I'm Back! (an update and a new recipe)

It has been exactly 2 years since I have posted on the blog. You probably can imagine how busy we have been with our 3 year old, 2 year old, and 10 month old. Yes there was a time that I had three children under the age of 3. Yes, we are crazy for having so many children so close (no, it wasn't planned-but has been a true blessing...and a test of patience!)..There leaves little time for internet usage, and even less time to sit and type a blog post! So for the sake of time this is going to be a post full of bullet points...Here we go!

• Changed the blog name. 
• I worked as an early learning center coordinator for 2 years 
• We had another child (Noah Shultz) 
• We've done endless ministry and my husband has traveled all over Alaska and traveled to the Philippines). 
• I am currently a Stay-at-home-mom and am loving it- This blog will be how I have established a routine and what I have done to homeschool our children and be the keeper of the home. 

And....I wanted to share with you one of our most favorite recipes.ever. It is so delicious and incredibly healthy for you.

Creamy Thai Carrot Soup (Healthy is in the name)

You will need:

*1 pound of carrots, scrubbed, pealed, and chopped (about 4 cups)
*1/2 yellow onion
*3 cloves of garlic
*1 Tbs. coconut oil
*2 cups veggie stock
*2 cups of water
*1/3 cup creamy natural peanut butter
*3 tsp. chili garlic sauce
* 1/8 cup coconut
*Salt & pepper to taste

1. heat skillet over medium heat. Saute garlic and onions with the coconut oil until onions are brown(ish).
2. Add chopped carrots and cook for 5 minutes.
3. Add ALL of the veggie stock and water. Bring everything to a boil. Boil for 3 minutes and simmer on low for about 20 minutes or until carrots are soft.
4. Cool down just a little and pour everything into a high intensity blender (I used our vitamix) and blend until smooth.
5. Add in the salt and pepper (I just used a dash of both), your peanut butter, and your chili garlic sauce.
6. Blend all again and taste test. Add peanut butter and chili garlic sauce to taste.

Serve with fresh basil and coconut flakes. Enjoy!

Pinned It...Did It....

If you have read this blog, you know I am a fan of Pinterest. The virtual pin-board for virtually just about everything you could imagine. Or anything you can find on the internet...And if you know me personally, you know that I love, love love cupcakes! I found this pin on Pinterest:

                                                                           Source: marthastewart.com via Tory on Pinterest

and decided to try and recreate this lovely concoction. We had a bake sale fundraiser during the Valentine Basketball Tournament that goes on every February here in White Mountain and it was a perfect time to create heart-shapes lovelies. I don't think mind turned out quite as beautiful, but people sure loved them! Here they are:

I also wanted to use my decorating kit that I rarely use. I think they turned out lovely! Thank you Pinterest for the lovely idea.

What are your valentines day plans?

Recipe Book

I haven't gone into much detail about our plans after the new baby arrives. We have told close family and friends and our current employer that we are officially moving back home (I'm working on a post about that soon, it's harder to write about leaving White Mountain than I thought it would be). In the process of deciding whether or not to stay here or go, we also had to make the decision on whether or not I will be working. Both my husband and I feel that the best thing for our children is for me to stay home. While I stay home I'm going to start my Masters in Early Childhood Education.

I'm nervous, excited, and a little scared about becoming a student again and a stay-at-home-mom. I have never done it. How am I going to take care of 2 children under 2 and go to school and keep the house clean and make sure all the meals are prepared and find time to get in shape-yet, again-and have date nights to reconnect with my husband and find time for just...me?

While I am a little nervous about being burnt out, I think of how amazing it's going to be to watch Bria and our new baby grow up everyday. All those little things that I missed with Bria because I was at work, I get to watch through our next baby :) ... I'm so so excited. As long as we are taking care of our babies, and I'm taking care of my husband, I figure all of the other things can go undone until I can figure out a solution to accomplish all of them. I know it's possible, and there are so many women out there who do everything, but I don't want to be overwhelmed in the beginning since our baby is coming soon!

I have started a goal for next year (when we are finally living in the house we built four years ago). My goal is to be more organized. So, my first attempt at becoming organized was to create a Shultz Recipe Book. I wanted one place for all our favorite recipes we have found online and our favorite family recipes. I swear I had stacks of recipes in the kitchen, spare room, I had my allrecipes.com account and I had a file on my computer for recipes. It took me forever to find what I was looking for. But now? I can just look into the book and find exactly where it was. Now, you are probably thinking, well duh Tory! Of course a recipe book is easier! But, I'm actually not that bright when it comes to managing a home...

Click "Read More" for free printables and the step-by-step process I used:

What Do you Do in -40 degree Weather?

Since we came back from Christmas vacation, the weather has been ridiculously cold. I don't even know if I can describe it as just cold because it has been colder than that, if you could imagine! With the temperatures ranging from -40 to -20 (being the warmest) plus windchill, it has been so uncomfortable! It has been too cold for any of the snow machines to start, so we have been walking Bria to her babysitters everyday, which is rough and makes our morning even shorter than it already it, but at least she is comfy cozy underneath her 3 layers, 2 hats, 2 pairs of gloves, nice warm booties, plus a face mask and 2 blankets over her in her chariot stroller!

With it being chilly out we are getting a lot done around the house and with my craftiness! I have managed to keep the house clean, laundry done, beds made, floors swept and vacuumed. I even have time to play with B :) ... On top of that I have made 2 more crochet hats! I have to admit, I love crocheting a lot better than knitting for several reasons. 1) It's quicker, which means instant gratification! 2)It's easier on my hands because I'm working only 1 crochet hook instead of 2 knitting needles. 3)easier to follow crocheting patterns than knitting patterns!

Here are my creations with-of course-our beautiful model:

Toddler Hat with Pom-pom:

Bria loved it so much, she started dancing. No joke.

Just because she's beautiful!:

And here is my first adult hat, I am going to add flowers once I learn how to make 'em!: 

 Lookin' Good bright eyes!

This is going to be a long post...Again...Because I have another creation:

Amish White Bread

This is my go-to bread recipe from now on! I made two loaves on Saturday. It's now Monday night and we have 1/2 a loaf left!! Clint said that I need to make this every 3 days, and you know what? I think he's right!

Amish White Bread
adapted from allrecipes.com

2 cups warm water (110 degrees F)
1/4 cup white sugar
1 1/2 Tbs. active dry yeast
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
5 cups bread flour**

1) In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam.
2) Mix salt and oil into the yeast mixture. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth (or plastic wrap) and allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
3)Punch down dough. Knead for a minute. Divide in half. Shape into loaves and place into two, well oiled 9X5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pan.
4) Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes
5) Once bread is done, cool in pan and then immediately turn bread upside down (it will be a little moist from the oil) to let dry.
6) ENJOY!

Luckily, the weather shows that it's warming up this week! It will be around -5 - 0 degrees!! The statement of the day is, "Man, it feels like a tropical heat wave!" ...Awwww... Life in rural Alaska!

We hope you are staying warm and cozy this winter :)

With love,

Bria Vs. Vanilla Wafers

Bria recently discovered Vanilla Wafers. The first time she saw the box, she sat quietly and diligently while trying to get into the box for about 15 minutes. She finally did. My girl. She's just like her Daddy: persistent, and smart! 

She sure is adventurous with food! I hope that never changes :)

Pasghetti Adventures!

Over the weekend, Bria had her first taste of Spaghetti and she absolutely loved every second of it. She ate it all by herself the entire time! It was hilarious to sit back and watch her try and get the noodles in her mouth. She figured out how to slurp the noodle into her mouth and continued to eat that way the rest of the time!

Here is the spaghetti queen:

New Favorite Food!

Blueberries! 

This weekend I had a bowl of Cheerios and Blueberries for breakfast. When Bria woke up and saw what I was eating, she wanted the same thing. So, I mixed up Cheerios and blueberries for her as well! She loves 'em! 

I love the fact that our baby girl is a good eater. She will eat anything and everything we give her. I am so thankful we are able to get fresh fruit and vegetables from Full Circle Farm to me, it's so important that our baby girl has the best nutrition she can get, and sometimes that's hard up here.

Here she is in all her blueberry beautifulness:

Bria Vs. Cheerios

I'm not sure who won: 

Tea Parties & Easter Story Cookies

Say what?! A post without the word baby or Bria?!

Enjoy:

My good friend (they actually feel like family) has been doing a tea party for the ladies here in White Mountain. It's a wondeful time for fellowship and to get to know the ladies better (and to be baby free for a few hours)! Anyway, this last tea party was held yesterday and it was as fun as always.

The hostess demonstrated how to create Easter Cookies! Besides being absolutely delicious with only six ingredients, the ingredients tell the story about Jesus and how he rose from the grave. Every ingredient represents a significant point through the story and is accommodated by a bible verse.

I have written it here for you to try with your kids, or just you. Trust me. It's that cute! It is also a great way to remind everyone what Easter is all about. Sometimes it's so easy to get caught up in all the Easter goodness of gift baskets, egg hunts, chocolate bunnies, etc., it's nice to know the reason for all that.

Here it is:

Easter Story Cookie Recipe

Let me know how they turn out! I can't wait until B is older so I can create all the holiday traditions for our little family :)

Morning Delight!

Good Morning!

I am at my 7 week mark postpartum and that means that it's time to get my body back in shape! Not just for this summer when we are going to the beach, shopping, hiking, camping, and taking wine tours (Oh yes!), but because I want to be as healthy as I can and not have to worry at all about the way I look or feel.

So, yesterday was the start of me getting back into exercising (not just yoga). I started Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred and at level 1 it was h.a.r.d I have a lot of work to do but it felt good getting my heart rate up and moving around.

After my workout I had the most delicious breakfast! And....It only took me 10 minutes to make! This recipe is from Oh She Glows it's a one woman show and she has an abundant amount of healthy recipes!

Apple Pie Oatmeal
adapted from Angela @ Oh She Glows

* 1/3 cup regular oats
* 1/4 cup milk or water
*1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
*1 apple (I used gala) but Granny Smith would work too! 
*1 tsp. ground cinnamon 
*1 tsp. nutmeg
*1 Tbs. maple syrup
*pinch of kosher salt


Now, this may not seem like an amazing breakfast, but trust me it is! I just wish I had all the ingredients that Angela at Oh She Glows had in her oatmeal. She added chia seeds, lemon juice, walnuts, vanilla extract, and used Almond Milk instead of milk/water. I wonder how scrumptious it would taste with all those added in?! 

Oh, life in the bush :) ... I'm off to order some ingredients so I can make some more delicious oatmeal recipes!

Love Day!

Like I said in our last post. Valentines Day is not one of our favorite holidays. Yes, I think it's wonderful to show loved ones that you love them and care for them, but shouldn't we do that everyday? I really don't like the flock of chocolate buying, card crazed, over-priced flowers, gotta have a nice expensive gift kind of mentality. Anyway, today I broke the "not going to do anything" rule about Valentines day and went with KISS (Keep It Simple Silly). Also, I realized that having a little one around really does make every.single holiday a bazillion times better! So that in itself is a good reason to break the rules. I did a couple things this year:

1. We received an exceptionally cute onesie and bib from Auntie Erika! THANK YOU AUNTIE! So of course, I had to put Bria in it to show her off. It was a tad bit big...But cute anyway :).

2. Our last post showed a couple pictures that were taken for a card we were making Clint. He received a homemade card along with some cheap chocolate!

3. Last year for Clint's birthday I had ordered supplies to make him a Pecan Pie, but they didn't come in the mail in time for his special day. So. I took those ingredients and made a pie for him.

homemade photo card +  cheap chocolates +  pecan pie + smooch 'n hug from both his girls

equals a good Love day for the special man in our lives :)  

Oh and here's the pie that I made:

It may not look good...But it was SO delicious!

Hope everyone had a good LOVE day :)

Sweet Savory Fries!

 These fries will change your life!

You will no longer want those icky McDonald's fries or any other fries for that matter...trust me on this.

While baking dinner (salmon to be exact) I remembered we had some sweet potatoes in the fridge from Christmas break. Although we love our sweet potatoes it was time to cut 'em, cook 'em, and eat 'em!!

I found this recipe online Here

Nut Butter Crusted Parsnip Fries

Adapted from Diet, Dessert, & Dogs.
Ingredients:

• 3 medium parsnips (or 2 medium sweet potatoes), peeled and cut into thin fry-like strips
• 1 Tbsp almond butter
• 2 Tbsp chunky peanut butter
• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp fine grain sea salt

Directions: Preheat oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean-up. Peel and cut parsnips into fry-like strips. In a medium size bowl, mix together the nut butters, olive oil, and salt. Take parsnips and toss in bowl with your hands until fully coated. Line up on baking pan and cook at 400F for 30-50 minutes until crisp. I cooked mine for 40 minutes, but probably could have left them in another 5 minutes to crisp up even more. They were wonderful!


Mmmm...Mmmm....Good!!

Craberry Delight!

Clint has been extremely busy this week with the Karate instructors in town and today, he had a cross country running meet-he has been coming home the last few nights around 11:00pm. Today the weather outside was wet and cold and as much as I wanted to be there to cheer the team on, I'm battling a head cold and don't want it to get any worse... But that's not to say I was unproductive.  I cleaned the house and I baked Clint a delicious Cranberry, Blackberry Bread with a lemon glaze! Did I mention that the orange juice was squeezed by hand?! I'm just sayin' :).






sorry, the last picture is blurry....

Here is the recipe: 

2 cups flour
3/4 cup white sugar (I substituted 1/2 for brown sugar) 
3/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup cranberries (whole)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (or raisins-or both!)
1/4 cup applesauce (or 1 egg)
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
3/4 cup orange juice
1 Tbs. orange zest
1-2 Tbs. milk

For Glaze:
some powdered sugar and some lemon juice (I didn't measure this part-but make sure not to make it too runny)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. Combine flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Add cranberries and walnuts(or raisins) and stir to coat with flour. Mix together the applesauce(or egg), oil, orange juice and orange zest. Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture, and stir until blended. If too dry add milk 1 Tbs of milk at a time until it gets moist.
3. Bake for 50 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. While baking, make the glaze.  Once the bread is done, cool in pan for 5 min. and drizzle glaze on top of the warm bread.  Cool completely for another 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack, and cool completely. Enjoy!
 
adapted recipe from here

Going Green!

So, to keep on with the blogland theme I have been wanting to try Green Monsters (which are smoothies that contain spinach!) Before you cringe, please check out the link to find out what all the buzz is about.

Well, we still don't have a blender, and when we received our full circle farm in with all the goodness I would need to make a Green Monster, I knew I had to do something!

I packed what I needed last night in order to bring the ingredients to work.

There are all sorts of veggies, fruits, flax, oats and such that you can put into your green smoothie, but I decided to stay with the virgin idea of the smoothie (just use the basic ingredients).

Here is what I made:

Peanut Butter Banana Goodness Green Monster (yes, it's a long name, but it's definitely the right one!)

3 large handfuls of spinach
1 medium banana
1 heaping Tbs. Peanut Butter
1/4 c. whole rolled oats
2 Tbs. flax seed
3/4 c. milk/or water if your milk didn't come in the mail :S
4 ice cubes
Sprinkle of granola

Do you like my 'play' stove at work?! 

Directions:

Put all the goodness in your blender ( I recommend the water/milk go in first, then the spinach so the blade can really cut into the greens).....

 See the oats in the bottom? It didn't work out too well.

After, blend, blend, blend.....blend, and blend some more! Pour in a cute lil' cup and sprinkle with granola. 

And chug your Green Monster back and taste all the banana and peanut butter deliciousness! I swear, you don't taste the spinach at all, believe you me! 

Obviously this isn't a 'cute lil' glass' but a mason jar. That's all I had :)