Park Life

We're lucky enough where we live to be surrounded by parks. 

One is full of trees and grass to explore, one has a splash pad, one is always bustling with preteens.

There is a good selection. Which makes its an easy decision to head to one a couple of times each weekend to get the little lady some fresh air and to eat a few dandelions.. 

-- Siobhan xoxo

Lamb Koftas

Another Indian dish I have taken to attempting is koftas. I’m not exactly sure where I saw this recipe…probably on Food Network and I tweaked it so it worked for me.When I’ve made this for a crowd I used ground beef (cause it’s cheaper) but for just Will and I we prefer lamb.

I start by cooking red lentils on the stove with water, turmeric and curry powder. 

Add them to the ground lamb with salt, pepper and garam masala and mush together with your hands. Then squeeze them into these knobbly football shapes and bake in the oven. 

The knobbly shapes gives the opportunity for lots of dark yummy edges.

The sauce is 4 tomatoes, half an onion, half a red chilli, garlic, ginger, curry powder, garam masala and salt blended until smooth. Heat up over a low heat. This makes enough for 2 dinners so I freeze half and use it the next week.

Add the lamb to the sauce and give them a few minutes to let them get to know each other. 

Serve with rice and/or naan. Top with a dollop of plain yogurt.

It gives me heart burn but it's so worth it!

--Siobhan xo

Vacation in Domi and Illness

Oh hello, strangers.

It's been two weeks since we've been home from vacation and you may or may not have noticed that neither of us have posted about it yet.

Well the day we got home I got horribly sick and my mom followed suit three days later. We are still recovering...what a doozey it was.

In the interest of getting a post up I'm gonna post quickly without much commentary. The pictures really speak for themselves. It was a terrific time!

--Siobhan xoxo

Marmalade Cookie Squares

Here is an absolutely delicious couldn't be easier piece of confectionary

1 package store bought cookie dough or mix (if mix prepare as on the package)
1 cup orange marmalade
1 cup sliced almonds (toasted)
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips melted

Preheat oven to 350
Spread cookie dough in a 9 x 9 inch square pan
Bake for 25 minutes

Let cool .

Spread with marmalade. Sprinkle with almonds. Drizzle with chocolate.
Let cool.
Cut into 12 squares.

Make a big pot of tea and enjoy with a friend.
If there any left give some to your daughter and son in law ----- hahahahahah
Store in airtight container.

Here's the change up
Instead of marmalade ---- raspberry or blueberry or any fruit preserve you like
Instead of  almonds ----- chopped walnuts or pecans
Always always chocolate  :-)

Enjoy!


ciao for now
susan

Instagram this Week

I got this idea from  Lemon Lane Cottage
Posting my week from Instagram --zazanona
It"s been a great week
Spent in the Dominican with my cohort from P and PD

 

 



ciao from
susan

Spicy Meatballs

I'm sure most people have successfully done this, but I hadn't ever combined meats before. Strange? Yes. So I documented it in case it was an epic failure. It actually turned out very well.

Made my own breadcrumbs with toast, garlic, cumin seeds and fennel seed.

Today was also the day we learned that SOMEONE doesn't like the food processor. Pure unadulterated panic! Poor thing.  

I used 5 super spicy sausages, ground beef, cumin, paprika, 1 egg, salt and pepper.

Rolled them into balls while Daphne whimpered...still emotionally damaged from the food processor.

Baked them all up and then froze half for a later date. I did manage to try one and it was very good. 

I don't normally use ground beef because I find the texture strange and the taste bland. Mixed with the sausage you can't taste it at all, which is great cause it's cheap and I'm always looking for ways to save $$$

Daphne (eventually) made a full recovery :)

--Siobhan xo 

Presented without comment

Lists, Packing and My Nudist Baby

When we visit my parents we make sure to be able to spend the night because it is a full day’s worth of planning to get us all out there.

Diapers. Monitor. Sleep sheep.

Enough sleepers for unexpected but probable rear end blow outs.

Formula. Soother.

Blanket. NO! Not that blanket! She hates that blanket right now!!!

I have given myself two weeks to get her packed for our out of country vacation.

Cause every time I start trying to get some things put together and before I know it were back downstairs, shes naked, and I'm covered in pureed peas. GLAMOUR!

I'll just collect the bathing suits and dresses and ...oh no shes eating cat hair off the floor. I should have vacuumed that.

I know my mom mentioned in one of her blogs a little while ago that D really liked Mum Mums. Those things are a total life saver sometimes! Two mum mums gives me enough time to do some dishes or eat something!

So I have been trying to use them as a distraction while I try to get things together for her. They work to an extent. The biggest drawback is if you give her one in her room you spend the next 4 days picking crusty mum mums out of the carpet. It's much safer on the kitchen floor.

And more fun...there aren't any wooden spoon/rubbermaid drum sets in her room.

It's not fair to blame her, though. I get distracted playing, tickling and cuddling. She's too much fun!

Who could resist?

I'm sure I'm better prepared than I think I am. I have three lists and one checklist of the lists to complete. 

Oh god, I'm my mother. Ok, start calling me Susan. I'm a goner.

--Siobhan xo