Inventory List

Pantry

Baking

Flour     

Sugar    

Salt        

Pepper

Baking Soda       

Baking Powder 

Corn Starch

Cocoa                   

Chocolate Chips 

Coconut              

Marshmallows 

Cake Mixes

Brownie Mixes 

Pudding Mix      

Frosting               

Bisquick               

Powdered Sugar 

Brown Sugar     

Vanilla                  

Spray Butter      

Spray Olive Oil  

Olive Oil              

Veg. Oil                               

Shortening

Sesame Oil         

Vinegar               

Honey                  

Yeast

Breakfast

Cereals                

Oatmeal              

Granola               

Pancake Mix     

Syrup                   

Muffin Mix        

Canned Goods

Corn                     

Green Beans     

Beets   

Sauerkraut         

Black Beans       

Misc. Beans

Tuna fish             

Canned Chicken                              

Tomatoes                           

Tomato Paste

Cream of Mushroom     

French Fried Onions

Mushrooms                      

Olives                                   

Chicken Broth                   

Beef Broth                         

Pears                                    

Peaches             

Pineapple                           

Mandarin Oranges         

Apple Sauce     

Sweetened Cond. Milk

Evaporated Milk              

Soup                     

Peanut Butter        

Jelly                                      

Pickles                                 

Minced Garlic                   

Nutella                       

Pumpkin

Parm Cheese

Side Dishes

Pasta                                    

Spaghetti

Lasagna                               

Rice-a-Roni                        

Yellow Rice                        

White Rice            

Mac-n-cheese                  

Egg Noodles                      

Tortillas                                 

Ramen Noodles                               

Spaghetti Sauce                               

Alfredo Sauce                   

Bread Crumbs                  

Suddenly Salad                

Cleaners

Hand soap                          

Dish Soap           

Laundry Detergent         

Borax                                   

Dryer Sheets                     

Automatic Dish Soap     

Bathroom Cleaner          

Toilet Cleaner                   

Glass Cleaner                    

Lysol Wipes                       

Furniture Polish                               

Ajax                                      

Light bulbs

Paper Goods

Toilet Paper       

Paper Towels    

Napkins                               

Tissues

Plates          

Utensils                               

Cups                     

Toiletries

Soap     

Body Wash

Shampoo

Conditioner

Kid Shampoo

Deodorant

Toothpaste

Kid Toothpaste

Vitamins

Kid Vitamins

Wipes

Diapers

Fem. Products

Contact Solution

Q-tips

Cotton Balls

Face Wash

Hair Spray

Hair Products

Make-Up

Band-aids

Neosporin

Pain Killers

Kid Tylenol

Razors

Snacks

Crackers                              

Cheesy Crackers

Goldfish              

Granola Bars              

Popcorn                      

Fruit Snacks                       

Fruit Roll-ups                    

Candy                                  

Cookies                                               

Nuts                                     

Raisins                                 

Craisins                    

Graham Crackers            

Choc. Graham Crackers 

Marshmallow Fluff         

Chips                                    

Ice Cream Cones      

Jello Mix                     

Hershey Bars                    

Drinks

Bottled Water                  

Soda                                     

Juice                                     

Powerade                          

Crystal Light Pouches    

Capri Sun            

Hot Choc         

Nestle Quik Mix                               

Bags and Wraps

Snack Bags                         

Sandwich Bags                 

Large Sandwich Bags     

Gallon Bags                        

Alum. Foil                           

Plastic Wrap                      

Brown lunch bags

Parchment Pap    

Dressings

Italian                   

Ranch                   

Balsamic              

French                 

Caesar                 

BBQ                      

Ketchup              

Mustard              

Marinades         

Mayo                   

Salsa                     

Steak Sauce       

Ranch Mix          

Onion Soup Mix                  

Freezer

Meat

Chicken Breast

Whole Chicken

Chicken Legs

Meatloaf

Cooked Ground Beef

Hamburgers

Beef Roast

Pork Chops

Pork Roast

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Fish Filets

Fish Sticks

Cooked Chicken

Turkey Bacon

Breakfast Sausage

Italian Sausage

Ground Pork

Corned Beef

Imitation Crab

Hot Dogs

Ham

Pot Pies

Chicken Nuggets

Ground Turkey

Shrimp

Veggies

Broccoli

Green Beans

Edamame

Spinach

Stir Fry mix

Breads

Bagels

Rolls

White Bread

Hamburger Buns

Ravioli

Butter

Shredded Cheese

Potatoes

French Fries

Onion Rings

Tater Tots

Desserts

Ice Cream

Ice Cream Novelties

Popsicles

Go Gurts

Pie

Fridge

Sour Cream

Shredded Cheese

Chunk Cheese

Cheese Slices

Cream Cheese

Pepperoni

Potstickers...mmmmmm!

So I've been craving thesetasty chinese dumplings and decided to give it a shot. The results were amazing! I found the original recipes for potstickers and the wonton wrappers. In the future I may try to buy the wrappers to save on time, but we'll see. Start to finish it all only took under an hour to prepare. It made about 30 or so.

btw I didn't take this pic

I didn't have all the ingredients in the original recipe so I'll tell you what I did:

Filling:
1 lb ground turkey
2 cloves of minced garlic
2 tsp sesame oil
1 cup chopped celery
1/2 chopped onion
salt and pepper
pinch of ground ginger
a few drops of hot sauce

Mix all ingredients together in bowl. See that wasn't so hard.

Wrappers:
1 egg beaten
1/3 cup water
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt

-Beat egg. Add water and mix together.
- In separate bowl mix flour and salt. Create a well in the center and slowly add in egg and water combo. Mix well. If it is too dry add in 1 tsp water at a time until it forms into a pliable dough. (I needed to add 2 tsp of additional water to make it the proper consistency.)
-On a lightly floured suface need dough until elastic. Cut into two balls. Cover with a damp towel and allow to rest for at least 10 mins.
- Cut each ball into about 6 six pieces. Roll each piece out as thin as you can without it ripping. I found this to be the most challenging part. The dough is a bit firm and keeps pulling slightly back on itself. Cut it into a few pieces that seem appropriate size (I made some large and some small). Fill each with filling (small 1/2 tbsp, large 1tbsp). Pinch edges together.
-I chose to fry mine in oil. A couple gulgs of veg oil in a frying pan about 350 degrees (med-high heat). Be careful the oil doesn't get too hot or it will pop and burn you or just burn your potstickers. Cook on each side for 2-3 mins, turn once. Serve hot with a small bowl of soy sauce for dipping. I served it with a salad and white rice.
-Enjoy!

Reviews:
My kids loved the meat inside. Only my toddler refused to eat the wrapper. This was my mom's first time trying them and she adored them. She lost count of how many she ate. My hubby and I were also big fans and this dish has made it to the master list of dinners I make on a regular basis.

One night of mourning

Tonight I cuddled with my sweet hubby and we enjoyed a movie together. The movie was "The Monuments Men". He'd never seen it before, but I had.
One year ago I'd planned a Girls' Night Out. My mom and I met a few other ladies from church at the local theater. There were only 6 of us in the entire room that night. We enjoyed the film and our private screening. Little did I know that something less than beautiful was beginning for me.
After the movie a few of us stopped to use the ladies room on our way out the door. That is when my heart stopped. To my horror my pants were covered in blood. As my heart raced and my mind whirled I passed a softball size blood clot and the automatic toilet took it away before I knew what happened. 14 weeks pregnant and I believed my baby had just been taken from my womb never to be snuggled, never to be kissed, never to be celebrated. I left the bathroom shocked and afraid to ruin our evening. I walked with the group towards the parking lot nodding and saying the appropriate responses until I could climb into my van. My mom lingered with a friend, it was a tender mercy. My feelings could be corralled no more. The torrent of emotions drowned me. I dialed my husband and blurted out "I think I just miscarried." Through sobs I related the most recent events. I knew he was equally as devastated but I could only focus on my loss. In a minute I was off the phone and my mom opened the door. Imagine her surprise finding me in such a state. I spoke the same words to her. Her arms were around me trying to lift me from my plummet. I could hardly breath. I could hardly think. I wanted to drive. I wanted to fight. I wanted to somehow retrieve my baby. I couldn't see straight.
My mother drove me home and I changed my clothes in preparation for the hospital. I took a moment and called the midwives' emergency line to tell the midwife on call what happened. When she called back I related the story. By this time the tears had stopped, my breathing had slowed and my heart felt cold. The midwife agreed with my original conclusion. She believed I'd lost my baby. She questioned my physical state and told me to stay home and rest while taking tylenol. I believed her.
I hung up the phone and climbed toward my pillow. I left my dear mommy to see herself out. And I cried.
My husband curled up beside me and he cried with me. His child was lost as well. Sometimes I forget the wretched  night he endured. After a few hours my head throbbed, my eyes were dry and my soul felt empty. The worst part was I didn't want comfort. I didn't think I deserved comfort. I needed to suffer. I had to suffer. I was required to mourn for my baby. And I did.
Sleep came when tears no longer could.
At the breakfast table my eyes were glazed. My children chattered away and I recall them talking about the baby. I just looked to my hubby and thought "how am I supposed to tell them? why do I have to say there won't be a baby anymore?" I didn't. I couldn't, not yet at  least.
At 9:01am I called the OB's office to schedule my emergency visit. The scheduler handled the call gently, she apologized for my loss, another tender mercy of the Lord. The next few hours until my appt I spent huddled in my living room. I was still mourning my baby, but I was now sad for my husband. This was his birthday. I kept apologizing for ruining his birthday. To his credit he looked at me like I was crazy.
Around 11 we were waiting hand in hand to see the head doctor. The doctor you only get to see if something goes wrong. The doctor who's bedside manner was rumored to be extinct. I laid on the exam table while I gave the brief details. He exhaled and said "well, let's check to make sure." I didn't react to the chill of the gel as he applied the fetal monitor. Tears silently slid into my ears. After only a moment he looked me in the eye and said "You're still pregnant."
WHAT?! "Huh?" was my actual response.
"Are you sure?"
He said "You didn't think that heart beat was yours, did you? If your heart was going that fast you'd be in real trouble." And in that instant the elephant was lifted from my chest and feeling was restored to my soul. My husband and I felt confused but all I wanted to feel was the joy. The sunshine that returned to my soul. I hadn't lost my baby in that movie theater stall. After a series of tests and checks they found a beautifully healthy baby within me. I was put on bedrest for the next 6 weeks and left to wonder why it all occurred.
Today I snuggled my miracle baby. Today I kissed those cheeks. Today I celebrated his life. Most miscarriages don't end with such joy. The Lord gave me a chance to feel the pain of another's heartache. This experience taught me compassion, gratitude, and the pure love of Christ. I now know what to say or better yet what not to say to a woman suffering. I now know how fragile life is. I know that life continues forward and our cracks that occur from the tough times help us become more beautiful and perfect in the end.

Chocolate Dream Pie

This pie disappeared so quickly as if we'd only met once upon a dream.

Confession: Pie is my least favorite dessert. At Thanksgiving I make myself a pumpkin cheesecake. But it was an epic Pi day yesterday so I found one of the only pies worth eating. I disliked its original name so I took a poll of my family while devouring it and we named it "Chocolate Dream". It is very fitting. It is super fast, super easy, and super scrumptious. And I should mention NO BAKE! Even better!

Here is goes:

Chocolate Graham Cracker Crust :
Recipe:

• 2 cups crushed choc graham crackers
• 1/3 cup sugar
• stick of butter/marg, melted

1. crush 1 envelope and a half of choc graham crackers. 
2. place in bowl. 
3. add 1/3 cup sugar 
4. Add between 1/4 cup to a 1/2 cup of melted butter/marg. It needs to be moist and able to press into your pie pan and stay together. I used a whole stick but you may be able to use a little bit less if you like.
5. Press crumb mix evenly in 9" pie pan

Filling Part 1:

• 3 ounces of cream cheese
• 1Tbsp cold milk
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1 cup whipped topping

1. beat cream cheese, milk and sugar with electric mixer until smooth. 
2. Fold in whipped topping. 
3. Spread evenly on pie crust

Filling Part 2:

• Instant Choc pudding
• 1 3/4 cup cold milk

1. Whisk together pudding mix and cold milk about 2 minutes or until soft set.
2. Pour over first filling and spread evenly.
3. Chill until ready to serve.
4. Serve with a dollop of whipped topping. 
5. ENJOY!

You know you want to break into my fridge and steal this last slice.

Monster Truck Valentine

I made Max's Valentines for school and I am in love with them! We came up with the idea and I have to share it. I originally posted it on a collaborative blog with my sistas. Check it out!

Happy Valentine's Day!

9 weeks spent in another mom's shoes

I'm a mom of four beautiful, healthy, smart, independent kiddos. My blessings are innumerable. When my eldest was born my life changed. I was no longer priority number one. Heavenly Father gifted us a perfect babe and charged us with her care. As more children joined our family I discovered new aspects of motherhood. I've learned how to multi-task, how to keep children entertained, how to cook, how to hold my tongue, how to love more deeply. I'm not perfect at any of these but I'm no longer the same woman I was 7 yrs ago. And after my latest life lesson I'm a changed woman again.

9.5 weeks ago my entire family enjoyed the warm summer evening. As my hubby bbq grilled our meatloaf for dinner (best way to cook in the summer!) I rested my weary feet and soaked in the beauty of childhood giggles floating through the air. My swollen belly inhabited our second son who would join our family in a few weeks time. My sweeping yard contained my three wild ones racing and swinging. Before I knew it my real life dream was shattered. The sound of a twig snapping as my son fell from the monkey bars broke my spirit. Instantly, I knew his leg was broken. The wails tore through my heart and knotted my insides. The x-ray confirmed it and abruptly our summer came to a close. No more days on the sand jumping waves. No more roller coasters on the boardwalk. No more trips to the playground.

I went through some dark days. The struggles were tangible. Through prayer and patience the sun shone again. My sweet son began to learn new skills. He learned how to get into bed, how to climb on the toilet, how to go up stairs, how to get into a chair and onto the couch. We take our two functioning legs for granted. He rarely cried in frustration, but I still did. He scooted through the house on his bum raising his casted leg in the air. We referred to it as his Tarzan crawl, always on his knuckles. And best of all he learned to operate a wheelchair. I should say he mastered it.

His wheelchair provided us all with welcomed freedom. And this is where my new pair of shoes comes in to the story. For a moment I stepped into the shoes of a mom raising a child with a disability. I've learned these amazing mothers love their children. These moms yearn for their child to be included in the games and fun. Their hearts sing when their child finds freedom and happiness in the world. Their heart aches as their sweet one struggles.

Preschool began and my boy proudly rolled into the classroom. I missed his first day and I fretted about him whilst I snuggled my day old baby in the hospital. He reported that school was awesome and everyone loved his blue cast and his wheelchair. As weeks past he got a green cast. One day while wheeling out of the building he pointed to one of the many school banners on the wall. It is several feet long featuring children of a variety of races and ability levels holding a welcome sign. "Look, Mommy. There's a wheelchair. That says I'm allowed to come here." He beamed. This sign meant acceptance.

Politically correct and all-inclusive posters were so cheesy and over the top. I'd never understood why there needed to be such a variety on every sign papering the hallways until now. My heart leaps every time we pass that welcome sign. My eyes fill with happy tears as I recall the comfort it brought my boy to see a kid like him with his hand on the wheel of his independence. I spent 9weeks glimpsing the life of a mom with a disabled child. And I'm a changed woman. I no longer see healthy children as perfect. I now see all children as perfect.

Brough Babes: Unplugged

Sounds like an album we'll be releasing soon, but in fact it is our current state of being. Let me paint a picture of recent events that led to our latest album lifestyle.
The curly toddler awakes at 2am, sneaks downstairs and watches Netflix waking her kind, loving and always sometimes rational parents.
The Power Ranger loving preschooler who repeatedly "hi ya"ed his mother because she tried to put him in the van when he didn't want to leave.
The wannabee teenage first grader who made her little people talk to each other and say "Why were you kissing another woman? I'm your wife!" (truthfully, I still haven't figured out where that one came from but I like to blame Netflix.)
The knock down drag out fights over whose turn it was to hold the magical device while watching what others consider kid friendly shows.
The weeping and wailing when they were refused tablet time. The continued wailing after they were told "no" again and again and again until they were finally ignored and the wails turned into screams and physical blows to the mother's kneecaps.

You get what I'm trying to say now?

Our house is overflowing with toys that should be amusing my children. From the wooden blocks and puzzles to the Barbies and Rescue Heroes, we have more toys than I'd care to admit to owning. Its those yard sales that get me....but that's another story. My children were so obsessed with the soft glow of the screen and when they'd enjoy it next and who could ask first they were forgetting everything surrounding them.

While venting about the latest round of tears to my handsome hubby he simply said "They get no more tablet." At first I brushed this off. That is often their punishment for misbehaving. But as I continued my motherly duties I thought on it and at dinner we announced to the kiddos "The tablet is taking a vacation." You can guess how well that went over.
Two days have passed and I am loving it. Is my life easier? A little bit. Are those mountains of toys getting their fair share of fun? You bet! Are my children happier? This mama says yes.
My son has asked twice to play tablet. Both times I asked him why the answer is no. He responded mournfully "Because its on vacation for 100days!"(insert sob)
Originally, I said it would return around Thanksgiving, but we'll see about that. For now I'm enjoying the sounds of children playing school and detective, performing song and dance shows and fighting about other silly things kids deem unfair.

Disclaimer: Unplugging has led to children waking mom before the sunrises so they can eat breakfast instead of being amused by a screen. Unplugging has found a toddler attempting to serve herself breakfast by emptying the fridge of its contents and eating her older sister's school lunch that was already prepared on the counter. Unplugging has encouraged snuggles on the couch, as well as more pleas for visits to Grammy and Pop's house because they have cable.

I know this isn't a permanent solution but it helps today. My kids still get the occasional movie in dvd format. They see shows "On Demand" at my parents' home. I cannot forever control what images go into their developing brains, but for now I'd like them to be full of family life lived by the real people surrounding them that love them so much it hurts.