Emerging from the Fog

The day after our 4 year anniversary, baby G decided to work her way into the world. And work her way in she did! I will spare the gorey details, but I certainly learned that mothers deserve to wear a  badge of courage for the whole labor and birthing process (and not to mention the breastfeeding battles that follow).   Baby G will be 4 months old on Friday, and I finally feel like things are coming into place.  Amongst the picture taking, family visiting, doctor appointments and the squeezing in of as much as possible into nap times; I was able to get back into exploring new recipes and crafts.  I thought I would never lift a finger again if it wasn't to change a diaper or hold a baby but alas new moms...the day will come when you can tackle a page of a scrapbook. 

Although it doesn't hold a candle to baby G, I am proud of my ever-increasing sewing skills.  I have made a few nursing covers now despite the fights my sewing machine puts up.  It is nice to put your mind to use doing something unrelated to baby. 

Inspired by meal enjoyed during a recent trip to visit family in Colorado, we attempted to make our own portabello burgers.  They turned out pretty good, although the texture is something to get used to.  First, coat the mushroom with olive oil and italian seasonings and grill.  Then add pepperjack cheese and fresh red pepper to a broiled kaiser roll with fresh spinach.  Yum!

As we have passed the milestone of 3 months, the usual time when working mothers decide to "get back to it" I feel so blessed to have been able to be at home for each precious moment with my little one.  I feel in my heart that I am not ready to leave her in someone else's care full time, and I've also learned that a peace of mind is a priceless gift.  I pray that the Lord would open doors to provide a flexible part time job for me as a pharmacist; one that allows me to be the kind of wife and mother I aspire to be but that also challenges me professionally and helps me to grow.  I am thankful that this little girl has stolen my heart and made it easy for me to see the investment which pays the highest returns.   

Homemade Granola Bars

Today's kitchen feat was homemade granola bars.  I've made these before and enjoyed them even though I didn't have all the ingredients.  My goal here was to satisfy that sweet-tooth and at least pack in some nutrients and fiber!  The nice thing about granola is that similar to trail mix, you can put most anything you like in it! I just scoured my cupboards for anything that sounded tasty.  This original recipe came from a March 2011 Fitness Magazine issue.  Here's my spin on it:

Ingredients:
1 cup quick cooking oats
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons ground or milled flaxseed
1/2 cup Ezekiel 4:9 cereal (or grape-nuts)
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 egg
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tbsp coconut oil (solid at room temp, heat up if using this oil)
cranberries and raisins as desired
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
chocolate chips as desired (I used milk chocolate and white chocolate today)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Line an 8x8 pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.  (This is great because at the end there is virtually no clean up! 

In a large bowl mix first 6 ingredients.  Next Add egg, applesauce, honey, brown sugar and oil and mix well.  Mix in your desired add-ins (fruit, chocolate, nuts, etc.)

Spread mixture evenly over foil.  Bake for about 30 minutes until eges are golden brown.  Cool on wire rack, using the edges of the foil to remove the granola from the pan.  Cut into bars if you wish!

Add an Extra to Your Mexican Fiesta!

Approaching "D Day" has definitely slowed me down a bit in the home projects department.  The belly is ever growing and the heat is ever rising.  Roll, up, waddle, flop, down has become my never-ending nightly exercise routine which I will blame for the few naps I slipped into over this past week.  I am thankful that the "nesting" period happened a few weeks ago because it seems that now my body wants to enter a sort of hibernation period.  Snacking is at an all time high and reading on the couch has become my favorite activity of the day.  I have managed to pull out a few more scrapbook pages in an attempt to catch up before baby's arrival- a blissfully sedentary activity!

This week I did decide to try two new recipes from Southern Living magazine.  Both turned out pretty yummy and I think add a unique twist to any family's typical taco night.  If your family is anything like mine, we have tacos or enchiladas a few times month on those desperate occasions when you just happen to have one pound of ground beef in the freezer. Out of pure serendipity I had accidentally purchased a can of diced tomatoes with green chiles when I only meant to have the diced tomatoes and I was so happy to find that the dusty can could be put to use in one of the recipes below!

Spicy Queso Dip

1 small onion

1 tbsp oil

1 minced garlic clove

16 ounces pepper jack cheese (velveeta brand pepper jack if you can find it, I couldn't)

10 ounces diced tomatoes and green chiles

2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro(optional)

Tortilla chips

1) cook the onion in hot oil until tender then add the garlic for another minute.  Remove from heat.
2) Combine the cheese (cubed) tomatoes (I think these should be drained a bit as mine was kind of watery), and onion in a microwaveable bowl.  Microwave for 5 minutes. Top with cilantro for decoration and serve with tortilla chips. Obviously you may need to stir it a bit to aid in the melting process during microwaving and afterward.  Makes approximately 3 cups.

Oven-baked Churros (yum yum and very easy)

17.3 ounces frozen puff pastry sheets thawed

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp ground cinnamon (or more if you prefer like we do)

1/4 cup melted butter

1)Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Unfold pastry sheets and use pizza cutter to cut in half length wise.  Cut each half into 1 inch wide strips.  Place on lightly greased parchment paper on a baking sheet (I used pam to spray the parchment).  Bake 10 minutes or until golden brown- BE CAREFUL- the bottoms seem to burn easily so watch closely!
2) While pastry is baking, combine the sugar and cinnamon on a shallow plate.  Dip the pastry sheets in melted butter then roll in cinnamon sugar mixture.  Let stand on wire rack until dry (~5 mins).  Makes 3 dozen.

Voila!

There was much satisfaction in my heart today watching Derrek put up the pictures in the nursery room.  Finally, we can say we are DONE with little G's nursery. Of course we will make little additions here and there...a hamper, a shelf, but everything I had set my mind on is now finished! I am so happy with the way it turned out.  I even made a last minute project out of hanging her quilt and sewed on two ribbons to secure it on the wall. 

In the kitchen I tried another new recipe, Aunt Elaine's Oreo Pie.  It is currently in the freezer but my sneek peak today gave me a glimpse of just how yummy it is going to be and refreshing on a hot summer day.  At the hubby's request I also made an apple pie.  I usually reserve apple pie for the fall but he deserved a special treat for all of his hard work. 

Oreo Pie- I found that this will make 2 pies

2 Rows of oreo cookies

1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream

oreo pie crust (I bought the ready made ones)

Beat ice cream in large bowl until soft.  Add crushed oreos and beat until well mixed. Pour into pie crusts.  Freeze at least 4 hours. 

Its a good thing I'm almost through my pregnancy, I am not sure how many more pies my body or kitchen aid can take!



Peanut Butter Pie and Other Minor Achievements

I'm not quite sure if it's the 35th week of pregnancy or just plain gluttony but my usual love for all things sweet has intensified immensely!  I tried a new recipe today.. Aunt Elaine's Peanut Butter Pie.  The great thing about this recipe is that it makes 2 pies and for whatever reason I think my batch could have squeezed out a 3rd! I am thinking it will freeze fabulously and be a quick dessert after dinner once baby is here.  Here's the recipe:

Peanut Butter Pie

8 ounces cream cheese

1 cup sugar

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup milk (slightly less)

2 (8 ounce each) containers of cool whip

2 graham cracker pie crusts

**mini chocolate chips for decorative topping** my special version

1) beat the softened cream cheese

2) add the sugar, milk and peanut butter until light and creamy

3) fold in cool whip

4) pour into crusts, sprinkle with choco chips (optional)

5) freeze overnight

I also made chocolate chip cookies...some of which are for eating tonight but I'm going to try and freeze the rest.  Hope they turn out well once thawed!

Outside the kitchen, I have not done much but Derrek has made such wonderful progress on the dresser! I picked up some knobs today and all that is left is to finish the mirror.  I can't wait until it is all done! On the other dresser I decided to incorporate a pattern from the baby's bedding for fun.  I hope this isn't a big mistake, but it seems like it will be easy to paint over if it doesn't turn out well. I just was thinking we needed to break up all the white furniture.  Two more drawers to go on that one! 

You can't really tell but these are white with purplish pink "petals" on them.

Comprehensive nursery pictures will follow once completed! To do: hang pictures on the walls and buy a lamp for the dresser!

"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" 1 Cor 15:55

 What a wonderful day we have to celebrate!  I love these words found in 1 Corinthians because they are a reminder of Christ's glorious resurrection and the comfort each believer can take in knowing that we are forever alive in Christ! How I anticipate the day when I see those believers who have gone before me in heaven, that the Gloria who my little one is named for is whole and healed and with the Lord.  The beauty of spring surrounds me today and helps me to lift my eyes upward and rejoice for all the new life that thrives during this time of year. The flowers blooming and the birds singing, I am so grateful for these natural gifts God has blessed us with.

This week I spent a good bit of time in the kitchen and experienced some triumphs and some failures!  The orange poppyseed tea bread came out sinfully delicious!  I tell you, once I start eating it I can't stop!  One batch of whole wheat and flax pancakes came out just so-so while the one I made this morning was much improved (thanks to a few substitutions).  The Kahlua brownie triffle sent me flying back to horrid chemistry lab days when you realize near the end of completing your concoction that you forgot a pivotal step.  In this instance I had layered the triffle brownie-cool whip-heath bar three times over and then opened the fridge just to find I had left the pudding chilling in the fridge.  Yes!  The very pudding which is supposed to be smothered between the brownie and cool whip layers.  I'd like to blame this on "pregnancy brain" (or maybe the Kahlua?) but I know better.  This is a typical mistake for me!  I also made pineapple casserole for a neighborhood gathering and despite my husbands upturned nose, I was glad to see many people were brave enough to try it!  I had never had it before moving to the South, although I am not sure if it is considered a southern dish.  I assure you- if you like pineapple you will find this to be a delicious dish! I've included a few of the recipes below:

Orange Poppyseed Tea Bread

1 1/2 c all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 Tbsp poppyseeds

2 tsp orange zest

1/2 cup butter softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp vanilla

3 eggs

1/2 cup sour cream

Glaze:  1/3 cup powdered sugar, 2 tbsp fresh OJ, 1 tsp orange zest

Preheat oven to 325, grease bottom of loaf pan.  Combine flour, baking powder, salt, seeds and zest.  In a separate bowl beat butter on high speed 30 sec, add sugar and beat 3 minutes until light and fully.  Add vanilla, add eggs one at a time beating 30 sec after each.  Add 1/3 of flour mixture beating on low speed.  Add 1/2 the sour cream, add another 1/3 of flour mixture then the rest of the sour cream.  Once all the flour is added, pour until pan and bake for 60-65 minutes.  Brush glaze over top while cooling. 

Pineapple Cheddar Casserole

20 oz can pineapple chunks

3 tbsp flour, sugar and melted butter

1 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers

Drain pineapple and reserve 3 tbsp pineapple juice.  Arrange pineapple on the bottom of greased 1 1/2 qt casserole dish.  Stir together flour and sugar and sprinkle over pineapple.  Drizzle pineapple juice over the top.  Cover top with cheddar cheese.  Mix together the crushed crackers and melted butter and spread over cheese.  Bake covered at 350 for 15 min, uncover and bake 10 more minutes.  I found that the cheese was not melted quite enough so I would continue to bake until you don't see many shreds of cheese.

In the sewing department I was able to start and finish making my homemade nursing cover thanks to http://www.prudentbaby.com/2010/01/diy-nursing-cover.html.  Being the novice sewer that I am, I of course ran into some difficulties.  Also, I found a few nursing covers at Target  anywhere from 10-12 dollars.  Considering the fabric, boning and d-rings I bought (plus the tantrums my husband endured) I am not sure that I would recommend making these regularly when they can be purchased for about the same price.  The advantage is that you can choose the specific fabric you want and make matching accessories.  I suppose I also gained the self-satisfaction of knowing I have learned at least the basics of how to sew a small project.  I would love to make another one with matching burpcloth for a friend so perhaps I will work up the nerve and stamina to do so this summer.

And last but not least....Dresser 2 has reached completion!  Voila!


I am thinking of adding a pattern from her bedding to the drawers but want to get dresser 1 done first.





Suds and Duds

 Whew...another week gone by! I tried my hand at another new craft: SOAPMAKING!  I attended a local soapmaking FUNshop and got to make my own natural soap!  There were so many choices when it came to picking out your essential oils, fats and other additives.  I caved in to my usual sweet-tooth craving and made my very own "Ande's Candies" scented soap.  I couldn't resist using the cocoa butter, cocoa powder, goat's milk and peppermint essential oil.  I was afraid that similar to my many Marble Slab or Cold Stone Creamery trips, my indulgent creation would flop.  You know what they say- "less is more"!  However, today when I removed the soap from the container and cut it into bars it already smells exactly like a giant Ande's Candy! I learned that you have to let soap cure for 2-4 weeks so that it won't be too soft and dissolve quickly in your shower.  I hope to wrap up some bars in cute way and share the wealth for fellow mint-chocolate lovers. Let the curing begin!

 Inspired by a super crafty friend (you know who you are), I also attempted a little sewing project.  She makes these adorable burp cloths and I wanted a make a few for baby G and will work on some more for my new mommy friends! My plan is to applique a cute "g" on the middle burp cloth.  I must say these came out much better than I anticipated but are still not very well made.  I will have to keep trying! I plan on making a nursing cover also and was thinking that a matching set would be super sweet!

The dresser project has not come along very far.  Removing old paint is a stinky job and I am trying to avoid those vapors!  On my yard sale adventure this morning I found another sturdy solid wood dresser that was FIVE dollars.  I couldn't resist that deal, afterall- baby G will need more than just 3 drawers right?  Plus, her first dresser is girly and cute and will likely be in her room for a long time.  If we are lucky enough to have another baby it will need a dresser to stay with the crib.  Here's a picture of the dressers in progress, but they look pretty horrible right now.  I hope we are able to show the "AFTER" picture sooner than later!


Dresser 1- unable to flip the picture for some reason.

Dresser 2 Before



The Crib Project

My strategic yard sale plan last saturday worked like a charm. I purchased a crib for 20 dollars!  After many hours of sanding and painting, it is finished!  I am really happy with the way it turned out, although if you look closely you will see many imperfections.  We both really enjoyed learning a little bit about refinishing furniture and find it very satisfying to know that a lot of love and hard work went into the baby's bed.  I don't think either of us would have kept up the motivation if it wasn't for the fact that we know this is for our little baby G.  Not to mention the satisfaction of knowing you saved a good deal of money (despite the frequent trips to Lowe's)!  Here are a few pictures of the progress we made each day and then the final product:

Another quick project we tackled was a wildflower bed.  We just picked up a mix of wildflower seeds on one of those Lowe's trips and decided to turn a grassless area of the yard into a wildflower bed.  Unfortunately,  I fear that the area we chose does not get enough sunlight.  Only time will tell!  I am thinking of just sprinkling the seeds along the sunny parts of the yard that are near the fence to see if they have any success there.  At least they might not get mowed over!  Here's to putting minimal effort into last minute projects! 

Soon we shall tackle our next piece of furniture- the baby's dressing table!  I searched craiglist each day and came across a piece that I hope will be very cute when finished.  We had to do a bit of traveling to get it, but I am very pleased! It seems to be the perfect size for a changing table and it has a sweet little history behind it.  The man it was purchased from said it belonged to his grandparents originally and has been passed down over the years.  When we turned it over to load it up, we discovered little red crayon inscribed on the bottom stating "I love mommy and daddy- Miki".  Miki was apparently the man's now aging uncle.  How cute! It gave me the warm fuzzies that this will be just the right piece for Gloria.  You'll just have to wait and see if we can turn it into a shabby chic beauty!

Pajama Day

Today was officially a Pajama Day in the Hopper household.  It all started off very unintentionally.  You get up, eat breakfast, start a task, check your email then before you know it, it is 2:27 pm.  You eat lunch.  At this point you are not leaving the house, so why not continue on in your pajamas?  For about a half hour I was feeling really cranky that I never showered or got out of my sweatpants.  I  loathed my lack of accomplishment but finally surrendered to the fact that today was just one of those days and I should enjoy it.  For tomorrow, we work!

This past week however was tainted with a streak of misfortune.  I missed out on the PERFECT dresser for the baby at an estate sale.  We spent Saturday morning roaming the Augusta area looking for a good quality dresser for baby G.  After many "legal U-turns" per the GPS we arrived at our last rummage for the day.  But alas, the white brand new Bassett dresser was already sold.  This spurred me on to create a yard sale map for this coming Saturday.  I've been tracking listed yard sales in an effort to effectively target those close by home and that might hold that diamond in the rough I'm looking for.

Secondly, I picked up my locally grown goods on Tuesday.  My only disappointment here is that the milk didn't come in a glass jar like I'd hoped.  The glass jar is purely to please me asthetically but still, I had high hopes.  So far I've tasted the milk, butter, grass-fed beef and organic romaine.  All have been wonderful (even if the beef was covered in man-made taco seasoning mix)!  The highlight of this day was that my good friend Liz came to visit and helped me find a few more maternity pieces to add to my wardrobe!

Thirdly, my strawberry-rhubarb crisp was not as fantastic as I imagined it would be.  I haven't had anything with rhubarb in it for many years so I thought I would give it a try.  The overall product came out alright, but just didn't have either one of us coming back for more. I will include that recipe here for anyone that might be a fan and also the recipe for Lentil soup which did come out as tasty as it always does!

Lentil Soup (freezes well and is great for a rainy day):
1 cup dried lentils
2 1/2 cup water
2 beef bullion cubes
1 tsp salt
Bring all to a boil, then simmer 20 minutes.

After simmer is over add the following to 6 qt pot:
1/2 bag lil' smokies (cut into thirds), 1 large onion, 1 clove garlic
1 cup chopped carrots
5 or so red potatoes cut into cubes
1 tsp oregano
1 TBSP parsley
1 tsp vinegar
14 ounces petite diced tomatoes
6 cups water with 6 beef bullion cubes (it is okay to use less cubes but it won't be as salty)
2 stalks celery cut up (optional)

Cook together for at least 1 hour. Yummy when served with warm bread or rolls.

Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp
4 cups cut up strawberry
4 cups diced rhubarb (about 5 stalks)
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 TBSP lemon juice
Coat crock pot with butter or pam and place above ingredients in pot on High for 1.5 hours.  If it is dry, add a little water.  If it is too wet (mine was full of liquid) mix a 1 1/2 tbsp cornstarch with a little cold water then add to pot and stir to thicken.  Cook additional 15 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375 and make topping:  1 cup all purpose flour, 1 cup old fashioned oats, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/2 cup butter cut into small pieces, 1/2 cup sliced almonds (optional). Cut butter into mixture with 2 knives or pastry blender.

Place topping on fruit and transfer stoneware to oven.  Bake 15-20 minutes or until topping begins to brown.  Best served with vanilla ice cream! 

Exploring in Georgia

Forgive me father, for I have sinned. It has been 9 days since my last day at work.  For all practical purposes I am unemployed and have entered a transitional stage of life- in between the working world and motherhood.  Thus, it only seemed appropriate that I attempt to document this time in my life.  I am typically a "paper and pencil" girl and have been known to scorn blogging but in tribute to this whole experience and also to keep up my writing skills I have ventured into this blogging world.  I don't know who would want to read this or why, but I am going to have fun with it!

Derrek and I arrived in GA on the night of Monday, August 14th.  As fate would have it (and my 7 months pregnant squished bladder), I had to use the restroom immediately after crossing into GA.  What a treasure I found in that "Welcome to GA" rest stop!  I picked up a splendid piece of cardstock listing GA made and grown products in the Augusta area.  This has provided for me an entertaining scavenger hunt during my first week here.  Sure, the first several days were spent unpacking, organizing and cleaning.  After day 3 I had to find an excuse to get out of the house.  I decided to put together a very late wedding gift incorporating handcrafted GA made products for a lovely couple we know living just a few minutes away.  This led me first to Harlem, GA where I discovered Lucky Lady Pecans and Red Oak Manor.  I also spotted the Laurel and Hardy Mueseum which I will have to make a trip back for later.  Maybe.  Then on a Tuesday morning...when I would normally be at work...I pulled up to a rustic little cottage and purchased raw honey from a  nice older man in overalls.  I am absolutely loving the randomness of each day!

Granted, this holy grail has led me astray.  Garden City Organics no longer exists.  After much internet searching I have found a service that just may be able to furnish me with the organic and locally grown food products I have been looking for.  Not to say there won't be any last minute Stouffer's lasagnas or Ramen noodles, but I am looking forward to putting more thought into our food now that I have the time.  Primarily, I'd like to purchase locally grown produce, grass fed beef and milk in glass bottles.  I am also determined to buy some handmade soaps and even discovered a soap making class that I am tempted to attend.  I am having a ton of fun exploring a part of me that work left little time or energy for.  However, I do miss my job.  It provided for me a set routine and sense of accomplishment on most days.  I am having some difficulty setting priorities without the time constraint that used to finely tune my each task. I understand that this will likely change once baby arrives, but for now I am learning to enjoy this unusual opportunity. 

I should also say that since Derrek has this time off as well it is very different for us as a couple.  Sleeping in, home projects and big breakfasts have been highlights of our day.  I made homemade cinnamon rolls and frosting for the first time.  We were able to attend Wednesday night dinner and Bible study tonight at the church we visited on Sunday.  We were so blessed by the teaching and by the friendly faces we have encountered. I have already become so fond of a lovely lady named Gloria, who, upon finding out that is to be the name of our little one squealed with joy and has since re-told the story to each person we've met.  She is a beautiful energetic Christian woman in her 70's and I hope our Gloria is much like her!