Happy Easter

Happy Easter to all of you from all of us!


We enjoyed our day worshiping our risen Savior and then spending time with our families.



We worked off some of our Easter treats by jumping rope!

A Hate-Hate Relationship

Here is the bane of my existence:




I really don't know what I was thinking when I picked a white tile floor with white grout. Maybe I was just naive, or maybe it was because we only had one three year-old when we moved into our house. This kitchen floor has been scrubbed three times in the last five days. I normally don't have to wash it this often, but our son, in a bit of eleven-year old angst, spilled an entire cup of grape juice (I had to wash the floor twice to remove all signs of stickiness).

I will say that the floor has been durable, successfully breaking every item I've ever dropped on it.

For those of you that say, "what about people that don't have kitchen floors"? Well, if I could, I'd send it to them! I am thankful for my kitchen. It really is my solace, I have enjoyed so much my time spent here. I do look around wistfully sometimes though, I have to be honest. I don't have tons of cabinet or counter space, but it is a fully functional kitchen and I am thankful for it. But I still hate the floor.



This, however, has saved my bacon more than a few times. I literally use these to shreds every week. On a normal week, I'll use one for the house. On a really bad week, I'll use two. These are so great, I can not extol their virtues enough. Sometimes I think I should buy stock in the company. I love using them for cleaning walls, bathtubs, tile floors, windowsills, doors, grout, etc. I have not found a capacity in which they are not magic. Seriously.



Finally, want to see my new favorite toy?

Here it is:



My awesome husband picked it out for me, and I am in love. And, yes, that's more rhubarb for another rhubarb-custard pie. What can I say, it's the breakfast of champions.

The End of Quiet

Rob and I had a really nice and quiet weekend together. We were inundated rather quickly [on Sunday morning] with fighting kids, requests of a soft pretzel at 9am, telling our eight-year old she'd break her leg if she tried to wear high heels to church...you get the picture. It's amazing how the intensity of three children is so unlike being in the middle of nowhere, listening to nothing but the rustling of leaves.

For some reason, I have romanticized the idea of hiking our four-wheeler trail. It's 13 mi. Yeah, it was really tiring. And, can you believe that I didn't pack any food? Not good.

It was really nice, though, to see my husband's eyes. One of the nice things about the lack of internet or tv is simply being able to talk and making eye contact!



Here we are about 1/4 in to our hike




I made some yummy dinners, one using almost all leftovers!
Friday night we had: "chopped steak" sandwiches with leftover flank steak from Kate's birthday party. We also had leftover cauliflower gratin and roasted asparagus.









Saturday night we had: shredded mexican beef over brown rice, corn and black bean relish, and the rest of the asparagus.




We also raided the Easter candy we purchased at Fitzkee's on our way out, but I didn't take any pictures :)


Lastly, watercress is in season! Isn't it pretty?

A Tale of Two Birthday Dinners...

March has been quite the busy cooking month for me. I've enjoyed it so much, but am looking forward to a slower April. I know I really need to get a little more serious about exercising, but I've kinda been stuck in my kitchen. Besides the Spring Fling at Whitney's store, I've also prepared food for an Easter Egg Hunt (I forgot my camera, sorry) and two birthday parties (one of them being our daughter, Kate's). With the exception of the spring fling, all of my March cooking took place this week (in the past five days...I'm pretty wiped).

For the Easter Egg Hunt (please imagine colorful and appetizing pictures)
I made: (for 55)
Caprese Salad Skewers
Mini Caesar Salad in Parmesan Frico Cups
Meatball Sliders
Chicken Satay with Peanut Dipping Sauce
Fruit Kabobs

For Jessica's Birthday Party I made: (for 25)
Fruit Platter
Salad with Cranberries, Walnuts, and Feta topped with an orange-balsamic vinaigrette
Cheesy Garlic Bread
Grilled Vegetable Ravioli with Prosciutto in a marinara and alfredo sauce
Banana Cupcakes with Lemon Frosting
Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting
Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Coconut Macaroons

We held the party at the newest location of the Jessica and Friends ministry. Jessica and Friends is the organization my in-laws founded to serve the disabled adults in our area. It is a faith-based ministry that includes group homes, respite care, and now, a vocational-training center. Their aim is to create dignity for individuals with special needs to learn a vocation and also to learn some basic life skills. Construction will be finished in the next few months and they hope to welcome their first participants June 1st. I have interspersed some pictures of the almost-renovated building. We had a fun birthday party and it's really special to see the work than many have labored over for the benefit of individuals in our community.

As a small aside, there is a salon here in York that is organizing a fundraiser and I'll give you all of the details later, but let me just say, $10 haircuts and 100% of the money will be given to Jessica and Friends-












For Kate's Birthday Dinner I made: (for 10)
Cauliflower Gratin
Garden Salad
Fruit Platter
Pickled Beets and Eggs
French Bread (bought, not made)
Grilled Flank Steak
Ice Cream Cake

The highlight of the night was probably when Emma opened the package of moon sand my mom so meanly bought for Kate. You know how when kids open a bag of chips and they somehow manage to fly all over the room? Picture fluorescent pink moon sand flying all over a living room with a cream rug and ten people. Thanks, Mom. Really, I kid. The sand actually vacuumed "up" quite well (if you're in the market for a vacuum cleaner, I would suggest the Hoover wind tunnel). The real highlight was seeing Kate's face throughout the night and realizing that she felt really special!




Rob and I are leaving for our family's cabin this weekend: no kids, no internet, no tv - nothing but a few library books and our hiking shoes!

Our Birthday Girl

Today is Kate's birthday. She turns eight years old tonight at 11:43pm. Kate loves school, babies, animals, and her best friend, Emma! Kate is a very opinionated little girl and also very witty. We enjoy her immensely and are so thankful that she is a part of our family-

Wanna See Something Naughty?

This was part of our dinner-



Loaded French Fries
1 bag frozen french fries (mine were a generic brand)
2 T canola oil
1 tsp kosher salt
3/4 bag Cabot "seriously sharp" shredded cheddar cheese
5 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
sour cream or plain yogurt for dipping
fresh chives for garnish

1. Bake french fries in canola oil [on large cookie sheet] at 425 degrees for 25 minutes or until browned.
2. Sprinkle kosher salt and stir. Top with cheese and bacon crumbles.
3. Bake an additional five minutes or until cheese is melted.
4. Serve with desired dipping sauces: we prefer chobani, but ranch dressing would also be tasty.




And this was our dessert-


Coconut Macaroons (adapted from Barefoot Contessa)

14 ounces sweetened shredded coconut
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 extra-large egg whites, at room temperature
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt


Combine the coconut, condensed milk, and vanilla in a large bowl. Whip the egg whites and salt on high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until they make medium-firm peaks. Carefully fold the egg whites into the coconut mixture.

Drop the batter onto sheet pans lined with parchment paper using either a 1 3/4-inch diameter ice cream scoop, or 2 teaspoons. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown.

**These are my variations: (I have a weakness for Almond Joy)**

During the last three minutes of baking, sprinkle sliced almonds on top.

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 T milk.
Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring until melted and combined. Drizzle chocolate ganache over macaroons.

Dinner 3.22.10

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Fennel and Blood Orange Salad
1 bulb fennel, outer layer removed and sliced thinly
1 blood orange (or navel orange), sliced thinly into rings
1/2 small red onion, peeled and sliced thinly
2 tsp olive oil
2 tsp dijon
2 tsp orange juice
salt, pepper

1. Layer fennel slices, oranges, and onions.
2. In a small bowl, whisk remaining ingredients and pour over salad.
3. Top with fennel fronds, if desired.



Chicken Curry (served over jasmine rice) adapted from the Pioneer Woman
chicken thighs, skin removed
1 small onion
2 cloves garlic
1 medium tomato
5 sprigs cilantro
2 tsp dijon
salt, pepper
4 T canola oil
2 T curry powder
2 tsp turmeric
3/4 cup water
1 can coconut milk
1/4 cup water

1. Pulse onion, garlic, tomato, and cilantro in blender or food processor until chopped finely. Marinate chicken breasts in dijon and onion/garlic/tomato/cilantro mixture [for at least two hours].
2. In a large saute pan, heat canola oil. In a small bowl, whisk curry powder, turmeric, and water until combined.
3. Add to heated oil and whisk constantly for five minutes until paste forms.
4. Add chicken thighs, turn to coat. Add coconut milk and water and simmer for at least 40-45 minutes or until cooked through and sauce is reduced.
5. Serve over jasmine rice.






Cinnamon-Sugar Rhubarb Cake adapted from Taste of Home
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups diced fresh rhubarb

1. Cream shortening, brown sugar, and sugar. Add egg and vanilla and beat for 2 minutes.
2. Add buttermilk alternately with dry ingredients.
3. Stir in rhubarb
4. Top with 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon.
5. Bake in a greased 9x13 pan at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes.