Esther loves putting on our shoes and clomping around the house. Someone had given her a couple of bows as gifts and she really isn't a "bow girl", but when she put one of them on the other day and then some shoes, I had to snap away. Always cracking me up.
Don't laugh but those will be the size of Esther's feet someday. After all she is my daughter.
One of my friends commented that I should post some recipes that I have found on my weight loss journey. So I am going to post a new recipe per week, something I made for my family that week and I would definitely recommend for others to try. (I will not post the recipes that we found lacking....these will be CRANDELL APPROVED.) I will also give a review on why we liked it and I think others will as well. So here it goes:
Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli
I loved this low-fat mac and cheese. Great way to use that frozen broccoli you have in the freezer as well. Pretty rich and hearty for low-fat and Esther ate it up. Loved the bread-parmesan crusty top.
2 spray(s) cooking spray
12 oz uncooked pasta, gemelli or other twisted pasta (about 2 1/2 cups)
1/8 tsp table salt, for pasta cooking water
10 oz broccoli, small florets (about 2 1/2 cups)
1 tsp butter
1/3 cup(s) fresh bread crumbs
3 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese, divided
2 1/2 cup(s) fat-free skim milk
1/3 cup(s) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup(s) onion(s), diced
1 cup(s) low-fat shredded cheddar cheese, sharp-variety
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 1/2 tsp table salt
1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
Preheat oven to 375ºF. Coat a shallow 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray.
Cook pasta in a large pot of lightly salted boiling water according to package directions, adding broccoli to water 3 minutes before pasta will be done; drain pasta and broccoli and return to pot.
Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; add bread crumbs and cook, stirring often, until light golden, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer crumbs to a small bowl; stir in 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese and set aside.
In same saucepan (wipe clean if necessary), whisk together milk and flour until blended; add onion. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking frequently. Reduce heat to low and simmer until thickened, about 2 minutes.
Remove from heat and whisk in cheddar cheese, mustard, salt, pepper and remaining 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese. Pour over cooked, drained pasta and broccoli; toss to mix and coat.
Transfer to a baking dish and sprinkle top evenly with bread crumbs. Bake until bubbly at edges, about 20 to 25 minutes. Divide into 8 pieces and serve. Yields 1 piece per serving.
Well I had my Weight Watcher weigh-in last night and my current weight loss is 36.8lbs!!! I've lost more than Esther weighs!!! When I'm holding Esther more than 20 minutes or so, my back starts to hurt, so I can't believe I was carrying all that extra weight. I feel GREAT and I have so enjoyed making new recipes and walking much more with the kids. Summer fun at the beach...HERE I COME!!
We celebrated Esther's 2nd birthday with family on Easter, since we were having the whole family over anyway. The highlight of the day was when my mom dressed up as Minnie Mouse and brought Esther's cake out with the candles lite. Her facial expressions are PRICELESS!
Esther thanking Minnie for coming. I think she had NO CLUE it was her Amma.
My mom made the cake...turned out totally cute, huh?
I can't believe our little girl is 2. Where has the time gone? It seems like only yesterday I was calling Steve on the phone, telling him the the pregnancy test was positive and praising God for the gift of a new life. This has been the most challenging, but the most rewarding 2 years of our life. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us. On Esther's actual birthday, we went to the Wild Animal Park. They had their butterfly exhibit going on, which is incredible and Esther LOVED!
Esther letting you know that the lion is sleepin'.
The end of a long day.
My friend Joanna and I had a joint 2nd birthday party for Esther and her little boy Daniel (they are 3 days apart). It was for our play group and the kids had so much fun. It was on Monday which was really hot, but that didn't stop the kids. Thanks for celebrating with us, Joanna...can you believe our babies are 2???
Steve and I went out with some friends the other night to celebrate some April birthdays (including mine). We went to dinner at the Royal Falconer in Redlands and then back to our place for brownies and Balderdash (I rocked it). The only thing missing from a fun night was Jill and Tim. Next time, you guys!
Me and my babe.
The gang.
The empty seat where the Harris' should have been. :(
We had a wonderful Easter. We started it off going to YCC and we went to the main service and sat with my parents which is unusual (we usually go the more contemporary service). And I know my mom LOVED it, especially since Gideon was with us in service. But I told my mom, it's probably for the best that we don't typically go to the same service as them, because Gideon is a TOTAL distraction for my mom. But it's sweet and I know she loved rocking him to sleep during the worship set.
Then we came home, put the kids down for a nap (which apparently Esther didn't get the memo) and Steve and I got everything ready to have my parents, his parents, his brother, his brother's fiance and my grandma over for a bbq. LOVED that we didn't do the traditional ham (which I WILL NOT cook) or turkey thing and went with turkey burgers and all the other fixin's. SO GOOD! As long as there are deviled eggs...it's Easter dinner to me!
Also, we waited until everyone got to our house to do Esther's egg hunt and she had a BLAST!! We then celebrated Esther's 2nd birthday that day, but I will post pictures later on in the week, after her actual birthday (Friday).
"Mo?" Esther's word for more...she kept hoping there was mo.
and couldn't be loving my life more.
My birthday started off on Sunday by going to my parents and enjoying some dinner (cabbage rolls -YUM) and cake. Esther wanted to help put the candles in, but then couldn't resist testing out the frosting.
I love this picture. Esther is constantly cracking me up.
My first birthday being the mommy of 2.
On my actual bday, Steve, the kids, my parents and I all went out to Indian Canyons in Palm Desert. So beautiful and So fun. Esther enjoyed playing in the water and well, Gideon enjoyed a GREAT nap.
To get an idea how far down you hike. That's our car sitting on my dad's finger.
