kitchen necessities:part deux

Recently, I have rediscovered cooking and baking and have been enjoying myself. I have found there are a few more kitchen tools/gadgets that I really do enjoy and wanted to share.
- silicone pastry brush (no more nasty bristles)
- OXO citrus juicer
- kitchen tongs that I use for everything especially reaching stuff on the top shelf :
-Pampered Chef medium scooper for cookies and mini spatula for getting those tricky brownies out of the pan

family room fix up

Remember a gazillion years ago when I wanted to spruce up the family room. I think I finally finished. It's nothing dramatic but I am happy with the few changes and additions that have been made. I was able to have a custom vinyl project done here and a fun family picture from here. Crisp white curtains, new pillows and lamp completed the room. Now onto to the kitchen...

mother's day

I had a great day being celebrated as a Mom and celebrating with the fellow Mom's in my family. I was treated to a nice brunch at Semiahmoo this morning with Dale and the kids. After a little play time at the beach we headed to Canada. I dropped Dale and the kids at my parents and went to see my sister at the hospital. Linden was having snuggle time with my sister so I enjoyed getting a close look at my new nephew. So tiny and beautiful. We had dinner at my parents and then it was time to turn around and drive home. Where did this week end go?

a little giggle.

You know when everything has been serious and stressful for awhile and then something funny happens and it's the funniest thing that's happened in forever? Yesterday, Amelia was at birthday party and they were playing 'Pin the Tail on the Donkey?' Afterward, I leaned over to Tracy and asked her what she had fed the donkey. I think it's way funnier than anyone else but it feels so good to laugh!

spinach and black bean enchiladas

Everyone loved these at our house last week! The kids didn't even notice the spinach.

1 onion chopped
1 clove of garlic minced (I'm using the dried sliced garlic from Costco, super easy and tasty)
2 shredded carrots
1 chopped red bell pepper
6 cups spinach leaves
1 cup frozen corn
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 tsp dried chili pepper flakes
1 tsp cumin
1 tbsp taco seasoning ( I was out of chili powder but I think this might be why it tasted so yummy)

1 package of corn tortillas
1 can of green enchilada sauce
1 1/2 cups grated cheese (cheddar or jack)

Saute the onion and garlic in a large frying pain with a small amount of olive oil/spray. Add grated carrot, red pepper, after 3 minutes add spinach. Then add corn and black beans add spices and cook 5 more minutes. Spray 9X13 pan, scoop filling into tortillas and roll, place seam side down in baking dish, pour enchilada sauce over top and sprinkle with cheese. Bake in 350degree oven for approx 30 minutes until edges bubbling and cheese melted. Serve with salsa and sour cream on the side (If you haven't had Mexican style sour cream before I highly recommend it!)

linden's blog

If you want to keep up to date on my sweet little nephew, Linden you can check out www.linden2010.blogspot.com

little linden update

Linden has been doing fairly well the past few days in the NICU. Saturday night they took him off the CPAP and he was only on room air overnight. In the morning they decided to put him back on the CPAP because he was working so hard to breathe. He needs to save his energy for growing bigger not breathing harder. I wish I could get the picture off my phone with all his breathing tubes off he looks so peaceful. For now I have pictures from Saturday when we went to visit. While Dale was visiting him he pooped for the first time (yah!) and got a new iv in his hand. Dale said his little cry sounds like a baby crocodile noise (not exactly sure what that sounds like but I'm sure it's pretty cute). Sunday, Ashleigh was discharged from the hospital which of course was very difficult but she'll going every day to see him.