Recipes: Best & Worst of 2011

Remember this post where I was talking about being in a recipe rut, and how I had added some new links to my blog page of sites that looked like fun? Well, that plus the advent of Pinterest has rocked my recipe world. I have found some really great--and some truly terrible-- recipes this year. So, here I am to be a pal and share the love. Call it a "thanks!" for voting in my hair poll. Before we begin, I must say that I am fully willing to concede that the foods under my "worst" heading may be there because I made a mistake while preparing--or maybe my taste buds are just different from yours; in any case, don't be offended if one of your favorites landed there. I also apologize for lack of pictures. But I'm giving you links to pictures! That's almost as good, right?

Worst First:

1. Simplest Homemade Spaetzle: I LOVE spaetzle. If you've never had it, it's a lovely eggy German noodle dish, often served with a brown gravy or with herbs. When done correctly, this is one of those foods that just hits the spot; it's filling and comforting and all that is joyous. I have attempted to make this several times at home using different boxed foods, and one day found this recipe on Smitten Kitchen. Well. It was terrible. Not a bit better than the awful boxed stuff; wreaked havoc on my kitchen and took forever to make. Good thing Siegfried's is here or I'd never get some decent spaetzle.

2. Sour Cream Enchiladas: People raved about these! I felt they tasted fine but they required a lot of work, and I found the flavor just average. Another recipe that made a mess in my kitchen (Note: when I say this, I am not trying to pass of my negligence in keeping my workspace clean; the spaetzle dripped batter and splashed water everywhere; these enchiladas got grease and other things every where from splattering in the pan).

3. Sliced Baked Potatoes: Again, not a lot of pay off for a lot of work; it was difficult to slice so thin so close to the bottom of the potatoes without cutting all the way through--and in the end, it just tasted like chips. Would have been faster to slice thin sheets with a mandoline, then fry, salt, and pepper.

Now some winners! (in no particular order):

1. Penne a la Betsy: I omit the shrimp because I live inland and therefore in fear of too-fishy fish. But, listen. It's pasta; it's cream; it's tomatoes; it's white wine. It's simple, elegant, and crazy-delicious.

2. Tomato Soup: If you, like me, can't stand Campbell's, this is for you. Savory and simple, it's the perfect mate to your grilled cheese sandwich. Would be lovely if you added some cream and/or cooking sherry.

3. Bran Muffins: With butter and honey, I guarantee these will end up being a favorite. This recipe makes a ton. I make the whole recipe and freeze some in freezer bags and pull them out occasionally so I don't have to do the work for a few months. Also, you know, ahem. They keep you going. Give them to your toddler with something warm to drink.

4. Chocolate Cut-Out Cookies: Maybe they taste so good because they're in the shape of Darth Vader's head and your inner nerd finds endless joy in defeating this most evil of villains. But I'm fairly certain it ALSO has something to do with the fact that they're basically fudge shortbread cookies. Sigh. I think it's time to make these again. It wouldn't be Christmas without doing my part to take down the Empire.

5. Outrageous Brownies: You can use a coffee substitute, or even a coffee-flavored syrup, like the ones Torani makes. You don't actually taste the coffee; it just serves as a chocolate enhancer. To that end, I also recommend hazelnut flavoring in lieu of the coffee. YUM.

6. Easy Chicken Marsala: I'm actually making this--again--for dinner tonight.

7. Chicken Broccoli Supreme: I think her directions are somewhat confusing, but if you've made a casserole before, chances are, you'll be able to navigate this just fine. This one was probably the biggest hit with the hubs.

Poll: Hair Me Out

First thing to know about me as a gal-pal: I can never decide what I want to do with my hair, and generally resort to going around my circle of friends to gather a general opinion. I don't really think I'm vain; I think I'm really bad at imagining things. If I go shopping for home decor or an accessory to a specific outfit, I need to bring along a swatch or picture for guidance; my memory is just not accurate in figuring these kinds of things out. I also lack the ability to stand right in front of a mirror and imagine myself with a different hair cut/color. And so, dear friends, I'm asking you to indulge me--and warning you it's not likely to be the last time. I have provided some photos of the current state of my hair, which I have been trying to grow out for a while now. Going to be adding a few more layers in a couple weeks.

I know I want to do something with the color, but cannot decide what. Once I'm all decided I want to go blonde, I remember my lifelong desire to be a brunette as well as the guilty voice in my head for turning my back on my naturally reddish strands. In short, I am overwhelmed by the possibilities. And so, it's up to you, dear, dear, indulgent friends. Please help me decide my next hair direction. It should be noted emphatically that I do not think a hair transformation will make me look like Julianne Moore, Natalie Portman, or one of the Olsen twins. We're just talking color here, folks. Help a girl out! So, here are your options. Please vote in my fancy little poll off to the right, and feel free to add your thoughts to the comments section below.

Option 1: Stay true to my red roots by weaving in a couple shades of reds/auburns into my natural shade.

Option 2: Playing up my natural highlights by weaving in a few shades of blonde.

Option 3: Complete overhaul: Dying hair a medium brown and weaving in a lowlight and a highlight.

Option 4: Leave the color alone; just get a new cut (if this is your vote, I require you to leave a comment letting me know what kind of cut you have in mind.

I certainly appreciate your help!

The Haps, December 2011

I write a lot about motherhood and the kiddos' personal development, but very rarely do I record what we've been up to. And since this blog is the only journal I have time to keep right now, here's what we've done the last several months.

*A trip to Higg & Pop-Pop's in Washington, pre Ada (May?)

*Meeting Sarah Dessen, one of my hero YA writers (April?)

*Meeting my nephew Asher! (May)

*Got a new kitchen table & light fixture over table (don't even remember when)

*Chris & W got to go to a family reunion so W could hang out with the California & Texas Tingeys, whom he rarely sees (July)

*Gave birth to the sweetest baby girl on the planet (July)

*Learned how to comb W's hair so it doesn't stick straight up (spray wax, folks--who'd have thought?)

*Lots of walks to the library (after Ada was born--definitely NOT the type to walk several blocks uphill in July at 8+ months pregnant). W got his first library card (and late fees...).

*Walks to the B Street park to play on the swings (July/August)

*Having some of the foreign exchange students from Chris's classes over for dinner (September)

*Attending the beautiful wedding of my dear, dear friend, Whitney; first time inside Manti temple. (July?)

*Renovating entryway/bathroom (October)

*Hosting Halloween party (October)

*Countless trips to Lowe's, the zoo, and Costco

*Finally, FINALLY deciding on and buying a double stroller (was this process agonizing for anyone else? There is no such thing as the perfect double stroller; I am happy to say, however, that I'm in love with what I got! In many ways I like it better than my single!)

*Going to a new ward since the ward boundaries within the stake were redrawn.

*Lots of visits from my parents and Chris's parents

*Christmas lights at the zoo

Ada, 5 months + Some Pics

I can't believe how quickly time is going by with this tiny girl. She is just about the sweetest little thing you'll ever meet.

I decided that once a month I'm going to sit at the computer and take some pics with the kiddos using the built-in camera. Who is it that's always snapping pics of the family? The Mama. Who remembers to take pictures of the Mama? No one. So just so my children don't think I was never around during their young years, I'm going to plop them down here with me and kiss on them and make silly faces, so that there is SOME kind of documentation of me in their lives. And so there is some documentation of my life, period. So here are Ada's 5 month pics (a couple days late) along with her Mama. It must be said: Not all the pictures turned out this nicely. In about half of them, she is pulling my hair really, really hard and I am wincing in pain. I guess she likes the waves; I hardly have the time to do it this way because I have a ton of hair. But apparently it's a big hit with the under 1 crowd.

(I edited this on picnik.com. They had a seasonal feature called "winterize," which is the effect you see on this photo. Kinda funky, but fun and festive.)

*Tries so hard to sit up and stand (!) on her own

*Hair has turned a bit blonder

*Has accumulated quite the assemblage of nicknames, including: Sweet Cheeks (from Chris), Sweetie/Sweetheart (from me), Sweet Dreams (from W), ladybug, cupcake, lovebug (my nickname as a wee one), Miss Ada (W does not like this one. I say, "Hello, there, Miss Ada!" W says, "That is NOT Miss Ada. That is ADA." Ok, little man, calm down), baby girl, baby sister, etc., etc.

*Is really, really (really) interested in trying our food. You should have seen her at our building's Christmas party tonight; she eyed every forkful from Chris's plate to his mouth and tried a few times to intercept it

*Has mostly gotten used to tummy time

*Rolls in all directions

*Scoots/spins around on her back

*Likes to watch SuperWhy with W (I'm a horrible mother; she's 5 months old and already loves TV; cringe)

*You must look at her at all times while she is awake. Lack of staring in her direction will result in tantrums. Tangent: They say babies can not be spoiled. They say babies don't throw tantrums. Well, "they" have never met my children. I'm not saying this is malicious/bad behavior, but both my children as babies have had a deep need to be stared at all the time. I think it has to do with this stage of babyhood. It's like they're thinking, "Hey. I'm stuck here laying on my back all day long. The least you could do is look at me and entertain me." It makes sense. It also makes me a little bit crazy. As soon as W could sit up by himself, he became very independent during his play time (and still is); here's hoping Ada follows the same pattern.