Sunday evening

We kind of played hooky from church this morning.

Yes, I'm a pastor's wife.

Eek!

Really, we (the kids and I) just stayed home this morning - DH was preaching at another church, and though I was planning on going with him, the past week of traveling finally caught up with us and we needed to stay.at.home!

So, I cooked!

I came across The Pioneer Woman's Pot Roast Recipe.

{it's a big hunk of meat. I kinda get intimidated by them!}

But, I followed her step-by-step directions, and it came out fabulously. Tender, rich, juicy...the kids were almost shoveling it in. You need to try it! It's not at all dry or tough - it is excellent!

{carrots and onions on top of the hunk-o-beef}.



The littlest kept herself occupied in the pantry while I was browning the beef.



(sorry for the blur. it happens with a fast toddler and a too-slow shutter speed!)

And I loved that dinner was already to go, so we could spend some time outside this evening, and just come in and immediately eat!




pointing at an AIRPLANE!
kicking a ball!
throwing it HIGHER HIGHER!
Intent on finding something in the grass!

Baked Potato Soup, Trial 1

Grant had a rough couple of days last week - I think the 4 staples-in-the-head finally caught up with him!

Tuesday morning he was kind of out-of-sorts, so I thought a quick trip outside would help us all feel better. And, I had heard RAVE reviews about a certain potato soup recipe.

So, we went to a local grocery store Grant LOVES.

{who wouldn't love riding in a race car cart? and,they got free slushies from the cafe clerk!!}




I stocked up on potato soup ingredients - potatoes, onions, chicken stock, green onions, milk.

I got the Baby Girl settled into her nap, and Grant was settled into CARS {the greatest preschooler movie of all time}, resting on our bed, with his blankie and some Tylenol.

And then I started the Potato Soup!

The recipe was kinda involved, and start to finish it took me 1 1/2 hours! I l-o-v-e cooking, but 1 1/2 hours was a bit much, even for me.

So, after all this prep, I was excepting excellence, but...

My old stand-by potato soup recipe -

my mom's recipe! -

is absolutely, positively, better.

no question.

So, I'll make my mom's recipe this upcoming week and share it with you! Here's the bummer potato soup - it was okay, but definitely not worth sharing! So, all of you potato soup lovers, stay tuned!



{and, yes, the kiddos are in their jammies - mismatched jammies at that! I figured 4 staples in the head is an allowable reason for jammies in public}.

Perfect Pancakes and Waffles!

Our little guy had a rather traumatic weekend {ending with 4 staples in his head}, so I wanted to make him one of his favorite meals tonight - waffles! He l-o-v-e-s them!

So, here's my favorite recipe that I use for both pancakes and waffles! For our family, this makes enough for leftovers - which I freeze and then just pop out of the freezer, microwave or toast briefly, and then my favorite little guy has his favorite breakfast in a flash!

{and, fyi, on the menu for supper tomorrow - my FAVE tortilla soup!}

Perfect Pancakes and Waffles:

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons baking powder
2 teaspoons salt
3 tablespoons white sugar
2 1/2 cups milk
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 tablespoons butter, melted

1. Mix together dry ingredients.
2. Add wet ingredients.
3. Stir.
4. Make pancakes or waffles. I have to spray my waffle maker to keep them from sticking!

Enjoy!

Birthday Bliss

I know this is a food blog, but my 30th birthday was Thursday. The entire day was just, well, delicious, so I had to share it with you.

sleeping in.
a wonderful gift card to a gorgeous spa!
delicious lunch with my husband and children.
a gorgeous, crisp fall day.
walk through the park with the family.

It was a beatiful way to enter a new decade - with my sweet family.

{30!}

I almost feel like a real grown-up now.

New Recipe for the week

I'm thinking that this recipe is going to be a must-try for this week's menu.

Bacon.
Potatoes.
Cheddar.

I think those are sure-fire ingredients for a stellar side-dish!

What's on your menu for the week? anything new? or anything fun for fall?

I'm going through my soup favorites to see what I want for this week. So excited for fall, and for fall cooking!