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Hobo Dinner

Keith LOVES having hobo dinners while camping so when I was looking through my new cookbook I was excited to see a crock pot recipe for them. This way he could enjoy them even in the winter! In the end his was less than impressed with my dinner BUT I think I have some ideas on what would make him like it more...

What you need:

• 5 potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 1 head cabbage, coarsely chopped
• 16 oz. package of baby carrots
• 1 onion, thickly sliced
• salt and pepper to taste
• 14 oz. package, smoked pork sausage, sliced into 2 inch pieces (I do not like sausage so instead I ground one pound of beef)
• 1/2 cup of water

What you do:

Spray a slow cooker with non-stick vegetable spray. Layer vegetables, sprinkling each layer with salt and pepper. Place meat on top. Pour water down one side of slow cooker. Cover and cook on low setting for 6 to 8 hours. 

What I will do next time:

I think part of the reason Keith wasn't as excited about this dinner was because it wasn't cooked on a campfire and that's how he preference his hobo dinner. Additionally, he was not impressed with only water being used. He suggested cream of mushroom soup would add that little bit extra to make it great. I do think this is a good idea. We just didn't have any. Last, I think it makes too much for my crock pot. I have a normal size crock pot but that's a lot of food in it. 

Even though he wasn't thrilled I think this is something we will make again. It's a nice hearty dinner and would be good paired with french bread.

Company Chicken and Stuffing

This is a new recipe from a cookbook I got for Christmas. I thought it was a make again recipe.

What you need:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 4 slices swiss cheese
• 1 package chicken flavored stuffing mix
• 2 (10-3/4) cans cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 cup chicken broth

What you do:

Arrange chicken in slow cooker; top each piece with a slice cheese. Mix together stuffing mix, broth and soup; spoon into a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low setting for six to eight hours.

This was a simple, easy, and quick recipe. It was perfect=chicken+stuffing+cheese

Nass Family Christmas

Christmas has always been a favorite time of the year for me. There is something magical about the night of the 24th. When I was little it was knowing Santa was out there delivering his gifts, now it's thinking of Mary's ride on the donkey and the miracle of Jesus's birth. I love the pre Christmas prep: picking out a tree, finding the perfect gifts to let people know how much they mean to you, baking Christmas cookies, singing along to carols and of course the best part: spending time with family. My mom found a quote on pinterest that is perfect to describe Christmas and family and love. It says "Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas  if you stop opening presents and listen" The Nass family has been together each year for Christmas, keeping many of the same traditions year after year and to watch our family is to witness love.

Kolby enjoying his cookie

Kolby helping

Making Christmas cookies with dad

Mom and creepy santa

Kelly and creepy santa

Puzzle Time

Since Christmas fell on a Wednesday this year it made for a quicker celebration than we'd prefer but we made the most of the time we had. After work on Monday Keith and I headed home. We met up with some friends from high school and had a WONDERFUL home cooked meal (cooked by one of my friends). We had such a good evening talking and laughing! I was sad to see it end. We then headed to my parents house. Ben and Kelly, Mara and her family, and Greg were already there playing games!

Christmas Eve morning we had a lazy start enjoying breakfast and coffee while chatting and watching the birds. We had our family Christmas and were all blessed with too many gifts. This year my mom tried something new (from pinterest) We all got something we needed, we wanted, something to wear, and something to read. It was a very cool thing to do. We spent the rest of the day relaxing and playing games. Dad made a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner with ham and turkey and all the usual fixings. Keith surprised us with a carrot cake cheesecake which was scrumptious!! That evening we all got dressed up and headed to Christmas Eve service at church. As always it was very special. We came back to my parents and played games until everyone was exhausted!

Kelly with her "something to wear"

Dad and his gift from Ollie

Kelly made us pictures of our old house. A wonderful gift to remember the house!

Keith and his something to read! Hopefully it's not above his reading level!

Kolby and his candy cane bone. Sitting on his new bed from grandpa and grandma.

Our chef preparing dinner!

Keith's cheesecake!

All dressed up for Christmas Eve service

The Carlson Family!

Christmas morning the little girls woke up first to see what presents Santa had brought! The rest of the gang slowly woke up and checked their stockings. My mom made cinnamon and pecan rolls and scrambled eggs for breakfast. Even Kolby got a roll, although not on purpose. He stole mine. Our helper elves then delivered gifts to the group and we opened presents. Lots of laughter and love in the room. We spent the day playing games and relaxing, enjoying each other's company again. Mara brought some "minute to win it" games we all enjoyed. The kazoos were the biggest hit and a mini concert was put on for anyone who wanted to listen. The traditional bingo game was forgotten so we tried a new game involving reading a story and passing presents around the circle. It turned out to be a little to challenging for the Nass family but we had fun anyway.

 

Abby opening her stocking. Norah looking for hers!

The little girls decorated Abby the cat!

Baby P's first clamp! Santa used to bring me clamps every year (which my dad then took to his shop...) Wow, I look great!

Abby and Mom

Keith and Kolby waiting for a game to start sitting by Abby

Two cool looking dudes

Minute to Win It Winners! Kelly and Bethany

Some "treats" Dave brought. 

Kazoo preformance

Everyone had to head home or to work the next day (except Keith and I) so we had a slow morning. I tried out my parents new bathtub...which is wonderful! A couple of Keith's friends from way back were getting together to go shopping in Ankeny (think Bass Pro Shop, Menards etc). so I took the opportunity to get a bit of pampering in Ames. I got a pedicure and manicure and then got my haircut. I also got to have lunch with my mom at downtown deli. Can't beat that! We packed up that night and headed home. I had to go back to work Friday and Keith ended up getting recalled for Friday night.

It was much to quick of a Christmas but we enjoyed every moment. We're looking forward to next year when our little guy will be here to celebrate!

We have Keith's family Christmas this weekend which we are looking forward too!

Baby updates (30-35 weeks or 31-35) I don't remember where I left off...

Baby is continuing to do well and grow! He is still very active, even though he is running out of room. Here are pictures from week 30-35 since I can't remember if I included 30 in the last point. We are at 36 weeks today but my photographer is snoozing so will have to post later.

 30 weeks

 31 weeks, Thanksgiving!

 32 weeks

 33 weeks, I promise I'm not choking Kolby. He was bothering my photographer.

 34 weeks

 It was ugly Christmas sweater day at work...hence the homemade sweater.

 35 weeks, Christmas!

We had an appointment yesterday and everything is looking good. He has been measuring a bit small each time I went in but seems to have "caught up" with this appointment (must have been all the food at Christmas!) The doctor noted how tight my stomach skin is and how much room he is currently taking up. I said "I know!!" His heart rate still is hovering in the 150s. The doctor was able to find it much quicker this time, usually it takes a few minutes as he's all over. Last time he kept kicking the wand. He has flipped himself upside down and is currently laying diagonally with his head tucked into my left side and his rear end and feet hitting against my right rib cage...still...I can tell he is getting bigger and bigger as his movements are more defined. I frequently am playing "guess the body part". I'm waiting for him to "drop" out of my rib cage area. He is frequently poking my ribs making it uncomfortable to sit for too long. I've created my own little bed at work so I can lay down and work when needed. 

We hit 36 weeks today. I can't believe we are getting so close. I counted last night and only have 18 work days until my due date. We're around 29 regular days (as today is the 1st:). He's going to be here before we know it! I'm going to miss certain parts of being pregnant, like being able to feel him moving but I'm also ready to see his little face and welcome him into the family. (I'm also ready for some of these pesky aches and pains to go away!)

We've been continuing to cross items off our registry and to do list. We received a few bigger things we were still needing for Christmas which was great! My mom and dad also came down for a day to help me clean the fridge and freezer (deep clean) and my dad put together our new swing and bouncy seat. The only item I'd still like to get on our list is a baby monitor and I would really like to have the house deep cleaned and a few more meals in the freezer before he comes. Otherwise, I think we are as ready as we will be!

 Now we just wait patiently! Or try to!

Pittman House Updates

It's been awhile since I last blogged about what was happening around here. With baby things, Christmas, and Thanksgiving it's been a full six weeks. Here are some noteworthy items:

• The biggest news is Ben and his girlfriend, Kelly, got engaged!! AND set a date! They're getting married March 22nd in Champaign, Illinois. To say we are all excited maybe an understatement!

• Thanksgiving. We had a great Thanksgiving visiting family. We went to my parents house Wednesday night before Thanksgiving and spent the next few days playing games, relaxing, ate a lot of good food, and enjoying some good family time. Keith and I did just a bit of "black Friday" shopping: we just ran to the Boone Walmart. He picked up some games for his PS3 and I got some new movies. Our big item was a ping pong table we bought for my parents Christmas present. We spent the next few days enjoying that! Saturday we went over to Keith's parents for Thanksgiving with his family. We ate A LOT more food and enjoyed seeing his family. Keith had to work that night so we traveled home. Sunday we went on a Christmas tree hunt, which turned out to be quite the adventure. We went to two tree farms in the area with no success. We ended up at Menards in Ankeny and picked out one of their trees. Not as fun as cutting one down but it looks beautiful! Below is Keith and Kolby snoozing in front of the tree.
  
• My co-workers threw me a wonderful baby shower. Our big gift was a jogging stroller! My mom and dad then bought us the car seat. 
  

• In the beginning of December I had my last DUI class until April! Whoo hoo!

• Keith and Kolby went to Illinois to see his family and bring them the benches he made. His truck broke down when he was almost there (luckily, not out in the middle of nowhere so his family came to pick them up). Minus the truck issues he had a good weekend seeing family. Kolby also enjoyed exploring the many new places, grandma Lawrence and all her yummy food, his human cousins who often drop food, and even jumped in bed with his grandma and grandpa Lawrence! (Much to their surprise!) Keith's parents were also out visiting so they were able to give my boys a ride home. Due to a snowstorm they had a LONG drive home. Longest Kolby's ever been stuck in the car. Keith's mom said he was fine minus his stinky toots! Luckily, he bought some sort of maintenance warranty so it didn't cost much to fix.  

• Keith tried his hand at deer hunting again this year...without much luck. I had one bummed out husband by the end of the week. Maybe next year! Keith and Kolby spent most of the week at my parents, lucky them!

• We had a couple of baby appointments, he's getting bigger and our due date is getting closer and closer! (I'll write more about baby in next blog)

• We made the decision that I would go back to work full time after baby arrives. This was a very hard decision to make but after much debate we decided it was what was best for our family right now. Maybe something part time and closer to home will open up soon. We also found a possible daycare provider. We are meeting with her soon to see if she is a possibility. She agreed to work with our schedule which is a good start!

• Kolby hurt himself twice over the course of a couple days...he fell on some ice and bruised his version of an ACL. (Worst noise I've even heard come out of him and it was the quickest I've moved in a LONG time!) The doctor said with rest and a few pain meds it should heal fine. So I spent a weekend trying to keep him from moving...long weekend! He also cut his foot open while at my parents house. Who knows what he got into. It produced A LOT of blood but luckily stopped bleeding after a little while and seems to be healing on it's own. 

• Had my first snow day for work. Technically, it was an ice day. Hopefully we don't have too many more before baby's due date!

• We celebrated Christmas with my side of the family. (more to come)

I think that's all our updates for now. At least all I can come up with!

Mamaw's Breakfast Cobbler

This is another new slow cooker recipe. I made it last night with the intention to have it cook overnight but I ended up letting it cook to long so I have no idea how it tastes. BUT I got up at 3am to use the restroom and get a snack and it smelled/looked delicious! I put it on keep warm thinking it would just stay warm until I woke up. Not so much. Totally overcooked. It looked and smelled so good though I'm going to post the recipe anyway because I think it'll taste really good once I do it right.

What you need:

• 2 cups of tart apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
• 2 cups granola
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 c. honey
• 2 Tbsp butter, melted

What you do:

Combine apples, cereal and cinnamon in a lightly greased slow cooker and mix well. Stir together honey and butter; drizzle over apple mixture. Blend gently. Cover and cook on low setting for 8 hours, or until apples are tender. Do not overcook!

Enjoy!