Monthly Archives: April 2012

Things That Make Me Go “Mmmm”

April 27, 2012

Tomorrow is moving day, which means, among other things, that my house is a wreck and my kitchen gear is, well, not in my kitchen. Tasty culinary adventures await me on the other side, and I look forward to cooking up lots of yumminess in our new space. For now, I want to share with you some recipes across the web that have had me salivating recently. I hope you enjoy them, too!   Beet Tart with Blue Goat Cheese by Desserts for Breakfast. Prepared puff pastry makes this dish easy-peasy, and the frisée looks just lovely.   Lentil “Meatballs” in Lemon Pesto …

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Pesto Chicken Salad with Walnuts and Red Peppers

April 25, 2012

This week has gotten off to an unconventional start as we prepare for an across-town move that is set to take place on Saturday. Boxes are being filled, the walls are starting to go bare, and we are doing our best to eat down the contents of the fridge and pantry. It’s always interesting what we find on those rare occasions when we clean everything out. I find myself asking questions like, “Why is there a Ziploc bag containing only 5 fishy crackers in the pantry?” and “How many years has this box of instant tapioca been open?” In our …

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Chocolate Chia Pudding Parfaits

April 20, 2012

Happy Friday, everyone! Today is a beautiful day, and not just for one reason. First, it marks two years since my precious little Eowyn was born. She was rather attached to my uterus and fought with all her might to stay cozied up in my tummy, but after a week of induction efforts, she finally decided to grace us all with her presence. She brings such joy to my heart, and I truly can’t imagine what our family would be like without her. We have loads of fun planned for this evening and weekend, including “meow” cupcakes, presents, and a …

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Beef Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)

April 18, 2012

It’s amazing what a good night’s sleep and a trip to the chiropractor can do for a woman. For the last several days, I’ve been battling joint pain and muscle tightness that, when combined with my crazy postpartum hormones, has made for a rough start to the week. As a stay-at-home mom, my desire is to nurture my kids’ hearts, teach them about the world around them, and guide the development of their character, yet when I am sluggish and exhausted, it seems I’m unable to do any of these things. Dora episodes run on repeat while I muster all …

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Kohlrabi Slaw with Fennel and Ginger

April 13, 2012

The sunshine and warmth of spring not only lift my mood, but the wheels in my mind start to turn in anticipation of all that is to come in the next several months. In my neck of the woods, June is the month when the farmer’s markets start to open, and I can’t wait to see all the fresh, delicious produce that will be available this year. It’s difficult to decide which aspect of the farmer’s market is my favorite. Of course, I love getting our food from local sources, but I also enjoy loading the kids up and heading …

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Herbed Ham and Lentil Soup

April 9, 2012

Spring officially started nearly three weeks ago, but it wasn’t until this past weekend that it felt like it finally arrived here in the Pacific Northwest. Sunshine and temperatures in the upper 60’s provided a festive backdrop for Easter merriments, and I was blessed to be able to spend the day with dear friends and family celebrating Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross. It wasn’t planned, but we ended up hosting dinner at our house yesterday. Living such a long distance from most of our extended family, we have a tradition of gathering with friends here in the Seattle area …

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Orange-Scented “Smashies” {An Ellis Family Tradition}

April 5, 2012

Concerning heavy cream in the Ellis household, when it rains, it pours. Months will go by without the consumption of a single drop, and then all of a sudden, I’ll realize that we’ve gone through nearly a half-gallon in a matter of days. This past week has been particularly cream-laden and while my waistline may disagree, I’ve decided I’m okay with that. A few days ago, I shared my recipe for Thyme-Infused Potato Gratin – a rich, decadent side dish that is the perfect addition to any Easter spread – and today, I present to you a dessert that will …

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Thyme-Infused Potato Gratin

April 2, 2012

It likely has something to do with the fact that I recently gave birth and am just now emerging from the newborn craziness, but it feels like this year is flying by at lightning speed. April is always a busy time for our family – there is Easter, of course, but three out of four of us also celebrate our birthdays this month. Now that the calendar has turned, I am suddenly feeling rather unprepared for all the merry-making that is to come. I suppose I better kick things into high gear and turn my lofty dreams into specific plans, …

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