Cabbage Casserole

(If you like Sarmas, you'll love this Cabbage Casserole - similiar taste with much less work)
1.5# hamburger
1 C. cooked rice
8 slices cooked bacon
1 small onion, diced
Salt, pepper, & basil to taste
1 head cabbage (boil 5-10 minutes until partially cooked)
1 15 oz tomato sauce
1 15 oz sauerkraut

Brown hamburger with onion & spices. Layer roasting pan with cabbage, hamburger mixture, and top with sauerkraut them tomato sauce. Cook 1.5 hrs @ 350 covered.

*I wrote this verbatim how it was given to me. However, I made mine in the crock pot & it turned out great (remember to still brown hamburger & onions prior to crock-potting). I also made the following changes.
** I didn't pre-cook the cabbage, but I did lay it down 1st in the pot & it cooked nicely.
** I dislike the bacon. Next time I'm going to use either just ground beef or ground beef & pork.
** I decreased it to 1# ground beef vs 1.5#.
** Instead of tomato sauce, I used a 15 oz can of stewed tomatoes and added a little water. I liked that much better.
** The whole dish doesn't have much of a strong sauerkraut flavor, but a mild taste of it. My spouse & brother Derik don't care much for kraut, so one 15 Oz can would be good enough for them. For me, I'd recommend the larger can, jar, or bag. Yum

Bon Appetit

The Do-It-All ... Pizza Cutter

David makes fun of me because while we rarely eat pizza, we wash our pizza cutter daily, especially when the little Miss started eating solids. It's the do-a-lot tool. One that my mom always used it for was cutting waffles, pancakes, & french toast. You can also cut the crust off sandwiches, esp grilled cheese, make strips for the lattice on pies, cookie cut outs, mill herbs, cut hotdogs or sausage, fruit rollups, cut sheet cake, cut brownies or fudge, cut quesadillas or make steam slits, and defend yourself in a bar fight. (Hey, no one's gonna mess with someone with a razor sharp pizza cutter in her hand.)

Cute Pictures of my Baby Girl

Making cookies for Auntie & Uncle for their anniversary.

Swiffering up the floors before we mop. What a good little helper!

These boots are made for walkin'...

Play time before daycare.

Just cause I thought it was a cool pic...

Happy 20th Wedding Anniversary D&K!

Wow! February 1st is Derik & Kelly's 20th wedding anniversary.

Good job, guys. May God continue to bless you over and over and over again!

January Update

I wear so many hats some days. :) We're re-doing the back bathroom, re-organizing the office, and brewing beer (that's pretty low maintenance, though on our part). Between work, dance, Bible study, & Mom's group I haven't even turned on my computer for fun in 2 weeks. I am thoroughly convinced that if I give up eating and sleeping - I'll have time for everything I want to do in my life :).

Miss Elizabeth is a girl on the go. 14 teeth @ 14 months. "Up" is still her favorite word & she uses it for everything. She can now get on and off most furniture and stack blocks. Her favorite pastimes are playing with Legos, reading her "Baby Can..." books & standing on tippy toes to get into Mommy's utensil drawer. She loves giving hugs & kisses and dancing to 50's & 60's music. We are thankful for our very mild winter which has been kind to us and has allowed for lots of sled rides and down-hill sliding.

And our sweet little Lexiacon, who gets missed in the cyber shuffle. She's a happy, healthy, pudgy puppy. She is so tolerant of Elizabeth and wonderful guard dog. Here you can see her on duty. She is the sweetest lap dog and always willing to please, for a treat.

Thank you God for my many hats.

Homemade Dog Biscuits

I am reorganizing our office, downsizing quite a bit, and I found this recipe from one of my OT girls I wanted to blog and save before I forgot it again (thanks Heather!).


Homemade Dog Biscuits
2/3 C. bacon grease
2 C. uncooked oatmeal
6 C. whole wheat flour
1.5 C. powdered milk
2 eggs
1.5 C corn meal

Mix ingredients together. Roll out on countertop to ~1/2 inch thickness. Use cookie cutter* to cut out shapes and place on cookie sheet. Bake for 45 min to 1 hr @ 300 degrees. Dogs cannot have milk chocolate, but I have seen these biscuits 1/2 dipped in white chocolate & are pretty cute. Store in plastic baggies or airtight containers.
*If you can find a bone-shaped cookie cutter - even better!

Allergies are Inherited? Yes!

I am putting this out there so that more people are aware: allergies are indeed inherited. "If you or anyone in your child's family has a food allergy or allergic type disorder (like asthma or eczema) or if your child has had a food allergy in the past, then you should wait to introduce high allergen foods". There's no guarantee that withholding high allergen foods are going to keep your child from acquiring them, but it never hurts. I do have allergies and am susceptible to eczema - very much so as a child, and my food allergies are worse now as an adult. Therefore, I am the mean Mommy who will not allow her child peanut butter until age 3 or eggs until age 2. I don't want my kids to live in fear for their lives every time they go to a picnic, restaurant, or potluck, like I do. Imagine that everytime you put something in your mouth that it has the potential to kill you - even things that you have eaten in the past. That's what I deal with daily. The most common food allergies are to: Milk (got that) Eggs(nope) Fish(got that) Shellfish(got that) Tree Nuts(got that) Wheat(nope) Peanuts(nope) Soybeans(nope)
All I ask is this - don't take offense when someone doesn't take a scoop of whatever you brought to a potluck because they may just be afraid of taking their last bite of food & having their throat close and die. Or that of their children. I've actually had people roll their eyes when I won't eat a dish they made that is peppered with almonds. And if I can do this small thing for my child, putting off certain foods until she's more mature, I know that I've done the best I can.

For (Wo)men Only by Shaunti (& Jeff) Feldhahn

So I was doing my Christmas shopping at the Christian book store and stumbled upon these two books. One is for women only. And the other for men only. The author originally wrote "for women only". It's a book on what your spouse desperately wants you to know, but has difficulty saying it. They polled over 400 straight men and interview even more for this book. Some parts were expected - yes, I knew that already. While other parts were - WHAT?! You really think that?!

What he learned: Men say "I do" at the alter, thinking that it should make a woman feel secure & loved all the days of her life, while a women needs to hear & feel it on a daily basis. Inside every women is that little girl- twirling around in her pretty dress, wanting her dearly beloved to say, "you are so beautiful. I love you". Yes men - DAILY. David does very well at this, but he found it funny that we actually need it to hear it to feel loved and desired.

Another was that true definition of "multi-tasking". The author describes a woman at dinner w/ her spouse & another couple. The kids are in the next room, playing, and she knows that there is a lighter on a high shelf. She cannot relax knowing that the kids and the candle lighter are in the same room. (Been there, done that.) Women's minds are like computers with 4-9 open windows on the desk top - flashing between all of them, but still conquering them all. Men generally have 1-2 windows open at a time, but form a deep focus on one task at a time.

What I learned: Men have a visual Rolodex. (Arg!) As much as I hate to admit it, they do. So I talked to my girlfriends. "There's nothing you can do. They're all like that," one friend stated. Au contraire. Like Shaunti said, you can (1) pray for your husband and his struggles. The sight of a pretty girl is a temptation, but not a sin. Once he thinks of her lustfully, then he has committed a sin. Jesus was tempted in the desert - but he did not sin. And (2) dress modestly so that you are not a temptation to other men.

And something else I didn't know: men are providers. (Ya, so, right?) No really, they think about this a LOT. "For most men, the need to provide is so deeply rooted that almost nothing can relieve this feeling of duty." Wow, really? I never knew how burdened (for lack of a better word) men were with providing. Providing is at the core of a man's identity.

Men want respect. Women want love. Which is funny because that is what the Bible tells us: Ephesians 5:33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

My question always was: well, I know how to show love, but how do I show respect? The book answers this.

David & I had a few really good discussions after reading these books. Not everyone likes "self-help" books, but this one...I highy recommend.

This is not a book for couples who need counseling - it says so in the first few chapters. It is something every woman (& man) should read in order to better understand their spouse & make for a better relationship. I give a lot of books away, but these are two that will nest on my bookshelf. What did I ramble on and on? Because I would love to lend these books out to anyone interested in reading them, but I do not believe everyone will ask me for them. They are a quick 190 pg weekend read. http://forwomenonlybook.com/BooksStudies/ForWomenOnly/tabid/137/Default.aspx

Mama's Sick

I haven't turned on my computer to blog or email for about a month now. While David & Elizabeth are off at church and I'm laying in bed with the flu, I'm catching up on some blogging and holiday emails I received. I wanted to post that I have the most awesome husband in the world. He has taken care of the house and baby all weekend. Granted he gave E some pepperoni pizza I wouldn't have approved on, but she liked it and left the dinner table unscathed.

I wish I could read when I'm ill, but my eyes hurt so bad, all I can do is listen to books on tape or watch DVDs in my room. I am thankful that it happened on a weekend so that I don't miss work and that David is willing & available to take care of me. So in all this, thank you Lord for protecting my loved ones and for (all) the beautiful people you have placed in my life.

Merry Christmas

This weekend held our Christmas at home with Grandma & Grandpa Ely. The Makis were unable to attend d/t illness, but we had a fun-filled evening and day as G&G spent the night. Elizabeth discovered Papa Earl's head and likes to pat it. We received some very wonderful presents and enjoyed watching Grandma & Grandpa open theirs. The next day, the tree came down along with all the decorations. Months of preparring just for Elizabeth to get the hand of opening presents and then it's all done. It was a very blessed holiday and awesome to share with loved ones. My sweetie was wonderful enough to get me my Clutterbuck jersey and ring I wanted. I don't remember what I got him, but I'm sure it was something nice...:) haha, I just remembered: game camera.

Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Marjorie Pay Hinckley - “I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.”
Cute

Merry Christmas

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Christmas Eve we went to 4:15 Mass with family. It was so packed and it was standing room only now that the 3 churches have combined into one. Luckily we showed up way early to get a good seat. The kids all behaved themselves and even Adelynne & Elizabeth were giggling and cooing together, but nice and quietly. Jesus made his way into the manger and our hearts once again this year.

Off to the Brooks' for some good food and fellowship. Once again it was a houseful, with lots of laughter and the kids did so well. We enjoyed watching everyone open the gifts we worked so hard at shopping for and were surprised with the beautiful and generous gifts we received.

Dear John

I just finished the book "Dear John" by Nicholas Sparks. This author is such a talented writer and no two books are alike. It is the story of two very different people - a rebel army grunt and a God-fearing innocent valedictorian - with an intense love for one another, separated by his enlistment in the army and being stationed in Germany for years. She helps him heal his very delicate relationship with his father before the father dies. And whenever there is a full moon, they both stand under it and know that they are standing under the exact same moon. When he's set to come back home to be with her, 9/11 happens & he stays overseas - challenging their already fragile relationship.

While the book had a slow start, it quickly took a faster pace and I sat in bed, tears streaming down my cheeks, unable to go to sleep until I finished the book in the late hours of the night.

It was made into a movie, but I have not yet seen it. I highly recommend this book by Sparks - he's done it again!

What would a 13 mo. old like for Christmas?

Dear Santa, I've been a very good girl. I am writing to ask for some of my favorite things I like to play with: boxes, milk cartons, tissue paper, and a bucket. Oh wait, I already have those things. Just bring Mommy candy.

Love, Elizabeth

Now THAT's a Good Idea

We were chatting @ work the other day and I had mentioned that when I make something in the crock pot, it usually gets overcooked because I'm gone well over 8 hrs a day. I usually come home and whatever I cooked is beyond falling off the bone. "Low" was still too hot and "keep warm" was not hot enough. I have gone home at lunch time to turn it on, but that is still a waste & kinda defeats the "time saving" purpose.

So I started using a light-timer to cook my food. I keep it plugged in all the time since I do not use that outlet otherwise - so it keeps the hourly time correct. I usually set it for 8 or 9 o'clock to start cooking. Even if it's just a couple of chicken breasts - I can make the rest of my meal with already-cooked meat without having to defrost and cook the meat prior to putting it in whatever I'm cooking. I do this for stir fry as well as some casseroles.

The girl at work said, "Now THAT's a Good Idea. You should tell everyone about this."

Another girl said that her daughter wanted a programmable crock pot for Christmas. But, this way you can keep your old crock pot and buy a $5 timer to go along with it.

So, take it or leave it, but I was told to share it.

Define Necessity

Hmmm.....

Elizabeth talking to Grammy on the Phone

Mary, Did You Know?

My ULTIMATE favorite Christmas song - and not played nearly enough, in my opinion.

Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?

Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?

This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?

Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?

And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

The blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live again.

The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb.

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?

This sleeping child you're holding is the great I am.

It Finally Happened

It finally happened: I went to work in my robe. I was waiting for the day that I would make that mistake. Often times I walk out of the house with my "house shoes" on or leaving w/o breakfast, but this? In the mornings I put my robe on over my clothes since the house is chilly. Today, I also kept it on as I put on my coat to load the car before work. I got to work, took off my coat, and wha-la, black & white leopard-print robe. Luckily I did have my work clothes on underneath, but for a split second my mind went, "OH MY!" Also in my favor is I'm the first one here in my dept, so no one was the wiser, but it will definitely be something I remember in the future.
Well, on the bright side, I did have a nice cozy drive in to work in our first -10 morning. :) What else can you do but laugh at yourself -- and then blog about it to let everyone else chuckle at your expense? Hope this isn't a prelude to the rest of the day....