Saturday, January 29, 2011

9 Months!

Yesterday Josh and I hit the 9 month mark to our wedding. Not such a big deal right? Well for us it is. When you have been dating for over 5 years and will be engaged for 2 years this May, hitting that 9 month mark is such a surprise. I never thought the big day would be approaching so fast!

We've got the date, the church, the hall, the attendants, the attire (for those that don't know I finally got the dress!!!), the photographer, the dj, and now we are working on the picky little things. It is 9 months away and yet I still have my days where it feels like I have so much to do.
Josh and I doing a little hiking through Peninsula State Park
I just can't believe that in 9 months I will be marrying my best friend, the one I share my dreams with, and the one that I love! Happy 9 months Josh!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Tasteful Tuesday

Last night I made a batch of chicken chili! It was my wonderful future father-in-law's birthday (and happy birthday to my future mother-in-law today!) so I offered to make dinner last night.

I found a recipe in a book, but as I was cooking I decided to add and take things out of the recipe. So in a way I invented my own recipe! It was a easy dish to make and will be great for, oh lets say, for a SUPERBOWL party! (If you haven't heard the Green Bay Packers are headed to the Superbowl). So here is my version of chicken chili! It is a healthy alternative to regular chili!

Chicken Chili
3lbs of chicken (you can use white and dark, I used whole chicken breast and diced it up into about 1/2 inch squares)
about 2 tablespoons of paprika
 3 tablespoons of chili powder
2 cans (29 oz each) tomato sauce
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
1 can light red kidney beans
1 can dark red kidney beans
1 can of chili beans
3 tablespoons dried chopped onion (you can use fresh chopped onion, I just have picky eaters)

1. Dice chicken into 1/2 inch squares
2. Mix chicken and paprika in large sauce pan. Cook chicken until no longer pink (about 8 mins)
3. Mix chicken, tomato sauce, tomato paste, beans, chili powder and onion (you could also add peppers) in large kettle or crock pot
4. Cook. I would say to let it cook for at least an hour before serving. I had mine on low for about 3 hours last night.

Serve with noddles and cheese if that is what you prefer!

Hope you all enjoy this recipe and GO PACKERS GO!
 

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Be Active

That is my goal this year...Being Active. Last year I found myself getting back into running. In high school I participated in cross country and track and once I was no longer on a team found myself not doing those things anymore. So my goal this year is to BE ACTIVE!

I am not one that just goes out for a run or heads to the gym. I need motivation. So I started signing up for races to motivate me to run and be active.
Fox Cities Half Marathon

This year I already have many things on my "to do" list and I am so excited to start crossing some of them off! On February 12 Josh and I are participating in the Seroogy's Valentine run (doing the 5K not the 15k). In April is Relay for Life. I am all signed up for the Green Bay Cellcom Marathon (yes the 26.2 mile run, I know I am crazy) so please pray for me that I can keep myself motivated in this training process. I also may be adding a duathlon (with my dad) in May. June is the Bellin Run. July is the Packer 5k and I may attempted a sprint triathlon (not sure if I want to take this on this year or next). September is the Breath of Hope Lung Cancer run in Minnesota and I may also run the Fox Cities Half Marathon again. October brings the Green Bay Duathlon for my Dad and I and the Breast Cancer walk. Lastly the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day in November!

I am not saying you have to do all of this in one year, but my goal for you is to become active! Obesity is rising in the United States and the more people that become active the more we will see this number drop. So please feel free to connect me if you need help or motivation to become active. I am always looking for a running partner!

So tell me what you will be doing this year to keep active!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Tasteful Tuesday

Thank goodness I made dinner last night, my mom ended up having to work. Too bad she missed out.

I made a dish called Pastitsio (I don't know how to pronouce it but I am assuming it is an italian dish. It took roughly an hour to make.

Pastitsio
8 ounces uncooked ziti or elbow macaroni
1 pound ground beef or lamb (or even turkey)
1/2 cup chopped onion (I did not use this do to picky eaters)
1 clove of garlic, finely chopped
8 ounce can of tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups of milk
1 egg, beaten

1. Preheat oven to 350. Spray 9 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2.Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and reserve.
3. Cook and stir meat, onion (if using any) and garlic in a large skillet over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain fat. Stir in tomato sauce, oregano, pepper and cinnamon. Reduce heat to low and simmer 10 mins.
- I cooked the pasta while cooking the meat to save time
4. Layer 1/2 of pasta in baking dish. Top with meat mixture and then remaining pasta.
5. For sauce, melt butter in medium saucepan. Stir in flour. Cook and stir 1 min. Whisk in milk. Cook, stirring constantly until thickened, about 6 mins. Place beaten egg in small bowl; stir some of the sauce into egg. Return egg mixture to saucepan; cook and stir 2 mins. Stir in 3/4 cup of parmesan cheese.
6. Pour sauce mixture over pasta layer. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4cup of paremsan cheese. Bake 30-40 mins until heated through and golden brown.
Recipe from Home-Tested Casserole Recipes
 
  
http://recklesschef.net/2008/12/08/my-big-fat-greek-pastitisio/
Hope you enjoy this just as much as we did!!
 

Sunday, January 16, 2011

I Survived!

For those that do not know I just spent a week in Minnesota. For five days I watched two kids so that my cousin and her husband could go on a kids free vacation. Trust me they needed it! It was everything I expected and more.

I heard the, "my mom lets me..." or the "my mom does this..." and some of them sure put a smile on my face. On Tuesday I was told that "My mom buys me a toy everywhere we go and I always get a toy when we go to McDonalds". I learned to start saying "Well I am not your mom, sorry".

One night I met a bunch of moms at a local community center to let the kids run around and play with some friends. I saw what my life may look like in 6-10 years. It was great to meet up with other adults and have adult conversation even though I always found it referring to the kids anyway. It was also great to get help from those that already have kids and how they deal with certain situations.

I also got very sick one night and was almost tempted to call Josh at midnight and tell him to drive out there because I did not have a clue on how to take care of two kids while being sick. Thank goodness we all needed a day of relaxing so we just played around the house and watched movies. I did get some help later in the afternoon!

Mornings came early and bedtimes for me came even earlier. I loved snuggling and reading books. Doing some special art projects. Having play dates. And yes I did deal with the occasional fit here and there. But I am not their mom and their schedule was crazy busy and lack of sleep sure did not help. So I hope you had a great vacation Samara and Jeff and yes same time next year works for me :)

Evelyn and I

So proud of his superhero undies! 

Thought I would have gotten to take more pictures then this, but my hands were way to full try to keep track of these two bundles of joy and excitement!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Happy Birthday Mama!

Just want to wish my wonderful mother a happy 48th birthday!

I have never known a stronger woman then you. You have taught me strength, courage, and most of all love. I couldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for you! Love you with all of my heart and then some.


Some mothers are kissing mothers and some are scolding mothers, but it is love just the same, and most mothers kiss and scold together.  ~Pearl S. Buck

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Tasteful Tuesday: Breakfast Edition!

Since I am MIA at home, I did not get the chance to make dinner last night (well I did but it was nothing elaborate because it was for a 4 year old and a 2 year old). I decided I would share a recipe for homemade cinnamon rolls.

I tried this recipe out Christmas morning and everyone thought they were amazing. It is very simple, but it does take about 2 hours to make them.

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
(from cooks.com)
4 1/4 to 4 3/4 cup all purpose flour
1 package active dry yeast
1 1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
6 tablespoons softened butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 
1 recipe for powdered sugar glaze or maple nut glaze

Step 1: In a large mixer bowl combine 1 1/2 cups of the all-purpose flour and yeast. Heat the milk, granulated sugar, the 1/4 cup butter and salt just until mixture is warm (120 to 130 degrees) and the butter is almost melted, stirring constantly.
Step 2: Add milk mixture to flour mixture; add eggs. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds; scrape sides of bowl constantly. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Using a spoon, stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can. (Dough will be soft.) Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately soft dough (3 to 5 minutes total). Shape dough into a ball.
Step 3: Place dough in a lightly greased bowl; turn once. Cover; let rise in a warm place until double (about 1 to 1 1/2 hours). (The dough is ready for shaping when you can lightly and quickly press two fingers 1/2 inch into dough and indentation remains.)
Step 4: Punch dough down. On a lightly floured surface, divide dough in half; shape each half into a smooth ball. Cover; let rest for 10 minutes.
Step 5: On lightly floured surface roll half the dough to 12x8 inches. Spread with 3 tablespoons softened butter. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle half over rectangle. Roll up from a short side. Seal edges. Make a second roll with remaining dough, butter and sugar mixture.
Step 6: Slice each dough roll into 8 pieces. Arrange slices, cut side down, in a greased 13x9x2 inch baking pan. Cover; let rise until nearly double (about 30 minutes).
Step 7: Bake rolls in a 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until light brown. Invert at once onto a wire rack. Cool slightly. Drizzle rolls with Maple Nut Glaze or Powdered Sugar Glaze. Serve warm.
Makes 16 rolls.
MAPLE NUT GLAZE:
In small bowl combine 1 cup sifted powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons maple syrup or 1/2 teaspoon maple extract and enough water or milk (2 to 3 teaspoons) for drizzling consistency. Stir in 1/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans.
POWDERED SUGAR GLAZE:
Combine 1 cup sifted powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and enough milk (about 3 to 4 teaspoons) for drizzling consistency.
FREEZING AND REHEATING:
Bake and cool rolls as directed, do not glaze. Wrap in moisture and vapor proof wrap. Seal, label, and freeze for up to 3 months.To reheat in a conventional oven, wrap frozen rolls in foil. Place in a 350 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until warm. Drizzle with your choice of glaze.
To reheat in a microwave oven, wrap 2 of the frozen rolls in microwave-safe paper towels. Micro-cook on 100% power (high) for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until warm. Drizzle with glaze.

Enjoy!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Playing House :)

Do you remember when you were little and you used to play house? Well this next week I get to play house. In a real home. With two kids. And a mini van. I will be heading to Minnesota to watch my dear cousin's kids while her and her wonderful husband go on a cruise. I am so excited yet so nervous. It will be just ME. With TWO kids. Five and under. They are wonderful children and I just can't wait to have one on one time with them.


I already have some fun things planned and already plan on some play dates. I am just praying no one gets sick or hurt. Any tips for me? Leave me a comment if you have any advice or ideas of what to do (I will be around the Twin Cities area).

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Tasteful Tuesday

Welcome to tasteful Tuesday! I thought with a wedding fast approaching and the big move (out of my parents house that is) also approaching I better start working on my cooking skills so I don't find Josh and I eating mac and cheese for every meal (even though I would). I got some cook books at Christmas and found myself paging through them the other day.

As a challenge, I will make my family dinner on Monday nights and share the recipe on Tuesday.

The recipe I am going to share today is called Pizza Casserole. It is simple and easy and takes about 1 hour from start to finish. *Ground turkey can be a substitute for ground beef

Pizza Casserole
2 cups uncooked rotini or other short pasta 
1.5lb-2lb of ground beef
1 can (15oz) pizza sauce
1 can (8oz) of tomato sauce
1 can (6oz) of tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon of garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano leaves
about 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
pepperoni slices
*You can also add other ingredients that you enjoy on a pizza

1. Preheat over to 350. Cook pasta as indicated on package. Set aside
2. (This step you can do while the water is boiling/pasta is cooking) Cook ground beef (and if you have other pizza ingredients add them here) in large skillet until the meat is no longer pink. Set aside
3. Combined cooked pasta, pizza sauce, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, garlic salt, and oregano is large bowl. Add beef mixture and combine
4. Place half the mixture in a 3-quart casserole dish and top with about 1 cup of cheese. Repeat layers. Arrange pepperoni slices on the top. Bake 25-30 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted.

Recipe from Home Tested Casserole Recipes

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Taking A Look Back!

I can't believe it is 2011 already! I feel like it was just yesterday when we were approaching the year 2000. Now in the past 10 years I have gone to high school, graduated high school, gone to college (three different ones!), got engaged, and graduated college. There is so much more, but you would be here all day reading everything that has happened in the past 10 years.

2010 was a year to remember and I just want to take a look back....

In January I found myself in Miami helping build houses with Habitat for Humanity. Boy, what a fun but tiring experience!
South Beach, Miami






Whitney and I in the rafters


  
February saw us celebrating a dear friends wedding! March was a whirl wind of experiences. I tried a new diet of all organic/natural foods and no meat and diary. Only lasted about a month. I also participated in Relay for Life.
Some of the walking crew!


April came and I found myself in La Crosse visiting some friends for the last time. I also register for classes for the last time!
Amanda, Kate, Ashley and I

May was a month full of excitement, new additions and accomplishments! My mom and dad adopted two puppies from the Bay Area Humane Society. Josh graduated from St. Norbert College and turned 22. Friends came home from school for the summer.
Legend and Sierra


Sierra


Legend

June was the start of a jam packed summer. I picked up running again and ran in my first Bellin Run (10k ~ 6.2 miles). Also found myself singing karaoke with a great group of friends. Josh and I started summer softball again.

July was full of activities. The first annual camping days was held up in Door County. I also spent a long weekend with with my family in Mackinaw City, Michigan. 
Pictured Rocks, Michigan

Mackinac Bridge

Mackinac Island
 
The end of August brought a visit to Minnesota. September Josh and I participated in the Breath of Hope Lung Cancer Run/Walk in Minnesota in honor of my Aunt Nan. I also ran in my first half marathon (2 hours and 17 minutes!!). My last semester of college began.
Samara and I at the Breath of Hope Lung Cancer Run/Walk

Fox Cities Half Marathon

In October my dad and I did our first Duathlon together. He biked 32 miles and I ran 3 miles and then 1 mile to finish it up. It took us 2 hours and 14 minutes. I also participated in the Breast Cancer walk. Josh and I  had our engagement pictures done and hit the one year march to our wedding! We also had a big family gathering to celebrate my Uncle Burl's big 5-0!
All rights - Erin Jean Photography
 November we ran 5 miles in the Green Bay Turkey Trot and I turned 23.
 
In December I graduated college!! Celebrated my last Christmas living with my parents.
UWGB graduation
2010 was full of so much fun and excitement, but I am so excited for 2011.May you all be blessed with a healthy and joyous 2011!








Saturday, January 1, 2011

Hello Blog World!

Well hello blog world! My name is Samantha and I am new at this whole blog thing. I thought this is something I could start to help update family and friends on with things that are going on in my life considering 2011 will be bringing lots of changes.

Just a sneak peek:
I am 23 years old and recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay (major = human biology with an emphasis in health sciences). 4.5 years of schooling and I can tell you I still don't know what to do with my degree. I was blessed to have gotten a job a little over a year ago that I love. More about life and college to come!

Stay tuned for more about me and what 2011 has to bring!