A Day in the Life of...

-
This week has turned out to be full and super busy! How does that happen so quickly? But it's okay we will just do what we can and roll with it. I was on the schedule to serve hot lunch at the High School where our two oldest boys attend . This is done twice a month and all of the Moms take turns. There are usually 4 Moms per meal but it only worked for two of us to serve today and one of the other Moms made all the salads so that helped a lot. We had a simple lunch of Angel Hair Lasagna and Garlic Bread with Salads (BLT, Caesar, and Olive Garden) and an Ice Cream Dessert. The hot lunches are always appreciated and for me it's always fun to go and see the other kids the boys are with 9 months out of the year.
 
To keep my sanity and some balance to my life, in my few spare moments today I did a few experiments in the kitchen. Believe it or not it helps me to relax.
 
Natural Red Velvet Cupcakes
 
Just hearing the words Red Velvet makes my body have a reaction thinking of all the food coloring! But no fear these are made with beet juice. I was very intrigued and have been wanting to try these for a while. They are waiting for icing and taste testers. :)
 
The other experiment was this.
 

A Strawberry Vinaigrette. It is yummy! and sugar free :) Maybe I'll have a salad for breakfast! The next time I make it I want to try juicing the berries instead of blending. I think it will be a more clear red color which is what I wanted. So... that was my day besides preparing supper and nursing a headache and trying to deny there's a sore throat brewing. The headache comes from not eating sugar. I know! I'm horrified too! But it's a good thing, so I'll live with it till it goes away.
 
These blue beauties have discovered the homemade suet and have been hogging the feeder. I don't mind if they're greedy though. They are gorgeous!
 

I also spent some time at the window watching these guys after school. This is what they do every afternoon weather permitting. They have a lot of fun together! The 3rd one is off to the left throwing to these two.
 


 
They smelled like fresh grass when they came inside. :)
 
Thanks for visiting and I hope your evening is relaxing!
♥Blessings!♥

Comments

  1. UnknownJanuary 8, 2013 at 9:00 PM

    How about a suet recipe?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MarthaJanuary 8, 2013 at 9:31 PM

      Mary Ann, I posted the recipe for the suet a little while ago. If you scroll down you'll find it. :) Thanks for stopping in!

      Delete
  2. Betsy BrockJanuary 8, 2013 at 9:18 PM

    Hope the sore throat dies away!

    I make a chocolate cake with beets in it and they give it a lovely color and the taste is delicious...nobody would know there were beets in it! I'm sure your cupcakes will be the same way!

    I love puttering in the kitchen..it is relaxing!

    You're cutting out sugar? Whoa. haha. I'm just limiting my sweets to one a day...a dessert after dinner with tea....but only if I've been on the treadmill. :)
    And believe it or not, that is cutting back a LOT. haha.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MarthaJanuary 8, 2013 at 9:25 PM

      Oh that sounds like a reasonable way to cut back. My husband and I are doing a cleanse right now so no white sugar or white flour. :) I'm sure I'll HAVE to taste the cupcakes tomorrow :)

      Delete
  3. AnonymousJanuary 9, 2013 at 10:16 AM

    hope you feel better - those little red velvet cupcakes look SO lovely!
    Mary x

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownJanuary 9, 2013 at 1:11 PM

    Martha, what a fun day you had in the kitchen, love your results but love those handsome boys even better. I know you love seeing them have so much fun together! Hope your headache is much better.

    ReplyDelete
  5. ZoeJanuary 9, 2013 at 5:39 PM

    Hi Martha,

    Totally agree with you that life being a mum is never easy. I cook and bake a lot too to keep my sanity - LOL!

    You must be happy now to see your boys are all grown-ups now. Mine is still growing by inches *sign*

    Nice to know you via blogging. I'm now your latest follower :D

    Zoe

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Creamy Finger Jello

-
Image
I was asked to bring finger Jello to serve with a hot lunch us room Mom's were serving to Serena's classroom at school. Jello isn't something I typically serve,but I have about 2 or 3 recipes using Jello that I make about once in a blue moon. One reason I make this one is because it isn't a typical, plain finger Jello. But also because it looks like a two step process when it really isn't. Everything is mixed as one and it separates as it sets. And the cream adds a good flavor. 2 large boxes Jello 4 packages plain gelatin 4½ cups boiling water ¼ cup cold water 1 cup heavy cream Combine the Jello and gelatin and whisk together. Add the boiling water and whisk until Jello is dissolved. Add the remaining ingredients and stir. Pour into a lightly greased (this helps to remove from the pan in a cleaner cut, spray the pan then wipe it down with a paper towel) glass 9 X 13 pan. Cover and chill till firm. Cut into desired shapes or squares and serve.
Read more

Seasoned Pretzels

-
Image
These pretzels have been around the block and back again, but they  really are  such an easy snack and they go well as an appetizer too. They are simple and require no baking which in my opinion is a definite plus! 18 ounces pretzel twists ½ cup olive oil 1 envelope original Hidden Valley Ranch Mix 1 teaspoon dill weed ½ teaspoon garlic powder Pour pretzels into a large bowl. In a smaller bowl combine oil and seasonings and mix well with a whisk. Pour over pretzels and toss to coat. Allow to rest at room temperature, stirring every now and then to coat again, until oil and seasonings are gone from the bottom over the bowl. Pretzels are ready to serve when they look dry again. Be Blessed!
Read more

Rice Krispy Rollups

-
Image
Here is another chocolate and peanut butter concoction that is totally irresistible and so easy to make. I sometimes make these instead of cookies if  I'm not in the baking mood. The only trouble is they never last long. Here's what you'll need: ¼ cup butter, melted 10½ ounces mini marshmallows 5½ cups Rice Krispies 1½ cups milk chocolate chips ½ cup peanut butter Melt butter in a 6 quart kettle, add marshmallows. Melt completely over low heat. Add the Rice Krispies. Mix well. Spread evenly into a greased 10½ x 15½ baking sheet. In a microwave safe bowl combine chocolate chips and peanut butter.  Melt at 1 minute intervals until completely melted, stirring after each minute. Spread on top of Rice Krispy mixture. Let set in a cool place till chocolate mixture sets up. Be careful not to let the chocolate get too hard, it will not make a neat roll if you do. Loosen all around with a metal spatula. Roll, start...
Read more