Category Archives: Me

Jan19

craftin’ by the creek

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craftin’ by the creek

This past weekend I had a blast with a good group of girl friends “testing” a new craft lodge about 30 minutes from my house.  It was a total blast and the house was amazing.  They are right on a beautiful creek in Rockdale, WI.  They were looking for people they knew to give them some feedback so they could make a few adjustments prior to opening…  Here are some pics of the space – it was great!

I had a wonderful time crafting and cooking in the kitchen and just relaxing and laughing (a LOT) with my friends.

Here are two of the layouts that I completed from the weekend:

 

 

For being gone for a day and a half, I didn’t get much done, but I did have a blast and I got three more layouts done in addition to these, so it was successful from that respect. 

Anyway, just wanted to share some pics of what I made and share the link for the Craftin’ by the Creek stuff in case anyone is looking for somewhere to craft!

 

Jan10

comfort

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comfort

There are times in life when a simple smell, sight, or sound can instantly propel us to another place or time.  It can make us laugh, cry, remember, and feel a variety of emotions.  It is amazing what our bodies use to store this information and how in the middle of a car ride or walking through a book store we can be pulled to a moment in time so vividly.

There are other things that are more frequent and less dramatic, but still harbour the same results.  A routine that we have that started when we were a child.  A food we eat whenever we are sick, no matter how old we are.  A movie we watch whenever we are sad because it always ALWAYS makes us feel better.  These are moments of comfort and happiness.  These are little moments that are so small that another person might just brush them off, but to us they are magical in nature and can remind us of what makes us happy, satisfied, grounded, and at peace.

Last night I had a realization about comfort.  I realized that I have a vice that turns itself on after a stressful day with the kids or a long day at the office…  it stems back to being a child.  My mother did it.  Her mother did it.  Now I do it.

I pop popcorn.

I know that sounds weird. And, let me be specific.  I POP it.  I don’t throw a bag of microwave popcorn in.  I pop it with a popcorn popper.  Granted, my latest find allows me to get the same results as an air popper without oil in the microwave, but it is the same sound, smell, and rush or exhilaration that I have always gotten in the past.  I pop my popcorn.  I melt real butter.  I pour on the butter, mix it up with a bit of salt, and I eat.

It dawned on me last night that my mom and dad used to pop popcorn a lot after we would go to bed.  As I got older (about 7 or 8 ) I somehow became aware of this.  They would tuck me in to bed, kiss me goodnight, and send me off to slumber.  I would wait 2 minutes, then sit by my door and wait for the sound of the popcorn popper to start.  Once I was sure the popcorn was sufficiently popped and properly buttered, I would head downstairs.  90% of the time, I would grab my own little bowl (it was stainless steel – there’s was a big pale yellow one from tupperware) and I would sit and eat my popcorn.  They would then send me back to bed, where I would happily go to sleep with a bit of warm buttery goodness happily in my tummy.

My mom tells stories of how my grandmother used to pop popcorn and not finish it, leaving it in the oven.  There was often popcorn in grandma’s oven and we would go peak and grab a snack when we went to visit.  I remember sitting on her living room floor with a metal lunch tray, a PB&J and popcorn from the oven, watching her “stories” with her when I would spend a night during the summer. 

There is just something about popcorn that brings together fond memories of my family, happiness, and comfort all by pouring these tiny yellow kernels into a machine that heats them, pops them, and makes them edible.  It is somewhat baffling and wonderful and amazing and odd all at the same time. 

So, tonight, after I spend several hours trying to clean up the mess that is my craft room, I will once again pop some happy goodness, coat it in butter, sit on the couch, and spend the last few minutes before bed in comfort…

 

 

Jan9

slow cooker steak tacos

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slow cooker steak tacos

I don’t know about you, but for me, cooking while working full time can sometimes be less than easy to do.  I LOVE to cook, but by the time you get home from work, get backpacks emptied, say hi to your loved ones, and get the “stuff” taken care of, it can be getting late to start a meal.  That is why I have started to experiment more and more with my slow cooker.  It has been a great kitchen based adventure and has started to be a great way to have a good meal when we get home after a long day, without a lot of work to get it together.

For some reason, however, I often think people associate the slow cooker with old school roasts and potatoes, where everything comeout some odd shade of brown, tasteless, and mushy.  After lots of experimenting, trial and error (including burning an entire BBQ pork roast beyond recognition – left it on high for 9 hours… oops!), and note taking, I have started to find my groove when it comes to slow cooker cooking. 

This taco recipe is one that is easy and full of flavor.  Like so many things (chili, spaghetti sauce, and more) this was great the first day, but even better warmed up the next day for leftovers.  It is kind of a pantry raider, too, using a can of this and a jar of that.  You could uses all fresh ingredients if you want or home-canned as well.  I didn’t have that, so it was a pantry moment here.

Slow Cooker Steak Tacos

  • 4 center cut strip steaks (I used the pre-portioned kind you get frozen from those home delivery companies)
  • 1, 16 ounce ounce jar of Salsa verde
  • 1 can of organic petite diced tomatoes
  • 1 can of organic black beans
  • 1 can organic yellow corn (or half a bag of frozen)
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 T cumin
  • 1 t red peppper flake
  • 1 t hot sauce

Set your slow cooker to low if you are cooking all day while at work.  If you are starting at lunch time for dinner, set to high and watch.

Place you steaks in the bottom of the slow cooker – season with salt and pepper.

Begin adding other ingredients.

Add in your jar of salsa verde.  Then add in your corn, beans, and tomatoes.  I rinsed each can with about half a can of water that I added in as well, making sure to get all of the little bits from each can and adding a bit more liquid at the same time.  This totalled about a can and a half of water being added.

Add a bit more salt and pepper to taste, as well as cumin, red pepper flake, and hot sauce.  Stir it all and put the lid on.

Let the slow cooker work it’s magic.

When you are ready to serve, grab your tortillas, cheese, sour cream, and any other taco toppings you might want like lettuce, more salsa verde, or tomatoes.

Carefully use a fork to shred the meat in the slow cooker – it is going to fall apart as soon as you try to pull it out, so shredding in the cooker itself seems to work best.

Mix the meat with the rest of the slow cooker goodness.  Using a slotted spoon to drain some of the excess liquid, begin building your tacos.

Grad some chips and guac, a cold drink, and your taco…  now that’s a quick and tasty dinner for your family that can be ready as soon as you walk in the door!

Happy Eating!

 

 

 

 

 

Jan5

2012… 5 days in.

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2012… 5 days in.

So, it is day 5 of 2012.  I have yet to pick a word.  I have narrowed it down to two that are so close that I think that they might just co-own the year.

  • Jump (as in “jump in with both feet”)
  • Leap (as in “take a leap of faith”)

So for 2012 my plan is to jump, leap, and believe in the possibilities, believe in my ability to affect change, and know that I can … 

Now, as far as resolutions go, I don’t hold much stock in them.  I actually gave those up a long time ago.  They never stuck.  While a goal is similar, I don’t feel like it is so cut and dry and that once you mess up it is over, which is how I view resolutions.  So I make goals – flexible, workable, and attainable goals. 

Here, my friends,  are my goals for 2012…

 

They might not seem like much, but to me they are big goals for a year that I predict will be a rollercoaster ride full of change, transition, and leaps of faith.

Hello 2012.  I’m ready.  Let’s go.

Jan5

fat elvis pancakes… oh yeah, we are going there…

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fat elvis pancakes… oh yeah, we are going there…

I don’t know why they are this way, but my children truly believe that anything with chocolate, peanut butter, and bananas make for something that should be called “Fat Elvis.”  They had Fat Elvis pie once and it just kind of stuck to anything that includes this combo.  So, we now affectionately make Fat Elvis pancakes at our house at least once a month, if not more.  This usually occurs on Sundays when I have the most time to make breakfast.  Not that it is hard or time consuming – far from it – but that is just when we normally have these.

This was the first meal we had in 2012 – these and bacon.  Seriously.  I know.  Not super healthy, but, come on…  how can you not start the New Year with bacon and yummy pancake sammiches???

So, for that lazy weekend breakfast or for a fun mid-week change of pace – I give you Fat Elvis Pancakes.

Steph’s Fat Elvis Pancakes

  • 2 Cups of the Ultimate Breakfast Mix
  • 2 Cups of milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 T of canola oil
  • 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips
  • 3 or 4 bananas
  • peanut butter – I like crunchy, but it is up to you!

Mix together the first 5 ingredients and cook up your chocolate chip pancakes (makes 12-16 depending on what size you make them.)

Take 2 pancakes.  Put a thin layer of peanut butter on both.  Add slices of bananas to one side and then top with the other pancake.

Take a big bite, sit back, and enjoy.  You can eat with a fork or just like a little breakfast sandwich. 

It is actually a decent road food, so if you are heading off on a road trip, this does pretty well in the car if you have to dash. Just cook ‘em up and go!

Happy eating, and, you’re welcome.  (Trust me, one bite and you WILL want to thank me.  No need.  We’re cool.)

Jan4

the ultimate breakfast (pancakes/waffles/crepes and more) mix

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the ultimate breakfast (pancakes/waffles/crepes and more) mix

I love recipes that help me to create something from scratch and healthier for my kids than a boxed version.  I love them even more when they are versatile and easy to do!

I have been testing out and changing, redoing and testing some more, several versions of this recipe until I think that I finally got it where I want it to be.  This is just like your pre-bought boxed stuff, only you make it yourself, store it on your counter in a jar, and then use it to create your ultimate breakfast.

Steph’s Ultimate Breakfast Mix

  • 6 cups of whole wheat flour
  • 2 cups white all purpose flour
  • 6 T of sugar
  • 6 T of baking powder
  • 6 t of baking soda
  • 2 t of salt

Put it all in a big bowl or large jar, mix well, then store. 

Now, you can go with all whole wheat flour and go with 8 C and no all purpose or any combination the other direction.  I like this one because the little bit of white helps to lighten up the sometimes gritty texture of whole wheat flour and my kids seem to like this one the best – go ahead, however, and play around until you get it the way you like it best!

Grab one of the recipes that goes with it and you are all set…  first up – basic pancakes!

Steph’s Basic Pancake

(makes 12-16 depending on how big you like your pancakes)

  • 2 cups of Steph’s Ultimate Breakfast Mix
  • 2 Cups of milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 T of canola oil (can use veg oil or melted butter, but I prefer canola oil)

Mix and cook your pancakes.  Seriously.  That is all.

Happy Breakfasting!

 

 

Jan3

2011 in review

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2011 in review

Well.  It is over.  2011 has come and gone and now it is already the third day of 2012.

Here is where I land on 2011.

Eh.

I think that sums it up.  It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t stellar either.  My word for the year was “soar.”  And while, at times, I felt I started to soar higher, I often leveled off and then soared back to normal levels.  What I have found in picking my word for the year, is that if there is a passive or negative version or definition of that word, that is how it tends to apply to my life for that year.  So while “soar” has great definitions and connotations, I lived the part that is more like gliding along…  rather than actively soaring to new heights.

With that in mind, I am still deciding what my word will be for 2012, or if I will do a word at all, or if a quote or phrase might not be better…  I will decide, hopefully, in the next day or so.  Until then, however, here are some grateful bits that I have  from 2011…

  • My family is amazing and truly makes me feel loved.
  • My boys are growing, healthy, happy, and smart.
  • Matt is settled in his job, is enjoying his new bowling buddies, and finally seems happier about our move north of the cheddar curtain.
  • I got to meet some amazing new people this year and got to hang out with some great friends.
  • My friends are supportive and great listeners and I love you all dearly.
  • I got to create fun crafty goodness, as well really start to have fun in the kitchen cooking away and enjoying some fun foodie moments.
  • I laughed - a lot.  I cried less than I laughed.
  • I played with the boys and watched them have an amazing summer at the pool every day with summer camp.
  • I started bowling with Matt – honestly I am still on the fence with this one as I suck at bowling, but I do enjoy that we are doing something fun together.
  • I started to take pride in being the oddball that I am and stopped always second guessing myself – I still do, but with each passing year, I am starting to just be me more and more.

I am sure the list is much much much longer than this, but this is a good quick list of the stuff that matters most.

I hope you had a great holiday season and that 2012 is a great year for all of us!

Happy New Year and hello 2012!!!!!

Thanksgiving

Breast Cancer Walk

Superhero Madness

Food

 

 

Dec19

caramel corn

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caramel corn

I realize that this is not your typical holiday treat. For some reason, however, I have added it to my holiday baking list and I seem to make more and more each year.  It is easy to make and is super tasty. 

Oh, and if you want to, you can add in some cashews or peanuts the last 5 minutes and make it just a bit more special than it already is!

Steph’s Caramel Corn

  • 1 serving of air popped popcorn (typically about 1/2 cup unpopped)
  • 3/4 C brown sugar
  • 6 T butter
  • 3 T corn syrup
  • 1/4 t. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp. baking soda

 

Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees.

Boil sugar, butter, corn syrup, and salt for about 4-5 minutes. You want to stir pretty often. Watch the color…  I like “lighter” caramel, so I might pull mine off before 5 minutes if it is getting too dark.  It can quickly burn, too, so keep a close eye on it.

Remove from heat.  Mix in baking soda and vanilla extract.

Add about 1/4 of the popcorn to the bowl with the caramel mixture.  Stir together.

Pour mixture over remaining popcorn in a roasting pan.  Stir as well as possible.

Bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 7-10 minutes.  Add nuts in last 5 minutes if you would like to include them.

Remove from oven and cool at room temperature.

Kick back. Relax. Eat. Enjoy.

 

Dec19

last minute teacher gifts

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last minute teacher gifts

Every year I struggle to find just the right gift for the teacher.  Every year I make something.  Every year I wonder if it was a good gift. 

I have this feeling I am not alone in this and that we all struggle to get our teachers something just right for all that they do.

As I have said before, I am trying harder and harder to do more handmade gifts this year and so the teachers are no exception.

Jacob’s teacher is the same teacher that Owen had a few years ago and I had to think of something different to do this year.  Normally I do, but I realized I needed to make sure I didn’t repeat myself.  Also, the boys wanted to help and make something for their teachers, too, so we worked it out yesterday.  After a quick trip to Michaels, we were set!

Teacher Shadow Boxes

My gift to the teachers this year is a little shadow box with their initials.  Now Owen’s teacher is from Florida originally so he wanted to have shells in his.  I grabbed the hot glue and some pretty paper and set out to work…

I made the shadow box with pop dots, paper, scissors, and hot glue, along with a bag of shells.  It was all pretty easy and only took about 20 minutes to complete.

Once this one was done, the second one went even faster.  Jacob wanted to use buttons for his teacher, so that is what we did.  He helped pick out the paper and art direct, while I wielded the glue gun…

 

Quick Ornaments

Now, since the boys wanted to make their own gift, we settled on ornaments.  They may not be lasting treasures, but it was important to them to make something special for each teacher.

Owen’s, as you saw above, was filled with sea shells, while Jacob went the subtle Wisconsin Badger route, since his teacher is a huge Badger fan…

Once they were done, I hot glued the lid shut – Owen’s was pretty heavy so I was afraid it would pop open if I didn’t.  I also hot glued Jacob’s stickers on, as they were peeling up on the edges.  We filled his with red tulle and both got a ribbon and tulle bow at the end.

All in all, I think it took us about an hour to get these all put together and our mess cleaned back up, which isn’t too bad.  Plus the teachers are getting personalized and unique gifts from each of the boys for Christmas.  I think that is success!