Kitchen Connection

Tonight we enjoyed another frittata...and it was extremely yummy!  Again, it is very quick and easy to make, and I was able to modify it to make it a more healthy version...enjoy!

Ham, Zucchini and Tomato Frittata

1/4 c. zucchini, thinly sliced and halved

1 c. chopped deli ham

1 small container of cherry tomatoes
2 t. olive oil
salt and pepper
8 large eggs, lightly beaten (or 2 c. Egg Beaters)
1/2 c. shredded Cheddar cheese (I used fat free Cheddar)

In an oven safe skillet, saute the zucchini, ham and tomatoes in the olive oil for about 5 minutes.  Mix together eggs and cheese and pour over zucchini mixture.  Do not stir...allow to cook for about 3 minutes, until the sides of the egg mixture starts to set up.  Place skillet in 450 degree oven and cook for 10-15 minutes, until center is set.  Allow to cool 2-3 minutes before turning out onto cutting board.

Snowy Fun

As most of the United States knows, the Midwest was hammered this week with some very cold and snowy weather.  We spent three days out of school and work enjoying some family time.  Of course, being the country people that we are, we decided it would be a good time to get some projects done before the snow hit (yep, I said a good idea...but believe me, that was a very sarcastic good)!  On Sunday, we headed over to in-law's first to move the semi over to the farm. Ben and I weren't much help with the semi, but we did go along for the ride. 

Ben was wondering why he couldn't be in the semi with his daddy (I didn't think Andy needed extra hands trying to help him drive).

After the semi made it safely to the farm, we headed over to our friends to pick up a 4-wheeler that we bought off of them a couple of weeks ago.  Ben is obviously too little for it now, but we know that it will be fun for him in a few short years (plus, it will be a lot of fun for Mommy and Daddy right now).  Of course, we had to try it out when we got home.  It needs a few minor things, but it was good for a couple of quick rides before we put it away to work on it.

(Remember...it's the weekend, don't look too closely at my hair and lack of make-up) :)

After the 4-wheeler was away, it was time for us to go back home and start our winter storm hibernation!  We made it to work on Monday, but then we hunkered down for three snow days.  We were hammered with snow, sleet, and miserably cold wind!  We survived though...we watched movies, worked on the 4-wheeler, cooked (way too much), slept in, and played a LOT with our favorite little guy!  Today though, we're all headed back to the world of work; mine is just starting a couple hours later than usual (a nice perk of being a teacher...gotta love 2-hour delays)!!!

Hopefully all of you that were hammered by this storm were able to stay warm and enjoy some relaxing time at home!

Before and After

As any mother knows, a clean house is a valuable commodity.  It seems like I spend 30 minutes each night picking up toys and getting the house put back together before we start the next day.  It is definitely my Type A personality (and something I've learned from my mother), but I have to have things back in place before I can go to bed.  I also find myself picking up again during his afternoon nap (when we're home), and one more quick round-up while Ben's in his highchair for supper.  This is the "BEFORE" part of this post...what I like the house to look like when I'm finished picking up...

Another thing that any mommy knows, is the amount of time it takes their toddler to destroy their nice, clean house.  For my toddler, that amount of time is approximately 10-15 minutes.  It starts with the first toy that looks interesting, and then that leads to some books (or "ooks" as Ben says)...one book is NEVER enough (which is a good thing)!  After all of the books are out, then we move on to the tractors and trucks and usually end up with a good game of basketball before it's all said and done.  This would be the "AFTER" part...take a look at those nice, clean rooms now...

And the culprit of this fine mess...

Now, don't get me wrong, I love the fact that he makes my living room and playroom a disaster before the night is over.  Why?  Because if there are books out on the floor, then I know that Ben was being read to.  If there are basketballs and soccer balls all over the room, then I know he was using his motor skills.  If there are tractors and "bine-bines" scattered about, then I know he was pretending to farm like daddy.  And, most of all, if my house is a mess, then I know there was a lively, healthy, happy little boy using his imagination and enjoying his toddler years...that, and of course, being loved bunches and bunches by his mommy and daddy!

Kitchen Connection

This week's recipe is Mushroom and Onion Hamburger Steaks.  I made this last week for Andy and I, and even Ben thought it was yummy!  It's another quick and easy recipe (my favorite kind)...I think I had it on the table in less than 20 minutes.  Enjoy!

Mushroom and Onion Hamburger Steaks

2 lbs. lean ground beef
1 egg
1/4 c. dry bread crumbs
1 pkg. onion soup mix (divided)
dash pepper
1 3/4 c. cold water
1 t. Worcestershire sauce
3 T. flour
fresh button mushrooms (or canned if you would like)

Place egg, bread crumbs, beef, 2 T. onion soup mix, and pepper into a bowl.  Combine and divide into four individual patties.  Cook patties in skillet on medium heat for approximately 5-10 minutes (until juices run clear).  In the mean time, combine water, Worcestershire, flour, and remaining soup mix.  Mix well.  Remove patties from skillet and keep warm.  Add water mixture to skillet and bring to a boil.  Add mushrooms and continue to cook for 5-7 minutes (until mixture is thick and mushrooms are tender).  Plate hamburger steaks and cover with mushroom sauce...enjoy!

Like I said, super easy, super quick, and SUPER yummy...I served ours with some lemon glazed carrots (very pretty plate)!

It's Over...

Christmas, that is!  We celebrated the last Christmas party of the season on January 8th.  We were able to spend a wonderful day with Andy's Mother's family.  It was a very non-traditional Christmas, right down to the Pizza Hut pizza for dinner, but it was full of the Christmas spirit!  The tree was beautiful, the presents were plenty, and the conversations with family were priceless.  Ben, of course, enjoyed another round of presents (probably as much as his mommy and daddy).  This round of gifts blessed him with a truck that makes noise, a xylaphone, and many more loud toys...not sure this noisy trend is something this mommy can handle much more of.  Every room of our house is now complete with it's very own set of noise makers...and Ben is becoming VERY skilled at finding the ones I hide!  I think I'm paying my penance for all of the toys I've bought my nieces and nephews over the years...all I can say is that I am very, very sorry!!!

Ben thought he would help with the sweeping before the party :)

Ben playing with Popsie's feet...they're good buddies!

Ben trying to explain his car to Grandma Queenie

Popsie and the American flag that Matthew (his grandson) had flown for him...very special moment for him.

Ben playing with one of his "noisy" toys...this one helps him learn to count :)

Kitchen Connection

I'm having some technical difficulties with my photos, so this week's recipe is not going to have a pretty picture to go with it, but I can promise you that it is delicious!  This recipe comes from my Grandma Fincher.  She was a great cook, but she was an EXCELLENT candy maker.  She was a very modest cook...I don't ever remember a time that she made a pie that she didn't complain that her crust wasn't just right, but it's very funny to me that we always ate it (and it ALWAYS tasted just right to me)!  I have many, many memories of my grandma and most of them have to do with food...a get together with family, a soup dinner after a basketball game, a fish fry on a summer evening, a birthday party, a quick snack after school, or a covered dish at the last minute for a school function.  Of all my memories, it is the one's of making Christmas cookies and candy that hold a special place in my heart.  It seemed like Grandma would start making candy the day after Thanksgiving, and by the middle of December every tin and tupperware she had were full!  While she made a little lot of everything, her fudge was especially good.  Here is one of my favorites that I hope you'll enjoy!

Double Decker Fudge

4 1/2 c. white sugar
1 (7 oz) jar marshmallow cream
1 1/2 c. evaporated milk
1/2 c. butter
dash of salt
1 (6 oz) package chocolate chips
1 (6 oz) package butterscotch chips

Combine sugar, marshmallow, milk, butter and salt in 3 quart pan.  Boil five minutes.  Divide mixture in half.  To one half, add chocolate chips.  Stir until melted and then pour into 9x13 pan.  To the other half, add butterscotch chips; stir until melted.  Pour over chocolate mixture.  Cool on your counter...do NOT refrigerate, as this will make the fudge extremely hard to cut.  After the fudge has been cut, you can store in refrigerator.

Kitchen Connection

This week's dish is Southwest Strata...absolutely delicious!  The good news is that this dish is full of flavor and protein but low on carbs and fat!  If you like a little spice, then you should definitely give this a try.

Southwest Strata
12-16 oz. lean ground beef
1/2 onion, chopped
1/2 red pepper, chopped
1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
4 eggs
1/4 c. milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 c. shredded fiesta cheese (I substituted 1/2 c. fat free cheddar and 1/2 c. fat free mozzarella)

In an oven safe skillet, brown ground beef.  Add onion and peppers and saute an additional 5 minutes; drain.  Stir in tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes.  While beef mixture is simmering, whisk together eggs, milk, salt and pepper.  Mix in cheese and pour over beef mixture.  Cook on medium heat until eggs are set around the edges.  Heat oven to broil.  Place in middle rack for approximately 3-5 minutes until the middle is set.  Allow to cool 10 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!