Here are a couple of really good recipes that I got from Food Network. They come from Melissa d'Arabian's show "Ten Dollar Dinners". I wish I would've taken a picture of everything on the plate--it looked so good. But we were hungry & the food was gettin' cold--no time to get out the camera.
Crispy-Skinned Chicken a l'Orange
Ingredients
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 skin-on bone-in chicken breast halves
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup frozen orange juice concentrate
4 tablespoons honey
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Liberally salt and pepper the chicken breast halves. Heat the oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat and sear the chicken, skin side only, until brown and beginning to crisp, about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the orange glaze: In a small saucepan, heat the orange juice concentrate, honey, and salt and pepper, to taste, over medium heat, and boil for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.
Turn the chicken over and brush each piece with the glaze. Turn the chicken skin side up and transfer the pan to the oven. Bake until the internal temperature reaches 160 to 170 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, brushing on more glaze halfway through, about 15 minutes in total. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes on a cutting board. Remove the chicken breast from the bone and slice the meat on the bias. Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and serve.
(*I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs in this recipe. It actually took a little longer to cook than the recipe said, but it was really good.)
Perfect Crispy Potatoes
Ingredients
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 russet potatoes, peeled, and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
In a large saute pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the potato cubes and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Saute stirring frequently, for 5 minutes. Turn the heat up to high, add the water, stir, and cover the pan with a lid. Steam the potatoes until the water evaporates, about 3 or 4 more minutes. (Every 1 to 2 minutes, open the lid long enough to stir the potatoes so they don't stick.) Lower the heat to medium, and saute another 1 to 2 minutes until all traces of water are gone. Toss in the butter and stir to coat the potatoes. Spread the potatoes out on a baking sheet. Bake in the oven until the potatoes are crisp and browned to your liking, about 15 to 25 minutes depending on how dark you want them. Transfer the potatoes to a serving bowl and serve.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
A Conversation With The Girl
Our daughter (aka "The Girl") was sitting in my lap @ the eye doctor's office today. She said, "Mom, how did you know you were meant to be a dental hygienist?" (She's been thinking a lot about what she wants to be when she grows up.) I said, "Well, I didn't. What I knew I wanted to be was a mommy." She grinned & said to me, "You said, 'Dear God, can I please be a mommy?' And POOF there went your belly."
We both just started cracking up.
If only, when it was time for the girl to be born, it would have been POOF--there was my baby!
:-)
We both just started cracking up.
If only, when it was time for the girl to be born, it would have been POOF--there was my baby!
:-)
Crazy Quote of the Day (At Our House)
(My son yelling from the bathroom...)
"What did I eat that was GREEN???"
"What did I eat that was GREEN???"
COOKIES! COOKIES FOR SALE!!!
We got the order form to start selling Girl Scout cookies @ the meeting this past week!
Why do Girl Scout cookies have to go on sale right after everyone has made their New Year's resolutions?? Guess those cookies overpower those resolutions though--they've been doing cookie sales for 80 years.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Terrible tornadoes came through this afternoon & evening. We spent a good 30 minutes or so in our little tornado shelter! I hate getting in there, but am so thankful we have it.
Our little comedian, Holt, said, "We've been down here 5 days." We turned to look & saw that he was making hash marks with his finger on the wall of the cellar!
After he got a laugh out of us, he made 5 more & said we'd been there for 10 days. I love that crazy kid! We've been reminded how much we need to find a good battery-operated fan for the cellar. It gets a little warm in there! Between the humidity & all of our hot air, it created the moisture on the walls that Holt could make marks with. Thankfully, we had a little battery-operated fan of Abi's. It was tiny, but at least it was moving air.
Our little scaredy cat, Ojoe did awesome! And I am especially grateful that we received no damage & were able to climb out of our shelter & back into the comforts of home. What a blessing. Many were not that fortunate.
Saying prayers of thanks tonight...
Our little comedian, Holt, said, "We've been down here 5 days." We turned to look & saw that he was making hash marks with his finger on the wall of the cellar!
Our little scaredy cat, Ojoe did awesome! And I am especially grateful that we received no damage & were able to climb out of our shelter & back into the comforts of home. What a blessing. Many were not that fortunate.
Saying prayers of thanks tonight...
Monday, January 3, 2011
The Spirit of God
Well, I have let myself get VERY behind on a 10 week bible study. I decided to do a bit of catching up today & just read this:
Psalm 139:7-10
I love this group of verses. I have definately felt God's presence lately. Not that I haven't in times passed, but His presence seems stronger lately. I know that this feeling of His closeness isn't because He has moved closer necessarily, but that I am more aware. I think sometimes, I get preoccupied w/busy-ness (something I want to work on) & don't pay much attention.
We do devotionals w/the kids at bedtime, we pray as a family together, I have little talks w/God throughout the day, but I guess I have just been more aware of his warmth & comfort lately. I think it's because of Grandpa's recent passing.
I threw on my running shoes yesterday & hit the pavement again. Something I hadn't done in a month! (My last run was right before Grandpa got really sick.) Even though it was cold, I was dressed for it & God had calmed the Oklahoma wind & given us some beautiful sunshine. My run was nothing to brag about, but it sure felt good to be back at it. At one point on the path, I turned the corner, feeling tired & noticed the sun shining on the trees ahead. I had some inspirational music going in my ear & began thinking of God, of my Grandpa being in a better place/no longer fighting his diseased body. I imagined Grandpa watching me run & standing at a point in the distance. It drove me to keep going until I had reached that point. To explain--running was part of my last conversation with Grandpa. (I had recently found out that he had run in some competitions & even won some medals for placing 1st in his age group!) This is what prompted me to purchase one of my current favorite t-shirts--after he had been told he had approximately 1 year left (which was only a few mos. ago), I got online to search for a run to benefit leukemia. That search took me to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society website. I couldn't find an upcoming event locally, but I was happy to find a t-shirt with the LLS logo on the front & the phrase "Run like a girl" on the back. I liked it so much, I ended up ordering 1 of each available color--1 pink & 1 black.
Grandpa had told me recently, that in the last 5K he participated in, his time was 29 minutes. I believe that event was within the past year or 2--not too shabby for a Grandpa w/leukemia, huh? Anyway--during that last conversation with him in the hospital, I told him that I had missed the 5K that was going on that day (because of our big Christmas party w/Grandma's side of the family), but I planned to do others & my goal was "to be as fast as you are". He just looked up at me & smiled. I intentionally used "is" instead of "was" in that conversation with him. I wanted him to know that I was planning on answered prayers for his recovery. Even though God chose for Grandpa to go, I firmly believe it was God's wise choice & we know from Grandpa's own words, that he was accepting of God's choice. I definately felt God's presence while Grandpa was dying & in the days that have followed.
You would think that someone passing away right before Christmas would be the worst timing. At least, that's what I thought. I think it actually turned out to be a blessing, though. It came at a time when everyone had some extra time to spend together for the holidays--which made it easier for us all to be together & feel that family closeness at a time when we were so sad to not have him there with us. It was so hard to go into their house & see the big chair he'd always landed in or his usual spot at the dinner table, without him in it. But we were all together. For me, personally, it was good timing, because of the kids. My oldest was sad when Grandpa died--she is old enough to understand, but she moves on a lot quicker than we adults do. With it being Christmas time, I wanted to keep our usual Christmas traditions & make it nice for them. That definately kept me in the present/didn't let me dwell on the loss--even though it was there too. I felt God's presence in the timing of it all.
Even today, I took the kids to a movie, since it was their last day of Christmas break. Before the movie started, there was a "short"--it was Scrat, from Ice Age. I'll admit that, while the kids & I were all laughing through it, I was also teary--thinking of Grandpa. He loved the movie Ice Age. He loved it so much, that it had been suggested to us that we buy it for him, at one time. I can't recall if it was his birthday or Christmas, but we bought it. The kids even watched it with him again this summer, while we were @ Eufaula & having to stay inside because of the rain. The night he passed away & we were consoling our oldest, we were talking about the little things that would always remind us of Grandpa--like Almond Joys, the movie Ice Age, coconut cream pie... So that little reminder of Grandpa today was a blessing from God too. It was a reminder of Grandpa & the simple things that made him special. It was a reminder to be thankful for the time together & thankful for the time with those I love that are still here--like being able to spend that time with the kids today.
God is good.
Psalm 139:7-10
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
I love this group of verses. I have definately felt God's presence lately. Not that I haven't in times passed, but His presence seems stronger lately. I know that this feeling of His closeness isn't because He has moved closer necessarily, but that I am more aware. I think sometimes, I get preoccupied w/busy-ness (something I want to work on) & don't pay much attention. We do devotionals w/the kids at bedtime, we pray as a family together, I have little talks w/God throughout the day, but I guess I have just been more aware of his warmth & comfort lately. I think it's because of Grandpa's recent passing.
I threw on my running shoes yesterday & hit the pavement again. Something I hadn't done in a month! (My last run was right before Grandpa got really sick.) Even though it was cold, I was dressed for it & God had calmed the Oklahoma wind & given us some beautiful sunshine. My run was nothing to brag about, but it sure felt good to be back at it. At one point on the path, I turned the corner, feeling tired & noticed the sun shining on the trees ahead. I had some inspirational music going in my ear & began thinking of God, of my Grandpa being in a better place/no longer fighting his diseased body. I imagined Grandpa watching me run & standing at a point in the distance. It drove me to keep going until I had reached that point. To explain--running was part of my last conversation with Grandpa. (I had recently found out that he had run in some competitions & even won some medals for placing 1st in his age group!) This is what prompted me to purchase one of my current favorite t-shirts--after he had been told he had approximately 1 year left (which was only a few mos. ago), I got online to search for a run to benefit leukemia. That search took me to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society website. I couldn't find an upcoming event locally, but I was happy to find a t-shirt with the LLS logo on the front & the phrase "Run like a girl" on the back. I liked it so much, I ended up ordering 1 of each available color--1 pink & 1 black.
Grandpa had told me recently, that in the last 5K he participated in, his time was 29 minutes. I believe that event was within the past year or 2--not too shabby for a Grandpa w/leukemia, huh? Anyway--during that last conversation with him in the hospital, I told him that I had missed the 5K that was going on that day (because of our big Christmas party w/Grandma's side of the family), but I planned to do others & my goal was "to be as fast as you are". He just looked up at me & smiled. I intentionally used "is" instead of "was" in that conversation with him. I wanted him to know that I was planning on answered prayers for his recovery. Even though God chose for Grandpa to go, I firmly believe it was God's wise choice & we know from Grandpa's own words, that he was accepting of God's choice. I definately felt God's presence while Grandpa was dying & in the days that have followed.
You would think that someone passing away right before Christmas would be the worst timing. At least, that's what I thought. I think it actually turned out to be a blessing, though. It came at a time when everyone had some extra time to spend together for the holidays--which made it easier for us all to be together & feel that family closeness at a time when we were so sad to not have him there with us. It was so hard to go into their house & see the big chair he'd always landed in or his usual spot at the dinner table, without him in it. But we were all together. For me, personally, it was good timing, because of the kids. My oldest was sad when Grandpa died--she is old enough to understand, but she moves on a lot quicker than we adults do. With it being Christmas time, I wanted to keep our usual Christmas traditions & make it nice for them. That definately kept me in the present/didn't let me dwell on the loss--even though it was there too. I felt God's presence in the timing of it all.
Even today, I took the kids to a movie, since it was their last day of Christmas break. Before the movie started, there was a "short"--it was Scrat, from Ice Age. I'll admit that, while the kids & I were all laughing through it, I was also teary--thinking of Grandpa. He loved the movie Ice Age. He loved it so much, that it had been suggested to us that we buy it for him, at one time. I can't recall if it was his birthday or Christmas, but we bought it. The kids even watched it with him again this summer, while we were @ Eufaula & having to stay inside because of the rain. The night he passed away & we were consoling our oldest, we were talking about the little things that would always remind us of Grandpa--like Almond Joys, the movie Ice Age, coconut cream pie... So that little reminder of Grandpa today was a blessing from God too. It was a reminder of Grandpa & the simple things that made him special. It was a reminder to be thankful for the time together & thankful for the time with those I love that are still here--like being able to spend that time with the kids today.
God is good.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Breathe
It has been a long couple of weeks...or so?
It's been so busy--all of the usual 1st semester or school winding down & all of the activities that involves, the kiddos starting basketball, getting ready for Christmas...
In all of that, Grandpa (or "Pa", as my kids referred to him) passed away. He passed on Monday, the 13th around 9pm that night. I was so very greatful to have had the opportunity to visit him the Saturday before. His teeth were bothering him & he asked if I would floss them for him. :-) When I was doing that, he said, "I sure am glad to be taken care of by professionals." His voice was weak, but he was joking like he typically did. I laughed & said, "Well, I sure am glad you put me in that category, Grandpa!" He said, "Uh huh!" :-) Before we left the room, I hugged his head, looked him in the eye & told him I loved him. I cannot thank God enough for the opportunity to have that be the last exchange of words with my Grandpa. When we saw him again on Monday, he was already in a coma.
Despite doctors' not recommending the family transport Grandpa to Calvin (his hunting land & favorite get away), Grandma put her foot down & told the doctors that we had told him we were taking him to Calvin (or as H has recently named it "Pa's Valley") & that was exactly what we were going to do. The nurses got him changed into his camo clothes & he was transported with Grandma & Aunt Dana riding along, along with a caravan of other family vehicles, anxious to get him there, as was his wish for his last moments. We were told he wouldn't survive the trip, but he did! They laid him on the couch/bed in my parents' 5th wheel, facing the window that faced one of his ponds & told him where we were.
Apparently, the last thing to go in a coma is hearing, so we all took turns talking to & touching Grandpa in his last hours. I left around 7:30--following some of my cousins, so that I could find my way back to the main road. H was being awarded Student of the Month @ school the next day, so I didn't want to spend the night in Calvin & miss it. I got a phone call about the time I got home, that he had passed away, with Grandma & all of his grown kids holding him, along with Aunt Dana, who was acting as his hospice nurse. (That is her occupation.)
It's been hard to lose Grandpa the way we did. He was sick so many times, but had always bounced back--he was a very strong man. One of the many lessons in losing him though, especially right @ Christmas-time, is being reminded of what is important. It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle & bustle of this holiday & focus more on the planning, the presents, the clean house, the perfect party food, etc, etc. etc... I am definately a Martha, not a Mary & can make those in my house just as stressed as I am, trying to get it all "done".
Not a fact that I am proud of, but I admit it.
It has reminded me to stop, take a deep breath & appreciate the process of each day--activities, even responsibilities (which is why I say "appreciate" instead of enjoy--not all of them are necessarily enjoyable in & of themselves) & not sweat the small stuff. My house welcomed company this week without being cleaned (some for the 1st time--which would normally cause me to have it super clean), laundry has been washed, but not always put away, I purchased Thank You gifts for all of the teachers who helped me in bible classes this year, instead of making something for each of them... My sweet MIL has offered more than once to help me with laundry & house cleaning, but I told her that I am at a point that I honestly am not concerned about it. It will all get done. I am not going to stress about my To Do list. The key will be making it a long term habit.
Jon & Jennie were able to come out for the Memorial service--Jon's flight didn't get here until after it was over, but they were able to spend a few days here with the family. It has been so nice! It's so nice to have all of my siblings in one place! It had been over 6 years since that had happened!!!
So, I am reminded of so many things that I am thankful for--all of the special friends God has brought into my life, along with all of my family. I am grateful for TIME & trying to be better about spending it wisely. I am grateful for the man that my Grandpa was, the great role model that he was for all of those around him & the memories I will carry with me.
It's been so busy--all of the usual 1st semester or school winding down & all of the activities that involves, the kiddos starting basketball, getting ready for Christmas...
In all of that, Grandpa (or "Pa", as my kids referred to him) passed away. He passed on Monday, the 13th around 9pm that night. I was so very greatful to have had the opportunity to visit him the Saturday before. His teeth were bothering him & he asked if I would floss them for him. :-) When I was doing that, he said, "I sure am glad to be taken care of by professionals." His voice was weak, but he was joking like he typically did. I laughed & said, "Well, I sure am glad you put me in that category, Grandpa!" He said, "Uh huh!" :-) Before we left the room, I hugged his head, looked him in the eye & told him I loved him. I cannot thank God enough for the opportunity to have that be the last exchange of words with my Grandpa. When we saw him again on Monday, he was already in a coma.
Despite doctors' not recommending the family transport Grandpa to Calvin (his hunting land & favorite get away), Grandma put her foot down & told the doctors that we had told him we were taking him to Calvin (or as H has recently named it "Pa's Valley") & that was exactly what we were going to do. The nurses got him changed into his camo clothes & he was transported with Grandma & Aunt Dana riding along, along with a caravan of other family vehicles, anxious to get him there, as was his wish for his last moments. We were told he wouldn't survive the trip, but he did! They laid him on the couch/bed in my parents' 5th wheel, facing the window that faced one of his ponds & told him where we were.
Apparently, the last thing to go in a coma is hearing, so we all took turns talking to & touching Grandpa in his last hours. I left around 7:30--following some of my cousins, so that I could find my way back to the main road. H was being awarded Student of the Month @ school the next day, so I didn't want to spend the night in Calvin & miss it. I got a phone call about the time I got home, that he had passed away, with Grandma & all of his grown kids holding him, along with Aunt Dana, who was acting as his hospice nurse. (That is her occupation.)
It's been hard to lose Grandpa the way we did. He was sick so many times, but had always bounced back--he was a very strong man. One of the many lessons in losing him though, especially right @ Christmas-time, is being reminded of what is important. It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle & bustle of this holiday & focus more on the planning, the presents, the clean house, the perfect party food, etc, etc. etc... I am definately a Martha, not a Mary & can make those in my house just as stressed as I am, trying to get it all "done".
Not a fact that I am proud of, but I admit it.
It has reminded me to stop, take a deep breath & appreciate the process of each day--activities, even responsibilities (which is why I say "appreciate" instead of enjoy--not all of them are necessarily enjoyable in & of themselves) & not sweat the small stuff. My house welcomed company this week without being cleaned (some for the 1st time--which would normally cause me to have it super clean), laundry has been washed, but not always put away, I purchased Thank You gifts for all of the teachers who helped me in bible classes this year, instead of making something for each of them... My sweet MIL has offered more than once to help me with laundry & house cleaning, but I told her that I am at a point that I honestly am not concerned about it. It will all get done. I am not going to stress about my To Do list. The key will be making it a long term habit.
Jon & Jennie were able to come out for the Memorial service--Jon's flight didn't get here until after it was over, but they were able to spend a few days here with the family. It has been so nice! It's so nice to have all of my siblings in one place! It had been over 6 years since that had happened!!!
So, I am reminded of so many things that I am thankful for--all of the special friends God has brought into my life, along with all of my family. I am grateful for TIME & trying to be better about spending it wisely. I am grateful for the man that my Grandpa was, the great role model that he was for all of those around him & the memories I will carry with me.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Thanksgiving 2010...Round 2
Grandma B's & Pa's house for dinner.
Pa can't keep warm these days--kept his coat on the entire time. :(
The never-ending battle between Daddy-O and K.K.
Monkey see, monkey do...
Aunt "Yah Yah"
The boys and their toys.
She was saying, "Huh?" Looks like she was spooked or something.
Another wonderful Thanksgiving!!!
Thanksgiving 2010...Round 1
Round 1: Lunch @ Aunt Judy's.
The girls getting into Webkinz.
Girls: "Can we do a silly face now?" Me: "Yes"...
Definately silly!
The rowdy lunch bunch:
I think if you look up the definition of ornery, you will see this photo:
Some serious discussions...NOT
Prep for Thanksgiving 2010
I finally did it!
I have been talking about taking the day before Thanksgiving off, to spend the day cooking w/my MIL. I thought of it in enough time to arrange it on my work schedule, this year!
So, on Wednesday, after making 1 dish @ home, getting the kiddos fed breakfast and dressed-- we packed up our aprons, supplies for cranberry salad and headed out to Grandma’s.
Just look @ this face!
As you can see, my girl was not too thrilled about donning her apron and helping wash these gorgeous and festive cranberries, but she gradually warmed up...
After spending some time cooking, the kiddos needed to use up some energy. Thankfully, it was a decent weather day, so they headed outside...
My little daredevil. He likes to stand up & ride!
Our feeble, little Maggie was watching from the porch...
Later on, they came inside and read some Christmas books.
I have been talking about taking the day before Thanksgiving off, to spend the day cooking w/my MIL. I thought of it in enough time to arrange it on my work schedule, this year!
So, on Wednesday, after making 1 dish @ home, getting the kiddos fed breakfast and dressed-- we packed up our aprons, supplies for cranberry salad and headed out to Grandma’s.
Just look @ this face!
Grandma giving my girl a lesson on using the "big" knife for chopping the onions and celery (for the dressing).
My boy--playing "Angry Birds" on my phone, while we girls prepped and cooked...
Typical boy!
My little daredevil. He likes to stand up & ride!
Our feeble, little Maggie was watching from the porch...
Later on, they came inside and read some Christmas books.
It was a good day! We made 2 cranberry salads, 2 pumpkin pies, 1 pecan pie, 1 chocolate delight and got the dressing ready to go.
Next... the eating...
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