Or, as Jason calls them, Potatoes au Rotten. Honey, there ain't nothin' rotten about these taters! To see step by step pics, head on over to http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/01/perfect-potatoes-au-gratin/ If you never been to her blog/cookbook/photo blog, etc., then be prepared...it's chock full of stuff to keep you there for awhile.
If you make these, tell me what you think about them. I'm bending the rules on posting this one since I haven't made it yet. :)
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 1 Hour
Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 8
Ingredients
4 whole Russet Potatoes, Scrubbed Clean
2 Tablespoons Butter, Softened
1-½ cup Heavy Cream
½ cups Whole Milk
2 Tablespoons Flour
4 cloves Garlic, Finely Minced
1 teaspoon Salt
Freshly Ground Pepper, to taste
1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Freshly Grated
Preparation Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Smear softened butter all over the bottom of a baking dish.
Slice potatoes, then cut slices into fourths.
In a separate bowl, whisk together cream, milk, flour, minced garlic, salt, and plenty of freshly ground black pepper.
Place 1/3 of the potatoes in the bottom of the baking dish. Pour 1/3 of the cream mixture over the potatoes.
Repeat this two more times, ending with the cream mixture. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 20 minutes, or until potatoes are golden brown and really bubbling. Add grated cheese to the top of the potatoes and bake for 3 to 5 more minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Allow to stand for a few minutes before serving.
3.26.2010
3.25.2010
Post #102
Tonight is concert night. The concert night that almost didn't happen. The night when we can can go out as a couple and rock our socks to Casting Crowns. Forgetting labels, they do rock. If you were flipping through and heard the amazing band and vocals you might not pick up on the fact that they're singing about Jesus. And yet, they are so cool. You need to check them out. We love them so much that we have dueted a few of their songs, "Praise You in This Storm", "Father, Spirit, Jesus", and "Lifesong" with two versions. Ours is not available on CD. haha (www.castingcrowns.com)
I know in my crazy, busy world that I cannot be the only one this has happened to, so I'll throw it out here. Okay, here goes. Has Easter snuck upon anyone else besides me? It's when? Next Sunday? When did that happen? There are no new spring dresses and no easter baskets yet. I'm making Ella an Easter pail. Thrilling. I know. But I think it'll turn out cute and most importantly, she can use it for years to come.
Note: Thank you Sonya/Gena for the tickets! We're crazy excited about tonight!
And to all six of you who read this blog, I've made it to post #102. When you're bored out of your skull, head on over to 2005...that'll keep you busy. Thanks for reading it for whatever reason compels you!
I know in my crazy, busy world that I cannot be the only one this has happened to, so I'll throw it out here. Okay, here goes. Has Easter snuck upon anyone else besides me? It's when? Next Sunday? When did that happen? There are no new spring dresses and no easter baskets yet. I'm making Ella an Easter pail. Thrilling. I know. But I think it'll turn out cute and most importantly, she can use it for years to come.
Note: Thank you Sonya/Gena for the tickets! We're crazy excited about tonight!
And to all six of you who read this blog, I've made it to post #102. When you're bored out of your skull, head on over to 2005...that'll keep you busy. Thanks for reading it for whatever reason compels you!
3.16.2010
Acquire the Fire and updates
We have sprung forward, been at our new house for a week, and just returned from Nashville attending Acquire the Fire with our youth. We have been a busy bunch. The house is coming along fine. I'm still indecisive as where to put our computer table and there are still boxes in the dining room, but it's coming along.
21 youth and adults left out this past Friday for Nashville for 2 days. With the time change, we returned back Sunday at 2 a.m. Ouch. I'm still recuperating. It's months of planning and nonstop while you're there, but at the same time I always get a blessing. I come away a little closer in my walk and more reverent and thankful. So it's a win in the long run. The overall experience was good, but there were bumps along the way. Right before getting to the hotel, we were almost in a wreck on the interstate. Traffic stopped suddenly and Jason had left just enough room in front of us for a car in the right lane to squeeze in. Or so they thought. They hit the bumper of the vehicle in front of us and glass went everywhere. Mere seconds is all that separated us from being involved. As soon as the cars hit, I heard tires squealing and brakes on lock down and I knew we were gonna get hit from behind. That, mixed with the fear of someone else's kids in the backseat, was terrifying. Thankfully, we made it out okay.
When we arrived at the hotel, Jason and I went to sign in. We found a group of twenty somethings very upset (read: yelling the worst profanities, threatning the manager, and reaching over the counter). The manager was locked in his office and had called the cops. Can I pick 'em or what? That should've been a sign right there, but I knew that as of mid January all the downtown hotels were gone. ATF and the Bama vs. Kentucky playoffs were happening that weekend. It was gonna be hard to find 6 rooms. Needless to say we had more hiccups, but eventually got in our smoke smelly rooms and survived the night. We were all glad to leave.
Tip for next year? Stay at a better hotel, no matter the cost! And ignore the reviews on Google. :)
21 youth and adults left out this past Friday for Nashville for 2 days. With the time change, we returned back Sunday at 2 a.m. Ouch. I'm still recuperating. It's months of planning and nonstop while you're there, but at the same time I always get a blessing. I come away a little closer in my walk and more reverent and thankful. So it's a win in the long run. The overall experience was good, but there were bumps along the way. Right before getting to the hotel, we were almost in a wreck on the interstate. Traffic stopped suddenly and Jason had left just enough room in front of us for a car in the right lane to squeeze in. Or so they thought. They hit the bumper of the vehicle in front of us and glass went everywhere. Mere seconds is all that separated us from being involved. As soon as the cars hit, I heard tires squealing and brakes on lock down and I knew we were gonna get hit from behind. That, mixed with the fear of someone else's kids in the backseat, was terrifying. Thankfully, we made it out okay.
When we arrived at the hotel, Jason and I went to sign in. We found a group of twenty somethings very upset (read: yelling the worst profanities, threatning the manager, and reaching over the counter). The manager was locked in his office and had called the cops. Can I pick 'em or what? That should've been a sign right there, but I knew that as of mid January all the downtown hotels were gone. ATF and the Bama vs. Kentucky playoffs were happening that weekend. It was gonna be hard to find 6 rooms. Needless to say we had more hiccups, but eventually got in our smoke smelly rooms and survived the night. We were all glad to leave.
Tip for next year? Stay at a better hotel, no matter the cost! And ignore the reviews on Google. :)
3.03.2010
The Lord Giveth and the Lord Taketh Away
This little phrase has been on my mind lately. So, with Google as my friend, I go in search to find the scripture. Yes, it's in there, but not worded quite my way.
I often hear it put it in the present tense and I even added the "eth"s on the end. I guess it sounded King James Version-ish. This may not sound like it'll be a deep, heavy post, but it is. In my quest to let this be my online journal, how could I possibly leave out such an account? Most already know, but last Friday (February 26th), I had a confirmed miscarriage. A few things pop right into mind: 1) how would I have dealt differently if this were my first pregnancy when we had tried for 2 years? and 2) how does anyone go through life without God? I depend on Him daily, but in situations like this, His presence was and is vital.
The answer to question #1 is I would have had a meltdown, cried incessantly, and questioned God...a lot. I did a lot of that over 2 years ago while dealing with infertility. There was a lot I didn't understand and I was upset and frustrated. Obviously, God eventually blessed us with Ella and there is honestly not a day that goes by that I don't think about my blessing. This time was different. I feel like God had my heart ready for this WAY before it happened. From day one, there were red flags with this pregnancy. For instance, my bloodwork levels not being high enough to odd looking ultrasounds. We never let ourselves get attached to the idea of being pregnant. We were holding out for the 12 week mark to really get excited, but that was tough. So, when I started having problems last Thursday night and saw the doctor Friday morning, I didn't cry, I didn't ask "why" and I didn't get angry. Earlier in the week, God had answered my prayer. He gave me such a sense of peace that is almost undescribable. If you've ever received it, then you know what I'm talking about. It's like a blanket. You almost feel untouchable to harm. You just know that everything will be alright. How could I be upset feeling like this? I am so glad to have a Savior like this!
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." --Phillipians 4:7
The answer to #2 is still a mystery to me with an answer I may never have. But, I've been there...living a life without God. Yes, I was saved and baptized young, but it is possible to walk away. And I did...in my late teen years. What sticks out the most in that time period is that I was the unhappiest in my life and so unsure of things. I had panic attacks and almost dreaded day-to-day life. I was miserable. I asked, why am I so unhappy? Why did God let this happen? When the truth was I had walked away from Him. I left a happy life to do what I wanted to do and live my life because...hey! I'm young. And what a gracious and merciful God we serve. He took me back and blessed me with a husband and a great job. That was completely what I didn't deserve. I still get those "I don't deserve this" blessings in my life. God blesses His children because He loves us.
Thank you Lord, for your blessings. I know that You are omnipotent and know my comings and goings and You know my life path. Thank you for an unwaivering, faithful, Godly husband. Without him, I would be lost in the shuffle. He took care of me, listened to me and acted as a single Dad while I was healing. Thank you for my church family who provided meals and encouragement along the way. Amen!
"the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."
-- Job 1: 21
-- Job 1: 21
I often hear it put it in the present tense and I even added the "eth"s on the end. I guess it sounded King James Version-ish. This may not sound like it'll be a deep, heavy post, but it is. In my quest to let this be my online journal, how could I possibly leave out such an account? Most already know, but last Friday (February 26th), I had a confirmed miscarriage. A few things pop right into mind: 1) how would I have dealt differently if this were my first pregnancy when we had tried for 2 years? and 2) how does anyone go through life without God? I depend on Him daily, but in situations like this, His presence was and is vital.
The answer to question #1 is I would have had a meltdown, cried incessantly, and questioned God...a lot. I did a lot of that over 2 years ago while dealing with infertility. There was a lot I didn't understand and I was upset and frustrated. Obviously, God eventually blessed us with Ella and there is honestly not a day that goes by that I don't think about my blessing. This time was different. I feel like God had my heart ready for this WAY before it happened. From day one, there were red flags with this pregnancy. For instance, my bloodwork levels not being high enough to odd looking ultrasounds. We never let ourselves get attached to the idea of being pregnant. We were holding out for the 12 week mark to really get excited, but that was tough. So, when I started having problems last Thursday night and saw the doctor Friday morning, I didn't cry, I didn't ask "why" and I didn't get angry. Earlier in the week, God had answered my prayer. He gave me such a sense of peace that is almost undescribable. If you've ever received it, then you know what I'm talking about. It's like a blanket. You almost feel untouchable to harm. You just know that everything will be alright. How could I be upset feeling like this? I am so glad to have a Savior like this!
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." --Phillipians 4:7
The answer to #2 is still a mystery to me with an answer I may never have. But, I've been there...living a life without God. Yes, I was saved and baptized young, but it is possible to walk away. And I did...in my late teen years. What sticks out the most in that time period is that I was the unhappiest in my life and so unsure of things. I had panic attacks and almost dreaded day-to-day life. I was miserable. I asked, why am I so unhappy? Why did God let this happen? When the truth was I had walked away from Him. I left a happy life to do what I wanted to do and live my life because...hey! I'm young. And what a gracious and merciful God we serve. He took me back and blessed me with a husband and a great job. That was completely what I didn't deserve. I still get those "I don't deserve this" blessings in my life. God blesses His children because He loves us.
Thank you Lord, for your blessings. I know that You are omnipotent and know my comings and goings and You know my life path. Thank you for an unwaivering, faithful, Godly husband. Without him, I would be lost in the shuffle. He took care of me, listened to me and acted as a single Dad while I was healing. Thank you for my church family who provided meals and encouragement along the way. Amen!
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