Thursday, October 27, 2011

Tasty Thursdays: Sweet & Sour Chicken

This is a recipe my mom used to make and is definitely my favorite! I love how simple it is and that you can play with the recipe a bit.
Sweet & Sour Chicken
  • chicken, cut into pieces (I use about 3 boneless-skinless breasts)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup corn starch
  • 1/4 cup milk (to thicken)
  • oil
Sweet & Sour Sauce
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup vinegar
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (I was out so I used teriyaki sauce)
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 Tbsp pineapple juice
  • 8 oz can pineapple chunks, drained (I know most of us have 20 oz cans so add however many you want.)
Mix the eggs, cornstarch, and milk in a shallow dish; add chicken and coat. Place in pan with hot oil; fry till golden.
Place cooked chicken in a 13-in. by 9-in. pan.
In another pan mix all the ingredients for the sweet and sour sauce.
Stir until mixed together. Cook till simmering.

Pour over batter and fried chicken. Bake in oven at 350 for 30 minutes.

You can add green peppers, onions or anything you want to the sauce. You can also serve over lo mein noodles or rice. Or if you are like us we just like to gobble it down as is! Enjoy!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Tiny Tot Tuesdays: Teething

Oh boy! Step right up folks we're having fun! If nothing else in life gives me gray hair, teething will! My wonderful, happy baby has turned into a holy terror with this teething business. Poor thing! But boy is it tiring! She wants Mommy 24/7. I have begun napping when she does just to get some rest. OK I am sure she is really not all that bad but with all the other little stresses in life (add to that having been sick) and I have felt on overload.
I know a lot of parents go for the natural teething tablets but all I had close at hand was Baby Oral Gel and Tylenol. Yes, I know terrible! But what can a mother do. She seems to do better just with the oral gel. In fact it's really cute cuz you give her the gel and she smacks her little lips! I love it (the mannerisms not teething or my child in pain)!
I don't remember teething being like this with Mr. Sunshine. To be fair that was 3-4 years ago. So no doubt I have blocked that from my memory. I did always accuse my own mother of having selective memory. Guess it's genetic.
Frankly, my mothering philosophy is we survived without knowing these things so I should be okay to smudge this. Maybe I am off my rocker (which probably nearer to the truth than anyone realizes). Well my husband is home for lunch (one pro of being in the military and living on base), so I am off to nap. Poor hubby gets no time with me these days but we survive!

Monday, October 24, 2011

Apologizes

Sorry it's been so long since I last wrote but I have been sick and I have my hands full of a teething baby! So crazy times all around! I will start again tomorrow. Till then!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Tasty Thursdays: Confessions

I haven't been feeling great today and haven't cooked anything up. Nor do I feel much like posting a recipe. I would however like to confess a few things about myself...
  • I have favorites when it comes to food and usually struggle eating anything else. I tend to have one thing I want to eat every day and then I will switch.
  • I have a long list of foods I will not eat. Including mushrooms, seafood (I am finding I don't like even fish), artichokes, raspberries, blackberries, red onions, olives, spaghetti, Chinese food, a lot of Italian food, etc.
  • I am horrible about eating vegetables and sometimes fruit.
  • I am allergic to the weirdest things. Like tomatoes (especially if I get the juice on my skin but I can get away with eating it with other things like in a salad or sandwich) and sweet condensed milk. Those are the food items outside food I am allergic to metals (BIG time can't even wear my wedding ring), medical tape, silicon, and latex.
  • I love fast food and junk food. I am trying hard to be good and eat healthier.
  • I am not a huge fan of eating. I eat because I know I need to survive but I have to make myself do it sometimes. (I guess this problem is more common then people think).
So there is my confession. Now you know a bit about my bizarre self and what goes on in my head! Let me know what odd food habits you have by leaving a comment!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

It's Wordless Wednesday! Leave a comment if you are participating in WORDLESS WEDNESDAYS!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Tiny Tots Tuesdays: Starting Solids & Little Miss

There is some exciting news in regards to starting babies on solids! There is no longer a formula to follow (start with cereal, then vegetables, and then fruits). Now they say it is better not to give babies cereal and to mix it up with the vegetables and fruits. They do say it's better to wait till babies are 6 months to start them on solids and you can add spices to baby's food! I am so excited to try this!
Little Miss has been on solids for a few weeks now, even though she is only about 5 months and a week old. We had to start her because she was waking up 6 times a night and eating all day too. She has done really well with solids and already can eat a whole jar in one sitting. I am so glad she is on solids it has been helping with her acid reflux (we found out she had acid reflux when she was 2 weeks old).
{Our happy Little Miss}

Little Miss already has her favorite foods. She loves Mango. She won't even let any get out of her mouth and on her face. She also likes Sweet Potatoes and Peaches. Bananas and Squash are ok but not her favorite thing in the world. I am waiting till she is 6 months to add spices to her food. I want to give her body the chance to mature some more before I add anything to her food. So right now we are just introducing her to a lot of foods and letting her enjoy the different tastes. 
{Ready to go get more food!}

I have a shout out to Hand Me Round (look them up on facebook if you love in Western Washington). I am so grateful for Hand Me Round up here in Washington. I get baby food for a quarter. You will hear me mention Hand Me Round a lot because not having all the money in the world I go there for all my baby needs (or 95% of them; diapers, wipes, and usually formula I have to go to WINCO or Walmart). I love how they have quarter bins for clothes and always have sales. But the best part is even on top of all the savings I get a military discount for being a military spouse! Makes my life easier knowing I have a place to go to get great deals and solids for my baby.
Babies grow up so fast. Little Miss isn't sitting up on her own yet up she is getting closer every day. Last we checked she was 16 pounds and 27 inches long (not bad for being only 5 months). She is a feisty one and a little chatterbox. I love seeing her develop her personality! Leave a comment and tell me what milestones your babies/toddlers are working on or your favorite one your kids have achieved!
{Showing off how tall she is but she is showing off her temper}

Monday, October 10, 2011

Grateful Mondays: My Grandpa

Every week I thought stating what I am grateful for would be a wonderful way to start the week. This week I have decided to start by talking about a man who has been on my mind a lot the last few weeks; My grandpa.

My grandpa is 93 years old and an incredible man. He was born in Clarno, Oregon (which is near John Day & on the John Day river). He was a rancher till his kidneys started to fail him. I know some of his history because my sister helped type up his autobiography on his life on the ranch. I grown up hearing about the ranch (which was bought by BLM many years ago). It has always made me long to ranch myself.

{My Grandpa & Great-Grandson on his 93rd birthday}

My grandpa is rather feisty even at his old age. He and I always bump each other and lightly punch each other on the arm.

He is very loving and I have learned so many invaluable lessons about relationships and the true nature of love by watching how he and my grandma interact and the care/love he shows through deeds to her. My grandparents aren't big on saying "I love you" but I have never questioned whether they loved me or each other. Their every action is done in love.

My grandpa amazes me. He has had diabetes for 40+ years and still till this last year been kicking around quite a bit. My grandparents live with my parents (partly due to the fact my grandma is almost completely blind). The first thing my grandpa wanted was a shop so he could go and make things. He is a Carpenter by trade. He has made us a number of things through the years. Including a jewelry box which I hold dear.


{My Grandparents at my Grandpa's birthday party}

I am grateful for the many lessons he has taught me and the example of his marriage is in my own. Whenever Wes and I speak of growing old we always picture my grandparents. My grandpa has been on my mind because I probably will never see him alive again. He had a massive heart-attack about 2 weeks ago and it has been touch and go since. I love him dearly and am grateful of the promise of being with him again after this life. My grandpa has 3 children (one passed on a couple years ago),11+ grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

{My Grandpa, Grandma, Sister, & Nephew}

Friday, October 7, 2011

DIY Fridays: Halloween Wooden Word Blocks

Halloween is not my favorite time of year but I do enjoy simple crafts that are non-scary, non-gruesome, and cute. This is a rather fun craft and you can change the word or size as you see fit. Here is what you will need:
  • Wooden Blocks (I used 3 wooden blocks and they were 5-1/2 by 3-1/2 by 1-1/2)
  • Sanding Paper
  • Wood Stainer
  • Stencils
  • Black, Orange, & White Arcyclic Paint
To begin start by sanding your wooden blocks till smooth. Then stain the blocks with stainer.

After the stainer dries, paint the top of each block black. Allow to dry and if need be add another layer of black. Once you achieve the desired blackness, paint each letter on with chosen stencils alternating between orange and white. I did the word BOO.

After the letters are dry, proudly display in your home!

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Tasty Thursdays: Bottoms-Up Cherry Limeade

This is a refreshing drink that is rather fun to make and drink!

Bottoms-Up Cherry Limeade
  • 3/4 cup lime juice
  • Sugar substitute equivalent to 1 cup sugar
  • 2 liters lime carbonated water, chilled
  • 1/2 cup maraschino cherry juice
  • 8 maraschino cherries with stem
  • 8 lime slices
In large bowl, combine lime juice and sugar substitute. Cover and refrigerate. Just before serving, stir carbonated water into lime juice mixture. For each serving, place 1 tablespoon cherry juice in a glass.

Add crushed ice and about 1 cup of lime juice mixture.



Garnish with a maraschino cherry and lime wedge. And enjoy! Makes about 8 servings.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Tiny Tots Tuesday: Blended Families

Every Tuesday I will talk about my children or children in general. Today want to talk about living in a blended family. I think there are many of us who deal with this and I want you to know YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
I have been amazed when people ask how many we children we have especially when I was expecting our little daughter, Little Miss. Explaining sometimes seemed daunting but I quickly found that I was not the only one dealing with it! I met many other families who understood what it meant to have a blended family.
Here are somethings I have learned it means to have a blended family;
  • You have to juggle more schedules than just one ( we do 3 including our own)
  • You don't always get to plan when you see your kids
  • You claim all the kids but if you are like the oldest would mean you were a teen mom (which I wasn't)
  • Your kid thinks skyping is a normal activity (especially if you live long way away)
  • Your kids are more excited to see each other than their respective parent
  • Dealing sometimes with nasty ex-spouses
The list could go on and on. I love all three of our kiddos. Bean is 7 and is my step-son. He lives with his mom. Mr. Sunshine is 4 and is my son. He lives with his dad. And Little Miss, is our first together. She is now 5 months! Hopefully at some point we will have one of the two boys (or both!) living with us on a more permanent bases.
{Here are our kiddos!}