Family Fun

A few weeks ago we had family over for a long ago planned rafting trip down the Kern River.  This was one of those Group On deals that was a great buy.  So 7 of us loaded up and headed to Bakersfield. 
http://www.riversendrafting.com/

The river is normally much faster and they say a Cat IV but on the day we went, it was more like a -4 which was fine with us.  They split our group of 7 into 2 boats and we headed out for our 3.5 miles of fun.  

In my boat I had my sister-n-law Debbie and her daughter-n-law Lindsay.  We also were with another family.  The guys, Steve, Elijah, David my brother-n-law and Keith my nephew got their own boat.

Some of the pics give the impression the water was a bit livelier than it was, but we had a great time.  May go back earlier in the season to be able to see a little more action, but all in all a great day that was ended with a nice picnic at the nearby Ming Lake.  Something fun to do within 1 1/2 hours of Valenica.

Tortillas

Last week I mentioned I was going through my Pins and making a few of the recipes.  This is one that I recently pinned that I am pretty happy with.

Homemade Tortillas is one that I pinned while realizing I was having Mexican and forgot to buy flour tortillas.  I also didn't want to make anything with Crisco and came across this easy recipe on Taste of Home.   http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Homemade-Tortillas#.UEZLQpKOtTw.pinterest

The recipe posted was very simple but I always go over the reviews to see if they have Tips to improve.  I have tried so many recipes to know that many have to be altered in some way or another.   This was no exception.  One of the reviews said to add baking powder and make sure the water is boiling.  I made sure to use those tips and was very happy with the results. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homemade Tortillas Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 cup water (boil in microwave)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil

 

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Stir in water and oil. Turn onto a floured surface; knead 10-12 times, adding a little flour or water if needed to achieve a smooth dough. Let rest for 10 minutes.
• Divide dough into eight portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a 7-in. circle. [I rolled them between 2 pieces of parchment paper.  This let me roll them very thin and easily peel off and cook.]
• In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, cook tortillas over medium heat for 1 minute on each side or until lightly browned. [I cooked them in an iron skillet and didn't use any cooking spray.]  Keep warm. Yield: 8 tortillas.  [I placed the tortillas in a warmer.  After cooking they were a little stiff but after being in the warmer they steamed and became very pliable.]

These came out great and the Steve and Elijah ate them so I think they enjoyed them.  For us, the recipe made plenty, but can easily be doubled.  This one is a keeper.

Pinterest Recipes

This week I decided I was going to use some of my pinned recipes.  I need to start cleaning out my boards as I have accumulated too many and wanted to test a few out.

I made Meatball Bubble Biscuits that are found on this site.  The recipe calls for pre-cooked meatballs which I used, but also did half with cooked Italian Sausage.  (The sausage didn't work as well due to the casings.  I cooked and cut the links into 1" pieces but left the outside on.  Next time will take them off.)

http://kathiecooks.blogspot.com/2010_08_01_archive.html

Here is the recipe from the blog.  I also didn't have string cheese so I used sliced provolone. 

Meatball Bubble BiscuitsSource: Barbie F.

1 can Pillsbury golden layers biscuits - each pulled into 2 layers
10 frozen fully cooked italian style meatballs - thawed and cut in half
2 sticks string cheese - cut each into 10 pieces
1 T. parm cheese
1/2 t. Italian seasoning
1/4 t. garlic powder
1 c. marinara sauce

Heat oven to 375. Separate biscuits into 2 layers. Place 1 meatball half and one piece of cheese into each biscuit, wrap dough around it and seal edges. Place seam side down into 9 inch round cake pan. Sprinkle with parm cheese, garlic pwd. and italian seasoning. Bake 18-20 min or until golden brown. Serve warm with warm sauce.

Here is my pic.  I liked them, Steve not so much.  Said the biscuit made it a little sweet and tasted like a meatball wrapped in a biscuit.  I am going to keep this one as it would be a nice one for a party.  You can make them ahead and freeze them, cook them off when needed.   So for the next little while, I will keep this one.  

Time Passes

The title says it all.  I realized I have thought about my blog often, and yet when I looked at it the other day realized it had been since May that I last wrote.

May! 

Initially the delays were due to a trip for Mother's Day weekend up north to visit family.  Then as time clicked by it seemed like I had little to say and then too much time elapsed.

Recently I realized the reason I was writing the blog got lost somewhere and I cared more about what someone thought I was writing about, "Was it interesting?", "Entertaining?", "Important enough?".

It no longer became cathartic.  So I decided to come back and write what I want to.  What is going through my head at the time.  Hoping it will help quiet the voices a little.

For the last several months Steve, my husband, has been looking for work.  Why is there so much sigma associated with that.  He was laid off, nothing to do with his performance, but the same situation that so many people are facing today, corporate changes, etc...blah, blah, blah.  It reminds me of one of my favorite movies. "You've Got Mail"  Where Tom Hanks character is talking about how it "It isn't personal it's business",  and Meg Ryan says, "It's personal to me."  It is sad because I see both sides.  You can't take away someones job and assume it isn't personal for someone but understanding that if they don't make changes, downsizing, whatever, it could affect more than a few people. 

I have struggled with feeling a bit guilty.  I have a job, I have a great job.  Just got a promotion, a raise, and yet to bring attention to that makes me feel like I could be making Steve feel worse.  He knows, I know, it isn't his fault for him not getting that 2nd interview, or not finding that perfect job.  Knowing that and feeling that are so different.

Steve has decided to stop putting fate into someone elses hands and has decided to take his "side" business and make it full time.  I am proud of him for going outside his comfort zone. 

A little less light hearted with this one, but next time I will get back to food and fun.  

This week I made a pinterest recipe which I will share and also trying homemade tortillas on Thursday.  Will have to see how those turn out.