Julia

I know I'm woefully behind on blogging, so hopefully this picture will buy me some more time. We're still in love with her!

Smashed Potatoes

This really isn't the best picture, but these are the best potatoes!

2 lbs red potatoes (about 16 small to med; 2 inches in diameter), scrubbed
1 1/2 tsp salt, divided
1 bay leaf
4 tbs unsalted butter, melted and warm
½ cup cream cheese (4 oz), room temperature
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
3 tbs chopped fresh chives or 4 ½ tsp dried (optional)

1. Place the potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with 1 inch cold water; add 1 teaspoon salt and the bay leaf. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer gently until a paring knife can be inserted into the potatoes with no resistance, 35 to 45 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of the cooking water, then drain the potatoes. Return the potatoes to the pot, discard the bay leaf, and allow the potatoes to stand in the pot, uncovered, until the surfaces are dry, about 5 minutes.

2. While the potatoes dry, whisk the melted butter and softened cream cheese in a medium bowl until smooth and fully incorporated. Add ¼ cup of the reserved cooking water, ½ teaspoon pepper, the chives (if using), and ½ teaspoon salt. Using a rubber spatula or the back of a wooden spoon, smash the potatoes just enough to break the skins. Fold in the butter-cream cheese mixture until most of the liquid has been absorbed and chunks of potatoes remain. Add more cooking water 1 tablespoon at a time as needed, until the potatoes are slightly looser than desired (the potatoes will thicken slightly with standing). Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper; serve immediately.

Notes: White potatoes can be used instead of red, but reds are so much better. Try to get potatoes of equal size; if that’s not possible, test the larger potatoes for doneness (using a paring knife). If you only larger potatoes, increase the cooking time by about 10 minutes. I usually end up using all of the reserved liquid, it will look a little loose at first, but after standing for five or so minutes, the potatoes soak up all the excess.

No one likes a whiner

I don't think I've ever posted anything on my blog about being pregnant. I think that most of the people that read my blog are also facebook friends, so even though I'm not a great blogger, most of you knew. For those unfortunate facebook friends, you've also been subjected to quite a few days of whining. I would like to think that I'm not a whiner by nature. Whenever I have to listen to whiners, it annoys me, so I try to return the favor. I will make my children repeat things multiple times, just so they realize that I will not respond to them if they whine.

I am due on February 1. I still have about two more weeks, and yet, I have been incredibly anxious to have this baby. Jacob (my youngest) was born three weeks early, and I anticipated something similar to happen with this baby. I started dilating more than two weeks ago, which is nothing new for me. However, I usually don't progress much past a two before I go into full blown labor. Yet, a week ago, I was at a 3.5-4, hence my delusion that I would go into labor last week. When I didn't, I was of course discouraged (bag packed twice, mom called once, contractions stopped each time). When my friends (one due before me and one due after me) both had their babies on the same day, discouraged doesn't cover how I felt. So, I continued on with the whining.

So what does this have to do with anything?! I'm trying to go back to my normal self. Here's my new outlook. My next appointment is Thursday, maybe I'll have dilated further, maybe not. The good news though, is that my doctor told me earlier that Friday is the earliest the hospital will allow him to induce me. Maybe he'll schedule me for Friday, maybe not, but schedule me he will. By going the route of induction, I have a few bonuses. Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm a planner. This is why induction appeals to me. I get to plan the day, I can be sure I'll have someone here to watch my older kids, and I'm guaranteed that my doctor will be the one to deliver me. Will I make it to Thursday? Probably. All I know is, I'm tired of my pity party. It's not helping, it makes me grouchy and short with my kids, it makes my husband look at me with pity, and leaves him feeling more helpless about the situation. So, when she's ready, she'll come...or the Pitocin will evict her.

Eggnog French Toast Bake

This may not be a recipe that you should make often. When you see the amount of eggnog in this recipe, you'll understand. We frequently make this for breakfast on Christmas morning. Rich, yummy, delicious, and calorie filled.



1 loaf French bread
1 c butter
2 c brown sugar
2 tsp corn syrup
6 eggs
1 ½ tsp vanilla
2 c eggnog or milk (if using milk, add a dash of nutmeg)
¼ tsp cinnamon

1. Slice bread into one and a half-inch slices (I don’t use the end pieces). Place bread in a 9x13-inch pan, layering as needed.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, butter, and corn syrup over medium heat. Cook until all ingredients are combined, stirring constantly. After the butter and sugar have melted, they will be separate. Be sure you keep it on the heat and stirring, it will combine. Pour syrup mix over bread.
3. In a large bowl, beat eggs, eggnog, vanilla, and cinnamon with a whisk. Pour over top of bread and syrup. Cover with plastic wrap sprayed with nonstick spray.
4. Place dish in fridge with weights*. Refrigerate overnight.
5. Bake uncovered at 375° (350 if using a dark or non-stick pan) for 40-45 minutes, or until eggs are set and tops of bread looks crystallized. Serve with additional syrup (although I never do).

*This step is a must. If it isn’t weighted, some bread won’t get saturated and burns, while other pieces are soggy. I usually put another 9x13 pan on top and then use whatever is in the fridge to add extra weight, just make sure it’s even. Be especially sure to watch the liquid level so you don’t end up spilling the egg mix over the sides.

Terror

Jacob is pretty lucky to have sisters that think he's cute. He really is all boy. His latest "game" to play with his sisters is to wrestle them to the ground. I don't have a picture of his first step in the attack. He walks up behind one of his sisters and grabs her around the waist. He's found that if he can hold on long enough, this will happen...

So, once he has one of them on the floor,

he likes to sit, bounce, or try to tickle. For now, the girls think this is hilarious. I'm not sure how funny they will think this is in a few years.



He's also discovered that a Lazy Susan is a handy little cupboard to get into. I'm thinking of moving the cereal.



He loves apples...whole.

Creamy Tomato-Basil Soup

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/2 cups chopped onions
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 pounds tomatoes - peeled, seeded and quartered*
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 quart chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
8 sprigs fresh basil for garnish

Directions
1. Heat the butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in onions and garlic and cook until tender. Mix in tomatoes and chopped basil. Season with salt and pepper. Pour in the chicken broth, reduce heat to low, and continue cooking 15 minutes.
2. Transfer soup to a blender (or use an immersion hand blender), and blend until smooth. Return to the pot, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and gradually mix in the heavy cream. Garnish each serving with a sprig of basil.

*If using canned tomatoes, use 48 oz of whole tomatoes, being sure to seed and quarter them. You may need to add up to 2 tbs of sugar.

Notes: When I make this for someone other than my family, I stick to this recipe. If I make it for us , I add a little spice. When heating the butter and olive oil, I add a little crushed red pepper (maybe less than 1/8 tsp). Be very careful when blending the soup, only fill the blender half full. When putting the lid on, don't seal the feed tube (the little hole in the lid), just lightly hold the cover on.

I love homework

Christine's teacher gave a homework assignment that was a secret. She couldn't tell me what she was supposed to do, only that she needed a pen and a sticky note. We had a babysitter that night, so I left them to it. This is what I found when I came home and got ready for bed.


My bathroom mirror.


It reads: To: Mom
I love you
Frome: Christine

A little side note, I assumed that the sitter had helped her put the note up - nope. She climbed on the toilet and then over to the counter, where she could reach the cupboard and put up her note. It's a good thing that my bathroom is small, no pole vaulting, or long jumping required. And yes, her note was reciprocated, she had a note of her own the next morning.