Weber Family Blog

Pizza Quick Bread

2012-01-26T20:16:00.000-08:00

I made this with Ray in mind and it turned out really well. Very yummy, but I think better warm. Mine was also fairly greasy, so I think I need less pepperoni as that's so greasy when cooked.

Pizza Quick Bread
Modified from Picky Palate

1 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
2 eggs (they say large, I only use extra large)
2 tbsp oil
3/4 cup buttermilk (remember you can use regular milk and lemon juice)
1 3/4 cups shredded Italian cheeses (they used 1/4 Parm, 1 1/2 Mozz...I used the store mix)
1 cup quartered pepperoni slices (I think I used a little too much as mine was a little greasy, which is the pepperoni)
1/2 cup marinara sauce
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 and spray bread pan with Pam.

Place flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and pepper into a large bowl. Mix eggs, oil, buttermilk then mix into flour, slowly. Fold in cheeses and pepperoni.

Pour half of the batter into bread pan. Top with marinara sauce then put rest of batter in.

Top with Italian seasoning and additional Parmesan cheese.

Bake for 45-55 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Let cool for 30 minutes before removing from the pan. Serve warm (room temp is fine, but warm is better).

Makes 8 servings.

Ancient Popcorn

2012-01-26T19:48:00.000-08:00

Thought this was pretty cool as my boys just adore popcorn!

Potato Tacos?

2012-01-26T19:43:00.000-08:00

I tried potato tacos tor dinner tonight. I'm a potato freak...had to try. Can't say this was good as a taco and it honestly isn't much of a recipe, but we liked the filling on its own - hash, maybe with some grilled ham, with leftovers and I think that will be better.

I used smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin and S&P as the seasonings.

Applesauce Bread

2012-01-26T19:35:00.000-08:00

This is so good...seriously, YUMMY!!!! I made three loaves, one plain for us and froze two with raisins and nuts for my next overseas package. I just love the taste! So go make this!

Applesauce Bread
Modified from Taste of Home

1/3 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 1/4 cups applesauce (I used unsweetened)
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp cloves
1/2 cups raisins (I see these at optional...I did a loaf plain and it was great)
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (I see these at optional...I did a loaf plain and it was great)

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add the egg and applesauce, mix well. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and cloves. Stir into creamed mixture just until moistened. Fold in raisins and nuts.

Pour into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

Death by Caramel Bars

2012-01-25T14:00:00.000-08:00

I saw this recipe and thought of my mother, so I made her a batch while they were here. We took the batch with us to CT and they got good reviews. They are VERY rich and you'd better like caramel! I didn't actually try any as I hate nuts, but that's the report I got. They are also VERY messy and sticky! The recipe recommends using them a sundae base with vanilla and that would probably be a good suggestion as it allows a utensil, plus cuts some of the caramel with vanilla.

Death by Caramel Bars
Modified from My Recipes

3 cups light brown sugar, packed
2 cups butter, melted (they said unsalted, I used salted....)
3 eggs, lightly beaten (they say large, I only buy extra-large)
1 tbsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 cup uncooked regular oats
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
6 caramel-peanut bars, chopped (they used 2.07 oz Snickers...I actually used PayDays, as they are my Mom's favorite and I was making these for hers...I think something like Snickers would probably actually make this a letters less gooey, but everyone liked these as is)
1 (14 oz) can dulce de leche (I did find a squeezy bottle of this that was like 15 oz that I used....I honestly think you could just use regular caramel sauce like you buy in the ice cream aisle...this was in the Mexican aisle, by the way)

Combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl and stir. Combine flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to butter mixture, stirring until just blended. Fold in chopped candy cars.

Put batter in foil lined 13 by 9 pan. Make sure to full foil this - it is STICKY!!!. Spoon dulce de leche over batter, swirl...I actually think I had too much...I did use it all though.

Bake at 325 for 1 hour and 5 minutes. Remove to a wire rack and cool completely (REALLY!!).

Lift out with foil and then peel off foil (seriously, this is hard - this is sticky, sticky, sticky). Cut into bars.

Makes 2 dozen.

Adam's Birthday

2012-01-24T17:00:00.000-08:00

Adam turned 4 on the 17th (can you believe it?) and so we had a little party at home for him plus he got to celebrate at school on the 19th.

Grandma frosting cupcakes - I made my regular cake and frosting, but did it as cupcakes.
Making dinosaur cookies to take to school

Dino cookie - pretty high art for Grandma and Mom!

Opening a present

CT pictures

2012-01-24T16:44:00.000-08:00

Car ride home - Andrew was so proud of getting to control the DVD player for a bit!
Cruising at Great-Gram's

Great Gram reading to Adam

Adam vaccuming Grandma's feet

Andrew at Great-Gram

The cousins: Grayson, Andrew and Adam with Auntie Sue

Reading to the boys (they are just 6 weeks apart)

Playing

Andrew and Grayson

Bridge at the pond

In Sam's shoes - Andrew loves shoes!

The boys and I at Emily's

Adam also figured out how to "fly"

Andrew and Farley

Andrew taking pictures at Auntie Stasia's

Andrew taking a break with some toons - I was working upstairs (on actual work) and he wanted to hang...I think he needed some pesronal space!

Adam "exercising"

Andrew feeding the baby

Grandparent pictures

2012-01-24T16:28:00.000-08:00

I'm trying to get the rest of my pictures up from my parents being here.

Riding the Grandpa "Moose" - see his antlers?
The park

Sliding down in the snow!

Dad compiled all the videos into one as well
Marching to the park

Olga spending some time with Grandma

Andrew in a box

Breaking the ice

Andrew's new favorite game - pretending to sleep!

Teeth....Again....

2012-01-20T11:35:00.000-08:00

So when I went in my regular check up at the end of October, we had a new dentist as our old one retired. Okay...not enamoured, but never am, so I was trying to be non-judgemental here. He seemed to find a LOT, but my old dentist, near retirement, tended to be reactive...the new one seems more proactive...okay, probably a good thing. So I go in for what I think is ONE appointment...no, then it has to be TWO....then THREE....and the third had to be approved and they put in a temporary on the last tooth. I'm NOT happy at this point, but I'm trying to get this finished and then might be finding a new dentist....but again was TRYING. So on Wednesday, I get a phone message that our insurance is screwed up...turned out he did so much work, he maxed out my limit so the insurance won't pay....and they closed until Monday for whatever reason. So on Monday, I'll be yelling. Well, Wednesday night my temporary fell out (I already had an appointment in a week to finish this supposedly) and they are CLOSED now until Monday. I can't live with this hole plus it is very sensitive (even the temp had been due to being close to the nerve). So I call a different dentist and get in on Thursday. They look at it - it will need a root canal (which they can actually do unlike the other guy), which is NOT what I had been told and would have probably meant I would NOT have been finished after the third appointment anyway. I'm super upset (I was crying all over the poor new dentist...I think he gets I have issues with dentists....), but I schedule the root canal as I do want this finished and they are sending in to my insurance (new year, they should pay....ugh....insurance is good, but so problematic....) then we can do it and they did put in a temporary crown, which is actually better than what I had before.

So the short version is I have to go in on Monday, probably pay the old office way too much money for their mistake (they should have known...one reason we'd kept on here after the first check up is that I like the staff and they do a good job...I totally blame this new guy and all his "new" ways....), then cancel all my appointments with them and get my records transferred. Then once my insurance clears the root canal I get the fun of that...it sounds like they might be willing to do it all in one appointment, which would make me much happier than the three they were originally going to do...I'm not a fan of spread it out...I'd rather just do it all at once and live with it.

I really need a break from teeth problems!

Cute Boys

2012-01-11T20:11:00.000-08:00

Checking out the new furniture!
In control of the remote - how MALE!

Mailing letters

Working the key

Matching overalls!

New Furniture

2012-01-11T20:03:00.000-08:00

We got a few new pieces of furniture today as my parents rented a van (we are trekking to CT to see family, Ray is staying here as he has to work) and it gave me room to move large items!

We are going to use this for the components to our TV (on top) and I'll use the drawers for storage. Eventually it will be one of the boys' dresser as Adam has built ins that we obviously can't move with us to the next house in a few years. This is tall enough to detract regular boy poking and prodding, which was the goal. But still MUCH smaller than an entertainment center!
New couch, also from the used furniture store. You can see it is in good condition and if the pattern gets on me, I'll just slip cover it. But after YEARS of whining, I'm giving up my favorite couch that "sucks" you in as everyone else hates that about it.

You can see the couch actually matches the carpet, strangely enough, and looks pretty nice. It is also smaller than the last one as it is more "contained." In our living room every inch counts!

New TV

2012-01-10T21:14:00.000-08:00

We bought and mounted a new TV - no more entertainment center!

Exploring the entertainment center as Mommy empties it

Andrew helping Grandpa put up the wall mount

Grandpa needs my tools!

New TV (we are looking for better component storage)

The box is fun!

Whose feet?

Boys

2012-01-10T21:13:00.001-08:00

New boots?
Playing with a dinosaur

Self-portrait of an artist

Today's Fun

2012-01-08T16:09:00.001-08:00

Drinking Grandma's 7-UP (not really)
Daddy fixed my dinosaur and gave it a tail!

Adam's picture of Grandpa

I fell in the water....

Walking with Grandma

Checking out the water and sticks

Last Night's Mr. Cool

2012-01-08T16:07:00.000-08:00

Andrew rocking some sunglasses!

Pushing Andrew

More fun!

2012-01-07T15:59:00.000-08:00

Adam's poor snow fort is fast disappearing....

Helping take down the Christmas lights....and notice we are back to rubber boots...so sad...

It was so warm, we went to the zoo

Bear heights!

Grandma on the rope bridge after Andrew!

Adam's brick road - the boys like to build roads and then run trucks on it...Adam was even "hauling" the bricks in the dump truck today!

Fun with Grandparents

2012-01-07T15:58:00.000-08:00

Snuggling with Grandma
Building a battleship with Grandpa

First Day Fun

2012-01-06T12:18:00.000-08:00

These are Dad's pictures - the kids aren't having fun at all, are they? Big kids, either!

Presents from Uncle Billy.....
Adam playing with Andrew's battleship from Uncle Billy (which Andrew is too little for)

Preparing for battle in his snow fort!

De gloving...as usual!!

Their snowman...our snow is melting fast so have to get it while we can!

Andrew is really into Grandpa's phone and that it makes moose calls!

The Grandparent have arrived....

2012-01-06T10:59:00.000-08:00

My parents got in last night and they kids still aren't sure as you can tell....yeah, right! They ran right up to them! You can see both boys cuddled right up to Grandpa!

Andrew in the fort Grandma built

Building a fort with Grandma

Taking so long to warm up....

Worn out by the grandkids....

Adam's "Rocket" Ship

2012-01-06T10:57:00.000-08:00

Adam wanted to build a rocket ship in the backyard and had to have his Handy Manny tools...I asked him what tools did he want (thinking he's say a hammer or something like that) and he tells me, "Pat, and Rusty, and Dusty...." he got them all....so I had to get them out of the house. We bought these years ago and they've been well loved!

Snowball Fun

2012-01-04T16:38:00.000-08:00

Adam has discovered the fun of throwing snowballs!

Adam also goes over my my strawberry pots and tells me my plants are frozen and then starts to clean them off!

Cleaning....

2012-01-04T15:04:00.000-08:00

Ah, cleaning with two boys in tow...not so much fun. Ray has been sick so my plan to clean their rooms alone didn't work out. So they "helped," which means they didn't....now I actually have the gate back up (which we are done using for upstairs) so it STAYS clean. My parents get here tomorrow and while I know they don't care, I do, plus Andrew's room IS our guest room and I'd like them to be able to get their luggage in without tripping! If we are still in this house when Andrew moves out of the crib, I'm thinking of doing a bedroom and a playroom versus two bedrooms as they treat the upstairs as one big room and don't really have a concept of "yours" and "mine" (which I'm okay with) only "I'm playing with this NOW so you can't have it until I'm done." That way the playroom could be the guestroom and the boys wouldn't be in with their grandparents. Now my parents don't mind, but other guests might...we've actually put Andrew in our room at times due to this. Just thoughts on rearranging....when we moved into this house we had no kids....no we have two....lets say it feels much smaller now! Hopefully we'll be moving "up" in a few years, house wise.

This Evening

2012-01-03T18:53:00.000-08:00

This evening...could barely tell we already shovelled and plowed!

Adam helping me clean Daddy's car!
Adam helping me clean Daddy's car!

New Table

2012-01-03T18:28:00.000-08:00

We liked the idea of the activity table they got at PaPa's, so we got them one for at home. It gives them a place to hang and keep their stuff versus on the entertainment center in front of the TV (their current favorite spot). This table was $29.97 at Wal-Mart, but when we got to check out (we hadn't been paying much attention beyond the basic price because Adam fell asleep in the cart...so didn't realize this was possible!), the clerk pointed out it was listed at $7.97 on the box....and so she told us to ask the manager and we got that price! Score!

See what else the chairs are useful for?

Wrong "Correct" Answers

2012-01-03T18:27:00.001-08:00

I don't like standardized testing - I don't think it tells us anything. I don't give multiple choice exams for the most part, either. I think there is much more to learning than a list of options.

So this just highlights why standardizing testing - and grading - don't work! Student who obviously DID know what they were doing are getting marked wrong - what kind of message does that send? Our government thinks if we test our students more with these types of "standardized" tests we can tell what is going on....we need to be focusing on better teaching at the forefront, not teaching to tests! I was student teaching when MN added HS proficiency tests to graduation requirements - that was a HUGE mess. And I don't think it helped anything! Okay, just ranting.:) I know our school systems have problems....and there are answers....but our government is NOT helping, only making it worse!

First Snow

2012-01-03T18:17:00.000-08:00

We took the boys (Adam twice, Andrew for just once, shorter because he's been sick) to enjoy the new snow!

Adam had been out exploring!

Adam

Andrew
Adam laying in the snow

Andrew considering shovelling

Adam helping

First snowblower use of the season - depressing it wasn't until January!

First Snow

2012-01-03T18:15:00.000-08:00

Finally got some snow! Kent started late, Ravenna (which got hit much harder) did even go. Roads were a mess today in Ravenna!

Not the Break I planned....

2012-01-02T11:53:00.000-08:00

So this was not the break I planned. Ray went back to work today (he's got a week of prep before classes start on the 9th) and it felt like we didn't get much done. I know we did, but it wasn't what we wanted. First, we spent the first week with dental junk (which STILL isn't dealt with...GRRR!!!) and sick kids. We spent most of the second week at Dave's (which was great), but not home. Then New Year's Eve the friend who was supposed to come over was sick and on New Year's Day, Andrew was sick, so we cancelled on the friends who were supposed to come over.

But my parents get here on Thursday and my prep work IS done, so hopefully we can have a good January!

Not My Best Attempt

2012-01-01T17:40:00.000-08:00

So I tried to make these whiskey sliders last night...not so good! I don't know if was my BBQ or my whiskey, but it was not good....so we won't be using again!

I also made my chocolate sauerkraut cookies, which turned out good.

Michigan Fun

2011-12-29T19:56:00.000-08:00

Adam's Snowman - we finally at least had enough snow for it
Working on the snowman

Finished with PaPa's help

Playing Chutes and Ladders with Mom, Dad and PaPa!

Snow

2011-12-29T19:53:00.000-08:00

I was wanting snow so bad....we got some here in Michigan although it was raining again today...still hoping for some decent amount!

So true...

2011-12-29T19:51:00.000-08:00

Comics

2011-12-29T19:50:00.000-08:00

This is so true! So in "Here's Your Sign" Christmas version one of the jokes is when is midnight Mass....but the bad part is you have to ask! No one holds it at midnight anymore! Come on, people -it is supposed to be at midnight!
Ugh, so true...

Funny!

2011-12-29T19:44:00.000-08:00

These amused me!

Michigan Christmas Videos

2011-12-29T19:22:00.000-08:00

Some videos from Christmas in Michigan:

Adam's Runway

Andrew Opening a Present

Sledding Fun

Andrew in the tent

Adam in the tent

Bathroom Fun

2011-12-29T19:21:00.000-08:00

An old video that just hadn't got uploaded until now.

Christmas Videos

2011-12-29T19:05:00.001-08:00

Some videos from Christmas (YouTube currently hates me and my computer so I've been behind in posting videos):

Adam's Box

Adam's Guitar

Andrew Dancing

Opening a Present

Adam's New Gun

Adam's Gun with sight on it

Adam's Newton Cradle

More Michigan Pictures

2011-12-29T11:17:00.000-08:00

Andrew at their new table
Adam checking out Mom and Dad's Kindle - it has downloadable kids books that it will read to you!

Andrew getting a sled ride!

Adam cooking in their new kitchen

Adam drawing a runway for his airplane on his table!

"Reading" on the Bed

2011-12-28T18:59:00.000-08:00

They were just so cute playing with my books!

Michigan Christmas

2011-12-28T18:55:00.001-08:00

We came up to Michigan yesterday to see Dave and family. Dave has the 27th to 30th off, hence we scheduled our trip around that.

Adam's new PJs from Aunt Maureen - we love Perry!
It takes three grown men to put together a kids' kitchen set....and two hours....

Andrew on his and Adam's new dry erase table

Andrew's new PJs from Aunt Maureen - that is their new tent from PaPa behind

Andrew opening a present with PaPa

Christmas carnage...

Adam's new Vtech computer from PaPa - he's in love and it is all learning stuff

Adam opening his stocking

Andrew with his stocking

2011-12-26T16:55:00.000-08:00

Some Christmas videos:

"We Wish You a Perry Christmas"

Andrew on the recorder

Adam on the recorder

Andrew Dancing

Christmas Menu

2011-12-25T19:00:00.000-08:00

I'm usually better at posting my holiday menus, but here is what we had today:

Garlic Clove Chicken

Potatoes

Rolls

salad

Roasted Broccoli

Whoopie Pies

I also made chocolate chip cookies, fudge and sugar cookies (from Adam's mixes) and had cannoli and petit fours from the neighbors.

Christmas fun!

2011-12-25T18:01:00.000-08:00

We had a lovely Christmas - I hope you did all as well! Adam was pretty wild by the end of the day - over tired and over exicted, but otherwise a great day. He really even did fine during Mass (Andrew was another story....). They seemed to see all the toys as "theirs" and had a great time playing and sharing them all. While we had no snow, the weather actually wasn't bad (no rain), so Adam and Ray got to go for a walk to get outside for awhile. I was inside cooking and Andrew napping. As a note, we always go to Christmas Eve services and are used to "standing room only," but I was scheduled to read this morning, so we went on Christmas Day this year....we got there early, expecting standing room only...nope. A full Church, but no more than a normal Sunday. But NO kids...except ours.....while more room, I'm not sure we'll keep to the Christmas day thing...harder on the scheduling for food and whatnot.

Adam opening a present from Santa!

So Uncle Billy got Adam a nerf gun (which I recommended), but while I was thinking about a pistol sized gun....Uncle Billy bought a sniper rifle! As you can see, this is bigger than Adam is! He also can't really work it yet.

The boys got a new kitchen!

And the box is fun, too!

We got a Kindle Fire!

Okay, so Adam got a Newton's Cradle....he was doing fine...then Andrew got ahold of it for like 2 minutes...how he did this so quickly, I have no idea...and we can't seem to fix it....it will have to be sent in for "repairs" - meaning we'll get a new one and say it got fixed....

Christmas at Our House

2011-12-24T21:42:00.002-08:00

So Santa's been here...can't wait for the boys to see in the morning!

Santa's elf at work!

And yes, we kept hte box for them!

My gifts from Ray...his usual wrapping job!

Adam's Inator

2011-12-24T21:42:00.001-08:00

Ray helping Adam build a really big inator...Adam does loves his inators!

Whoopie Pies

2011-12-24T21:08:00.000-08:00

I made these as a fun Christmas dessert - whoopie pies. I saw a Bobby Flay throwdown on these and thought they sounded really good, so decided to try a version. This is a basic one, but actually really good. The marshmallow creme stuff is GOOD. You'll notice I individually wrapped these - my cakes are pretty "tacky" and stick to everything - including each other, which was a problem for storage. Hence the wrapping. I think I might need to cook them a bit longer...I tend to underbake as I like soft and gooey...but I think for ease of eating a little drier might be better!

Pumpkin Spiced Whoopie Pies with Ginger Cream

Modified Kraft Foods

1 pkg. yellow cake mix

1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) vanilla instant pudding

2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1 cup canned pumpkin (this will leave you with like 1/2 cup in a 15 oz can...annoying, I know....)

1/3 cup oil

1/3 cup water

3 eggs

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened (remember to soften!)

1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow creme

1 tsp ground ginger (they used crystallized ginger, like 1/3 cup, but I couldn't find it for a reasonable price so I did this, which I thought tasted great and the ginger would have been "pops" while this was all through it, which I thought worked....and it was MUCH cheaper...I'm sure if I searched I could find it, but what I could find at the two local grocery chains was a bottle of it for $13 that probably wasn't even a 1/3 cup total...so definitely NOT buying it to use that much!)

1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tub (8 oz.) whipped topping, thawed

Heat oven to 350ºF.

Beat first seven ingredients with mixer until well blended. Scoop into 32 mounds, 3 inches apart, on baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray, using about 2 tbsp for each.

Bake for 12 to 14 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool on baking sheet 2 min. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.

Beat cream cheese, marshmallow cream, ginger and cinnamon in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Whisk in whipping topping. Spread 3 tbsp. onto flat side of 1 cake; top with second cake, flat-side down. Repeat with remaining cakes. Keep refrigerated.

Makes 16 servings.

They also used orange sprinkles and rolled the edges....if you were doing this for Halloween (which I think they were), it would be more appropriate, but I don't think you need them.

Funny Post

2011-12-24T20:39:00.000-08:00

This is funny!

Ray

2011-12-24T20:30:00.000-08:00

Ray was interviewed for work!

Stop Discriminating against Kids

2011-12-24T19:56:00.000-08:00

I saw this article and I have to say I mostly agree. I've been amazed at how many places are unfriendly to kids that SHOULD be kid-friendly. For example, I expect a bar to be un-kid friendly...its a bar! But if a place has a kids menu and caters to family with kids, then they should be kid friendly...and it is amazing how many aren't! I had to complain to SUBWAY about highchairs! (They did call and apologize actually, though) Most of these places, though, don't even have changing tables!

Videos

2011-12-24T19:27:00.000-08:00

Some videos of the boys:

Adam "reading" to Andrew

Adam "fixing"

Snowballs

Missing puddles

"Roasting" marshmallows

Andrew with the light switch

Andrew playing in the water

Andrew saying "no"

Andrew's stick

Boys on Daddy

Adam singing Jingle Bells

Andrew's new car

Adam with new car

History Articles

2011-12-24T19:11:00.000-08:00

A cool history article: Cooking and human evolution

Camo and Christmas Lights

2011-12-24T19:08:00.000-08:00

For our troops!

Santa Hat

2011-12-24T18:57:00.000-08:00

Santa hats

Andrew

2011-12-24T18:56:00.000-08:00

Andrew eating popcorn

Mommy

2011-12-24T18:55:00.000-08:00

Adam's work!

Making Cookies with Mommy

2011-12-24T18:52:00.000-08:00

My helpers!

Andrew helping with the dough

Christmas Wrapping Paper

2011-12-24T18:09:00.000-08:00

My handmade Christmas wrapping paper

Andrew's New Haircut

2011-12-24T17:38:00.000-08:00

Andrew's first "real" haircut! He doesn't look like a baby anymore....I'm sad.....

Adam Painting with Daddy

2011-12-24T17:02:00.000-08:00

Adam painting with Daddy

Mini Zucchini Loaves

2011-12-17T22:22:00.000-08:00

Now I make a good zucchini bread, but I wanted mini loaves as gifts for Adam's teachers. Because Kent CDC is a teaching school, they have a lot of student teachers/aides in and out and so I wanted to bring enough that everyone there could have something, so I wanted a nice group of them. There are three "main" teachers - one teacher and two student teachers plus some, so I didn't want anyone forgotten. So Ray actually suggested mini bread loaves and I went with it (good idea, Ray!) and was very happy with them. I don't trust myself to guess at cooking times, so I went with another recipe. I didn't have time to test it, so I went with Paula Deen, whose stuff always turns out. While it might not be GOOD for you, it will TASTE good (and I was right).

Zucchini Bread Mini Loaves

Modified from Paula Deen

3 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground nutmeg
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
3 cups sugar
1 cup oil
4 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup water
2 cups grated zucchini
1 tsp lemon juice (okay, thinking back I can't really remember using this...probably did....)
1 cup chopped nuts (optional, I didn't use them)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, nutmeg, baking soda, cinnamon and sugar. In a separate bowl, combine oil, eggs, water and lemon juice. Mix wet ingredients into dry, add zucchini (and nuts if using them) and fold in. [Okay, they did this a little different order...this is the way I did it.] Bake in 5 mini loaf pans for about 45 minutes. (Okay, I got 7 loaves). I bough the disposable loaf pans as I was on the fly, but actually then later went out and bought real ones as I will do this again and want the pans as I'd prefer not to use the disposable ones. If you do this in standard pans, you will get 2, according to the website, and it takes about an hour. These did take at least 45 minutes even as mini loaves, so you'll have to watch them.

We ate one of these and they are GOOD.

Food Gifts

2011-12-17T21:41:00.000-08:00

Besides my overseas baking, I did my usual gifts in a jar as well as some new stuff.

Pickles - one of my gifts in a jar. I also did Chicken Noodle Soup.

These are all three as I also did zucchini mini loaves for Adam's teachers

Andrew helping do the jars

Adam helping me cut labels

Adam helping create the Chicken Noodle Soup jars! He did all my noodles!

I sent one to my friend, Mo, overseas, so I put it in a tupperware (one of those holiday Ziploc ones) as glass and shipping didn't seem smart, especially overseas! I even included the canned chicken to make it easier on her so all she needs is water.

Wrapping and Sending

2011-12-17T21:39:00.000-08:00

I got all my packages out early this year - yah!

Gotta love flat rate postage - I think I only had one thing to stand in line for!
I'm making my wrapping paper this year (not the kids, but everyone else)

Wrapped package in wrapping paper

This Year's Santa Picture

2011-12-17T21:38:00.000-08:00

Looking at the camera, no crying - a success!

Outdoor Lights

2011-12-17T21:35:00.000-08:00

New light up deer - I wanted these and got a great deal at Wal-Mart!

Finished product!

Dawn's Baby Shower

2011-12-17T21:34:00.000-08:00

This was a baby shower I helped to host a few weeks ago for a good friend, Dawn.

This is an airplane shelf! Handmade and awesome!
The parents!

Dawn and her mom

Christmas Cards

2011-12-17T21:28:00.000-08:00

The boys helping me do Christmas cards

Park Fun

2011-12-17T21:26:00.000-08:00

I love slides!
Climbing!

The Boys

2011-12-17T21:19:00.000-08:00

"Roasting" Marshmellows - Adam has been playing with this little campfire and so we were talking about marshmellows, so I bought some mini ones, got out skewers and we "roasted" them (and ate them, too, of course!). Andrew really liked the eating part!
Adam "roasting"

Ray and the boys

Climby boy...I think he thought this would make him taller....

I'm mixing!

I wanted Cheerios!

Adam "fixing"

Adam

2011-12-15T21:14:00.000-08:00

Christmas card Adam made at speech therapy
Enjoying a candy cane!

Our Pitiful Snow

2011-12-15T21:11:00.000-08:00

We got one little pitiful snow that lasted about 5 minutes....

Adam wanted a snowman...

See how little - pitiful!

Snowball

Adam

Explorer Andrew

Light Insanity

2011-12-13T20:00:00.000-08:00

I like Christmas lights and decoration, but really...we need this many? As a note this is in Kent...and this is just PART of the yard...I couldn't get it all in....seriously crazy!

St. Joseph

2011-12-13T19:54:00.000-08:00

I think it is good to stop and consider St. Joseph this time of year. We get focused on Jesus and Mary, which we definitely should, but there is St. Joseph in the background and it is important to remember that he, a "regular" man, not perfect like Mary and Jesus, not the Son of God, is important to the childhood of Jesus. I'm probably not saying this well, but I just can identify with St. Joseph and see him in the good fathers I see around me. I guess he just resonates with me.

As a side note, I was watching Wall-E, which Adam is currently obsessed with. So it is about saving the planet and all...which is good....but I was thinking about the humans on the Axiom for all those 700 years and how they get complacent and really unable to do for themselves and they get stuck waiting for so long that it "going home" doesn't seem that it will ever come, so it must not be for them....so they just wander through life. Kind of makes me think about the Second Coming. I think we are the same way - it won't happen in my lifetime as it has been so long....as we drift, as a society, away from the message of Jesus, as it seems distance....yet, like the Axiom, we are just waiting for a call home and it could come at any time.

Okay, maybe I'm stretching, but hey, that's what I see.....

Is this term over yet?

2011-12-13T19:53:00.001-08:00

That about says it all...I'm just exhausted right now and I want this term over! It isn't just physical, but mental - I need a break! Only one more week to go for the math classes, two more for history, then a BREAK!!!! Ray is done after this week - we all need it! Adam also has a break from preschool, which won't hurt him either.

I also really want snow - I think it would definitely help my mood! On that front, I'm making fudge tomorrow to boost my mood!

Videos

2011-12-08T21:32:00.002-08:00

So some videos from the last few weeks that I just haven't gotten up yet:

Ray Doing Exercises with Adam

Andrew's car fun

Old MacDonald's Fry House

Andrew's no (a bit buried in here)

Andrew and the cookies

Dancing to Christmas music

Protecting Adam

2011-12-08T21:32:00.001-08:00

When Adam was sick, he was taking a nap and Olga was "protecting" him!

Christmas Decorations

2011-12-08T21:27:00.002-08:00

Christmas tree - I decorated early as I knew I wouldn't have time later. The boys LOVE the tree!
Helping Dad put up lights!

I'll help, too, Daddy!

We need a birdhouse, I guess!

High Treason!

2011-12-08T21:27:00.001-08:00

Andrew stealing a roll from Daddy - high treason in our house! Don't steal Daddy's bread! Andrew took it, eat half, brought it back...then stole it again and ate the rest!

Natural History Museum

2011-12-08T21:22:00.000-08:00

The Natural History Museum in Cleveland was doing a show with Big Bird, Elmo and some character for the Chinese Sesame Street about the planets so I took the boys and met a friend up there with her little boy. The boys had a blast and really seemed to like the show.

Snack time! Three "big" boys!
Running amok outside - they have live animals

Playing in the kids room

Being paleontologists and finding fossils!

Thanksgiving

2011-12-08T21:19:00.000-08:00

So yes, I'm behind, but we had a nice Thanksgiving, which I posted on and then life went insane. Finals are next week...that explains everything!

From Thanksgiving, this is a video of Andrew, who can now say PaPa and knows who he is!

Fun at the Zoo

2011-12-08T21:16:00.000-08:00

This is the day after Thanksgiving (yes, I'm behind...) - we went to the Zoo! We had a free pass for one ride on this merry-go-round so both boys went for the price of one - they had fun! We are members at the Zoo, so it is "free" to go.

Wrapping Paper

2011-12-06T22:06:00.000-08:00

My first (well second) attempt at wrapping paper for a baby shower - pretty happy with results!

Unbuilt DC Landmarks

2011-12-02T17:37:00.000-08:00

So what is this? Looks a lot like an Orthodox Church...maybe St. Basil's? What it is in the original design for the National Cathedral in DC! So how did we go from this to what we have today?
Original design of National Cathedral by Ernest Flagg, 1896

“Many people assume it was a foregone conclusion that it was Gothic,” says Moeller. But the original design for the National Cathedral was in a Renaissance style. Architect Ernest Flagg, of New York, supplied the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation with drawings. The cathedral had a 208-foot-tall rotunda, a dome with cutouts of simple Greek crosses and, notes Moeller, a particularly interesting entryway. “It is a real niche, pulling people in,” he says. “There was a certain sculptural sense to that. I can imagine that being a very memorable experience.”

Raising funds for the church proved to be a challenge, however. Years passed, and opinions changed. Henry Yates Satterlee, the first bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, hired an English architect of Anglican churches named George Frederick Bodley to build the Gothic-style cathedral with three towers and flying buttresses that stands today. The National Cathedral was completed in 1990, after 83 years of construction.

Check out all these unbuilt memorials and landmarks!

What have I been watching?

2011-11-29T21:13:00.000-08:00

Well, besides cartoons, I did watch two new series/programs to try. I watched Catholicism on PBS. I found this interesting and would be good for someone who wanted to know more about Catholicism, but honestly didn't learn much new from it and as it was more theological/spiritual, it wouldn't be good for class, so a bit of a disappointment there. But still I'm glad it is out there! It is a good program, just not for me.

I also watched All-American Muslim on TLC. Again, I like the concept here - I think many Americans know nothing about Islam and think all Muslims are the Taliban, so this is a good way to introduct prople to "regular" Muslims. It has a nice array of Muslims, from liberal to conservative, which I think helps drive home the fact that they are like "regular" people in that if you took a group of Christians, you'd see a similar array. I personally had to stop watching as it is reality TV, which I hate and so drove me nuts in that regards. But hopefully all the people obsessed with reality TV will turn it on and learn some new things. So I like the concept, even if I won't watch it. I also can't really use it in class either, again I was thinking it might be helpful, but I didn't realize it was done "reality" style.

Children and Public Facilites

2011-11-29T20:22:00.000-08:00

I've posted from this blog before, but this current offering from Crappy Pictures is too good not to share! Children and public restrooms - it is SO true! I posted this on Facebook and one of my friends (Amy) said we need kid laws for some of these places and it is so true! There are so many things you NEVER think about until you are a parent, but now when I walk into a restroom I'm always looking - are there changing tables, can Adam use this? I get that places that don't cater to kids don't have them. I do not expect the local bar to have a changing table. Yet I DO expect places like Subway, who have kids menus, to have them. I actually had to complain to one of our local Subways to get a highchair in their store! But they still don't (as most don't) have changing tables. Yes, you can argue space/money, but let's face it, they are wall mounts and not THAT expensive. I'm not asking for a kid sized toilet (although that would be nice....). Many malls have gone to this with "family" restrooms and these are the places I go back to! It is SO helpful. I often end up changing Andrew on the car seat (which at least I know where all the germs came from!) rather than public restrooms. If a place "caters" to kids - so like has a kids menu or sells kids things - then then need to have some basics. A changing table is a must! It would also be nice if they got rid of those stupid auto flush toilets which TERRIFY little kids. Although my friend April (also on FB), says that if you put a sticky note over the sensor it won't flush on you, which is worth trying. The problem is that we are often "helping" so we are moving, set it off, and now we have a screaming toddler on our hands! Those "air" dryers aren't much better! Think people! I really notice the small things that places do that help us out (like the church with a stepstool under the sink you can pull out...after I saw this I donated one to ours!) and it often brings me back to places. Most of these things aren't that big of deal either, but it obvious these places aren't thinking about their small clientele....but when you cater to them, their parents, who often pick places to go, notice!

Then, of course, and this is just regular stuff about going to the restroom with little kids...who often open the door on you when you are going yourself....or decide to lay on the floor...or want to play with various items, like sanitary disposals.....or want to announce their functions to the world (which fortunately most people find cute)...and the list goes on....

Sick Kids

2011-11-29T14:10:00.001-08:00

Sick kids are so sad. So Adam woke up last night vomiting and has continued through today. Andrew isn't doing that, but does have diahreea....so one end or the other. Such fun. Adam actually is alseep right now, which tells you he really doesn't feel good. Hopefully it will help him. Andrew hasn't been eating much, which also says a lot about his stomach as that kid usually eats constantly!

But Adam did call me the "best Mommy ever" today, so that makes it all better!

Dear Mother Nature....

2011-11-28T21:08:00.000-08:00

Dear Mother Nature,

It is now almost December and we have had ONE snowfall (which didn't even stick around a full day). It has been raining for about a month straight. This is the only weather we don't take the boys out in! Please make it stop! We want snow! We want winter! This is the snow belt! We put up Christmas decorations. We need winter!

Sincerely,

The Webers

New Mass Parts

2011-11-27T20:19:00.000-08:00

So what do the other Catholics think of the new Mass parts? I have no problem with them, although I do want to attend a class to learn more, but I'm a religious historian and really interested in that. But I will admit - it is going to take me a good YEAR not to make mistakes! And it will probably still sneak up on me!

Turkey Day

2011-11-24T17:43:00.000-08:00

We went to Mo's for dessert and Adam and Andrew played with her fiancee's kids.

My turkey

Adam's photography

Brown Sugar Quick Bread

2011-11-24T16:45:00.000-08:00

I made this a few weeks ago and it was yummy. Nice and simple. What I really like is everything on this list is "pantry" so I can make it without having to plan ahead.

Brown Sugar Quick Bread

Modified from Skeleton Letters by Laura Childs

2 1/4 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 cup brown sugar (you can make this with molasses and regular sugar if you need to!)

1 egg, beaten

1 cup buttermilk (remember you can make this, I did!)

2 tbsp butter, melted

1 cup pecans, chopped (optional as I didn't use it)

Preheat to 350. Combine flour to nutmeg. Blend in sugar. Combine wet ingredients, then add to flour and combine until just mixed. Stir in pecans if used.

Put in 5 by 9 greased bread pan. Baked for 45-50 minutes.

Contents of My Car

2011-11-24T12:04:00.000-08:00

I've mentioned this blog, Crappy Pictures, before as it is hilarous, especially to those of us with little kids! This entry, from a bit back, caught my attention and sent me into gales of laughter so I thought I'd share! It is just so true! And I never leave home without a stroller now!

I was actually thinking about this recently. I had to run to the PO to mail something. Even with lines, this used to be a "quick" thing as the PO is just a few blocks from here. I could literally just grab some cash and go for it. Now I have to get two boys ready, load them into the car (and argue about it), bring the diaper bag (because if you don't bring it, karma will get you!)...then when I get there, get the boys out, go stand in line with them (SO much fun....), reload them...in other words, like an hour to go mail one little measly package a few blocks from here!

Small Business Saturday

2011-11-24T11:35:00.000-08:00

So you all know I'm not a huge fan of most of President Obama's policies, but I do like his "buy American" initatives and I really like the idea of Small Business Saturday this upcoming Saturday so I encourage everyone to go out and patronage a small business this Saturday! Small businesses are important and if we want them to be around we need to support them!

Crimes against butter?

2011-11-24T11:25:00.000-08:00

Yes, really, check out these - crimes against butter!

Thanksgiving Prep Help!

2011-11-24T08:10:00.000-08:00

Crushing graham crackers for my pumpkin cheesecake...although both boys really wanted to EAT the crackers not crush them! I had to give them crackers to eat first!
Helping Mommy in the sink...lots of water was involved!

PaPa's House

2011-11-24T08:09:00.001-08:00

Eating Grammy's spaghetti (made by Mommy)
Picnic at PaPa's!

Helping PaPa bring in the trash!

They are working on their bowling skills: Adam and Andrew

Andrew playing basketball

Some pictures and videos

2011-11-24T08:07:00.000-08:00

Andrew is our climber and completely fearless!

More park fun: Adam and Andrew climbing, Adam rocking climbing and our sliding boys!
Andrew feeding the baby

What cute boys!

Dino boys!

It is a cookie jar!

2011-11-24T08:05:00.000-08:00

I got a cookie jar....the boys are enthralled!

Adam's cookie dough

2011-11-24T07:00:00.000-08:00

This is the cookie dough that Adam was selling - it is actually pretty good!

The one issue is that this is actually a cube and takes up a lot of freezer space when you have a bunch, as I do!

You can see it is just a pile of dough!

On the cooling rack

In the cookie jar!

Cleaning off the cards...

2011-11-24T06:52:00.000-08:00

So we got a little snow a week or so ago....and the cars needed cleaned....so Adam was up to the job! He got out his duster and went to work all on his own!

Christmas cards

2011-11-24T06:48:00.000-08:00

I took a workshop a couple of weeks ago and these are two of the cards I made. Way too much work, in my opinion, but fun and some good ideas. I really like the second one, but would do a simpler variation if I made more.

Andrew

2011-11-24T06:45:00.000-08:00

Andrew is working on an upgrade from high chair to booster chair!
My big boys!

Rocking my rubber boots!