Esther's Story

Some time ago we lost our beloved Oscar.  It was difficult to say good-bye and the hole left by his death was painful.  I made a declaration that we would not add any more animals until we had our farm.  No way! No how!  Do you all see where this is going?  I will spare you all the details, so without further sappiness I give you Esther.

This little jewel came to us from the Humane Society.  We didn't go in planning to adapt her that day.  We had found a lab/sheep dog mix that we thought would make a good companion for Gretchen, but needed to think it over.  You see, the boy was extremely shy.  We went back with Gretchen to see how they would get along and wouldn't you know it...he had been adopted.  There was no way we could be sad for ourselves because we were so excited for him.  After hearing the news of Oreo's adoption we decided to take another look around.  It would have been so easy to miss her...all snuggled down in the receptionist's hoodie.  But those eyes!  Those eyes were peering out.  Look at them...real close.  Can you see the lightning bolts in her eye brows?  Too cute!  All the ladies came over to tell us her story...get the kleenex.  The details are few, but oh so sad.  Esther had been found curled up with her mother on the side of the road.  Sadly, her mom had been hit by a car and was already dead, but Esther would not leave her. 

Esther is getting along fantastically with all.  Playing chase with Jay Bird and Wooly Sheep is an activity that ranks high along with jumping up to nip at Gretchen's hanging neck flap.  I am sure Gretchen can do without it, but puts up with her antics as patiently as she can.  Much like any sister does the pesky younger sibling.

jenny

Where or Where Has This Little Blog Gone?

Well, life has gotten the better of it.  Instead of telling you...I'll show you.

We've been in the garden and cookin' in the kitchen.

A little bit of partying...just a little.

Tryin' to Chill in the heat...notice the frozen bottle for a little homemade air conditioning.

Enjoying time with family.

Being in awe of God's creation.  Over the course of many days we watched as a set of parent hawks taught the baby to fly. 

Putting on the Full Armor of God...perfect fit!

Big Brother had the opportunity to go on a mission trip to work at the San Carlos Apache Reservation.

Some are ready for a rest...some are fighting it.

Take joy in your summer advertures and comforts.
jenny



The Best Laid Plans...

are sometimes meant to be changed.  Major Dad took a month off from work soon after his return from Iraq. 

can you feel the excitement?

how about now?

Yes, a month!  If that was not enough, toss in moving and Christmas and I am sure you can image all the chaotic bonding moments lurking around every corner.

The plan was to get back to business this week, but instead was given a flooded basement, behavior issues with our Oscar who recently had a malignant tumor removed from his foot, one case of pink eye...so far, two cases of strep throat.  Does that mean everything is at a screeching halt?  No way is that gonna get us down.  We just hitch up our britches a bit... to avoid the water and carry on.  We are keeping up with the basics and I have completed the first page of a science experiment log the kiddos will keep and I hope to share soon.  

Have a Blessed New Year!

Big Brother (13), Ladybug (8), Jay Bird (6), Wooly Sheep (4) 

2 in 1

The count down for Major Dad's return has begun...I cannot even say it is a matter of a few weeks anymore.  We are down to days...less than two weeks.  Excitement is in the air!  Literally, you could cut it if you so chose.  In preparation of the occasion I asked Big Brother and Ladybug to double up some of their subjects so we could focus on gussying up the place a bit.  They agreed and finished two weeks worth school in one week for many of their subjects...see the 2 in 1 title?  I am so proud of their determination to help the cause...willingly, I might add.  So in honor I made a special dinner. 

Big Brother LOVES jalapeno poppers.  So I made some for the first time.  They are truly a work of art!  I must give credit where it is due...Pioneer Woman. 

First, a picture study.

BBQ Jalapeno Poppers from The Pioneer Woman Cooks

18 fresh jalapenos
One 8-ounce package of cream cheese
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 green onion
18 slices thing bacon, cut into halves
Barbecue Sauce
Toothpicks
Rubber Gloves for working with jalapenos

Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.
1.  Cut jalapenos in half lengthwise.  You will need about 18.  Try to keep the stems intact.
2.  With a spoon, scrape out the seeds and the membranes.  Unless you like the heat.
3.  In a bowl combine one 8-ounce package of cream cheese, 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese and diced green onion.  Pioneer Woman recommends 1.  I used a bit more.  It is all a matter of your personal taste.  Mix gently.
4.  Stuff each hollowed jalapeno half with the cheese mixture.
5.  Wrap 1/2 slice of bacon around each stuffed jalapeno, covering as much of the surface as you can.  Just don't stretch the bacon too tightly because it will contract as it cooks. 
6.  Brush the surface with the bacon with your favorite barbecue sauce.
7.  Secure the jalapenos with toothpicks and pop into the oven for 1 hour, or the bacon is sizzling.
8.  Fight your crew off with a stick!

We found there was a wide range of how spicy these were.  I must have been more diligent in scrapping some than others.  They were enjoyed by all.  Wooly Sheep was worried about them being too spicy, but did pick the bacon and the filling out.  Big Brother stated that this recipe would have to be handed over to his future wife when the time came.  I guess that is a thumbs up!

Of course, that was not all I served.  We made pizza from scratch.  Yes, yes...inspired by Pioneer Woman.  We have been going through her cookbook and giving it our own personal critique. 

Here is your second picture study.

Tomato-Basil Pizza from The Pioneer Woman Cooks

Crust
1 teaspoon or 1/2 packet active dry yeast
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt (oops, i forgot and used regular table salt.  didn't hurt it a bit)
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

1.  Pour 1 1/2 cups of warm water into a bowl.  Sprinkle the yeast over the water.
2.  Combine flour and salt in a mixing bowl.
3.  With an electric mixer on low speed, drizzle in the olive oil until just incorporated.
4.  Gently stir the yeast/water mixture...
5.  And drizzle it into the flour/oil mixture; mix until the dough forms a ball. (You will want to use a dough hook if you have one).
6.  Drizzle olive oil into a clean bowl.  Toss the ball of dough and turn over to coat in oil.
7.  Cover the bowl with a moist kitchen towel and set in warm place for 1 to 2 hours.  *I fill my sink with hot water, put a cooling rack that fits on top and place the covered bowl on that.  The steam from the hot water is your "warm" place.  Works beautifully!
8.  To prepare the pizza, preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
9.  Divide the dough in half.  Lightly drizzle olive oil on a pizza pan or rimmed baking sheet. *I had only a flat baking sheet and we did not have any issues with oil running over.  But be watchful.
10.  Using your hands, stretch the dough to the desired shape, pressing the dough into the pan with your fingers.  The thinner the better.
11.  Lay the desired toppings over the dough.  See below what we used.  Yum!Yum!

Tomato-Basil Topping

Pesto
Sliced mozzarella
Roma tomatoes
Parmesan cheese
Salt

1.  Spread the prepared pesto over the crust.  Sprinkle lightly with salt.
2.  Place a layer of slice mozzarella over the pesto.  *We may skip this layer the next time.  It was a lot of cheese.
3.  Placed sliced Roma tomatoes on top of the cheese.  *These really are the best tomatoes for this recipe.
4.  Top with more mozzarella and sprinkle generously with Parmesan cheese.

Bake for 8 to 11 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden brown.
ENJOY!

jenny

Four Year Old's Bathroom Musing...

Necesito ir al banco.

Yes, you read that correctly.  This is what Wooly Sheep said while getting his teeth brush this evening.  I know what you are thinking...How wonderful, your children are bilingual.  Nope.  You let your kids pick up the language by letting them watch television in Spanish.  Again, nope.  No cable.  I know. I know.  You live in a mainly Spanish speaking community and your children have picked the language up.  Yes, we do.  And, don't I wish it were that easy.  After ten years we are far from speaking much.  I am sure the more important question you are wondering is...Why does a four year old feel the need to go to the bank at 7 p.m.?  I would answer that question for you if he had known exactly what he was saying. But, alas, he had no clue.  This is what happens when you homeschool and the little ones lurk around listen to their sibling's lessons.  Gotta LOVE it!

In case you are wondering...Wooly was informed on what his new found phrase meant.  Even better, he was taught a Spanish phrase that would be of more use to him presently.  Necesito ir al bano.  (Pretend you see the tilde above the n.  I have NO clue how to go about typing that).

                                     

jenny

The 'Pioneer Woman' in Me

I know. I know.  There has not been many "school" related posts lately.  It has been happening, really.  There has been quite a bit going on in this country home in the desert lately.  Migraines and sinus pain struck me down for about three weeks.  I kept the basics going so as not to get behind.  I am still suffering with sinus pain, but the thought of my soldier returning soon....very, very soon has nesting urges twirling about along with a good dose of cooking and baking to top it off.  My reading list has been occupied with cookbooks, gardening, and preserving.  Can you see a trend?!

Today I gave these a try....

Definitely not for the calorie faint of heart!



Can I just say, Yum! Yum!  And, Thank You Pioneer Woman for the absolutely fantastic recipes!  Although my man may be a soldier instead of cowboy, I think his stomach will approve. 

jenny

An Egg Dish by Many Names

I truly believe all women have at least once in their life day dreamed of themselves in the kitchen darned in an apron, feeding their man and brood.  Although, it may come more naturally to some than others.  Many may push those images back to the far reaches of their brain believing it is a chore to be dreaded.  I will admit that I do love to cook for my family.  It is a small way that I show my love for them.  The little ones giggle when I tell them the secret ingrediant in the meals they enjoy is the love.  Come Thankgiving, they will see me go to great lengths with the love.  I make a production of massaging the butter on the turkey, talking to it as I prepare it, and thanking God for His provision.  The kiddos get a kick at the full "salon" treatment this turkey gets.  Alright, enough of my jabbering and on to the recipe
I first saw this quick breakfast idea on PBS years ago.  A cute little boy came on between cartoons and demonstrated all the ins and outs.  He called it Toad-in-a-hole, but since then, I have heard it called all sorts of names.  Here are just a few: Bird's Nest Egg (Ladybug's personal favorite title), Egg-in-a-Basket, and Chicken-in-a-Basket.  At that time I didn't have an interest in trying it, but recently I came across it in The Pioneer Woman Cooks cookbook and decided it would be something the older kiddos could learn to make.  I gave it a go this morning and found it to be a raving success with 3 out 4 chickadees.  The fourth liked it, but was not head over heals.  What else did I like about this dish...it was Easy Peasy.  How can a busy homeschool momma not like that?

Ingredients
sliced bread
eggs (one for each piece of bread)
butter
salt
black pepper

A.  Using a round cookie cutter or buscuit cutter, cut a hole in the bread...preferably in the center.

B.  Heat 1 to 2 tablespoons butter in your pan over medium-low heat (Pioneer Woman suggests more, but I found this to be good for our family).  Place the bread in the pan and leave it alone for approximately 1 minute.

C.  Now crack your egg into the hole.  To give full disclosure here, I cracked mine in a dish first.  Just a precaution I take to make sure the egg is edible. 

D.  Sprinke salt and pepper to taste while remembering who likes pepper and who doesn't.  Not like that is from personal experience or anything.  I'm just saying.  Cook for another minute.  Add more butter if needed.
 

E.  Flip over with a spatula.  Move the bread around the pan to soak up some of the butter.

F.  Add salt and pepper to taste on the flipped side and cook until it is at the desired doneness.

Enjoy!










I know this may be a common recipe for many, but thought it would be nice to revive an old but goodie.