The Queen of Brussels Sprouts

Look at our BRAVE Nana!

2012-01-28T18:53:00.000-09:00

Nana eating Moose Tacos for dinner (THANKS Melissa!! We all really enjoyed them).

Nana with the snow crew.

Nana has been trapped in the house for two days with the crew. It was -35 all day yesterday, then when we woke up this morning, it was -49! It warmed back up to a toasty -36 this afternoon. I got the crew all bundled, and let them have a 10 minute outside break...since all were going a bit loco. It took longer to get every one in gear than the time they spent outside, but worth it, even if just for the picture ;-)

Even Hubs said, "I'm proud of your mom. She is a trooper about this."

Nana even has learned how to load and use the wood stove.

She does giggle every time we have to put boots and coats on the dumb dogs though. Those poor Texan puppies don't like to get cold toes.

Our Nana is learning the Alaskan way...wonder if we can keep her here...

Nope, I bet Poppy wants her home soon. Oh well. We will enjoy these two weeks as much as we can.

Blessed by Strangers

2012-01-27T21:47:00.000-09:00

Today, for the first time in 13 months, I got to go on a date with my man! Hubby and I actually ate lunch AT A RESTAURANT without the children.

Nana is here.

She rocks, don't ya think? Nana is one of the few souls on this earth that will watch my 4 kiddos on purpose without cringing.

So, that in itself was a blessing.

Then, the waitress walks up and hands us a gift card with a balance on it. She informs us that a patron earlier had purchased $100 in gift cards for a table with soldiers. Those soldiers then passed the remaining balance on to us (Hubs was in uniform since we met at lunch time).

I was stunned. Our meal out was paid for by a stranger that never even saw our face, and the grace of fellow soldiers who chose to share the blessing they had been given.

Never before has that happened!

I wish I could thank them for what they did.... but like my wise friend Jenn, instead, I will look for a way, a day, a moment to pay it forward.

Wouldn't life be more amazing if we all took the time to bless a stranger once in a while?

NANA IS COMING!!!

2012-01-24T14:56:00.000-09:00

My Momma, who has been promoted to "Nana" by her 6 collective grandkiddos (and one on the way in FL) is coming to AK.

Nana with the 4 kidlets in Texas a month before we left

Can we all just pause and give this woman a round of applause? For, you see, she is the only non-chicken in my FL based sun-loving family (on both sides).

I mean really. Who wouldn't want to come to Alaska in January? It is only averaging around -25 F or so, with a few hours of sunlight between 10 AM and 4 PM (which is a FAR cry from sunlight from 11:30-2:30). Why wouldn't people line up to leave Florida to come here? Whimps ;-)

The rest of you family members...I love you lots too...but today, Nana wins the "favorite" award. HA!

I am SO excited. The kids are SO excited. The hubby...he is excited too, but he will pretend he isn't because that is what he does ;-)

We haven't seen or hugged any family members since June. I need a dose of family.

I miss my family.

I can't wait to hug my Momma. It doesn't matter how old I am. I still need my Momma (and Daddy too...but he is chicken...a lovable chicken...but a chicken).

I bought extra boots and a coat to keep my momma warm. I will even loan her my coveted Smartwool socks! That is how much I need to see family.

Over the Trees with Joy

2012-01-23T21:58:00.000-09:00

Sorry, I didn't have the camera with me. BUT, I noticed the most marvelous thing today...

The SUN...it came up...OVER the tree tops.

You laugh and think I am silly.

Well, you peeps who don't live 85 miles south of the Arctic Circle...you just gotta take my word for it. The sun peeking that high in the sky is a big honkin' dealio.

For quite some time now, the sun only does this little "skim the tree tops" maneuver, then sets again. Since we are all angled backwards and whatnot.

The fact that the sun was WELL up over the tree tops today made me do a happy dance. I was absolutely giddy with excitement. The earth is tilting in my favor once again.

I was over the trees with joy! Gaining 7 minutes a day of sunlight makes me happy, very happy.

Views in our Alaskan corner

2012-01-21T15:56:00.001-09:00

The "treasures" we find:

Princess Grace was ever so excited to find a frozen, preserved insect. She loves finding "treasures" like this. I think that is a honkin' Alaskan sized skeeter, but I am not sure.

The view from the garage door when it is -35 out, and Momma can't take the noise in the house anymore..."GO in the garage and play!":

The view I find in the front of my camera when taking pictures of the other kids..."Make my picture momma! I so cute!":

The view from the front window. Look closely at the brown spot in the middle. That is one big (and I think pregnant...cuz her tummy is HUGE) Moose Cow. I couldn't get the camera fast enough to catch her any closer. She has been wandering back and forth across the front yard, leaving tracks, munching on whatever she feels like munching on.

Grumpy Bug Day

2012-01-19T14:58:00.000-09:00

One of those days...

Maybe one of those weeks?

I am a Grumpy Bug right now, and no amount of hot tea is working to pull me out.

It is auditory overload, and there is no quiet to be had, not even with the ear protection thingies for shot-gun shooting over my ears...it is still loud here today.

Yes, we have ear protection meant to be worn when shooting a gun.

YES, I tried wearing them around the house.

My kids, God bless their souls, are loud. It doesn't matter if they are pitching fits (has happend a lot today) or laughing and playing (has happened too), my kids don't have a quiet button.

My dogs don't have a quiet button.

Why didn't God give Mommas the ability to push "mute" just a few moments out of each day?

I am hiding on the computer, posting about being grumpy, while my crew chases eachother around and around, alternating between fighting and laughing.

My ears hurt and I am grumpy.

The end.

"Healthier" Chili Cheese dip

2012-01-15T13:58:00.000-09:00

My sister wanted some alternatives to kid food she can make at home for my beautiful niece, Miss Eyes. Her hubs also wanted a skinnier queso dip.

This does classify as "hubby" food, though more for an appetizer or game day treat than the lunch I turn it into for the kiddos.

We ate at Chili's restaurant recently. We had a coupon for their chips and queso dip. YUMMY, but the healthy meter on that one takes a nose dive. According to an online source, the calories are 1070 and fat grams 89 PER SERVING on that bad boy.

My version, which serves 6, has a rough calorie count of 111 per serving and 17 grams of fat. Plus it is higher in fiber since I use whole beans. I just added up the calorie counts and fat grams on the sides of each package. I would give a + or - range of 10 on the calories and 4 on the fat grams per serving.

That doesn't take into account a serving of tortilla chips at 7 g fat and 140 calories.

Total for a serving of chips and dip made my way (ABOUT) 251 calories and 24 g of fat.

Not something labeled "health food", but a darn good reduction from 1070 calories and 89 g fat, for sure! If you've GOTTA have chili cheese dip, have it this way. Just make sure you share, and don't eat the entire dish for yourself.

The kids love it. It takes all of 5 minutes to make. With an apple on the side, and water to drink, I call it lunch!

Ingredients:
1 T unsalted butter
1 T unbleached AP flour
1/2 cup low fat milk
1 cup shredded "Mexican blend" cheese
1 can chili beans (not to be mistaken with canned chili..just the beans please)

In a sauce pot, melt butter and work in flour.

Whisk in milk.

Stir in cheese until melted.

Stir in beans, and heat until desired temp. At this point, you can put it into a mini crock pot to keep it warm on game day if you'd like. However, it doesn't last long enough with my little piranhas to make it worth washing the crock pot.

The Piranhas..

Yes, that is a fan pointed AT the window behind the kids. It works like a charm to defrost the ice chunks off of the windows when it is this darn cold out.

Found the "point"...and being thanful (or at least trying)

2012-01-15T09:34:00.000-09:00

...where my thermometer no longer works.

Actually, I have two. The old fashioned kind, poor thing, it is no good right now. It stops at -20 F.

Apparently, the digital one stops here:

Can you see the bottom left corner? It says -40.0 F.

According to the call in line, the local temp is -45.4 F

The top right side is the temp in the house near the wood stove.

The math there...a temperature difference of 121.9 degrees.

Even my poor wood stove can't keep up. The back half of the house has kicked over to the radiant floor heating that uses fuel. I am SO glad they are coming to refill the tank on Tues. I only have 60 gallons left, as of yesterday. We were only using about 2-3 gallons a day, but not sure what it will consume at this temp.

Trivia time: Did you know that at -40, the thermometer flip flops? At that point Celsius and Fahrenheit switch places in numbers. Good grief!

So, what am I thankful for today?

1) A warm house, and enough wood and fuel to keep it that way.

2) a house full of groceries. We stocked up in prep for this weather.

3) A hubby who works hard to provide both of those things!

4) A full "craft" bucket that will hopefully keep my crew entertained for a few hours these next few days.

5) New Active Life Wii games that will give my crew some exercise.

6) A phone and internet so that I don't go bonkers locked in a house in the cold with 4 kids and two dogs.

7) The fact that we are homeschooling, and I don't have to figure out how to get the kids to school in this weather! Right now, even the power steering in my car is not working well. It is like driving a tractor...so I am NOT driving. It really isn't safe to go out in this anyway. Most activities shut down at -30 or -35 anyway. Even the youth center on base closes at -50.

8) The hope that this won't last to terribly long. Friends tell me it comes in waves of about a week or so at a time, then it "warms" back up to above -20, which believe it or not, is totally do-able. -20 doesn't bother us at all.

If you do think of us these next few days, send up a prayer or two for sanity and safety...would ya? Thanks!

REALLY!

2012-01-13T20:24:00.001-09:00

It is -37 F outside, and I am craving this:

Actually, the past tense of craving is not accurate...since the above pictured item has been fully consumed!

I need my head examined. Alaska is messing with my mind.

This morning, we saw a beautiful sunrise at 10:55 AM:

Look! It is bouncing off of the hood of my car. Why I found that fascinating, I do not know. Once again, I am falling in love with a frozen state, and I think my brain cells are freezing too.

Sorry for the blurry pictures. If you want good photography...well...sorry. I am trying to convince my to Kelly friends (One Mrs. Kelly, one Mr. Kelly...not related in any way, but both amazing photographers) to get their booties up here and take some better ones for me. But, both of them are chicken Florida "brats", and only want to come in the summer....and I still love 'em.

Reduced Fat Beef Stroganoff

2012-01-13T13:23:00.002-09:00

A friend asked how I made Beef Stroganoff. I had to tell her that I don't make it often, but it is usually braised the old fashioned way.

So, that got me thinking...I needed a quick and easy Beef Stroganoff recipe that is also healthier than the regular one. I wanted one that doesn't rely on seasoning packets full of MSG or just plain ol' high in sodium. I needed to reduce the fat, but still keep it creamy and yummy. I also wanted meat that was tender, but not cooked all day.

SO!

I took one thin cut "london broil" steak (about 1.25 lbs), and marinated it in soy sauce, worchestershire sauce, garlic powder, parsley, and pepper.

You can use whatever steak cut you have, and whatever marinade you have or create. Shoot, even simple "Steak seasoning" will work.

Grill the meat to medium, and set it aside. Do NOT cut it yet.

Then I used the following to make the "sauce":
2 T extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 pint crimini mushrooms, sliced
pinch or 3 of kosher salt
pinch of red pepper flakes
1 T unsalted butter
2 T unbleached all purpose flour
1 1/2 cup milk
4 oz light sour cream
4 oz plain Greek yogurt

Saute the onions and mushrooms over medium high heat in the EVOO with a pinch or salt and red pepper flakes until soft and yummy. I could stop and eat them right there.

Drop in the butter and flour. Stir until melted and combined.

Reduce to medium low heat.

Stir in milk, continuing to stir until it starts to thicken.

Stir in the sour cream, then the yogurt. Add more milk if you want it thinner. We like it thick.

Toss with a bag of cooked egg noodles.

Slice the meat.

Serve meat on top of noodles.

TA DA! Beef Stroganoff in 30 min or less.

Beautiful Day for a Sled Drag Race!

2012-01-12T13:17:00.002-09:00

It was so warm yesterday! 9 degrees ABOVE zero when we were done with school...AND...the sun was out. What a day for some outside snow fun!!

We bundled up, "borrowed" the neighbor's 2 year old Little Dude, and played "snow sled drag races" with little boys as the cargo.

Mom lost every time. I can't run very well in my snow boots. The girls all took turns pulling the boys.

Gotta say though, whomever had to take turns with Prince Charming got the raw deal. He has a good 10 lbs on the neighbor....or at least it felt like it to me every time I had to drag the dude!

Going Greek on the Chicken

2012-01-11T15:17:00.000-09:00

I have developed a new love for Greek food. Mostly because I love Feta Cheese...but a love none the less.

First, came the Spanakopita. I made that again this week. LOVE it, ate half of it by myself, and refuse to apologize for doing so!

Next, came Mediterranean Style Shrimp (see post below). YUM! Easy!

Then, since I made Spanakopita again a few nights ago, I had to figure something in the Greek food category to go with it.

Since I had a package of boneless skinless chicken breasts, I did a quick search on Greek style chicken, and combined a few ideas I found for a super duper quick chicken.

I tossed the following together in a gallon zip-style plastic bag:
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tsp dried oregano
pinch or so salt
pinch of red pepper flakes
the juice and zest of 1 lemon

Then, I cut 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts into super thin strips.

I tossed the chicken into the bag, and let it marinate while I threw together the other dishes.

Then, I grilled the strips on the indoor grill pan I have for the stove top (since grilling at -35 F is not gonna happen outside). It takes on a few minutes per side.

YUM! This took about 15 minutes total (including cook time) of my hands on time, and it marinated for about 30. Still 45 min for a main dish ain't bad at all!

Kelly...it has less than 5 ingredients if you don't count the salt and pepper!

Mediterranean Style Shrimp

2012-01-09T13:10:00.009-09:00

I was gifted with 2 special Texan/Cowboy cook books (by some crazy Texan Mommas whom I adore) when we left Texas. Last night, I was feeling a bit nostalgic, missing my friends something fierce. So, I broke out my Texas HEB 100th Anniversary cookbook to look for some inspiration.

There, in the front page of the main course section was a recipe for a shrimp dish that looked scrumptious.

However, I didn't have all the ingredients needed, so I improvised, changed a few things here and there, but took the inspiration from that recipe.

There were NO leftovers. NOT. A. DROP. Not even enough to swipe with your finger and lick!

It was a quick meal. Done in the 20 minutes it took a pot of rice to cook.

Ingredients:

2 T extra virgin olive oil
1 onion
tiny pinch of salt
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil
2 T dried parsley
splash sesame oil
1 can diced tomatoes (I used the basil, garlic, oregano flavor)
1 bag frozen peeled shrimp (1 lb) (I had to pull the tails off)
8 oz feta cheese ( I just broke some off from my honkin' big block from Sams)
handful (10 or so) of kalamata olives, diced
juice from 1/2 of a lemon

Preheat oven to 475 F.

In a skillet, saute onion (with s tiny pinch of salt) in oil over medium high heat until soft.

Add in the garlic, and cook for about 2 more minutes (or until it smells like heaven).

Add in the rest of the spices and the tomatoes. Bring to a simmer. I smashed up the tomatoes to make it a bit more "Saucy".

Add in the shrimp, toss to coat.

Transfer to a glass baking dish (I used a 9x11)

Sprinkle cheese, then olives on the top. Then squeeze the juice from the lemon all over the dish.

Bake for about 15 minutes, or until bubbly and fabulous.

Serve over rice.

YUMMMMMMM!!

Whomever said you can't have cheese and seafood is a fool. This was amazing.

If you don't have shrimp, I am betting that this dish would work well with fish or even diced chicken. BUT, we are big shrimp lovers here. It really is affordable. That bag was just under $8, and it fed 6 people perfectly.

I can't take full credit for this one...since I took the idea and inspiration out of the HEB cookbook. But, I wanted to share it with you anyway. It is fabulous.

Snow tunnels

2012-01-08T19:09:00.000-09:00

The pile of shoveled snow on the side of the walkway to our front door is getting bigger and bigger. The crew decided to try to make a tunnel today.

Only problem is that it was about -17 F out. When it is this cold, snow simply doesn't stick to itself.

But, they succeeded in making a tiny one...that lasted all of 37 seconds ;-)

the tunnel without kids

Twinkie Princesses trying to reach each other's hands though the tunnel

The collapse of the tunnel onto Princess Grace's head. Princess Hope was NOT happy...since she was the chief shovel wielder. Oh well, such is the life with snow. But, at least they made a memory...I hope.

This was taken at 4:30 PM. More snow was coming down, but I was trying to shovel the 6-8 inches already on the walkway (I haven't been on top of the shoveling this week at all) before it got to heavy for me to shovel. I know I will have to do it again tomorrow.

That's ok though, hubby brought home a sinfully delicious cheesecake from a co-worker, and I need to burn off those calories. Up to 400 calories burned an hour shoveling snow!!...or so says Dr. Google ;-)

This is the Day..

2012-01-08T14:58:00.000-09:00

Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Today, I read a blog post that made my heart cry out in pain. It was on a blog I have been enjoying recently. The author provides the link to the blog of a family that lost their beautiful 4 year old boy. He looked a lot like my own 3 yr old Prince Charming, and my momma heart could hardly beat for a moment as I looked at the picture of his family, trying to grasp the depth of their loss.

Lately, I have been bombarded with the reality that life is so fragile, and can be lost in an instant, without any reason. Please join me in prayer for the family of Josiah.

The reason I am posting this is to encourage myself and others, especially my friends with children, that no matter how stinky the day may be, how terribly the children may behave...to take a moment and thank God for that single day, for that moment, for the fact that in that moment, all your children are safe in your arms...because we just don't know what day they will be called home to Jesus.

We are having a stinky day today...a really stinky one. I am trying right this moment to pause, praise the Lord for this day, and find a moment to "rejoice in it". Why? Because I am not promised that tomorrow will be here. So, I will choose to "rejoice" in the fact that it is simply a day of life.

Thanks for Praying!

2012-01-06T21:16:00.002-09:00

I just wanted to say thanks for all the prayers. It seems that Momma was spared the Tummy Bug. Princess Hope and I both managed to stay healthy! THANKS!

I also drank GALLONS of hot green tea with honey, took my vitamins like clockwork, and washed my hands a bazillion times.

BUT, without prayer, I feel certain I would have fallen to the tummy bug!

I even felt good enough to come up with a new recipe (see the post below). I haven't done that in a while.

Mustard Braised Pork Loin

2012-01-06T21:11:00.000-09:00

Our commissary sells a pork loin that has been cut into what they call "country style ribs". It has become one of my favorite cuts, especially when they put them on sale! Really, it is just a loin that has been butterflied open and then cut into 1 inch strips.

Tonight, I wanted to try a little something different with them. We needed to get off to Science Class, so I decided to braise the meat in a mustard based sauce.

YUM!!! Fork tender, just enough kick, and it only took about 10 minutes to prep the whole thing. When we walked in from class, all I had to do was toss together a salad, nuke some potatoes, and TA-DA a hearty meal.

I LOVE it when meals come together like this.

Mustard Braised Pork Loin Strips
2 T olive oil
3 lbs pork loin strips
salt (pinch or two)
pepper (red if you are like me...a pinch or 3)
1 tsp ground coriander (you know I can't cook without it)
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/4 cup (about...I just squirted it until I was happy) spicy brown mustard
1 1/2 cup chicken stock (or just enough to not quite cover the meat)
1 onion, sliced
1 T corn starch
2/3 cup water

Preheat oven to 275 F. or set your crock pot to low for a long cook, high for a shorter one...

Pat the meat dry, sprinkle with spices. Squirt about 2 T of the mustard onto the meat, and rub all that yummines in.

In a lovely blue dutch oven (or whatever vessel you have),brown the meat over high heat in 2 T olive oil. Using batches really makes the browning easier and faster. Remove and set aside

"Deglaze the pan" with the chicken stock. Do this by pouring the stock directly over the brown yummy stuff left in the bottom of your pot. Gently scrape the bottom of the pot, pulling up all that flavor.

Whisk in 2 T (or so) more mustard.

Return the meat to the pot. cover with onions and a bay leaf if you want. My opinion is that bay is a magic little flavor booster...but you don't NEED it... If you are using a crock pot, now is the time to transfer everything to your warmed pot.

Cover, and put in the oven for as long as you can stand it. Mine was in for about 5 hours.

If using a crockpot, cook on low for 6-8 hours, or high for about 4...my best guess...since I HATE my crock pot, and love Senior Azul ;-)

Remove the meat from the pot. Mix water and cornstarch, pour into pot set on medium high burner. Bring to a simmer just until it starts to thicken, saving for you all that yummy goodness in the bottom of the pot.

Pour gravy over meat and serve hot.

Kelly, if you are reading this, you can probably cut the coriander, pepper, and even thyme out if you want to keep your ingredient list even shorter. It will taste good...just not awesome good ;-P

unsolicited Movie review: Dolphin Tale

2012-01-05T15:26:00.000-09:00

Hubby came home from Wal-Mart (yes, we have one of those in the middle of nowhere Alaska!) with a movie in the bag. It was bought for the kids, but we always pre-view movies before we let them watch them. Two of the four have very sensitive little spirits, and it just isn't worth it to have them get upset. That, and we really just are "those parents".

Hubs and I had snacks and snuggled down to watch it after the kids went to bed last night. What a treat!

I would recommend Dolphin Tale to any family. It was very clean. AND, to my pleasure, it painted homeschooling (even unschooling informally) in a good picture. It is a true story as well. We really enjoyed it, and can't wait to have family movie night with the kids so that they can enjoy it as well.

image credit

prayer request

2012-01-03T13:28:00.000-09:00

The day before we left Texas for our new home in Alaska, we were given the news that the little boy of a friend from church had died in a terrible accident. Tomorrow would have been his 4th birthday. Will you please join me in prayer today for peace and comfort for Jacob's family?

The view from Inside at -31 F...and more frosted world pictures

2011-12-30T16:28:00.001-09:00

I can't help myself. I know that I am not a good photographer, but even a blind squirrel gets a nut once in a while...ya know!

There is something about this landscape that is pure beauty to me, and I keep trying to capture it...

The view from inside.

Even with fancy dancy triple pane argon filled windows...at -20F and below, they do this everyday. I have to play "rotate the fans" around the house to blow them dry.

11:15 AM

There are trees under that snow...somewhere

12:02 PM. -31 degrees F.

There is just something about this that moves me. It is pure beauty and peace (unless the kids are in the car, whining in the back of my head...). We were on the way to a field trip, and I deliberately took a wrong turn to go down this road and capture the pink and blue I saw over the white. It was worth the whining. I love just looking at it.

Introducing the Elusive Mr. Sunshine Another Frosted World Picture attempt

2011-12-29T15:25:00.000-09:00

He came out today! It has been gray and dark and cold lately...but he came out for a few minutes today. It was really to cold to go out and play in the "magic rays of sunshine", but we did enjoy them from the car as we drove home from running errands in town.

This was taken at 12:51 pm. That is about the highest the sun gets this time of year. Sorta like going straight from sunrise to sunset, with nothing in between. AND, it happens REALLY fast. Sunrise was about 10:20 and by 3 is it almost gone. However, we are GAINING 7 minutes a day, and that is such a blessing. I never thought I would count the minutes of sunlight, but I sure am!

I also attempted to capture the Frosted World once again...

every branch on every tree is frosted in snow

I wish my pictures did it justice. It really is amazing. What I didn't capture was the fact that the sun's lights and the blue sky make the light seem almost blue as it bounces off of the snow.

No, I didn't get out of the car, just put on my gloves, pulled over to the side, and snapped the picture. It was -26 out. I didn't have on my snow gear. I may be getting used to Alaskan winter...but not without my head to toe snow gear!

Holiday Meal Traditions

2011-12-29T13:34:00.002-09:00

We are a Ham for Easter, Turkey for Thanksgiving, and....

for Christmas...

Our tradition, thanks to the Italian side of Hubby's family, is:

Lasagna with Grandpa's salad and fresh bread sticks. No, it isn't a store bought lasagna. Bite your tongue! I am just lazy, so I make the lasagna ahead of time, freeze it, and pull it out on Christmas day. That way I don't have to terribly many dishes on Christmas Evening. Who wants to do dishes on Christmas?

For New Year's we have the Southern Tradition of Black Eyed Peas. A super quick Texas style Black eyed peas recipe: In a large pot or dutch oven, combine either one bag of frozen black-eyed peas or 3 cans drained and rinsed with 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 sauted onion (or one big handful dried onions), 2 bay leaves, 2 cups chicken stock, 1 T dried parsley, and a pinch of red pepper. Bring to a boil and let simmer for about 25 minutes. Salt to taste AFTER cooking. Serve over rice. Bacon is a nice addition, but not a must.

What are your traditional meals like? Anyone have something fun planned for New Year's Eve or Day?

Tummy Yuckies

2011-12-28T17:52:00.000-09:00

Oh MAN, here we go again...

Princess Joy managed to be the lucky "catcher" of the tummy yucky bug on the 23rd, and is just now feeling up to herself. Last night, Princess Grace starting getting sick, and has barely kept down clear liquids.

This afternoon, Hubs came home from work sick as a dog and unable to keep liquids in either.

PLEASE, lift me up in prayer that I can stay healthy and nurse this crew of mine back to health...and that the other two kids don't catch the bug either.

I have scrubbed my hands, house, dishes, laundry...so much that my hands are stinging.

Our Frosted World- not quite wordless Wednesday

2011-12-28T13:29:00.001-09:00

The drive down the road from our house...we went for a walk on Christmas day to enjoy the snowfall.

I love the way it looks like the trees are frosted. That is Princess Grace.

Pantry Tricks - Stock needed

2011-12-27T15:29:00.000-09:00

I was out of Chicken stock, out of white wine, out of everything thing yummy that I normally use to de-glaze a pan and make yummy sauce for things.

I had already started the meal when I realized that I had nothing to use to make gravy.

I didn't want to use plain ol' water. There just isn't enough flavor in the sauce for me when I do that. I am a BIG flavor profile girl...

So, I dug through my pantry for some of the things that I keep on hand for the "it is just to cold to go to the store but we still need to eat" days:

freeze dried mushrooms

dried onions
dried parsley

So, I put two cups of water in a sauce pan and added:
one handful of the dried mushrooms
one handful of the dried onions
1 T dried parsley
a pinch and dash of salt
a pinch of red pepper flakes

I let it simmer for about 15 minutes, strained, and ta-da!...a flavorful broth to use to make gravy.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T11:32:00.001-09:00

It is a quiet Christmas at home for us this year....sorta bittersweet, but good too. We got to talk with all our family members. What a blessing just to hear their voices and listen to their plans for the day.

We kept it small. Each kid got two gifts plus there were two gifts for them to open together (Wii ActiveLife games that they play together).

Hubs just left to go into work. But, that is ok. We are done with the "Christmas-y" part of it all. When he gets home, we will have our "traditional" Christmas Lasagna dinner. I reminded the kids that:
#1 we need to be thankful that our Daddy has a good job that lets us enjoy a warm home and Christmas presents
#2 Our Daddy is "home" in the sense that he is here in Alaska with us. Lots of other soldier Daddies and Mommies are not home right now.

Daddy and Princess Joy (please excuse the Christmas present opening mess all around!)

We weren't able to go to church. Princess Joy was sick all day with the tummy yuckies and a fever yesterday. Praise the Lord, she is on the mend today, but still kinda dragging. We figured it would not be nice if we shared our germs for Christmas...not a good gift...so we are laying low and playing Wii.

Later, we will decorate some more gingerbread, and suit up to spend some time out in the snow. Of course, we are working hard not to forget the real meaning of Christmas:

Our very favorite Advent Calendar. Prince Charming put the Baby Jesus up this morning as the last little item to go on the scene.

One of my nativities, the Scentsy Burner that my sister gave to me.

Friends and Christmas and more snow

2011-12-22T15:35:00.000-09:00

Yesterday, my Army-Wife friend, Mary, and 3 of her 4 kiddos came over, and we spent the ENTIRE day making ooodles and oodles of cookies. It was a special time of "sister-hood" as our crazy children ran amuck and consumed cookies behind our backs. Instead of the big family (mom and sisters and me) sour cream poundcake making day, this was our big baking day. Different, but still warm and full of memories.

I had so much fun, I only remembered to take one picture, and it was a bad one...ugh! But, the kids got creative making candy cane shaped sugar cookies and other designs with the dough.

Today, my bloggy-friend-turned-real-life-friend, Melissa, invited this crazy crew over for a creative day of Gingerbread Nativity making. She was super creative, and even designed her own baby Jesus gingerbread cut-out. She rocks! The kids had so much fun, and I really enjoyed the fellowship and sugar fun in her kitchen. THAT is a new and wonderful memory for me for sure!

I felt so bad because we TOTALLY trashed her kitchen, but it was fun, and the nativities turned out adorable

I know, there weren't Christmas trees there...but a little creative license is needed in the world of gingerbread, right...?

My decorating didn't do it justice, but this is the 3-D gingerbread Baby Jesus Manger she designed.

I think my favorite little moment was when Prince Charming slid up to the table and said, "I'm gonna 'wook' at baby Jesus!"

We are so blessed to have made wonderful friends in Alaska that are willing to bring us into their fold and include us in their Christmas festivities. We still REALLY miss our friends and family in the "Lower 48", but God has given us such a blessing of friends here already. I am forever thankful for that gift.

This year is pretty different for us, for sure.

1st, it is a White Christmas of the highest order. Ya don't get any of those in FL and TX ;-)

Snow babies anyone?! As I shoveled the driveway, I buried the kids...fun stuff.

This was taken in our front yard at 2 pm...and yes, it is almost dark.

Snow Doggie...Honey was barking and whining to get let out and go chase the big fluffy snowflakes, silly dog!

2nd, we have no family with us. We've always had someone (or gone home) for Christmas. So, we are doing things a bit differently, and trying to just make memories as they come instead of relying on our old traditions. Christmas Eve has always been SUPER big for us. We usually host a big bon-fire food fest and carol singing time. But, you can't really do that in this weather here. So, Christmas Eve will be a quiet time at home, maybe making a Happy Birthday Jesus cake and watching movies with popcorn. We'll start some "new traditions" here in our new home.

The Blessing of friends in this far away frozen (but amazing) land has been more important than I can tell you. Thanks, ladies, for sharing Christmas memories with us. You don't know how much that means to my heart.

Soldier's Christmas Poem

2011-12-19T08:38:00.000-09:00

This poem was emailed to me by my mother in law. It is one of those forever forwarded emails. I do not know the author. If you do, let me know! She/He deserves credits for it for sure.

It touched a cord in the heart of this Army Wife:

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,

HE LIVED ALL ALONE,

IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF

PLASTER AND STONE.

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY

WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,

AND TO SEE JUST WHO

IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,

A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,

NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,

NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,

JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,

ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES

OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,

AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,

A SOBER THOUGHT

CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,

IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,

I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,

ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,

SILENT, ALONE,

CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR

IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,

THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,

NOT HOW I PICTURED

A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO

OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?

CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,

THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES

THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,

OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS

WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD,

THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,

AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE

A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM

EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,

BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,

LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER

HOW MANY LAY ALONE,

ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE

IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT

BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,

I DROPPED TO MY KNEES

AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED

AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,

'SANTA DON'T CRY,

THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;

I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,

I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,

MY LIFE IS MY GOD,

MY! COUNTRY, MY CORPS.'

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER

AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,

I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,

I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I WEPT FOR HOURS,

SO SILENT AND STILL

AND WE BOTH SHIVERED

FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE

ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,

THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR

SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,

WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,

WHISPERED, 'CARRY ON SANTA,

IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE.'

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,

AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.

'MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,!

AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT.'

696 calories burned...no wonder I am hungry

2011-12-18T19:56:00.001-09:00

Hubster rented a wood splitter today to go ahead and split the rest of the wood that our friends, and previous owners of our house, left for us.

**Pause for a shout out- a HUGE shout out- to Jeremy. DUDE, that was a LOT of wood. You are my hero for all the wood you cut and stacked before we got here. I need to make you some cookies or something.**

I spent three solid hours moving and stacking wood this afternoon, and I am BEAT. It wasn't a leisurely stack either. I was busting my tail since we only get a whopping 3.3 hours of daylight around here right now, and I needed to get the wood stacked and covered.

According to an online calculator, stacking wood (for a person of my age/height/weight/gender) burns 232 calories an hour. Of course, I don't think it is totally fair, since the same calculator said Hubs burned 366 calories an hour doing the same thing....hmmm...I may just round up and say 700 calories burned at least for me, don't ya think!!

SHOOT, no wonder dinner didn't last.

I am off to eat at least 600 calories worth of popcorn and chocolate covered almonds! I am starving. Don't worry, I pop the popcorn myself in olive oil...healthy fats and all. HA! We won't talk about the chocolate covered almonds. Be nice. I earned them.

Lesson to be learned: If you don't like to exercise just for the sake of burning calories, move to Alaska and get a house with a wood stove. Moving wood around will more than make up for the lack of motivation to do jumping jacks!

A different calculator said I would burn 400 calories an hour shoveling snow.

DUDE! No wonder I haven't done Wii Fit since I moved to AK. I am getting all my exercise doing chores.

Living here does have some perks. ;-)

Family Photo

2011-12-17T21:44:00.001-09:00

Yes, very stylin' I know...snow clothes and all...but this will be our Christmas Family Photo this year! At least we uncovered our faces for the shot! Otherwise, it would have been only our eyes. Gotta love Alaska.

And yes, those chairs are made of solid ice.

Yes, they are cold, but not as cold as the air around them.

They were also very slippery.

Yes, it was dark out when we took the photo...at 3:30 pm.

For My Friend Jenn...before and after

2011-12-16T21:37:00.002-09:00

**Jenn, I love you like a sister. My prayers are with you hourly. It seems my every waking moment is consumed with thoughts and prayers for you to conquer this beast. You WILL kick it in the bootie! **

This is my amazing friend Jenn, with whom I have traveled many journeys of motherhood (before and since) than I can imagine. She is one of my "crazy Lutheran" friends who just lights up my life with laughter and "good medicine".

(summer 2010 when she and her oldest came to visit us in Texas)

This sweet and brave woman is facing a battle of a lifetime to fight back that stinkin' cancer that has invaded her body. Please join me as I pray for this sweet mom of 3 little girls.

I had been planning to do this for months now, but today, I "HAD" to go do it. I am too far away to hug her and feed her yummy food. I haven't been able to be by her side, and selfish me had to do something...

So...

Before:

After:

Prince Charming told me, "Mommy, you boo-tee-full."

Princess Hope told me, "Momma you look 25 now!" (I love that girl)

The Twinkie Princesses have tried to smile and tell me they like it, but I don't think they do.

Hubs said I was cute...

**edited to answer questions: I am not sure where I am sending the donation. But, I will probably pick one of groups that does hair for women. I was originally inspired to do this about a year ago when the mom of a friend of Princess Hope went through chemo for breast cancer. Then, made the final cut in honor of my beautiful friend Jenn. This is probably the only time I will be able to do this, however, because I was told that I have close to the 5% cut off of "too much grey hair". HA! ***

WONKY

2011-12-14T16:43:00.000-09:00

My local friend used this word: WONKY.

I LIKEY IT! She said it in reference to how these dark days of Alaskan winter make you feel...all wonky.

Exhibit A:

no this is not upside down, she was doing that on purpose

Exhibit B:
The fact that today, I went out when the sun peeked around the clouds for an hour or so, and for "fun" I moved/stacked and entire pile of wood, about a cord of it!...and something in me enjoyed it.

Yes, my friends, I get some kind of strange entertainment out of moving wood from messy dangerous piles into neatly stacked little bunches, ready for use in my roasty toasty wood stove.

I do believe I am going WONKY, as are the kidlets!

I think I need to get out more...no? yes?

"Healthier" Country Not-So-Fried Steak with Gravy

2011-12-12T14:19:00.001-09:00

Let's get all fancy and call this: Pan Seared steaks with Mushroom and White Wine Ragout. HA!

Or, Country Not-So-Fried Steaks works as well.

This is the first trial run for a request made by my Brother in Law. Uncle B, hope you like it...I will continue to tweak and tork it, but this was quite yummy.

I know...picture stinks. I need to get a photography friend to help me make it look as yummy as it tastes. BUT, it was REALLY yummy, and I didn't feel the least bit guilty eating it.

Use "about" (still in the pinch and dash stage people)

1/2 cup flour

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp ground paprika (smoky if ya got it)

1 "family pack" cubed steaks (about 8)

2 T extra virgin olive oil

1/2 cup white wine (optional)

1 cup beef broth (divided)

1 package crimini mushrooms, chopped

1 medium sweet onion, diced

Combine flour and spices. Pat steaks dry, then lightly coat in flour, banging off any excess. Keep about 1 T of the flour leftover.

In a skillet, over medium high heat with olive oil, sear the steaks on both sides, and remove to an oven safe dish. When you are finished searing the steaks, put them in the oven on warm. This will finish cooking them through while you make the gravy.

"De-glaze" you skillet with the white wine, using a spatula to scrape up all those yummy bits off of the bottom.

Saute the onions and mushrooms until soft.

Sprinkle in the 1 T of seasoned flour. Stir to coat. Gently stir in the beef broth and bring to a simmer.

Pour "gravy" over the beef and sprinkle with parsley.

I served it with a heaping helping if salad and "smashed" potatoes.

To make the smashed potatoes, boil your favorite potato with the skins on. Smash, don't mash. Leave the skins on for extra fiber. Season with a splash of low sodium chicken stock, salt, pepper, and onion powder.

So, how is it healthier?

NOT deep fried. 2 T of EVOO for pan searing is not bad at all.

Gravy is not a fat filled lumpy mess. It is chock full of fiber and veggies.

Smashed potatoes use chicken stock to help give them the texture you like instead of cream and butter.

OK, Uncle B. I'll work on it some more in the weeks to come. My 4 little food snobs tend to complain if I feed them the same thing more than once a month. "MOOOOOM we just ate this...." SNOBS!

I actually took some inspiration from a recipe for Sour Cream Steaks off of http://www.mrsmamahen.com/ . I set out to make her recipe, and then realized I didn't have enough time, so came up with this one instead. However, check her blog and her recipe. It is a family favorite too! It has similar qualities as Country Fried Steak with gravy as well.

More Blessings from Alaskans

2011-12-12T14:00:00.000-09:00

While at AWANA last week, I casually mentioned that I was sad because one of by bestest friends in the world lives in Texas...not Alaska...and she can no longer make crazy awesome cakes for my crew. ( I confess that I stole her cookie and icing recipes and made cookies that tasted fantastic but were not pretty for AWANA).

The girls actually broke down in tears earlier in the week when they realized that Mrs. Amy couldn't make the puppy/bandanna cake that they wanted.

Well...wouldn't you know, our awesome super duper AWANA Commander does cakes! She made a cake for my crew that absolutely MADE the party theme!

These Alaskans, they are just so awesome and all those wonderful words. Our B-day blues were wiped away by this cake.

Perfect for a Texas/Bandanna/Puppy themed party, don't ya think?

Ice and Friends

2011-12-08T15:37:00.001-09:00

Today, we were blessed to be welcomed into a group of homeschoolers by a friend who planned a field trip. My children adore her children, and I think she is absolutely fabulous. We had a wonderful time playing on ice slides, then coming home for cookies and cocoa with her crowd, who made me feel so welcome. We got to play on/in/around come really cool ice....literally.

Crazy homeschoolers climbing on Santa's sled...can you tell, I don't think "socialization" is a problem for us!

Princess Grace getting ready to go down the big ice slide

Princess Hope and her friend Miss J, getting ready to race through the maze made of ice

Princess Joy going down the big ice slide

Princess grace at the end of the slide

Prince Charming on the little slide by himself.

Let me pause to extend HUGE thanks to Mr. L and Miss J and Miss E for sliding and sledding with my crew. Your Momma sure has done a good job. Your are great kids to hang out with for sure!

Prince Chraming driving the ice tractor train

Week of Birthdays

2011-12-07T21:49:00.000-09:00

This week three of my 4 kidlets have b-days!

The Twinkie Princesses turn 6!

brand spankin' new

Little Prince Charming, who reminds me every day that he is a big guy and not a little dude because he has on "underwears" is turning 3.

Can someone please tell me where my babies have gone?

Happy B-day to my crew. I love you al so very very very much.

If you wanna laugh...

2011-12-06T13:27:00.001-09:00

I rarely post links to other blogs, but my friend-in-make-believe-blog-land, Taylor, wrote about Christmas tree hunting with her 4 children. If you have more than one child, this post will make you laugh so hard you may pee your pants.

http://www.thelumberjackswife.com/2011/12/04/the-christmas-tree-hunt/

More sharing, and a recipe for lower-fat red potato salad

2011-12-05T20:00:00.000-09:00

**This is an older post (5/10/10) that I am bumping up for my Sister and her Hubs (and Lil' Miss Tater...my niece with the beautiful blue eyes!)***

Can you tell we got a new internet provider? Oh happy happy joy joy, I can upload a picture in just moments instead of half an hour per one photo. Be prepared for LOTS more pictures!!

The Garden is starting to really produce. A few nights ago, our dinner plate was 50% home grown. Oh, how I love to eat stuff fresh out of the garden.

The Menu: Grilled skinless chicken (please clap for the King Hubby and his beautiful grill marks), baked beans (super secret recipe that I might share for a bribe), salad with HOME-GROWN lettuce and homemade dressing, low fat potato salad with HOME- GROWN potatoes!!! YUM YUM TUM TUM!

Low-Fat Potato Salad

2 lbs (or so...they were fresh out of the garden, and I didn't weigh them) baby red potatoes, skin on

1 heaping tablespoon Hellmanns light mayo

3 teaspoons regular old mustard (the bright yellow kind)

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup of my favorite pickles with a smidge of the pickle juice (chopped)

salt and pepper to taste

Boil the potatoes. Cool and slice. Add in everything else, stir, chill, and serve.

Disclaimer: I am quite sure that the absolute yumminess of this came from two things: #1-the potatoes were ever so delightful and creamy right out of the ground. #2 The pickles are home-made by my ever-so-talented King Hubby. The low-fat ness comes from replacing a good portion of the traditional mayo with some EVOO. It gives you the creaminess with a healthy fat instead of a bad-for-you one like mayo.

BTW my crazy friends...only 5 ingredients since salt and pepper are freebies ;) LOVE YOU !!

And finally, because I CAN upload it, here is yet another poorly taken picture of Prince Charming torturing our sweet (but naughty) Honey Dog. I have never seen a creature ask for abuse like this dog. She loves that boy so much, she begs him to sit on her, pull her tail, squeeze her...you name it. She is just laying there wagging her tail while he sits on her head. HER HEAD I tell you. He just kept taking turns between kissing her head and sitting on it. Talk about man's best friend.

Chinook blessings?

2011-12-05T13:19:00.000-09:00

It came.

It thawed.

It rained.

It blew wind like crazy.

It froze.

I slipped not once, but twice, on ice while trying to re-cover our precious wood supply after the tarps blew off.

The bruises on my bum and wrist are....well...ugly. My back and neck hurt too.

It snowed.

The wind blew like crazy again.

It snowed some more.

I have to admit, at 12:25 last night, when the wind was blowing like crazy, and a tree fell in our yard, and the power went out, and I was REALLY tired...practically in tears because I was so tired and just wanted to sleep...and the dogs were pacing, and the children were awake scared....I REALLY didn't like the Chinook.

Today, big fluffy snowflakes began to fall. We love big fluffy snowflakes. It was 18 degrees out. So, being that it was so warm (above zero), we decided to take a break from school and go catch some fluffy snowflakes. I also really needed to go inspect the yard for any damage. I knew one tree was down because hubby found it last night.

We suited up, and went for a walk around our yard (1 acre). The tree was indeed down. But, it didn't hit anything but the corner of the wood pile. Amazingly, the tree was actually dead. It still had pine needles on it, but the thing literally broke off at the ground, and the stump was flaking apart. TA-DA seasoned wood.

Let me tell you a quick "flashback" story. A few days ago, before the Chinook hit, I was outside moving wood from the big wood pile to our "by the house" stash, as well as into the garage. I made Hubby come out and survey the pile with me. By my calculations, we only have enough wood to get through February, maybe the beginning of March. Not good. Break-up (as in the snow and ice breaking up and melting) doesn't start until May. I was starting to get a little worried. It isn't the end of the world. We have heating fuel as well, but that stuff is 4.50 a gallon...and using the wood stove, we use about 3.5 gallons a day already. You do the math!

But, I decided to just let it go and pray for peace and my own little Jabez like prayer...that God would multiply our wood so that we had just enough to make it til break up.

Then, the chinook hit. Well, the winds did two things. They knocked down a tree that, unbeknownst to us, was already "seasoned". The wood looks ready to burn already! It also blew snow off a pile of cut trees (left by construction) on the opposite side of the house....already seasoned.

So, I laughed with joy. I will not worry about our wood. We will have enough. Even if we do run out, it will be enough.

Last night, the Chinook was not looking so much like a blessing.

Today, it did. We have another 2-3 weeks of wood, at least. We also got to play outside with patches of blue sky for an hour. Even Taffy, the dog who hates cold, was excited to go outside and chase her ball in the snow.

We needed that. Yesterday was depressing for all of us. Dogs included.

God is good. He knows just what I need, just when I need it.

Praying for COLD!?! or dry will do as well....

2011-12-03T21:05:00.000-09:00

Never in my life did I think I would pray for this.... but if anyone reads this in the next 24 hours, please join me in prayer.

It is threatening to go above freezing with what they call a Chinook. That is when a warm front blows in and we go from -20s and -30s to above freezing. That is a 60 degree weather change. Sounds lovely...except that is it dangerous. Right now, the roads here are covered in packed snow, and fairly safe for driving (if you have snow tires). But, if it gets too warm, and especially if it rains, the roads all turn to solid ice. That is BAD, because it will never get warm enough to actually melt the ice away. The ice will then stay with us until "break up" which starts in May.

Lots of people will get REALLY hurt. Travel comes to a halt for days at a time if that happens, and the roads never really return to "normal". Unfortunately, my Hubby's job is considered "essential personnel" and he has to try to get to work no matter what, even in emergency situations...the thought of him trying to drive on roads like that nearly turns my hair white. I will be trapped in my house with my ever so lovely children and two dogs....get the white coat with buckles for me now!

I can't believe it, but I wish the temps would go below zero again.

So, I am praying, right now, that it either takes a drastic downward drop soon, preventing the above freezing temps, or it doesn't rain if it does go above freezing. The roads will still be bad, but not horrible if it at least doesn't rain....

Can you believe I am praying for more cold!!!! BUT....I am.

Not shopping, a day for helpers, potty training, and random-ness

2011-11-26T19:07:00.001-09:00

I used to love Black Friday. It was such a treat to go out with my mom and hunt for bargains. But, you know what, I don't like it anymore. I know "we" both have changed...as in I am older and have my hands full of kids, and the "market" is just...well...I just don't like the frenzied atmosphere it has taken.

BUT, rest your fears Mom, I did partake in some awesome black Friday deals....ONLINE. Hobby Lobby (my favorite store in Texas, which I miss terribly) now sells online, and they had a coupon plus free shipping. When you live in Alaska, free shipping is a big stinkin' deal. I can't tell you how much some places charge!

I also cashed in on some big photobook making coupons. That should make my Momma proud too ;)

Next topic: my helpers.

This morning, Princess Hope made chocolate chip cookies ALL BY HERSELF. I didn't measure a thing, or even direct her. She read and followed the recipe to a T. All I did was pull baking sheets in and out of the oven. She is only 8, I draw the line at the oven. I really am proud of her. That kid has some serious culinary feet under her already.

Prince Charming and Princess Grace helped make dinner. I'll probably post the recipe tomorrow, but it was Turkey Broccoli Cheese Casserole. YUM!

Next Topic: CHOO CHOO all aboard the potty train. For the first time in 8 years and 8 months, I do NOT have a child in diapers.

Did you hear me people?!?!

Will someone throw a happy dance party for me? Prince Charming had a playdate a few days ago. He decided before his friend came over (who, by the way does his poops in the potty) that he would be a Big BOY! We have been high and dry since that day in our fancy "underwears". We do not, I repeat, do NOT poop on Lightning McQueen or TowMater.

Randomness:
My husband loves me. My pans were a mess. I have decided I am DONE with non stick pans, and want stainless steel. I have tried every brand and followed every direction, and I am NOT satisfied.

Look what I got as a Christmas present...early...just in time to cook Thanksgiving dinner! That is one SMART man.

More Randomness: I have learned how to tell the relative temperature by looking at my windows. If they are covered in frost/ice at the bottom, it is -20 F or colder. If not, it is above. HA! Almost warm enough to only wear 3 layers instead of 4.

PS- YES, my kitchen was a mess in those pictures. That is what happens when you step back and let the peeps have control...but I really do think it was worth it.

Homeschool Update

2011-11-21T21:27:00.001-09:00

We have completed 14 weeks of school, 13 units in Heart of Dakota.

So far, I am still very pleased with the curriculum. It offers a little bit of something for everyone.

Something new we have started is "draw our way through history". I came up with the idea because the History reading was becoming a chore. I read the assigned portions each day, and instead of the girls sitting and listening, they get a piece of paper and a pencil. They may draw anything they want that is stimulated from what I am reading. It is working REALLY well. No more, "HEY, stop playing and listen!" during history time. They are actually excited each day to see what the other sisters come up with to draw. So far so good with that idea.

Here are some of the Ben Franklin drawings from when they learned about his life as a boy:

We also continue to enjoy the art section. This past week, the lesson was fun. It was a mix of art, history, and science. They had to fold a paper in half, paint half a tree, then refold/press. The result was a cherry tree that was symmetrical. We talked about the story of Washington, we talked about math/symmetry, and of course, we talked about art. All ages (even Momma) enjoyed this art project.

I will stick with the science portion, but if I continue with Heart of Dakota next year, I am going to do a different science. But, I have to be honest...it is probably the science teacher in me. I need more "meat".

All 4 kiddos were also in a Thanksgiving Play, acting out the part of pilgrims. Can I just tell you how fun that was! I felt so blessed that the director even let 2 yr old Prince Charming in on the act. She was super sweet, and he actually did a pretty good job. The Three Princesses are quite the little spotlight lovers, that is for sure. They loved being in a play for the first time. Drama suits them to a T.

Princess Grace and Princess Joy

Prince Charming with sleeves that are to long (my fault)...and Princess Grace

Princess Joy and Princess Hope (center)

I also wanted to share something special. We had a few homeschool friends over today. For a while, the big kids played together, and the little ones played together. Then, the sweetest thing happened. They paired off, and the big kids started helping and playing with the little kids. It touched my heart so much, I had to take pictures.

Big Brother L played Legos with the Twinkies and Prince Charming

Princess Hope read a story to Little Brother B.

This is one of those things that happens ALL the time with homeschool friends. The kids are so accustomed to being with all ages, that they just shift back and forth without even realizing it. Also, Big Brother L is quite the conversationalist. He and I had several in depth discussions about the science of big game (moose)preservation/sample sizes. That is another common thing amongst homeschoolers, and something that I adore. The kids learn how to socialize with people of all ages. Of course, the R family is just fabulous anyway. That, of course, plays a big roll as well ;)

Chicken and Veggie "SToup"

2011-11-20T21:00:00.000-09:00

"Stoup" being a Rachel Ray-ism I actually like. It is not thick like stew, but it is thicker and chunkier than a soup....

I was craving a boat load of veggies. I didn't want stir fry. I didn't want salad. It was -32 degrees F outside. I made soup instead.

Good golly peeps. This was some good stuff, I tell ya. It has to have been one of the most satisfying meals I have had in a long time. Don't let the ingredients list scare you. It is just a mess of veggies. I put almost every veggie in the house in the pot. It was very easy to make.

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
water (enough to fill the big pot half way and cover the chicken)
4 carrots, sliced
1 medium onion, diced
1 pint cremini mushrooms, sliced
2 stalks celery, sliced
1 can diced tomatoes (basil, garlic, and oregano seasoned ones)
1 small can tomato sauce (roasted garlic flavor)
1 large zucchini, diced/chunked
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1 sprig fresh of rosemary (leaves pulled and chopped) (about 1/2 tsp dried)
2 tsp dried parsley
2 tsp ground coriander
2 bay leaves
salt and pepper to taste

Boil the chicken breasts in about 8 cups of water. It was just enough to cover it and give it some wiggle room.

Meanwhile, chop and dice your veggies.

Remove chicken and shred. Save water.

Saute onion, celery, carrots, and mushroom until soft.

Add in shredded chicken, tomatoes, tomato sauce, zucchini, spices, and water reserved from boiling chicken. Let simmer for about 15 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.

I served it with grilled whole wheat flat bread. This time I used 2 cups whole wheat, no unbleached AP. The nutty sweetness of the whole wheat was perfect with the soup. It ROCKED.

And just to prove that I am not telling fibs:

Prince Charming in the act of eating his Chicken and Veggie SToup

You CAN teach your children to like veggies. It may take time and patience, but this little Dude has grown up never knowing that there was any alternative. Veggies are something he loves. We all eat them with excitement.

Thanking God at -40 degrees

2011-11-17T15:22:00.000-09:00

OK, I am TRYING really hard to remain positive in this challenge.

Last night, I had to run an errand into town. It was -37 on my car dash thermometer. Did you know that brakes and steering don't work very well at that temp? Well...they don't. I will not be running any more errands below -25 unless I absolutely can't avoid it.

Poor Hubs headed off to work this morning with his dash reading -41.

So, here is what I am thankful for:

1- a very efficient home. Our house has stayed in the 70s with just the wood stove during the day. The back bedrooms kick the fuel heat on at night. PTL for radiant floor heating. It is so awesome to step on a warm floor.

2- Wise Alaskan friends. I have two friends here that have been here either forever (born here) or 17 years. Both are moms. They either text or email me little tidbits of info that truly make my life so much easier. They might not think it is that much, but believe me, I would be lost without M and J! I especially appreciate the fact that they answer my "stupid rookie" questions. This FL girl is really having to learn about life in the Frozen North on quite a fast learning curve.

3- REALLY warm winter gear. When we moved here, people told me to buy Active8 and Classic Alaska gear. I took that advice to heart. Let me tell you, it was worth EVERY penny. I also bought a used Eddie Bauer down jacket from the former owners of this house. Last night, I was actually almost more toasty than I needed to be, all decked out in my gear from head to toe. I may have to get different boots though. The Columbia boots I have aren't quite as warm as I want.

Princess Hope in Active 8 (and her Turtle Fur that M told me to buy...smart advice on the Turtle Fur!)

4- Did I mention a warm house?!?! Let me do some math for you. Outside it was -40. Inside, it remained a comfy 74, thanks to the wood stove. That is a temperature difference of 114 degrees!!!!! Stop and think about that for a minute. You might have to pick your jaw up off of your computer keyboard.

5- My man, who works so hard, and braves the elements each day, to support us and afford this amazing house and warm clothes.

6- Homeschooling. I can't imagine what I would do if I had to herd children to and from school in this weather. Good golly, this is a horrid thought. We stay warm and cozy, snuggled on the couch with fleece blankets, to do our school work. That ROCKS!

7- The internet. I think I would go coo-coo without the ability to "talk" to my friends all over the world.

8-I know I said this before...but good snow tires. Dude, I would never go anywhere if I didn't have them.

9- The few moments of sunshine we do get each day. Even if I only see it through the window

10- The box of extra snow gear that my mom mailed to me. I actually keep the entire box of 6 pairs of snow pants (from her), 6 pairs of gloves (three from her), 6 pairs of wool socks, and 6 hats (one from her) in my car for emergencies. It is very comforting to know that I have them there, and don't have to take them in and out, risking not having them in an emergency. Silly, but it brings me joy, ya know....

11- The set of doggy snow gear that Dana left for me. I thought it was silly...until my Labrador refused to step outside because her feet hurt to bad to go potty. I really need to go buy a second set so that I can take both dogs out at once. They refuse to go out without me. So, I have to bundle one dog, bundle me, take out that dog, beg her to go potty, praise the dumb creature for going potty, and then go in...unbundle...and repeat.

This picture was taken when it was only 20 degrees above zero, and Honey didn't mind the cold or the snow. As it dropped below zero, they have been less and less inclined to go outside for anything.

12- The hope that next week it will "warm up" to only the -6s or so. One day, we might even go over zero!! Wouldn't that be a treat.

All that being said, I sure would appreciate the prayers of friends (and strangers for that matter). We love the lifestyle up here, but I gotta admit to being a bit daunted by this type of temperature. It REALLY means you have to think about safety and survival at all times.

My new "look"

2011-11-16T13:00:00.015-09:00

Like it?

I am fashion forward, am I not?

Or, maybe I am a hoodlum out to rob a bank dressed as an Inuit...

Like the faux fur?

Would you believe that I learned that the silly fur actually serves a purpose to help deflect wind and trap in warmth. Seriously, it isn't just to look cool.

That is not the sun rise. It is the sun setting. Light around 8:40am, dark around 4pm...and closing fast.

Here are my little "hoodlums in training".

Check out these eyelashes! Someone, who shall remain unidentified, was full of "hot air" while outside playing...and look what happened! That'll teach her to stop wasting her breath fussing!

PS: So far we love everything, even the crazy temperatures (maybe not -20 and lower, but the rest are ok). HOWEVER, we are not so crazy about losing Mr. Sunshine....but learning how to cope with it. The electric company is gonna LOVE me this month and next. Oh well.

Homemade Hamburger Buns

2011-11-15T13:00:00.001-09:00

Dearest Hubby wanted Hamburgers for dinner.

I had everything on hand, but the buns.

I DID NOT want to spend half an hour working the children into their winter gear to go drive in the falling snow at temps below zero to go the store to buy buns. (Man, there are a lot of prepositions there!!)

So, I found a recipe on the King Arthur's Flour web site Beautiful Burger Buns

I did change it up a little (I simply can't help myself).

Instead of unbleached AP flour, I used half whole wheat, half unbleached AP.

I subbed in olive oil for the butter.

YUM!

Give homemade burger buns a try. The recipe is linked here and up above

Amazing Free Book

2011-11-14T22:30:00.000-09:00

I have a friend.

Yes, go ahead and gasp.

She knew me before I had kids and had lost my mind and sense of style. Actually, I never had style, but she was still my friend.

This friend is an AWESOME Christian woman who has been given the gift (in my humble opinion) of encourager. She has blessed me with her words so many times.

Her name is Angela.

She has 4 kids. 4 BOYS (God bless her soul).

Over the last several years, Angela has poured her heart into a book that encourages Moms in their walk with the Lord. It has been published as an e-book

AND. IT. IS. FREE! FREE! FREE! (Imagine me yelling with joy right now)

Go, get the book. Read it. I know you will be blessed. I was blessed to read the book as it grew and formed. Go ahead, be jealous, then click on the link below and read it for yourself. Be BLESSED for goodness sakes, what are you waiting for! Click now, or forever hold your "pizza"!

I have not been compensated for this "advertisement" in any way, and wouldn't take it if she offered ;)

Look what we found!

2011-11-14T13:27:00.001-09:00

A few days ago, while preparing to leave Fred's (Fred Meyers-the really cool grocery store we discovered in AK), a man strolled by with two culinary prizes in his buggy (shopping cart for the rest of you non-Southerners).

Would you believe that the whole family took off like the races for the produce section, fighting for the right to be on the selection committee for this beauty:

For only $4.99, the Brussels Sprouts family became the proud owners of their own stalk of Brussels sprouts for dinner.

Would you also believe that the poor check out girl was bewildered? My children were fighting, and I mean screaming and crying, over the right to hold said beauty. Seriously. She said, "They are not going to believe me when I tell this story at break." Who would believe that 4 children were trying to take each other out over Brussels Sprouts?

We had to turn it into a little "unschooling"

Princess Hope removed all the little Brussels Sprouts and counted them. We had 59.5. She then had to figure out how many each person in our 6 person family got to eat (division with remainder). We also practiced rounding and dividing.

We did Orange Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Carrots for dinner.

"that" many Brussels Sprouts

1 cup orange juice

1/2 cup chicken stock

1 T olive oil

1 T unsalted butter

pinches and dashes of salt and red pepper flakes

2 tsp ground coriander

handful of baby carrots

(I had carrots left over from dinner the night before, and just tossed them in at the end to warm them through)

Bring to a simmer and cook (stirring often) until the liquid is reduced to a beautiful thick glaze over the sprouts. About 15-20 minutes or so.

Sorry, I forgot to get a picture of the finished dish. We ate them so fast!

Happy Veteran's Day

2011-11-11T00:00:00.000-09:00

To all of those who have served/are serving, my thanks and gratitude.

To my Dad, Sister, Brothers-in-Law, Uncle(s), Grandpa, and Aunt...I am so proud to be part of your family. Thank you for your service.

To my Soldier Hubby...I am SO proud to be your wife.. proud to stand by your side as your stand up to protect and defend this country and our freedom. Thank you for taking me on this ride with you.

To the all those who hang a gold star in their window...words will NEVER express my prayers and hopes for you, nor will they express my gratitude for the sacrifice your loved one made.

To those of you with a blue star...my prayers are with you and your service member as they protect us from evils a world away.

I want to send a challenge out to all of you. Find a retired vet today. They are usually pretty easy to spot. A lot of them wear hats with their branch of service and pins on them. Or, just ask around for friends and family members who have served. Ask that vet when/where they served. If they want, let them tell you their stories. They have stories from WWII, Vietnam, Korea, The Gulf, and un-numbered skirmishes across the globe. Then, thank them.

It is easy to see a man or woman in uniform, and thank them (don't forget to do that too), but the retired vets have been through so much as well. Don't forget, Veterans of Foreign Wars are not just men and women crowned with silver hair. In our time, veterans are in their 20s and 30s and 40s as well.

Pollo Con Verde

2011-11-09T13:33:00.003-09:00

Chicken with Green sauce just doesn't sound good...but that is what this is, and it IS good.

It can be served with out without noodles. I added noodles tonight, and turned it into a sort of a Tex-Mex chicken and noodles dish.

It was YUMMO!

You will need:

Senior Azul Grande (a dutch oven, or a pot that can go in the oven...or a crock pot if you must)
3 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs (not in picture because they were defrosting)
2 T olive oil
1 medium onion - diced
6 small or 3 medium tomatillos- diced
1 large anaheim pepper or whatever peppers you prefer if you want to make it spicy
6 cloves of garlic, whole in wrapper
salt and pepper to pinch and dash
ground coriander
2 tsp dried cilantro or however much fresh you like
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
2 cups or so chicken stock (low sodium)

Heat olive oil in the dutch oven on medium high. Pat the thighs dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and coriander.

Brown both sides, and remove to a seperate container.

Saute the onions, tomatillos, and pepper in the same pot.

When soft, use a splash of chicken stock to "deglaze" the pot (aka pick up all the lovely brown bits of flavor from the pot).

Place the chicken, cumin, and cilantro back into the pot. Pour in just enough chicken stock to not QUITE come to the top. Place the garlic cloves whole on top of the chicken.

Cover, and cook at 275 for about 2 hours.

Remove, and pull the garlic out. Squeeze all the yummy roasted garlic flavor from the skin and stir it into the pot.

You can stop here and serve, or you can make a thick sauce by pouring 1/2 cup chicken stock into 2 T corn starch. Return the mixture to the pot, and bring to a bubble to thicken.

Again, you can stop here and serve, or add in one bag of egg noodles. Your choice!

YUM!! Top with sour cream for an even more delightful taste.

Things I am Thankful for when it is -20 degrees or so...

2011-11-08T20:31:00.000-09:00

It is supposed to hit -20s for the first time this week. I am trying to look forward to it ;)

So, I am counting my Alaskan blessings:

#1 Our wood burning stove. This little hunk of metal and such is quite the feat of engineering. You can't tell by looking at it, but the folks who owned this home before us put in the prima donna of wood stoves. That black jewel can take 6-8 split logs and get the entire house heated into the 70s. Some days I am so warm, I have to wear short sleeves inside. It keeps the heating oil from running on all but the extreme coldest nights. It ROCKS. I have learned to be quite the wood hauler and fire builder. Don't tell anyone, but I sorta enjoy it.

#2 The view from our living room window. I especially love it at night when I can see the Aurora Borealis out that window. WOW! How cool is it that I can stand in my living room all cozy and warm and watch such glorious wonder. To bad my camera and I can't capture it for you...sorry.

#3 Really awesome new friends, and the blessing of old friends (from Hubby's college days). God has blessed us as we form some wonderful friendships. Alaskans are downright "my kinda peeps". Nothing will fill the place of our old friends, but our hearts are growing to make room for more!!

#4 A new coat. I splurged and bought a new down coat. That thing is almost to warm unless it is below zero!

#5 Blizzak tires. I never thought I would be thankful for tires. Hubby researched and bought the best of the best in snow tires. They were worth every darn penny he spent. Driving here is CRAZY, and I still drive like a snail...but a much more steady snail with my new tires.

image credit

#6 A new church family and pastor who will "preach it straight". The kids are in LOVE with the children's church program. I can't express what a blessing that is to my soul.

Momma's Morning Cuppa

2011-11-03T08:07:00.000-08:00

I have one bloggy friend that may cry at this next statement: I can't drink coffee.

I love the smell and taste of coffee. Coffee doesn't love me. No matter what type I try, it turns my tummy inside out.

So, I have become an avid tea drinker. All flavors, all "colors"...I LOVE a cup of hot tea.

These chilly Alaska mornings (-10 F this morning), demand a hot cup of something.

My newest addiction:

A blend of flavors starts my morning. I need the caffiene kick of regular tea, and the pick me up power of peppermint. So, I brew the two together and add a splash of milk with about 1 tsp honey.

YUM!

Tea is full of antioxidents. My friend Jewel could tell you all the health benefits of peppermint.

Give it a try. You might just love it too.

Warm Lunch Waiting: Re-visit Split Pea Soup

2011-10-31T13:52:00.001-08:00

This morning, it was a bit chilly. Not super cold, only 12 degrees or so.

The sun started to peek out, so we decided to get school done, and go for a walk to try to catch the sun and play in the snow.

Sunshine is a precious commodity around here lately.

I took a short break from teaching while the girls were working on a test (and Bubba was entertained), and threw together a pot of one of their favorite soups for lunch: Split Pea Soup.

It took me 10 minutes to throw together the soup, and leave it to simmer on the stove.

We finished school, and did a little of this:

Princess Grace, snow angel maker

Prince Charming, snow not so angel....

Princess Hope and Princess Joy looking for sparkly snowflakes and bunny tracks.

sparkly snowflakes

(Wish I had better camera skills, but they were amazingly sparkly and whole. You could see entire flakes, perfectly and uniquely formed. We are fascinated with the big fluffy ones.)

Then we came inside to a warm pot of soup.

If you are looking for a quick and easy (and REALLY inexpensive) warm meal, give split pea soup a try. I promise my version is not like that nasty stuff that comes in a can. It actually tastes great, fills you up, and is "souper" good for you!

Click HERE for the link to the post/recipe and then add 1 tsp ground coriander to the recipe. I did that today for a punch of brightness. It worked perfectly.

What are some of your favorite "warm up" meals?

NOT for me and my house -and an alternate celebration

2011-10-28T14:41:00.002-08:00

I may hurt some feelings here...I am getting out my soap box.

The celebrations on Oct 31 are NOT for me and my house.

It is NOT innocent.

It is NOT fun.

It is NOT ok to invite evil into our lives and souls, telling our kids it is ok in the name of fun. Our hearts do not have room for Jesus and a little Evil. He wants ALL of our hearts.

Why am I so adamant? I have seen "real" evil. My husband has seen first hand (at work and in family) what this "innocent" celebration can turn into. A person in our family has been touched by evil in a way that will leave her scarred forever, physically and mentally.

Evil doesn't need a mile to get a foot hold in our lives. Evil only wants an inch. It only wants a tiny little foot hold called innocent childhood fun....

Check out the real history of Halloween, and the rituals that cults practice on this night (if you don't want to sleep for a week). It will scare the beegeebers out of you.

I will not share details on this blog, for they are gruesome, horrible, and not PG at all.

What I will share is our alternative, one for which my children are "hop up and down driving me crazy all day" excited over.

We hold our annual Family Movie Night of all Movie Nights instead. Each year, we purchase a brand new, family friendly, kid safe movie. I make a HUGE batch of sticky gooey rice krispy treats (with sprinkles), we buy two bags of "real" potato chips, one huge bag of whatever candy the children vote on (Twizzlers this year), and a bottle of soda.

After a quick and healthy dinner, we all pile into Mom and Dad's bedroom. We cover the floor and the bed with washable blankets. Then, the kids (and the parents) get to have a junk food fest while watching TV together.

Since candy, sugar snacks, soda, and regular potato chips are a rare thing in our house, this is a big deal. I only buy this stuff once a year. My kids are allowed to eat as much as they want on this Movie Night.

They did learn last year that gorging might give you tummy aches. It was funny. On the way home from the commissary this week, they were discussing that they were going to limit themselves on consumption. Princess Hope said she will "only" have 2 Krispy treats, 2 handfuls of chips, one glass of soda, and one handful of candy ;) . We shall see....

I pray you and your family have a safe weekend. Maybe you have your own alternative celebrations that are fun and you look forward to each year. Please share if you do.

Honey Whole Wheat Corn Muffins

2011-10-26T12:06:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was "Chili Soup" night...again. Chili is one food I know all 4 kids will inhale, it doesn't take long to make, I always have the ingredients on hand, and it is full of good nutrition.

Here is the recipe link for our Chili "Soup"

I usually serve tortilla chips with it, and call it a done deal.

Yesterday, my darling children were so well behaved in the commissary (not), that I forgot to get a handful of items. Tortilla chips were one of them.

So, I decided to "fiddle" (as my husband calls it) with a recipe for corn muffins. I actually used the recipe on the back of the corn meal as a jumping off point, and ran with it.

The muffins are GONE! Princess Hope just ate the last two for breakfast, without chili ;) I made her take a picture before she could eat them.

1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup corn meal
2 tsp baking powder
pinch kosher salt
1 cup whole milk
1/4 cup canola oil
1 egg
1/4 cup honey.
1/2 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed

Preheat oven to 400

Prepare muffin tin with either baking spray or little muffin papers plus a bit of spray. It makes 12 muffins.

Combine flour, corn meal, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl.

Stir milk, oil, egg, and honey together in a separate bowl.

Pour the wet into the dry and stir to combine.

Add in the corn kernels.

Bake about 16-20 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.

Serve warm (with a tiny dab of butter, because butter is my weakness!)

Finally Saw The Aurora Borealis!

2011-10-24T16:08:00.001-08:00

image credit

Finally!

Oh, it was so perfect, and such a blessing.

image credit

Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

image credit

Honestly, that is the only way I can describe it.

The "show" couldn't have come at a better time. It was truly an answer to a prayer cried out in loneliness.

It was so beautiful that I risked facing morning monsters and woke up the girls to come out and watch it with me. We had a beautiful time snuggled together in our snow suits, watching the lights, singing praise and worship songs in Thanksgiving for the wonders of glory we got to witness.

image credit

I have asked a friend if I can "borrow" her pictures of the Aurora since my camera just doesn't capture them. It is one of those wallet sized cameras that is point and shoot only. She, on the other hand, takes amazing pictures with her fancy dancy camera. All of these pictures were captured a few weeks ago in my area by Conni, otherwise known as Mrs. Mama Hen. Her blog (http://www.mrsmamahen.com/) is fun, filled with Alaskan adventures, tasty recipes, and Army life. Hop on over. Her pictures are WAY better than mine.

Teasers from the cooking class

2011-10-22T18:39:00.000-08:00

Sour Dough Chocolate Cake

Sour Dough Pumpkin Roll

French Baguettes

...and I forgot to take pics of the sourdough pancakes and sourdough waffles

It was fun. I picked up a few tips about sourdough, but was sorta sad. Nothing had that "twangy" taste I really was looking forward to. However, the instructor said there were a few ways to make the starter have a more tangy taste. I will have to look those recipes up on the internet.

The only difference I noticed in the recipes was the texture. They all had that nice chewy texture that I like. Otherwise, it was just like any other chocolate cake or pumpkin cake.

The instructor wasn't sure about freshly ground whole wheat, but I am going to give white whole wheat a try (to make a starter with it), and maybe bum some fresh ground whole wheat from a friend (if I trade some starter for it...hint hint...Melissa...).

Of course, you know me. I need to take these recipes and try to make them healthier (even if I haven't been doing much of that lately...I should be ashamed). Why? Well, even with eating a healthy breakfast, and then taking almonds along for protein hits, I felt HORRIBLE by the end of the class...just horrible. My body isn't used to all that white flour and sugar. I had to go get some protein and let it settle before I could even drive home. It is amazing when you train your body to eat right, not eating right REALLY screws you up.

So, as I work these recipes into healthier versions, I will share them with you.

Taking a Class!

2011-10-22T08:09:00.000-08:00

I am so excited. I am off this morning to take a class/workshop at the local Culinary College. They are offering weekend workshops, and I am super stoked.

Today's topic: All Sourdough- bread, pancakes, waffles, cakes...ALL of them with sourdough, as well as how to make your own sourdough starter.

Can't wait to share what I learn!

Dadgum Apple Pie

2011-10-21T07:46:00.000-08:00

Dadgum, that is good.

Dadgum, I really want another slice.

Dadgum, dadgum, who ate the rest of the pie! (shhh....don't tell 'em it was me!)

Have I ever told you the Apple Pie Story?

About 9 years ago, I went on a quest to make the perfect apple pie. After a few months of pie making, my husband took an "obligatory" bite of the latest trial and said, "Honey, this is good, but can you not make any more apple pies?"

Mind you, I was pregnant with our oldest child.

My pregnant self got very peeved with my poor apple pie tester.

I didn't make another apple pie for 7 years. Yep, you read that right. No apple pie for 7 years.

Finally, poor Hubby got brave enough to ask for apple pie a few years ago. I caved, figuring my 7 year grudge could be forgiven...

I started SLOWLY tweaking my apple pie recipe.

This past week, about the ONLY good thing I did was make the most awesome apple pie yet. It was a rough week. Pie makes everything better, eh?

I should have made two...it really was a rough week.

I called it DADGUM Apple pie in honor of my son's favorite DVD -Tow Mater's Tall Tales, and the Dadgum song on said DVD (I promise it will drive you nuts)

I started with a fresh from scratch pastry crust. I like Melissa D'Arabian's pie crust. It is quick, easy, and just plain ol' tasty. It is not, however, good for you in any way. But, let's face it....this is pie, it was a bad week, and sometimes a little dairy fat makes life better.

The filling, I swear, was so good because of the amazing apples Hubs found at Sams. Go figure.

I used three big fugi apples, and 3 medium gala apples. Cruncy and tangy meets juicy and sweet...a match made in Apple Pie heaven.

Secret #1: Tapioca pearls. Those babies give it the perfect filling texture.

Secret #2: Orange juice and lemon juice in small quantities REALLY brighten up the pie, but don't make it taste like a citrus pie

Secret #3: Cardamom. Just the teensy tiniest pinch packs a wallop of flavor.

Secret #4: That little birdy thingy you see sticking out of the pie. It vents the pie perfectly, letting out just the right amount of steam, keeping the crust perfect and the filling still moist.

The recipe? Sorry folks, some things a girl has to keep secret...especially her apple pie recipe ;)

But, I challenge you. Go on your own apple pie making quest. See what you come up with.

Just remember, make no more than one apple pie a month, or your family may beg you to stop your quest ;)

"We wescued you!"

2011-10-18T16:06:00.002-08:00

My 2 year old, with the help of his Daddy-hero, came to the "wescue" last night.

Why?

Ice and slick tires and a stop sign and a ditch and the night and cold and three children and late leaving Tae Kwon Do....

I slid right off the road, 6 inches away from the ditch, and was not happy. Guess I can check "do something stupid like sliding off the road" off my bucket list.

Dana (the previous owner of our house) told me she never stopped at the stop sign at the last corner near the house. She wasn't kidding. I was ever so careful to stop the right way, breaking early and slowly. But, when it came time to move forward, ever so slowly once again being careful, my SUV moved sideways and to the back on a patch of ice. FUN stuff.

Y'all pray for me, would ya? Driving is not my forte', nor do I find it fun. Driving in Alaska is gonna take some serious learning on my part. I want to hibernate for the next 6 months, but then I really would go loony loopy loo.

More Fun Snow Picture and random-ness

2011-10-17T15:48:00.000-08:00

These are for our friend Mrs. Dana and family.

God blessed us with not only an amazing house, but a neat friendship with the prior owners. If it hadn't been for the fact that we love the house so much, and needed it, we didn't want them to leave ;) They are a military family stationed in Texas now, in the exact same area we just left. CRAZY stuff.

So, Dana, these are the silly pictures (the ones with the kids and dog) I took while on the phone with you today. The kids still talk about your crew. Caleb can't figure out where his friends went. ;)

View this morning around 8:30

Front porch with a flash

front porch without a flash 8:30 AM

Honey on a snow dog adventure

Prince Charming and his snowball

Princess Hope and her snowball that "doesn't have poop in it"...lesson learned, make snow balls in the FRONT yard

Twinkie Princesses Sledding on the driveway

That is my crazy crew there...Princess Grace in dark blue (totally her choice) Princess Joy in maroon.

the apple pie I was baking while on the phone the second time ;)

I added the snow fall picture because I just love watching the snow fall. Of course, I would love it more if I were watching the snow fall while sitting on the front porch bundled up, holding a cup of steaming tea. BUT, I did enjoy the glimpses I got in between schooling, choring, baking, and child chasing/diaper changing.

And one last bit of randomness. Could SOMEONE please convince my son that he is almost 3 and REALLY needs to use the potty.

He said, "I NOT a big boy. I poop in my PANTS!" and was proud of it. Heaven is the only thing that can help me now, I am sure.

Winter + Snow + Crazy Children + Driving = Momma needing prayer

2011-10-16T22:49:00.000-08:00

Totally Random post day today.

Madam Winter is here. We woke up to a snow covered ground.

My father in law made me laugh when I text-ed him a picture. "You guys are lucky, you will have a white Christmas."

Yes, sir, we will...and a white Thanksgiving, and a white Easter, and a white EVERY holiday in between ;) Hopefully, they will (any or all of our families) come join us for one or more of those white holidays!

The kids have seen snow before, but never enough to play in.

They couldn't wait to put their clothes on this morning and go do this for the first time in their lives:

Princess Joy (purple hat), Princess Hope (blue Hat), and Princess Grace (pink hat)

Of course, all of 5 seconds after I snapped this adorable picture, Mr. Snowman had been decapitated and a snowball fight had ensued. My kids are a mess. Seriously girls, you are girls! You are supposed to be nicer than that!!! Ugh.

One blessing I have already discovered about the snow (I already knew it from living in Pennsylvania, but had forgotten): the snow makes the world brighter than it should be. Even though it was cloudy this morning, it was brighter than yesterday morning because all that beautiful white-ness bounces those light waves around, making the world appear brighter for me. YEAH for bright snow!

I am a bit a-feared (say that with a Southern accent) of the driving in the snow deal. It has been way toooooo many years, and way toooooo many babies since I last drove in the snow. Any and all prayers on my behalf would be much appreciated. My darling children are so well behaved in the car that they never distract me while I am driving....And if you believe that....well, never mind.

Honestly, if I could afford it, I would TOTALLY have a chauffeur. I hate driving to begin with. But, since Uncle Sam only pays so much, a chauffeur is NOT in my future. So, some extra angels of protection might be nice...

Our socks got here. I now know why everyone raves about SmartWool socks, and pays a ridiculous amount of money for them. They are really comfy, more so than my cotton socks. AND, they are indeed warm.

And last but not least, a word to the wise. DON'T put ashes that are 2 days old and have been "cold" for a day into a plastic bucket, at least not if you like your bucket. That is all I have to say about that.

Prince Charming in his snow gear (he didn't go out with the sisters, he stayed inside and snuggled Daddy...smart boy):

(Slow Cooked) Autumn Harvest Braised Pork

2011-10-13T15:32:00.001-08:00

Do you ever stand in front of your freezer, knowing you need to make a meal, but no clue what you will make?

I do.

All. The. Time.

But, that is where the fun begins.

A while back, the commissary had a package of lean pork on sale in the "use or freeze" section. I LOVE that section. I usually buy half of what they have every time. I'm gonna freeze everything but what I cook that night anyway.

So, yesterday morning, I was staring into the freezer. I knew I needed to slow cook something.

Wednesdays are insane. We have choir practice from 3pm-5pm, run home for dinner, and then rush to church for AWANA for the kidlets by 6:15 pm.

I am trying a whole slew of slow cooked recipes. I hope they all turn out as good as this experiment.

The pork spoke to me. It wanted to be cooked.

Don't make fun of me. I like food. It likes me.

You can adapt this to a crock pot if you want, but I didn't for three reasons.

1. I love Senior Azul Grande.

2. I don't love my crock pot. We argue about proper cooking temps and times.

3. When I use the oven, it is a two for one deal. We get a hot meal AND it helps warm the house.

Here is the recipe that developed in my head as I picked through the food stores in the house. The entire family LOVED it. I had to stash a serving away so that there would be some left for Hub's lunch today. They were swiping the last of the juices from the pot with bread .

Ingredients:
3 strips bacon, cut into lardons (little bits)
2lbs lean pork, cut into cubes
about 1 tsp kosher salt (I am a total pinch and dash girl on this)
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp garlic powder or granulated garlic
1/2 tsp ground mustard
2 apples (I had gala on hand, so I used those), peeled and diced
2 carrots diced
2 stalks of celery, diced
1 onion, sliced (I used purple this time)
2-3 cups of low sodium chicken broth or home-made chicken stock

Render the bacon in your pot (or skillet if using crock pot) until it is crispy, then remove from the pot and set aside.

Sprinkle the meat with the herbs and a pinch or two of salt.

Brown the meat over medium high heat in the pot/skillet with the bacon renderings.

Yes, I know, it is bacon fat. But, come on people.... 3 strips of bacon over 8 servings ain't that much fat for the flavor it gives ya.

Remove the meat once the edges are brown. You aren't cooking it through. Set it to the side.

Saute the veggies (but not the apple) in the same pan. You may need a splash of olive oil.

Sprinkle a pinch or two of salt over the veg to get them going.

Add the meat, bacon, and apple to the pot. Or, put them in your crock pot.

Pour in enough broth/stock to not quite cover the meat.

Cover, and cook in the oven at 275 for about 2 1/2 hours, or until you get home from Choir class and the smell is enough to make your tummy growl.

I am guessing here, since my crock pot and I don't like each other, but probably on high for 3 hours would work well....maybe 4. OR, low for 6-8 hours.

I served it over smashed potatoes, and YUMMMMMMMMY for our tummies. This one is definitely going into the rotation for Wednesday night craziness.

BTW, while typing this post, this is what I looked up and saw out the window:

BIG huge fluffy snowflakes. The kids were so excited. But, by the time we bundled up 4 kids and one momma, the snow had stopped falling. Oh well. I am sure we will get more than enough chances to play in the falling snow. MORE than enough ;)

Sun, Moon, and Light

2011-10-13T12:08:00.000-08:00

It is happening.

When we got here, we had to adjust to the never-ending sun. It took a while, but we learned how to cope, how to get sleep, and how to make the best of it.

Now, we are getting used to the dark. This morning, we had our entire morning routine done before the sun peeked up/out. Of course, being a cloudy day didn't help...but it is odd to do all the things we are so used to doing with Mr. Sunshine as our companion...with Miss Lamp Light instead.

The cold is definitely one thing I know we need to learn to deal with. But, my obsession with buying warm clothes and stacking firewood for the wood stove should help with that.

However, I am going to have to get creative about the light...and we may just have to donate more of dear Hubby's paycheck to the power company. I do find I am in better spirits when all the lights are on, not just the ones in the rooms we are actually in at that moment....Sorry, Hubs...I may have to cut the budget elsewhere to pay for the power.

Learning to live in Interior Alaska is a never ending thing for us right now. This amazing place is an ever changing environment for sure! It is an adventure that I never thought I would take, but we look forward to it.

Alaskan Dogs?

2011-10-08T20:05:00.002-08:00

Not champion sled dogs for sure, but our two furkids are becoming Alaskan dogs whether they want to or not.

Princess Joy purchased a used dog harness at the winter expo for $2. The kids had a blast trying to teach Honey and Taffy to "mush".

Princess Joy putting the harness on Honey

Princess Grace trying to hitch a ride with Taffy...notice the "sled"...a furniture dolly/cart. That was Daddy's idea.

Honey giving Princess Hope a pretty good ride with Princess Joy coaching her on.

Honey actually caught on very quickly. She gave everyone a little ride, and was pretty good at getting the "sled" to move. She really is one of the best dogs in the world.

Taffy did not like the sensation of throwing her weight into the harness at all. For a pushy dog, she sure won't pull ;) But, she did give it an effort. Taffy doesn't like being cold either. I think she is saying mean things in her doggy mind at us for taking her from Texas to Alaska. All that said, she was a trooper, and put up with us torturing her for a good while. Poor thing, just wanted a cookie, and to come in and lay by the wood stove. At least she is good at barking at the "boogey man" and keeping us safe. Honey would rather lick the "boogey man" than bark at him.

And just because this will make you laugh and feel sorry for me all at the same time:

Prince NOT so Charming in all his 2 yr old boogie face glory, giving his sister the "mean face"

Field Trip with Friends

2011-10-08T19:55:00.000-08:00

Last week, we got to have fun at the museum with my friend Melissa and her crew. Her kids are so sweet.

"Eeewivabeff" is the new love of Prince Charming's Life. She was so sweet to help him check out the Exhibits. Princess Joy is checking off her worksheet.

The museum provided worksheets and clip boards for the children to use. They had to travel around searching for the items in the pictures (the little ones). The big ones had questions and clues to figure out. Princess Hope and Miss J had a great time finding all the answers to their worksheet.

We saw all sorts of Alaskan wonders. I think the museum with the stuffed animals is the closest thing we can get to a zoo around here ;) Of course, mother nature provides us with a pretty amazing "zoo" all on her own.

We also learned amazing things about the Aurora Borealis. If you live up here, I highly recommend the movie they show at the museum. It taught this science dork quite a bit. Now, I just need to actually see the silly aurora without clouds. I just have really bad timing. I will watch and watch, get distracted by kids, or become plain ol' pass out in bed tired...then the next day hear how beautiful the lights were. UGH!

Help Mom4Life Help Others

2011-10-04T13:56:00.002-08:00

A friend of mine runs an amazing company. She sells mom (and dad) created products for moms and little ones. They have a little bit of everything in their online store.

This month, they are doing something amazing. They are donating all of their profits to benefit the local crisis pregnancy center. This company is committed to helping preserve the sanctity of human life, caring for moms and babies, and making our world just a little bit better.

https://www.mom4life.com/index.php?dispatch=pages.view&page_id=46

If you have family or friends expecting or with little ones, or have your own little ones, stop by their store. Mom 4 Life

I spent WHAT on socks?

2011-10-03T14:51:00.001-08:00

Gettin' real here.

We love Alaska so far. It is an amazing beautiful place with fantastic people.

("field" trip!) HA!

(picking fireweed for jelly)

We've bought coats, boots, snow pants, snow gear, hats, gloves, and all degrees of winter clothing.

(about 1/4 of the coats and such we now own)

We've stacked wood.

(momma stacked this wood!)

We've eaten moose, caribou, salmon, and half a dozen other Alaskan specials.

(caribou stew)

We've even turned our cars into "plug-in" cars.

(yes, that is a plug sticking out of my car!)

Until today, I hadn't purchased one thing....socks.

No, silly people. We have socks. Run of the mill, everyday socks. Mostly cotton socks...but all sorts.

What we do not have are wool socks.

Specifically, we do not have what the locals (as in born and raised here Alaskans) have told me to buy.

SmartWool Socks.

image credit

No Dummy socks for us!

Yesterday, I spent more on socks than I spent on food last week at the commissary.

Go ahead. Google Smartwool socks.

Did ya?

If you are lazy with the googling, they average around $15 EACH pair. With much googling, and a lot of "please Lord, let me find some affordable socks"-ing...I did find them for less than $10 a pair for everyone but the Hubster.

Now, multiply that by 6 people, each needing at least 3 pairs of warm socks (for now).

I spent WHAT on socks.

I guess warm toes are important....right?

Now, a million gazillion points and thank-yous to anyone who can tell me the magic way to keep my children from losing socks that cost $10 or more a pair. Or, my husband for that matter....

Eggs in a Mug? Aurora!...and other ramblings

2011-09-29T14:52:00.001-08:00

1st and foremost, we finally got to see the Aurora. A friend was nice enough to call me when he spotted it. THANKS GREEN MISTER MAN! (That is what Prince Charming calls the friend who did the calling).

The girls and I all bundled up and then snuggled together on the grass out front to view the show. The clouds moved in, so we didn't get to see much, but it was enough to get us excited about seeing it again.

Sorry, no pictures. I tried, but my dinky little point and shoot camera couldn't capture it. I got nothin'. BTW It was about 31 degrees out when we went outside that night. This morning was 26 when we woke up...and this is WARM, or so I am being warned! I need more socks. Actually, all of us need warm socks.

Have you looked at the price of warm socks lately! DUDE! I went into the wrong business.

2nd- My sister sent me this blog link Eggs cooked in a Mug. At first, I thought, "you've got to be kidding me", but then I decided it would be a fun and cheap experiment. Besides, my crazy girls love to cook eggs in the morning, but they make a HUGE mess.

So we gave it a try. It was an instant hit, and only a medium sized mess, all of which was dish-washer-able.

So, go stop by, give it a read, and tell them the Queen of Brussels Sprouts sent ya!

Apple Butter Muffins (and a fun little tip about honey)

2011-09-28T09:37:00.002-08:00

**This is an old post I am bumping up because I made these yesterday, and they are SO yummy. Besides, fall is already almost over up here. I gotta get my fix of fall foods.**

I always buy a jar of Apple Butter. I know, it isn't the BEST for you, but I can't help myself. However, I am the only one in the house that likes it, and I only like it about 3 times before I am over it.

Strange? Yes.

Will I ever change? Probably not.

So, what to do with the leftover jar of apple butter?

MAKE MUFFINS! The first batch was gone before I could even take pictures, so I had to make more.

Here are your ingredients.

2 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
*optional 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
1/4 cup canola oil
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups spiced apple butter (optional - sub in applesauce)**
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 small Granny smith apples, peeled and diced

**If you sub in applesauce, you may need to increase the honey and the spices to get a similar flavor.

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Spray 18 muffin "holes" (one and a half pans for me) with non-stick cooking spray.

Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Set aside.

Here's a trick. 1st, measure your oil in your measuring cup. Swirl it about. Pour it in a second bowl. THEN, use that same cup and measure your honey.

LOOK! It pours right out. No sticky mess. Cool, huh?!

Continue to add milk, apple butter, eggs, and vanilla to that bowl. Whisk to combine. Peel and dice (very small dice) your apples. Grannies work the best, I promise.

Combine the apples, wet, and dry ingredients.

Mix to combine, but do not over mix.

Measure out equally into muffin tins.

Bake at 375 F for about 20 minutes.

Check out the insides, with all the little chunks of tangy Granny Smith apples. YUM!

Momma's New Goal

2011-09-27T14:55:00.001-08:00

Do you ever find yourself totally lost in "mom-dom"? You know, where your complete and total identity is wrapped up in "mom-ness". If you don't, then go away. I can't be your friend.
Just kidding. Don't go away. The world needs more peeps like you. Please, be my friend, even if you think I am odd. Then please share your magic recipe, because the rest of us (especially the stay at home, home schooling types) need help.

A couple of things that do help me pull out of that cycle are attending a mom's Bible study (which I really need to find here), and reviving some of my old activities.

In high school and college, I participated in martial arts. I wasn't ever "awesome", but I'd say passable. We won't get into how many years it has been since I wrapped this around my waist:image credit

Let's just say that if you practice "rounding", and not by much, I am pushing the 20 year mark.

So, three weeks ago, I wrapped one of these around my waist again:

image credit

This time, I have a goal.

Do not laugh.

Do not snort.

Ok, go ahead and giggle behind your hand if you must.

I want one of these:

image credit

Who knows, maybe I will do it, maybe I won't. But, I am seriously gonna try. I can't realistically participate in my most loved sport here. Equestrian sports aren't big or really doable in this part of Alaska.

Tae Kwon Do, however, is doable, and surprisingly affordable here. That, and the school we have joined has several Mommas, just like me, who started their sport AFTER having babies, and they have their black belts. I really look up to those women. They are kind, and have taken me under their wing.

So, I guess, in addition to food and homeschool, I will now blog about my misadventures in the pursuit of a black belt!

No, you may not laugh...I might kick your bootie...in 3 or 4 years. HA! First, I have to figure out how I can stretch this body enough to touch my toes without crying.

Grilled Whole Wheat Flat Bread

2011-09-26T15:25:00.000-08:00

Here is a quick and easy "alternative" to baking a loaf of bread when you need bread in a hurry. It is also just plain fun for everyone ;)

I use my recipe for Whole Wheat Pizza dough with a few "tweaks" and turn it into flat bread

1 T dry active yeast
1 cup warm water
1 T sugar
1 C whole wheat flour (the regular whole wheat)
1 C unbleached all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 T extra virgin olive oil

**I TRIPLE the recipe to make enough for the whole family to enjoy two meals or more from the batch**

In a cup or bowl, mix the yeast and sugar into the warm water. Set aside for a few minutes to allow it to bloom.

In a large bowl, measure out the flour and salt. Mix to combine.

Pour the liquid into the flour.

Stir until it forms a ball. You may or may not need to add a smidge of flour. I am learning that flour measurements and location change a LOT.

Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes.

Rinse/dry your big bowl and then pour in the olive oil. Coat the sides.

Drop your dough into the bowl and roll it around to get it coated with the oil.

Cover with plastic wrap and set in a warm place for about 15 minutes.

When dough has doubled in size, punch it down and tear off portions.

Use your fingertips to work them out flat.

Over a grill or grill pan on medium heat, grill your flat bread about 2 minutes per side, or until done.

We served ours with a "build your own Tuna sandwich buffet".

Happy Eating.

Cool Website for Kids preschool-high school

2011-09-26T14:52:00.000-08:00

A darling friend, fellow "former" classroom teacher turned homeschoolin' Momma, and super smart gal introduced me to an awesome site. I don't share sites on here often, but I wanted to share this one.

LINK

My entire family is enjoying this site. It is free, and full of great learning tools. Prince Charming is practicing his colors and numbers. The Twinkie Princess have had good drill and practice on their math facts, as well as hours of fun on the "brain games". Princess Hope loves the geography section. Older children could really do well with the US History section, as well as the Chemistry areas.

It really is a neat tool for all families, homeschoolers or not.

I may or may not admit to being addicted to the "Christmas Tree" light up electrical circuit game...

Fall has almost completely fallen

2011-09-25T16:26:00.000-08:00

You should see the leaves on the road. I actually made me think of the "yellow brick road". Some of the driveways around here are totally covered in "gold".

I took these pictures in the 17th. On the way home from church today, I noticed that almost all the leaves are gone in our neighborhood, barely a week later!

It is supposed to get into the 20s tonight! Winter is about to stake her claim on Alaska. Silly thing is, the kids can't wait to wear their new fancy dancy hats and gloves and such. I must admit that, after 7 years of not wearing sweaters, I am looking forward to snuggling inside my warm sweaters. HOWEVER, I need to make a sock run. I am the only one with wool socks. I TOTALLY forgot about those. OOPS!

BTW, if you want to see amazing pictures of the Alaskan fall, hop over to http://www.mrsmamahen.com/ . She actually takes pictures of places other than her front yard, and her pictures are actually good. I warned her I was going to hijack her site. If you stop by, say howdy!

Homeschooling update

2011-09-24T10:28:00.002-08:00

We are really enjoying Heart of Dakota. I think our favorite parts are the art lessons and science experiments that all use everyday items, but really are fun.

The unit we are on is dealing with early explorers and discovering the Americas. So, of course, there is a lot of talk about Native Americans.

The plans had us make Indian Sand Art as described in our history book.

The coolest thing was that we just used table salt, dropped in food coloring, and pretended it was sand. What a brilliant idea!

Even Prince Charming likes to get in on the art projects.

100 meaningless points to whomever can tell me what those "art smocks" really are. HA! The color should give them away.

If you haven't noticed, the Twinkie Princesses are growing out their bangs. 1 Bazillion points to the person who can tell me what to do with their super fine, really slippery hair that doesn't want to stay pulled back out of their eyes, even with gel and barrettes. UGH! I am very tempted to just cut them and tell them they have to be old enough to do their own hair before I let them grow it out. I HATE hair in their eyes. They look like ragamuffins.

Eating the Alaskan Bounty: Caribou Stew

2011-09-23T14:27:00.001-08:00

I was gifted with a HUGE caribou roast by a neighbor. She is quite possibly one of the sweetest people I have met.

The meat has been sitting in my freezer for a few weeks.

When Hubby got me what I now call Senior Azul Grande (Mister Big Blue), I finally knew what to do with the Caribou.

I cut the roast into bite sized chunks, and marinated them overnight in a bowl of buttermilk with red pepper flakes and 7 cloves of garlic.

The next day, it braised in Senior Azul for about 4 hours (after being seared) with some red wine, onions, green beans, and potatoes.

The taste was pretty good. I have to say that I don't think I will get all excited about Caribou hunting. I mean, it was good, and it would probably grow on me, but not my favorite meat. The taste was more gamey than the moose or bear I have had. It was like a cross between venison in flavor and beef in texture.

Everyone ate what they were served, but no one was diving for seconds. Oh well. We tried. It was an adventure, and we got a big science lesson out of it when Hubby took the big bone and taught the girls all about how muscles and bones work together (before it was cooked).

Greek Spinach Pie/ Spanakopita

2011-09-21T21:58:00.001-08:00

A month or so ago, we visited a local attraction with little shops and eateries. I was intrigued by the Greek Restaurant. I have always loved Greek food, but never tried to make it.

Well, I decided to purchase with a purpose. I bought one slice of Spanakopita (Spinach Pie) for $7.00.

We all had a bite, and decided it was worth a try to make it on our own for two reasons: 1- we are cheap, 2- we are food snobs and decided we could make it with more flavor

Remember the cheeses I told you about? The ones my Hubs bought to tempt me back into the kitchen?

One of those cheeses was a big honkin' block of Feta Cheese.

I decided it was time to try Spinach pie.

We found Phyllo dough (Fillo brand) in the frozen food section. I have often wanted to try it, but never had a recipe in mind until tonight.

Greek Spinach and Mushroom Pie

1 bag (16 oz) frozen spinach, thawed
1 medium onion, diced
1 pint crimini mushrooms, sliced
2 T extra virgin olive oil
tiny pinch of kosher salt
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
1 "brick" (I am guessing on this one) about 3/4 lb good Feta Cheese
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
3 large eggs
1/3 package phyllo dough (about 12-15 sheets)

Preheat oven to 375 F

Thaw spinach and thoroughly wring out all the water. I find the easiest way is to simply press it with paper towels until no more water pools up.

In a large skillet, saute onion, mushroom, and red peppers in olive oil with a tiny pinch of kosher salt until tender.

In a large bowl, crumble feta cheese into spinach. Top with sauted onions and mushrooms. Add nutmeg mix

I started with this much whole nutmeg, grated, and ended with....

...this. If you don't have whole, just use about 1/4 tsp ground in a jar

Mix thoroughly.

Add eggs, and mix again

Spray a 9 x11 baking dish, with canola or olive cooking oil spray.

Layer bottom with one layer of phyllo sheets, overlapping edges. Spray with oil. Repeat until it is covered 4 or 5 layers deep.

Pour spinach filling into dough, and wrap overlay on top of the spinach.

Cover with 4 to 5 more layers of dough, sprayed with oil between each layer.

Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown and beautiful

Serve to your adoring fans, aka family ;) They will think you are brilliant!

Price breakdown (in Alaska prices...so it may be cheaper for you)
1 bag spinach $1.90
1/3 box of Fillo Brand phyllo dough ($1.67)
Feta Cheese $2.25
Eggs $0.25
Mushrooms $3.00
Onion $0.45
spices/oil $0.25

Total: $9.77.

Servings: 8

Price per serving $1.22

Price per serving when I bought it: $7

Savings (and it DID taste a LOT better): $5.78 x 8 = $46.24

If you like Greek food AND saving money, give this recipe a try.

Dutch Oven Cobbler

2011-09-21T09:48:00.002-08:00

Warning....this is another dessert that isn't, well, all that healthy.

However, I just have to tell you the story.

In 2006, we were able to go to the Chuck Wagon Cookoff in New Mexico.

These Cowboys may or may not have been there, but this is what it looked like:

image credit

We had been planning on this adventure for years, and had high hopes for sure. However, it was a cold, drizzly, nasty day of pushing baby twins in a stroller, and keeping a naughty 3 year old in tow.

We finally had a clearing in the weather, and ventured out of the tents and around the chuck wagons. We weren't able to get any tickets to get real food because they were sold out to corporations before the public even had a shot at them. That, and we couldn't have afforded them anyway.

However, after all the festivities were over, we were wandering around and some amazing woman offered us the left overs of her apricot dutch oven cobbler. It may have been the day, but that warm cobbler was heaven in a dish. It made the whole trip worth while.

I have been trying to recreate that dish ever since.

Well.....thanks to Hubby's generous and surprising gift....

...and a whole lot of internet searching

I came up with my own recipe for Dutch Oven Apricot Cobbler

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
2 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup evaporated milk
1 tsp real vanilla extract
4 cans apricots in heavy syrup

Preheat oven to 375 or prepare coals in fire pit

In the dutch oven, melt butter, and stir in brown sugar

In a medium bowl, combine flour, salt, baking powder, and nutmeg.

Pour in evaporated milk and stir just to combine.

Pour into pot over butter

Pour in fruit with the juices

Cover and cook about 45 minutes- 1 hour, or until top is brown and bubbly.

Serve warm. Ice cream makes it even better

I forgot to take a picture until we had all been served....but here it is, half served, and piping hot. When it cooled, it set up quite a bit more.

We were shocked. I think we finally did it! It tasted just like we remembered.

My Hubby loves me...and food.

2011-09-20T09:11:00.000-08:00

My Honey took Prince Charming shopping last night while all 4 girls (momma and the girls) were in Tae Kwon Do class.

Yes, you may snort tea through your nose at the thought of me doing TKD.

Go ahead. You know you want to.

But, it is our "PE" class, and like any good homeschooling momma, I have to participate. Besides, it is fun.

However, that is not the point.

The point is my wonderful Hubby gave me a surprise "un-birthday" gift.

I have been wanting one of these for FOREVER, but they are gosh darn expensive.

BTW, the "friends" behind the pot were last week's bargain find by the boys while they shopped during TKD class.

I know he bought it because he loves me lots. That, and it was on sale for "the cheapest I have ever seen it", or so he says.

BUT, I also know the poor man misses his good food. As you can tell from this blog, I have invented/written only one recipe in the last 6 months.

My family is used to crazy variety in their food. I won't tell you have many times we have had tacos or pizza since we left Texas. The little food snobs that I am raising are all complaining about the boredom in our meals.

Hubby also bought me a ridiculous amount of gourmet cheeses for "inspiration". He said that when I sent him a text of my epic failure at banana bread, he knew he needed to take drastic measures. I have NEVER screwed up banana bread, and I have made quite possibly near to a hundred loaves.

My love language is surely FOOD.

Now, I just have to figure out what to make with that pot and those cheeses. Wish me luck! Oh, and share any recipes you might have/love made in a dutch oven.

You know it is a bad day when...

2011-09-19T16:15:00.000-08:00

...you make Banana Mush Bricks

Yes, even seasoned cooks flop once in a while.

It doesn't help that I was tending to said Banana Bread with a smart mouthed 8 year old, a whining 5 year old, and a very naughty (did I say VERY) two year old. The other five year old was NOT being naughty.

So, these loaves were in the oven for 60 minutes, and passed the toothpick test. They came out looking all puffed up and pretty.

Evidently, they were not done in the middle.

30 minutes later, when I walked back in the kitchen, they were flat flopped bricks.

Ya know it is a bad day when you make Banana bricks. I used 6 bananas to make these bricks at $0.84 a pound up here. I also used my "good" flour, my "good" honey, and blueberries. I won't even tell you what blueberries cost in the grocery stores in Alaska.

I will not calculate how much it cost me to make banana bricks.

My children will still eat them. My hubby's co-workers (for whom the bread was made) will NOT be eating them.

Oh well...Like Alexander, everyone has to have a "Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" once in a while. The bad days make the good days look even better....right?

A million "meaningless" points to whomever knows the book that I quoted. (shout out to The Lumberjack's Wife, since I used her meaningless points line)

Alaskan Tid Bit for Texans

2011-09-15T15:02:00.001-08:00

When I lived in Texas, I did not know there was a rivalry between Texas and Alaska.

Most Texans have no clue about it either.

Alaskans, however, do.

Did you know that Texas had to change their state song when AK was adopted into the Union?

Yes sir-ee Bob, they did. Most Alaskans can tell you about it. Most Texans either don't know about it, or pretend it didn't happen. No one ever told me this story in the 5 years I lived there.

Poor Texas, they used to say, "the biggest state" in the state song.

Then came Alaska. 2.5 times bigger....

So, Texans changed their song to "the boldest state".

Gotta give it to the Texans. They are probably right. "Don't mess with Texas" ain't just a cute saying.

I am loving AK, but I do miss my Texan friends ever so much, and my Texan family too! Y'all come on up here now. Alaskans are right friendly. Just don't tell them you are from Texas ;)

Eating the Alaskan Bounty...take 5 or 7 or I lost count....Rhubarb pie

2011-09-14T14:57:00.001-08:00

If you are up for adventures in food, this seriously is the place to live.

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We have tried more new things since we moved here than our last 5 years combined...and it has only been 2 months. Moose, bear, red salmon (not to be confused with regular salmon), FRESH halibut, nangoon berries, cloud berries, lingon berries, reindeer, bison (had that before), caribou (actually in freezer, haven't cooked it yet), wild raspberries, high bush cranberries, and now...for a story.

(Pausing for a shout out) P31Wannabe, you remember the pie I didn't get to eat? I made one!

Shout out over.

I went out on a mom night with a high school friend. P31 and I used to go out for pie all the time when we were skinny, didn't care about calories, and could stay up until all the hours of the night. I decided to mark the occasion (we hadn't seen each other since 1994) and order something I had never tried. Rhubarb pie.

Those goobers at the Pie Eating Place in my Hometown that will remain nameless but the Village People love them....those goobers were out of Rhubarb pie, just when I was getting all adventurous.

So, I had lemon pie. OK, but not and adventure.

Fast forward 2 months. Hubby's college roommate's wife (they happen to live up here...how cool is that) offered me some Rhubarb. SCORE. I am telling you, Alaskans are awesome share-er-like-people. Did you know rhubarb grows like a weed up here?

I chopped those pretty little stalks up and put them in the freezer with great anticipation and a little trepidation.

Yesterday, I got brave.

Now, all three of you faithful healthy eating blog followers. You can't read the rest.

This pie was NOT healthy. However, I have been singing about it for two days. It was that good.

I used Melissa d'Arabian's pie crust recipe.

Pie Crust:

1 cup butter (2 sticks), cubed and chilled
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
8 to 10 tablespoons ice water

Put the butter, flour, and salt in the food processor, and pulse lightly just until the mixture resembles wet sand. Add the water, 1 tablespoon at a time, pulsing briefly after each spoonful of water. Keep adding water until the dough just begins to gather into larger clumps. Transfer equal amounts of the dough into 2 resealable plastic bags and pat each into a disk. Let rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Remove 1 of the disks from the bag to a flour coated surface. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out to a 10-inch round. Gently fit the rolled dough into a 9-inch pie pan, and refrigerate while you prepare the torte ingredients.

Yield: 2 (9-inch) pie crusts recipe credit link-scroll to the bottom of the page

The Twinkie Princesses and Prince Charming helped with the crust.

Then, for the filling, I took J's advice and did strawberry rhubarb, but added my own twist to the recipes I found in my books:
2 1/2 cups frozen then thawed strawberries
2 1/2 cups frozen then thawed chopped Alaskan grown rhubarb
2 cups sugar
1/3 cup unbleached all purpose flour
2 Prince Charming sized pinches of kosher salt
1/2 tsp real vanilla extract
zest of one little tiny tangerine

Mix everything in a big honkin' bowl.

Place bottom crust into really neat pie dish ;)

Put little birdie venting thing in pie dish (you can do without, but it is fun, and keeps the crust from being soggy).

Pour the filling into the dish.

Cover with top crust and make cute little stars because you are so happy you are making pie.

Bake for 1 hour at 425 F.

Drive yourself nuts waiting for the silly thing to cool.

Eat it before it totally cools, not caring that it hasn't set and is a teensy bit still runny.

Eat a little more when no one else is looking.

Pretend it doesn't have a bazillion calories and 19 grams of fat per serving.

Gloat to your friends about your pretty pie. (I texted a picture to my "foodie" friend....I am not a nice friend)

Blog about the fact that you ate something else new, grown in Alaska, given to you by REALLY nice Alaskans.

Man, this is a fun place to live.

Chicken and Sweet Potato Stew

2011-09-13T09:39:00.001-08:00

I have a wonderful new neighbor. She is currently pregnant with baby #2, but has the same affliction I had: Gestational Diabetes.

Man, it is SO not fun. It becomes hard to eat, just because it is so boring to eat the same things over and over when you really want all the carbs you can grab.

So, I had invited them to dinner and needed a meal low on the glycemic index that was still warm and comforting on these drizzly cool fall days.

I learned that sweet potatoes are actually quite good for diabetics, especially in the place of a regular potato, which is NOT good on the glycemic scale.

Chicken and Sweet Potato Stew with whole wheat garlic bread and tossed salad

The measurements aren't exact (so you may need more or less than listed in the spices), because this was a splash and dash deal, but the results were quite yummy.

3 lbs boneless skinless (well trimmed of fat) chicken thighs, cut to bite size
3 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cut to bite size
2 tbs extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, sliced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp dried thyme
2 cups low sodium chicken broth
10 cloves of garlic, left in wrapper with just the tip snipped off
1 T corn starch
1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth

In an over safe skillet or dutch oven, brown the chicken. On low heat, add the onion, spices, and potatoes. Toss to combine.

Pour in 2 cups broth.

Lay the garlic cloves on top of the stew.

Cover, and bake at 325 for about 1 hour.

Remove from oven. Take the cloves of garlic off and set them to the side. Scoop the chicken and potatoes out, leaving the juice in the pan. Place on stove top over medium heat.

Carefully "pinch" the garlic cloves so that all the yummy roasted garlic comes out into the pan.

Put the cornstarch into a small bowl. Pour in remaining 1/2 cup broth. Stir to combine.

While whisking, pour the cornstarch mixture into the pan with the juice. Stir over medium heat until a sauce forms.

Put the chicken and potatoes back into the pan, toss with the sauce, and serve warm with fresh bread for sopping up the sauce.

YUM!

You can do this with chicken breast as well, but the thighs come out so soft and yummy. Breast meat doesn't have the same texture.

Our Acre of Alaska: Berry picking (eating the Alaskan bounty take 4)

2011-09-11T22:59:00.001-08:00

Friday was the first real frost we have had. The kids woke up, saw the frost, and couldn't contain themselves.

Why?

Berries.

High Bush Cranberries to be exact.

We were told not to pick them until the first frost. Do you know how hard it is to keep 4 children from picking bright red berries? Their little fingers have been itching.

So, we hurried though Math and Reading, and figured berry picking/identification could be Science and History for the day.

Princess Hope using our Alaskan Berry Book to carefully identify the berries. We had already located them once when the leaves were still on the plant, but we wanted to be double sure.

Those little buggers picked with glee...for 15, maybe 20 minutes. Then, they were "done" and wanted to ride their bikes. Oh well. I guess that is 15 minutes worth of memories.

Mom finished off the picking. We ended up with 4 cups of high bush cranberries. I have no clue what we are going to do with them. They aren't like the traditional cranberries you get from the grocery store. Any ideas?

10 years ago

2011-09-11T22:34:00.000-08:00

I may have posted this before...I don't remember. I read Mrs. MamaHen's blog today (she is a military wife), and it prompted me to tell my story.

I DO remember that day.

I was teaching a high school science class. That particular class was "Integrated Science". There were 45 students in my class, mostly Juniors and Seniors.

The football coach (and fellow science teacher) came slamming into the classroom, "Mrs. D , TURN ON YOUR TV!" I was the youngest teacher in the department, so I did what I was told. I gasped as I watched what was happening.

The next sound I heard coming from my class was, "What's a Pentagon?"

Now, I can laugh. Then, all I could say was, "Are you joking?"

I tend to forget that not everyone is raised in a military family. Not every kid knows what the Pentagon means to the military world.

I spent the next 30 minutes trying to explain what had just happened to a room full of teenagers who didn't seem to grasp what I was saying until I said, "Guys, this means we just went to war. This is the war of your generation. You are going to be fighting in it."

When the bell rang, I remembered a friend was there. He worked in the towers. We grew up together. A fellow teacher's daughter had just started her first day of work at the pentagon...she was so proud, and now so scared. That day my world, my country, got really small.

No science was taught for the rest of the day. I couldn't teach.

10 years later, I am explaining this day to my 4 children, all of whom were born after 9/11. My oldest cried when I told her the story this morning. The 5 year old twins asked a couple of quick questions, then went about their business. My 2 year old, who seems to have an extreme sense of awareness, said, "We gonna shoot doze bad guys with our het-toe-copters."

You see, his little friend's daddy is a chopper pilot, deployed right now, keeping us safe from those bad guys. According to his 2 year old logic, he knows that his daddy, S's daddy, and all the men and women in the military are fighting to keep us safe from "doze bad guys".

I know for certain that at least 2 of my students from that very class have served in the military. One in the Marines, on in the Navy. This has been the war of my generation, their generation, and I pray it doesn't become the war my son will have to fight.

I wish I had deeper things to say....but I don't. That day still haunts me.

Pictures are a comin'

2011-09-10T14:34:00.000-08:00

I found the cords! Both cameras can now be downloaded.

Standby for pictures.

And new posts...

Chicken and Sweet Potato Stew (Very healthy/low glycemc index, and really yummy)

More "Eating the Alaskan Bounty"

Berry Picking and Harvesting in our little Acre of AK.

Aurora Alert

2011-09-07T08:45:00.000-08:00

Another local blogger posted pictures of the Aurora Borealis showing "her" dance already. I missed it, but can't wait.

So, I found an email alert online http://www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast

Yipee! I can't wait to see her dance. I have been told on some nights, you can even hear her sing!

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Please do a Happy Dance For Me

2011-09-05T17:48:00.000-08:00

You may or may not know that I have been without a vehicle for the last 3 months. We sold Hubby's truck en route to our new home. Every day, he takes our SUV to work (the Army gets fussy when you don't go to work) and leaves me home with the little blessings and two dogs. Can I just say that I am NOT fond of being on "house arrest".

It got even sticky-er (not a word, I know).

He is on call every other week (all 7 days). So, that meant I couldn't even take the car and go somewhere without him (or children) even when he was home. Since, once again, the Army gets really funny about not answering your beeper.

But, alas, today is my day of emancipation. He bought one of these.

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No, not that one. I still can't find the cord to connect my camera to my computer. I REALLY need to just go buy another one. His is green with a white middle stripe.
The man loves Broncos. He had one years ago, and has bemoaned the loss of his toy ever since.

It isn't fancy, it is old, but it does run well, and it means the BRONCO will take Daddy to work, leaving Momma with her big honkin' Momma Mobile.

You may now begin your happy dance on my behalf.

I have been set free!

Who would have thought I would appreciate the ability to drive myself around so much?

On a more serious note, I know I haven't posted recipes in a while. I promise to do so soon. But, moving a family like this, across the continent, has been quite the challenge, and I have learned MANY lessons.

I hope I never forget how thankful I was to finally live in a house. A real house with doors, windows, and best of all...bathtubs and bedrooms. Living in the travel trailer for the summer made me appreciate this house SO much. I LOVE it. It is smaller than our house in Texas, but compared to the travel trailer, I feel like I am living in a mansion.

I also feel so blessed to HAVE two vehicles and the ability to actually drive. I know many people do not. It was such a trapped feeling for me. I probably won't go anywhere tomorrow, but it will still be a better day for me simply because I will feel the freedom to go if I wanted to. Freedom is a funny thing. It makes you feel better, just knowing it is there. You don't even have to exercise it to be blessed by freedom's feelings

That brings me to one last point. I am so blessed to call myself an Army wife, Air Force Brat/Sister, and Marine Sister in Law. I am so blessed to love those who serve so that I can be a woman with a silly little freedom of going where ever she needs to go. Because, it really isn't silly at all. Women all over this world don't have that freedom.

I want to send hugs out to my military wife blogger friends, and thank them too. Many of them are living at home alone right now while their husbands defend places where women don't have any rights. Man, that is a big deal.

Still, please do a happy dance. MOMMA is FREE. Maybe I won't go off my rockers after all. Who'd have thought a trip to the commissary with all 4 kids in tow was a good thing ;) !?!

Homeschooling update

2011-08-31T13:54:00.000-08:00

We did decide to invest in Heart of Dakota curriculum for this year. We are using it for everything except Math, Reading, and Spanish.

All of the kids, Prince Charming included, are really enjoying the way the curriculum ties Bible, History, Geography, Poetry, Art, and Science all together. They have an extension package that allows me to boost what Princess Hope is doing while the lessons still suit the Twinkie Princesses.

Best part? Prince Charming seems to enjoy listening, participating, and even memorizing Bible verses. The dude has 4 verses almost perfect, and just because his sisters are practicing, and he practices with them. THAT rocks my world.

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We Chose Bigger Hearts for His Glory because it is the middle ground for where the girls are at in school. I am not using the math or reading portions because I just don't like Singapore math, and I have found Horizons to be a better phonics foundation for my crew. However, I know it works well for others. That is the cool thing about homeschooling, I can pick and choose my curriculum to suit my kids.

I like that the lessons are quick, easy to pull off with little pre-planning, and use household items that most of us have in a closet or box somewhere. I would say that I probably will supplement the science portion simply because I am a science dork, and want more "real science" meat. But, that is what you get when your mom was a high school science teacher. Poor kids! I couldn't do a better job with history, though. The lessons are great. I am learning a lot myself.

"Moose Breath" and our house

2011-08-24T21:26:00.001-08:00

For my entire childhood, and even to present day, my mom had a crazy little phrase when we would say something wrong, dumb, or just plain ridiculous:

"Wrong-o Moose Breath!"

Tonight, as dinner was finishing, Princess Hope said something ridiculous. King Hubby responded with, "Wrong-O Moose Breath!". 2 seconds after he said it, we burst out laughing.

Why?

Because, technically, we all had moose-breath.

Yes indeed, we did.

We had just eaten moose tacos for dinner.

Yes, my friends, you read the word MOOSE along side the word TACO.

I scored a package of ground moose from an amazing Alaskan friend. (Man, I really do like these people up here. They share very well. I would tell you her name, but then you would try to make friends with her and get moose meat too! I haven't been in Alaska long enough to share as well as that. HA!!!)

So, I figured I would make tacos. I know, silly, but I figured I can make a taco out of anything, why not moose? I used my seasoning blend for tacos (click here for the post with the recipe), and TA-DA, Moose TACOS!!!

How does it taste? Well, it is a very lean meat. So lean that I had to add olive oil to the pan to brown it with out it burning/sticking to the pan. It was a little bit chewier than beef, but I am guessing that may be because I cooked it wrong. Not and unpleasant chewy, just a bit more "toothsome". Hubby called it a "hearty" meat.

The flavor was similar to beef, but more "clean" if that makes any sense what so ever.

Everyone ate it.

We had Moose Breath!

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After all those years, my mom's saying finally came true.

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On another note: we finally closed on the sale of the house. YIPEE. Now we, and the bank, own a house an Alaska....crazy beautiful, moose eating, berry picking, fireweed jelly making (story to be told soon) ALASKA. What on earth is this Florida Girl doing in the Last Frontier? So far, I love it. I'll let you know how winter goes!

Unpacking

2011-08-11T15:45:00.000-08:00

Sorry blog world. I am only stopping by to say we have our household goods, are living amongst a sea of boxes, and I have asked for one thing for my B-day (some time mid August)....that the boxes be unpacked and the pictures hung.

Maybe, just maybe, I will see you again soon ;)

Heart of Dakota?

2011-07-29T22:12:00.000-08:00

Howdy out there. I am deep in the "what in the world do I want to use for school next year" phase. Usually, I am past it by now, with stacks of books ready to go. However, this PCS (move) across the continent has worn me down and I am SO not on top of things.

I have been seriously considering getting the Heart of Dakota "Bigger Hearts for His Glory" curriculum to use as Science and Social studies for all 3 girls at once (there is an extension pack that would allow Princess Hope the study along side the Twinkie Princesses), and then also as math curriculum for the Twinkies.

However, it is not cheap, and I want to make sure I make the right choice before I make the investment.

Anyone out there use this curriculum and want to share?

I think I am going to use Horizons reading for the little ones. I know I will get Horizons Math for the big one, and Spectrum for her language arts. She actually asked to continue working in those two...if it ain't broke, don't fix it...ya know!

BEAR!!!!

2011-07-22T21:00:00.001-08:00

This is such an adventure, and I have crazy (in a good way) kids.

Our RV park neighbors (another Army family) made friends with another RV park guy who is from around here. That guy (I told you Alaskans are friendly) gave them some bear meat.

Yep, you heard me, bear meat.

Our really cool neighbors then shared with us. We got to taste bear meat, taco style (on her own home-made tortillas). It was really yummy.

My stinker kids were gobbling it up. They were actually excited to eat bear.

I have to say, I never in my life thought I would say, "I ate bear". Alligator, yes...bear, no. BUT I DID!

I think we are gonna like it here.

More Bounty

2011-07-21T11:58:00.001-08:00

We found a patch of wild strawberries today. They were amazing. The smell was the strongest strawberry scent I have ever "sniffed". They were teeny tiny, like the size of big blueberries, but ever so tasty.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that our "old" friends also shared some of their "homegrown" honey with us. How cool is that? He keeps his own bees!!!!!!

Eating the Alaskan Bounty

2011-07-19T21:44:00.001-08:00

I promise to back post pictures....when I find the silly cord to download the pics from my cameras.

But, this state is SO cool.

Our new Alaskan friend, Melissa, taught us about several edible berries that grow wild (and EVERYWHERE) around here. The kids are having a blast searching them out.

She also taught us how to make jelly out of a flower called Fireweed. How fun is that?

Then, some new Air Force friends we have met were super generous and gave us two salmon fillets from salmon that he had caught and smoked.

Oh green jelly beans, those were some yummy fillets. I flaked them up and tossed them into pasta with a sauce of sauted onions, red pepper flakes, parsley, half and half, and lemon zest. The kids were licking their plates. I was worried there would be a fork fight over the last noodles in the pot. ;)

Now, we just need someone to feed us some Moose, but I have heard that getting an Alaskan to part with Moose is like getting them to give you a golden nugget...not gonna happen ;) My dear hubby is going to have to make friends with a hunter and get us our own.

That said, I think Alaskans are about the friendliest people we have ever met. I mean it. I didn't think anyone could top the Southern Hospitality "thing", but these folks are so real, so relaxed, and so willing to help you love their state...I think we just may like it here!

Oh yeah, and last night we saw a rainbow that could quite possibly be the most beautiful rainbow I have ever seen...at midnight. I promise pictures of it one day too.

Home?

2011-07-14T23:38:00.000-08:00

We made an offer on a house today...hoping it will become our home...such HUGE changes for us, but I think we are ready for an adventure. It is a cute little home, and the previous owners have made it perfect for little people. They have done all the little things to make it safe that we have to always do in a home. Silly, but that is what sold it for us. Please keep us in your prayers.

Wow, WHAT a TRIP!!!

2011-07-11T23:02:00.002-08:00

We made it to Alaska. WHEW!!!

Sorry folks, our trip was a series of mis-adventures, and the few times we did have internet signal, I was just plain old tired, and wanted to go to bed.

But, we made it, and that is the important thing. Eventually, I will unpack a box with my cord to download pictures...I promise.

I will tell you a few things:
#1 DO NOT EVER try a month long road trip with 4 children and 2 large dogs when the children are 8,5,5,and 2. I gotta say, poor Prince Charming was a trooper, but every day after abour 2 hours in the car, he would start screaming, "STOP THE CAR. STOP THE CAR RIGHT NOW!!! I TIRED OF THE CAR!!!!!" Then, at every potty/gas stop I would have to wrestle the poor lad back into his carseat. I have the bruises to prove it.

#2 If you do decide to travel the Alaskan Highway, you need a travel trailer, and as much food as you can pack. I can't imagine making the trip without one. There really aren't very many places to stop for the night that are nice, and the food choices are...well...not my idea of good food. We were very thankful to have our own potty and beds, that is for sure.

#3 We learned a cool secret by accident. If you take the roughest portion of the final leg of the highway (the last part in Canada in the middle of the Yukon), do it in the middle of the night. It doesn't get dark until 2 AM in the summer anyway. If you go in the night, there is no traffic, and no construction delays. Another family said with the construction delays, that stretch took them 10 hours the week before we took it. We did it in around 3.5.

#4 on the USA side of the trip, we had the most fun at Mount Rushmore. I didn't think it would be such a neat area, but we loved it. We spent a little extra on our campsite and stayed at the KOA closest to Rushmore. That place was great. The kids had so many fun things to do and try, it was well worth the few dollars more to stay there.

#5 The neatest waterfall we have ever seen was in Glacier national park in Montana. We took a little 1/2 mile hike on a marked trail, over a log bridge (scared the bee geebers out of me), and to the waterfall. It was awe inspiring.

#6 I don't think I will ever choose to drive through Canada again. I am super happy to be on US soil once again. I wanted to kiss the man at the border station when he let us through with a smile. All I had to do was hand over the 2 oranges that I had left in the fridge.