Gotta love him

Carver and I have been traveling back and forth to KY during our time off to visit his grandparents.  Since I am off work, its a nice change of pace to have somebody to hang out with during the day.  He has nurseries at both grandparents' houses, so I really only have to pack his clothes.  Last week, we hit the road and spent the week in the bluegrass.  Unfortunately, this leaves my husband to fend for himself in our absence.

I have a menu board in our kitchen to list my plans for meals for the week.  He often gives me a hard time when I don't have it updated.  When I got home on Sunday, this is what I found:

Too funny not to share:)

P.S. The Sip n' See is coming.  Look forward to a lengthy post in a few weeks:)

Cupid is my BFF

Since I have been a stay at home mom for the past 10 weeks, I have to tried to connect my inner Suzie-Homemaker (what was left of her after taking care of a newborn for a month or so).  Now that my baby is a little more predictable, we have a chance to get out more.  I have become mildly crafty and have been searching for new recipes to convince my husband to try.  Of course, I am forced to shop some in this spare time too.  My husband says I can never stay at home full time because I have more time to spend money:)  I decided to fully embrace all of these new traits on Valentine's day.

I know its way cooler to pretend like you don't care about this Hallmark holiday, but if I am being honest, I do care.  So I went all out.  Problem is, I had to find a way to go all out at home since babies are not always the most welcomed guests at fancy restaurants.  Both of us have been a little home sick since it is so easy to have our families' help, so I decided to make it a Kentucky night at our house.  We had burgoo and hot browns.  The links to the recipes are below.

Crockpot Burgoo

Hot Brown

Carver and I also spent the morning making Valentines for our families.  He hated the finger paint, so being mother-of-the-year (please insert sarcasm), I waited for him to be asleep and applied it to his hands.  You won't judge me so much after you see how cute they were...

Pinterest is my new obsession.  Found the ideas for those there.  I finished day by making dessert for the hubs.  Chocolate covered strawberries are a staple for v-day if you ask me.   And for those sceptics out there, he did a great job surprising me too.  He came home from work early (to find a messy house, an unshowered wife and a baby still in PJs at 2:00 since we weren't done with all our projects yet) and brought me my favorite candy and some jewelry from him and my new baby boy.  I'm a lucky girl!

Wrapping Up 2011

I am a pathetic excuse for a blogger, yes, I realize this.  But if one ever had an excuse for getting behind on sharing their thoughts with cyber space, it would be a new baby.  That's right... baby Carver has arrived.  In fact, he is almost 10 weeks old now.  Unfortunately I go back to work in 2 weeks, so I need to catch everybody up on the past 4 months... pathetic.  Here's a quick wrap up:

The Pank's Not-so-Scary Halloween

I suppose that is where we are now in our lives... Halloween is now more focused on treats than tricks and the celebrations are more fun for the kids than the adults. But i had to ask myself, why can't a good time be had by all? You know, parents get to play with other grown-ups while the kiddos run around entertaining each other. After all, it was only a few years ago that we were all childless, crowded into my apartment dressed as saved by the bell characters and drinking flavored rum. So this year, I decided we were having a Halloween party and age, marital status and number of children wouldn't matter.

Logistically this means you have to start early so those with little ones can stay awhile and those with scarier thing to do can attend your party first.  So party we did.  We had all kinds of costumes, from Elmo to pirates to the Green Lantern (and the lantern was a grown-up, not a child).  I did a simple chili bar, apple wedges with caramel and pulled pork sandwiches.  For dessert, had a pumpkin trifle (mentioned in my last post) and cupcakes.  Finally, we had apple cider (a.k.a. witch's brew) with bourbon sidecars and premiered my husband's homemade Octoberfest beer.  Thanks to all those who joined us.  Here is the pictorial documentation.

I was a bun in the oven and my husband was the baker.

Thanksgiving!

We spent the week before Thanksgiving at Disney. I will never be to old for that place and now I have a baby that I can use as an excuse o keep going back.  Despite being 8 months pregnant, I enjoyed myself.  Then it was off to Louisville and Lexington to celebrate the holiday and make our last trip home before I was banned from traveling.  

Christmas:)

We spent December 25 in the hospital since I gave birth 2 days earlier.  But we did have some fabulous celebrations prior to that.  We started with my in-laws the second weekend in December.  I got to cook Christmas dinner for the first time in my house (even if it wasn't on actual Christmas).  The weekend after that, my parents and grandparents visited and I got to cook a second Christmas dinner.  

At my house, Christmas breakfast was always a big deal, so I made breakfast also.  Since this blog is supposed to be about food (for the most part), below a recipe for the most fabulous crustless mini quiches you will ever taste.

4 oz. cream cheese
1/4 c. mayo
1/4 c. milk
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 c. Swiss cheese, grated
1/2 c. smoky links, grated
1 t. instant onion

In small saucepan warm cream cheese, mayo and milk till smooth. Beat eggs in small bowl, add cheese and smoky links and onion. Add to cream cheese mixture. Spray mini muffin tins with PAM and fill almost to the top. Bake @ 375 for 18 minutes. May be frozen. Warm in electric fry pan on low. Makes 18 mini quiches.

Then we got our real Christmas gift on December 23 at 9:48pm.

That pretty much wraps it up.  But on last picture of our beautiful baby boy is below... just to kick-off 2012:)

Lions and Tigers and Diaper Cakes... Oh My!

Baby Carver is less than 2 months away from making his big debut and boy has he been keeping me busy already.  In the midst of getting the nursery ready (jungle themed as is the title of this post) and taking baby classes, I have been fortunate enough to have wonderful friends and family who have been gracious enough to throw me baby showers.  As you know from reading this blog in the past, I moved to Indy from Lexington and my husband's family is in Louisville, so I was lucky enough to have a shower in each location.  I do intend to share a recipe at the end of this, but first, a few pics from each shower:)

First stop, Lexington, September 24.  This shower was thrown by my matrons of honor... yes I had 3 and it was my wedding so I don't even have to justify it.  They certainly went all out and transformed Ms. Elliott's (Dana's mom) backyard into a little piece of fall heaven complete with pumpkin cake balls and Carver's very own personalized pumpkin (you know how I feel about a good monogram).  I posted a couple of pics below, but my creative blogging BFF has posted more on her blog at http://piecesofthepeddicords.blogspot.com/2011/09/baby-pumpkin-patch.html.

Second stop, Louisville, October 8.  This was a huge shower thrown by my lovely sister-in-law and Matt's aunt RoJeanna.  Successfully transforming my mother-in-law's backyard into a autumn garden party, we all enjoyed decaf tea (thanks for that!) and fabulous salads while we played a hilarious game of pictionary to include terms such as "kangaroo time" and "after birth".  The cake pictured below was made by a friend of ours, Ms. Kendra, who spent some time working in a bakery in Alabama in a recent past life, which explains the adorable design (it tasted fabulous too... chocolate cake with cream cheese buttercream icing... three layers).

Thirds and final stop, Indianapolis, October 16.  This shower was thrown by my three Midwestern BFFs.  We have become shower champs over the past few years, what with three weddings (one upcoming) and three babies, soon to be four:)  They really played up the jungle theme with the adorable cupcakes (courtesy of one of our favorite local bakeries) and potted plants for all of the guests to take home.  We spent Sunday afternoon enjoying each others' company and some fabulous blueberry yogurt covered pretzels.

I am so blessed to have these lovely ladies in my life to get ready for the arrival of our little pumpkin.  Speaking of pumpkins, one of the desserts that wasn't pictured about was the pumpkin trifle that the girls at the Lexington Shower served.  It is a pretty healthy recipe that they found on another blog called thedashingdish.com.  Lots of yummy healthier recipes which are great for me since I was also diagnosed with gestational diabetes several weeks ago.  But don't worry, it has not stopped me from cooking or enjoying foods that I am craving.  A little change in diet and some short walks throughout the day and I am good to go!  Instead of recreating the wheel, just click on the link below and enjoy!! 

Creamy Pumpkin Trifle from Dashingdish.com 

I'm pregnant, but my husband has cravings...

It has certainly been a while since i have posted.  My excuse is I was on a tour of the eastern half of the country for the entire month of August (really starting in late July).  I hit Tennessee, Alabama, Maine, D.C. and finally Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.  Because of that, consider this a 2 for 1 special; 2 recipes- 1 post.

Let me start by saying, I am more than halfway through baking this baby!  He- yes, it's a boy!- is still scheduled to make his first appearance on Christmas Day.  I have had a pretty easy pregnancy.  I haven't been sick, no complications (knock on wood) and I still find some joy in cooking.  Having said that, I have not been able to avoid the typical pregnancy side effects such as exhaustion, weight gain (while I am proud that I have kept it to 12 lbs so far) and cravings.  My husband also claims that he is having sympathy side effects.  The number one side effect: he has cravings.  It has been a HOT summer all over the country and especially hot here.  We have had almost 40 days over 90 degrees, and even yesterday  we were close to 100.  And what has my husband wanted?  Soup... my mom's cheesy potato soup to be exact.  It has just been too hot for soup.  So when we woke up one Sunday to an unseasonably cool 80 degree day, he said it was time.  See below for one of my (and my husband's) favorite recipes from home.  Thanks mom!

Cheesy Potato Soup


1 large chopped onion
2 chopped celery stalks
3 chopped carrots
7-8 diced potatoes

Put those ingredients in a large stock pot and cover with water.  Take note of how many cups of water it took to cover and add that many cubes of chicken bouillon.  Cover and turn up the heat to bring to a boil.  Give it a stir and turn down the heat to medium-low.  Cover and simmer until your veggies are tender (about 15 minutes).

3 tablespoons of butter
3 tablespoons of flour
1 3/4 cup of milk
12 oz Velveeta cheese (less for less cheesy, more for more cheesy)

In a separate pan, on medium-low heat, melt the butter and mix in the flour.  Add the milk and heat it up, but try not to boil.  Once the mixture is nice and hot add in the Velveeta in small chunks.  Let it melt, stirring occasionally.  I find this process can be done while your veggies are simmering.

Once the veggies are tender, uncover and add the cheesy mixture.  Stir and let it simmer for 20-30 min on very low heat.  Then enjoy!

RECIPE # 2:  Speaking of cravings and my husband, we spent the weekend in Gatlinburg with my family for my birthday at the end of July.  On our way there, we stopped for the night at my parents house for a birthday dinner with family and friends who would not be joining us on our trip.  My mom, the gourmet chef that she is, had prepared a very interesting dessert to pair with some cupcakes from one of my favorite local bakeries.  The traditional cake and ice cream was put to shame by these Caramanda's cupcakes and mom's homemade maple-bacon ice cream.  Yes, bacon and ice cream and it was fabulous.  If that isn' a pregnancy flavor match made in heaven, I don't know what is.  And bacon happens to also be one of my husband's favorite foods.  You are going to want to taste this!

Maple-Bacon Ice Cream
1 cup pure maple syrup 
4 cups half and half
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
5 egg yolks
6 slice of thick sliced bacon (fried very crisp, cooled and chopped into pieces)

In a saucepan add maple syrup and reduce down to approx. 1/2 cup...set aside for later use.

In a medium saucepan, combine half and half with 1/2 cup sugar.  Heat and stir occasionally until bubbles appear around the edges of the pan, do not boil. In a medium bowl beat the egg yolks with 1/2 cup sugar.  Temper the eggs with one cup of the hot half and half mixture, mix well.  Add egg mixture back into pan with remaining half and half.  Cook mixture to 170 degrees while stirring with a wooden spoon.  The custard should coat the back of the spoon.  Do not boil the custard.  Remove from heat and strain though mesh sieve into a bowl.  Whisk in the maple syrup reduction.  Cover surface with wax paper and chill bowl of custard at least 8 hours.  Before adding custard to ice cream freezer, take the final 1/2 cup of sugar and caramelize it in a small saucepan.  Add bacon pieces to caramelized sugar and coat pieces well.  Pour onto parchment lined cookie sheet and let harden.  Break into pieces.  Add custard to freezer and freeze until level of hardness is reached then add in the candied bacon. Place mixture into regular freezer until ready to serve.  Enjoy!!!!!
  

Sip 'n See: Apparently a Southern Tradition

So today I may have come across the most exciting thing I have seen since I found out I was pregnant (granted I have not found out the sex of my baby yet still 16 days).  For those of you who know me, you know that there is nothing I love more than entertaining.  Therefore, when it comes to getting married, having babies or just celebrating day to day life, I live to throw a good get-together. Exhibit A:  I have been dreaming about the 1st birthday party I will throw for this kid since before I was pregnant. On the flip side, I struggle when I am not the planner of these events, so I don't enjoy people throwing me parties nearly as much as I enjoy celebrating others.  Exhibit B:  I am throwing a shower for a good friend of mine on August 13 and I am already ordering invites for her bachelorette in September.  Don't get me wrong, I always enjoy and appreciate when this is done for me (and I don't have a problem begin the center of attention... I am not shy), but it takes all my self-control not to jump in a start helping throw things together.  Sooo you can imagine my surprise when I found out that you can actually throw a big party for this baby before its first birthday.

This phenomenon is called a Sip 'n See and, from what I have read, has been around in the south for quite some time.  Now, all my friends with children live in the cornfield with me, so I have never attended such an event, but I CANNOT wait to host my own... or my child's should I say.  My research shows that basically, this is an open house when people come, have drink, have a snack and swoon over my baby (no gifts of course, baby showers are over).  How can one go wrong with this?  However, I know the fatigue of being a new parent may overwhelm me, so I am already brainstorming simple appetizers that could be an option for this event.  And I can always order dessert from one of my favorite local bakeries:)  So here is one of those easy recipes below.  Even my husband could make this, granted he wouldn't eat it, but you will!  Enjoy!

Brie and Jam Bites


1 refrigerated pie crust
Brie Cheese (cubed)
Your favorite flavored jam (I use raspberry)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Roll out the pie crust and use a small dough cutter to cut into circles.  Press the crust into your pan.  I use a Demarle mini tartlet tray which makes 30, but if you don't have a one of those, use a mini muffin tray (just no need to fill the whole thing and you may also need to grease it).  According to the size of your pan, place a small cube of brie in each crust and then a small dollop of jam.  Bake for about 10-12 minutes and you are all set.  Serve them hot for best taste.

Now this obviously isn't a terribly specific recipe so add an almond or whatever else you think might taste good.  They are bite size, delicious and so easy!

One more thing... you may have noticed from exhibit b above, I think it can be all about the invite.  So in true type A personality fashion, see below for one option I found from one of my favorite websites tickledpinkdesign.net:

Tis the season... for Farmers' Market!

While the Fishers farmers' market has been open for several weeks now, I made my first trip of the season Saturday morning with my friend Lindsay and her toddler, Ms. Kendall.  This is not my first rodeo and over time, I have added a few rules to the Saturday mornings when I plan these outings:

1. Don't eat prior to the farmer's market. While there are many fresh fruits, veggies and flowers, at our farmers' market, there are also many homemade goodies ready for the picking.  This Saturday, I had a fresh soft pretzel for $1 (eat that Auntie Anne's) and an egg roll (don't judge, there is a booth just for homemade egg rolls and homemade sauce).  This does not include the samples of iced mocha, fudge and strawberries that were also consumed in smaller amounts.

2. The cash i bring= how much i will spend.  No matter what amount of cash i bring with me, that is always equal to the amount I will spend.

3. One reusable bag is never enough.  Luckily this week, a local health care provider was handing out free ones to subsidize my need for space.  I mean, when you buy a large bag of kettle corn, it takes up a lot of space.

Now, onto the produce.  I brought home some fabulous apples, potatoes, strawberries and rhubarb.  Which leads me to this weeks recipe: Strawberry and Rhubarb Tartlets with a crumb topping.  Nothing says summer to me like fresh strawberries from a local farm right up the road from us, so I bought 4 lbs... 2 to eat and 2 to cook with.  They also sell rhubarb, so I thought why not spice it up a little.  So there you have it!  The perfect dessert for summer.  Enjoy!

Strawberry and Rhubarb Tartlets with Crumb Topping

For the filling:

3 tablespoons of butter

1/2 cup of brown sugar (divided in half)

1 cup sugar

1 lemon juiced

1 tablespoon of flour2 lbs of strawberries (hulled and sliced up)

1 lb (about 3 large stalks) of rhubarb diced (just the stems, the leaves are lethal)

In a large pan, melt the butter and then add brown sugar, sugar, flour and lemon juice.  Stir until the sugar is dissolved.  Add the rhubarb and cook (stirring occasionally) for about 5-6 min.  Add the strawberries and cook for another 4-5 minutes.  Remove the filling from the heat and let cool.

For the topping:

1 cup of flour

1/2 cup of brown sugar

4 tablespoons of butter

Mix all 3 ingredients together with you hands until it is crumbly.

Now to put it all together:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  I use refrigerated pie crusts to make my life easier, but by all means, if you have a fabulous pie crust recipe, go for it.  I also use my Demarle tartlet tray (which makes 12 small tarts) and dough cutter sized appropriately to cut the dough.  While I suggest you get one of these wonderful pans (wink), you can buy tart shells in the freezer section at the grocery store also, then you wouldn't need the pie crust.  Take your pick, and pour in the the filling leaving a little room for it to bubble.  Sprinkle on a liberal amount of the crumb topping and repeat with the rest of the tartlets.  Bake for 20-25 minutes and then cool.  Serve with vanilla ice cream to make it even better.  Now this will make at least 24 tartlets, so more than one batch. You can also this it as a whole pie, just cook for 45 minutes.