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Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup and Biscuits


What is it about this time of year and a good hearty chicken soup? This is a relatively easy recipe, requires not to much work, and is delicious!  I make this every time I cook a whole chicken.

First things first, your chicken stock.  This is where the crockpot comes in.  I take my left over carcass, with all the left over meat and put it in the fridge.  This is real easy because I usually cook my whole chicken in the crockpot.  The next morning I add water so it is about 2/3 full (it is going to reduce down) and turn it on low. I let it go ALL day.  This is great to do before you leave for work.  But Crystal....I didn't cook a chicken the day before...grab some chicken legs from the freezer or fridge and throw them in the crockpot all day instead of a carcass...same results.  When you get home, or its that time of night for us stay at home folks, put your strainer in your soup pot and pour the entire contents from the crockpot in, pick the meat out and throw it in a bowl...toss the bones and other parts, add the meat to the stock...boom! Instant soup.  And the meat...oh man...so tender it will literally fall off the bones! Now we don't leave it there of course, you need some flavor!

Okay, here's my secret weapon! Farmhouse Long Grain & Wild Rice, herb and butter flavor.....ouch you got me....no crazy concoctions.....some carrots, some celery, a good dab of butter, salt and pepper.... simmer that all together for an hour or so and bing-bang-boom....delicious homemade chicken soup!  Now I know what you're thinking chicken NOODLE soup right....I boil some egg noodles and throw them in about 15 minutes before dinner.  I love to make this as a meal to take to family and friends in need...its so easy to make more or less according to how many you are feeding.

Okay the offical recipe:
Simmering away...looks yummy already!
  • *Chicken stock + the meat (as described above)
  • 2 boxes Farmhouse Long Grain & Wild Rice; Herb and Butter Flavor (or any other boxed rice with a flavor packet)
  • 2-3 carrots sliced
  • 2 stalks celery sliced
  • a big dab of butter
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • A pinch of granulated garlic
  • cooked egg noodles
Once stock is ready all the ingredients except the egg noodles (no one likes soggy noodles).  Simmer for at least one hour, so the flavors can meld together.  Just before serving add egg noodles.  Not to much though!  Voila! Serve with your favorite bread for sopping up the juices!  I love this biscuit recipe.  His directions are phenomenal, and they are delicious!  I also like to serve with home made french bread.  

Hope you enjoy


*If you absolutely do not want to make your own stock...you can buy it at the store, and some canned chicken meat.  I have done this before...it was still pretty good.

Reheating:
The noodles and rice soak up the broth, so add some water when you reheat.

Monday, September 24, 2012

A Plethora of Peaches! (plus a yummy pumpkin spice peach strussle recipe)


One of three boxes!
I love the Nothwest.  We have so much to offer; beautiful scenery, bountiful harvests, the weather is never to 'extreme' save the wildfires here and there.  This time of year, especially this year, is a time of transition for us.  You begin preparing for the winter snows, the frosts, and cold.  This time of year we are busy outside, we go to the 'bluff' to pic fresh ....you name it...apples, peaches, pears, cherries, berries, etc.  I have learned a new art....canning! 
I wound up with 60 lbs of peaches this year! 60 lbs! Not even I can get creative enough to bake all those peaches into some sort of delicious treat.  My girlfriend suggested I invest in a water bath pot, and some jars.  I thought, this will be a great learning experience for my kids.  So off I went to purchase the supplies.  Holy Mooly, a word of advise: NEVER wait until canning season to purchase your supplies.  Even Wal Mart was picked clean.  I managed to find the supplies I needed and headed home to get started.  I researched, made phone calls, even my neighbor came over to give pointers.  You see, I like to know what I am doing before I...well....do.

The girls are eagerly awaiting the first batch of peaches!
It was a learning curve, I wont deny that, and sticky...just plain sticky...partially because my girls "slipped" the peaches for me.  Lots of peachy juiciness running down arms and elbows to the floor below.  Husband wasn't to thrilled with the mess (that is until he later had a chance to try the finished product...now he's hooked). 
I went with a light syrup
  • 1 Cup Sugar to 3 cups water
    • I use organic evaporated cane juice (the big bag from Costco)
                                                                   While the girls slipped I sliced, coated in lemon juice and threw them in the awaiting syrup pot, where I simmered them for 10 minutes, then into the awaiting jars.... I washed my jars ahead of time in the dishwasher and left them in so they stayed warm.  From there into the hot bath for another 20 minutes.  In some jars I sprinkled pumpkin spice seasoning for future pies and crisps.  I happened to make a crisp for breakfast this morning...oh my yummy awesomeness! The pumpkin spice had infused into the peaches, add some cinnamon strussel topping...(recipe below)
All in all we did pretty good.  24 quart jars full to the brim, some frozen slices, and a yummy large crisp.  Good Stuff! 



The "fruit" of our labor....bad pun I know.
Pumpkin Spice Peach Strussel

1 quart canned or fresh sliced peaches (my peaches are already "infused" with the pumpkin spice)
1 tbsp pumpkin spice

topping
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
cinnamon to your liking (I use about 1 1/2 tbsp)
stick of butter

mix the pumpkin spice with your sliced peaches and place in your pan juices and all. Its easiest to just sprinkle it across the top then give it a good toss.
Mix topping, melt butter and pour into topping mixing until wet.  Sprinkle on top of peaches and bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until topping is crunchy. 
Let sit for about 10 minutes and serve!

Thursday, September 20, 2012

First Day of School 2012





Yes, I know what you're saying..'wait, don't you homeschool?' Answer yes, but we also participate in a co-op, where the kids go to school for a full day once a week.  I love it!  They take up to five classes, the offerings are amazing.  From gymnastics to piano, computer labs, science classes, dance, horsemanship, etc.
 I digress....
The kids where so excited they couldn't go to sleep the night before.  Therefore, the next morning, we all had a  hard time getting on our way.
I woke the kids, shoveled food down them and tried to get some adorable pictures.  In a perfect world, it would have went smooth.  This is NOT a perfect world folks.
I was doing S's hair with about 20 min to get all five of us loaded and on the road, I still hadn't taken pictures, I was feeling a bit frantic.  I happened to see a streak of grey fly past my window.  Some how our husky got off his run and was streaking towards the chicken coop, or the horse.  He enjoys harassing both.  I ran outside to call for him and place him back on the run.  In that 3 minute window all hell broke lose!
Look at that pout! All kids have the same exact pout!  It's a family signature!
I came back in to find cereal all over the floor, A1's hair a disaster...she decided to try to do it herself while I was outside and the cherry on top....A2 had found my liquid blush.  He managed to paint one whole half himself.
Now normally I would have waited to get home to clean him up...but today...I had to spend the WHOLE day at the co-op to make sure the girls found their classes.
ACK!
Somehow, amid the chaos I managed to get some pictures in.  We made it up to the co-op with even five minutes to spare! Wooh! We wont discuss my driving that day.
My three girls S, A1, and K.  A1 wore that crown ALL day!
We made it through most of the day without much of a hiccup, until we found.....the worm.
I had taken the A team outside to play because they had been cooped up in the "mom room" most of the day.  I saw this massive worm crawling around the grass so I called them over to look.  You'd have thought it was two birds fighting over a worm.  Another toddler took notice; picture this, keep away...with a worm! Yep!  All you worm lovers....look away...there wasn't much left.
Depsite all that the day went well, the girls love their classes, and we all made it home in one piece.

~Crystal

Friday, September 14, 2012

Crochet Chevron Throw / Crib Blanket Pattern


I am absolutely obsessed with the chevron pattern and the colors yellow, silver, and purple!  Why not put them all together.  With Baby 5 on the way, and not knowing the sex I am busily crocheting away for both boy and girl.  This is the girl blanket I made.  I wanted to make it large enough that, should I have a boy, I can use this as a throw on my couch, since it matches my decor`





  It is made with the Caron Simply Soft yarn so it is super soft and comfy.  I crocheted it in half double so the stitch would be a bit bulkier, which in turn makes the blanket heavier. I started to regret this because a double works up faster but it turned out fabulous!  It took me about 3 weeks to make this.  I have four kids to chase too....There where some days I didn't touch it at all.

 I have included a few helpful links on how to's that go along with this pattern:

I found this video when I was first learning to crochet the chevron pattern, and it is the base for this blanket pattern.

You will also need to know how to: 
What you'll need:
For this particular pattern I used four colors and the Caron Simply Soft Brand:
  • Color A) 5 Skeins Plum Perfect 
    • They now have this as one of their "Eco" yarns so it has a different wrapper on it
    • Michael's did not have this color...I got it at Joannes.
  • Color B) 4 Skeins Heather Grey
  • Color C) 2 Skeins Lemon
  • Color D) 1 Skein White
  • Size H/8 5.00mm crochet hook
The "increase" or 4hdc in same stitch

Pattern:
Chain 244 with D
Row 1:
 4 hdc in third ch, *hdc next 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times (six stitches) (this makes the dips of the chevron), hdc 5 st, 3 hdc in same stitch (this makes the peak of the chevron). repeat * to the end of chain, on last stitch after last 5 hdc, hdc 4 in same stitch, ch 2 turn.
Row 2:
 Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat * to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color A (best to do in the last of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn
Row 3-10
The "decrease" or hdc2tog 3 times
 Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat * to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color D (best to do in the last of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn
Row 11
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat * to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color B (best to do in the last of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn
Row 12-17
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat *  to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color D (best to do in the last of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn
Row 18
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat * to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color C (best to do in the last of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn
 Row:19-22
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat * to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color D (best to do in the last of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn
Row 23
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat* to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color B (best to do in the last of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn
Row 24-29
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat * to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color D (best to do in the last of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn
Row 30
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat * to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color A (best to do in the last of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn
Row 31-38
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat * to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color D (best to do in the last of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn
Row 39
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat * to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color B (best to do in the last of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn
Row 40-45
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat * to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color D (best to do in the last of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn
Row 46
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat * to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color C (best to do in the last of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn
Row 47- 50
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat * to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color D (best to do in the last of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn
 Row 51
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat * to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color B (best to do in the last of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn
Row 52-57
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat * to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color D (best to do in the last of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn
Row 58
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat * to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color A (best to do in the last of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn
Row 59-66
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat * to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color D (best to do in the last of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn
Row 67
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat * to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color B (best to do in the last of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn
Row 68-73
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat * to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color D (best to do in the last of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn
Row 74
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat * to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color C (best to do in the last of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn
Row 75- 78
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat * to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color D (best to do in the last of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn
Row 79
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat * to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color B (best to do in the last of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn
Row 80-85
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat * to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color D (best to do in the last of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn
Row 86
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat * to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color A (best to do in the last of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn
Row 87-94
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat * to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color D (best to do in the last of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn
Row 95-96
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat * to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color D (best to do in the last of the 4 hdc), tie off.

 To edge the blanket slip stitch color D, ch 2 skip one st hdc along edge, ch2 turn hdc along edge to end, slip st to top of first stitch of chevron side to round corner. Do this on both sides.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Liquid Measurments Lesson



Today was an interesting day.  I woke up, soar, grumpy...you know pregnant.  Anyway, after a quick jaunt to my favorite coffee stand, (I was out of creamer this morning) I fueled myself on my daily allotment of caffeine (I am pregnant after all)   in preparation for today's lesson.  Liquid measurements! Oh boy, when the kids saw me bringing buckets of water, measuring cups and glasses out, they where VERY excited!  A quick simple lesson that left an impression on all ages of the family. Is there any better way to learn than hands on?

You will need:
Water

1 gallon sized container (I used glass so they could see the water)
1 quart jar
1 pint jar
measuring cups
An observation sheet (see below)




I made my own observation sheet for the two school age kids to record their findings.  I refuse to pay to convert to PDF so here is what it mainly consisted of (I copied and pasted this from my file):



Fill the containers with water to determine the liquid measurements.
__________cups = _____________ Pint
__________ Pints = _____________ Quart
_________ Quarts = __________ Gallon

Abbreviations:
Cups = C
Pints = Pt.
Quarts = qt.
Gallons = gal 

Write the abbreviations for the following:
·        Two cups equal one pint.

·        Two pints equal one quart.

·        Four quarts equal one gallon.

The lesson itself is simple enough.  How many cups did it take to fill the pint, how many pints for the quart, how many quarts for the gallon.  I let each kid take turns filling them up, and the littles had a blast dumping water....everywhere.  We then went on to learn the abbreviations for the measurements, and rewrote our first observations with the  abbreviations.  I plan to expand this lesson in the following week.  How many pint in a gallon, cups, etc. But this is a great start

Enjoy,
Crystal 

BONUS: afterwards I let them "continue their experiment," and they kept at it for well over an hour!  
~C