Summer Roadtrip 2014

So this summer we decided to take the girls on a road trip.  I find summer here so beautiful, so why not take advantage of it. 

I decided to make a little video of our trip instead of posting millions of pictures. 
Enjoy!

Garden 2014- part 2

As you can already tell, I like growing plants that gives something back.  I don't only have plants in my garden boxes I also have fruit bushes and trees.

1. Raspberries (which my daughters love to pick every year)

2. Blueberries

3. Saskatoon berries

4. Grapes

5. apple tree- which no longer flowers- so I haven't gotten any apples that last 5 years. 

 6. Rhubarb

Garden 2014

So I've been wanting to give you all on update on my garden.  But when I went to get my camera, it was gone, one of my daughters had misplaced it somewhere.  I finally brought out my other camera to take the pics to give you an update. 

This year I didn't have any plans for my garden boxes. Last year I mapped it all out and planted it out in a square foot garden.  This year I just planted where I saw a empty spot.  So here is what I have so far

1. Mint - which came back from last year

2. Cilantro

3. Thyme

4. Chives

5. Green onions

6. Snow peas/ sugar peas/ bush beans

7. Beets

8. sweet peppers

9. Cucumbers

10. Strawberries- from last year

11. Cabbage

12. Butter lettuce

13. Corn

14. Tomatoes (5 different types- red cherry, yellow cherry, roma, big red, and anything one)

15. Kale

16. Spinach
17. Squash.

Back to work

So if have been wondering where I have disappear to I'll let you know.  I went back to work in February, and it has been probably the most stressful time I've experienced in a long time.  My long time employer decided to send me to a different store to work.  So instead of a 10 min commute it because a 30 min one (on a good day).  Oh course just my luck, the first day I go back, there is a accident on hwy 2, and it takes me over 2 hours to get home.  I decided to give myself 1 month to get use to the change.  Well after a month, and being stuck in traffic every other day, I decided it was time for a change.  I applied for a new job, and it all happened so fast.  I had a interview within a day and got a job offer a few hours after.  It's amazing how God works.  It wasn't a easy decision for me, it kinda felt like breaking up with a long term (not very good) boyfriend.  I've committed over 10 years of my life to them.  But this new job was only 15 mins from house, and in the city, I couldn't turn it down.

When life feels like it's not working out, there is a reason.  My new job is great! I'm able to spend more time with my girls, I'm able to drop off or pick up E from school everyday and it's much less stressful.  God always has a plan.  Sometimes you don't know it when your going through it, but once you get through it and look back you see how great He is.

I'm hoping once my life settles back down I can give you a update on my garden, new recipes and some stuff I'm been making and working on.  But right now I'm spending most of my extra time (when I get off work) with the girls.

Sausage Pinwheels

Do you like Sausage rolls? Here is a recipe to make bit sized ones that are great for little hands, and quick finger food.

What do you need

- Sausage

- Celery

-Onion

- Frozen puff pastry

1. Unsausage the sausage.  I mean just take all the meat out of the sausage and put it in a bowl

2. Add some chopped up celery and onions to the meat and mix well.

3. Unroll a sheet of puff pastry and spread the meat over it.

4.  Roll back up

5.  cut into slices and place on a baking sheet

6.  Bake at 400 degrees F for 30 minutes.

My love for kitchen gadgets- crepe maker

If you know me, you would know I love to cook and make food for people.  So imagine the amount of appliances I have in my kitchen.  Think of one and I probably have it (or maybe 2)

During Christmas, my sisters and I usually draw names for Christmas gifts (since there is 4 of us, plus our significant others that's a lot of gifts).  My oldest sister got me, she managed to find something I don't have and would totally love.  I didn't even know what I wanted for Christmas.  She got me a crepe maker.

1 word to describe it  AMAZING!  Everyone who has come over to my house since Christmas had the luxury of trying one of these crepes.  This crepe maker makes the crepes so thin.  When I first got it, my daughters would have a few everyday.  Their favorite is banana with Nutella and whipped cream.  If you're on the fence about it, I would say its totally worth it.  (I've also made pancakes, and tortilla on it)

oh yeah, I also got a 5kg tub of Nutella for Christmas too.  Its kinda scary, but we're almost half done the jar. 

 

Basic Crepe recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour 2 eggs 1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup water 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons butter, melted

 

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and the eggs. 2. Slowly add in the milk and water, and mix. 3. Add the salt and butter; beat until smooth 4. ladle out one scoop of batter on to the crepe machine and smooth out (must be done quickly to make it super thin.  usually within 1 sec. 5.  Flip the crepe to the other side to brown a bit and it's all done.

Mao's Mango Pudding

Many have been asking how my mom makes her Mango Pudding.  So I asked her and I'm sharing her secret recipe with all of you.  Just a warning this recipe does make a lot.

Mao's Mango Pudding

• 2 packages of Jello (use orange,or peach)
• 3 packages of Gelatin
• 1 can of mango pulp
• 2 cups of whipping cream
• 1/2 cup of white sugar
• 4 cups of hot water
• 1 cup cold water

1. First mix 2 packages of Jello with 4 cups of hot water
2. In another bowl add 3 packages of gelatin to the 1 cup of cold water and dissolve.  Now add to the batch with the hot water
3. Add sugar and mix well

4. Add the can of mango pulp, mix again
5. Add 2 cups (500ml) of whipping cream

6.  now pour into small individual cups or a container and place in fridge to harden over night.  (if you want it ready faster, put them in smaller containers.  I made individual cup sizes and they were ready in about 4 hours)

My baby is now 1.

Today is full of mixed emotions.  I don't know if I should be happy that my baby is growing up so quickly or sad because she's growing up so quickly.  I would have to say out of my 3 maternity leaves this one is by far the fastest one. (It's probably because I have 3 kids to take care of.)  I keep saying baby C can still pass as a 6 month old, so maybe I should have 6 more months?  I can only wish.

1 week old

After my LONG horrible pregnancy, the first year with Baby C was a blessing. She's a good baby (I think when it's your third you tend to worry less, which makes everything a lot easier).  I guess she has to be easy going with 2 older sisters. But she is still pretty little, so that might still change. I can already tell she's not one you can pick on. She has already picked fights with her sisters and cousin.



2 months old

Baby C during your first year we took you on a family camp in Camrose at 3 months and you did wonderful.

 

You went on your first plane ride to San Deigo at 4 months and barely complained.

   I love how you love food, you're probably the least picky eaters out of your sisters.

We had a great summer, playing outside, going to festivals and visiting the mountains.

 

You went on a cruise and then disneyworld at 10 months. 

 

 

 

 

 

 You love playing and watching your sisters.

 I know your on the littler side but your personality makes up for it, and I love how your so little.  You will always be my baby!

 

Love you Baby C! Happy 1st Birthday!

Love Mommy