Kitchen Redemption

I needed a little redemption after making the most horrible dinner late last week. NOTHING turned out. Not even easy peasy to make frozen vegetables. We were of course, more hungry than normal that night. I was so mad I couldn't talk all through dinner... that gross dinner.

After a few humbling days of just sticking with what I know, I decided to try a some new recipes again. Thank goodness, everything turned out last night.

Chicken Cordon Bleu stuffed with canadian bacon, Red Leaf Salad, and Italian Peasant Bread were on the menu.

Along with the grand finale... Peanut Butter-Banana Pudding for dessert.

Here it is! I thought it was so pretty!

Peanut Butter-Banana Pudding
(from Southern Living Secrets of the South's Best Barbecue)
This is a make ahead dish. Prep time: 10 minutes, Other: 2 hours.

1 (3.4 oz.) package French vanilla instant pudding mix
2 cups milk
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1 (8-oz.) carton sour cream
42 vanilla wafers
6 small bananas, divided
1 (8-oz.) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

Prepare pudding mix according to package directions, using a whisk and 2 cups milk. (Do not use an electric mixer.) Add peanut butter and sour cream, stirring well with a wire whisk.
Line a 2 1/2- qt. casserole with 14 vanilla wafers. Peel and slice 4 bananas. Top wafers with one-third each of pudding mixture, banana slices, and whipped topping.
Cover and chill at least 2 hours. To garnish, peel and slice remaining 2 bananas; arrange slices around outer edges of dish.
Makes 8 to 10 servings.

Another Milestone

Josey stood up for the first time this afternoon. Wow, what a big girl! She just had her diaper changed, and has always been eyeballing our remotes. Once she squirmed away from me, with her new diaper, she went right to the chair and pulled herself up!

Here's a video for the grandparents!! ... AND everyone else! :)

I'm saying she's naughty because she knows she's not supposed to have the remotes. How bad is it that her motivation for standing for the first time, is to do something she knows she isn't supposed to? 

One Tooth

Update: Josey has one tooth that FINALLY broke through!

This update is kind of late.. We first noticed her tooth broke through on August 8. Josey will never let me see it, or try to feel in her mouth if there is more teeth coming. I have, however, seen that her top front teeth look like they will be here any second! Her gums are just bulging!

Here is my best tooth shot. Just imagine seeing her tooth on the bottom right!

Josey is also trying to climb everything. She can't stand up by things yet, but she is determined. The look on her face is hilarious in this next shot! Josey has really been working on that highchair! One day soon I'll be watching her try to climb to the top of that highchair like a little monkey!

Psalm 91

Psalm 91

Theme: God's protection in the midst of danger. God doesn't promise a world fee from danger, but he does promise his help whenever we face danger.

Author: Anonymos

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust."

Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare

and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with his feathers,

and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

You will not fear the terror of the night,

nor the arrow that flies by day,

nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,

nor the plague that destroys at midday.

A thousand may fall at your side,

ten thousand at your right hand,

but it will not come near you.

You will only observe with your eyes 

and see the punishment of the wicked.

If you make the Most High your dwelling-

even the Lord, who is my refuge-

then no harm will befall you,

no disaster will come near your tent.

For he will command his angels concerning you

to guard you in all your ways;

they will lift you up in their hands,

so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;

you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

"Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him;

I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

He will call upon me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble,

I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life will I satisfy him

and show him my salvation."

-----------------------------------------------

The youngest of my family, Nicole and Lorelei, have been in Navy bootcamp a week today. I am so proud of them! It's amazing how God works, that they both got the job that they wanted, and got to go through bootcamp together. They signed up under the job mass communications. Nikki is going for photography, and Lorelei journalism or broadcasting. They have been on my mind so much. Both of the girls have said that this passage keeps rolling through their heads. I can't wait to see them graduate! Then they both will go to Maryland to school for 25 weeks. Another blessing, that Lorelei and Nikki can be together in school. We'll have to wait and see what's after that school... 

I am also excited that their bootcamp is in Northern Illinois! Even though I can't see them until they graduate, it's nice to know that they are close by. 

This passage means a lot to me personally. I read it almost every day while Casey was deployed in Afghanistan. 

As you read this, or go about your day. Please keep Nicole and Lorelei in your thoughts and prayers. Also, the rest of our military and their families.

Here are links to the girls' blogs. Lorelei's Blog-Click Here ...... Nicole's Blog-Click Here

Well! Aren't you just a peach?

Thank you to my husband for the title...

For those of you who know him, picture him saying this in a goofy voice, head cocked sideways, arm up like a diva, leaning back in his recliner, while he gets peach cobbler served to him for the SECOND night in a row.

Aaahh Casey...

Okay! This cobbler was so easy to make and delish, I didn't mind being asked to please make it again.



Peach Cobbler for Two
(from allrecipes.com)

Ingredients
3 Tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp cornstarch
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 cups fresh diced peaches
1 Tbsp butter
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Topping
1/3 cup flour
2 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
Pinch salt
2 Tbsp milk
4 1/2 tsp butter, melted
1/4 tsp grated orange peel

Directions
In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, cornstarch and water until smooth. Add peaches; bring to boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low; stir in butter and lemon juice.
For topping, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Stir in milk, butter and orange peel. Transfer hot peach mixture to an ungreased 1-qt. baking dish. Spoon topping over peaches. Bake, uncovered at 400 degrees F for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

If you live in Illinois, you have got to get your hands on some Calhoun County peaches! They are absolutely delicious!

I have another recipe if you're not really in the cobbler mood. This recipe is from the August 2011 issue of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. Made this at my mother in laws house when we went there for her birthday. YUMMY! Also very easy to make!

Cheesecake-Stuffed Peaches

6 peaches, halved and pitted

1/4 cup butter, melted

3 Tbsp cinnamon-sugar*

1/2 of an 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup sugar

1 egg yolk

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 15x10x1 inch baking pan with parchment paper; set aside. Trim a very thin slice from the round of each peach half so the halves will stand flat on the baking pan. Dip peach halves in melted butter to coat. Arrange peach halves, cut sides up, in prepared pan. Sprinkle cut sides of peaches with cinnamon-sugar, set aside.

2. In a medium bowl beat cream cheese with a mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla. Beat until combined. Spoon cream cheese mixture into peach centers. 

3. Bake, uncovered, about 30 minutes or until lightly browned and softened. Serve warm or at room temperature. Makes 6 servings.

*Note: Use a purchased cinnamon-sugar mixture or combine 3 tablespoons granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.

Eight Months Old and "Uh Oh!"

Some of my favorite shots from the past few weeks.....

 Josey let me put a headband on her for about .02 seconds :) These overalls are on of my favorite things to put her in right now!

Josey really likes playing with books! I've always loved reading, and I'm told I was interested in books since I was a baby. So this makes me smile :) Crazy how that is!

Playing in laundry baskets is a new game, along with trying to pull all of the clean clothes out before I can fold them. Josey loves that little "race" and squeals the whole time! 

As Josey is scooting around the kitchen, she finds all sorts of new things. Last week it was Dad's Camelback (water backpack for hiking, biking etc.) and she actually figured out how to drink from it!

Josey's new favorite thing to say! Grandma Kathy taught this to her sunday evening, and she's randomly been saying it since! Casey loves to get her to say it :)