Bye Bye Plug!

Well, it's official--we no longer have a baby in our house.  No crib, no diapers, no pacifier.  We may not have done everything in the right order but the pacifier, or plug as Rory calls it was the last to go.

I've struggled with this because we got "the talk" at his 2 year old check up that we needed to get rid of it.  BUT-he loves it!!  He only used it at nap time and night-time and most of the time just held it in his mouth.  He knew he had to leave it in his bed once he got up and didn't ask for it other times.  It made me feel guilty on two accounts: 1-medically speaking I know he should get rid of it but 2-how do you take away something that he loves? 

I've heard lots of stories about other moms getting rid of the pacifier but I wanted Rory to get something in return, not just give his plugs to Santa, mail them of in a box, or willingly throw them in the trash.  These plugs are all he's known for 2 1/2 years so I thought by reaching this milestone he should be able to celebrate.

Yes-I'm probably over thinking this but just go with me...

Rory understands a little bit about money.  He knows we have to pay for things when we go to the store and loves handing the cashier the money to pay.  **Insert light bulb moment!**  What if Rory used his plugs to "pay" for something that he really wanted?

We started talking about our shopping trip a week before and by the time Saturday rolled around he was so excited to get his "new toy."  I had the plugs ready to go in a plastic baggy so he could hand them over.  We spent quite a bit of time looking at all the different toys, tractors, and trucks.  We purposefully didn't rush him because I wanted him to pick out exactly what he wanted....well, we did steer him away from toys that were way overpriced! :)

It took about 20 minutes but he made his selection and we were off to pay.  I was a little nervous because what if the cashier didn't play along or understand?  I handed Rory his baggy of plugs while Josh put the toy on the counter and I slide some cash to the side.  The cashier at Toys-R-Us was fabulous!  She didn't miss a beat and congratulated Rory!  He was so proud!

The cashier asked if we wanted the "little baggy" back and I said no...it's too much temptation for me to give in!  We are now on day 5 without a pacifier and it's going much better than I thought.  It takes him a little longer to get to sleep but I'm sure with more practice he won't have any trouble.  Occasionally he says he wants his plug because he's little but we remind him that he is a big boy now.

This car transporter was his purchase!

I still can't believe I'm the Mom of this amazing little guy!  Or the Mom of a toddler!  It seems like just yesterday we brought him home from the hospital!

2013: A Bucket List

Happy New Year!!  From our family to yours we pray that 2013 brings you peace, love and happiness!


Let me start by saying I'm not a resolution maker--I'm just not.  I have in the past and by January 4th I'm discouraged and ready to give up.  If it works for you that is great but for me, it just doesn't.  However, a bucket list does seem more appealing.  Creating goals that are clear, concise, and moderately achievable-well, that is right up my alley.

I love the idea of a bucket list but creating a list that would last a lifetime seems daunting to me.  I'm very organized and I like to break up big goals into smaller more manageable ones.  Doing this also gives me that instant gratification.  I can get something done this month and cross it off my list...or wait 10 years for a dream trip to Ireland.

I'm a doer, a finisher, a crosser-offer. 

I need to feel that accomplishment...even if it's only to take a Sharpie marker and cross something off my to-do list.

Josh will tell you I'm a list maker.  I love lists!  I don't forget things, I remember everything I need at the grocery and I remember everything I'm supposed to be doing.  The only times I forget are when it's not on my list.

So rather than creating resolutions or a forever bucket list I'm creating a list of things I want to do before 2013 kicks the bucket!

Without further adieu here are a few things I'd like to accomplish in the coming year.

1.  Buy a house  (this one is kind of in the bag but it was a goal so I'm leaving it on and when we close I'll cross it off.)

2.  Run a half marathon

3.  Donate my hair (only if my hair grows enough to donate)

4.  Go on a shooting date with Josh

5.  Have a family picnic in our new backyard

6.  Start a fruit/veggie garden with Rory

7.  Visit our friends in Texas

What's on your bucket list this year?

Menu Plan thu January 6, 2013

Here it is folks!  The first menu plan of 2013!!  I hope it's not a bad sign but I'm having trouble figuring out my menu this week.  I don't think so and part of the reason is my Dad bought me a brand new cookbook for Christmas and I've been soaking it in deciding what to try first. 

You see, it's from one of my favorite cooking shows America's Test Kitchen.  If you've ever had the chance to watch this, it's a real treat.  I started liking after visiting my Grandma and we would watch it together.  It's WAY different from the average cooking show that gives you a recipe and shows you how to put it together.  This group of cooks practices the recipes over and over with different types of ingredients to see which is the best and the outcomes of different brands or types of ingredients will give you.  For example, I watched one on potato salad.  They tested 6 different kinds of potatos to see which had the best flavor and which would hold up better in a salad. 

I love to bake and can cook but am much better at baking.  I think because it is a science, ingredients are there for a reason and all the ingredients have to work together.  America's Test Kitchen also goes behind the science of why you use certain ingridients.  For example, if you use baking soda you need also need something acidic in the mix to activate the soda.  Interesting stuff, right?  Maybe I'm a dork but I'm fascinated but it and has helped me be a better baker/cook.  It's so much easier to make substitutions and swap ingredients out when you know how things work together.

So, here is what I have so far...I'll get the rest hammered out tonight while the little one sleeps and I watch the ball drop...or fall asleep before the ball drops! :)

Monday-leftover pancakes, bacon and fruit
Tuesday-Mom's Bestest Chicken Soup (Gooseberry Patch)
Wednesday-Soft Tacos with rice
Thursday-Chicken and pasta alfredo with peas, asparagus and broccoli (inspiration from Giant Eagle)
Friday-
Saturday-
Sunday-

This menu can also be seen here.

Happy New Year and Happy Cooking!

Merry Christmas!

 

We had a wonderful Christmas and some of our festivities aren't over yet!  Our week started with my side of the family.  Since Josh had to work they came to us which is really nice.  Rory helped everyone open their presents.  This was the first year he seemed to understand the process of exchanging gifts. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think Rory's favorite gift was a Strider bike from Uncle Seth.  These boys are two happy bikers!

 

The day after we drove to visit my Grandma.  It was so cute to hear Rory call her "gra-granma."

 

 

While visiting, our cousins came by for a visit too. The boys couldn't resist challenging Seth to a video game. It cracked me up to see them all lined up like little ducks in a row!

 

 

Then, on Christmas Day (Josh was working again) we drove to see my Mom's side of the family across the border.  We always have a great time and there is always great food!  My cousin bought Rory a little remote control police car and he loves it!  We also got to meet our newest cousin, Tanner and see how big Dalton is getting!  I love having lots of kids and babies in our family!  It makes everything so magical and fun. 

 

 

 

Christmas at our house was actually on the 26th.  Luckily, Rory doesn't know yet that it doesn't happen on the 25th every year.  It's kind of funny though--we had planned to do this for quite awhile so for both myself and Josh it really did feel like Christmas Day on the 26th.  Rory slept in until 8:00 which is later than usual but we do still look pretty tired!

 

 

Oh my-I'm in love with this face! 

 

 

 

Josh received a bag of coffee as a gift.  It's his thing-he loves it.  If you drive by McDonald's with Rory he will tell you that is the "coffee place"!!    Rory kept saying he wanted coffee too so we let him try a little bit that had cooled down.  I knew he wouldn't like it but he was adamant that he try it.

 

 

His reaction was priceless!  This is him saying, "I don't like it!"  He must get that from me!

 

 

 

Then we ended our Christmas with a blizzard (or at least a mini one). It was the perfect day to be snowed it. Rory didn't enjoy the snow like I thought he would but I can't blame him for wanting to stay inside where it is warm.  He lasted about 30 seconds before turning around and coming back in.

 

 

This time next year we will be celebrating Christmas in our brand new (at least new to us) house and we are so excited for that!  I'm anxious to see what this upcoming year holds for our family

 

Love and Merry Christmas!

Homemade Bread Crumbs

If you are like me, I've bought countless canisters of bread crumbs at the grocery store.  Bread crumbs are great for so many things...meatloaf, homemade chicken nuggets, meatballs, hamburgers...the list could go on and on.  The last time I used store bought crumbs I realized that I've been using them but they didn't really taste like much and it seemed so odd to me that they lasted for months on end in the pantry.  Bread molds so shouldn't the crumbs?

Here begins my bread crumb endeavor.  I've used multiple types of bread to make crumbs, leftover stale bread or buns.  This is great way to use up the heels that no one wants to eat.  If you are like us we almost always bring home leftover rolls or bread loaves from restaurants.  I can't bear to waste.  This particular batch came from an Amish (maybe Mennonite restaurant) and I knew the bread was homemade and I couldn't let it go to waste.  Because it was homemade it went stale very quickly....the only downside to not using preservatives.  I'll show you how easy it is to make homemade bread crumbs!

If your bread isn't already stale let it sit out all day to get good and stale.

Once it's stale cut or tear in chunks and run it through your food processor.

Make sure the crumbs are pretty small otherwise you'll have chunks that are too big to be useful as "crumbs."

Spread out the bread on a baking sheet.

I bake mine at 350 for about 10 minutes or so.  You have to check often and flip the crumbs there is a fine line between toasted and burnt...it happens fast.

At this point you could be done but personally, I prefer the seasoned crumbs.  You could season either right before you use but I'd rather get it done since I am already working in the kitchen.  These are some of the spices that I like.  Parmesan cheese is also a yummy one but I didn't use that this time.

Once cooled divide the crumbs up in plastic baggies.  I put about a cup in each and toss in the freezer.

Really, it's that easy!  I have to tell you this will make your house smell like you are making homemade bread!  Not only does it smell great but I can tell a huge difference in dishes that I've used homemade crumbs rather than store bought.

I usually only make them when my oven is already fired up for dinner.  If you don't have enough bread to make a whole batch toss the bread in the freezer as you collect it and then make one big batch!

Happy Baking!

A Christmasy Weekend

We had a wonderful weekend and it was chock-full of Christmas goodness!


Friday night we went to Josh's work party. Dinner was served and afterwards Santa came and delivered presents to all the kids. Rory was one of the last kids to be called and he sat here just like this.....

I was so proud of how patiently he sat!  This was our first Santa experience that Rory could somewhat be involved in so I wasn't sure how he would respond.  One of the little girls that sat across from us was so excited that she couldn't eat her dinner and Rory just fed off that excited energy.

Once his name was called, Rory wasn't quite sure what to do so I helped him up to sit on Santa's lap.  He wasn't keen on staying there long...he wanted to get his present and move on!

Saturday we got to spend some time with my parents.  My Mom brought a Christmas tree kit for her and Rory to assemble.  Rory LOVES projects like this.  Just about every food project involves some taste testing....

This is their finished product.  It's an awfully cute center piece to keep through the Christmas holidays.

That evening we headed to the zoo to check out the lights.  This was the second time for me and Rory.  The first time we didn't get to ride the train because we were with a big group from our church.  He was REALLY looking forward to riding the train.  However, it had been raining and the train was closed!!  This is cause for state of emergency in a toddler's world.  We walked around for about an hour and then came back and it was a miracle...the train ride had opened.  Rory was one happy little passenger!

Oh, and we bought a house this weekend!!  We had such a great weekend and we are so happy!  In light of recent events in Connecticut we are so thankful for our precious Rory and the opportunity we have to buy a home and live together as a family.  We are truly a very blessed family and we couldn't ask for more.  Rory has brought joy and light in our lives that we didn't even know existed.    May we all remember the light we have in our lives. 

'The Scriptures say, "God commanded light to shine in the dark." Now God is shining in our hearts to let you know that his glory is seen in Jesus Christ.' 2 Corinthians 4:6

Menu Plan thru December 16, 2012

Well, my menu plan is less than stellar this week.  Generally, I work on my plan over the weekend.  I check the fridge and pantry to see what I need to stock up on, look through my recipe books and go from there.  This weekend however, Rory had the nasty 24 hour bug with a high fever so I spent my weekend doing laundry, cleaning the bathroom and snuggling with my little man on the couch watching movies.  This is how we spent our weekend....

His little elephant's name is "Jay" and he was a gift from Uncle Seth.  Jay is always around and nighttime and sick times...he just makes everything a little better. :)

Anyway, even though I wasn't sick, food didn't really appeal to me after all the cleanup I had done. 

So, it's not one of my better weeks but it is a plan and that is what counts....

Monday- buttermilk pancakes, bananas, and bacon
Tuesday- orzo and cheese (This came from a baby food cookbook but it looked yummy!)
Wednesday-homemade chicken soup with crackers
Thursday-zucchini and corn risotto with cheesy garlic biscuits
Friday-ham and cheese sliders with chips or zucchini fries
Saturday-out with the family
Sunday-leftovers

This menu can also been seen here.

Happy Cooking!