Okay, so our zucchini plants (yes, we're really bright and planted TWO!) are out of control. Almost as out of control as the raspberry bushes (6 1/2 pints of jam on Friday, 4 1/2 pints of jam today), but that's a post for another time.
The kids informed me this morning (after looking at the 8 zucchini sitting on the kitchen counter!) that I need to make zucchini bread. Except I don't want to. We never eat a whole loaf before it gets dry and crumbly. Muffins, however, get eaten quickly around here and get me out of breakfast duty for at least 3 days. :)
I've misplaced the recipe that I usually use (from Roma - I need to get that again!), so I am using this one today:
Zucchini Muffins
Ingredients
3 cups grated fresh zucchini
2/3 cup melted unsalted butter
1 1/3 cup sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 teaspoons baking soda
Pinch salt
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup walnuts (optional)
1 cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional)
Method
You don't need a mixer for this recipe.
1 Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, mix together the sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Mix in the grated zucchini and then the melted butter. Sprinkle baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add these dry ingredients to the zucchini mixture. Fold in the walnuts and dried raisins or cranberries if using.
2 Coat each muffin cup in your muffin pan with a little butter or vegetable oil spray. Use a spoon to distribute the muffin dough equally among the cups, filling the cups up completely. Bake on the middle rack until muffins are golden brown, and the top of the muffins bounce back when you press on them, about 25 to 30 minutes. Test with a long toothpick or a thin bamboo skewer to make sure the center of the muffins are done. Set on wire rack to cool for 5 minutes. Remove muffins from the tin let cool another 20 minutes.
Note, if you are including walnuts and dried fruit, you will likely have more batter than is needed for 12 muffins. I got about 14 muffins from this batch, and that included filling the muffin cups up as far as they could possibly go (above the surface of the muffin tin).
Simply Recipes http://simplyrecipes.com
I will post my review later. . .I hope they're yummy! I'm going to use mini chocolate chips instead of the nuts/raisins, and I will peel my zucchini before shredding.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Good Morning!
Amazing what a good night's sleep can do for you, isn't it?!
We had a good day yesterday - a softball tournament in Mendon (I love the Mendon tournament - I just wish that I had been invited to play ball also), bridal pictures with Kirstie, and lots of family time together.
This morning I have finished my RS Lesson, helped Kenton finish his talk for primary, and now need to get breakfast made and all of us ready for church.
Today I am grateful for my family. They are awesome.
Have a great day!
We had a good day yesterday - a softball tournament in Mendon (I love the Mendon tournament - I just wish that I had been invited to play ball also), bridal pictures with Kirstie, and lots of family time together.
This morning I have finished my RS Lesson, helped Kenton finish his talk for primary, and now need to get breakfast made and all of us ready for church.
Today I am grateful for my family. They are awesome.
Have a great day!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Recipe Review. . .crescent rolls
I found this recipe when I was blog hopping.
It originally came from Liz Edmunds - the Food Nanny.
I'm always on the look out for easy bread/roll recipes that taste good, so I thought I would give this one a try.
My review:
PROS: Easy to follow recipe, common ingredients, dough super easy to work with (not sticky at all), baked in a short amount of time, worked with 1/2 wheat flour (would probably be a lot softer with all white flour), 1/2 recipe made 2 dozen rolls, still soft and delicious the next day.
CONS: Took forever to raise the first time(could be the 1/2 wheat flour though), didn't "unroll" like a typical crescent roll (we just sliced them in half instead).
Overall: My family LOVED these - especially hot with butter and jam, although I liked them better when they were warm with butter and jam. Luke ate 3 plain and said they were the best "plain" rolls he'd ever had. My vote is this recipe is a keeper simply because it's easy, the dough handles well, and the rolls taste good the same day and the day after.
Give it a try and see what you think.
Crescent Rolls (Liz Edmunds)
4 tbsp yeast
1/2 cup + 2 tbsp warm water
* Mix together and allow to sit for 10 minutes. (I think if you added some of the sugar here (maybe 2 tbsp) instead of where it says in the recipe, the dough might have a shorter first rise time).
*Mix together very well in a separate bowl (I used my Bosch): 6 eggs, 1 cup oil (I used 1/2 olive oil and 1/2 vegetable oil), and 1 cup sugar.
*Warm 2 cups milk in the microwave. Just warm, not scalding.
*Add warm milk and yeast mixture to the egg mixture. Mix until combined.
*Add 1 cup flour and 2 tbsp salt. Continue adding flour 1 cup at a time (just leave the mixer running while you add the flour) until the dough is well combined and pulls away from the sides of the bowl, up to 11 cups total.
*Mix/knead at med-high speed for 5 minutes. Let raise 2-3 hours. (I transfered mine to a greased bowl for rising, but with 1/2 batch, next time I will just leave it in the Bosch bowl).
*Separate dough into 6 even balls (the dough was dense and smooth - not sticky at all). Roll each ball to the diameter of a dinner plate. Cut into wedges like a pizza. 8 wedges per circle. Roll and form crescent shape. Put 3 across, 8 down on each of 2 jellyroll pans (I didn't grease mine and they came out fine). Allow to double in size (they say 15 minutes raise time - mine weren't doubled by then, but I put them in the oven at that point anyway!).
*Bake 1 sheet at a time in a 400* oven. Bake 6 minutes on the bottom rack and 5 on the middle rack. Check to see that bottoms are browned before taking them from the oven. Cook a little longer if necessary so they aren't doughy. Brush with butter (I didn't).
It originally came from Liz Edmunds - the Food Nanny.
I'm always on the look out for easy bread/roll recipes that taste good, so I thought I would give this one a try.
My review:
PROS: Easy to follow recipe, common ingredients, dough super easy to work with (not sticky at all), baked in a short amount of time, worked with 1/2 wheat flour (would probably be a lot softer with all white flour), 1/2 recipe made 2 dozen rolls, still soft and delicious the next day.
CONS: Took forever to raise the first time(could be the 1/2 wheat flour though), didn't "unroll" like a typical crescent roll (we just sliced them in half instead).
Overall: My family LOVED these - especially hot with butter and jam, although I liked them better when they were warm with butter and jam. Luke ate 3 plain and said they were the best "plain" rolls he'd ever had. My vote is this recipe is a keeper simply because it's easy, the dough handles well, and the rolls taste good the same day and the day after.
Give it a try and see what you think.
Crescent Rolls (Liz Edmunds)
4 tbsp yeast
1/2 cup + 2 tbsp warm water
* Mix together and allow to sit for 10 minutes. (I think if you added some of the sugar here (maybe 2 tbsp) instead of where it says in the recipe, the dough might have a shorter first rise time).
*Mix together very well in a separate bowl (I used my Bosch): 6 eggs, 1 cup oil (I used 1/2 olive oil and 1/2 vegetable oil), and 1 cup sugar.
*Warm 2 cups milk in the microwave. Just warm, not scalding.
*Add warm milk and yeast mixture to the egg mixture. Mix until combined.
*Add 1 cup flour and 2 tbsp salt. Continue adding flour 1 cup at a time (just leave the mixer running while you add the flour) until the dough is well combined and pulls away from the sides of the bowl, up to 11 cups total.
*Mix/knead at med-high speed for 5 minutes. Let raise 2-3 hours. (I transfered mine to a greased bowl for rising, but with 1/2 batch, next time I will just leave it in the Bosch bowl).
*Separate dough into 6 even balls (the dough was dense and smooth - not sticky at all). Roll each ball to the diameter of a dinner plate. Cut into wedges like a pizza. 8 wedges per circle. Roll and form crescent shape. Put 3 across, 8 down on each of 2 jellyroll pans (I didn't grease mine and they came out fine). Allow to double in size (they say 15 minutes raise time - mine weren't doubled by then, but I put them in the oven at that point anyway!).
*Bake 1 sheet at a time in a 400* oven. Bake 6 minutes on the bottom rack and 5 on the middle rack. Check to see that bottoms are browned before taking them from the oven. Cook a little longer if necessary so they aren't doughy. Brush with butter (I didn't).
Friday, July 17, 2009
What are you waiting for?!
Check out these links for some free stuff (found on pinching your pennies). . .
1 box ziploc sandwich bags + 1 small twist and lock container:
http://www.rightathome.com/offers/0907RAHgift-freeziploc/
Some stuff from Wal-Mart (changes often):
http://walmart.triaddigital.com/In-Stores-Now-Free-Samples-And-Trials.aspx
Ashley Tisdale party pack (free lip gloss, cd, etc. for your girls):
http://www.ashleytisdale.com/throw-guilty-pleasure-release-party
Jiffy mix recipe book:
http://www.jiffymix.com/index.php/order-our-recipe-book/
Dove Shampoo:
http://www.dove.us/?utm_source=sample&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=June_Hair_Promo_email&source=junehairpromosample#/haircare/free_sample.aspx
I really should be doing something besides playing on the computer. . .I did make 6 1/2 pints of raspberry jam after I picked the raspberries this morning. Does that count?!
1 box ziploc sandwich bags + 1 small twist and lock container:
http://www.rightathome.com/offers/0907RAHgift-freeziploc/
Some stuff from Wal-Mart (changes often):
http://walmart.triaddigital.com/In-Stores-Now-Free-Samples-And-Trials.aspx
Ashley Tisdale party pack (free lip gloss, cd, etc. for your girls):
http://www.ashleytisdale.com/throw-guilty-pleasure-release-party
Jiffy mix recipe book:
http://www.jiffymix.com/index.php/order-our-recipe-book/
Dove Shampoo:
http://www.dove.us/?utm_source=sample&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=June_Hair_Promo_email&source=junehairpromosample#/haircare/free_sample.aspx
I really should be doing something besides playing on the computer. . .I did make 6 1/2 pints of raspberry jam after I picked the raspberries this morning. Does that count?!
{waving Hi!}
We're here. We're alive. So is everyone else that we're related to.
That's a good thing. :)
The family reunion was a blast! I love my family. My cousins are so much fun.
The kids had a great time riding in the wagon behind the big hoof horses, playing in the water, jumping on the tramp, and just being crazy silly kids. Luke enjoyed playing horseshoes and baseball with the cousins. My favorite part was holding baby Rhev. I held him nearly the entire time we were there. Ahhhhh. Pure bliss.
We've been home since Sunday. I've had a math meeting. Worked on math. Worked on a RS lesson. (Am I the only Mormon that had no idea what the Wentworth Letter was?!). Started decluttering. (6 bags of books, 2 bags of dvds, and 1 vcr to the library plus 2 HUGE boxes slated for the DI). Played Mom. Made 2 quilts. Cooked a little bit. Forgot to put sunscreen on the kids every.single.day. Sigh. It's been quite a week.
This weekend is more of the same, plus picking raspberries and making jam. Watching Luke play in a softball tournament (three cheers for Aflac! He hasn't played in nearly 5 years. . .). Taking bridals for Kirstie. Teaching RS. Working on math. More decluttering.
This decluttering is consuming my life. :)
I love seeing empty spaces in my home, empty shelves that can be taken out of my home, and knowing that this stuff we don't need that is taking up space and emotional energy is going to places that can use it best. The librarians were seriously so ecstatic about those bags of stuff. Especially the dvds and the vcr. Why I had a vcr and no vhs movies is beyond me, but it's no longer cluttering up my home.
This week I need to do a post all about my Kenton. He turned 9 on Sunday. 9. Whoa.
Plus I have some photos to share from our summer adventures. And a few recipes to review. New ones that will be taking permanent residence in our files.
So. . .we're alive. We're well. We're playing. We're enjoying summer. Hope it's the same with you.
That's a good thing. :)
The family reunion was a blast! I love my family. My cousins are so much fun.
The kids had a great time riding in the wagon behind the big hoof horses, playing in the water, jumping on the tramp, and just being crazy silly kids. Luke enjoyed playing horseshoes and baseball with the cousins. My favorite part was holding baby Rhev. I held him nearly the entire time we were there. Ahhhhh. Pure bliss.
We've been home since Sunday. I've had a math meeting. Worked on math. Worked on a RS lesson. (Am I the only Mormon that had no idea what the Wentworth Letter was?!). Started decluttering. (6 bags of books, 2 bags of dvds, and 1 vcr to the library plus 2 HUGE boxes slated for the DI). Played Mom. Made 2 quilts. Cooked a little bit. Forgot to put sunscreen on the kids every.single.day. Sigh. It's been quite a week.
This weekend is more of the same, plus picking raspberries and making jam. Watching Luke play in a softball tournament (three cheers for Aflac! He hasn't played in nearly 5 years. . .). Taking bridals for Kirstie. Teaching RS. Working on math. More decluttering.
This decluttering is consuming my life. :)
I love seeing empty spaces in my home, empty shelves that can be taken out of my home, and knowing that this stuff we don't need that is taking up space and emotional energy is going to places that can use it best. The librarians were seriously so ecstatic about those bags of stuff. Especially the dvds and the vcr. Why I had a vcr and no vhs movies is beyond me, but it's no longer cluttering up my home.
This week I need to do a post all about my Kenton. He turned 9 on Sunday. 9. Whoa.
Plus I have some photos to share from our summer adventures. And a few recipes to review. New ones that will be taking permanent residence in our files.
So. . .we're alive. We're well. We're playing. We're enjoying summer. Hope it's the same with you.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Sometimes life just hurts
Grammy says Uncle Darrell isn't doing very well at all.
We thought we should tell the kids last night so that if something did happen, they'd be prepared.
Honestly I thought I would wake up to a message or a phone call from Grammy saying that he was gone.
He's been sick for a lot longer than any of us realized.
He won't go to the dr.
He just keeps getting sicker and sicker.
Our prayers are for comfort for him and the ability of the family to accept Heavenly Father's will.
Cousin Marti was rushed to the ER on Monday with an extremely low heart rate.
She will most likely need a pacemaker.
She isn't much older than me.
Our prayers are for strength for her and her family.
If you are the praying kind, your prayers joined with ours would be so appreciated.
We thought we should tell the kids last night so that if something did happen, they'd be prepared.
Honestly I thought I would wake up to a message or a phone call from Grammy saying that he was gone.
He's been sick for a lot longer than any of us realized.
He won't go to the dr.
He just keeps getting sicker and sicker.
Our prayers are for comfort for him and the ability of the family to accept Heavenly Father's will.
Cousin Marti was rushed to the ER on Monday with an extremely low heart rate.
She will most likely need a pacemaker.
She isn't much older than me.
Our prayers are for strength for her and her family.
If you are the praying kind, your prayers joined with ours would be so appreciated.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
What we've been doing. . .(July 1-July 8, 2009)
Tautphaus Park Zoo with Grammy.
Logan City Fireworks (the flyover before they started).
Hyrum City Parade.
Cache Valley Cruise In.
Finishing up scout requirements with Tin Foil Dinners.
Taking random photos with Mom's camera.
Lots of cooking.
A little bit of sewing.
Finishing up scout requirements with Tin Foil Dinners.
They were YUMMY!
Taking random photos with Mom's camera.
Lots of cooking.
A little bit of sewing.
Whew! No wonder we're exhausted!
What a fun 8 days it's been!
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Note to self:
When attempting to make the delicious looking Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies in the latest e-issue of Betty Crocker, do NOT make an entire batch of homemade brownie batter, put it in the jellyroll pan and top with 30 half-size homemade cookie dough chunks.
Do not.
You'll get a HUGE mess in the oven (that may or may not start on fire) and your brownies will not be quite so delicious looking.
They'll taste quite delightful however.
However, the mess probably isn't worth it.
Half the brownie recipe and use a 9x13 cake pan.
Seriously.
Do not.
You'll get a HUGE mess in the oven (that may or may not start on fire) and your brownies will not be quite so delicious looking.
They'll taste quite delightful however.
However, the mess probably isn't worth it.
Half the brownie recipe and use a 9x13 cake pan.
Seriously.
Can I just say. . .
. . .how nice it is that the little square on the calendar labeled July 8 is blank?!
Not that I don't have a ton to do.
It's just that I don't have anywhere to go.
Just me, the kids, and our to do lists.
Oh, and the kids are still asleep.
My kids. Sleeping. At 8:19 am.
WHAT?! I know.
I'm being quiet.
Maybe they'll sleep a good long time.
Heaven knows they need it.
Today I am going to enjoy my blank calendar square day.
Probably a lot more than I should. :)
Not that I don't have a ton to do.
It's just that I don't have anywhere to go.
Just me, the kids, and our to do lists.
Oh, and the kids are still asleep.
My kids. Sleeping. At 8:19 am.
WHAT?! I know.
I'm being quiet.
Maybe they'll sleep a good long time.
Heaven knows they need it.
Today I am going to enjoy my blank calendar square day.
Probably a lot more than I should. :)
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