did someone say chocolate?

I LOVE sweets, but not just sugar, chocolate sweets specifically.  I can actually control myself when it comes to candy, but when is comes to chocolate, I'm completely weak.

and so my mother, the one I inherited this curse blessing from, gave me this recipe.  I wanted to share because I know I've heard of it before and was skeptical, but I am here to say that it works.  AND I INSIST YOU TRY IT!

5 minute chocolate mug cake
4tbsp flour
4tbsp sugar
2tbsp cocoa
1 egg, beaten
3tbsp milk
3tbsp oil
3tbsp chocolate chips, marshmallows, nuts or whatever else you think might work ... this is optional
splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug, microwaveable safe

Add dry, mix
Add egg, mix
Add milk & oil, mix
Add vanilla, mix
3 minutes in your microwave
** This is intended for a 1000 watt microwave.  For another wattage, the time will vary **

ENJOY!

pets

since before moving in, my boys have wanted a pet.  we've had dogs in the past, and once we had a bird, but long story short, we've been pet-less for some time now.
I'm still convinced a dog is just like having another kid, so no thank you on that.  plus, I can't have *real* pets in this apartment anyway.


I've been wanting to get the boys a hamster.  I had one as a kid, and loved it ... *cough* until it bit me *cough* ...  I love the tunnels you can set up for them, and especially the ball they can roll around on the floor in.  they're not too big to be a *real* pet ... shhhhhhhh, don't tell, ok?


my other not *real* pet I said we could get is a beta fish.  I have a tall glass vase and some blue/green glass pebble thingys already, so all we needed was the fish and some food.  easy.
so it took the boys forever to pick one out.  they were all SO COOL to them.  they would have bought them all if they could ... Sam knows that you can only have one, otherwise they will fight till the death, so of course he wanted to buy them all and begin the beta-WWI.


we finally decide on one; he's blue with some red on those pretty fins.  Sam wanted to name him "Big Fins."  he's so funny.  I liked it, but told him we ought to wait a day or two to officially decide.


so we get home and I fill the vase with water and add him in his jar to acclimate to the temperature before just dumping in.  after a few minutes, in his goes.  
well, I had added a bit too much water.  it was a balancing act; the water was right at the top.  and since beta's are not so excitable fish and like to sit and do next to nothing, I tip the vase ever so slightly to get rid of some of that extra water, and wouldn'tcha know it?!  that fish was right at the top and went flying down the water slide into the kitchen sink.


where the garbage disposal is.


GREAT.


I screamed.  and the boys come running.
"Mom, what did you do?!"


as much as it gives me the heebie-geebies, I knew I had to reach in there and try to get him out.  I HAD TO ... especially after the traumatizing cat incident.  there was no way we could go through another pet death, in any fashion!


so I'm digging in there.  and its gross.  and have you seen Final Destination?  yea, I'm thinking of that.  and suddenly I feel the fish, and he jumps in there, and he's slimy, and I scream, and I could not grasp him, and so I have to feel around some more since I KNOW he's close and still alive.


minutes and minutes and minutes go by.  I thought he was a goner.  I thought I'd have to put him out of his misery and flip that garbage disposal switch. the boys were crying and my heart is breaking for them - sorry fish, I felt bad for my kids, not you.


Sam gets control of himself and I ask him to stick his hand in there since its smaller and sure enough, he got out that little fish in about 30 seconds.  I cannot believe he was alive!


stupid fish.  what were you thinking?!


so back in the vase he goes.  swimming just fine.  he hasn't eaten much today yet, so maybe he's still a bit freaked out, but alive none-the-less.


"Sam, I think we should name him LUCKY"
"good idea Mom!"


meet Lucky -

A Special Xmas Cake recipe ... try it!

Christmas Cake

Ingredients:

* 2 cups flour
* 1 stick butter
* 1 cup of water
* 1 tsp baking soda
* 1 cup of sugar
* 1 tsp salt
* 1 cup of brown sugar
* Lemon juice
* 4 large eggs

* Nuts
* 1 bottle tequila 
* 2 cups of dried fruit

Sample the tequila to check quality. 
Take a large bowl, check the tequila again. To be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink. Repeat. 

Turn on the electric mixer. Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add one teaspoon of sugar. Beat again. 

At this point it's best to make sure the tequila is still OK. Try another cup... Just in case. 

Turn off the mixerer thingy. Break 2 eggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.

Pick the dang fruit up off floor. Mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers just pry it loose with a drewscriver.

Sample the tequila to check for tonsisticity. Next, sift two cups of salt. Or something. Check the tequila. 

Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar, or some fink.

Whatever you can find. Greash the oven. Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over. Don't forget to beat off the turner. 

Finally, throw the bowl through the window. Finish the tequila and wipe counter with the cat.

Bingle Jells!

a wish come true ... sort of

have you read this book?

I bought this book for 10cents at my local thrift store.  I do try to get these kids to the library because they love getting new stories and pictures in their brains, but I do think its important to have a home library too ... I'm not saying Annie the Apple Farmer will complete your collection, but you know what I'm sayin'.

there are sooooo many cute kids books out there.  there are some really talented people that know how to communicate with kids about any subject and also, create illustrations to stir the imagination.


this girl Annie gets so many apples from her orchard!  she bakes and bakes and bakes; pies, muffins, cookies, applesauce, and then takes all her goodies to the farmer's market.

ok, so you will probably get nothing from this book, but for whatever reason, I love it.  the first time I read it, I said to myself, "self, wouldn't it be great to be an apple farmer?"  and suddenly I wanted to be an apple farmer.

here's what I imagined ...
apple season is in the fall, my favorite time of year.
the beauty of an orchard and being outside in it, plus Annie has a house there too.
I love to bake sweet things.
I love to eat apples.
but the best part -
to have your own business that includes all these things you love.

you think she's sick of apples?
too many apples is a bad thing, I understand.

my point is this coincidence ...

this last week we bought apples from Costco.  they're big, juicy, and my kids love them.
this week we visited a food bank and received lots more apples, but these, were the last of the bunch and are all bruised and not ideal for snacking on ... and then the light bulb hit ... but they will be great to bake with!

and so I found myself with more apples than I knew what to do with.  in a strange way, I found my secret wish of being an apple farmer coming true ... no, I don't have the orchard, or the house, or even fall ... but I have my own business (cooking for my family), lots of apples, and a love for baking.

I love this recipe site, and so far I've bookmarked this, this, that, and this.  I have used apples in a pork dish before, and it is yummy, but I don't have any granny smith's, I have all galas's ... I think.  what else should I do with these apples?

I'm usually the one to read to my kids ... sometimes we'll read throughout the day, but we always, always, always, read books before bed.  I'm glad that Elliott is now old enough (2 1/2) to sit and pay attention, and Samuel is now 6, so sometimes, he'll read to me.  I know they both love this tradition, and I do too.  don't just read the book to your kids, let it inspire you too.  thanks Annie! :)

Costco freebie

what is not to LOVE about Costco?

aside from the fact your home better have lots of storage because you just get 6 rolls of toilet paper, you get somewhere closer to 100 ... ok, maybe more like 30.

- AND -

if you have to REALLY like granola bars, because when you buy those, you'll have one everyday for a year and still not get rid of them.

luckily, I have 2 boys & 1 husband that LOVE to eat.

and eat.  and eat.

and then eat some more.

you could say Costco works for us!

my point to this post ...

Costco is giving away Smart Cooking: The Costco Way for FREE all weekend long ... or as supplies last.  its a cookbook with recipes using ingredients from Costco + some easy stuff you probably already have on hand ... that's what the foreward says anyway.

go get it, and then tell me what you make from it.

I don't know where to begin; ALL the pictures look delicious!

bon appetit!

22 of 30

I love my coffee ... from my french press ... with my vanilla creamer. yummmmmmmmm.

this is my exact french press; from Starbucks. I got the funky green one because its the one that was on sale ... go figure. ha! ps. yes, I know its ugly ... to me, it qualifies as being one of those items that is so ugly its cute. do you have anything like that? wait, can a kitchen "appliance" be ugly? yep. ok then. moving on ...

I've been told that coffee from a press is yummier, however, the only reason why I use it because 1) no ongoing purchases of coffee filters, and, 2) it makes 3 cups which is the max I'd have in one day.

the occasional bonus: I can drink a cup before children wake up

9 of 30

I paid $4.75 for a gallon of milk tonight. $4.75!! and that was the SALE price.

now granted, that was at the smaller grocery store down the street. I had to run in for just a few things. normally we shop at Costco, where you can get a gallon of milk for $3.79. I can't remember how much I used to pay for milk, but I do know it was less than that.

at this store, I bought -

creamer, bananas, ice cream, milk, and some tea ... my total was just under $25.

ps. the ice cream and the tea is for our sore throats. not to be taken at the same time of course. we all have a little something of a cold happening.

yes, Hawaii is a tad pricey.

but I am thankful that I can buy that milk. no I'm not loaded with money. I will not be buying that regularly because that would make me insane.

but some people do have to always buy that milk. they can't get to Costco for the cheaper prices. some people really struggle to live here.

we haven't had any work yet come through since we've been here. seriously!

our needs are met somehow ... I say somehow like I don't know how.

its another sign that God is really there, controlling things.

thank you.

read more thank you's here. enjoy.

7 of 30

whoever put peanut butter and chocolate together, you are my hero.

and know that I think you're a genius.

and thank you.

I am not a rabbit

usually one of the awesome things of traveling is the food ... if you have brave tastebuds that is.

I lean more to the whimpy side of bravery ...

although Hawaii is a part of the USA, its pretty different than anywhere I've lived. out of all my moving (and you know I've done my fair share of that) its the only place we've gone that has another culture attached. for the most part, its good, but I wanted to talk about the food for a sec ...

locals here are either VERY tone and gorgeous from being daily beach bums, or they are VERY ... not. there are not many in between-ers here.

I want to be one of the tone ones ... but I digress.

you would think Hawaiians would eat tons of fruit and fish. some do, but it seems more eat McD's and other fast food ... seriously, the McD's in our neighborhood almost always (and this in no exaggeration) will have a line of cars in the drive-thru coming out of the parking lot, literally blocking a lane of traffic into the road. we were told by the manager (yes, we were there once ... ok its been a few times) that this particular McD's is the busiest one on the entire island. crazy. every time I see it, I want to take a picture. I don't think I've seen anything like it before.

there are also tons of rv-converted-retaurants along the side of every road ... are they still called "roach-coaches?" this food is good if you would like an instant heartattack ... if you can imagine, more instant than a Big Mac. EVERYTHING is covered and smothered in fat and salt (as in, you can plainly see it) and always comes with more white rice than you know what to do with.

now I don't claim to eat right, or even healthy on some days. I am no nutritionist. I think I'm just venting ... yet amazed ... and disgusted ... its like that car accident that you have to slow down and look at no matter what has happened. wow ... and ew.

my theory ...

I have figured out why most people here are overweight. yes there are tons of things to do outside here, but just like summer anywhere, who wants to cook when its already hot outside?! not to mention, many of these apts/condos/house do not have air conditioning and rely on breezes alone ... sometimes that breeze just isn't there, and sometimes your fan just isn't enough ... who wants to cook in that? plus the humidity here ... sigh.

using the oven is the worst. who wants anything from a crock pot? I certainly don't crave chili or soup anymore. is it me, or isn't dinner usually a hot meal?

ok. so. I am in need of non-hot meals. help me. please.

but I insist, rule #1 I will not be eating salad every night.

go.

and thank you.

POG

is POG a Hawaiian thing?

I haven't been in the islands for THAT long, yet I've forgotten if/when/where I've had it before somewhere.

POG is passion fruit, orange, and guava fruit juice. yummmmmm-y!

if you haven't tried it, you definitely should!!
and that's my endorsement for the day :)

a worthy cookie

I'm a big sweets fan, and I love to bake. not a good combo.

but here is a cookie recipe that I consider "better" than most. I justify "better" by it not having chocolate chips, but having dried fruit. yes, I'm horrible. and yes, I live in a fantasy world sometimes.

Ranger Cookies

1/2C butter, softened

1/2C sugar

1/2C brown sugar

1/2tsp baking powder

1/4tsp baking soda

1 egg

1tsp vanilla

1 1/4 flour

1C quick cooking oats

1C coconut

1C raisins, dried cherries, dried cranberries, or a mix of dried fruits

mix wet, add dry. bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes, and ta-da! enjoy!

thrift or retail?

I am to a point in my bargain hunting that paying retail is for suckers. really. you can buy just about everything you need at thrift stores. and yes, you can find stuff in good, and even great, condition. clothes, toys, books, home decor of all kinds, and then there is a bunch of stuff you don't need or want

it's truly amazing what you will find. sometimes it's SO ugly you can't believe someone actually wore it, or displayed it in their home. then other times it's amazing people just get rid of something so perfect ... and that's where I like to come in.

now on the other hand, there are some things you just have to go buy and pay retail. a few years ago, I paid $20 for a can opener. a can opener! ridiculous, I know.

3 years ago, I wasn't quite into my thrift stores as I am now, but I am glad I did it. it is THE BEST can opener ever. and after 3 years, I guess I got my money's worth already.

today I went to Bed Bath & Beyond. what an awesome store. but as I'm walking around, and noticing these prices, my jaw drops. it seems insane to pay these prices, all the time, for this kind of stuff. I suppose for someone where money isn't an issue, then who cares. we aren't as broke as last year, but I will not give up my thrift stores no matter how much we make. seriously. it's my therapy, I guess.

but I did buy a veggie steamer for $10 at Bed Bath & Beyond. I had one of those cheap metal ones; it broke, multiple times. I broke down and bought a silicone one. LOVE IT. another item worth every penny.

try your local thrift store first. let me encourage you with my latest discoveries -

I'm finding out that kitchen gadgets are expensive brand new, but thrift stores don't seem to know what they have, or just don't care. I bought a zester, a pastry blender and a pair of tongs, all for .50 each. easily $20+ at any retail store.

books are another great thing to shop for there. they're usually in great condition. kids books on the other hand, usually beat up. but most books are .50 - $1 each.

seasonal items are also a good find. in retail stores, you don't get 50% off until days after the holiday. at thrift stores, it's already 90% off and you will also find a lot of it in it's original box.

also know that you are not only saving tons of money, but you're recycling too. a great lesson for yourself and your kids!

in conclusion, I'm only a sucker when I have to be. :)

diy

I was making dinner last night and realized I didn't have any bread crumbs. It's just one of those things that you assume is always there in the pantry, right? and of course I'm so far into the recipe that I have to keep going, but going to the grocery store here is a 1/2 hour venture, so what to do?

google it! this is always my answer, and I was surprised at what I found. if you are in need of some bread crumbs, here's what you do -

take any bread (rye, wheat, white, sourdough, anything will do) all the same kind or not, and throw it in your cuisinart until you get crumbs. for whatever reason I thought it was much more difficult than that!

it will not work if it is fresh and moist; you need bread a few days old and a bit dried out. if it's not dry, place slices on a cookie sheet and bake them at 350 degrees for 10 or so minutes, then put in your cuisinart.

just thought someone else out there may need the same enlightenment about bread crumbs that I got last night! happy cooking!

a healthy cookie

maybe just a healthier cookie :)

a new take on the favorite chocolate chip cookie, by Jessica Seinfeld.

1C brown sugar

3/4C margarine

2 egg whites

2 tsp vanilla

1 (15oz) can of chickpeas

2C chocolate chips

2C flour

1/2C oats

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

Preheat to 350 degrees.  Mix margarine and sugar, then add egg whites and vanilla, then add chickpeas and chocolate chips.  Next add flour, oats, baking soda, and salt.  Scoop onto cookie sheet and bake for 11-13 minutes.

I thought they turned out pretty good, still very chocolaty.  Hubby thought they tasted too "healthy," but of course he still eats them.

Try them yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!

sweet vegetables

being a mom is fun & frustrating, busy & boring, smiles & cries, but above all a blessing to focus on.  it's easy and expected to get wrapped up in whatever activities you and your family are up to, especially during the summer months.

I say that to say, many discoveries I make are so often past due.  I find an idea, and activity, a recipe (could be anything) that has originally happened so long ago and I think "where was I?" or "I'm just finding out about this now?"  

I take my boys to the library regularly.  The storytimes are great, there are books, books and more books, videos, the summer reading program; all kinds of goodies.  This last time I went, I visited a couple "Katie-sections" and found a few things.  one I'd like to tell you about, my latest (late) discovery.

Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld ... yes, Jerry's wife.

It was published in 2007 ... I did have a child then, so why didn't I know about this?!

It is a full cookbook with breakfast, lunch, dinner, and desserts.  Her deception is hiding veggies in EVERY dish.  She stocks up on veggies, steams them, blends them into purees, and adds them to everyday dishes.

Veggies like carrots, beets, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, and squash.  Fresh is always best, but you can use frozen or canned veggies too.  Some call for fruits such as apples, bananas, and avocados (that's a fruit, right?).

Once blended, fridgerate the ones you'll use sooner than later and freeze the rest.

These recipes are truly easy, recipes that your children will actually eat, and recipes made with everyday ingredients you probably already have, so no need for specialty stores to eat healthy.

I can't wait to try these ... and I will let you know. 

For whatever reason, when I think of libraries I don't think of cookbooks.  but they're there, a whole huge section!!

I wanted to spread the word about this cookbook ... in case you're living under a rock like me!  I encourage you to go to your local library and check this one out.  

anyone like me?

for anyone who loves to save a buck

and

for anyone who hates clipping coupons because you always forget to use them

and

for anyone who eats ... yes you!

along the lines of TJ Maxx and Ross, there are grocery stores that do that too.  they buy in bulk items discontinued, or items about to expire, or can with dents ... they buy imperfections with perfectly good food inside!

check out his link and find a store near you!

I went to one near me and saw cake mixes for 50 cents, salad dressing (full, normal sized bottles) for 60 cents, bottled water was 6 for 1 dollar, lots of spices, candy and snacky things, but I also found toys, diapers, and paper goods.

now these are stores you do not go to with a list.  you have to go and shop for the good deals.  their stock changes constantly, so you have to take it while you can get it.  it's a great way to save on your grocery bills!

snowy Easter

in Colorado, mother nature is a little confused!  it has been snowing since I woke up this morning.  can you see the size of those snowflakes?!  they were huge!

 

I told Sam that the Easter Bunny, along with Santa Claus, 

shows up to help celebrate Jesus.  Santa gives us gifts in honor of Jesus' birth, just like the wise men gave gifts.  and the 

Easter Bunny hides eggs and gives gifts also to honor Jesus and the resurrection.

I do not know how a bunny and eggs got involved with Jesus.  do you?  somehow, Santa and Jesus work for me.

I don't mind playing the games that come along with holidays, just as long as they know the REAL reason too.

I sent Sam on a scavenger hunt, ending with his basket in the dryer!  I did a hunt last year too; it's a hit! all you do is cut out pictures from old magazines of things you have in your house.  for example, I found an apple, so in the fridge I put a few eggs and on one taped a picture of the next clue, which was a bookshelf.  so off to the bookshelf to find more eggs and the next clue, a picture of a toothbrush, so off to the bathroom ... you get the point.  here are the boys with all those plastic eggs.  I put jelly beans in some, pennies in some, and left others empty.  the fun is the hunt itself!

I also made a bunny cake.  last year's turned out much better (you'll just have to believe me on that one)

 but this one is recognizable ... right?  it was yummy none-the-less.

Happy Easter ... that is ... Happy Resurrection Day!!

playdough

I just made playdough for the very first time and I must say it was so so easy!  if your little ones love playing with playdough, try making it yourself before you go buy more.  I think it's much better than the store-bought stuff; it's smooth and doesn't have that smell.

mix the following ingredients in a big 6 quart pot.  cook on low heat.  stir constantly until it thickens and forms a ball, you know, the consistency of playdough!

2C flour

2C water

1C salt

4tsp cream of tartar

4tbsp veggie oil

once done, take it out and knead it.  depending on how many different colors you want, divide it up and add any food coloring.

this is very simple and easy so the kids can help make it too.  try it out and let me know how you like it.  enjoy!

squish squash

my new favorite this fall is squash. it seems my taste buds have changed since turning 30 last year. I'm now loving all kinds of veggies. (aren't you proud mom? finally, right?!)

2 yummy recipes I'd like to share -

now this first one isn't like eating vegetables at all, but there is squash in it ... sort of.
pumpkin spice bread
whisk together:
1 3/4 C flour - you can also use 1 C white flour and 3/4 C wheat flour
1 1/2 C sugar - you can also use 1 C regular sugar and 1/2 C splenda
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cloves
set aside
combine the following then add to dry mixture
1/2 C melted butter (1 stick)
1 C canned pumpkin
1 beaten egg
1/3 C water
grease and flour 9x5 loaf pan. bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes.

a perfect side to any dinner. this is along the lines of mashed potatoes, but squash instead.
butternut squash
1 squash
1/4 C butter
1/2 C sour cream
salt and pepper to taste
halve and seed squash. bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour in a bit of water. scoop out of skin, add all other ingredients and mix with electric mixer until smooth. serve warm. enjoy!

a tomato trick

I was making sloppy joe's for dinner last night and realized I had no tomato sauce, but what I did have was tomato paste.  so I googled it.

turns out you can mix equal parts paste + water = tomato sauce cool huh?  isn't google awesome?!

PS. I'm trying something new.  I've planted some tomato and pea plants in my backyard.  not sure if I really have a green thumb or not ... I'd like to though!  so far so good; I ought to take pictures.  they're still babies now, so nothing to eat just yet.  I'm already excited!  call me farmer Katie!