Apricot Beef Stir Fry
- Taken from Taste of Home Magazine
1 tsp cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
1/2 cup apricots preserves
2 tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp. minced garlic
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 pound boneless beef sirloin steaks, thinly sliced.
1 tbsp canola oil
1 pkg frozen asparagus stir-fry vegetable blend
directions
1. In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Stir in the apricot perserves, soy sauce, garlic, salt and pepper flakes, set aside.
2. In a large skillet or wok, stir fry beef in oil until no longer pink; remove and keep warm. In the same pan, stir fry the vegetable blend according to package directions. Return beef to the pan. Stir apricot mixtue and stir into the beef mixture. Cook and stir until slightly thickened. Serve with rice.
Deni's Tips:
I couldn't find an asparagus stir fry, so I just bought a different mix of stir fry veggies, added in mushrooms and my own asparagus!
I don't like a lot of spice - so I didn't actually use the red pepper flakes!
I served this over brown rice
Enjoy!
Counters
Friday, July 10, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Pictures from the Weekend!
At the Zoo with Mommy
Hanging out with grandpa
Hanging with grandma
Saying hi to logan - his nicu buddy
I love his look in this one!
This is cute, with the flag at the parade!
Ready for the parade to start
Parker and Logan with grandparent (no Logan isn't related to us, but might as well be!)
NICU and Birthday Buddies
Feeding the Lorikeets
I love this picture.
***these were taken from his grandparents camera since I have yet to dump mine!
Hanging out with grandpa
Hanging with grandma
Saying hi to logan - his nicu buddy
I love his look in this one!
This is cute, with the flag at the parade!
Ready for the parade to start
Parker and Logan with grandparent (no Logan isn't related to us, but might as well be!)
NICU and Birthday Buddies
Feeding the Lorikeets
I love this picture.
***these were taken from his grandparents camera since I have yet to dump mine!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
My Weekend Review!
Well hello there. First of all, to all who left me encouragement yesterday, THANK YOU! Stupid satan is like a virus and he made me sick yesterday - but today, I am better. I think I need a little more meds to knock the satan virus, but I feel a ton better. I want to say that I know my friends love me for me and are not my friends out of obligation - and I love them too, so very much! :)
Moving on...
This past weekend was BUSY! Thursday, my in laws got in town and we were able to relax and eat some KFC and just chill!
Friday was busy - we got up and headed to the zoo. It was so fun and cool, which was nice! We took a lot of pictures (all are still on the camera - as I am bad a dumping it!) I even got some fun pictures of the tigers. If you know anything about the Columbus Zoo, you know that the tiger exhibit has a big glass wall so when the tigers walk by, it's like you can touch them. Tigers are so beautiful! Parker liked watching them and touching the goats and watching the geese! We packed a lunch and enjoyed that. I yelled at two kids throwing rocks at a goose - no parents in site, so I said something! I can't stand when parents don't control their kids. Ugh - Parker helped me feed the lorikeets - he loved it!
After the zoo we came home and slept. We were all very very tired! After the nap we headed out to Marcella's up near Polaris. Friday was my mother in laws birthday, so we took her there. I got my gnocchi Bolognese (gnocchi with lamb basically!). After we got some cheesecake at the cheesecake factory, came home and played games. I kicked everyone's booty in Life - oh yah, I started as an artist with 10,000 to my name and 60,000 in loans. I ended with 1.5 million as a doctor. Too bad it's not real life! :) I think my favorite thing was my father in law - he didn't go to college, became an athlete, was beating us all in money, had a mobile home and then had a midlife crisis and lost most his money! Oh Pete, you make me smile :) We watched Red, White and Boom on TV.
Saturday was so much fun. We met Tabatha and Logan down in Hilliard for the Hilliard 4th of July Parade. it was a fun parade. The boys seemed to like it a lot and it was fun to feel like a big family with Tabatha and Logan, because honestly, they may as well be our family! The parade was long and fun and I got to pet a beautiful dog! By the end though, Parker and Logan were tuckered out, so we headed home and rested, Drew and his dad went and saw transformers and mom and I stayed home. I made a flag cake and watched Clean House (I am not addicted to the show!) I made Ham and Cheese Veggie Lasagna and we had fun just staying in that night.
Sunday - oh sunday. I was in charge of Kids Ministry. I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Church was good, the whole 20 minutes I was actually in service that is, and I think for the most part, Kid's stuff went well. Both Amber and Cindy (the director and sunday manager) were gone. Being that I used to be heavily involved, I stepped in. It was hard because our normal classrooms were blocked off because of resurfacing, so we ended up scattered around. I had to make some executive decisions and make sure it was all going ok. I certainly am glad I don't do it all the time, but I did my best!
After church, we went out to eat with Mom and Dad and they headed back to Buffalo, we came home and did nothing all day!
Tomorrow - some pictures!
Moving on...
This past weekend was BUSY! Thursday, my in laws got in town and we were able to relax and eat some KFC and just chill!
Friday was busy - we got up and headed to the zoo. It was so fun and cool, which was nice! We took a lot of pictures (all are still on the camera - as I am bad a dumping it!) I even got some fun pictures of the tigers. If you know anything about the Columbus Zoo, you know that the tiger exhibit has a big glass wall so when the tigers walk by, it's like you can touch them. Tigers are so beautiful! Parker liked watching them and touching the goats and watching the geese! We packed a lunch and enjoyed that. I yelled at two kids throwing rocks at a goose - no parents in site, so I said something! I can't stand when parents don't control their kids. Ugh - Parker helped me feed the lorikeets - he loved it!
After the zoo we came home and slept. We were all very very tired! After the nap we headed out to Marcella's up near Polaris. Friday was my mother in laws birthday, so we took her there. I got my gnocchi Bolognese (gnocchi with lamb basically!). After we got some cheesecake at the cheesecake factory, came home and played games. I kicked everyone's booty in Life - oh yah, I started as an artist with 10,000 to my name and 60,000 in loans. I ended with 1.5 million as a doctor. Too bad it's not real life! :) I think my favorite thing was my father in law - he didn't go to college, became an athlete, was beating us all in money, had a mobile home and then had a midlife crisis and lost most his money! Oh Pete, you make me smile :) We watched Red, White and Boom on TV.
Saturday was so much fun. We met Tabatha and Logan down in Hilliard for the Hilliard 4th of July Parade. it was a fun parade. The boys seemed to like it a lot and it was fun to feel like a big family with Tabatha and Logan, because honestly, they may as well be our family! The parade was long and fun and I got to pet a beautiful dog! By the end though, Parker and Logan were tuckered out, so we headed home and rested, Drew and his dad went and saw transformers and mom and I stayed home. I made a flag cake and watched Clean House (I am not addicted to the show!) I made Ham and Cheese Veggie Lasagna and we had fun just staying in that night.
Sunday - oh sunday. I was in charge of Kids Ministry. I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Church was good, the whole 20 minutes I was actually in service that is, and I think for the most part, Kid's stuff went well. Both Amber and Cindy (the director and sunday manager) were gone. Being that I used to be heavily involved, I stepped in. It was hard because our normal classrooms were blocked off because of resurfacing, so we ended up scattered around. I had to make some executive decisions and make sure it was all going ok. I certainly am glad I don't do it all the time, but I did my best!
After church, we went out to eat with Mom and Dad and they headed back to Buffalo, we came home and did nothing all day!
Tomorrow - some pictures!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Manic, Moody Monday!
Oh man, I am feeling BEAT DOWN today. I am exhausted after the long, very full, busy weekend I just had. I am moody because I am a woman (enough said!) and I am being challenged by Satan ripping into me, putting all kinds of doubts and stupid thoughts in my mind.
I will plan a big fun post tomorrow about the long weekend - but I think the best I can do today is vent my insides out!
Satan is really putting doubt in to me right now. I can't really explain it all as I don't get it all, but I can ask for some very specific prayers in relation to this all!
1) One huge doubt that is eating me is that I am friendless! WHICH IS NUTS BECAUSE HELLO! I have friends. It's more that people are faking. Yesterday at church was just odd to me. (Probably because I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off) I wanted to connect with people and when I did, it seemed like we were all kind of in a funk. I don't know how to explain it, other than that it made me doubt my friendships. Satan knows when to come in and place the seeds.
2) Along with that, I feel like I don't belong. I am too heavy/fat. I feel like in order to fit in I have to be super active and skinny.
3) My heart just feels heavy - not sure why - just is...
4) I am exhausted. This weekend killed me. I feel like I could sleep all week!
5) I am stressed about money - again
Ok, well, I am going to go...please just be praying for me. I keep telling myself God is good he will get my through!
I will plan a big fun post tomorrow about the long weekend - but I think the best I can do today is vent my insides out!
Satan is really putting doubt in to me right now. I can't really explain it all as I don't get it all, but I can ask for some very specific prayers in relation to this all!
1) One huge doubt that is eating me is that I am friendless! WHICH IS NUTS BECAUSE HELLO! I have friends. It's more that people are faking. Yesterday at church was just odd to me. (Probably because I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off) I wanted to connect with people and when I did, it seemed like we were all kind of in a funk. I don't know how to explain it, other than that it made me doubt my friendships. Satan knows when to come in and place the seeds.
2) Along with that, I feel like I don't belong. I am too heavy/fat. I feel like in order to fit in I have to be super active and skinny.
3) My heart just feels heavy - not sure why - just is...
4) I am exhausted. This weekend killed me. I feel like I could sleep all week!
5) I am stressed about money - again
Ok, well, I am going to go...please just be praying for me. I keep telling myself God is good he will get my through!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Milestones and Heart Attacks!
Well, it's been an interesting week thus far and it's what, only Wed? Wed morning none the less!
Parker has hit a milestone of sorts - he now claps his hands! (Finally!) It's really cute and doesn't produce a lot of sound, but he does it...and if I say "Yay Parker" he will clap. He also now has 7 teeth. 4 on top and 3 on bottom. He's also gotten more daring as far as climbing and standing on his own. He will let go of whatever he's holding on to and stand for, oh, 10-15 seconds. Parker had a first yesterday - his first fall causing owies.
Which leads me to the heart attack part of this post.
Yesterday I was just getting done at Mommies and Munchkins and we were heading to the car. Parker was in his stroller and I was trying to get my keys and all of sudden I hear him crying - I look and he had slid between the seat and the tray was laying underneath the stroller. I freaked - I grabbed him and sat in the grass and examined him. All I found, thankfully, was that he had scratched his arms up pretty good and had a little scratch on the back of his head. But I examined his entire body, made sure nothing was broken or anything. He was screaming, but I think it's because he was scared. I got him settled and ran one errand then headed home.
I did what I felt was right, I monitored him throughout the day, looked for signs of head issues, ect. He was pretty normal, a bit clingy, but didn't act really strange. At least until bedtime, when he started losing it. He was crying and screaming, wouldn't go down - nothing. We tried bathing him, feeding him, taking him outside. Finally, because I was worried maybe there was head trauma I didn't notice - I called the Dr. He basically said give him tylenol and that I am doing everything right and he should be ok.
But it still sucked, and I felt so bad. Once Parker finally did go down, I was talking to Drew and I just felt so guilty. I should have buckled him in, I should have been watching better. I am not a bad mom (though I felt like it). Man it was hard.
But I am over it now. I realize i am a good mom and kids get hurt. They are resilient and bounce back pretty quick!
Today, Parker is fine. He's down for a nap right now and later we are heading over to a friends to hang out, so it should be a good day!
Parker has hit a milestone of sorts - he now claps his hands! (Finally!) It's really cute and doesn't produce a lot of sound, but he does it...and if I say "Yay Parker" he will clap. He also now has 7 teeth. 4 on top and 3 on bottom. He's also gotten more daring as far as climbing and standing on his own. He will let go of whatever he's holding on to and stand for, oh, 10-15 seconds. Parker had a first yesterday - his first fall causing owies.
Which leads me to the heart attack part of this post.
Yesterday I was just getting done at Mommies and Munchkins and we were heading to the car. Parker was in his stroller and I was trying to get my keys and all of sudden I hear him crying - I look and he had slid between the seat and the tray was laying underneath the stroller. I freaked - I grabbed him and sat in the grass and examined him. All I found, thankfully, was that he had scratched his arms up pretty good and had a little scratch on the back of his head. But I examined his entire body, made sure nothing was broken or anything. He was screaming, but I think it's because he was scared. I got him settled and ran one errand then headed home.
I did what I felt was right, I monitored him throughout the day, looked for signs of head issues, ect. He was pretty normal, a bit clingy, but didn't act really strange. At least until bedtime, when he started losing it. He was crying and screaming, wouldn't go down - nothing. We tried bathing him, feeding him, taking him outside. Finally, because I was worried maybe there was head trauma I didn't notice - I called the Dr. He basically said give him tylenol and that I am doing everything right and he should be ok.
But it still sucked, and I felt so bad. Once Parker finally did go down, I was talking to Drew and I just felt so guilty. I should have buckled him in, I should have been watching better. I am not a bad mom (though I felt like it). Man it was hard.
But I am over it now. I realize i am a good mom and kids get hurt. They are resilient and bounce back pretty quick!
Today, Parker is fine. He's down for a nap right now and later we are heading over to a friends to hang out, so it should be a good day!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Tidbits: Hopes and Dreams, Revisiting Kids Bop, This week
Another Tidbit Post:
1) Hopes and Dreams
"You can say I'm a dreamer, but I am not the only one..." I have a lot on my heart recently, Good stuff, but a lot. My hopes and dreams grow daily. And one hope and dream and I am praying about working out is going to Cambodia next year to visit the orphanage that Vista sponsors. Our church is very connected to Asia's Hope, a wonderful ministry that offers hope to orphans! Our church has helped to build an orphanage home in Cambodia. We have a missionary over there currently, a lovely lady from our church that has been there for 10+ months and who will be home for a little bit at the end of this week and then returning back! We have sent many over to visit the orphanage and our children. Jen updates about them here: Asian Vista. Last Christmas, I completely fell in love with the kids when during our Christmas program we were able to do online talk through Skype during the program. Those kids are lovely and precious and I so want to go hug each one. Recently, my heart is being tugged on and I am praying about going on a trip to Cambodia the next time we as a church send some another Vista group. To be honest, this SCARES ME TO DEATH! 1) I mean, it's Cambodia - a completely different world than here. 2) Loooong flight, the furthest I've flown was to Cancun (and I cried a lot because I hate planes!) 3) I am worried about pretty much everything - health, food, will I do ok, blah blah blah. 4) I don't have a passport! I am sure if it is meant to be it will all come together, but to be honest. it all just makes me nervous.
2) Revisiting Kidz Bop
Once again, I have a bone to pick with whoever created this silly CD. Do you really think putting today's pop/rock hits to kids music makes it all better? I mean, have you HEARD the songs in real life? Just because you put them to some cotton candy music and maybe change one or two words, doesn't make it any more appropriate! I can tell you right now, Parker will never own one of those CD's, or Heely's for that matter, but that's a whole other post!
3) This Week
So this week is looking like a fun week. I think later after Parker is awake, he and I are going to meet Tabatha and Logan at the park and hang out for the afternoon! I am so excited! I need to get out of this house. Tomorrow, I have Mommies and Munchkins and thankfully it won't be as hot as the other day when I almost passed out. I am looking forward to it. Wed, we have to run up to the Vista office so that I can make copies. As well as we are going to go over to Crissy's so mommy gets some girl time and I am going to bring Parker's little pool and I'm gonna let him "swim." Thursday is going to be nuts, mommies and munchkins in the morning, then Drew and I are going to go to Easton to do some thinking through stuff. That evening my in laws will be here. Friday, is my mom in law's birthday, we are going to go to the zoo, hang out, play games and then take her to dinner and then Saturday is the 4th - we are going to a parade, and the fireworks later in the day. Sunday, church!
Oh yah, busy busy, so please understand if my posts aren't that thrilling this week!
Oh can you say a prayer for me, I am going to be calling my Dr. today about my anti-depressant and also, calling for a counselor. I'm a little nervous about that!
1) Hopes and Dreams
"You can say I'm a dreamer, but I am not the only one..." I have a lot on my heart recently, Good stuff, but a lot. My hopes and dreams grow daily. And one hope and dream and I am praying about working out is going to Cambodia next year to visit the orphanage that Vista sponsors. Our church is very connected to Asia's Hope, a wonderful ministry that offers hope to orphans! Our church has helped to build an orphanage home in Cambodia. We have a missionary over there currently, a lovely lady from our church that has been there for 10+ months and who will be home for a little bit at the end of this week and then returning back! We have sent many over to visit the orphanage and our children. Jen updates about them here: Asian Vista. Last Christmas, I completely fell in love with the kids when during our Christmas program we were able to do online talk through Skype during the program. Those kids are lovely and precious and I so want to go hug each one. Recently, my heart is being tugged on and I am praying about going on a trip to Cambodia the next time we as a church send some another Vista group. To be honest, this SCARES ME TO DEATH! 1) I mean, it's Cambodia - a completely different world than here. 2) Loooong flight, the furthest I've flown was to Cancun (and I cried a lot because I hate planes!) 3) I am worried about pretty much everything - health, food, will I do ok, blah blah blah. 4) I don't have a passport! I am sure if it is meant to be it will all come together, but to be honest. it all just makes me nervous.
2) Revisiting Kidz Bop
Once again, I have a bone to pick with whoever created this silly CD. Do you really think putting today's pop/rock hits to kids music makes it all better? I mean, have you HEARD the songs in real life? Just because you put them to some cotton candy music and maybe change one or two words, doesn't make it any more appropriate! I can tell you right now, Parker will never own one of those CD's, or Heely's for that matter, but that's a whole other post!
3) This Week
So this week is looking like a fun week. I think later after Parker is awake, he and I are going to meet Tabatha and Logan at the park and hang out for the afternoon! I am so excited! I need to get out of this house. Tomorrow, I have Mommies and Munchkins and thankfully it won't be as hot as the other day when I almost passed out. I am looking forward to it. Wed, we have to run up to the Vista office so that I can make copies. As well as we are going to go over to Crissy's so mommy gets some girl time and I am going to bring Parker's little pool and I'm gonna let him "swim." Thursday is going to be nuts, mommies and munchkins in the morning, then Drew and I are going to go to Easton to do some thinking through stuff. That evening my in laws will be here. Friday, is my mom in law's birthday, we are going to go to the zoo, hang out, play games and then take her to dinner and then Saturday is the 4th - we are going to a parade, and the fireworks later in the day. Sunday, church!
Oh yah, busy busy, so please understand if my posts aren't that thrilling this week!
Oh can you say a prayer for me, I am going to be calling my Dr. today about my anti-depressant and also, calling for a counselor. I'm a little nervous about that!
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