Visiting Teaching

I love how visiting teaching has changed with technology. I don't have to make any phone calls anymore! I contact my companion and our sisters by e-mail then report to the supervisor by the same means.

My current route is very easy. My companion and our three sisters are all well-established, active members. We are all similar in age and/or situation. My companion and I like to do things a little differently. Instead of going to each individual's home we take turns hosting a lunch or brunch in our own homes. It's been fun trying new recipes and using recipes I don't get to use very often.

I usually make an egg dish, some kind of coffee cake or breakfast bread and something with fruit. Yesterday I prepared a breakfast burrito bar. I loaded up my Tupperware veggie tray with three different kinds of meat--sausage, bacon and ham, cheese, sautéed mushrooms, sautéed onions and green peppers, salsa and sour cream. The scrambled eggs and tortillas were served on the side. I had a fruit platter and a blueberry coffee cake which was a new recipe but very good.

We always have a very good time and the kids get to play together so that means the adults get a moment to chat.

Quilt Retreat Pics

Here's the proof. We really did work hard on our beach trip.

My kids

Ahh Nuts!

When Kennedy turned one I started giving her peanut butter because I though PB & Js were a staple for kids. Soon after, she developed what I thought was a peanut allergy. When I told the doctor about the rashes I found she told me to wait 6 or so months before trying peanut butter again and explained that some children grow out of these early-onset allergies. However, six months later she still seemed allergic. I have never taken her to get officially tested but have just assumed she was allergic and have avoided making some of my favorite goodies that included peanut butter.
Last week when I went to the beach for my quilting retreat I made a big batch of my favorite peanut butter chocolate chip cookies (recipe courtesy of my lovely sister, Alison). Incidentally, I left a few behind for Chris's lunches, stored in the freezer in snack-size Ziploc baggies. You can guess where this is going. . . .Mom out of town, unlabeled cookies, Dad's first time ever being left in charge for more than just a few hours. Kennedy had downed about half the cookie before she told Chris, "Daddy, I think there is peanut butter in these cookies!" Chris panicked but, being the doctor he is, kept a close eye on her. Nothing happened. We thought our troubles of the peanut allergy were over.
This weekend I made one of my favorite desserts that I haven't made in a very long time: Peanut Butter Pie. I thought this would be a good way to ease Kennedy into the life of peanut butter. After all, I didn't want her to be afraid of peanut butter just because we had been telling her for her entire life that she had to avoid peanuts and peanut butter. I was right, she ate her whole piece of pie then asked for more.
About an hour after dessert I started getting the kids ready for bed. Kennedy came to me complaining that she itched everywhere. . . .even in her bum. Poor thing was miserable. She had rashes all over. I quickly ran downstairs and grabbed the Benedril and asked for "the doctor" to come check her out. We agreed that this was probably due to the peanut butter and decided that there would be no more peanut butter for Kennedy.
You would think this would be enough to traumatize a four-year-old but she seems to take it all in stride. This morning she told us, "No more peanut butter for me until I'm an adult!"

Mini Ham Puffs

A few months ago I had a Pampered Chef show and this is what we served. I have made them a few times since for various reasons. They are very good.

Mini Ham Puffs

1 pkg (2.5 oz) processed ham or smoked turkey, finely chopped
2 Tbs finely chopped onion
1/2 cup (2 oz) shredded Swiss or cheddar cheese
1 egg
1 Tbs snipped fresh parsley
1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
1 pkg refrigerated crescent rolls

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray mini muffin pat with vegetable oil. Finely chop ham and onion. Place in mixing bowl. Add cheese, egg, parsley, mustard and black pepper; mix well.
Unroll crescent dough and press into one large rectangle. Cut dough into 24 squares using a pizza cutter. Press one square of dough into each muffin cup.
Fill each muffin cup with a scant tablespoon of ham mixture. Bake 12-14 minutes or until puffs are light golden brown. Remove from pan; serve immediately.
Yield: 24 appetizers.

Surprises

When I was a child, I hated waiting for surprises (who am I kidding?? I'm still like this). Christmas and birthdays were always very difficult for me. I'm very impatient by nature and waiting for something that's bound to be good is a trial. Even in my married life I struggle. Our first few Christmases were a big letdown for Chris because I guessed what he was giving me. It wasn't until a few years later that he brought this annoying habit to my attention. Sorry!!!

When we found out we were unexpectedly expecting that was a big surprise. I have since surprised myself by committing to wait until the baby is born to find out the gender. I never thought that I would be able to do that. However, in this situation I think it's appropriate.

We had our ultrasound about two weeks ago and were successful at not finding out. There's no turning back now unless the tech wrote it down somewhere and one of the doctors accidentally blurts it out. The ultrasound showed that the baby is healthy. I do have to return in a few months for a follow up ultrasound because my placenta has not moved up which could mean placenta previa. I hope it all resolves. I feel confident that things will work out as they should.

Here are a few pictures of the little tyke:

My New Computer

This is my new computer. Yes, it's red. I'm so excited. I hope I can be a better blogger now that I don't have to work on my dinosaur. It should be easier for me to upload pictures and that's more fun for a blog.