Unexpected Surprise

I love living here in Snoqualmie. And I especially love waking up to mornings like this:
Maybe it's the Dakota girl in me that longs for the snow a bit - or maybe it's the fresh crisp winter air. But I love waking up to see everything blanketed with a coat of pure white snow.

And then love when these snow days are followed by warm, spring sun. Enough for me to sit outside on the back patio, drinking a cup of coffee in nothing more than sweatpants and a sweatshirt and watching the kids have so much fun.

It was a great snow family while it lasted - about 4 hours later they had melted away. But that's what I'm talking about - that's my kinda winter snow storm!!

Project Runway

If you loved the last season of Project Runway, you will appreciate this really funny SNL video - if you didn't watch the reality show, go ahead and bypass this (you won't get it!!)

A Family Event

Isn't it so nice to see a family all come together for a special family event?  Children, parents, aunts... it really warms my heart to know that my family's value system believes so strongly in doing things together... it instills in them such a sense of belonging and togetherness.  The bonding that occurs is truly magical.

 

What's that we're doing with such unity and cohesiveness, you are wondering?   That would be bottling beer, as one big happy family.  Priceless, isn't it?

Happy Easter

Campbelle sang in the Children's Easter choir at church on Saturday night and on Sunday morning. Aside from lossing both shoes as she stepped up on the risers (they were clogs and I understand not the smartest thing for an almost 5 year old to be wearing), she sang beautifully. Christian can't wait until next year when he's 4 and can sing in the choir too. (Notice the ratio of all the girls to about 4 boys in the photo above.... our ladies man Christian has that all figured out!!)

Here are the kids with their Easter baskets. They searched the house after getting home from church to find lots of goodies, magazines, bubble bath, t-shirts, coloring books, and of course a few chocolates.

I see trouble in our future....

I told Campbelle that I wanted to take a picture of her in her Easter dress.  This is what I got:

 

You think I let her watch too much Project Runway??

Easter Eggs

We dyed Easter eggs last weekend. We love to dye Easter eggs. Can you tell?

Christian had pirate stuff for his eggs. Campbelle had princess stuff for hers. We love pirates and princesses. But I'm pretty sure you already knew that about us.

Punctuation Quiz

Ok, call it the geeky English teacher that's still buried deep within me, but this new quiz from my friend Sara (who I might add, is also an English teacher) intrigued me.  So I took it.  I am the comma.  I am the walrus.  Cuckoo Ka Choo.  Go ahead - I bet you've always wondered what punctuation mark you are!   http://www.blogthings.com/whatpunctuationmarkareyouquiz/

Hmmmm... this is me:

You are open minded and extremely optimistic.
You enjoy almost all facets of life. You can find the good in almost anything.
You keep yourself busy with tons of friends, activities, and interests.
You find it hard to turn down an opportunity, even if you are pressed for time.
Your friends find you fascinating, charming, and easy to talk to.
(But with so many competing interests, your friends do feel like you hardly have time for them.)
You excel in: Inspiring people
You get along best with: The Question Mark

 

Hmmmmm....

Guinness Irish Stew

There are a few dishes in my repertoire of recipes that  make my husband swoon.  Really, genuinely swoon.  This Irish Stew is one of them.  And I've discovered a little trick in my nearly 7 years of marriage - don't make those amazing dishes over and over again - save them for 'special occasions' that leave them longing with desire and affection for the next time.   For instance, Root Vegetable Stew - I make only once in October.  Oven Roasted Dungeness Crab - only once a crab season.  Carmel Apple Pie - only on his birthday.  And this Irish Stew, only come out on St Patrick's Day.  I feel if I over-use the recipes, the excitement and freshness of it wears off and I'm left trying to find new and better things to make (well, that and they are all complicated enough to only do once a year - but shhh... that's my secret!)

This stew isn't really complicated... just a bit annoying with all the chopping.  But trust me the results are really worth the work (even if it is only once a year).

2 pounds boneless leg of lamb

1/4 cup flour

2 tsp dried thyme leaves

3 tbl olive oil

1 medium shallot, peeled and chopped

1 medium onion, peeled and diced

2 ribs celery, diced

4 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 - 12oz bottle of Guinness beer

6 tbl Dijon mustard

1 can crushed tomatoes

8 cups beef broth

4 carrots, peeled and diced

2 lbs tiny red potatoes, quartered

1 bay leaf

1 tbl ground coriander seed

1 tbl red wine vinegar

1 tbl sherry vinegar

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

salt and pepper to taste

1.  Trim the lamb to remove any excess fat  and cut into 2 inch cubes. Toss with flour and thyme.

2.  In Dutch oven (or big soup pot) over md heat, brown the lamb in 2 tbl olive oil.  Working in two batches.  Set aside.  Using the same pan and oil, saute the shallot, onion, celery and garlic until soft - about 10 minutes.

3.  Stir in the Guinness beer; increase heat to high and stir to loosen any bits from the bottom of the pan.  Continue until a full boil. Stir in the mustard, tomatoes, broth, carrots, potatoes, bay leaf, coriander and lamb pieces. 

4. Reduce heat to low, cover the pot and allow the stew to simmer until the lamb is tender, about 2 1/2 hours.  Shortly before serving, stir in the red wine and sherry vinegars and parsley.

This makes about a gallon of stew - so invite the neighbors or really love leftovers.   And Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!

Sicko

This weekend Leif and I watched the Michael Moore documentary entitled Sicko.  It's basically about how really screwed up our health care system is in the US and how insurance companies have near complete control over our welfare.  Our family is very lucky and very fortunate to right now have excellent coverage (thank you MS)... our insurance company has never, never declined any treatment or services (including Christian's air transportation to Minneapolis hospital a few years ago or my mammogram - which most insurance companies won't pay until you are at least 40).  I understand how lucky we are that we've never had to decide if it's worth it or not to take a sick kid into the doctor - we've never even had a co-pay.  I've never had to even ask a doctor to change a prescription to a generic drug because that's the only type insurance covers - ours is just covered.  So we defiantly feel privileged - because we know that for so so many Americans that is not the case.  Choices that their insurance companies make for them, are actually a matter of life and death.  How is that fair?  How is that right, that a pencil pusher sitting is some cubicle, can deny an ailing person medical attention or the proper medication??   This issue must seem absurd to our friends who read my blog in Norway ... trust me, it's totally absurd to many of us here - even for those of us who have had no insurance worries.

The movie is absolutely infuriating and sickening - to know that lives are being lost because a DENIAL stamp has been put on their medical claims... awful.  The movie highlights France and UKs universal health care programs, and it's amazing to know that everyone, EVERYONE is covered and has access to the same services and medications.  Oh I'm sure that the systems in France and UK have their flaws - but dear lord,  ours is so far from perfect.  Change is needed.

The special features part of the movie includes a rather interesting section called "This Country Beats France" ... well since it was my husband who found the link on YouTube and sent it to me asking if I'd post it on my blog - you can only guess which country that is.  :-)

Like I've said for the past 8 years... I'm ready whenever you are honey!!

Look who's got a brand new bed!

And the boy could not be more proud! He's been sleeping in a little toddler bed for the past 1 1/2 years, after he had successfuly mastered climbing out of the crib. He was hesitant to move to a twin size bed like Campbelle because he felt it wasn't going to be as cozy anymore. Unfortunately, he fell out of bed two times the very first night - and the next morning he walked into our bedroom a bit 'put -out' and stated "Humpf, I'm gonna need a bigger bed." But luckily he's gotten used to it very quickly.

Bath time

Campbelle is taking more and more showers these days... she likes the independence of it...she shampoos her own hair (fairly well), soaps her body (or so she tells me) and really has become very self-reliant.  "Baths are really just for little kids mom, and for when women need to relax,"  she tells me.   However, last night she graced Christian with her presence in the bathtub "one last time."  So I thought I'd better capture this momentous occasion.

"I am totally too grown-up for baths these days... but I'll humor mom and show her my feet.  Can't she see by how big they are that I'm way too old for this!"

 

"Ok, he is pretty cute for a little brother, and he can be pretty mature sometimes too."

"I'm not sure what's he's doing, but I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be a part of his childish behavior"

"Help me Campbelle, I'm falling... help!!!"

"Um, yeah, hello mom, that's my cue - get me outta here and into the shower, please...."

Oh, they grow up too quickly, don't they?!?

Look what's stinking up the house, again....

Leif is brewing beer ... this time "something a bit more hoppy and light" he assures me.....oh good!! Look for an update in about 6-8 weeks.

Baking Challenge!

Some of you may have read about my sisters failed attempt at the really good Blueberry Cake I posted a while ago.  In her post she flattered me with nice compliments on my cooking/baking abilities and I was at first really moved by it... but then as I read on and realize that her attempt at my recipe turned into a complete fiasco - I realized, I think she may be mocking me.  Or, to be more blunt - she's calling me a liar, because I claimed the recipe was so so easy.

So, with a little extra help.  I am challenging all of you to make the Blueberry Cake recipe and then comment and tell everyone, especially my sister Tammy - how easy it truly is to make!!

Here is your step by step guided help.

Those aren't intimidating ingredients at all, are they?

4 egg whites
3 dl sugar
1 dl flour
3 dl heavy whipping cream
2 pints of frozen blueberries
Oh yeah, and a little chocolate syrup - for flair on the plate

(So get this, there is not even math involved in figuring these metric measurements out.  This baking isn't so precise.  3 dl sugar and cream - I used a little over a cup = 1 1/4 cups approximately.  1 dl = about 1/3 cup.  Again, it doesn't need to be all that precise.)

First, separate your 4 egg whites.  If you don't have one of these scary, intimating utensils Tammy - just do it the old fashioned way.

 

Now, whip your egg whites and sugar until fairly stiff.  (Stand alone mixed not required - but helpful especially when taking photos with your free hand.)

 

Once you've whipped up meringue, gently fold in the flour.

 

Next, line a baking sheet (did you read that correctly) - a BAKING SHEET with parchment paper (no Tammy, wax paper won't work).  My baking sheet measures 11 x 14. 

 

Now, carefully and evenly spread the meringue on the parchment paper. Be sure to create a nice, thin layer.

 

Bake at 350 degrees for 15-17 minutes. Until slightly golden and beginning to crack.  While baking, whip up some cream.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once done, let the cake cool for a just a few minutes and get another sheet of parchment paper ready to transfer it onto.

 

Ok, I will admit that this becomes the most challenging part of the whole recipe.  You need to transfer, as carefully as possible, onto the new parchment paper.  I like to lay the other sheet on top and then flip it around and slowly peel of the paper off the cake.  The only problem with that, is then you have the cracked side on bottom and you don't want that.  The cracked side is the side you want to spread the whipped cream on top - so you must then flip it back around.

Did that make sense?!?  Here's a hint - don't spread your cream on this smooth side - spread it onto this original top, cracked side.  There may be a bit of flipping involved - but do what you have to get it the right way.

Then, spread on the whipped cream evenly.

Sprinkle with blueberries

And roll

 

Then wrap in foil and place it in the freezer for a few hours until thoroughly frozen.

To serve, let thaw for about one hour prior to serving.  Fancy up your plate a bit with chocolate and sprinkle on some powdered sugar for added wow!

 

Now please, try this recipe and confirm to me that it is indeed as easy as I say it is.  And even if you don't, just lie to me and tell me that you did!  Come on Tammy - try it again.  I dare you!