Recipes

I was asked to post a recipe. I'm a little slow getting to it, but while I'm at it, I might as well post some of my favorites.

Anne's Salad (by request)
1 head red leaf lettuce
1 head green leaf lettuce
1/2 lb. grated Swiss cheese
1 red onion, cut in rings
1/2 lb. bacon, fried crisp and crumbled
1/2 lb. sliced fresh mushrooms
Dressing:
1/3 c. sugar
1/3 c. rice vinegar
3/4 c. oil
3/4 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. poppy seed
1/2 tsp. mustard
1 tsp. fresh onion grated
Mix dressing and pour over lettuce just before serving.
Makes large salad great for family get-togethers.

Mom's Pretzel Salad
(Salad or dessert...on going debate in our marriage :)
Mix:
2 c. crushed pretzels
3/4 c. margarine
2 tsp. sugar
Press into the bottom of a 9"x13" pan. Bake for 8 minutes at 350.
Cream:
8 oz. cream cheese
8 oz. cool whip
1 c. sugar
Layer on top of pretzels
Mix until dissolved:
1 large pkg of Jello (Strawberry or Raspberry)
2 c. boiling water
Add:
2 pkg frozen berries (your choice-strawberry, raspberry, or mixed berry)
Mix Jello/berry well. Let cool slightly.
Pour on cream cheese layer.
Place in refrigerator until firm.
Cover with cool whip if desired.

Mom's Pumpkin Pie Cake
Squash with a fork:
1 spice cake mix-set 1 cup aside
1 egg
1 soft cube margarine
Press into bottom of 9"x13" pan.
Mix:
1 lg can Pumpkin Pie MIX
2 eggs
2/3 c. canned milk
Pour over bottom layer.
Mix:
1/2 c. sugar
remaining cup of cake mix
Sprinkle over top.
Bake at 350 for 60-70 minutes.
Serve with cool whip or ice cream.

German Pancakes
Blend 6 eggs.
Mix in:
1 c. flour
1 c. milk
1/4 tsp. salt
Melt 1/2 cube butter and place in bottom of 9"x13" pan.
Sprinkle flour over butter.
Pour blended mixture on top.
Bake for 15 minutes at 415.
Turn down to 350 for 5 more minutes.
Syrup
In sauce pan combine:
1 cube margarine
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. buttermilk
Bring to a boil then add
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. coconut flavoring

Wassail
1 gallon Apple Juice
2/3 c. sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
2 tsp. whole cloves
2 tsp. whole allspice
Mix all ingredients in a crock pot, turn on low.
Can drink when a desired temperature.
Tastes best when brewed for a day.
As liquid runs low, just add more Apple Juice.
No need to add more spices until flavor is gone.
Great around the Holidays-makes home smell fantastic!

Mom's Rolls
Combine:
6 c. flour
1 Tbsp. yeast (recommend Saff's)
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. powdered milk
5 tsp. salt
Stir.
Add:
5 c. hot water
Mix till smooth.
Add 1/2 c. shortening.
Mix well.
Add flour till right consistency.
Shape.
Let raise till double in size.
Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes.

Jon's Home-made Brownies
1 1/2 c. flour
2 c. sugar
4 eggs
1/2 c. butter
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. cocoa
1 tsp. salt
Mix all ingredients together.
Pour into greased 9"x13" pan.
Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.
He likes to serve with ice cream instead of frosting.

Neil's Zuppa-Sausage Soup
Ingredients:
1 lb mild Italian sausage
1 medium onion chopped
3 slices of bacon cut into 1/2 inch pieces
6 cups chicken stock (low-sodium canned)
8 cups unpeeled potatoes, small white, sliced and quartered
1/2 tsp. fennel seeds (optional)
1 1/2 tsp. minced garlic
1/3 c. heavy whipping cream
1/2 c. coarsely chopped Kale or cavolo greens
Remove sausage from casing and brown in a large pot, breaking up large pieces as it cooks. When the sausage is thoroughly cooked and slightly brown, remove it from the pot and drain off all the fat. To the pot, add the onion, garlic and bacon. Stir and cook until the bacon begins to brown and the onions soften. Add the chicken stock and potatoes. Cook until the potatoes are very done. Take about 2+ cups of potatoes and stock from the pot and puree in a blender. Add back to the pot with sausage, cream and kale. Simmer 5-10 minutes. Salt to taste. Let it sit a few minutes before serving. A little Romano would be nice.

I intended to put a few recipes...but added a few too many! Hope no one minds being overloaded with recipes! Let me know what you think if you try any.

Our 4th of July

We spent our Independence Day in Neola. We started with Taelyn's first parade. First we waited...then waited...then waited. It was supposed to start at 9. We left the house at 5 to 9. I was afraid we would miss seeing my little sister. Well, it finally started at 9:45! Here are a few pictures taken while waiting.As far as the parade, let me document it in pictures. There were ~35 entries. Here are some of my favorites.

These are our Veterans. Seeing how many community members fought for our freedom and how many of them I knew brought tears to my eyes. I wished I could see the other side...

Umm...only in Neola... Union High School Cheerleaders (Jaci is on the left. Her 4-wheeler reminds me of Mario Cart!)
I had lots of family in the parade.

Taryn was in the parade too. Unfortunately, when they went by she was on the other side of the float and all you could see was from her nose up. I didn't get a picture... FORTUNATELY, when the parade was over, they turned around and came back through town! (again...only in Neola!) At first I thought the idea was silly...but then I realized there were a few pictures I wouldn't have gotten otherwise.

I also got to see the other side of the float with our Veterans.
Taryn was the Neola Rodeo First Attendant. My mom makes all of Taryn's outfits. Taryn has decided that when Taelyn get big enough to walk, Mom will make Taelyn mini-outfits that match Taryn's. Then Taelyn can follow Taryn around and be a mini-rodeo queen. We're not sure what we think about that yet, but she does have horses and Mom actually looked excited to sew for them both. Ya, both are a little spoiled (not that I have room to talk...).

Here are a few more pictures that I took while we were staying with my family. I love being able to watch them interact with Taelyn.

Sleeping Beauties.

This is a new experience for my family. I think we are all loving every second of it (yes, even Truck...though I'm still trying to get any of my siblings to change diapers!)

Official Weed Growth

So we just got back from our 2 month appointment. Its official, she really is growing like a weed.

Taelyn is now 10 lbs 9 oz. That is big for us because she is finally over 10 pounds...but it is only in the 50th percentile for weight.

The weed growth is evident in her height. She is now 23 3/4 inches! That's 2 1/4 inches in 2 months. For height, she is in the 95th percentile.

Verdict...she is tall and skinny. I've complained a lot about clothing sizes. Who decided that all onesies needed to be short and wide? Jon and I went through and sorted through onesies (clothing of choice) and pulled out the ones that won't fit. Many of them were too short from the beginning. We have a stack that may or may not fit, depending on when she finally fills out. We'll hang on to them and cut them off for t-shirts if needs be.

My mom said that she had heard that babies stretch a lot if they are growing. Taelyn has a 10 minute stretching ritual that she does whenever she wakes up-and it sure paid off. Guess mom's crazy theory is true.

It took me about 20 pictures, but I finally got one where she was all stretched out!

We Both Survived

Well, we made it through my first day back at work. I'll admit, I had a really hard time leaving Taelyn. It took me several attempts and wet eyes to get out the door. Once in the car, I cried. It took me half of the drive to work to calm down. It helped to actually get to work and talk to everyone. When they asked how I was doing, I opted for honesty. I let them know that I cried, but I thought I could make it. Darla let me know that she cried both times she had to start back to work after having her little girls. It made me feel better.

I did go see Taelyn during lunch. At first I was hesitant because I was afraid it would be harder the second time. At 11:45 I realized that I knew the whole time that I wouldn't pass up on an opportunity to see her. It was great to see her half way through the day. I fed her, swaddled her, and put her down for a nap. I was a few minutes late getting back to work, but it was worth it.

Jon picked her up at 4, but then had to go to an acupuncture appointment with Dan. He dropped her off at my work at 4:20. I was determined to sneak her in and not let anyone know she was there. Ya, that didn't work so well. I passed Scott, my boss, on the way in the door. Just before making it to my cube, I ran into Brent, Scott's supervisor. In a very loud voice he exclaimed, "BABY ON FLOOR". So much for secrecy. Actually, Jenni and Jenna didn't realize she was there until 5 when we were leaving. That is impressive because Jenni and I share a cube wall. Taelyn actually slept the whole time.

The best part of the day was when I got Taelyn home and she woke up and smiled at me. I was over joyed to know that she didn't hate me for leaving her. An unrealistic fear, I know...but it was a fear of mine none the less.

Even though the day wasn't that bad, I sure am grateful that I'm only working 2 days a week. I'm SO excited to stay home all day with Taelyn tomorrow.


Oh, and I'd like to thank Jenni and Shane for modifying my cube for my return. They were kind enough to take a panel from a different cube and add it to the entry of my cube. It made it so that if you wanted to enter my cube, you had to do it sideways! It did make me laugh. I'm sure glad I love my job and the wonderful people I work with. It made today much easier.