Heard and Said

Charley

poop

night-night

drink
up
out
down
off

Mason

Mom, those are some tight jeans.

Christmas Recipes that Rocked

Chicken Lasagna with Roasted Red Bell Pepper Sauce

4 cups finely chopped chicken

2 8 oz containers of chive-and-onion cream cheese

1 16 oz bag of frozen spinach thawed and drained

1 tsp pepper

1/4 garlic salt

9 no boil lasagna noodles

2 cups shredded Italian blend cheese

For Sauce

1 12 oz jar of roasted red peppers
1 16 0z jar of creamy Alfredo sauce
3 oz Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp of crushed red pepper


Preheat oven to 350.
Blend first five ingredients.
Layer in a lightly greased 11 x 13 pan 1/3 of the roasted red bell pepper sauce, 3 noodles, and 1/3 of the chicken mixture. Repeat twice. Bake covered at 350 for 50-55 minutes. Uncover and bake for 15 more minutes.


To make sauce:
Process all sauce ingredients in a food processor until smooth.


I served it with a tossed salad, rosemary bread, and little saucers of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and herbs. Good eats. I also built it before we went to the Christmas Eve service and threw it in the oven when we got home. Make-aheads are the bomb.


Everyone in my family liked this. They voted to keep it on the rotating menu. Mason, my pickiest eater, asked for it every week. Avery who doesn't like spinach (she thinks) said she couldn't even taste it. I might play with the recipe a little bit and add some artichokes next time. Also, using a roasted chicken from the deli would make it even easier.


OREO Balls
I also made a peppermint version. I used the peppermint Oreos and then crushed up candy canes to sprinkle on top. I used my coffee bean grinder to chop them up. I'm not sure this was a great idea. There was really weird smoky, peppermint haze coming from the grinder when I opened it up. 

Super yummy and they travel well for gift giving.


Lindy's Cheesecake


I used chocolate graham crackers for the crust. 3 cups of crushed grahams and a stick of melted butter. I did not use the almonds. My cake did end up cracking as it cooled, but I had hope for awhile. It was in good shape when I took it out of the oven. I didn't use the full amount of the orange and lemon peel, but I'll use even less orange the next time. I like the crispness of the peels against the creaminess, but I don't want it to taste orange-y. For the topping, I mixed jarred chocolate sauce with heavy whipping cream and cocoa to thin it out some. Delish.


I also made leg of lamb roast and a duck. I honestly have no idea how I did it. They were good, but I can't replicate the process. It was makeshift. I am still full from all this. It was worth it!

Heard and Said

Hadley
Merry Christmas, Mama.
Santa's the best.
Jejus helps us.
Everything is so beautiful. (at the movie theater)
Merry Christmas Eve (for three days straight)

Charley
help
one (for phone)
don't

Mama
For the third time, stop eating pencils.

Here is the original recipe for the pimiento cheese.

Disclaimer: I've only made it a a couple of times using the recipe. Now I just eye ball it. You might feel compelled to change it up a little. If you use jarred roasted red peppers instead pimientos it makes it more orange. John liked the flavor of them better, but I like the color of the dip better when pimientos are used.


3/4 cup mayo
1/2 cup cream cheese
1 jar of pimientos (not the four oz but the size bigger)
1 tsp Worcestershire  sauce
1 tsp grated onion
1/4 tsp ground red pepper
1 8 oz block extra-sharp cheddar
1 8 oz block sharp cheddar
2 med jalapeno peppers seeded and minced

Served with tortilla chips or crusty bread is my favorite. It is also good in omelets  or grilled cheese sandwiches.

Good luck!

Heard and Said

Charley
elf
hot
hat
out
toe
eye
moo
milk
cup
up
boot
me

Avery
Daddy, Santa is watching you.

A New Tradition

Yesterday we took the bigger girls to the Children's Singing Christmas Tree at Ovens. It was such a whimsical time. The girls were well-behaved and very caught up in the magic of the stage. There were puppets, carolers, dancers, a children's choir, snow, and a very adorable head elf and his trusty reindeer. The plot revolved around Santa's missing list. The only way to find the list was to sing songs and get the magical presents to open up and reveal their contents. Hopefully one of the special presents would unveil the missing list.

 About half way through the production, Hadley grabbed the program that we received when we came in. She said, "Here is Santa's list right here. We have to get it to him, don't we?" Oh my goodness. It was so sweet and pragmatic. When Santa made his appearance at the end of the show, he did find his list (thank goodness), but Hadley was not satisfied. She really wanted him to have the program/list that she had for him. She kept holding it out to ol' Santa. When the production was over, I was able to satisfy her by placing the program/list under a tree that was on stage. She feels very responsible for Christmas carrying on for 2011. "I help Santa, do I, Mama?" 

Peppermint Cream Bites

Peppermint Cream Bites

These are super good and super yummy. Make sure you wait long enough for the cookie portion to cool before you add the cream.

Sweet and Salty. Boom.

Source: sugarcooking.blogspot.com via Tara on Pinterest

I found these lovelies on Pinterest. They are awesome. I used the recipe on the back of the Aldi brand chocolate chips and it was perfect. The next time I get a bag, I'll write it down. I don't recommend the Aldi brand chocolate chips though. They are way too waxy. Course salt works fine if you don't have pretzel salt.

Three Cheers

What do you get when a tenacious physician and a bossy teacher come together to bless the world with offspring? A tenacious, bossy and very smart child. Hadley Cate born 12.2.08 is celebrating her birthday week. Literally. She said so. She used this excuse "because it's my birthday WEEK" to justify some less than stellar behavior choices she was making during dinner a few nights ago. To illustrate aspects of her personality, let's review her responses regarding her party. She wondered if "grown ups" were coming. She also demanded that the cake was for Papa and not her to the point of throwing a complete and utter tantrum defending her position on the cake conundrum. Why this was an important fete fact, I do not know. This was prior to the cake arriving to the party. I believe she changed her mind after she taste tested the frosting and sprinkles-a 10 minute process. Also in the midst of the merriment, she retired to the den to "watch her shows and relax". Charley entertained us with face making and identifying her facial features: "nose" and "eyes" topping the chart. Her reactions to her birthday presents also telling of her old soul qualities. As soon as she unveiled a present from Mimi, she immediately identified the doll as Shirley Temple. She was also surprisingly happy with her new clothes, shoes, and body wash. She is a quirky girl with a strong personality. I adore her. Though I know her strength of character will result in some long fought battles, I hope she never loses her resolve.

She also got to spend her birthday with her great-grandmother and namesake, my Grandma Camplen who is here celebrating her 80th birthday with her NC family. How great is that?

Catherine Camplen-Hadley's great-grandma and namesake

peas in a stubborn pod

classic Hadley

birthday girl and birthday papa

There were three candles, but she wanted to add one and it wasn't worth the fight.

Satisfaction.