Aunt Jessi's Chocolate Crinkles

Ian had a busy morning today.  He helped Mommy start a load of laundry, water the plants, and sweep the kitchen.  Then he got to make cookies for the first time today with Mommy!  We decided to try Aunt Jessi's Chocolate Crinkles.  Right now, we are waiting for laundry and the cookies are chilling in refrigerator.  I don't know if Ian will actually get to help put the cookies on the pan to put in the oven - he might be taking a nap by then!

As you can see, he sure was happy to be helping Mommy make cookies!  He really did good - didn't have TOO big a mess to clean up when we were done!

I certainly appreciated the "help" stirring!  He only got the spoon out of the bowl a couple of times.  He had a few smudges of chocolate on his arm by the time we were done (not exactly sure how that happened...)!

Here is our proof that we didn't make MUCH of a mess!  

This is what you do when you have finished mixing up a batch of cookies with Mommy - you sit in your sister's chair and put your feet up on Daddy's chair (since neither one are here!)  We are looking forward to baking and eating those yummy cookies we made, but first we have to eat lunch.  I think I'll make mac & cheese, then later we can eat chivo (goat)!

Riding the Train

I got to ride the train yesterday!  I was so excited when my friend Ruth asked me to go material shopping with her in a place called Gamarra!  Gamarra is quite a ways from here, and it meant taking the train to get there!
I have always loved trains, so you can imagine my excitement of getting to actually ride on the train.  I have been saying for a long time that some day I want to drive the train!  I don't think anyone will ever let me drive this train, but who knows?
Gamarra is a place that is (as Matt would say) "slap full" of people!  But there are all kinds of material shops there.  Any kind of material you can imagine can be found there!  I was able to find some material for Martha.  She's been growing like a weed and is in need of some new culottes and skirts.  There is a Deaf lady (Lupe) here who sews beautifully, so I am planning on asking her if she would be willing to sew some clothes for Martha!
Well, my coffee cup is almost empty, and it is almost time for our language class, so I must run!  Have a great day!

Tomato Sauce

Well, I have heard it said that the third time is the charm - we'll see.  I tried my homemade tomato sauce recipe the other day and it did not turn out like it had the first time - it was FLAT!!  I added all kinds of stuff and nothing helped!  Then I remembered what I was missing - bell pepper!  Of course I didn't have one on hand that day!  So I tried it again today - with the bell pepper!  I think it helped to pray over it - especially since I had company coming for lunch and I was planning on using it in the Mexican Rice I was making!  So (write it down, Jessi!) here is the official recipe for Sarie's Tomato Sauce.


6-8 tomato, cut into small chunks
1/2 c. shredded carrots - (I used just over 1/2 a cup - maybe about 3/4?)
1 bell pepper, diced
1/2 onion, chopped - (I use red onions because that's what I can get here in Peru!)
2 cloves garlic
1 1/2 tsp. fresh chopped parsley - (dried parsley would probably be about the same)
1 1/2 c. water
1/2 tsp. Italian Herb Seasoning - (that's what I happen to have on hand - I think a mixture of oregano, thyme, and rosemary would work just as well - just adjust to your taste.)
Salt & Pepper to Taste
Olive Oil - (I just drizzle some into the bottom of the sauce pan - enough to get the onion and garlic going - maybe 1 Tbsp.?)


Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil until the onions start becoming translucent.  Add peppers and sauté
again (5 min. more or less).  Add shredded carrots and sauté some more (another 5 min. or so).  Add tomatoes and water.  (I add about 1 cup of water when I put in the tomatoes, then add another 1/2 cup after it has simmered for a while - if it needs it.)  Bring to a boil and simmer about 15 minutes.  Mash tomatoes every so often (I use the big wooden spoon that belonged to my Grandma Knapp!)  The tomatoes add moisture, so you may not want to add extra water.  We like the sauce chunky, so I only mash the tomatoes by hand, but you could run it all through the blender or use a mixer if you like it smooth.  Add herbs, salt, and pepper (to taste) closer to finish time.


Remember this recipe started when I decided one day to stray off the safe and secure path of "Cookbook Lane"!  Let me know how it turns out for you all!  Matt and the kiddos like this tomato sauce used in my Mexican Rice Recipe - another story, another time!  Happy eating!!

Welcome!

I have decided that I would like to have my own blog - separate from our website.  We will still have the blog on the website.  I wanted something that is just for me, and my everyday life - a place to put recipes if I want to, a place to come to with a cup of coffee and share my days with you!  So....welcome to my world.....!