My Morning Run

I left for my run this morning a couple hours late because we had to take the car into the shop. When I was finally able to get out the door and down to the trail, this is what I was welcomed with. For about 45 minutes of my run it was like being hit with soft snowballs the flakes were so big. Pretty, yes. Fun to run in, not so much. My toes and face were freezing for the first 20 minutes as well, until I warmed up. I'm just really ready for Spring!

Dinner With The Family

Boy, we sure are at a different stage in life these days. I actually LOVE it! We went out to dinner last night with the kids and their better halves. It was so fun to sit around all as couples and have dinner together. I sure love my family and will be a lot of fun to watch it expand over the years.

Enjoying A Peaceful Morning!

Kids are still in bed so the house is quiet (not that my 18 and 21 year old are loud, it's just still and peaceful to be the only one up). Sitting at the computer with my space heater and tea to keep me warm and enjoying this beautiful sunrise through the window. The only thing that could make this better is if Aaron were home to enjoy it with me!

It's Been Snowing Today

I just love to watch it snow. It is so quiet and stealthly in it's arrival and is peaceful to watch.... from my nice warm house of course. We all know how much I HATE being cold ;o). It is even more pretty when my whole family is home and I know they don't have to travel in it.

This is what we have been having going on off and on all day. It's suppose to snow a bit tonight too, so it will interesting to see what we wake up to. Will there be work and school? Only time will tell.

Jeff's New Gal

Because everyone has been asking to see her, here she is. Jeff's new main squeeze - Shannon. She is a very sweet girl and they look cute together. Now you all know who Shannon is. If you want to meet her, you better get to my house! (Amy, Kristina and Weldon ;o) Oh ya, and you can finally meet Alex while you're at it. You guys are so far behind!

Alex Hit Jess!

With a racquetball that is. They went to play racquetball on Saturday and Jess came home with a swollen eye and a bloody nose. It was pretty bad. This happened right before we went to XXX Root Beer for Alex's birthday. She still wanted to go though, since she put so much time into planning it.

I am super surprised that it is not more bruised than this. As swollen as it was when she came in the door Saturday afternoon, I was expecting quite the shiner. I think her eyeball took most of the force. 

She is doing okay now. It's kind of hard for her to do homework, as most of it is reading, but she is getting along. A lot of Ibuprofen. I felt bad for poor Alex, I thought he was going to cry himself he felt so bad. 

I don't think they will play again now without court goggles! It has made Aaron and I think too. At least Jess works at Sports Authority now - LOL! Discounts around on goggles!

Happy Birthday Alex

Jess planned a little family birthday party for Alex's birthday today. His actual birthday is Monday, yes he's a Valentine's baby, but today was better for everyone. Weekdays are too hard.

He has never been out to XXX Root Beer, so that's where she wanted to take him. She wanted him to have the experience of getting sung to in front of the entire restaurant. They give you a T-shirt an ice cream Sunday and dress you up and get everyone to sing. It's really quite fun.
 

We had cupcakes for him to go with his ice cream Sunday and gave him a few small gifts:

He is ALWAYS going out to eat and his favorite place is a Thia place down the hill, so Aaron and I got him some chopsticks.

Jess got him a Nerf Compound Bow (that has quite a bit of force behind it I might add) and a Valentines Dragon pet. They are so cute!

HaPpY BiRtHdAy AlEx!!

I Am Loved!

I am just sitting here at my desk looking at the beautiful flowers Aaron brought home for me yesterday for our anniversary and am feeling very loved. He is a great guy!

22 Years Together

An interesting anniversary. We are going out tomorrow night for Alex's birthday so we didn't want to go out tonight. We thought staying in sounded good. I made dinner and we just hung out for a while. It was kind of nice having the house to ourselves. We did end up going out for a little while though.

Our friend, Chris, is a librarian at one of the grade schools here and he was having a Library Fundraiser tonight to buy books. His band was playing along with food and raffles. We went to support the school and his band. It was fun to watch them, but we didn't stay too long.

We went out and got Alex's birthday present and then when we got home we checked the mail and were welcomed home with a $200 speeding ticket. UGH! Jeff apparently was speeding in a school zone, and since my name is on his car too, I got the ticket. We haven't gotten around to taking my name off the stupid thing. *Sigh* Kids.

It's Friday night now, so I doubt I will be able to do anything until Monday. But, it looks like I am going to have to go to court to make sure they know I was not the one driving so the infraction does not go on my driving record.

I guess this is just one of those moments that we have to say "At least we are together. Just another memory we share". Happy anniversary to us.

Jess's New Job

After looking for 6 months, Jess finally got a new job. She is officially an employee of Sports Authority. She will be working the "team sports" area - soccer, baseball, basketball - that sort of thing. Perfect for her. Too bad her store discount doesn't extend to parents. Oh well, we'll just have to buy things when she is working so she can at least get credit for them.

Congrats Jess!

White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake

I love cheesecake and have had this recipe in my book for a while now waiting for me to try it out. It's a bit labor intensive, but so worth it if you have the time! Delicious and absolutely beautiful. A great centerpiece to any nice dinner you want to prepare.

Ingredients:

1 cup chocolate cookie crumbs

3 TB white sugar

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 (10-oz) package frozen raspberries

2 TB white sugar

2 tsp cornstarch

1/2 cup water

2 cups white chocolate chips

1/2 cup half-and-half cream

3 (8-oz) packages cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup white sugar

3 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

In a medium bowl, mix together cookie crumbs, 3 TB sugar and melted butter. Press mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch spring form pan.

In a saucepan, combine raspberries, 2 TB sugar, cornstarch and water. Bring to a boil and continue boiling 5 minutes, or until sauce is thick. Strain sauce through a mesh strainer to remove seeds.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a small metal bowl over a pan of simmering water, melt white chocolate chips with half-and-half, stirring occasionally  until smooth.

In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time. Blend in vanilla and melted white chocolate. Pour half of batter over crust. Spoon 3 TB raspberry sauce over batter. Pour remaining cheesecake batter into pan and again spoon 3 TB raspberry sauce over the top. Swirl batter with teh tip of a knife to create a marbled effect.

Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until filling is set. Cool, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8 hours before removing from pan. Serve with remaining raspberry sauce.

Kent Food Bank

Jess needed just a couple more hours of community service for her Senior Culminating project. The hours on the canning were changed to be during her school hours, so we were put in touch with the food bank directly. We went down together and helped hand out food to the community.

I can say it was a rather humbling experience. It's one thing to stand in the cannery, canning food for the faceless needy. It is a good service, but it really distances you from reality. To be down at the food bank and look those you are actually helping in the eye really hits home.

Most were extremely humble and grateful for what they were getting. Some were just down on their luck and needed that extra boost to get them on their way. Most were immigrants or single elderly that just can't make ends meet with their circumstances. 

Jess was getting a real kick out of an older Romanian gal. The food bank had an overabundance of eggplants, so everyone could take as many as they wanted. This cute lady was so tickled. "I love eggplant! They are one of my favorites!". We mentioned that we had never really had them, and didn't know the first thing about preparing them. For the next 5 minutes we had Eggplant 101. How to cut them, how to grill them, fry them and bake them. She was so cute and so friendly.

I actually really enjoyed myself. The people that run the food bank are amazing and fun to be around. Most of the people coming through the line are good people. We enjoyed talking with them. Mostly, it just felt good to step aside from my life and  help someone else. It really helped to put things into perspective and realize just how blessed I am in my life. I have so much. So what if I came home to a broken dishwasher. I did come home to a hot meal that filled my stomach. A meal that my loving son and nephew cooked for me while my amazing husband installed my new dishwasher. I truly have a great life.

I will make the food bank a monthly ritual now. Hopefully Jess will be able to come with me, but with school and work and moving on soon it will not be likely. That's okay, I think this will be a great thing for Aaron and I to do together. It is only two hours of my month to help those in need.  I am looking forward to it.

My New Toy!

I got a new toy in the mail today!! I love getting packages, it feels like Christmas.

I have had camera want-its for a long time now. Every time I head out the door on a hike - I want a nice camera. Every time I go on vacation - I want a nice camera. Every time I post on one of my blogs..... well, you get the point.

Aaron and I are really good at spoiling each other, and this is what he got me the other day. I am so excited to learn how to use it before our cruise in March. We will be coming back with some pretty rockin' pictures! I just need my lens to get here and I will be in business.  

It's Always Something!

I went into the kitchen yesterday to unload the dishwasher and clean the kitchen. Walked in ready and super psyched! Opened the dishwasher and BAM! WTF! What is that smell? It smells like a dirty trashcan full of poop! I investigated a little closer and the entire bottom of my dishwasher is full of brown... well I have no better way to describe it except, sewer water. GROSS!!!

So, this is pretty much the picture at our house right now. Dark ages! Doing dishes by hand. We ended up going out today and buying a new dishwasher. They sure don't make them like they used to. However, just look at that amazing bonding time. I guess that will have to go on the FS blog later this week ;o). How to bond with your kids.... do dishes together. WDYT?

Pear Sundae French Toast

Since today was National Ice Cream For Breakfast Day we decided to try this recipe that I have had my eye on for a long time. I could just never bring myself to put ice cream on the breakfast table though. But, if it's a National holiday then, by all means, ice cream on! Delicious!!

Pear Sundae French Toast

1/4 cup plus 3 Tb. packed brown sugar, divided

2 Tb. butter

1-1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, divided

3 medium ripe pears, pealed and sliced (about 2-1/2 cups)

3 eggs, lightly beaten

3/4 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

6 slices French bread - 1 inch thick

       (I will probably be using my homemade cinnamon bread instead)

Ice Cream - of course!

In a skillet, combine 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 Tb. butter and 1/4 tsp. cinnamon; cook and stir until sugar is dissolved. Add pears; cook until tender.

In a bowl, combine the eggs, milk, vanilla, nutmeg and remaining brown sugar and cinnamon. Dip bread in egg mixture to coat each side. Coat skillet with non-stick spray and cook bread over medium heat for 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Top with pear mixture and then ice cream.

 

Also, if you haven't seen my Family Strong post yet, here are some interesting numbers for you:

Syrup - 1/4 cup

Calories = 220

Fat = 0g

Sugar = 38g

Sodium = 130mg

Calcium = 0g

Protein = 0g

Ice Cream - 1/2 cup

Calories = 140

Fat = 7g

Sugar = 13g

Sodium = 50mg

Calcium = 8%

Protein = 2g

The way I look at it, ice cream is actually healthier for you on your french toast than syrup! Next time, don't hesitate, just go for it!

Broccoli Salad

First recipe a success. Loved it. The kids didn't even try it, but that is to be expected. They have decided they won't eat anything that has vegetables in it, especially Jess. Whatever, not really my problem any more ;o). Aaron and I really liked it though. Of course I modified it a little bit, you  know me, but it was yummy. Amy, this might be a good "side" for you to try.

Ingredients:

3 cups fresh broccoli florets

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

8 strips of bacon (I used turkey bacon) 

1/2 cup finely chopped onion 

1/2 cup craisins

1/2 cup mayonnaise (I think I will try non-fat plain yogurt next time)

1/4 cup white vinegar

1/8 tsp powdered Stevia 

Directions:

In a large bowl combine broccoli, cheese, bacon, onion and craisins. In a small bowl whisk the mayonnaise, vinegar and Stevia. Pour over broccoli mixture and stir to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Yes, you can have fun at Party City!

So, we were just in party city looking for Superbowl and Valentine's stuff. Jess found this football hat and was being a dork. I was trying to take a picture of her with her phone, so she could send it to Alex, but she had me laughing so hard that the picture kept coming out blurry. Then I looked behind her. Oh-My-Gosh, I almost peed my pants!!! Jeff. What would we do without him? I finally stopped laughing long enough to take this picture, until........

... we turned around and saw this kiosk of Valentines Cards. We started wondering if the price of these Valentine's cards was an accident. Jeff thinks not. And, if you look at the card to the left 

To a Dear Daughter - 69...... ummmmm. We were ROLLING! 

I guess sometimes it just pays to be immature. It keeps you happy anyway. I have never had so much fun shopping at Party City

Recipe Challenge

This is what my cookbook shelf looks like. What a mess. I have more books than will even fit on on this stupid thing. It's hard to tell from this picture, but on the left is a notebook. In that notebook is a HUGE stack of papers with recipes I have found online that I printed out to try as well. I could probably do one recipe a day and it would take me YEARS to get through all of them.

Here's the thing though. With all of those recipes you think I would have a nice variety of foods on our menu every week...... nope. We eat pretty much the same thing all of the time. I am in a cooking rut. I hardly ever crack these babies open. Please tell me I am not the only one like this!

So, here is what I plan to do with my rut and my cookbooks. Every week I will try no less than three new recipes. Okay, let me be realistic, two new recipes. I think Aaron might hang me high if I got too carried away with this. Some weeks I might try more than two, but I have to try at least two new recipes a week. I am going to get organized. I will throw out the crap keep the gems. By the end of this I am hoping to have a nice, organized, notebook with all of our favorites in it.

I will share my experience with each recipe that I try and how it turned out. If they are winners I will share the recipe, if not, there is no reason.

This should be an interesting year full of amazing discoveries and interesting disasters. Hopefully we will all benefit with some super yummy recipes by the end of this. If nothing else, I will be more organized.

Wish me luck!