Me vs. the Pan

I have an enameled cast iron skillet that does a great job.  It looks like this:

Isn't that nice?  It's super heavy, but I like using it.  I recently learned that if you cook vegetable oil in a cast iron skillet at higher heats, whether it's enameled or not, it sticks.  It STICKS.  This little skillet had a cooked on sticky, black coating that would not budge.  I tried baking soda, vinegar, heating it up and scrubbing, scratch pads, Magic Eraser, copper scratch pads, tulle, and tons of soap.  Chris told me I should just throw it out.  The thrifty (CHEAP!!!) person in me screamed.  There must be a another way!

While visiting, Rita mentioned that the pan would come clean if I sprayed oven cleaner in it.  Oven cleaner seemed extreme, but I had tried everything else.  And it worked like magic!  I did have to do repeated treatments, but it's brand new.  So don't cook vegetable oil in cast iron, and if you do and it gets stuck, use some oven cleaner.  Thanks Rita!

No More Nursery

Last night was Eli's first time in the 4 - 7 year old classroom at church!  I have been taking him to the nursery for 4 years.  It was strange to walk him down to the area where all of the bigger kids were having worship - and leave him.  I was a little sad about it.  He, however, was not the least bit sad.  He was so excited to be there with all of his older friends, especially the very famous Anna!

The teachers reported that he was well behaved, though a tad bit focused on the Play Doh.  I am a very proud of him.  With each little step he becomes more independent.  Him leaving the nursery was actually a huge step for me! 

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.  Proverbs 22:6

Battle

Nap time, and bed time, are issues.  Not with the boys, especially Isaac.  He lays in bed with his binkie and blanket and is just as happy as can be.  Eli protests, but he will generally lay quietly.  Sophia though...she is in it for a fight.  Every night. 

I'm red, she's green.  She's thirsty.  Then her nose is running.  She needs a tissue.  Eli gets her one.  She loses it and needs another.  She needs a baby doll.  She doesn't like that baby, she want's ANOTHER baby.  On and on. The child is stubborn to a fault, which is admittedly a quality she probably received from me, but it is still aggravating.

Any ideas are WELCOME.

Cream Cheese Chicken

This is hands down one of the best recipes I make. The great thing about it is that it's super easy to make, and it's easy to double, triple, or whatever you need! The other great thing about this recipe is that it freezes really well. So it's an awesome freezer cooking recipe!

I package 1 batch up in a 1 quart freezer bag, label it, and stick it in the freezer. This makes for such an easy meal the next time around, as all I have to do is cook the noodles or make mashed potatoes to go with it. :)


Here's the recipe:
1 .7-ounce envelope Italian dressing mix
1/2 cup butter
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
1 10.75-ounce can cream of chicken soup
1 8-ounce package cream cheese
Turn slow cooker on High. Place butter in bottom of slow cooker. When the butter has melted, add one envelope Italian dressing dry mix. Stir into butter until well mixed. Cut chicken breasts into 1" strips. Place in slow cooker and stir to coat with butter and dressing mix. Cover and cook on High for 2 hours. Remove chicken to plate to cool. Add cream of chicken soup and cream cheese. Stir to melt and mix well until smooth and creamy. Remove sauce from slow cooker and allow to cool. Place chicken and sauce into a gallon resealable freezer bag. Label. Freeze.
To serve: Thaw. Heat until piping hot and bubbly. Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or hot buttered noodles.
Found at 30 Meals in One Day

It's been a long time...

I forgot about this blog! haha I'll try to do better about updating it.

Eli - is almost 4 years old. He's such a good helper and does really well with Sophie and Isaac. He is really interested in reading, and we are working on the beginnings of how letters sound and fit together. Right now he can read 2 words: no & stop. I should have taught him something more positive, but that's hindsight. ;) His favorite books right now are the Seuss stories and the Curious George stories. His favorite character is Lightning McQueen!

Sophia - Sophia turned 2 a few months ago. She is a precocious little girl for sure! She loves playing with Eli and is developing a very creative imagination. She loves reading all kinds of stories...a few of her favorites are Olivia (a gift from Gramma B and a well matched one for sure :D ) and The Very Busy Spider. Sophia likes to watch Pooh and The Littles with Eli. We'll be potty training full time soon, so pray for all of us.

Isaac - Isaac turned 1 a few months ago. He is walking all over the place. His sweet temperament has stayed with him, and he remains by far the happiest!. Isaac is really interested in the Gossie books and LOVES Goodnight Moon right now. Isaac fits in so well with the family; he adores Eli and Sophie.

Here is a sweet group shot Judy took: