Culinary Bucket List

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Do you have a list of things you want to accomplish before you die?  I do... sort of!  These are things I want to learn how to do in the kitchen!  I really enjoy cooking for my family, and I love learning how to make new things and experiment with different techniques.  It's not so much about specific recipes as it is about acquiring new skills.

I started this list a while ago, and as you can see, I have crossed a few things off. 

Make fortune cookies

Make yogurt

Learn how to use a chef’s knife like the pros on TV do

Make marshmallows

Learn to cook salmon

Make hummus

Make a pie crust from scratch

Organize spice cabinet

Roast garlic

Make ice cream without an icecream maker

Learn how to make perfect hard boiled eggs

Make granola bars

Make Artisan bread

Make biscotti

Make bagels

Make babyfood

Learn how to make a consistently successful omelet

Make an authentic Caesar salad

Make really good chicken stock

Decorate a cake with fondant

Take a cake decorating class

Make real vanilla extract

Make truffles

Make applesauce

Learn how to can

Make croissants

Make crackers (I did this once but they weren't great, so I'm going to try again)

Make graham crackers

Buy a candy thermometer

Buy an instant-read thermometer

Make mozzarella cheese

Learn to use a charcoal grill

Make pasta without a machine

Make fried rice

Make an incredible, to-die-for chocolate cheesecake

Try spaghetti squash

Make pita bread

Make authentic gyros with lamb, tzatziki sauce, and homemade pitas

Make mousse

Make hamburger buns

Make some sort of braided bread

Learn to make an excellent white sauce/bechamel

Make alfredo sauce

Of course I will keep adding to this list!

What's on your culinary bucket list? 

NOW: A Year of Swagbucks!

I posted a few weeks back about Swagbucks and how I was almost to a year of Swagging.  Well, I'm here now, as today officially marks 365 days of being a Swagbucks addict!  I've earned 9,500 Swagbucks this year, which I have redeemed for $105 in amazon.com gift cards!

If you haven't joined yet, what are you waiting for?  It's such an easy way to earn a little extra spending money!

If you have already joined, here are ways to earn swagbucks:
-install the Swagbucks toolbar to make searching easier
(by using the toolbar, you get 1 buck a day, usually)
-search the web using the Swagbucks toolbar
(I usually get 15-20 Swagbucks a day through searching)
-take the daily poll
(earn 1 Swagbuck per day)
-visit the trusted surveys page
(earn 1 Swagbuck per day)
-click through (skip) all of the NOSOs
(earn 2 Swagbucks per day)
-invite a facebook friend to join Swagbucks
(earn 1 Swagbuck per day)
-celebrate your birthday
(earn 50 Swagbucks each year on your birthday!)
-start getting referrals!
(Swagbucks awards you matching Swagbucks for all of your referrals - up to 1,000 Swagbucks for each friend!)

By using the toolbar, searching daily, and making a few other clicks (daily polls, etc.), you can easily earn 450+ Swagbucks a month - which is enough for a $5 amazon.com gift card!

Anyone else want to share their Swagbucks experience with us?


*Links contain my referral link

Memorial Day Recipes

Looking for some great side dish recipes for your Memorial Day weekend festivities?  Here are some to check out!

-Easy Party Appetizers
-Fresh Squeezed Lemonade
-The Best Brownies
-Chocolate Chip Cookies
-Double Chocolate Ice Cream
-Lemon Squares
-BLT Salad
-Italian Pasta Salad
-Italian Tossed Salad
-Sugar-Free Raspberry Jello Salad
-Confetti Salsa
-Cheesy Potatoes
-Roasted Garlic Hummus

Have a great weekend!

Houndstooth Dress

As you know, I have a thing for houndstooth.  When I was at Hobby Lobby forever ago picking up materials for this project, I also snagged some awesome houndstooth fabric.  I originally was going to make a paper bag skirt for myself, but I changed my mind and decided to make a dress for Vera.  Here's how it turned out:

And you'll have to wait for me to take a picture of her modeling it! She wore it yesterday to my grandfather's funeral, but I forgot to take a picture of her wearing it. I'll get one soon!  Update: here's one!

It was pretty fun to make, though it took me waaaay longer than it should have for something so basic.  I'm hoping to continue to making clothes for Vera as she grows, just like my mom did for me!

Such a Good Eater

Vera is becoming such a good eater!  She'll eat almost anything I give her, and she'll at least try everything once!  Just this week she has eaten broccoli, hummus, watermelon, black beans, Greek yogurt, bananas, Cheerios, strawberries, cottage cheese, whole wheat bread, hard-boiled egg yolks, sweet potato oven fries, regular oven fries, and I'm probably forgetting something.  I should just go look at the floor in the kitchen, because I know there are remnants of everything she's tasted all week still sitting on that floor. Ew.

Little Pink Jumpsuit

Vera would rather eat her hairbows now than wear them!  At least she still looks cute in this little pink jumpsuit.

(I am in love with her little toes in this last picture!)

In Memory

Poppy B., my grandfather (my dad's father) passed away yesterday.  He will be missed, especially by his bride of almost 62 years, my grandmother (Granny B.)!  Here is a picture with him at our wedding (Oct. 2009).

We appreciate your prayers for my dad's family at this time!

Family Devotions, Pt. 2

This is another post by Tad which was originally published in our church's monthly newsletter.  You can read his first post on family devotions here.  Enjoy!

Last month I wrote about the importance of family devotions. This often neglected Christian tradition is of vital importance to both families and the church as a whole. The family was designed by God to be the primary vehicle for passing on the faith from generation to generation.

This month I would like to continue to discuss family devotions. I want to answer the question, “Who should be leading family devotions?” and “What should family devotions entail?” The first question is,“Who should be leading family devotions?” I believe that Ephesians 6:4 answers this question: “Fathers do not provoke your children to anger, but raise them up in the discipline and instruction of the Word.” This command is very specific, wherein it addresses fathers and commands them to raise their children in the faith.

Fathers are to teach their children from the Bible what they are to believe and how they are to act. This passage does not say “Fathers, it might be a good idea if you did not provoke your children to wrath, and if you really want to you should raise them in the discipline and instruction of the Word.” No, this passage is a command to fathers to be teaching their children the truth of God’s Word. One of the best ways to visualize how this leadership should play out is to think of the father of a household as the pastor of his house, spiritually leading his family through life.

This brings us to the second question, “What should family devotions entail? There are three main things that family devotions should include. The first is the Bible. Family devotions should include reading from the Bible, or if your children are really young, the reading of a Bible story book. If the Bible is not read, then how can you expect your children to take seriously the importance of God’s Word? We read the Bible because that is how God has chosen to speak to us, and we desire to impart God’s instruction to our families.

The second thing family devotions should include is prayer. While reading the Bible is how God speaks to us, prayer is how we speak to God. By praying together as a family, we will be modeling our dependence on God for all things.

The third element is worship. We should worship God through singing as a family. If we relegate such worship through singing to only doing it on Sundays, we are failing to teach our children how worthy God is of such worship. We should live lives of continual worship to God, and this should come out through singing songs of worship to him in family devotions.

Once again I challenge to have devotions together as a family. I challenge you to read the Bible together, to pray together, and to worship God together through singing.

Harris Teeter Triple Coupons: Results!

I normally am not much of a couponer (I shop at Aldi and think that I get great prices without having to coupon), but when I heard that Harris Teeter was doing a Triple Couponing Event this week (and I was already going into town), I just had to get on board!

The event is May 18-24, so if you haven't gone yet and want to, here are some sites to check for coupon matchups and all the deals:
-Southern Savers
-Homemaking Mom
-The Coupon Challenge
-Coupon Teacher
-The Deal Scoop

Hope those links are helpful for you!  I don't get the paper, so I relied exclusively on printable coupons (the sites I mentioned above so nicely link up the coupons for you!).

I went to two different Harris Teeters, since the first one was sold-out of several items I really wanted. 

At my first stop (pictured above), I spent $4.47, and my coupons totalled $23.96.  So, I got almost $30 worth of groceries for under $5.  At this stop, I got several items for FREE, including two boxes of family size tea bags, a box of instant coffee singles, and a bottle of garlic powder.  I was also excited about the deals I got on coffee creamer ($.22!), salsa ($.50!), and almond milk ($.24!).  I think I messed up somewhere and didn't get as good of a deal on the salad dressing as I was expecting, but it was still less than what I normally pay!

At my second stop (pictured above), I spent $1.86, and used $20.55 in coupons.  I was really happy to see the total come in below $2!  This trip, I also got some FREE items, including two Greek yogurts, a bottle of honey mustard dipping sauce, a bottle of Worcestershire sauce, two bottles of hot sauce, a bag of shredded cheese, a flavored cottage cheese, a four-pack of cottage cheese.  The rice was $.14 and the strawberries were marked down to $.69.

For my first experience triple couponing, I think I did pretty well! 

What about you?  Have you been to Harris Teeter this week or are you planning on going?

Vera's Nine Months Old!

a little bit miffed that she had to sit still for a picture

I know I say this every month, but I can't believe my baby is nine months old today!  She is growing like crazy and developing into such a fun little person!

Here are some milestones:
-enjoys eating (bananas, mango, avocado, Cheerios, strawberries, homemade bread, sweet potatoes, hummus, and more)
-is still breastfed
-weighs about 17 lbs.
-has two teeth
-crawls super-fast
-pulls up on anything that holds still long enough
-loves cats
-chases cats
-babbles all the time
-says dada, daddy, mama, mommy, baby, and (I think!) Vera
-drinks water from a sippy cup
-we sign to her (milk, water, more, all done, kitty)
-enjoys books (we read to her, but she also looks through books herself sometimes)
-will put anything in her mouth
-seems to be attracted to the color yellow
-waves "hi" and "bye"
-claps her hands and bounces to music

We're so thankful for our sweet Vera Boo!

Homeschooling Vision

I was asked recently by a blog reader if we plan on homeschooling.  I am also often asked this same question by friends and family members, so I thought I'd do a little post about it!

Short answer... YES!  We absolutely plan on homeschooling.

I'll pause here to give a little word: This post is not meant to offend anyone.  I am not offended when I read blogs where they talk about their decision to send their children to public or private schools, and I have many friends and family members who have chosen those routes.  I also know many amazing teachers, and I do not intend any offense by discussing our family's personal decision to homeschool!

For those of you who don't know, Tad went to a private Christian school K-12th.  I went to a private Christian school K-4th and I was homeschooled 5th-12th.  (My mom also homeschooled my brothers and is about to finish her 15th year of homeschooling! One more year to go!)  Tad and I went to a Christian university, and obviously both come from families who believe strongly in the importance of Christian education!

Before we were married we discussed homeschooling and decided that it would be the way we would go with our family.  We continue to talk about it, read about it, and dream about it.  We are going to the Home Educators Association of Virginia annual convention this year (I went many times as a teen) and are SO pumped about the workshops and the shopping.

For us (and I believe this is the true spirit of home education), homeschooling does not mean "school at home."  Homeschooling gives freedom that is not offered in a classroom, so why do things exactly the way a school does them?  Homeschooling is a way of life, not a curriculum, a schedule, or a stack of workbooks (though it can obviously include these things at times!).

We are excited about teaching our children from birth, and we don't see a division between "school" and "not school."  All of the opportunities we have throughout the day give us a chance to teach our child (and future children).

We, of course, are still formulating our opinions about different curriculum options, but we already know we will be reading lots of real books!  Tad and I both love to read, and we hope to instill that passion in our children as well. 

Here are a few links to some great homeschooling articles (some of which I have mentioned before):
-Why Would Anyone Be Crazy Enough to Homeschool?
-Learning Days: Simply Homeschooling
-Why Sacrifice? After All, She's Just Our Daughter!
-Homeschool Graduates and College: Real Success
-Homeschool 101: Read a Book
-I Try Not to Let School Get in the Way of Learning

I'm sure you'll hear lots more from me in the future about homeschooling! 

If you have children who are not school-aged yet, have you made a decision about their schooling? 

Wordless Wednesday: Trampoline Fun

Amykathryn Handbag Giveaway

You'll want to visit She {hearts} It today, where I am reviewing and giving away a great bag from Amykathryn Handbags!  Check it out here.

Sunday Morning

I love having a little girl to dress up on Sunday mornings!

Flashback

My mom emailed me a photo from MY baby dedication (I was just a few months old).  Thought I'd share the fun flashback!  Isn't this photo with my parents sweet?

And, again, here is a picture from Sunday of VERA'S dedication!

I love comparing my and Vera's baby photos!

Today on She {hearts} it

If you hop over to She Hearts It today, you'll get to read my review of Tea (children's clothing) AND get to see some really cute pictures of Vera like the one below!  Check it out!

Don't Waste Your Life

We just wrapped up our final Don't Waste Your Life Bible study this past week.  We've been meeting on a regular basis with the seniors/college students in our youth group (four of them) and studying John Piper's book.

For our last night, we made t-shirts to help us remember the study!  Here's a picture of everyone (except for Rickie).  Left to right: Bethany, me, Tad, Chris, and Kimberly.

We'll be starting another study soon, hopefully!

For fun, here are a couple of shots of me and Tad in our shirts.

(Almost) a Year of Swagbucks

About a year ago, my sister-in-law Angela told me about Swagbucks, a site that allows you to earn "points" (Swagbucks) for searching the web.  I had heard about Swagbucks before, but I didn't think it was legit.  She convinced me to sign up, and I'm so glad I did!

Now, almost a year later, I have earned enough Swagbucks to redeem (throughout the year) $95 in amazon.com gift cards!!!  This is for real - you can actually earn amazon.com gift cards and other prizes just for searching the web, taking surveys, filling out polls, and doing other easy stuff.

I'm hoping I can get to $100 by the end of May (when I started), because that would just be cool to say I earned $100 in a year!

So what are you waiting for?  Join Swagbucks today and start earning!

Prince William's Chocolate Biscuit Cake Recipe

I know everyone is probably "over" the Royal wedding and SO tired of hearing all about it, but indulge me for a moment while I share with you a wonderful recipe!  As you probably know, Prince William requested his favorite cake (a family recipe, I believe) to be served as his groom's cake at the Royal wedding reception.  Here's what it looked like there:

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Tad's mom made this cake for us for Mother's Day, and it was so rich and delicious!  I thought I'd share the recipe with you in case you want to try it sometime too!  (Recipe taken directly from here.)

it was so pretty!

Prince William's Chocolate Biscuit Cake

4 ounces dark chocolate(for the cake)
4 ounces granulated sugar
4 ounces unsalted butter (softened)
1 egg
8 ounces Rich tea biscuits
½ teaspoon butter for greasing
8 ounces dark chocolate (for coating)
1 ounce chocolate (for decoration)

Lightly grease a 6 inch by 2 ½ inch cake ring and place on a tray on a sheet of parchment paper.
Break each of the biscuits into almond size pieces by hand and set aside.
Cream the butter and sugar in a bowl until the mixture starts to lighten.
Melt the 4 ounces of chocolate and add to the butter mixture whilst constantly stirring.
Beat in the egg to the mixture.
Fold in the biscuit pieces until they are all coated with the chocolate mixture.
Spoon the mixture into the prepared cake ring. Try to fill all of the gaps on the bottom of the ring because this will be the top when it is un-molded.
Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least three hours.
Remove the cake from the refrigerator and let it stand while you melt the 8 ounces of chocolate.
Slide the ring off the cake and turn it upside down onto a cake wire.
Pour the melted chocolate over the cake and smooth the top and sides using a palette knife.
Allow the chocolate to set at room temperature.
Carefully run a knife around the bottom of the cake where the chocolate has stuck it to the cake wire and lift it onto a tea plate.
Melt the remaining 1 ounce of chocolate and use to decorate the top of the cake.

Enjoy!

Like this recipe? Follow me so you never miss a new recipe post!
For more of our family's favorite recipes, click here.

Linked to:
Tasty Tuesday
Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
Tuesdays at the Table
Tuesday Night Supper Club
Tatertots & Jello

Vera's Dedication

Yesterday, on Mother's Day, Tad and I dedicated Vera to the Lord during our morning worship service at church.  It was a special time, and we felt so privileged to have both sets of parents (as well as my two brothers) with us. 

little Vera

Vera wore the same gown I wore when my parents dedicated me to the Lord at age three months.  My mom made the lovely gown (and sweet headband too).

taken during the baby dedication

One other baby was dedicated yesterday too.

Our family

Because the gown is a family heirloom, we changed her out of it right after the dedication.

Me & Vera

We took lots of nice family pictures!

My parents and brothers

Tad's parents

My parents

me with my two moms on Mother's Day!

our family

It was a special day!

On Mother's Day

On this special day, I want to thank three very special people.

First, I want to thank my mom for raising me, loving me, praying for me, and being my friend.  Love you!

Second, I would like to thank my second mom (Tad's mom) for being the best mother-in-law someone could ask for, and for welcoming into the family so completely.  I love you too!

Third, I wouldn't be a mom today if it weren't for this sweet little girl who made me a mom almost nine months ago!

Mission Trip

My sweet roommate from college (freshman year), Kristy, is going on an awesome mission trip this summer, and she could really use your support, both prayer and financial!

Kristy is going to Barakalo, Uganda (Northern Uganda) July 16-28 with Food for the Hungry.

picture of Kristy on another mission trip (to Senegal)

Here's what she says about her upcoming mission trip:
We will be working in a village that has been affected by the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army - Invisible Children) as well as AIDS. We will be doing some construction projects, meeting and working with sponsership Children (through Food for the Hungry's child sponsorship program), helping to encourage those people who work in this village throughout the year, and building relationships and sharing Christ with these amazing people. I need $3700 so far I have about $1600 (40%)!!! I am supposed to have the money by Wednesday, BUT I was given an extention so they NEED the money by June 7th. 

Visit the website for more info and to donate. 
You can also check out the facebook group as well.
If you would like to be put on Kristy's update list, you can email her here.

 Thank you for supporting Kristy as she serves the Lord overseas!

Just Don't Feel Like It

Sorry I've pretty much abandoned my blog this week.  Except I'm not really that sorry.  I haven't felt like blogging the last couple of days, and I haven't regretted my decision at all!

Here's what I have been doing:
-cuddling with my baby girl
-taking care of my sick hubby
-cooking from scratch
-baking bread
-cleaning bathrooms
-preparing for weekend company
-sitting in the sunshine
-and maybe wasting a little bit of time on Pinterest


What have you been up to this week?

Family Photos

We took all of these pictures in downtown Lynchburg.  Enjoy!