Cooking & Cleaning
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Since I've been on vacation I've been cooking and cleaning up a storm. It's fun when you don't have to do something to get it done like a usual work week. This cooking and cleaning (organizing) is pure pleasure.
With the addition of my new pot and bread maker so far I've made the following delicious things:
WW Beef & Barley Soup
No will know this is a low-calorie soup unless you tell them. It's so good!
2 cup = 3 WWP
1 pound of extra lean ground beef - I brown it first in a frying pan, and then rinse and drain it to try and get every bit of fat off it
6 cups beef broth - I use the ready made canned one, but you could use bouillon cubes or packages to make six cups worth
1/3 cup barley
1-28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1-14 oz can tomatoes with herbs Then add whatever vegetables you want.
I put in: onions mushrooms carrots celery green pepper red pepper cauliflower frozen green beans.
I also add a few spices: oregano, cracked black pepper, red pepper flakes
Simmer on low heat two hours.
Friday night I made Portobella Mushroom Lasagna. We saw it on the food network during on Christmas Eve and everyone (Linda & Andy) agreed we (me) should make it for New Years Day. Given that Andy really doesn't like many new recipes I decided to test it out before I made it as a holiday dinner. I'm glad I did! It was SO good, and Andy had two servings! This is definitely a keeper.
Finally, if you have a bread maker....you must try this recipe.
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I'm off to clean! I got new storage units for my scrapbooking room and I can't wait to put them together!
posted by Amanda Wheeler @ 12/30/2007 10:48:00 AM,
1 comment,
Christmas Rewind
Thursday, December 27, 2007
It has been a very busy week! I'm happy to have a little rest and relaxation. Company went home yesterday, and I worked only a half-a-day today, so I've begun my three day stint where I can hibernate if I want to. Oh, I plan on it.
Christmas Eve was very very busy! Andy had the day off so we ran some last minute errands in the morning. Stopping in at the Cheese Iron (Rte. 1 - Scarborough) wasn't on the list but we found ourselves there anyway. Cheese, cheese, more cheese and wine. What could be better? It was a little overwhelming...but we made some good selections. Andy bought his favorite Jarlsberg extra sharp cheddar (safe choice but delicious) and I picked out this FANCY (read: $45 thousand dollars per lb) goat cheese that was rolled in green rosemary and red peppercorns. Fancy and Festive.
We split a pizza at Pats and then Andy dropped me off at work while he went shopping for stocking stuffers (along with every other man on earth). Noon until the first Candlelight Service at 5 was a complete and udder blur of running, typing, huffing, smiling, petting goats, wiping mouths (not mine), taping, wrapping, tripping, paying, talking, eating chili (thanks Sue), giving directions and direction, changing, tugging on nylons, adjusting costumes, swaddling baby Jesus, singing, greeting, and fussing. Then repeat. You get the idea.
It was great to see plans come into motion. Children petting animals in the zoo. Mary and Joseph in the stable and families enjoying wagon rides on candlelight streets.
Andy's Mom Linda met us at church and followed us home to spend the night. We opened up our stockings (Andy did GREAT this year! 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) and watched The Nativity Story.
Christmas Morning we got up early and opened gifts. Andy was thrilled with his thingy. I still don't know what it does, but he is thrilled. We bought a new coffee maker for each other that makes single cups (we waste SO much coffee) and I got this cool new stuff and this, this and these (from various ppl - Thanks Mom! Frank & Erin, Linda! and Katie & Ed). We we so spoiled this year.
Gifts wrapped under the tree.
Andy trying to help his Mom figure out the digital picture frame
Barry & Cathie came down from Bangor by noon for Christmas dinner. Oye. I made Semi-boneless Rib Roast (which I still don't know if that's considered Roast Beef or Prime Rib...anyone know the difference?), mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, cornbread stuffing, green beans with almonds and rolls. Linda made a fabulous apple pie and vanilla bean ice cream to go with it. Yum!
Centerpiece Barry & Cathie brought
Table set for Christmas Dinner
Andy and his Mom
Roast Beef/Prime Rib....or ___________________.
After dinner we relaxed. Some more than others.
Linda and Cathie with Moses and Millie
REM 3
Ok. That's enough for now. My bread machine just beeped ;)
THE END!
posted by Amanda Wheeler @ 12/27/2007 10:27:00 PM,
1 comment,
Just a few pics
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Joseph of Nazareth Runs on Dunkin'
Andy and his Mom Linda on Christmas Eve
posted by Amanda Wheeler @ 12/25/2007 11:28:00 AM,
No comment,
Yummy.
Monday, December 24, 2007
My new favorite place. Oh it is so gouda.
posted by Amanda Wheeler @ 12/24/2007 01:30:00 PM,
1 comment,
It's almost here!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Christmas is almost here, and I feel a little melancholy about the whole thing. We're not going home to New York like last year. Not going to get to see any of my side of the family at all. We were suppose to go last weekend, but a big storm prevented that from happening. I’m going to miss laughing with my sisters, cooking with my Mom, relaxing around the house, and going to Candlelight services with my Dad.
This year we are serving on Christmas Eve. I go into work at noon and work until church ends at 8pm. I’m excited but also a little sad to break the tradition.
Presents are almost all wrapped (except the ones Andy bought for me..), bread is baking in the oven, and a To Do list is on the table for Andy while I’m at work.
His Mom arrives tomorrow night and his Dad & Step-mom Christmas morning. It should be interesting. I’m being a bit daring this year and making roast beef for Christmas dinner. It’s sounds easy…but I’ve never made it before. No time like the present!
Have a Merry Christmas!
posted by Amanda Wheeler @ 12/23/2007 06:58:00 PM,
1 comment,
Youth Christmas Party
Friday, December 21, 2007
I'm not dead. I'm just burried under three feet of snow :)
...and like event, after event, after event.
I can't wait for a few days off. I'm not moving from my bed.
