annie blog

November 29, 2005
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Hi all, and sorry to be gone for so long. We’ve had an interesting few weeks here, nothing really bad, just busy and thinking about stuff. To tell you the truth, it seems like yesterday that I did my last blog entry. The speed at which my life is flying by is a little scary. Now, a recipe. This is for the stuff that you get on your plate at some Mexican restaurants. You know, that little lump of yellow corn stuff that is really good that you wish that they had given you more of (unless you are like me and eat it off your picky children’s plates). It makes a nice side dish for fajitas, tacos, quesadillas, etc. And it is really easy to make, too. Enjoy. Sweet Corn Tomalito 5 T. butter or margarine, softened 1/4 cup masa harina 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup water 2 cups corn kernels, fresh or frozen, thawed, divided 1/2 cup cornmeal (I recommend coarse grind, not regular) 1 t. baking powder 1/2 t. salt 2 T. plus 1 t. milk In a small mixing bowl, mix the butter, masa and sugar using an electric ixer until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. In a blender container, blend half the corn kernels with the water until smooth. Combine this mixture wiht the butter mixture stirring well. Add the remaining corn kernels, corn meal, baking powder, salt and milk and mix well. Pour the corn mixture into an 8-inch square baking pan. Tightly cover with aluminum foil and steam by setting atop a medium saucepan of water on top of the stove. Bring water to a boil and steam corn mixture for 50 minutes to one hour (check to see whether you might need to add more water), until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. The finished Tomalito should have a smoth, moist texture. Make sure to keep the pan tightly wrapped at all times. Makes 12-16 servings

Hi all, and sorry to be gone for so long. We’ve had an interesting few weeks here, nothing really bad, just busy and thinking about stuff. To tell you the truth, it seems like yesterday that I did my last … Continue reading →

November 29, 2005
by
4 Comments

Hi all, and sorry to be gone for so long. We’ve had an interesting few weeks here, nothing really bad, just busy and thinking about stuff. To tell you the truth, it seems like yesterday that I did my last blog entry. The speed at which my life is flying by is a little scary. Now, a recipe. This is for the stuff that you get on your plate at some Mexican restaurants. You know, that little lump of yellow corn stuff that is really good that you wish that they had given you more of (unless you are like me and eat it off your picky children’s plates). It makes a nice side dish for fajitas, tacos, quesadillas, etc. And it is really easy to make, too. Enjoy. Sweet Corn Tomalito 5 T. butter or margarine, softened 1/4 cup masa harina 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup water 2 cups corn kernels, fresh or frozen, thawed, divided 1/2 cup cornmeal (I recommend coarse grind, not regular) 1 t. baking powder 1/2 t. salt 2 T. plus 1 t. milk In a small mixing bowl, mix the butter, masa and sugar using an electric ixer until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. In a blender container, blend half the corn kernels with the water until smooth. Combine this mixture wiht the butter mixture stirring well. Add the remaining corn kernels, corn meal, baking powder, salt and milk and mix well. Pour the corn mixture into an 8-inch square baking pan. Tightly cover with aluminum foil and steam by setting atop a medium saucepan of water on top of the stove. Bring water to a boil and steam corn mixture for 50 minutes to one hour (check to see whether you might need to add more water), until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. The finished Tomalito should have a smoth, moist texture. Make sure to keep the pan tightly wrapped at all times. Makes 12-16 servings

Hi all, and sorry to be gone for so long. We’ve had an interesting few weeks here, nothing really bad, just busy and thinking about stuff. To tell you the truth, it seems like yesterday that I did my last … Continue reading →

November 29, 2005
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4 Comments

Hi all, and sorry to be gone for so long. We’ve had an interesting few weeks here, nothing really bad, just busy and thinking about stuff. To tell you the truth, it seems like yesterday that I did my last … Continue reading →

November 14, 2005
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4 Comments

My baby is darling. That precious child…if I could slow down his growing up, I probably would. (Reason #2,000,002 that it is a good thing that Annie is not ruler of the universe, right?) Anyway, back to the baby. This is the boy who loves music. He had a sign for music that he made up on his own, long before he could talk, so that he could request for us to put on some music, or in some cases, to turn it up! :) Now, he loves dancing to music. A few weeks ago, the boys watched the Charlie Brown Halloween special on TV. I watched the baby dance to all the Charlie Brown music. It was funny and wonderful to watch. Tonight, we were watching a show and one of the characters put on some music. I wasn’t really watching, I think that I was talking to either Jon or one of the older boys. The baby came over and took my hand. “Han,” he said. Yes, “hand,” I replied, taking his hand in mine and thinking to myself how great it is that he is learning all the parts of the body. Then he tugged on my hand with both of his own and pulled me to a standing position. Then, he said, “dance,” and started moving his little body to the music while still holding my hand. So we danced. And that was the best invitation to dance that I have ever had, bar none.

My baby is darling. That precious child…if I could slow down his growing up, I probably would. (Reason #2,000,002 that it is a good thing that Annie is not ruler of the universe, right?) Anyway, back to the baby. This … Continue reading →

November 14, 2005
by
4 Comments

My baby is darling. That precious child…if I could slow down his growing up, I probably would. (Reason #2,000,002 that it is a good thing that Annie is not ruler of the universe, right?) Anyway, back to the baby. This is the boy who loves music. He had a sign for music that he made up on his own, long before he could talk, so that he could request for us to put on some music, or in some cases, to turn it up! :) Now, he loves dancing to music. A few weeks ago, the boys watched the Charlie Brown Halloween special on TV. I watched the baby dance to all the Charlie Brown music. It was funny and wonderful to watch. Tonight, we were watching a show and one of the characters put on some music. I wasn’t really watching, I think that I was talking to either Jon or one of the older boys. The baby came over and took my hand. “Han,” he said. Yes, “hand,” I replied, taking his hand in mine and thinking to myself how great it is that he is learning all the parts of the body. Then he tugged on my hand with both of his own and pulled me to a standing position. Then, he said, “dance,” and started moving his little body to the music while still holding my hand. So we danced. And that was the best invitation to dance that I have ever had, bar none.

My baby is darling. That precious child…if I could slow down his growing up, I probably would. (Reason #2,000,002 that it is a good thing that Annie is not ruler of the universe, right?) Anyway, back to the baby. This … Continue reading →

November 14, 2005
by
4 Comments

My baby is darling. That precious child…if I could slow down his growing up, I probably would. (Reason #2,000,002 that it is a good thing that Annie is not ruler of the universe, right?) Anyway, back to the baby. This … Continue reading →

November 14, 2005
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5 Comments

Happy Monday, everybody. I’m already on my second pot of coffee this morning. And the baby even gave me an extra hour of sleep. So I really don’t know what my problem is. I do think that the time change of 2 weekends ago had sort of a delayed effect on my family. It is the first time in my life that the Fall time change has ever affected me….the Spring one always does. I’m sure that we’ll all get adjusted soon, and that is a comforting thought, especially in the morning, when you forget to put coffee in the coffee pot and mistakenly make the children allspice toast instead of cinnamon. (Make a note to read the label next time.) Everyone have a good day and, Joanie, thanks for that banana bread. It was yummy!

Happy Monday, everybody. I’m already on my second pot of coffee this morning. And the baby even gave me an extra hour of sleep. So I really don’t know what my problem is. I do think that the time change … Continue reading →

November 14, 2005
by
5 Comments

Happy Monday, everybody. I’m already on my second pot of coffee this morning. And the baby even gave me an extra hour of sleep. So I really don’t know what my problem is. I do think that the time change of 2 weekends ago had sort of a delayed effect on my family. It is the first time in my life that the Fall time change has ever affected me….the Spring one always does. I’m sure that we’ll all get adjusted soon, and that is a comforting thought, especially in the morning, when you forget to put coffee in the coffee pot and mistakenly make the children allspice toast instead of cinnamon. (Make a note to read the label next time.) Everyone have a good day and, Joanie, thanks for that banana bread. It was yummy!

Happy Monday, everybody. I’m already on my second pot of coffee this morning. And the baby even gave me an extra hour of sleep. So I really don’t know what my problem is. I do think that the time change … Continue reading →

November 14, 2005
by
5 Comments

Happy Monday, everybody. I’m already on my second pot of coffee this morning. And the baby even gave me an extra hour of sleep. So I really don’t know what my problem is. I do think that the time change … Continue reading →

November 10, 2005
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Another day, another pumpkin recipe. :) Pumpkin Chocolate Muffins nonstick cooking spray, for the pan 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt (rounded measure) 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon allspice 1 tablespoon granulated sugar 1 tablespoon orange zest, grated or chopped 1/3 cup dark brown sugar (packed measure) 1 cup mashed pumpkin (or squash or sweet potato) 1 large egg 1/2 cup milk 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 2 cups chocolate chips 1 cup pecans Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Lightly spray 12 standard-sized muffin cups with nonstick spray or use cupcake liners. Combine the flour, salt, baking powder, spices, granulated sugar, and orange zest in a medium-sized bowl, and stir until well blended. Crumble in the brown sugar, and mix with a fork and/or your fingers until thoroughly combined. Measure the pumpkin (or squash or sweet potato) into a second medium-sized bowl. Add the egg, milk, and vanilla, and beat with a fork or a whisk until well blended. Slowly pour this mixture, along with the melted butter, into the dry ingredients. Stir with a spoon or a rubber spatula from the bottom of the bowl until you have a uniform batter. Don’t overmix. Fold in chocolate chips and nuts. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups. Bake in the center of the oven for to 20 to 25 minutes, or until lightly browned on top, and a toothpick inserted all the way into the center comes out clean. Remove warm muffins from the pan and cool at least 30 minutes before serving.

Another day, another pumpkin recipe. 🙂 Pumpkin Chocolate Muffins nonstick cooking spray, for the pan 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt (rounded measure) 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon … Continue reading →