Hey guys, sorry it took so long to post something and I know this isn't even the best picture. This is me at 5 months, I am now 6 months, I stepped on the scale yesterday and had gained 2 lbs since the 5 month visit so imagine the bump 2 lbs bigger!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Ok, here it is, the BUMP!
Hey guys, sorry it took so long to post something and I know this isn't even the best picture. This is me at 5 months, I am now 6 months, I stepped on the scale yesterday and had gained 2 lbs since the 5 month visit so imagine the bump 2 lbs bigger!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
VALENTINE LOVES
We tried to make V-day a day of fun for Reags and tried a few things out that will hopefully develop into new family traditions. I'd rather make the "silly" holidays something for the kids to look forward to.
A HEARTY BREAKFAST
I made up some heart-shaped cinnamon rolls... made the dough and shaped them the day before and let them rise and bake on Valentines Day morning. They didn't rise the second time as well as I'd hoped, but I can always work out the kinks for next year. They were surprisingly easy to make.
No... I didn't come up with this idea myself. In fact, I stole it from this gourmet mom here.
You've got to have a red drink on Valentines Day right? So to go with our breakfast I made Blood Orange Juice... if anyone knows where they can buy a bottled or concentrated version let me know! I was told that Trader Joe's carried it, but I couldn't find it... so instead I bought 4 pounds of blood oranges and juiced them myself. I doubt that I'll have the commitment to do that every year, but it was a fun experiment at least.
To get Reags excited for the day, we made Valentines for our families. She mainly just stuck stickers on some cute card stock and them scribbled with some pink crayons, but she had a blast. I'm excited for when she can come up with some card-making ideas on her own. She loved the idea of giving the cards... but was stoked about getting some as well.
We put up some streamers outside Reagan's door so she'd have a constant reminder that it was a special day. She thought it was fun to run through them.
If anyone else has any fun ways to celebrate with the family on Valentines Day, let us know. But please... keep whatever you do with your significant other under wraps! ;)
A HEARTY BREAKFAST
I made up some heart-shaped cinnamon rolls... made the dough and shaped them the day before and let them rise and bake on Valentines Day morning. They didn't rise the second time as well as I'd hoped, but I can always work out the kinks for next year. They were surprisingly easy to make.
No... I didn't come up with this idea myself. In fact, I stole it from this gourmet mom here.
You've got to have a red drink on Valentines Day right? So to go with our breakfast I made Blood Orange Juice... if anyone knows where they can buy a bottled or concentrated version let me know! I was told that Trader Joe's carried it, but I couldn't find it... so instead I bought 4 pounds of blood oranges and juiced them myself. I doubt that I'll have the commitment to do that every year, but it was a fun experiment at least.
To get Reags excited for the day, we made Valentines for our families. She mainly just stuck stickers on some cute card stock and them scribbled with some pink crayons, but she had a blast. I'm excited for when she can come up with some card-making ideas on her own. She loved the idea of giving the cards... but was stoked about getting some as well.
We put up some streamers outside Reagan's door so she'd have a constant reminder that it was a special day. She thought it was fun to run through them.
If anyone else has any fun ways to celebrate with the family on Valentines Day, let us know. But please... keep whatever you do with your significant other under wraps! ;)
Monday, February 16, 2009
KICK A CREAMY LEMON BARS
As promised, here is my first contribution to this experimental blog. These Creamy Lemon Squares come from the Kraft Foods and Family magazine and a link to the recipe is here.
CREAMY LEMON SQUARES
Crust:
20 Nilla Wafers, finely crushed
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup cold butter
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line 8-inch square baking pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan. Combine wafer crumbs, flour and the brown sugar in bowl. Cut in margarine with pastry blender or two knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs; press firmly onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake 15 min.
Filling:
8 oz (1 pkg) Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 Tbsp flour
3 Tbsp grated lemon peel, divided
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp baking powder
While crust is cooking, beat cream cheese and granulated sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add eggs and 2 Tbsp. flour; mix well. Blend in 1 Tbsp. lemon peel, the lemon juice and baking powder; pour over crust.
Bake 25 to 28 min. or until center is set. Cool completely. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight. Lift foil and bars out of pan and cut into 16 squares. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and remaining 2 Tbsp. lemon peel just before serving.
I've made these a few times and they are always a hit. Using the reduced fat versions of the cookies and cream cheese works well-- you can't tell a difference. I make these in the dead of winter, hoping that the springy-lemon-flavor will scare the cold away!
CREAMY LEMON SQUARES
Crust:
20 Nilla Wafers, finely crushed
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup cold butter
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line 8-inch square baking pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan. Combine wafer crumbs, flour and the brown sugar in bowl. Cut in margarine with pastry blender or two knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs; press firmly onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake 15 min.
Filling:
8 oz (1 pkg) Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 Tbsp flour
3 Tbsp grated lemon peel, divided
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp baking powder
While crust is cooking, beat cream cheese and granulated sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add eggs and 2 Tbsp. flour; mix well. Blend in 1 Tbsp. lemon peel, the lemon juice and baking powder; pour over crust.
Bake 25 to 28 min. or until center is set. Cool completely. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight. Lift foil and bars out of pan and cut into 16 squares. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and remaining 2 Tbsp. lemon peel just before serving.
I've made these a few times and they are always a hit. Using the reduced fat versions of the cookies and cream cheese works well-- you can't tell a difference. I make these in the dead of winter, hoping that the springy-lemon-flavor will scare the cold away!
WELCOME
Welcome to The Brick Bench-- clever title? Eh, what else was I going to call this experiment. We can always change it... any other ideas are welcome!
I think it should just be a free for all-- post anything you that you think is a fun idea to share. Also, let me know if you want me to add someone as an author. We'll see how this goes. :)
I think it should just be a free for all-- post anything you that you think is a fun idea to share. Also, let me know if you want me to add someone as an author. We'll see how this goes. :)
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