Kimberly's Jambalaya

I made this for New Year's Day, and served it with a salad and whole wheat rolls. It was a big hit. After reading several recipes, this is what I put together:

2T Olive Oil (or just enough to saute veggies)
1 med onion, diced
3 med green onions, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
Seasoned Salt
Garlic Powder
3 T parsley flakes
3 T minced garlic
1 T dried oregano
1 T dried thyme
1 t onion powder
1 t cajun seasoning
1 T dried basil
1/4 t cayenne pepper (optional)
6 oz tomato paste
1 can Fire Roasted tomatoes
3/4 c brown rice
1 pkg Uncle Ben's Wild Rice & seasoning packet
1 # turkey smoked sausage, cubed & browned
1 # chicken, cooked & shredded
7 c chicken broth or combo of chicken broth & water
1 # shrimp, raw, peeled & deveined

Heat olive oil in stock pot on medium-low heat. Saute onions in oil and sprinkle with salt & garlic. Cook onions until tender. Add green onions and peppers as you chop them decreasing the stove to low. Add spices and garlic to onion mixture. Stir in tomatoes and paste. Taste to check spices. Add more spices if necessary. Be careful not to add too much cayenne pepper because it will become spicier as it is absorbed into the dish. Combine well. Add rices, including seasoning packet from wild rice. Add turkey and chicken with liquids. Combine well. Bring to boil and then simmer covered for 25 minutes or until rice is tender. Add shrimp and serve when shrimp turn pink. Be careful not to overcook shrimp because they will become rubbery.

This is better the second day, and it freezes well.

Let me know what you think if you try it. I like a lot of spices and I always add spices to whatever dish I'm making so if you usually like the level of spice in a cookbook recipe, then you might want to tone the spices in this down.

Cuddling on the Couch

I'm back from my solo vacation. We've had Thanksgiving dinner with several out of town visitors. I love visitors. We spent our time eating good food, antique shopping, & a lovely Christmas Lights Parade. I loved every minute of it. I ended up with a lovely dresser which I've been looking for one for over 2 years, and since all of the furniture bought couldn't fit into the van for the ride home, I ended up with a couple of "borrowed" pieces.

For Thanksgiving dinner, we had Smoked Turkey, Mashed Potatoes & gravy, Dressing, Broccoli, Sweet Potato Biscuits, Cranberry Relish, Pumpkin Pie, Dutch Apple Pie, and Upside Down Pecan Pie. It was all delicious if I do say so myself. Now if I could figure out how to make it just as good without gaining 3 pounds in the process. I also made buckeyes, a smoked turkey casserole for another night, and Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. We bought Peanut Brittle from the senior citizen center. Everything was just too good.

Now, back to reality: I've gotten the Christmas decorations out, but haven't been able to put them up because C is running a fever, and has a cough. It seems to be viral, like a really bad cold. So instead of paying bills, putting up decorations, and becoming more organized, I have held and cuddled a pitifully sick child. I must admit that I have some ambivalent feelings on the whole subject. I enjoy the holding, but not the sickness and complaining. Also, I get overwhelmed by looking at all of the unfinished things. I just keep telling myself that as the Lord says, "My grace is sufficient for thee."

Being Disciplined is Exhausting

For almost a week, I have set some priorities in my day. I sat down last Thursday, and I decided what I really wanted to do each day, and then I've actually done those things first. Sometimes, that's really all I've gotten done, but I've done them. I've gone to bed earlier, and I've gotten up on time. I've completed my bible study and I've exercised. On some days, I've done some housework, and on others I've gotten some paperwork finished. I've worked on pacing myself so why am I so tired?

Now, I'm off to get dressed after my workout. I'm getting my hair done today, and it really, really, really needs it.

P.S. On Monday, I made the most delicious Italian Chicken & Dumplings from Rachael Ray. Mmmm ....

Thank Goodness It's Friday

I'm so glad that it's Friday. N will be home from Costa Rica today. I'm so glad because I'm just exhausted because I've gotten about 6 hours sleep this whole week. I just can't sleep well while Nate is away. I hear every noise, and I get cold. On top of this, G was sick and we were at the drs office a couple of times. After her fever, she developed hives, and I need to put in a call to the drs office because I still can't figure out exactly to what she was allergic. Then, I've been on the phone straightening out a couple of issues with our mortgage and insurance. I hate beaurocracy!

On Monday, I layered ravioli, meat sauce, and cheese in a casserole dish. We've eaten it 3 times this week which has really helped with putting dinner on the table. It has even provided some comfort in the midst of all of the chaos called life.

Today I taught C how to dust by putting socks on his hands. He helped with the laundry and vacuuming the stairs. I really don't usually do this, and I've been convicted that I need to work as well as play with my kids. If I do all of the work, then I end up not spending much time at all with them because I'm too busy working. Besides they need to learn how to take care of a home. I think if I work them, I'll actually spend more time playing with them as well.

I've been working on a couple of baby blankets for friends who have babies, and I have a bolero that I need to finish. I'll probably try to bring these on my upcoming trip to Texas.

Anyone trying any new recipes for Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving Menu

Reisling
White Merlot
Iced Tea
Cranberry OJ Punch
Hummus with Veggies
Glazed Pecans
Smoked Turkey
Dressing (Barb's Recipe with Kimberly Modifications)
Cranberry Relish (I thought fresh cranberries came in 16 oz bags, but all I could find here is 12 oz.)
Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
Broccoli with Garlic and Soy Sauce
Green Beans with Shallots
French Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls (Pillsbury)
Dutch Apple Pie (Barb's Recipe with store bought pie crust -- *gasp*)
Blackberry Crisp (From Nigella Lawson)
Pumpkin Pie (My Mom's)
Vanilla Ice Cream and/or Cool Whip

What are y'all having?

P.S. - I dyed my hair Intense Ginger Red this morning ... still can't find the camera

What's for Thanksgiving Dinner?

We are having:

Hummus & Tadziki with Cucumbers, Bell Peppers, Carrots, and Pita Chips
Bagette with Brie

Pumpkin Ginger Soup

Tossed Salad

Mesquite Smoked Turkey
Broccoli with Toasted Garlic
Mashed Potatoes
Dirty Rice

Upside-Down Pecan Pie
Pumpkin Pie
Apple Tart

What are y'all having?

Lickety-Split Meals

I just bought this new cookbook called Lickety-Split Meals. It is fast family friendly meals that are healthy. Anyway, I have tried a few recipes that I got on line before I bought the book, and then today I tried my first whole meal. It was a big hit!!!

We had Kickin' Chicken with Fries. The meal included baking chicken in the oven with a quick salsa sauce on top, and at the same time you bake oven fries with skins, and put green beans in the microwave (I sprinkled Adobo on top.) Serve everything with apple sauce. The preparation took me 15 minutes tops, and everyone loved it.

If you want to try some of the recipes, go to www.zonya.com

Stiff & Sore

I went to the physical trainer yesterday, and my past sessions we've gone slow because my anxiety causes me to have a low tolerance for being sore. The last time we did my legs, I couldn't tell that I'd worked out so I asked her to up it a notch. I did ask for it, but I am having a difficult time moving around. I can definitely feel my legs. I hurt in places that I didn't know I had muscle. I used to work with a girl that always said "If you can feel it, then they can see it." So my legs must just be gorgeous now :-P

The kids have outgrown their winter gear. So I am making C a hat to match the scarf that I made him a month ago. I thought I could finish it in a night, but I think it will take me a week now. G wants a pink one, of course. As soon as I complete something, I have 2 or 3 more things that I want to make. Sometimes, knitting is just more important than laundry:-) I read this knitting blog by The Yarn Harlot, and evidently this is a common problem among knitters.

What's for dinner? - Marinated London Broil from the crockpot, and Honey-roasted Sweet potatoes.

Getting Settled

Well, I must be getting settled. I actually worked out yesterday and today. That is definitely a step in the right direction. I have been organizing and knitting and cooking.

I organized the kids books and toys in the basement. It still isn't very kid-friendly. I need to think about what I can do to make it easier for the kids to get to their toys and put them away. Any tips on how to do that? Or how to make my laundry room more productive? Maybe I should send a picture to Martha :-)

I have been knitting and knitting. I made 2 scarves for Nate, and I am finishing a pair of socks.

What else can I do? Oh, today is Grace's field trip to a farm, complete with a hay ride. That should be lots of fun.

Tomorrow, I will battle with the state of Maryland for driver's license and license plates and tags. Thank goodness, my brother is coming to babysit. Thanks David.

BTW, I didn't do all of this yesterday. It has been a work in progress over the past week or so.

What's for dinner? - I made Pumpkin Ginger Soup and homemade Honey Whole Wheat Oat Bran Bread with Ground Flax Seeds. It was so yummy. I love making soup this time of year!!!