Chocolate Mousse

by Stephanie

This is a super easy dessert.  In fact I had Avery make it (she’s 8).  If you are looking for something velvety, chocolate and SUPER easy…this is it.  You can add in a 1/2 tsp of allspice like the restaurant where I got the recipe or 1/2 tsp cardamom like I did, or cinnamon like I am going to next time..or just leave it pure.  Up to you….

 

Chocolate Mousse

Serves 6

2 cups good chocolate chips

1 pint heavy cream

2 eggs

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp of allspice (optional)

In large microwave proof bowl add in cream and microwave until skin forms on top (for us this was 2 minutes).  In the meantime in food processor or blender add in chocolate chips and pulse a few times.  Add in heavy cream and allspice if using to chocolate and let sit for 30 seconds.  Then mix on high for 30 seconds.  Let sit another 30 seconds and add in eggs.  Pulse again for another 30 seconds.  Pour into six bowls or ramekins.  Let set up in the fridge for at least 2 hours.  You can top with sweetened whipped cream, but it is divine all on it’s own. 

Homemade Ice Cream Base

By Stephanie

So I can’t take credit for this at all!  My niece is a great up and coming chef.  Any recipe I get from her is fabulous.  My sister-in-law told us about it when she came to visit and help with Avery.  This one requires some of your own creativity, or better yet, let your kids decide.  Or not. Whatever you want.  If you don’t have an ice cream maker, get one.  Make sure it is a 2 qt. size.  After attempting to make this I realized mine is caput.  So it’s on the list of things we need to get…at some point.  Make vanilla and top with my easy chocolate sauce, or my salted caramel sauce, toasted nuts or it is great plain.  Use your imagination to make up a new flavor profile.

Homemade Ice Cream Base

2  14 oz. cans of sweetened condensed milk or for a recipe...click here

1 large package of instant vanilla pudding mix

1 pint heavy cream

2 tsp good vanilla, or insides of one vanilla bean

1 quart milk, plus some more if needed

In large bowl (I use my biggest Pyrex glass mixing bowl) it needs to be at least a 2 qt size, add in everything but milk.  And whisk to combine until pudding is dissolved.  Then add in milk.  If adding in other things add this time and pour into ice cream maker.  Add in more milk to 2qt. line.  Process as ice cream maker instructions. 

Suggestions:

1 cup crushed strawberries, blueberries or black berries,

2 cups crushed sandwich cookies along with 1/2 tsp peppermint extract,

3/4 liter of root beer or orange soda,

1 cup toasted coconut and assorted nuts like pecans, walnuts and almonds. 

Use your imagination!!

Carrot Cake

by Stephanie

I know carrot cake is usually a spring thing, but my darling (and pregnant) friend made a super yummy one last week.  It was the Paula Deen recipe.  Always a good choice.  When I was telling my kidos about it, they mentioned that they had never had carrot cake.  And since we were having leftovers for dinner, I was a good mom and made them one.  Next time I will wait until we are having someone over for dinner.  I ended up throwing away about a quarter of the cake.  I HATE throwing away good food.  And as you can see I made mine in a 9X13 pan.  But it is prettier if it is in two round pans.  I also chopped the nuts and added when I served it..darn nut allergies (not mine, my daughters).

Carrot Cake

Serves 12-15

Cake

2 cups flour

2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup vegetable oil

3/4 cup buttermilk

2 tsp vanilla

2 cups fresh graded carrots

8 oz crushed pineapple

1/3 cup coconut

1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Combine flour, soda, salt and cinnamon in medium bowl.  In mixer combine eggs, oil, buttermilk and vanilla until smooth.  Add flour mixture and beat at low speed until blended.  Gently fold in carrot, pineapple, coconut and nuts (if adding).  Pour into 9X13 pan (or two 8 or 9 inch round pans) that are sprayed with non-stick spray.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes (it took me 35 minutes, but my oven is low).  Take out and let cool for 5 minutes while you prepare glaze.  Poke cake with knife to make holes for glaze.  Pour glaze over cake and let cool completely.  (if using round pans let cool 15 minutes then flip out onto wire rack to finish cooling).  Then ice with cream cheese frosting and top with chopped pecans.

Glaze

In medium saucepan combine 1/2 cup sugar, 3/4 tsp baking soda, 1/4 cup buttermilk, 1/4 cup butter, bring to a soft boil.  Let boil for 4 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 tsp vanilla.  Pour over cake. 

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 8 oz package cream cheese

1/2 cup butter softened

3 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

Sunshine and Miracles

by Stephanie
For those of you who know me, this spring was especially hard.  We moved from Vegas last Sept. to the Northwest coast.  It rained in Vegas, about every 30 days.  And we had cloudy days…occasionally.  Up here in the Northwest, rain and clouds are the constant, or just about.  I had seasonal depression before when we lived in Idaho.  But usually by May it was gone.  Not here.  It was July 26th, my mother-in-law and sister-in-law had come to visit and it was 64 degrees!  I cooked a turkey because I refused to turn on my house heater in JULY!  It just seemed wrong.  So the oven on for four hours was enough to heat up the house.  Depressing just thinking about it!
I had planned on taking the kidos for two weeks to get some sunshine, but then the doctors had found Avery’s tumor the end of June.  But she was perfectly healthy except for the occasional seizure.  I was afraid my vacation couldn’t happen.  But then they said it was a kind of tumor that basically didn’t grow and wouldn’t ever be a problem for her.  Our church had decided to do a special fast for her and our family.  At the time I felt a little silly since it really seemed to be nothing.  And there were other families, like my friend Jami and her son Billy who was born with a heart condition and needed another procedure, that could use the prayers and attention.   Vacation was back on, hurray!!  We went to Idaho, Wyoming and Utah.  I got sunshine.  I remember the second day of being at a pool, I told my bff (Dawn) I finally felt “normal”.  I felt like myself again after literally months of depression.  I didn’t realize how bad it was, but once I was back in sunshine, I felt a huge difference. 
After reflecting on the events of the past few months, I feel that the reason Avery didn’t have any other symptoms of her tumor until August was to give me time to get some sunshine and rejuvenate.   That fast was for me.  That I needed that in order to deal with what was coming.  I can’t imagine dealing with Avery’s surgery and health while seriously depressed.  It would be bad.   So thanks to those to fasted and prayed for my little girl and our family.  It was a miracle that  I needed.  And I am very grateful.

Potato, Bean and Bacon “Soup”

by Stephanie

So fall is upon us.  At least here it is.  And along with that canning and the last of the fresh fruits and veges. 

My darling friend Jami brought her daughter to hang out with Avery for a few hours on Saturday.  And also brought some fresh green beans from the batch she had for canning.  I LOVE fresh green beans!  I love them as a side dish, but this “soup” is amazing too.  Quick, easy and warm on a brisk fall night.  All in one pot so less dishes too.  And it is continuing our "bacon” theme.   And in about 20 minutes too! 

Potato, Bean and Bacon Soup

serves 6

1/2 lb. thick sliced bacon sliced into 1” pieces

2-4 cups water

5-6 medium potatoes diced into 1” pieces

1 lb. fresh green beans sliced into 1” pieces

1/2 tsp Salt and pepper

In large pot put in bacon and start to cook over low heat.  Stirring occasionally until fat is rendered and bacon is starting to crisp.  Add beans, potatoes salt and pepper.  Then add enough water just to cover.  Turn heat to med-high and bring to a boil.  Turn to medium and cook until potatoes are fork tender.  Turn off heat and serve immediately.   I LOVE a pat of butter and more salt and pepper to finish it off.

Endocrinology and shoes

By Stephanie

We are still wondering if Avery’s pituitary gland is working.  Right now she appears fine, but you can’t survive if your pituitary isn’t working without medication.   They will take her off all the meds in2 to 3 months and test her to see.  You can’t really test the pituitary, you have to test the glands it runs.  It’s kind of hard to know for sure.  Some things, like growth, we can’t tell for months or years.  For other things, like blood sugar, you can check right away.  Right now her thyroid is borderline low.  So they are putting her on a low dose of a thyroid med.  And she is cortisone dependant.  It is what the adrenal glands make.  She could die if she doesn’t get enough.  Kind of scary.  They are decreasing her dose to a more maintenance dose rather than the bigger one they had her on right after surgery.  It affects anything that your body reacts to, like stress, illness, injury, her body can’t respond.  So we have to give her a 3X dose of her hydrocortisone if any of those things occur.  It is a lot to remember, but I am getting better.  I can even spell most medical terms almost correct the first time. 

 

I am OBSESSED with these shoes.  They are a high heel (for anyone who knows me well I prefer at least 3 1/2” heels).  They are a black oxford type shoe with a ribbon tie.  I found a few that totally fit the bill…only they are $200 at Zappos. Not in the budget.  Sears actually had some at the end of their season, but by the time I saw them they only had 5 1/2’s left.  I am NOT a  5 1/2.  So I have been hunting them ever since.  If you see some, under $60, let me know. 

Book Review

by Stephanie
First of all, a reader, Anne has a question about the laundry soap.  I have been TRYING to email you back…no luck.  Old computer.  Very sorry.
Anyway, mine thickened right up.  So I would just review the steps again.  Make sure your bar of Fels-Naptha is melted down completely and the water is hot.   If you did this, I will ask my mom, she has made it more than I have and might have a suggestion.   Put your email address in your comment, and I will get back with you.
I read LOTS while in the hospital with Avery.  One I read that I liked (kind of a fluffy piece) is the The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale.  It is a bit cheesy.   And at one point I wasn’t sure I would like how things end up (I am sucker for a happy ending).  But it all turns out fine.  And it is a fairly quick read too.