Ten On Tuesday, Solo Kim

Back with a Ten on Tuesday after a break. These are actually older questions, that I answered a while back and filed. I figured I might as well post them since the work is already done!

1. What’s your variety of apple?
Braeburn, or as Gage calls them “the red AND green ones”. They had a unit on apple varieties at preschool examining colors, textures and taste so now he’s an expert. Duh.

2. Do you prefer Long-English or Field cucumbers?
Umm, burpless?

3. Tomatoes – Delicious or disgusting?
Delicious, all forms, varieties, canned, sauced, etc. My Grandma grows loads of tomatoes every year, and has my entire life. When I was a wee little girl and helped in her garden (Grandma, are there any pictures of this?) she taught me how to eat fresh tomatoes: pick, polish, bite, spit out that bite, suck out all the juice, pitch the remaining fleshy part over the white washed fence, repeat.

4. What’s one fruit or vegetable that you can’t stand and why is that?
Do mushrooms count? My tastebuds have grown up enough to embrace everything but mushrooms. (It took about 25 years for them to enjoy peppers.)

5. What’s your favourite way to prepare veggies? (Grilled, boiled, roasted, sautéed, etc.)
Grilled on almost everything. Not lettuce. And potatoes…probably mashed.

6. Sweet potato pie: Love it or hate it?
I love sweet potatoes.

7. What’s your favourite “style” of French fry? Wedges, shoelace, curly, crinkle-cut or other?
Thin and crispy.

8. What’s your favourite fruit-pie filling?
Strawberry (served cold). Or peach (served warm a la mode). One more story: my Dad begged my sister and I ride along to an auction sale when we were in high school. It was an hour away and we weren’t real excited about it. But we tagged along because it meant we didn’t have to stay home and clean/mow/scrape out hog pens for the day. When we got there and discovered they had an entire building filled with every type of pie imaginable we were hooked. We kept dragging him back for more pie. So much that we missed the sale of the one thing he actually wanted at the auction. We went back with him again another year to the “pie sale”.

9. When you were a kid did your parents make you sit at the table until all your veggies were eaten off your plate?
I don’t remember, so probably not. Honestly, I don’t remember pitching fits about eating. My kids? It’s a constant battle to get them to eat something (sometimes ANYTHING) at a meal. Help me?

10. Do you drink veggie & fruit juice blends (such as V8, etc.) or make them yourself?
I like to make my own fruit smoothies, but haven’t done anything with veggies. Also, I bring my own gravy (it’s a MONK pun...)

Birthday #5: Bullseye!

We celebrated Gage's birthday the weekend of Easter this year. He turned five on Good Friday and we spent the day playing at the office, and then attending church service with family. His party took place on Saturday after an Easter Egg Hunt, sponsored by his preschool.

Gage has really been into hunting lately. For Christmas, Jack got a coyote call, so besides heading out for deer and pheasant seasons, he went coyote hunting several times. The boys also enjoy playing hunting games on the Xbox, so they have been living and breathing hunting adventures.

Birthday boy enjoying lunch!

Grandma Koreen made the hunting cake, suitable for even the gluten free members of the family. Gage and Grandma had picked their favorite design online and Grandma delivered. This cake was delicious and oh so cool!

My favorite detail of the cake was the inside. She actually "marbled" and dyed the cakes to make it look camouflage! So so cool!

Because of the additional commitments of Easter weekend, we had just a couple of friends over, but it ended up being the perfect amount for the costumes we have on hand. Always a hit.

After present opening, the boys headed outside to enjoy a little hunting experience. We had grabbed some weaponry, ammunition and this fabulous inflatable deer target. The kids (big and little!) had a great time playing and taking turns at each weapon.

Thanks to Grandpa Chuck, Jack, Uncle Nathan and Uncle Adam for their help!

I think they had a good time. :)

So far year five has definitely had its ups and downs. It seems like the highs are a big higher but the lows are lower as well. Judging from his massive appetite and impressive sleep schedule (good for a change!) I'm certain he's in the midst of another growth spurt. I'm going to blame his volatile attitude on that until I come up with something better.

At any rate, we are crazy in love with Gage and everything he brings to our life. He is amazing.

Crockpot Chronicles

A quick chat session today that left both Dana and I feeling much older than we actually are. ;), but more likely as old as we're supposed to be. This really shows the evolution of a friendship. From baby dolls, tight rolled pants and Gershwin show tunes to crock pots and potty training. I wouldn't take back a single day.

Crockpot Chronicles, from two food loving mamas

K: i think we've been better about eating out this year than the end of last year, but oct/nov/dec is really hard for us and that. longer hours at the store. and summer...with its rodeo entries? thank goodness for hot dogs on the grill!

K: after the crockpot/electricity fiasco last week, I'm a little gun shy to use it.

D: ??

K: i think i'll actually buy a 2nd crock pot with a switch to high/low instead of buttons to push.

K: i had a whole crock pot meal...roast, etc and the power went out. when the power came back on, the crock pot didn't.

D: What happened with yours?

K: half cooked meal, cold by the time i got home.

D: Ahhhh, I see.

K: so i had to throw it all out. i just didn't trust eating it. :(

D: Sucky. I don't blame you, I would've been nervous too.

D: You should crock pot at the store.  People would love the smell, and then you could watch it. ;)

D: My chicken wildrice soup is a crock pot recipe.

D: Ready for this?

2 cans cream chicken

2 cans cream celery

2 cans chicken broth

1 box Uncle Ben's rice + seasoning packet

1 large can chicken

2 cans evaporated milk (add 15-30 minutes before eating)

And done.

K: cool! we'll have to try that.

K: how long do you cook it? just all day?

D: My crock pot is way faster than most.  I'd say 4 hours low or 6 hours on high.

D: If you don't want it as thick you can add just half the box of rice, but we like hearty stuff.

D: It makes a BIG crock pot full, so beware.  I've never tried freezing it, but the leftovers are just as yummy as round one.

K: I have a big crockpot.

D: Mine comes with 3 size pots...2, 4, and 6 quart.  The 4 quart one is full nearly to the brim with this recipe.

K: i see. i just have the one crock, but its good sized.

K: with buttons that let me set how long i want it to cook, then after that amount of time it switches to warm until i shut it off. or the power goes out. ;)

D: Mine has high, low, and warm.  I rarely use high.  For most recipes, my low is "high" and my warm is "low."  If I put it on high it gets done really fast, which is sometimes nice if I've procrastintaed.

D: procrastinated

K: :) mine does cook much better on low also - i usually just set it based on how long it needs to cook. 4, 6, 8 or 10 hours

D: We are thrilling people, aren't we?

D: What an in-depth crocky conversation this is. :)

K: I was JUST thinking the same thing. Hahaha. I think I'll blog this.

Total time of conversation: about 5 minutes. Sometimes that's all we need to feel connected.

Peeps S’mores for Easter | Eclectic Recipes

Peeps S’mores for Easter Eclectic Recipes

You better believe I'm on the hunt for Peeps. Maybe it will brighten the day around here. I need something. Rain and 38 degrees isn't going to cut it for me. Maybe the snow this afternoon will help. Not.

Hapeep Easter. :)

More later.

Ten on Tuesday. Dana vs Kim. Take 4.

Ten On Tuesday, Questions for April 12, 2011

1. If you work, do you drive to work or take public transportation?
D: I drive. I would prefer to walk or bike and when I lived closer to work and didn't have a stroller to push I actually did do that quite often. I did walk some after Easton was born, but I'd park at the library then walk him to day care and felt a little silly pushing an empty stroller. Okay, I really didn't care...but people looked at me like I had lost my child. (Oh, and I think I have to be over 60 to have access to public transportation in Madison.)
K: I mostly drive, since winter now lasts 9 months of the year, but I prefer walking. Strollers are beautiful aren’t they? On a good day, I’d walk my kids to daycare, walk to work, walk to pick them up and walk them home. Its three miles if I get to do it all. I’ve never ridden public transportation, but they do provide a great service in this community. Its likely how Gage will get from preschool to daycare next year.

2. How often do you get your haircut? Do you go to the same person every time?
D: I don't have a schedule. When I get sick of it or it starts to look even worse than usual. The last three times I've had my hair cut I've gone to someone different. So I guess no, I don't go to the same person every time. I did, however, go to the same person for the first 13 or 14 years of my life. She was cheap, easy to make an appointment with, and would do it over again if I didn't like it the first time. It was my mom.
K :Probably not often enough. If I can get there every 2-3 months I’m doing good. When we first moved here, it was 2-3 times a year. Since I have to look nice to impress my boss (ha!) I try to do it a little more often. Cutting bangs was my strategy for having to go more often, but I still end up trimming them at home. I do go to the same person every time. She’s a great person, and she doesn’t yell at me for crooked bangs trimmed with dull kitchen shears.

3. Do you read the newspaper? If so, a hardcopy or the online version?
D: I try to read the Madison Daily Leader every day, but sometimes I leave before it gets delivered to the library (yes, it sometimes arrives after 5pm). If that's the case, I do read it online.
K: Yes, I quickly scan the copies that come in the mail, and the online Madison Daily Leader. I like to see which former classmates and acquaintances are getting married and reproducing.

4. What is the best book you have read this year?
D: This. Is. Torture. I can't answer this without leaving a list. I'll save that for another blog post. Maybe when I'm on maternity leave.
K: Dana – what a cop out. ;o) I just finished the book Alone by Lisa Gardner. It was good. I also started reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo books last fall and finished them up this year. They were good. These four books are not my usual reads. A little more gore, a little less mystery than my ‘norm’. I’m a Grisham fan. These were great books though. I just put 25 Favorite Kid'sBooks on my Droid’s Nook eReader. I hope to start with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. I’m embarrassed to admit how many I have (and haven’t) read on the list. Time to change that.

5. What is the best movie you have seen this year?
D: Date Night (It's the only one I've probably seen from beginning to end this year, and it was actually good.)
K: I honestly don’t even know. I’m going to go old school and say The Lion King. I’ve seen it enough times that I should be ‘over it’, but I’m not. I love that my kids sing along, Max giggles in the same parts every single time and they roar at the most appropriate times. We’re a regular three ring circus.

6. Do you tend to crave sweet or salty foods?
D: Depends on the day. Lately: sweet and in the form of Little Debbie Ho Hos.
K: Sweet. Chocolate. Mountain Dew. The End.

7. Do you eat breakfast every day? If so, what do you have?
D: Absolutely. I can't skip it. Lately Easton and I have been sharing frozen waffles. Otherwise it's usually a bowl of cereal.
K: No, I know I could probably train my body otherwise, but if I try to each much before about 9:30, it makes me a little sick to my stomach.

8. If you celebrate Easter, what Easter treat/candy are you most looking forward to?
D: I thoroughly enjoy Peeps and Jelly Belly jellybeans.
K: Easter treat: dyeing Easter eggs with my Grandma Teresa. Its her ‘thing’. I’ve invited my friends over to participate (when I was 26), take lots of pictures and now, stand back to watch my sweet sweet Grandma in her element. I think she has the metal egg droppers saved from almost 30 years of coloring Easter eggs with her grandkids. I always try to schedule a trip to Madison a week on either side of Easter to see her and dye eggs. (And I don’t even make it back for Christmas sometimes.) She has hidden eggs for me every single year of my life. And I’ve found almost all of them. It means so much that my kids are able to partake now.

9. How late is “sleeping in” to you?
D: 8:30am satisfies me.
K: I’ll take 7:30, however, I’ve come to the realization lately, that if I bust it out of bed a little earlier in the morning (by like 6:30) my day is so much more productive.

10. Where are you going on your next vacation?
D: Yankton. It's a dual purpose vacation. Wedding (Yay...I FINALLY get a sister-in-law!) + family reunion. It will definitely be a blog-worthy experience as I'm due just 3 weeks before this big event. Maybe Baby will come slightly (but not too much) early. (Are you listening, Baby?)
K: I don’t know yet. I would love to go to Vegas with Jack for PBR Finals this October, but I’m not holding my breath. We’re attending quite a few weddings this summer, in every corner of this great state, so I’m thinking we’ll have mini vacations spread out all summer. In another 18 months or so, when Max is 3, I want to take the kids back to Disney. The Happiest Place on Earth.

The One Thing I Bake

I am not a talented baker. I have been known to cook a decent meal (spaghetti counts, right?) but for some reason, baking and I just don't blend. Or sift? Mix?

However, this recipe and I work well together. I've only screwed it up a couple of times, but its the only baked good I'll volunteer to prepare and take to a potluck, holiday or get together. It was also Gage's birthday dessert of choice yesterday.

Here's the recipe:
Crunchy Caramel Apple Pie

Two things:
1 - I never make my own crust. Props to Pillsbury on that one.
2 - I never put nuts on top.

Try it. If I can do it, you can do it.

Ten on Tuesday. Dana vs Kim. Take 2.

Questions for Tuesday, March 29, 2011!

1. What is a food that you never thought you would try, but then tried and liked?
D: The first time I tried blue cheese dressing I hated it. Now I LOVE it. Especially when I'm pregnant and I'm not really supposed to eat it. Figures.
K: Red peppers. Sometime after Gage started eating solids I figured it was time to be an adult about our cuisine and cooked with them a few times. Turns out they aren't so bad - in fact, they're pretty good. Delicious in pasta sauce, fajitas, and homemade pizza especially!

2. Do you subscribe to any foodie publications? If so, which ones?
D:I used to get the Food & Family magazine, but then they started charging for it and I never subscribed. I should though, it was good. It had easy, normal recipes with normal ingredients that anybody can make.
K: Can I count the kiddie recipes in Parenting Magazine or picking up the Pillsbury/Taste of Home magazines in the checkout lane. I also have all but two Taste of Home Annuals since 1995 (missing 1996 and 1997).

3. What ingredient do you find yourself reaching for the most when you cook?
D: Cream cheese, cream soups, minced onion (or the real thing), and minced garlic. Wow, don't come to my house if you're dieting.
K: Probably cheese, or something with tomato in it.

4. Are there any foods that you hated as a child, but then learned to like as an adult?
D: Tomatoes. I'm fairly certain I didn't like them because my mom didn't like them, therefore, we never had them. I don't like to eat them for a snack (like my husband, who will eat cherry tomatoes by the handful), but I like them on salads, burgers, tacos, and of course BLTs.
K: I sort of already answered this. But what food did I hate as a child and still don't care for? Mushrooms. I probably haven't tried them enough different ways, but even the thought of cooking with them about turns my stomach.

5. What do you like to eat that others may consider weird?
D: Rice and raisins. I didn't know it was weird until I brought David to the farm for the first time and it's what was on the table. It's basically rice pudding (hot) that we smother with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
K:Canadian bacon and green olive pizza. Is that weird?

6. What is the weirdest ingredient you’ve ever cooked with?
D: I don't use strange stuff. We're pretty much meat and potatoes kind of people.
K: I'm really usually pretty regular in the recipes that I pick and use. I really can't even think of anything right now.

7. Do you have any major food allergies?
D: Nothing, thankfully.
K: Thankfully, no. But I was pretty pukey sick with both pregnancies. The first time, if I smelled, thought about or drove past the pizza joint in town I started gagging. Convenient. The second time around it was raw meat. I had to skip a few meals because I couldn't stand to think about eating meat after I saw it raw. Touching raw meat still bothers me.

8. Is there an ingredient that you would like to cook with, but are intimidated to try?
D: Hmmmm...nothing I can think of. Food does not intimidate me. I intimidate food.
K: I don't get it...I guess I'm not intimated to try anything. I'm not certain it would be safe for me to to use a torch in the kitchen, and I should be intimated by making gravy...I need to take lessons to learn how to prevent lumps.

9. Do you bake?
D: I like to, but don't find a lot of time to do much of it. I'd rather bake than cook. But if somebody will do both for me that's really best.
K: Barely. I really enjoy cooking but could give or take baking most days. I like to take frozen cookie balls out of the freezer and heat them up though. Or eat them raw, also a valid option :)

10. If you could go on any “foodie” show to compete, which one would it be, and why?
D: I don't really watch any "foodie" shows...they make me think I'm a better cook than I am, which just gets me in to trouble.
K: I like watching Rachel Ray cook, and for a while I liked watching Cupcake Wars and Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. I would fail miserably at Cupcake Wars, but would love to drive around visiting restaurants and burger joints. Just hold the mushrooms.