jump up and down

oven dill pickles and a bit of a pickle

It seems that even though I know what my next blog post will be doesn't mean that I will get it up...I think I have some reasons why I've been such a sparse blogger lately.  But let me first share that dill pickle recipe that I promised.  These are super easy and super delicious.  Something about processing them in the oven makes them turn out a little crunchier than pickles done in a hot water.  It is probably a little late for most of you to be getting a pickle recipe, but perhaps some of you in warmer climates can still make use of it.  

OVEN DILL PICKLES

3 quarts of water

1/2 cup of canning salt    

1 quart of white vinegar

Cucumbers 

Powdered Garlic

Dried Dill

Wash cucumbers, cut if desired, and stuff into jars leaving a 1/4" head space.   Add 1/4 tsp powdered garlic and 1 teaspoon dried dill per quart jar.  

In a large pot,hat brine until salt dissolves.  Pour brine over cucumbers in jar.  Wipe tops and put new lids on firmly.  

Fill a roasting pan with one inch of water and put prepared bottles into the pan.  Put the pan in a 300 degree oven for 20 min.  Remove pan and put bottles on a rack or a towel .  Tighten lids and let sit for one week before eating.  

 Here is my last basket of tomatoes.  I gathered them a little over a week ago on the day before we had our first freeze.  And then on Monday it snowed and it's been cold, cold, cold ever since.  Yes, it will get colder, but summer is definitely over which is such a shame because summer is definitely the best season in Idaho. 

And now let's discuss my pickle...I started a blog a few months after I discovered the world of craft blogging - I wanted to share in this great world.  I also started blogging to share a part of our family life with my friends and family that were far away (we are 4 hours from the closest family).  In addition, I also started this blog to promote my shop, but I don't think I do a very good job of that here and I'm not really sure that many people are reading my blog to keep track of what's going on in my shop anyway.  Let me know if you are - I'd be curious to know if anyone out there is hoping for more shop news here.  Lately, I find it increasingly difficult to keep up with the blogging world.  There are so many blogs and even though I have really tried to pare down the ones I am reading, I still cannot keep up with it lately. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels like this is a community in which there is giving and taking and sometimes I'm not sure if I have the time to keep up.  I like to respond to my comments, but have also found that hard to do - especially since Typepad change the comment e-mail format.  I have become more concerned about the safety of the information that I share here about our family.  I admire bloggers who seem to be able to share just the right amount of personal info to make their blog more personable and interesting without indulging all of their family secret but sometimes I'm not sure where to draw the line, especially as the mother of a child with special needs.  

I have thought lately about a lot of different things I could do - stop blogging altogether, go private, start another blog for family and friends with more family information and become more crafty here.   I can't seem to come up with a solution that will make me happy.  I'm not sure that I really want to stop blogging.  I'm not a big fan of private blogs, mostly because they can't be read in a reader and I have a really hard time remembering to check them.  And I'm having a hard enough time keeping up with one blog, let alone two.  How do you decide how much time to spend on blogging and all that it entails - reading, responding to comments, photos, posting, etc.?  And if I were to change some things around here, what would you like to stay?  What brings you here and what would you like to see more of?  I'd love to hear from as many of you as possible.  One thing that I've always loved about blogging is the feedback that I can get here.  I probably wouldn't have moved to our ugly little house if you hadn't all convinced me that I could make it livable.  There are definitely some drawbacks to living in this old house, but overall, we are very happy that we made this move and we are all benefitting from it.  I'm sure you will all enlighten me again!

this and that

Apparently, I am having some issues with finding my blogging groove lately.  I'm not really sure what it is...a combination of the shop being pretty busy, the schedule being a little more hectic with both of the boys in school, some lighting issues in our house that are making it harder to get consistently good photos, and this issue of "going to town."  If I have to "go to town,"  it seems to take up the entire day and when I get home I am so tired from trying to hit 4 or 5 places in a row (with boys in tow), that I usually don't get anything else done that day.  And I usually end up going to town about twice a week - once for our therapy day and then there is inevitably some other random event or appointment.  Is this just part of small town life?

So here's what I've been up to lately, all in one post....

I had so much fun with these the Christmas Block Swap.  I really need to figure out how to fit more quilts into my sewing schedule.  I haven't taken a pic of the ones that I got back yet, but there were some great ones.  Thanks again to Beth for organizing this great swap!

A huge cold front is forecasted to come in tonight, so I'm afraid my favorite summer lunch might be coming to an end.  I just slice some zucchini, saute it in a bit of olive oil with some onions, and then add tomatoes when the onions and zucchini have softened and cook a bit more.  You can season it with just salt and pepper, or add some garlic, or basil - whatever you like.  And after the tomatoes have stewed for a bit, pull it off of the burner and add some fresh mini mozzarella balls.  I got mine at Costco for a great price.  Mmmmm.....I think I know what I'll be having for lunch today!

And thrift shopping - I have been doing lots and lots of thrift shopping lately.  I've been really trying to be open to finding more of my clothing at the thrift store.  It's so much better for my wallet and the environment.  I have normally avoided finding clothes for myself at the thrift store, as I usually have a hard enough time finding clothes I like and that fit at a normal store.  I cut two pairs of my pants into shorts at the beginning of the summer and got rid of several things that were worn out or just didn't fit right and I knew my fall wardrobe was going to need a real boost this year and that the budget for that wardrobe would be fairly small.  I haven't had much luck finding pants at the thrift (but I have found several on the clearance rack - a total of 5 for about $50), but the shirts and sweaters and even a skirt or two have been rolling in - usually for $5 a piece or less!  Hooray for that!  Here is one of my favorites - a vintage red gingham shirt.  I think I got this one for $2 and the shoes you can see were totally new for $3.50.  

I'm going to get myself a tripod and hopefully deal with some of my lighting issues and hopefully I will get more used to our new schedule soon.  Peter is currently in the middle of his two week Spud Harvest vacation (apparently we are one of only a few schools left in Idaho who actually let out for Spud Harvest) so that's not helping either one of us get used to the new schedule, but I am learning how to pass lots of slow moving trucks full of potatoes!  I even have my next post planned - check back for those Oven Dill Pickles, plus a couple of other refrigerator pickle recipes that I tried.  Hopefully I'll be back soon and in the groove again!  I've missed all of you!  

celebrating with frozen bananas

Thanks to Sandi for the pic (taken last year).

Yesterday we celebrated nine years of marriage with frozen bananas - romantic, aren't we?  We aren't much for making a big deal about anniversaries - maybe we will next year when we hit ten, but I actually thought it was perfect to celebrate with our kids.  They are, of course, one of the reasons why we got married!  And here's an anniversary countdown - a little summary of our nine years. 

    9 great years
    8 the date our youngest was born
    7 the date our oldest was born
    6 years of graduate school
    5 houses or apartments
    4 kitchen chairs - we fill them all now
    3 states
    2 requests - Wednesday and eclairs for our wedding
    1 day at a time

The frozen bananas were delicious - I really love these and haven't had one for a long time.  I have been seeing them around the blogosphere all summer and have been longing to make some.  I've seen several versions of how to do these - I just covered the bottom of a glass pie dish with semi-sweet chocolate chips, microwaved for 30 seconds at a time to melt, and added 1-2 tbsp of canola oil when I started stirring the chocolate.  I cut the bananas in half and put the popsicle sticks in while the peel was still on.  I did have to help the chocolate onto the banana with a spoon and then I shook on the sprinkles.  After a few hours in freezer, enjoy a delicious treat.

And on a side note - I finally captured the reason why Ned is going to have surgery in a week and a half.  He's been a bit uncooperative and cross-eye is intermittent, but there it is.  I think it makes him look adorable, but he's got double vision because of it, which obviously can't be good!

sunday dinner

Even though I didn't want to use the oven today, it was worth it to cook the crust of this fabulous fruit pizza - recipe from Family Fun magazine.  It was the perfect Sunday dinner - yum!

favorite sandwich

one of my favorite sandwiches lately...

toast whole wheat pita bread, spread hummus on each side, sprinkle on feta cheese on each side, cut open kalamata olives and place on one side.  Put the two sides together and enjoy! 

friday pancakes

Thank you so much for your advice and input on my housing issue.  It's nice to know that you all have confidence in my ability to make the space livable.  I really like the idea of just leaving the wall as is and putting some really cool vinyl decals on it (thanks Anne - I do think it just might look retro-fabulous!), maybe a couple of large light colored bookcases (which we need anyway), and some curtains made from fabulous fabric.  Maybe I can do it, maybe... I don't really want to  spend a lot of time or money trying to fix the walls when we will just be leaving in a short time.  Ryan is going to ask a few more questions today and we'll think about it over the weekend and try and make a decision.  Anyway, thank you - we really do want to move out there and I really needed some convincing to even feel like it was a possibility.

Every day of the week gets a little less busy for us.  On Fridays, there is only my class and then we are free for the rest of the day.  My kids are grazers and often don't get much breakfast in before we leave to get them to the babysitter.  When we get home they are usually ready to eat again.  On Fridays I usually take the time to make our favorite pancakes.  I know I said a few weeks ago that these brownies were the closest thing to a secret recipe that my family has, but I really think that it's got to be these pancakes.  This is a recipe that was actually handed down from my great grandma.  My grandma made them for me and now I make them for my kids (we skipped a generation because I grew up in my grandparent's home - mom was there, she just wasn't the one making pancakes:)!).  They are the best pancakes ever - light, fluffy, delicious...mmm...I'm drooling just thinking about them.  They are a little bit of work - you do need to seperate the eggs and fluff the whites or you won't get that fluffiness - but they are definitely worth it!  So, you're lucky my family doesn't really believe in secret recipes so I can share them with you...enjoy!

Grandma's Pancakes

3/4 c white flour
3/4 c wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp sugar
2 eggs, separated
2 tbsp oil
1 c buttermilk
1/2 c milk

Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl.  Add egg yolks, oil, buttermilk, and milk and whisk to mix.  Beat egg whites to a stiff peak in a separate bowl.  Fold into the rest of the batter.  Use a large spoon to make pancakes on an electric griddle set at 350.  Cook each pancake until the batter starts to bubble (1-2 minutes).  Flip and cook on the other side (1-2 minutes).   Smother with butter and syrup, jam or peanut butter and enjoy!

You can make these with all white flour.  You can also use all regular milk, they just won't be as fluffy without the buttermilk.

I'm off for a girls night tonight - we're going to stay over in a cottage in a little town with hot springs not too far away from here.  I can't wait!  In the meantime I need to get busy getting my house in shape - I have neglected all that spring cleaning that I talked about last week in favor of sewing up some custom orders.  And now that we might be moving the spring cleaning doesn't seem quite worth it when I will just have to do it all again in a few weeks if we do move.  I still need to tidy up though!  I hope you all have a great weekend!

what's for dinner: 5-Vegetable Fried Rice with 5-Spice Pork

Today is Recipe Box Swap over at Randi's blog - make sure to go and take a look at all of the yummy recipes shared over there!  I'll be back tomorrow with the winner of the giveaway - it's going to take a little time to sort out all of the extra entries from those who shared it on their blog.  Thanks to everyone who participated!

We have enjoyed this dish in our family for a couple of years now.  I made a huge pot of it for our latest dinner co-op.  BTW - I found out through a comment on my co-op post that there is an entire website and book on dinner co-ops - find out more here.  Many of you had asked for more info so I'm hoping you will find this helpful.

This is another Rachael Ray recipe - this one was from here magazine and you can find the link here.  She dubs it as a "MYOTO" or Make Your Own Take-Out recipe, but I think it's better than take-out.  I usually add more vegetables than it calls for and reduce the oil because I cook it in a non-stick skillet. I also just use regular mushrooms and reduce the garlic to one clove to make sure it isn't too spicy for the kids. 

Our entire family likes this one, or at least parts of it. Ned usually eats just the pork and the carrots - have I mentioned before what a carnivore he is?  He loves meat and fruit but isn't much of a carbs fan, so the rice usually gets left on the plate.  I hope your family will enjoy it too!

dinner co-ops and braised pork chops

This week's dinner recipe comes to us from Rachael Ray - you can find the link to these yummy pork chops here.  Instead of talking so much about the recipe this week, I wanted to talk about my dinner co-op.  I mentioned it last fall and said I would talk more about it, but got so busy and never did. 

Last semester, there were four families in the dinner co-op (all had at least one student in the family and one or two kids - very similar to our family), which meant I was only cooking once a week.  We were only required to make a main dish, but often provided a little something else.  This ended up being a real life saver last semester when I was trying to juggle working, school, and family.  I only had to cook once a week (it was a big job when I did it, but not too terrible) and I was able to choose a day when I had a little more time.

Two families have dropped out for various reasons, but our family and one other (thanks Kellie and John!) are still enjoying eating each others meals once a week.  I love it!  We get to try new foods, it gives me a little break from cooking each week, and it saves money too.  I'm a little less busy this semester so exchanging with just one other family is working well.

I usually choose a recipe that I can make in one big pot.  This one happened to be an exception and I needed to use my two big stock pots.  To manage all the cut produce, I try not to think too much about the dishes and use bowls and cutting boards (I own 3) to keep things separated until they need to go in the pot.  This week's dinner happened to be meat based, but we just as easily exchange vegetarian meals and keep everyone happy and full.

I think the key to making something like this a success is first finding a family that is similar in size to yours and has fairly similar tastes in food.  Make sure to talk to the other family about anything that you might want to ban (last semester we had a family that didn't like seafood and Ryan is not a fan of chunky cooked tomatoes, so that's on the "banned" list too).  It also might be helpful to see if you can exchange meals on your busiest days - hopefully they don't fall on the same day.  I know one of things I'll miss most when we move from here is our dinner co-op.  It won't be easy to find a replacement for the Perke's yummy dinners!

what's for dinner: Lettuce Wraps

Hands down, this is our new favorite dish - we have made it twice in the last week and will probably make it again this weekend while my Mom is here to visit.  When I took my first bite, it took me back to a few months ago when I had my first visit to PF Chang's and enjoyed their lettuce wraps.  Ryan loves it, the kids will at least eat the chicken, and it's definitely healthy food friendly.  Thanks to my friend Cheryl for sharing it on her blog! 

Lettuce Wraps

1 lb chopped chicken (I just pulsed a few chicken breasts in the food processor.)

12 lettuce leaf cups (romaine or butter lettuce) Crisp in ice bath 10 min.

2 T sesame seed oil

1 T minced garlic

1 T minced ginger

6 green onions

¼ cup soy sauce

2 T hoisin sauce

1 T rice vinegar

1t cornstarch

¼ cup cold water

Rice, Rice Noodles, or Crispy Rice Noodles

Island Soyaki (a sauce from Trader Joes - we don't have a TJ here, so I used Soy Vay Island Teriyaki)

Chop and measure all ingredients before starting. Heat oil in skillet over med-hi. Add garlic, ginger, and ¾ of green onions. Stir fry 30 seconds. Add chicken and stir fry 3-4 minutes. In a small bowl whisk together soy sauce, hoisin, vinegar, cornstarch and water. Add to skillet. When mixture boils reduce heat to low and simmer 1 minute. Spoon mixture into lettuce leaf and garnish with green onion, shredded carrots, cucumbers, peanuts, rice, and island soyaki sauce. 

MMMMMM!  This stuff is delicious!  I think I might even try it with tofu. I am usually not a fan of it, but I think I might like it in this.  Enjoy!!

recipe box swap: grandma's brownies

Today is Recipe Box Swap day over at Randi's blog.  Her chosen theme this time was fun foods - anything sweet, salty, fried, etc.  I chose sweet and sinful.  These are the brownies I grew up eating.  I have fond memories of making these on Sunday afternoon  I'm not sure where the original recipe came from, so I guess this is almost as close as I get to a secret family recipe as it gets for me. So, I hope you enjoy!

Grandma's Chocolate Brownies

1 cup butter, 2 cups sugar, 1/3 cup cocoa, 4 eggs

Add each ingredient one at a time, beating well after each one.  Then add: 

1 1/2 cup flour, 1 cup chopped nuts (optional), 2 tsp. vanilla

Spread in a greased shallow pan.*

Bake 20-25 minutes at 350.  Then cover the brownies with a single layer of miniature marshmallows.  Return to oven for 3 minutes.  Cool for at least 1 hour and then frost.

Frosting:  1/2 cup butter (can use 1/4 c if you want), 1 2/3 cup powdered sugar, 1/3 cup cocoa powder, 1/3 cup canned milk

*To get the best brownie texture, I use the broiler pan from my oven.  You can use a 9x13 pan, but you will get a more cake-like texture.  For the best texture, use something a little larger (a jelly roll pan maybe - aren't they 15x10?), but not as big as a cookie sheet.

And, boy have they been coming in handy the last couple of days (in moderation of course - I've still been eating those grapefruits too) - Ned is trying to give up his nap, but not really ready for it yet which means he's a serious grump when he doesn't get his way, I'm really not liking having my early class three days a week - so many complications with it and the babysitting, and I'm dealing with a reoccuring minor health issue that is also oh so annoying!  Luckily, Ryan cut them into bite size pieces and took about half of them to work, otherwise I would have eaten the whole pan by myself by now!