Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Pickled Beets

beets
Ah beets, I'm not sure when I started loving them. As a child I hated them, but then something clicked and I realized just how wonderful they were. I have been having wild desires for pickled beets the past few months but refused to buy them pre-done in a can (that's another post entirely I'm afraid). Troubles with any pickling recipe I was finding though was they all made a ridiculously huge amount. An amount that would last my family the next 60 years. An amount that started with 10 pounds of beets! So I had enough... I improvised my own recipe scaling it down for a reasonable 2 pounds of beets and they are wonderful!!

Pickled Beets
2 pounds beets
1/3 cup white sugar
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup + 1 tbsp white vinegar
Small handful of whole cloves

Place beets in a large pot and cover with water. Boil until fork tender and remove from pot, reserve the beet water and allow everything to cool. Once the beets are cool enough to handle peel and cut into slices or cubes.
Fill sterilized jars with beets (I used 3 regular sized jars) and add several whole cloves to each jar (4-6 depending on your clove love).
In a large sauce pan add 1/3 cup reserved beet water, sugar, salt and vinegar and bring to a rapid boil. Pour the brine over the beets and seal the jars.
Place a rack (or tea towel) on the bottom of a large pot and fill halfway with water and bring the water to a boil. Carefully add the jars to the pot of water, adding more water if necessary to cover the jars completely (leave plenty of space between the jars). Bring the water to a full boil, cover and let the jars boil for 10 minutes. Carefully remove the jars from the pot and allow to cool!

Done and done!  

Monday, January 21, 2013

Musical Monday: Matthew West - Safe & Sound

Kinda love this song... makes me think of all my babies... makes me cry too... seriously, I cry at everything now that I'm a mama, but that's a whole other conversation...


Wednesday, January 16, 2013

The 4 F's of 2013

jan
It's January... the month where you set goals for the up coming year, vow to loose those last 10 pounds and watch how you spend your money so you can be a millionaire in 5 years. I understand, I've done it too... incase you are just tuning in I am crazy in love with goal setting!
This year though I decided to switch things up and not set any goals... not a one!
I have decided that instead of setting goals I am choosing areas in my life to focus on... with intention if you will.
I decided to stick to a letter theme, because something about that seems fun to me.
So I present to you, my 4 F's for 2013.

1. Faith - Every year I attempt to read my bible in 365 days... every year I fail. This year I decided that setting that goal in the past has never really been about completing the goal but more what it meant, sitting down and intentionally putting time and effort into my spiritual growth. So this year, no goal to read my bible in its entirety, but to just read it. To set aside time each day to read my bible, no matter if it's a few chapters or a few verses, and to pray.

2. Family - I am always thinking of ways to become a better mother, wife, daughter and sister. This year I am going to stop thinking and start acting, I am going to be more present in my kids lives, put more effort into showing my husband how much he means to me and put a greater effort into my longer distance relationships with family.

3. Friends - My mister's job causes us to move, and those that we are close with (who are often in the same profession) to move quite constantly as well. Because of all the moving it can become difficult to make and maintain friendships. I have decided to dedicate more of my time to making and maintaining good friendships. I'm not looking to up my contact list in my phone by any means, but I am looking to grow lasting relationships.

4. Fitness - There was a time (pre-kid, naturally) that I was fit. I might even say I was very fit, not extremely, but very. Then I had kids and finding the time to focus on my health and fitness became harder and harder. This year I've decided to try and get back in shape, don't read loose weight as this is just a side effect of the true focus here, to once again be able to run up the stairs or chase after my kids without getting winded.

I am so excited about 2013 and the focus and intention I am hoping it will bring!!

Monday, January 14, 2013

Musical Monday: Andrews Sisters - Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy Of Company B


This song sets the beat for my week and I'm loving it!

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Be Right Back

brb
We've had a busy last couple of weeks and are scrambling to catch up to the speed our lives have taken. I'm afraid I need to step away from the computer for a couple of days while I regain my footing from the holiday craziness!
See you in a week!

Monday, January 7, 2013

Z is for Zachary

z
You thought I had forgotten hadn't you? No, no... forgetful I am not, just sometimes... delayed. Punctuality is not my strong suit.
I must say, naming a child a name that starts with the letter Z comes in quite handy for projects like this. While most people struggle to think of something creative or original all I have to do is look to my first born.
My Zachary... such a sweet and sensitive little boy. He has an incredibly soft heart and loves deeper then anyone I've ever met. He loves to cuddle, superheros and angry birds. He is learning to read so quickly and colors like a pro. He was the first part of my heart to grow legs and walk around outside of my body. He is the biggest helper any mama could ask for and snores like a 300 pound man!
Ah Zac... growing so fast it makes my heart ache.