Monday, August 29, 2011

Vegetable Garden


It's been SO fun having a garden this year. I didn't get too many plants, assuming it would be a flop, but shockingly it has been a huge success. Probably means we got good plants and have great soil because honestly I haven't done a thing...
I think I will plant a lot more next summer too. I haven't bought any tomatoes this summer because we always have them on hand from our garden and it's been fun having cucumbers, squash, red peppers, etc. to throw into salads or recipes or just to eat fresh!





Wednesday, August 24, 2011

6 months!

I cannot believe our baby is 6 months old!
Here are her stats from her 6 month well check up:
She is doing well! 15lbs 5oz, 26.5 inches
50% for weight, 75% for height
And now we are starting foods at all 3 meals!

Other fun facts:
She eats rice cereal & hums with every bit I give her...apparently I was a noisy, musical eater as well...
She likes to play with her tongue
Loves to chew on anything and everything
loves to lick condensation off of glasses
thinks she knows how to drink from a glass and loves trying it
loves ice: licking it, watching it in a glass and hearing it clink
she is getting a little more uneasy when being held by people other than mom and dad...eeks
She loves TV, phones and ipods. Uh Oh.

Here are some photos of Lucy Joy from 5-6 months :)















Friday, August 19, 2011

Balsamic Garlic-Crusted grilled pork tenderloin


This is awesome - you should definitely try it if you like meat :)

4-5 garlic cloves, finely minced or crushed
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 pork tenderloins (about 1¼ pounds each)
2 tablespoons canola oil (if preparing in oven)
Stir together garlic, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and olive oil in a small bowl. Rub the paste all over pork. If you like or have the time, marinate overnight. If not, no worries, it will still be great!

Grill preparation:

Sear the tenderloins on all sides, then grill for about 20-30 minutes, rotating every 10 minutes, until the internal temperature is 160 degrees. Try to let it rest before slicing.

Oven preparation:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Heat canola oil in a large, heavy saute pan over medium-high heat. Working in batches if necessary, add pork, and brown all over, about 4 minutes.

Transfer pan to oven. Roast pork, turning occasionally, until the internal temperature is 160 degrees, about 20 minutes. Transfer pork to a cutting board, and try to let it rest 10 minutes before slicing.

Got the recipe from pinterest and its from here: http://kitchenconfidante.com/if-you-cant-stand-the-heat-part-ii

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Perfect Iced Coffee


Pioneer Woman....she's the best.
If you love Iced Coffee, you have to try this. It's definitely the solution to making it at home.
Go to her site for the full explanation, photos, etc on how to make it and why this is the only way to really make it. But read below if you don't have large enough containers to make a full pound of iced coffee (3 weeks worth) at one time...
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/06/perfect-iced-coffee
Take out a decent size tupperware and combine 2 qts cold water and a cup and a half of coffee grounds. stir to make sure the grounds have all come in contact with the water. Let sit for 8 hours minimum - I think I left them for 15 hours or so? :) Strain through a coffee filter - I used the wire one from my coffee pot and strained it into a 2 qt pitcher I had. Then refrigerate and then try with creamer or half & half and a tsp of sugar and a glass full of ice. Delicious!!!




*all photos from PW's blog

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Camp Reveal July 2011

Camp Reveal was an awesome time with 12 youth group students, Joe, myself and Lucy. We felt like the Duggers, we were the mom and dad with our 13 kids in the back! :)
The heat index down in Evansville was 120 degrees, so Lucy and I had to stay inside most of the time, but the kids were outside, drenched in sweat playing games, riding horses, swimming in the lake that was as hot as bath water, etc....
This camp is for kiddos from all different backgrounds and home situations and our youth group kids go there as counselors. It's a really good experience for them, though hard and challenging, they come away having learned and grown a lot.
The trailer pulling our luggage got a flat on the way there and on the way home....so had a crazy time stranded for a few hours and were welcomed into the home of a wonderful family who kept us cool in there home and ordered us pizzas. Amazing! God was good and we arrived safely home around 12:30 a.m.
Here are some photos of our time there:












Monday, August 1, 2011

High School Camp June 2011

Summer camp this year was a "west coast tour" along the coast of Michigan with stops at the beach, stayed at the Chapel in St. Joe (the 3 of us stayed at my parents:)) and at a VanKampen home in Grand Haven. Weather was iffy, but had a great time nonetheless and it was awesome being able to stay in homes! :)
The kids love holding Lucy and taking pics of her, which of course I appreciate! :)
Also Lucy had her first swim in the VanKampen pool house and it was a success, she loves water!