Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Every other year I host Turkey Day.  This year it was my year again! We, successfully, overate and watched a LOT of football.  I missed my Texans Game for the most part because I was making Thanksgiving in the kitchen. But, they managed to pull it off!  Wow!

So, here is the Turkey Day roll from the Scarborough House!

We had:
Roasted Turkey
Roasted Honey Ham
Cornbread Dressing
Mushroom Giblet Gravy
Mashed potatoes
White Rice in Veggie Stock
Corn
Green Beans
Broccoli
Carrots
Sweet potatoes
Rolls
Cornbread rolls
Carrot Cake (I know my momma made this just for me)
Pumpkin Pie
Pecan Pie
Ambrosia Salad
Fresh Strawberries & Cool Whip (Don't judge--I didn't have the energy to make fresh whipped cream)

Here is what our kiddies looked like hanging with their cousins.  Somehow, I managed to not get one single photo of the adults.  Which is unfortunate.  I also missed my sister today, she had her very own dinner in her home.  I hope it was really good.  I just sat down, and I imagine her dinner preparation was as tiresome as mine. I will have to call her in the morning to tell her that I love her and that I hope her Thanksgiving dinner was great!

Okay, here are the favorite snaps of the day!

Lips are over rated

There is just too much focus on those pouty lips. I say that pouty lips are so 90's.  Just check out these pouty eyes!  There is much behind those eyes but, see these little guys didn't whine, they just pouted and thought to themselves.  Such peace keepers. Yes, they got their way after all (without saying a word).  

 Chocolate Chip Yogurt Snack Cake

Adapted from Stoneyfield Farms Yogurt Cookbook

1 stick of butter 

3/4 cup of sugar

2 eggs

1 1/4 cups vanilla yogurt or plain

2 cups unbleached AP flour

1tsp baking soda

1tsp baking powder

1/3 cup choco chips (I heaped that cup)

Topping

1/2 stick soft butter

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup unbleached AP flour

1 1/2 tsp cocoa powder

1/4 cup semi sweet choco chips

Cake:

1. Mix all the wet.

2. Mix all the dry.

3. Combine.

4. Pour into greased 9x13 pan.

Topping.

Mix all ingredients. Sprinkle evenly over cake batter.

Bake at 350F for 30 minutes.

EAT!

 

Overnight White Bread

Here are the loaves of bread I made for my family.  I wasn't very sure how this particular loaf would turn out but, it is delicious.  It is chewy and soft like a croissant.  The bread is not really crumbly but still, it toasts beautifully.  These loaves are a little small.  I split one batch for one loaf into two.  I think next time I will make sure to leave it in one pan.

Anyhow, I call this my "Overnight White" bread because it takes all night to proof.  And I swear it takes all my patience to wait until morning to bake it.  But, it was well worth the wait. 

I did of course slather on a nice big spoon of blueberry cherry preserves on a teensy slice.  So. Good.

Open it up to full frame.  See how pretty the bread really is.  Oh! And I just wanted to throw it out there, my house smells wonderful right now. ♥

Wordless Wednesday

 

I made this beautiful tart today for lunch.  It was so gorgeous, I couldn't wait to tear into it. So, a piece is missing from the back.  I don't care. I left the rest to share with you all!

Yes, it was delicious.  And the crust was great too.  And i think it cost me $5 to make. And I think it would serve at least 4.  Not too shabby for a weekend delicacy. 

I also made Cowboy Sandwiches but, I didn't take a picture of that because it is sort of uggg-ly and ordinary.  But, they are an absolute favorite in our house.

How to make it!

Yummy Leek Tart

1 bunch of leeks (tender parts sliced thinly-half moons)

1/2 cup cream or half and half

1 pinch nutmeg

1pinch salt

1pinch pepper

1 tbsp flour

1 tbsp butter

1 tbsp oil

1 pkg puff pastry

1 egg

1 tsp water

1. Preheat oven 400F.  Slice the leeks. Bring the pastry to the counter to come to room temp.  Prepare it by unrolling the sheets and laying them flat on a baking sheet.  Prepare egg wash: 1 egg yolk and a spoonful of water mixed.

2. Combine butter and oil in pan.  Add leeks and cook until soft and bright green.

3. Add in flour and cook for about a minute. 

4. Add in cream and stir until thick. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

5. Spread on the prepared pastry.  Slice the remaining pastry into strips and run them diagonally going in both directions creating a lattice crust. Or just do whatever you like!  Brush with egg wash.

6. Bake at 400F for about 15 minutes. 

7. Cool. Take a picture. Post it here. Then serve it!

What a day!!! Happy 1sts Day!

Day of 1sts:

Middle school for the first time.  Riding the bus alone for the first time.  Cell phone for the first time. No mommy for the first time.

School by himself for the first time.  First time to change classes during the day.

1st Professional Haircut. :oD
Before

During

After

Eat your heart out! My baby is gorgeous!  He charmed the composure right out of those lady hair dressers.  Got himself a whole lot of attention, as always.  Distracted them from their work.  And he LOVES his handsome haircut. ♥

Wordless Wednesday

Circus Acrobats/ Gymnasts

The boys and girl have been having personalized gymnastics sessions this entire week.  So when we went to see Ringling Bros this morning, it only ignited a small fire for tumbling and risk taking.  Here is what my circus acrobats were doing all afternoon. Action shot of somersaults and costume change. 

But, I have to tell you that I had not been to the circus in at least 30 years.  At least, the last I remember going I was VERY young and I can't remember my baby sis with me.  So at least 30 and I am stickin to that story.

Anyway, it was so much FUN! Outrageously expensive for concessions but, the show itself was GREAT! All the kids loved it.  I hope the boys don't try the flaming guy cannon ball or the high wire act. That could be a bad thing in this house.

I wish I had taken my camera but, I didn't know if they would allow it in or not. They would :( So I missed out on beautiful photos but, I did get to see the whole show. Yay!  This was the most fun I had all year long. I think the kids feel the same way.

Lunch Lesson

Kid3:If you are upset, you should eat something. Then you feel better.
Me:Yes, you do feel better if you eat but, if you are upset you should hug, pray, practice quiet time, or exercise.
Kid2:Because you should eat when you're hungry.
Me: Yes, and because if you are upset a lot you will have to eat a lot.
Kid1:And then you will get fat and be upset so you have to eat more. And end where you started.

I guess they don't need an emotional eating lecture. They have all got it down.

Healthy Pancakes?

This is what I made for myself this morning.  They are supposed to be healthy but, I don't know if they are or not.  They don't taste healthy (you know like cardboard with salt on top).  I loved them, not too sweet and super decadent for breakfast. I had two of these and they are so filling.  No syrup needed but, you can add it if you are drawn to maple syrup sin. :o)

There is no refined sugars. Minimal dairy. And lots of good stuff like whole wheat flour and raw oats, bananas, vanilla, an egg or flax instead (I didn't have any). I tried, I like them, my kids think they have too much banana flavor for pancakes. It is like eating a breakfast bar. The recipe says 3.5 pancakes is 400 cals but, I swear that 2 will be plenty for anyone. Gonna freeze the extras and eat them on my run days.

I will save some for my heart throb.  He left early today so he didn't get to try them.  ♥

Houston Museum of Natural Science

Snaps from our visit to HMNS. It was really a good time! Here is some of what we saw.

Don't you want to know what he was saying to little brother? Notice little brother stopping him? They had a discussion about this display. My little intellectuals.

The Four Most Important People

♥This is all I see.♥

Old Cherry Salsa

Every wonder what to do with those old cherries in the fridge that no one wants to eat because they are getting a little wrinkly? They aren't moldy or soft, they are just not show room shiny. They are like the middle aged cherry. :o( Okay, if you have wondered, then I have something you might like.

You guessed it.  I decided to make a salsa out of them. And you know that they are fresh and tasty and very satisfying in a salsa.  Go figure.  This is what it looks like once it has been lightly charred and whirred in the blender.

Hubby, please bring home some corn chips to eat with this.  I can't believe all I have in the pantry are those blasted Doritos. Ha!   There are all versions of recipes of salsas on line so I won't bother writing a recipe down. In fact, I think this one was a blend of 5 different web sites.  (I did put cilantro and tomatoes in it, I just didn't have any left over for the glam shot.) Salsa, is always done to taste anyway.

Isn't she lovely?

♥

 

Isn't she wonderful?