Celebrating Mardi Gras with New Recipes

Yesterday, we celebrated Mardi Gras by having pancakes for breakfast and then trying some new recipes for dinner.

I put a bit too much vegetable oil in the griddle, so the edges got crispy on the first batch. The rest of the pancakes were more typical of how I make them. Olivia likes to cut up her pancakes and dip them in maple syrup. She's been doing that since she was a little girl.

For dinner and dessert, I tried three new recipes.

I found a pin on Pinterest that led to Flavor Mosaic for Cajun Blackened Chicken. For me, it was rather spicy. Olivia asked that I omit the paprika, cayenne pepper, and black pepper for her chicken. She said she liked the spice on her chicken drumsticks.

Cajun Blackened Chicken

Prep Time - 5 minutes
Cook Time - 20 minutes
Total Time - 25 minutes

Servings 4

Ingredients

Blackened Seasoning
   1 teaspoon paprika
   1/4 teaspoon salt
   1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (I didn't have this, so I substituted red pepper flakes)
   1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
   1/4 teaspoon dried basil
   1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
   1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
   1/4 teaspoon onion powder
   1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
   4 chicken breast halves boneless, skinless
   1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

In a small bowl, stir together the first 9 ingredients. Spray both sides of the chicken breasts with cooking spray. Then sprinkle the seasoning over both sides of each chicken breast.

In a large skillet over medium heat, add a tablespoon of olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the chicken breasts. Cover and cook the chicken breasts for approximately seven to eight minutes on each side. After the chicken has finished cooking, remove it from the heat and let it rest for about 5 to 10 minutes.

Note: I baked the chicken at 425 degrees until it was done rather than cooking it in oil.

If you have large, thick chicken breasts, slice them sideways (horizontally) so they make two thinner pieces of chicken instead of one thick piece of chicken. This will allow the chicken to cook faster.

Nutrition

Calories: 164kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 277mg | Potassium: 429mg | Vitamin A: 330IU | Vitamin C: 1.3mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.8mg

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Another recipe I tried was for Pineapple, Avocado and Bean Salsa. I saw the pin on Pinterest and it led to Little Broken. The recipe said it takes about 10 minutes to prepare. It took me a bit longer than that with all the peeling and chopping of the fruit and vegetables. It makes about 4-6 servings. This, again, was a bit on the spicy side since it uses an entire jalapeno. It takes good, though, with all the fresh ingredients.

Ingredients

1 can (15 oz.) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 cups diced pineapple
1 avocado, diced
3 Tbsp. finely chopped red onion (I used a regular onion)
1 jalapeno, stemmed, seeded, and minced
1/3 cup fresh chopped cilantro
1 Tbsp. lime juice
Salt to taste
Tortilla chips to serve

Instructions

In a medium bowl, combine black beans, pineapple, avocado, red onion, jalapeno, cilantro, and lime juice. Season with salt to taste.

Serve with tortilla chips.

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The third recipe I tried was for Mardi Gras Pretzel Rods. This pin led to Premeditated Leftovers. The appearance of my final product compared to the pin isn't nearly as beautiful or perfect. The taste, though, is great. We all liked the combination of the salty pretzels combined with sweet chocolate.

Mardi Gras Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods

Ingredients

Pretzel rods
White candy melts, white chocolate morsels, or vanilla almond bark
Green candy melts (I didn't use these)
Purple candy melts (I didn't use these)
Yellow candy melts (I didn't use these)
Assorted jimmies in yellow, purple, and green (I didn't use these)
Sanding sugar in yellow, purple, and green (I only had yellow and purple)

Directions

Melt the candy coating according to package directions giving special care not to overheat the candy. If the candy coating is overheated, it will be too thick. You can add 2 teaspoons of vegetable shortening or coconut oil to help thin the candy but do not add any other type of liquid as the candy will seize and harden.

Pour candy coating over two-thirds of the pretzel rod and shake gently to remove excess. If applying sprinkles, do so immediately rotating the pretzel rods to coat all sides. Larger sprinkles work best if placed individually.

Place pretzel rod on waxed paper or cooling rack. (I used parchment paper.)

If drizzling with additional colored candy melts, allow initial candy coating to set completely. Then, use a spoon or fork to drizzle candy coating over the pretzel rods. Before the pretzel sets, gently pick it up and move to clean wax paper.

Let pretzel rods dry completely before packaging or serving.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Placing in the refrigerator may cause the pretzel to soften.

Hobbies that Begin with "N" - Blogging from A to Z Challenge

During the 2018 Blogging from A to Z Challenge, I will be focusing on hobbies that I have introduced to my daughters to through their childhood and teen years. Some were done as part of homeschooling, while others were areas that we explored because we were interested in the subject or activity. These are hobbies that anyone of any age could try as well.

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There have been three main hobbies that begin with the letter "N" that the girls have done throughout their childhood: nature journaling, nature walks, and numismatics (coin collecting).

Nature Journaling

When the girls were about 4 and 6 years old, we started keeping nature journals. I thought it would be interesting for them to look back and see what they wanted to remembers as it related to nature. 

For example, in the nature journal entry below, Olivia wanted me to label it: "Black chickadee throwing bird seed out." 

November 4, 2007

Filling the feeders and then throwing some seed onto the ground for the ground-feeding birds, rabbits, and squirrels was something we did regularly.

Another entry that Olivia did focused on the pine trees we had around our yard:

February 5, 2011

Sometimes the nature journal entries we did required that we go out and do some hands-on activities - like measuring the circumference of trees.

February 4, 2011

One of the nature studies and journal entries that we did was on April 19, 2011, when we studied about cattails. We went to the pond and got a couple of cattails and brought them indoors. We dissected them to learn more about their structure which was fascinating.

The girls wrote about the cattails and included part of the cattail to visually show what they wrote about. Below is Sophia's nature journal:

On April 22, 2011, Olivia did a nature journal entry about trees. Below she is doing a bark rubbing to show the comparison between different types of trees.

Sometimes they approach the same subject in completely different ways. For example, on October 16, 2011, Olivia wrote a journal entry about a grasshopper. She shared a personal experience and memory.

Sophia, for a nature journal page about wooly bears, shared facts and personal observations.

Sometimes the girls included pictures and poems they cut out of magazines about the wildlife they were doing a nature journal about that day.

September 21, 2012

Sometimes using clippings and photos enhances the entries; and helps with quickly getting information and images onto a nature journal page.

Nature Walks

Another integral part of our lives and homeschooling have been nature walks. When the girls were young, we would go on walks around our farm. Below they are in the far south pasture spreading milkweed seeds.

September 29, 2007

Other times, we would go on a short car ride to William O'Brien State Park and go on walks along the river and through the woods.

May 27, 2008

The girls would enjoy sitting by the river and watching the clouds reflected in the water or see if they could spot any fish.

April 14, 2009

Some of our nature walks were done in the backyard so we could include the dogs in them. Below, Sophia is taking Olivia on a sled ride while Montague leads them on a walk. There was so much snow that season that I shoveled paths around the backyard so we could get around better.

February 4, 2011

Other times our "walks" were to the window where we would observe wildlife from indoors. Below, the girls spotted a vole that was near the bird feeder. We watched it come out of little holes and tunnels in the snow to get birdseed and bring it back to its home.

February 8, 2011

We always enjoyed having the dogs with us on nature walks. Below, Gretel is running along with Sophia as she jumps from dog track to dog track in the backyard.

March 23, 2011

Our walks sometimes yielded special finds - like these pheasant feathers that the girls found near the woods by the pond in the west pasture.

March 30, 2011

Nature walks at times took us into our pond to explore the aquatic life living there. In the Spring and early summer was the best time to look for spring peepers, frog eggs, and tadpoles.

April 30, 2011

During the summer, we would listen for bird songs and calls while we were walking on the trail. Below, the girls are in the east pasture. I used to mow pathways throughout the pasture. It must have a year of prolific growth of grass since the horses were not keeping up with eating the grass.

June 10, 2011

Even when we travel, we make it a point to go on nature walks. Below, we are on a nature walk at Dinosaur State Park in Hartford, Connecticut.

September 4, 2011

One year, we were able to see trumpeter swans in the field between our next door neighbor's home and our home. A big flock had landed (this is part of the flock).

March 11, 2012

Sometimes we go to places with the dogs. One of their favorite walks is at William O'Brien State Park. We walk along the river for a distance.

May 16, 2013

At the end of the trail along the river, there's a point where we can jump down and wade in the river. The dogs love this part of the walk because it means they can go in the river to walk and swim around (on their leashes). Montague enjoyed the visits to the river from when we adopted him at about 1 1/2 years old well into his senior years.

May 16, 2013

Cooper, as a young dog, loved getting as much of his body under the water. He would be soaking wet when he was done playing in the river.

May 16, 2013

On trips up north, we've gone on nature hikes at almost all of the state parks. Below, Olivia is standing near some rocks at Banning State Park.

June 3, 2013

We went on a long hike to get to a beautiful waterfall and river at Tettegouche State Park.

June 4, 2013

We have walked on many trails on the Gunflint Trail. The trail below is one near Lake Saganaga near Chik-Wauk Museum. We went with my dad on the beginning part of this hike in September 2010. Although he was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's Disease, he was able to do quite a bit of the walk. However, when the trail started getting a bit more rough, he knew it was time to turn back. 

The girls and I returned to this trail after his death and walked more of it until we reached a peak where we could get another view of the lake from a higher vantage point .It was so beautiful. We could see why my dad enjoyed going on canoe trips on this lake with his Little Brothers and Boy Scout troop.

June 5, 2013

Although not technically a true nature walk, we did walk on trails around Fawn Doe Rosa in Wisconsin.

June 16, 2016

The girls were able to get very close to deer that were comfortable approaching them. They were able to feed the deer which was exciting!

On November 25, 2017, we took our annual hike around Interstate State Park. We climbed and explored the rock formations at the park. Sophia found some stone steps to go from one area to the next.

Olivia found a great place to lay down and observe the St. Croix River.

I feel like nature walks as well as reflecting on them in a nature journal will be part of the rest of our lives. These hobbies have enriched our lives so much, and it has been wonderful looking back on what we've written and drawn in our nature journals; and looking at photos from walks. All bring back so many good memories. 

Numismatics (Coin Collecting)

On July 6, 2011, the girls began exploring numismatics - or coin collecting. They used a magnifying glass to identify where the coins were minted.

They enjoyed looking at the pictures on the coins.

They would go through rolls of quarters and look for ones that they needed for their coin collection cases.

Olivia has two different coin books.

One book focuses on statehood quarters.

That collection is almost done.

The other booklet contains the quarters that have national parks illustrated on them.

Sophia also has the statehood quarter booklet and is finishing up her collection.

Both girls also have coins from other countries. They will continue to add to these collections so eventually they will have a diverse foreign-coin collection.

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Days 26-30 - Many People

During November, I was doing the 30 Days of Giving Thanks challenge. Thanksgiving weekend and the last week of November I dropped the ball. I didn't write any thank you letters...and I didn't make a point of going out of my way to look for and/or recognize things of which I should be thankful.

The entire weekend was challenging - from getting a call on Friday evening saying that a nurse had given my Dad the wrong medications at the nursing home (six pills total - including two for cardiac issues) to finding out on Monday that my Dad has less than six months to live and would be going under hospice care. 

So, I'm now just finishing this challenge...albeit a few days late.  The final five people I'm thanking by sending them letters include:

- Gary and Joanne. They use to be parishioners at the church where my Dad was a Deacon. When my Dad began going to adult day care because of Alzheimer's Disease, Gary was one of the bus drivers. He would talk with my Dad, make sure he was safely transported to the program, and brought back home in the afternoon.

Gary and Joanne visited my Dad in October before he was hospitalized for 11 days. My Dad enjoyed talking with them, and having visitors that day.  I took a couple of pictures of both of them with my Dad, and sent them a thank you letter with the photographs. It helps to know that my Dad is receiving visitors and that people still are thinking about him.

- My Mom. I thanked her for a recent gift she gave to me as well as taking Sophia, Olivia, and I out to eat many times when we bring her to see my Dad at the nursing home. The girls are always so excited because we don't normally go out to eat - so it's a special time for them.

I also thought that as I'm making and freezing meals over the past few days for her to use during December; as I made the Thanksgiving meal; and as I sewed the Minnesota state quilt during November...that I think of all the gifts and skills she's given to me throughout the years. 

She's inspired a love for cooking and baking; sewing and quilting; and modeled service and giving of oneself.  I see Sophia and Olivia with many of these same skills and traits - a clear reflection of who she is passed on to them.

- Dr. McCusker. She was my Dad's doctor from the time of his diagnosis in May 2009 until he went into the nursing home. She provided compassionate, thoughtful care to him. He always looked forward the appointments with her; and I know he felt listened to and respected. 

Her support and care extended beyond my Dad to me (since I took my Dad to each appointment). She provided honest assessments and guidance about how to care for him as the Alzheimer's Disease took a greater hold on his mind and body.

- Jenny. Jenny was the Administrative Assistant at Dr. McCusker's office who always made sure that my Dad and I got the first appointment in the afternoon - the coveted 1:00 p.m. timeslot. She realized how far it was for me to travel from home to my Dad's home and then bring him to the medical clinic; and then repeat the drive back to his home and then to mine - about 120 miles round trip.

She listened and was very helpful in advocating for my Dad throughout the time he received care there. Having someone like Jenny on one's side when dealing with such challenging issues makes a huge- and positive - difference.

- My Dad. I've been sending my Dad a postcard or letter each week over the past few weeks as a way to stay connected when I am unable to visit him. The first week I sent a postcard of two Scottish highland cattle. When he lived on a farm, he had cattle and showed a calf one year for 4-H. He had a different breed than the kind pictured on the postcard, but they were cute, furry-looking ones that I thought he'd enjoy.

The second thing I sent was a Thanksgiving card which had words and thoughts that were exactly how I felt about my Dad. I included a personal note as well as a few photographs with the card - including one of Eenie (the cat) who Sophia, Olivia, and I bring on visits to him; one of him looking at the finches in the aviary which he enjoys; and one of he and my Mom, my sister, brother, grandchildren, and me. I noticed that someone had put the pictures up next to his bed so he could see them.

The postcard I sent today was handmade by a woman named Joan who I participated in a swap on Swap-Bot last year. She used an image from a greeting card glued onto a cardstock. Then, she put lots of snowflake cutouts in between the card and a transparency-type material. She sewed along the edge to enclose the snowflakes. When you move the card, the snowflakes move as well.

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So, that wraps up the 30 Days of Giving Thanks. The challenge was timely; and certainly was a great motivator for me to let a variety of people know that I am thankful to them for the impact that they have had on my life and others.

30 Day of Giving Thanks - Day 23-25 - Respite Volunteer; Parents+Grandparents; and Sunrise

Wednesday - 23rd - I am thankful for having Mary (a volunteer through a local agency) offer respite services each week for four hours.

The time that she spends with Sophia and Olivia has allowed me to catch up on work that needs to be done; visit my dad when he was hospitalized; handle caregiving responsibilities for both my parents (phone calls, emails, written correspondence, meetings, etc.); and - at times - simply rest.

Today I was able to make some food for Thanksgiving while Mary and the girls took a walk to the back part of the property, played games, talked, and played outdoors.

Thursday - 24th - I was happy to be able to spend Thanksgiving here at the farm, and think about how my parents' and grandparents' influence was reflected in the meal:

- My mom's enjoyment in entertaining and putting together delicious meals to serve family and friends. I try to do this each year, and hope that everyone has a nice time and good meal;
- My dad's instruction and guidance in how to make a turkey and stuffing, and cut the meat;
- My grandma's (on my mom's side) guidance on how to bake pies and make homemade pie crust; and
- My grandma's (on my dad's side) recipe for banana bread that I make each year on Thanksgiving.

My mom was able to be here for Thanksgiving this year; while my dad and grandmas joined us at the table in spirit.

Friday - 25th - Today I was so thankful to be able to see six minutes of absolute beauty in a sunrise.  I have more pictures of the sunrise on this post.

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 19-22 - Educators and Parents

Day 19 - Saturday - Volunteers at the Waldorf School's Holiday Event

The girls enjoyed learning how to make beeswax luminaries with a volunteer at the Waldorf School. He patiently explained how to dip the water balloon several times in the wax, how to apply the greenery, and then re-dip the balloon several times to create the luminary.

Olivia making a beeswax luminary with a volunteer

at the Waldorf School.

At home, we put battery-operated tea lights into the luminaries so that they glow on the nature table without melting the wax.

Both the girls would like to make more luminaries after having the experience of making one at the holiday fair.

Day 20 - Sunday - Mom and Dad

I am so grateful to both my parents for many reasons. One of things that I am very thankful for is the opportunity to take trips with both of them and my daughters during the past couple of years - once my dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.

Mom, Olivia, and Sophia in the front row.

Dad and me in the back row.

We're by Lake Saganaga on the Gunflint Trail.

Since he no longer could drive and my mom has not been able to drive in years, they would pay for a rental  minivan and we would take driving trips to different places. In this way, they could enjoy traveling and seeing places they've wanted to see; and the girls and I had opportunities to travel to places we normally wouldn't have had the chance to visit.

We were able to see the tulips in bloom in Pella, Iowa; the Shrine of the Lady of Guadalupe in Wisconsin; many Amish farms in Wisconsin; the National Eagle Center in Waconia (MN); Watkins in Winona, MN); and Grand Marais (MN).

The trip to Grand Marais and up the Gunflint Trail was the last trip we were able to take together.  The picture above shows that picture.

Today, on November 20th, I visited my dad at St. Therese (nursing home) and took my mom there as well. Although my dad was resting for most of the visit, he did wake up for parts of the visit, was able to say a few complete sentences, and enjoy some strawberry ice cream that I fed him.

Day 21 - Monday - Homeschool Co-op and Instructors

The girls have gone to a homeschool co-op for five years now and have enjoyed it. The variety of classes and experiences they've had there has enriched what I have taught them at home.

One of the girls' favorite teachers was Ms. Dawn who taught an American Girl class and American Heroes class. Sophia is pictured below on the right with Ms. Dawn. The girls are having a tea party during one of the classes.

Sophia with Ms. Dawn and two other students

at a homeschool co-op class.

(This was taken four years ago

when Sophia was 6 years old.)

This year, Sophia is taking piano lessons, home economics/cooking, and sewing. Olivia is taking piano lessons, American Sign Language, and Music Fundamentals.  All the instructors put a lot of time into preparing for the classes and teaching the students.

Having different adults from whom the girls can learn makes homeschooling even more fun and gives them an opportunity to learn new information in a variety of ways.

Day 22 - Tuesday - Harp Instructor

Sophia has been taking harp lessons from Denise since the end of May, and enjoys playing two instruments now (she also plays the piano). 

Sophia practicing the harp.

Denise has been encouraging and very supportive of Sophia as she has been learning to play a new instrument.

She challenges Sophia to try new pieces that may be difficult and beyond what she believes she can do.  However, once she learns the pieces, Sophia is proud of herself for staying focused and being able to add it to her repertoire.

Denise is working with Sophia to prepare her for her first performance on Christmas Eve at church. She will be playing a piece accompanied by the organist.  In preparation for it, Denise is trying to arrange for another opportunity to perform six days earlier at church during a prelude. 

Having someone help her with these first performances are critical to making Sophia comfortable with performing in the long-term. I am so grateful that Denise is helping Sophia learn to play the harp and share her talents with others.

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Days 15-18 - Geese/Piano/Orphanage/Night Nature Walk

For the first half of the month, I wrote letters to family and friends to thank them for different ways that they have positively affected my life.

During the past few days, I took a break from writing letters as well as writing each day here about giving thanks. This gave me time to think about other things for which I am thankful:

- Day 15: I am thankful for seeing at least 75 geese in multiple "V" formations fly overhead. I could hear them in the distance and the honking got louder and louder. All at once, it seemed, dozens of geeze came into view as they flew over the pine trees.

"Don't look up as geese fly directly over your head!" I remember my dad telling me when I was younger. I had to look up, though. It was an amazing sight as the different formations flew separately, would merge, separate again, and circle around the backyard, pasture, and field next door.

One of the formations looked like this.

There were many other smaller "V"s and

single geese flying around the main formation.

Photo Source

- Day 16: I am thankful for being able to play the piano. Although it certainly would be of great benefit to play each day so my skills don't continue to decline, I am thankful that I can sit down and still play some songs and learn new ones.

Playing the piano.

(Sophia took this picture of my hands a couple of years ago.)

- Day 17: I am thankful for the orphanage and nannies who took care of Olivia for ten months before she was adopted in 2003. 

From left to right: Sophia (almost 3 years old), me, and

Olivia (10 months old).

Taken on November 17, 2003, in China.

Olivia, age 4, trying on the outfit she wore

on her adoption day.

Although the sleeves and pant legs are a bit short,

she still fit into the outfit.

This is probably the last year that Olivia

is going to squeeze into the outfit.

Taken on November 17, 2011, Olivia is 8 years old.

- Day 18: I am thankful for going on an evening walk with Sophia and Olivia with flashlights. Although the original purpose of the walk wasn't for a good reason (we couldn't find Bailey in the pasture or near the barn), we did find her happily (and safely) eating grass by the pine trees in the pasture with the nature trail.

Bailey during the day. 

Certainly, she's easier to find during the day

than at night when it is dark.

It was a beautiful night - crisp with a barely a breeze. By 5:45 p.m., it was completely dark and quiet. Very peaceful. With only our three flashlights guiding our way, we made our way through the pastures and on the trails.

Bailey joined us for part of the walk. Having her walk alongside me - so close that her shoulder was touching my arm as we walked back to the barn - made me very grateful to be living in the country.