My Favorite Salsa

Since I don't make my own salsa, I have to resort to store bought. I have tried so many different kinds and they range from "ok" to "gag", so the day I tried Herdez, was one of the happiest days of my life. I can sit and eat chips and salsa till my stomach hurts. Literally. I have kind of a sensitive stomach and anything tomato-y kind of makes it sour. (milk to the rescue! Seriously, do people really eat chips & salsa with a cold a glass of milk? Isn't it usually pop?)

Anyway, I love this stuff! It is made deep in the heart of Mexico, where I believe anything "Mexican" should be made. It is so fresh tasting! I have to buy mild because my kids love chips and salsa too. Can you imagine my sweet little, 2 year old Annabelle asking for "tips and sawsa" ?
It warms my heart!
I just had to get this off my chest. Okay, I feel better now.
Notice in the picture the jar is empty? I need to buy this stuff by the case.

I Love My Kids!

The pictures aren't in order of birth. Sorry. I'm still working on figuring that out.
I just love my kids. Here are some various pictures of them.


Isaac, being himself.

Isaac, being sweet.

Our sweet Seth.

There's just something about that middle child.

Our last baby, :( Madeline.

Precious, little Madeline.

Annabelle, being delightful.

Princess Annabelle. Our first girl.

So absolutely precious.

Thanksgiving Thoughts ( out loud )

Thanksgiving is almost here! What to cook...what to cook? I think we may have 2 different family Thanksgiving feasts, this year. The first one (on Thanksgiving day) will be at my sister's clubhouse, and is for our family and any friends who want to come. Anybody else want to come? The second, (the one that may or may not be happening) will be with my husband's family.
I am going to make my Nonna's (Italian for Grandma) traditional beef roast with potatoes. 2 whole garlic bulbs ( okay, maybe not 2 whole. Maybe 1 1/2) and like 2 whole sticks of butter. I wish you could taste it! The meat is soft and tender, has the most delicious flavor, and the potatoes melt in your mouth. ( probably from all the butter) The potatoes are so soft that you can mash them down with the greatest of ease, and pour gravy all over them. For our Thanksgiving feast, my Nonna would make a beef roast and a huge bowl of ziti and sauce. I'm drooling just thinking of the the flavors and textures combining in my mouth.
I'm also going to make a from scratch, pumpkin/spice torte with cream cheese frosting and an apple walnut filling. I can't wait! I'm so excited about it. I'll post pics and recipes if it turns out well.

What special traditions or dishes do you have every year?

Chicken Florentine

Me and my family love spinach. Raw, cooked, in anything. Well, ok not anything.
We just love spinach, and I use it at least twice a week, in different ways. Salads, omelets, in soups, casseroles. Last night I made my own version of chicken Florentine. Here is the recipe:

Chicken Florentine

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 TBS. butter
salt and pepper
2 cups fresh baby spinach
1 1/2 cup cheese ( you can use whatever you want, I used a blend that I had on hand)
1 tomato diced

Melt butter in non stick pan over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, or your favorite chicken seasoning.
Saute chicken with lid on, flipping occasionally, until juices run clear. (about 10-15 minutes)
Turn heat to low, put spinach over cooked chicken, top with cheese. Put lid on and let spinach wilt and cheese melt. Put on plates and top with freshly diced tomatoes.

Enjoy!

Why I Don't Play in the Leaves Anymore!

Madeline's 1st Birthday

Our last little baby turned 1 this past week!

Why are all my words underlined? I don't know. But this has taken so long that I don't care.

I can't fix it so...maybe you can live with it? Ok good. :)

Anyway, like I was saying, our last child turned 1!!
Here are some of the pictures of her party.


First of all here is a picture that was taken a year ago. She was only 3 days old. What an adorable little face! She was (is) an angel. She has always been a very easy going, happy baby. Which for our 4th child, and all of the others being under the age of 6, it was a real blessing!
When i found out I was pregnant with her, I was not very happy. I was quite content with 3 children, just getting my figure back, and really looking forward to just raising 3 children.
I fretted and pouted around the whole 9 months, but when she was born, she just took our breath away. And she has ever since. She is such a happy, lively, SMART, little girl. God has truly blessed us with her. We wouldn't trade her for the world!
But needless to say, we did take measures to prevent anymore little "surprises" :) "Whew"!

The little 'princess's' cake.
Deep, dark, moist, dense, almost black chocolate cake.
My favorite recipe. I will have it on the end of this post.
Hey! The underlining disappeared! Yay!

She was such a neat little eater, it was almost a little disappointing. :)

Our third little angel, Annabelle.
Such a sweet smile.

Sweet little Seth, our second born. Trying to go cross eyed.

Isaac, our firstborn. (can't you tell) Definitely too much cake in his system.

Opening presents. She really got the hang of it fast!

My sister Sarah, and the cousins.

My mommy, Karen.

My mountain man, father in law, Ken.
I'm going to tease him till he shaves it off. I know, I'm such a brat.

My camera happy mother in law, Judy. I say that in love, Judy! :)

I love our computer! It's a Mac, Teresa. :) We had an awesome slide show, set to music going during the whole party. Every picture we took of Madeline from the past year was on it.

The birthday sign, in case people forgot why they were at our house, eating cake.

The spread. I know, look at the pickle bowl! Only 2 left! The guests descended upon them, and were gone within the first 5 minutes.

The party room.

There were so many more pictures, but it takes a while to upload them, plus I don't want to seem like one of those mom's that worship the dirty (and sometimes poopy ground [clears throat] like today. Don't ask) that their kids walk on.

Hershey's "Especially Dark" Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup veg. oil
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup boiling water

Method:

Heat oven to 350. Grease and flour 2, 9" round cake pans.
Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer for 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water ( batter will be thin) Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely.

Enjoy!

Fried Mashed Potatoes

My favorite way to use up leftover mashed potatoes, is to fry them.
Put them in a hot, non-stick pan (trust me, I learned the hard way) with a healthy amount of butter. Ok that didn't sound right. Healthy and butter do not belong in the same sentence. Ahem. Use a good amount of butter, smash em down a little with a turner, and let them fry a good 5 minutes before turning. The trick is to get them crispy on the outside and mushy on the inside. Mmmmm I can hear them sizzling. Sprinkle season salt and pepper on them, turn them, fry another 5 minutes, and slide them onto your plate. If they don't slide well, you didn't use enough butter. :)

I know, they kind of look like fried fish fillets, or chicken breasts. If you don't want them that brown, don't cook them as long, they just won't be nice and crispy.
Goes great with eggs and bacon, or whatever you like to eat in the morning.

Enjoy!

First Snow

Today it came. The first snow. Swiftly and silently. Cold and beautiful.

I hated it and loved all at the same time. Of course it didn't stay long, the first fall never does. It left as quickly as it came.

The few snowflakes clung desperately on, until they finally melted into tiny pools, their unique shape and structure all but forgotten.
And so begins our winter, ( in Fall ) the long 6 or so months that seems will never end.
This year will be different. Every bitter cold, day will be lived out to the fullest. Every week there will be adventures in the snow, hot cocoa in my favorite Christmas mug, new recipes for baked goods that will keep my kitchen warm and cozy.
I am determined to enjoy winter this year. With my children, and my new snow pants & boots, and snow tires on my van.
So, to winter, I raise my (cocoa/tea) mug high. Come with your diamond like flakes, and your cold, biting wind. I will be ready.