Suessical, Jr.

Dahl recipe

Go here for the Dahl recipe (aka Spicy Lentils).

Melissa's Borscht Recipe

6 Tbsp. butter
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 large carrot, peeled and grated (I chopped)
I large green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and cut into 1/4 in. dice
3 1/2 cups shredded green cabbage
1 med. size beet, peeled and grated
1 small rib celery, chopped
1/2 tart apple, cut into 1 in. pieces
2 med-size boiling potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 quarts vegetable or chicken stock
Bouquet garni (1 bay leaf and 8 peppercorns tied in a cheesecloth bag)--I didn't do this but did thrown in a bay leaf
1 tsp. paprika
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 tsp. sugar
1 tbsp. lemon juice
dill for garnish
sour cream for garnish

Melt the butter in a large soup pot. Add the onion, carrot, and bell pepper and saute until the onion and bell pepper are softened (about 5 minutes). Stir in the cabbage, beet, and celery and continue to saute, stirring occasionally for about 10-15 minutes. Stir in the apples, potatoes, tomato paste and garlic, then add the stock and bouquet garni and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered for 20 minutes. Add the paprika, salt, and pepper, sugar, and lemon juice to taste. Let stand 2 to 3 hours or overnight. Serve topped with dill and sour cream.

Chicken Curry Recipe

This is a favorite in our house with Ollie and I as well as the kids. I always double or triple it so that we will have leftovers.

Chicken Curry

Saute until soft--
3 Tbsp. butter
1 apple, chopped
1 med. onion, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped

Then add--
2 cups chicken stock
1 1/2 tbsp. curry powder
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cinnamon

Puree all of that in a blender and then add 1 tbsp. flour and process a bit more.
Return to heat to thicken. Add about 1/2 cup of milk give or take until it is the right consistency for you. Add cooked, cubed chicken and serve with rice.

You Can Help!

I have a friend, Cris, who many of you know.  Anyway, she and her family will be adopting two little boys from Ethiopia soon.  They just got their paperwork in and figured they had at least 6 months before getting a referral.  Well, they got their referral just last week for a 4 year old and 2 year old little boy.  They now need to raise $10,000 by the end of next week in order to accept the referral.  God is providing mightily and they've gotten $5000 in just three days!  If you want to be used by God to help provide for these two little guys to have a forever family go to Cris' adoption blog here and click the donate button.  You can do it through paypal and it's very easy.  Or leave her a comment and she can get you their address if you are not paypal savvy.  I know that adoption isn't something my family can do but I have such a heart for children around the world growing up without a mom or dad.  By donating to Cris I can feel like I am doing something even if I cannot actually adopt a child.  

Some Videos

Pictures and Catch Up

This is show week for Hannah and Joe. They are both in Suessical, Jr. opening Thursday night. We kicked the week off with a short performance at our local Chick-fil-a. The kids sang and danced through some of the songs from the show and we passed out flyers, talked to people, and ate some chicken. All in all it was a great night! I'll post some video in a little bit. I have to post video from a different computer.

Here are some pictures from Light Up Saturday night.

In other news--

• Despite my determination to keep things calm this holiday season I'm already feeling the pressure. I didn't stick to my "Blitz it Baby" and have allowed myself to think too much about gifts. I bought almost everything on Black Friday but there are some loose ends to tie up before I can wrap, pack it, and send it. I'm working on relaxing and remembering that I have plenty of time. I just want to have an empty to-do list but that ain't gonna happen even if it wasn't Christmas!
  
• Good news--my dad is now a full fledged COLLEGE baseball umpire. For all of you non-baseball people out there--this is a big deal so be impressed and excited!
  
• Did I mention that this is show week? I love show week but it nearly makes me crazy too. There is a lot of emotional energy as well as time that goes into this week. I'll be drained come Sunday evening but it will all be worth it! I will thank you ahead of time for enduring seemingly unending videos. None of the out of town family (which is all of our family except for Harriet and Billy) will be here this weekend so I want them to see some of the show.
  
• I love to cook, I've always enjoyed planning and cooking meals for my family. I never understood when other people would say, "I just never know what to fix for dinner." Well, now I get it. Lately, I am so unmotivated in the meal planning area that I can never decide what to make. Nothing sounds good or exciting. Maybe next week I will do better at this--until then--any ideas for easy meals for this week? Oh and they have to be really healthy. That's the kicker. No tatertot casseroles.
  

Well, Joe is up and I need to go give him some much needed attention...