A little update

I probably don't have any followers anymore and those who want to know already know.  But the new year inspires me to write -- a lost form in our fast "texting" world.  On a side note I do refuse to text for as long as technologically possible.  My cell phone only makes and answers phone calls, which is all I need it to do.  And don't get me started on Facebook... we're not friends in the real world because of obvious reasons.  Why would I want "those" people to reconnect with me in a fantasy online world and pretend nothing has changed?  Guess what it has... Whew, got that out.

So, it's been about three years since my last post.  So much has changed in our lives, and I just keep plugging along.  Most importantly, last summer I earned my Master's in Education.  Perhaps that is why I didn't feel much like posting in the last couple years. My courses were online through a state college and all I did was respond to message boards and type papers along with reflections.  It was a challenging task as I also worked full time as a 4K teacher and balanced family life.  This summer we moved to another part of the state.  A part that we haven't lived in yet.  A good move.  My husband is furthering his career and I'm in search of the "perfect" job.  I'm still working as a 4K teacher, but have greater plans.  Time will help that.  We just moved into our newly built home days ago and wow, I hope we stay put for a little while.

As far cooking -- I highly, highly  recommend The Complete Cook's Country TV Show Cookbook. So far (since Christmas) I've made Fish Sticks, Pizza and Manicotti.  Next on the list is beef roast today.  The books is laid out nicely with most recipes on one or two pages, making it easy to read.  America's  Test Kitchen is known for it's lengthy and timely recipes, and personally I like to read the recipe on one page instead of flipping around.  Plus the recipes give you these "ahhh" moments -- why didn't I think of that?

More to come this year as I am so inspired.  Let me know what topics you like to read about!

What's Cookin' - Muffin Donuts

I was working out one day and was watching the Food Network.  They were showcasing favorites restaurants and their dishes.  They showed a muffin donut that looked so delicious that I knew there had to be a recipe out there.  Sure enough, I found one and it is one of my new favorite treats to make my family.  It's easy and so yummy!


Muffin Donuts
(This makes 24 mini-muffin donuts.  Double this recipe for regular muffins)

• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
• 3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg or 1 Tbsp fresh ginger root
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
•  --------
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease muffin tins.

2. Mix sugar, butter and nutmeg (or ginger) together.

3. Stir in milk.

4. Stir in baking powder and flour.

5. Pour batter in muffin tins.

6. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.

7. Mix sugar and cinnamon together, set aside in small bowl.  In another bowl set aside melted butter.

8. When muffins are done, dip in melted butter, then cinnamon sugar mixture.  Set on cooling rack.

**I accidentally made this with fresh ginger root and it was so good.  Love those happy accidents!**

Neighborhood friends

We are so lucky that our daughter has several friends her age in our neighborhood.  It has been so much fun watching her play with other children.  It's been great for her socially, too.  Sharing is so hard when you are only 3!

Organizing-Calendar

I have a planner that I write down all my appointments, meetings, days off of school, etc.  My husband has his own planner (one I give him every Christmas that has our little girl's picture on it).  So we are both pretty busy.

 I while back I found a magnetic dry erase board with a calendar.  I simply fill in the month and days for just one month.  I then write all the appointments, classes, days off, etc on the calendar and at a glance we both know what's going on each day.  It really helps keep us organized and both aware of what's going on.  It's also helpful that it's a dry erase board as things have a way of being rearranged often.

What's Cookin' --Homemade BBQ Sauce

We have an endless debate in our house about sauces -- pizza, spaghetti, barbeque, etc.  Eventually we come to a compromise.  I recently made this barbeque sauce and while it's not really my husband's tastes, it is mine.  It's easy to make and can be used in many recipes.

Homemade BBQ Sauce
(Adapted from America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook)

2 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
1 onion, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp chili powder (I use less)
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (I use less)
1 cup ketchup
5 Tbsp light or dark molassess
2 Tbsp cider vinegar
2 Tbsp Worcestershire
2 Tbsp Dijon mustard (I use French's Yellow)
1 tsp Tabasco (I use less)
Salt and Pepper to taste

1. Heat oil in large saucepan.
2.  Add onion and cook until softened.
3. Stir in garlic, chili powder and cayenne for about 15 seconds.
4. Stir in remaining ingredients and simmer for 25 minutes. Sauce should thicken.
5. Cool to room temperature before serving.

**You can adjust how spicey/hot you want this by adding more or less chili powder and cayenne.**

I have used this for a dipping sauce with grilled meat and then used the remaining sauce with a pork roast in the crockpot for pulled pork sandwiches.

Saving Money--Dryer Sheets

Here's a really simple tip to save a little money.

When using a dryer sheet, tear it in half.  You really only need half to do the job and you end up saving twice as much money on dryer sheets each year.

Twinkle Try

Our 3-year-old gets so upset when we ask her to "try" to use the bathroom before we leave the house.  The tears flow and the voice gets loud.  A couple months ago I tried a new techinque to make it a little less anxiety bound.  I ask her to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star while she tries to go.  If she has to go, she normal goes before the song is over.  If not, then she probably doesn't have to go at all.  So, when she gets louder when we ask her to try, I calmly say -- oh, just do a Twinkle try.  It makes life a little easier.