Kenney made dinner tonight.

We had fresh homemade applesauce that just finished cooking and toast with Nutella on it. I should have taken a picture.

Bread Bowls

I think I made soup for dinner every day this week. I finally made these bread bowls to go with our broccoli cheddar soup on Thursday. It was my second attempt at the bread bowls... let's just say I'm alot more patient with myself then I used to be when it comes to cooking. A failed attempt might have left me not touching the Bosch for a few months in a previous life. This time it just got me thinking how cooking/baking is a lot like life. We have to learn from our mistakes, which I have a hard time with. I don't want to make the mistakes, I just want to be able to know how to do it. I am grateful for our savior who allows us to let go of our pride, humble ourselves as we make those mistakes and improve on them.

Sister's

We had the sister's for dinner. I guess that's the wrong way to say that. How about, the sister's were in our home for dinner. I wish I had taken a picture of them washing the dishes and scrubbing my stove. It was great! I love that I don't have to go back in and clean up the kitchen. And I even just doctored up some leftover taco soup to feed them. They loved it - or at least they raved over it. I know they don't always have time to include service after their meals, but it was nice that it worked for them tonight.

Blueberries at Breakfast

Parsnips and Carrots

We had this delicious recipe tonight and enjoyed it. I really enjoy the flavor of parsnips they're just a little bit sweeter than a carrot.

stew

I thought about cooking these two up for dinner but I wasn't sure what type of spices to add.

A lesson on service

My good friend Jenny heard of my plight from last night and graciously offered to bring us dinner tonight. I've always been hesitant about accepting other's help, but I think it has been easier to let service run it's course while living away from home. While it's important to be the donor, I'm learning that sometimes you need to be the recipient. She brought us a wonderful meal that we all enjoyed. I'm so grateful for the relationships we've developed with so many great people here. I will always look back fondly on our time here. And not just because someone was nice enough to bring me dinner.

Mmmmmm

(a Wegman's sampler)

I made baked potatoes for dinner... nobody ate them. Well I did, but my mouth is full of sores right now so I'm not keen on eating lately. I think we might eat cold cereal until Mike gets home from his conference.
On a happier note, my sweet neighbor lady brought us a thank you for "checking" on her house while she was away recently. There was really nothing for us to do in her home, but I guess we gave her peace of mind. I'm glad we can help her out.
I've taken a bite of each one and now I can't decide which I want to finish off. I don't think they will keep until Mike is home so I guess it doesn't really matter which I eat first. ;)

Carmel Corn

It's one of my favorite treats. But one of those things I eat entirely too much off when I do have it. Since Mike will be gone for a few days, I decided I would go ahead and endulge anyway since we needed something to occupy our afternoon today and this recipe takes a little while to make.

Start with 24 cups of popcorn - measured after it's popped of course. I tossed in some nuts too.

In another pan combine 2 cups brown sugar, 2 sticks butter, 1/2 cup light corn syrup, 1 tsp. salt. Boil for five minutes.

Once it's boiled add 1/2 tsp. baking soda and 1/2 tsp. vanilla to the mixture. Watch out - it will boil up - (hence no picture of that step) then dump your caramel sauce into the popcorn and nuts and stir it up quick. Put the pot into a 250 degree oven for 45 minutes taking it out to stir every 15 mintues.


Spread the cooked goodness out on waxed paper and let it cool off before you eat it if you can...




Recipe courtesy my MIL.

Pumpkin Pie!

I just saw a link for these on design mom today. I think I will have to make them before Thanksgiving some time. Who wouldn't want their own personal pumpkin pie.

Lentil and Sweet Potato Curry

I like trying new recipes. And most things I make I feel more confidant about if I use a recipe, even if it's something I have made a jillion times. Just one of those quirks about me. One thing I prefer in a new recipe however is a picture. The recipe I tried today didn't have one so I was hesitant at first. I like to know ahead of time what my possible outcome will be, but today I decided to just go with it.

The first step is the same as yesterday's, onions and garlic mmmmm.

Next add the various potatoes, lentils and spices, bring them to a boil and simmer for 25 minutes.

Here's Kenney taking a whiff from our pot. He wasn't as excited about it once it was on his plate...

Norah and I playing while we waited.

Heres' the end product. I like all the colors on my plate. Curry isn't a very pretty dish so maybe that's why there wasn't a picture in the original posting I found online. I was pleased with the outcome. Next time I think I will add parsnips and maybe carrots in place of some of the potatoes. Overall a great curry dish that Mike and I enjoyed. Kenney chose not to try it this time. Norah had a bite and shook her head over and over again. I guess that means more leftover's for me!

Here's the recipe I found online

Black Bean Tacos

This has become one my favorite meals. I remember taco night as a go to meal growing up and it is about the same for my family now. We have variations of tacos about once a week. As a teenager I preferred to be in charge of the meat... easy. Just brown the meat and put the spices in. I don't care much for all the chopping and dicing the other prep takes. These beans are easy too. First chop an onion and start it cooking (if I've been on top of things I don't even have to chop the onion just throw in some frozen onion I've had stored in the freezer.

When they start to turn color throw in some garlic. Mmmmm, doesn't that smell good.

Once the onion and garlic are completely translucent and your kitchen is full or that yummy aroma add a can or two of black beans. I did one this time, but I think I usually do two. One just means there isn't as much left over for us, and there are more onions in each bite.

Cook the beans for a minute adding a couple tablespoons of water. At this point they are ready to eat, or you can mash them up a bit. They're tasty either way. I just mash them a little with a potato masher.

For this meal I made whole wheat tortillas. They need some work... but that is a post for another time I think.

Usually I serve the beans with corn tortillas tostada style. I spray the corn tortillas with cooking spray and sprinkle with a bit of salt. Then cook them about 5 minutes on each side.

Sorry I don't have a picture of the end product. We were too hungry.

Pioneer Woman rolls

I'm practicing for thanksgiving! And tonight after dinner we talked about things we are thankful for.

Candy

I love all the colors of halloween!

Halloween

I love it, but I can understand why my own mother hates it. I love seeing everyone parading and costumed. It's fun to see creativity abounding. I flounder when it comes to creativity so I have to rely on the creativity of others. Kenney and I made these spider cupcakes for our preschool treat. I love the family fun magazine for ideas like this. We had a good time and they turned out great.