Snow Day Baking: Procrastination of Housework edition

We've had quite a few snow days in our neck of the woods!  Usually, that'd be perfect timing...I could clean, pick up, vacuum, laundry, dishes..........but not this week!  I found some recipes on pinterest I wanted to try out...so, here they are!

Blueberry Cheesecake Cookies

These are super yummy!  They're like scones, except sweeter and in cookie form.

You need:
1 Stick, plus 2 TBS butter, softened
8 oz tub of Philedelphia Blueberry cream cheese, also softened
1 egg
1 cup of sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
a pinch of salt (I put in 1/4 tsp)
1 cup blueberries (I used fresh, but you could use frozen-just toss them with a little flour first)

Method:
-Cream the butter and cream cheese until fluffy (in my kitchen aid, it took about 4 minutes on medium speed)
-add the egg, vanilla, and sugar and beat until mixed together
-add the powder, soda and salt.  add the flour and mix together.
-gently fold in blueberries.
**you are going to want to use a parchment paper lined baking sheet for these cookies.**
-bake at 350, for 12 to 14 minutes.

Chocolate Snack Cake

This bread is yummy!  It's like a dense brownie.  We snacked on it by itself, warm out of the oven, but I bet it would be delicious with ice cream!

You need:

1/2 stick butter, softened

1 cup of sugar

2 eggs

1 cup of sour cream (I used plain greek yogurt)

1 3/4 cups of flour

1/2 cup of chocolate cocoa powder

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup chocolate chips (I used semi-sweet, but you could swap it for any kind of chip or even omit them....but who wants to do that?????)

Method:

-Cream butter and sugar

-Add eggs, one at a time

-Add the sour cream

-Mix in the powder, salt and cocoa powder

-Throw in the flour

-Fold in chocolate chips, if you're using them

Pour batter in a well greased loaf pan, and bake at 350 for 55-60 minutes.  Cool in the pan for 20 minutes before turning out on a wire rack.  Cool completely.

new year resolutions

They're late, but better late than never,.....right??  =)

Fitness goals:

**  Work on speed!  I want to achieve:

               -a sub 7:45 minute mile (my fastest so far has been 8:32)

               -a sub 25:00 minute 5k (today! I clocked my fastest at 28:00 even)

         *If I can get my shorter distances faster, my longer distance time goals are:

               -a 1 hour and 30 minute 10 miles, or faster!

               -a sub 2 hour half marathon (13.1 miles)

**  Take the last part of my certification test to become a group fitness instructor.

Mommy-world goal:

** Be more intentional about one on one time with Jaden.  Specifically, I want to take him out by ourselves once a week.

**  Get into the Word with the kids.  I have been a major slacker in this department this year.  

Wifey stuff:

** Plan and do date nights, every other week maybe.  

Personal goals:

** I would like to finish painting my kitchen and bedroom... =)  

** I also want to utilize my bread machine a little bit more this year.  

** Make/eat more seafood for dinners.  Striving for once a week.

** Be more intentional about catching up with my long distance friends.

6 months of silence...

It's October!  What?!?  Crazy.  Time flies.  And I realized I haven't posted in months!  Usually, because I choose to just post on facebook instead of here, or because I want to finish a puzzle on my jigsaw app or something.
Anyway.....
What's new in our world?
~Derek and I went on vacation.  For a week.  With no kids.  Totally amazing, super busy, but also much needed.  We went to the Grand Canyon, Sedona Red Rock national park, and Las Vegas.  Pictures shall come later.
~Jaden's plugging away in first grade.  He's almost 7.  (As I type that, I realize just how fast time flies).  We are working on planning his birthday (a Lego Batman playing football theme....not sure how to squeeze all those in...), and he has 2 loose teeth!
~Eli is growing like a weed.  His favorites are food and climbing.  He weighs 25 pounds, is 2 feet tall, and has a mouth full of choppers.  He is currently working on his two year molars, which is zero fun for everybody right now.  Prayers are definitely appreciated!
~my marathon training is just about done!  My race is in a little over 2 weeks, so I am officially in taper mode!  I do have to say, I would not have been able to train for this had I not had a gaggle of running buddies willing to keep me company on my weekly long runs.  3 hours of running goes much better mentally if I have company.
That's about it for now.......our faithful laptop is getting fixed, but once it's back, I will post pictures :)

Playing catch up

It's been awhile since I've posted!  life has a way of creeping in and taking over.  so, thought I'd do a big catch up blog.... :)

* jaden has 2 days left of kindergarten!  2!  He got off the bus yesterday rejoicing and proclaiming there were only 2 more days of school til he had summer break.  Crazy to think he's getting so big.  Sometimes I want to freeze time and memorize every tiny detail so I never forget what he is like right now.

*Elijah is 14 months....shew, talk about growing!  He is big into walking now.  He toddles around pretty good!  He also enjoys climbing and screeching and, of course, eating.  Oh, and his favorite is bath time.  I can't wait to spend time at the pool with him this summer!  I think he's going to love it!

*I am certifying to be a fitness instructor!  Wahoo!  It's been one of dreams for the longest time.  My test day is in August, so I am studying and reading and memorizing here and there when I have spare time.  Also, continuing with marathons training :). My race is in October.

I will do a photo dump post in a little bit.  Hope you guys have a fantastic weekend!

peanut butter cookies

I love Sundays.  They're so relaxing.  Jaden came back from Disney yesterday, so today after church we came home and hung out/rested.  

Jaden wanted to make peanut butter cookies, and who could say no to a cute six year old asking to bake???? =)

What you need:

1 1/4 cup all purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup peanut butter *you can use smooth or chunky!*

1/2 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup white sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon milk

1 egg

1/2 cup peanut butter chips *optional*

1/2 cup chocolate chips *optional*

extra sugar, if you want to roll the cookies *optional*

What to do:

Cream the butter and peanut butter

Mix in the sugars until well incorporated and fluffy

Add in the egg, vanilla and milk.

Add the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda.  Mix well.

If you choose to add baking chips, add those and fold them in.

If you are rolling the cookie dough in sugar, chill the dough for at least an hour before proceeding.

Scoop out cookie dough and place on ungreased cookie sheets.  Bake at 350 for 10 to 12 minutes.

Serve with milk =)

berry buttermilk cake

My family is coming to visit for the weekend, and I thought this cake might go well with coffee =)

What you need:
1 cup of flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 stick unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup of sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest *optional
1 egg
1/2 cup of shaken buttermilk *I made my own-1/2 cup of milk, add 1 tablespoon lemon juice and let it stand for 5 minutes
1 cup fresh berry *the original recipe used raspberries, but I had blackberries so that's what I used

What to do:
-Cream the butter and sugar together until it's light and fluffy, about 2 minutes
-add the vanilla and lemon zest
-add egg
-combine the first 4 ingredients, and add in thirds alternating the the buttermilk.  Make sure to begin and end with the flour mix.
-Pour the batter into a greased 9 inch cake pan, and smooth out the batter.  Layer the berries on and bake at 400 for 20 to 30 minutes.

This just came out of the oven, and my house smells aaahhhhhhh-mazing!  I also tried a piece with my cup of tea, and it tastes wonderful! =)  It's light and fluffy, and the crust is just a tiny bit crispy.  Yummm!  Hope you guys like it too!

baked chicken meatballs

These little guys are a yummy variation of traditional meatballs.  They can be made into big size balls, or little appetizer sized balls.  Or I'm sure it be yummy as a meatloaf, too.... =)

What you need:
3 slices of Italian bread, torn into pieces, soaked in milk *I just used 1/3 cup of breadcrumbs*
3 ounces of diced pancetta, or bacon
1 small onion, finely chopped *optional
1 clove of garlic, minced
2 tablespoons of butter
1 egg
1 pound ground chicken *I used ground turkey*
2 tablespoons of tomato paste *I used ketcup, because that's what I had*
salt, pepper, parsley to taste

What to do:
-melt the butter in a saute pan.  throw in the onion, garlic and pancetta and saute until onions are tender (about 6 ish minutes).  set pan aside to let mixture cool slightly.
-in a large bowl, combine the egg, ground meat, and seasonings.  add breadcrumbs (or milk soaked bread)
-add the pancetta mixture
-with clean hands, mix everything together, until everything is incorporated
-roll out meatballs and place on a foil lined baking sheet
-bake at 400 for 20 to 25 minutes

and, voila!  ready to eat.