Perspective...

On Sunday we lost our family dog Sophie.  We had two dogs Sophie and Evey, and on a normal day they are restricted from going onto the sidewalk and beyond.  We have an underground electric fence and battery operated collars, that work rather effectively. Unfortunately we had our lawn airated and the line was punctured  in several places.  The lawn service said that they would fix the line but all we got was a game of phone tag.  So Mike attempted to fix the line himself, but when the sprinklers would go on it would short out.  our neighbor works for a cable company and has a tool that can tell you where the breaks in the line are.  So he came over on Friday and they dug up all the areas in the line that were damaged.  They weren't able to finish the job and We had church obligations on Saturday and Sunday (Stake Conference) so the fence would have to wait until Monday.  Sadly that was a day to late for Sophie.  After church we were outside in the backyard enjoying the weather and we didn't notice that she had ran around to the front of the house.  She ran into the road to cross it, so she could greet a neighbor walking her dog and was hit by a car.   Sophie managed to run back around the house to where we were.  The neighbor that was walking her dog and the poor lady that hit her also came running to the backyard.  They told us what had happened.   Sophie was in shock so Mike put her in her dog bed so she would be comfortable.  It was really sad to see her so distressed  and scared.  We couldn't see any obvious wounds but we knew that the car had gone right over her, so her injuries were internal.  Our greatest concern was that she was suffering so Mike called our vet to see where we could take her on a Sunday.  While we were waiting for the service to call back we gathered around her as a family to say a prayer.  It was simple but heart felt.  Mike asked the Lord to comfort her and if it was her time to leave her earthly home, that she could be released so she wouldn't have to suffer any longer.  And when he finished his prayer she was gone.  Losing a beloved pet this way was a sad thing for our family.  But experience is the best teacher and sometimes we need to be taught how fragile life really is and to be reminded not to take the simple things for granted. Amongst the sadness and loss the greatest lesson our family learned was that the Lord really does answer prayers and he really is aware of even a sparrow in the tree.

We had Sophie for eight years, she was loved and will be missed.

Love Feast...

Apparently the way to a mans heart is though his stomach...or so I've been told.  It must be true because I made Mike filet mignon "Oscar Style" on a bed of garlic mashed potatoes and he hasn't stopped smiling.  I'm not sure if it was really that great or if he's just easy to please.  

 

 

OK...I'm going to stop being modest it was fabulous!!!  Who knew, my mom was right all these years.  You'd think I would have paid attention to Mike...how excited he'd get when I'd cook something special.  Oh who am I kidding...he gets excited when I cook anything.  If only I would have realized the POWER of this cooking/love connection sooner.  Who knows what kind of projects I could of weaseled out of him by now.  I'm going to have to experiment with this idea...you know for the sake of science.

I don't know if it's the sugar high speaking but Valentines day is really delicious!  I hope you're enjoying your special someones today!

Traditions

Valentines Day is approaching and I'm not ready.  The last few weeks have been busy.  Between church stuff and helping with lots of extra after school home work...poor Thomas he's preparing for the FCATS (boooooo!)  I'm behind on my plans for the day of LOVE!  We usually make sour cream cut out cookies that get frosted.  They are delicious and remind me of the cookies that someones mom brought to the valentines party at school.  I loved the colorful cards and candy...but my favorite memory hands down has been that yummy homemade hart shaped cookie that seemed to show up year after year.  This is one tradition that no mater how busy I get, we won't be skipping.  And then there is the family valentines meal...that I'll cook.  I'm going to try something fancy...if time doesn't get away from me again.

At least my pot rack feels like one giant Valentine card that says "I LOVE YOU" to the ones I love most!  Wish me luck on the fancy meal...any suggestions?

Birthday Cake

It was Mike's 41st b-day yesterday, and every year he asks for the same thing...a German chocolate cake.  Well with age he has simplified his requests.   It used to be two cakes, some balloons and maybe a clown if I could manage that.  He LOVES his birthday!  Oh ya...and the cake needs to be homemade.  The last few years his "homemade German chocolate cake" request has been provided thanks to my sister Gabriella.  She loves to bake and is REALLY good at it.  I on the other hand...not so much!  Well dam*** if she isn't off living her dream in Utah...while I'm stuck here having to bake a birthday cake for my husband.  I guess I should be grateful for her absence even though I really miss her...because it's forced me to become a better cook/baker!  Lets just say that I've been a little out of my comfort zone when a holiday pops up on the calender.  The truth is since I've had no other choice but to step up to the challenge...I've learned that I actually...and please don't tell anyone this... like to cook/bake!  I made this delicious "homemade German chocolate cake" for Mike...he was so pleased.  

 

We just finished the cake for breakfast and it was even better the second time around.  My family is so proud of me for my efforts and successes in trying new things.  So I promise that next time I look at a complicated recipe and say "ya right"...I'll remember that with a little patience anything is possible!  And now, I can make Mike's b-day cake all on my own.  Happy Birthday Mike!!!

Chair Obsession...

I bought a chair from Arhaus a few months ago on clearance.  It was such a good deal I really wished that they had another...I love chairs in a pair.  As it turns out they have a room in the back, that stores all of their clearance floor items that didn't sale in previous sales.  And they just keep marking things down until the merchandise moves.  So when I was "window shopping" the other day...that's when I saw her!  And the price was so good I almost shed a tear.   I defiantly patted myself on the back a few times, discovering that back room and all.  So the chairs are now reunited and enjoying themselves in my living room.

They're a fun addition to my chair family and they will be loved...at least by me!  I just couldn't say no to these baby's when they cost me as little as a weeks worth of groceries!

Lentils=Delicious

It has been really cold here in sunny Florida, so I've made chili for my family a lot.  They really like it but I don't want it to wear out it's welcome.  So when I was skimming through one of my favorite food blogs cannelle et vanille I saw a recipe for lentil soup.  I've never cooked anything with lentils, I've had them a few times and liked them, but lentils=food storage and I'd placed them in the category of "end the world" food.  Besides I've always strived for convenience and anything that requires planning and soaking hasn't been on the top of my list.  But with lentils there is no soaking required.  However Aran suggests soaking the lentils for four hours, she says that they cook better and it helps with digestion.  She's the pro, so I followed the recipe only omitting the turnip and chorizo.  I doubled the chicken stalk and lentils so that I could get two meals out of it.  What was the end result you ask?  Delicious...Amazing...Flavorful...Nourishing, really I could go on and on!  Someone needs to be a cheerleader for lentils! They are also really high in protein and fiber and inexpensive.  I am definitely going to put this recipe on my staples list.  Be brave and try it, I hope your family likes it as much as mine did!

Not only are her recipes amazing but the way Aran stylizes and shoots her food is so beautiful.  She truly is an artist.

Lentil and Root Vegetable Soup

Makes 8 servings

3 Tbs olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 medium onion, diced
2 carrots, peeled and diced
1 celery stalk, diced
1 turnip, diced
2 parsnips, peeled and diced
1 sweet potato, peeled and diced
¼ red kuri squash, peeled and diced
1 Tbs tomato paste
1 chorizo, sliced
1 qt chicken stock
2 cups water
1 cup French lentils or any other kind you like
1 ½ tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
5 springs of thyme

Rinse the lentils and cover them with water. Let them soak for about 4 hours. It’s not completely necessary but I find that they cook faster and are better for digestion.

In a large pot, heat the olive oil. Add the garlic, onion, carrot and celery and cook them for about 5 minutes. We don’t want to caramelize them, just sweat them.

Add the tomato paste, chorizo and rest of vegetable and cook them for another 2 minutes. Add the chicken stock, water, thyme, lentils, pepper and salt. Stir and bring this to a boil.

Reduce heat to a simmer, cover the pot and let the lentils cook for about 45 minutes until tender. Adjust seasoning to your taste and serve with your favorite gluten-free (or not) bread, cheese toast or plain.

I am so happy that my family is willing to be subjected to taste testing new dishes that I make with the food storage that I am rotating on our shelf.   It makes me feel kinda...thrifty and industrious...resourceful and responsible...but mostly adventurous!

Organizing The Pantry...

For Christmas this year my parents gave our family food storage.  In fact they gave all six of the Sant siblings food storage...which was a generous and useful gift!  My parents have always been two of the most resourceful pair I've known.  Parenting six kids will probably do that to you.  And with the price of food on the rise, my dad in his wisdom thought it a wise thing to stock pile some away for a rainy day!  My parents really know how to rock "provident living."  So as one of my goals this year, I've set out to rotate and utilize my food storage.  I may even learn how to make bread from wheat that I grind myself.  I get a little giddy just thinking about it.  I had no idea that being prepared for a rainy day would bring me so much peace.

 I have six shelves to help keep things organized.  

1. Is for drinks and water.

2. Is for breakfast foods.

3. Is for lunch and dinner.

4. Is for baking supplies.

5. Is for snack foods.

6. Is for whatever.

I bought Italian canning jars for storing bulk ingredients.  They are air tight and clear glass, so I can see what I have and how much.  The brand is Fido, and I first saw them at Sur La Table.  They were available in several sizes.  But I'm to frugal...yes that sounds better than cheep...so when I saw them at Homegoods and for much less than half the retail price, I had to bring them home.  With some of the food storage sorted and stored I'm thinking I might just pop over to my moms house to learn how she makes her amazing whole wheat bread. I'll let you know if this old dog can learn any baking tricks!