What's Cooking Wednesday #5

So I've finally decided to start cooking again (I could only handle sandwiches, waffles and pancakes for so long!) Last night I made Pork Tenderloin with Apple Stuffing...delicious!!

Here's the recipe:
1 pork tenderloin (about 1 pound)
2 T olive oil
2 small baking apples, cored and thinly sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 C fresh bread crumbs (2 large slices of stale bread)
1/2 tsp marjoram (next time I think I'll use sage)
1/2 tsp freshly-ground black pepper
1/2 tsp salt

Wellesley apple butter

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.Split the tenderloin almost in half lengthwise. Place it between two sheets of waxed paper; pound it to about ½-inch thick.

Heat the butter or olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the apples and onion and sauté until lightly brown and soft, about 5 minutes. Add the bread crumbs and marjoram and toss with the apple-onion mixture until moistened through. Remove from heat.

Pepper and salt the inside of the tenderloin and spread the apple stuffing over the surface. Roll the tenderloin lengthwise and tie with kitchen string. Reheat the skillet over medium heat. Add oil and brown the pork on all sides. Place in a baking dish.

Baste the tenderloin with apple butter and bake for 45 minutes. Add apple butter 2 or 3 times over the course of baking. Remove from the oven; let stand 5-10 minutes before serving.

(Picture to come)

I served this with mashed sweet potatoes and mixed frozen veggies. T loved it, the kids ate the meat, but nothing else!

Photo opp!

So a good friend of mine asked me to take some family photos..I've always loved taking pictures for myself, but have never done it for someone else. After this photo shoot experience, I've decided to take some courses to improve my skills so maybe someday I'll turn this into my own business....

If only I had more time!!

1st Day!

Today was M's first day of JK...and she did great!!! Not that I'm surprised..but I had half-hoped to see her nervous face when it was time to leave me. Instead, she said, Mommy, you don't have to walk me to the door. When did she become so brave?

Then there's me. Trying so hard not to burst into tears..and I succeeded..until M's teacher handed us a little note with a teabag attached. It basically said that this day was full of emotions, and that I should sit down with a cup of tea and know that my child was having a great day. I guess that was when the reality set in. My little girl was on her own...and now she has a whole new world of people influencing her day-to-day. I'm not sure I'm ready for that! She is so innocent..I want to protect her from the unkind words of strangers, the loneliness of making new friends. But I know she is a strong child that will stand her own. And I know deep down that she still does need me....

Then there's N. He has spent half the day trying to figure out where "Nina" is (his nickname for M is Nina..I have no idea why!) He doesn't understand that she is at school all day, and that he is actually stuck with me the whole day! I have to admit though, it's been nice being able to spend quality time with N. Mostly he just comes along for the ride, but today we got to focus on him. I imagine that will grow old pretty soon, but for now, I'm going to enjoy this time.

New beginnings

So after a month hiatus, I've decided to rejoin the world of blogging. I can't believe how quickly the summer goes by! I would be lying if I said I never want it to end...I am actually looking forward to September. I love September..crisp fall mornings, new beginnings and new routines!

Speaking of new beginnings, I have decided to start my own business as a Sales Consultant for Norwex Enviro Products (www.norwex.ca). The company sells a Microfiber cloth that contains silver, a natural antibacterial agent...so it is possible to clean your whole house with one cloth and water. Talk about easy!!! I was sold even before I attended a show!! And now that I've attended a few shows..I'm hooked! What I like best is that I'm actually cleaning the house, not just relocating the dirt! I'm looking forward to the challenge of having my own business and hope to have a success story to post at a later date!

Growing up

We were driving home from dinner tonight..I was in the passenger seat so I could turn around and talk to M. The conversation was pretty standard (a few knock-knock jokes, a few Dora or "M" stories created by me etc.) But then I looked back and M was picking her nose...for the nth time I said, "M, please don't pick your nose..use a Kleenex. It's disgusting!" Her usual response is "I don't need a Kleenex" and she quickly removes her finger. Tonight, however, my quick-witted child quipped "Then don't look!" I almost died laughing (maybe not an appropriate response, but I couldn't help myself)!!! How did she get to be so grown up!?!?!

What's Cooking Wednesday no. 4

A dinner perfect for when you're in a rush....Quick Fix Spaghetti..my next contribution to What's Cooking Wednesday

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1/2 c. onion, finely chopped

2 1/3 cup (18 oz) tomato juice

8 oz tomato sauce

1/2 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp oregano

1 bay leaf

dash of hot pepper sauce (optional)

1 pkg of spaghetti (454 g package)

Brown ground beef. Add onion and cook until onion is translucent. Add remaining ingredients, except spaghetti, plus salt to taste. Bring to a boil. Add uncooked spaghetti, pieces broken in half. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes. Stir often.

Serves 4-6.

Sensitivity is a virtue...

So I was putting my son, N, to bed tonight, when I heard sobbing out side by door and what I thought was the word "pee"...so I quickly plopped N into bed and ran to check what was wrong. In the hall was my daughter, M, clutching the deflated remnants of a white balloon dog (the kind you get from clowns at special events) in her hands, sobbing "puppy." When I asked her what the problem was, she looked up at me with tears in her eyes and said, my doggie is all gone...I really liked my doggie..."

Man, we're in trouble if we ever get a real pet!!!