Risotto Magic!!

Can you tell we are really cooking again and getting back to our regular schedule?

Anyway this risotto truly was magical as it got my 19 month old to actually eat green veggies, and shock alert-- he LIVED!

I have never made risotto before and since Matt wasnt going to be home for dinner, I didn't have to feel bad about our completely vegetarian dinner :) I got the recipe from a Martha Stewart Food cookbook but found it on her website: http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5690151281930472906

It was pretty easy to make especially when I realized we have been making the fast-mom-needs-to-serve-dinner-quickly version: cheesy orzo. We cook our 1 cup of orzo in one and about a 1/3 cup of boiling broth and then add parmesan cheese, stir, serve, and eat. We add some parsley for color, but my kids and husband love this like crazy!

Also, I was wary about trying this recipe before as I don't like zucchini, but I bit the bullet because I want the kids to like it regardless, and guess what?! I LOVED the zucchini in here so much I was fishing around for it and making sure i got extra pieces in my second serving!

So, enjoy-- bring some small amount of simple deliciousness to your family!

Mozzerella Tomato Pizzas

We made these simple pizzas last night and my son said, "Mom, I can't believe we all really like this for dinner!" Me too! Seriously, my one and a half year old has been going through some picky eater issues and dinner for the first time ever is a battle. I adapted this recipe from an old Rachel Ray one and couldn't find it online, so here is the new beckified one :)

Two crusty loaves of bread
fresh mozzerella cheese (you could probably use regular mozz. cheese, but the taste is so worth the extra money)
Dried basil (fresh isn't growing out back yet)
Dried oregano
minced garlic
sprinkle of crushed red pepper
salt and pepper to taste
1 carton of cherry or grape tomatoes- i cut mine in thirds so the would be easier for the kids to eat
Olive Oil

Place bread sliced long ways under low broiler for 3 minutes. Brush with olive oil and run some minced garlic on it. Slice Mozzerella ball or crumble it and place over oil. Sprinkle oregano on top and then add tomatoes. Sprinkle with Basil, crushed red pepper, and salt and pepper. Drizzle a little more olive oil on top and put under broiler again for 3 minutes. Take out eat and enjoy :) I am sure you could add some fresh spinach and other goodies-- but it was really good just like this-- no leftovers and so fresh!!

I have also been resuming our normal life after the wedding, and normal for me is organizing. Check out my newly much needed to be organized spice cabinet :) Took less then 15 minutes and looks so much better-- 15 minutes a day on one area makes such a difference over all :)

The cry of my Heart

We had a long day today. First Matt finished putting together a new wardrobe to replace his dresser and as I tried to sort and reorganize everything, he trotted upstairs to replace the big kids light.

And, the wiring up there is so ancient that colored wires were non-existent! The electrician can't come tomorrow due to all the storm power problems which I totally am find with as our hearts goes out towards those hit hard by the storms.

But, now one room is in total upheavel and the other without power and Matt is talking about re-doing the kitchen and hold the phone! I don't think I can handle that! Plus the-- well, I have a long list of craziness that needs done and it is so overwhelming at times. Finally, called husband and said this house doesn't feel comfortable or homey anymore-- I want out. Then, with all the other stuff going on in the world that has never stopped and will never stop, it gave me such a hunger and deep desire for Jesus and heaven. Jesus, you are whom I yearn for and I just wanted to remind you dear reader that whatever happens here, its okay, something so much better is waiting for us. This is not a permanent home-- it has and always will have problems. I am just so glad Heaven doesn't have a home depot and is run by the ultimate Handy Man :)

Places to play in PA: Hands on House

We have been members here for a year and a half and I can honestly say each time is a little different and we always leave satisfied!

One of the best things about it is I dont have to go into the city and it's easy to get to all by myself with all 3 kiddos in tow-- yay! They also keep it simple and familiar only changing two of the many play areas. I love this because theres always osmeting a little new and yet at the same time my kids keep building their skills in each of the other rooms.

One of our favorites is the grocery store-- they love shopping, punching the cash register buttons, and following the little lists they have for them. Another favorite is the thing-a-ma-gig room where there is a mechanical assembly line to work on and lots of other math related things like sorting and building ramps. All 3 of my kids get completely asorbed in finishing their tasks and experiencing the joy of a job well done.

One downer is that on the weekdays they close at 4 and sometimes we could def. stay longer and the other would be that the paint in the face painting section is not eye friendly and we have had problems getting it out of our clothes, but that being said, it is a wonderful afternoon each and everytime.

http://www.handsonhouse.org/

Places to Play in PA: The Franklin Institute

I am beginning a new segment on my little blog-- a lottle coverage of places our family has visited to that our kid friendly in PA. I love this state-- I dont realy feel as if I can call myself a local as once a Jersey girl, always a jersey girl ;)

We went to the Franklin Institute about a month ago when Matt had to work in the city and one benefit of going during the week was at about 2:00 all the schools cleared out and we pretty much had the place to ourselves. We also hit a personal setback when our little guy threw his paci out of the stroller oh say, about an hour after we got there and he was def. not a happy camper at times without it. That being said, we did have a nice time.

My kids favorite attraction hands down was the heart-- they must have gone through about 20 times! Thinking back to when I went there as a kid it was my favorite thing to (although I remember a fish tank being inside it then), so I am so happy they have never changed this exhibit. We also loved th electricity room and the sports rooms a lot-- these had a lot of hands on things where the kids could see science and have it click right away.

The only room we didn't really like was the kids play area designed for younger kids-- it seemed empty and as if half the exhibit had been put away... not sure about that since they have some great things to work with there. Also not cool-- we went to see a BLACK HOLE movie and it 1. terrified my kids (dont know what I was thinking) and 2. was so inaccurate and lacking all sound reason Biblically, that we made a quick dash for the door about 5 minutes into it. We also saw the 3-D Oceans movie and the effects were great, but was expecting something on sharks and we got sardines. Thats not their fault, but mine... but really, who'd film sardines when their are sharks nearby? Seriously...

All in all we had a great time and the kids retained alot of what they had seen and I would def. go again in maybe 5 years as not a whole lot changes on a year-to-year basis, but still, as I said before, a great day trip!

been busy with a shower

no, not that type of shower-- a wedidng shower. been busy planing my sister's shower and phew, since she snooped and found out about it, i can share some pictures with y'all about how I am progressing. The shower is this saturday and I have been diligently working on it here and there for weeks now so as not to have the last day party stress hit me (and the family) head on. My husband called home from work and tentaviley asked how stressed I was and it was with a happy heart that I said we're doing good.

Then I hung up.

And I began to stress, was I doing good? Should I have something else for dessert? Will the fondant work? Will people like it? Will it look, horror of horrors, tacky?

So after a small, teeny, tiny panic attack, I regrouped, packed my china up (we're using special woman in my sister's life real china as a special touch, and well, i guess I consioder myself important-hehehe), finished the pretzels (the extra dessert), and then relaxed.

Because a good host should be a relaxed host.

I did take some new steps for me-- I accepted help on a few (minor) things for the shower and was pretty loose-ish-ish with decorating help (okay, I oversaw it, but I let my sister help and even pick a few things out-- shocker, I know.

So, we are almost done and I am so hoping for a nice smooth finish and a beautiful shower of blessings for my sister.

Product review-- drying rack

Hi-- i am so sorry that I have slacked off with posting-- it's a roller coaster of good times and bad times of posting :)

Anyway, this is one of my favorite things EVER and I am going to start trying to feature great products that save you time and money and make your life tons easier!

This is the amazing IKEA drying rack that can dry a HUGE load or two small loads of laundry-- it is a life saver! Why do I hang instead of dry? Well, you know me-- I love to save electricity and this really does save me time-- No going down to put it in the dryer, take it out, etc.-- plus the kids help hang the socks around the edge-- win win! It's also great on the wear of the clothes-- plus no worry of drying in a missed stain :D Love this so much and HIGHLY reccomend it: