Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Supper Club and Fall Break Pictures

Fall Supper Club was recently hosted by Angela and Ryan. Unfortunately, Chad and Jenni were not able to attend so we had less food, which was a blessing because even being down 2 recipes we all left completely stuffed. Not a blessing that we were down two friends. They were missed and absolutely need to give all these recipes a try. The theme this season was Breakfast for Dinner and at first I was a little nervous but each recipe was amazing. 

Here are the three ladies of the Fall Supper Club and one Baby on Board!

Holly and Adam

Angela and Ryan

Kristin and Abel

PS...this is the last photo of me that you will see with long hair. I chopped 9 inches on Saturday and now am sporting the Jennifer Aniston bob!

Here is the menu:

Raspberry-Orange Sunrises


Mixed Fruit Granola with Orange Syrup over Yogurt

Ingredients


     3 cups uncooked regular oats
                     1/4 cup wheat germ
                     1/4 cup sunflower seed kernels
                     1/4 cup chopped pecans
                     2 tablespoons sesame seeds
                     1/2 cup butter
                     1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
                     2 tablespoons corn syrup
                     1 teaspoon vanilla extract
                     1 cup chopped dried mixed fruit


Preparation
Combine first 5 ingredients in a bowl. Set oats mixture aside.
Cook butter and brown sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved. Stir in corn syrup. Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla.
Pour sugar mixture evenly over oats mixture, tossing to coat well. Spread mixture evenly in a lightly greased jelly-roll or broiler pan.
Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring 3 times. Cool completely. Stir in dried fruit.

Orange Syrup
Ingredients


            1 cup sugar
                     2 teaspoons grated orange rind
                     1/2 cup orange juice
                     1 tablespoon lemon juice
                     1 tablespoon corn syrup
                     1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
                     2 tablespoons orange liqueur (optional)
                     Fat-free yogurt, orange segments, and Mixed Fruit Granola


Preparation
Combine first 6 ingredients and, if desired, orange liqueur in a heavy saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until sugar dissolves.
Top fat-free yogurt with orange segments and Mixed Fruit Granola; drizzle with syrup.

Apple Waffles

This recipe is a for sure make again! In fact, the kids and I made it this morning but did pancakes since we   don't have a waffle iron. All it requires is a little extra regular milk to thin it out. They were so GOOD!
                                             1 cup whole-wheat flour
                     1 cup all-purpose flour
                     2 teaspoons baking soda
                     2 teaspoons baking powder
                     1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
                     1/2 teaspoon salt
                     Dash of ground nutmeg
                     2 cups low-fat buttermilk
                     1 tablespoon honey
           1 tablespoon molasses
           1 tablespoon margarine, melted
           2 teaspoons lemon juice
           2 eggs
           2 cups finely chopped Granny Smith apple


Savory Ham-and-Swiss Breakfast Pie 
with Rosemary Potatoes

 The pie in my opinion was the hands down show stopper of the night! So creamy and full of flavor. 

Ingredients  


     1 2/3 cups water
1 cup whipping cream
                         2 garlic cloves, pressed
                         2 tablespoons butter
                         1 teaspoon salt
                         1/4 teaspoon pepper
                         2/3 cup uncooked quick-cooking grits
                         1 1/4 cups (5 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese, divided
                         8 large eggs, divided
                         1/2 pound cooked ham, diced
                         4 green onions, chopped
                         1/2 cup milk
                         Garnish: chives


Preparation
Bring first 6 ingredients to a boil in a medium saucepan; gradually whisk in grits. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer, whisking occasionally, 5 to 7 minutes. Add 1/2 cup cheese, stirring until cheese melts. Remove from heat, and let stand 10 minutes. Lightly beat 2 eggs, and stir into grits mixture; pour into a lightly greased 10-inch deep pie plate.
Bake at 350° for 20 minutes; remove from oven. Increase oven temperature to 400°.
Sauté ham and onions in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until onion is tender. Layer ham mixture evenly over grits crust. Whisk together milk and remaining 6 eggs; pour over ham mixture. Sprinkle remaining 3/4 cup cheese evenly over egg mixture.
Bake at 400° for 35 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes, and cut into wedges. Garnish, if desired.


Apple Pull-Apart Bread


Ingredients


     1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
                   1 cup warm milk
                   1/2 cup butter, melted, divided
                   1 egg
                   2/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided
                   1 teaspoon salt
                   3 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
                   1 medium tart apple, peeled and chopped
                   1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
                   1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
                     ICING:
                   1 cup confectioners' sugar
                   3 to 4-1/2 teaspoons hot water
                   1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract


Directions
                   In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in milk. Add 2 tablespoons butter,
                   egg, 2 tablespoons sugar, salt and 3 cups flour; beat until smooth.
                   Add enough remaining flour to form a stiff dough. Turn onto a
                   floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place
                   in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in
                   a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
                  
                   Combine the apple, pecans, cinnamon and remaining sugar; set  aside.
                   Punch dough down; divide in half. Cut each half into 16 pieces. On a
                   lightly floured surface, pat or roll out each piece into a 2-1/2-in.
                   circle. Place 1 teaspoon apple mixture in center of circle; pinch
                   edges together and seal, forming a ball. Dip in remaining butter.
                  

                   In a greased 10-in. tube pan, place 16 balls, seam side down;
                   sprinkle with 1/4 cup apple mixture. Layer remaining balls; sprinkle
                   with remaining apple mixture. Cover and let rise until nearly
                   doubled, about 45 minutes.
                  
                   Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 10
                   minutes; remove from pan to a wire rack. Combine icing ingredients;
                drizzle over warm bread. Yield: 1 loaf.  


Today is my second day off for Fall Break. Yesterday the kids and I went to my appointment with my doctor. Then it was over to the trampoline place for a little jumping. Today it was off to go park hunting. This is the best free activity in the world. You throw the kids and snacks in the car and you just drive and explore new parks. We found a few really cool ones!




 Gianni is doing great in school. He received an excellent report card for the 1st quarter and fantastic test scores for the start of the year. He has a bit more homework this year but he does a great job managing it with baseball. He recently competed in The Punt Pass and Kick competition and has started Kids Rock Stars which is an program that emphasizes fitness. He logs his miles of activity and it is an ongoing program this year. 

Carmelita is doing great in school too. She is a bit sad about not being able to start Kinder but I keep telling her it is just an age thing! She is doing great with writing her numbers and reading 3 letter words with short vowels. The teacher is going to start her on sight words and although she recognizes all lowercase letters and their sounds, the teacher has her working on writing all lowercase letters with accuracy. She is SUPER EXCITED for her upcoming birthday event this Saturday. It is very small compared to what we usually do but it is what she wanted. 

Papa comes to town tomorrow. We can't wait to see him tomorrow. Tonight I get to work out again. As you may have heard, I was recently back to the cardiologist for my very minor heart rhythm issues that had flared their ugly head again. After tests and a weekend heart monitor, I recently got cleared to work out again. Everything was because of an electrolyte imbalance. Supplements of potassium and magnesium have done the trick and I am excited to get back into action. 

Fall Break is going by fast but we plan to enjoy every minute of it. The weather is cooling off and we have lots planned for the weekend. I will keep you posted. 

Sunday, September 23, 2012

My Favorite Time of Year

Late September to late November has always been my favorite time of year. Back east I loved it because of the autumn leaves. In Arizona, the weather does cool down and you can enjoy the yard and all of our outside activities. Baseball season for Gianni, hanging out with the family outside, Cardinals football games, Carmen's birthday, Halloween and Thanksgiving are some of the reasons why I love this time of year. 

To get out and celebrate the weather not being completely miserable, the kids decided to buy skateboards and give it a try. It was hilarious to watch.




This past Saturday, Gianni had his first baseball game of the season. He played so well. He scored a run every time at he was at bat! He is seriously killing the ball when he wants to. While on third base about to run home, the ball was hit near him and he stayed because he knew that he was not forced to run. Great read on the situation! Out in the field he played left field and made some great plays to third base. He also played second base, which is a tough spot because he stands between 1st and 2nd, and has to know when to get the ball or let another player grab it.

The games this year are 1 hour and 20 minutes so the girls do their best to occupy themselves.


Here is Gianni coming in from scoring.
Look at that swing!
Here he is playing catcher! Papa says he looks like a catcher!
Although we have been busy with baseball, tennis, and school events,  we all miss Nonna and Papa! Here is a picture of them that I didn't get a chance to post from when they were here.
Today we stayed in and baked some cookies and watched football. Two more weeks of school and then we are on Fall Break! We all hope it goes fast.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

We're all alive! Don't worry!

Well, I guess it has been a long time! Wow, over a month since I have posted anything! We have all been crazy busy and we are really experiencing some changes to our world. First, I started my new job as a Student Advisor. I like the job, but it is a major adjustment. Longer hours, unpredictable days, and lots of running around. I have an office instead of a classroom, but I am barely in it! It is taking me time to make the shift from teacher to administrator but I am doing my best. I am missing all of my girls and that is another adjustment I have had to make. I am having to get to know a new job, a new school, and new people. 

Abel was sent to New Mexico during the second week of school. For a week I was super mom while he was gone. This past week he was super dad as my schedule got crazy!

We try to find time to enjoy time together as much as possible when we are not working and the kids are not in school. Carmen learned how to ride with no training wheels. Abel is the best at teaching kids how to ride a bike. He makes it look so easy.

Here is video of the first time she took off. I don't know how he got her to do it but he did.

The first day of school was three weeks ago. Gianni is in second grade and he is doing an amazing job with his behavior and school work. Carmen is in her second year of preschool.


An exciting day - THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

Nonna and Papa came at the end of the first week of school. They have watched the kids take tennis lessons, we have gone swimming, they went to paint pottery, they had sleep overs, and we reinstated the tradition of Saturday night at Papa's. The weather was soooo hot the first week they were here (115 degrees). So, we tried to fry and egg on the sidewalk. No success!
We have been having fun with Nonna and Papa but what always amazes us is how helpful they are when they are here. They pick kids up from school, babysit, load and stock my freezer, fridge, and pantry, and they are always putting gas in my car. We love that they help out, but more than anything we love spending time with them.





Family fun at Nonna and Papa's pool!

Tonight Carmen was in a performance of The Wizard of Oz. She was a Little Munchkin. When she walked down the stairs and I took this picture, all I could think of is me when I was little. She has my childhood body, stance, and she dances just like I did.

 I think this is my favorite picture of the summer. Look at my beautiful family and how lucky I am. We have crazy lives between baseball, tennis, dance, work, and school, but it a moment like this that you hang onto forever. My husband has been absolutely amazing lately. Today before the dance recital I had to work. I left at 6:50 this morning to work an event at my school and I was there all day. When I came home the backyard was clean, laundry was done, and the entire house was cleaned and mopped. He has been so understanding of this new transition in my career. I think things will slow down but it is going to take me some time to adjust. I hope that my friends and family can continue to be supportive and understanding because lately I feel like they have been put on the back burner. 

Ok, back to the recital. Back stage Carmen got to take a picture with her old dance teacher. This teacher was with her for the first 4 shows she ever did. This was show number 5 and she has a new teacher.


Second line is her name!

She did so great! There is a part where she is just bouncing up and down but that is because Dorothy is dancing in front of the munchkins. Check out the video! She is the 3rd girl from the right!


After the show it was flowers from Daddy and Gianni as usual. Then it was time to snap a pic with Sophia. They did so great! Off for ice cream with Nonna and Papa.
On the way home Carmen said, "Mommy and Daddy, I just wish I could be on stage EVERYDAY!" She absolutely loves it. I am not a crazy dance mom. She loves the shows the most. 

Tomorrow is a going to be a great day with Nonna and Papa. We are going to a Diamondbacks game.