Back to Sick Time.......

Every year it is the same story. The kids are so excited to get back to school. Mom feels like she has her life back. We all settle into a nice routine.... Ahhhhh. Then Wham-O!!! Someone gets sick. Then it spreads like wildfire through the house. Having a big family means we lose about 3, on an average, and I have at least one of the kiddos home for about 10 days. Luckily we only seem to go through it once or twice a year...but it still sucks!!!!!
Even though we get sick and it doesn't seem to matter how sick we get....There is still energy for creativity :)

Bronte was the first to be stricken. Senior year is not the time to miss school. But it was strep so she was out!!! When she came to. She worked on this Comic  ....It was for her AP Lit. Based on a British book......  They could choose any medium and create something that portraid a scene from the book. She painted this on a canvas. She kind of amazes me. She did this in a couple hours.

Then it was my 9 year old Breven's turn to be sick. She decided to spend her sick leave from school painting also. This is what she did. Also on a canvas. I would love to have this on fabric (says the quilter in me).

This painting now hangs in her 4th grade classroom. 


I created soup. Whenever the kids are sick. I make Homemade Chicken Soup.  It takes half the day and the house smells fantastic..... But this time....I was coming down with it too........ So,  a very quick soup it was!! I realized this is almost as good and is way easier!!! I will share.

Quick Chicken Soup for Sickies.......

1 Rotisserie Chicken from the supermarket
2 boxes chicken stock
1 red pepper chopped into lil' chunks
2 cups celery thinly sliced
2 cups carrots thinly sliced
1/2  sweet onion finely chopped
2 Knorr bouillon cubes
1 tsp. curry powder
minced garlic ...a clove or 4 depending on how much you like garlic.
1 to 2 packages egg noodles ( I used 1 package of egg noodle flakes)
4 cups water 

In a Large pot....... poor in chicken stock and water. Add bouillon cubes, curry, onions and garlic.
Turn it on high and get it boiling. Let boil for about 10 minutes to reduce a little, and flavor up.
While that is happening. Pick all the chicken meat off the chicken and shred a bit. Gather and chop the veggies.
All at one time add the chicken and the veggies to the pot. Turn down to a medium simmer and let the veggies cook for 7 minutes. Then add your noodles( 1 package for girls ...2 for boys, Boys like noodles!!)  and return to a boil until the noodles are done.

Poor in cups or bowls serve with hot buttered bread if you like, I like!!

I don't know if it is the curry, the garlic, the chicken or what. But chicken soup always makes you feel better.

It worked for me. I am up bloggin' sewin' and barkin' at my kids. I guess I am healed.

All the kiddos are back to well also. Hope it sticks until at least spring.

Have a fantastic weekend!!! And Stay Well!!!!

Pin It

This lil' doggy reminded me of......

I saw this pin on Pinterest, and just about died. 

How cute is he????

It reminded me of a post from a while back where I made the Hot Dog Wraps from my youth....

So, I decided to share again. 

I would love to make these little doggy dogs.

You can too using my recipe below . 

Or go to this link on 

Rhodes Bread ...There is even a video!!!! 

Super Duper!!

Original Post:

A Trip in the Way Back Machine......


Do you ever do something and it brings up a rush of childhood memories?

Well, I did that today. It was fantastic.
 I was looking around the kitchen trying to figure out what to feed the troops.... I did not want to make that dreaded trip to the store. I hate the store.  I saw hot dogs.... 
And just like that ....I thought of the wiener wraps they served in my grade school cafeteria.
 It was a strange wave of memory and emotion. 
At the time we complained, as little kids do, about they horrible lunch room and the evil lunch ladies who made us finish our veggies and they wore those fishnet 
covers on their heads. 
We really didn't know what we had....But now.....I wish my kids could eat fresh prepared,
well balanced, healthy and tasty meals made from scratch like we were blessed with.

The photo below is where I went to elementary school. I guess this is what it looks like now. When I was there it was painted in a 50's style sage color. I attended John Gumm Elementary School waaaaaay back in the 70's. 
I had such a great time there.......

Anyway, I decided to make some of those 
wiener wraps of my youth. 

They were pretty great.  Just like I remembered. I told the kids a dozen stories from the way back machine.  
While I was making dough.
It is nice to reminisce......
 I fed them something other than a sandwich 
or one of the other 
boring lunches we have around here.

And, I made a little dessert. 
All in less than 2 hours. 
 I got some Super Mom creds today!!!

Don't you wanna try 'em???

For the dough I used this tried and true bread dough recipe. I have made it a hundred times. Very easy for first timers.
 The only thing I changed was that ........
I used rapid rise yeast for speed.

Amish White Bread 

Ingredients

• 2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 6 cups bread flour

Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam.
2. Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.( 30 minutes for rapid rise yeast)
3. Punch dough down. Knead for a few minutes, and divide in half. Shape into loaves, and place into two well oiled 9x5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

This is how we turn Amish Bread into lunch time fun!!

    After step two in the recipe. Roll out the dough into a huge rectangle. 1/2 inch thick.

 Mine was super huge, because in this house one must double all recipes.

Cut into squares about the length of the dog you are using. And how many dogs you wanna make.

 I used the doggies that were in the fridge. But you can use turkey dogs. Ham rolled with a little cheese inside would be awesome too. Dontcha think.

 Lay doggy on square.

Roll stretching a little as you go. you want to totally cover the doggy.

 Pinch dough together at seam.

      
 Pinch ends and tuck under.

  Lay them all on a baking sheet sprayed with no-stick spray.
 ( for the little guys I cut doggies in half and rolled.You can see some little ones on the end). Let rise for about 20 min. Longer if you use regular yeast.

Pop them in a 375 degree oven until golden brown, about 30 minutes.

Cut and serve. 

If they are a little doughy on the bottom just flip each one over and pop back in the oven for 5 min.

Just like back in the "Lunch Lady Land "!!!

I had some dough left over sooooooooo,

I mixed 1/4 cup softened butter with 1 cup of brown sugar and a 1 tsp. of cinnamon . I spread it on the leftover dough and rolled it up.

 Cut in 1 inch sections

 Laid them on a prepared sheet.

 And baked with the doggies.

This is what I got. I am off to make some icing.

Delish!!!

Kids are happy....Momma happy

Pin It

My Long weekend......In instagrams

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Mine was busy and lasted through Monday. 

I tried to relax, and shake off a cold that has been going around the house. 

But, no matter how hard a tried.....It got me. 

Because we collectively have been feeling bit funky...........Some comfort food was in order.

I made our favorite chicken breasts,.

This is the easiest dinner. It is so very tasty.

And Yes, That is Bacon!!!

You don't need a lot to make this. 

Chicken Breasts

Bacon

Rosemary

Olive oil

salt&pepper.

Pound out your chicken a little. Just enough so that all the breasts are the same thickness.

Toss them in some olive oil salt and pepper and a few sprigs of rosemary. Let sit for a few minutes to marinate.

Place your chicken is a very hot fry pan. Medium high flame hot.....searing hot!!!

Turn when the side are white, opaque and the bottoms are golden brown. Do the same on the other side. This should only take a couple minutes on each side. If your pan is searing hot.

(at this point I pour myself a glass of wine. Torrontés is a perfect pairing! )

Place that pretty chicken on a baking sheet. lay a piece of bacon on each breast. Put baking sheet in a 425 degree oven.  Bake until the bacon is slightly crispy and the chick is done. About 15 minutes.

I made a sourdough dressing and some potatoes to go with. Delish!!!

Served.

Next on the weekend agenda.........My Beautiful daughter Brene's 14th Birthday. I can't believe how time flies.

Each one of my girls are true individuals. But, My Brene' is wonderfully unique. She is artsy and quiet. You can't help but smile when she walks in a room. She is funny and quirky. Has friends that mean a great deal to her. She has a true heart with no drama. I love this kid!!!!!!

Her Birthday pancakes for breakfast.

Brontë made tissue flowers and hung them for her little sis.

        I sewed her up these sweet nighties.

Added some lovely details to these cuties.

Found tutorial for these at Sew,Mama,Sew!

Her Birthday Sandwich....Her request.

 Finished it off with a oreo cake baked by Brooke.

It was such a sweet day for my sweet girl.

I got a little sewing of my own done.

On Monday......12 finished blocks. Yippeeeeeee!!!

I hope you liked the weekend journaled in instagrams.

Please follow me here.

Or  @myblueberrymoon

I promise I will follow you back :)

Have a great week peeps!!!!

Pin It

London's Calling........

We are having a GIVEAWAY !!! Please join in the fun :)  

(click on the word giveaway)

London has been calling around here lately. Big time!!!!

We love the Olympics!

I am hopelessly smitten with Downton Abbey.
I have watched both season's now.... So, I am in heavy withdrawals. Anxiously anticipating it's return to PBS in January.

I have "Union Jack" pillows and "Carry On" quilt dreams circling in my head.

(found on Flickr)

(From Fat Quarterly)

Oh!.....I cannot get the song "London Calling " by the Clash out of my head. If you would like it in your head ....or ear. CLICK HERE

I even woke up this morning craving scones..... Now, if that's not the literal definition of London Calling, I ask you, What is ?

What to do? {sigh}

Well, I guess I will bake my favorite Blueberry Scones And serve them with Sweet Lemon Butter.
Sound Good??

Look Good ??

Then Bake with me!!!

This post has a lot of pics. I must have been in a pic taking mood:)

Recipe for My Scones......

Ingredients

• 2 cups  flour
• 4 tablespoons sugar 
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons cold butter
• 1 or so cups of blueberries
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1/3 cup half and half , plus more for brushing the tops
• 2 big eggs
• Some sugar crystals for sprinkling ( or just sugar)

Heat oven to 400 degrees.


(If it looks like I have more ingredients , It's because I have to double for the large family...)

Measure your flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl. Give it a good stir.

Cut your very cold butter in pieces like so...

Grab a pastry cutter. ( Yes, that is what that funny looking thing is for ). You can also use a big fork. My Granny did. Or, two knives. Never tried that. But, I hear it works.

Cut your butter into your dry mix until it resembles wet sand and tiny lumps. Can you see it ?

Fold in your blueberries. Be very carful not to smash them.

Whip your eggs and half & half together. Make a well in your dry mix. Pour liquid into dry.

Carefully and gently fold until it all comes together. No more. The less you handle the dough ......
the fluffier the scone. And the trick here is ... don't break the berries.

Dump your mixture onto a floured surface and collect into a nice ball.

  Gently pat our into a square about an inch and a half thick.

  Flour a knife or scrapper .

  Cut into triangles. I am pretty haphazard at this part. I just    go for it. I like random.

Put your cute lil' triangles on a buttered baking sheet.

Brush tops with half and half.

Sprinkle with sugar.

Pop your pretty babies into your heated oven.

In about 30 minutes ..... you have these beauties!!!! 
I opened the oven and could here blueberries popping. Mmmmmmmmm. 

Now to serve them. 
Some people like to put a lemon glaze on them. Which works well if you are going to serve them later or take them to a party. 

But here ....We serve them up hot. With Sweet Lemon Butter. Oh Man!! Heaven. 

                             Sweet Lemon Butter

Ingredients

1 stick softened butter
1 lemon ( to zest and juice)
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

   
 Gather your ingredients. And a juicer, zester, bowl and mixer.

Zest about half the skin of the lemon.

Juice the entire lemon.

Add powdered sugar,zest and strained juice to a bowl.

Then your softened butter.

Whip until it is light and very fluffy.

Put in a pretty dish with a proper serving knife.

Grab hot scone.

Spread on lemon butter. Watch melt..... eat and smile.


Pin It