Thursday, March 7, 2013
Love Note from my Four Year Old
Emaleigh has been learning to read. Everyone has pitches in to help
her learn and it has been fun because she is so enthusiastic and loves it. But apparently she has also been learning to write notes. She brought me this one yesterday. On the front she wrote her name. On the back she wrote a sweet note with her own spelling. I Luv It!
her learn and it has been fun because she is so enthusiastic and loves it. But apparently she has also been learning to write notes. She brought me this one yesterday. On the front she wrote her name. On the back she wrote a sweet note with her own spelling. I Luv It!
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Wednesdays with FPU
It is Wednesday. For most Wednesday evenings for the last year the Force family is at Journey Fellowship to lead others to financial peace in the Financial Peace University program by Dave Ramsey, yeah that dude on the radio from Tennessee. And if you can't get past his accent, search for his paid for in cash home on google and tell me then if you think he MIGHT know what he is talking about when he leads people to live like no one else.
We are 8 weeks into this class period. I love seeing people travel in thought about how they relate to money as they listen to these lectures. The first lesson is basically and introduction and overview and the word budget is thrown around loosely. After that class people seem like they just got to the front of the line of the newest, scariest, curviest, upside downiest roller coaster in the park and they know they are about to buckle into a commitment that will make them uncomfortable but will probably be worth it.
We always worry a little if people will try to jump off too early. Not necessarily dangerous but definitely without full value and there is tremendous value here. Our last two sessions have been smaller but every family stayed and we have watched people move from heels dug in to fully committed to getting out of debt and being intentional with their income and giving and saving like no one else so they can live like no one else. Anyway, it is why we still volunteer to lead this class. I love watching people grab on and walk into financial peace. The following is one of my favorite quotes. There are many
"If you move into a home with any debt and no money down, Murphy will move I to your spare bedroom and bring his three cousins, Broke, Desperate and Stupid" Dave Ramsey, FPU- Lesson 8, REAL ESTATE and MORTGAGES
The attached photos are completely unrelated to the post, just photos from today. Emaleigh asked me to take the one of her in black and red.
We are 8 weeks into this class period. I love seeing people travel in thought about how they relate to money as they listen to these lectures. The first lesson is basically and introduction and overview and the word budget is thrown around loosely. After that class people seem like they just got to the front of the line of the newest, scariest, curviest, upside downiest roller coaster in the park and they know they are about to buckle into a commitment that will make them uncomfortable but will probably be worth it.
We always worry a little if people will try to jump off too early. Not necessarily dangerous but definitely without full value and there is tremendous value here. Our last two sessions have been smaller but every family stayed and we have watched people move from heels dug in to fully committed to getting out of debt and being intentional with their income and giving and saving like no one else so they can live like no one else. Anyway, it is why we still volunteer to lead this class. I love watching people grab on and walk into financial peace. The following is one of my favorite quotes. There are many
"If you move into a home with any debt and no money down, Murphy will move I to your spare bedroom and bring his three cousins, Broke, Desperate and Stupid" Dave Ramsey, FPU- Lesson 8, REAL ESTATE and MORTGAGES
The attached photos are completely unrelated to the post, just photos from today. Emaleigh asked me to take the one of her in black and red.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
A homeschool day of fun
I spent a bit of time already looking forward to Spring Break next week when I get to travel with a sister and 5 of our kids to see out moma in New Orleans. I am excited about the trip itself but know that it might all be wasted without a plan. Not that it would be terrible for us all to wake up in the same place for a few days and stare at each other until somebody came up with some way to make it not boring because even then, atleast we would all be in the same place. But a plan to have tremendous fun would be even better than an endless staring contest. I only have a few ideas. One was to have a little treasure hunt. I collected these things around my house and snapped a photo. I suppose that while they are rising to shine, my sister and I can hide these things around the house and give them each a photo of all the things they are to find. Kind of like an egg hunt, only no eggs. Ofcoure there are variations on this you are probably already thinking of that could be even more fun. I am new at cool moma so just assume that I am going to do all those cool things too.
So while I was sufficiently distracted trying to plan fun stuff for us to do NEXT week, homeschool still goes on, right. Addie was having a bit of trouble focusing too! But she is generally ahead of schedule and he basic distraction is a book she can't put down so I am OK with that. I decided to let her try her hand at baking. I let her find the recipe, collect and measure ingredients and put the pumpkin bread together almost completely by herself. I poured the batter into the pan because it was too heavy for her. That was almost all the help I gave her. She was pretty pleased with herself. It came out very well.
BUT you can't let Addie do something fun, NO FAIR. Lucas helped me prepare some colored rice to use somehow I am not sure but definitely to play with next week. This was fun. Look how pretty!
Lot of shake shake shaking to get all that dye evenly spread.
So while I was sufficiently distracted trying to plan fun stuff for us to do NEXT week, homeschool still goes on, right. Addie was having a bit of trouble focusing too! But she is generally ahead of schedule and he basic distraction is a book she can't put down so I am OK with that. I decided to let her try her hand at baking. I let her find the recipe, collect and measure ingredients and put the pumpkin bread together almost completely by herself. I poured the batter into the pan because it was too heavy for her. That was almost all the help I gave her. She was pretty pleased with herself. It came out very well.
BUT you can't let Addie do something fun, NO FAIR. Lucas helped me prepare some colored rice to use somehow I am not sure but definitely to play with next week. This was fun. Look how pretty!
Lot of shake shake shaking to get all that dye evenly spread.
Monday, March 4, 2013
How about MawMaw Myra's Gumbo
Not to be left out. Here is the recipe I use to cook gumbo. Like I mentioned before, this may not be exactly what was on her card, so if it isn't as good as hers it is not her fault. And if it is good, then all the glory goes to the original creator.
You have to know this. I don't ever make it the same way twice. Everytime I make it I am afraid that I ruined it an no one is going to like it and I am always wrong.
Things that can go wrong:
1.Watch the roux when you make it (you can buy it by Savoie's in some stores) stir it pretty much constantly for plus or minus a half hour. Use equal amount flour and oil, maybe a little less oil, and mix them together in your gumbo pot stirring constantly as they get well blended and the color starts to turn darker and darker shades until it is a just a little more brown than black. You can burn the roux, your kitchen will not like that it will smell like burned flour for a while. Stir it constantly. It cooks faster as it gets closer to done so start with the heat at med-high and turn it down over time to low-med. Try 1/3 cup of each oil and flour
2. Some sausage is more greasy than others. I always use smoked sausage and have bought whatever is on sale or included in the HEB meal deal but Hilshire farms beef smoked sausage has been pretty dependable. I also like jalepeno sausage from costco but Lucas won't eat it at all if I use that. Otherwise all he eats is the sausage. Better of you can actually get andouille sausage.
Basically this awesome warming soup can get greasy a couple of ways. That is not desirable, BUT it does still taste great either way.
General Ingredients:
2 cups onion chopped,
2 cups chopped celery
1 cup chopped bellpepper
2 cups frozen okra
4 cups chicken broth
4 cups water
1 lb. smoked sausage chopped into wheels (ofcourse if you can get andoullie you should use that)
1 lb. chicken breast or 2 chicken breasts
These quantities are for when I feed my family twice. Cook 3 cups of rice to go with it (6 cups cooked)
1. Make the roux as I described above. For this recipe I would use 1/3 cup flour with 1/3 cup oil. If you bought it use a couple of tablespoons and skip to step 2. When your roux is done add your spices. I add different stuff everytime. Some Tony's, some garlic sometimes the cajun seasoning I have from Zatterans. I don't really know but better to add it here right before the water.
2. Add the water and keep stirring until it becomes a well mixed solution.
3. Add the chopped sausage and chicken breasts and turn the heat back up to med-high. Make sure you are using a large pot, the chicken and sausage are cooked inthe roux-broth. Check after 10 minutes to see if the chicken is cooked through. It if is it should shred easily. If not put it back in for about 5 and check again. IF it is shred it, put it back in the pot. (most gumbo recipes us a whole chicken with bone, I just don't like bones)
3a. While the chicken is cooking start your rice. IT take about 20 minutes for the rice to cook.
4. Add the vegetables, generally onion, bell pepper and celery but sometimes I add whatever veggies I have including corn, squash or green beans. Add also the chicken broth or stock. (The frozen okra will bring the temp down again so add it later). Cook it until the temp comes back up to boil then turn it down to simmer until the rice is done nearly done. Simmer for atleast ten minutes so the veggies can soften.
5. Add the okra about 6 minutes before the rice is done. this will be just lng enough to cook it and bring the temp back up after adding the frozen okra.
6. Add gumbo file last and stir.
You have to know this. I don't ever make it the same way twice. Everytime I make it I am afraid that I ruined it an no one is going to like it and I am always wrong.
Things that can go wrong:
1.Watch the roux when you make it (you can buy it by Savoie's in some stores) stir it pretty much constantly for plus or minus a half hour. Use equal amount flour and oil, maybe a little less oil, and mix them together in your gumbo pot stirring constantly as they get well blended and the color starts to turn darker and darker shades until it is a just a little more brown than black. You can burn the roux, your kitchen will not like that it will smell like burned flour for a while. Stir it constantly. It cooks faster as it gets closer to done so start with the heat at med-high and turn it down over time to low-med. Try 1/3 cup of each oil and flour
2. Some sausage is more greasy than others. I always use smoked sausage and have bought whatever is on sale or included in the HEB meal deal but Hilshire farms beef smoked sausage has been pretty dependable. I also like jalepeno sausage from costco but Lucas won't eat it at all if I use that. Otherwise all he eats is the sausage. Better of you can actually get andouille sausage.
Basically this awesome warming soup can get greasy a couple of ways. That is not desirable, BUT it does still taste great either way.
2 cups onion chopped,
2 cups chopped celery
1 cup chopped bellpepper
2 cups frozen okra
4 cups chicken broth
4 cups water
1 lb. smoked sausage chopped into wheels (ofcourse if you can get andoullie you should use that)
1 lb. chicken breast or 2 chicken breasts
These quantities are for when I feed my family twice. Cook 3 cups of rice to go with it (6 cups cooked)
1. Make the roux as I described above. For this recipe I would use 1/3 cup flour with 1/3 cup oil. If you bought it use a couple of tablespoons and skip to step 2. When your roux is done add your spices. I add different stuff everytime. Some Tony's, some garlic sometimes the cajun seasoning I have from Zatterans. I don't really know but better to add it here right before the water.
2. Add the water and keep stirring until it becomes a well mixed solution.
3. Add the chopped sausage and chicken breasts and turn the heat back up to med-high. Make sure you are using a large pot, the chicken and sausage are cooked inthe roux-broth. Check after 10 minutes to see if the chicken is cooked through. It if is it should shred easily. If not put it back in for about 5 and check again. IF it is shred it, put it back in the pot. (most gumbo recipes us a whole chicken with bone, I just don't like bones)
3a. While the chicken is cooking start your rice. IT take about 20 minutes for the rice to cook.
4. Add the vegetables, generally onion, bell pepper and celery but sometimes I add whatever veggies I have including corn, squash or green beans. Add also the chicken broth or stock. (The frozen okra will bring the temp down again so add it later). Cook it until the temp comes back up to boil then turn it down to simmer until the rice is done nearly done. Simmer for atleast ten minutes so the veggies can soften.
5. Add the okra about 6 minutes before the rice is done. this will be just lng enough to cook it and bring the temp back up after adding the frozen okra.
6. Add gumbo file last and stir.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Cooking in the Family
I originally posted this on March 3rd, but when I tried to update the post with keywords for searching later all of the text was deleted. Agh!!!!
In my post I talked about Emaleigh recovering from illness that started on morning of my birthday. She and I were staying home from church and she was resting contently quietly and without need of attention from me. So I was cooking some gumbo for our family lunch on a day with a bit of a chill in the air. My gumbo and jambalaya recipes that I cook are beth derived from MawMaw Myra's recipes. She is not my grandmother though. She is grandmother of my dear friend Zac Tureau. He and I along with Kari L'huillier lived together in Las Cruces for a while and we used food to make friends. We started with a pot for 6 people but before long we were cooking for 30-50 and it was something I continued even after Zac left Cruces. Food has always worked for me to bring people together in a happy way. Eventually, in one of those cooking for many occasions after Zac moved, I captured Kevin with a pot of Jambalaya.
Here is the recipe for Jambalaya incase there is some out there you think worthy of capturing with a warm meal:
MawMaw Myra’s Jambalaya
1 lb smoked sausage sliced into wheels
2 chicken breast boiled and shredded
1 large white onion chopped
1 bell pepper chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
some tobasco not too much
2 cloves garlic minced
2 cups rice
4 cups water
In my post I talked about Emaleigh recovering from illness that started on morning of my birthday. She and I were staying home from church and she was resting contently quietly and without need of attention from me. So I was cooking some gumbo for our family lunch on a day with a bit of a chill in the air. My gumbo and jambalaya recipes that I cook are beth derived from MawMaw Myra's recipes. She is not my grandmother though. She is grandmother of my dear friend Zac Tureau. He and I along with Kari L'huillier lived together in Las Cruces for a while and we used food to make friends. We started with a pot for 6 people but before long we were cooking for 30-50 and it was something I continued even after Zac left Cruces. Food has always worked for me to bring people together in a happy way. Eventually, in one of those cooking for many occasions after Zac moved, I captured Kevin with a pot of Jambalaya.
Here is the recipe for Jambalaya incase there is some out there you think worthy of capturing with a warm meal:
MawMaw Myra’s Jambalaya
1 lb smoked sausage sliced into wheels
2 chicken breast boiled and shredded
1 large white onion chopped
1 bell pepper chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
some tobasco not too much
2 cloves garlic minced
2 cups rice
4 cups water
Cook sausage in an uncovered large. pot on med-hi heat
until it is very done, burned really, trust me.
Drain fat and add chicken, the bell pepper and onion and cook until
onions are clear and mushy. Add garlic,
salt, pepper, tobasco or other hot sauce and stir before also adding rice and
water. When mixture comes to boil and rice is about even with water turn heat
down to low, cover and wait 20 minutes.
In 20 minutes uncover fluff rice and serve. Serve with sliced white bread and white beans
and ham. Serves 6 unless my father in
law is there. In that case it serves 3
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Birthday Surprises
Plans for today have been in the works for quite a while thanks to my sister, Amy. She is good at planning, gifting and celebrating among other things of course. She registered for her and me to run in a 5k race on this morning of my 38th birthday. That is perhaps THE thing that went according to plan today.
We drove up to Austin last night just so I could conveniently wake up in the same city of the morning's race. Good that that was our plan so our kids got some time to play together. Emaleigh and Olivia acted like they were presidents of each others fan club for two hours before we made very one settle down and go to sleep. This morning we got up, had a small breakfast and then started doing a series of things at the same time. My kids want to run too, can they register, do they even have shoes, we scrambled out the door to try to quickly get them registered. It takes cash only so Kevin and Emaleigh make a quick trip to pick up cash and hand it off and I register and they pin their bibs on just in time for the kids start. We race TO THE START just in time and then I check my phone. Kevin has texted me to say that Emaleigh just threw up. That is the thing that set the time for the rest of the day. I did finish the 5k with Amy. But after we got back to the Baltera home and hoped all was better and tries to move on with celebrate plans, Emaleigh let us know that it wasn't going to go that way by throwing up again. We drove back to San Antonio, but not before Uncle B picked up a sweet birthday cake with birthday wishes scripted in my favorite color for me. They sent it home with me. We were mostly home when Kevin and I decided to stop by Costco and pick up
birthday steaks to grill at home AND Emaleigh threw up again. OK, loud and clear. So we have been home most of the day with one sick but very sweet little girl and a boy who seems like it might be him before long and I think one kid still fully healthy. We did have steak, thanks to Kev, but we saved the cake til Emmy is better. The kids got together a gift for me. They wrote me a letter telling me to take a week off and they would do all the chores all week including washing my van. So sweet, I guess I may have to start another book.
We drove up to Austin last night just so I could conveniently wake up in the same city of the morning's race. Good that that was our plan so our kids got some time to play together. Emaleigh and Olivia acted like they were presidents of each others fan club for two hours before we made very one settle down and go to sleep. This morning we got up, had a small breakfast and then started doing a series of things at the same time. My kids want to run too, can they register, do they even have shoes, we scrambled out the door to try to quickly get them registered. It takes cash only so Kevin and Emaleigh make a quick trip to pick up cash and hand it off and I register and they pin their bibs on just in time for the kids start. We race TO THE START just in time and then I check my phone. Kevin has texted me to say that Emaleigh just threw up. That is the thing that set the time for the rest of the day. I did finish the 5k with Amy. But after we got back to the Baltera home and hoped all was better and tries to move on with celebrate plans, Emaleigh let us know that it wasn't going to go that way by throwing up again. We drove back to San Antonio, but not before Uncle B picked up a sweet birthday cake with birthday wishes scripted in my favorite color for me. They sent it home with me. We were mostly home when Kevin and I decided to stop by Costco and pick up
birthday steaks to grill at home AND Emaleigh threw up again. OK, loud and clear. So we have been home most of the day with one sick but very sweet little girl and a boy who seems like it might be him before long and I think one kid still fully healthy. We did have steak, thanks to Kev, but we saved the cake til Emmy is better. The kids got together a gift for me. They wrote me a letter telling me to take a week off and they would do all the chores all week including washing my van. So sweet, I guess I may have to start another book.
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