Life

My mom has convinced me to start blogging again.  She thinks I have more to talk about than cooking.  I'm not so sure, bu we'll give it a whirl.  Since it has been awhile, I will need to catch you up in categories.  If you don't care about a certain category, feel free to breeze right on by.

Home life:
I am enjoying watching Todd in school.  He is doing a great job in his classes, making good impressions with his teachers, and has lots of opportunities to help other learn Greek.  I am very proud of him for how much work he has to do.  Lord knows I have no desire to do any of the stuff he is doing right now.
Our apartment is pretty good.  Mom and Dad just saw it, and so have William and Adrienne.  If you want to know about our little Chicago place, just ask them.  It is not nearly as nice as Justin and Vonny's basement place when they lived here.  Of course, Vonny could make any place cute.

Work life:
I found work!  I'm working at Ravenswood Manor Child Care Center.  It is a modest daycare closer to downtown, but still on the north side of the city.  It's surrounded by a super cute neighborhood people have dubbed a suburb within the city.  We have three classrooms, two for infants and one for toddlers through age 3.  I am in the toddler room everyday.  I really love it.  There are 15 kids total in the room, with 3-4 adults.  I love my five kids that I am responsible for.  They are, for the most part, really good everyday.  They love to read and cuddle.  I like going to work with them.

Recent Events:
Well, our Mankato youth group came down for a weekend trip that I was planning.  It actually went really well, I think.  I'm not sure Chris would agree.  We spent time with Mission Year, JPUSA, and New Community Covenant Church as well as North Park and downtown.  I think the group had a lot of fun, but the chaos of the weekend really got under Chris' skin.  A plus, we got to see Mike, the guy who replaced us, interact more with the students.  It was encouraging seeing him doing well with them.  I know we were only there a year, but it's nice to know our sweet kids are taken care of.  Here is a nice picture of some of my favorite students right before I left.

Matt Schilling, a college friend from Boston, came to visit a few weekends ago.  And although it was far too early to start Christmas celebrations, we went down to the Disney Holiday Parade since Matt was looking forward to it.  It was a lot of fun, just pretty cold.  And when you are short, big parades from the back of a crowd are not that fun.  But it was nice to spend some time with Matt.  I guess someday we'll have to sacrifice a bit and make a trip to Boston to see him.  How terrible (please sense my sarcasm.)
While walking back to the El from the parade, I realized we were on Michigan Avenue with no traffic and beautiful lights.  Hello photo op!

And it the last bit of news, P-Marc is back!  He has returned to the Wild and has scored a goal in the process.  I love him.

Wrap-up:
So life is good.  Just plugging away with work and school.  I don't get home from work until 7pm, so Todd has dinner waiting for me.  Hence, not as much cooking going on.  But, I am thinking about making stromboli tonight.  It's basically pizza rolled up, but we'll try it out.  Look for the upcoming Chicago Symphony event and shenanigans in the currently falling snow in Chicago.

Trips to Exotic Cheese

So no, the cheese I am about to talk about is in no way exotic.  However, this was my first experience with it, so  I will say it is exotic to me.  The exotic cheese is...Pepper Jack!  This may be the cheese that bridges food differences in my marriage.  I have used it twice this week, on both Mac and Cheese and Pizza.

First, the Mac and Cheese.  So you make this by making noodles and a cheese sauce, combining the two, and baking it with bread crumbs or more cheese on top.  And if you are my Grandma Joye, you put potato chips on top.  What a genius!  Anyway, you can see the original recipe here.  This week, I just substituted half the sharp cheddar cheese for Pepper Jack.  It gave this sauce a much needed kick.  We didn't bake it or add anything on top.  We just mixed and ate for dinner once and then again for lunch one day.  With our lack of income, repeat, fatty meals are a frequent happening.  (Though the stress of no job has made me stop eating and therefore loose about 10lbs since being here!  I guess some good does come from unemployment.)

Well, today Todd and I went grocery shopping.  I love grocery shopping here.  We walk the mile down to Andy's Fruit Ranch, load up on cheap, delicious produce, and walk it all home.  We have been spending, pretty consistently, about $30/week on food.  Not bad!  Back to the point.  We go grocery shopping and need pepperoni for pizza tonight.  Problem!  Andy's does not have many brand name anything and is missing some stuff that people would not consider staples of your menu.  Hence, no pepperoni.  Since I did not want to drive all the way down to Jewel once we got home, I decided to put the remaining Pepper Jack on the all cheese pizza.  Best decision I have made all week.  It had a little kick like pepperoni, but without all the grease and questioning of what you are eating!  So when you need a kick for your pizza, go with the Jack.

Otherwise, not much else is happening.  We are loving being in Chicago.  We are making friends and hanging out with Greg and Stef a lot.  Todd is loving class and doing well.  We have a wall covered in Greek flash cards and a white board.  Could life be any better?

I don't know who the bigger nerd is, the one studying Greek, or the one that finds the previous one quite the stud?

I get you, Tina Fey

I don't know if you have seen Date Night, or knew about the introvert book I was reading, but the two came together quite nicely last week.  Tina Fey's character says something along the lines of this...

"Phil, I don't dream about having an affair.  My dream would be to get a hotel room and just sit.  I would love to sit in the quietness.  I want to sit in the quite and eat my lunch with no one touching me.  That is my dream."

Tina Fey, the introvert in me gets this character.  Will that make me a cold/distant mother?  Most likely, just one that doesn't want you to touch her.

Frozen Pizzas in Chicago

Hello everyone!  We are getting settled into our apartment in Chicago.  It seems about as big as our old one, but the second bedroom space is cut up and put other places so there is only one bedroom.  Which is funny, because now is about the only time we could really utilize an extra bedroom.  We have a friend staying with us until he finds a job.  No biggie because he is really outgoing and easy to live with.  I just feel bad he has to sleep on the couch every night.  Anyway, believe it or not, I have a pseudo recipe for you.

As you may know, Saturday night is pizza night.  We pushed it back to Sunday this past week and had all our old friends over.  It is so nice to have these people back with us.  I didn't think friendships were as important until I was away from them for a year.  I'm glad I don't have to leave for 3 years.  Back to pizza.  Click here to see the thin crust recipe we use.  The awesome thing you can do, as Corrie has told me, is make a frozen pizza out of this.  So nice and costs about $1.00 for each mini-pizza you make.  Here is what you do.

1. Make the pizza dough as normal
2. Preheat oven to 425
3. Cut into four equal size balls to be rolled out.
4. Roll out (I say roll, but I mean use your fingers) two of the balls into personal sized pizzas.
5. Bake until crust just barely hardens up.
6. Remove and let cool.
7. Top with sauce, cheese, and whatever else you want and wrap in plastic wrap.
8. Put in freezer and wait for a craving.

To make to eat, just heat oven to 425 and let the cheese melts and the pepperoni is cooked.  Todd and I shared one last night and it was delicious.  I made some for Greg too, but I'm not sure he or Stef have eaten any yet.

Sadly, no picture.  I will have to leave you with a photo of our amazingly stuffed moving truck.  Thank you John and Kent for figuring out how to make it all fit.

Cheese Sauce

So while at our farewell lunch for work at Grizzly's (pretty yummy I may add), the Food Network was on.  Not having cable, I was drawn into Rachel Ray's raspy vortex and was not let go since she was making some sort of Mac and Cheese.  Her's was with a cheese sauce, pancetta, bread crumbs, and lots of fresh grated cheese.  Keep in mind, I know all this from watching and only that since I could not hear the television.  So if that's not what it was, it was some variation of things that look like those.  Anyway, seeing this, I wanted to go home and make it myself with less of the pancetta and bread crumbs and more of the sauce, noodles, and baking it under the broiler for a few minutes.  I haven't done this yet, but I made a cheese sauce from un-fancy (in-fancy?) things in my kitchen.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup shredded cheese, such as cheddar or swiss
• Salt and pepper to taste

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour, being sure to combine it with the butter very well, to make a roux. Let cook, stirring constantly, for about 2 minutes. Do not let it darken. Gradually add the milk, about 1/4 cup at a time, whisking or stirring vigorously to incorporate. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring often, until thickened and just starting to boil, about 10 to 15 minutes. Add the cheese and stir until melted. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper as desired.

Recipe taken from www.terriskitchen.com.  It's what I made, just explained better.  Sadly, no photo.  I poured it over my noodles and then ate it too quickly.  Sorry!

Well, it's off to make dinner.  I just woke up from a three hour power nap.  I say power nap since those are to replenish just a little bit of sleep you didn't get the night before.  I was at a junior high ADD haven since Thursday and returned today.  Yes, three hours qualifies as "power nap".  I will leave you with a photo of the chaos since there is none for the cheese sauce.

Gotta love youth ministry!

Unemployed

Well, it's official.  I'm not a student of any kind, though my constant debt reminds me that I was at one point.  And, I am no longer on the payroll at Crossview Covenant Church.  I am unemployed.  Yes, we still have a two day trip this week, a youth Sunday to pull off, and one more Bible study, but that's all volunteer work.  I'm not sure how I feel about it.  One the one hand, it's nice to know I made it through the year without harming anyone or failing at too many things.  On the other, I feel as though now I should always have everything in order in all aspects of my life (which is not currently happening) so therefore I am failing at something big.  Like I said, I'm not sure how I feel about it all yet.

Well, here are so photos to leave you with.  Sorry, no recipe this time.  If you want something delicious though, check out Corrie's blog.  I want that brown butter tart!  The photo is of my brother, William, and me at his concert over River City Days.  He pretty much rocked the house.

Okay, I lied, sort of.  Here is a link to a recipe I have been wanting to try.  Lemon asparagus cheese spread, thank you Eatin' on the Cheap blog.  Just wait until next year.  With all the friends in Chicago and workable kitchens, we're planning leftover swaps.  Everyone makes whatever they want during the week and one night, we switch everything around.  I should get some new recipes that way.  I love having friends!

Basil Stir-Fry

It's so yummy and from my new, FREE cookbook.  It a Martha Stewart Everyday Food cookbook, so as Todd said "Take everything with a giant spoonful of salt."

Ingredients
1 Large Chicken Breast
1 T cornstarch
vegetable oil
1 small onion
2 Bell Peppers
6 Garlic Cloves
Thai Basil leaves
Rice Wine Vinegar
Soy Sauce
Cooked rice

Directions
-Pat dry the chicken and cut into strips.  Coat in cornstarch seasoned with salt and pepper.  Pour oil into a frying pan and heat it up.
-Let chicken brown on both sides and cook until almost done.  Take out of pan.
-Wipe pan clean and heat oil in pan.
-Toss in cut onion and peppers.  Let cook for 5 min.  Then throw in crushed garlic and cook another minute.
-Add chicken and add vinegar and soy sauce to taste.  Add some water if it's too salty for your taste.   Let simmer with cooked rice and basil leaves.  Serve it up!

See, yum!

Todd made this one by himself which was so nice.  We need to use up food since we are moving so this was a good way to get rid of spices and sauces.  We'll have to do a lot of improve cooking over the next few days.

For mom and Corrie, here is a better photo of Stef's dress.  It was mermaid with a nice sparkly ribbon around the center and train.  Add the pearls and sparkly veil and she looked quite bridal.

They were walking back down the aisle and she forgot to take her flowers with her.  I still had them and her mom gave me a mean look!  Like somehow it was my fault.  Hello, if we don't practice it in rehearsal, how is she supposed to know.  Ah well, I was so pumped my friends got married, I didn't even care.  But now looking back on it, it hurts.  She looked at me and motioned for me to give her the flowers, despite the fact she and Greg were half way down the aisle.  What would ruin the moment more, no flowers or crazy bridesmaid?  

That's what I thought.  Crazy bridesmaid will always distract.  Think before giving me a dirty look.

Pepper Eggs

Well, so much to update on.  I have two weddings and a recipe for you.  First, the recipe.

I recently found this on another blog, but I'm unsure where.  Many of my nights consist of blog hopping, finding new recipes that I have yet to try.  So I came across this very easy breakfast and have since made it for Todd twice now.  According to him, they are great; I have yet to try them.

Ingredients
1 Bell Pepper (I had green)
2 large eggs
Pat of butter
Salt and pepper

Directions
1. Cut the top stem and bottom bumps off the pepper and scoop out the seeds.
2. Cut the pepper in half so you have two circular pieces of pepper.
3. Let a pat of butter melt in a frying pan over medium heat.
4. Place pepper in pan and crack 1 egg inside each pepper circle.
5. Let egg cook, and then gently flip each pepper over to cook the other side of the egg.
6. Cook to your liking and season with salt and pepper.

This is technically eggs in a hole, but with peppers instead of bread.  But you can then put this on toast and have quite the complete breakfast.  How often do you eat a veggie with breakfast?

Now, the weddings.  First, our friends from CBC, Breann and JC, were married on July 23.  They started dating a few months after Todd and I, and they are adorable together.  It was a gorgeous outdoor wedding with a fun dance and great time spent with friends.  Here is a photo from her photographer December Orpen.

Next, Stef and Greg are married!  They were married July 30 in another beautiful outdoor wedding in Michigan.  It looked like it could have been in a magazine it was that perfect.  And for all the time Stef and her mother spent on it, it was a much deserved day of everything coming together.  We had a great time seeing old friends and getting ready to have a married couple for friends.  It kind of stinks when you are one of the first of your friends to get married.  Anyway, formal photos are not up yet, obviously, but here is one of the wedding party.

All in all, it was a good summer for weddings (and for cooking).  I will try to try some more recipes, but not promises.  It turns out leaving your job and packing up an apartment is a little time consuming.  Anyway, I will try.

They Say It's Your Birthday

It's my birthday too!  So here's a song for me, and a photo for you.

What a difference 24 years can make.  Always born great though and I think my rubby ducky friend would agree.

Flat Stanley

My 3rd year of college, my roommate was an Elementary Education major.  She had lots of little projects to do that looked like more fun than my exegesis papers.  One of her projects was "Flat Stanley".  This is a project started in 1995 by a school teacher.  You color and cut out this man, Stanley, who is a two-dimensional character. You then make a journal keeping track of all the places you take your Stanley.  You can learn more about it here.

I have seen Flat Stanleys out and around before, but my favorite came just this last year.  My friend Erin and I were at a Wild vs. Flyers game at the X.  During the second intermission, I looked around taking in the great seats Dad has for season tickets.  I look down, and there is this probably 4th grade girl with a Flat Stanley!  She brought him to a Wild game.  Before she could take a picture of him, I snapped one, just because it's so cute.

I love that a kid thought enough to bring Stanley to a Wild game.  I hope my kids are that cute someday. 

Well as you all know, the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup this year.  Mr. Kane, the young 21 year old, got his name written on there (along with Sid the Kid's.  Does anyone else feel they could be doing more with their life?)  So naturally, the Chicago news is still talking about the big win since their last Stanley Cup was in 1961.  But, they have started a great tradition in Chicago.  Instead of "Flat Stanley", they now make "Flat Stanley Cups"!  It's so cute.  And to see something hockey related become a project for the city makes me pretty happy, like I can live in a place for 3 years that values my favorite sport (unlike Mankato.)  To see the story and photos, click here.

Food related news, I'm making a wonderful girly meal for some senior high students coming over tonight.  I'm so excited.  It's three girls that are just so sweet and I love spending time with them.  I'm making the same girly meal I made for Erin the first time she came to visit.

Need Sleep!

I am currently in my last hour and a half of a lock in at church.  I'm tired, hungry, gassy, and want to sleep.  But, I did have fun.  Todd is off to Colorado in two and a half hours (after being here with me all night).  He is going on the Freshman Pilgrimage until Saturday, July 17, which takes him up into the mountains of Colorado to white water raft, hike, and camp.  He's going to have so much fun utilizing his Boy Scout skills.  Erin Ulrich is coming over tonight.  I'm making pizza.  I'm so exhausted.

Beef Kabobs

It's time for more food!  I was in New London, Wisconsin this last week with Teenserve.  It's a mission trip organization that sets you up with a team of people you don't know and sends you out to someones house everyday from 8-3 to do whatever work they need done.  I had a great group of 5 others and we painted a house for a single mom.  They were so sweet and we had a great time.  On Thursday, we had another group join us so we would have a better chance at finishing this huge project.  Sadly, we didn't.  But, we were close to finishing and they were very thankful.  I had a very fun week with my crew and with the 9 kids we brought from Mankato.  That said, I am quite happy I am back home.

My pretty sweet crew!

This recipe is one we made awhile ago, before I left.  We were on a Mediterranean kick, and a meat and veggies kick apparently, so we tried these.  I think you can figure out how to make kabobs yourself, but the marinade for the beef is something to focus on.  Again, it comes from the wonderful Alton Brown.  We really do love him at the Spieker house.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 to 2 pounds boneless beef sirloin
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• Special equipment: 4 (12-inch) metal skewers

Directions

Cut the beef into 1 1/2 to 1 3/4-inch cubes and place into a large mixing bowl. Set aside.

In the bowl of a food processor combine the garlic, paprika, turmeric, cumin, salt, pepper and red wine vinegar. With the processor running drizzle in the olive oil.

Pour the marinade over the meat and toss to coat. Place in the refrigerator in an airtight container or a sealable plastic bag and allow to marinate for 2 to 4 hours.

Once you have your marinaded beef, add your cut up onions and peppers, pop them on the skewers, and grill them up.  We did it on the griddle.  You may want to try wrapping them in tin foil and then putting them on a fire grill, or let them get those pretty grill marks on them.  Any way is good.

Well, enjoy your summer grilling.  I was hoping our apartment next year would have a little back staircase so we could have a little charcoal grill.  No such luck.  We'll have to wait until we have a house, or just a nicer apartment.  But don't let that keep you from visiting us next year.  We'll still make you good food!

Maszjudatha

It's pronounced "ma-jUD-thah-dah" and it's delicious.  This is a dish Todd and I had at Brad Nassif's house, our senior seminar professor for Biblical Studies.  He is a smart man that loves his Lebanese heritage.  So, I assume this recipe is Lebanese or at the very least, middle eastern.  Nassif made this for us when he invited all the senior seminar students to his house toward the end of the semester.  Earlier this year, I emailed him asking for the recipe and have now gotten around to making it.

Ingredients:
1-2 yellow onions
1/2 bag of lentils
cracked wheat

Directions:
Nassif explained it best, so I'll let his words do the directing.

Take a half bag of lentils and bring to a boil and the lentils are soft to your taste.
When the lentils are about 5 minutes from being fully cooked, add one half cup (or a full cup, as you wish) of cracked wheat (burghl) to the boiling water.  Use "fine" or "medium" cracted wheat. (By the way, you may want to first rinse the wheat with cold water in a cup before adding it)
As the lentils are cooking, cut up one or two onions (however many you like) and glaze them in Virgin Olive oil in a pan.  Use just enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan.  Don't overdo the oil.  Cook the onions until they are golden brown or even slightly blackened.
When the lentils are fully cooked with the wheat, shut off the fire and add the onions.
Salt to taste.
Enjoy!

It was so tasty!  We made it with some pan cooked chicken for dinner, but it's great for lunch all by itself.  And I know what you are thinking mom, "Erin and Lentils?  What?!"  We should all know by know that I am much more willing to try new foods.  Although, this meal was especially brown, so a bit like old white food Erin.  Anyway, it was good!  You should try it sometime.  Now, I am off to make fruit dip for our small group.

Chocolate Chip Carmel Bars

Todd and I had our friends Brian and Kelly coming over for dessert and games last Thursday.  We had only decided on the plans the day before, so I was googling as fast as I could Thursday afternoon for a quick and simple dessert to make.  When I stumbled upon this, I knew I had found a gold mine.

Ingredients:

1 box of yellow cake mix
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 cup mini milk chocolate chips
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup Skor toffee chips

32 caramels
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 stick of butter

Mix together the cake mix, vegetable oil and eggs. Then mix in different chips. In a greased 9x13 pan, press half of the mixture. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. While that is in the oven, melt in a sauce pan the caramels, sweetened condensed milk and butter. When crust is done, pour sauce over the crust. Then sprinkle in chunks the rest of the mixture. Bake for another 22-25 minutes. Let cool before serving.      

Bask in it's caramel chocolate goodness.

Like I wanted, quick and simple.  The four of us put away about two rows of bars so the plan is to bring the rest of the pan to small group tomorrow night.  However, I think I may have put away a whole row by myself since then.  I can wait to get these out of my house!  I can't even pretend a single part of them are good for you.  Also, here is the blog I got them from.  It looks like she has lots of other yummy things too!


Excuse my dessert heavy posts lately, but Emily Staples wanted it, so I'm jumping ahead in my list of things to post.  I do have some dinners coming soon, I promise!

Chocolate Covered Peppermint Cream Candies

Oh, what a very long title.


We were having a bake sale at church this past Sunday and I wanted to help out since it was benefiting our youth summer trips.  It was the perfect excuse to make these candies I saw on "Eatin' on the Cheap" blog.  Thanks Corrie for posting the link to the entire blog on her blog.  Blog, blog, blog!


Peppermint Creams
makes about 9 dozen

1 - 7oz jar of Marshmallow Cream
2/3 c. softened butter
1 t. vanilla extract
3/4 t. peppermint extract
6 cups sifted Confectioners sugar
1/2 cup peppermint candies or candy canes
Dipping Chocolate ( at least a couple of bags, maybe more)


1. Beat cream, butter, and extracts well.
2. Gradually add in sugar until well mixed.
3.  Pulverize candy in a plastic bag with a rolling pin.
4.  Fold candy into cream mixture.
5. Chill for a couple hours.
6.  Roll mixture into balls or shape into molds.  I cut mine into thick squares.  Line them up on a wax paper lined baking sheet.
7. Chill again for a couple hours.
8. Melt chocolate according to package instructions.  Dip candies into chocolate.
9. Place on wax paper lined baking sheets to set.
10.  Drizzle white chocolate over cooled candies.

These were pretty easy to make, just time consuming.  And, don't try to make them in the summer.  The humidity will make it a little difficult for everything to set well.  These may become a special Christmas treat because of weather and availability of candy canes.  Otherwise, people liked them.  They all sold at the bake sale and the leftovers I brought to small group were eaten up pretty quick.  I do love bringing treats to small group.  It's a good ego stroke, which I probably don't need.  Also, click on the link to "Eatin' on the Cheap" to see a good step by step photo log of how to make these.


Well, lots of things to come, so be on the lookout for lots of new recipes.  Also, what do you think of the new look?  Food blogs are so trendy right now, that one of the new templates you can pick from is this food theme.  Also loving the labels I have finally starting putting on everything.  It's a good way for me to remember what I can make when dinner planning and grocery shopping.

Redo

So, just to make sure I actually do it, be looking for a new look to the blog.  I feel like maybe if I make it look a bit more clean and organized, more people will read it.  Probably not, but any excuse to organize something.  Am I right, Corrie?

And, because it's rude to not include a photo, here is the small group Todd and I have been attending for about a month.  We really like them so far.  We spent our LOST season finale with two of the couples, and let me tell ya, it takes a lot for Todd and I to share something as important as the LOST finale with other people.  That should be a sign for how much we enjoy hanging out with them.

Gardening Process

I know it's been awhile since I first blogged about getting our garden plot, but I finally have the attention span to write about it now.


Let me start off by giving a big shout out to my wonderful Aunt Joy!  I meant to tell you when I saw you on Monday that your email was so helpful, but it slipped my mind (and so did my manners apparently).  So big thanks to all your excellent advice about starting out.


So Todd and I went over to church, paid the $6, and got ourselves a 10x12 plot in the garden behind the church.  Then, the planning started.  I was so good about it.  If I have learned one thing in my process of learning how to cook, it's that if you follow the instructions very well, you should make something good.  So I did my research.  I made a list of the plants that would hopefully produce in time, picked the ones I wanted from that list, and figured out how far apart and how deep they were supposed to be.  I then mapped it all out and off to the garden center we went.


We went to Drummer's Garden Center and they had lots of things to choose from.  Unfortunately, most of the plants were either tomatoes or would take too long to grow.  So the only plants we got were a cucumber plant, 4 red bell pepper plants, and 4 jalepeno plants.  I then bought some seeds and our co-worker Lisa brought her big box of seeds for me to pick and choose from.  A quick stop at Target to get some gloves, a watering can, and some Miracle Grow, and we were ready to go.


Todd and I headed over to church on probably the windiest day of the year.  I think I got some sun, so that's good. Anyway, we used the church's shovels and trowels to dig one hole and displace that dirt.  Then, dig another hole, filling in the previous hole with the dirt we were currently digging.  It went pretty quick because Todd did it with me.  While digging, I went to grab something and then came back and cracked my knee so badly on a post sticking up.  I took my 30 seconds to take a few deep breaths, but didn't think anything of it until the next morning when I woke up in pain.  I looked at my knee and it was a nasty yellow and purple.  

So warning, gardening can be dangerous.


After digging and filling all the holes and then raking it all together, we started planting.  In total we have
1 Cucumber plant
4 Red Bell Pepper plants
4 Jalepeno plants
1 row of Green Beans
1 row of Lettuce
1/2 row of parsley
1/2 row of dill
1/2 row of snow pea pods
And a 1/2 row of something else I can remember now.  

jalepenos

Bell Peppers

Green Bean Sprouts

We got everything planted, watered them all with some Miracle Grow for veggies, and have been good about getting water to them everyday.  We also put up our markers so we know what's planted where.  I'm quite proud of how well organized it is.  And, it's been raining about every other day, so if we forget to water them, it's no biggie.


So overall, I think it's been a good experience.  And we've had our green beans sprout up, so we must be doing something right.  In our apartment next year, we have a wide windowsill that I may be able to put a few small pots on for some herbs or something.  We'll see.  Speaking of our apartment next year, here is a floor plan I think is correct from the photos we received from North Park.  The building is not where we thought, it's closer to campus, above the Covenant offices.  I'm feeling better about it, but initially I was not thrilled at the look of it.  It should be fine.  We're happy to have a roof over our heads.

Things to come:
I know I promised spanish rice, but all you have to do is google it.  The one I made stunk, so I'm not blogging it.
Pecan Chocolate Chip bars
Cheesy crackers (Thank you Corrie for making them first so I knew to bake them longer)

Kabobs are something Todd and I have been meaning to try.  Be on the look out.
Peppermint candies.  I'm trying them tomorrow.  Maybe I will be able to add candy to my repertoire (thank you spell check.) 

Anniversary

While Todd finishes his level on Mario, I will write a quick blog post.  It's mostly a braggy post (like they all aren't a little bit) so I do apologize.  But, Todd and I have been married a full year!  That may have been the fastest year of my entire life.  We got up and made breakfast together before church and now we're headed out to dinner at our favorite Mankato place.  It's not Chipotle.  I will leave you with what has become my favorite photo of the two of us from our wedding.  And I have many more recipes to share.  I promise they are coming.

Marie! The baguettes! Hurry up!

Mom, I made this post earlier today before the previous one.  We think alike.

Todd had planned to make Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches for dinner last Saturday.  I was very excited because I have recently grown fond of those.  Meat, cheese, and onions; where can you go wrong?  Anyway, Todd decided to make them last Saturday night and I was happy to help out the best way I could.  I made bread.

Lately, I have been using my "Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook" more.  (For a LOST party last night, I made the fruit dip that was so good.)  We've used it for French toast and pancakes before, but that's about it.  I was looking through it last week and saw they have very basic bread recipes.  So to go with our sandwiches, I made a French Baguette.  It was really pretty easy and didn't take too much time out of my day.

Ingredients:
5 1/2 to 6 cups all-purpose flour
2 packages yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 cups warm water
Cornmeal
1 egg white, slightly beaten
1 Tablespoon water

Directions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, stir together 2 cups of the flour, the yeast, and salt.  Add the 2 cups warm water to the flour mixture.  Beat with an electric mixer on low to medium speed for 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly.  Beat on high speed for 3 minutes.  Using a wooden spoon, stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can.
2. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface.  Knead in enough remaining flour to make a stiff dough that is smooth and elastic.  Shape dough into a ball.  Place  in a lightly greased bowl, turning once to grease dough's surface.  Cover; let rise in a warm place until double in size.
3. Punch dough down.  Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface.  Divide dough into four portions.  Shape each portion into a ball.  Cover; let rest for 10 minutes.
4. Lightly grease two baking sheets ; sprinkle with cornmeal.
5. Roll each dough portion into a 14x5 inch rectangle.  Roll up, starting from a long side; seal well.  If desired, pinch and slightly pull ends to taper them.
6. Place shaped dough, seam sides down, on prepared baking sheets.  In a small bowl, stir together egg white and water.  Brush some of the egg white mixture over loaf tops.  Let rise until nearly double in size.
7.  Preheat oven to 375.  Using a sharp knife, make three or four diagonal cuts about 1/4 inch deep across each loaf top.  Bake for 20 minutes.  Brush again with some of the egg white mixture.  Continue baking for 15 to 20 minutes more or until bread sounds hollow when lightly tapped.  Immediately remove loaves from baking sheet.  Cool on wire rack.

The photo is not great, but the taste was.  This bread was so good!  And even though it sounds like a lot of steps, it doesn't take super long.  Definitely worth making again.

If you are wondering about the reference in the title, go here.

Not in Real Life

As I am bored at work and getting the after lunch sleepies, I decided to go through my usual website checks.  One includes People.  I'm not going to apologize and hope you will not judge me for going there.  Anyway, I came across this photo of someone's kid.  She's 23 months, so a little older than Annie, and wearing a cute, but totally unrealistic outfit.

What 3 year old wears a mini skirt, a scarf around their neck, and shoes with no socks?!  How long did it take her to complain about her feet hurting and start feeling constricted by the scarf?  How fast after that photo was taken did she rip it all off?  Corrie, how long would Anne had kept any of that on?  Or mom, any of your daycare kids?  They probably wouldn't.  I don't even wear my converse shoes without socks.  You can't play in those.

Anyway, excuse my rant.  Just dress your kids so they can play.  Keep an eye out in the next two days for gardening stories and French Baguettes.

Maybe We Are Hippies

At Crossview Covenant Church, we have a community garden at our Howard Drive building.  Todd and I just bought in for one of the plots.  What have we done?  I have this dream of having fresh veggies to eat while we here until August and gaining valuable knowledge to start my own garden in the distant future when we own a house.  I think these may be ridiculous.  We know nothing about gardening and even less about growing food, not just flowers.  So, if you have any advice, let me know!  We're going over today after work to check it out.  I mostly just want fresh green beans all the time.

Chili in a Bread Bowl

Fellow RWHS graduates, tell me this was not your favorite meal the wonderful lunch ladies made.  My wonderful mom made me a lunch everyday, so I never ate it.  But, I remember begging Erin Ulrich for the top of her bowl if she didn't eat it.  Those bread bowls were to die for and the chili (although it's not my favorite) was so good according to those around me.  People waited patiently for Tuesday lunch to roll around so they could indulge in such a delicious lunch.

I attempted to make this lunch for dinner last night.  I wanted to use my new dutch oven while Jon and Faye were here, and show that I can take care of their son by giving him good food every night if I wanted to.  I do want to, I'm just lazy.  So I made the bread bowls, and found a 30 minute chili recipe online.  Bread bowls turned out great.  Chili was a let down, so I won't be making this exact recipe again.

Ingredients
1 yellow onion
4 cloves of garlic
1 lb. ground beef
1 can kidney beans, drained
chicken stock
salt, pepper, cumin, cinnamon

Directions
1. Heat some oil in your pot.  I used the dutch oven, but it could be a normal pot.
2. Dice the onions and mince the garlic.  (Check out my new. fancy cutting terms)
3. Saute your garlic and onions for 3-5 minutes, until tender.  Throw in some salt and pepper.
4. Add your ground beef and break apart with a fork or something.  Work around until browned.
5. Add the kidney beans and chicken stock.  Add enough stock until it's the amount of liquid you want.
6. Add some more salt and pepper, to taste.  Then, add a tiny dash of cinnamon.  Taste it and add cumin until it's the taste you want.
7. Scoop it into the bread bowl and sprinkle a tiny bit of cheese on top.

It was okay, but not great.  I liked Todd's vegetarian chili more.  I think I might do that one next time, which has peppers in it and you mash the beans a little to make it thicken up, but add some meat to it.  We're not hippies.  Jon and Faye liked it (or were polite and said they did), so it will have to do.

In other news, we are for sure moving to Chicago next year for Todd to finish Seminary.  It was always likely, but we found out last week he was awarded the Kern Scholarship, which pays his tuition for the next 3 years.  With that scholarship, and not having to worry about taking out loans, it's a definite yes to us moving there.  Our friend Greg also got the Kern, so they will take all their classes together and go on the retreats together.  That means girls' weekend for Stef and me! We also heard back from the housing people this week, saying they should have us placed in an apartment around June 1st.  We can then move in anytime during August.  So, praise God for providing and thank you for your prayers about all this.  Next, we need to find me a job and then we are good to go.  I just need to figure out what I want to do.  Someone told me culinary school.  I told them that doesn't make money, it makes me pay money.  Plus, no.

Anyway, enjoy your RWHS cafeteria meal.  It's super yummy. Also, I talk about Greg and Stef a lot so here is a photo, so you can have a visual.  She looks like Anne Hathaway and is way to good looking for Greg.  But, Greg may be the nicest guy in the world, so it balances out.  (Read into that what you will.)  Here they are at her brother's wedding last fall.

Dutch Oven Confusion

Todd and I have finally gotten a dutch oven!  It is a gorgeous cast iron and enamel, 3 quart, blue dutch oven from IKEA.  Guess how much it was.  $40!!  Yes, still a lot of money for youth interns, but pretty cheap for a dutch oven.

While I'm super excited to have one, I have no idea what to make first in it (after seasoning it).  I've been online all afternoon looking for something good to christen it with, but can't decide.  I thought I was close with corn bread, but the only recipes I found had real corn.  I don't do real corn in corn bread.  I want they stuff that is horrible for you with no trace of real nutritious value.  So, if you have a dutch oven recipe you would like to share, I am open to suggestions of things to try.

Growtivation

Todd and I have grown to love our church in Mankato and will be sad when we leave. However, this video made me think a little of how much of a production our Sunday morning is. And, it made me think about every church a North Parker urged me to "check-out" when I first got to Chicago. Anyway, don't take it too seriously, just enjoy the hilarity of it.

Sunday's Coming Video

Seriously, neither Jesus nor I will judge you for laughing at it.  And, if you have yet to experience a church like this, come visit Todd and me in Chicago next year.  We'll take you to Willow Creek.  Also, make sure to check out the awards it's won toward the end of the video.

Bagels

I am currently sitting in my totally uncomfortable office chair procrastinating putting together my lesson plan for Sunday School about Buddhism.  I really do love learning about other religions and these past 4 weeks of Sunday School have been great.  My handful of students that come are really engaging in what we are talking about and I'll be a little sad when we end this coming Sunday.  However, I am procrastinating because it's only 1:00pm and I feel like I have been here all day.  Also, I am giving the talk for tonight's junior and senior high.  And while I'm not nervous about it, I would love to go home, nap up, shower, and look somewhat nice for the 80 kids I'll be talking to.  Unfortunately, we have no clean clothes at our house right now, so I'm destined to look shlubby.  Ah, like they care.

Anyway, to prolong my procrastination, I will give you what you have been waiting for (Corrie)...bagels!  Corrie had told me a few weeks ago that I should try to make some and Todd jumped on board with that pretty quick. If Todd could, he would have me make nothing but bagels everyday so he would have a never ending supply.  He has done a good job rationing the bagels I've made him, but I see my Friday full of making more and doing laundry.  Back on track, here is the recipe from Emeril Lagasse (yeah, I never thought I would make anything of his.)

Ingredients

• 2 cups warm water, about 110 degrees F
• 2 (1/4-ounce) packets active dry yeast
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
• 5 to 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons yellow cornmeal

Directions

Combine the water, yeast, and 3 tablespoons of the sugar in the bowl of an upright mixer fitted with a dough hook. Stir and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Gradually add 4 cups of the flour and the salt, and mix until the mixture comes together.

Add 1 to 1 1/2 cups additional flour 1/2 cup at a time to make a stiff dough, either stirring with the wooden spoon or working with your hands. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and no longer sticky, about 5 minutes, adding just as much flour as needed. (Dough should be heavier and stiffer than regular yeast bread dough.)

Grease a large bowl with 1 teaspoon of the oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot until almost doubled, about 1 hour.

Remove from the bowl and punch down the dough. Divide into 12 equal pieces, about 2 to 3 ounces each, measuring about 4 inches across. Form each piece of dough into a ball. Roll each ball into a 4 to 6-inch log. Join the ends and place fingers through the hole and roll the ends together. Repeat with the remaining dough. Place on a lightly greased surface, cover with a clean cloth, and let rest until risen but not doubled in a draft-free spot, 20 to 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Grease a baking sheet with the remaining teaspoon of oil.

In a large, heavy pot, bring 12 cups of water and the remaining tablespoon of sugar to a boil. In batches, add the bagels to the water and boil, turning, for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Flip bagels onto the prepared sheet pan. Bake for 5 minutes, turn over and cook for another 30 to 35 minutes.

Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack.

So, this takes about 3 hours, once you mix it all, let it rise, roll it out, let it rise, boil, bake, boil, bake. I started this process at about 10:30pm. I was up until 2:00am making these and then cleaning up after myself. So Todd, it's a good thing you raved about them the next morning or I might have killed you (or kicked you in the knee, or something else a wife can do/withhold to an unappreciative husband.) And really, these are totally worth it the 3 hours, just start them earlier.

Also, I must shut down a nasty rumor started about me within my own family! Mom, Corrie, all others who may have heard, I do not own a stand mixer. Sure, I may be lazy and copy/paste recipes into the blog, but I mix all those bread products by hand. Bagels, pitas, bread bowls, pizza dough, all by hand. I look forward to and wait patiently for the day when someone finally breaks down and buys me a stand mixer (green or blue preferably, if you are wondering.) One upside, I can tell my arms are getting stronger from mixing all of these by hand. One downside, my right arm is stronger than my left since righty is my go to mixer.

Okay, enjoy making bagels! Or come to my house for some. Just, call a few days beforehand.