Blueberry & Pecan French Toast

A sweet yet hearty entree that can be eaten at any time of the day.

The Apple Tree

We started Advent this year by going to An Advent Procession of Lessons and Carols held at The Cathedral Church of St. James (the church the Queen visited when in Toronto). It was beautiful. One great thing about visiting Anglican churches is the songs that are new to our ears.

The words of "Jesus Christ the Apple Tree" were full of meaning for me on Sunday. It is a beautiful song that commands some thinking. In case you're interested, click here to listen to the song. The lyrics are posted below.

1. The tree of life my soul hath seen,
Laden with fruit and always green:
The trees of nature fruitless be
Compared with Christ the apple tree.

2. His beauty doth all things excel:
By faith I know, but ne'er can tell
The glory which I now can see
In Jesus Christ the apple tree.

3. For happiness I long have sought,
And pleasure dearly I have bought:
I missed of all; but now I see
'Tis found in Christ the apple tree.

4. I'm weary with my former toil,
Here I will sit and rest awhile:
Under the shadow I will be,
Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.

5. This fruit doth make my soul to thrive,
It keeps my dying faith alive;
Which makes my soul in haste to be
With Jesus Christ the apple tree.

Pesto Bruschetta

French bread, smothered in spinach basil pesto with melted mozzarella on top. What could be better?

A Trip of My Own

Since John was down in Atlanta for the Society of Biblical Literature Conference, I headed south. First stop was New Jersey at my friends Adam & Mandy's. We spent three days looking at homes, playing Monopoly, sewing and quilting, playing with their dog Moses, eating Thai or homemade pizza...it was wonderful.


If Mandy sits down on the ground, Moses immediately comes over and sits in her lap. It's so funny! He tried to sit in my lap but the belly was in the way :)


I felt so womanly, sewing curtains and being pregnant.

Then I was off to Cincinnati to visit my grandparents for Thanksgiving. My uncle had decided to fly in just a few days prior, so that was a fun surprise. I'm afraid that we really tired Mutti & Dado out with staying up late, but it was an enjoyable time for all.


What Uncle Bud does when told to "look like you love your mother".


Their cat, Chloe, was very affectionate with me all week. Her favorite spot to stand each night was right above my belly (not allowed on the belly, don't worry).


There was much to be thankful for in those nine days.

Molasses Cookies

A Christmas classic that really should be eaten all year long.

Crispy Tofu and Veg

Cornmeal crusted tofu, peppers, and pea pods make this an incredibly fresh and delicious dinner.

Oatmeal Cake

While being heart-healthy, this dessert is also delicious. The broiled sugar and pecan topping finds an enjoyable contrast in a tangy vanilla yogurt served alongside the cake.

Long Green Beans & New Potatoes in Mustard Seed Curry

Made with fresh garden produce, it's hard to beat this Indian dish.

Fish Fillets with Baby Spinach & Balsamic Viniagrette

Pan-fried tilapia served over spinach and peppers, tied together with a balsamic drizzle.

Apple Bars

A treat that can't help but be made in the autumn months. They definitely don't last long in our kitchen.

Garden Veg Stir-Fry with Tofu & Brown Rice

If tofu has never been found on your plate, this vegetable entree is a fantastic dish to first try it in!

Wild Rice Soup

A creamy Minnesota classic.

Wilted Spinach Salad

Right before serving, the spinach in this salad is tossed in a warm dressing in a frying pan.

More Pregnancy Ponderings

How has this happened? I am 30 weeks along in this pregnancy!

That's three-fourths of the way through. I remember when I had three-fourths of the way to go. It was a time full of trying to get a bowl of chicken noodle soup down at ESLI during my two-hour break between classes and evenings spent on the couch while John cooked himself dinner. I like this part of pregnancy better.

Here are my current thoughts:
1) Despite wearing pants with no zippers for three months now, I still check to make sure my fly is up before I leave the house!
2) My belly is becoming more noticeable in regular life activities. Bending over to tie shoes is becoming a little awkward. On Sunday night I tried to scoot in so someone could pass my chair, and it just wouldn't move. Yep, the belly was already touching the table.
3) There have only been a few times when I've felt really uncomfortable and they've only lasted for short stints. One spot in my mid-left back does sporadically hurt often, but can't complain too much.
4) Heartburn is making appearances. Ugh.
5) Charlie horses and toe cramps like to visit at night.

Yikes, I am complaining. I'll stop with all the body ailment thoughts, but I do need to include this little story:
A few weeks ago John came home and started complaining about his aching legs and hips from all the walking he does at school. I decided to join and complained a bit about my pregnancy pains. John responds with, "Yeah, well at least your pains are temporary."

7) Why do maternity shirts need to air dry? Come on, couldn't that one aspect of clothes & pregnancy be made simpler? And why do maternity shirts that can be dried shrink?
8) We've ordered a crib & mattress. Whew, two things off the list. All this purchasing and preparation is not easy for an indecisive woman.
9) On the other hand, shopping with John has never been more fun. We look at clothes and he finds 10 things he wants to buy. We look at strollers and he's immediately on a mission to figure out how every single stroller folds, unfolds, brakes, moves, changes height, and on and on.

Now let's move on to fun thoughts about Little Critter:
a) John thinks LC is a girl. I think LC is a boy. What do you think?
b) Movements are getting bigger. This morning was the first time I felt movement in my entire belly at the same time. I think LC is figuring out how to do quick flips! No hiccups felt yet.
c) LC is being introduced to dancing. John likes to hold onto the sides of the bump and dance with LC. No, I don't move. It's just the two of them :)
d) The last few times at the doctor's, before they measured me or even touched my stomach, the doctors have asked "Do you find that the baby is often on the right side?" That's a definite.

And the latest bump picture (taken unbeknownst to me):

Normal Food

I have one man in my life who likes everything I make - my husband.

There's another man in my life who doesn't understand why I make any of my recipes - my brother.


This is his kind of meal - four brats cooked over the campfire. Or a huge steak.

I believe it was Rob who recently left a comment asking if I make anything normal. So, in honor of him - especially since he is celebrating a birthday today - The Skinny Pukeko served up something "normal" for breakfast this morning.


Two eggs, cooked to your liking, and hot crisp bacon. Served with your choice of white, wheat, or cinnamon raisin toast.

Lentil Tostadas

Crunchy tostadas topped with a cilantro lentil spread, vegetables, and cheese. A great alternative to the typical Tex Mex fare.

Lemon Pudding Cake

An incredibly moist lemon cake, delicious with fresh strawberries and whipped cream.

ANZAC Cookies

The chocolate chip cookie of Australia and New Zealand. During World War I, there was a need for a long-lasting high energy biscuit for the soldiers. These cookies were the solution! The ingredients include oatmeal, butter, and golden syrup (made from sugar cane), but no eggs.

Coconut Curried Vegetables

This Thai-Indian fusion dish has an aromatic flavor that is lighter than many other curries.

Silence

This fictional novel, set in the 17th century, tells the story of a Portuguese priest who travels to and in Japan to search for a father who is rumored to have committed apostasy. Christianity had been welcomed in Japan years earlier, when the father had been extremely successful in his ministry, but the power holders had changed, and extreme persecution was now occurring. Through his experience, the priest learns/questions much about God, apostasy, what Jesus would have done, Judas, true faith, and more.

This book is gripping and thought-provoking to say the least. My brother-in-law recommended it to me four years ago and I didn't read it until this month. Don't wait as long as I did to pick it up!

Spaghetti Squash Primavera

Spaghetti squash with peas, carrots, onions, ham, and a creamy buttery sauce.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

The best of Tex Mex, this flavorful soup features chicken, tomatoes, corn, and black beans. Served with tortilla chips on top!

Chocolate Sweet Potato Torte

This rich chocolate dessert is the chef's favorite.

Fruity Skillet Pancake

A light, oven-baked pancake, made with cottage cheese and loaded with blueberries. Served with a seasonal berry topping and an optional dollop of whipped cream.

Oven-Fried Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potato slices, fried in the oven with olive oil, topped with garlic, parsley, and orange rind. Better than yam fries?

The Substance of The Skinny Pukeko

After only a few days of revealing the future menu, this notion appeared in one comment -

I don't think the pukeko will be very skinny after eating those.

This comment suggests that all the food served at The Skinny Pukeko will be slimming. Admittedly, it's logical reasoning but it's not true. (I know, maybe it's not the best name for the cafe but...) Let me tell you more about what The Skinny Pukeko will be.

First of all, I must give credit where it is due. The Skinny Pukeko will be modeled after The Posh Nosh Cafe, a restaurant I worked at for two weeks in Kerikeri, New Zealand. I LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT THAT PLACE, and that cafe is what gave me the idea of opening my own restaurant.

Okay, so The Skinny Pukeko will be a fresh food restaurant, meaning everything is made fresh there: the sauces, the drinks, the dressings, the soups, really everything. The food will be delicious and healthy, but some of the recipes will definitely include fat! It will be open from around 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., allowing for breakfast and lunch to be served. The cafe will be a place where the locals like to come to just read the newspaper and a place that pulls in tourists. The decor will be bright colors, especially the blue found on a pukeko, that just brighten the day.


Oh, and there will always be "Muffins of the Moment" next to the cash register.

Thanks for sharing my daydream.

Roasted Zucchini Torta

Layers of zucchini, mozzarella, and basil tomato sauce create this Italian dish.

Fish Tostados

These tostados are topped with tilapia, cabbage, red peppers, and a special chili-lime cream.

Smashed Lemon Potatoes

New potatoes, smashed and fried, with lemon and parsley accents.

Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches

My family’s twist on an old classic. The poppy-seed mustard on this sandwich adds a lot of zing to the flavor.

OREO Truffles

How do you make a classic American treat even better? Turn it into a truffle!

Pennings' Salad

Romaine lettuce, shoepeg corn, chicken, Ramen noodles, tomatoes, green onions, and peanuts, all topped with a sweet ginger pepper dressing. What else needs to be said?

It's simple.

There's no one like my Dado.

Quinoa-Stuffed Peppers

This dish is chock-full of super foods: spinach, tomatoes, and quinoa. The flavors are way too good to be enjoyed only by vegetarians.

Sweet Potato Pie

This southern classic tastes like autumn in a pie shell. The creamy, rich, melt-in-your mouth filling is somehow light and refreshing at the same time. Truly delicious.

Notre November

A daydream around our house is to one day open a little fresh food cafe. It already has a name: The Skinny Pukeko.

A short advertisement featuring the New Zealand Pukeko

This daydreamed cafe already has a jingle to go along with it, as well as a menu.

So, this month our kitchen is serving up Skinny Pukeko food, meaning our all-time favorite dishes. Thus, it's Notre November, meaning OUR November.

We may never have our cafe, but we would like to make our own cookbook on Shutterfly that features the food in pictures, words, and recipes. So, in preparation for the cookbook, a photo and menu description will be posted on the blog each day.