Christmas 2013

We've spent our Christmas here in snowy Wisconsin. Unfortunately, we haven't taken too many pictures, but here are a few.

Camille did okay in the car, mostly because she spent a lot of time watching her one new favorite show, Curious George. She has never really been interested in TV before, so I'm okay with her watching it, plus I think Curious George is one of the less annoying kids shows.

 Brian found this trash can hilarious. It was good to visit all my favorite rest areas again.

 



 Camille was a dare devil on the rocking horse. She loved playing with Macey and Sadie. She was pretty well behaved, probably because there were so many new things to play with and places to explore.

 

 

I spent too much time trying to update this craft that Tracy made for Mom a few years ago. I guess we all keep having more kids faster than we can keep the crafts updated.

 

Camille and Grandma became good friends.

Wood Baby #2

It's a boy!

America's Test Kitchen

I have a crush on America's Test Kitchen. I happened to catch an episode of the show a couple years ago, and I really liked it. Since then, I've seen more of the show, tried some recipes, and was gifted a subscription to Cook's Illustrated. It's kind of like Alton Brown in the sense that they use science to figure out the best way to make some of these recipes, but they do more trial and error, plus equipment reviews and taste tests.

I wanted to pass on my new found knowledge from America's Test Kitchen. In an episode that Brian and I saw recently, they demonstrated how to chicken two ways for two recipes. The one I found most useful was how to poach chicken without over drying it. They highlighted a chicken salad recipe where there wasn't an overwhelming amount of mayo and the chicken was nice and moist. The cooking method involved placing the raw chicken in salted, cool water. They brought the water up to 170 degrees, put a tight lid on the pan and took it off the heat. After 15-17 minutes, the chicken should reach 165 degrees, but it won't go over, so you'll get juicy chicken. I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds foolproof.

One recipe I have tried is their Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies. I've had trouble making consistently good chocolate chip cookies forever. The one on the back of the chocolate chip bag doesn't cut it. I've had good success with these cookies, but the last batch I made ended with half the cookies big. thick and chewy, and half the cookies thin and spread way too much, and I didn't change the dough, time or temperature. They all tasted good though, and the good ones are terrifically thick and chewy.

These were originally on different pans, but I put them together for comparison.

In one of my latest issues of Cook's Illustrated, they had a section called Foolproof Pizza at Home. We have homemade pizza a lot around here, so that appealed to me. I like the crust  from Emily's blog, but Brian likes thick bread on the bottom of his pizza, and I don't always get the crust started in time. I most often use one from Brian's mom that requires no rise time and is nice and thick for Brian. but, I want to try this Cook's Illustrated version. I haven't made it yet because the dough takes 24 hours in the fridge, and they say to use a food processor, which I don't have. But, if you want to try it, let me know how it goes.

Thin-Crust Pizza

makes two 13-inch pizzas

3 c (16.5 ounces) bread flour 

2 T sugar

1/2 t instant yeast

1 1/3 c ice water

1 T oil

1 1/2 t salt

In a food processor fitted with dough blade, pulse flour, sugar, and yeast until combines, about 5 pulses. With food processor running, slowly add ice water; process until just combined, about 10 seconds. Let dough rest for 10 minutes. 

Add oil and salt and process nutil satiny, sticky ball forms that clears sides of bowl, 30-60 seconds. Transfer dough to oiled counter and knead for a minute. Shape dough into a tight ball, and place in an oiled bowl. Cover bowl tightly and refrigerate at least 24 hours, at most 3 days.

When ready to use, divide the ball in half and let sit for and hour, tightly covered.

Top with toppings, and bake on a preheated stone (or inverted cookie sheet) at 500 degrees for about 10 minutes.

Don't be scared to cook it that hot if you've never done it. Really, it's better cooked the highest your oven will go.

Updates from the Woods

Other than hating Trunk or Treat (it's okay if you like it. I don't), what has been going on around here?

 Camille poked a stick into her eye. After the stick came back out and we consulted with Dr. Ben, we decided that her eye seemed pretty okay, so we didn't need emergency care. I took her the next week to the ophthalmologist, which was a lovely experience for everyone involved. The good news is that everything is fine. Now we take away sticks from Camille.

 Camille also likes mimicking me and eating hot dogs. It's a good thing she can't reach the stove yet because she was well on her way to making her own lunch. She thinks she is hilarious. She is sometimes. She has a lot of personality. Seriously. And obsessions with shoes and cats.

Brian works. Apparently he walked on the moon one day at work. He also fixed the furnace, saving us from calling someone who would have told us to buy a new one. Thanks Brian!

I stay busy trying to put away all the things Camille drags out all the time. I also did some sewing projects recently. And I'm gearing up for the better holidays of the year. Sorry, but Halloween ranks down at the bottom of my favorite holiday list, right above Mother's Day. Don't hate me. I made dinner in a pumpkin and it surprisingly was not that good even though I thought I made it exactly the same as last year. Oh well.

Why I Will Not Attend Another Trunk-or-Treat

Opinions. Oh, do I have them. And I will now unleash my opinions on the evils of trunk or treat. (I recant my bad opinions of Walmart kids' clothing though. We've gotten some good inexpensive things from Walmart)

This year we took Camille to the ward carnival and trunk or treat. It's the first trunk or treat I've really participated in. Since Camille was getting candy, we of course felt obliged to pass out candy. Camille is one. I took her to about ten cars before she was more interested in running away and adoring her stash of candy than getting more. All the adults were of course nice and put a piece of candy in her little basket even though I can't get her to say trick or treat, candy, thank you, or any other appropriate word. So, this has nothing really to do with Camille.

At the beginning of the month I bought two huge bags of candy. It was over 200 pieces and cost I think $20. We ate a bunch, but less than half. Even so, I got another big bag of candy ($10) to replace what had been eaten. All that candy, over $20 worth and over 200 pieces was gone in 10 minutes at trunk or treat. It was like a race to see how much candy the kids could get in as little time as possible. Kids went through multiple times, older kids realized they could just find something to collect candy in and joined in, costume or not. Since it is "safer" to do trunk or treat, parents didn't supervise, so a few kids were rude about what candy they got. Argh.

I was planning on using that candy for both trunk or treat and normal trick or treat. We get quite a lot of trick or treaters on Halloween. The options are now turn off our light and not give out candy tonight, which is a snub to all non LDS kids, or buy a bunch more candy. I spend $40 a week on groceries, and I do not want to spend that much on Halloween candy.

I say, get rid of trunk or treat. What is the point of it anyway? It's not that much safer. No neighbor is going to put razor blades in your kids' candy. If you are worried about traffic, go with your kids and make sure they are safe. I know our ward trunk or treat is for the whole neighborhood, but realistically, only members attend. Wouldn't it be better to trick or treat in the neighborhood and actually get to know your neighbors? Let's have a fall social or a harvest festival or a chili cook-off. It can even involve candy! Just please, no more trunk or treat. We will not be participating.

Another video of guess who?!

Brian writing here: here's my annual blog post. We had a little fun with Camille tonight. I don't think she's ever laughed so hard, so we got out the phone to record it. What's even better is she loved watching the video afterwards, laughing along with herself in the video.

How to Watch General Conference

1. Walk around with a hanger over your head.

2. Stand on little blocks.

3. Ask for Halloween candy (that your mom stupidly bought already) every five minutes.

4. Sit in your old infant bouncy seat.

Antelope Island

Here's a teaser for this post.

Q: What do you call a lazy bison?
(Highlight the answer to see)

A: A buffaloafer!

We took a little day trip on one of Brian's comp days this week and went to Antelope Island. It was a barren wasteland, but we enjoyed our trip.

Camille and I posing with the antelope

Camille on a saddle

Camille is celebrating Brian's lassoing. He apparently learned how to lasso at scout camp. I always wondered what the leaders did there.

Camille really, really likes horses. She tried to climb up the fence and shimmy under the fence several times in an attempt to get to them.

Enjoying a quick rest in the bunk house

Wildlife! Owls are rather scary looking. I'm not really sure how they made it as a trend for small children.

A buffaloafer

Just enjoying the summer

School started here this past week, so I feel like our summer has ended. I really like fall, so I'm not complaining, especially if it means a break from the 90 degree weather we've had daily.

Here are a few things we did this summer.

We gardened. This is one of the best things about summer. This was all picked that day, which is pretty good considering the size of our garden.

Camille went swimming, both in her pool and at swimming lessons. She passed her class, which isn't saying too much considering it was a mommy and me swim class.

Camille lounged around. I'm joking. She rarely stops moving, except this one time when I was getting her ready for swim lessons. I left the room and came back and she was just chilling on the bed.

Camille spent a lot of time snuggling this blanket. She pulls it out of her crib and just snuggles with it on the floor for about 5 seconds before getting up and going somewhere else.

We went to an Orem Owlz game. It was fun. We sat in the general admission seating which is a rather steep grassy hill on one side of the outfield. 

Camille and I exercised almost every day. Camille still hates her bike helmet, and usually I take pity on her and let her take it off.

What did you do this summer?

Camille's Piano Solo

Camille still really likes to play the piano.

What's happening here

Business first. The royal baby's name was announced as George Alexander Louis. I believe the winner of this contest was this comment

 Sarah said...

As moderator of the contest, I'm allowing myself to guess. I guess Anne or George.

December 6, 2012 at 10:03 PM

 

with a nod to Joanna for acknowledging that the baby would at least have three names, and choosing George as one of them (but not the first). Sorry, it's a little shady that the contest administrator won, but I probably won't buy myself a piece of gum, so don't get too upset. I'm not a huge fan of the name George, but then again, I'm not British, and I'm not royalty.

We enjoyed having Mom come for a visit. Mom made friends with Camille and Holly. Camille even learned to say Grandma (Bapa!). We had fun hanging out, doing a little shopping, and seeing the Scera Theatre's production of The Sound of Music, which my cousin's wife was in as Maria. Dad was here for a night, and Camille even warmed up to him after being pushed in the swing and visiting Holly with him.

At the Traverse Outlets in Lehi

Joanna and Ben also stayed here Monday night before their family reunion at Bear Lake. We took no pictures, but we had fun together. Russell really liked the new toys, and Camille even let Joanna and Ben hold her for a little bit. She was pretty grumpy the next morning though and was happy to have the house to herself after they left.

Brian and I spent a night in Park City for our anniversary. We ended up getting "bumped" from our hotel room since the hotel was overbooked, and we got a free night in a not-quite-as-nice-but-still-fine hotel. The next morning we rode the alpine slide, which was awesome. It was fun to get away for a night. Camille did great at Grandma and Grandpa Wood's house.

On the lift up to the alpine slide

We also celebrated Brian's birthday. I even turned the oven on to make his cake. Sorry to all future gift-givers, but I got him just about the best gift ever: a Leap Motion controller. Now he can pretend he's Iron Man.

Happy Birthday!

Other than those exciting things, we just do normal things. I've tried to get out a lot with Camille for a walk, run, or bike ride. I've also been working on cooking without the oven. I made pizza on the grill yesterday, and we both thought it was very good. Brian has been putting a lot of time into the video he's making of the trek the ward did for Youth Conference. He did not enjoy Scout Camp.

I don't know what made her sad this time, but she's really pathetic looking when she's sad.

But when she's happy, she's really happy.

Cookbook Favorites

I've posted a lot of Cupboard Project recipes in the last couple months, but I've made some new dishes that aren't cupboard recipes that I'm going to share.

This one was really good. I haven't made it again since the first time, but I should (except that I have a no-oven rule when it's above 90 degrees). It's definitely comfort food.

Spinach and Artichoke Baked Pasta

(source)

Ingredients
14 oz of Orecchiette Pasta ( or short pasta)
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Cup of Chopped Onion
3 Cloves of Garlic ( Minced)
1 Cup of Sour Cream
4 oz of Cream Cheese ( Room Temperature)
¾ Cup of Parmesan Cheese
1 teaspoon Lemon Juice + Zest
10 Oz of Spinach ( Make sure to squeeze excess moisture, after it has been thawed of course)
13.5 Can of Artichoke Hearts rinsed and chopped
1 Cup of Mozzarella
½ Teaspoon of Salt
1 Teaspoon of Pepper
Instructions

Preheat Oven To 425
Cook pasta according to the box. Keep ¼ Cup of the Pasta Water before you drain the cooked pasta.
Heat oil in pan and cook onions for 8 – 10 minutes. Add garlic and cook for one minute.
In a large bowl – Mix Sour Cream, Cream Cheese, Parmesan, Lemon (juice and zest), onions, and garlic. Add Pasta and mix.
Stir in spinach, artichokes, ¼ cup of cooking liquid from the pasta, salt, pepper, and ½ Cup of Mozzarella
Place mixture into greased 2.5 – 3 qt casserole dish and place the rest of mozzarella cheese on top
Place in the oven till golden brown on top – about 10 – 15 minutes.

Emily pinned this next one from Mel's Kitchen Cafe, and it looked right up my alley. Instead of using pickled jalapenos, I just put a little bit of cayenne pepper in. I mixed about a tablespoon of sour cream in (on my plate), and it was awesome. Plus, Camille ate about as much of this as she has eaten of dinners combined all week, so it was a winner.

Southwest Rice and Bean Salad with Sweet and Spicy Dressing
YIELD: SERVES 8-10

Note: this salad is so adaptable. I’ve added 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, subbed red onions for the green, doubled the dressing (just because!), and my favorite variation was made with a combination of wild and brown rice.

INGREDIENTS

Salad:
5 cups cooked rice, warm or at room temperature (white, brown, wild rice or a combination!)
2 teaspoons salt
1 (15-oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15-oz.) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups cooked, cubed chicken
1 (12-oz.) can corn, drained
4 green onions, chopped
Dressing:
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
2/3 cup canola oil
4 pickled jalepeno pepper rounds (found in the glass jars next to the olives, usually)
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
DIRECTIONS

Combine all of the salad ingredients together in a large bowl.
Combine dressing ingredients in blender until peppers are finely minced. Toss with salad. Serve warm or at room temperature.


A few years ago I got a Bountiful Basket with Swiss chard in it. I had never cooked with chard before, so I looked for a recipe to use it, and I found this one. I stopped buying Bountiful Baskets, but this year we are growing chard in our garden. This is what I made with our first chard harvest. It is a terrific light meal that is healthy, quick, vegetarian, and inexpensive. I always use some diced onion in place of the shallot, and I use a whole cans of garbanzos.

Swiss Chard with Garbanzo Beans and Fresh Tomatoes

source

 4 servings
 2 tablespoons olive oil
 1 shallot, chopped
 2 green onions, chopped
 1/2 cup garbanzo beans, drained
 salt and pepper to taste
 1 bunch red Swiss chard, rinsed and chopped
 1 tomato, sliced
 1/2 lemon, juiced

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Stir in shallot and green onions; cook and stir for 3 to 5 minutes, or until soft and fragrant. Stir in garbanzo beans, and season with salt and pepper; heat through. Place chard in pan, and cook until wilted. Add tomato slices, squeeze lemon juice over greens, and heat through. Plate, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

And last, I would be remiss if I didn't include some sort of bread recipe. These rolls have been great for when I've planned a meal that includes buns (tuna burgers, snobby joes), but then didn't get the buns started in time. They also make good, hearty rolls. Avert your eyes if you are a flour snob; they use white flour. I'm sure you could add some wheat flour if you wanted, but it might increase the rise time.

40-Minute Hamburger Buns

Ingredients

source

2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water (110° to 115°)
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon salt
3 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Directions
In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add oil and sugar; let stand for 5 minutes. Add the egg, salt and enough flour to form a soft dough.
Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 3-5 minutes. Do not let rise. Divide into 12 pieces; shape each into a ball. Place 3 in. apart on greased baking sheets.
Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Bake at 425° for 8-12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. Yield: 1 dozen.

Nutritional Facts
1 serving (1 each) equals 195 calories, 7 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 18 mg cholesterol, 204 mg sodium, 29 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 5 g protein.

2013 Scoresby Family Reunion

I know mostly my family reads this blog, so some of these pictures may be repeats of pictures you have seen. For everyone else who comes here, we had a family reunion in Nauvoo. It was great.

Camille dipped her feet in the Mississippi River. I should have, too.

Nauvoo Temple

Russell enjoyed pushing Camille around.

Camille did not enjoy anything except being held by me or Brian. She resigned herself this once to reading a book with Grandma and Andrew.

Family photo

Cousins

Pioneer Camille riding a lamb (with the pacifier that's going away soon.)

Wood family photo.

Carthage jail, in front of the window Joseph Smith fell from.