Homemade Ketchup

I have been working at keeping high fructose corn syrup out of our kitchen. I cant always do so but when I can I try.

I ran across this SUPER easy recipe and its really good. My husband doesn't like ketchup and he liked it :)


Recipe: I doubled so I could give some away

6 ounces tomato paste
2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup water
2 tbsp of your preferred sugar substitute (optional)
2 tbsp onions
2 cloves garlic
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground allspice
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/8 tsp pepper

 I chopped the onions up first in food processor. They were not completly chopped but good enough to add to the rest of the mix.

 2 8oz can tomato past and 1 can tomato sauce. I doubled my recipe. And added to it!!

 Apple Cider Vinegar- I would add less than they say.

 Mix all together in food processor or blender. I transitioned to both.

 Add sugar- I added less.

Air tight container...I will be giving some away.
Want any? Let me know I can give you a 6-8 oz mason jar.

Mind Blown

I just made the most amazing carrot, zucchini muffins from carrots and zucchini from our friends garden.  I have not tasted carrots that fresh and carrot-y in FOREVER!!

Here is the recipe. Add a few more tablespoons of flour- my first batch was too gooey.

Eating fresh from the earth produce makes me excited for my garden, next spring, at my new house!!!!

Chris and I, within a 24 hour period, bought a house!

Last month we casually started talking about what we would want in a home. Kitchen, yard and open space floor plan was a must for us! We looked in Zillow.

We were looking and I eventually started a favorite list with a realtor, Maggie, who sent me houses within our price range. We came upon a few hours (5) and within that there was 'the one'.
I begged Chris to let us go see a few, and if nothing worked out or we didn't like them we would hold out till next year. Keep in mind we have not even called a mortgage lender to see if we qualified, or what we qualified for.

Saturday the 15th,  we go see one house, a investor had redone it and we loved the yard but that was all. The layout was crummy (only master upstairs, rest were down) and it was on a street  more run down that we had wanted.

We came home from that showing and I see 'the one'; showings don't start for 5 days and we take the first available, on Thursday the 20th. We loved it from the moment we enter. The yard is amazing, lots of trees, great space for a garden, chickens and exploration for the babies.

As we are looking around we realize that there are areas we will want to redo. Fixtures, counter tops, cabinets, paint. All things that with any house in our price range we would want to work on.
The real kicker that the kitchen, although dated more than we like, is in great condition, and is open to the rest of the house. There are 5 bedrooms, did I say the yard is amazing? When we walked into the largest downstairs bedroom I told Chris 'this could be our homeschooling room', as I said that I opened the closet door to find, floor to ceiling book and supplies for homeschooling.

I WAS IN LOVE!

We went home and decide to think about it, get in touch with a mortgage broker and see what we qualified for.
Within 20 hours (Friday) of seeing that house we hear that an offer has been made. Within hours our realtor is over and we are putting in an offer. At 7:00 our offer goes in and we wait.....
Saturday (the next day) we get a text saying the family is still deciding but was "deeply touched" by the note we wrote to them.

"Dear Family,
 We stepped our in faith to even start looking at houses. When we saw your home online we knew we had to see it. Once we walked in the door we fell in love. As a young family, we can envision our self growing here, hosting many holidays and homeschooling in the 'homeschool room'. Thank you for your time and consideration"

It went something like that.

On Satuday, the leasing agency called our realtor and asked if we want to see it again and, of course we did!

We go over, meet the family and do another walk through. I was guessing that a leasing agent doesn't invite you back over if they are not going to offer you the house....or at least  I hoped it was not a mean trick.

The family was extremely kind, loving and warm. A pastor in town and a stay at home mom of 3. We had small talk about homeschooling, E and what we did for work. Later found out they googled us and know we were on the Hudson flight. We sat with the family on the back porch, their daughter played with E. And then they accepted our offer!!

So from Thursday night at 5:30-Saturday at 5:30 we saw a house, put in an offer and went under contract for a house. When we weren't 'really' looking.

So many things fell into place; down payment, mortgage rate, things the family offered to include that were not in the offer. Things that we cant take any credit for, it was all God.

2462 Vintage Dr. Love the street address

 Big plans for the entry Chris just has to remind me that we can only do one thing at a time. Im looking for a wood bench and china hutch/buffet. Know of anyone who is selling one?

 New Kitchen will be gree, and then over time we will do some aqua, teal and cream-like colors in the living and dining room

 Family room with WOOD BURNING fireplace!

 Home School Room/Cousin Cove

 The yard wraps around the house and has lots of trees

 

 

Now we're working to get our place rented out, we have 3 showings this week. Hoping one takes and then November 2nd we move in!

If you know anyone who needs a 2 bed, 2.5 bath unfinished basement for $795.00 open November 6th let me know!

A story to tell

Its been almost 4 years since our plane, crash landed in the Hudson River. You may be surprised that we are about to do our first public speaking engagement!!

We have been in newspapers, done a radio program and I have been working with an author to write a book.

Sharing our story this weekend will be such a different experience than if we had done it the day after the plane crash, or if we had done it a year ago, the story would not be the same.

Nothing is the same.

Who I was the day we crashed, shows very little resemblance of who I am today. I don’t think I’m better or worse, just different.

I see the world with eyes that are not candy coated anymore.

People don’t realize that split seconds of trauma can alter your brain, physiology and even your heart. Those quarter seconds when I thought we were going to be drowning dying in the plane altered me. It was not until almost a year after the PC that I realized that it had done so.

What’s trauma for you, may not be traumatic for me, vice versa.

An amazing book I read Trusting God, coupled with prayer from a lay pastor & EMDR helped me deal with the most traumatic and life changing event in my life.

I am not defined by this event...its part of my story. It used to be a huge mountain in front of me, I never thought it would be in my rear view mirror. Today, I glance back and see it, only the peak, not the whole thing.

My story is to point people to God, to power and might. To be a speaker of truth and be a HIStory maker! Not only share the history behind this event but more importantly how HIS story, of love, sovreingty and mercy overshadow the whole event.

The challenge scares me at times, but I want to obey God because glory is a stake.

That day, I was scared beyond words, I thought I might die. God saved me; he gave me strength that I probably never thought I could have. And I can trust he will continue to strengthen me for his purpose and glory!



Listen to our story

Following

free spirit
retro kitchen
hot hubby
beach
confident
Flying- A LOT
flagstaff house
hiding friendship box under bed
make up tutorial
how did we become friends?
honest
California
Henry
idol- I wanna be that secure in who I am
traveling
writer
'Best Friend'
lover of her mother

Tracy was in my life for a period of months, I am honestly not aware of how we became friend. We went to church together and like most people I am friends with, I just liked who she was and wanted what she had.

This woman embodies so many qualities that I hope to posses someday. She writes a blog that more often than not, makes my spirit shift beacuse I am challenged to think in new ways, feel deeper than before and seek God without fear.

If you need encouragement, a new perspective or a good laugh cry, follow this blog!


http://trustingthewind.wordpress.com/

Dough'nt make bread anymore, Karin!

I have tried making bread and I'M NOT GOOD!Or maybe my oven is to blame.

I am not sure if I need to adjust for high altitude...but my bread is dense, with absolutely no airy-ness about it. So, Chris said I need a bread machine. If you use one, and like it or know a good brand,let me know.

Tonights dinner...no bread included. (Might I add, I had dinner ready to be baked/cooked by 4:45. All I needed to do was pop in over! Its been one of those days, thank you Lord.)


Acorn Squash-made in crock pot.

Recipe:

--acorn squash
--2 T brown sugar
--2 T butter
--2 tsp cinnamon
--4 pinches of salt

Directions:
I use a 4 quart crockpot.Cut the squash in quarters, and scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp. I gave the innards to the guinea pigs; they were thrilled.

Put 1/2 T of butter and 1/2 T of brown sugar into each quarter. Sprinkle 1/2 tsp of cinnamon onto each brown sugar pile.Add a small pinch of salt to each quarter.

Lower the pieces into your crockpot. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours, or on low for about 3. The squash is finished when it is fork tender and peels away from the skin easily.


Seared-Sage Chicken:

6 boneless, skinless chicken breast, (about 2 pounds)
12 fresh sage leaves
salt
freshly ground pepper
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, peeled

Directions:

Place the chicken pieces between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them lightly with the smooth side of a meat mallet or small, heavy skillet to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.

Lay 2 or 3 sage leaves on one side of each breast and fasten them to the breast with a toothpick, weaving in and out as if you were taking a stitch. The toothpicks should lie flat. Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper and lay them in a baking sheet into which they fit comfortably. Rub both sides of the chicken breasts with the oil. Whack the garlic cloves with the flat side of a knife and scatter them over the chicken. Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate1 hour.

Heat one or two large, nonstick or well-seasoned cast-iron skillets over medium-high heat. Add as many of the chicken pieces, sage side down, as will fit in a single layer. Cook until well browned on the underside, about 2 minutes. Turn the chicken and cook until the second side is browned and no trace of pink remains in the center, 1 to 2 minutes. (If you don't have enough pans, or large enough pans, to cook the chicken in one batch, keep the first batch of chicken warm on a baking sheet in an oven turned to the lowest setting while cooking the remaining chicken.) Serve immediately.

 

Balsamic Carrots:

Roast in the oven at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes with some seasoning and a little olive oil. Then drizzle with about 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 3 tablespoons of honey, and about 1 teaspoon of balsamic vinegar. Pop them back into the oven for about 5 more minutes to achieve sweet, salty, still slightly cruchy perfection!

Recipe of the week:Rosemary Bread

We buy rosemary bread at Costco and Whole Food almost every week. We just love it, on sandwhich's, with soup and smothered in butter!

I have made bread a few times and realized I should get good at this one, since we love it so!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup all-purpose or bread flourshopping list

3/4 cup whole-wheat flour shopping list

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powdershopping list

3/4 teaspoon dried rosemary or leaves from a 6-8 inch fresh sprig, chopped shopping list

1/2 teaspoon saltshopping list

2 large eggsshopping list

1 cup milkshopping list

1/4 cup olive oilshopping list

1/3 cup pitted imported olives, chopped

How to make it: I will be using my crock pot this time.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and position a rack in the lower third of the oven. Grease a 6-cup loaf pan (about 8x4 inches).

• Whisk together the flours, baking powder, rosemary, and salt.
• In a separate large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and olive oil.
• Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and fold together until the dry ingredients are about 3/4 moistened.
• Add the olives. Fold until the pieces are distributed and dry ingredients are well incorporated and moistened.
• Scrape the batter into the pan and spread evenly. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 40-45 minutes. Let cook in the pan on a rack for 5-10 minutes before unmolding from pan to cool completely on a rack.

Me

 

Me

 

By: Plumb

 

 

I haven't had
A chance to sleep
And when I wake
I wake with your dreams
I guess my pillow
Holds some kind of key
To your peace
Your peace

Me
I wouldn't trade your love for all the candy
In this great big world
Me
I feel so crazy blessed and oh so lucky
To be the place you go
When you need to feel safe
When you need a kiss
It's me

 

 

Well this last night was probably the first night where I wanted to sleep so much, but couldn't. One my mind was racing about the past few days, I started work and then my sweet little one was up a lot.

I am grateful that on nights where I am up till 3 and then up every 2 hours after that  I can nap and rest. Luckily today, an 1 hour nap gave me energy to work, clean and do laundry.
Before I had E, I decided that I would welcome night wakings and understand that parenting is an all hours gig: morning, noon, night, and wee hours of the night! Sometimes I find myself so exhausted and clinging to my pillow, praying she is just readjusting before I go care for her. I see her smiley face and I forget what I was doing 20 seconds ago.

What she needed was me. Me to feed her, me to rock her, me to change her and sometimes me to play with her. I am okay with her needing me. Most of the time I am able to give at every innocent, baby demand and quickly care for her needs. But, me, like most moms have days when its just a bit harder or takes a little more will power (Holy Spirit Power) to be selfless and give. No one tells you that you dont get praised or affirmed for all that  you do as a mom. No one thanks you for changing that poopy diaper for the 3rd time in 5 minutes or for sprinting to make a meal bc baby didnt stay on 'schedule' and hubby will be home in 30 minutes, no one days I really like the way you folded those cloth diapers! You're really doing such a great job.

Most days you do the same thing over and over again with little variation to the schedule, maybe a different store or show to watch, but really its a lot of the same stuff.

This is where learning and  having a teachable spirit comes into play for me. God ultimatly affirms me, HE alone gives me my worth. HE sees all that I do, HE cares that  I am tired and just want to sleep a 3 hour stretch at night. HE laughs when I change that poopy diaper 3 times in 5 minutes. HE is thankful that I want to have a home cooked, hot meal on the table for my honey.

God is my sustainer, not Me.  I don't pull myself up and encourage myself enough to keep working at it. And if I do, I end up far more weary that  I ever needed to be. I think as a mom you realize that babies/kids rely on you so much, you may start to think you have to have do it all.

I have been memorizing scripture, trickled daily devotionals around my house (wherever I nurse) and worked at setting myself up to learn and really grasp that God has not only called me to motherhood but he will sustain me through it. ALL OF IT!  Me and Me dont work, Me and God do!


Here are some sleepy pics.

 Sleeping on a plane

 Sleeping in our bed!

 Sleeping while on a walk

Sleeping in the car

I see the Light

Literally....24/7. My little light, Elaina, has been on a unintentional sleep strike. She has been growing and realizing how much fun her hands and blankie are. We had almost 3 weeks where she only slept for 30 mins in the day and 2-3 hour stretches at night. Praise God for 2nd and 3rd mornings, as Auntie Do likes to call them.

Lo and Behold- she is back to normal. She is taking 2.5 hour naps and sleeping 4-6 hours at night. HALLELUJAH!

 E has been grabbing all her toys, putting them into her mouth and talking like she is a public defendant

E alway sloves our Sunday Starbuck run. She plays with the straws and coffee sleeves. Before we know it she will be drinkign her own vanilla frappicion or salted hot chocolate (thats at least 3 years down the day!)

 

On another note that hinges a lot of E's sleep is that I start working again this Wednesday. I will be working from home 20 hours a month. 3-5 of those are outside the home and Chris will be home with baby when I do those hours. This job is still with H&H, I will be writing home studies for families who are getting licensed to care for children.

I am excited to be working, I think it will tap into my intellectual brain a bit more and help me fill those long nap times...not that I dont already have enough to do during those hours.
A tip Ill leave you with that brightened my day, a recipe for a lovely Williams Sonoma scented house.

1 tablespoon vanilla
1 rosemary sprig
2 slices of lemon, or lemon juice extract
warm in over all day long

SCRUMPTIOUS!