Simple Valentine's Day Plans

Valentine's Day snuck up on me this year.  I didn't realize how close it was until it was here.  We have a class in the morning and Daddy has a long workday, so the kids and I have made some plans together.

We're going to start the day with the pink sprinkly pancakes that my grandmother sent them.  (We're even going to make them heart-shaped with the cool pancake-tool that she gave us previously.)

After class, since the weather forecast is sunny, we'll play at a nearby playground with some friends before heading to use our Book-It pizza coupons.

We might meet up with some other friends after lunch, and the kids have both asked for some reading and movie time.  (Swiss Family Robinson and Charlie Brown's Valentine, maybe.)

We're going to make Rice Krispy treats - Daddy's favorite - for dessert, and then we'll prep for supper.  The kids asked for a simple 'appetizer' meal, so this will be our menu:

• pigs in blankets
• whole-wheat crackers and sliced cheese
• fruit platter with apple slices, clementines, and bananas
• carrot sticks

Last year we began a few traditions that we're sticking with this year.  We made a simple poster of 1 Corinthians 13, the love verses specifically, but inserted a _____ in place of the word 'love.'  It's hanging in the kitchen, and whenever someone shows one of the character traits listed, someone grabs a marker and fills in that person's name.  By the end of the month, we hope to have noticed lots of great examples of love in our home - and perhaps begun to weed out the less desirable ones.

We've also drawn names out of a hat for secret valentines.  Each adult has a child and vice versa (it just worked out that way this year).  Our goal is to do two small somethings for your valentine.  They need not be monetary - sometimes we receive hugs, get small pieces of candy, handcrafted pictures, or coupons for chores completed.  After we eat, we'll see if anyone has been able to guess which valentines go with whom.

We'll end our day with a simple scavenger hunt that I'll have in place by dinnertime.  The kids will follow clues to find a small gift.  After that they'll head off to bed.

What plans do you have for Valentine's Day?

A Family Christmas Date

For years now we arrange our schedules so that we all have a day off within a week of Christmas so that we can have a special family date.

We head out as soon as we can after breakfast to do some sort of simple mission project.  We've kept these very kid-friendly so that we can all participate.  

After that, we usually head into the Triangle for lunch out together.  We don't do this often, so it's a big treat, and we all enjoy hanging out around the table, eating and laughing.

Something fun usually follows.  One year it was a movie.  Another we took the kids shopping so that they could pick out something for their sibling.  Last year we went ice skating.

There's a very pretty mall in south Durham that is half indoors and half outside.  It's unusual in that there are fountains, lights in all the trees, and it's set up as if you're walking down a street - but traffic isn't allowed in that part of the outdoor mall, so it's a fun place to people watch and enjoy decorations.  We usually end up there in the early evening, where we check out their enormous outside tree and enjoy the festive decorations.

On the way home we hit a few neighborhoods known for their fun light displays.  We all like to look at the lights.

The first time we planned this, I was completely stressed about being away from my Christmas to-do list, but now I look forward to it.  While we try to build quality family time into every day, it's especially crazy during the month of December, when all of the normal things must be done plus the holiday extras.

Now, however, having one entire day devoted entire to family and service is wonderful.  We may visit a store, but not with the intention of any major shopping; we enjoy lights but don't hang any, we eat food I didn't cook, and we help out as many people as possible.  

What's your favorite holiday tradition?

Patriotic Cheesecake Tarts

With company in town and a friend's birthday this weekend, I made desserts more than usual - and this was a fun one!

These tarts can be made in just minutes after baking the shells, and with blueberries in season, they have a really bright, summery taste.  I added sliced strawberries to some of them, and the super sweetness of the strawberries definitely added another dimension.  Between the creaminess of the cheesecake filling and the crisp flakiness of the shell, these were a hit at our house.  I can't wait to make them for our next picnic!

To make Patriotic Cheesecake Tarts, you'll need:

• mini phyllo dough shells
• 1/3 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• 1-2 T. powdered sugar
• 1 t. vanilla
• fresh fruit to arrange on top

To pull your tarts together, ....

1. Bake the phyllo shells as directed on the package.  Allow to cool.
2. Mix the powdered sugar (to taste) with the vanilla and cream cheese.  I used about a tablespoon.  The sweetness of the fruit adds a lot, so the cheesecake part didn't need to be super sweet for me - but then I don't eat many sweets.  :-)
3. Wash and prepare your fruit.
4. When the shells are cool, fill them up!  I put the cheesecake filling into a small sandwich bag and cut off the corner, then piped it into the shells.
5. Top with fruit.
6. Chill until it's time to serve.

I'm seeing so many possibilities for these little shells and so many flavor combinations for cheesecake ideas.  What are your favorite cheesecake flavors?

Shared at:

Ready-in-a-Minute Hearty Breakfast Sandwich

Sometimes, there's just not a lot of time to make breakfast.  Others, you need something that will keep you satisfied and undistracted throughout a busy day.  Or, you might be like my husband and want your favorite biscuit flavors - only healthier, so you can eat one more often.

If you ever find yourself in any of those situations, this is the breakfast - or lunch or dinner - for you.

This sandwich takes literally a minute to cook, and if you have the ingredients on hand, you can assemble it in the same amount of time.  With crumbled sausage and cheddar cooked inside the eggs, this hearty sandwich is ready to be eaten on the go.

My husband was so excited to be handed one of these yesterday while working on the deck that he asked for another one today.

Maybe we'll make these for Father's Day Breakfast!

Ingredients:

• 1 or 2 eggs (above sandwich made with 2)
• 2 T. shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 whole grain sandwich round
• 1-2 T. cooked sausage, crumbled (I keep some of this in my freezer for just these sorts of dishes - also good in Guilty Good Green Beans)

Here's how to make your own Ready-in-a-Minute Hearty Breakfast Sandwich.

1. Find a microwave-safe bowl that is the same size as your sandwich round.
2. Spray the bowl with cooking spray.
3. Crack your egg(s) into the bowl and whisk.  Adding a second egg will make your sandwich taller and bigger to appease a bigger appetite.
4. Sprinkle the sausage and cheese over the top.
5. Microwave until the egg is tall and fluffy.  One egg takes 1 minute in my microwave, and 2 eggs takes 1.5 minutes..  Microwaves vary, so be sure that the center of your omelet is firm and not runny.
6. Slide the egg mixture out of the bowl and onto your sandwich round.

Wrap in a napkin or waxed paper if you plan to eat this on the run - if it lasts that long!

What are your plans for Father's Day breakfast?  Do you make anything special?

He is Risen!

I don't think I've ever been this excited for Easter Sunday.  After attending church all each night this week and tracing Jesus' steps during his last days on Earth, His sacrifice seems real in ways that it hasn't in a long time, and I'm excited to celebrate His great love for us this morning.

One of my favorite things about Easter is the sheer JOY with which everyone sings, so here are a few Easter songs - in different styles - in case you need a boost of Easter joy.

Happy Easter!  He is Risen!

Hearty Breakfast Casserole

I love serving lots of delicate, light things for breakfast, but sometimes you need something heartier, something heavier, something that's easy to prepare, tastes fabulous, and will stay hot while serving a crowd.

This simple casserole fits the bill.

It's a wonderful brunch item.  I've served it for Christmas brunch, en masse at church breakfasts, and for all sorts of company.  You can even prepare most of it the night before, which is a great advantage to this morning-challenged girl.

The flavors are easily adjusted, making it possible to appear to be a completely different dish with no fuss, so you can tailor it to your family's personal preferences or to whatever you happen to have on hand.

Here's how to make your own Hearty Breakfast Casserole:

Ingredients:

• 32 oz. frozen shredded potatoes (Southwest for a spicy version, plain for a milder one)
• 1 lb. of your favorite breakfast meat, sausage, ham, or bacon
• 1 onion and 1 bell pepper, chopped (optional)
• 12 eggs
• about 1/2 c. milk
• 1-2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Prepping this dish is easy:

1. Prepare your dish(es).  You can make this dish in either a 9x13" pan or two smaller casserole dishes.  Choose your style and then spray with non-stick spray for easy clean-up.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the potatoes.  You may need to add a small amount of olive oil or butter to prevent sticking.
3. When potatoes are cooked through and beginning to get crispy, remove from heat and spread them evenly into the bottom of your dish(es).
4. Return the pan to the stovetop and add your meat (if necessary).  If using sausage or bacon, cook and crumble that now.  When cooked through, drain off grease and sprinkle on top of potatoes.
5. If using veggies, add those to the pan and cook now.  Spread those atop the meat.
6. If preparing the night before, you can cover the dish and fridge it now to be finished in the morning.
7. Crack eggs (6 for two smaller dishes, all 12 for a 13x9" pan.  Whisk together and add milk as you would to make scrambled eggs.  
8. Pour egg mixture gently over potato/meat mixture in your baking dish.
9. Top with shredded cheddar. 
10. Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes or until edges are beginning to brown and the middle is set.
11. Let stand for 3-4 minutes before cutting.

*This is great served with fruit and muffins!

What's your favorite company/holiday breakfast dish?