Ahhh -- the DOG days of summer!

Ahhh, a beautiful summer day for me!! I got to spend ALL day in the sun, running with the wild animals in my backyard (and really wishing that someone would clean it up! The smell....). The best came after tonight's kibbles, though. Sister and mom and me, we walked up this biggish hill and at the top there was a BOWL OF ICE CREAM!!! Good thing I went for that walk, though! Man, a guy could lose his hour-glass figure if he wasn't careful! I'm not sure where dad went. Sounds like he was gonna take a test or something -- HEY MOM! WHERE'S DAD?!?! Oh, yeah, she says it's for his ASE certification. I'm not sure. I haven't seen him study one bit! Although, maybe that's what he's been doin' on that fancy new lap-top computer of his. I'm hoping mom's feeling okay right now. She was at the Dr. last night and sounds like her foot is kinda messed up. She's not too worried though, sounds like some orthotics or something like that will help. I hope so, 'cause I know she likes to walk -- ME, TOO!!! Well, you know, that ice cream and long walk has me feeling a bit sleepy! Like maybe a quick pre-bedtime nap might just be in order! Great chattin' with ya!

The Foods We Love

As many of you know, I've spent a lot of time and energy losing weight over the last year+ and part of the fun of that is working with new recipes and with old and trying to make them a bit healthier, if not simply leaner. And, since I really don't have anything else to post right now, how about a couple of our favorites (one being brand-new tonight!!) For the pancake option, I'll post both the "old" and the "new" versions! Guten Appetit!

Swedish Oatmeal Pancakes
4 c. rolled oats OR 4 c. rolled oats
1 c. flour OR 1/2 c. flour + 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1/4 c. sugar OR 2 Tbs. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder OR 2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda OR 2 tsp. baking soda
pinch of salt OR pinch of salt
4 c. buttermilk OR 4 c. buttermilk (or 4 c. skim milk+ 4 Tbs.
vinegar -- let stand 15 minutes)
4 eggs OR 1 egg + 3/4 c. liquid egg substitute
1/2 c. vegetable oil OR 2 Tbs. oil + 2 Tbs. applesauce
2 tsp. vanilla OR 2 tsp. vanilla

Mix dry ingredients together. Blend in liquid ingredients and mix well. Let batter stand 30-40 minutes, or best let stand overnight in fridge. Batter will be VERY thick. Cook on griddle.
Nutrition Facts


Fiery Flank Steak with Tomato Jam

Jam:
6 large tomatoes, cored and cut in half crosswise (about 4 pounds)
1/3 c. sugar
1/3 c. grated onion
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 jalapeño peppers, minced
1/4 c. chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 tsp. salt
Steak:
1 Tbs. grated lime rind
1/3 c. fresh lime juice
2 tsp. olive oil
2 jalapeño peppers, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 pounds flank steak, trimmed
1/2 tsp. salt

To prepare jam: (can be prepared 2 days ahead, bring to room temp. before serving)
Grate tomatoes, flesh side down, over a large bowl to form 5-1/2 c. pulp; discard skins. Combine pulp, sugar, onion, 3 garlic cloves, and 2 jalapeños in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer until reduced to 2-1/4 c. (about 20 minutes), stirring occasionally. Cool to room temperature. Stir in cilantro, 3 Tbs. lime juice and 1/4 tsp. salt.

To prepare steak:
Combine rind, 1/3 c. juice, oil, 2 jalapeños, and 2 garlic cloves in a large zip-top plastic bag. Add steak; seal. Marinate in refrigerator 8 hours or overnight, turning bag occasionally.
Prepare grill.
Remove steak from bag; discard marinade. Sprinkle both sides of steak evenly with 1/2 tsp. salt. Place steak on a grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 3 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Let stand 5 minutes. Cut steak diagonally across the grain into thin slices. Serve with jam. Garnish with lemon slices, if desired. Serves 8 (3 oz. meat with 1/4 c. jam)

Cal: 258, fat: 8.8g, protein: 26.3g, carb.:19.3, fiber: 3.1g

NOTE! I completely seeded the jalapeños and it wasn't "fiery" at all! I would DEFINITELY leave some seeds next time so that it has a bit more heat!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

To our mothers and to all of our friends who are mothers and to all of the others who help us mothers -- HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!! I hope you are well taken care of today!

HAPPY SATURDAY!!!

Welcome to the weekend! Last night we started our weekend early by going to Gordon and Ivona's for dinner! Immediately, Emily insisted Kent read her books. We had a delicious dinner and then Ivona and I took (tried?) pictures of the two kids' hands and I took some fairly spontaneous pictures of Jonathan alone. I need one to go with the print I have of Emily. Check these out! I'm not sure how I'll ever choose!

Photo Album

Now we are off to a breakfast invite! Have a wonderful day!

Ah, Good Morning!

Who knew that most of a week could go by and this would be the first time you see something new here! Oops!

So, first off, to follow up on Tiana's solo -- she earned a 1-!!! A 1 is a "superior" and apparently the "-" is just because she needs to put a bit more feeling and enunciation into her work! If you ask her, it was because her piano player didn't know her part! ARGH! Kids!!!

Sunday, of course, we had Meeting, and since it was Union Sunday it was here. From there we were invited to a potluck and got to spend lots of time with lots of fine folks. Tiana brought home 3 girls from there and we returned them to their parents at Gospel Meeting later. Monday finds us back at work/school. Seems, with our new manager, that my schedule has changed so much I don't even feel like I do the same job, so I've been a bit busier, albeit a bit lazier!! Tuesday I joined some of the ladies for a walk, Wednesday was yet another long day at work and here we are now! I have another day off and really should maximize it by getting my laundry caught up. Where's the laundry fairy when you need him?!?!

Oh, and then there's the next favorite thing -- the child who gives you about 2 days warning (with a Wednesday night in there!)that she needs 6 Thank You cards for Teacher Appreciation Week -- BY THURSDAY!!! So, until way too late last night, here is what I was doing:




I hope you have a fantastic day!

Flying SOLO today!

Proud mom and dad here to report on this morning's solo at the Regional Solo and Ensemble Festival!! Tiana was up bright and early to get to the school and help set up all of the judges for the day. At 8:40 this morning she went before a judge and sang "Danny Boy". Both soloist and accompanist got a bit nervous just beforehand because the accompanist had a bit of a nosebleed!! EEEK!!! All was well in time for showtime. Very happy to announce that Tiana hit EVERY high note and the first one, especially, with extreme clarity and accuracy. She did mess up a phrase, but went on as though she had not -- which made for a very noteworthy performance!! Of course, had she actually noticed at the time, it might have been different! All in all, we are very proud of her. Yet to come today are her choir and jazz choir ensembles. Click on the sidebar for Today's Performance and Last Night's Practice session (without the nerves) to hear her perform!

HAPPY MAY DAY!

Hoping you enjoyed this spring day to its fullest! Our evening has been gorgeous, so I took a walk and Kent and Tiana are off playing tennis at the park and Coda is whining like crazy to get to join them! I've got a pretty serious cold, though, and I think the walk I took was enough! It was over 3 miles after all!!