Happy 4th Birthday, Fluffy!

Amelia turns four today and it makes me so happy and breaks my heart at the same time. Putting these pictures together makes me wish time would slow down. She has always been a true delight. These pictures make me cry. They were all so tiny and smooshy! Agh! We are celebrating our four year old today!

Big Roly Poly Baby

Little bits schmooshed.

Heaven.

First Boyfriend.

Anybody else wanna pinch those chubby legs?

Snack Time!

"God maked us for piggy tails and jumping!"

Pink Sprinkle Shoes!

Fluffy McFlufferson

First pony tail.

Best Friends.

Gah!

Foofy!

"Please?!"

Mud pies! 

Rocking (upside down) babies.

Lipstick!

Little Loves.

Be still my heart!

Teehee...

Always smiling and laughing. Always.

Boots on backwards. All the time. Still.

Silly.

Perfection.

Melts my heart!

Freezer Meals: Pie Crust

Rumor has it that my paternal grandma wasn't the greatest in the kitchen. Her mom, Old-old Grandma, was a fantastic cook, but for some reason Grandma Ann didn't inherit that skill. This recipe is one of the few things, I'm told, that she made well.

What is it about recipes from older generations that makes you feel closer to them? When I make pie crust I think of Dr. Pepper, Avon, and Grandma Ann's cackle. She had the best cackle.

This is the only pie crust I use. It's easy to make and freezes well. I don't know how long you are allowed to freeze it, but I will be honest and say I've used one that was in the freezer for at least a year. At least. Apparently I need to make pie more.

Grandma Ann's Pie Crust

You will need:

4 c. flour
1&1/2 tsp salt
1tablespoon sugar
1&3/4 c. Shortening or butter
1/2 c. Cold water
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 egg or egg substitute

Mix the first three ingredients together. Cut in butter or shortening (I no longer use shortnening #1 because it is made from soy and I'm allergic and #2 I read Skinny Chicks Eat Real Food and #3 Butter is better). Mix last three ingredients together in a separate bowl and add to flour mixture. Mix well.

Divide into 4 balls.

Wrap individually.

Do yourself a favor and label them and then freeze. Unless you need them right away, of course.

When I plan to use the dough I pull it out the night before and let it thaw. I'll be posting a dinner recipe in the next few weeks that will use this crust.

Do you have many recipes from older relatives? Does making them stir up fun memories?

Enjoy!

Survey Time!

I'm thinking about putting together a series of posts on my monthly meal plan with detailed posts about how I do once a month freezer meal prep. Are you guys interested in something like that or are you thinking, "There are 5 million posts like this all over the web already. Just post pictures of your chubby babies and stories of the funny things they say"?

Let me know your vote by leaving a comment below.

Freezer Meals: Pizza Sauce

I have a few recipes that I want to post of necessary ingredients for other recipes I plan to share with you. This is one of those.

I tend to cook using the "ish" method: little to no measuring. I did measure out the ingredients the last time I made sauce so you can have more to work with than "ish". You can adjust as you see fit.

Pizza Sauce

For a long time I bought Hunt's pizza sauce for homemade pizza. Then I realized how easy it was for me to make my own. I like the flavor and consistency much better.

You will need: tomato sauce (29 oz), Italian seasoning (1 tablespoon), garlic powder (1 teaspoon), and salt (dash).

Mix together. I separate this recipe into three containers and freeze. One container is enough sauce for 2 pizzas.

We have pizza almost weekly per HH's request. I use Pioneer Woman's Pizza Crust. I've found that I like the crust best baked on the lowest rack in the oven for 15 minutes instead of 10.

Enjoy!

Spicing Things Up

I decided to clean out my spice cupboard recently. I thought this would be a good time to talk about the spices I like and where I buy them. I could sense that you really needed this information from me.

Spice/medicine cupboard contents

 It also gave me an excuse to throw out the containers of spices that I've had since we got married. Almost 8 years ago. Apparently I'm a spice rebel and don't replace mine every 6 months like you're supposed to.

An unsolicited Tip for Seasonings: Unless you use a specific seasoning often, buy the smallest container possible. This: insures fresh seasoning flavor, saves you some money, and spares you the guilt of throwing out a Costco size container of dried Basil. Just sayin'.

My favorite place to shop for spices that I use often, but not in large quantities, is Penzy's. The spices are high quality and so fresh. I can definitely taste a difference in my recipes. I used to buy most things in bulk at Winco or in the little plastic bottles. Penzy's has won my heart one delicious spice at a time. I'll be replace my 8 year old products with Penzy's.

Another drawing point for me is that Penzy's carries spices that don't contain soy which helps me! Also, if you subscribe to get their catalog you get great coupons for free or greatly discounted products. Give 'em a try!

For my everyday spices that I use often I turn to Costco. 

Italian Seasoning, Taco Seasoning, Garlic Powder, Pepper, Cinnamon, and Vanilla

 A few random items from Winco:

The best Asada(o) seasoning

 My Trader Joe's picks:

Sea Salt, Olive Oil, Olive Oil cooking spray

Where do you stock up on seasonings?