Lion's Head

I've been on an Asian-craving kick lately, so yesterday I made a new Chinese recipe that Joanna introduced to me. I put my own spin on it after looking at a couple of versions online, and it's super easy. I think it turned out DELICIOUS, and love that I have recipe to actually use cabbage in. It's called Lion's Head because the meatball "heads" are surrounded by a "mane" of cabbage. The measurements aren't really exact; you just have to sprinkle the seasonings in to taste.

Meatballs:
1 pound mild pork sausage (or use lean ground beef or turkey if you want to go healthy, but you might want to bump up the seasonings)
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1/4 cup bread crumbs (these are probably optional, but nice if you've got them on hand)
1 egg
onion powder
ginger powder
*Combine ingredients in a bowl, then form meatballs (I use a medium cookie scoop) and place on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes.

Meanwhile, steam:
1 1/2 cups white rice
1/2 to 1 head of cabbage (you could also use bok choy, which is more authentic)

Sauce:
1 can chicken broth
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp vinegar
1/8 cup sugar
2 Tbsp cornstarch
onion powder
garlic powder
ginger powder
*Bring to a boil in medium pot until slightly thickened.

When meatballs, sauce, rice, and cabbage are done, combine the meatballs and sauce in the pot. Put a bed of rice on your plate, pile on a "mane" of cabbage, and spoon the meatballs and sauce over top. Recipe serves 4. Enjoy!

I love to sing!

Today Amy and I did our musical number in church. It's such a beautiful version on the song, and it was wonderful to have Amy on the cello (we don't get to hear stringed instruments very often around here). If you want to hear our song, "I Need Thee Every Hour," click here to hear the recording from Sally DeFord's website.

Keeping busy

My life seems to go in busy/lazy stages. Up until about a month ago, I was in a lazy stage, to the point where a week would go by and I'd have nothing to show for it except a house that had not become a complete disaster. The kids and I would stay home, we'd watch movies or read, and I'd lay on the couch until Chad came home for dinner, sometimes bringing the takeout home with him.

Well, I've recently gotten my act in gear. We've been working on the camping trailer; having a camping trip date as a goal really keeps us motivated. I've been trying to be more social, getting Cookie Day going again and trying to get the kids together with their friends to play every once in a while. I've been better at washing dishes and actually cooking meals, and I've been especially good at keeping us supplied with fresh baked goodies (I've already gained 30 "pregnancy" pounds!). I'm really enjoying my calling as Sunbeam/CTR 5 teacher, even though it's a challenge. And, after talking and wishing for years, I finally started voice lessons again yesterday! Globe has been without a decent voice teacher until now, so I'm taking advantage right now while I can, and I'm loving it. Tomorrow I'm singing a beautiful version of "I Need Thee Every Hour" with my friend Amy playing the cello obligato. I'm also busy helping plan this month's ward social (a talent show) and a baby shower for a sister in our ward (I'm making the cake, and I'll be trying my hand at fondant pea pods).

I expect that in about another month I'll get hugely pregnant, and will go through another lazy phase. So for now, I'm getting as much done while I still feel like it!

Am I really that big?

I only took pregnancy pictures with my first baby; I guess it's something I got out of my system the first time around. But since I'm ballooning at an unbelievable rate with this third pregnancy, I thought I'd better document it for posterity. When I talk to strangers or people I haven't seen in a while, they say, "You must be having that baby soon!" I then commence scowling and say, "No, actually I still have 3 months to go, thank you very much." At 26 weeks I'm feeling great, except for a little trouble with breathing and heartburn--you know, the normal 'my uterus is too big' symptoms. Heaven help the next person who says I must be having twins.

Today so far

This morning Chad took the Suburban to the MVD to get it registered and new plates put on. He also discovered that it's going to take even longer to get the camping trailer title in our name (a long process that has to do with it being abandoned and then my parents giving it to us...I don't really get it, but I know it's a pain). We are trying not to be too bummed because it looks like we might not be able to take it camping as planned the first weekend in October. But we're plodding forward with renovations anyway.

Chad and I started laying the new linoleum tile in the trailer this morning, with the kids inside watching a video and the baby monitor on as usual. Well, apparently the time got away from us, the kids' movie ended, and they got hungry and restless. I heard them in the front yard, and sure enough, when I looked out the trailer window there they were. In the dirty wading pool with its couple inches of rain water and scum. And Bree was stark naked. I took them inside for a bath, and saw one of the kitchen chairs pushed up to the counter, and the box of donuts we'd bought at the grocery store this morning open. There were two less than there had been when I'd gone outside. Bree finally fessed up to eating two donuts after I asked her a couple times (we're really working on the concept of telling the truth).

So, with the kids fed (we did have an actual lunch, not just donuts), down for a nap, and Chad getting ready for work, I went back out to finish the linoleum. It is so exciting to see that old, awful yellow and brown patterned linoleum disappearing! So that's one more step completed, and we're ready to lay the carpet. I am tired and achy, but happy. Even though Bree did eat one of the my favorite donuts (didn't she know she was supposed to eat the ones with sprinkles?).

Suburbanites

After months of perusing Craigslist for used Suburbans, Chad and I found and bought one today! (I don't have a picture of ours, but this one looks pretty much the same, except our running board is black). We've survived with only one vehicle for 3 years now, so we thought we deserved it. Plus, we'll be able to fit our whole family plus a few friends, and tow our camping trailer. We were smart shoppers, and held out for a vehicle with all our requirements: 3/4 ton, big engine, 4-wheel drive, tow package, cruise control, rear A/C, and mileage that didn't scare us too badly. Thank you to Arizona State Credit Union for making our tiny loan possible (it is ridiculous trying to borrow money nowadays!) and for being so friendly. We'll actually have a car payment for a little while, which is wierd, but I'm glad we did it after talking about it and looking for so long. It is kind of scary buying a 10-year-old used car. It does drive great, but I guess only time will tell if that lasts!