Food that Soars & Roars

{ this morning's breakfast:
airplane pancakes w/ strawberries, blueberries & bananas }

Mealtimes are inevitably the most difficult part of the day.  Not because the boys are picky eaters (they eat pretty much everything) but trying to get them both to sit down long enough to finish a meal is the real challenge (and not to mention cleaning up the mess they're sure to leave)!  CJ particularly has a very short attention span and we often find ourselves having to entertain him at the dining room table during mealtimes with stories or coloring or playing with cars.  I'm sure this is a bad habit to instill, but some days you gotta do what you gotta do.

I've also learned to be creative with the food.  Pancakes (without syrup) are a huge hit especially when they come in the shape of airplanes and dinosaurs (thanks courtesy to good ol' Wilton cookie cutters).  What's better than food that soars and roars?!

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Chocolate Fix

{ cake & hot cocoa in my favorite mug from crate & barrel }

After dinner tonight, I mentioned to Hubby I had a craving for chocolate cake.  I was almost tempted to whip one up, but I figured I'd appease my chocolate craving with some nice, hot chocolate instead (and on a cold, wet night like this, it would be perfect).

Well, on the evening walk with the dog, Hubby decided to take a stroll to the local market in our town and surprise me with what else?  Chocolate cake!  Yum!

That and the hot chocolate while watching ""Fringe" on hulu totally hit the spot.  Thank you, J.  :)

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Hats Off to Chef Hubby

{ dinner courtesy of chef hubby }

Tonight the hubby made dinner and we feasted on amazing breaded tilapia with wild rice and spinach salad!  It was scrumptious and I basically inhaled it. James breaded the tilapia with bread cumbs and egg and fried it with olive oil on the stove.   The spinach salad he tossed with olive oil and some lemon juice and chopped up avocado and anchovies.  And he completed the entree with Uncle Ben's mediterranean wild rice.

Excellent, excellent!  I count my blessings every day that I have a husband who is an amazing cook (and knows how to cook for that matter).

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Cupcakes Galore!

{ cupcakes for mother's day bake sale }

I discovered my love of baking cupcakes when I was pregnant with my firstborn.  I attribute it to the effects of "nesting".  I had never baked a thing in my life before - not even pre-battered cookies you just roll out on a sheet!

So my first cupcake project was initiated by a Mother's Day bake sale at church.  I figured I would give it a go and see how they turned out.  I researched endlessly online for recipes and decorating ideas.  The picture shows the end result.  Truth be told, I think they turned out more pleasing to the eye than the taste palette.  But over time and with practice, I'm hoping to make cupcakes that both look and taste great!

* * * * * *



{ nathan's birthday cupcakes }

For Nathan's 1-year birthday party, I baked white and chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.  I was originally going to make a coconut cupcake but ended up improvising on a simpler recipe.  This is the recipe I used (which actually turned out quite nicely):

WHITE/CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

INGREDIENTS:

1 box white/chocolate cake mix (used Duncan Hines moist mix)

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar

¾ tsp salt

1 1/3 cups water

2 Tbs vegetable oil

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 tsp pure almond extract

1 cup sour cream
4 large egg whites

RECIPE:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Place cupcake liners in cupcake pans (you’ll need approx. 36).

2. In a large bowl, whisk together cake mix, flour, sugar and salt. Add remaining ingredients and beat with hand mixer for 2 minutes, or until well blended.



3. Use ice cream scoop to fill prepared cupcake tins- fill about 3/4 full. Bake about 18 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Yield: 36 cupcakes

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup of butter (1 stick), room temperature

8 oz of Philly cream cheese (1 package), room temperature

2 cups of powdered sugar (I only use about 1 go 1.5 cup)

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1 teaspoon of almond extract

RECIPE:

1. With an electric mixer, mix the butter and cream cheese together, about 3 minutes on medium speed until very smooth. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure even mixing.

2. Add the vanilla and almond extract and mix. Slowly add the powdered sugar. Keep adding until you get to desired sweetness and thickness.

3. Either spread on with a blunt knife or spatula, or spoon into a piping bag to decorate your cake or cupcake.

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One-Year Birthday Celebration!

{ a collage of photos from nathan's dohl }

Nathan celebrated his 1-year birthday (dohl in Korean) on September 26.  Hard to believe a year has already gone by since our little guy's arrival into the world.

We had a small, quaint celebration in our home with family and our growth group from church as guests.  Nathan had a great time until he had to wear the hanbok (traditional Korean outfit) -- he was not fond of the material.

For the doljabi (Korean custom where the child selects an item to determine his future), he picked the stethoscope and the Bible.  Looks like we have a future medical missionary on our hands!

Nathan, you are such an amazing blessing to our family.  Before you came along, we found it very hard to imagine loving another child as much as we do your older brother.  But as soon as you entered into the world, you proved us wrong!  Your infectious smile and sweet demeanor brighten up our days.  We love you dearly.

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Necklace Organizer

Now I'm pretty certain I'm not the only woman faced with the following dilemma. 

Problem:
How does one keep their growing collection of necklaces and beads organized and untangled? 

Solution:
Well, the solution I came up with is really simple and cheap!  I used a plastic coat hanger which cost me all of $5!  I took a couple screws and hung it up on the wall of the bedroom right above my jewelry case.  Now, I can easily find what I'm looking for and it's neatly organized!  And it doesn't make for bad eye candy on the wall.


 

{ organized bliss }

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Necklace Organizer

Now I'm pretty certain I'm not the only woman faced with the following dilemma. 

Problem:
How does one keep their growing collection of necklaces and beads organized and untangled? 

Solution:
Well, the solution I came up with is really simple and cheap!  I used a plastic coat hanger which cost me all of $5!  I took a couple screws and hung it up on the wall of the bedroom right above my jewelry case.  Now, I can easily find what I'm looking for and it's neatly organized!  And it doesn't make for bad eye candy on the wall.



{ sweetness }



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