Roasted Red Pepper Dip

Nat and I were just recently invited to our friends house and were requested to bring an appetizer. I decided it was high time to make something homemade. Since I have three children ages 3 and under and the most motivated, hard working, dreamer of a husband who always has us on some new adventure, I have not always had the time or the energy to make anything fancy. So for the last few years I have often bought my "dinner contribution" at the local grocery store. I wanna cry just thinking about it. I absolutely LOVE cooking and baking. So I thought I would share my accomplishment with you as well as this supper yummy dip recipe. I got this out of a Chatelaine magazine 6 years ago when I worked at Antioni's Hair Salon and I have been making it ever since. It is one of my favorites!

First you will need a roasted red pepper. I have always roasted my peppers in the oven but I once saw Rachel Ray roast a pepper on a gas stove and thought it would be fun to try. Well guess what??? I have a gas stove. Now I am excited!

Here are a few photos to help. Just crank your stove on high and place pepper over top.

Keep turning the pepper with tongs to blacken all sides of the pepper. The pepper will sizzle and spit a little but don't worry. It won't burn up. This process does take some time. Check on it often but you don't have to hover over it like I did. This is a great time to prepare the rest of this dip.

This was so much fun!!! As long as I have a gas stove THIS is how I am going to roast my peppers. The kitchen fills with a yummy aroma and the crackling sound makes me smile. Mmmmm it felt so good to be cooking like this again.

Once your pepper is all black put it in a brown paper bag and close it. This will steam the peppers and aid in removing the skins. You can also place the peppers in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap, or seal in a zip-top freezer bag, or put into a saucepan with the lid on. Let them sit for 15 min then remove the charcoaled skin with you fingers.

Ok here is the actual recipe

Prep time 15 min (took me more like 2 1/2 hours but that's because I had three children who needed food, faces washed, boo-boos kissed, arguments settled, and messes cleaned up...... see why I don't do this often.)

Makes about 2 1/2 cups.

1 roasted red pepper
1 jalapeño
2 1/2 cups (625mL) grated Gouda
1 cup regular sour cream
1/2 cup crumbled feta
2 tbsp coarsely chopped fresh coriander (I often just use dry coriander and it is still dynamite! )

Thickly slice pepper and jalapeño and put in food processor. Then add Gouda, sour cream and feta. Whirl until pepper is as fine as you like. ( I have never had a food processor big enough for all these ingredients so I just put in the peppers and mix the rest in a bowl with a fork.)

Serve right away or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. For best flavor bring to room temp before serving. Goes great with tortilla chips, sliced toasted baguettes, crackers, or flat bread for dipping.

For an alternative make this a hot baked dip by replacing the sour cream with one block of cream cheese (250g). Follow the method above, scrap into a dish pretty enough for serving and bake, uncovered, at 400F until heated through and top starts to brown (about10 to 15 min). Sprinkle with coriander just before serving.

Normally I buy fresh jalapeño but this time I used caned jalapeño just because I had them on hand. I don't recommend it. It's not that it taste bad, it just doesn't have the bite that a fresh pepper has. Jalapeño's with the seeds removed is the perfect mild bit for me but for those who like spice keep the seeds in.


Here is a look at the finished product. (The baked version.)

And here is the cold version. I just tried this for the first time. It's was good and got a lot of good reviews but I think the hot fondue version is a bigger hit.

Need help? But hate to ask?

I have been wanting to write this blog for a while now but with my busy life and a recent trip to Canada, time just did not permit. About four weeks ago my son Kaden had a terrible cough and heavy breathing. What I thought would be a quick drop-in at the doctors turned into an ambulance ride to the ER. It just so happened that my husband was on a deep sea fishing trip with his co-workers. The poor young lady I had watching my kids had to drop her plans and stay with them longer, plus learn how to feed a newborn (with my instructions over the phone). All I can say is thank God I had two feedings saved up in our freezer. While trying to balance phone calls with the babysitter and my husband I also had to hold my feisty lil boy while Doctors and paramedics gave him nebulizer treatments.   

Since my phone connection was not so great in the hospital my husband tried to organize some help for me. Well, finally by around 3 in the afternoon I was able to go home and my wonderful sister-in-law got me back to my car.

After getting all the kids tucked into bed that evening, I settled in for a night of worry and constant checking on my sons breathing. Around 5:00am I was up with my newborn who decided it was a good time to have projectile vomit. After getting Dax cleaned up and sound asleep I crawled into bed and suddenly, without warning, burst into tears. My uncontrollable sobs woke my sleeping husband and he held me while I proceeded to vent. I felt so alone. I missed my family and I didn't know how to deal with it all. I really believe God placed us here in P.A so I didn't want to run from this place just because it was hard. I prayed and asked God what I needed to do. His answer was not what I was expecting. "Start asking for help". As I thought about this I realized there are two reasons we don't like to ask others for help. First, we are too proud. We want people to think we can do it on our own. Second, and probably most common, we don't want to bother anyone with our troubles. 

I shared this with my husband and he said it was time for me to be vulnerable and share my feelings with my friends and family who live here. I proceeded to spend the day calling my friends and family and realized that they want to help and me being vulnerable with them opened the door for them to feel safe being vulnerable with me. It was very therapeutic. 

Often when we are taught a lesson in life, God gives us an opportunity to test this new lesson. Latter in the week my friend Rachel brought us a meal and as she was getting ready to leave she asked if there was anything she could do for me. I was about to revert to my usual self and say, "no, that's fine. But thank you anyway!" when I remembered my lesson. So I swallowed hard and said, "well, the only thing that is bothering me, that I have not had time to get to yet, is my floors". She instantly grabbed my broom and told me how sweeping is her favorite chore to do. While she swept I loaded my dishwasher and we continued to chat about life and kids. I felt so good after she left because my house was tidy again and I believe she felt good helping me. How often do we miss out on this opportunity to be blessed and to bless others?

Doing anything I can to entertain my lil man who just wanted to go home :(

And then there were three!

Well this would be my third day alone with my three babies and I must say it is going fairly well. Busy to say the least but that is to be expected. I think what is helping me keep my sanity is a phrase I continue to tell myself all day long. " The kids come first." If I don't get to the dishes or the laundry today then, well, that's just the way it has to be. And if I can't call my friends or get on Facebook, oh well. My kids come first. And what comes second?....  a little time out for me! When all the kids are tucked away for their afternoon naps I sit and relax for a few. 

Having three so close in age is not easy. Not in the least. BUT, I love my journey and I would not trade it for anything.

Many people have been asking how Alexia and Kaden are handling their new baby brother. I am pleased to say Dax has been greatly received by his older siblings. Alexia calls him her "baby" and both kids are perpetually concerned with Dax needing his soother. Oh, and they want to kiss and hug him ALL the time.

Our first two weeks with baby Dax we had the privilege of having not one but TWO grandma's visiting us. Nat's mom was here for the first week and my mom for the second. My mom brought some of my old Dr Seuss books and Alexia loved them to death. Literally, she made grandma and I read over and over until we simply didn't have it in us any more. 

Dax getting smothered.

Yes another book, and yes, it is the SAME one.

I don't think grandma got to go anywhere or do anything without a little shadow to follow her. 

I am so grateful to have a mother-in-law and mom who will come help me after my babies are born! Thank you both so very very much!!

Family Camping (In honor of Lewis Parkhouse a.k.a Dad!)

This past weekend we went camping with some friends and family. Camping is one of my favorite weekend transitions, however being 8 months pregnant with two young kids, I did ask myself a few times "Am I crazy?" Yes it was a little crazy but you have to realize that I do come by it honestly. Growing up I had my fair share of wild camping experiences.

Every year our camping season would start on May Long Weekend and we would go as often as we could through out the summer. One year we went camping every weekend for five months minus 5 weekends. I can't even imagine the preparation for all that camping. Mom must have done the laundry and put it right back into the suitcase.

(For all my US friends, Canada's holiday Monday in May is held on May 24th, or the Monday before May 24th if May 24th is not a Monday. The holiday is called "Victoria Day" in memory of the late Queen Victoria, our longest reigning Monarch.)

One year we got the van stuck in the water while trying to dock the boat. Since my tent got wet in the process I got to sleep in the front seat while my parents slept in the back. But for the rest of these camping trips I slept in a tent by myself. I was 6. And did I mention I had to put the tent up myself? My mother wanted to protest on my behalf but my Stepfather insisted that I was fine.

I used to love to fish with my Stepdad. Even though he MADE me worm my own hooks and if I wanted to eat our catch of the day I also had to help gut the fish. I litterally lived the lesson of "The Little Red Hen". I'd like to just take a moment to thank my Stepfather, Lewis for teaching me to be tough and take care of myself. I don't know that I could have gone through as much as I have if it wasn't for all that you taught me.

As die-hard-campers we would even camp in the snow. It often snowed on the may long weekend and every tough Canadian camper was out there in the cold. My parents once were featured on the news because they were out camping after a heavy snow fall. So heavy the camp grounds had to plow the snow to let the campers in. The media thought no one would be camping, but many were, however my parents were the only ones cooking out side on the campfire.

My favorite part of camping is breakfast on the fire.... MMMM!

I wish I had a photo to share of my kids a few weeks ago when we were camping with Nat's family. It was raining out and they were bundled in their jackets running around in the mud. And they were loving every minute of it. So, it looks as though the family tradition will live on through my active little children!

Happy Birthday 'lil Lady

I can hardly believe my little baby is three years old today! I am excited yet sad all rolled up together. I am excited to watch her grow and learn new things everyday along with the fact that she is becoming more independent with each passing day. From putting on her own shoes to crawling in and out of the tub on her own. And oh the grown up things she says, "you simmer down" (said to her dad for moving her out of his way), "oh dear, I'm sorry sweetie" (said to me when something goes wrong.
And yet a feel sad that she will never again be this tinny baby cradled in my arms. Wow, the years really do go so fast. I pray I will always remember to take the time to enjoy each stage, the good and the bad!

We took some cupcakes to share with the Sunday school class.

My dainty little 3yr old

And a little family Birthday Celebration at Friendly's!

My little garden & my little lady

Some dear friends, Jarred & Kendra started a huge garden mostly from seeds and since they had an abundance, they generously offered us a few of their seedlings. This is quite exciting for me as I did want to start a small garden this year but struggled to find the time to do any research. You see I have never planted or worked with a garden before so I had'nt the slightest clue when or how to begin. But now I can start my little garden off with a Banana Pepper, Bell Pepper and a Tomato plant.

My mothers day weekend was spent at Lowes with the family picking out flowers and pots for the gardens. When we got home my wonderful husband and darling little girl helped me plant everything.

Alexia just had to have these little flowers. She was so proud when we let her take them to the check out, bring them home and plant them herself!

This is it. My garden. Just the way I like it. I don't want to take on too much at one time for fear that I will botch the entire endeavor. (In the past most plants in my possession have had a very short existence.) I did have some herbs that I stared a few weeks ago but as you can see they are not doing the greatest. Somebody neglected to water them..... ahem. The rosemary plant held up and my cilantro was beginning to wilt but after much watering I see new leaves sprouting tall and proud. Sadly my dill plant has been laying on its bed of soil for a week now; I am pretty sure it's gone for good.

And this is the flower garden. There are a few new ones and two from last year but not everything I planted last year has come up again.... yet, we will see!

DIY Wall Calendar

I think this was my most fun, most easiest, and most functional project I have ever made! I got this idea from Pintrest, of course. Here is how to make your own unique and totally personalized wall calendar.

All I did was grab a photo frame I got at the dollar store for like $4 and some pretty scrap fabric I had on hand. Remember you want to choose a fabric that is light on color, anything dark will be hard to see what you have written on the board.

I first did a test run on the paper that comes with the photo, just flip it around and you have a nice black piece of paper that is exactly the size of your frame. This way you can get a feel for how big you want everything to be and how you want it to look. Once you are happy with your look grab a permanent marker and go to town! 

Hint: It might be best to measure and trace your lines while the glass is in the frame. I didn't do it this way and once it was in the frame it was a little off. Not much but enough to drive me crazy and I started all over again. And just so you know, the permanent marker does come off with windex but not very easily. I had to scrape with my nails and use a lot of elbow grease!

I don't have great handwriting skills so I printed up all my words of the computer, placed it under the glass and traced. Once again make it unique and change the font up a little.

Once you are done wrap the back of the frame with your fabric and secure. No glueing necessary!

And here is my finished project next to the mail organizers I made. I just love it! my counter tops are organized and so is my month! 

On a side note here are some photos of my darling children

learning to skateboard already

saying hello to cousin Zavour

I love that cheesy grin. 

Kaden skateboarding with multiple bodyguards! 

http://committedtoyou.blogspot.com/2012/01/diy-mail-organizers.html

DIY Mail Organizers

Clutter, clutter, clutter! Lately I have been simply fed up with all the mail and bills that collect on our counter top, desk top and windowsill..... yes our windowsills are unique and extra long which I though would be great for decorative things... hubby thinks it's a great place to store mail he would rather put off till tomorrow. Well too often tomorrow turns into next week or next month and I am left looking at that mess the entire time. Can anyone else relate???

So I needed a fix and I needed one fast. After searching a few stores and coming up with nothing I decided to search the wed for some home made ideas. I soon found that I was in good company and there were a ton of great tutorials available. I got my Mail Organizer Plan from www.imaclevermoma.com. click here to read her tutorial. She made her organizers from cereal boxes but I was looking for something smaller so I took her easy to understand instructions and applied it to a Kleenex box. 

First I measure out the front. I drew a line 3cm down from the top of the box. Then again 3cm from the side a made a dot on the line I just drew.

I then drew a line from the dot to the top corner of the box.

Now simply cut along the lines. You can really do this part however you wish. It all depends on the look you are going for.

IMPORTANT: I did find that these boxes were a little flimsy when all was said and done. They definitely did the job but I did make some more, this time reinforcing them first and I liked the second ones better. So if it's worth it to you, take the extra time. All I did was take another box, cut it up and hot glued the extra pieces to the inside of my original box. I didn't take a lot of time to measure. Just eyeball it because you really wont see any imperfections at the end of it all. I just did the back, sides and front and didn't bother with the base. 

Do a quick check to make sure you will have enough fabric to wrap into the box...

...... and along the side. At this point I marked the fabric where the four back corners of the box lie. This way I could always use the box as a reference. 

I then measured from the box the the edge of the fabric on the right side and used that measurement to mark the left side. 

Draw a line from that point to the top.

Now measure enough fabric to wrap up the front of the box. Obviously you do this by measuring the bottom and front face of the box, add it together and give a little extra to wrap over the edge. 

For future reference I'll call this the tongue since it is the longest piece of fabric. 

The sides can be cut on the line however from this point you will want to cut about half and inch away from the line.

You will need this extra fabric so make sure you don't cut on the lines here.

Your finished cut should look like this.

Now for the fun part. Begin gluing along the top.

Fold in your fabric.

Rap the sides around and glue along the edge.

You may want to leave this extra fabric for now. You may want to just fold it in and glue it or you may decide to cut it off.

Once I was ready to glue the bottom I first cut a notch in the corner.

Then glue the bottom. The photo above shows the left side of the box and the bottom shows the right side. Just in case that confused anyone.

Now glue along the inside of the line. Then quickly fold your fabric on the line. This will create a nice clean edge for the front of the box. All the cut edges will be tucked in :)

Now glue the bottoms and sides.

You should have extra fabric at the top so cut diagonally to the corners of the front opening,

fold them down and glue. This is where you had extra fabric on the top right and left corner earlier and I said to leave it. At this point, when you fold in the last of the fabric on the top you may decide to cut the underneath fabric or just fold it in with the rest. I did both, just depending; If it looked too bulky I cut the fabric. The only problem is you run the risk of having some frayed pieces sticking out at the top if you are not careful.

For the inside I cut some white card stock and hot glued it to the back sides and front. 

My finished product! 

I found some other really good ideas of how to make and display these organizers. Just click on any of these photos to view their original blog!