Berry Picking

Last week Greta and Daniel decided to trek out to find berries. They found lots of them. They are so good. That night Daniel whipped up a cobbler and it was delish. He froze a bunch for smoothies or anything that we decide we need berries for.

Garden update

The garden is in full bloom. We have already harvested green beans and sugar peas. We have many tomatoes coming in and the herbs are so wonderful and add great flavor to all of our dishes. This weekend we will fertilize and the tomatoes should start to ripen. Juliet has found the basil and will stand there and eat straight from the plant. The girls love to be out in the yard and it makes our home so much more. I love this time of year everything is so pretty out. The leaves on the banana trees are so green. We have limes and figs coming in. Greta is eager for the figs. I feel that if I teach my children where and how we get their food they will appreciate it so much more. I hope that this is true.

Homemade Laundry Soap

I know crazy!! But it is wonderful stuff and CHEAP!! Juliet has had a rash since she was born and it is now going away. Great for the baby and the environment also, And did I say it is CHEAP. Total cost about 4 dollars for 5 gallons of soap.
Here's how it goes:
1 Bar Zote Soap, shredded
1 cup borax
1 cup baking soda
2 cups super washing soda
4 gallons water

Put the shredded soap in a large stockpot with 1 gallon water. Heat on low until dissolved, if not dissolving add more water. After the soap is dissolved turn off heat and add other ingredients and stir. It will become thick. Let cool overnight and put into a storage container. Add one cup to each load of laundry. So easy.

Weekly Menu 5/16-5/22

It's been forever posting. Lots going on with the end of school and Juliet. Ready for summer and a break from the norm. So here goes, this week is a little different because Daniel and I celebrate our 10th anniversary this week and we are celebrating. I LOVE my husband so much and thank God everyday for our wonderful little family.

Sunday 5/16
Yard work all day so we had quick sandwiches
Turkey, bacon, avocado on onion rolls.

Monday 5/17
Chicken, Pablano, and queso sausage
Rice and Veggies

Tuesday 5/18
Spicy Sesame Noodles with Roasted Chicken
from the "For The Love of Cooking Blog"

Wednesday 5/19
Spiced chicken with couscous salad
From Real Simple June 2010

Thursday 5/20
Our Anniversary
Lemony Grilled Lamb Kebabs with peppers and onions
Orzo salad with Zucchini and Feta
Mint ans Scallion Relish
From Real Simple June 2010

Friday and Saturday we will be in town eating at wonderful restaurants.
Sunday we will be going to brunch at Hugo's, I'm so excited about this!!!

The Garden

Mint
Seedlings

I love that it is spring! The garden is ready. Last year we enjoyed our garden so much. It produced so much that we had plenty to give away and we put some up too. Most of the small tomatoes never made it into the house. They got eaten in the garden by two little girls. We put the garden on the ugly side of the house with the a/c unit so it is out of sight. We also have a compost bin out there that is very useful. This year we started everything from seeds, it is so much more satisfying to see it really grow. Greta loves to look at the seeds every day, and we just have to keep Juliet from picking everything. Can't wait for it to start producing.

The Great Horse Race

At Greta's school the first grade does horse races every spring. The Friday before spring break we had ours. We made the horse out of a box and put as much sparkles on it as possible. She did great and there were a lot of very creative horses. All of the children had fun and were so cute.

Try it #2 Cherry Cream Scones

Today I made Cherry Cream Scones. Let me just say it was MESSY! I had to tweak the recipe alot. But I made them and they do not look perfect but they taste wonderful. The tart cherries blend perfectly with the creaminess of the scone. Cranberries would be perfect in these also, but I will never know (can't have them, BOO!). I had alot of fun but I must clean the mountain of flour off of the floor.

Sara

Try It #1- Simply Delicious Yellow Cake

I did it! I made a cake that actually tasted good and came out sort of pretty. I would not be embarrassed if someone came to eat it right now. The edges are a little dry, so I do need to adjust the baking time a little. But other than that it is great. Greta even wanted some in her lunch today. I did use store bought frosting because I had it in the pantry but I added pink food coloring to make it pink. Here are the pictures they are not that great because I do not have a fancy camera.

Sara

A New Challange For Myself

Lately I have been thinking about baking. I really want to be a good baker. I LOVE to cook and most everything comes out great but baking is another story. I always make my children's birthday cakes, but when they come out it looks as if I let them make them. Sometimes it tastes good sometimes not.
Today I was looking through my beloved cookbooks and came across one of my new ones and I am in love with all of the pictures. Everything looks so good in its simple elegance. Nothing is fussy and so beautiful. The book is The Sweeter Side of Amy's Bread. It's nothing fussy just beautiful and so yummy looking. So I am going to start today. I really want to make everything is this book, so I am. One by one I will get there.
As I enter the birthday season at our house I will become a baker. Hopefully I will learn something and make beautiful cakes for my children. I will let you know how it goes.

Sara

Menu for week 2/22-2/27

Last week was a hodge podge week due to outings and sickness. So we are back on track this week with a simple menu all taken from the For The Love Of Cooking blog. I need easy that I know will be good so that is always a good source. I will be cooking meat twice this week and using it in other recipies. That always makes for a good week.

Monday
Carne Asada Tacos
Yellow rice
black beans

Tuesday
Steak, Roasted Passilla pepper and sharp cheddar panini
Chips

Wednesday
Greek Roasted chicken
Steamed green beans
couscous

Thursday
Chili (There is a chili cook off at the school and this makes a ton so I am splitting it)
Rice
Cornbread

Friday
White bean and chicken chili with roasted garlic
Fresh bread

I know chili two nights in a row, but one is red and the other white and two different meats. Oh well.

Again all from fortheloveofcooking.net such a wonderful blog and I drool every time I read it.


Sara

Twelve hours at TCH

Last week was a whopper of a week. Monday morning we went to the Dr. for an ear infection and eye infection. Monday night Juliet started crying out in pain and not putting pressure on her right side. I thought is was a fluke thing and gave her tylenol and put her to bed. Tuesday morning she woke up fine and started playing. About an hour after waking up she started crying again so I called the Dr. She said to take her into the ER. So we head in. As soon as the Dr. walks in Juliet starts walking again. I am thinking "What in the World", this lady is going to think I am nuts. They did believe me and ran blood work, x-rays, and a ultra sound. Juliet has viral joint inflammation. It could take weeks to go away. Wednesday I went to the Dr. with a sore throat, I think I was just tired. Thursday, we went to the ENT and got scheduled for a swallow study. Finally we will be able to see what is going on. Friday Early Childhood Intervention came out and evaluated her for services through the school district. Of course she qualified as we are now labeled "Failure to thrive". We are holding strong to our weight with lots of Pedi-sure. We will get through this and she is just as happy as can be and that is all that I can ask for right now.

Menu for the week of 2/7 - 2/13

Here it is! We are going to have two soups this week for Juliet and Pasta for Greta. This week is busy with evaluations and doctors appointments so everything is really easy to put together. Sunday morning we had guests so I made the fruit pies from the For the Love of Cooking Blog and they were a big hit. Super easy and a great addition to a breakfast menu.

Sunday
Chicken Salad
(Teapot Depot)
This always a hit with my family and makes enough for several lunches

Monday
Lentil and Sausage Soup
Fresh Bread
(For the Love of Cooking Blog)

Tuesday
Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe
(Country Living March '10)

Wednesday
Spinach and Feta Quesadillas
Yellow Rice
Black Beans
(Closet Cooking)

Thursday
Potato, Leek and Chorizo Soup
Cornbread
(Cooking Dunkin Style)

Friday
Gemelli with Shrimp and Mushrooms in lemon butter sauce
Butter Sticks (recipe from Donna Jackson)
(for the love of cooking blog)

Saturday
Birthday Party!!!!!
for Emma and Ella


Enjoy!

Update on Juliet

This past week things have changed. Juliet is choking more on liquids. ECI is coming on tuesday to do the evaluation. I am going to take her to the doctor also this week and request a new Neuro. She has not been sleeping very well and waking up with terrible tremors. I want a second opinion. Something is not right and I am not being paranoid.

Last Weeks Menu Recap

Last week the menu was really good. The only thing that did not go over very well was the Moroccan Chicken. I am not a real fan of "Sweet Meat" and this was really sweet. Daniel liked it but I will not be making it again. Soups are really good for us right now as Juliet can partake in them. She sits in my lap and I put a straw in my bowl and she can get the taste. This weeks menu will be posted shortly.

Menu for the Week of 1/31- 2/6

I love making menus and my shopping list. I love trying new things and I rarely make the same thing twice in a year. We do have a few things that we love and will repeat. I have just discovered food blogs and I am addicited. I LOVE TO COOK. The feedom of expression with the flavors and colors is just amazing to me. So here is a menu for this week.

Sunday
Italian Wedding Soup
Fresh Bread
(From: For the Love of Cooking blog)

Monday
Shredded Beef Taco Salad
(From: For the Love of Cooking Blog)

Tuesday
Date Night
Daniel and I are going to the Rockets Game

Wednesday
Vietnamese Glazed Skinny Pork Chops
Jasmine Rice
Spicy Carrots with Parsley and Cilantro
(Food and Wine)

Thursday
Moroccan Chicken with Apricot and Olive Relish
Couscous
(Food and Wine)

Friday
Minestrone with White Beans and Italian Sausage
Fresh Bread

Saturday
Leftovers

I can't wait!!!

The Lesson I'm Learning

I'm learning these past couple of months that we as parents we have to be the advocate for our children. We know them best and know when something is not quite right. We are here to fight for them. They are not ours and we need to understand that they are on loan from God. They are here for us to enjoy, nurture, love and bring up to know their Father. They can be taken from us in an instance, so enjoy every minute.
I'm also learning that when Doctors say to you "You are being a paranoid parent", I am to say back "No Sir you are being a disrespectful doctor". I am to keep asking and keep pressing for the answers that my child needs.
I am thankful each and every moment that I have with my children. I am asking God to guide us through and find answers for our prayers.