Mountain Man Mac

Last week I had one of those moments when I paid for something I did in elementary school.  To be honest, I really don't remember this at all, but I have heard the story many a time.   One day my mom was coming in to the school to help with a party in one of my classes.  When I found out she was coming I told her she needed to wear a dress, cuz that's what all the other moms wear.  I'm sure she asked a few times to make sure but in the end she wore the dress along side all of the other jean-wearing mothers.  Of course, she was the only one. 

Last week Mac had a mountain man report to do.  It was one he'd worked on at school and we didn't really do much for it.  He came home the day before and asked if I had bought him a costume.  I told him no and asked if he needed one.  He said he did.  Lucky for both of us we have some neighbors who belong to the mountain man and woman association.  Their son had a very cool leather coat and "coon-skin cap."  So he was all set up.  Then he asked me if I could come.  I scanned the weekly e-mail from his teacher to see what time it was and there were no specifics.  I told him I thought it wasn't really for parents.  He said another little boy's mom came and he really wanted me to come.  So the next day I showered and got ready in 15 minutes flat, packed up the twins and went to the school.  We were a little early for McKay's report so the twins and I sat through two other reports of children who had no sort of costume and definitley no mother there to watch either.  Mac did a great job and I was glad I could go, but I did have to call my Mom when I got home so she could have the satisfaction of my "pay-back."

The Fourth Grade Program

Teachers are amazing!  I've always admired them especially because teaching is not something I'd choose to do for a profession and it requires such creativity and PATIENCE! So here are my props to the fourth grade teachers at my kids elementary school!  They did an amazing job putting together the program this year and I thouroughly enjoyed it!  It was entitled "Utah, the music and the memories."  It started with "Brother Brigham" talking about the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, then the Ute Indians and so on and so forth.  They were all dressed up in period clothing, they danced, sang and played the recorder.  The kids loved it and it was truely entertaining.  They even had a little modern-day tribute to David Archeuletta.  Here is a tiny taste of McKay's favorite part.  Great job Mac!  We loved your awesome performance! 

Who ever thought you'd hear Back Street Boys at an elementary school program?!

I love food!!!!!!!!

Seriously, I really really love food.  I turn to food for everything....fun, quiet time, celebrating, stress, oh...and when I'm hungry.  I read somewhere recently that that's why runners run, to eat and I totally agree!  I run to eat.  One of my favorite topics of conversation on a run is in fact food.  I also love to cook which compliments my love of food and eating quite well.  Last week I did hoagies as my "quick and easy" meal but I just had this nagging thought that a hoagie would go beautifully with my friend Alison's butternut squash soup which I just got the recipe for and happened to have all the ingredients for including leeks which I never really have but I did from making clam chowder a few days earlier which was super yummy too.......................phew! So there went my quick and easy meal, but it was BEAUTIFUL and delicious!  I think I'll occasionally post a few favorite recipes because it's one of my favorite things to share.  Here goes. 

I got a request for this sweet potatoe recipe in November from my Brother-in-law Jared but have neglected to actually send it so here ya go Jar, enjoy!


Alison's Sweet Potatoes

3 1/5 lbs. yams
1 tsp salt
1 1/4 cup butter
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon

Bake yams, peel, and whip.  Melt butter and add the remaining ingredients.  Put into a 2 liter dish and top with pecan mix. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. 

Pecan Mix:

1/4 c. butter, softened
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. pecans, chuncky chopped
3 Tbls. flour

Butternut Squash Soup

1 medium leek
3 Tbs. butter
2 carrotts, peeled and coarsely chopped
1 medium onion, choppped
1 medium butternut squash (2 1/2 lbs) peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
2 cups water
2 cups chicken broth
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup heavy cream

Cut off root and trim dark green top from leek; cut leek lengthwise in half.  Cut white and pale green crosswise into 1/4 inch slices, discard dark green and rinse in  a bowl of cold water to remove sand.  Transfer to a colander and drain.
In saucepto melt butter over medium high heat.  Add carrotts, onion, and leek.   Cook stiring occasionally until lightly browned, about 10 minutes.  Add squash, water, broth and salt; heat to boiling.  Reduce heat to low; cover adn simmer until squash is very tender, 15-20 minutes. 
Spoon half of squash mixture into blender. Cover, with center part of cover removed to let steam escape; puree until smooth.  Pour into bowl.  Repeat until done.
Return puree to same pot.  Stir in cream. Heat through but do not boil.  Serve hot!

And my new favorite soup recipe that my aunt Terry introduced me to.....yum!

Poblano Chicken Chowder

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 large carrots, cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 2 large onions, cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 5 stalks celery, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1/8 cup minced garlic
• 2 to 3 small poblano peppers, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin, or more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, or more to taste
• 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon granules
• 3 quarts chicken broth
• 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro leaves, minced
• 3 cups diced (large pieces) grilled chicken
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce, or more to taste
• 1 cup heavy cream

Directions

Heat the oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add the carrots, onions, celery, garlic, poblano peppers, salt, white pepper, cumin, and thyme. Saute for 7 to 8 minutes, or until the vegetables begin to soften. Stir in the chicken bouillon. Add the chicken broth and cilantro, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the carrots are tender. Stir in the chicken and cook, stirring frequently, until the chowder is thick and the chicken is heated through. Shortly before the chowder is done, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the flour and stir to combine. Cook, stirring frequently, for 3 to 4 minutes to cook the flour. Do not allow the mixture to brown! Ladle 1 cup of the hot liquid from the stockpot into the skillet, whisking constantly.

When the first cup of liquid is incorporated, add another 2 cups of liquid, 1 at a time. Pour the mixture in the skillet into the stockpot, whisking to blend. Cook, stirring frequently, for 3 to 5 minutes longer, or until the mixture begins to thicken. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the hot sauce, then the cream, and serve.

Chinese Immersion

Keaton is in a Chinese Immersion Program.  What that means is that for half of the day he goes to a class with an English speaking teacher and then the other half he has a Chinese speaking teacher who only speaks Chinese to the kids.  In their Chinese class they learn math, science and Chinese spelling and writing.  Chinese writing is Keatons favorite and it's amazing to watch him do it!  He is in the first year of this program at his elementary school so that's why Mac doesn't do it, but the younger kids definitley will.  I think it's such an amazing opportuniy for them and even if they never use the language, it will expand their brains in a way that nothing else will.  As part of the program we're encouraged to take part in Chinese culteral activities.  This was a Chinese folk dance program that included dancing, singing (opera-like) and the playing of instruments.  We were in the balcony so our pictures aren't super, but hopefully you can get a look at this beautiful and interesting culture! 

The Aquarium

Tate's preschool had a field trip this week at the Living Planet Aquarium.  It was nice to be able to take the twins and we had a great time! Thanks Mrs. Hampton!

The most exciting thing in the Utah section :)

Petting the sting rays

Tate and AJ in front of the caiman (alligator)

"Numma, numma"

This Monday for breakfast we had Swedish Pancakes.  The kids were out of school and that is what we almost always have on such school-less days.  The recipe is from my Grandma Peterson.  We always had (and still have) Swedish Pancakes for Christmas with its delicious companion...breakfast casserole.  I have very fond memories of Grandpa sitting at the breakfast table and  in his gruff but satisfied voice saying "numma numma! They're sure good Ma!"
 I asked my Grandma about this tradition once and she spoke of her mother making them on any type of special day she could think of, especially sleepovers.  Now with my own kids we take the opportunity to make them whenever we have the time.  I know most of you will really want to call these crepes but they're not, they taste and look almost exactly the same, but these are Swedish, just like my Grandma.  Oh! and the appropriate way to eat them is to smother them with butter then sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon, roll up and enjoy. 
Here's the recipe if you'd like to try them out!

Swedish Pancakes

4 eggs

1/2 tsp. baking powder

2 Tbls. sugar

2 c. milk

1 c. + 1 Tbls. flour

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

Blend in blender and cook over medium-medium high heat.  Be sure to spray your pan before each one!

What the Twins are up to...or should I say into.......

Wow! As hard as it is to have twins I have to say it's stinkin' fun too! These babies are always amazing me at the things they can do.  Our kitchen has a certain crazy appeal to it as all of our chairs must be turned over when not in use.  This is to prevent said "cute babies" from climbing on top of the table or any other surface that they push the chairs over to.  The other day I stepped out of the room to return to the babies playing in the sink of dirty dishes.  They're also pros at dumping out almost full boxes of cereal and scattering paper well, everywhere! Here is a photo journal of twin fun!

The "early years" not too much trouble

Getting to be more trouble, but the chairs still upright

Anything that CAN be dumped out WILL be dumped out!

At least he's generous

Why climb into the bottom drawer when you can get into a higher one?

yum!

So helpful! Who left that chair up?

Silly girl!