Hansen Family Blog: Another Month

Monday, January 31, 2011

Another Month

There is always something nice about starting a new month...I guess it's kind of like starting a new year. It's another month closer to summer, it's another month that is over with, It's another month to get things done, it's another month to try and live within a budget, and it's another month to..........I don't know what else I just like turning over that calendar page and move on.

Not much to write about today. I'm still working on the girls being not only kind to each other but tolerable. Some days its good and some days it's not. We are working on it though. It's interesting to see the changes come about as they get older. They used to like the same things and get along quite well but personalities and interests are becoming quite defined and quite different. Sarah is a teenager now and I think Kate "misses" her. A 3 year age difference at this age is a lot. I think if we can get them both through middle school they might like each other a little better (or we just might ring their necks).

Sarah "won" the $10.00 for the month for doing her jobs happily and regularly and Curtis and Sterling won a candy bar for "good effort". Now jobs change and we will see who wins for february (Its usually the person with garbages - that's the easiest job).

I'm not doing so well on my goals - I made cinnamon rolls last night and I ate 3 of them with a couple glasses of milk and I have exercised once since Jan. I just have to hit a motivation point and then I get on a roll. Todd didn't even eat one! not because he tries to eat healthy or anything he just doesn't eat much baked goods. He is no fun!

I think its time to sell the house. But will it sell is the question. Ours is too big and too expensive. Advice to children - Don't buy a big house even if you can afford it.

I want this cookbook

2 comments:

kh said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; February 2, 2011 at 12:07 PM
Hansen Family said...: I remember after I had Sterling I would have panic attacks (if you have never had one they are so not fun)and I was having a hard time falling asleep at night. I was always scared to be the last one asleep for fear that I would start to panic (yes I know - weird) and Todd was the best friend I could ever have and he would stay up late into the night until I had fallen asleep - night after night. It's times like that that I realize how much I love my husband and it just grows stronger. Confirmation and reaasurance is EXACTLY what I need at times and Todd is the perfect man for that! I sure like the comments because these are things I wouldn't have normally written! Good for the ole journal; February 2, 2011 at 7:52 PM

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Chicken Parmesan Sub (I doubled of course)

1/4 cup flour
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3 tsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 6 oz bag spinach
1/3 cup prepared marinara sauce
2 TB grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 soft whole wheat sandwich rolls - toasted

1. Combine flour, salt and pepper in shallow dish. Place chicken between two large pieces of plastic wrap and pund with smooth side of meat mallet until chicken is an even 1/4 inch thickness. Dredge chicken in flour mixture. 2. Heat 1 tsp oil in non stick skillet over medium heat. Add spinach and cook stirring often until wilted - about 1-2 minutes. Transfer to bowl. 3. Add the remaining oil to pan. Add the chicken and cook until golden on first side (2-3 minutes). Turn chicken, reduce heat to medium, top with wilted spinach, marinara sauce and Parmesan. Sprinkle with mozzarella, cover and cook until cheese is melted and chicken cooked through (2-3 minutes). Serve on toasted rolls.

Margherita Pizza (Sisters Cafe)

Pizza Dough (I have finally made pizza dough how it should be. A good recipe and the pizza stone were key)
1 1/2 cups very warm water
1 TB sugar
1 scant TB yeast
1/2 tsp salt
2 TB olive oil
4 cups flour

In a large mixing bowl dissolve sugar and yeast in warm water - set stand for 10 minutes Foam should form on top. Whisk in salt, oil and 1 cup flour. Whisk in 2nd cup of flour. At this point use dough hook and turn mixer on low as you add the remaining 2 cups of flour a little at a time until dough forms as a ball. Knead for 5 minutes. Place dough in oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rise for an hour in a warm place until double in size. Punch down and divide into 2 parts. Each half will make a 12 inch pizza. Allow dough to rest for 15 minutes then roll out.

Topping
3 medium tomatoes
1/2 to 1 tsp minced garlic
1/4 tp 1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 TB olive olive oil
1/3 + cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves julienne cut
mozzarella cheese shredded
parmesan cheese shredded

Combine all ingredients except cheese and toss lightly. Roll out pizza dough to 12 inch circle and place on hot pizza stone. Sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella on dough. Spoon on tomato mixture and spread evenly over cheese. Sprinkle 1/4 cup parmesan on top. Bake in preheated oven at 450 for 12 - 15 minutes or until cheese is starting to brown and crust is deep golden. Sprinkle additional fresh basil over pizza before serving. Yummy!

Pumpkin Squares - Jenny Parker

I grabbed this recipe from a friend in my ward - she brought them to a RS dinner and they were so yummy.

Mix Together:
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
15 oz can of pumpkin

Then add:
1 2/3 cup sugar
1 tsp of each: ginger, cloves, salt, baking soda, baking powder
3 tsp cinnamon
2 cups flour
Pour into jellyroll pan and bake at 350 for 25 min.
Frost with cream cheese frosting

Cream Cheese Frosting
8oz cream cheese
1 bag powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla
4-5TB unsalted butter
Thin with milk
Cut in squares and top with a cany pumpkin