Birthday Reflections

I turned 45 last Sunday.  Wow it doesn't even seem right to say Im 45!!  Its funny but I still see myself as a 20 something woman with a baby.  Weird how we see ourselves and the people around us.  For example I don't think my friends I see regularly have aged one bit.  But then there are those people you see every blue moon that when you see them its a shock.  I mean how can they look so Old??  and then the inevitable question…Do I look that old??  

 I don't think I look 45….I keep telling myself!

I went to my first Blackhawks game and became a HUGE fan

I was asked to be in my first fashion show…and I wasn't just in one…I was in Three!!  Never would I imagine that!!

I think being in our 40's is much different from when our parents where that age.  I remember my mom turning 45 and 50, and thinking she looks like a mom.  She looks 45 and 50.  I think with the way society is today we just don't look our age anymore.(at least thats what I'm going to think!)  I mean at 45 my mom was overweight, didn't really do a whole lot of activities with me like playing outside, going on roller coasters and stuff like that. ( side note, she was the MOST amazing mother though and I miss her EVERY SINGLE DAY!) I do those things with my kids.   I think back to the past year and I have had an amazing one.  I mean I not only took my first international trip, BUT I took THREE!!  I am now a world traveler.  Ask me if I would fly, let along fly internationally 10 years ago and I would have said NO WAY!  I have traveled on a road trip over 500 miles away by myself.  I know for a lot of people this is not a big deal however it has taken me 44 years to be able to say I have done that.  Plus I not only did it once, but multiple times!  I have learned to be by myself and to be ok with it, almost enjoy the time I have alone.  Before I feared being by myself.   In the past year I have had a fairy tale proposal.  The man of my dreams made every single dream I had of becoming engaged come true. 

In Zurich…before the big question……

Of course I said YES!!!!

This man makes all my dreams come true.

 He is now giving me my fairy tale wedding happening next year.  November 21, 2015 to be exact.  I actually attribute my growing up with meeting this amazing man.  He has given me the courage to step outside of my box and try new things, go new places and although some of them scare the Hell out of me and I fight him kicking and screaming, after the fact I am usually ALWAYS glad I did them.  Going to the Middle East this summer for example, I did not want to go.  But, looking back I am glad I experienced that and lived to talk about it.  I survived a 21 hour plane ride to Australia  I went to Switzerland and rode a train up to the highest point in Europe to have the man I love take me to the top of the world because thats how I make him feel.  I experienced jet lag, I have eaten things that have not been very good but were culturally native to where I was.  I have been a better mother to my kids, all 4 of them.  Trying to learn from my mistakes and actually having a partner who will parent them WITH me instead of just being a sperm donor and playmate to them.  I would like to think they have benefitted from my growing up also.  Thats how I feel.   I feel that I have finally become a grown up. Not old, but a grown up.

Not older…just better

Mexican Cookies

These cookies were surprisingly good!  I am headed to the

 track tomorrow and I have spent the entire day cooking and 

baking.  I made peanut butter bars, oatmeal crispy cookies, 

sugar free brownies,apple dip, pimento cheese dip, artichoke 

chicken and Taco meat.  Whew!  I am tired, but I loved every 

minute of it.  I wanted to try a new cookie though for this race.

  Something different and boy did I find it.  this chocolate 

cookies has a light sweet taste but the chili powder and 

cinnamon give it a kick.  then at the end the cayenne pepper 

hits you with a zing!  I really like them.  Kendall really liked 

them.  Now we will see if the guys really like them!  I hope 

you try them and enjoy them too.  Have a great Labor Day!!

Oatmeal Crispys and Mexican Cookies

Mexican Cookies

Mexican Cookies

Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted butter

6 oz. of semi sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1/4 cup white sugar

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

2 large eggs

1 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8-1/4 teaspoon cayenne 

1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. 

Melt the butter and chocolate together either on the stove top in a heatproof bowl over simmering water (whisking until glossy and smooth) or in the microwave in 25-second increments (whisking after each 25 seconds). Cool the chocolate mixture to room temperature.

In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment beat together the brown and white sugar, eggs and vanilla extract on low speed until mixed well. Pour in the cooled chocolate mixture and mix until combined.

In a separate bowl sift together the flour, cocoa powder, cinnamon, chili powder, baking soda, salt and cayenne.

Add the dry ingredients to the chocolate mixture and mix on low speed until the flour is incorporated well.

Fold in the chopped walnuts.

Scoop 12 equal rounds of the cookie dough for each cookie sheet making 24 cookies in total 

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 12 minutes.

Cookies should still be a little puffy and soft.

Enjoy!!

Chili in a Jar

Last night I made this super good Chili-in-a-Jar dinner.  Its chili topped with a "Corn Bread" type of bread BUT its low carb!  Harry and Kendall both really liked it, and I thought it was good as well.  The good thing about this is that after you get it into jars and bake it, you can screw on the lid and put in the fridge and it makes for great lunches.  Just reheat in the microwave and Viola!  Instant lunch!

Chili in a Jar

Your favorite chili recipe ( I used mine with ground turkey and no beans.  )

1/2 Cup almond Meal

1/4 Cup Flax Seed Meal

2 Teaspoons Baking Powder

1 Teaspoon Salt

1 Teaspoon Splenda

4 Eggs Beaten

1-2 cups Cheddar Cheese shredded

Mix all ingredients except cheese together and start assembling…

In a Medium sized jar put 1- 1 and 1/2 cup chili…I just used a ladle and it took 2 ladles.  you want the jar half to 3/4 full.  The sprinkle cheese over the top of chili.  This is going to be your barrier so that the bread mixture doesn't seep into the chili.  The using an ice cream scoop scoop 1/4 of the bread mixture into the jar right on top of the cheese.  Fill it almost full.  Place on baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes until the bread is set and browned.  

LET COOL.  This is so hot!  Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.  I served it right in the jars.  It was really good and really cute!

The dough will seem really runny…its suppose to be.  Don't worry it works.

Enjoy!!

Cucumber Greek Salad

This summer I practically lived on this salad.  It is so good, so satisfying, and so filling!  It stays good for a few days so making it the night before makes for a great lunch and a nice side for dinner that night.  It does have the tomatoes in it so make sure you count that as one of your days of the tomato or brussels sprout days. 

Cucumber Greek Salad

1 Container Cherry Tomatoes cut in half

1 Pack of the baby cukes (3-4)sliced and cut in half again

2 Tablespoons of Feta Cheese 

1/2 Can Black Olives Sliced

1 Small Red Onion Chopped

Dressing

1 Teaspoon Oregano

1 Teaspoon Dill

2 Tablespoons Minced Garlic

1 Tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar

4 Tablespoons Olive Oil

Juice from 1/2 Lemon

Salt and pepper

Mix Dressing ingredients in a bowl and whisk together and pour over veggies.  Let set for at least an hour before serving to marinate.

Enjoy!!

Apple Rings and first Day of School

I made something AMAZING last night for dessert.  Apple Rings.  They are similar to onion rings but they are a healthier, sweeter version of them.  Healthier, I mean they are gluten free, and sugar free (made with Splenda) and they are sooooo GOOD!  It has a fall appeal to them which makes them perfect for the first day of school today.  Or last night which is when we had them.  

Apple Rings

Kendall started her first day of 7th grade today.  Wow where does the time go?  It seems like yesterday she just had her last day and summer just began.  We had an amazing summer though.  I think we were able to pack as full as possible with things to do and places to see.

First day of 7th grade!

We started it off with camp for Kendall that started the Monday school got out. From there we headed down to Tennessee for our Family Reunion.  That was a blast!  (See previous post). 

All the cousins together at the Reunion

 We then took a trip to Ohio and stayed at the infamous Kalahari Water park and attended the NHRA race that was there.  

Norwalk Ohio Race

At Kalahari

Everyone squeezed in for an elevator selfie at Kalahari.

She went to her dads for a week, and that is when Harry and I took a trip to the Middle East (yes I said Middle East!) and came back and was able to spend a few days in Tennessee by ourselves for some much needed couple time.

Harry and I in Qatar

Then in Tennessee

  August came and we had Harry and Kendalls birthdays, Back to school shopping and 2 more trips to Tennessee to end the summer.  Wow thats a lot!  Oh and yes we battled Head lice this summer.  UGH!  We think she got it on a trip with Hillary in Indianapolis at a movie theater.  Makes me think twice about putting my head against the seat at any public place!  That was 2 weeks of HELL.  To finally getting rid of them by using a home made natural product of Crisco. Whew!

 The birthday boy and girl!

Birthday fiesta!

Oh yea My niece got engaged this summer also!  She is one amazing girl and I am so excited for her!  The big day is this November!!!!

One last thought….I found and booked our reception venue and….I found a DRESS!!!! 

Its been a great summer!

Apple Rings

3-4 Apples -Cut the inside core out with a biscuit cutter

1/2 Cup Gluten Free Flour

1/4 Cup Splenda

1 Teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 Cup Almond Milk

Canola Oil

Splenda and Cinnamon to roll the rings in after cooking.

Cut apples and heat oil in a iron skillet.  Dip apple rings in almond milk , coating both sides, then dip into flour, splenda and cinnamon mixture and drop into hot oil.  Fry on both sides til brown and crispy.  Drain on paper towel and then dip in splenda and cinnamon mixture.  Serve with some Walden Farms Carmel for dipping.  Soo Good!!

Enjoy!!

Summertime and Family Reunions

Wow, Its August 1st already.  Where did summer go?  I can't believe how long its been since I posted.  So much has happened this summer and we still have a few weeks to go before school starts.  Lets start at the beginning….In June we had our family reunion at our home in Tennessee.  It was so much fun!  27 of us total and it was 3 days filled with fun, food, laughter and making lots of memories along with remembering a lot of old ones.  

Amazing Food and Snacks

I used jars as serving bowls and the effect was beautiful!

Small and large jars

Mini individual cherry pies in small jars…Yummmmm

Brownie Batter Dip…So good  See below for recipe.

Lots of Water fun

all of us cousins

The next generation

The Bittners

Me , my sister and cousin Karen

One of my favorite people in the world…my cousin Rena from Texas

My Aunt Nenie…she was the only one of the older generation that was able to attend.

Beautiful Tennessee sunset

Family Photo

On the boat

Gorgeous!!

Jet skiing fun!

My nephew surrounded by beauty!

We swam, rode jet skis, went on boat rides and fished.  It was a pretty amazing reunion!  It was so much fun.  there are so many recipes I want to share with you but for today Im going to share the brownie batter dip.  so good and so indulgent .

Brownie Batter Dip

1 brick of Cream cheese softened.

1/2 stick Butter

2 Packets unsweetened chocolate. (I use the melted chocolate)

2-3 Cups Powdered Sugar

2-3 Teaspoons heavy Cream

1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract

Fruit, vanilla wafers, graham crackers, cookies for dipping.

Mix all ingredients well with hand mixer.  Add powdered sugar until desired consistency.  Let set out an hour or so before serving to get room temperature.  It should be soft and disable.  When its in the fridge it gets hard and you want it more batter like.

Enjoy!!

Mothers Day

What a great Mothers Day!! Hillary came home, we went to my very favorite restaurant ever…Maestros in Chicago, and I got my new iphone 5C!!  woo Hoo!!  Im super excited about that.  We really had a great day.  Hillary came home Saturday night and stayed til Monday morning.  We all got up and went to church together.  Hillary got up especially early to go get me a Starbucks first thing…Love!  the Weather was great and it was just a wonderful day!  then to top it off, Jackie came by for dinner on Monday on her way back to school.  So I got see 3 out of the 4 kids!  

How in the world did these two grow up so fast?  I can't believe how fast time flew by.  the saying "in the blink of an eye" has never hit home so hard as it does when I look at old pictures!

These two have grown up to be the best kids ever!

Here is my life in a one picture!

After dinner, these times are my favorite times….just being together and goofing around!  I am one lucky girl!!

He is my world!

The next race is this weekend, we are Atlanta bound!  We are making a stop in TN on our way to check out the progress of the kitchen.  Im super excited to see how it is coming along.  I never knew it was SO MUCH to organize a remodel!!  Wow.  Every little thing.  but it will be so worth it.  the few pics I have seen already I absolutely Love!! 

Here is what the floor looks like.  I love it so much!!  We put the same down in the motor home and it looks really sharp!

I went with white cabinets, because I have always wanted them.  Plus I really think they look "Lake House ish".

Here is another shot of it.  The doors should be on when we get there this week.  We have the counter coming in a few and a pendant light hanging above that window.  All this needs to be done by June 21 for our big family reunion!!