Cannellini Spinach Stew

I love cooking. I am NOT a baker, but I've had some interesting journeys in gluten-free baking these past several years and it has definitely increased my interest.

But back to cooking...I enjoy the art of it. It's my quest to create something that resembles unique. And I'm passionate about my creations being healthy and delicious. I study cookbooks and cooking websites, but rarely use a recipe. I never make the same dish twice, but many variations with the goal to improve on the last or find a twist that catapults it into WOW. Spices and herbs thrill me and I have one cabinet dedicated to the housing of them all. Take the same ingredients with a different spice roll and it's always new and exciting.

I don't always make everything healthy, especially around the holidays when baking is involved, and our family has some vices, but the goal is junk in moderation and healthy indulgences in plenty. We (including Eric) have rarely felt like we were sacrificing enjoyment for health. If it isn't delicious, it's a failure. If it isn't healthy, it's not quite as satisfying, so back to the cutting board for another try.

Soon after we were married, I was cooking in our first apartment and I remember thinking, "How do I know how to do this?" Mom! My mom is a culinary genius - healthy, whole foods brought together with spices you can't pronounce for tastes that knock your socks off. The pursuit has its colossal failures, but also births brilliance and that's when it gets really fun. I'm ever so grateful to my mother for instilling in me the desire for food greatness, but never at the cost of health. Her creativity gave me a fun perspective on ingredients, but the free-spirit I also inherited doesn't take the time to make a record of my creations.

So in an attempt to remember some of my food discoveries and enjoy them again, and as a record for Elle and Zane, so they'll not forget what incredible adventure eaters they are and hopefully also commit to healthy eating, I'm going to occasionally post some originals from my kitchen.

I know there is nothing new under the sun and things I read and taste influence my creations. I humbly bow to those who discovered it first. I don't measure and I'm not a recipe writer. So it'll always be simple, probably just a list of ingredients with little instruction. It leaves room for more exploration....

We're snowed in and M*PS was canceled - total bummer but it's beautiful outside and fun to stay in our pj's all day. I'm looking at a barely empty cupboard, so anything can happen! There's a show on the F**d Network (can't remember what it's called and have seen it just a few times) where contestants are given a basket of ingredients and have so much time to come up with a dish. Love it and that's what I do, because that free-spirit in me just doesn't seem to successfully plan ahead.

Today we had a delicious bowl of Cannellini Spinach Stew (coming up with a name to call it isn't my forte -- Eric simply calls them 'Kate's concoctions'). Most times, I have nearly all of these ingredients stocked, so this will be a great go-to dish, especially in the winter months - hearty and warm.

Diced red onion, garlic and Italian flat-leaf parsley sauteed in walnut oil.
Add one can of cannellini beans, diced roasted red bell peppers, several large handfuls of chopped fresh spinach.
Over medium-heat, spice with salt, pepper, cayenne, ginger, curry, and turmeric.
Ready in minutes. No need to cook all day - the flavors are instant and wonderful. From cupboard to table in under 15 minutes and serves three.

I thoroughly enjoyed this creation, and the kiddos did too!

Too bad my passion doesn't extend to washing dishes. :(

Year-End Wrap-Up

When Elle finally got to feeling better, we had cousin Titus and his Mama and Dada over for hot soup and more gift opening.

Zane is overseeing.

Love this pic of Titus playing with tissue paper.

The next day, we made it out of the house for a few errands and then sailed into New Year's weekend, celebrating with more family. The kids had a blast with the cousins and we enjoyed more fun games, like Zingo, and more delicious foods.

Hoping a ride!

They adore each other.


Take him down!

Elijah's making up some game rule, just like his Uncle Eric. ;)

With another year gone, we reflect on God's goodness. He sustains us. On His ride, He cuts through everything that so easily entangles and gets to the heart of what's important. We're gonna hop this ride and do our best to stay the course. When we fall off, He'll help us get back on.

Happy New Year!

Christmas 2010

Yes, Mama had a big hair day!

Christmas morning was exciting and the day is a sweet memory. Both kiddos entered the living room shyly and were quite overwhelmed by the gifts. They stopped just inside the living room and wouldn't let go of my legs...very weird and funny...made for an interesting video! After we ate breakfast and read from Luke 2, we started opening gifts. Elle was very weak, so Zane played Santa, handing out gifts. He was incredibly patient as everyone took their turn and even insisted once that it was Elle's turn. We were also encouraged and touched by their gratitude. Elle said more than a few times, 'All for me?' She also had a burst of energy after a few gifts in and finally felt up to eating some homemade monkey bread, Grandma Wolfe's tradition.



Elle's favorite gift was her Hello Kitty pajamas, because I too received Hello Kitty pjs! 'We're twins!', she reminded us all day long. Zane's favorite was the Busy Ball Popper. He squealed with such delight and laughed so hard that it's the best video I think we have of him to date. Second favorite for Elle was a $1 purple calculator - go figure?! ;) Of course there were many more wonderful gifts from grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles and cousins. We are grateful to everyone for their generosity, kindness and love.

Whoa!

Cars!

Love this CD!

Tinkerbell paradise!

Cool!

Really, this time of year makes me think about our parents at our age, more than any other time. How we long to make Christmas meaningful and memorable, just like they did. I more fully understand the time and sacrifices to find the perfect gifts that bring joy to our children. I know the efforts to plan the most delicious foods that will live on as tradition, creating pride and security. I feel the exhaustion from late night wrapping and cleaning, to set everything just right and in perfect order for their early rising...to capture the awe on their faces.


I grasp just a glimpse of God's heart when He revealed His excellent plan of redemption and adoption through His most precious gift of Jesus. 'By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us.' 1 Jn. 3:16 Nothing could reflect His heart more accurately, nothing could ever bring the receiver more joy.


The pain of an unappreciated gift. The disappointment of a toy that didn't live up to the expectations. How much more it must pain our Heavenly Father when He offers the most perfect gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, with hope for a future that is promised to bring joy beyond anything we could ever imagine, and it is unappreciated, put aside and rejected. Like our parents, our hope above all gifts, decorations, and food, is that baby Jesus would come to be Elle and Zane's Savior and Lord.

I have been meditating on His gift that I've received, and how I reflect it...the very heart of my Father God. I know there are moments, hours, and days that I would appear unappreciative and unaffected by the best gift EVER! ...striving to reflect deeper admiration through obedience to His calling for our family.

Merry Christmas!

The Nights Before Christmas

With Eric home the week before Christmas, we especially enjoyed anticipating Jesus’ birthday. We made yummies, visited neighbors bearing cookies, worked on house projects, played Go Fish, Uno, Candyland and The Ladybug Game, and introduced Elle and Zane to Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Actually, to Eric's astonishment, it was my first time seeing The Grinch. (Gasp!) And to my amazement, Eric's first time watching White Christmas! How did we go fifteen years without these viewings?! I know I've watched White Christmas a few times in our marriage...guess he was in the other room??

There are some highlights this season that we don't want to forget. Both Elle and Zane were very eager to participate in our evening Advent devotions, which used a book containing pop-out pieces that slowly built a Nativity. Each took a turn adding a piece to the Nativity and then Zane tore it down and Elle put it back up, and on and on it went for days.






























Zane, always waiting for a taste. Elle is very careful with her icing and Zane is wearing a hospital gown - perfect crafting/cooking attire!



Unfortunately, Elle had a fever that started Christmas Eve and lasted for five days. We missed Christmas Eve dinner with family, the Christmas Eve service, and several outings. On a positive note, it slowed life down, helped us tune in to each other and Jesus, The Messiah. We especially enjoyed late night, lights out, music playing, couch cuddles...took me back to when I was a girl. I get weepy just thinking about the peace and comfort from these quiet moments.


Just love looking at her face! :)








Elle's idea to dress up as Mary and Joseph.

S D C

We recently returned from a three day trip and finished our first season as pass holders at S*lver Dollar C*ty. What a blast we've had at Branson this year!

Too cold for camping, so a hotel with pool and hot tub this time around. Every morning, after a big breakfast, Elle splashed in the cool waters with Dada while Zane and I soaked in the bubbles. Zane knows exactly what he likes. Ten seconds in the pool and he was signing 'all done' and pointing to the hot tub. The next day I asked him if he wanted to go in the big pool and he said, 'Nooooooooo', and signed 'hot'. Works out great for me -- my preference as well! He is a boy after my own heart! Elle on the other hand had to be dragged from the fun pool to the boring tub. :) She loves having fun with Dada - very sweet.

The City was so beautiful! Lights covering every square inch - awing! The Christmas tree was magnificent.

Nativities throughout. CHRISTmas music heard everywhere. The story of Jesus' birth proclaimed.


Parades, light shows and all the regular fun too.

Elle, with her hands up in the air, in the very last car with Dada.

When we first saw the middle square, with the impressive Christmas tree that was light-timed to music each evening, I got choked up. When I turned to see Elle's face, her eyes were full of water. That was a great moment. Later, I was moved by the telling of the Christmas story by the old man on the train ride - he was so sincere and there was a sense that he was honored to share God's Truth. And again, while the Christmas tree lights danced to music, I was overwhelmed by The One we celebrate this season.


Every day since Elle rode SDC's F*re *n The Hole in September, she has asked about riding it again. Not a day has passed in three months that she hasn't mentioned it being her favorite ride. As expected, this was definitely the highlight once again for her.


Zane really enjoyed The City's ambiance and didn't cry on the Frogger this time. But his favorite moment was while we sat in front row seats at the 20 minute Living Nativity performance. We were just feet away from the side stage where Mary, Joseph and a POOPING donkey appeared. Zane thought the pooping was AWESOME!! He kept signing 'potty' and laughed out loud.


Actually, we all laughed because we were so close to the actors we could see them stifling laughs and gagging for air while they knelt down in poop to worship baby Jesus. We have an Advent book that we read every night. Since our return from The City, we can't get past the page with the donkey without Zane mentioning donkey poop.

We also worshiped on Sunday morning at The City. Elle even went up front and sang in the choir. She was a pro, as the night before she went up on stage during the "Frosty" play. Here she is, in the middle wearing the purple hat...


Speaking of frosty, it was cold, but we planned our wear well and stayed plenty warm. The fresh, hot cinnamon bread also helped and became a daily must-have -- I feel a tradition coming on!

We had a lot of fun being together and taking in the celebration of Jesus, our Lord and Savior!

Road Trip

After Thanksgiving, Eric headed home to take an exam so that he can start attending classes next year in pursuit of his MBA. The kiddos and I headed on to St. Louis for much fun with my pal, Mrs. Evans, and her girls. As always, the days were filled with great food, games, shopping, belly laughs, coffee, more laughs and more coffee!


Mr. Evans has been faithfully and honorably serving our country in Afghanistan these past six months. We have enjoyed our extra time together with his girls in his absence, but are eager for his safe return to his dear family...very soon!

On this trip we were really blessed to attend church with the Evans girls - great fellowship and teaching! Later in the week the kiddos attended an awesome childrens program while we enjoyed a women's Christmas brunch. The food was delicious and we were extremely touched and moved by hearing eight women testify to what God was doing in their lives. It was a very worshipful time and we were so encouraged - a great start to the Christmas season for sure!

The Evans have turned their entire basement into a very impressive playroom. Several times a day we would lose the children to the underground for semi-peaceful coffee talks. But between coffee breaks, we headed out on the town for a train ride, an unexpected Santa chat, shopping, and a private (nearly the only patrons there!) lunch at the spaghetti factory.


One exciting milestone for Zane at the Evans was that he successful sucked water through a straw! Mrs. Evans was a wonderful cheerleader and encouraged Zane to master it. This is BIG, HUGE, INCREDIBLE! When there's a hole/fistula in the roof of your mouth, this can be quite challenging. Not sure how he maneuvers this, but if he puts the straw just so, he gets enough pressure to suck it up. It can get frustrating for him when it's not just right and he sucks wind, but he has continued to improve his technique. Zane does not fail to show us great determination and ingenuity!

We are so blessed to travel through life with these dear friends and always look forward to our next visit. In the meantime, we quietly take pictures of Zane with both of the girls in case there's an Evans/Wolfe wedding someday. ;)