Sunday, March 18, 2007

Snowflake Cake


Snowflake Cake
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Andrew and I baked a cake today. It is serving several purposes.

1. Happy Birthday Granny! My grandmother is 83 today. Sadly we won't see her because she lives about 1000 miles away in Alabama. We were talking about her birthday last night and Andrew inquired, "are we going to have a party and cake for Granny?" Of course he was sad when I reminded him how far away AL is so Daddy suggested we have our own cake to celebrate her 83rd year. I love you, Granny, Happy Birthday. She was tickled to hear we are having cake today in her honor. Seriously, the boy is going to turn into a chicken nugget!

2. To say, "goodbye," HOPEFULLY to old man winter, who was late arriving but is a guest who just won't leave!

3. As an incentive to Andrew to try peas today (pending the reward of cake). We are implementing a new "you must try 4 bites of each dish" policy. He is 4 for crying out loud... its time for him to eat real meals. I'm sick of being a short order cook! Seriously, the boy is going to turn into a chicken nugget!

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Their Chudders


Chudders
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Anytime Andrew means to say "each other" he says "their chudder." He's been saying it that way since he started using that phrase. Well this morning he patted the chair for Abi to come sit with him. She climbed up and he offered her some of his bowl of cheerios he was snacking on and put his arm around her.

He said, "Mom, brothers and sisters take care of their chudders." Made me all teary and giggly at the same time.
Add your comment

Monday, March 12, 2007

Chicken and Dumplings


Chicken and Dumplings
Originally uploaded by wenjomatic.

Mmmmmhmm yummy comfort food. Yesterday I made my mom's recipe for chicken and dumplings.... our Sunday, stay in your jammies through lunch, meal.

Its one of those meals that just gets better after a day in the frig, so I can't wait for Don to get home from work so we can re-enjoy them!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nana's Chicken n Dumplins

whole chicken
salted water to cover
2 cups all purpose flour
milk
salt
pepper

Simmer chicken on the stovetop in a large pot until meat is done and falling off the bone. Remove the chicken. If you are a lightweight you can skim the fat off… but why on earth would you do that really?

While the chicken is cooling, mix flour and milk until ball is formed (like a biscuit consistency). Roll out dumplings on wax paper or foil, dusting with flour to keep from sticking, until 1/8 inch thick. Yes, super thin. Cut into strips (I like to use a pizza cutter) and place back into boiling broth, a few at a time.

Pick chicken while dumplings are cooking and add back in with dumplings. Add a half cup of milk and salt and pepper to taste. Dumplings should take about half an hour until tender and cooked through. Serve hot from the stove. If too thick, add water if desired.

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Choo Choos & Cheese

Abi's language is beginning to explode. I can't even count the number of new words she's gotten in the last few weeks. Its so much fun to watch her attempt new words, then get so excited when I parrot them back to her. Here she is from a few nights ago... sitting at the kitchen island watching me get dinner ready. (click the link below)

Choo Choos & Cheese

Wilbur!!



Since moving to Lancaster County PA over 7 years ago I've always wanted to pay a visit to the Wilbur Chocolate Factory Museum and Store. So after our plans for a second annual trip to see friends in Montreal came to a screeching halt, we decided to console ourselves with some chocolate.

The Candy Americana Museum is pretty small in scale but by no means is it a lightweight or low in calorie. There are 3 rooms full of delicious memorabilia from all kinds of candy made in America over the years. The walls are lined with tins that once held cocoa, hard and soft candies and chocolates. I've never seen so many different kinds of chocolate molds, there must be over 100 chocolate Easter Bunny molds alone. They even have a collection of fine china chocolate pots with cups and saucers to match.

Don's favorite discoveries there were equipement used for all aspects of candy making. From a cocoa bean mill for grinding up the beans to a candy crimper used for making ribbon candies. He has a love for iron parts of pretty much any kind of machine, having been a moulder at a local iron foundry for several years before we met.

Andrew finished up our visit by picking out a chocolate airplane on a stick, which he devoured at home after dinner last night. What a fun day, you can view all our pictures by clicking on the one above...