Favorite kid quotes from the past couple weeks:
We were at #LivyLu’s dance class. Part of warm up the kids take turns choosing an animal to act out as they go back and forth across the room- leap like a bunny, slither like a snake, dance across the floor like a monkey. One of the girls chose a dog, and as they are crawling across the floor the teacher asks #LivyLu if she has a dog at home, and she replies with “No I just have an #OBoy (insert his real name)”. I just about died laughing.
A couple days ago #ClaraBelle took my hand and lead me into the kitchen, so assuming she wanted a snack I asked “What would you like to eat”. For a whole minute she stood there with a very serious look as though she was contemplating all her options, then responds with “Ummm. Cake! Yes, taste cake pweeese!” And proceeds to jump up and down laughing and clapping. I only wish we actually had cake so I could oblige such a cute request.
And as far as #OBoy goes, he doesn't talk yet, just a few babbles. But the other day I was out running errands a good part of the morning and when I came home he stopped what he was doing, blinked in my direction, then broke the cutest toothy smile (he has a chipped front tooth and it somehow makes that smile 10x’s sweeter) and started laughing and saying “Mamamamama” than rushed over to give me a snotty snuggle. Now that just warms my mama heart.
Quick family update:
Oh golly is God SO SO good!!!
You know how Adam just started a new job in August; well he quit seven weeks after to take a remote job for a company down in Utah. So now he works from home, we live in our dream location and WE LOVE IT! It is just so amazing to sit and look back at the past two years and remember allllllll the tears and crying and trying so hard not to yell at God in my nightly prayers, the frustration, the heartache, jealousy; basically ALL THE FEELS. But as I sit here listening to my husband play Lego with our three kids (right after he changed the poopy diaper so I wouldn't have to get up from my painting and cookie baking) I just feel like I am being so spoiled by God’s grace. And before you think that my life is suddenly all perfect and we have “made it to the sweet spot in life”, no. Life is still hard with my three and a half year old resisting potty training with a sassy-wit far beyond her age and tantrums that are breaking me (but I refuse to let her see that), my two year old who cries all day and can't communicate more than “please” and “thank you” (at least she has her priorities straight, #mannersforlife), my one year old who wants so bad to walk and be apart of everything, money being tight at times, apartment living, etc. Life is not perfect, it’s messy, and there is a stench in my apartment I have been searching for for days (#sendinthehounds). But we are in this place where we just feel good and happy to be living this chaotic life, and for that I am grateful. For the first time in YEARS I actually feel content every day that I wake up, rather than dreading all the problems and stress that will come with it.
So if you know me, you know that making magic in the kitchen is my favorite thing. Experimenting with flavors, whipping till I have a bowl full of fluffy clouds, filling my home with HEAVENLY aromas and then filling my counters with fun new concoctions is just my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE! I could cook every day of my life and never get bored of it (just someone help with the dishes lol). I was making dinner tonight and I thought that I would share one of my favorite kitchen tips.
You know that special home cooked meal taste? Like when you order mac and cheese at a restaurant it never tastes the same as it would if your mom made it at home, even though it's like the most generic food. In our home that home cook taste is known as a lot of butter (we like to say “mo’ butter mo’ better”) and nutmeg.
I mean the first is like a “no duh”, because seriously what could not be enhanced with just a little more butter. Mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, fresh bread straight from the oven, homemade pudding, Sunday roast and potatoes… you get the point.
But I bet you never thought to add a dash of nutmeg to your chicken noodle soup, creamy ranch chicken crockpot goulash (that’s our dinner tonight, I’ll share the recipe below), fondue, mac and cheese, or even your hot cocoa.
Anyone I have ever cooked for knows I like to get fancy with the spices. I love experimenting, and as far as herb and spice seasoning goes you can never have too much. I remember the first time I used nutmeg for something that wasn't a ginger snap. I was in college and my roommates and I had this system where we switched off cooking nights to help save on the grocery budget. It had just snowed like 10 feet (welcome to Idaho) so of course I had to make broccoli cheddar soup. I pinterest-ed a Panera copycat recipe and it called for nutmeg. I had never heard of adding nutmeg to a soup, let alone anything savory. So I made the soup up without the nutmeg, tasted it, then added the nutmeg and tasted again (if you are ever unsure of how a spice tastes, do this, that way you can grow an intimate relationship with the spice). Long story short my spice tasting turned into a whole meal because I could not stop tasting it. The nutmeg really transformed the soup and gave it just the perfect, warm, home-cooked flavor. And I have never made broccoli cheddar soup the same… well for that matter I’ve never made anything the same since that wonderful experimentation. There is practically nothing I haven't tried adding some nutmeg to, and most of which is surprisingly really good with that extra hint of warm spice. And then there were a few experiments I regret...like scrambled eggs… Don’t ask. It was a moment of poor judgment. I digress. Anyways the point I’m getting at is, if you want my best cooking tip add nutmeg, just a little at a time till you get that perfect warmth and "home cooked flavor".
Creamy Ranch Goulash in the crock pot
Chicken breasts
Ranch Seasoning Mix (one packet, but if you love Ranch keep more on the side and taste till you have the flavor perfect)
½ and ½ or whole milk
Butter
Flour
Salt and Pepper
Ground Nutmeg
Ground Sage
Bay Leafs (2-3) OPTIONAL
Veggies of your choice
Fill your crockpot up with as much chicken and veggies as you like. Some of our favorite veggies are: Carrots, Onions, Potatoes, Snap Peas, Mushrooms, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Squash, Zucchini. Do as little or as much as you would like. Lightly salt and pepper, add a ¼ of the Ranch Seasoning, 2 teaspoons ground sage (fresh would be delish too) and a few Bay Leafs (optional). Turn on HIGH.
While you crockpot and goodies start to warm up, in a small pot on the stove melt about 2-3 Tablespoons of butter. When melted add 2-3 Tablespoons flour whisk together till fully incorporated. Then whisk in the remaining Ranch Seasoning packet, and a good 3-4 shakes(somewhere between 1/4-1/2 teaspoon) of nutmeg. When mixed turn heat down and slowly whisk in 1 small carton of ½ and ½ or 2 cups whole milk. Taste and adjust flavors as per preference.
Pour sauce into crockpot and let everything simmer till fully cooked. All day on LOW or 1.5- 2 hours on high (this all depends on how full you have filled your pot).
Serve with rolls or rice and a salad on the side. It’s DELISH, freezes well (double it and freeze half for a later date) or it makes really yummy leftovers.
Here is my quick run down on my favorite cooking spices- you have Cloves, Nutmeg and Allspice (I always use McCormick ground spices, however my mother-in-law brought me back nutmeg from the Caribbean that I have to hand grind and that is practically straight from Heaven, it’s SOOOO good). These three are your basic warm spices that can be used interchangeably in both sweet and savory. Nutmeg is the good middle of the three; I have heard described as the “chameleon of spices”, because it’s flavor molds to whatever you are cooking/baking, while standing on it’s own two feet with the perfect amount of pzazz. Cloves is the more subtlely sweet version Nutmeg, and Allspice is the deeper more robust flavor of the three.
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