In my life this week…

After a week of rain, this week has been gorgeous.  We are very lucky to live right next to a major park, so we have spent every single day outside.  I scheduled a lot of play dates in addition to our usual playgroup.  We also met my friend Kathy for breakfast at Roswell Provisions on Wednesdays.  I am obsessed with that place.  It is becoming a habit.

In our homeschool this week…

The letter D!

We read a lot of books on dinosaurs, ducks, and dogs.

We also made a drum:

Oh, and a dinosaur…who has 4 legs and stilts, but who am I to judge?

Lastly, we put our duck in shaving cream.  This was such an awesome idea.  Also, I have never been so glad I bought some $1 brownie pans from Dollar Tree.  We use them for everything.

Today we are making donuts with my new donut pan {I am all about incorporating my favorite foods into our homeschool}.

Helpful homeschool tips or advice to share…

I really think you have to be okay with your kids making a mess.  The hour that Samuel played with the shaving cream exploring texture, moving it around, brushing it, etc was totally worth the 20 minutes it took me to get all of the shaving cream off of my kitchen floor.

My favorite thing this week was…

All of our play dates.  We have made such good friends since moving to Roswell in 2010, and I am thankful for each and every mom and child.

What’s working/not working for us…

I think doing an activity or two a day is the perfect amount.  He is really loving the time doing crafts and the time spent coloring and writing at his desk.

Questions/thoughts I have…

Where do you buy your craft supplies?  I’ve been ordering from Oriental Trading, but I’m looking for other places too.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

We made brownies this week.  Someone has perfected the art of spatula licking.

I have a thing for chili.  It is the perfect meal for a dreary day, and we seem to have a lot of those these days here in good ole Georgia.  There is something incredibly comforting about the familiar flavors…even when the recipe is different.

I do make chili regularly – probably once a month from September to March.  It has always been that way.  The interesting thing is I have never repeated a chili recipe.  There are so many good ones out there that I just can’t bring myself to make the same one twice.  I want to try every delicious one.  That said, this is my favorite.  It may become my go to chili recipe.

Chorizo & Beef Chili {adpated from Cooking Light: Cooking Through the Seasons}

Ingredients:

• 6 oz chorizo {note: mine came in casing which I recommend}
• 1 1/2 lbs stew meat
• 1 onion
• 4 garlic cloves
• 3 tbs tomato paste
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paparika
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 28 oz no sodium beef broth {sodium is fine if you like salt…I don’t}
• 28 oz rotel with chiles
• 2 tbs cornmeal
• 2 15 oz cans pinto beans
• 1 15 oz can black beans

Directions:

1.  Heat a cast iron dutch oven over medium-high heat.

2.  Remove the chorizo from the casings and break into small pieces.

3.  Add the chorizo to the pan and cook for about 5 minutes until brown.

4.  Remove the chorizo from the pan and transfer to a medium bowl.

5.  Add half of the stew meat to the dutch oven.  Cook until browned.

6.  Remove the meat and transfer to the bowl with the chorizo.  Cook the other half of the meat and then transfer that to the bowl.

7.  Chop the onion and garlic.

8.  Cook the onion and garlic for about 3 minutes in the dutch oven.

9.  Add the chorizo, stew meat, tomato paste, sugar, salt, cocoa powder, and spices to the dutch oven.  Mix thoroughly and cook for 1-2 minutes.

10.  Add the red wine, broth, and rotel to the pot.  Bring to a boil.  Cover and reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.

11.  Stir in the cornmeal.  Add pinto beans and black beans.  Bring to a boil.  Cover and reduce heat to low.  Simmer 30 minutes.

12.  Serve.

Grade: A-

Comments:  This chili is definitely good, and the wine and chocolate add a really unique flavor.  However, the consistency is much more like stew than regular chili.  That isn’t a bad thing.  Trust me.  I served this with some biscuits, and we all ate it right up.  The chorizo adds some spice without being too much.  If you like spicier chili I would add some chiles to the mix.

I love breakfast food.  I love it in the morning, noon, and night.  If given the opportunity I would eat pancakes for breakfast and dinner.

After my little sausage & apple dinner a few days ago, I couldn’t drop the idea.  The flavors went so well together {I realize this is common knowledge…except for me apparently}, and I wanted breakfast for dinner.

Breakfast casseroles are great, because they can be thrown together, put in the fridge for up to 24 hours, and then cooked and eaten the next day.  They reheat well.  They taste well cold.  They are delicious.  Anyway, I made this for dinner one night.  I only refrigerated it for 2 hours, but you could do longer.  I would have if I had remembered to take the sausage out of the freezer in a timely fashion.

Sausage and Apple Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1/3 baguette
• 1/2 onion
• 1 lb ground sausage
• 1 gala apple
• 1/2 cup milk
• 8 eggs

Directions:

1.  Spray a 9×13 glass pan with olive oil.

2.  Break the baguette into bite size pieces and put in the glass pan.

3.  Chop the onion into small pieces.  Set aside.

4.  Dice the apple.  Set aside.

5.  Cook the sausage on medium-high heat in a large skillet.  Be sure to break up the sausage as it cooks.

6.  Add the sausage, apples, and onions to the glass pan.

7.  Mix the eggs and milk in a large bowl.  Make sure the yolks are broken up.

8.  Dump the egg and milk mixture over the ingredients in the glass bowl.  Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

9.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

10.  Cook the casserole {uncovered} for 30-45 minutes.

11.  Serve.

Grade: B+

Comments:  My only regret is that I didn’t use more apple.  Seriously.  This is a really good and easy meal that is filled with a lot of flavors that go together.  However, the apple flavor isn’t that strong.  If you love apples {I do} then you may consider adding a second apple to the recipe.  Otherwise, this is a great little winter comfort breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

In my life this week…

I feel like it has been raining almost non-stop for a week.  There was a break in the rain on Tuesday and Wednesday, and so on Tuesday I took Homeslice to walk at the park right down the street.  On Wednesday we went for a nice long hike through the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area.

I am over rain.

In our homeschool this week…

The letter C!

We made chocolate chip oatmeal cookies on Tuesday.  They were not very good, but that was probably because I let Samuel measure out the ingredients.  Let’s just say 1 cup of flour to him and me looks very different.  Here’s the important thing – he had an awesome time doing it, and it was the first time I didn’t pre-measure things for him.

We made a cat mask on Wednesday.

Today we are making a caterpillar from the letter C.  Also playing cars…a lot.

Helpful homeschool tips or advice to share…

Someone asked me the other day how I get my 18 month old to sit still for crafts, and honestly, I think it is because we started young.  We started with fingerpainting around 6 months, and I always try to do one art or craft activity a day.  I think it helps.

Also, for as much as my kid runs around, give him crafts, books, or his Thomas the Tank set, and he won’t move for an hour or more.  It may just be personality.

My favorite thing this week was…

On Thursday morning, I couldn’t sleep thanks to the whole 30 weeks pregnant gig.  Instead I got out of bed at 2:45 AM and curled up with a book on the couch {okay, if I’m honest I watched Criminal Minds online first}.  At 5:00 AM I heard Homeslice knocking on his bedroom door asking me to come get him.

He woke up happy and full of giggles.  I love the rare quiet mornings together before the sun comes up.  We played trains and watched the sunrise.  It definitely set the tone for an awesome day.

What’s working/not working for us…

At this point I am really happy with my letter of the week plan.  It gives me something to “plan” around without being too dictating which I think is best for a toddler.

Questions/thoughts I have…

What are your thoughts on homeschooled kids being allowed access to public school sports?

I love it!  I’ve been following the hearings in Virginia.  Here’s to hoping Georgia hops on that bus soon! {correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think we have the “Tim Tebow” laws here}

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Education should focus on the consumer – the parents – because it’s their job to educate their children. – Rick Santorum {he and his wife homeschool their 7 kids…just thought the quote was interesting}

I do not generally worship at the altar of celebrity chefs.  Sure…I like Anthony Bourdain, Michael Symon, and Richard Blais.  I find their personalities, thoughts on food, and recipes to be refreshing and fun.  However, I just like them.  I would like to have a meal with them and pick their brains.

I have one exception to my celebrity chef ambivalence.

Thomas Keller.

I believe Thomas Keller is one of the most important and influential chefs to ever live.  Over the past 5 or so years, I have soaked up every article, interview, and book about him I can find.  To me, Thomas Keller is everything that is right about food.  In fact, I don’t know that I would call him a celebrity chef.  More like a chef that has become popular because he loves food and has changed the restaurant world.

Eating at The French Laundry remains #1 on my bucket list.  I imagine it would be an amazing experience that I would talk about for the rest of my life.  In my head, it is a restaurant unlike any other.  I’ve taken the cookbook out from the library a dozen times…never to attempt one of the recipes, but rather to read and stare.  It is unbelievable.

When the Bouchon cookbook ended up under my Christmas tree {thanks, Nathan!} I was thrilled.  Bouchon is more my cooking style.  It is French bistro cooking at its finest.  I can handle these recipes, and in the month I have owned it I have already attempted a few with great success – including this one.

Let me say this: Keller is a genius.  However, the Bouchon cookbook is perfect for the home cook who needs to impress people without being pretentious.  Keller has simplified some of the recipes and changed ingredients so the recipes in this cookbook are attainable.  He wants you to make these things.  This book is worth every cent of its $50.00 price tag.

Boer Sausage with Peppered Apples and Pureed Potatoes {slightly adapted from Bouchon}

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boer sausage {you probably won’t find this at your grocery store. I bought mine at a small local shop that specializes in local charcuterie.}
• freshly ground black pepper
• 2 gala apples
• about 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 lbs cooking potatoes
• 8 oz unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup half & half

Directions:

for the sausage and apples

1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees.

2. Cut the sausage into 6 sections.  Season with a little ground pepper.

3. Peel the apples, remove the seeds, and cut into 12 wedges per apple.

4. Toss the apples with ground pepper.

5. Pour 1/8 inch of vegetable oil into two large skillets.  Heat over medium-high heat.

6. When the oil is hot, reduce the heat to medium and add half of the sausage and half of the apples to each skillet.

7. Brown the sausages for 3-4 minutes on each side.  Turn the apples as they brown. {note: be careful with the sausage…it cooks very quickly}

8. When the sausage is browned, reduce the heat and cook another 1-2 minutes.

9. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.

10. Transfer the sausage to the baking sheet and place in the oven to keep the sausage warm.

11. Transfer all of the apples to one skillet.  Continue to brown the apples until they are soft but not falling apart.

12. Once the apples are done put them in a bowl covered with aluminum foil to keep them warm until you are ready to serve them.

for the the pureed potatoes

1. Peel the potatoes and cut them into 2 inch pieces.

2.  Transfer the potatoes to a large pot and fill with cold water. The water should come about 1″ above the potatoes.

3.  Cook the potatoes on medium-high heat until they are soft and can be easily pierced with a fork.  About 20 minutes.

4. Cut the butter into very small slices.

5.  Put half of the butter in a blender.

6.  Drain the potatoes.

7.  Dump half of the potatoes into the blender.

8.  Blend the potatoes and butter on the puree setting until they are very smooth. {totally didn’t take a photo of this, but it should look kind of like baby food}

9. Transfer the pureed potatoes to a medium saucepan.

10. Repeat the blender process with the second half of the potatoes.  Transfer to the saucepan.

11. Heat the pureed potatoes on low heat.  Add the half & half very slowly while using a whisk to blend everything together for about 5 minutes.  The potatoes should have a consistency between mashed potatoes and baby food.

to serve

Serve the sausage, apples, and potatoes together.  If you are going for appearance stack the potatoes on the bottom topped with sausage and apples.  If you are like me and don’t really like your foods to touch, put them all next to each other nicely on a plate.

Grade: A++

Comments: Probably the best meal I have ever made.  I absolutely love the sausage and apples together.  I had never made boer sausage before, and I was happy to see it tastes way better than anything at the grocery store.  This is a must make dish.  It looks like a lot of work, but I assure you it isn’t hard.  This is one of those meals that will impress without stressing you out.

In my life this week…

Coming off of 12 days out of town, my inlaws came to town for the long weekend.  The weather was crummy so we mostly ate, listened to football games, and played with Samuel.

Once they left on Monday, things got busy.  Samuel had his wellness checkup, and I had my 28 week maternity appointment.  I’m not good at spacing these things out.

In our homeschool this week…

This week’s letter is B.  We read books about beekeepers, buildings, and best friends.  We made our very own bee out of construction paper, craft sticks, and pipe cleaners.  Friday we are having a bear picnic with peanut butter and honey sandwiches, apples, celery, and snow ice cream.

We also went to the library on Tuesday and took out a bunch of books.  Homeslice is starting to really have opinions about what books he wants to take out for the week.  Not surprisingly almost every book is Thomas the Tank or animals.

My favorite thing this week…

Yesterday we went to Catch Air for storytime and snack with some of our friends from playgroup.  We both love that place.  I really enjoy climbing around the indoor jungle gym or into the ballpit.  Additionally, Homeslice has become way more independent there.  I turn my head for a second, and he has climbed into or on something.  It is a great time.  I definitely don’t regret buying a multiple visit pass!

Questions/thoughts I have…

I’m looking for a book that lists books for kids broken down by age.  For instance, what books should a preschooler, kindergartener, 1st grader, etc read each year.  Any ideas of a good resource like that?

Things I am working on…

February’s crafts and activities.  Also going through Homeslice’s old clothes to see if we can pull out some gender neutral things {white onesies, yellow pajamas, etc} for Lillian before I go on a massive shopping spree for girl clothes.

I’m reading…

Right now Dr. Death by Jonathan Kellerman, but I’m almost finished {his books are my guilty pleasure}.  After this I’m thinking Lady Susan by Jane Austen.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

I have nothing.  I was on the computer a grand total of about 45 minutes this week, and 15 minutes of that was writing this post.

In my life this week…

We got back from 12 days away on Saturday.  We went to visit my parents in Pennsylvania for an extended stay, because we probably won’t see them again until May or June after Lillian is born.  While we were there we went to New York City for a day to see some old friends, and on the drive home {yes…drive} we stopped in North Carolina to see some more friends.

This entire week has obviously been about unpacking, organizing, and bringing some semblance of order back to our home.

In our homeschool this week…

Taking a page out of my playgroup friend Ambre’s book I have decided to “teach” Homeslice a letter each week.  For those that don’t know, he is 18 months old but has an incredible ability to sit still when he is learning something or doing a craft activity {other times?  notsomuch}.  I think this is all because we bought him an old school desk that he absolutely loves.

Anyway, this week was the letter A.  We did some apple painting {pictured above}, read the story of Adam & Eve, read a book about ants, and most importantly I bought the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom book & cd.  This is a hit.

We also did a ton of other stuff, because I am a huge believer little kids should do crafts everyday.

I’ve really started using my Well-Planned Day planner if only to plan little activities ahead of time so I can stop running to the store every morning to get things for a craft.  I’m also being more deliberate about some of the books we get out from the library for him.

My favorite thing this week was…

If this teaching a letter thing is doing anything it is growing Homeslice’s vocabulary.  This week alone he added 4 new words to the ever growing list.  All of them A words…so I know something in that little toddler brain is clicking.

Questions/thoughts I have…

When does preschool start in your area?  Preschool here starts at age 2 most places, so I am planning to do preschool in the fall.  What is your favorite 2-3 year old curriculum?  Who uses Pre-K Scholars for a 2 year old, anyone?

I know I don’t need a curriculum, but I like the idea of having one as a guide for me – a guide not necessarily the end all and be all of my homeschool.

We own Heart of Dakota’s Little Hands to Heaven for ages 2-5.

Things I am working on…

Organizing and purging.  That is my life.

I’m reading…

I just finished The Duggars: 19 and Counting yesterday.  I started Cannery Row by John Steinbeck last night.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

I was cleaning out the closet on Wednesday, and this happened:

Yes. That is my child in a dog crate. He thought it was awesome.

There are certain facts in this world I hold to be self-evident: Fritos are a delicious guilty pleasure, and I love pop music.  The first one is what is important here.

I am not Southern.  I do not understand 75% of Southern food {what is this obsession with frying?!?}.  This has been the hardest part of adjusting to living in Georgia {although I’ve been here almost 6 years…but you know}.  The idea of putting Fritos under chili kind of freaked me out in a way that made me afraid I would become addicted to Southern cooking and never eat grilled chicken again.

Then I caved.  I was menu planning, and after picking a slew of healthy recipes knew we would need something hearty and comforting our first week back after two weeks out of town.  So I started flipping through some saved recipes, and there in front of me were two recipes that made me want to move to Texas and wear cowboy boots.  This isn’t a meal to be taken lightly.  It is good.  It is hearty.  It will make you want to sit outside on a cool 50 degree evening {see what I did there, Notherners? 50 is cool here.} and watch a high school football game.

Frito Chili Pie {adapted from The Pioneer Woman and The Homesick Texan}

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs 85/15 ground beef
• 2 tbs minced garlic {I used the jar kind, because I forgot to buy garlic…oops}
• 2 8 oz cans no salt tomato sauce
• 1 can Rotel with cilantro and lime
• 1/2 tbs cumin
• 1 1/2 tbs paprika
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1 can pinto beans
• bag of Fritos
• shredded Mexican mix cheese

Directions:

1.  In a large pot {the one you will use to make the chili} brown the ground beef.

2.  Once the beef is almost done, add the tomato sauce, Rotel, garlic, cumin, paprika, oregano, and cinnamon.  Mix well.  Let simmer on low heat for 30 minutes.

3.  Drain and rinse the beans.

4.  Add the beans to the meat mixture.  Mix well.  Let simmer on low for another 30 minutes.

5.  Dump some Fritos into bowls.

6.  Add a sizable amount of chili {I used 1 ladle full for me and 2 ladles full for Nathan}.  Top with cheese.

Grade: B+

Comments:  I don’t really know how to describe this.  It isn’t the best chili recipe I’ve ever put together, but it sure isn’t the worst either.  For some reason adding Fritos made the chili itself even better.  I will say this: I suspect that a simple chili recipe is needed for Frito pie.  Anything too complicated would take away from the hominess of the meal.  What I’m saying is make this.  I am going to try to make it again come the Super Bowl.  It is perfect for serving to large groups!

{Please excuse the horrible photos.  The light above my stove and one of my kitchen lights burned out yesterday while I was cooking.}

December flew by, didn’t it?  I looked up, and it was a few days before Christmas.  Most of the month was spent doing adorable little toddler crafts and reading every Christmas book the library has to offer.

We had a lovely holiday just the three of us in very rainy Georgia.  Samuel was thrilled with his new toy train, and he has hardly put it down for more than a few minutes.  Nathan surprised me with Bouchon by Thomas Keller {I’m obsessed with Keller} and a new rolling pin that looks like it is just what I need after being disappointed with my last three {yes…really…including 2 Kitchen Aid rolling pins}.

We are heading to my parents’ house in Pennsylvania for the New Year.  Once we return blogging will be back to normal!  I have a few recipes ready to go that just need pictures uploaded.  There are also some posts about toddler crafts and books to read in the wings.

Oh, and while I haven’t posted here in December, I was over at my other gig Hip Homeschool Moms!

Have a great New Year and see you in 2012!

I have one major pet peeve in life: bad table manners.  It stems from a childhood with parents who shared the same pet peeve.  We often heard things like “chew with your mouth closed” or “put the napkin in your lap.”  My extended exposure to lessons on dining has made me paranoid that one day my kid will be the one shooting straw wrappers across the table at some restaurant while his homecoming date looks on horrified.

Here are my basic table manner rules as applied to my 17 month old.  Most of these rules have existed since we started solids, and so we have few issues now.  However, they can be adapted for any age.

Do NOT chew with your mouth open.  I can forgive the occasional table misstep with this one exception.  I am thoroughly grossed out by open mouth chewers {sorry if you are one}.  Thankfully, Samuel seems to be naturally inclined to chew with his mouth closed, and he only does this when he is screwing around.   My solution: usually a quick “please don’t chew with your mouth open” is enough to correct him since it comes when he is being funny.  If it doesn’t work, he loses his food for one minute {one minute for every year of age}.

Do not throw food at the dog.  This is a big problem in our house.  Probably the biggest behavior issue we have {thank goodness}.  Stitch {our pug} loves to sit at the bottom of Homeslice’s high chair and wait.  Inevitably, Samuel will throw something.  My solution: I’ve started letting Homeslice be in charge of Stitch’s treats.  Allowing him to give the dog his food instead seems to curb the problem.  He enjoys the process of feeding the dog, so for now this usually works.  If he still decides to throw food, I take his food for 1 minute.

Act calmly at restaurants.  When we were in South Carolina back in March {Homeslice was 9ish months old}, we actually got our food to go and left.  It had been a long day, and we knew we were pushing it.  Samuel had an epic meltdown right after we ordered.  I calmly removed him from the situation, and we waited in the car while Nathan paid and got our food.  Other than that one instance, we have had no issues.  My solution: I am a firm believer that taking kids out to eat breeds good dining behavior.  We took Samuel out to eat for the first time when he was 9 days old.  Not that I am going to be taking a toddler to a 5 star establishment, but we have only been out to eat once without him.  He always comes.  We don’t eat out that often {maybe 2 times a month}, but it is enough to expose him to the atmosphere and our expectations.  If he were to act up again {and I’m sure he will one day} I plan to follow the same plan as in South Carolina.

No yelling at the table.  We haven’t encountered this that much, but I am sure it will become an issue.  Sometimes kids don’t realize how loud they are, or they want to get the attention of adults in the room.  My solution: I’m a huge fan of the “please use your indoor voice” phrase, and when said calmly, it seems to do the trick.

Refusing to eat what is made for dinner.  Let me say off the bat Samuel is not a picky eater.  We had an issue with applesauce for about 6 months, but that was the only food he wouldn’t eat {he has since decided he loves it}.  The kid has eaten everything from celery to a spicy tuna roll to steak.  However, two times he has refused to eat mostly as a way of testing boundaries.  My solution: he doesn’t eat unless he eats what I give him.  To some this is harsh “he’ll starve!”  No he won’t.  Both times he has eventually caved.  I do not make special meals.  It also dawned on me about 2 months ago that he has opinions about food – preferences {yogurt} and things he likes less but still eats {ham}.  Now he gets to pick his own lunch everyday.  I find that this gives him some independence.  For instance, today he picked a cheese quesadilla, orange, and green beans.

Reaching across the table, elbows on the table, and other tabletop issues.  We have chosen to keep Samuel in a high chair at this point, but soon he will be transitioning to a booster seat.  Kids often don’t understand that they should respect the tabletop.  My solution: repetitive reminding of what is appropriate.  Elbows on the table seems to be the hardest for kids because they don’t always sit at the correct level.  Another way to handle it was give them a placemat and tell them that it is their “special space.”  Make sure it is small enough that their arms don’t fit.

This is just a touch of the rules that can create good dining behavior.  What rules do you have in your house?