February 27, 2011

~Arizona~

We just got back from a trip to Arizona to visit my sister and brother-in-law. We, as in Ted, the boys, myself, as well as my parents and brother. It was a little bit on the mild side in Scottsdale, and rained two  days, but still way better than the winter storm back in the midwest. That winter storm did a little number on our trip. We were suppose to fly home on Monday, but our flight was cancelled due to the weather and we were not able to get on another flight until Thursday. Even though we did laundry at my sisters house, I still hadn't packed for the cooler weather in Arizona. That meant shopping. I had no problem with this! My sister works at Norstom Rack, so Landon, my sister, my mom, and myself went shopping there one afternoon. Landon loves shopping and loves clothes, so put the two together and he was in shopping heaven! He really is a great shopper and was even finding cute things for me. It was a much needed vacation, and we all had a great time. Landon wants to live in Arizona (and work at Norstrom Rack), but Trevor and Ethan (and daddy and mommy)were ready to go home.

What we did in Arizona, you ask. Beisdes just hanging out, we went to Old Scottsdale and had a picinic, went to an aquarium, went to a park and took the boys on a train ride, swam in the pool (even though it was way to cold for swimming!), I got a massage at the spa, Ted golfed one day with "the boys", ate out a lot (too much!), and all that good stuff that comes with vacation.
***Warning, picture overload ahead***











the "we can't wait any longer" fit they are about the throw







Landon wanted to take our picture, and then told us to kiss



Pretending to get poked in the butt by the cactus
The look you get when you really do get poked in the butt by the cactus

Can't step on the cracks...seriously took forever!

February 15, 2011

~iPad Pouch~

My sister has an iPad, but no case for it. I offered to sew her one! I knew it would be a quick, easy project and it was. She picked the colors and I used fabric that I had. It is chenille on the inside to help protect the screen, and it has a pocket on it to store a charger or whatever needs to be stored in a pocket.

~Ice Fishing~

Ted's aunt and uncle invited us a fun day of ice fishing followed by a yummy fish fry at their house. Thanks so much Lori and Mike, we had a fantastic day! We weren't the only ones invited, all of Ted's aunt's and uncle's and his parents, of course were invited. It finally warmed up a bit, so the boys had such a great time playing outside and what made it even more fun for them (besides catching fish) was the fact that their cousins Big K and Sweet B were there to join in all of the fun. Nothing better than little ones spending a day playing with cousins and surround by family!

We drove to the pound and Ethan and Trevor had fallen asleep, so Landon and Ted went out to start fishing and I stayed in the truck with my Nook (yes, I planned this!). Then Ethan woke up and I brought him down to the ice. Landon had already caught 3 fish completely on his own, which is the first time he has not had any help catching a fish. Mommy was quite proud! Finally I woke up Trevor and we headed down to the ice. Trevor had a lucky streak in him also, although he had a little help from daddy, he caught one of the biggest crappies of the day. Of course they didn't last too long fishing, but shoveling, snow ball throwing, snowman making, sledding, and climbing trees kept them plenty busy and entertained. At one point, Landon was climbing a tree and then hanging upside down, holding on with his hands and legs, said, "Look, I'm a tree sloth!" Oh, he cracks me up! Finally the sun was starting to go down and we were winding up. Off to Mike and Lori's for the fish fry.

Of course, there is work to be done before you can enjoy the fish. Cleaning and filleting the fish. Trevor and Landon helped out, Trevor most of the time and Landon the entire time. I am pretty sure Landon was one of the first to have a piece of fish once it was fried, and then he kept sneaking back for more and more fish. Every one brought something to contribute to our meal, and to say we had a lot of food would be an understatement. I wouldn't want it any other way, though. Great food, great company. Can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday!
Trevor still waking up a bit, and a little on the grumpy side but he got over that mood fast:)
Technically not while ice fishing but right before at our house, Ethan LOVES the "Beel"
Landon and Uncle Bobby throwing snowballs
Swans

February 10, 2011

~Breakfast Burritos~

We love doing breakfast for supper; omelets, egg sandwiches, pancakes, waffles, and my favorite breakfast burritos. These burritos are so easy and so delicious, seriously better than any restaurant (except for this little place in Jackson Hole, WY that really does have the best breakfast burritos around). We make ours with soyrizo, which we find at our local Wal-mart in the vegetable section with all of the other soy products. The soyrizo adds a nice kick to the burritos without having to add any other toppings or ingredients and it is what makes my breakfast burritos the best (I can't take total credit here, because as I grew up eating it  and this is how my mom and dad made them for me). After the soyrizo, you can add whatever other fixings you want, but we usually just stick to scrambled eggs, crumbled up bacon, cheese, wrapped in a flour tortilla (and then grilled on a panini grill) and top with sour cream and salsa. I eat mine with just the soyrizo  and eggs. Which reminds me of another reason I love making these, everyone can customize there own burrito....like a breakfast burrito bar. Love it!
Here is my burrito from last night with a protein packed pancake

I guess if I would put a recipe together it would go something like this:
To make 4 medium/large or 6 small Breakfast Burritos

  • I package of soyrizo, browned (I do this in a nonstick skillet on medium to medium high heat and just keep breaking the "mush" up until it is no longer "mush" and forms into little pieces)
  • 3 eggs plus 3 egg whites, scrambled (can add milk if you want them fluffy)
  • 4-6 pieces of bacon, cooked and crumbled into small pieces
  • shredded cheese of your choice
  • any other sautéed vegetables you might want
  • salsa and/or sour cream to top with
  • 4 or 6 flour tortillas (I hate corn tortillas, but want to find some good gluten free ones for the next time we make these)
  1. Heat tortillas in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds, just so they are warm enough that they fold without tearing.
  2. Scoop your fillings onto the tortilla and roll up.
  3. If you have a panini grill, grill until browned (about 5 minutes). If you don't, place in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds to get it nice and hot (and melt the cheese if you used it).
  4. Mouth watering, time to eat!!

February 7, 2011

~Easy Tasty Vegan Quinoa~

This was so good, and very filling! If you haven't had quinoa (pronounced Keen-wah), give it a try. It is called a grain, but really it is a seed from a plant kind of like spinach. It has taste similarities to brown rice, but it is packed with protein and is so good cold or hot, with vegetables or in a desert, or just on it's own.
Vegetables, garlic, herbs and spices, and tofu (quinoa and pasta is already on the stove)
Just before adding the tofu in and eating

This is not hard to make, just takes a bit of prep work and then goes together fast (I think from start to eating it was about 40 minutes).

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 1/2 lb extra firm tofu
  • 1/2 tsp garlic salt
  • 1 Tb soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup cashew pieces (I omitted)
  • 2-3 Tb. olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 Tb minced fresh ginger (I buy this in a tube for when I don't have it fresh)
  • 1/4 cup chopped black olives (I omitted)
  • 1 medium carrot (I did 2)
  • 2 stalks celery (I used asparagus instead)
  • 1 zucchini
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/4 tsp dried rosemary leaf
  • 1 tsp dried basil leaf
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1/2 tsp powdered fennel (omitted)
Directions:
  1. Prepare quinoa as directed, and set aside (about 15-20 minutes to cook)
  2. Cut tofu into bite sized cubes, place in a bowl, sprinkle with garlic salt and soy sauce and stir to coat with marinade. Set aside
  3. Mince ginger and garlic. Prepare vegetables; chop asparagus (or celery) into small pieces, peel and chop carrots into 1/2" dice, wash trim and chop zucchini into 1" dice (coarsely chop olives and set aside if using)
  4. Heat olive oil in a large saute pan on medium heat, stir fry ginger, garlic, asparagus (or celery), and carrots for 5 minutes.
  5. Add zucchini and stir fry another 5 minutes.
  6. Stir in dry spices, herbs
  7. Meanwhile, fry the tofu cubes on medium, stirring and turning, until browned.
  8. Stir tofu and quinoa into the vegetable mix (and olives if wanted). I also added gluten free penne pasta to this dish. If adding pasta, prepare while you prepare the quinoa and set aside, adding it in right at the end.

~Showers are tiring~

After lunch, and then playing outside, followed by some cocoa to warm up, Trevor announced he was going to take a shower. He stripped, and ran upstairs. Ethan heard that, and not one to be left behind, stripped and ran up behind him. A few minutes later, Ethan is running nakie saying "cold, cold". I scoop him up in a blanket, and a few minutes later, he is snuggled in and sleeping. Such a sweetie!

February 2, 2011

~Snow Day~

I am not a big fan of the cold, and although I like the seasons we have why does winter have to be so long?! It seems to go on and on and on and on. Anyways, we got even more snow and instead of taking 30 minutes to get all bundled up, sending one boy out at a time as I get the next ready to go out, we brought the snow in to us. Landon was so excited, because he remembered doing this last winter. I have gotten a good full hour of all three playing with snow, inside on towels.
Trevor's new smile