off for a slumber party at Hiaka's country home, and we went to bed, for a much needed slumber. :)

Tea Tree Oil~

For many years I have researched and used essential oils. I have used them for medical purposes, cleaning, and even to add a fresh scent to our little house. Tea tree oil is one of my favorite, and perhaps most used essential oil. (with lavender being a close second.) Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of Melaleuca altermifolia trees, which is native to Australia. Tea tree oil has many beneficial medical properties. They include, antiseptic, anti fungal and strong antibacterial actions. It can even be effective in treating MRSA, which most drugs are not working, because of drug resistance. I have used it for cuts, to treat infection and even abscess gums. My mother who is a nurse, has cured people of toe nail fungus with tea tree oil. The great thing too about essential oils, is that it can easily be absorbed through the skin membrane, making it very effective. I hope that anyone who is at all interested in natural solutions as opposed to using other means, will look into essential oils. They have been a true blessing in my life.