Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving and I wanted to make a list of the things for which I am grateful this year....

1) A loving Heavenly Father that allows me to have this wonderful chance to be here on earth at this time.
2) My savior, Jesus Christ, who paid the ultimate sacrifice so I could screw up A LOT in mortality and still have an opportunity to be forgiven and return to Him someday.
2) A dear husband, who works hard to take care of his family and loves me in small, quiet ways that astound me.
3) Children who successfully live high personal standards, even though it is not always the popular thing to do.
4) As much as I hate it, I am grateful for my job that pays me a ridiculous sum of money and helps to pay for my farm and travels.
5) My chickens who bring joy, and nourishment, to my life.
6) My returning health, because the alternate is just not much fun.
7) Good, caring nurses (and doctors) at Good Samaritan hospital who constantly amazed me with the level of care they provide in our small community.
8) Good friends, who help make this journey more exciting and entertaining.
9) Homeowners insurance....without it, my bank account would be empty this year.
10) Volunteer firefighters....see #9
11) America, where we can choose our own path and make our own way, at least for now. :)
12) Modern technology that allows me to stay connected with friends and family across the globe.

Wing Night

Well, today was my first official day back to work since my gallbladder surgery and, honestly, it didn't look much different than all my other days of recovery. Me, in a bed, with the addition of a laptop and telephone. Each day I feel a little better but you can still tell without a doubt that someone had sharp objects inside your body cavity.

Bob was a sweet man and drove all the way home from work at lunch to get me something to eat. That is just the kind of guy that he is and I guess we will keep him around.

So after my long, arduous day of maneuvering through hundreds of emails and test files, dinner is upon us again. I just don't have the strength today so it is going to be hot wings and fries, even though I cannot indulge myself. I made some small red potatoes for me in the microwave (trying to be a good girl) and will just enjoy the rest of the family eating their pub feast!

In the mean time, I get to listen to the sounds of Thoroughly Modern Millie wafting through the house as Melanie prepares for her high school musical audition. It is cute today, but ask me again in a month!

Caramel Apple Crisp

As my gall bladder steadily fails, many have asked why I have been in the kitchen cooking so much. Well, the truthful answer is that standing and walking help the pain and so I tend to head to the kitchen where I can relieve the pain a bit and do something constructive at the same time. Even if I can't enjoy all the fruits of my labor because of my illness, I do get joy out of providing delicious meals to my family.

I have been asked to provide one of my latest culinary divinities. Caramel Apple Crisp. I pulled the base of this recipe from Allrecipes.com, which is a website I love, but then added my own twist.

Caramel Apple Crisp

Apple Filling:
5 large or 8 small Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
1/2 cup white sugar
1 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup water

Crumb Topping:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup quick cooking oats
1 cup butter, softened and cubed

Caramel Sauce:
1 cup Marzetti's caramel dip

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Toss apple filling ingredients together and place into a greased 8x8 pan.
Pour caramel sauce (you can warm in microwave a few seconds to make it pourable)
over the apple filling.
Spoon crumb topping over the apple filling and bake about 45 minutes. Enjoy!

It's just what mom's do

Well, I had a little delay in updating this blog. It is because I spent a weekend in France helping Elodie move. Elodie, for those who don't know, is a former exchange student of mine. She is now more like a daughter. This daughter was moving to a new apartment and I just had to go help her! It's just what moms do. I would also say it was about time since I have been telling her for years I would come visit.

I had such a wonderful time unpacking boxes and defrosting the freezer in the old apartment. It really didn't matter what we did, just the fact that we were together and had time to talk was what made the weekend perfect. My favorite part (besides eating as much French bread as possible) was when El and I laid on her newly made bed and just talked about life. Nothing could have been more perfect!

I loved travelling through France. I flew into Paris and took a train the city of Nantes, where Elodie lives. 3 hours of traveling across the beautiful farmlands of France. Note to self: Always remember to bring tissues or napkins aboard French trains if you plan on using the facilities.

Many thought me crazy to spend the time and money to go so far for such a simple task. But I say, it's just what moms do.....

A blustery, oatmeal kind of day

I have a guilty confession. I have fallen in love with Stephanie Nielson. Her amazing life is an inspiration to many, many women who find complete JOY in "just" being a wife, mother, and homemaker. And she wears an apron, which I LOVE!

In homage to NieNie, I made my family play *hooky* today.

Hee hee.

Since I have had the luxury of working my day job from the comfort of my living room while I recover from my recent neurological (not mental!) issues, I just wanted them around me. It is a really gray, blustery day here at the Mastracola compound. Perfect for OATMEAL!


To warm things up, I started the day by making everyone breakfast...

Homemade Oatmeal with Warm Banana Topping

4 servings of cooked oatmeal (your choice of instant, quick, or slow-cooked oats)
2 large bananas just past their prime, sliced
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1 tbsp light cream or milk

Melt butter in pan on low-med heat
Stir in brown sugar, spices, and cream until starts to thicken
Add banana slices and cook until soft and warm

Pour over hot oatmeal and enjoy!



It is sad that Bob couldn't enjoy an entire day of hooky. He had to go into the plant for meetings. We miss him when he is not here.

Work was not stress-free today as I had a long conference call that was somewhat painful to participate in (and not soley because there is a jackhammer downstairs digging up my basement to clean up our oil spill). To help reduce the stress, I baked up some Vanishing Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. I brought a nice warm plate down to the workmen who are digging what appears to be a large grave in the basement floor.

*Suddenly has a flashback moment to Arsenic and Old Lace*

It was nice to practice a random act of kindness...oh how I missed baking all these months!

I made the kids Crusty Grilled Cheese for lunch from one of my favorite Pampered Chef cookbooks.

Crusty Grilled Cheese

Premium bread (my fav is Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse White)
butter, softened
fresh garlic, minced or run through a garlic press
parmesan or romano cheese
Monterey Jack or Colby cheese slices
ham
sliced tomato
fresh basil
dijon mustard

Combine softened butter with garlic and parmesan. Spread onto the bottom slice bread and place butter side down on griddle or pan. Spread mustard on inside of bread. Layer the cheese, ham, tomato, and basil. Spread the butter mixture on the top slice of bread and cap off the sandwich. Make sure you cook on a low setting so the outside does not burn (because of the cheese and garlic)

This is one of the most delicious sandwiches EVER.

I am looking forward to the yet-to-be-decided dinner menu. I have biga, which is an Italian bread starter, fermenting away in the kitchen. Eventually, I will need to bake some fresh, crusty bread.

So far, a perfectly-balanced day!

Person Stephanie Nielson

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Trials are just opportunities in disguise

I believe that life's trials are just opportunities in disguise. It is all in the way you look at them.

Many of my close personal friends know that I have been somewhat unhappy lately. I am suffering the unfortunate consequences of a choice that I made to return to "work" to help my family buy a small farm. My outside job often involves long hours, and lots of stress, making me wistful for days of baking and cleaning. I have struggled with how to balance my work-life and home-life and ended up with a 3 day hospital stay for my reward.

So, I am using this "down time" to reflect on the things that matter most and to redirect my ship. I want the joy back that I used to have in my life. I don't have an option to quit my job right now, but I can try to get back some of what counts most! So here is my list of things that matter most:

1. My faith - Reading scriptures daily, teaching seminary, going to the temple often
2. My family - Making sure they know they are the most important to me
3. My home - Making it heaven on earth....a place where no one ever wants to leave
4. My ancestors - While my research may be exhausted, the temple work is not....see #1

Now, where to begin?? I actually got a head-start on this one a couple of weeks ago. I LOVE to cook. I LOVE to feed people. It is one the things that I miss the most in my life. So I decided to take the time to make a weekly menu, buy the ingredients for that week, and cook dinner every day. Our inaugural dinner was Columbus Day. I worked from home that day, and was able to split my time between work and cooking. Here was the menu.....

Cheese tortellini in a pink sauce with grilled chicken and fresh basil

Frozen cheese tortellini (cooked until they float to the top)
1 large can of crushed tomatoes
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 pint fresh cream, heated (30 secs in the microwave works great)
fresh basil
grated parmesan or romano cheese
olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1-2 boneless chicken breasts, grilled and sliced into strips

Saute onion and garlic in olive oil until onion is translucent. Add can of crushed tomatoes and heat on low-med. Add salt and pepper to taste. Grate some cheese into the sauce and continue simmering. Just before serving, stir in hot cream, grilled chicken, and fresh basil. Pour over hot tortellini.

I made some breadsticks from our trusty pizza-dough recipe.

For dessert, I made a white velvet butter cake with fresh raspberry buttercream frosting out of the Cake Bible. One important note, when it says to use UNSALTED butter, you really should listen.

While we ate our Columbus Day feast, we sang an old song by Lou Monte, called "Please Mr. Columbus". I remember listening to that Lou Monte album over and over as a kid. In all, it was a perfect day!