Welcome To The Family

It only took one night without Adam home in our new place for me to realize just how isolated I feel.  Now don't misunderstand; we don't live in the bush, we live in an established neighborhood but our house is set back from the road and we are surrounded by mature trees.  And when someone knocked on my door at 9pm and I didn't hear them approaching I knew it was time.

Meet Cutter.

We are currently in the throws of puppy-hood.  This includes housebreaking, crate training, bite prevention, and constant playtime.  She has a sweet disposition and the kids love her (when she is not testing out her teeth!).  You can often find Claire giving kisses and trying to use her for a pillow.  She sleeps through the night (which I love) and exploring the yard is a favorite past-time.  I think she will fit right in!

                                            

Is This Blog Worthy? {Breakfast Crunch Wraps}

I tried the homemade Crunch Wrap Supreme recipe that has been making its rounds on Pinterest.  We all enjoyed it, even Nolan ate it without complaint.  However, we were left over with a half bag of tostados and Adam decided to get creative.

Enter: Breakfast Crunch Wraps.  As Adam was serving us this tasty breakfast he asked, "Will these make the blog?"  Yes dear, I think they will.

These are very customizable.  Don't like beans, don't add them.  Want jalapenos and sausage? Go for it.  I think you get the idea. Enjoy!

Breakfast Crunch Wraps

Large Burrito Tortillas

Toastada shell (or tortilla chips)

Scrambled Eggs

Salsa

Refried Beans

Shredded Cheese

Bacon

To Assemble:

Warm tortilla in the microwave and spread beans in the center, leaving a good two inches plain along the sides.  Top with with torn bacon and scrambled eggs.  Add a toastada and more scrambled eggs.  Add a bit of salsa and other toppings of your choice.  Too much salsa can make your wrap soggy... Finish with shredded cheese.  Begin to fold the tortilla up over the toppings.  It won't cover it completely.  We tore an extra tortilla and placed it under the folds to cover all of the cheese.  Carefully and quickly flip the crunch wrap face down into a warm pan.  Brown both sides to warm through and melt the cheese.  

A Cool August Day {Aunt Sissy's Split Pea Soup}

We have had an unusually warm summer in Alaska.  However, the past few days have alerted us to the fact that Fall is right around the corner.  The temperature has been hovering in the mid 60s and today there is a cool rain.  On Adam's request I made Split Pea Soup for dinner.

I have come to realize that there are two camps when it comes to this hearty soup: love it or hate it.  I always thought I hated it, too.  But not my husband, he loves it!  He spoke reminiscently on how his mom would make it for him as a child.  So last winter I caved and decided to give it a go for the first time.   A quick email later, his Aunt Sissy (his mom's sister) sent me her trusty recipe.

It takes a teeny bit of preparation the night before, but you'll be done in two minutes and can catch up on your DVR for the rest of the night.

Sissy's Split Pea Soup

Sissy's Split Pea Soup

One Ham Bone
2 Cups of Diced Ham
1 One Pound Bag of Split Peas
1 Onion, Diced
3 Carrots, Peeled and Sliced
4 Potatoes, Peeled and Diced

The evening before, rinse dried peas well.  There is dust from the splitting and drying process.  Soak the peas in water over night, have about three inches of water over the peas, no need to put in the refrigerator.

When you are ready the next day, drain the water off and rinse one more time.  It is kind of stinky.  You will be glad you rinsed them.

Place peas, ham bone, and enough water to cover them by an inch or two in a heavy bottom pot.  Bring to a simmer and stir occasionally for one hour.  The water may foam, don't let that scare you.

Add the carrots, onions, potatoes, and diced ham to the simmering pea mixture.  Let simmer for one more hour, the peas will start to break down and become pasty in this second simmer.   If the soup gets too thick add a tablespoon of water at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.  Salt and pepper to taste.   The peas and the potatoes required more salt than you would think.  You can also add Parsley, like Grandma Virginia did, or a little bill of dill gives it a special flavor.

Serve with a crusty loaf of bread.

Just a note, it may separate in the fridge, don't pour off the liquid, you will need this to thin it out when you are reheating it, otherwise you could use it to plaster your walls. This soup can be frozen.


And yes, my boys refuse to eat it.  They had grilled cheese for dinner.  However sweet Claire loved it! Maybe one day the boys will develop a taste for soup, I can hope!

Old Friends and New Memories! {Brownies with Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Frosting}

When I moved to Alaska, I hoped that we would have visitors.  I know it is expensive and a lot of travel is involved in getting here, but it's a magical place that everyone needs to experience at least once.  And I recommend you do it in the next three to four years.

Surprisingly a dear old friend from high school got in touch with me and let me know that she and her family were coming to Anchorage for a family wedding and she wanted to get together.  I had not seen this girl in well over ten years and it amazed me that Alaska would be the place for our reunion.

Jack and Nolan, being silly and beautiful Jackie.

                                           

Let me give you some background.  Leslie, in a way, was a mentor for me.  She was two years older then me and she could drive.  We used to joke that my butt made an indentation in her car seat, because she drove me everywhere.  She offered me priceless advice: like how to keep your hands from sweating when holding hands with a guy you had a major crush on.  How would I know things like this?  If it wasn't for her?

So on their last night in Alaska they came over for dinner.  I was a nervous wreck before they arrived and was pacing.  However, as soon as she walked up the drive and gave me a hug, it was like we were back in Oak Harbor.  Her daughter is mini-version of her mama and the boys had so much fun with her. We had grilled chicken wings, pizza on the grill, and these babies: Brownies with Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Frosting.

Recipe Adapted from the files of my Mom

Brownie Layer

Melt together in a heavy saucepan:

   1 Cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

   1 Square Unsweetened Baking Chocolate

   3/4 Cup Butter

   1 1/2 Cups Granulated Sugar

Stir together well.  Then remove pan from burner.  Let cool slightly.

Mix in:

   1/4 Cup Cocoa Powder

   4 Eggs, Beating in each well with your spoon

   1 Cup Flour

   1/4 Tsp Baking Soda

   1/4 Tsp Salt

   3/4 Cup Chopped Pecans

Spread into a greased 13x9 inch pan and bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees, or until a tester comes out clean in several places.  Allow to cool on a wire rack.  TIP: After greasing the pan line with parchment paper with two ends that overextend the pan.  It makes for easy removal, spreading of frosting, and cutting.

Cookie Dough Layer

In a mixing bowl, cream together:

   3/4 Cup Softened Butter

   3/4 Cup Packed Brown Sugar

   Scant 1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar (about 2 tablespoons less)

Mix in:

   1/4 Cup Milk

   2 Tsp Vanilla

Gradually Add:

   1 1/4 Cups Flour

Stir in:

   1 Cup (or more) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Drop cookie dough on the cooled brownie layer and carefully spread evenly.  (Clean hands coated with cooking spray can help spread the dough without tearing the brownies.)  Cut into bars of any size you prefer.  Refrigeration is not needed.  

Serve with a cold glass of milk, trust me, you'll need it!

   

What's That Smell? {Homemade Carpet Refresher}

The owners of the house we are living in had dogs.  We were told they had the carpets cleaned before we moved in, but I can still smell that odor that buries itself deep in your carpets.  At night, when I lay in bed, I swear someone's stinky shoes have been hanging out near my pillow.  So after playing on the floor with my kids and taking a big old whiff of my carpet, I decided to do something about it.

My three year old is newly potty trained and because of this there were other smells around my home that needed my attention, so today was dedicated as a stay at home in your grubby clothes cleaning day; so running to the store to rent a steam cleaner was not going to happen.  I decided to make a carpet refresher on my own.  This recipe is SO simple and has no scary chemicals in it.

I dumped a container of Christmas sprinkles in a plastic food storage container, ran it through the dishwasher, and filled it up with my concoction.

½ Cup Baking Soda

20 – 40 Drops of Essential Oil (I used Sweet Orange)

Mix the oil with the baking soda.  If you can let it sit for a few hours before you use it the scent will permeate the baking soda even more. Transfer to a container with holes in the lid, a Parmesan cheese container would work well.

TO USE:  Sprinkle over offending carpet and let sit for a 10-15 minutes.  Have a dance party on top of it, to really smash it in.  Vacuum as usual.  (I wouldn't leave your refresher on longer than 15 minutes, some say it can be photosensitive and discolor things, although I have never had that trouble). 

Baking soda is natural order absorber and the oils will leave a lovely scent in your home.  Many larger markets like Whole Foods carry oils but there are many online stores where you can order from, as well.  Mountain Rose Herbs, is one of my favorites.

HAPPY CLEANING

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

This is your lucky day, I am going to share my favorite sugar cookie recipe.  This sweet treat is one of Jack and Adam's favorites and I have to agree, it is pretty darn tasty.  I think it is the addition of the cream cheese that makes them so soft and chewy.  Go ahead, make them.  You deserve a treat!

Recipe Adapted from Cooks Illustrated 

2 ¼ C. All-purpose Flour 
1 Tsp Baking Powder
½  Tsp Baking Soda 
½ Tsp Salt 
1 ½  C. Sugar, Plus Extra for Rolling
2 oz Cream Cheese, Cut into Small Pieces 
6 Tbsp Unsalted Butter, Melted and Still Warm
¹/₃ C Oil (Vegetable or Canola) 
1 Egg
1 Tbsp. Milk 
2 Tsp Vanilla
1 C. M&M's or More

Preheat oven to 350 F. Line  baking sheets with parchment paper. 

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Combine sugar and cream cheese in a large bowl (no need to stir them together yet).  Pour the warm butter over the cream cheese mixture and whisk to combine - the mixture won't be completely smooth yet, that's fine. Whisk in the oil then the egg, milk and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. Use a rubber spatula to start folding the dry ingredients into the wet. When the dry ingredients are partially incorporated, add about three quarters of the M&M's to the dough. Continue mixing until a soft dough comes together. (Don't wait to add the M&M's until the dry ingredients are completely incorporated - you'll end up overmixing.) 

Portion the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, about the size of a large walnut.  Working quickly (if you handle the dough too much you're more likely to wind up with flat cookies), roll the dough into a ball with your hands then roll in the extra sugar. Repeat until you've used all of the dough, placing 12 cookies on each baking sheet. Use the bottom of a glass to flatten the dough balls into discs.  Gently press 2 or 3 more M&M's into the top of each cookie (this is a great job for your “helpers.”)

Bake the cookies, 1 tray at a time, for about 11-13 minutes, or until the edges are set. The tops will be puffy and slightly cracked. Transfer the baking sheet to a wire rack and let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes then transfer them to the rack to cool completely.

ZIP LINE!

It took two Sundays, a little ingenuity, and a some heavy duty supplies but we now have every Ninja-In-Training's dream in our front yard.  A ZIP LINE!

 When we moved into this house we knew the boys would be in heaven with the space they would have in our yard.  And for some reason Adam thought they would need a zip line to add to the fun.  Well once that promise was made to Jack, he wouldn't rest until it was fulfilled.  So one Saturday night, Adam told Jack when he got up the next morning to come wake him up and they would go out and build the zip line.  Little did Adam suspect that Jack would come tapping on his forehead at 4:30 in the morning.  "Hey Dad, let's go out and build the zip line."  Adam was able to sneak in a couple more hours by giving Jack free reign of the Kindle down on the couch.

Adam's first attempt at the zip line included a heavy duty line.  However, the line just couldn't be tied tight enough to withstand the weight of our Ninja-In-Training (N.I.T.).  I learned a new word, Adam called this curvature of the rope catenary, did you know that?

So a quick run to Spenard Builders Supply and Adam had the necessary supplies to build a sturdy and safe zip line.

Zip line supplies

 Nolan was quite the assistant in the process, using his trusty sword to clear the brush in the pathway.   However, he did have to test out his ability to walk on the steal cable without losing his balance.  Well done, Nolan! 

Once the steel cable was installed and tightened our N.I.T. gave it a test run.  We were pretty impressed with his arm strength.  He loved it, but for safety's sake a swing seat was next on the agenda.

With the swing installed and a ladder attached to the tree, Jack was ready for take off.  Notice the helmet?  Our boy will play in the sandbox wearing his helmet.  Safety first.

 Nolan doesn't need zip lines.  Just his sword, long grass, and an imagination.  I'm pretty sure he was looking for snakes in this picture.  Thankfully there are NO snakes in Alaska.  Bears on the other hand...

 I'd say the zip line is a success.  He can get on himself, pull the seat back up to the start himself, and have hours of Ninja Training.

However, we did have to set a few rules in regards to playing on the zip line.  The most important one, you ask?  Don't stand in the way of the person on the zip line or you may end up on your back.

JUST ASK NOLAN!