Mean Midnight Beans

So last night I tortured myself. 

I was hungry and I watched the television program, "The Best Thing I Ever Ate".  It's a dangerous combination, especially since I'm so prone to the power of suggestion.  One minute I want the roast duck, the next a giant Lobster cream puff!

Of course, I can't just up and run to these fabulous eating established all over the country...

{Believe me:  I would if I could.}

...but I have literally BOUNDED to my fridge and pantry to concoct some outrageous meals at 9:30 at night.

I still remember the Avocado & Blue Cheese burgers...

Remember those, sweetheart?

They were at least 4-inches thick and beautiful.

{Sigh}

Come back, Olivia!  Come back!

Okay, I'm back.

So this time I manage to pacify myself with a nectarine and a Cliff Kid Z Brownie Bar -don't knock it!  It's one of my favorite go-to snacks and I don't think I'll ever get tired of it!

But, later, nestled in bed with "Catching Fire", I needed...something.

And here it is.

Mean Midnight Beans

Serves 1

Ingredients

1 can of low sodium pinto beans, drained of all but 1/3 cup liquid

1 small jalapeno or 1 1/2 tsp jalapeno, diced (I include the membranes and seeds too.)

1 small clove of garlic, diced

1/4 tsp red chili pepper flakes

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tbs. 2 % mozzerella cheese, shredded.

Directions

Place the beans in a bowl, including the reserved liquid.

Add the jalapeno, garlic, and red chili pepper flakes and heat in the microwave for 1 1/2 - 2  minutes. 

Add salt and pepper to taste, and top with the cheese.

Heat until the cheese it melted and...

Enjoy!

Berry Cream Purses

I remember when I was just a girl...

{yes, I'm thirty plus years now and can legitimately "reflect" on my "youth"}

...my mother would gather up my sister and I on cold winter mornings and we'd slosh up the steps to the La Bou bakery.  It's still around, franchises all over the city, but back then, it was a small hole-in-the-wall establishment that specialized in simple french pastry. 

She always ordered the same thing, and I smile just thinkig about it:

 

"One ham & cheese and one chocolate-filled crossaint, please." 

We sat,

looking out the rain-streaked window,

huddled over scalding hot chocolate and those irrestisable french pastries.

We warmed from the inside out.

And you know what?

The morning wasn't so dreary anymore.

In fact, it was WONDERFUL!

{Thanks Mom.}

You could say I'm a sucker for crossaints.

Can you blame me?

Here's a simple rendition that can be served for brunch, light dessert, or just because...

 Berry Cream Purses

Serves 5

Ingredients

1 roll of crossaint dough

1/4 c light cream cheese, room temperature

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 tbs sugar

3/4 c frozen berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)

Cinnamon-sugar

Powdered sugar

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.

Unroll the crossaint dough onto an ungreased baking sheet.  Line up the seams and roll out thinly until it's one large sheet of crossaint dough.  Using a pizza cutter, cut into 10 roughly equal squares.

Lift the squares gently from the cookie sheet, being mindful that the dough will still try to separate at the seams, and evenly space the rectangles on the cookie sheet.

In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, vanilla, & sugar until combined.

Spoon evenly into the center of each rectangle.

Top the cream with 3-4 frozen berries, and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar.

Gather the rectangles into a purse, and pinch slightly to hold.

Bake for 11-12 minutes until golden brown and sprinkle generously with powdered sugar.

Enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Cookies...Lightened Up!

I'm all about the classics. 
Nail the brownie, the chocolate cake, the chocolate chip cookies...
and then you can pretty much do a play on anything and it will come out yummy. 

Even though you can tweak this recipe every-which way you like,
my hubby and the family love it old school.

The twist here...it's a lighter version.

I cancel out a whole stick of butter
and convert all the eggs to egg substitute.

The result? 

A darn tasty cookie! 
Yes, the texture is different than my classic recipe,
there's no denying that.

But the kiddos and hubby are too busy gobbling
them down to take notice!

A cookie and a glass of milk...

need I say more?

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Give or take 4-dozen large cookies
or
6-7 dozen small cookies

Ingredients

5 c all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp salt

1/2 c. (1 sticks) un-salted butter, softened
1 c. (1-stick) Crisco Butter-flavored Shortening

1 1/2 c granulated sugar

1 1/2 c packed brown sugar

3 tsp vanilla extract
1 c of egg substitute-
I do it all the time!

4-6 c. Nestle Toll House Semi-Sweet Morsels 

{Note}

This is a hard one to quantify, 

because I literally dump the chips in until the batter is a sea of chocolate...

it's beautiful, really.

2 1/2 c. coarsely chopped toasted walnuts (optional)

Directions

 Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.

Using a medium bowl & a whisk:
Combine the flour, baking soda, & salt and set aside.

Using a mixer and the paddle attachment at medium speed:
Cream the butter and shortening until combined and then add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla and the eggs.

It should smell amazing at this point,
but resist the urge to lick.  

Why?!?

Because you haven't added the chocolate chips yet!

Patience, patience.

At low speed:
Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture until incorporated.
Finally add the morsels & nuts...and then taste!

Yum!

Scoop golf-ball size mounds of cookie dough onto a large un-greased cookie sheet-I use my ice cream scoop.  Place the mounds 2-inches apart, which is usually six cookies to one large baking sheet.  If you're making smaller cookies, you can place about 8-9 cookies per baking sheet.

Bake one sheet at a time at 375 degrees for 7-8 minutes.

Do not over bake!

This is the secret for moist, chewy cookies.
Remember, all ovens times vary, but look for cookies with only the slightest browning on top.
They will NOT look done, but they are.
 Once out of the oven, they'll continue to cook on the hot cookie sheet and will set nicely.

Let the cookies rest for at least 3-minutes on the baking sheet before even attempting to move them.  If you don't, you'll tear your cookies, and then you'll just have to eat them all, won't you? 

If your aim is to serve these bad boys, wait, and then move them to a cooling rack for approximately 7-10 minutes.  Be forewarned, they'll still be very soft, but with a large enough spatula to support them while you move them, they'll be just fine.

Once firm, you can stack the cookies in an air-tight container and they'll keep for 3-4 days.  Personally, I think they're best right out of the oven-but you can also keep them on hand in the pantry for a lunch treat or a quick snack. 

Other options: 
Bake, freeze, and thaw before serving. 
I love doing this when I have to run a treat up to the school.
 
Whatever you do...

Make...Eat...Eat...Eat,
and  yes:

 Exercise!

I'm not going to lie,
these are wickedly good and they'll will show it!

{Notes}

You can cut this recipe in half, but I find that the cookies are not quite the same!  Try making the whole batch and just freezing the dough for later.  You'll always need cookie dough!

Also, if you prefer smaller cookies, just adjust the baking time to 5-6 minutes and keep a close eye on them.

Keep in mind, the sky's the limit!
Substitute like crazy with whatever you want:
M&Ms, White Chocolate Chips,
Macadamia Nuts.

Make this cookie yours!

Enjoy!

The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of...

Owen Joseph

My sweet, sweet boy.

You're growing so fast,

and becoming such a little person.

When you're not
frantically-telling-me-what-needs-to-be-told-right-now,

you're running and jumping
all over the place!

And yet,

there are moments like this,

when you steal away into your

own

little

world.

And it's delightful to watch you.

I love you so much.

Keep building,

creating,

and

just

being

you!

Love, love, love...

Your Momma





A New Roof

Putting on a new roof is a ton of work!

But if you're blessed with family-

ward family included,

the task is a whole lot easier.

This weekend,

we were blessed to spend some extra time

with the Joe Elmers.

And I'm not kidding when I say "blessed".

The kids loved the extra time with their cousins,

the men (and Jessica) got in quite a workout,

the women got a chance to visit,

and we all partook of Jessica's fabulous

jalapeno-laced burgers!

Delicious!

Aunt Rachel helping baby Noah tackle Owen!

Aunt Jessica taking a turn with my baby!

Iris,

daring the double hoola-hoop!

Best buds:

Ava & Jake

These boys worked hard!

...

Thanks for the get-together, guys!

We had a great, great time!





A Day of Many Firsts!

The first day of school is ALWAYS a big deal,

but this year was a little different.

Why?

1) Iris! 

She's a kindergardener now! 

Crazy!  I know!

 2) Isabella

 She's a big bad 4th grader now!  

Two more years and then she's off to middle school! 

Aughh!

3) Mornings at home will be officially girl-free!

Luckily I've got two great boys to keep me company!  

4) Owen

In a few days he'll be starting Joy School two days a week. 

I'll post more on that later,

but really,

what will Gabriel and I do all by ourselves?!?

It's alright!

Change is good.

It's normal.

Natural, even.

And I can do this.

{Sigh}

I miss them already!

I like to say I only cried with Isabella.

Her leaving for school for the very first time

really, really threw me.

I thought I had it together after that,

and then I saw this.

Three girls on bikes.

Not just any girls though-my girls!

Iris Luciana

Looking absolutely beautiful and so grown up!

The line!

 She was still smiles,

but definitely starting to get more and more nervous!

In class,

she finally shared that she changed her mind

and didn't want to go to school afterall!

Lucky for us,

she has the smartest teacher in the whole wide world

who captured the kids attention
and pulled them into an activity right away.

Parents took the hint and made a quick getaway!

Ava Grace

We're so fortunate that Ava has the same teacher she had last year.

This woman is amazing,

and exudes so much love, warmth, and patience.

Ava thrives with her and we're looking forward

to another great year!



Isabella Rose

Studious as ever and completely organized!

She lives for the first day of school and loves hitting the books!

Honey,

everyday you make us so proud!

Meet the crew!

We'll be at home every morning
(except when Owen's in school!),

trying to figure out why it's so quiet at home!

Here they come!

It's a bit of a trick wrapping your mind around a

schedule after the leisure days of summer!

We're easing back into it with an afternoon snack

of homemade chocolate chip cookie
& ice cream sandwiches!

Enjoy!

And then get started on your homework!

{Smile}

Who? Who?

Though the girls loved our camping trip to Emerald Bay,

they hated that while we were gone the school office posted class lists!

Before going home to un-pack,

they made us stop at the school.

It was fun seeing other folks from the ward and school too,

except we looked,

and I'm sure smelled,

exceptionally well!

All in all though,

the girl's curiousity was finally satisfied,

and we could all go home

and shower!

2010 Camping: Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe, California

Lake Tahoe rocks.

The million-dollar homes are jaw-dropping,

but nothing compares to the pristine beauty of the water.

We were fortunate to nab a last-minute camp site in Emerald Bay...

and here's a peek at our trip!

The kids taking a moment to explore the campsite while
mom and dad "make camp"!

After a quick set-up,

it was time to hit the trail.

This was strictly a brief exploratory mission,

our big hike was scheduled for the next day,

but a trip down to the water is ALWAYS in order!

Owen.

The reason my arms are so buff!

Dinner

Roast Beef Subs

Mozzerella, Basil, & Balsamic Vinegar

The hubby approves... :)

Breakfast

Scrambled Eggs

&

Maple-glazed Sausages

Here we go...

Vikingsholm

via

The Rubicon Trail

3.4 mi. round trip

See,

if you put your mind to it,

you can do anything!

Vikingsholm

In 1928, Mrs. Lora J. Knight of Santa Barbara purchased this isolated site at the

head of Emerald Bay. Knight instructed Lennart Palme, a Swedish-born architect

and her nephew by marriage, to design a home for her.

Following a trip to Scandinavia,

the two decided to use elements found in Norwegian farmsteads

and wooden stave churches without disturbing a single one of the Emerald Bay

site’s magnificent trees.

Vikingsholm’s construction methods

and materials, including granite boulders in the foundations and walls, are the same

as those used in ancient Scandinavia. Towers, intricate carvings and hand-hewn

timbers were used to create the castlelike home. The sod roofs, with their living

grass and flowers, are copied from sites in Norway.

 Many of the furnishings that

Mrs. Knight wanted for Vikingsholm were so historically significant that their export

was forbidden by the Norwegian and Swedish governments. She had authentic

furnishings duplicated in detail, down to the measurements, colorations and aging

of the wood.

Vikingsholm was completed in September 1929. Mrs. Knight spent her

summers at the home until her death in 1945.

We learned that Mrs.  Knight was an avid entertainer and

frequently had guests to stay at Vikingsholm. 

We were amazed that she created a tea house

on the island in the center of Emerald Bay!

Owen would have loved an invite!

On the way back from Vikingsholm,

we continued to experience light showers & wind.

But Ava reminded us that we had promised they could swim in the water,

so despite the dropping temperatures,

we gave the okay!

These girls are nuts!

It is FREEZING!

Our Ava...

...our little polar bear!

Though he stripped down to his swim trunks,

I don't think Owen actually ever touched the water!

Gabriel,

the only one with enough sense to keep his clothes on!

{Plus, he's a baby and I wouldn't let him change!}

Don't let the sunshine fool you!

The clouds burned off for a moment,

but it was still plenty chilly.

Ava,

crazy child,

was shivering like crazy

so I gave her my shirt to add some extra warmth.

Needless to say we were all ready for a hot meal!

Dinner

Hawaiian Haystack

All the way!

Yes!

Fire time!

We were all looking forward to dessert!

We had purchased those obscenely super-huge marshmallows

that make the regular marshmallows

look like mini's!

Yum!

I like mine extra well-done!

A mother's work is never done!



Samuel takes great pride in setting me up
with a super-functional kitchen!

Thanks, babe!

Breakfast

Toasted Ham & Cheese Crossaints

Fresh melon, Powdered Sugar Donuts, & Hot Cocoa

Yes, son.

I know I struck a home run with those donuts!

Owen

Taking care of business.

Yup. 

They're dirty.

And more than a bit scraggly.

But they're mine!

And they're as sweet as sugar in my book!

Lucky for us,

our last day dawned bright, clear,

and was full of sunshine!

This time we were all ready for some water action!

Boo

Exploring.

Nothing like some sandy cheese!

Or a sandy husband!

Woo hoo!

Bella played photographer and took some shots

of mom and dad!

Shortly after this,

the Elmer family was never heard from again.

It's true.

All that remained,

and only for a very short time,

was this heart drawn in the sand.

It's speculated that pirates still lurk about Emerald Bay,

and that the Elmer's were captured...



But that may well be an old wives tale!

Owen

The boy makes the same face

every time we buckle him up to go home.

He can't believe we'd ever leave "camping"!

Don't worry, Owen.

We'll be back!

I promise.