Monday, March 26, 2012

Big


How big are these two?! Big enough to become a big sister again, and a big brother? Yup! You guessed it,  we're welcoming another little Dean baby in September. Hooray!
We are all so excited! We feel so blessed. 
And I... well I feel big too... and really hungry...

Here's one of my favorite things to eat for every meal and snack these days...

Spicy Beans

picture from here

I adapted this recipe from the Pioneer Woman and my favorite BYUtv guy Chef Brad. You can do it in a pressure cooker or a big pot, it just takes longer. It is so worth it though. I have done it both ways and there is nothing like a big pot of beans simmering on your stove. Serve them over fresh cornbread, in a cup with sharp cheese, or in burritos and wraps... lots of possibilities! And did I mention that kids love them?


3 cups dry beans, black or pinto
¼ cup uncooked millet, optional but a very nutritious grain

handful of cooked bacon, diced ham, or a ham hock (which I never have)
9 cups water

1 red bell pepper, diced
1 whole yellow onion, diced
1-2 tbsp diced jalapeno with most of the seeds removed (I use pickled usually)
2 tsp salt
1-2 tsp black pepper
2 Tbsp Olive oil


Cook the beans, millet, pork, and water in a pressure cooker for 25 minutes, turning the heat down to medium-low when full pressure is reached and it is screaming and sputtering at you... unless you have an awesome electric pressure cooker which I covet every time I make something in my stove top one. Anyway, Bring down the pressure and add in the pepper, onion, and jalapeno. Cook for another 20-25 min. Bring down the pressure again and add salt, pepper, and oil. They should be tender and juicy and deliciously packed with flavor! Enjoy!


If you are using a big pot bring the beans, water, millet, and pork to a boil and then simmer for 2 hours covered. Add in the veggies and simmer another 2 hours. Add more water as needed, you want them juicy to the max! At the end add in the salt, pepper, and olive oil. Cook for another 20-30 min if needed.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

2 Years

This handsome little man of mine turned 2! I'm pretty sure he's still my baby and so is he. All he wanted for his Birthday were Elmo cupcakes. He's probably only seen Sesame Street one or two times. What is it with kids and Elmo??  We put balloons in his room while he was sleeping and he pretty much loved it. He is so easy to please. Elijah also fell in love over the weekend... My good friend Kelsey was in town and he can't stop asking about her :)


Elijah is my cuddler. He loves giving me kisses and sometimes I can't get him to stop. He loves trains, building with blocks and legos, chocolate, huge bowls of oatmeal with molasses, his sister, his bow ties, daddy's car, downtown, the museum, puppy's,... hmm. He loves big trucks, especially ones with lifting buckets. He calls them "man trucks". His favorite books are Goodnight Gorilla, If You Give a Moose a Muffin, Tails, and Thomas the Train.

I don't know what I'd do without my little Boog. 
Love this kiddo.



Friday, March 9, 2012

Cousins