Blog Resurrection

So I've been contemplating my blogs.  I have several of them now.

1.  This blog.
2.  The gratitude blog.
3.  The party food blog.
4.  The book-talking blog.

I've pretty much quit using numbers 3 and 4.  But I've decided to resurrect them.  I don't really know why...  I guess to keep similar things grouped together.  And for funsies. 

So from here on back, all the binder recipes will be posted in the party food blog.  Maybe not exactly party food.  But food nonetheless.  I'm probably going to rename it to Nilla the Foodie.  Accurate and true!  Plus I'll post any food theme parties.  I'll even do so retroactively.  So be looking forward to The Office party, the back to school party, Halloween parties, etc.  Because it's FUN!!!

And the goal for the book-talking blog is also to help me remember some of what the book is about that I read.  I may start rating them and offering my opinion.  Thereby making it not really a book-talk.  But that's okay. 

So that's the exciting news.  Yay! 

And just so I don't keep my dad waiting for his grandpa pictures...  Here's a couple of recent ones from the happenings in our household :).

My cousin always does shadow pictures with her family and they always look awesome.  So I figured munchkin and I would give it a try.

I watched Emily for Christina a couple of days last week.  Lynnaea loved having her cousin here.  I think she laughed at everything Emily did!  It was awesome.

Emily likes to be a big helper.  And Lynnaea is completely willing to let other people hold her bottle for her.  Haha...

Binder Recipe #6

 

Cookies-and-Cream Pudding Parfait

 

2 cups whole milk

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 large egg

3 tablespoons cornstarch

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 cup chopped chocolate sandwich cookies (about 8 cookies)

 

In a medium pan, warm milk and sugar over medium heat (do not boil), stirring until sugar dissolves.  In a small bowl, whisk together cream, egg and cornstarch.  Slowly whisk cream mixture into warm milk, whisking constantly.

 

Cook, whisking constantly, until mixture is thick enough to coat back of a spoon, 4 to 6 minutes.  Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and butter.  Transfer to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap, pressing plastic directly onto surface of pudding.  Refrigerate until cold, 1 1/2 hours; pudding will thicken as it cools.

 

Divide half of pudding among 4 parfait glasses.  Sprinkle with half of cookies.  Repeat, layering with remaining pudding and cookies.

 

Recipe from allyou.com

Personal Notes:  I only had fat free milk on hand, so I used that (but still had the heavy cream).  I also used some regular oreos and some cookie dough oreos, just to change it up.  Perhaps because of the fat free milk, it took a little longer than 6 minutes before the pudding could coat the spoon -- probably 8 to 10 minutes.

Verdict:  Discard.  It wasn't what I was expecting.  I enjoyed making a home-made pudding, but wasn't as impressed with the results.  I can't put my finger on what I didn't like about it exactly, but I know I don't want to make it again.

10 Months

Dear Lynnaea,

Another month gone.  Where do they all go?  People who have known you since birth ask me how old you are and when I tell them, they gape.  They can't believe it either. 

Daddy says your a toddler now. 

I still say you're a baby.  But the truth is you'll always be my baby.  Always.

Oh beautiful girl, my love for you grows and grows.  I simply didn't know I was capable of loving so very much.  Of course, with this love comes the potential for worry beyond my experience too.  Your crazy mommy has always been a worrier by nature.  In the last couple of days, we had a bout of something yucky.  We don't know if it's something you ate or if you picked up a flu-type thing.  But it messed up your digestion for a few days, and after 3 days of it, I was starting to worry.  And it occurred to me how those two go hand-in-hand:  the love and the worry.  I'm happy to report all is well in your tummy's world again.  This makes me happy for you and for me!  Because, just for your {future} information (since I'm sure you don't care right now), we didn't enjoy all the leaked-through diapers... ;).

Here's another funny story for you:  a couple weekends ago, I was helping throw a baby shower.  So I decided it'd be better for you to stay with Daddy instead of going with me.  Daddy said he might take you down to Grandma and Grandpa's house.  I told him to send me a text if he did so that I knew not to expect you and him to be home when I came home.  And then I added, 'But mostly my baby.'  Daddy just gave me a look.  Hahaha. 

But the thing is this:  you've become such a huge part of my life.  And sure, I know there will be days ahead when you push away more and where almost your every waking moment is spent in my presence.  But for now, that's our normal.  Even when I'm trying to take a shower or go potty.  And so, after a while of not being with you...  Well, I just start to miss you incredibly!  And let's just say you must feel the same about me -- in even less time.  Because when Daddy is home and I go to take a shower, I close the bathroom door and your melt down.  And even when you're in the bathroom with me, you don't handle it well that you can't get into the shower with me.  It's a heart-breaking cry, but you get over it.

Anyway, you're just my little go-everywhere buddy.  Many people call you my mini-me (apparently you favor me more than Daddy).  And you're such an agreeable happy baby.

And what have you been up to this past month?  A lot.  Including putting teeth marks on most of the DVD cases ;).

You are walking around in your walker...  Well, not exactly in it, but with it.  You didn't care for sitting in the seat and being "trapped" (though that's nice for Mommy when she wants to keep you contained!).  You love to push it and walk with it, though.  Even from the side!  You have stood on your own for about 5 seconds, but you haven't realized that you can do it, so I don't really count it.  You have learned how to hand things to me and Daddy and to ask for them back by holding out your hand.  And you are starting to form sounds that will soon be words!  Your favorite right now is yayayaya.  But you also do dadada and just today started with bababa.  You walk along the couch, the pews at church, and the bed.  You figured out how to drink out of a straw!

You're curious about everything.  And though you are happy and eventually smile at most people who smile at you, you take a few minutes to assess the situation and give new people a once-over before committing to a smile.  You are a mellow baby, and though you certainly do cry from time to time (see aforementioned melt-downs when you can't reach Mommy), most people never witness your crying and have asked me if you ever cry or fuss.  And now, most of the time when you're tired and ready for naps or bed-time, you lay on the floor and grab the closest blanket or burp rag, snuggle it and suck your thumb.  And we know...  it's bedy-bye time for the baby!

Yes, Lynnaea, you are a joy.  Every day is a new adventure. And I'm so glad I get to be a part of all of it...  Even the yucky poop and vomit days.   I love you precious girl.  Always.

Love,

Mommy

More Adventures of First Time Parents

So this week was an adventure...

On Tuesday, Lynnaea and I went to see Saria's band concert.  It was awesome and I'm glad we went.  Lynnaea did pretty well (and maybe a little bit of cheerio bribery was involved...).  I'm glad it wasn't longer than about 40 minutes, though...  She might not have done so well for much longer.

 Sam and Ben enjoying the concert.

 Saria's band.  She's in the middle-ish in the back...  She plays the trombone!

 Trying to capture a shot of Lynnaea at her first concert was a bit difficult...

 She's rather stand facing the back...  But at least we had some success with this shot!

 Me with Saria and Lynnaea -- who is learning the art of the cheesy grin!!!

Wednesday, Lynnaea and I went to the funeral home for scrapbooking.  I do that every month to have an official "set-aside" time for working on Lynnaea's baby book.  I sometimes get about 45 minutes to work on things while others hold her or she walks in her walker before she gets irritated because it's nap time.  And so we leave...  But 45 minutes is 45 minutes!

Then, Thursday morning...  Disaster struck!  I literally heard from across the room Lynnaea filling her diaper.  Twice.  In a row.  I knew it was going to be bad...  Yikes.  And was I ever right!  She got an impromptu bath.  I changed my clothes.  Washed a load of laundry.  And it pretty much went downhill from there.  Mid-day she threw up on me.  And then the next two days were full of green-water poop.  Lots of diaper leaks.  Lots of laundry.  Lots of pedialyte.  And lots of worrying from Mommy.   

The good news is that we are out of that mess.  Yay!  And she's back to eating regular stuff.

And pushing around her walker from the side in circles (Jeremy locked one of the wheels so it takes her longer to run into stuff and get stuck.  Hahah...  But she loves it.  Pretty sure she'll be walking before long.

Anyway, last night Christina and the girls came over and ate dinner with me and Lynnaea.  Thankfully Christina was here to help me with Lynnaea's nasty diaper last night.  It was really gross.  But the first sign that things were improving in that department!  Jeremy was at work (he is on swings and was on-call this weekend...  and they had work to do.  Blah).  It was fun to see them as I hadn't seen them in a month!

And today, Jeremy and I celebrate 2 years.  Crazy, huh?  We've been through a lot in 2 years!  We've grown a lot in 2 years.  Especially with the adventures of parenthood.  Who knew poopy diapers could be so enlightening ;)!?!

Binder Recipe #5

Toffee-Topped Bars

 

2 cups firmly packed brown sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup milk

1 egg

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 cup unsweetened flaked coconut (optional)

 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease a 13x9-inch baking pan; set aside

 

In a large mixing bowl, mix together the brown sugar and flour

 

Using a pastry cutter or two knives, cut in the butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Remove 1 cup of mixture and set aside.

 

To mixture in large bowl, add baking powder and salt.  Using a fork, lightly beat in vanilla, milk and egg.

 

Continue beating until a smooth batter forms.  Pour batter into prepared baking pan.

 

In a small bowl, combine the chocolate chips and walnuts.  Fold in the coconut.

 

Sprinkle reserved crumb mixture over top of batter in pan.  Sprinkle with the chocolate chips and walnuts.

 

Using a long flat spatula, spread topping evenly over the top of the batter in pan.

 

Bake bars for 35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in center comes out clean.

 

Transfer pan to a wire rack.  Cool bars in pan completely before slicing.

 

Using a serrated knife, cut into 24 bars. Store in airtight container for up to 5 days.

Personal Notes:  I didn't add the coconut, because we were taking these on our mini-vacation and sharing with family; and coconut isn't a favorite amongst them.  From what I could deduce, the point of using the spatula was to press the nuts and chips into the batter somewhat.

Verdict:  Discard.  For one thing, I found the instructions somewhat confusing.  I'm not sure what you're supposed to fold the coconut into (the chocolate chips and nuts!?!), so it's a good thing we didn't use them.  For another, the spatula directions were strange to me as well.  If these were some phenomenally delicious treat, then maybe I could overlook the annoying directions.  The batter turned out cake-ier than I thought it would, and while the flavor wasn't bad, I was looking for something more dense and bar-like.  And, possibly because I turned the oven heat down a bit to compensate for my oven which cooks hot, my topping didn't melt and caramelize the way I think it was supposed to.  I wouldn't say these aren't tasty, but they aren't something I'm planning to ever make again.  So I will not be keeping the recipe.

Selfies With Mommy

So, as I lie in bed at night, I swear I would be capable of writing some poignant, deep blog post. 

And then I go to sleep and morning comes.  And it never quite happens.

Instead, I slap up a few pictures, caption them, and call it done!  But at least I'm managing to do something ;)...

So here goes the latest batch of pictures :).

Selfies with mommy...  So that you think this is all I do all day as a stay-at-home mom ;).

We went to visit family this past weekend.  And I gave Lynnaea a strawberry.  And this is what she thought of it...  Best. Face. Ever.

 

And here's my baby tonight before I put her to bed.  Look at that long baby!!!  When did that happen?!

My how 9 months changes things...  Because, in case you're like me and can't quite remember how tiny Lynnaea actually used to be...  Here's a picture of she and I when she was about 2 weeks old. 

Where are you going, my little one, little one?

Where are you going, my baby, my own?

Turn around and you're two, turn around and you're four,

Turn around and you're a young girl going out of the door.

Binder Recipe #4

Citrus Punch

1 can (12 ounces) frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed

1 can (12 ounces) frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon almond extract

8 cups cold water

2 liters lemon-lime soda, chilled

In two large pitchers or a large punch bowl, combine the first six ingredients.  Gently stir in soda.  Serve in chilled glasses.

Personal Notes:  I probably should have halved the sugar (at least).  I even added 4 extra cups of water, and it was still super sweet.

Verdict:  Discard.  This punch was weird.  Way too sweet as written and just has an odd flavor to it, in my opinion.  I helped with a baby shower on Saturday and, because it was at 10 in the morning, we did brunch-type foods.  I thought this punch might be decent as a brunch-punch.  I'm very sorry I made it for that event!  When the mommy-to-be tried it (before I added the extra water), her first comment was that it was very strong.  Other people said they liked it, but I wasn't too impressed.  Definitely won't be making it again, and definitely won't be taking up binder space with this recipe any longer!

Pictures Speak Volumes...

 Jeremy has a hearty appetite...  Notice his pancake bowl...

 Lynnaea loves feeding herself a lot of things these days.  Currently her favorites are steamed rice, steamed peas, steamed carrots, pasta, bananas and cheerios (which I'm pretty sure is what's in her mouth in this picture).  She has also tried blueberries and did okay with them.

 I like to call her my little pea pod after her bath.  I simply love this baby beyond words.

But yes...  She has figured out how to open cabinets...

And reach for what's inside...

And attempt to take it out...

Binder Recipe #3

 

Lemon-Blueberry Pudding Cake

 

3 large eggs, separated

2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled

1 cup low-fat buttermilk*

2 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1/2 cup lemon juice

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)

1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar (optional)

 

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Butter a 2-quart soufflé dish.  In a bowl, whisk together egg yolks, butter, buttermilk, lemon zest and juice.  Add sugar, flour and salt and whisk until smooth.

 

Beat egg whites until firm peaks form.  Fold one-quarter of beaten egg whites into lemon mixture, then gently fold in remaining whites.  Pour batter into baking dish; transfer dish to a large roasting pan.  Pour enough hot water into roasting pan to reach halfway up sides of baking dish.  Sprinkle blueberries over pudding.

 

Bake until top is puffed and light brown, about 45 minutes.  Remove from water bath and let cool 10 minutes.  Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar and serve.

 

Personal notes:  I didn't have buttermilk, so I used just shy of 1 cup fat free milk plus a tablespoon of lemon juice.  I also only baked mine for 40 minutes and it was perfectly done.  This is very lemony.

 

Verdict:  Keep!!!  I love this.  I probably could have eaten the whole thing by myself, but I restrained myself.  I enjoy a lot of lemon flavor, though, so if you don't enjoy lemon, this recipe isn't for you.  I would consider this recipe Monday Meals-worthy.  I will probably take it there one of these days :).  I'm very glad I tried this recipe out.