another christmas-y video

Merry Christmas!

Fear not

Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?

Did you notice when Linus drops his "security" blanket?  :)

random

someone from a local piano studio contacted me about teaching group lessons & homeschool kids.  i've been praying for an "in" with a homeschool network. we'll see where that leads :)

Ben loves computer programming.  He's working on things that animate... like he enters all this fancy computer lingo into a program and hits enter and BAM!  a picture appears and starts moving.  cool!

i decorated for christmas. pics to come. maybe 

a name says a lot about somebody... here's a link to a little video about the importance of Jesus' names.

this politically correct children's book gave me a giggle.

a piano mom and i are starting this bible study.  i can't wait for it to arrive!!

a fun gift for those gifting on a budget :)

fabulous halloween costume...

this etsy print made me smile :)  i'd enjoy having it even though it's kinda silly

is it seriously december?!?!? o.m.g.

last week, i met with a personal trainer. it was included in a groupon deal with a month membership to a fancy schmancy gym here in town. she kicked my butt.  she was young and we started chatting and long story short... she and her boyfriend came to church with us this weekend.  I think God is working in their hearts!!

happy sunday!

healthy

we decided to start eating healthier.  this week's dinner menu included:
chicken & ranch wraps
broccoli & shrimp
pork tenderloin
tilapia

breakfast, lunch & snack items included:
bananas
clementines
apples
peanuts
deli turkey & cheese
whole wheat bread
oatmeal
spinach salad
annie's mac and cheese (not that healthy)

i feel better when i eat healthy.
we're not eating organic, gluten free, or vegetarian (not that those things are bad!)  here's our game plan:

slightly smaller portions 5-ish times a day instead of 3 large meals
healthier dinners (i.e. cut back on the meals that call for cream soup (aka: casseroles))
eat out less
snack on fruits and veggies

pretty straightforward. not too crazy. so far, so good.  check back with me in a few weeks to see if we're still going strong.

oh, by the way, on my clementine, the sticker said "party in my tummy." no joke!

Pork Tenderloin

This is a delicious & healthy recipe that takes about 10 minutes to prep... what more could you want from a dinner!?

Pork Tenderloin
from: mi madre
time: 10 minutes prep; 1-8 hours marinate; 45 minutes bake

Ingredients
2 lb. pork tenderloin
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/2 med. onion, minced
2 cloves garlic
1 tsp. basil
1 1/2 tsp. parsley
3 T. soy sauce
1 T. vegetable oil

Combine all ingredients (except pork) in a food processor or blender.  Pour mixture over pork.  Marinate 1-8 hours in a ziplock bag, turning occasionally.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.   Cook 30-45 minutes or until meat thermometer reaches 160-170.

Downside - 2 lbs of pork tenderloin costs about $10 unless it's on sale...
Upside - it makes a lot of food; we eat it for lunch and dinner several days in a row; it's tasty reheated; you can always buy 1 lb. and cut the ingredients in half :)

enjoy!

Macadamia Nut Fudge

*a christmas favorite at the Pierce's

*recipe makes 128 1 in. squares-I make a half recipe

4 ½ c. sugar (2 lb)

½ c. unsalted butter

1 13 oz. can evaporated milk

3 4 oz. bars sweet cooking chocolate (eg. Baker’s German chocolate)

1 12 oz pkg. semisweet choc. chips

1 7 oz. jar marshmallow cream

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. vanilla

3 c. coarsely chopped unsalted raw macadamia nuts

(or walnuts)

Line 2  9-in. square pans w/ waxed paper. Combine sugar, butter & milk in heavy

2 qt. saucepan & bring to simmer over medium heat. At first sign of bubbling, simmer 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat & add all ingredients except 1 cup nuts. Spread into pans.

Sprinkle w/ remaining nuts, pressing lightly into surface. Chill until firm. Cut into squares.

Cathy's Chocolate Chip Cookies

i know everybody says they have the best chocolate chip cookies, but these are the best. they are famous in mount prospect. and that's saying a lot... considering all the famous chefs that have come from the humble village of mt. prospect.

Preheat oven to 350.

mix in a bowl:
      6 1/2 cups flour
      2 tsp. baking soda
      2 tsp. salt

mix in a larger bowl (or standing mixer)
      1 lb. butter (softened... not melted)
      1 1/2 cups sugar
      2 cups light brown sugar
      2 Tbsp. vanilla (real, not artificial)
      3 eggs

Blend flour mixture into butter/sugar mixture. Add 30-36 ounces of good quality semi-sweet chocolate chips AND 1 to 1 1/2 cups of coarsely chopped walnuts.  [optional - if omitting nuts, use a little more flour.]  Refrigerate dough for several hours (which keeps the cookies from flattening while they bake).

Drop onto ungreased cookie sheet, using ice cream scoop for large cookies.  Bake in oven at 350 for 15-18 minutes.  (Don't overcook!!) Allow cookies to cool on the sheet for 10-15 minutes more then transfer them to rack to cool completely.

More tips for perfect cookies:
       use better quality chocolate chips (i.e. tollhouse) & butter
       use Cushionaire or similar brand cookie sheets
       only use the middle rack in the oven
       for chewy, moist cookies, undercook them.  Remove them while they look not quite done.  They'll continue "baking" while cooling on the sheet.
       eat a lot!!! :)






and for extra enjoyment, here's a funny cookie situation to inspire you (not the best quality... sorry!)