making.

 everyday while charlie naps i make him fresh squeezed orange juice. and a nutritious lunch. this dairy allergy throws quite a wrench into our diet, but it has forced me to study and learn more about nutrition and how to make every meal count. trying to decide what to feed him can be consuming at times. thankfully, he likes a variety of foods, but that can be challenging too. restricting dairy from my diet has helped me know what he needs. i figure what my body feels it needs, his does too. i hope this allergy goes away sooner than later.

i love making charlie clothes from mr. w's hand-me-downs. i think it's the sweetest ever. what's not to love about a little boy in daddy's repurposed clothes?! 

christmas goodies.

I've tried my very best to keep things as normal and calm as possible through this move. The last one, yes 1 year and 2 months ago, was tough for Missy. This one.. much better. I managed to make my way through the boxes rather quickly, even put the Christmas tree up our first night here. (it took up less space standing than it did in the box, but that sounded impressive) So, I believe we are feeling settled and so ready for a much needed break from the everyday routine.

But, before we're off to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with family, there's joy to be spread! Miss L put her hand to sewing lots of buttons onto bobby pins, while I played on photoshop. Together we brought lots of smiles to some second graders this morning. It was wonderful watching her pass out her simple little handmade treasures. I was so impressed by these little girls, each one flaunting a new barrett in her hair. They were so appreciative and it seemed to make each one feel special.

For the teachers in our life.. something warm and sweet. Hot chocolate (I admit I could have been more creative) and homemade marshmallows, that just happen to be the first marshmallows that I actually like. We added a little coconut flavoring and coated some in coconut, others in powdered sugar to top hot chocolate. Gift giving = happiness.

natural beauty

Wow Megan, I brought your lovely apricots home and sat them on the counter top. A little while later I caught a glimpse of the beautiful jars illuminated by the evening sun. Aren't they gorgeous? Thank you for taking such good care of me. I love ya.

pie...for my love!

Sometimes, okay much of the time, I feel so guilty that I get to be the "stay at home mom," and my sweet husband works so hard and goes to school. Today I wanted to say thank you in a way that he would appreciate and not expect. Nothing says "I love you" to Mr. W like homemade apple pie! I love preparing food that takes time and patience to create. I love the smell as it bakes, the anticipation of Mr. W's face, and I love the smiles around the dinner table!

beautiful!

Conference weekends are my favorite weekends of the year! It was so wonderful, inspiring, and rejuvenating. (and let's not forget the doughnut making) Oh how I love to hear Elder Holland speak, and how beautiful was his testimony considering the Easter weekend approaching. We had a wonderful family home evening last night (I found on lds.org) that included a little program with beautiful music. In no way do I have a singing voice, but the spirit was so strong as we read about the life of our Savior and sang the beautiful hymns together. The three of us around the piano, reading and singing together is something I will never forget.

++

I bought L some converse shoes, which forced her to learn to tie her shoes this weekend. I guess the beauty of waiting so long to buy her shoes that tie is that I showed her twice how to do it and - done! 

yummm...

Wow! Thank you on-hand modern for sharing this recipe find. I made it today and it is sooo good.

yesterday

ate caviar for the first time. (yuck!) i don't even like fish, i just wanted to say i had eaten caviar. the gala was at the Point Restaurant (beautiful) with the most exquisite view of the city. fun night!

today's joy

• I am a wife!!!
  
• I am a mother!
  
• went to the temple (always a treat)
  
• my house is clean 
  
• We ate these delicious turkey burgers (thanks again sugar city blog) and sweet potato fries for dinner. Summer can't be too far away to be eating this right? I had to laugh at our attempt to make it feel like summer, when during our dinner it was snowing and we actually heard thunder roll a few times! ha ha...better luck next time.
  

Oh my, this soup is sooo good! Mr. W bought me the Food recipe book for my birthday. (yes, happy birthday to me!) He did buy me other thoughtful gifts as well, but I did request this one in particular! I can't wait to try other recipes, it's so nice to have a new menu to choose from. I made a few changes, as true to character. I added 1 c. half and half in place of 1 c. of the chicken stock, and reserved a few pieces of the cooked broccoli and chopped it instead of pureeing it. We topped ours with cheese and sour cream. (L will eat anything with cheese and sour cream) A few pieces of toasted french bread to dip in olive oil with balsamic vinegar and cracked pepper were a nice complement to this dish. 

chocolate!

One of my favorite Christmas traditions....dipping chocolates! Not because I love to eat them, I can't say I like chocolate all that much, but I love how happy it makes Mr. W! It is quite a process, first making the caramel and truffle filling (new this year and delicious!), then tempering the chocolate and dipping each one by hand in chocolate and the truffles in toasted coconut or chopped walnuts. I searched online to find the truffle recipe from the Martha Stewart 2007 holiday issue, but no luck. I'll keep searching for a link. When it is all said and done, it is a very enjoyable process, and a delightful creation.

family tradition

I talked to Mary today and she was making doughnuts! I have not made those in years. The fact that they are fried in oil has much to do with that, nonetheless, we made doughnuts tonight! L loved the process and we all enjoyed the product! The secret recipe is as follows:

canned biscuits (the cheapest generic kind)

oil 

powdered sugar

sugar and cinnamon

Use a doughnut cutter, or you can pull the center apart making a hole like we did when we were kids. Heat oil in pan until it bubbles when you put the dough in. Flip when brown on under side. After browning the other side, remove from heat and let sit 1 minute. Shake in desired coating or glaze. 

YUM YUM........

comfort food

This is Mr. L's favorite dinner! No recipe really. I use the Martha Stewart pate brisee recipe and for the filling - simply 1 bag of frozen veggies, chicken, 1 can cream of chicken soup, a few tablespoons of sour cream, and 1/4 c. grated cheddar cheese. Bake @ 375 for 1 hour. Not the most healthy dish, but necessary every once in a while. Easy as "pie!"

peanut butter fudge

When I was growing up we used to buy homemade fudge from a lady named Evelyn. I can still remember what it tasted like, even though I haven't had it in probably 13 or 14 years. It was the most delicious in taste and texture! I got this recipe from a friend that is the closest I have found to Evelyn's yummy fudge. I try not to make it to often because I can eat the whole pan!

2 c. sugar

1/2 c. milk

1 1/3 c. peanut butter

1 7oz. jar marshmallow creme

Bring sugar and milk to a boil in saucepan. Boil for 3 minutes then stir in peanut butter. Remove from heat and stir in marshmallow creme. Mix well. Pour into 8" square pan. Chill. Cut into squares.

a little taste of winter

We had our first snowfall this weekend, which reminded me that this is, without a doubt, my favorite time of year!  I get butterflies in my tummy when the snow starts creeping down the mountain, the smell of cinnamon rolls baking in the oven graces my senses, and we are all snuggled in the house together! I love this season... the holidays, the yummy food (especially Mr. L and L fighting over who gets the beater with the most frosting), the beautiful change of scenery outside, utilizing the all wheel drive, the family and friends!

Friday Pizza Night

We have a tradition that every Friday is pizza night.  It is one that we look forward to, and it is nice for mom to already know what to make for dinner. We each choose our toppings and have our own customized pizza party! I use the Martha Stewart crust and add 1/2 wheat flour and milled flax seed.  It makes a delicious foundation to yummy pizza! 

1 c. wheat flour

1 1/2 c. flour

1/4 c. cornmeal

1 T. yeast

2 t. salt

2 T. olive oil

2 T. milled flax seed

1 c. hot water (more if needed)

Combine all ingredients in stand mixer, knead using dough hook until smooth and elastic.  Place in a gallon zip-lock bag and let rise until double in size.  Place on lightly floured surface and knead. Make into 2 balls and roll out to fit desired pan.  Top with favorite toppings and bake in a preheated 450* oven. Enjoy!

Yummy!

I found the recommendation for these delicious coconut cupcakes on this blog. They were soooo good! I googled the recipe from Barefoot Contessa's cookbook. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed!

Huckleberry Time!

The long awaited huckleberry harvest has arrived!  We had a great time Sunday afternoon picking huckleberries with family and friends! Words can't describe the sweet smell in the air and beauty of nature.  It instantly transports me back to my childhood of making clubs in the woods with Sarah and Cassie. Raking trails through pine needles and loading up all sorts of papers and office supplies from around the house (sorry mom!) to write the names of who would be allowed to join the club!  Oh what a lucky girl I was to grow up with my own woods for a backyard!

    L and I made our jam Monday, she is the best little helper in the kitchen.  The jar lids were covered using sticker paper, another idea from the sugar city blog.

An afternoon at Grandma W's

Grandma and Grandpa W are very hospitable while we are bound to apartment life! We took the sewing machine to Grandma and Grandpa's and L got to make her stuffed owl! (the first stuffed animal project) She picked out the fabric last night and has waited all day to make it. After, we wandered into the kitchen to find that Grandma had been a busy bee too! These are the cherries she picked from her tree, made pie filling and a yummy pie! We love Grandma!