{Pinochle, Good food & Adult convo}

The day started off great. The kids got their hair cut, even Ruth got a little trim and I made three batches of bread and was waiting for them to rise so I could put them in the oven and before I could get them into the oven, William comes to me and says "I think Sorry is stuck up in the neighbors tree" at this point I am thinking, "What?" and call for Sorry and when she doesn't come I go out and sure enough Sorry is stuck HIGH in the neighbors tree - needless to say we got her down 40 minuets later with the neighbors help and the bread got put into the oven late and so we left about an hour later then planed for our get together with our friends but the day was perfect for all the chaos that would come our way....

Mind you we got to spend the afternoon with a wonderful couple and their kids and it was AWESOME!! We were treated to a great meal prepared by Beau, (yummy homemade orange chicken & kungpow chicken with fried rice - it was AWESOME!), and afterwards while the kids played outside we played pinochle inside.

It was great to get to know one another better while playing a good game of cards. Beau comes and plays dungeons and dragons with us on Saturday and I have gotten to know his wife, Reina, while on play dates with Ruth and their youngest daughter, Chloe.

It was fun to listen to the kids play while we got some adult time in and it was hilarious to hear Sam, (who was carrying around Beau & Reina's youngest), talking to Jackson and asking him all sorts of different questions - all the while knowing Jackson couldn't give him the answers because he was only a year old but Sam thought he could.

Sam really enjoyed playing with the baby and I know he's excited for us to have our own so he can hold one all day long. Jackson, by the way, loved it and was so content and happy being carted to and from wherever, all the while being talked to like a little person. It was cute!

Sure there were some meltdowns but really not as many as I had thought there would be with six kids ages ranging from 8 all the way down to one and all of them getting very little sleep because the night before was of course Saturday and Chloe came with Beau to the D&D game and ALL the older kids didn't go to bed until after midnight and most all of them woke super early, so you can imagine the drama that ensued.

It was all hilarious and fun to watch how the kids all interacted and how everyone reacted to the kids. I had a super fun time and I can't wait to do it again - although next time I think we all are thinking the kids need better rest before hand though.

Of course I took tons of pictures and I posted them below, (mind you they are in no particular order), I hope you enjoy!!

{Basic Bread Recipe}

BASIC BREAD RECIPE

(recipe found at Farming on Faith Blog)

3 cups of white or whole wheat flour, or 1-1/2 cups of each (plus a little extra flour for kneading)

1 teaspoon salt

1 packet, or about 2 teaspoons yeast

1 tablespoon sugar or brown sugar or honey

2 tablespoons oil

1/4 cup sugar

1 cup warm water (not hot, just warm)

*Place 1 cup of warm water, 1 Tablespoon sugar, and yeast in a small bowl and let this froth. It will bubble and grow about double. If it does not froth it means your yeast is not good.

*Mix together flour, salt, 1/4 cup sugar into a mixing bowl. If you have a Kitchen Aid Mixer with a kneader~put into your mixer.

*When your yeast has frothed, add it to your dry ingredients along with your oil. Mix slowly~if it is to dry add just a bit more water. It depends upon the day here in Mo. You want to make a nice dough kind-of like play dough.

*If you have a Mix Aid Mixer~knead about 3-4 minutes on a low setting then turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth like a baby's bottom. If you knead by hand~knead about 10 minutes.

*Place dough into a large greased bowl. Let rise to double size. It will depend on how warm your kitchen is at the time how quickly it will rise. It seems to take about an hour if your kitchen is real warm. It will take a bit longer if your kitchen is cooler. Do not rush this step!

* After your dough has risen, punch it down, shape into loaves. This will make 1 really large loaf or 2 small loaves. Let it rise again in the pans to double size. I like the smaller ones for sandwiches and toast. If you're  making it for a meal the large loaf is pretty.

* Bake @325º for about 50 minutes. Watch it closely. I just changed to an electric oven in our new home and it cooks faster.

* You know it is done when you take it out and give the bottom a thump. If it sounds hollow it is is down. If not put it back in for a few more minutes.

This is an easy bread to make and so cheap. I use it for cinnamon bread and cinnamon rolls also. Enjoy! Nothing makes a meal more complete than homemade bread.

  

  Rolls~you just roll into a ball about the size of a lime. Then place them side by side, cover them and let them rise until double. Bake them at the same temperature as the bread. 

It will only take about 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.  

Cinnamon rolls~ Same thing after they have risen~cut the dough into two balls. Take your rolling pin and roll out into a  flat circle about 1/4 inch thick. Now cover with your butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Lots of butter and sprinkle the sugar and cinnamon just a bit thicker than you would toast. Now roll  the dough up into a jelly roll and slice them about one inch thick. Place them side by side in a large cake pan. Let them rise until double in size. 

Bake about 18-20 or until golden brown. I like to cover mine with a powdered sugar frosting with maple added.

{Perspective}

This was taken yesterday. I was looking into the tea kettle and thought how cool it looked and snapped a pic - mind you hubby thought I was crazy but I thought it was cool.




I look like I am 9 months pregnant with this perspective but really it's only an illusion from the shirt I am wearing and the flab that is left over from being pregnant with Ruth. Either way I love it and how real the moment seams in my head.

Anyways, back to real life....

{Weight Loss Weigh In: Week 13}

WARNING - RAMBLING MAY BE PRESENT

I have been keeping up with my exercises and even though I am no longer on the progesterone, splenda is still making my headaches a horrible experience - just slightly delayed - so as of now I will no longer be having any artificial sweeteners (which I only had splenda and then only in the crystal lite I would make).

I have always had problems with most of the artificial sweeteners (the blue and pink packets) and usually within a few moments I would start getting horrific migraines, so I had already cut those out. With splenda, I never got a headache and figured it would be fine to take but you know how pregnancy magnifies any sensitivities you may have and while taking the progesterone suppositories that magnified it even more, so now splenda is out.

Who knew that plain sugar would be the key, now mind you I don't eat alot of sugar and I don't add sugar to anything unless baking something sweet. I prefer not to use sugar made from beets and prefer to use sugar made from sugar cane.  I have been on this kick lately of getting things that are organic and haven't been bleached or highly processed so now I buy organic sugar made from evaporated cane juice. It's a soft brown color and it has  a nice clean taste. Silly I know that I would say that but as I said being pregnant magnifies my senses and I can taste the difference, just like I can taste the metal in most waters but it's not present in the "Smart water" I buy. The tap has a metallic taste to it too, but I can't taste it too much if it's mixed with something else (like tea, juice or cooked).

I am going to be getting some plain tea (ya know for ice tea) and making lots of it up so that I can have it and water because I am supposed to drink way more water then I have been because they fear I could get kidney stones...*sigh*

I am really happy with my progress and I know I am making life changes that will stick with me throughout the years and I know I am being a great example for my children - which is all I can hope for.

I am looking forward to the farmers markets to open soon so that I can get some yummy fruits and vegi's at a much lower cost then at the stores and they haven't been shipped from across the country - which means they will be fresher and better for me and my family.

Remember it's small steps that will bring you to the end of a long journey - focus on the small things and soon the big things will be accomplished without you even realizing it! 

This week I haven't gained any weight but I haven't lost any either...I am at a standstill for this week. If I start gaining though I am not going to worry about it. Remember I am "with child" and I expect weight gain sometime but hope to keep it at bay for as long as possible...I just want to be healthy.

Current Weight: 291 pounds

Weight loss: - 0 pounds

Total Weight loss: 14 pounds 

Weight still to lose: 57 pounds to go

{Light yellow cake)

I have been looking thru my Betty Crocker's picture cookbook today and realized I have never made a cake from scratch and knew I had all the ingredients to made a cake so I thought I would give it a try. 

The cookbook is a reprint of one my grandmother had and used in her kitchen. I just love it!! Her's was a bound book but mine is a touch different with a binder feel to it so the pages all lay flat because of the rings holding all the pages in!

(image found HERE)

Anyway, below is the recipe to the cake recipe I used. It was super easy and even though I baked it a touch too long it's still moist and yummy! Not dry at all!! I really think this recipe would be great for cupcakes! Enjoy!!

Light Yellow Cake

(grease & flour 2 - 9" cake rounds or a 9x13 oblong pan)

Bake at 350º for 30-40 min 

(until toothpick comes out cleanly from center)

Cream together until fluffy - 5/8 cup of soft shortening (add 1/2 butter for flavor) & 1 7/8 cups sugar

Beat in thoroughly to the sugar & shortening mixture - (2) large eggs

Sift together  in a separate bowl - 2 3/4 cup flour, 1 tsp salt, 2 1/2 tsp baking powder

Add the dry ingredients alternating with the wet ingredients below to the creamed mixture:

wet ingredients: 1 1/4 cup milk, 1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Add the mixture to pans and let cook!

{16 weeks down - 24 weeks to go}

(found image HERE)

I can't believe I have made it to 16 weeks already!! I can't believe I am almost to the half-way point. I am super excited about it and now that I have a doctor I trust I am feeling less stressed - although I have really had some issues with my raging hormones. I have been doing fairly well of keeping my emotions in check but sometimes it's harder then others.

Since being off the progesterone I have noticed my headaches are not as severe - which has been a great sigh of relief and I am not as tired, (mind you I am still tired just not as much).  My nausea isn't as bad and really things are starting to not bother me as much, but certain smells still get me.

I was so happy when I got to see jellybean on the ultrasound last week - baby no longer looks like a bean but a sweet baby growing so quickly in my belly!! Ruth was really excited to see the ultrasound because she could make out jellybeans head!

I am really looking forward to my next visit to the OB - it's going to be my gender ultrasound (well it's really the fetal development ultrasound). Ruth and I are hoping for a girl but I asked her today if she would be disappointed if it was a boy and she said "Nope! I just wants to have baby out of your tummy and healthy so I can hold it." Ruth is super sweet, she hugs my belly and tells me "I'm hugging baby" and tells me "I love you" all the time. I am loving her affection. 

Toby has gotten really lovey the last few months and it's gotten more and more intense and he is getting more demanding with wanting to be close to me, but Sorry doesn't really want me to hold her anymore. It's all very weird. Gotta love animal behavior!

The following was found at i am pregnant:

"At this point of your pregnancy, your baby is approximately 4.3 to 4.6 inches long and weighs 2.8 ounces. Not only is your baby growing, your uterus and placenta continue to grow to accommodate the growing baby inside of you! Just six weeks ago, your uterus weighed about 5 ounces. This week it now weighs 8.75 ounces! The amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby is increasing and there is about 7.5 ounces of fluid. You will easily be able to feel your uterus approximately three inches below your navel. 


Your milk glands start production at this time and this causes some tenderness and swelling in early pregnancy. Your veins will become more visible because there is an increased amount of blood flowing to the breasts. 


At this time, your baby is holding her head erect. Because her muscles are developing, she can make some faces now. Your baby is able to squint, frown and open its mouth. There is enough calcium in the bones that they will show up on an x-ray. Your baby's fingernails are well formed now and the legs are longer than the arms. Because your baby is moving well now, you may begin to feel his movements! Some women say that the early movements feel like gas bubbles or a slight flutter. If you have not yet felt the baby move, don't worry. Fetal movements are usually felt between the 16th and 20th week of pregnancy."


I have felt fluttering every once in a while but nothing huge yet. I am waiting for the day when I feel that little movement that makes me stop and grab my tummy and actually feel baby moving under the skin. 


So anywho, that's what's going on with me for this week in my pregnancy.

{Seafood Egg roll}

For dinner tonight I decided to try out my hand at making some egg rolls. I saw that my friend, Angie, has been doing it and blogged about it and thought I would give it a try. Mind you I just winged it and it was way easier then I could have imagined and they were a big hit with the family! Which is always a plus when trying something new. I will post the recipe at the end of this post.

I have included pictures of my process as I went along, (please remember I am not a product photographer so these are not the greatest images). I have also included a youtube video showing how towrap an egg roll, which should be helpful.


Next time I am going to try making fruit filled egg rolls - YUMMY!

Seafood Egg Roll

(will make a lot of egg rolls)

1/2 lb small cooked shrimp (you can get at any seafood counter)

1 lb crab meat (winco carries Phillips claw meat in the meat department for less then $10 at most 
locations)

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/3 cup sugar

1 tsp garlic powder

1 1/2 tsp ground cayenne pepper

1 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1 Tbsp Garlic paste (you can find this in your produce section)

2 - packages of egg roll wrappers (I used the nasoya egg roll wraps - these are found in the produce 
section)

2 - bunches of green onions

1/2 cup grated carrot (I found this already grated in the produce section)

8 whole mushrooms - chopped

Directions: Mix above ingredients well and cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (you can do this up to a whole day in advance) this allows the ingredients to mix and blend. 

After setting in the fridge for a bit pull out and add 1 cup of shredded cabbage and mix together. Then start making your egg rolls.

Please note that this is just from memory as I was just tossing in ingredients and the measurements above can be changed to more of your liking. I don't even know how right the measurements were since I just toss things together without using measuring spoons or cups when experimenting.

{Jumpin' Jungle Fun}

Ruth and I had fun going on a playdate to the Jumpin' Jungle with my friend Reina and her daughter Chloe a few days ago. It was sooo much fun to get some adult conversation and get to know Reina better while Ruth & Chloe played to their hearts content. Reina also brought her youngest, Jackson, and boy was he a hoot to watch wander around flashing his big smile at everyone he saw.
The girls wore themselves out and we went to Red Robin for lunch afterwards. The girls had a pizza, Chloe had apple slices with hers and Ruth, of course, had french fries with hers. Reina and I had BLTA Croissant, (a buttery croissant filled with sliced turkey breast, hickory-smoked bacon, sliced avocado, lettuce, tomatoes & mayo. Served with fresh melon). It was really yummy, it came with a choice of soup but I couldn't eat mine due to my pregnancy hormones and knowing it wouldn't set right once I smelled it.
The girls split a rootbeer float for dessert and then we went back to Reina's for some more play time. The girls played and played and played and really quietly too. Reina and I got to know one another better and it was nice to have a conversation with someone other then William. I didn't realize how much I miss having real conversations that don't involve mostly d&d...don't get me wrong I love talking with hubby but it's great to get out and talk to someone you don't live with 24/7.
Below are some out takes from the jumpin' jungle. Please don't judge me on how grainy the images are the ISO was set fairly high and I didn't use my flash, but these are just for me to put in a scrapbook so I don't mind. Enjoy!!



(putting gas in the car)

(racing with the other kids)


(Jackson's big smile)



(getting tuckered out)

(into the jumpin monkey house)

(only to slide back out)


(good friends)


(hey, I want some)


(Roar!)


(I'm almost as big as you, do you think you should be holding me?)


(wait here comes Chloe to help)


(wait this isn't help, it's torture! Don't drop me!)

(the mushrooms were fun to hide under)


(Jackson & his mommy)



(Run, Run, Run)

(as fast as you can)