Wednesday, December 29, 2010

first christmas.


Love me some Peppernuts. And my grandma that so faithfully makes them EVERY Christmas. All 11+ cookies sheets of them. By hand. And my favorite handmade bowl from Orvieto, Italy. Okay, so here's the recipe. P.S. this makes 7 POUNDS of cookies and they get better each day.

2 cups butter
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 3/4 cup Karo syrup
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
8 cups flour

Preheat oven to 350. Combine all ingredients in order in a large tub. (Seriously, do it in a LARGE TUB) Cut out cookies and bake for 10 minutes on a lightly greased sheet.

New family tradition. Ready, set, GO.


I've also enjoyed being at home watching the unique sandwiches my husband makes for lunch with what the have in the house. The more we live together, the more I feel like we live in an episode on Food Network. Lately, I feel like it has been Chopped - using whatever we have to make lunch or dinner. Colin made his sandwich with some turkey, cheese, bacon, egg, and a Sriracha Mayo. Onesie was closeby to keep a watch for any stray crumbs. He loves his Colin.

We are heading out tomorrow for two of our great friends' WEDDING! We are so excited for Sean and Mallory (future Dougherty family!!) and are thankful for their friendship. Marriage is such a blessing.


Speaking of blessings...

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

feeling crafty.

I have a new love. Felt. Felt flowers in particular. I found this great tutorial over at The Pretty Poppy and I just can't stop making them! I've made one to adorn a Hostess gift...


((http://theprettypoppy1.blogspot.com/2010/07/pretty-little-rosie-wreath.html))

...and some to make this cute burlap wreath for a sweet friend (both of which were easy peasy!)




Husband and I also have had an intense Fruit Ninja war the past few days. It is an app FYI. Not JUST an app, the funnest, most addicting iphone game in the whole wide world. We even had a Starbucks date/war the other night and we sat there sipping our winter drinks, playing Fruit Ninja, and trash talking each other. Most entertaining 99 cents we have ever spent.

I have been enjoying my holidays being at home, being productive, and trying to relax. I went to see my stud little sister play an awesome game of basketball on Monday...



...and then spent the rest of the day making Peppernut cookies with my sweet Granny. She makes these cookies every Christmas (and ONLY at Christmas because they take forever) and I just cannot get enough of them. If there is anything I could eat my weight in besides bubblegum snowcones, sour patch kids, and apples, it would be THESE COOKIES. Frankly, we have no idea why they are called Peppernuts. They should be called "Labor of Love" cookies. Because they. took. forever. This secret (well, not really) recipe makes 7 POUNDS (of awesomeness) and filled up 11+ cookie sheets. And they are teeney-tiny little shaped cookies. We took some back to College Station and they are already gone. Before I could take some artsy pictures. So, you'll have to wait until Christmas to get the recipe and see pictures of the actual cookies. Apparently I was too busy devouring dough to take pictures. At least my sister did get a picture of us actually making them.



Already missing my kids. We were talking about prepositional phrases before we left and I wanted them to memorize 10 or so of the most common ones. Up was one of them. We did an activity where they got to choose some of them and write and illustrate sentences. 3/4 of my class decided to use the preposition up. No problems there. Fair preposition. Except when it was used like this:

Mrs. Dismuke is up in the bathroom.
Camren is up playing with Colin.
Mr. Dismuke is up in the park playing with One.

Trying to explain how "up" cannot be used like that was hilarious. Reason #318 why I love love LOVE my job.

4 days until Christmas!

Sunday, December 12, 2010

tis the season.

I just love Christmas. Hence, the change in blog wallpaper and spring in my step. I like the shiny, glittery, snuggly, savory, sweet, fresh things Christmas brings. Annnnddd while I sit here explaining all of the great things, the actual day inches closer and closer. Anndddd I realize how NOT ready I am. Friday is my last day of school and, while I will be left with a 3rd grade size hole in my heart for 3 weeks, I will hit the ground running to partake in the Christmas cheer.

Christmas Cheer #1. I made peppermint bark today. My FAVORITE is from Williams-Sonoma, but with a price tag of about $30, I have chosen to make my own bountiful batch. Doubtful I will ever go back. Lovely Martha Stewart has a great one and it is easy peasy.



2 pounds white chocolate, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
12 large candy canes
1/2 teaspoon peppermint oil


Line an 11-by-17-inch baking sheet with parchment, and set aside.

In the top of a double boiler, melt white chocolate, stirring constantly.

With a chef’s knife or meat tenderizer, cut or pound candy canes into 1/4-inch pieces.

Stir pieces of candy canes and peppermint oil into the melted chocolate. Remove from heat, and pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet; spread evenly. Chill until firm, 25 to 30 minutes. Break into pieces, and serve. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Christmas Cheer #2.

My husband bought a red JCrew onesie for his Christmas pajamas. One of my favorite traditions growing up was when my parents would buy me brand new (and already washed) Christmas pajamas to wear on Christmas eve. Well, we decided to carry on that tradition with our little family. Except since it was its inaugural year, we picked our own. Colin insisted on these.



Good thing that he will look great in them. Good thing he looks great in everything. If we ever go hungry, I will force my husband to sell his stunning good looks. He would fit in well to JCrew, eh?

See what I mean? He even looks handsome drinking out of my Mrs. mug.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

life as we know it.

Life as we know it has been just as busy as ever. Even after 6 months of marriage, there are new things that we are figuring out like exactly what the "in sickness and in health" vow means, how the depth of love between a husband and a wife reaches beyond what you could think, and what enduring patience means. And other things.

About a week after I last wrote, we got to know this household fixture very well.



If you guessed "Christina brought home the stomach flu to share with herself and her husband who NEVER gets sick" you are right! BINGO! Like I said, I'm glad the "in sickness and in health" vow was a part of our choice of traditional wedding vows. Because I'm sure husband would have hit the door after day 1 (when he still thought his immune system was impenetrable). Imagine 2the 2 of us, sicker than ever, and one toilet. Get it. Husband, you are the toilet to my seat, the chicken to my soup, and the throw to my up. I ate more than you at Pei Wei (after 3 days of a liquid diet). Booyah.

Additionally, One tipped the scales at 90.2 pounds (and still LOVES the bathtub.)



He also decided to eat a purple gel pen (no worries, he is still kicking.)



The Dismuke's went REAL Christmas tree shopping (this was my first time to get a real tree after growing up super allergic to them..)



Colin was super excited..



And I could SEE things close to me with my new glasses. (Sidenote: my children were astonished by the increase in my "smartness" when I put my glasses on. Goobers.)



....and found a total WINNER.



I got to hear the "Bottoms Up" ringtone while trying to call quite a few of my parents after my in-school "Come to Jesus Talks" were unsuccessful. Reason #729 why I LOVE my job. Listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekAXPCphKXQ

Finally, the Dismuke Fam is celebrating our first engagement anniversary. Last year, this time in NYC, under the fresh snowflakes in Central Park, I agreed to marry the man of my dreams. And then we went and ate some incredible Italian food. Plans were altered for a date night tonight after we discovered our favorite Italian spot in Downtown Bryan was closed on Sundays. Scratch that and move until Monday. Olive Garden won't do for this date.

Oh husband, sometimes your love overwhelms me to the point of tears. Thank you for so selflessly loving me even I come home acting like a stubborn 3rd grader. Thanks for calling me your sweet girl, leaving me notes on my Morning Message powerpoint for my kids, and going to Target to get a new Christmas stand even though it was 9 at night and you were tired. You are the jingle to my bells, the Santa to my Claus and the Christmas to my lights. Love you to Pluto (now a "dwarf planet", thank you 3rd grade) and back.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

paper plates and plastic cups.

Oh, blogworld. Hello, hello. Long time, no see.

Lots to talk about, little time before sleep takes over.



To my incredible love: Thank you for letting me use paper plates and neon orange plastic cups this week for dinner. Those 5 minutes of just being with you instead of washing those Pottery Barn dishes are worth more than all of the red and green sour patch kids in the world. Oh, and I CAN'T believe I came home to fresh baked bread today. You are absolutely ridiculous. Ridiculously amazing. To the radio stations in my car: you have finally changed. I hope you like your new home. I figured since I was married and live here, I should set up camp. To the fabulous fall weather FINALLY coming: get here. Now.

Get excited. Buffalo Chicken Paninis! (thanks, Cooking Light!)



1/4 cup hot pepper sauce, divided
1 pound chicken breast tenders
1/2 cup (2 ounces) crumbled blue cheese
6 tablespoons canola mayonnaise
8 (1-ounce) slices white or sourdough bread

Preheat broiler; coat broiler pan with cooking spray. Combine 2 tablespoons sauce and chicken in a medium bowl, tossing to coat. Arrange chicken in a single layer on broiler pan; broil 4 minutes on each side or until done. Place chicken in a bowl; toss with remaining 2 tablespoons sauce. Combine cheese and mayonnaise. Spread 3 tablespoons cheese mixture on each of 4 bread slices; top each with one-fourth of cooked chicken and 1 bread slice. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Arrange 2 sandwiches in pan. Place a cast-iron or heavy skillet on top of sandwiches; press gently. Cook for 3 minutes on each side or until bread is toasted (leave skillet on sandwiches while they cook). Repeat procedure with remaining 2 sandwiches.

Grilled Halibut with Peach and Pepper Salsa (thanks again, Cooking Light!)


(paper plate. neon orange cup. TOLD YOU.)

2 1/2 cups coarsely chopped peeled yellow peaches (about 1 1/4 pounds)
1 1/3 cups chopped red bell pepper (about 1 large)
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
1/2 cup chopped fresh arugula
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 habanero pepper, seeded and minced
1 garlic clove, minced
Fish:
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon paprika
2 garlic cloves, minced
6 (6-ounce) skinless halibut fillets
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Cooking spray

To prepare salsa, combine first 9 ingredients; toss gently. Let stand 30 minutes before serving. Prepare grill to medium-high heat.

To prepare fish, combine 2 tablespoons juice, oil, paprika, and 2 garlic cloves in a large, shallow glass baking dish, stirring with a whisk. Add fish to juice mixture; turn to coat. Cover and let stand 15 minutes.

Remove fish from marinade; discard marinade. Sprinkle fish evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt and black pepper. Place fish on a grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 3 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Serve fish with salsa.

I don't know what it is about salsa on fish, but I LOVE it. WE love it. ((See next recipe....))

Grilled Salmon and Red Pepper Salsa (Cooking Light, you've done it again!)



2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon ground chipotle chile powder
4 (6-ounce) skinless salmon fillets
Cooking spray
Salsa:
1 cup prechopped red bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped tomato
2 tablespoons prechopped red onion
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
1/8 teaspoon salt

To prepare salmon, heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Combine first 5 ingredients; rub evenly over fillets. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add fillets to pan; cook 4 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness.

While fish cooks, prepare salsa. Combine bell pepper and remaining ingredients. Serve salsa with fillets.

SUPER easy. Major delish.

Kid quote: ((We have been talking about Matter for the past 3 weeks. We know that matter is something that has mass and takes up space and can be a solid, liquid, or gas.))

Kid: "Mrs. Dismuke, I know something that has mass and takes up space..."
Me: "Oh yeah, what's what?" (See previous post about the dreaded connections....)
Kid: "MY MOUTH."

Yep.


Final shout out goes to my sweet Granny. It was her birthday on the 24th. She is one of the people I am closest with in the world and absolutely don't know what I would ever do without her and my Granddaddy. Well, I surely wouldn't have anyone to talk to on my way to school at 6:45, THAT'S for sure. Gahhhh they are precious.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

happy halloweeney.

This blog wallpaper is about the only "Halloween" you are going to get from the Dismuke family this year. Well, except for that bowl of candy on our kitchen table. Which is slowly diminishing, I might add. Even though I picked out candy that I DIDN'T think we would eat. Suddenly I have a craving for pink Starburst and Peanut M&Ms. Weird. Do you KNOW how many packages of Starbursts I had to open before I finally got a pink one?! It was a bit outrageous!

Todays "post-its".

To my Essie nail polish. I love you. You disguise my bitten fingernails and un-pedicured feet so well. To my $4.99 HEB brand bath salts that smell like chamomile. You are one of the things I look forward to in the evenings and make my skin smooth. To my husband. Thank you for taking me on an after school coffee date and ordering my favorite drink. I also love when you are mad at the dog. I try so hard not to laugh, but it is near impossible when you are using your "angry voice" and then raise it like 4 1/2 octaves higher and talk silly to him just a few seconds later. Not that I'm think babies ANYTIME soon, but you make me excited and at ease for that season in our lives. You are the most patient and loving man I have ever met in my life. Which is good, because I have needed your patience lately.

Sincerely,
Me

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

short and sweet.

Life and I have had a total smackdown this past week, so I'm going to make it short and sweet. I wish you all could see the PILE of clothes I have that are clean, but cannot be worn because they must be ironed. Clearly limiting to my wardrobe choices in the morning. I mean, I wore a skirt after not running for almost 2 months. Oh desperation.

And since fall is inching ever so close, I am on the search for a perfect pair of boots. And since J Crew's Teacher Discount isn't nearly enough (ideally like 70% off), I am searching with more frugal means. And I have had some luck. I will share some stylish pictures of the final choice when it's not so hot that that my toes stick together and I actually buy the things!

Recipe Wrap-Up. 4. Count them. F.O.U.R. Told you I was backed up!

Salmon Burgers (thanks, Real Simple.)



2 pounds salmon fillet, skin removed
2 egg whites
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs (1 slice white bread, ground in a food processor)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
kosher salt
2 tablespoons olive oil (if cooking on a stovetop)
4 brioche buns, toasted


Heat grill (PAN) to medium.

Finely chop the salmon. Place half in a large resealable plastic bag and use a flat-surfaced meat pounder or a rolling pin to mash it.

Place all the salmon in a large bowl. Combine with egg whites, mustard, bread crumbs, dill, and ½ teaspoon salt. Form 4 ¾-inch-thick patties.

Place the patties on grill; cook 4 to 5 minutes per side. (On a stovetop, heat the oil in a grill pan over medium heat and cook patties 5 minutes per side.)

Serve the patties on the brioche buns.



Steak with Roasted Carrots and Onions (thanks again, Real Simple.)



1 1/2 pounds medium carrots, halved crosswise, thick pieces halved lengthwise
2 small red onions, quartered, stem ends left intact
3 tablespoons olive oil
kosher salt and black pepper
4 small Newport or sirloin steaks (1 inch thick; about 1 1/2 pounds total)
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon


Heat oven to 425° F. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss the carrots, onions, 2 tablespoons of the oil, ¾ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.

Roast the vegetables, tossing once, until tender, 20 to 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Season the steaks with ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cook to desired doneness, 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer to plates.

Add the wine to the skillet and whisk in the mustard. Simmer until slightly thickened, 1 to 2 minutes.

Stir in the tarragon. Serve the steaks with the sauce, carrots, and onions.



Salmon with Oranges and Tomatoes



2 tablespoons olive oil
4 pieces skinless salmon fillet (1 1/4 pounds total)
kosher salt and black pepper
1 navel orange
2 small beefsteak tomatoes (about 1 pound), cut into wedges
1/2 cup fresh cilantro sprigs
1/4 cup pitted green olives, halved (I hate olives, so we didn't use them)


Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the salmon with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper.

Cook the salmon until opaque throughout and golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes per side.

Meanwhile, cut away the peel and pith of the orange and cut out the segments.

In a large bowl, gently combine the segments with the tomatoes, cilantro, olives, remaining tablespoon of oil, and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper.

Serve the salad with the salmon.

HOLY MOLY THIS IS AMAZING.



Spiced Shrimp with Green Beans and Lime (thanks AGAIN, real simple!)



1 cup brown rice
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 pound green beans, halved crosswise
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 to 2 red jalapeƱo peppers, thinly sliced
kosher salt and black pepper
1 1/2 pounds peeled and deveined large shrimp
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1/4 cup fresh lime juice


Cook the rice according to the package directions; fluff with a fork and fold in the cilantro.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the green beans, garlic, jalapeƱos, and ¼ teaspoon each salt and black pepper and cook, tossing frequently, for 3 minutes.

Season the shrimp with the chili powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Add them to the skillet and cook, tossing occasionally, until opaque throughout, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the lime juice and serve over the rice.

HOLY MOLY THIS IS AMAZING-ER!

Shout Outs..
To my August to August Calendar, THANK YOU. Thank you from those of us (me especially!!) who decide halfway through the year we actually should be keeping a calendar. To our sweet puppy, your farts are stifling. What acorn/fungus/dead animal you are eating outside, stop. Now. To my 19 children, can we have as fabulous of a week as we did last week? And please forget about the drugs you found outside on the playground today. I wish I could protect you from everything. To The Village, thank you for your faithfulness every Saturday morning to make superb vanilla lattes and oats de jour with bananas, brown sugar, and pecans. To my husband, thank you for listening to all of my "I'm sorries" lately, always making the best dinners, and letting me fall asleep on your shoulder at like 8:14 pm. Reason #397 why I love you.

I live with the most ADORABLE boy roommates.