Happy Mother's Day!

We took a few photos today for Mother's Day.  Because I'm usually behind the lens.  I love my rugrats.  Every minute of every day.

And then of course, because mothering those two would be impossible with my big strong fireslayer. 

Parmesan Pasta Salad

This recipe is for the other bacon lovers out there.  I've been making it for awhile, and everywhere I take it it's a hit.  And it's simple.  (and totally unhealthy, but ignore that...it's worth it.)

1 lb pasta (I use either bowtie or mostaccioli)
1 lb bacon
1 jar Jimmy's parmesan dressing (in the refrigerator section)
1/2 c sunflower seeds
1/4 c chopped red onion
1 small jar pimentos
1 c parmesan cheese

Cook pasta as directed.  Fry and crumble bacon.  Mix all ingredients together; chill and serve.

(Note:  I can't find my recipe.  I'm not positive on the measurements of sunflower seeds and parmesan cheese.  I just throw in a couple handfuls of each.

Also, I leave the onion and pimentos out when I'm making it for "picky" company, like when I bring it to my family functions!)

Robin

I posted this on facebook, too, but I need to keep it in my "permanent record." 

The boys are certain they are going to catch a robin.  They'll be looking out the window and see one anywhere in the cul-de-sac and whisper their plans to me.  They'll sneak out the door (usually shoe-less - makes me crazy!), tip-toe up to it quietly...and, well, you know how it ends.  Almost always followed up with an "AWW!  It got away!"

So we were pleased to notice a robin building her nest on our gas meter.  It's way over the robin-chasing rugrats' head, so it would have been a good choice for her.  But, for some reason, she abandoned it.  I'm not sure if this is the same one, but she or another robin built a nest at my neighbors' house, on a three-foot wooden bear statue.  How adorable is this momma bird sitting on her eggs all day?

Thank you, Mother Nature, for this gift to Trenton Lane.  As payment for my gratitude, I will not tell the rugrats where this birds' nest is.

Rhubarb Crunch

I'm noticing a lot of my friends are picking rhubarb already, and I stole some from my father-in-law's garden today as well.  This is my Aunt Anne's recipe from the Torola family cookbook, page 242.  It's amazing.

Rhubarb Crisp
6 c fresh rhubarb, diced

1 c sugar
2 T flour
1 tsp nutmeg*
1 c brown sugar
1 1/4 c flour
1 c oatmeal
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c butter
1/3 c shortening**

*I used cinnamon
**I used all butter

In bowl, thoroughly mix rhubard, 1 c sugar, 2 T flour, and nutmeg.  Pour into 9x13 pan.  In separate bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, oatmeal, and salt.  Cut in butter and shortening until, crumbly.  Sprinkle over rhubarb mixture. 

Bake at 375 for 45 minutes or until crisp and brown.  Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

ENJOY!

Garage Sale: 2010: Doing it all

I wish, especially this week, that I had the ability to just let some stuff slide once in awhile.  At least during Garage Sale Week.  But it turns out I'm a little nuts, so I need to have the place cleaned up, the laundry done, the kids bathed, my work done...as well as getting organized for the sale-at-which-i'm-going-to-make-a-fortune.

Today I said to Jack, "Oh, Jack. How are you so smart?"  Without skipping a beat, he said, "Because.  I'm a super-hero."  If you can ignore my complaining and my sore feet, I'm a super-hero too. 

Have a great weekend if I don't get back here this week!

German Apple Pie

Cole requested this pie for his birthday, and it was delish.  The cup of cream makes it taste like the ice cream is cooked right inside the pie.  I highly recommend it!

Crust:
1 1/2 c flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c shortening
1 tsp vanilla
2 - 3 tbsp ice water

Filling:
1 c sugar
1/4 c flour
2 tsp cinnamon
6 c tart apples (I used Granny Smith)
1 c heavy whipping cream

In a small bowl, combine flour and salt. Cut in the shortening until crumbly.  Add vanilla.  Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough forms into a ball*.  Roll out pastry to fill a 9" pie pan.  Transfer pastry to pan.  Trim pastry to 1/2 inch beyond edge of pan; flute edges.

For filling, combine the sugar, flour, and cinnamon.  Sprinkle 3 tbsp into bottom of crust.  Layer with half of the apples, then sprinkle half the remaining sugar mixture.  Repeat layer.  Pour cream over all.

Bake at 450 for 10 minutes.  Reduce heat to 350 and cook for 55 - 60 minutes or until apples are tender.  Cool on a wire rack; store in refrigerator.*  Serve with whip cream, if desired.

*I just get my hands in there and mix it up.
**if there are leftovers.

ENJOY!

Garage Sale: 2010

I'm back at it.