tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878077759192702792024-03-13T09:29:15.947-04:00Capitol BabiesFollow the adventures of the Michaux Family as they navigate life in Washington, DCMissy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119738824747438349noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487807775919270279.post-69903804575047536312011-09-05T13:58:00.002-04:002011-09-05T14:04:58.812-04:00Oh the proverbial nesting.....and hungerSo nesting with this wee lil angel has set in a bit late I'd say. Today we made an octupled batch of pancakes and stuffed shells (a regular sized box worth) for the freezer in an effort to have some easy, hot meals ready for when our newest Lil' Miss makes her debut. I've also found that since we are now the average "2.5 with a dog" family, regular batches of recipes feed us several times over so we've been saving enough to feed ourselves for the meal then leftovers for lunch the next day. Por ejemplo, my AWESOME <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-L8DOL3-Pre-Seasoned-5-Quart-Handles/dp/B00063RWYI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1315242947&sr=8-2">5 quart bare cast iron dutch oven from Lodge</a> (Lodge is the absolute BEST for bare cast iron, but more on that in another post) holds enough slowly simmered chili to feed a grown man, heavily preggo mama and twin toddlers for dinner, lunch the next day and then fill two gallon-sized freezer bags for more meals. (insert preggo note to bake some corn muffins for the freezer here).<br />
<br />
The pancakes we can fit about 3 stacks of 3" cakes (about 27) in a gallon bag. Each bag can feed our family probably 3 times if we all eat the norm (about 3 each for hubby and I then 3 split between the girls). We got the equivalent of 4 bags worth of the hot cakes. We use a recipe adapted from <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/fluffy-pancakes/detail.aspx">this one</a>; but for our purposes here at CB, I've listed ours below:<br />
<br />
<u>Super Awesome Fluffy Pancakes</u><br />
<br />
1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour<br />
1/2 cup whole wheat flour<br />
1 Tbsp sugar<br />
2 tsp baking powder<br />
1/2 tsp salt<br />
1 egg<br />
1 cup milk<br />
1/4 cup vegetable oil<br />
<br />
Mix it up. Dump it on. Flip when bubbly. Eat when cooked. Easy. Simple. Delicious.<br />
<br />
We split the flour between the good ole AP & WW because we had some whole wheat that we were gonna <strike>end up wasting</strike> use to get in some healthy whole grains. The flavor and weight is so mouch better and make the pancakes more filling. We used extra milk solely because the batter in the original recipes was super-thick. About a 1/4 cup extra milk really helps the consistency. We go through these pretty quickly, so I'd say they're definitely good in the freezer for around a month the way we package them.<br />
<br />
Onto the goodness from my half-breed Italian booty. I don't like anything 'florentine' so yous can axe the spinach from my cheesy goods please (sacrilege I know)...but feel super-free to douse the cheese with some grated nutmeg (YUM...not so horrific of me now is it Nonna?) I wanted something simple and could care less to brown pancetta (nor am I a not-cheapskate in this regard) or dice up some onions and garlic. Plus there's a ton of crap we need to use in our pantry, so I also took this into account when I was waiting for the shells to boil up. (Note to self: avoid Food Network when trying to cook with $0 & 0 time) My recipe was a take on <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/10/three-cheese-stuffed-shells-with-meaty-tomato-sauce/">P-Dub's</a>, but, like I said, we either had the ingredients or needed to get creative since I am dumb and didn't make my list from the recipes I wanted to make but rather 'stored' the info in my head with basic ingredients :) In an effort to save time, we have some jarred pasta sauces on hand to make the transition from freezer to table a lot more 'efficient'.<br />
<br />
<u>Stuffed Shells Filling</u><br />
<u><br />
</u><br />
<br />
<div>30 oz container WHOLE Milk Ricotta (whole cause we're fatties up here in our piece)</div><div><br />
</div><div>1/2 cup 'shaky' cheese aka grated parmesean you usually sprinkle on top of you 'ska-teeeeeeee' (as my girls call it)</div><div><br />
</div><div>8 oz package of shredded Mozzarella cheese</div><div><br />
</div><div>3-4 Tbsp Garlic Basil Seasoning (from the now defunct Homemade Gourmet, a company for which I used to be a consultant.......if you can't Ebay this stuff or have me hook you up with some since the company is OOB, I would use about a 50/50 mix of dried basil and dried minced garlic)</div><div><br />
</div><div>salt & ground black pepper to taste (easy on the salt since I "Oops-ed" the shredded cheese and added it all to the ricotta in a blonde/preggo brain moment)</div><div><br />
</div><div>1 large egg</div><div><br />
</div><div>Mix it up then stuff 'em in jumbo shells cooked according to package directions. A <a href="http://www.wilton.com/store/site/product.cfm?id=3E3140A2-475A-BAC0-5B28E521A6E98B34&fid=3E3323AA-475A-BAC0-54E78063B9BC34D5">cake decorating bag</a> with a coupler (no tip) works fantastically for piping the filling neatly into the shells. Now that I am thinking about it, the<a href="http://www.wilton.com/store/site/product.cfm?id=3E30B6C1-475A-BAC0-565497EB78A83332&fid=48ED287A-423B-522D-F698DD2CAB1BD824"> parchment triangles</a> might work better as they'd be easier to 'refill' with filling should you surprising run into an empty bag like I did (the dump and roll method would be less messy me thinks). Try to avoid over-filling them. If I had to guess, filling the shells just enough to the point where the sides of the shell that curl up wrap around the cheese mix and meet to form a 'line' the shells might weigh an ounce or two. I lined the filled shells on a large cookie sheet as I was going along then wrapped the sheet in tinfoil and stuck the critters in the freezer. Once they are frozen, I'll transfer them to a gallon-sized bag and take them out as we want to eat them. If I am making a family dinner, I'll dump a jar of sauce in an oiled rectangular baker such as <a href="http://www.pamperedchef.com/ordering/prod_details.tpc?prodId=171&catId=9&parentCatId=9&outletSubCat=">this one</a> (LOVE me my PC & can hook you up with an awesome consultant), put (line down) in perhaps 10 shells and then dump another jar of sauce on top and liberally sprinkle some shaky cheese on top. Cover and bake in an oven preheated to about 375 for about an hour give or take and be eating a tasty, cheesy dinner with ease. Now, if you can get your hands on the PC lid that's been d/c, cover with that...it rocks! However, if you cannot you could try out their new <a href="http://www.pamperedchef.com/ordering/prod_details.tpc?prodId=13833&catId=9&parentCatId=9&outletSubCat=">deep covered baker</a> (it's about the same dimensions and I've heard great things about using it in the microwave). Why must I pimp Pampered Chef? Because the stoneware is top-quality and helps to keep something I worked "hard" to put on the table warm and taste just as good as I did taking it right out of the oven if DH is running late from work. Foil also works fantastically as a 'cover', and I would use that to do a half-batch in the oven in an 8X8 pan.</div><div><br />
</div>Missy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119738824747438349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487807775919270279.post-34259281412363291532011-05-31T07:53:00.000-04:002011-05-31T07:53:33.638-04:00Epic FailSo, Menu Plan Monday, has gone down the drain yet again. I really should do it since I am cooking out of the pantry, but I have discovered the fine art and even more finely tuned science of the defrosting of frozen meats in the microwave. Besides, I'd rather play with my babies.<br />
<br />
Speaking of babies, Capitol Baby #3 is a GIRL! We are expecting her around Halloween...let's just not go as late as November 11th at 11:11 am just so we can win some stupid contest LOLMissy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119738824747438349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487807775919270279.post-14727261069287368882011-05-02T00:00:00.001-04:002011-05-02T00:00:00.170-04:00Menu Plan MondayApparently, a little over a year ago I was menu planning for MPM and was in labor with my now one-year old Capitol Babies. SHK...Go figure? Hoping to get back into the swing of things and do some pantry cooking over here in our nation's capital. Who knows how it'll go....we'll see around Halloween when Capitol Baby #3 is due to arrive LOL<br />
<br />
<u>Monday, 2 May 2011</u><br />
<ul><li>Spaghetti & Meatballs </li>
<ul><li>Meatballs are a "maybe I'll reveal the secret family recipe" later</li>
<li>Sauce is a recipe from the original Biggest Loser Cookbook called "Superior Spaghetti Sauce"</li>
</ul><li>Garlic Bread</li>
<ul><li>Just use whatever rolls or bread you have on-hand. We are using leftover homemade hamburger buns from a recipe I found on <a href="http://food.com/">Food.com</a> I believe. Have to double check and will post the recipe when I do my series on homebaked breads.</li>
<li>We mix margarine and some Tbsps of Tastefully Simple's Garlic Garlic & Onion Onion spices...usually like 1/3-1/2 cup of tub margarine & a 2:1 ratio of the Garlic to Onion seasonings and then bake til the bread is crispy</li>
</ul></ul><u>Tuesday, 3 May 2011</u><br />
<ul><li>Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas</li>
<li>Minute Brown Rice (cause we have like 10 tons of it to use....the beauty of being a military family: when neighbors and friends <strike>PCS</strike> move, you're usually gifted with pantry leftovers that can't be packed :D</li>
</ul><u>Wednesday, 4 May 2011</u><br />
<ul><li>Sweet & Sour Chicken (a combo of two recipes from Betty Crocker's Chinese Cookbook)</li>
<li>Oven Baked Brown Rice (a friend gave me this recipe...it's super simple, but I will have to post it later since mommy-brain is making my brain into mush right now)</li>
<li>Broccoli Florets</li>
</ul><u>Thursday, 5 May 2011</u><br />
<ul><li>Busy-Day Cheesy Chicken (from some Gooseberry Patch cookbook...today is an appt with the good ole OB for CB #3 so I will prolly very lazily throw in a couple cups of frozen broccoli so I have nothing to cook when I make it off the Beltway)</li>
<li>Leftover Rice from last night</li>
</ul><u>Friday, 6 May 2011</u><br />
<ul><li>Vegetarian Chowder (oh yes to using the million pounds of dried beans I love to buy but don't know how to use. WIC in our county is really great with education on nutrition and gives out lots of nifty things at your appointments and their events. I got this recipe from a bean cookbook they gave out during a fair at our family readiness center on our base.)</li>
<li>French Sandwich Bread</li>
</ul><u>Saturday, 7 May 2011</u><br />
<ul><li>Grilled Chicken Breast (consisting of fileted b/s chicken breast then seasoned to taste on each side with Tastefully Simple's Garlic Garlic and Seasoned Salt.....no I am not a consultant for them)</li>
<li>Creamy Scalloped Potatoes (another Betty Crocker masterpiece.....go get the 1969 version of the BC Cookbook...it rocks and teaches you some great techniques)</li>
<li>Carrots</li>
</ul><u>Sunday, 8 May 2011</u><br />
<ul><li>Chicken Breasts Diane</li>
<li>Leftover Creamy Scalloped Potatoes</li>
<li>Mixed Veggies</li>
</ul>I plan on making two 'snacks/desserts' for the week as well. One is "Pinto Bean Applesauce Raisin Cookies" (from that bean cookbook I was telling you about) and "Custard Pie" (from the Household Searchlight Recipe Book from the late '30s....and mostly making this because I have a ton of milk that I need to use and the recipe for the crust for tonight's Chicken Pot Pie made more like 3 crusts, not they typical 2 LOL).<br />
<br />
I'll post Bubba and the babies' reviews throught the week or on next MPM.<br />
<br />
Ciao for now!<br />
<br />
<3 MMissy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119738824747438349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487807775919270279.post-38628054634087848392010-04-18T16:56:00.000-04:002010-07-12T22:41:25.500-04:00Menu Plan Monday! Week of 19 April 2010No snarky comments or links (for now; I will update with those lata peeps :)<br /><br />Monday, 19 April<br /><br /><ul><li>Texas Chili with Beans</li><li>French Sandwich Bread</li></ul><p>Tuesday, 20 April</p><ul><li>Baked Ziti Supreme</li><li>Garlic Toast</li></ul><p>Wednesday, 21 April</p><ul><li>Bacon, Egg & Cheese McMuffins (of no connection to Mickey D's)</li><li>Hashbrowns</li></ul><p>Thursday, 22 April</p><ul><li>Spaghetti and Meatballs</li><li>Superior Spaghetti Sauce</li><li>Garlic Toast</li></ul><p>Friday, 23 April</p><ul><li>KFC Original Recipe Chicken Breast (b/c yes, we were lazy and went to Taco Bell last Friday)</li><li>Shortcut Oven Fries (Off-Brand Ore Ida peeps)</li><li>Brocolli (which I probably did NOT spell right)</li></ul><p>Saturday</p><ul><li>Hamburgers with Fixins</li><li>Baked Potatoes (also with fixins)</li><li>Corn</li></ul><p>Sunday</p><ul><li>Crockpot Pizza (RE: Friday's excuse)</li><li>Peas</li></ul>Missy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119738824747438349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487807775919270279.post-15652137170237790472010-04-11T14:20:00.000-04:002010-07-12T22:41:25.504-04:00Menu Plan Monday! Week of 12 Apr 2010<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7K54PX7KWLk/S8IXC7NuZrI/AAAAAAAAAIo/guy6Fx3tS4w/s1600/mpm-1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458951037348898482" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7K54PX7KWLk/S8IXC7NuZrI/AAAAAAAAAIo/guy6Fx3tS4w/s320/mpm-1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />You can decide whether it's my inclination towards 'slight' OCD or just nesting because of the baby girls...I've jumped on the menu planning bandwagon. We need to make room for other things in our pantry (maybe it is nesting?)...<a href="http://orgjunkie.com/menu-plan-monday">come jump with me</a>! :)<br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Monday, 12 April</strong><br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/easycrockpothamburgerveggiesoup.htm">Super Easy Crockpot Hamburger Soup</a></li><li><a href="http://www.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=5970270">French Sandwich Bread</a> (p. 16)</li></ul><strong>Tuesday, 13 April</strong><br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.campbellskitchen.com/RecipeDetail.aspx?recipeId=26224">Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings</a> (minus the dumplings)</li><li><a href="http://www.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=5970270">French Sandwich Bread</a> (p. 16)</li></ul><strong>Wednesday, 14 April</strong><br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/frenchtoaststicks1.htm">French Toast Sticks</a></li><li><a href="http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/berrysyrup.htm">Berry Syrup</a></li></ul><strong>Thursday, 15 April</strong><br /><ul><li>Whole Wheat Spaghetti</li><li>Meatballs</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fast-Food-Fix-Makeovers-Restaurant/dp/1594863105">Superior Spaghetti Sauce</a> (p. 191)</li><li>Garlic Toast (via FSB)</li><li>Salad</li></ul><strong>Friday, 16 April</strong><br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fast-Food-Fix-Makeovers-Restaurant/dp/1594863105">KFC Original Recipe Chicken Breast</a> (p. 58)</li><li>French Fries (cheating with Ore Ida....sorry taters! no oven for you! ;( )</li><li>Corn</li></ul><strong>Saturday, 17 April</strong><br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/home-style-chicken-dinner.htm">Home Style Chicken Dinner</a></li><li><a href="http://www.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=5970270">French Sandwich Bread</a> (p. 16)</li></ul><strong>Sunday, 18 April</strong><br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.tammysrecipes.com/crock_pot_pizza">Crockpot Pizza</a></li><li>Peas</li></ul><p>Please leave a comment if the link to the book for the bread recipe is no good. I'll make it a point to post the recipe if you can't find access to the book some other way...</p><p>PEACEEEEEEE!</p><p>M</p>Missy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119738824747438349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487807775919270279.post-31479932550101962132010-04-11T14:14:00.000-04:002010-07-12T22:41:25.506-04:00Menu Plan Monday<div>Jumping on the bandwagon....who knows whether or not it's a natural inclination to 'mild' OCD or nesting is your guess. Jump with me! :)</div>Missy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119738824747438349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487807775919270279.post-12461516796644273232010-03-16T12:13:00.000-04:002010-07-12T22:41:25.507-04:00It's "FIXIN" dayWell, I think Stash BUSTA will have to be carried til the end of the month (or perhaps even a certain girl's last birthday in her 20s at the end of the first week of April). I don't know if it's the nesting from the 24/7 of the ultimate craft (baking TWO baby girls! :) ) OR just the fact that the pile of mending I need to do has now grown larger than the pile of UFOs. Until next time, you peeps can ponder why in the world a thrift store double-staples their price tags in rather conspicuous places on their clothing.....I'll be busy matching stash thread and dousing onesies in Fray Check.<br /><br />Arrivederci<br /><br /><3 MMissy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119738824747438349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487807775919270279.post-64478003710259112252010-03-10T12:00:00.000-05:002010-07-12T22:41:25.509-04:00Stash BUSTA!!!! Stash BUSTA!!!!So you say that I have a slight addiction to craft supplies (sdkfbngskjrgYARNsdkfjbalkjfhbk)? I'd say, if you saw my garage you'd nominate me for an episode of "Hoarders: Craft Supply Edition". I self-intervened today and made a deal with Bubba that I would get through this:<br /><br /><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447065343735678290" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7K54PX7KWLk/S5fdEgG0xVI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/atQdR0wZ4w4/s320/IMG_1072.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447065341558348066" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7K54PX7KWLk/S5fdEX_tWSI/AAAAAAAAAII/y-emj2dH-1I/s320/IMG_1069.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447065333932499810" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7K54PX7KWLk/S5fdD7lkI2I/AAAAAAAAAIA/qREg-zJWcfg/s320/IMG_1068.JPG" /> within the next two weeks. Mind you, this is probably only like 2.5% of my stash which occupies what I will call a "teeny tiny" space next to the arm chair that camouflages the dogs' hidey hole. <div><div><br /><div>Hidey hole and one of the critters that usually occupies it:<br /></div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447065972158549906" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7K54PX7KWLk/S5fdpFKgz5I/AAAAAAAAAIY/QnmRTtxQiEk/s320/IMG_1070.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447067436832986642" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7K54PX7KWLk/S5fe-VgHFhI/AAAAAAAAAIg/GcMAPXsrPkI/s320/490575124_1722296883_0.jpg" /></div></div></div></div></div>Missy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119738824747438349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487807775919270279.post-20576987232427615732009-12-29T15:22:00.000-05:002010-07-12T22:39:59.640-04:00Mission: ACCOMPLISHED!We found out that we're expecting about two weeks after Bubba got home from his short tour :) YAY! A couple of weeks after that, we got the marvelous news that it's TWINS! Thank-you for all the continued support and prayers, and please keep both coming! We'll need both to maintain our sanity :)<br /><br />We will be finding out the genders of both babies on our 6th anniversary at the end of January....only a few short weeks away :) The babies are due at the end of June.<br /><br />Ciao for now!<br /><br /><3 MMissy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119738824747438349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487807775919270279.post-20663227597139521102009-09-23T16:47:00.000-04:002010-07-12T22:39:59.653-04:00Casa ChauxHere are some pictures of the new house! We love it, and we're working to make it more us everyday! Our next project will be revamping the master bedroom and ensuite bath.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7K54PX7KWLk/SrqKofFkgwI/AAAAAAAAAHI/SdWqK-izaTY/s1600-h/5680_1215714831532_1188680239_690110_5362273_n.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div align="center">The Front View</div><div align="center">(We are on the right):<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384768558530962658" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7K54PX7KWLk/SrqKeWjuJOI/AAAAAAAAAGY/_m9zYmQiAfo/s320/5680_1215682950735_1188680239_689870_3572766_n.jpg" /><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">The Back View:</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384768235190468642" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7K54PX7KWLk/SrqKLiBVwCI/AAAAAAAAAFw/CP6E0LELS9s/s320/5680_1215678430622_1188680239_689809_5034225_n.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">The Foyer:</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384767829105766450" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7K54PX7KWLk/SrqJz5PM8DI/AAAAAAAAAFo/w1fYX3yau4s/s320/5680_1215678390621_1188680239_689808_5603572_n.jpg" /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">The Living Room:</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384767810588400610" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7K54PX7KWLk/SrqJy0QUW-I/AAAAAAAAAFQ/RHRuhUEG-5s/s320/5680_1215678190616_1188680239_689804_6719964_n.jpg" /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">First Floor Half Bath :)</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384767807149263122" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7K54PX7KWLk/SrqJyncXSRI/AAAAAAAAAFI/_93MmLlNngo/s320/5680_1215678150615_1188680239_689803_6208532_n.jpg" /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Where the meals are served</div><div align="center">(aka the Dining Room):</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384767823341684642" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7K54PX7KWLk/SrqJzjw8B6I/AAAAAAAAAFg/qW4mk656iu8/s320/5680_1215678270618_1188680239_689806_1505437_n.jpg" /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">The Kitchen</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">(I'm really excited to get back into cooking and baking, two of my most favorite hobbies besides Crochet :)</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384767818846683858" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7K54PX7KWLk/SrqJzTBPwtI/AAAAAAAAAFY/lGFvRoXAEHI/s320/5680_1215678230617_1188680239_689805_2089608_n.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><div align="center">Various Shots of the Master Bedroom:</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384768252348104690" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7K54PX7KWLk/SrqKMh8Cf_I/AAAAAAAAAGI/-xHu37rozvU/s320/5680_1215678710629_1188680239_689815_5706016_n.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384768248304578802" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7K54PX7KWLk/SrqKMS3_MPI/AAAAAAAAAGA/rMyyJv4ASMQ/s320/5680_1215678630627_1188680239_689813_5428236_n.jpg" /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">AHHHHHH! The Walk-In Closet in the Master Bedroom!</div><div align="center">LOOOOOVIN IT!!!!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384768583833597794" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7K54PX7KWLk/SrqKf00Vt2I/AAAAAAAAAG4/ZTzXr2O_6rI/s320/5680_1215683150740_1188680239_689875_1517158_n.jpg" /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">EnSuite Master Bath:</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384768262173957458" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7K54PX7KWLk/SrqKNGitHVI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/tk2pPjSbuUU/s320/5680_1215678790631_1188680239_689817_1234818_n.jpg" /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Bedroom #3</div><div align="center">(This will be Mini-Chaux's Nursery ;)</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384768566218548898" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7K54PX7KWLk/SrqKezMlZqI/AAAAAAAAAGg/i_UG_Kik7lA/s320/5680_1215683070738_1188680239_689873_1627881_n.jpg" /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Hall Bath:</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384768574726538338" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7K54PX7KWLk/SrqKfS5DBGI/AAAAAAAAAGw/bSSpLwsF7qw/s320/5680_1215683110739_1188680239_689874_4788209_n.jpg" /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Bedroom #2</div><div align="center">(This will be the room for our older foster kids):<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384768240568350850" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7K54PX7KWLk/SrqKL2DhuII/AAAAAAAAAF4/gdi8xXMXZf4/s320/5680_1215678550625_1188680239_689811_1758174_n.jpg" /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">That concludes the tour, y'all! </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Til next time!</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"> </div>Missy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119738824747438349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487807775919270279.post-72031178362942280012009-09-23T15:50:00.000-04:002010-07-12T22:39:59.668-04:00DANG! It's been AAAAAAAAAAAAGGGEESSS!WOW! So much has been happening the past few months since I moved to our new base. We're fortunate enough to be at Andrews AFB in Maryland....literally right down the street from nifty neighbors like the president and Congress, just to name a few ;)<br /><br />Bubba and I are in the process of making some major decisions for our little family. We're hoping that this round of infertility treatments works. It will be our first real try with the Clomid. We've also decided to pursue adoption and are looking at the Ukraine (international), Barker Foundation (domestic newborn) as well as the Maryland State Foster-Adoption program through our county social services. We are also exploring me becoming a SAHW/M. So, I guess Operation: Mini-Chaux is in full effect! :)<br /><br />Hope to keep up more often! I miss posting here, so expect it more often especially if I will be at home fulltime! LOL<br /><br />Off to crochet some fun things and clean some house! Lots of adventures en la casa de Bubba y Fochaux ;)<br /><br /><3 MMissy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119738824747438349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487807775919270279.post-29816099787701853962009-05-27T13:39:00.000-04:002010-07-12T22:39:59.684-04:00AHHHHHH! The new house!Well, we bit the bullet and decided to live in base housing. About a week ago, DH received paper orders in hands and then emailed them to me so that I could make the advance application for housing...and let me tell you that this worked out waaaaaaaaaaay to our advantage. I was able to secure a 1700sf twin (duplex for all you non-Phillyites out there) with a 1.5 car garage and more toilets than I think a girl could ever want or need (Cindyrella I will surely be). I'll be moving in on July 1, shortly after Bubba returns to finish out his tour overseas. I'm thankful that I'll be able to have the house all setup and get settled in so he doesn't have to stress out when he gets home permanently in October.<br /><br />In any case, the house is 3 bedrooms 2.5 baths with said garage and LARGE common areas and a nice big yard. I'll be sure to post pictures as soon as we get into our new home (and if I don't do it in a timely fashion, feel free to harass me about it)<br /><br />Til then,<br /><br /><3 MMissy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119738824747438349noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487807775919270279.post-51313493333985029152009-04-08T19:02:00.000-04:002010-07-12T22:39:59.692-04:00Tying Up Loose EndsI'm inspired......even if only to destash to restash LOL<br /><br />Let me explain:<br /><br />Aunt Mary and I traveled to a faraway land....in all reality, an hour up the Garden State Parkway to get to civilization, but anyway.... We were off in search of some fabric and patterns so she could make some presents for the little girls in the family for their Easter baskets. Of course, I couldn't resist a pattern and fabric sale at Walmart, but who can? :) I came home with some things that needed a home until their use and I had to reorganize some stuff to find them some space in the garage (aka Rubbermaid Tote Warehouse) and happened across a few...no several....well let's just say 'some' unfinished projects.<br /><br />Which led my 'ADD' self to remember that I hadn't had my quiet time with the Big Guy for quite some time, and of course this is what I was led to:<br /><br />"Make no mistake: God is not mocked, for a person will reap only what he sows, because the one who sows for his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows for the spirit will reap eternal life from the spirit. Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up. So then, while we have the opportunity, let us do good to all, but especially to those who belong to the family of the faith."<br /><br />Galatians 6:6-10 (NAB)<br /><br />Ironic considering I was sorting through sewing stuff meant to be fashioned into items for a little one who is no longer with us...but that is a post for another day :) So that said, be forewarned that posts for the forseeable future will be of a 'crafty' nature....hopefully, I'll figure out how to embed pictures of my projects in the meantime :)<br /><br />Oh yeah! And get ready for some giveaways!<br /><br /><3 MMissy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119738824747438349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487807775919270279.post-5410123625779944422009-03-23T11:28:00.000-04:002010-07-12T22:39:59.703-04:00MMMMMM MMMMMM Good! Filet-O-FishAnd no it ain't Campbell's soup!<br /><br />Here is a recipe from Devin Alexander's "Fast Food Fix" And remember.........this one's for you Kel!<br /><br />McDonald's Filet-O-Fish<br /><br />olive oil spray<br />1 center-cut cod or other mild white-flesh fish filet (about 3.5 oz)<br />1 egg white<br />1 tbsp fat-free milk<br />1 tsp unbleached or all-purpose flour<br />pinch of paprika<br />pinch of salt<br />1 tbsp dry bread crumbs<br />1/2 tsp yellow corn meal<br />1 hamburger bun<br />1/2 slice (1/4 oz) 2% milk yellow American cheese<br />1Tbsp + 1/2 teaspoon McDonald's Tartar Sauce<br /><br />1) Preheat oven to 450*. Lightly mist nonstick baking sheet with spray.<br /><br />2) Place the fish on a cutting board, & cover with waxed paper. Pound to an even 1/4" thickness. Cut the fish into a 3.5"X3" piece. Feel free to reserve scraps for another 'fishy' recipe.<br /><br />3) Combine egg & milk in a bowl, & beat until smooth. Line up two small sheets of waxed paper next to this bowl. On the first, combine the flour, paprika & salt. On the second, combine the bread crumbs and cornmeal.<br /><br />4) Do fish as so:<br /><br />a) Dip in flour and shake off excess.<br /><br />b) Coat completely in egg mixture, and allow excess to drip off.<br /><br />c) Coat completely in bread crumb mixture.<br /><br />5) Put the fish on the baking sheet, and mist with olive oil spray (LIGHTLY). Bake for 5 minutes, then carefully flip the fish. Bake for 4 to 6 minutes until the breading is crisp and the fish flakes easily.<br /><br />6) While doing #5, you can toast your bun cut sides down (apparently this takes 2-3 minutes)<br /><br />7) Assemble as so:<br /><br />a) Bun botom, cut side up<br />b) Cheese<br />c) Fish<br />d) Tartar sauce<br />e) Bun top, cut side down<br /><br />8) Eat!<br /><br />When made as directed, this is the nutritional information:<br /><br />283 calories, 19 g protein, 34 g carbohydrates, 8 g fat, 2 g sat fat, 2 g fiber<br /><br />Original Sandwich<br />400 calories, 14 g protein, 42 g carbohydrates, 18 g fat, 4 g sat fat, 1 g fiber<br /><br />Devin's Cheat (which I do use as a time-crunched and VERY hungry person)<br /><br />Buy frozen prebreaded/battered fish filets at the supermarket. Be sure they're baked and not fried.<br /><br />My Cheat<br /><br />I use 100% whole grain (usually whole wheat) buns....but be careful! Be sure you're not buying those huggantic ones....make absolutely sure the ones you get are regular hamburger-sized buns. The whole grains are much more nutritious and will help to keep you fuller for longer.<br /><br /><br />McDonald's Tartar Sauce<br />1/4 c low-fat mayonaisse<br />1 tbsp + 2 tsp dill pickle relish<br />1/4 tsp sugar<br />pinch of mustard powder<br />1 tsp chopped capers<br /><br />Combine all the junk above very well. Store in an air-tight container, and it will be good for up to a month. Stir in capers just before serving (which in our house means just throw it in anyway).<br /><br />Quite honestly, taste as you go with this. I know I use more relish (juicy-ness and all) and instead of jacking it up with more sugar to make it taste just like the original, I usually use regular granualated Splenda in pinches until it tastes just so. You could also probably just use Splenda for the whole recipe. In all honesty too, when I don't have any mustard powder (mmmmm Coleman's!!!), I just use the liquid stuff.<br /><br />Makes 4 servings<br /><br />Per serving:<br />32 calories, <1 g protein, 4 g carbohydrates, 2 g fat, < 1 g sat fat, < 1 g fiber<br /><br /><br />And if you couldn't already tell....I 'eyeball' everythign through taste and eventually find reasonable and healthy substitutions. And please PLEASE go buy Devin's cookbooks! They totally rock!<br /><br />And DUH! I use a WHOLE piece of cheese (SSSSSSSSSHHH!!!!)Missy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119738824747438349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487807775919270279.post-82115822495816139762009-03-17T23:02:00.000-04:002010-07-12T22:39:59.715-04:00Hey Y'all!!Welcome to all of you who have come on over from His Sweet Embrace! Following in the footsteps of some very good friends, I have decided to forego my paid blog service jsljhbvzsljdjbnzjkfTYPEPADafhbakjzbjkzbjkb and save a few bucks :) After all, why pay for something when you can get the same quality service for free???<br /><br />hmmmmmmmmm?<br /><br />Judging by the title, you may think that this blog is something solely dedicated to my life as a parent (or potential one thereof), but I will probably shake things up a bit on a regular basis.....so please try to bear with me in my tangents....i'll come up with a better, more fitting title...PINKY PROMISE!<br /><br /><3 MMissy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119738824747438349noreply@blogger.com0