H-uppy Boit-day (said by Gus Gus from Cinderella) Kirsten

Happy Birthday Kirsten! You are a pretty pretty princess and we all love you. Hope you had a great day today. If I was in Utah I would make you a beautiful cake, but since I am stuck in central Pennsylvania, this will have to do. Treat yourself today, you deserve it!

Eat Your Veggies

I tried a new recipe that is really simple and yummy. My friend from my cooking group gave it to me and it is originally for broccoli, but tonight I used it for cauliflower and Collin (and he usually hates cauliflower), Ian and I loved it. My friend's family full of super picky kids loves it too.

Roasted Broccoli or Cauliflower

1 head broccoli (1 3/4 pounds) or cauliflower

2 T oil

1/2 t salt

1/2 t sugar

Adjust oven oven rack to lowest position, place large rimmed baking sheet on rack and heat oven to 500 degrees. Cut broccoli or cauliflower at juncture of florets and stems. Cut crowns into 4 wedges so that each piece has a flat side. Place broccoli or cauliflower in a bowl and drizzle with oil, tossing to coat. Sprinkle with salt and sugar and toss to combine. Working quickly, remove baking sheet from oven. Carefully transfer broccoli or cauliflower to baking sheet and spread out in an even layer, placing flat sides down. Return baking sheet to oven and roast until florets are lightly browned, 9-11 minutes.

Here's another one I am going to try next time, but I don't know if kids will like the garlic.

Roasted Broccoli with Garlic

1 bunch broccoli, cut into florets, stems peeled and sliced

1-2 T extra virgin olive oil

3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

salt and freshly ground pepper

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Toss broccoli florets with olive oil, garlic, salt and lots of black pepper on a baking sheet. Spread out in a single layer and then roast, without stirring until edges are crispy and the stems are crisp-tender, about 20 minutes.

No Fail French Bread

This recipe comes from my grandmother's ward's cookbook from a million years ago (which is probably more like 1977, but that might as well be a million years ago). I like to use this recipe for sandwich loaves because the crumb and the sponginess make for easy slicing.  It makes two large, delicious, versatile loaves.  

Combine and set aside:
1/2 cup warm water
2 Tbs yeast

Combine and add to water/yeast mixture:
2 cups warm water
1/3 cup melted shortening (or oil, or butter)
3 Tbs sugar

1 Tbs salt

Add:
3 cups flour

Mix until smooth. Let it rest for 10 minutes and then stir again. Continue resting/stirring for one hour.

Add:
3 cups more flour, or just enough flour to be able to knead it.

After kneading, divide the dough in half and shape it. Place it on a greased baking sheet or bread pan. (Optional: Glaze top with one egg white and slice the top three times diagonally.) Let it rise until doubled. Bake for 35 minutes at 400 degrees. Remove it from the bread pan to cool.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBYN!!!!

I wish I had a scanner so I could include some of the super fantastic pictures I've got of you in my possession but I don't so you're off the hook. For now! I hope you have the best day ever today and that the world in general spoils you rotten. Have a fabulous 28th and know that people all over the country are wishing you the best. I wish we lived closer, I'd bake you some cookies or babysit your kids or something for you. I don't, though, so this birthday wish will have to do.

I think you're great and I'm glad that 18+ years ago your family baked mine a pie. Have a great birthday.

Valentine's Day plans?

So what is everyone going to do for Valentine's Day this year? Anything special? I think I spent too many years telling myself that Valentine's Day was dumb and a fake holiday (to comfort myself over the lack of any attention I received on Valentine's Day) that even now that I'm married I just don't really care about it. I don't want a present and I don't care if we don't go out. I'd like a card or love letter and for Dave to be extra sweet but that's about it.

On Saturday morning we have a primary V-day activity we have to go to, we're valiant 11 teachers, and then we'll have a small family party/dinner together that night. I got some festive paper plates and decorations, more for Kendall's benefit than anything else. We'll make treats for neighbors to show them how much we love them and we're going to make a chocolate dessert for us. At home and low key which is right up my alley. Gage and I both have birthdays about a week later, I'll leave the real celebrating for then.

Moby Wrap

With a new baby that wants to be held all the time, it can be hard to get anything done. Kirsten let me borrow her Moby Wrap and it is a life saver. Today I carried Charlotte around in it at the grocery store and at home while I made dinner. She falls right to sleep in it and I have two free hands to work with. It is also way more comfortable than other baby carriers I have tried. There are tons of different ways to wrap your child depending on their age. The website even shows how to wrap up twins Stephanie. Anyway, just thought I'd share for those who may need to free up their hands.

Valentine's Day

Ladies Valentines Day is approaching so I wanted to include this in here, here are some cute ideas for some treats. Check out Bakerella's blog site at www.bakerella.blogspot.com. She has some cute Red Velvet Valentine cookies plus some giveaways. I love this site, she is so clever!

Peanut Recall

Just in case some of you Supermommies want to check, this site has a list of companies not affected by the peanut recall -
http://www.peanutsusa.com/USA/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.page&pid=262