Friday, September 28, 2012

Just stretching

This is who I hung out with for a while tonight.


We love having little Marco around to brighten our days.
You should come see him.

(Please ignore the barking of the annoying neighborhood dog. He was very loud, even with the doors closed)

taming the zucchini

I only planted one zucchini plant in the garden.  I know how they can get huge in a blink of an eye or so it seems.  With all the business of the summer, I have had a few large zucchinis to deal with...
Here's a new recipe I made for Michelle, so she had some quick breakfast options:



Zucchini bites
Olive oil
1 onion dices
3 slices bacon
1 carrot – grated
1 large zucchini – grated
3 eggs
1 cup cheese ( Parmesan or cheddar or a mixture)
¼ cup cream
½ cup self rising four ( add 3//4 t baking soda and ¼ t salt)

Sauté onion, carrot, and zucchini in olive oil. Cook bacon in microwave, chop and add to veggies to cool.
Beat eggs, cream, and cheese. Add to zucchini mixture
Stir in flour
Spoon into greased mini muffin pans
Bake 350 for 15 – 20 minutes.
Easy breakfast item!

My new favorite zucchini casserole because it goes together really fast:

Ritz Zucchini Cheddar Casserole
4 c very thinkly sliced zucchini
1/2 cu diced sweet onion
1 sleeve (35) Ritz crackers, crushed
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup milk
3 T butter (I just use olive oil and less)
Season all and garlic powder (optional)

saute zucchini, onion till transparent, salt and pepper to taste.  In large bowl mix crackers and cheese.
mix one half of this into the zucchini mixture in your 2 qt baking dish.  Blend eggs and milk together with seasonings.  Pour over zucchini and cracker mixture.  top with the other half of crackers and cheese.
Bake 400 for 20 - 25 mintues.
freezes well (I have made two at a time and put one in a foil pan for the freezer.  So easy for a quick dinner when nights are busy.)
I used to make a zuc casserole with shredded carrots, stuffing, sour cream and cream of chicken soup.  This one is tastier and faster.

New favorite Zucchini bread:

(called Mom's Zucchini Bread on All recipes.com)
3 cups flour
1 t salt
1 t baking soda
1 t baking powder
3 t cinnamon
3 eggs
1 cup veg oil ( I replace 1/4 cup oil with ground flax - 6 T)
2 1/4 cups white sugar ( I usually leave out about 1/2 cup sugar)
3 t vanilla
2 cups grated zucchini (sometimes I drain out the extra watery stuff)
optional 1 cup chopped walnuts
grease two 8 x 4 pans or three smaller pans

sift flour, salt, b powder, soda, and cinnamon
beat eggs, oil, flax and sugar. add sifted dry ingredients.  Stir in zucchini and optional nuts
pour into baking pans
Bake 325 degrees for 40 - 60 minutes depending on your pan size.  check for doneness early if using the smaller loaf pans.
cool in pan 20 minutes, then remove. The smell while baking is addicting!

I didn't take any photos of my zucchini - that's boring.
So here is a reminder to never text and drive! This really happened this summer in Salt Lake City.  the 16 year old girl walked away unharmed.  But it was a chore getting that car out.  Just like we need to pay attention to how quickly our zucchini will get over sized! Ha.





Sunday, September 16, 2012

Marco is Born

One week and 2 days ago, Michelle went into labor, finally!  She was 41 weeks and scheduled to be induced on Friday Sept 7.  About 5:30 in the morning she called me to tell me that she actually was in labor, contractions 5 minutes apart and there would be no need to be induced!
 I arrived at the hospital around 7:20 am and gave some back rubs and encouragement to Michelle.  A little while later she was ready for the epidural and was then heard to say, "I've never felt so comfortable!"  It made a huge difference for her and she was smiling, happy, and just waiting for the progress. Four hours later the doctor told her it was time to push! 
What a tender time for me to comfort my baby who was about to have her own first baby!
I held my breath through all those counts of ten, 3 x during each contraction.  It was hard not to!

What a wonderful moment when the little baby made his appearance, and was placed skin to skin upon his mommies tummy.  We all gasped when he just lifted up his head to look at her.
Every moment and look at him was precious!
It's so great to have a new baby in the house - such sweetness and tenderness felt by all.





big boy, almost outgrown his newborn outfit!


Michelle and Marco came home on Sunday and we had Cisco's parents to dinner so they could enjoy the new little one.  We had a great time!

Trying out the Mamroo swing - so cool!  It can play songs on the iPhone.

First bath