Bye, Bye, Blog!

I've done a lot of thinking about this lately, and I've decided to stop posting here. Life has just gotten so busy, and when I sit down and think about it, the people who have told me they read this little place also see my brief updates on the kids & randomness on facebook... when I get a minute here or there. So... this is my official good-bye! The two of you left who still check this place can take it off your Google reader. :)

I will be leaving it up for a little while yet, until I make sure I've copied down the important journaling I've done. Thanks so much for reading about and praying for our family in the 2 years I've written here.

I will still be posting my layouts and occasional digital creations on my scrapblog found here: www.scrapsandblessings.blogspot.com

If for some reason you don't have me on Facebook, please "friend" me immediately!

Party of Five

Our fifth child will be making his or her appearance on or around December 1, 2010. I don't think I could ask for a better way of celebrating my 32nd birthday! Our jingle baby has two excited siblings at home, and two in heaven praying. They're doing a great job of it, too, as our 12 week ultrasound showed no anencephaly, just a happy, floating baby!

No promises, but this blog may not be so neglected now that I'm out of the first trimester and most of the exhaustion has lifted!

My "Mehdee"

I've been reflecting lately on how grown up Mary is getting to be. She's in a major "Mehdee do it" phase right now. Don't anyone dare help her in any way!

I took some photos of her playing in the living room and I can't quite figure out who she belongs to. Reddish curly hair and blue eyes. Any ideas?

Future Illini

We took a weekend road trip to Champaign-Urbana Illinois for our godson's first Communion (there's nothing sweeter than twenty or so extremely reverent and respectful second graders receiving our Lord for the very first time!) We made a couple of stops along the way there and on the way back, including a visit with Jeff's cousin Lindsey and her family in Peoria, and a quick night of fun in the Wisconsin Dells. The kids did very well, and had a lot of fun playing with friends both in Peoria and C-U. We had an issue with our camera card at one point so I didn't take very many photos at all, but I will share one that we snapped just before leaving C-U. We of course had to pose the kids in front of their future alma mater!

Dig, Rake, Scoop, Dump!

There's a whole lot of that going on at our house these days. After debating about what to do with the bottom of our backyard playset, Jeff and I bought a sandbox with a lid and filled it up for the kids this weekend. The kids LOVE it and are occupied in it for hours every day. I love that I don't have to slather them up in sunscreen, since it's in the shade. I love that all we need to do afterwards is throw on the lid and have them stomp around in the yard to get off any excess sand. And I love that my kids have the opportunity to get messy and I don't mind!

Little Gardener

Mary has been concerning herself with the welfare of all my plants. She insists every day on filling up her watering can and drenching each plant very carefully. The kids have had lots of fun watching the garden grow a little more every day. I'm thinking of doing a little container vegetable garden on the patio so we can enjoy the "fruits" of their labor this summer!

Growing Up

Conversation while in the car:

Nathaniel: Mama, are you growing down?
Me: Going down? Going down where?
Nathaniel: No, GROWING down. Are you GROWING down, like I'm growing up?
Me: Oh, sorry, no, I'm not growing down. No one grows down, everyone keeps growing up.
Nathaniel: Why?
Me: Well, because we all have new things we could learn, and do, and enjoy. We keep trying to learn and trying to be better people.
Nathaniel: But mama, if you keep growing and growing you're not going to fit in the car anymore. And then you won't be able to drive us anywhere.
Me: (have a good laugh, and then attempt to explain adulthood and childhood to my inquisitive 3 year old). :)

He Is Risen!

A totally unprompted sibling smooch:



Happy Easter!!

Lent Good Friday Meatless Meal

I'm not a big fan of gimmicky kitchen appliances but one that has been well worth the $30 we spent on it is our Santa Fe Quesadilla maker. You don't need the appliance, you can make quesadillas either in the microwave (not recommend by this blogger) or on the stovetop. We went through a phase where I would make quesadillas once a week for an easy weeknight dinner, and we have experimented with such concoctions as pizza quesadillas, ham & cheese, even peanut butter and jelly! This recipe could be a nice lighter dinner on Good Friday when you're trying to fast but also want to feed the kids something substantial.


Quesadillas

Ingredients:
Large flour tortillas
Grated cheese - either mild or sharp cheddar, or Monterey Jack
Olive oil or grapeseed oil

Optional:
Sliced mushrooms
Green onions
Black olives, sliced
Fresh tomatoes, diced
Chicken pieces (not on Good Friday, obviously)
Avocado

Directions:

Heat a large skillet to medium high heat. Add a small amount of oil (about 1/2 teaspoon) and spread it around the bottom of the pan with a spatula (you could use butter as well). Take one large flour tortilla and place it in the pan. Flip the tortilla over a few times, 10 seconds between flips. Air pockets should begin to form within the tortilla.

When pockets of air begin to form, take a handful of grated cheese, sprinkle over the top of the tortilla, making sure that the cheese does not land on the pan itself. Add whatever additional ingredients you choose - green onion, sliced mushrooms, olives, tomatoes, etc. If you would like your quesadilla to be a chicken quesadilla, add some diced cooked chicken. Take care not to layer on the ingredients to thickly.

Reduce the heat to low and cover the pan. The pan should be hot enough by now to have plenty of residual heat to melt the cheese and brown the tortilla. If the quesadilla begins to smoke too much, remove from the heat. After a minute, check to see if the cheese is melted. If not, return the cover and keep checking every minute until the cheese is melted. When the cheese is sufficiently melted, use a spatula to lift up one side of the quesadilla and flip over the other side, as if you were making an omelet. The tortilla should by now be browned slightly. If it is not browned, turn the heat up to high and flip the quesadilla over every 10 seconds or so until it gets browned. Remove from pan and cut into wedges.

Don't Push Your Sister!

Scratch that! In this instance, go ahead and push your sister. I'll be sitting over here with a glass of iced tea...


I love Spring!

Lent Week Six Meatless Meal

This was one of the first recipes I tried when Jeff and I were newly married. In fact, I remember having our beloved priest friend Father Stanley Deptula over for dinner and serving him this dish. Afterwards he blessed our very first apartment!

Spinach Stuffed Shells

Serves: 6-8

Ingredients:
32 jumbo pasta shells (about 2 and 1/2 boxes of the 12 oz shells)
2 cups ricotta cheese
2 (10oz) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed & drained
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tsp dried basil
4 cloves garlic, minced
salt & pepper to taste
3 and 1/2 cups spaghetti sauce

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook shells to al dente, drain well. Squeeze spinach dry. Combine spinach, ricotta, and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, basil, garlic, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Spread 1/2 cup marinara sauce on bottom of baking dish. Fill each pasta shell with spinach mixture. Arrange shells in dish, filling side up. Spoon remaining marinara sauce over the shells. Sprinkle remaining parmesan cheese over shells. Cover the pan loosely with aluminum foil and bake in preheated oven until heated through, about 30 minutes.

Lent Week Five Meatless Meal

This is a recipe only recently added to our repertoire. My parents very consistently made tuna salad sandwiches on Friday nights for many years, and I found no reason to alter the basic recipe until a friend recommended tuna melts as an alternative. The verdict: YUM. Is there anything that doesn't taste better with melted cheese on top?

Tuna Melt

Serves: 4

Ingredients:
2 6oz cans solid white tuna in water, drained
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
1 and 1/2 tblsp finely chopped onion
1 tblsp finely chopped parsley
3/4 tsp red wine vinegar
1 pinch salt
1 pinch ground black pepper
4 slices seedless rye bread
8 slices tomato
8 slices provolone cheese
paprika, for garnish

Directions:
Preheat the oven broiler. In a bowl, mix the tuna, mayo, celery, onion, parsley, and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Place the rye bread slices on a baking sheet and broil 1 minute in the preheated oven until lightly toasted. Remove from heat and spread with tuna salad. Place 1 cheese slice over the tuna, layer with tomato slice and then another cheese slice. Return layered bread to preheated oven and broil 3-5 minutes until cheese is melted.

Note: Original recipe called for Swiss cheese, but Nathaniel and I don't like it so I subbed the provolone. Use whichever your family enjoys!

Lent Week Four Meatless Meal

While going through my recipes looking for our favorite meatless ones, I came across this dish that I haven't made in awhile. I have no idea why, because it's SO good! It's also a very pretty dish, with the colorful green and red veggies. I'm really looking forward to making it tonight!

Creamy Zucchini Egg Noodles

Serves: 4

Ingredients:
4 tbsp butter
2/3 cup zucchini, diced
2/3 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup onion, diced
2 tblsp fresh basil, chopped (or 1 and 1/2 tsp dried basil
1 and 1/2 cups heavy cream
12 oz medium egg noodles, cooked according to package directions and drained
3/4 cup bacon, cooked and chopped
salt & pepper to taste
3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese

Directions: In large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add zucchini, red pepper, and onion, saute 2 minutes. Add basil and saute 1 minute more, then add cream. Stir in hot noodles and bacon and simmer until lightly thickened. Season to taste with salt and pepper, blend in cheese and serve immediately.

And here's a bonus recipe for you: Homemade Garlic Bread


Serves: Quite a lot of people unless you love garlic bread as much as me, then about 6. :)

Ingredients:
1 loaf french bread
1 stick butter (Oh shhh you know you love it)
1 clove garlic
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp dried parsley

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together garlic, butter, salt, pepper and oregano.Using a sharp bread knife slice bread (not completely through) into about 1 inch wide slices.Using a butter knife spread the butter mixture between each slice, and on top of it. Wrap the bread in the tin foil. Put the bread on a baking sheet with sides. Bake it on the baking sheet in preheated oven for about 20 minutes. Bread should have nice crispy edges, and a warm, soft, buttery center. Serve immediately.

In Case You Missed It

I know there are a few alums who read my blog... the Newman Center at the University of Illinois just started up a blog! I'm so excited! We belong to a fabulous parish but I miss St. John's soooooooooooooooooooo much!

http://www.catholicillini.com/

Speaking of Caves

Nathaniel has moved on from incessantly talking about airports and packing up all his toys in various bags and backpacks found around the house to obsessing over caves. We have built a cave in the living room and it's become somewhat permanent! There's a little nook in between the chair and couch that has always captured Nathaniel's interest and imagination (whereas Mary has never paid attention to it). I draped some blankets over it, stuffed some pillows in the back so the light wouldn't come in from the window (because "caves are really really dark, Mama"). Then Nathaniel leaves the room while I hide some small objects in there for him to discover, aided by a flashlight Daddy gave him awhile ago. It is a rather plush cave, with three or so pillows inside, and he loves to lay in there and dream about all sorts of cave creatures and objects. Once everyone is better I am planning a trip to the library to find a book about caves, and perhaps we'll even take a tour of these caves located in St. Paul!


I wanted to try and take a photo of him laying inside but was informed that at that moment there was a restriction on cameras and Mommies invading his little space!

Lent Week Three Meatless Meal

Salmon is easily our family's favorite type of fish. I make this meal on our George Foreman, but you can also use a traditional grill or stovetop grill pan.

Grilled Rosemary Salmon

Ingredients:
4 rosemary branches
2 pieces skinless salmon fillet (each about 2 inches wide, 3-4 inches long, 3/4 to 1 inch thick, and 6 ounces)
2 tblsp extra virgin olive oil
sea salt & ground black pepper to taste
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp finely grated lemon zest
lemon wedges for serving

Directions:
Strip the leaves off each rosemary branch and very finely chop. Run your fingers over the salmon fillets, feeling for bones. Pull out any you find with tweezers or needle nose pliers. Rinse the fish under cold running water, then blot it dry with paper towels. Place the fish on a large plate and brush both sides with the olive oil. Generously season the fish on both sides with the salt and pepper. In a small bowl, mix rosemary, garlic and lemon zest and sprinkle over the salmon on all sides, patting it onto the fish with your fingertips. Grill for 3-5 minutes on each side or if using a George Foreman, it will be done after 3-5 minutes in total. Test for doneness by pressing the fish with your finger, it should break into clean flakes. Transfer salmon to a platter and serve with lemon wedges on the side.

Note: If using a grill pan, heat to medium or medium high heat. A freestanding grill should be on high. A George Foreman or other contact grill should be on high, if it has temperature settings.

Cabin Fever

We're all sick this week with a really bad cold and we've decided we've had it with winter! (Please say a prayer for Jeff if you would because while three of us are able to cozy up on the couch together to recover, he's had to be out at a client this week working through the terrible cold.)

Today just after dinner the kids were begging to go outside and at first I didn't think it was a good idea, but then I figured we all needed the fresh air.

The snow in the backyard is too deep to trudge through without snow shoes so we paced back and forth along our walkway to the garage a few times, and then I dug out the beach tools from the deck box that had 2 inches of ice frozen on top of it and the kids went to town!

Nathaniel wanted to dig a cave in the snow so he could look for "minerals". Where does he come up with these ideas? Mary scooped and dumped the snow.


That was fun, but when will this be open for the season?

Lent Week Two Meatless Meal

Tonight I'm trying Becky's slow cooker chili recipe that she posted in my comments last week, but here's another meatless favorite from my recipe files. This one is guaranteed to be 100% kid friendly! It's the easiest homemade mac & cheese I've come across. I first made this for Nathaniel's birthday dinner last summer, as his special meal request was mac & cheese. These days I very rarely buy Kraft mac & cheese for weekday lunches, I like to cook up some noodles and just stir in butter, a little milk, and whatever cheese (finely shredded first) I happen to have on hand. Our current favorite noodles are the Barilla Plus brand, it's multi-grain and has a lot of protein and Omega-3's. I also like to experiment throwing in different spices and occasionally leftover broccoli or cauliflower. The kids still like it, and it's healthier and cheaper too!

Homemade Mac & Cheese

Ingredients:
1 8oz package elbow macaroni (or any pasta you want, really)
1 8oz package shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 12oz container small curd cottage cheese
1 8oz container sour cream
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tsp ground mustard
salt & pepper to taste
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup butter, melted

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boil, add pasta, cook until al dente, and drain. In 9X13 baking dish stir together macaroni, cottage cheese, sour cream, parmesan cheese, ground mustard, salt and pepper. In a small bowl stir together bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle topping over macaroni mixture. Bake 30-35 minutes or until top is golden brown.

Butterwich, Anyone?

I was on my way back downstairs yesterday after checking email when I heard the drawer close in the kitchen. Mary was napping so there could only be one little munchkin responsible. I thought I had left the gate closed but apparently had forgotten. I turned around the corner, expecting a chocolatey mess because there was a recently baked batch of cookies RIGHT on the counter, and I come upon this scene:


This child of mine doesn't sneak a cookie, instead he breaks open a bag containing an almost finished loaf of bread, gets out the butter, and a butter knife, and proceeds to make himself a butter sandwich with the two heels of the bread.


I said to him, "I thought for sure you were sneaking a cookie". He said, "Oh, I can have a cookie?" Like it hadn't even occurred to him!

The Wheels on the Bus

The other day I captured the kids on video singing their favorite song!

Lent Week One Meatless Meal

This Lent I thought I'd blog about our family's favorite meatless dishes. I'm always looking for more Friday dinner suggestions, so please hook a girl up in the comments section if you have a really good one you'd like to share!

This week's meatless meal is: Crispy Baked Tilapia

Ingredients:
6 tilapia fillets
1 cup cornflakes, crushed
2 tbsp shredded parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (or less if you have kids who don't like hot food)
2 tbsp milk
1 egg
tartar sauce or cocktail sauce, optional

Directions:
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Spray baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Mix together cornflakes, parmesan cheese, and cayenne pepper in a shallow bowl or pie plate. Whisk together milk and egg in a second shallow bowl or plate. Dip each fillet in egg mixture and then coat with cornflake mixture. Salt & pepper to taste. Bake 12-14 minutes or until fish flakes easily with fork. Serve with tartar sauce or cocktail sauce if desired.

Note: You can substitute lemon pepper instead of cayenne pepper for a different take on this dish!

Back From Paradise

We were blessed to spend last week in Hawaii with Jeff's parents for a much appreciated hiatus from our Minnesota winter. The kids did superbly on the flights. After every single leg (we had a total of four due to a connection in Salt Lake City), fellow passengers around us told the kids what a great job they did! The first day of our trip was a little bumpy, as the kids were adjusting to the time change and sleeping in a new place, but after that we were all able to relax and enjoy ourselves! Here are some photos from our time in the Aloha State, we wish you all aloha (love and affection) today!

This was Mary's first time in Hawaii, the last time we were there Nathaniel was 5 months old.



Our first day after naps we headed straight for the ocean. Nathaniel giggled as the waves knocked him all around! Note that I actually got IN the ocean this time. I have a bit of a phobia about the ocean, and all the strange creatures it contains. :)



A photo of just Jeff and me! The last one was probably before Nathaniel was born, ha ha.


We took a whale watching cruise one morning, as February is the peak time to see them in Hawaii. The kids were really cranky at first and Mary ended up sleeping almost through the entire thing. Nathaniel ended up really enjoying it until the end when he was feeling icky due to the boat rocking back and forth and also fell asleep.



Both my boys with a tad bit of motion sickness at the end of the cruise!

Nothing more beautiful than a hawaiian sunset!

We went for a few late night beach boardwalk strolls.


Jeff and I went to a luau one evening. It was a fabulous date night out! We attended this same luau last trip and I missed almost all of it while I paced back and forth in the back with a tired infant.



The next day the kids liked trying on the leies we received at the luau!


For another date night out we drove to Sea House, a restaurant on the ocean a little north of where we were staying. I discovered a wonderful drink there called the Lava Flow. It's basically a pina colada with strawberries blended in. YUM.

Out of all of us, Nathaniel probably had the most fun. He is SO in love with Maui that his eyes got all watery and his bottom lip pouted out on the way to the airport when he realized we were leaving. He has been telling everyone that he's "going to go back in just a little bit".


Mary made QUITE a few new friends on Maui. She made adult friends wherever we went because they all thought she was quite adorable in her sunhat and sunglasses. She made baby and toddler friends wherever we went by walking up to them, pronouncing them a "Baby!" and then insisting on pointing out his or her eyes, hair, shirt, etc. One of the toddlers she came upon started pointing out all Mary's features as well! Mary liked this friend the best of all, and tried going home with that family instead!

We had lots of fun in the pools around the resort, and Nathaniel tried out the new pirate ship splash pad. He didn't like the water spraying him from everywhere, but he enjoyed pretending to drive the ship and be a pirate! I wasn't sure Mary would like swimming in Hawaii. The two times we tried last summer she screamed and wanted OUT. The resort has a baby wading pool so she was able to warm up to the idea first. By the end of the trip she was jumping into the big pool into our arms just like her big brother!