Things Tried

The same girly who got me to start blogging also opened my eyes to the world of pinterest. Now when I first began I thought this is kind of fun and it has some really cute/thrifty/ tasty/neat-o ideas but when will I ever get to try any of them? The list of possibilities seemed endless and maybe I was just wishing I had this or that or could do this or that a bit too much. BUT it does not have to be so. Lately I have been bent on trying all these new recipes. I was getting tired of the same old same old stuff we have been eating and wanted to be a bit more adventurous. All be it sometimes an adventure does not always end well.

So here are some things tried and true and a couple maybe not so true:

Oatmeal cream pies...mmmmm. Like the little Debbie snacks, one of my hubby's favorites! I hate buying that kind of stuff so I thought I would make them myself. The cookie turned out great but the cream filling? Not so good. It was like eating pure butter smashed between two cookies. I'm sure Paula Dean would LOVE it;) So next time I will try this recipe from good old Martha Stewart.
http://www.marthastewart.com/319196/oatmeal-cream-pies#close













Next on my list was Zucchini fries. Anything to get my kiddos to eat more greens and veggies, plus it had cheese. Anything with cheese is good in my book. Josh liked them I loved them and the kids tolerated them. I figure, like anything else, besides cooked carrots, if I keep putting it in front of them they will eat it without making funny faces...maybe, Josh still wont eat peas.
http://www.ourbestbites.com/2011/01/baked-zucchini-fries/
















This was my first recipe tried, http://simplysogood.blogspot.com/2010/03/crusty-bread.html
The easiest most yummy bread I have ever made and will make lots and lots of. It worked great for a grilled sandwich, garlic bread, you could do croutons or just eat it plain and simple like my boys did.












Perhaps another one of my favorites were the baked avocado fries. The boys and I really like just plain avocados but not my Josh, he is more of a guacamole fan. That's o.k. more fries for me!
http://www.morethanmary.com/2011/01/heavenly-and-healthy-delicious-dish-baked-avocado-
fries/

















Have you ever had the Mongolian beef at Panda Express? Well now you can make it but it does have a kick so if you are making it for little ones as well, then set some of the sauce aside before you add the red pepper flakes. The boys really liked it and gobbled it up. I should have stopped the sauce there instead of letting it simmer longer. It got a little too thick but the flavor was spot on!
http://www.pinkbites.com/2009/01/mongolian-beef.html


















Tonight it is this yummy looking dish of Baked Broccoli Macaroni and cheese. I bought a big bag of Broccoli from Costco to force my self to find other ways to use it and so here I am. With a little prayer and some hungry bellies hopefully it will turn out well!
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/09/skinny-baked-broccoli-macaroni-and.html

Oh and minus the skinny part...I don't do non fat or low fat stuff it just cramps my cooking style;)



With the thought of food aside, here is another thing I have tried and really like not only the smell but the result of. http://www.marthastewart.com/265635/tub-scrub another one of Martha's. I can't stand the smell of bleach or other cleaning products right now. Its not that it makes me sick or anything but it just smells soooo strong! I had some T-tree oil and used that like she suggested and really liked it. Not to mention it helped clear the sinuses.













Next on my list is an outdoor spray that is safe around the kiddos and my pregnant self can do it.
http://fullofgreatideas.blogspot.com/2011/07/natural-weed-killer-made-with-basic.html
I have all the ingredients already and it beats spending lots of money on weed killer.

Well I hope someone was inspired to try some new things! I know I still am:) There is a whole other side to Pinterest as well but until I have a clutter free space to get out my sewing machine and craft supplies....it wont be happening. Looks like I will be doing some de-cluttering this weekend as well!

Family, Friends and Mud

This was our life a few weeks ago...yes that is Benjamin with a very clean bowl on his head, also know as the puke bowl. He know s it well, maybe a little too well.
Korban was at the worst end of the stomach bug hence the not so happy face...the poor kid was paranoid to eat anything!


And finally two happy boys feeling all better sporting their super awesome batman shirts. Korban is always trying to make sure he and Benjamin are wearing the same super hero.

Family.....Korban and I took a little day trip up to Simi Valley to attend my cousins baby shower. This was Korban's first time getting to play with his extended cousin Mackenzie.
My cousin Jessica. I never really thought about it until it happened but how cool to be pregnant at the same time as my cousin. She and I have way too many fun memories from growing up and she is due very very soon!
Korban and Aunt Kimmy....He thinks she's pretty awesome for working on the Sponge Bob movie....one of his favorites!


Ah yes...a time to slow down from all the constant going on's around here, Bible time with Daddy. We have been trying to do this more just before bed time and it has really been sweet.

Last but not least...Mud glorious mud! I had lost track of Benjamin for two minutes and this is what happens. Korban was hesitant to join in and kept looking at me like "are you sure this is o.k. mom?" I gave him the ok and he had so much fun with his little Benjers. My favorite part though was when Benjamin flung some mud on Korban's arm and Korban say's " Thats the end of you Benjamin!" And on an on they played with bath time immediately following.
How can I not love those muddy little faces? Pure joy in these boys smiles and I love how something so simple as a leftover tiny puddle from the rain can make things so fun.

Swagger Wagon!

We have a new addition to the family....no the baby is not born yet but that will come soon!
We are officially a part of the swagger wagon family. Don't know what a swagger wagon is? Just watch this clip and you will find out and have a good laugh...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUG3Z8Hxa5I

With the new one on the way and all the driving around and road trips we like to do we thought it would be more practical to find a car with more seating and space but not cost more in gas than what we already pay for the 4-runner. I had always pictured myself as a big extended cab truck kind of girl but times- money- priorities and economy changes all of that. Now I drive a mini van and have no shame. Why the funny jokes about it anyway? Who started it, I want to meet that person. Needless to say, I love our 2005 Toyota Sienna. Drives smooth, super comfy and roomy. I am already dreaming about the trips to come with our new little once in the mix. The boys love it too! Sometimes we pray out loud in the car especially when it is at the start of our day. So Korban decided to sing a song of praise and thanked God for our fun new car. I love it and yes I am praising Him too. It certainly was an impromptu blessing! P.S. 4-runner for sale!

The plague and Super Dad

O.k so a plague may be a bit of an over exaggeration but my gosh these last two months have been no smooth ride in the health department for the Steinberg's. Benjamin caught the 24 hour bug a few weeks back and being the good sharer that he is, gave it to Korban and I. 24 hours and done. Last Sunday Benjamin caught another bug! He was so sick to his stomach and it happened so fast that I thought he ate something that did not agree with him. And by something I don't mean food, this boy puts everything in his mouth and it drives me crazy! The following morning as he is puking once again, My 3 year old mater of factually states, "It's probably those red berries from the tree he ate yesterday." Good to know! After researching pepper trees on line, I finally call the poison control just to be sure I shouldn't be doing something else for the little guy. If you don't have the number in your phone now, then here it is you may need it- 1-800-222-1222. The wonderful vomit stopped after two days but the endless diaper changing continued. I kept thinking, "well this is what it will be like to change a new born again just maybe not this bad." But after 4 days of him still not being all better and losing his stomach once again in the car (always fun to change your toddler on the side of the road) I was growing concerned once again and called a nurse from Kaiser. Now that I am sure you had enough details and probably don't want to eat your next meal, I think it is good for all to know that there is a very nasty virus going around which described Benjamin s symptoms to the T. And once again he so lovingly shared it with Korban and I. I don't think Daddy catches it so much because he is gone most of the day. But this time Josh was able to be home to take care of us all. And I am so thankful that he was! He got up numerous times to tend to our Korban boy and rush him to the sink, change his bed 3 times and jammies, and just tried to get us all comfortable and better. He gets a gold star for sure. If he had been gone this weekend I don't know how I would have managed not being barley able to get out of bed myself. I'm learning too that even in these little things like the stomach flu that tend to worry a mother to no end, I need to trust God for healing. Because really, it is just the flu, not a plague.