Make-It Monday

Here is the recipe for the bread that I made. I halved it, and it still worked really well! Enjoy.

Grandma's Whole Wheat Bread
Liz Freestone

5 cups hot tap water
7 cups whole wheat flour
2 Tbsp yeast
1/2 cup warm water
2/3 cup oil
2/3 cup honey

2 Tbsp salt
5-6 cups whole wheat flour

Add yeast to warm water, set aside. Put hot water and 7 cups flour into a mixer and mix well. Add oil, salt and honey, mix well. Add yeast and reamining flour - 5 cups, then more until the dough does not stick to the sides of the bowl.

Beat 10 minutes.

Oil counter top and divide the dough into 4 equal portions. Shape into loaves and place in greased bread pans (I used Pam). Raise to top of pans (about 30 min if in warm oven)

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Makes 4 loaves.

Look What I Did

I made bread for the first time the other night, and it turned out quite well. I am pretty impressed with myself. The last time I attempted to make buns, they didn't turn out at all, so I had doubts about how this would turn out. I used half whole wheat flour and half white flour, and I think it has the perfect amount of both!

Well, the motorbike show has come and gone again, and this year was pretty fun, but mostly for Tyler. He loved it. He was sitting on every bike that he could. He enjoyed himself way more than Trevor and I. For us, it was basically the same as every other year.

Trevor did get to meet Jordan and Amy Szoke. They are married and are both professional racers. He has won the Canadian Championship 7 times. Trev was pretty excited to meet them. He only wanted to go to meet them, and then by the time we got there, we had missed them. We happened to run into them in the hall on our way out, and they were nice enough to stop and talk to us and take a picture or two.

When Tyler was sick at the beginning of the month he was weird about what he would and wouldn't eat. One morning all he wanted was peanut butter, and he was eating it like it was pudding or something. It was pretty funny to watch.

I bought a tent for Tyler from Ikea for him to have as his fort in the basement. He loves it. He keeps his giant monkey and his Buzz Lightyear in it and tucks them in to bed every day with a blanket. One night, he was growling at Trevor and doing crazy hands. They were having a lot of fun.

 Here's one of Ty just being silly.



Brave Boy

I took Tyler for his 18 month shots tonight. I was so surprised and impressed. He didn't even flinch when they poked his arm. As soon as it was done, he jumped off my lap and was laughing and giggling with the nurse! Way to go Ty Ty.

I found a new dayhome!! It is actually really close to us, and only $10 more than what I currently pay. It is run by a social workerr who has 6 grown children of her own and used to have foster kids. She has a helper who is a former horse jumoer and now trains horses and does equine massage. Tyler seemed to like it therer, and they were reallyice. Hopefully it turns out to be as good as it seems.

Price Jumps

We recently found out that the Dayhome Agency we are through is going to raise their prices by almost $200 per month!! This seems like an absolutely ridiculous jump to us, so we have begun looking for a new place to take Tyler.  I am really happy with where we are, but we definitely need somewhere cheaper, especially with Trevor going back to school in the fall. What a trying thing it is to try and choose someone to take care of your child all day. I have met with 3 different people so far and haven't been too impressed with any of them. I am meeting with 3 more this week, and hopefully have better luck. This is one tough decision!

Make-It Monday

I have been making this for about 6 years now, and it is one of my favorites, as well as my family's. We never get sick of it. The quantities depend on how much you think you will eat and how much of one thing you like in comparison to another! Enjoy.

Pasta Salad

Shell or Bow Pasta
Chicken Breast, cut up
Fresh Broccoli
Fresh Tomato
Fresh Peppers (I usually use some red and some yellow or orange, but always 2 colors)
Parmesan Cheese (I use the non-shredded, really flaky kind in the bottle)
Zesty Italian Salad Dressing

Brown the cubed Chicken. I usually add some Zesty Italian to the chicken for the last couple minutes of cooking to give it a kick. While browning the chicken, cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain the pasta. Add the cut up broccoli, peppers and tomato. Add the cooked chicken. Pour the Zesty Italian dressing and sprinkle some parmesan over mixture. Mix to coat everything.

**If you like fresh green beans, they are a nice addition. Add them to the pasta for the last 3-5 minutes of cooking to help them get a little tender, but still crisp!

**Serve with fresh buns or croissants.

Make-It Monday

Southwestern Chicken Skillet

prep time 5 min

total time 30 min

makes 4

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. oil

4 small boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes(1 lb./500 g)

1 1/2 cups water

1 1/2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, peas and corn)

1 cup salsa - I use a whole medium jar because I found it a little dry

1 1/2 cups instant white rice, uncooked

1/4 cup Cheese

Sour Cream *optional

Directions

HEAT oil in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook.  Remove chicken from skillet, reserving drippings in skillet; cover chicken to keep warm.
ADD water, vegetables and salsa to drippings in skillet; stir. Bring to boil.
STIR in rice. Reduce heat to low; cover. Simmer 5 min. Top with the chicken; sprinkle with cheese. Cover; cook 5 min. or until cheese is melted.

*I use my rice cooker and cook the rice before hand. I don't have any instant rice. So, if you are like me, cook the rice and then just stir it in when everything else is done.

*We like to eat ours with sour cream on top.

It Just Keeps Getting Better

Well, the day started off sour today. I was changing Tyler this morning and he had a total meltdown, refusing to put clothes on, freaking out when I tried. He cried for a good half hour. When I tried to put his coat on to leave, he continued. Finally, I got him in the car, only to realize as I tried to pull out of the parking lot, that I had a flat tire! So now, I am missing work and staying home with Tyler. He had a rough day at Day Home yesterday because it has been so long (3 weeks) since he has been, and I was hoping to get back on a good schedule and get him used to going again, so this isn't helping any with that. Trevor took my tire in to get fixed this morning, but won't be home with it until tonight, so it looks like we're not going anywhere.

On a brighter note, Tyler was being super funny last night. He put on his hat and wore it around for a long time, and was carrying "The Cat in the Hat" with him everywhere he went. Then today, just a few minutes ago, he fell asleep on the stairs. One minute he's playing with shoes, the next, out like a light.

Make It Monday

No matter my mood, I am always up for eating tacos. I would say that they are my favorite thing to eat. I found htis recipe in a Kraft magazine, and we eat it all of the time. It's just a little mix-up of a regular taco. I don't put in the cilantro, but if you like it, I'm sure it would be great.


Taco Salad Bowls
prep time 20 min
total time 20 min
makes 4 servings, 1/4 recipe (270 g) each
 
What You Need
4 whole wheat flour tortillas (9 inch)
1 Tbsp. chili powder, divided
3/4 lb. (340 g) extra lean ground beef
1 cup match-like carrot sticks
1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. salsa, divided
2 Tbsp. Miracle Whip Calorie-Wise Dressing
4 cups torn salad greens
1 large tomato, chopped
1/2 cup Kraft Tex Mex Shredded Cheese
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

PREHEAT oven to 425°F. Crumple four large sheets of foil to make four 3-inch balls; place on baking sheet. Place 1 tortilla on top of each ball; spray tortilla with cooking spray. Sprinkle evenly with 1/2 tsp. of the chili powder. Bake 6 to 8 min. or until tortillas are golden brown. (Tortillas will drape over balls as they bake.)

MEANWHILE, brown meat with carrots and remaining 2-1/2 tsp. chili powder in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Add 1/2 cup of the salsa; cook 2 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally.

MIX dressing and remaining 2 Tbsp. salsa in large bowl. Add salad greens and tomatoes; toss to coat. Spoon into tortilla shells; top with meat mixture, cheese and cilantro.

nutritional information
serving size = 1/4 recipe (270 g)per serving
Calories 350 Total fat 13 g Saturated fat 6 g Cholesterol 65 mg Sodium 770 mg Carbohydrate 39 g Dietary fibre 6 g Sugars 6 g Protein 28 g Vitamin A 70 %DV Vitamin C 25 %DV Calcium 15 %DV Iron 25 %DV

Snow Day!!

Well, we got at least a foot of snow in the last couple of days, which has been crazy. People are getting stuck in our parking lot left and right. In fact, they cancelled church today because it is so dangerous to drive around unless you have a 4x4. It isn't snowing now, but has been snowing non-stop for the last couple of days. Trevor got hooked up with 9 apartment buildings for snow removal, so he is starting on that tonight. Hopefully that goes well for him.

We are all finally feeling better. Tyler had his 18 month check up on Friday, and weighs 27 Lbs and is 34 inches tall. That is the 96th percentile for height and 74 for weight, so he didn't lose much during his 2 weeks of sickness. He hasn't started eating totally normal yet, but is getting closer everyday. If we can get the car out tomorrow, we'll head back to work and to Day Home, which will be nice. He has grown this crazy addiction to Toy Story. He wants to watch Buzz 24/7, which we probably let him do too much. Things will be better once he's back in a good routine with Day Home (we hope anyway!).

One Sick Christmas

We went down to Southern Alberta for Christmas this year. For Christmas Eve, it was just Trevor, Tyler, my parents and I. Usually most of my family is there, so it was a little weird to have so few people. We ate dinner, then went in to Coaldale to see some Chistmas lights that were set to music on the radio. It was pretty cool. Then we came home and watched a movie and went to bed. Christmas was good this year. Tyler seemed to really enjoy opening his presents, even though he doesn't quite get the whole concept yet. On Boxing Day, we woke up to Tyler throwing up numerous times throughout the night. I then got sick that afternoon, and Trevor a couple of days later. We were sick the rest of the week and are still recovering. Tyler got infections in both ears and a bit of strep throat. Trevor and I got Strep throat and a sinus cold. I am feeling good now, but Trevor and Tyler are both still a little sickly. Other than being sick, I thought our holiday was pretty good. We ended up being down south for 10 days. That is the longest we have ever been down there at once. It was nice to spend time with my family.

My 2010

1.What did you do in 2010 that you've never done before?

We went to the Birds of Prey centre in Coaldale. 

Trevor bought a Track Bike, so I watched him race motorcycles for the first time.

2. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My 2 Sisters:

Tiffany - Morgan

Mandy - Cason

3. What was the best thing you bought?

My iPad. I love it. I use it more than my computer now!.

4. Where did most of your money go?

5. What songs will remind you of 2010?

California Gurls - Katy Perry

Misery - Maroon 5

Slow Dancing in a Burning Room - John Mayer

6. What do you wish you had done more of?

Exercise. I really dropped the ball once I went back to work.

7. What do you wish you would've done less of?

Eat. I gained far too much weight this year!

8. What was your favorite T.V. show?

How I Met Your Mother

I had never watched this show until last year, and I loved it! I didn't know I had been missing something so good.

9. What was the best book you read in 2010?

Catching Fire-Susan Collins

10. What was your favorite film of the year?

Inception

I thought this movie was awesome. Leonardo DiCaprio keeps picking the good shows lately!

11. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?

I turned 29 and I don't think we did anything special. I imagine we went out for dinner and a movie or something? I can't remember.

12. Who was the best person you met?

Jason Britton from TV is the only person I met, I think.