From the skies!

A few photos I took on the way to Sunny Hot AZ!!!   I landed at 4:40pm and it was 112'F Crazy beautiful!  I also rushed out to get the sun going down (so although not good photos...you get the just of the beautiful sunset this evening, when I rolled into the driveway!!

Rouladen

My sister is coming for dinner, with her new man, which I am excited to meet!!   Joy called ahead to request Rouladen for dinner - which Taeya was very happy about as that is her very favourite...so of course I turned it into a post opportunity ;-)  If you have 45 minutes in the morning...you will have a hot tasty dinner that night!

Prep Time: 45 min
Cook Time: 4 -8 hours in slow cooker

Ingredients:

Rouladen strips - Save-on-more - usually has the best in stock (Canada) also your local butcher - or T-bones can do them for you if you ask in advance.   I plan on two per person (kids included - because both our girls eat 2)....and they are amazing for left overs!!

1 sm jar Dijon Mustard
1 large onion
1 pkg bacon
3 cloves of garlic
1 carton Beef Broth (I use sodium reduced prepared Campbell's cartons)
1 C red wine (optional)


Process:

Finely chop onion and saute until soft, add garlic and saute until aromatic  - put aside
Chop bacon and saute, drain fat, then combine onion mixture.

Meanwhile....lay strips of Rouladen on parchment paper, spread on dijon mustard - to your taste (we like lots)
Spoon onion/bacon mixture onto one end of the rouladen, roll, while tucking ends inside to hold bacon and onion, toothpick to hold.
Heat pan on med to high heat with a TBSP of EVOO, brown all sides of rouladen (starting with the end side if not using tooth picks)
Transfer from pan into slow cooker, arranging tightly to accommodate all rolls (I did 18 (with two bacon packs in these pics)
Pour Beef Broth over rolls to cover
Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8hrs (I always do 8hrs)

Prepare sides, serve with J-Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon and enjoy!!!

Disaster!

OK OK OK, so yes we were way to busy yesterday to get the tie-dying underway!!  We went straight from shopping for new shirts, to swimming lessons to piano and then when we arrived home Uncle Rick was here for a visit.  We then had dinner....then the ice cream truck showed up, so we had dessert.... Took the dog for a walk, filled out first day school forms, played Apples to Apples and then flopped into bed!!   So I thought I would post pics of the first tie dying process as it will have to wait until next week now as today we have swimming, dentist and Aunty Joy's visit, then tomorrow is swimming and soccer....you get the drift I'm sure!!!

1st day of school

Taeya entered GRADE 5!!!! today and Paige entered GRADE 3!!!!   It is crazy how fast it goes...and come on! Please slow down!!!  Taeya picked out all her clothes designed her hair and matched her shoes...Paige wanted to have hair down, (I made her brush it ;-)) and just be 'cute'.   After we had to head to the mall to grab new shirts...(I got dye during their 2 hour stint at school today)  However, after our amazing tie dye disappointment we had to go back to the drawing board...which we will do after swimming, piano, and dinner tonight :-))

Ella

I took Ella to the bird sanctuary, with the trike...I loved the way these turned out, the pure innocence with nature.

Banana Bread

Banana Bread

Prep Time: 5 min
Bake Time: 1 hour

INGREDIENTS
- 4 ripe bananas, smashed
- 1/3 C melted butter
- 3/4 C sugar
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1tsp baking soda
- pinch of salt
- 1 1/2 C flour (you can use whole grain)

PROCESS

Preheat oven to 350'F (175'C).  With a wooden spoon, mix melted butter into smashed bananas in a large mixing bowl.  Mix in sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla.  Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in.  Add the flout last, mix.  Pour mixture into buttered 4X8 pan (unless you have a silione - then there is no need to butter).  Bake for 1 hour. Cool on rack, slice and enjoy with fresh butter!!!

Today's find!

So today I went on a quick trip to Lois Lane, our vintage store, that is more like something you would see off of Horders!!!   It is a beautiful shop in an old warehouse...that holds plenty of treasures.   I got a beautiful old milk jug and this sifter!   Although they look like a second hand find - they are vintage...so you know what that means...$$$.  However, look at how beautiful it is.   So I had to come home, wash it up and bake something!!!  Ted has been asking for banana bread for some time...so that is what I chose...plus I'm trying to clean out my freezer - and the banana's have overtaken all the door space ;-))

Maksi

Today I travelled to Penticton to take some photos of beautiful Maksi.  She was an absolute joy to photograph in the new tutu, her aunty Jes made her.   Maksi's beautiful freckled face was so fresh and full of life...after the shoot was done she jumped in the pool with her tutu on...to cute!  Trash the TUTU!!!!