Flowbee (116:365)

My mom and step dad recently sent us a Flowbee.

You remember those things, right?

It's basically a vacuum with blades that cuts your hair.

Works for boys, men and grandmas, according to the pictures in the manual.

Well, you need to be able to hook it to your own vacuum to get the suction for hair cutting, and our vacuum is currently out of commission. It is clogged and I haven't been brave enough yet, or remembered to tackle it while Goose is asleep, so that's why our carpet is gross, for those of you who have recently seen my house and felt repulsed.

Anyway, Scott didn't realize that we needed to use our own vacuum for the Flowbee until he'd spent 30 minutes trying to figure it out (why don't boys read instruction manuals? but I digress...) so that is why you will not be seeing a real Flowbee haircut on here tonight. You won't be seeing one until I get that dang vacuum unclogged. Anyone a wiz at that and want to come fix mine? I'll make you something delicious...

(P.S. I hope Scott looks as cool as that guy "Rick", as stated on the image info, when we are done with him!)

Buttons and Stew (115:365)

I have a problem with fabric stores.

They steal all my money.

I go in with an idea and come out with enough stuff for 10 ideas, and then only get 1/2 of an idea completed sometime the next month.

It's bad.

I am currently in Step 1 of the correction of this problem:

Admittance.

Now, on to the spoils!

Today I had some "Mommy Alone and Shopping Time" and while out I found some super cute fabric that will become fabric covered button bookmarks for my up and coming first craft bazaar (which I will keep promoting until it's over because it is helping me to remember to DO something to get ready).

So, I worked on those today and we tried a new recipe from the trusty BGH cookbook called Chicken Stew with Cornmeal Dumplings which was liked by Scott and sort of liked by Dee. I liked it too. It was creamy and the texture of the dumplings was nice (and they had cheese in them, so that was a bonus). 

Since it is Daylight Savings, do you think my kids are going to wake up an hour early tomorrow? I used to LOVE to Fall Back, but now I think I'm not going to like it anymore.

Sleep and me are buddies.

If I had any advice for teens that want babies it is this, YOU WILL NEVER GET A FULL NIGHTS SLEEP AGAIN UNTIL YOU ARE 50! 

Unless you are stern and make your kids sleep 12 hours a night like we do. 

They love it though...

Sneaky Chicken Nuggests (114:365)

I mostly (because some of the recipes are too healthy/"sneaky" for the likes of me) like the cookbook Deceptively Delicious that was written by Jerry Seinfeld's wife. Also, her all-knowing tone is kind of irritating too, but that issue is for another day.
I use the Banana Bread recipe from her book all the time and we love it.

Today I made a Chicken Nuggets recipe from that cookbook for the first time and everyone loved it! On her own, without any questioning, Dee said that they nuggets were "really good", and Scott also declared the same. I read reviews online where everyone that used the broccoli puree said it was a nightmare and didn't work well at all. I like the sweet potato in baby food jars because it is easy and fast!

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs (or panko) 
• 1/2 cup flax seed meal
• 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 cup broccoli or 1 cup spinach or 1 cup sweet potatoes or 1 cup beet, puree
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or 1 lb chicken tenders, rinsed, dried and cut into small chunks
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• nonstick cooking spray
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

1. In a bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, flaxseed meal, Parmesan, paprika, garlic and onion powder on the paper or foil and mix well with your fingers.
2. In a shallow bowl, mix the vegetable puree and egg with a fork and set the bowl next to the breadcrumb mixture.
3. Sprinkle the chicken chunks with the salt. Dip the chunks into the egg mixture and then toss them in the breadcrumbs until completely coated.
4. Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and set over medium-high heat. When the skillet is hot, add the oil.
5.  Place the chicken nuggets in the skillet in a single layer, being careful not to crowd the pan, and cook until crisp and golden on one side, 3 to 4 minutes.
6.  Turn and cook until the chicken is cooked through, golden brown and crisp all over, 4 to 5 minutes longer. (Cut through a piece to check that it's cooked through.) Serve warm.

 

What I did:

I used panko breadcrumbs, not whole wheat.

  

I didn't add any Parmesan Cheese because I wanted to be able to dip the nuggets into a Tikka Masala dip and a Thai Sweet Chili dip. Both went really well with the nuggets and made them seem a little more grown up.

 

For the egg and veggie wash mixture I used Sweet Potato (baby food puree in a jar!) since we have TONS of those right now.
Honestly I sneak baby food veggies into all kinds of recipes and no one (usually) notices. I've used the Sweet Potatoes in pancakes (with added brown sugar), Carrots in a Quinoa Chile, and would put Carrots into a Spaghetti Sauce too. It's all about hiding the healthy stuff in a way that no one notices the extra veggies they are getting. I've also seen pureed veggies in the freezer section at Costco and Target, stuff like beets and spinach, that would be a good thing to have on hand as well.

Oh, anyone else excited for Trader Joe's? I seriously think about it a few times a day! I know that I am super obsessed right now, but I can't help it! I'm totally going next weekend to one that is opening over an hour away. Boo-ya! 

Craftin' Up A Storm (113:365)

Making more fabric covered button crafts today for the upcoming bazaar.

Here is one of my favorites.

Don't mind the terrible hair. Eeesh!

Roller Skating like it was 1989 (112:365)

Now, I'm not positive, because I have a TERRIBLE memory, but I don't think I've roller skated at a roller rink since the 80's. Tonight our church youth group went skating for our weekly activity. As a leader, I felt a little goofy and afraid that I would break my arm or something in front of everyone.

I was a bit shaky the first couple of times around the rink, but then I got my "skate legs" back and rocked it grown up style. I dodged kids that were dropping like flies in front of me, stared at the weirdo's that probably live at the rink, and felt bad for the people who worked there.

Yeah, I think skating is just as nerdy as it was the last time I went, but it was also just as fun. 

And, they didn't do a snowball, so there was no awkward hugging of the carpeted wall.

El Pato Deliciousness (111:365)

 

This + a Roast + 7 hours in a crockpot on low = AMAZING!

After cooking, shred up the meat and let it soak up the juices for a little while. Then eat it in a tortilla au natural. Don't put anything on it, just let the meat and seasonings do their thing.

I have to send a shout out to Scott's aunt Rea for introducing this delicacy to our family.

P.S. My favorite way to eat this is chopped up on some nachos.

I'm salivating just typing about it.

Dee Makes Jewelry (110:365)

Dee is apparently quite dextrous.

She is able to string beads onto a thin elastic string all by herself!
I have a little creative girl.