Gab & The Giant Peach

I've just decided that the second week of Fall Break is not the time to start a new diet.

Or a new budget.

Fall Break can be a very happy family time as long as Mom keeps the snacks coming and the activities rolling.

Since we've been back in town, we have been wallowing in a peach-induced coma. I went a little crazy. I bought bushels and bushels of Utah peaches because they are, and I am not exaggerating here, nature's most perfect food.

We've made peach jam, peach muffins, peach ice cream, peach smoothies, peaches and cream, peach cobbler. If I cried right now, my tears would be sweet and sticky.

Here is my all-time favorite peach recipe. Try it. Eating peaches is good for the complexion. You are what you eat, right?

I Know Why It's Called Fat Tuesday

Things I do not want to eat when it's cold, snowy and my kids have been home from school for six days:

cottage cheese

high fiber cereal

grapefruit

lettuce

hard boiled eggs

rice cakes

baked chicken breasts with a squeeze of lemon over a bed of salad greens

Things I want to eat when it's cold, snowy and my kids have been home from school for six days:

Mountains of spaghetti with homemade sauce, accompanied by garlic bread that's crusty outside and bleeds butter when you bite into it.

Chocolate pudding. The kind you cook on the stove and top with real whipped cream.

Beef stew and my mother-in-law's buttermilk cornbread -so sweet it could be birthday cake- slathered with satiny honey butter.

Giant bowls of spicy taco soup topped with an inch of melted cheese and a hearty dollop of full-fat sour cream. A generous fistful of cornchips crumbled on top.

Basically anything warm, creamy or dripping with butter.

Thank heavens for baggy sweaters and puffy vests.

Caramel Cake & Conversation

I love bookclub. A whole buncha girlfriends sitting around chatting. Not about husbands or kids or church or basketball picture day. Just plot, characters, setting (and, maybe, hair!) for an entire evening. I feel like a grown up at bookclub.

Last night was my turn to host. We read The Help by Kathryn Stockett. If you haven't read it yet, find a copy. Now. I'm not kidding. You won't get anything done for a couple of days, but there's always Pizza Hut and letting kids play "fish for an outfit" in the dirty clothes hamper, right?

The book is about black maids and their white employers in 1960's Missippi. A few desserts played an important role in the story.

I took a picture, because I will probably never make this again. You really DO need a maid to clean up the kitchen when you're done...

One of these is Minny's Caramel Cake. I have never had caramel cake, but apparently it's a Southern tradition. This was the recipe I used. Time-consuming, but enjoyable.

Chocolate pie is important to the plot also, so I brought out this old favorite from Mom's cookbook. (Warning: There are uncooked eggs in this recipe. But, having ingested large quantities of raw cookie dough on a pretty much daily basis, I can assure you that salmonella is highly unlikely.)

Swiss Chocolate Pie

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup sugar, divided

6 oz. chocolate chips, melted and cooled

2 eggs, separated

1 cup heavy cream

1 tsp. vanilla

Dash salt

Whip cream until fluffy. Set aside. Whip egg whites with salt until fluffy. Add 1/4 cup sugar and beat until soft peaks form. Set aside. Beat cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, vanilla, egg yolks and cooled chocolate. Gently fold in whipped cream, then egg whites. Turn into chocolate cookie crust. Chill five hours or overnight. Slice and serve with sweetened whipped cream.

Glitter

Amazing what a little sprinkling can do to change things up.

Kids, who haven't wanted to play outside since the leaves blew away, are all sporting red, chappy cheeks after a day in Winter Wonderland. The Lands End snowpants have been broken in. Marshmallows have been toasted in the fireplace. Some of us have stayed in pajamas all day.

I can't think of anything more heavenly than watching four snow angels through a frosted windowpane while packing a suitcase full of t-shirts and swimsuits. Talk about the best of both worlds. I'll sing White Christmas this weekend but hum Feliz Navidad the rest of the week. Cannot wait.

And Mother Nature reminded me again today that moms set the mood. With a little magic fairy dust, a mother can cast a spell. Hush a crowd and soften rough edges.

I did a little sprinkling of my own today. Glitter playdo--a double batch. Enough for the kindergarten holiday party and some to keep in Santa's Workshop.

Glitter Playdo
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
2 cups water
4 tsp. cream of tartar
4 Tbsp. vegetable oil

Stir in medium-sized saucepan and cook over medium heat. Mixture will get lumpy and form a large ball in the center of the pan. Add two tablespoons of glitter. Knead to desired consistency. Keep in airtight container.

Witchcraft

Grasshopper cookie + chocolate-dipped Bugle = witch hat toppers for kindergarten cupcakes.

Yes, I am the room mom and, yes, I will be pre-medicating before tomorrow's party.

This is my newest way to get help with the laundry. The kids love tossing dirty underwear over the banister.

I stand below to catch and sort. It's actually kinda fun.

Just watch for stray socks on the entry hall table.

And tonight I'm feeling truly evil after taking Jake to get braces. Two days before trick-or-treating. He can't eat anything hard, sticky, or chewy. Poor li'l pumpkin. Doesn't he look all grown up though? He's my Halloween-tween now.

What trouble's bubbling at your house?

The Perfect Pause

"Bittersweet October. The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter."

- Carol Bishop Hipps

Ahhhhctober... I love it so much.

Yesterday Brad left for Palm Springs. Any other month I would be completely green with envy. But the thought of leaving crisp mornings, golden afternoons and cozy evenings is unthinkable. (Which is convenient, since me leaving for Palm Springs is equally unthinkable at the mo. I'm crazy busy and the kids are just plain crazy. So no California for me. Oh well...)

Our neck of the woods is so amazingly gorgeous right now. I was thinking that I wish someone would invent a Weather TiVo. Seriously, wouldn't it be so great if you could just record a couple of Indian Summer days and replay them during August's hideous humidity? Or after a string of grey January bummers? I'm surprised nobody is marketing this yet.

Of course, October has its bittersweet moments. In the four weeks since school started, I have had three sick children. Today it's Lukey's turn. Stomach troubles and fever. I worry most about Mr. Luke when he gets sick. Maybe because he had a rocky start in the NICU or maybe the Lyme disease...which is technically still in his system. He just seems to be the most fragile of my litter.

But I like having him home alone. It's rare that we have bonding time without Sam around. Right now it's just the two of us (and Tom and Jerry, of course) along with ginger ale, dry toast and a curly straw.

In other family news, Jake is learning to cook! He made this Banana Cream Pie last week. Other new specialties include Peanut Butter Brownies and Lemon Cake. Is there anything better than a guy who can bake?

Yes! A guy who changes diapers. He assisted me in babysitting this little cutie last week. I have noticed that Jake is extremely tender and patient with babies and animals. Shall I get him one? (Kidding)

In a rare crafty moment, I made these centerpieces for a going-away party we hosted for dear friends. Apples were the motif of the evening, so we served hot spiced cider and "Mormon champagne" (cold cider and ginger ale) alongside Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle. So good...

Last but not least, today our driveway was recoated! Doesn't it look good?

Babe, I took these photos just for you. Enjoy your California sunshine. I'll be crusin' on this smooth stuff and enjoying beautiful Ahhhhctober!

p.s. Happy to report my dad is home from the hospital and celebrating his 63rd birthday today!

Happy Birthday, Opa!

I Love Ireland...Do U2?

Irish eyes are smilin'...this kid bleeds green...our own family leprechaun!

My St. Paddy's day suggestions:

Make these cookies, shape and decorate into shimmering shamrocks. Munch them as you recline with a new book by a favorite Irish author and don't forget some Irish tunes**.

Slainte!

**St Pat's trivia questions for my relatives...

--With which member of U2 did Opa share a plane?

--Which U2 song did Grampa Jiggs sing at one of our last family sing-alongs?

Picture Book Picnic

January calls for comfort food. Suppers that simmer and bubble all day long. And if there's a delightful story for dessert, everyone's sure to live happily ever after. Try a few of my favorites:
This recipe for Chicken and Dumplings is a real keeper. After dinner you can read about the poor wolf who didn't get any chicken at all!

Or let your Magic Pasta Pot bubble like Strega Nona's,

you'll be hungrier than Big Anthony for this Tortellini Soup.

And who doesn't love pancakes for supper once in a while?

Try Martha's version. Just don't get maple syrup on the pages.

Or visit the town of Chewandswallow...

after a bowl of Spicy Meatball Soup.

Mix it once. Mix it twice.

Try this Chicken Soup with Rice.

Wishing you happy eating and happy endings...

Prediction

Someday...

When you're living miles away, I'll bet you crave it.

You'll try to treat your homesickness with some microwavable imitation,

Something found in the frozen food section, wrapped in cardboard and plastic.

Someday...

Your cute little girlfriend will try to impress you

With candles, a tablecloth, and something hot from the oven.

You'll taste it and smile and maybe even ask for seconds,

But, of course, you'll be thinking, It's just not the same as Mom's...

Someday...

When I'm dead and gone,

The one thing you'll miss most is sitting at the kitchen table.

And you'll wish for just one more home-cooked meal.

But tonight...you cried and pouted, choked and gagged.

And, later, I found three mouthfuls of homemade goodness

Spit into the bathroom sink.

********************

Luke's Lasagne

Brown 1 pound ground beef. Adding 1 tsp. minced garlic, 1 Tbsp. parsley, 1 Tbsp. basil, 2 tsp. salt, 2 cans diced tomatoes, 6 oz. tomato paste. Simmer for one hour, uncovered.

Combine 3 cups ricotta cheese, 3 eggs, 2 Tbsp. parsley, 1/4 tsp. pepper, 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese.

Grate one pound mozzarella cheese and 1/2 lb. mild cheddar cheese.

Cook 8 oz. lasagne noodles (or use oven-ready noodles).

In 9x13 inch pan, spread one-half can tomato sauce, then layer: noodles, meat, ricotta, mozarella. Repeat. Top with cheddar cheese. Cover with foil. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Best served with garlic toast and a crisp green salad.

(Keep Softscrub nearby...to wipe all traces from bathroom sink!)

Sister Salad

I love the fact that almost every time I call my sister, Heidi, she is baking cookies.


Sometimes, I am baking, too, and our conversations are accompanied by the soundtrack of whirring KitchenAids and the mmmmms of dough-sampling.


Occasionally one of Heidi's twins starts to cry. And that's ok, because usually one of mine is crying, too.


The two of us carry on great conversations in spite of the miles and time-zones between us. We share book titles and recipes. We bemoan the fact that all this cookie dough needs to be exercised away and compare workout routines. We solve world problems. And all while we are administering time-outs, wiping rear ends, and folding laundry piles.

A recipe from my sister is a treasure...and I am sharing one of my favorites today.

Like, Heidi, this salad is an interesting mix of tart and sweet. A little bit nutty. Fresh, healthy, and beautiful to look at. Enjoyable on many levels.

My Sister's Spinach Salad

Dressing: 1 cup vegetable oil, 2/3 cup bottled Teriyaki sauce, 2/3 cup white wine vinegar, 6 Tbsp. sugar, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. pepper. Mix in blender and set aside.

Salad: 10 oz. fresh spinach, 6 oz. craisins, 16 oz. water chestnuts, drained, 1/2 cup chopped parsley, 1 bunch chopped green onions, 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds, 6 oz. honey roasted peanuts, 2 cups cooked, diced chicken and 1/2 bag cooked bow-tie pasta

Marinate chicken and pasta in dressing for two hours. Toss with remaining ingredients right before serving.

Thanks, Heidi! Love it...love you!

Fresh

Beginning...

Middle...

End...

Peachpicker's Delight

Crush one box Vanilla Wafers...press 2/3 of the crumbs into a pie plate.

Beat 1 stick butter, 2 eggs and 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar til fluffy and spread over crumbs.

Top with 8 fresh-picked peaches, sliced.

Whip 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, sweeten to taste and spread over peaches.

Sprinkle with remaining crumbs.

Chill several hours (if you can wait that long)!

...and you get a free weapon when you're done!

Why do I post recipes on my blog?

Mostly because there's a pretty good chance one of the kids will burn my house down and I don't want to lose them!

I got this recipe from an old Oprah magazine and it's definitely worth saving from the fire...the marinated chicken alone is delicious, but the satay dipping sauce really puts it over the top.

Chicken Lollipops with Peanut Butter Dip
(inspired by Ina Garten)

3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (4 lemons)
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
8 chicken breasts , halved, skinned and boned

Marinate chicken overnight in above ingredients. Then grill, slice and skewer.

Satay Dip:
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon dark sesame oil
1 small red onion, diced
2 cloves garlic , minced
1 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh gingerroot (or a few shakes of ginger powder)
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1/4 cup ketchup
1 1/2 teaspoon freshly squeezed lime juice

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook olive oil, sesame oil, red onion, garlic, gingerroot and red pepper flakes 10 minutes, or until onion is softened. Whisk in vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, peanut butter, ketchup and lime juice, and cook 1 minute longer. Cool to room temperature and serve with chicken.

Yum!

After-dinner swordfighting is optional.

Hot off the Grill

We have been making pizzas on the grill a lot this season. It's fast. It's easy. It's cheap. And everybody loves it. {Thanks to my sister, Heidi, for sharing her favorite dough recipe!}

Dissolve 1 Tbsp. dry yeast in 1/4 cup warm water and let stand for 10 minutes. In a mixing bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups flour, 1 tsp. salt, 2 Tbsp. olive oil, 2 Tbsp. honey and 3/4 cup cold water. Add yeast mixture and knead for 5 minutes...adding more flour if needed. Form into a ball and place in oiled boil. Cover and let rise about an hour. (Sometimes I skip the rising time.)

Divide dough into 4 balls. Shape into flat rounds. Brush with olive oil. Place on hot grill. Cook for 5 minutes.

Then, flip over and let cook another 2 or 3 minutes. Top with favorite sauce, cheese and toppings. Close lid and cook until cheese melts.

Enjoy!

Everything tastes better outside!

McCain Wins by One Vote!

No. Not this McCain...

This McCain...

or at least her cookie recipe** won in our very official backyard cookie-tasting contest.

**Evidently there is some scuttlebutt concerning the origins of Mrs. McCain's recipe. Did she get it from a family friend or simply lift it off the Food Network?

I don't know...but look at her. Do you think she has ever actually baked a cookie in her lifetime?

Do you think she has ever EATEN a cookie in her lifetime?

Politics can be very ambiguous sometimes.

We made Michelle Obama's Lemon Shortbread & Cindy's Butterscotch Oatmeal Cookies, then passed out samples and let the guests vote for themselves.

Both candidates came out strong. The oatmeal cookies were traditional, the shortbread sophisticated and elegant. But the under-18 crowd was the swing vote and, apparently, butterscotchiness brought them to the polls.

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Mom used to make Red Velvet Cake all the time. Especially around the 4th of July. She'd make a 9x13 inch cake and then decorate to look like Old Glory. (Might be fun for Flag Day --which is this Saturday, by the way.)

Or try this recipe for the cupcake version. (Just promise me you'll make the real frosting. I know. It's a pain to make. But the whipped cream consistency and rich flavor is the perfect match for the not-too-sweet cake!)

By the way, Mom's recipe calls for TWO fluid ounces of red dye instead of one.

And she probably just thought it was the fireworks making us all so hyper...

How to Become a Domestic Goddess in 18 Easy Steps

Want to impress someone you love? Show up anywhere with a freshly baked loaf of crusty French bread. Heaven with garlic butter, delightful on a picnic with fruit and cheese, divine with strawberry jam.

This is my favorite bread recipe, because it looks very complicated but only requires five basic ingredients. Best of all...no Bosch, KitchenAid, bread machine is necessary. Stir it up in the morning, check on the rising dough a couple times during the day, roll it up and pop it in the oven. Enjoy tonight!

Here's what to do...

Sprinkle 1 tablespoon yeast into 1/4 cup lukewarm water. Let stand for a few minutes; stir until yeast is dissolved.

Measure 1 tablespoon shortening, 2 teaspoons sugar and 1 tablespoon salt into large bowl.

Pour one cup boiling water over this. Then add 3/4 cup cold water and cool to lukewarm. Add dissolved yeast.

Gradually add 5 to 6 cups white flour.

Stir to form a moderately stiff dough.

Turn out on a floured surface and knead by hand for a few minutes until dough becomes smooth and satiny. Add more flour if necessary.

Dough will be easy to shape into a ball.

Place in a greased bowl. Cover.

Let rise until doubled (1 to 1.5 hours).


Punch down and let rise until doubled again. (30-45 minutes)

Turn out onto lightly floured surface and divide into 2 portions.

Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.


Roll each portion into a rectangle.

Roll up tightly into baguette shape, beginning at long side.

Place seam side down on greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise until double. (1 hour)

Brush with water for crispy crust. (For softer crust use egg white beaten with water.) With a sharp knife, make three slashes across the top of each loaf. Bake in a preheated 375 oven for 45 minutes--until lightly browned. Bread will sound hollow when tapped. (It is ok if the loaf does not look perfect...you WANT it to look homemade!)
Slice and slather with topping of your choice.

Congratulations...you have achieved carbo-nirvana.