MERRY CHRISTMAS

~During this season, let us not forget, to take time to enjoy the smallest of miracles and blessings~

Hello all!  Hope that everyone is staying dry and warm on this very wet and cold Saturday afternoon.  The Lewis clan have all been fighting off coughs, sore throats, pink-eye, and runny noses.  It truly does look like we are all getting better.  Since we have not been feeling well, we have allowed ourselves to open a couple of presents.  Daniel got me the new Nora Roberts book and Kenna got me the cutest slippers.  Merry Christmas to all of you and I pray many blessing on your and your family.  ~Becky~

It is so cold outside.  I sent out a text asking people what the first day of Christmas really is.  I got a variety of answers.  So I thought I would google search 'the twelve days of Christmas". This is just a small portion of what I got.  I hope everyone is enjoying the count down to the First day of Christmas!  

The Twelve Days of Christmas is probably the most misunderstood part of the church year among Christians who are not part of liturgical church traditions. Contrary to much popular belief, these are not the twelve days beforeChristmas, but in most of the Western Church are the twelve days from Christmas until the beginning of Epiphany  (January 6th; the 12 days count from December 25th until January 5th). In some traditions, the first day of Christmas begins on the evening of December 25th with the following day considered the First Day of Christmas (December 26th). In these traditions, the twelve days begin December 26 and include Epiphany on January 6.

~google~

There is something to say about spending all day in your PJ's.  That is what the girls and  I have done today.  We have wrapped presents, listening to Christmas music, done laundry and just basically hung out....all in our Jammies.  LOVE IT!  I do hope that everyone is having a wonderful December.  I am amazed at how fast time is moving.   Only 12 more days until Christmas.   Daniel and I have already given each other a gift.  We are going to have 3 Christmas's this year.  One at home...then off to Redding...then down to the Bay area...  We are doing to have a crazy wonderful time...  Well, I guess it is time to get ready for Supper 8.  Merry Christmas! 

Good Morning!

Sorry that I have not written in awhile.  I have been crazy busy with Thanksgiving and now getting ready for Christmas.  We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with Parents and Friends. 

I have been getting the house ready for Christmas.  We have the tree up and all the decorating.  I will have to post a pic of out tree.  It is really pretty...except for the huge kid gate (in dingy gray) that surrounds it....yep you guessed it...Miss Brenna proofed the tree... lol

I am off to make laundry soap...no laughing...  Hope to be able to write more soon!  Merry Christmas everyone!!

Good Morning! I am getting a slow start today.  I got Kenna off to school and feel like that was a huge accomplishment.  I did try out a new recipe on Sunday. It was a Crock Pot recipe and super easy. I am not sure if I loved it. But it did have a good flavor.  I hope everyone is having a good week! 

CrockPot Bacon Wrapped Cornish Game Hens

--2 cornish game hens, thawed

--6 slices of bacon 

--1 tsp kosher salt

--1 tsp thyme

--1 tsp rosemary

The Directions.

I used a 6 quart crockpot; the little birds nestled in nicely.

In a small bowl, mix your dry spices. Rub the spice mixture all over the birds, inside and out. Lower the birds into the crockpot.  Take your strips of bacon, and wrap two one way and one the other on each bird. See if you can tuck an end inside of the cavity.

Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 4-5. 

 I went and picked apples yesterday in the rain with Kenna.  We had so much fun.  So today is Apple Butter day at the Lewis house.  I am getting a slow start but should be able to put apples on stove with in the hour.  My cousin Jen told me yesterday that I was becoming a Humboldt Hippie, with my canning, soap making and such.  I laughed and told her that I am my grandmother incarnated.  But the truth is I really enjoy canning and soap making. Beware though, my Christmas baskets are going to be filled with unique items this year.  Have a happy day! Love you all!

I just would like to say THANK YOU to those men and women, young and old, who have, are still and will in the future, fight to keep the human race free.

Happy Monday!  I hope all of you had a wonderful weekend.  I happen to have had a most amazing weekend.  Saturday was my 5th anniversary.  Friday night Daniel and I sat and talked about what we were doing 5 years ago, the night before we were married.  We laughed about things that we did not find very funny at that time.  On Saturday, Daniel surprised me with a relaxing massage at a Spa in Old Town.   He got a pedicure which made his feet look amazing.  Besides all that,  I think that if a couple can make it through 5 years, 2 kids, and a job transfer, then that is the first step to making it through the next 5, 10, 15 years.  

Happy Thursday to all my friends.  I have been having a lonely week with Daniel being out of town with work.  I really do not know how my cousins handle it,  but now I have a greater understanding of those women who send there men off for days at a time.  The girls and I have been staying very busy.  McKenna made dinner last night.  We had spaghetti and bread.  She did a great job!  I think it is going to be a once a week routine for the girls to make dinner. 

With Halloween just two weeks away, we here at the Lewis house, have  also been busy putting together costumes. This year McKenna is going to be a princess and Bree will be a butterfly. Kenna has some great ideas.  She has been gathering items to accessorize her costume with.  She should be quite the glamorous little princess.  We have even made a couple of Thrift Store runs to see if there is anything “she just has to have”.  Daniel and I are going the Fabians for one of there infamous Halloween parties.  I am sure we will have a smashing good time.  lol  We are still trying to put together costumes.  And ideas? Let me know.  

Have a fabulous weekend! 

Last night was our 2^nd annual Chili Cook off.  We had some great entries this year. Our home was filled with the tantalizing smell of peppers, cumin, garlic… The winner was Kim, with her Pumpkin Black Bean Chili.  I hope to add some new twists to it next year and possibly gather recipes and create a chili cook off cookbook.  I think that would be lots of fun for the participants.  I created a Cheesy Potato Bacon chili.  I personally think that I cooked it too long and the horseradish became a strange flavor.   Here is the recipe for those who would like to try it.  

Cheesy Potato and Bacon Chili

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 pound potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 (28 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, broken up, undrained

1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce

1/2 cup water

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 small green bell pepper, diced

1/4 cup chopped parsley

1/4 cup prepared horseradish

6 strips crisp cooked bacon, crumbled

1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Heat the oil in a 2-quart pot. Add the potatoes, onion, and garlic.

Sauté 5 minutes.

Add the next 4 ingredients. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover,

and simmer 10 minutes. Uncover and stir in remaining ingredients

except cheese. Cook 5 minutes more or until desired consistency.

Garnish each serving with cheese.

Serves 4.--

Here I sit at 6:00 am, strong cup of coffee at my side. Brenna was up most of the night.  So I am a little sleep deprived this morning.  For all you moms out there with more than one child. You know that there is no chance that if Brenna goes down for a nap that I will be able to join her.  Let me repeat...I have a STRONG cup of coffee at my side.  I wonder if this lack of sleep is why women look as if the "age" faster?  Isn't that an interesting thought. 

Here is a random thought...there are 84 days until Christmas.  I have been slowly getting my gifts together.  I think that Daniel is going to string lights on our house this year.  That will be a lot of fun.  

So we are having our annual Chili Cookoff this weekend.  If anyone has a recipe that they would like to share with me, I would totally appreciate it.  

Enough of my ramblings.  Have a great day! 

   

 

Happy Monday to us all. Right now I am sitting at the table listening to McKenna explain to us that a "diddy" is a "very short simple song".  Where she picked up that little bit on knowledge, I don't know, but I am amazed.   

Visiting Angels

Today I started my new part-time job. I am now a Visiting Angel.  I must say that I was shaking in my crocs as I walked up the steps to my new clients home.  I have never done so much praying.  lol  All went well and I will be back tomorrow morning.    

My little Brenna is such a Dare Devil.  I am watching her climb up on the tile in front of the fire place.  Two days ago we caught her trying to wash her hand.  Yes, that is right she climbed up on the on the stool in front of the sink.  She has absolutely no fear.  

  

Chowder on a rainy day

A few months ago my mom blessed me with a couple dozen mini cookbooks.  I have sorted through them and have picked out a few to try.  I tried a new one last night.  It was Mushroom-Potato Chowder.  It was very good...Well at least Daniel, Brenna and I thought so.  McKenna had a rough time with it and after dinner asked me "why did I cook food that she doesn't like".  The recipe made just enough for the four of with no left overs.  I think I will double the recipe next time.  I hope that you will try it.  It you do please let me know what you think.  

MUSHROOM-POTATO CHOWDER

1 tablespoon margarine or butter

2 medium size potato- cubed

1 1/2 cups of sliced fresh mushrooms

1/4 cup chopped green onions

1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic

1 cup water

1 tablespoon chicken-flavor instant bouillon

3/4 cup instant mashed potato flakes ( any brand will do) 

1 1/2 cups milk

1/8 teaspoon dried thyme leaves 

Melt margarine in medium saucepan.  Add onions, garlic, potato and 1 cup water.  Slow cook until potatoes are just beginning to get tender (do not over cook or potato will be mush). Add bouillon and mushrooms. Bring to boil, stirring to dissolve bouillon.  

Reduce heat to low; stir in all remaining ingredients.  Cook until thoroughly heated, STIRRING FREQUENTLY ( so that potato flakes to not get lumpy).  Serve

I served the chowder with Garlic cheddar biscuit ( Bisquick recipe).  

Rainy Days

Today I woke up to sound of rain pitter patting on my window.  It made me think that even earth needs a good cry once in awhile to make itself feel refreshed and renewed.  I will be working on my blog today (thank you Deb) so hopefully it will be more interesting to look at.  

I have an amazing rainy day chili recipe to share with all of you.  It is super easy and so very yummy! 

 Blonde Chicken Chili

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

3 pounds skinless, boneless

chicken breast meat - cubed

1 cup chopped onion

2 cups chicken broth

2 (4 ounce) cans chopped

green chile peppers

5 (14.5 ounce) cans great

Northern beans, undrained

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon dried oregano

2 teaspoons chopped fresh

cilantro

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper

DIRECTIONS:

1.         In a large skillet over medium-high heat, place the vegetable oil and chicken. Cook the chicken, stirring occasionally, until all pieces are evenly brown. Stir in the onions. Cook until translucent. Drain mixture and set aside.

2.         In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring the chicken broth and green chile peppers to a boil. Stir in 3 cans great northern beans, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, cilantro and crushed red pepper. Stir in the chicken and onion mixture, and reduce heat. Simmer 30 minutes or longer, adding additional beans from the remaining cans for a thicker consistency as desired.

Prep Time: 30 Minutes

Cook Time: 30 Minutes         

Ready In: 1 Hour

Yields: 10 servings

moms and wives....the great vacationless class

Hi!

This is my first post.  I am new to the blogging world but do believe that I may have some helpful tips and insight for the great vacationless class.  Yes, ladies, this is us. I will be using this blog to share recipes, delightful insight from my girls and to share with you an amazing relationship I am developing.  Feel free to comment and share your thoughts with me.  Becky