Test Kitchen Thursday - Waffles

Recently I decided that purchasing frozen toaster waffles (even in bulk from Sam's) was getting to be a bit on the costly side.  Plus, there had to be better waffle recipes around.  Our family purchased a waffle maker and I sat down to the computer one Saturday to look up recipes.  Unfortunately our internet was out - fortunately I have a wonderful library of cookbooks to turn too!

From The Colorado Cookbook (1981)
- I love this cookbook!  I'm sure it was gifted to my grandma from my Aunt Sara - grandma in turn gifted it to me when Alan and I were first married.  We have found some amazing recipes in this cookbook!

Crispy Waffles

2 eggs, separated
1 C flour
2 t baking powder
1/4 t salt
3/4 C milk
3 T butter, melted

Beat egg whites stiff but not dry.  Set aside.
Combine flour, baking powder, salt, egg yolks, and milk.  Blend well.
Stir in butter then fold in egg whites.
Bake in pre-heated waffle iron until golden brown.

The recipe says it makes two 9" waffles but I have made more than that out of the one recipe.  Granted my waffle iron only makes two 4" square waffles but I still yield more than the recipe says.  Be careful not to overdue how much batter you put in the waffle iron - too much and it pops it open.  True story.

I like to double the recipe on mornings I have plenty of time and then freeze the rest for later.  Simply cool the waffles, wrap them well (I use wax paper to separate them and then store in freezer bags).  Freeze.  Toast frozen waffles lightly.

You can also put add-ins like chips or nuts in very easily.  Simply add before folding in the egg whites.

At out house we like them plain but layered with strawberries and blueberries.  Really the more berries the better.  These are frozen berries from the Berry Patch Farm that I put up last year.  Can't wait for berry season (freezer is getting low).  Top it off with a little homemade strawberry syrup (also running low) and yum, yum!

On a side note I just had to add that we grilled out tonight!  February 17th and we lit the grill.  When it hits 60 degrees outside the grill just begs to be used regardless of what month it is.  So tonight we had t-bone steaks (hamburgers for the boys), grilled corn on the cob (frozen from last summer), fresh asparagus, and a baked potato.  I'm surprised I could move from table to computer desk tonight - but it was so worth it!

Clark and Grant weren't too happy about having to come in from outside to eat (Clark wanted a picnic) - until we showed them what was in the aluminum foil.  Our boys ate every last kernel off their corn cobs tonight!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Belated Happy Valentine's Day!  

Our Valentine's Day started early Saturday morning when Clark and Grant opened their Valentine package from Aunt Em.  Loads of chocolate awaited them (which they wanted for breakfast - that will teach me to open packages before breakfast).

On Sunday, Clark's Preschool sang during the church service for a special Preschool Sunday.  We were so happy to have Grandma and Grandpa Clark drive down to go to church with us and spend a lovely day together. 

On Valentine's Day we actually spent a lot of time outside!  The weather is so wonderful.  I'll take upper 30's and 40's anytime (this time of year)!  Heat wave.  Clark loves climbing the snow hills and Grant is just trying to figure out how to walk proficiently on the snow. 

As always we had our beautiful guard cat watching over our activities.

Hope you all had a wonderful day!

Playing Dress-Up

During nap time today I realized Clark wasn't taking a nap; but, he was being quiet.  Since I had a lot of work to do I figured quiet time in his room was OK with me.  Somehow his little body knows when 3:30 pm hits because he came sauntering out his bedroom door like normal.  He was so proud to show me his accomplishment.

During nap time he had decided to try out different outfits until he landed on this combination that he just loved!  When I tucked him in bed all he had on was a t-shirt and underwear.  Now he was supporting layered shirts and dress pants (and I was informed you can only wear black socks with the dress pants).

Now the t-shirt was on backwards but he liked the look of the dinosaur on the back.

He decided to model for me in his room.  I rather forgot about the old mirror behind his door.  He thought the mirror was perfect for seeing his clothing creations.  And no, this was not the only outfit he tried.  I was informed of shirts that no longer fit him and should be taken out of the drawers.

Mommy just loves the cuteness of it all.  This age is so much fun!

Winter Strikes Again!

So sorry for my lack of blogging lately -- between baby number 3 sapping all my energy and preparing for the State Science Fair (my real job) it's been a busy time!

When we did have a day stuck in the house our internet was also out - so, no posts.  However, we did take lots of pictures (this was on blizzard day last Wednesday):

 Clark on his way out to the backyard (notice the drift over his head).

Drift from the other side.

Braced against the wind.

Making his way to daddy.

The slide dug out to go tend the animals.

Whee!

Warming up with the goats.  As bad as the doorway to the barn was the rest of the barn was pretty much snow free and toasty warm.  The snow that surrounds the barn is now acting as an insulator.

Even the kitties braved the weather to get a snack!  Three little calico girls and their all-black brother.  They are just so healthy for being fall born kittens.  They're kind of snow kitties - they love playing in the snow and love the fact that the drifts allow them to jump directly into tree branches!

Test Kitchen Thursday - Red Velvet Cupcakes

These Red Velvet Cupcakes are my favorite!  Plus, they are especially fun for Valentine's Day.
The recipe is from the February 2008 issue of Better Homes and Gardens.

Ingredients:
3 eggs
3/4 cup butter (although I accidentally used 1 Cup of butter this time around and they still turned out fine).
3 C all-purpose flour
2 t unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 t salt
2 1/4 C sugar
1 1/2 t vanilla
1 - 1oz bottle red food coloring (2 T)
1 1/2 C buttermilk
1 1/2 t baking soda
1 1/2 t vinegar

Frosting:
1 1/2 C whole milk
1/3 C flour
dash salt
1 1/2 C butter, softened
1 1/2 C sugar
2 t vanilla

Let eggs and butter stand 30 minutes.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line 24 muffin cups; set aside.
In medium bowl combine flour, cocoa powder, and salt; set aside. 
In large mixing bowl beat butter on medium-high 30 seconds.  Add sugar and vanilla; beat until combined.  One at a time add eggs; beat on medium after each.  Beat in food coloring on low.
Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk to egg mixture; beat on low-medium after each just until combines.  Stir together baking soda and vinegar.  Add to batter; beat just until combined.
Scoop into muffin cups (I use a 1/4 C measure to fill my cups with)
Bake 15 - 17 minutes or until pick inserted near center comes out clean.  The cakes may appear marbled.
Remove from pans quickly (to stop the baking process) and allow to cool on wire racks.


Frosting:
In medium saucepan whisk together milk, flour and salt.  Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly.  Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes more.  Transfer to small bowl; cover surface with plastic wrap.  Refrigerate until cooled (do not stir).  


In large bowl beat butter, sugar and vanilla on medium for 5 minutes until light and fluffy and sugar is almost dissolved.  Add cooled milk mixture, 1/4 cup at a time; beat on low after each until smooth.

These go over well at our house but I always make them when I can give them away.  Alan took a bunch to work to help reduce the amount left here!

The boys love to help whenever I bake but this recipe is especially fun.  I make sure the boys are watching when the soda and vinegar are added together.  Fun fizzing and bubbling!  Grant helped me measure and lay everything out and really enjoyed when the batter turned red.  Clark did all the sprinkling!

Warming Trend

Yesterday was so warm we had to go outside and play!  OK - warm at this point is a relative term, I consider anything above 20 degrees F lovely this time of year!

So, we went to do chores and play in the snow.  We let our darling little goats out for some much deserved play time too!  They had a blast running between their pen and the chicken pen!

Grant just wanted to stay in the barn and watch the animals.  Not that you can tell but this is Grant saying "chicky."

Really - I couldn't get him to leave.  He was very engrossed in the animals.

Clark meanwhile enjoyed playing outside on the 5 foot snowdrifts that allowed him to look down on us from outside.

He thought the hills were great!

And made for good sledding.

After finally convincing Grant we should maybe go in, Clark pulled him up to the house in the sled.

I just have to add that on Tuesday when I picked Clark up from preschool his teacher told me how proud she was of Clark.  He had gotten his snowpants, hat, coat, boots and mittens on all by himself.  All the teacher helped with was the zipper!  He's getting to be such a big boy.  Now, the pants were on backwards and the boots were on the wrong feet but hey, he did it himself and that's pretty great!

What's Up

Wasn't sure where to start my post tonight.  We've been very busy!

On Sunday morning, while getting Grant dressed for church, he pointed to the cowboy boots on the top of his shelves.  He wanted to wear them in the worst way.  These were actually his daddy's boots that Grandma Spencer had saved all these years.  Grandpa Spencer brought the box of boots from size 1 all the way to about size 10 a few months ago.  These were a little big for Grant but he loved wearing them (after learning how to walk in them)!

Sunday afternoon a friend of mine had a girl's craft night!  It was fantastic!  There were only 3 of us but we accomplished so much and had just the best time.  Below are some of the cards I accomplished - which frankly wouldn't have been done without this craft day.

I even made some cute bookmarks out of the card scraps.

And - best of all, I put together all of Clark's Valentine's for his class party.  Look at this - completed over 2 weeks in advance!

Last night my husband and I had an invitation to attend the 25th Annual Taste of Elegance at the Des Moines Marriott.  We're invited every year but last year was bad weather and it had been a few years since we had gone.  We invited a couple of other friends to go with us and had a fabulous time!

There were 12 chefs that each prepared a pork dish (this is hosted by the Iowa Pork Producers).  This was a competitive event for the chefs.  The top chef goes to the National event.  The top 3 chefs were awarded cash prizes.  There is also a People's Choice award given out.  The chef who won was my People's Choice award nominee!  Not bad taste buds, huh!

It was a great evening mingling with friends and eating awesome food.  Our table ended up being a revolving group of friends and acquaintances.   I was stuffed by the end of the evening.  Twelve little samples add up pretty fast!  There were also some wonderful looking wines from Iowa wineries that were free for sampling.  Unfortunately, I had to pass that up this year.

Beth and I at the event!  The oddest part was during the tasting our husbands went to select samples while we held down the table.  At one point when they came back I think my husband almost dropped the plates when he saw we were entertaining the First Lady and the Lt. Governor (and their husbands).  Beth and I were just being nice and offered part of our table that wasn't being used for them to land for a bit.  Of course once another table opened up they moved on - but still, how often can we say we dined with the Governor, First Lady and Lt. Governor?  

Friday Night Sew In Results

Here are my finishes for yesterday evening:

Two Lucy Tote Bags by Ali Foster.

This one just says Spring!  I was going to give one as a gift but now I can't decide which one to gift.  A peak inside:

Couldn't resist these photos!  This week Grant has been helping me vacuum.  Hard for me to photograph when he's helping me so when daddy grabbed the vacuum this morning I grabbed the camera!

He thinks this is just the best activity!  Not sure how I ended up being so lucky surrounded by such helpful little (and big) men!  (Yes, today was laundry day so ignore the pile on the couch).

 Have a fabulous rest of your weekend!

Cabin Fever Leads to . . .

well, in this family - new pets!

Meet Darth Vader (black gerbil) and Luke (brown gerbil).  Can you tell I live with a 3 year old Star Wars fan?

Today was cold and snowy again and we've spent a lot of time indoors.  It's too cold to even have Clark go out and do goat and chicken chores with me so no animal time.   Well, there's Jack the cat but if you know cats you know how hit or miss that can be.  I just wanted to see something warm and fuzzy.  So asked Clark and Grant if they wanted to go to the local pet store.  They readily agreed and ran to get coats.

This wasn't an impulse buy.  I had been giving thoughts to having a couple hamsters again.  I figured the boys would enjoy watching rodent antics.  We've never raised gerbils before but they were a lot cuter than the hamsters the store had available.  Plus, they are more active during the day than hamsters.  My husband is very lucky I decided the cats wouldn't handle guinea pigs well - boy were they CUTE!

I think this was a good decision/addition for our family.  The boys LOVED watching gerbils all day.  They checked the water about 100 times to make sure it was still full!  Let's hope the desire to do pet chores continues!  Clark is already planning a mega-pipe play space for the new gerbils.  Really - he has told me about the pipes he wants to buy to expand the play area (if you know my son at all you know that pipes have intrigued him since he was 18 months old).

Luckily we bought a cat proof cage!  While working during nap time I kept getting distracted watching Jack trying to figure out how to get those little guys.

Then Purple, our indoor/outdoor cat (mostly outdoor except when it is super cold or super hot) heard the gerbils playing.  He actually made me pause more than Jack did.  You see, Jack thinks he's a hunter but he's really just a lazy house cat.  Whereas, Purple is a hunter.  This is a cat who has taken on the bobcat that prowls our property.  One time we watched him take out a nest of baby bunnies and swallow them whole.  He's an amazing hunter which is why he spends most of his time prowling our barns.  This cat looked at our little gerbils like I had laid out a buffet of appetizers.  Luckily the cage proved it's worth.

All in all today, I'm not sure what I enjoyed more, watching the joy of the boys or the prowling of the cats.  Both were great fun!

WiP Wednesday {Works in Progress}

New Projects:
1 Corduroy purse for charity auction: COMPLETED! 
3 Purses (same pattern as cordouroy): 1 completed, 2 need finishing (will work on Friday) 

1 large Corduroy pillow (charity auction): COMPLETED

1 small Corduroy pillow (charity auction): COMPLETED

On-Going Projects:
Layer Cake Quilt Along - now 3 blocks behind

Tips and Tricks Quilt Along with Cricket Studios - Block 1 {done}

Birdie Stitches Block of the Month (BOM) at Little Miss Shabby - Block 1 {pieced, ready to embroider}

Items in Wait (Did nothing with this week):
That Girl That Quilt Along - still hanging on my design wall; hit a road block
30's Reproduction Block Quilt - ready to piece
Brown Bag Quilt - fabric selected; design drawn up (now to get brave and cut)

Completed Tops Awaiting Quilting:
Clark's Dinosaur Quilt
Grant's Cowboy Quilt

This week's stats:

New projects - 6

Completed projects - 4

Currently in progress - 10 

I'm hoping to get some of these items completed during the Friday Night Sew In this coming Friday.  I'd really like to start some Valentine projects but need some items off my workspace first.  Crossing my fingers that 1st trimester sickness will be better on Friday (really bad today - I almost lost it when I caught Grant eating ketchup straight up on his spoon at lunch - blah!)