Today was a rainy and gray day, so this afternoon we decided that we’d go to a mall after nap-time. We went to a mall about half an hour from our house. Well, actually, there are several malls within that distance, but this particular mall had three features that appealed to us the most – a Build a Bear Workshop, The Children’s Place and a really cool carousel to ride. Not to mention the food court AND a Nestle Tollhouse store near where we parked. WOO HOO! Our first stop was Build-a-Bear. This was the first trip for both girls to the B-a-B store. Both girls LOVED it!! Macey got the Cuddly Hugs bear in pink. She named her bear Cuddles. She also got a cute Hannah Montana outfit for Cuddles. 
Mariana got L’il Bunny Big Ears which she named Huggy Bunny. She also got a Hello Kitty Hawaiian outfit for her bunny. 
Aren’t those adorable?! The girls are just over the moon with their new animals. I’m sure they’ll be well loved. Macey already has a little “bed” (a pillow and baby blanket” in her room and Mariana has her bunny already in her bed. So cute!! And, I had a $5 off coupon from a box of Teddy Grahams, so that was nice too. Every little savings helps. After Build-a-Bear we went to The Children’s Place. I’m on a quest to find some jeans for Macey. This might seem like a simple enough quest, but so far it’s been a real challenge. Just about every pair of jeans I find for Macey in size 5 is too long for her, but 4s are too short. It’s SUCH a challenge to find jeans that fit her nicely. And, why do so many of them have such low rises?! Seriously. At TCP I got a pair of jeans to try for Macey. Also got th girls some matching froggy jammies (on sale) and a spring outfit for Macey. All with a 15% off coupon too. WOO HOO! We grabbed a quick supper at the food court and then rode the carousel. The girls LOVED the carousel. Mickey and the girls got treats at the Nestle Tollhouse store on the way out of the mall. They went on to the van and I shopped at Dillard’s since they have 40% off clearance right now. Well, as usual, big department stores overwhelm me. It’s just too much. Too spread out. Something. I don’t know. Anyway, I did see some cute things, but didn’t buy anything. Now we are home. The girls have had their baths and have had their hair washed. They are wearing their new froggy jammies from TCP too. And, they are waiting on me to come brush their hair. So, off I go. We may get snow here tomorrow. Wouldn’t that be FUN?! G’night, Kelly PS: The TCP jeans are long on Macey. ACK! Any suggestions on jeans??
Saturday Fun…
Yes!! We Did It!!
I just had to pop in and post that Terri and I both worked out every evening this week. This was our first week of working out and we had a goal to work out each evening. WE DID IT!! Woo Hoo!! We both plan to work out at least once this weekend. I’m not sure of my exact plan, but I do plan to do the weight-loss yoga at least once. (More info in this thread.) It has felt great to start working out again. I can even tell that my stamina and flexibility are both increasing – slowly but surely. We have one more week to go in our first segment of Biggest Loser Boot Camp. I almost stepped on up a level tonight, but I’m glad I didn’t. I need another full week to get ready for that. I’m so glad that Terri and I are doing this together – even with 200 miles between us. We’re on our way and there is no stopping us. FITNESS, here we come!!
PS: Wish Mickey luck too. He’s going to run 6 miles tomorrow morning, weather permitting. GO MICKEY GO!
More sickies…
Macey is just getting over a bout with “the crud.” Last week she didn’t feel well and the pediatrician diagnosed her with an ear infection and sinus infection. She missed two days of school and just felt terrible. Well, instead of getting better once she was on medication, she progressively got worse. Both ears were infected and her sinuses were a mess. Fortunately her pediatrician called in another prescription and that did the trick for her. (Well, PRAYER and meds are what did it for her, honestly…) This week she has felt so much better. She is back to herself again. YAY!! However…
Now Mariana is sick. I was holding off on taking her to the ped in hopes that she was just experiencing allergy symptoms (so many trees and flowers are blooming here already), but yesterday she was very laid back and by afternoon she was crying with her ears and “mouth” (back of her throat). So, off to the ped we went. Turns out that both of Mariana’s ears are infected. She had ear tubes put in back in January ’08, but the one in the left ear has already come out. So, this is her first post-tube infection in the left ear. Unfortunately it’s about her third infection this year in the right ear. Her sinuses are also congested and she’s had a fever. So, now she’s on medication plus ear drops. She had kind of a rough night last night as well. She’s having trouble breathing around all the congestion. Poor kid. Fortunately she has done pretty well this morning. We kept her home from preschool so that she has time to recouperate. Looks like a return visit to the ENT may be in order, but MAYBE these ear infections are just a random occurrence and she’ll be fine going forward. We hope and pray.
Seems like a lot of “crud” is going around, especially amongst kids. Guess it’s that time of the year. We give our girls multi-vitamins and these gummies each day:
We also need to pump up their antioxidants. Good thing Mariana loves blueberries. Now we need to find something that Macey loves that much. Anything to keep these girls healthy!
Come on, Spring!!
The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
This morning I am baking cookies for a big youth conference at our church that will be taking place this weekend. The first batch I am making are chocolate chip cookies.
The best recipe EVER for chocolate chip cookies is the Original NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® recipe. Here it is:
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1 cup chopped nuts (optional – I usually omit because my family prefers them without, but pecans are SO good in these)
Directions:
PREHEAT oven to 375° F.
COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
PAN COOKIE VARIATION: Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan. Prepare dough as above. Spread into prepared pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack. Makes 4 dozen bars.
SLICE AND BAKE COOKIE VARIATION:
PREPARE dough as above. Divide in half; wrap in waxed paper. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm. Shape each half into 15-inch log; wrap in wax paper. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.* Preheat oven to 375° F. Cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices; place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Makes about 5 dozen cookies.
* May be stored in refrigerator for up to 1 week or in freezer for up to 8 weeks.
FOR HIGH ALTITUDE BAKING (5,200 feet): Increase flour to 2 1/2 cups. Add 2 teaspoons water with flour and reduce both granulated sugar and brown sugar to 2/3 cup each. Bake drop cookies for 8 to 10 minutes and pan cookie for 17 to 19 minutes.
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I found found that my keys to cookie baking success are:
- Be sure to cream the butter and sugars together really well. Also make sure the eggs and vanilla are blended in well before adding dry ingredients. (Be sure to use real butter for the best taste and consistency)
- Fold in the chocolate chips with a spatula. (I mostly use mini chips because they distribute better through the cookies, but Mickey also enjoys the traditional size chips)
- Cook times can vary, but for my oven I have found that baking the cookies 10 minutes is best.
- Let the cookies remain on the cookie sheet two mintues after removing from oven. Then transfer to wire racks to cool.
- Store in air tight container(s).
Shaping Up…
One of my goals for this year is to get in better physical shape. I have what I consider to be a “milestone” birthday coming up this year and I would really like to lose some weight and get fit by then. I want to have more energy, more stamina and more overall strength. I’m happy to report that I have started getting my act together and have been exercising regularly starting this week. I know, I know…we are only four days into this week. But, I have exercised every day this week (twice on Tuesday) and that’s a great start for me. I’m excited! I’m pumped and I am feeling great about continuing this wellness and fitness trend!! Please, wish me luck.
One cool thing is that I am not in this fitness quest alone. Mickey has been able to start running again and so far this year he has logged over 50 miles in running. (He had shin surgery last fall and has just been able to start running again this year) He is doing SO great! Also, my best friend Terri is working out each day (well, night) as well. She and I text each other when we are just about to start our work-outs and/or when we have just finished. That way we are sending encouragement to the other. And, that is awesome. Even though we are 200 miles apart, I know we’re in this together. We are uplifting and encouraging one another every step of the way. Neither one of us wants to see the other fail, so we are holding up our own end of things so that it helps the other to remain strong. It’s just incredible, really.
The work-outs I am doing most often right now are Biggest Loser Boot Camp and Biggest Loser Weight-Loss Yoga. Both of those are GREAT work-outs. If you think that yoga can’t be a great work out, try this dvd and you’ll know differently. Granted, the Boot Camp is more intense in some ways, but I will say that I break a sweat and feel the muscles working in yoga as well. I highly recommend these two dvds!! I have also done the first segment of Jillian Michaels’ Body Shred and – WHEW- that was tough. It was a great work out, but I did it on Tuesday evening after I had done yoga in the afternoon and it just about flattened me. I guess it’s obvious that I am desperately in need of getting into better shape, right? Well, I’m on my way!! I’m doing it!! And, it feels GREAT!!
Ash Wednesday 2009
Today is Ash Wednesday. That means the question being asked many times over today will be “So, what are you giving up for Lent?” If anyone is curious about my Lenten sacrifice, I am giving up most internet. Well, specifically, I am giving up Facebook and most social networking outlets online. I am keeping email and this blog, of course. I will also read a few select other blogs. I am restricting internet use because it’s something I feel will give me more time to have quiet time, read devotions, study my Bible, clean my house, etc. In addition to giving something up, I hope to add something. I would like to post every day in this blog. That problem I have had with trying to post regularly is that I often feel that every day occurrences aren’t worthy of posting. But, hey, maybe they ARE. Maybe that’s worthy of reading. I hope so. Maybe I won’t get too boring or silly or whatever else. We’ll see.
Mickey and I attended the 12′noon Ash Wednesday service at our church today. It was a very sweet and simple service. We both received communion and ashes. When we picked Mariana up from preschool, the first thing she did was survey my face, crinkle up her eyebrows and say “What’s that on you’s head, Mommy?” She was puzzled by the ashes and then wanted some for herself.
Yesterday my friend Christi asked me to explain Lent since she has never been in a church that recognizes it. I grew up in a Southern Baptist church and didn’t know much about Lent either until I joined the United Methodist church. So, I think that is quite common. This is the explanation of Lent as was printed on our church’s worship program today:
Season of Lent: Lent is the forty-day season, excluding Sundays, that encourages us to focus on three specific disciplines: prayer, fasting and acts of service. Traditionally, Christians use this time to practice an abstinenence of one form or another, such as the “giving up” of a particular food or habit. Lent is about simplicity and acknowledging God’s love is the source of all life.
In the coming days and weeks, I would like to talk more about Lent and its significance. In addition to various other topics, of course. As always, I welcome all suggestions, comments, etc.
As we go forth into Lent, I wish for this to be a time of reflection, introspection and preparation for us all.
Blessings,
Kelly
Recipe Review – Chicken, Biscuits’n'Gravy Casserole by Rachael Ray
Last night I made Rachael Ray’s Chicken, Biscuits’n'Gravy Casserole for our dinner. Let me just say – it was absolutely delicious! It wasn’t one of her 30-minute meals, but it wasn’t overly time consuming either. It was quite easy to make and tasted fantastic. A great comfort food!!
Here is the recipe:
Chicken, Biscuits’n'Gravy Casserole
Yield: 4 servings
Rachael Ray
1 medium to large rotisserie chicken
7 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the dish
8 ounces white mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 celery ribs, finely chopped
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground pepper
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 cups baking mix, such as Bisquick
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Butter a large casserole dish. Pull the meat off the chicken, shredding it with your fingers or a fork into the baking dish.
2. In a large skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of the butter over high heat. Add the mushrooms, onion and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are browned, about 6 minutes. Lower the heat to medium, sprinkle the flour into the skillet and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in the chicken broth, bring to a simmer and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 2 minutes. Stir in 1/3 cup of the milk and simmer for 1 minute more. Remove the skillet from the heat, add the lemon juice, and add salt and pepper to taste. Pour the gravy over the chicken in the baking dish.
3. Melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter with the garlic.
4. Stir together the baking mix, the remaining 2/3 cup of milk and the cheese. Drop tablespoonfuls of the biscuit mixture on top of the casserole and brush with half of the garlic butter. Bake until the biscuits are golden brown, about 25 minutes, brushing them once or twice with the remaining garlic butter.
Kelly’s Revisions:
We didn’t have a rotisserie chicken, so I just prepared some thinly sliced chicken breasts, cut those and used that instead.
I really don’t like celery (understatement), so I skipped that. I also skipped the lemon juice.
We didn’t have any mushrooms, so I just sauteed the onion in the butter. Then once I added the flour and chicken broth, I added in about half a can of cream of mushroom soup. Then I added a bit more broth and the milk to get the gravy to the desired consistency. Add garlic powder, salt and pepper to the gravy.
I used a 9×13 baking dish and found that I had just a bit too much biscuit mix. I made a couple of extra biscuits and squeezed them into the dish, but next time I’ll just leave them off because they soaked up some of the gravy. (I used a scoop to put biscuits on top)
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We really enjoyed this dish. I’m sure I’ll make it again soon. YUM!!
First Jury Duty Summons
We were out of town over the weekend and just returned today. Waiting in the mailbox for me was my first ever summons for jury duty. I report in late March. I am SO excited! I have always wanted to get called and this is my first chance. Yay!! I hope I get picked!!
Book Review – Lonestar Sanctuary by Colleen Coble
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Lonestar Sanctuary, Lonestar Series #1 By Colleen Coble / Thomas Nelson Fleeing a vengeful stalker and desperate to help her daughter, Betsy, speak again, Allie Siders finds a safe place for them at the Bluebird Ranch, a home for troubled children—and abused horses. Owner Elijah DeAngelo welcomes them, but foreman Rick Bailey is guarded. Can Allie and Rick put aside the past to save all they hold dear? 320 pages, softcover from Nelson. |
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I liked this book. This was the second novel written by Colleen Coble that I have read and I enjoy her books already. I won’t say this one completely captivated me, but I enjoyed the building of the story-lines nonetheless. The depth of character in this novel is also well done. I’ll be looking forward to the next installment in this Lonestar series. A very good read!
What a work out!
Yesterday, I purchased this DVD:
I had been looking for a great work-out DVD and decided to give this one a try when my friend Christi raved about it twice on her blog. I am glad I got this one because it is definitely a great workout. It’s intense without being impossible even when one is as out of shape as I am. There are various levels so it’s not something I will have to stop using any time soon.
I won’t say I loved it because I’m not a fan of sweating (lol), but it was a workout that I really needed. If you’re looking for a great workout DVD, I’d recommend this one. It’ll work you over, that’s for sure!