Even though I gripe a bit about the military life, I have to say, I thoroughly enjoy it...however. When there is a hurricane heading right for us, and having this be our first hurricane predicted to hit on the 7th year anniversary of Katrina, 'those who be' won't let us leave! The military is only allowed to evacuate (mandatory) if the hurricane predicted to hit shores is at least a category 2. Isaac was the most stubborn hurricane EVER!! It was going to be this and then that, and then this again...so Friday they tell us, we will know Monday at 10 am, when the evacuation call comes in. So excited to leave, and go home, and scared to stay, Zach and I start getting everything ready. We knew that once the call came in, traffic would be horrible so we wanted to be the first ones out and hopefully beat it. Parishes south of us were already under mandatory evacuations, and we were just so anxious to get going. We threw away all our food, brought everything in from outside, and got the car packed up with the kitty crates. Come Monday morning, they make Zach go to work as usual, only to sit around and wait til 10am for the call...then it's going to be 10:30, then noon...finally at 1pm they say "you are not going to have to leave, but if you want you can, this is not mandatory." SERIOUSLY!!! So now we were foodless, and all packed up, only not to have to leave. After an hour or so of debating on whether or not to leave, we decided to go ahead and go. I'm glad we ended up going, our parish was all over the news, with levees breaking all around, and everyone south of us having their houses flooded. Everyone we knew who stayed, ended up leaving because there was no power for over a week on base, and to much of the New Orleans area. Plus, we had a great visit home, not having to worry about any of it. We got back to our house Monday evening, safe and sound, and no damage done to our house. All the other houses around us, and in our fourplex, had water damage and had to have walls ripped out and replaced. We had a super hot and steamy house, with a freezer full of yucky unfrozen food, but no structural damage :) We got to hang out at the winery, and help bottle and label wines. Kelsie and I made a window sign for a Greek Week special, Haiden hung out with his grandparents. Haiden got to play with Augie, and Declyn. Zach, Kelsie and I made a floral peg board cover for the winery. We had a blast!!
During the week we between Isaac and Zach going to Virginia, I cooked like whoa!
Butternut Squash and Black Bean Burritos
2 TBS canola oil1 small butternut squash, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 medium red onion, half chopped, half thinly sliced
salt/pepper
1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 TBS chopped chipotle peppers
1 small bunch spinach, stems discarded, leaves coarsely chopped
6 oz Monterey Jack cheese, coarsely grated
4 large tortillas
2 TBS sour cream
2 TBS lime juice
1/2 head romaine lettuce, sliced into 1/2 inch strips
1. Heat 1 TBS of oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add squash, chopped onion and 1/2 tsp salt and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until tender 10-12 minutes.
2. Add the beans ad chipotle and cook, stirring occasionally for 2 minutes. Add spinach and cook, tossing until it begins to wilt, 1-2 minutes.
3. Divide the cheese and squash/bean mix among tortillas and roll up to form burritos. Wipe out skillet and heat over medium heat. Cook the burritos, seam side down, until golden.
Mexican Manicotti
1 lb ground meat
1 can refried beans
2-1/2 tsp chili powder
1-1/2 tsp oregano
1 pkg manicotti shells
2-1/2 cup water
1 jar (16 oz) picante sauce
2 cups sour cream
1 cup shredded mexican blend cheese
1/4 cup sliced green onions
add sliced ripe olives
In a bowl, combine uncooked beef, beans, chili powder, oregano. Spoon into uncooked manicotti shells, arrange in greased 13X9X2in dish. Combine water and picante sauce, pour over shells. Cover and refrigerate over night. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking, cover and bake 350 for 1 hour. Uncover, spoon sour cream over the top. Sprinkle cheese, onions and olives on top. Bake 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted.
Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-fry
1 cup brown rice
I large naval orange
2 tsp cornstarch
1/4 cup BBQ sauce
2 TBS soy sauce
1 bunch broccoli, stalks thinly sliced, and head cut into florets
1 TSB canola oil
1 lb medium peeled and deveined shrimp, if frozen thaw and pat dry.
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1. Cook rice.
2. Using vegetable peeler, remove 4 strips of zest from orange, thinly slice zest and set aside. Squeeze juice from orange into a small bowl; stir in cornstarch. Add BBQ sauce and soy cause, and stir to combine.
3. Bring 1/2 cup water to simmer in a large skillet, add the broccoli and cook, covered, until tender. Using slotted spoon transfer broccoli to bowl.
4. Wipe out skillet, then heat oil over med-high heat. Add shrimp and cook, stirring occasionally, until opaque throughout, about 3 minutes. Add soy sauce mix and simmer until thickened. Return broccoli to skillet and toss to combine.
5. Fluff rice and fold in zest and scallions. Serve with shrimp/broccoli mix.
Vegetable and Three Cheese Stuffed Shells
16 Jumbo shells
2 cup marinara sauce
1 10 oz pkg frozen spinach, thawed
1/2 16 oz pkg frozen broccoli florets, thawed
1 15 oz container part-skim ricotta
2 oz Parmesan, grated
4 oz part-skim mozzarella, grated
salt/pepper
2 TBS canola oil
1 TBS red wine vinegar
1 small head romaine lettuce, torn
1 seedless cucumber, sliced
1/2 small red onion, sliced
1. Heat oven to 400. Cook pasta according to package. Drain and rinse in cold water to cool.
2. Spread the marinara sauce in the bottom of a large broiler proof baking dish.
3. Squeeze spinach of extra moisture, roughly chop and place in bowl. Chop broccoli and add it to the bowl. Stir in the ricotta, Parmesan, 1/2 cup mozzarella, and 1/2 tsp each salt/pepper. Spoon mix into shells, and place on top of sauce.
4. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella and bake until the shells are heated through 10-12 minutes. Increase heat to broil. Broil shells until cheese begins to brown 2-3 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, in bowl whisk oil, vinegar and 1/4 tsp salt/pepper. Toss with lettuce, cucumber and onion. Serve with shells.
While Zach was off in Virginia going to battery school, and visiting the Zoo and awesome restaurants, Haiden and I worked on art projects. I have become OBsessed with owls, ever since we were picking out things for Haiden when he was still in my tummy. Owls are so huge everywhere these days, and who can resist the cute cuddley little critters? And in doing this, Zach and I came up with the plan to write children's books! Here are a few of the projects I worked on:
And as if, another sign was being thrown my way, Haiden made an owl at mommy and me
as the craft! That was the solidifying moment in which I decided to go for it and start trying our hands at children's books! I'm great with ideas and the art, and Zach is a rhyming genius, together we make the perfect team!! We have several ideas in mind and will start out with easy picture/fact books first and work on the bigger story lines in the mean time. We are super excited about this, so stay tuned for more details!
Zach FINALLY got his tooth!! So now after over a year, he has all his teeth!! We love Biloxi, and this time had a chance so check it out a bit, since the appointment got done later than we thought, Zach couldn't have made it back in time to go to work. We stopped by the visitor center and grabbed a few pamphlets on things to do in Biloxi and checked out the visitor museum as well. Then on our way home, decided to drive down the coast to Gulf Port. It was so nice and relaxing! The base in Biloxi, though an Air Force base, seems more like my idea of a Navy base than the one we live on. Their base it literally across this little beach road from the beach!! We are thinking of having a weekend day trip down there sometime, now that we don't get to visit any more for dentist appointments.Zach took his rate exam this last week, and he took the entire allotted time (3 hours) to double check everything and make any adjustments...after taking it he came here and felt nervous, but after he went to work and had a chance to talk to those who took it as well, he feels pretty confident that he made it!! This is still really nerve racking, even though the test is over, we still have to wait until sometime in November to know the results! This exam will make Zach go from an Airman to a Petty Officer!! I'm so proud of him, and all that he has been doing to excel in the Navy. So fingers crossed people! Even if he passes the exam, he may not rate up :/ They also have to have a spot open in that rate for him, and if they don't he may have to take the exam again, with only two more tries to rate up. The military as a whole, has changed up the rate exams, trying to clear the branches of military personnel. But I have faith in Zach :D
Thankfully, after his exam, he got to relax a bit and while I tried to keep him out of the house on Saturday, I secretly (with the help of a few people) planned to have a surprise party for his birthday Tuesday! Even though he was so worn out and tired, from the exam stress, to ASF 13 hour shifts all that week, I convinced him to go to Habitat. Also I had a bit of help with one of his co-workers saying the guys were taking him out for a birthday lunch, so obviously he had to go! That day I finished cleaning up the house and cooked...all day!! I made some of his favorites, and some party snacks. With the communication of Zach's coworker, to his wife, to me, we ended up keeping Zach totally in the dark...almost!! So the time I asked everyone to get here was 5pm, so that he would come in to a house full of people. I needed him gone til then at least. So the Habitat guys took him out after for a birthday beer, and as they headed home, I asked them to grab drinks for the house, since people were still on their way to our house for the surprise. So around 6ish, Zach gets a text, from a guy I had invited, informing Zach he wouldn't be able to make it to his party. Quickly Zach's co-worker said, he was confused and texted Zach on accident, because another guy was also having a party, and that is who the text was intended for. 6:20 rolls around and I hear a key in the door...everyone ran to hide and I held the door knob, and when I opened the door and everyone yelled surprise, Zach lit up!! He was so happy and surprised, even though after that text Zach had an idea that I may have thrown him a party. But Zach was so surprised, asking over and over, how I did this, and he was happy all his friends were here. Then around 7, the guy who texted Zach showed up and we all gave him hell for it, lol. But all in all, Zach said, it was perfect. The perfect food, and drinks, the perfect amount of people showed up, and he had never had a surprise party before and was super happy!!
Then for his actual birthday, we went to get the Avengers, and ate a nice dinner at Zea's Rotisserie Grill. All his birthday gifts were booze! Except for mine and Haiden's gift to him; a tool belt and work gloves. He ended up with Crown, and some Jamaican booze. Here are the recipes for some of the goodies I made for the party, that all are super easy and can be done in a few minutes each and either set aside to chill or eat right then!
California Black Bean Dip
2 cans corn, drained
1 cup ranch dressing
1/2 cup Italian dressing
2 tsp parsley/cilantro
1 tsp tobasco
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 TBS pepper
1 small chopped onion
Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Chill for an hour. Serve with tortilla chips.
People Puppy Chow
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 cup chocolate chips
1 stick of butter
*Melt all these together
6 cup crispex
1-1/2 cup powdered sugar
*Mix chocolate mix with crispex with a spatula. Put in a trash bag, add the powdered sugar and toss. Check to make sure all crispex are coated, add more powdered sugar is needed. Let cool in refrigerator over night, or in freezer for 15 minutes.
Snickerdoodle Steelers Balls
*this recipe gets doubled*
1-1/2 cup flour
1 TBS cream of tartar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup butter at room temperature
1/4 cup backed brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 TBS vanilla/almond extract
First mix all the ingredients together, the mixture will be chunky and crumbly and that is ok. Set this batter mix to the side. Start on second batch: in a bowl, whisk together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Reduce the speed to low and gradually mix in the flour, once that mix is mixed well, slowly add in the first batch. The whole mix will be slightly crumbly. Refrigerate over night. Set out to warm up a bit, about an hour before you bake. Heat oven to 350, and make small balls about 1 inch. Roll well until the balls aren't falling apart. Bake for 8 minutes, and check to see if they are set, and not doughy, add a few minutes until they are set balls. Take out of oven and let cool. For icing, use milk/heavy cream and powdered sugar. Use each to whatever consistency you desire. Add any food coloring to them, then once the balls have cooled enough for you to hold them, dip them in the icing. Let set and dip again for desired amount of icing. Add sprinkles and such once you have finished dipping to desired amount. The icing will set fairly quickly, so make sure you do a few and then add sprinkles, or else the icing will set and you will have to re-dip to add sprinkles.
Raspberry Chocolate Cheese Cake
2-8oz crescent rolls
2-8oz cream cheese
1 cup sugar
1 tsp almond
1 container raspberries
1/2 cup chocolate chips
*topping
1 stick butter
1/2 cup sugar
Spray bottom 9X13 inch cooking pan. Cover bottom with 1 package of crescent rolls, pinch the seams together. Mix together cream cheese, sugar and almond until no lumps. Add in raspberries and chocolate chips. Spread mix over crescent rolls, and put the other package on top, pinching the seams together. Melt the butter and pour over the top. Add sugar and chocolate powder or chocolate chips. Bake 375 for 25-30 minutes. Serve warm or cold.
Gouda Snacks
Use a crescent roll to cover an entire Babybel Gouda cheese, and bake according to package on the crescent rolls. Eat warm!
Pizzas
Left Pizza: Canola oil and pesto for sauce. Broccoli, cauliflower, onions, mozzarella and feta cheese.
Right Pizza: Canola oil and pesto for sauce. Tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, turkey bacon, mozzarella and feta cheese.
Both were made on the already made pizza crusts from the store. We have tried other tube doughs and this is by far the best dough we have used!!
As far as Haiden goes, I have been taking him to the park on the nice breezy days, and he LOVES to swing and people watch. He is starting to finally get the crawling thing, and has started rocking back and forth on his knees, with the occasional up on all fours!! Hopefully crawling is in his future. He does lazy push ups right now, where he holds his entire top half up and kicks his legs out lol. He also rolls ALL over, either flipping back and forth side to side, or scoots on his back. So he is moving, just not anything that is going to get him walking soon lol. He is the wiggliest baby, and you can't hold him for more than ten minutes with out him wanting to get into stuff or go somewhere. I'm thinking that means he wants to crawl...just tell all of his limbs that lol. I also take him on a three mile walk almost every night, and I can tell my weight is finally coming off from being prego in leaps and bounds it seems. Hopefully in October, the weather will start staying cooler in the evenings so we can start our marathon training again, and also walking has helped me loose weight so I don't feel like an elephant stampeding down the track :).
Hope everyone has had a great September and we can't wait for October when we decorate for Halloween and order Haiden's costume!
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