Kielbasa Boats

K, so this isn't really a recipe, I'm just giving you guys ideas for a pretty good and easy meal. You can also make this with hot dogs if you're worried the kids won't like the sausage.

1 kielbasa sausage, cut into fourths (it's packaged in a horseshoe shape)
1 cup mashed potatoes
Shredded Cheese

You cut the kielbasa sasauge into four sections, and then cut each section in half. Place both halves together on top of a baking dish with the flat side facing up. Scoop on mashed potatoes to make a little pile. Top with grated cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. I usually just serve these with a Rice-a-roni or some other side and a vegetable. Way yummy and oh so easy!

Ham and Potato Casserole

This is kind of a harder recipe that takes more time but I can guarantee you ANY kid will eat it...sounds so simple but full of flavor! It was and still is a huge comfort food for me when I was growing up.

Ingredients:
6 or 7 medium sized potatoes chopped and peeled
1 lb. cubed ham
1/2 cup onion
5 Tbsp. Butter
4 Tbsp. flour
2 cups milk
3 cups grated cheese
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper

In a frying pan cook onion, ham, and 1 tbsp. butter until liquid evaporates and onions are translucent. Boil potatoes until tender enough to eat. In a medium sauce pan melt butter and add flour, mix. Using a wisk, graudally add milk to flour and butter until mixed. Bring to a boil to thicken. Add 1 cup of cheese and let it melt. In a casserole dish, combine boiled potatoes, ham, white sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix together. Top with remaining 2 cups of cheese and bake at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes.

Sooo grateful

Ok, so it's really not a big deal. It wasn't extremely risky or anything, but my poor heart had a very difficult day. I am still praying constantly and thanking my Father in Heaven for everything going well. Aidan has recovered completely and doesn't even remember what happened.

Today Aidan had to be put under so he could have some dental work done. I even talked to Nicole because she did it with Malachi, and it was comforting to know that she cried when Malachi went under. However, there is nothing natural about how anesthesia works. They let me hold him while he went under...and I had an image in my head that he would just slowly doze off. Well, his eyes got this glazed far away look and didn't close all the way, and then he started making scarey noises trying to swallow and having a hard time. I knew mentally everthing that was happening was normal and okay, but emotionally I fell to pieces. It is so hard to see your children in the smallest bit of pain or confusion.

Well, they were just going to cap his teeth, but the dentist found out that Aidan had fallen and hit his two front teeth at some point in his childhood and he ended up killing the nerves, so unfortunately, they pulled both his front teeth. That was fine, and the work went just great. They brought him out to what they called the recovery room and we tried to wake him up. They wouldn't let him go until he could open his eyes and answer questions.

Well, after about 45 minutes of trying to wake him up and talk to him, they were starting to get a little annoyed, and one of the assistants starting being somewhat mean to him to get him to wake up. He cried for about 20 minutes before they could get him to open his eyes. So here I am, carrying him out in the cold to the car by myself (which was locke, I know I don't know how I managed either), and I am just bawling because he wouldn't quit crying. I started singing hymns to him and he finally started to calm down. To top it off, I was not able to put him in his car seat because his head would fall forward and cut off his air passage. So I had to drive clear from West Valley with Aidan lying down in the backseat without him buckled in...scarey!

Needless to say we got home okay, and the minute I brought Aidan into the house he started to wake up and the first thing he said was "Mommy, I want to watch Batman." As you can tell by the picture posted, he has recovered completely but the adrenaline is sill coursing throug my veins and I'm still anxious about everything that happened today. I'm just grateful that everything went as it should have been and although I hope I never have to go through anything like that again at least next time I'll know what to expect.

Recipes

So, I've been told by all of my very generous friends that I'm a pretty good cook. I was looking at my sister-in-law's blog today and liked how she posts a menu every week of what she's making and thought that was kind of cool. I decided to put a little spin on that idea myself and post a family or favorite recipe for all my friends who are at a lossabout what to make this week. Hopefully you guys will enjoy these and most of them take no longer than 45 minutes with prep. I'll try my very hardest to post one recipe a week. I'm waiting to hear if you like them. Enjoy!!!

SAVORY PEPPER STEAK

Indgredients:

1 lb cubed steak or stew meat

1/3 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup cooking oil

1 tsp. minced garlic or garlic powder.

1/4 cup flour (optional)

1/2 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

1 8 oz. can diced or stewed tomatoes

2 bell peppers

2 packets of brown gravy

6 cups cooked rice

Method:

In a large sautee pan, heat oil, onion, and garlic. Coat meat in flour, salt, and pepper, and add to pan when the onions are cooked and translucent. Cook meat until brown on all sides. While you are waiting for the meat to brown, you can make the brown gravy as shown on the directions and cube the bell peppers. Once the meat is brown, add the can of tomatoes with the juice, green peppers, and brown gravy. Heat until it boils and brown gravy is thickened. Serve over cooked rice.

Hint: Not everyone likes green peppers, and it's a give in that the longer you simmer the mixture the softer the peppers will get. If you let the peppers get soft, then the flavor won't be quite as strong. If you like the crispy bell peppers, then cook just long enough for gravy to thicken.

Also, for all those who are Weight Watchers savvy, 3/4 cup of rice is 3 points whether it is brown or white, and 1 cup of sauce is three points.

I really hope you all enjoy this, it is a favorite!!

Need a little help...anyone??

I am having a problem with my blog...nothing with mine persay, but with everyone else's. When I go to view other people's blogs I am only able to see the newest post they have posted, not any prior ones. And it does not allow me to make a comment. When I click on post a comment it takes me to the comments page, but it is in a wierd format and it doesn't allow me to post a comment of my own. Any help on what is going on?

Thanks guys!!