As most know, I do not cook. Not that I am incapable mind you I just simply don't. My mother is a home economics teacher so I have grown up around cooking however something along the way just simply didn't stick. The thought of spending hours making and preparing food and have nothing long term to show for it does not appeal to me. After 9 months of blissful marriage Mom Tobler took the bull by the horns and created a fool proof strategy to get me cooking her poor son food. For this I am grateful! This post is more so for me than for my readers. I am a visual person and things stick when I can see and do. Now that I've done it I need to see what I did. For those of you who speak "food" fluently please do not judge. :) Yesterday I made Chicken Pot Pie from scratch and yes I am very proud!
First we made the Butter Pie Crust:
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter chilled and diced
4 tbsp ice water
1. Throw all ingredients into the mixer & cube butter
2. Mix until approximately the size of peas. While pulsing gradually add in ice water one TBSP at a time. It took approx. 3 1/2 for it to form into dough.
3. Roll it thinly out into a rough circle form
5. Place inside of pan and cut edges off.
6. We didn't have enough dough to make both a big and a little one so we took the extra dough and make little cut outs to decorate the top.
Next I made the Filling:
1/3 cup butter
1 onion finely chopped
1/3 cup flower
1 3/4 cup chicken broth
2/3 cup milk
salt, pepper, thyme, sage and chicken bouillon to taste
2 cups left over turkey or chicken
2 cups vegetables fresh or frozen
(we all know fresh is the way to go!)
I neglected to take pictures during this part as I found it straight forward. What a horrible blogger I am.
1. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. Melt butter in a large skillet and saute onion and celery (if using fresh veggies) until soft
3. In a separate pot boil carrots, beans and potatoes until "crisp-tender". This is to ensure they are tender but not mush when pie comes out of the oven.
4. In skillet add flour and cook until golden.
5. Add Broth, milk and season to taste. Stir until thick.
6. Add meat and vegetables and cook until hot (frozen veggies)
7. Add meat and vegetables and cook until hot
8. Add to prepared pie crust and decorate with left over dough. If You have enough dough left over brush crust lightly with butter and cut vents.
Bake for
30 - 35 minutes. If possible allow to cool 10-15 minutes before cutting.
(We neglected to add spices to broth hence the pepper on top.)
Off of the top of my head I can't think of anything more satisfying than sipping piña coladas on a warm spring day with my wonderful husband. I am so grateful to have such an amazing man to call my own. I love him dearly and appreciate all of the hard work he does every single day. He always goes out of his way to make me smile. Yesterday morning he woke me up after he got back from school at 10:30. That was the latest I had slept in for the past two weeks. I told him I had a head ache and didn't feel well so he went to the kitchen and got me some cereal covered in yogurt and proceeded to feed me. Yes pathetic I know but it was cute. I wasn't feeling horrible yet he insisted on feeding me. He's never fed me before mind you, and although I can't be certain I have a feeling he just wanted to get yogurt all over my face. It's simple moments like these that I treasure the most. When we are laughing, goofing around and enjoying the time that we have together. To often I let these moments slip by and replace them with trivial things that can wait till later. Learning to be a wife has presented me with new challenges that I wasn't expecting but I am thankful to have such a devoted husband to share the journey with. We strive to continually find the joy in our journey and I pray that we never lose sight of that!
One day in the middle of daughter-in-law training Mom Tobler had a friend come over for a fitting. On several occasions I found her looking for something that had been misplaced in one of the three rooms that she works in. In an off hand comment she said "I think I need I need an apron or something to keep everything together." Ah ha the perfect mothers day gift.
If you know anything about Mom Tobler you would know that her taste in colour is well... rather dull. I phoned her from JoAnn's craft store and asked her "If you could have a fun accessory in any color what would it be?" Yes I know vague but I did say FUN. She replied with "Black, White, Navy Blue.. maybe Grey." I told her that her concept of fun was slightly different than mine and said I would take care of it myself. I love this fabric! And it worked out beautifully!
Of course I had a tutorial to follow as my sewing skills are all right but nothing stellar. If you'd like to make one you can find the tutorial here.
She also shares how to make the flower here. These flowers are simple to make and absolutely adorable. I made a few for my head bands. I was so exited to give the finished product to Mom T, I could hardly wait! She was pretty happy with her new apron even if it wasn't black. Personally I thought it was adorable I think I might make one for myself & Momma van den Berge for her home economics class when I get back home to Canada. :) Happy Mothers Day.
I have been looking for a desk for quite some time now. I couldn't stand Jakob's old table. It was just to BIG for our one bedroom apartment. This desk is solid wood and is in excellent condition. How much? $15 Yes, I know! I love it!!!
On Saturday we found the little filing cabinet for 5 bucks. Yes neither the desk or the cabinet are the colour that I dreamed of, however that simply means I won't be so attached to them when Jakob and I end up making the great move to who knows where.
I got this skirt for 2 bucks and I absolutely adore it! The lady had traveled to Scotland and bought several of these. Now I wish I had gotten a green one as well. Oh how I love yard sales!
Isn't this just precious. Okay I know what all you Canadians are thinking "She's gone to the dark side" but seriously for a dollar I had to get it for Jakob. You should have seen the smile across his face. Don't you worry I will put up the Canadian flag on Canada day! And if I ever stumble upon a Canadian quilt I'll be on it faster than stink on a wart hog! Perhaps I should just make one. Anyone have a good pattern?
1. Throw all ingredients into the mixer & cube butter
2. Mix until approximately the size of peas. While pulsing gradually add in ice water one TBSP at a time. It took approx. 3 1/2 for it to form into dough.
3. Roll it thinly out into a rough circle form
5. Place inside of pan and cut edges off.
7. Add meat and vegetables and cook until hot
8. Add to prepared pie crust and decorate with left over dough. If You have enough dough left over brush crust lightly with butter and cut vents.
Bake for 30 - 35 minutes. If possible allow to cool 10-15 minutes before cutting. (We neglected to add spices to broth hence the pepper on top.)
Recipe: (For powder)
1. Place bar of soap in large Ziploc bag and hammer down into small pieces. It's best to do this on the concrete :)
2. Put soap crumbs in blender and add Washing Soda & Borax. Blend to mix together.
