Adventures in Dinner

Beat the Winter Blues Saturday #2

2012-01-28T06:00:00.002-05:00

Well, to beat the blues this week I had a lot of fab things happen.
A few I can tell you about and some I can't-yet.

1) I'm guesting over at Vanessa's gorgeous blog today lifeinthethriftylane and I invented a new breakfast recipe that is guaranteed to make a person happy.

2) I am in the midst of a blog reorg and so excited about some changes that are coming this way
3) Took the plunge and became a sponsor of niftythriftythings-love to support another lady blogger
4) Got asked to be a guest poster on another great blog (cat coming out of the bag later)
5) Finalised plans for something special that I want to do for baby blogs starting at the end of February
6) Went to bookclub after reading the haunting "Secret Daughter"
7) Finished report cards (sound the heralds!)
8) Marilyn aka "ArtsyGirl" is cohosting with me today
AND

I picked-up a lovely copy of "Donna Hay's Fruit"

I got one for me and one for one of you!

I don't think Donna Hay or her team have ever written a bad recipe and the pictures alone will make you swoon.

Want it?

I'll be drawing a winner on Feb. 5th (special announcement that day too)

To win (one entry per)

1) Be a follower of 'Adventuresindinner' and leave a comment-this part is mandatory

For additional entries:

2) Share a project today at "Beat the Winter Blues" party

3) Share a project on Monday to "Get Ready for Romance"

4) Follow me on twitter

5) Follow me on Facebook

6) Follow me on Instagram

How'd you fare last week? Hope that the sun peaked out at you OR if it is summer for you right now you just basked in it.

To join in:

1) Add your specific blog post and and not just your general blog URL

2) Visit at least two other people who join and leave them a nice comment

3) Be a follower of 'Adventures in Dinner'

4) Grab a button so that more people will share next week

We're all in this together.

A great week and two easy side dishes

2012-01-27T06:06:00.004-05:00

Yay! Kristen has made a fab button (her other button is on my linky page) to promote her amazing idea of Food Waste Friday. I haven't mentioned this in awhile but 'Frugal Girl' actually started her blog in response to her disgust in the amount of food that her family was wasting. Then she started a linky party to go with it and...I found the idea about a million years later. You should head over to Kristen's 'House' to see how the original does it so right :-)

This week I actually wasted nothing BUT I had two bags of milk just go off on me. They were within their "use by" date, they hadn't been out of the fridge and when they were opened? Rather gross cheese. Well, I'm not taking the heat for those and I've contacted my organic dude about them.

But enough of the bad, how about a nice dinner?

I've got a little roast that I've coated in honey mustard. He is going to be the star of the show.

But I've got a lot of veg right now and if I want to avoid a long and morose posting next week I had better use them up. Maybe it is time for the understudies to take over as the stars?

Start by trimming 3 cups of brussel sprouts.

Peeling four cobs of corn (these are actually from a sustainable, greenhouse in my area).

Add 3 tablespoons of sesame oil.

1 T. sesame seeds and 3 T. soy sauce.

Place the corn in a baking dish and butter add a few tablespoons of water too. This will let my corn taste like it is roasted outside and we're in the middle of summer.

Cover with foil and roast both for 30 minutes at 350.

How could you say no?

Happy eating :-)

Hope to see you tomorrow at my "Beat the Winter Blues" Party and get your romantic ideas set to party with on Monday.

Do you like whipped cream?

2012-01-26T20:45:00.000-05:00

Well of course you do.

Really, what a question?

How about custard and cake and fruit and chocolate?

Check, check...

Now all those together=very easy trifle.

Find an excuse to make this.

Like it's Saturday or the sky is grey or the sky is blue or...you matched your socks that morning.

This will be the hardest part of the whole procedure.

I have a really easy recipe that can be made anytime and has a lot shortcuts. A friend's mom used to make this and it took me years to convince her to tell me her secrets.

I couldn't believe it when I found out how easy it was to make.

Feel free to keep it to yourself too. This can be your new go to dessert.

Shortcuts are good, shortcuts mean that you get trifle sooner.

I made a batch of custard, my first cheat is that I used Bird's custard powder and added a shot of my homemade vanilla to it (2 cups in all).

Then dissolve one package of raspberry jello.

Yes, I said jello.

Mix with 1/2 cup hot water and when it's disolved 1/2 cup cold water.

Add 3 cups frozen raspberries and mix.

Take a really big bowl and line with thin slices pound cake-I even bought two cakes for this wonderful project. If you are wanting to you can also soak the cake in sherry but since I cook for small one now, alcohol that doesn't get cooked out just doesn't work for me anymore. Honestly, all the other good stuff makes the sherry a bit unnecessary.

Add 1/4 of your raspberries, 1/4 of your custard and top with more cake slices.

Repeat until you've used up all your ingrients.

I also like to add a bit more fruit into the mix (berries, slice kiwi...) on one of the layers to make myself feel a bit more virtuous.

You know, because I'm eating lots of fresh fruit.

End with cake...
(that's actually not a bad idea for life in general)

AND a huge layer of whipped cream (sweetened with a bit of icing sugar), berries and shaved chocolate.

Now keep the secrets to yourself and just accept the accolades OR just eat it all yourself.

Happy eating :-)

Do you live in my neck of the woods?

2012-01-26T10:53:00.001-05:00

Just in case you aren't aware, I'm lucky enough to live in Canada's Capital-Ottawa. Family friendly city with lots to do and see AND an especially amazing photography who happens to be one of the best friends that a girl could wish for.

Michelle Barbeau of

Have you seen her work before?

I bet you have if you've been on this site.

I know, she's amazing.

The lovely Michelle is holding a contest on her blog right now.

You should check it out :-)

Monday Night Redo

2012-01-26T05:58:00.002-05:00

I'm starting a new feature on my blog called "Monday Night Redo".

My alternate name for it was "I can't live in this mess anymore without going crazy!" but I think it just didn't have the same ring to it. They will likely show-up on Thursdays and expect the lighting to be shifty since I'll be doing these at night.

You see, between the reno (yes, yes, I really will have photos before the end of the the decade), a child, a job...there are some parts of my house that are suffering from massive neglect. They need redos or just reorganization in the very worst way so that finding things isn't such an adventure.

I also don't want to spend money on these spots so my Monday night jobs will all use what I have in the house, take an hour or two tops (if I get fancy) and bring me untold amounts of daily joy.

You will also see some bads spots in my otherwise really clean house (no really, I'm not just saying that). For instance, the nightmare that is my bathroom closet (don't worry this has a happy ending).

Our bathroom is one of the few rooms in the house that still needs major attention. We've done the necessary but it is as far from my dream spa as you can get. It'll do though. THIS closet will not.

I told you it isn't pretty.

So, drag everything out and thanks to Pinterest (storageandglee) I know that an easy organizational trick is to put bedding inside the matching pillowcase.

DONE!

Plywood shelves. Not pretty.

The builders of this addition (in the 80's) really splashed out on the good stuff for me.

BUT I have a tablecloth that I used last summer outside and it has a chunk that is too stained to allow it to live as a tablecloth any longer. So...cut, rip and staple gun.

I simple wrapped the shelves like a present.

As small one would say "Da Da!"

The bottom of the closet has an ugly spot where another (very useless) shelf was removed and I am not getting into painting this space until I redo this whole thing so...more staples and the last of the tablecloth.

Isn't that better? Don't worry about that little hanging corner. I took care of that after the picture was taken.

For the past few months I've had my make-up in a bamboo cutlery tray. I know that this has made the rounds on Pinterest but I thought of it during one of my aimless wanders around Homesense while I was avoiding workmen at my house.

I had bought these pretty baskets for the front door but we've installed cabinets and they just weren't being used. Yay!

Aren't you getting the warm and fuzzies? I know I am.

And the final product.

Everything put away but still easy to get to which means I'll actually sustain this change.

Just WAIT until I tackle the kitchen pantry.

Pin'Inspiring Ideas :-)

2012-01-25T20:04:00.003-05:00

Thanks to all for coming by last week, I had a total treat seeing everyone's projects and getting to know more of you.

I hope that you'll come by on Saturday to share at my "Beat the Winter Blues" party on Saturday. I really appreciate those who stopped by last week and helped me get over the jitters of hosting my first party without Marilyn as my lifeline.

Now onto some features:

I have a serious case of the wants for this

by reposhture

mommyforreals created this awesome bag with a very special pocket in it. Love.

and livelaughrowe created a gorgeous shabby chic, craft space out of a blank slate

Now clever, clever folks you know what to do but if you're new here, here's the 411

1) link your great projects
2) follow myself and ArtsyGirl
3) grab a button from myself and ArtsyGirl
4) link to an exact post and not your general blog url
5) let's just focus on; photography, recipes and crafts and not giveaways or businesses
6) have a fab time exploring other people's great ideas, leave lots of comments and meet someone new
7) tell a friend so they can join on in

It's time to be Pin'Inspired!

What I wore Wednesday :-)

2012-01-25T10:53:00.000-05:00

So I'm trying something new out for me.

I'm getting all my outfits ready for the week on Saturday or Sunday.

We'll see how it goes-I might even put this on the old blog to make me continue.

This is what I came up with for today.

Grey dress (Gap, like 20 years ago), Mexx skirt, Smart Set Jacket, Tights (best tights ever by Vera Wang at khol's-you never get ladders) and new precious boots (massive sale found on Ralph Lauren boots).

Ok, here I'm being serious teacher although with that hair you can only go so far.

It needs to be cut and with the thickness of my hair when it reaches this point it won't even part :-)

Here's the ridiculous expression that is usually on my face.

But more importantly, a bit of boot love.

VERY special Guest

2012-01-25T06:05:00.003-05:00

I 'met' Hanna a few months ago in blogland and knew right away I needed to vvisit this incredible, genuine person often. Like, everyday. Hanna, goes out of her way to welcome everyone into her virtual livingroom and even now when she's going through some harrowing times she is positive for both her kiddos and everyone else.

A runner, a nurse, a super mom and wife and a fantastic person. Hanna.

Is there life after having 2 babies and gaining 100 pounds????

ABSOLUTELY!!!

I'm living proof!

Hi there, My name is Hanna and I am so honored to be here guest blogging here on Jan'es Blog . I adore Jane and her recipes! I'm a foodie too!!!

You can find me anytime over on my blog {bouffe e bambini} where I post lots of fun recipes, some cute pictures of my babes, and some fun fashion stuff.

I am a busy mom of two toddlers, a full time critical care nurse, runner, blogger and wife. I'm a busy lady!!!

This is me!

It's so nice to meet you. Today I am going to share my weight loss journey with you.

I hope I can help inspire some of you who have had a baby or two and found yourself stuck in a rut, struggling with weight and just not feeling like your self anymore. I have been there my friends. I have lost 110 pounds and am so excited to share my story and inspiration with you.

Here I am with my little loves. My son little Milton is just over 2 and Ginger is 12 months. I'm a busy lady!

Meet my husband, big Milton!!!

So this is how my story begins.......

1. First, we were a happy couple!!!!

2. Then we fell in love and got married.

3. Then I got pregnant........

4. Gained 100 + pounds........

5. And had a beautiful baby boy.

My life was forever changed in more ways than one.

First of all let me say that I honestly feel like my life had truly just begun with the birth of my children. I have love for them like I never knew existed. I often feel like my heart might burst with joy when look at their shining little faces. You can read more about me and my transition into motherhood {here}

However, this is what I looked like with my first born. Then I got preganant again 4 month later. WOW! I was pregnant for 2 years straight.

The wonderful news was I was a mom and had given birth to a healthy baby boy and girl. The not so wonderful news was that I had become obese! Yes, obese. Not exactly how I wanted to describe myeself but the truth.

Honestly, when I was pregnant I thought I was so big because of the baby not realizing that when the baby came out I was going to be just as big. I was completely shocked at my size. When I looked in the mirror I had no idea what I was even looking at. I felt like I was trapped in someones else's body; a very uncomfortable body.

Brutal Honestly of what being Obese feels like:

My thighs rubbed together and I would develop a rash if I didn't have pants between my legs at all times.
I had little bumps in my armpits where I would shave because they would rub against my upper arm and chafe.
I couldn't cross my legs
My back ached; I could barley lift my new born baby without throwing my back out
I was always sweaty, especially under my breasts
I felt disgusting; I have never been so uncomfortable in my life.
I was embarrassed. I would run into an old friend and they would kind of look at me like "oh that poor girl used to be so cute but now she had kids and look at her" I HATED THAT!!!
I had stretch marks ALL over my abdomen, thighs, upper arms and even down to the back of my shins because I had gotten so big.
Nothing fit. I wore pajamas and plus size maternity clothes for a VERY LONG TIME!
I stopped caring totally about my appearance; Never making an effort to look nice.
My wedding rings didn't fit and I had gained so much weight some of my shoes wouldn't even fit.

Basically, I just felt horrible inside and out. I felt very unattractive. I would hardly let my husband touch me becasue I felt so ashamed of my body. I stopped wearing make up all together. I wore my hair pulled back every single day and always was in old ratty PJ's. It was so depressing. I was really unhappy.

It wasn't long before I knew I had to loose the weight and not just a few pounds, I knew I needed to loose A LOT, and so my journey began.........

I was motivated and darn right DETERMINED to loose this weight. I wanted to be healthy and happy for me, my husband and my kids, It wasn't just about me. I have heard over and over again in my life that "you should just love who you are no matter what size". I love that and I think it's a great sentiment but the honest truth is for me I couldn't love myself in that condition. What's there to love about not feeling good? When I am thinner, I feel healthy, sexy, accomplished and it radiates to all areas of my life.

Here are a couple before and after pictures that I hope you find inspiring.

Starting out is the hardest part of the whole journey. Lossing 100+ pounds is a very daunting task to say the least but I am just an average, everyday woman and I did it. That means you can too!

I did it completely on my own. I never joined Jenny Craig or weighth watchers. I didn't take diet pills, have surgery or starve myself. I just had a vision of who I wanted to be and I made that vision come to life, Again, you find my detailed plan {HERE}.

I think it is important to think about it long and hard before committing to something like this becasue it is a long journey but it is VERY attainable. If you have a little will power and a little dicipline you can make it happen. It's important to set a reasonable, realistic goal and you can read more about that in my {GUIDE}

I wanted to talk a little bit about common pit falls. Many women who desperately want to loose weight will come up with a list of reasons why they don't think they can acheive thier goals so I just wanted to let you know that there is always a way. Here is how I dealt with many typical obsicles while trying to loose weight.

Common Obsticles:

NO CHILDCARE. I am a full time mom and a full time nurse. I have no childcare whatsoever. I made time to exercise anyway. I bought a double stroller and a baby carrier and I walked everyday. You don't need to go to a gym to loose weight. I did while taking care of 2 babies under the age of 2.
FULL TIME WORK. I also work full time as a nurse, 12 hour night shifts to top it off. You must make time to prepare food for yourself to bring with you to work so youtr not tempted to eat the junk in the cafeteria.
A SPOUSE WHO WON'T FOLLOW THE SAME MEAL PLAN AS YOU. My husband eats pretty much everything I don't eat. He eats sweets, breads, potatoes, pastas. He eats whatever he wants. So no big deal. Prepare meals that can be shared by both like prepare chicken, mashed potatoes and broccoli. You eat the chicken and broccoli and let him eat everything else. You'll be surprised how easy it is to make it work.
NO TIME. I worked full time and was a full time mom during my entire weight loss plan. My best advice is to be prepared. ALWAYS, keep snack friendly food around the house and carry it with you wherever you go, fruit, almonds, cottage cheese are great examples. This way you won't be tempted to binge on whatever food is lying around the house.

I have dieted many times in the past and this is the first time in my life I have lost this amount of weight in the healthiest way I know how. I never felt hungry or deprived.

My best advice is BE KIND. BE GENTLE. FORGIVE YOURSELF and then jump right back on that wagon and try agin. Consistency was my greatest tool.

A few more tips:

Be grateful everyday
Just let it go
Remind yourself how amazing you are, this is hard work
Talk about it, accept praise from others, if you work hard, you deserve praise. It feels so good

I just have to say that I feel better now after having 2 babies than I have ever felt in my life. Not only am I in love with being a mother but now I can truly enjoy my kids and feel great about myslelf. What a great example for my kids as well. They see their mom as healthy, happy and radiant. That is a wonderful thing my friends.

I truly hope that I have helped to inspire at least one of you to give it a try. It is possible. It is doable even with kids and work and every other crazy thing life throws at you. I am passionate about this and I would truly be happy to answer any questions or just chat about how difficuilt weight loss can be. Again, you can find EXACTLY how I did it {HERE}. Please feel free to email me anytime at "www.bouffeebambini@hotmail.com"

Pin It Told ya! She's awesome. Just awesome.

Are you ready for the big day?

2012-01-24T05:50:00.004-05:00

Remember these?

These are my activity sticks that I made last fall to have quickie activities ready for small one.

Well, we actually use them. Often. Weird.

The other day the one that we chose was to glue shapes on paper.

Which made me think; there are two Grandmother's in small one's life that would turn to goo if they got a card sent to them.

Why not have the shapes be hearts?

Small one is also more than mildly addicted to stickers. She actually learned to open the fridge so that she could peel stickers off of the fruit and put them various places. Often on my purse.

When you are newly two having a glue stick and sitting in your flower chair is pretty much 'the bomb'.

Ahh...a short but satisfying activity.

Nanny Taylor and Nannan, these are on the way.

A quickie reminder that I'm hosting a "Get Ready for Romance" Party on the 30th. I'd love to see how you are getting ready for the big heart day and I've a very special recipe all planned.

Grab a button from the side bar and share the fun :-)

Hi ho, hi ho...

2012-01-23T05:55:00.002-05:00

Yes.

I know.

It's mean to put that song in your head but it's Monday and sometimes I get a bit crusty.

I'm on Week Three of making my own coffee each morning (I grind the beans and set things up while I make dinner the night before) and bringing a great breakfast with me.

It really seems to be working.

I am saving oodles of money.

I've had the same $20.00 bill in my wallet for a week.

I've even got the husband bringing a thermos with him each day.

He's thrilled. How do I know? He filled it himself the other day without prompting.

This is great.

We used to do this pre-small one but admittedly we went into survival mode for the past year.

So what to eat?

How about a breakfast bar?

Not one of those packaged ones that taste like sawdust and you'd need 10 to actually fill you up but an actual bar with some heft to it.

I've got: 4 mashed bananas (these were black and I froze them awhile ago), 1/4 cup coconut, 1 cup oatmeal, 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds (or sunflower seed), 1 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 tsp. baking powder (I don't want them light but I don't want a bar of lead either), 1/2 cup flax seeds, 1 cup raisins, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 2/3 cup maple syrup, 1 egg and 1/2 cup butter.

Now, my butter had been out for quite some time and was super soft so I was able to just bung everything together. If yours isn't then cream the butter in with the seeds, raisins and bananas, add your egg and maple syrup and THEN add the flour and baking powder.

Turn into a buttered 9X11 pan and bake for 30 at 330 or until firm.

Cut into bars and wrap for the week.

Happy eating :-)

The Week in Review

2012-01-22T06:29:00.002-05:00

Happy almost end of January, hope that you are staying warm, or cool, depending upon where you are. You see, Canadians talk about the weather.

We just do.

A lot.

It's too cold or hot or rainy or snowy.

It is very exciting when it is a mixture of all those things in one day.

I make fun of these conversations but I actively take part in them and am often the instigator.

It's 'our thing'.

The week was has been as glorious as it is cold (-29C was seen a lot this week).

Blogland and home has been terrific and I've just spent the weekend with my mom.

Here's the week in pictures:

Go, little iphone, go!

Looking forward to this week and a great party on Saturday with you all :-)

Beat the Winter Blues Saturday

2012-01-21T06:08:00.007-05:00

Alrighty, I'm taking the plunge and starting this party.

Each week I'll share something that I've done to help me avoid feeling the winter doldrums and I hope that you will share along with me :-)

This week I decided that I would go out of my way to make 'healthy' muffins/breads so that I had a nice breakfast to look forward to each day. A banana and a bit of yogurt along with a monster cup of coffee has really been a great start to my day.

I also figure I will save a staggering amount of money by having my breakfast ready and not picking something up on the way to work.

How about cake for breakfast?

3/4 cup sugar, 1 1/4 cup yogurt, zest of one lemon, 3 cups flour, 3/4 cup pineapple (chopped), 1 egg, 1 tsp baking powder and soda and 4 oz melted butter. Mix until just combined.

Yep! New tube pan found on clearance at homesense!

Bake for 30 minutes (or until knife comes away clean) at 330 degrees.

Realise that small one has turned into a copy monster :-)

So...what did you do?

I hope that you'll join in so that we can all get our smile on during the winter. If you don't have winter right now, share with the rest of us how beautiful it is where you are. We'll live vicariously through you.

To join in:

1) Add your specific blog post and and not just your general blog URL

2) Visit at least two other people who join and leave them a nice comment

3) Be a follower of 'Adventures in Dinner'

4) Grab a button so that more people will share.

Remember; blogger and most other sites do an amazing job in blocking spam comments so you might want to consider turning off the words verification. I guarantee that your comments will increase. Thanks to a couple other much more experienced bloggers (Debbie (debbiedoos) and Sarah (beachcottage) in particular) for giving me the kick in the pants to do this. I still moderate simply because I want to make sure I don't miss out on reading anyone's thoughts.

Fingers crossed, this is my first solo party :-)

TAG! You're it!

2012-01-20T11:30:00.000-05:00

The most amazing of Marilyn's theartsygirlconnection is playing a very fun game and has asked for me to play along.

How could I ever say no to this doll? Especially after reading her answers and realizing we have the same taste in men. Hey, do you like Jensen Ackles too?

This game is from the creative mind of:

The rules are:

1. You must post the rules. (Check!)

2. Post eleven fun facts about yourself on the blog post.

3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then

create eleven new questions to ask the people you've tagged.

4.Tag eleven people and link them on your post

5. Let them know you've tagged them!

...............................

* ELEVEN FUN FACTS ABOUT ME *

1) I am addicted to coffee (yes, I am that person who has six or seven or...cups a day).

2) I constantly have the FoodNetwork on (like 24 hours a day).

3) I read at least five books a week (it used to be more but small one changed MANY things).

4) I never watch movies with animals in them because I'm afraid they'll get hurt and I'll lose it.

5) I am incapable of remembering a phone number.

6) I moved 20 times in my 20's. I will never move again.

7) I am oddly fearless at attempting any DIY but sadly have few skills. Luckily, the husband cleans up messes, sometimes he must worry about leaving the house with me in it.

8) I hate the winter but live in an area that that has it for a very long period of time each year but I will never move again.

9) I have a lot of shoes (like over 100 pair-don't judge me :-))

10) I am not a dancer. I think I am but really I just look like a spaz and I think my daughter got my 'moves'. Poor wee petal.

11) My hair has been every colour under the rainbow (even pink). It's a wonder it hasn't fallen out in protest.

*MY ELEVEN TAGGEES*

themrs

loveallthingsbrightandbeautiful

ELEVEN QUESTIONS FROM ARTSYGIRL TO ME

1. If you could meet ONE bloggy BFF, who would it be..?

Well, my list would be the 11 above BUT 'themrs' and I have a date planned in August :-)

2.What's your favorite recipe to create?

I love to recreate something that I remember from my childhood. My Gran was the very best cook.

3. What's your ideal date night?

Right now, it would be ANY date night. We haven't done a great job in spending a lot of time just together in the past two years.

4. If you could travel anywhere in the world TODAY, where will it be?

I would be in Wales in a second. We have family there and I would love to be on the top of the Black hills right now. It's funny but this is the second time today I've thought of there.

5. What's the one thing you LOVE most about yourself?

I'm a good friend.

6. If you could ask your reader's ONE thing about

your blog, what would it be? (Good, bad, ugly, you pick)

What changes would they like to see? I'm ready to shake things up.

7. What's your favorite season?

Spring-the world and myself are alive again.

8. What's the first thing on your bucket list today?

I WILL finish writing report cards today.

9. Biggest goal for 2012 (or change?)

I'm going to learn to let go and not take things personally.

10. What's your favorite past time?

It's a toss-up of reading or cooking.

11. First word that comes to mind NOW - GO!

Home.

WHEW --- ALL DONE!!!

MY TAGGEES QUESTIONS:

1. Your best holiday ever.

2. A skill that you don't have but wish you did.

3. Best decision you've made.

4. Scariest thing you've done in the past 12 months.

5. Worst fashion mistake.

6. Your favourite blog right now.

7. The food you crave the most and indulge in when the chips are down.

8. Dream piece of clothing that you'd 'invest in' if you had the cash to blow.

9. Type of decorating that is grabbing your attention right now.

10. Historical figure that you most admire.

11. Favourite quote that sums you up.

Ok, dollies-you are 'it'.

Actually, you are all terrific and are 'it' all the time.

This started as a leftover post

2012-01-20T09:47:00.001-05:00

Do you ever make something out of necessity, have no hopes for it and it turns out to be magical?

That happened with this salad. I had intended it as a post of using-up leftovers and instead I'm adding it to my "make again soon" list.

I had run out of oatmeal one day and small one LOVES oatmeal in the morning. I thought I could be cagey and convince her that small quinoa was the same thing-silly mommy.

So...all this was leftover (umm yeah, I didn't measure either so there is a lot).

What to do?

I took a pomegranate and halved it. To get the seeds out I placed the cut side on my palm and wacked the peel side with a big spoon. The seeds just fly out. Don't be impressed, I saw Jamie Oliver do this and have been looking for an excuse ever since to try it.

I added one chopped apple

and dressed the whole thing with a vinaigrette made out of: 1/4 cup orange juice, 1 clove garlic (mashed), dash salt, 1 cube (one of those little frozen one or one T. of fresh) of cilantro and 1/4 cup of canola oil (I've been getting this great first pressed stuff. If you can't find it use a nice fruity olive oil).

Small one and I did a little taste test and decided something crunchy was needed so 1/4 cup of pepitos (pumpkin seeds) were added.

Perfect! I grilled a bit of fish and we had a fabulous dinner.

I would make this salad with: larger quinoa, couscous, rice...maybe even a pasta.

Happy Eating :-)

Food waste and 'after the party'

2012-01-20T06:55:00.002-05:00

I was more than a bit worried about what this posting would look like after having small one's party last week. You see I have this huge fear that someone will come to my house and not have enough to eat. This leads me to chronic over cooking whenever there is a party. Which often leads to huge wastage.

Not this time though. My food waste for the week? 2 cups of Eggnog that husband did not finish (so really it's his fault :-))

I avoided massive party waste by: writing out my menu ahead of time AND not adding to it at the last minute. The rest of my cunning plan? I pawned off things at the end of the evening on my guests that wouldn't keep well. For instance, we had extra homemade buns. I kept some but sent the rest to be enjoyed by a friend the next day. I find they just don't freeze well enough to use some of my precious freezer space.

Also leftover: homemade hamburgers. I just wasn't in the mood for hamburgers again but a big plate of spaghetti on Monday night was just right.

I took: basil, garlic, onions and canned tomatoes and added them all to crumbled patties. Burble away while colouring on the kitchen floor with small one and...

Check in later today to see a leftover save so good that I had to give it its own post.

Light and lovely...

2012-01-19T07:00:00.004-05:00

Thanks to Kristen who hosts the improv challenge and decided that this month's ingredients would be lemon and sourcream. How could you have nicer flavours during the dark days of winter?

Just what the doctor ordered.

I thought of a bunch of different things I'd like to try but the idea that really stuck for me was putting a bit of a twist on one of favourite weekend breakfasts. I love having time on Saturday and Sunday to have a real breakfast. During the week we set the coffee maker and have muffins ready to grab on our way out the door but on the weekend we try to slowdown and have a chance to eat something real-together.

Small one has now started to ask for waffles-often.

Here's a new version that will be on the weekend menu regularly.

This recipe feeds 2 hungry adults and a voracious toddler.

1 1/2 cups flour, 1 tsp. baking powder, 3 T. sugar, dash salt, zest of 1/2 a lemon.

Add: 2 eggs, 2 T. butter (melted) and 1 cup of sourcream (plain yogurt would be just as nice).

Now I've pulled out my decrepit waffle iron BUT you could easily use this batter for pancakes.

LOTS of syrup is also required.

Happy eating :-)

Pin'Inspiring Picks!

2012-01-18T20:02:00.002-05:00

Have I mentioned lately how much I love this party-likely not since last week.

My lovely partner, Marilyn, and I had a total treat visiting you all and we're raring to go this week.

I'd also like to invite everyone to my very first solo party (Marilyn is going to join with me soon) this Saturday. Hope to see all of your great "Beat the Winter Blues" ideas and don't forget, if you don't have winter please join in and we'll live vicariously through you :-)

Features this week include:
The "this is on the top of my job list" closet redo by twoohtwoseven

I think even I can do this with the aid of this terrific tutorial by

lisascraftblog. She created the most gorgeous

And finally, how a room and a piece of furniture evolves from jbiggslittlepieces

And now for this week!

Now clever, clever folks you know what to do but if you're new here, here's the 411

1) link your great projects
2) follow myself and ArtsyGirl
3) grab a button from myself and ArtsyGirl
4) link to an exact post and not your general blog url
5) let's just focus on; photography, recipes and crafts and not giveaways or businesses
6) have a fab time exploring other people's great ideas, leave lots of comments and meet someone new
7) tell a friend so they can join on in

It's time to be Pin'Inspired!

Want to be a sponsor of the Adventures?

2012-01-18T14:06:00.000-05:00

I'm preparing to make some big changes here at "Adventuresindinner" and will very soon have a special spot just for sponsors.

Interested in becoming one?

I'm looking to promote other blogs of roughly the same size and in turn be promoted on your blog.

I've been so lucky to be mentored by some fabulous blogs (Marilyn over at "ArtsyGirl", Anne over at "Sutton Place" to name but too) and I finally feel like I'm getting to the point that I have something to offer back.

Drop me an e-mail if you are interested and we'll see if we both fit.

jane_craske@yahoo.ca

If you're a business or an Etsy shop: There will be an extra special spot for you too, let me know what you have in mind and we'll work something great out for you.

Warning about the next bit of this post:

Gratuitous photo of small one being especially cute :-)

I just couldn't help myself.

What I wore Wednesday

2012-01-18T08:43:00.000-05:00

It's cold but bright so:

wide legged, Gap pants
French Connection Shirt
Hush puppy 'booties'
Joe Fresh, BRIGHT scarf

Long, pearl and torquoise necklace from Magpie

Warm but light

2012-01-18T06:01:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I mentioned that my 'happy accident' came about since I really wanted the taste of minestrone but needed something more stick-to-your-ribs. This recipe came about in an attempt to make something light but super filling too. You see, my work peeps and I have decided to lighten our lunches for the next little bit. Which is awesome. A new cooking challenge and new things to try but it is REALLY cold right now and every cell in my being is saying 'bulk-up girl! your might freeze'.

However, in a few months I'll be pulling my summer clothes out and don't want to freak out by my impression of a beached whale.

So...noodle bowls it is. This recipe fed: two adults for dinner and a hungry toddler and five adults for lunch the next day. That's a lot of bang for a little effort.

I'm presently in love with these fabulous herb cubes that you get at the grocery store. The flavour is almost as good as fresh and it means I've got them on hand all the time. I'll soon get my winter herb garden on the sill but that is a job for next week.

In my bowl I've got the equivalent of 2 T. fresh chopped both cilantro and ginger and 1 T. pureed lemon grass. You can usually find tubes of this already to go in the produce section. I happened to grow it last summer and pureed it at the end of the season. I also added 1 clove of chopped garlic.

I added 1 lb. of ground turkey and mixed.

Formed into meatballs and browned them. At this point, I really thought I had a winner since the husband and small one were wanting to be taste testers.

In a nice big pot I got 8 cups of chicken broth boiling (make your own for pennies) and added; 1 tsp. crushed chilli flakes, 1 1/2 T. soy sauce, 2 tsp. sesame oil, 1 T. chicken stock concentrate, 2 stalks celery (cut on the bias) and 1 large carrot (cut the same for even cooking).

I added udon noodles (a cup for each cup of stock).

my meatballs and simmered for 5 minutes.

Finally, I added 1 1/2 cups of brocolli and cooked until still crisp (2-3 minutes).

Then I decided to pretend I was a food stylist. Note: I said pretend.

Happy eating :-)

Happy accident :-)

2012-01-17T06:08:00.001-05:00

This recipe came about last week when it was (still is by the way) freakishly cold out and I wanted something great for dinner. I hadn't planned ahead (at all) other than to play my favourite game, take random meat out of the freezer in the morning. I knew that I needed to use my stewing beef and I had a yen for minestrone soup. BUT I needed to feed everybody something a lot more stick-to-your-ribs than a clear soup. So...

Minestrone stew.

I started by sauteeing: 1/2 an onion, a rib of celery, 2 cups mushrooms and 2 cups of stewing beef.

I added; 1 1/2 tsp. basil, the rind (no white part) of one lemon, pinch of chilli flakes and 1 T. fennel seeds. I know, I know, it isn't pretty yet but just wait.

This isn't the pretty part. Add 1/4 cup of flour and saute for a minute to coat everything and avoid having a raw flour taste to your stew.

This also, not the pretty part.

Add (stirring the whole time to avoid lumps), 1/2 cup of red wine (you can leave it out if you'd prefer) and 3 cups of beef broth.

1/4 cup of pitted olives (in oil not brine) and 1/2 cup of crushed tomatoes.

2 cups of uncooked penne.

No. Not pretty yet.

Let the pasta cook through (about 10 minutes) and here's the pretty part.

I topped the stew with a few shavings of parmesan and husband ate three bowls.

Beginner's guide to small one's birthday parties

2012-01-16T13:28:00.001-05:00

We celebrated small one's birthday on Saturday.

I'm new to this birthday thing but thanks to good firends and Pinterest I knew that I needed a theme.

I needed a theme that was going to be easy to pull off at the end of a busy work week, be two year old friendly and be something that she actually likes.

Now, I flirted with the idea, due to her burgeoning interest in "Dora" (How did that happen? I haven't even shown her Dora!) of doing "The Dora Party".

Since I have no interest in watching countless episodes of said character I nixed that idea tout suite!

Instead, I went with everything polka dotted. Why? Because she's obsessed with the moon and I thought that a solar system party was a bit much for a two year old and she considers anything circular "the moon".

My plan was to have the party between 4-6 (it actually went from 4-11 but who's to stop a good time?) and have substantial enough snacks to serve as dinner.

By having it late in the day I also thought I would be able to have small one take a nap and give me time to set-up (I did the majority of it the night before), that day, of course, she did not nap.

Instead my rather elegant cupcakes (use this recipe, small one and I made a X5 batch the night before) that I was going to pipe had little hands helping me decorate.

You know.

I liked them better.

This was, after all, her party.

Onto the trusty cake stand they go.

Table almost ready. I could not find a fun dotted tablecloth so I bought a sheet set that I needed for small one's bed anyway. Bowls are out. Round mirrors that are meant for the downstair's playroom are on the table, dotted cloth napkins are ready...

and onto the loot bags. I am not a loot bag fan. I really don't like buying things that are meant to throw away so I've been picking loot bag items up when I see them. I've got some stamps, some very cute (durable jewelry), bubbles in a reusuable container, wooden toys that are a lace-up game...and all were found in various clearance bins at stores that I normally shop at. In total they each cost me less than three dollars.

More dots on the tissue paper and dotted ribbon to finish.

Now, what I really wanted to do is make giant pompoms from even more tissue. I've seen all over Pinterest BUT, no nap equals no pompoms. We'll keep that idea for an outdoor party in summertime.

And here's the finished table. Now, here is a disclaimer. The rest of the photos are going to be great. I didn't take them. My wonderful friend Michelle did (see her blog on my sidebar) BUT these are her version of snaps and using a flash. Her specialty is stunning, natural light photos.

In the kitchen: homemade sliders (round) and buns, with pasta salad and a beverage or two or three for the adults.

Dip in individual cups and veg standing to attention.

All the kiddos in the basement led by my amazing Godkids in a round of fingerpainting. I made salt dough ornaments with 'M' stamped in them to be painted and taken home by all. Most of the adults even joined in. Yay! Playroom!

Daddy helped out.

After working-up an appetite, the kiddo table was put to good use.

A nest was made to cuddle in while watching "Elmo in Grouchland".

Then came the cake.

You see how talented Michelle is? I actually love this photo and I'm in it. Miracle!

Presents happened, a costume change was called for since Auntie Michelle got her such an adorable outfit.

and Granddad phoned from Florida to join in and say hello.

My tips:

1) Pick something realistic.

2) It doesn't have to be perfect, the kiddo's will have a blast.

3) Have your dishwasher empty when guests arrive. At the end of this fab night I turned mine on and the house was basically clean again.

4) Invite only people who are not remotely interested in perfection.

5) Shop WAY in advance and make a list of what you have so you don't over buy.

6) Have everything ready to go ahead of time so that you can actually have fun.

7) Don't forget about naps. Ours didn't happen BUT at least we tried.

Starting my week out right

2012-01-16T06:12:00.021-05:00

I went to Costco last week with small one and she spotted kiwi's. She loves kiwis. I don't love the enormous size of containers that they offer of fruit. However, how can you say no to a two year old begging for fruit?

She's always been a fruit girl but even more so now she's obsessed with the 'Monkey Pre-school lunchbox' app that I have on my phone.

But back to the large containers.

You see, Kristen (frugalgirl) has this awesome reminder each week to not waste food and fruit goes off pretty quickly and kiwi isn't something that I usually think about in anything other than a fruit plate or yogurt parfaits.

What to do?

How about a trip to Pinterest? (see my breakfast board for even more ideas)

I found a recipe for kiwi muffins that sounded great but I couldn't help but tinker with a bit.

I took: 1 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup bran, 2 cups of kiwi, 1/4 cup coconut (unsweetened), 1/2 tsp. baking soda and 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder. Mix to coat the fruit in flour (the chunks won't sink to the bottom then).

Added: 1/2 cup honey, 1 egg, 1/4 cup canola oil and 1/4 cup milk.

Mixed until just combined and poured into a greased or non-stick 9X9 pan.

Baked until golden (about 20 minutes at 330 degrees).

Happy eating :-)

Don't forget about my 'Beat the Winter Blues' party on Saturday.

It is my first ever bash and I'm like a kid in high school worried that no one will come to my birthday.

The week in review...

2012-01-15T06:30:00.003-05:00

What a busy first week back to work!

We saw small one turn TWO! (photos of her party later this week when we all recover).

I decided to throw my first ever "Get Ready For Romance" party on the 30th. Hope you can be there!

Played with a breakfast cake recipe that I think you'll love later this week. Kiwi, brings a sunny taste to a week with 20 cm. of snow, ice pellets, -29 C with the windchill and freezing rain.

It's a good thing our wine and chocolate supply is in good order too.

Photo-a-day had me open my messy, Mommy purse up.

And I decided to beat the blues with a new party starting on Saturday.

Hope your week was fantastic!

Beat the winter blues Saturday...

2012-01-14T06:43:00.003-05:00

It's cold and dark here, a lot right now.

Like dark when we wake up and dark when we drive home from work.

I need light.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a hat and sunglasses with spf 45 kind of girl but I seem to REALLY need sunlight. January and February I traditionally get pretty blue.

Not this year.

Each week I'm going to do something (just one thing) that makes me super happy.

Last week I tackled the basement and you know, it's been a great week.

I think that I'm going to need to do this for awhile so here is my second stab. Now, these two have cost money, that's not what this is about.
My little happiness project is to be used to remind me that life is really good and a funk is not necessary.

This week I found myself a great coat on a great sale (Hello, Jones of New York down to $50.00!).
It almost makes the cold worth it.
Almost.

What are you going to do each week to beat winter OR just to treat yourself well?

I've decided to make this a linky party so that our bloggy community can support one another, check out my fancy button on the right :-)

If you don't have winter where you are then link up something bright, alive and beautiful and we'll live vicariously through you!

What do you think?

Hope to see you next Saturday, the party will go live just before 7:00 am.

Fingers crossed.