Another Recipe - Cinnamon Rolls

Here's another great recipe. This one I got from my friend Jessica, and I'm going to make it for something we are having at work this week. 

The night before:

1. Bring 1 stick of butter to a boil with 3/4 of a cup of brown sugar, and 3/4 of a teaspoon of cinnamon.

2. Put 12 frozen dinner rolls in the bottom of a bundt pan and sprinkle half a box of COOK AND SERVE butterscotch pudding powder evenly over the top. 

3. Put 12 more frozen dinner rolls on top, and pour the remaining pudding powder over the top. 

4. Pour the sugar mixture over the top, and cover loosely with foil. Let it sit out over night. 

In the morning:

5. Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees. 

6. Dump the bundt pan upside down onto the serving platter. 

**You can also serve these with pecans, but I never have. 

Chicken Pot Pie

I'm going to post this recipe. It is soooooo good! I didn't think I even liked chicken pot pie, but this is seriously yum! 

1. Peel 1 carrot and 1 parsnip. Cut the carrot, parsnip, 1 unpeeled red potato into 1/2 inch dices. 

2. Season 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are cut into 1 inch cubes with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper.

3. In a heavy pot with a lid, heat 2 tablespoons of peanut oil over medium-high heat until very hot but not smoking.

4. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Transfer to a plate.

5. Add 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter to the pot. Reduce the heat to medium, and let the butter melt.

6. Add the carrot, parsnip, potato, and 1/4 of a cup of water to the pot. Reduce the heat to low, and cook the vegetables, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften, about 5 minutes.

7. Stir in 2 minced shallots and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Meanwhile, fill a large bowl with ice water.

8. When the vegetables are ready, sprinkle 1/4 cup of flour over them and stir well.

9. Stir in 1/2 cup of dry white wine, 2 1/2 cups of chicken broth, and 1 teaspoon of thyme.

10. Return the chicken to the pot, raise the heat to medium-high, and bring to a simmer, stirring often. Transfer to a heat-proof bowl and nest the bowl in the ice bath. Let stand, stirring occasionally for about 30 minutes.

11. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Get 4 small bowls that can be put in the oven, each about 4 inches in diameter.  

12. On a lightly floured surface, roll out a thawed all-butter puff pastry into a 12 inch square. Cut out four 4-inch squares.

13. In a small bowl, beat 1 egg with a pinch of salt. Lightly brush the rim of each bowl with the beaten egg.

14. Divide the filling evenly among the bowls. 

15. Top each bowl with a pastry square, pressing it firmly against the rim.

16. Place the bowls on a rimmed baking sheet and put in refrigerator for 15 minutes.

17. Brush the pastry with the beaten egg, and sprinkle them with 1 teaspoon of thyme. 

18. Bake until golden, about 30 minutes.

19. Enjoy!!!

Updates - 26 Weeks

We had another doctor's appointment yesterday, and everything continues to be as healthy as can be. His heartbeat was 148 this time, which is higher than it has been recently. He was moving all around, as usual. And just like the last time, he kicked the doppler while the nurse was trying to get a heartbeat, and then he proceeded to turn away from it! I'm not exaggerating when I say that this kid moves around CONSTANTLY!! Colin even felt him kicking and moving at like 5am this morning before he left for work, when I was sound asleep. I think we are going to have an energetic one on our hands!

Our next appointment is Monday, October 13th, and after that one we go back every 2 weeks until December. I have to get a blood sugar test sometime this week or next to check for gestational diabetes. A week from today marks the beginning of the 3rd trimester. Other than that, nothing else is new. Still feeling pretty good, and my feet are starting to get a little better it seems! 

 

He should be nearing 2 lbs. according to my weekly email updates. We decided not to get the 4D ultrasound done. We'd rather put that money towards something we need for him, and plus, we will be meeting him soon enough!!! :):):)

26th Week

Feeling pretty good! My belly button has popped out of my stomach this week. He is still moving around all the time. Nothing else much new to report! Have a great weekend. :)

Christmas 07

IMG_1604
Originally uploaded by mlmccormick82

Remember this Christmas tree from last year? I don't think I was blogging back then, but the tree took up our entire office. Needless to say, we won't be cutting down our own tree this year. We are going back to that same place, but we are going to get one that has been shipped down from the north!! haha!!! So funny.

Precious

P1010209
Originally uploaded by mlmccormick82

I'm going through my FLICKR account, and I couldn't resist posting this one!!! Sooooooo cute of my dad and Paige.

Chicago Boat Tour

IMG_1844
Originally uploaded by mlmccormick82

My Disney annual pass expires next month, (I'm not going to renew it - for a while anyways) so I had made plans to go every weekend during this month. When Colin caught wind of that this weekend, he had a fit (for good reason!) because of my recent hospital stay... So instead of Disney, today after church, I treated myself to a pedicure, and that was the most heavenly thing EVER! It helped the swelling of my feet for about a half hour. But as soon as I got back up and walked to my car, they puffed right back on up! 

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! Can't wait to see lots of you in just 3 short weeks. :)

We're Done - Before and After PIctures of the Kitchen

These are the laminate countertops that were there when we moved in. I was trying to find a picture of the white appliances that were here too, but I can't seem to locate one.

Colin JUST finished grouting the back splash, and here is the finished product! Our kitchen is officially done, unless we decide to get new cabinets some day. These are pictures that show the new sink, faucet, counter tops, and back splash. 

24th Week

We've been dog sitting Phannie for the week which has been great. She and Roi are the best of friends, and it's so cute. I thought I would share a couple of pictures of them.

Colin wanted me to post this picture, but I think it is a bad angle and makes me look much bigger than I really am! :)

Here is a picture from farther away, which didn't make me look QUITE so big! Excuse my wearing Colin's huge slippers, but it's the only thing that feels good when I'm walking around the house with my big and swollen...Still retaining lots of water, but I think it's just the extra humidity that we have down here. Plus I'm on my feet literally from 7:30 until I get home around 4. When I get home I put ice on them (not sure that does anything???) and put them up. It seems to help a bit. During the day you can barely see my ankle bones! It's crazy! 

All is well around here. Not much of anything new to report though. I'm really looking forward to coming up north for my showers next month, and can't wait to see you all!