Choppin’ Away

January 30, 2012 1 Comment

So like 506 years ago, I bought the Pampered Chef food chopper thingy, because it was the “must have” Pampered Chef item at that time.  And I can honestly say that up until this weekend, I was TOTALLY unimpressed with it and wouldn’t have recommended it to my dog.

There were many reasons for my lack o’ food chopper love.  One was that it seemed like an awful lot of parts to clean, especially when I could just grab my knife and keep it simple.  And I really do like chop, chop, chopping things up by hand.  It’s kind of therapeutic.  And I like to practice my knife skills (which are scary and totally unprofessional) that I’ve picked up watching random shows on the Food Network.  ;)

But this weekend changed my feelings toward my chopper.   Here’s the scoop.

I made cranberry nut bread on Saturday, and had to chop up the cranberries.  Only I had a heck of a time keeping the cranberries from rolling all around on the cutting board.  So in an attempt to avoid cutting off one of my digits, I decided pulled the dreaded chopper out of the cupboard and used it on the cranberries.

BUT I used it the way that I had seen Michael Symon (LOVE Michael Symon!!)  use it on The Chew…I used it without the little base that goes with it.  So I placed the cranberries on my cutting board and just chopped away at them that way, and it was wonderful!  Amazing!  Perfection!   I was afraid it had been a fluke experience, so I decided to try that method to chop up the nuts for the bread, as well.  Again…fabulous!  Fantastic!  Magical!

I pondered the reason why this method of use worked so much better for me than the normal method, and I came up with two reasons.

  1. Normally you’re chopping against the little rubbery base (if you have the Pampered Chef chopper).  I don’t think the blades give a very clean cut against the rubbery base.  That’s one reason I hated using it…I’d chop and chop and chop and food didn’t get chopped cleanly and was all clumped together after beating the heck out of the chopper.  Super annoying and seemed like a waste of time AND energy.
  2. I also really disliked emptying out the chopper.  It was a hassle to have to take off the base, empty it, refill it, and so on.  Chopping against the cutting board was way easier.  This way you just chop along the cutting board and move the chopper along when you’re ready for the next batch of food to be chopped.  There’s no emptying it, or scraping food off the rubbery base, or any of that.  Totally saves a step, in my opinion.

I used the chopper again last night to chop up carrots, peanuts, and water chestnuts for lettuce wraps, just to see if I still enjoyed chopping food with this new method.

Yep.  Still loved it.

So I have a new appreciation for my chopper.  I don’t hate it anymore.  It’s been officially removed from my “to be auctioned off on eBay” list.  Yay!

Filed Under: Cooking

Random Post o’ the Week

January 26, 2012 Leave a Comment
  • Jon is going on a hunting trip this weekend with his BFF.  He asked me how Abby and I would survive without him for two days when we couldn’t even make it a couple of hours earlier in the week.  I rolled my eyes at him, but I am secretly wondering the same thing.
  • I will say that I have really been enjoying every bite of the leftover Chinese food, however.  Enjoying it so much, in fact, that I MAY be brave enough to try it again this weekend…but I will use a different pan to attempt avoiding another catastrophe.  And my child will NOT be eating apple bits while I cook.
  • Ummm, so it seems that formula dirty diapers (as opposed to breast milk dirty diapers) are a LOT stinkier.  My gag reflex has been triggered so many times in the past few days that it makes me want to give up cloth-diapering.  Thank goodness for that diaper sprayer.
  • I used a deep-conditioning treatment on my hair in the shower this am, and am now realizing that there is a small little section that I apparently didn’t get washed out.  It’s oily and yucky and driving me crazy, and I want to leave work and go home just to re-wash my hair.  Blech.
  • There are some major sales going on right now.  Abby and I went on a bargain-hunting shopping spree on Tuesday.  We really scored at Old Navy.  I found 5 tops (for myself), and 3 t’s, a sweater, and 3 pairs of pants for Abby, all for $40.  Not too shabby.
  • My boss has been whistling “If I Only Had A Brain” all morning, which means it is now stuck in my head indefinitely.  Thanks, boss.
Filed Under: Rambles and Thoughts

Spring Fever. Already.

January 25, 2012 2 Comments

Every year in February/March, I start to really get spring fever. I think it’s hitting me early this year.

Our winter here in central Nebraska has been non-existent so far. Not much snow in these here parts, which I will admit is appreciated when I have to be out and about with baby in tow. But it really kind of bums me out, because I love nothing more than hunkering down in the cozy house on a snowy day. Love, love, love it. Miss, miss, miss it.

We’ve had lots of warm-ish days this winter. And lately we’ve had some colder days, but cold days just make me long for snow even more. Cold with no snow = miserable. No fun.

So since winter is letting me down big time this year, I’ve started planning for spring early.

That translates to: I have started dreaming about my garden.

I’ve been getting seed catalogues in the mail, which I love to look through and shop from. I could spend a fortune on plants and seeds and trees. I think that may make me sound like a nerd, but it’s oh-so-true.

I think my garden dreams are even more…dreamy…this year because I didn’t do one at all last year, being sidetracked with a new kid and all. But this year I am back and I need to get a game plan in order, because I am really, really considering the idea of doing some smaller raised bed rather than using the regular garden plot, at least for some veggies.

Talking my hubby into building raised beds for me will also take time, so I’d better get started planting those seeds sooner rather than later. ;)

I’ve been tossing around the idea of using the ol’ garden plot for low-maintenance crops like potatoes, carrots, melons and pumpkins, and then doing raised beds for tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and whatever else suits my fancy this year.

Any of you ever try raised beds? Any advice to share with a newbie? It’d be much appreciated for sure! I’m finding lots of ideas on Pinterest, but firsthand knowledge is always helpful!

Filed Under: Home and Garden

Burns, Choking, and Knives: Suppertime at Our House

January 24, 2012 4 Comments

Jon called Monday afternoon and said he was going to go to the big city with his BFF (only he’s too manly to call Bill his BFF, but it’s totally true). So I decided it would be the perfect night to sneak some Chinese food into the house and enjoy it while watching the sure-to-be-a-train-wreck GOP debate. I picked up Abby from Tresia’s, grabbed some sweet and sour chicken and fried rice from the grocery store freezer section, and headed for home.

I put Abby in her chair and threw the Chinese food into a skillet and slapped it into the oven to warm up while I was feeding her.

I grabbed an apple for Abby, and chopped up some little pieces for her to chew on.

What happens next is like, bing-bang-boom. SUPER fast and ridiculous.

The timer went off, so I yanked the pan out of the oven. Grabbed a spoon to stir it around and make sure every piece was amply covered in that yummy red sauce. Turned back to pan and automatically grabbed the handle. And I heard skin sizzling, folks. Sizzling hand. HOT. Not good.

Ran to sink. Cold water asap. Looked at my child in the dining room, and she was trying to cough but couldn’t. Tongue hanging out. No sound coming out. Choking on apple. Left sink, pounded on her back like you wouldn’t believe until about 9 apple pieces came flying out.

Made mental note to better monitor her food intake as I clutched her little body in a h-u-g-e bear hug, thanking the Lord for freeing those little apple pieces.

Kissed her little cheeks.

Put her back in her chair.

Ran back to sink for cold water relief on the hand.

Looked back at Abby, who had grabbed the paring knife from the table (used to cut up the apple) and had one fist wrapped around blade and the other fist wrapped around the handle.

Ran to grab knife. No blood. Thanks again, Lord!!

Took Abby out of chair and put her in barricaded living room with her toys until I was done pouring cold water on my fist, where she fell on her head approximately 17 times.

I quit.

No more “girls night in” for these two for a long time. We need our man in the house to ensure a safe evening, apparently.

Filed Under: Baby, Rambles and Thoughts

How Did She Do That?

January 23, 2012 Leave a Comment

I know Sundays are supposed to be a day of rest.  But after lunch, I had the urge to tackle our once-again filthy, unorganized mess of a basement.  And since I very rarely have that urge, I decided I’d better act on it.  So I left my husband on the couch and my daughter buried in her toy bin and headed downstairs to face the madness.

And an hour and a half later, I returned to what used to be our living room, but in 90 minutes had morphed into something that looked like an explosion at a Toys R Us store.  Stuff was everywhere.  Apparently my child was having a good ol’ time with every single toy she owns.

But one happy thing came out of the mess.  I’d been searching and searching for a brand new box of outlet covers that I’d picked up at a garage sale last summer.  Most of the outlets in our house are out of her reach (like behind furniture), but there are a couple that I’d been meaning to get “baby-proofed.”  But I couldn’t find those stinking outlet covers anywhere.  In typical Jen fashion, I’d put them away somewhere and couldn’t remember where.

Apparently my daughter is excellent at finding things that I misplace, because the entire box of 25 outlet covers had been found, ripped open, and dumped on the living room floor.  I’ve never been so happy to see a mess.  She found the missing outlet covers!  I have no idea where, but that’s ok.  The outlets have now been covered and the rest stored away in her closet for future use, and everyone is happy once again.   Thanks for solving Mommy’s mystery, baby girl!

 

Filed Under: Baby, Home and Garden

This Week’s Randomness

January 19, 2012 Leave a Comment

- Tonight I broke the cardinal rule: never go grocery shopping when hungry. I went in for milk, OJ, and bread. I came out with chocolate chip waffles, Chinese food (orange chicken and crab rangoons), a couple of chicken cordon bleus, cranberries, and hot pockets. Not only was I shopping with my appetite, but there were some AWESOME deals in the freezer section. I can’t pass up good buys at the grocery store.

- Abby was a little underweight at her nine month appointment, so we started supplementing with formula a few times a day. I’m ok with that. Baby girl needs the fat content, and I’more than ready to take a break from nursing.

- We’re watching The Fugitive tonight. Still love this movie, even after almost 20 years.

- It was stinking cold today. If it’s gonna be cold, I’d at least like some snow to go along with it. I totally have snow envy right now; it’s snowing at mom and dad’s (again), and they’re expecting 6 inches. Sigh.

- I hate – no, let’s make that loathe – laundry.

- So far, I’m sticking with my resolve to wash up the pots and pans right after the meal. It’s wonderful! Life changing! Love it!! Love walking into a clean kitchen and seeing a clean sink every am.

Filed Under: Baby, Family, Fun, Rambles and Thoughts

The Biggest Indoor Garage in the World…Or At Least in Nebraska

January 16, 2012 2 Comments

Since going part-time at work after Abby was born, I’ve occasionally made a little extra money by selling off the contents of our home on eBay. If it’s not nailed down, it’s for sale; that’s my motto.

I have a love-hate relationship with eBay. I love making money and getting stuff out of our house by selling off our goods, but I kind of hate the humdrum of posting the listings, and answering questions from bidders, and paying eBay AND PayPal fees, and so on. Plus, there are lots of items in our house that I won’t put on eBay simply because they’re too big or odd-shaped, making them hard to mail.

So a while ago Tresia and I were talking about our love for garage sales (both shopping AND selling) and the lack thereof during the winter months, and about how we start to go through garage sale withdrawals mid-winter every year. We’re garage sale junkies. We start needing a fix come February.

And we jokingly talked about finding a place in our town to host an indoor garage sale in March(ish), to feed our addiction.

Only I’ve started thinking a little bit more seriously about it lately, and I think…it’s a super excellent idea. There have to be other people out there that miss garage sales just as much as we do during the winter months, that would come and shop (or have a booth).

I mean, I have a ton of junk in my house. And it needs to go. ASAP.

And I need to find some new junk for my house. ASAP.

So, are we crazy? Are there other people who get as excited about the idea of garage-saling…indoors…SOON…with lots of sales on one location? I think it sounds like heaven on earth. :)

Filed Under: Fun, Home and Garden Tagged With: ,

Big Fun: Glidden My Colortopia Quiz

January 14, 2012 1 Comment

Ummm, so this fun little quiz from Glidden is totally feeding my recent desire to paint my dining room AND dining room table and chairs.

After I completed the quiz to discover what shades suit me best, the colors it spit out were TOTALLY right up my alley.  Love it!

Now if I could just find some motivation as easily as I found my new paint colors.  ;)

Filed Under: Home and Garden

What I Want To Do

January 13, 2012 1 Comment

I’ve never been good at making resolutions at the start of a new year.  Usually by the second week of January, I have forgotten what I even resolved to do, so I didn’t even attempt it this year.

That being said, there is a looooooong list of things in my life that I should improve.  I’m oh-so-good at making excuses and rationalizing my bad behavior.  For example, “I can eat four Christmas Tree Little Debbie’s because I walked to the mailbox today.”  Mmm-hmmm.

I have had a couple of things pop into my mind over the past week or so that I’ve decided will be my goals for the next few weeks…or months…or year(s)….however long it takes!

The first is my practical goal: wash the supper dishes each and every night after our meal.  Good grief, I feel so pathetic for typing that.  I’m great at cleaning up after supper, and putting away leftovers, and straightening up the kitchen.  But I am TERRIBLE at those darn dishes.  Ok, maybe dishes is too broad.  I should say pots and pans.  Plates and utensils and glasses are easy, because they get thrown in the dishwasher.  But I despise pots and pans.  So they usually get put in the sink to “soak” (aka be ignored) until the next day…or the day after that…or…well, you get the point.   It’s really, really bad.  SO.  My new goal is to wash the pots and pans IMMEDIATELY upon the completion of the meal.  I am on day three of this, and it’s going successfully so far.  How many days does it take to make a new habit?  21?

My other goal will be a little more difficult.  It’s to “be where I am.”  I’m really bad about being somewhere physically, but having my head and thoughts somewhere completely separate.  For instance, if I’m at work, I’m thinking about things that need to be done at home.  If I’m at home, I’m thinking about what to blog about next.  If I’m driving down the highway, I’m thinking about how I wish we could go to the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo this year.  Now, if I were in the “now” as I was driving along, instead of wishing we were out of town, I would notice the bald eagles roosting in trees next to the river I’m flying past at 65 mph.  Or if I were less distracted at home, I’d spend more time on the floor playing with Abby, seeing more of her smiles and getting more of her snuggles.   I just haven’t been a very good steward of my time lately.  I hope I can change that.  Soon.

Filed Under: Faith, Family, Rambles and Thoughts Tagged With: ,

Crying It Out And Other Baby Fodder

January 12, 2012 1 Comment
20120112-102255.jpg

Can I just say that this week may rank as one of the top ten most boring weeks of my life? Not that boring is bad; it’s just…boring.

Here’s what we’ve been dealing with, other than the historic flu battle and post-flu clean-up:

A baby who has forgotten how to nap. Ugh. My worst nightmare. Ever since returning home from our vacation, the child has totally lost her ability to go to sleep in her crib, whether for a nap or at bedtime. This mommy depends on nap time breaks throughout the day to maintain her sanity. The lack of naps has not been pretty for anyone.

I was lenient during flu-time early in the week regarding naps. Abs was held a lot for naps on Monday, which only fueled the fire. But by Tuesday evening, we had a screaming, blubbering baby whenever it was crib-time. So it was time for a little tough love, because I was quickly losing my cool.

For her Wednesday morning nap, I decided it was time to get back in her routine. I didn’t care how long it took-that child would go to sleep, on her own, in her crib.

After 20 minutes of standing in her crib and screaming, I went in, laid her down, patted her bottom, turned her music back on, and left.

After 30 minutes of screaming, I went in and laid her down again.

After 45 minutes of screaming, I started to second-guess the crying it out theory and turned up the volume on the tv to drown out the screams.

And after 53 minutes, she finally gave it up, laid down, and fell asleep.

It was the longest 53 minutes of my life.

Bedtime on Wednesday evening: only cried for 6 minutes, and I never went in again after putting her down. I was very satisfied with that.

Naptime today? Cried for Just a couple of minutes, then done.

Totally worked! I’ll be curious to see how bedtime tonight goes…fingers crossed we’ve gotten her used to sleeping again.

I hated hearing her cry…it’s really hard and breaks my heart, but I think it’s important for her to learn how to go to sleep without Mommy or Daddy holding her. She’s old enough now (9 months) that I’m comfortable letting her cry a while without feeling like it’s going to send her to therapy as an adult. Crying it out isn’t for everyone, but it worked for us…this time.

On another baby note, we resorted to putting up a mock baby gate while baby was feeling better but mom and dad were still a little sick, to avoid having to chase her away from the wood stove (which she is drawn to like a magnet).

So here’s our attempt:

20120112-102255.jpg

And it worked for all of half a day before she learned how to crawl over the packed-up pack and play. Sigh. We are still using the barricade, because it at least slows her down, but I know it won’t last long. Oh well. We’ll enjoy it while we can. ;)

Filed Under: Baby, Kid, Rambles and Thoughts
« Older Posts

To the Top