Evelyn's Baptism
One week ago today Mr. Evans and I had the privilege of serving as godparents for the baptism of Evelyn Rose Christmas. It was beautiful and we love little Evie so much!
Strawberry Freezer Jam
Ingredients:
2 cups crushed fresh strawberries
4 cups sugar
1 (1.75 oz) package dry pectin
3/4 cup water
1. Mix crushed strawberries with sugar, and let stand for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, stir the pectin into the water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, and boil for 1 minute. Stir the boiling water into the strawberries. Allow to stand for 3 minutes before pouring into jars.
2. Place tops on jars and leave for 24 hours. Place into freezer and store frozen until ready to use.
* P.S. I've never made this recipe before, so I can't say it's a slam dunk of a recipe. I just wanted to experiment.
2 cups crushed fresh strawberries
4 cups sugar
1 (1.75 oz) package dry pectin
3/4 cup water
1. Mix crushed strawberries with sugar, and let stand for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, stir the pectin into the water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, and boil for 1 minute. Stir the boiling water into the strawberries. Allow to stand for 3 minutes before pouring into jars.
2. Place tops on jars and leave for 24 hours. Place into freezer and store frozen until ready to use.
* P.S. I've never made this recipe before, so I can't say it's a slam dunk of a recipe. I just wanted to experiment.
Garden Suggestions
Our lovely home. :)
I'm starting to think about planting a small garden. But, I need help! Last year, we planted a little herb garden of basil, thyme, cilantro and flat leaf parsley. It was successful, but now we'd like to add on a bit.
Tomatoes? Garlic? What other suggestions do you have for easy, low maintenance, high volume gardening? Nothing crazy! I'm hoping to purchase and plant this week.
I'm starting to think about planting a small garden. But, I need help! Last year, we planted a little herb garden of basil, thyme, cilantro and flat leaf parsley. It was successful, but now we'd like to add on a bit.
Tomatoes? Garlic? What other suggestions do you have for easy, low maintenance, high volume gardening? Nothing crazy! I'm hoping to purchase and plant this week.
Preggo Snack Mix
I need a little something to satisfy my sweet and salty snacking. Here's what I devised. I recommend keeping a little Ziploc baggie with you at all times. :)
For my mix I used peanuts, Cheerios, dark chocolate chips and raisins. However, I also think craisins and white chocolate chips would make nice additions.
For my mix I used peanuts, Cheerios, dark chocolate chips and raisins. However, I also think craisins and white chocolate chips would make nice additions.
Rhubarb Kuchen
On this beautiful spring evening, I baked Rhubarb Kuchen. Finally, after our cold weather, it's in season!! And, although I don't have a plant yet (can you believe it?), I borrow from my Grandpa and my parents. My mom already made a rhubarb custard dessert last weekend that was very yummy.
I picked this recipe from my Grandma Lorraine's recipe clippings. When she passed away, my mom and I sorted through boxes of recipe clippings and organized them into categories. About 100 were for rhubarb, go figure! :) Since we never make the same rhubarb recipe twice (with so many to choose from, how could you?), here's the most recent recipe. It's super easy and can be made with ingredients you'll have just around the kitchen.
Crust:
1 c. flour
5 T powdered sugar
1/2 c. butter
Filling:
2-1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. flour
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp nutmeg
3/4 tsp salt
4 eggs, beaten
4 c. chopped rhubarb
Mix crust ingredients and press into 9x13" pan. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Mix filling ingredients except rhubarb, beat. Cut rhubarb fine and add to mixture. Place on hot dough and return to hot oven and bake for additional 35-45 minutes.
I picked this recipe from my Grandma Lorraine's recipe clippings. When she passed away, my mom and I sorted through boxes of recipe clippings and organized them into categories. About 100 were for rhubarb, go figure! :) Since we never make the same rhubarb recipe twice (with so many to choose from, how could you?), here's the most recent recipe. It's super easy and can be made with ingredients you'll have just around the kitchen.
Crust:
1 c. flour
5 T powdered sugar
1/2 c. butter
Filling:
2-1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. flour
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp nutmeg
3/4 tsp salt
4 eggs, beaten
4 c. chopped rhubarb
Mix crust ingredients and press into 9x13" pan. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Mix filling ingredients except rhubarb, beat. Cut rhubarb fine and add to mixture. Place on hot dough and return to hot oven and bake for additional 35-45 minutes.
Apricot Glazed Ham with Potatoes and Asparagus
Looking for a super quick dinner? Here's a great option option with leftovers as a bonus! Nothing fancy, but we love leftovers for Mr. Evans' lunches.
Click here for the recipe.
Click here for the recipe.
Little Flower Soaps
My SIL Carla has recently started a new business - Little Flower Soaps. Her products are all natural, homemade and smell fantastic! She sells at local farmer's markets, but I'm sure would love to take orders via email (I erased her phone number so it's not published for the world). :)
The "Orange Gardner's Bar" below is made with ground cornmeal so it has a nice exfoliating quality. The products come highly recommended.
The "Orange Gardner's Bar" below is made with ground cornmeal so it has a nice exfoliating quality. The products come highly recommended.
Update from the Evans Household
So, I know it's been a while since my last post. Our internet capabilities were non-existent for about week. But, thanks to my tech savvy father, we're back in business.
Sine I last posted, the following has happened or is happening:
- the nursery renovation is underway
- my nesting has extended to our master bedroom, so this redecorating project is also underway
- Mr. Evans competed in a mini triathlon in our town and WON
- we've attended two weddings, one in Green Bay, the other in small town Illinois
- Mr. Evans attended his godson Ethan's 4th birthday party at Miller Park
- we celebrated Mother's Day at Harbor House in Milwaukee
- we celebrated our friend Kerri's engagement
- both Mr. Evans and I have both been feeling little girl Evans moving like crazy in my belly!
Needless to say, we're lucky to have such great things going on! :) Here are a few photos of the bump as of late.
Sine I last posted, the following has happened or is happening:
- the nursery renovation is underway
- my nesting has extended to our master bedroom, so this redecorating project is also underway
- Mr. Evans competed in a mini triathlon in our town and WON
- we've attended two weddings, one in Green Bay, the other in small town Illinois
- Mr. Evans attended his godson Ethan's 4th birthday party at Miller Park
- we celebrated Mother's Day at Harbor House in Milwaukee
- we celebrated our friend Kerri's engagement
- both Mr. Evans and I have both been feeling little girl Evans moving like crazy in my belly!
Needless to say, we're lucky to have such great things going on! :) Here are a few photos of the bump as of late.
Bump at 22 weeks
Bump at 23 weeks
Mini Hiatus
I've been on hiatus for a bit now. Unfortunately, we've been having computer/modem/wireless issues. We've also had multiple weddings and lots of fun with friends! I'll post some new photos of the growing bump this week.
Talk to you all soon!
Talk to you all soon!
Chocolate Cupcakes and Peanut Butter Icing
I haven't really had any cravings yet, per se. You would think for being almost 23 weeks along I would be hungry for something! However, these were pretty tasty! Dessert from our Game Night was Chocolate Cupcakes and Peanut Butter Icing, by none other than Ina. Here is a quick link to the fantastic recipe from her Barefoot at Home cookbook. Seriously, they are decadent but a crowd pleaser!
Game Night
Last week Saturday, Mr. Evans and I hosted our traditional family game night. My cousin Melissa and husband Dave, cousin Dana and fiance Jeff, and cousin Mike and wife Kala and baby Evelyn (our goddaughter) came over for dinner, drinks and fun! We played Balderdash and Cranium Hoopla before and after dinner. We love it!
Appetizers:
Homemade Ranch Pretzels and Mango Salsa with Tortilla Chips (the guys were golfing all afternoon, so they needed sustenance)
Dinner:
Grilled Asparagus
Salad with Creamy Meyer Lemon Dressing
Adapted from Bobby Flay's Grill It Cookbook
- Ingredients: Mesclun greens, cherry tomatoes, sliced mushrooms, garbanzo beans, hothouse cucumber
- Dressing: Mix the following in a Mason jar and shake - 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (Meyer, if not add 1 T fresh orange juice), 1 T red wine vinegar, 2 tsp honey, 1 T mayo, 2 tsp dijon mustard, 1 tsp whole grain mustard, 1/2 extra virgin olive oil and kosher salt and pepper.
Open Faced Steak Sandwiches on Crusty Bread with Provolone, Caramelized Onions and Parsley Oil
- Adapted from Bobby Flay's Grill It Cookbook
- Parsley Oil: Can be made ahead. Mix together 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley and 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil in small bowl and season with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper.
- Caramelized Onions: Can be made ahead. Heat 2 T unsalted butter and 2 T olive oil in a large saute pan (I used my Le Creuset). Add 3 large Spanish onions (peeled, halved and thinly sliced), stirring occasionally about 35 minutes until soft. Add 1 T good balsamic vinegar and season with salt and pepper.
- For meat, can use either boneless rib-eye steak or beef tenderloin. I used tenderloin since we were serving eight. Grill or roast and thinly slice for sandwiches.
- To assemble, place slides of provolone on top of grilled pieces of crusty bread that has been seasoned with oil and grilled. On top of bread/cheese, add some of the onions and a few slices of beef. Drizzle with parsley oil.
- Enjoy!
Dessert:
Cupcakes (Yummy recipe posted tomorrow)
Appetizers:
Homemade Ranch Pretzels and Mango Salsa with Tortilla Chips (the guys were golfing all afternoon, so they needed sustenance)
Dinner:
Grilled Asparagus
Salad with Creamy Meyer Lemon Dressing
Adapted from Bobby Flay's Grill It Cookbook
- Ingredients: Mesclun greens, cherry tomatoes, sliced mushrooms, garbanzo beans, hothouse cucumber
- Dressing: Mix the following in a Mason jar and shake - 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (Meyer, if not add 1 T fresh orange juice), 1 T red wine vinegar, 2 tsp honey, 1 T mayo, 2 tsp dijon mustard, 1 tsp whole grain mustard, 1/2 extra virgin olive oil and kosher salt and pepper.
Open Faced Steak Sandwiches on Crusty Bread with Provolone, Caramelized Onions and Parsley Oil
- Adapted from Bobby Flay's Grill It Cookbook
- Parsley Oil: Can be made ahead. Mix together 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley and 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil in small bowl and season with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper.
- Caramelized Onions: Can be made ahead. Heat 2 T unsalted butter and 2 T olive oil in a large saute pan (I used my Le Creuset). Add 3 large Spanish onions (peeled, halved and thinly sliced), stirring occasionally about 35 minutes until soft. Add 1 T good balsamic vinegar and season with salt and pepper.
- For meat, can use either boneless rib-eye steak or beef tenderloin. I used tenderloin since we were serving eight. Grill or roast and thinly slice for sandwiches.
- To assemble, place slides of provolone on top of grilled pieces of crusty bread that has been seasoned with oil and grilled. On top of bread/cheese, add some of the onions and a few slices of beef. Drizzle with parsley oil.
- Enjoy!
Dessert:
Cupcakes (Yummy recipe posted tomorrow)
Little Evelyn (Evie) sleeping on Dave's shoulder. Dave, are you sure you want to move to NC? ;)
A quick snapshot of dinner. It tasted much much better than it looks!
Family!
This Is It
I came across this quote today and had to share. I think it is powerful.
“Let it never be forgotten that glamour is not greatness, applause is not fame, prominence is not eminence, the man of the hour is not apt to be the man of the ages, a stone may sparkle but that does not make it a diamond, and man may have money, but that does not make him a success. It is what the unimportant do that really counts and determines the course of history. The greatest forces in the universe are never spectacular. Summer showers are more effective than hurricanes, but they get no publicity. The world would soon die but for the fidelity, loyalty and consecration of those whose names are unhonored and unsung.” - Dr. Joseph R. Sizoo
First, it makes me think about all of the unsung heroes of our world. I am so thankful for those who keep our country safe, those who dedicate their lives to the marginalized and underserved, and people work and live without any credit. I firmly believe that everybody has a story. Everyone has purpose.
Second, the quote reminds me to meditate on how I, in my own life, am centered, motivated and aware of my own purpose. Too often in life, I forget - this is it. Today, not tomorrow or yesterday. I have a beautiful life and I am so lucky to have the friends, family, husband and little (pre)baby Evans that I do. I hope you, too, feel important and lucky in life. You deserve it. :)
Source of photo, here.
“Let it never be forgotten that glamour is not greatness, applause is not fame, prominence is not eminence, the man of the hour is not apt to be the man of the ages, a stone may sparkle but that does not make it a diamond, and man may have money, but that does not make him a success. It is what the unimportant do that really counts and determines the course of history. The greatest forces in the universe are never spectacular. Summer showers are more effective than hurricanes, but they get no publicity. The world would soon die but for the fidelity, loyalty and consecration of those whose names are unhonored and unsung.” - Dr. Joseph R. Sizoo
First, it makes me think about all of the unsung heroes of our world. I am so thankful for those who keep our country safe, those who dedicate their lives to the marginalized and underserved, and people work and live without any credit. I firmly believe that everybody has a story. Everyone has purpose.
Second, the quote reminds me to meditate on how I, in my own life, am centered, motivated and aware of my own purpose. Too often in life, I forget - this is it. Today, not tomorrow or yesterday. I have a beautiful life and I am so lucky to have the friends, family, husband and little (pre)baby Evans that I do. I hope you, too, feel important and lucky in life. You deserve it. :)
Source of photo, here.
If you crochet...
can you make me these (see here)? Pretty please. :) How cute would they be for next winter with little baby Evans?
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