Who says a pregnant lady can't dance!

http://jkoephoto.nextproof.com/galleries/mck/images/41429580

Showered With Love

Yesterday was my family shower with my aunt Barb, my cousin Johanna, both of my grandma's, my mom's cousin Heidi, and my mom. My sisters live in Chicago and couldn't come but they will be here when he is born! Of course I was blown away by everyone's generosity and thoughtfulness. Isaac is so blessed to have such wonderful loving family surround him. All the gifts were soo cute and just perfect for him, they made me even more anxious for him to get here! Here are some highlights.

 The bird mobile that hangs from fish wire

Homeade English Muffins

My friend Eileen gave these to us and they are amazing! I can't wait to make them but I can't wait even more to post about them. Here is the recipe:

English Muffins

5 3/4 C Flour
2 packages dry active yeast
1 Tbl sugar
2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
2 C milk
1/2 C water
Cornmeal


Measure flour by spooning lightly into cup. Combine 3 cups flour, yeast, sugar, salt and soda. Heat milk and water to 120F. Add to dry mixture: beat on medium speed of mixer for one minute, or until batter is smooth. Stir in remaining flour to make a stiff batter. Spoon into 3 one pound coffee cans that are greased and sprinkled with cornmeal. Sprinkle tops with cornmeal. Cover, let rise in warm place 30-45 minutes. Bake at 375-400F for approximately 25 minutes. Remove from cans immediately and cool on rack.
 

My new favorite Quote

This is from the "Happiness Project" book I just finished. More info (see previous post). The author states "Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good." What I tell myself and other is "Don't let the perfect ruin the good." This is a quote that once I heard I have thought about almost daily since. So often our expectations are so high, that if they aren't met then we deem something a failure. When often it is more the case that it is something really great we just have to perceive it differently. I have very expectations for myself and others, so often I disappoint myself or someone disappoints me. However this quote doesn't ring truer for me than when I am doing a project. I have a vision in my head and if it doesn't turn out perfect, I think "I guess I am just not cut out for this stuff." But often if I am not failing then I am not learning. I just had an unrealistic expectation for myself. I think this quote will help me see things in a more positive light and not only be more forgiving of others but of myself.

Best Quiche I Have Ever Had

I got this recipe from a co-worker of mine and it is to die for. It is so rich but fluffy and you can really add any vegetable you want to the recipe. But this is great for the August months when the most successful thing you have grown in your garden is zucchini and people keep giving you more. I have made this quiche several times and always forgot to take a picture. I have several friends asking for the recipe so sorry it will be a surprise to you what it looks like!

1 pie crust

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/4 cup grated cheddar

1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs

1 1/2 lb. zucchini

2 eggs, separated whites and yolks

1 1/2 cups sour cream

2 Tb. chopped chives

2 Tb. flour

1/8 tsp cream of tartar

sea salt & pepper

butter

Make the pie crust or buy one at the store. If you make the pie crust mix in half of the two cheeses, chill it and then press it into a 10 inch pie dish. Mix the other half of the cheeses with the breadcrumbs. 

Cut the zucchini into 1/3 inch slices. Boil them in salted water for 5 minutes and drain. It is important not to overcook them. 

Beat the egg yolks and sour cream together, add chives, flour, and salt & pepper. Whip the egg whites with the cream of tartar until stiff and add them to the rest of the mix-gently. You want the entire mixture to be as fluffy as possible. 

Make a layer of zucchini on the bottom of the pie crust. Cover them with the sour cream mixture. Keep adding layers in this way until you run out of slices. You should have 3 or 4 layers. End your layering with the sour cream mixture and then sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture on top. Place small slivers of butter scattered around the top and put the pie in into a 450 degree oven for 10 minutes. Then turn it down to 325 for another 40 minutes or until pie crust is brown and seems done in the middle.

Backyard Before & After

This was the island in our backyard. There was a total of 5 trees with branches that blocked the rest of the backyard and the branches almost touched the grass. The trees blocked a lot of light and had huge roots making it difficult for things to grow and for us to eventually re-seed our grass in the backyard. Peter limbed two trees and then the Marlboro Man (who is 68) and had a heart attack 2 days prior to climbing our tree came and cut down the large tree on the right and one small tree in the middle. Once we were on a role Peter and my Dad cut down the small tree on the left and now we only have 2 trees. 

Then the real work began. Peter and my Dad had to cut up the huge tree and de-limb the small trees. 

Then there was some burning for several days, trips to the dump, and raking up branches and viola it looks like this. 

 You may be thinking this project is actually over, but you are mistaken. We still have to haul in dirt to level out the slope and cover the roots, take out the stump (maybe) and plant grass and spread mulch around the trees. It has been such a long process I just had to post the updates!

Isaac's stocking

I just realized I need to get/make Isaac a Christmas Stocking. I am about 99% sure he will be here by then and if not I'm in real trouble. Has anyone made a stocking before, it doesn't seem that hard. Any ideas? Both Peter and I have plain white stockings so anything would match at this point. It is so much pressure because he will use it for so many years to come, can't be too trendy! This is one picture I have found that I like so far but looks challenging to make.

Quinoa Skillet Bread

I think instead of Julie & Julia I am cooking my way through the 101 cookbooks website. This past weekend I skimmed through all of her recipes and planned out my meals for the week. I made homemade vegetable soup and also made this Quinoa Skillet bread to go with it. It was very hearty, delicious, and easy to make. My easy trick to making vegetable soup is roasting any vegetables I have (and I mean any) in the oven with a little olive oil and salt and pepper for about an hour. Then I add a container of chicken stock in a pot of the vegetables and immersion blend it together. Add one container of creme freiche (creme freiche makes everything taste amazing) and voila amazing homemade soup. Here is the recipe for Quinoa Skillet Bread.

butter to grease pan, about 1 tablespoon
1 cup / 4 oz / 115g whole wheat pastry flour
3/4 cup / 4 oz / 115 g yellow cornmeal (coarse)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon dried mixed herbs (optional)
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups / 7 oz / 200 g cooked quinoa, room temperature*
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, barely melted and cooled a bit
3 tablespoons natural cane sugar (or brown sugar)
3/4 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
2 cups / 475 ml milk
1 1/2 tablespoons white or white wine vinegar
1 cup / 240 ml heavy cream

Preheat the oven to 350F / 180 C degrees and place a rack in the top third. Butter a 10-inch oven-proof skillet (or equivalent baking dish). I used a cast-iron pan with 2-inch deep sides. Roughly ten minutes before you are ready to bake the skillet bread, while you are mixing the batter, place the skillet in the hot oven.

In a large bowl stir together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, and dried herbs.

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, quinoa, and melted butter until well-blended. Add the sugar, salt, milk and vinegar and stir again. Then add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir just until the batter comes together. It will seem very thin, don't worry.

Pour the batter into the heated skillet. Pour the heavy cream into the center of the batter. Have faith, and do not stir. Carefully place in the oven and check after 45 minutes, the skillet bread is done when the top becomes lightly browned and the center just set. Somewhere between 45-60 minutes typically. I like to finish things up with a few seconds under the broiler to brown the top nicely. You can serve this I like this warm or at room temperature, sliced in a grid, sprinkled with a touch more salt (if needed).

Pumpkin Patchin

We went to Two Brothers Pumpkin Patch at Game Haven Farm in Carnation. This was a great farm because we were the only ones there. You have to cut off your pumpkins (maybe because its early in the season) and they had tons of variety. They had fairytale pumpkins, white pumpkins, and gourds. We went with our friends Phil and Ali and Ali may or may not have a pumpkin under her sweatshirt.