House hunting and what’s cookin’ good lookin’

House hunting. Arg….What a chore! It’s much like dating, in my opinion. Especially when going to those daunting open houses. You walk in, sniff…ok no offensive odors. Walk around and think, “ok, I like this, I don’t like this, I could live with this, maybe.” We all know, like in finding the perfect mate, there are some non-negotiables. For me it is the kitchen. It can’t be too big, or too small. Just right… Lots of counter space, a gas stove ( none of those glass top wannabe cooking surfaces.) A place for my cooking supplies. A fridge located inside the kitchen, not around the corner. Counter space, or the ability to add more. Don’t get me wrong, I have my dream kitchen, but realize it may not be attainable in Saint Paul in house with all the other features we are looking for.

Why am I picky about my kitchen. (do you even read this blog?) I love to cook! The kitchen is the hub of my home. And…once the kids are a little older, I would love to start entertaining again.

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So what’s cookin’ here?
These are a couple treats we have whipped up. We = me and the kids. It’s ok Guy.

Homemade yogurt
Cranberry walnut oatmeal banana bread
Coconut crock pot Dahl
Crockpot peach rum chicken
Blueberry nectarine almond crisp
Peanutbutter banana oatmeal breakfast bars
Mini hamburger buns
Beef and black bean burgers
Roasted corn black bean quinoa salad
Peach plum vanilla jam
Nectarine blueberry jam
Peach jam
Vegan avocado pesto with zucchini “noodles”
Chickpea creamy pasta
Canned peaches
Cream cheese chicken
Quinoa pilaf
Banana date bars
Fudge babies
Broccoli vegetable soup
Carrot oatmeal walnut cookies

Stay tuned for post regarding easy family meal planning, for those who hate to plan.

Cheers!

First day of pre-k

Deep breath…

I am quietly freaking out for tomorrow. Tomorrow is Amelia’s first day of school, pre-k, but school none the less. Yes, we did ECFE and preschool. But this is different. More final. Like ok this is it, I officially have a child in school. I have thought and rethought our decision to enroll her, instead of holding her close just a bit longer. But, it’s time for her to taste a bit, just a bit, of independence. And also time for me to cope with this transition.

She will be ok, my daughter is much like me, once she gets the jitters out she is all ready to hit the ground running.

I, on the other hand will have a tissue in hand, trying not to cry in front of her. As I know how much this troubles her.

It’s hard to imagine she is old enough for any of this, wasn’t she just my little baby?

Hopefully one I get the jitters out, I will be able to hit the ground, not running, but at a slow pace.

Where are the food recipes?

May you have ( or may be you haven’t ) noticed my recipe posts have dwindled. Don’t worry I am cooking, a lot. The main reason is I don’t know where my camera is, and writing anything of substance on the Ipad without the spendy keyboard accessory is difficult.

Instead of recreating the wheel here are some of the recipes we have whipped up

Pineapple Black Bean Enchiladas
Chocolate date babies
Banana oat date bars
Marinated cucumbers
Tabbouleh
Raw pesto atop zucchini noodles
Smoothies…smoothies..smoothies
Homemade yogurt
Crockpot crockpot crockpot
And honestly to KISS (keep it simple sometimes/stupid) Trader Joes microwave burritos and organic hotdogs more than I would like to admit!

Enjoy the last drops of summer, stay tuned for more canning posts

Kristina

Wordless Wednesday

Wet Felting

Blender with no lid…genius