Last week I sauteed some baby bella mushrooms with all the fixings--butter, fresh thyme, red wine, LOVE. Anyway, as fate would have it, by the time they were done me and my pregnancy had absolutely no desire for the incredibly awesome mushrooms. Of course I wouldn't throw away such a loved food, so I put them in a dish and popped them in the fridge.
Fast forward through the weekend and there I was Monday facing a fridge of various leftovers and a total craving for a grilled cheese sandwich. If I weren't pregnant I may have just gone for the classic cheddar and bread and left it at that along with leaving all those left overs in the fridge. However, I am pregnant and need to consciously eat well. Also, I've been challenged to not waste any food. So, I faced my fridge and pulled out most of it's contents. And the result was love!
This week, yes the entire week (most of this pregnancy I've been able to stomach a food at most twice within the same week), I've been eating and LOVING grilled cheese sandwiches, mind you, not the classic plain Jane bread and cheddar ones. This week, with the help of last week's cast off mushrooms, I've cooked up some fancy schmancy sandwiches with cheese and other leftover yummy-ness.
Like I mentioned, I started by taking out anything that might sound remotely good on a sandwich. Things like chopped artichoke hearts, watercress, hummus, provolone, sauteed mushrooms, grilled chicken, garden fresh tomatoes, peppers, roasted peppers, fresh basil, mozzarella, oh the list is never ending sometimes!
I had a beautiful sourdough loaf and some cheese from Whole Foods, called Belletoile, a triple ream Brie. This cheese has the consistency of cream cheese but is sold in a wedge because when cold it is fairly firm. My first gourmet sandwich of the week was on the sourdough with the Belletoile, some watercress, and sauteed mushrooms. Delicious! The cheese melted beautifully and held the sandwich together well. The mushrooms provided a lovely meaty flavor and the watercress lent the sandwich a little peppery flavor. I was hooked and was so happy that I had plenty more of the fixings to make more sandwiches.
Another one that was yummy was the provolone, chopped artichoke, hummus, couple last sauteed mushroom pieces, and roasted peppers (I bet some prosciutto would be tasty on this one too) on sourdough. I loved the mozzarella, tomato, basil, splash of balsamic vinegar, and chicken grilled cheese sandwich too. Just sitting her writing this up my mind is conjuring more combinations!
Besides using up leftovers in a surprisingly delicious way, I have been enjoying lunchtime much more than usual this week and have been inspired to create more gourmet grilled cheeses.
Are you inspired or just grossed out?
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Make 10
The boys and I just finished several rousing rounds of Make 10. Make 10 is a great twist on Go Fish! and a wonderful review of math facts that equal 10. All you need is a deck of cards or 2-4 sets of index cards numbered 0-10. This will be enough for 2-3 kids to play. With the deck of cards, the Queen=0 and the Ace=1. Remove all the other face cards. Shuffle the cards, then deal 7 cards to each player and place the rest in a pile in the center of the table or floor. Take turns asking each other for cards to complete the pair to make 10. For example, if Alexander is holding a 7, 4, and a Q, he would ask John Paul or me for either a 3, 6, or 10.
With school around the corner and blisteringly HOT days outside, take some time to relax and sneak in a bit of review. Enjoy some fun time with the kiddos then let them play on their own.
With school around the corner and blisteringly HOT days outside, take some time to relax and sneak in a bit of review. Enjoy some fun time with the kiddos then let them play on their own.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Blog Design Help
I thought I'd change out my blog design, clam it down some. The brightness just isn't working for me anymore. So I played around with the design templates here in Blogger and oh my...do you see what happened?! Of course you see...if you even bothered to stick around long enough to read this. Ugg, I can't figure out how to get rid of all the layering and backgrounds. I tried widening the post area, but with no luck. Anyone with some how to knowledge or tips? Thanks!
Someone Noticed
I got a sweet email the other day from a friend who noticed I haven't posted here in ummmm....months. Pregnancy will do that to a person I suppose. Or just life's busy-ness.
I've been pulling together some inspiration pictures for Penelope's room and thought I'd share them here :)
What I like here is the paint and the way it is above the chair rail. Also, the crisp white bedding with the blanket at the end of the bed. I already have a blanket on all the beds, just a touch I love. The other piece I really like about the room is the painting on the wall--it brings in lots of color and makes a great focal point. I want to put a chandelier in her room, but need to keep the ceiling fan. I might put a small one in a little alcove in her room and make it a fun reading/art corner. I like the way the chandelier here isn't sparkly glamour...that just isn't Penelope right now.
In this picture I love all the stuff on the wall--pictures, collage board, monogram, basket, mirror, etc! A wall that can be continually added to and changed up. Penelope's room has an alcove area where this fun idea might work. Also, did you notice the outlet cover has been painted? It blends right in! Love that! Love the floor pillows for the art corner and the art storage here. I've considered doing a few layers of the magnetic paint so that art work can be displayed and changed easily.
I've been pulling together some inspiration pictures for Penelope's room and thought I'd share them here :)
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| That's all for now. I'll have to share more later...hopefully much sooner than later ;) |
Friday, April 8, 2011
Fantastic Kid Craft Site
How many TP roles do you and your family go through? Do you throw them away or recycle them? Last week John Paul's theme at preschool was Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. We've recycled here at home for several years, so it's really nothing new for us...or so I thought. John Paul must have really tuned in to Ms Jan when she talked about the Reuse part. He won't let me put anything in the recycle bin because he thinks it's all getting thrown away. I had to explain that no, it was all being taken to be recycled, made in to new things. He insisted that we could reuse everything. So, after making a few music boxes out of tissue and cereal boxes I knew I needed to turn to the creative people on the net. Via another favorite blog I found this gem of a site, TPcraft. I love that many of her TP roll crafts not only have complete how-tos, they also have a children's book associated with it.
Check out some of the fun:
The Log Cabin one could easily be changed in to a store, garage, house, etc and could be played with many other toys.
I have to remind myself that so many kids crafts are more about the process and the learning that takes place while creating and they're not about the end product. They'll all be recycled in a week or two, right? ;)
Check out some of the fun:
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| Spring flowers |
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| Seed starter planters |
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| Log Cabin |
I have to remind myself that so many kids crafts are more about the process and the learning that takes place while creating and they're not about the end product. They'll all be recycled in a week or two, right? ;)
45 Important Tidbits to Remember
Over at Style Your Life, I found this great list of thoughts/reminders/things to remember to ponder or act on that Jennifer got from a friend.
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone.. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time..
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come...
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone.. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time..
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come...
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Wake Up with These!
I can't wait to make these cappuccino muffins. They sound so yummy...coffee and chocolate, you just can't go wrong :) The Pioneer Woman shared the recipe, so you must check out these lovely cappuccino muffins!
source
Friday, March 25, 2011
Blessings
I heard this song, Blessings, sung by Laura Story recently and I heard it at the most perfect time.
Blessings
We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things
(Chorus)
'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if the thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
And all the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe
Chorus
When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
Chorus
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise
Blessings
We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things
(Chorus)
'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if the thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
And all the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe
Chorus
When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
Chorus
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Holy Fried Yumminess!
Jaime and I are going to make these special little treats very soon. Who could resist hot tasty breaded and fried artichoke hearts?
Light my Fire
Yesterday was my 33rd birthday. It was a beautiful day :) I was able to take a moment to read the first couple lines of this post by Centsational Girl. Today I was able to finish reading it. Oh boy, is it too strong to say that I fell in love with what she has to say?! I've been reading Rediscovering Catholicism by Matthew Kelly and he's speaking to me too. If you're feeling a void, if you know that there's more out there, but just not succeeding, if you are stuck in the mundane, if you're overwhelmed, if you're under-whelmed read the post and the book. Pure inspiration~and a little fire under the butt! It's way past time to step up and step out! Here's to an authentic risk-taking year :) Take the challenge, I dare you! :)
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