Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday

Here are some of the recipes I tried out for Christmas. I made the clam chowder for Christmas Eve. As a special treat we had them in bread bowls from Panera. I was inspired by the clam chowder we had at the clam bake in Ohio and found this recipe. I loved the thyme in the recipe, it set it apart from any other clam chowder I've made before.

Easy and Delicious Clam Chowder

• 7 slices bacon, chopped (can use more)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh minced garlic (optional or to taste)
• 2 stalks celery, finely diced
• 1/2 cup dry white wine (or use chardonnay)
• 1 cup whipping cream (unwhipped)
• 1 cup full-fat milk
• 2 (5 ounce) cans clams (save the juice!)
• 1 large bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme (rubbed between fingers to release the flavors)
• 1 small russet potato, peeled and grated
• 1 1/2 cups evaporated milk
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• salt
• pepper (lots of pepper!)

1. In a heavy-bottomed pot brown the bacon, then add in onions, celery, thyme, bay leaf and garlic (if using); saute for about 4 minutes.
2. Add in wine, whipping cream, milk and the juice from the clams (save the clams to add in the end).
3. Add in the grated potato; bring to a slow simmer and cook for about 20 minutes until the grated potato softens, releases the starches and thickens the chowder base.
4. Add in the reserved clam meat, evapoated milk and chopped parsley; bring to JUST a simmer and remove from heat.
5. Season with salt and lots of black pepper.

I served this cake for breakfast on Christmas. It was our Birthday cake for Jesus. It tastes a lot like cinnamon rolls, but a lot quicker to make!

Cinnamon Brunch Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups sugar (add in more for a sweeter taste)
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1-2 teaspoon vanilla (optional) or almond extract (optional)
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 large egg (optional)

TOPPING

• 1/2 cup brown sugar (can use more or less)
• 1-2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• chopped walnuts (optional) or pecans (optional)

1. Set oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Prepare a greased 13 x 9-inch baking dish, or two 8 or 9-inch round cake pans (although the batter will seem like it will fit into only one 8 or 9-inch pan, this flop rises very high and will run over the sides if baked in just one pan).
3. In a bowl mix the 2 cups flour, 1-1/4 cups white sugar, milk, vanilla or almond extract, baking powder, pinch of salt and egg (if using) until just combined careful not to overmix.
4. Pour into prepared baking pan/s.
5. Generously spread brown sugar and cinnamon on top.
6. If desired sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans over top.
7. Drizzle melted butter over top.
8. Bake for about 20-25 minutes for 8 or 9-inch round cake pan, and about 30 minutes for a 13 x 9-inch pan.

We grilled a turkey for the first time ever. I don't think I'll go back to cooking it in the oven! It was so moist and flavorful and left the oven free for cooking other things! Here's the rub I used on it.

Firehouse Turkey

3 TB cracked black pepper
2 TB garlic salt
1 TB dry mustard
1 TB paprika
3/4 tsp cayenne
4 TB unsalted butter, softened

Directions
Mix together the dry ingredients.
Add the butter and mash with a fork until mixed and forms a thick paste.
Spread the paste under the skin and inside the cavity of the turkey.

This spinach salad was so good and easy! I didn't dump the dressing on the whole salad since it was just us. That way we can eat the leftovers all week.

Spinach Salad with Honey Bacon Dressing

• 8 cups torn fresh spinach
• 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1/4 cup sliced green onion
• 1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped
• 1 hard-boiled egg, chopped
• 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese, shredded on large holes of grater
• 7 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard or spicy brown mustard
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

1. Combine first 6 ingredients with 5 of the cooked, crumbled bacon strips in a large bowl.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, vinegar, oil, mustard lemon juice and remaining 2 strips of cooked, crumbled bacon.
3. Pour over salad.
4. Serve immediately.

Merry Christmas!

We hope you had a Merry Christmas! We enjoyed a quiet day at home.

Dressed up for church on Christmas Eve.

Hudson showing off some of his Christmas gifts!

Getting ready to open gifts from Uncle Shaun, Aunt Carissa, and cousin Ady.

Playing with their Lego farm equipment!

Wordless Wednesday

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

We took our annual drive out to Rossville tonight to see the lights. It was the first time that Hudson has been awake for them. The kids said they liked getting the candy cane from Santa the best. On the way back we stopped at 2 living Nativities. The first was at a church at Rossville and it was just the manger scene. The second was at Faith Baptist Church, and had 14 scenes complete with live camels, sheep and donkeys.

This afternoon we also took a trip to Purdue to see the huge tree and giant gingerbread house.

Brooks is so excited, because his preschool friend showed up.

Not sure what is up with Hudson??

Umm, yeah Hudson was making weird faces for all the pictures.

But not Brooks!

Last night I got to take a trip down to Indy to see Sara Groves in concert. I love love love all her music and had never been able to catch her in concert. I finally did last night! It was an amazing show, she is so talented. The concert was over 2 1/2 hours long, with just her performing. We were lucky enough to snag 4th row seats. If you've never heard her music, check her out. She is an amazing songwriter.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday

Here are some recipes to warm you up! I made the hot chocolate for Hudson's party. It was really yummy and would even be good with some coffee.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

3 cups dry milk
1 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup chocolate syrup
1 tsp peppermint extract
7 cups water

1. Mix the dry ingredients together in the crockpot.
2. Stir in the chocolate syrup and peppermint.
3. Stir in the water, 1 cup at a time.
4. Cook on high for 2-3 hours.

Lazy Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

• 4 cups cooked chicken, chopped
• 1 cup onion, diced
• 1 cup celery, diced
• 1 cup carrot, diced
• 4 (14 ounce) cans low sodium chicken broth
• 2 (10 3/4 ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup (with roasted garlic)
• 2 teaspoons fines herbes (chervil, chives, parsley, and tarragon)
• salt
• pepper, tp taste
• 2 cups egg noodles, cooked

1. Remove skin from the chicken and chop the meat.
2. Put the chicken into a slow cooker with the onions, celery, carrots and peas.
3. Stir in broth, mushroom soup, and fines herbs. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Cover and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or low for 8 to 9 hours.
5. When soup is finished, stir in egg noodles.
6. Season to taste and serve. Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday

Happy 3rd Birthday Hudson!

Wow! I can't believe you're 3! You are such a kind and loving boy. You like to cuddle and give hugs and kisses. You love to play legos with your big brother. You also love to ride bikes with him. You love to go to preschool and learn. Your favorite foods are pasta, tacos, cookies, and you eat just about anything! We are all so blessed to have you in our lives. Happy Birthday!