Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Family Fun

Like many of you, we've been stuck at home due to ice, snow, and sleet (0h my!) for weeks on end. Here we are enjoying one another's company----very closely. :) We miss the sunshine so much but snuggles and kisses are oh-so-lovely!
I've been making simple but delicious recipes for my family. For this, just cook the pasta of your choice (whole wheat is best!), add in a jar or two of pasta sauce, some spinach (I cook organic, frozen before mixing in), plus any other veggies of your choice (yellow squash, carrots, onions, etc.). Top with cheese (I love goat cheese) and bake for about 20 minutes (or until hot). It's easy to sneak in lots of fruits and veggies when you mix it in with favorites like pasta and cheese!

This is my version of pasta in white sauce. Instead of fat-laden Alfredo sauce, I place 1 package of light cream cheese, spices (of your choice), and 1/2 cup of water (from the pasta) in a sauce pan and cook over low-ish heat until creamy. Additionally, I cook whole wheat pasta in another pan, and veggies (frozen veggies used here: carrots, zucchini, and yellow sqaush) in another pan. I then sauteed some cherry tomatoes with spices in another pan. I keep my ingredients separate so each person can build his/her own pasta. Top with Parmesan cheese. This is YUMMY!
Enchiladas are easy to make! I buy small corn tortillas and place inside of them the ingredients of the person's choice. Mine were made with cheese, sour cream, and salsa (vegetarian) while my husband's contain hamburger. Roll each and place in a glass baking dish (sprayed with olive oil) seam-side down and top with store-bought enchilada sauce and cheese. Bake at 350 until hot, usually about 20 minutes. Serve with a side of peppers and onions that you saute in olive oil and spices of your choice.

This has been our weather lately. LOTS of ice, snow, and sleet. Here's Miss E trying to shovel snow. She's growing "like a weed" and does something new every single day (actually, every single moment). She's learning Bible verses, shapes, colors, new words/sentences, and mostly, many dance moves. She is an excellent big sister and tell us "baba" or "binky" when the baby cries.
Here we are making snow angels. I do realize this picture looks like a murder scene....

Here I am doing a stunt into a pile of snow. Yes, I'm cool like that.

Not to be topped...my husband does his own snow stunts.

Just when we thought we'd never see the sun again...Today is 60 and sunny! Miss E is enjoying bubbles. She spent lots of time running in circles through the yard, jumping on residual snow in Crocs (oh my---wet feet!), and waving at airplanes.

Meanwhile, Baby E continues to grow and change. She is "talking" nonstop, smiling, and enjoying the sights. Today the girls' babysitter and I took the girls for the first walk of the season (and Baby E's first walk ever).

I have no doubt the cold weather isn't over yet. So I'll keep the projects coming. Here's a photo of homemade cafe latte soap! Yum!!!! You can make this soap recipe (and many more) via Soapmaking the Natural Way by Rebecca Ittner. It's fun learning to create new things, and it's even more fun to say, "I made this!" and pass on the goodies to family members and friends.
I hope your home is a place of health and happiness! Cheers to a hopefully very soon spring season full of newness and light.





1 comment:

  1. I'm so inspired by your creativity. Thanks for the post!

    ReplyDelete

Comments are moderated and published upon approval. Your thoughts and questions are also welcome via e-mail at whitebrownsugar AT hotmail DOT com.