Tasty Tuesday! - Homemade Sweet Potato Fries

The wee ones have been expanding their palates lately, which thrills me to no end. I love seeing them try new foods and - more times than not - liking them, too. When I find something they like, I want to make it for them so that they don't "forget" they like it, which sometimes happens.

When at Trader Joe's recently, the wee ones sampled sweet potato fries and loved them. I love that they're healthy, especially since we don't fry them. But why buy them frozen and ready to cook when they're so easy to make?

Good question. In fact, I haven't....

Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients:
Sweet potato(es)
Salt
Pepper*
Garlic powder*

*Optional. It tastes better with them, but it's too much spice for the wee ones right now.

Directions:
Julienne your sweet potatoes after washing them. Use a mandoline if you have it; otherwise just cut them into slices lengthwise then turn the slices flat and cut those lengthwise to make matchsticks. Note: two potatoes is about right for my family, with a little bit of leftovers.

Boil water, and add the sweet potato sticks. Parboil them for 2-3 minutes only.

Lay them flat on a baking sheet on a sil pat (or parchment paper). Sprinkle lightly with salt and any other spices you would like (the wee ones are good with just the salt part for now).

Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes and serve warm. Watch them disappear!

Enjoy this and more at Tempt My Tummy Tuesday with Blessed With Grace!



Current Giveaways:
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Little Wonders Company personalized hardcover book here
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It's An Honest To Goodness Miracle!

Yesterday morning, I was doing my best to sleep in. The sign was up, meaning that the wee ones would at least allow us to sleep until 7:45 - and hopefully longer. I'd been unceremoniously awakened the four previous days when I would have had a chance to sleep in, and I was really needing to catch up on my beauty sleep as I could feel my crab-o-meter slowly creeping higher.

I was peacefully slumbering, in fact I was having a wonderful dream. Then I started hearing grumblings coming from the bathroom across the hall. Mutterings about it not being where it was supposed to be and how this wasn't working the way it was supposed to, following by grunting and groaning. My sweet dreams for the night were over.

Mister Man burst into my room and practically tackled me on the bed. Mom! Mom! Guess what I just did?

What? I murmured sleepily, almost afraid to hear the answer.

Mom, I did it! The toilet paper ran out, and I put on a new roll all by myself! He was practically bursting with pride.

Really? You changed the toilet paper roll? In the bathroom? Because it was empty? And no one told you? And you figured out how? Dude, I am so proud of you.

I think it's my finest parenting moment ever. Ever.

Current Giveaways:
$50 77kids gift certificate here
Little Wonders Company personalized hardcover book here
$25 Build-A-Bear Workshop gift card here

So What Did *Your* Family Do Yesterday?

Thanksgiving is a funny time. It's when families far and wide come together to celebrate and give thanks, but ... it isn't ever a completely smooth time. There's always someone who drinks too much or someone who picks a fight or says the wrong thing. There's always someone who doesn't acknowledge someone else or another ... special moment.

The same is true for my family, and I'm still chortling inside this morning. My mom hosted Thanksgiving, as no one from my generation has yet been allowed to host a major holiday. We all (and I mean all 22 of us) bring a dish to share, but my mom does the majority of the work. This year, she had two turkeys and a huge ham, in addition to all the other dishes.

I was helping her in the kitchen before the meal when I heard an odd hissing sound and turned around. I saw my mom doing something ... unspeakable to a poor turkey. Once she'd finished her mission, I checked the can myself and simply shook my head.

My uncle wandered into the kitchen a moment later. As he enjoys food - and cooking - as do I, I figured he'd appreciate the humor of it. I picked up the can and showed it to him.

So... guess what my mom is using to baste the turkey this year, I smiled.

No. She isn't - couldn't - be using.... that, he backed away with a concerned look on his face.

Oh, but she is. I just saw her spraying the turkey with it.

He didn't believe me. Honestly, had I not witnessed it myself, I would not have believed it myself. Fortunately, my mom chose that moment to walk back into the kitchen.

My uncle approached her casually. So I hear you're using ... this to baste the turkey this year?

With barely a glance at the can, she replied, Yep, it's working really well. It's so much easier!

My uncle spluttered a moment, but really what can you say in response to that? Oh, I didn't mention what she was using to baste the turkey? That she was spraying on the hot turkey as it continued to cook? Why that would be the imitation butter flavored nonstick cooking spray, of course. Isn't that what you use?

So what fun did you experience at your Thanksgiving celebration?



Current Giveaways:
InchBug Bumpy Orbit Labels here
MASTERMIND and Animal Mastermind Towers board games here
$50 77kids gift certificate here
Little Wonders Company personalized hardcover book here
$25 Build-A-Bear Workshop gift card here

Happy Thanksgiving?

In our house, we - or at least I - like to celebrate my holidays one at a time. I want to enjoy Valentine's Day all the way up until the 14th of February without starting to see the signs of St. Patrick's Day. Call me a traditionalist. Can you see where this is going?

I've been seeing Christmas decorations in the stores since the last week of August when I was still focused on back to school, forget Halloween, forget Thanksgiving. Being that I live in Chicago, I do understand why people put up their outdoor lights "early" (my opinion, of course), but turning them on is beyond me.

I'm not the only one with this opinion - and I swear I haven't expressed it in front of her at all. Little Miss walked up to me yesterday with a very unhappy look on her face.

Mommy. Why do people have their Christmas lights up already? Don't they know it's not Christmastime yet? I think they forgot to celebrate Thanksgiving!

Yes. That is a pilgrim's bonnet that Little Miss made in school. And yes, she is planning to wear it to my parents' house later today for Thanksgiving dinner.

With that note, a Happy Thanksgiving to you all. I hope you have a wonderful day filled with family and friends and lots of turkey!



Current Giveaways:
InchBug Bumpy Orbit Labels here
MASTERMIND and Animal Mastermind Towers board games here
$50 77kids gift certificate here
Little Wonders Company personalized hardcover book here
$25 Build-A-Bear Workshop gift card here

This Is The Greatest Birthday Present Ever

As I was getting ready this morning, Little Miss wandered into the bathroom to chat. She peered up at me with her innocent brown eyes, Mommy, is today your birthday?

Why, yes, Peanut, it is. Why do you ask? I returned, smiling at her.

Her brow furrowed, and her eyes narrowed with concern. Well, if it's your birthday, then we need to make your birthday present right away!

That's very kind of you sweetie. I don't really need presents from you though.

She stood staring at me a moment, not quite sure what to do or say. I could see the wheels turning before inspiration struck. I know, Mommy! I'm going to give you lots of hugs and kisses!

With that, she leapt into my arms - fortunately, I caught her - and began kissing my cheek repeatedly. And really? What else could I possibly want for my birthday?

Ok ok ok, if you really want to give me a present, go enter my giveaways below. I love seeing lots of entries, and who couldn't use some early holiday "shopping" of a sort?



Current Giveaways:
Fiber One Prize Pack including a $25 gift card here
InchBug Bumpy Orbit Labels here
MASTERMIND and Animal Mastermind Towers board games here
$50 77kids gift certificate here
Little Wonders Company personalized hardcover book here
$25 Build-A-Bear Workshop gift card here

Tasty Tuesday!

The other day, I bought fish while at Costco. I hadn't made any in awhile, and for all the love we have of it, it was about time. I accidentally bought steelhead (a kind of trout) instead of salmon, and I wanted to make something with it that wasn't my usual cedar plank grilled salmon - since the taste is a little different.

Oh, and it was a day where the wee ones needed to get out the door and have a healthy dinner before they went, so I needed to make it quick. And yummy. And I didn't have time to search around for the perfect recipe. I remember having found a recipe recently that was a steamed orange fish, but I couldn't find it anywhere.

So I made my own version. The two plus pounds of fish? Gone. There was a little left over for lunches, but everyone devoured it. Phew!

Orange Salmon (or other fish)

Ingredients:
2 pounds salmon fillet, skin on (or steelhead or other similar fish)
1 orange
2 T honey
2 T olive oil
salt
pepper

Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350 or your grill to medium. Place the fish skin side down on a sheet of aluminum foil. Salt and pepper it to your taste (sprinkling, in my case).

In a separate bowl, zest your orange, then juice it into the bowl. Add the honey and olive oil, and whisk until it is well combined. It the honey is old, heat the mixture for 10-15 seconds so the honey melts enough to combine with the other ingredients.

Use a pastry brush to spread the sauce on the fish, or simply pour it over the fish and use a pastry brush to ensure all surfaces are coated.

Fold up the aluminum foil to create a tent, leaving room for the steam to form. Learn from me, and place the aluminum foil into an oven safe dish. Bake it at 350/grill it at medium for approximately ten minutes. Open the foil at that point and turn up the heat to broil the fish for an additional seven or so minutes.

Serve immediately, and enjoy. Not surprisingly, we served ours with spinach. Oh was it delicious. And fast. And easy.

Enjoy this and more at Tempt My Tummy Tuesday with Blessed With Grace!




Current Giveaways:
Fiber One Prize Pack including a $25 gift card here
InchBug Bumpy Orbit Labels here
MASTERMIND and Animal Mastermind Towers board games here
$50 77kids gift certificate here
Little Wonders Company personalized hardcover book here
$25 Build-A-Bear Workshop gift card here

This Is How You Celebrate A Birthday?

Mister Man had his birthday party awhile ago, but I keep forgetting to post about this. I am so glad that I took pictures, because they crack me up every time I look at them.

Mister Man did a joint birthday party with his buddy Violet at a gymnastics facility. It worked out really well, as there was minimal organization on my part and they both adore gymnastics and running around, so everyone had a great time.

As the other mom and I were upstairs arranging the cake and snacks and such, our party coordinator came up to ask if we wanted to have them do a birthday swing over the pit. We both looked at each other and agreed - swinging over the pit and then falling into it is one of the the favorite activities of both children.

I didn't realize it was going to be quite like this.

Note the flying foam cubes. Everywhere. They were everywhere. Each of the birthday guests jumped into the pit and dug in deep. As they sang happy birthday to the birthday children, they threw the foam cubes at the defenseless swinging child - who was having an absolute blast.

I want my next birthday party at a gymnastics facility (ps that's Wednesday for those of you who want to get that last minute present ordered). This was wayyyyy too much fun. And yes, I inquired. My local facility will do adult parties.



Current Giveaways:
Fiber One Prize Pack including a $25 gift card here
InchBug Bumpy Orbit Labels here
MASTERMIND and Animal Mastermind Towers board games here
$50 77kids gift certificate here
Little Wonders Company personalized hardcover book here