Carmelized Squash Risotto

Ingredients (for a large batch):

2 butternut squash (peeled, seeded and cut into 1" cubes)
1 large onion, large dice
1 head garlic, peeled and separated into cloves

kosher salt
extra virgin olive oil

3 cups rice
1/2 cup white wine
6-7 cups chicken broth
6 cups cooked, chopped chicken
1 tsp curry
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
salt and pepper

We consider the following ingredients optional for our dairy-sensitive family:
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 cup milk

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Toss squash, onion and garlic with enough olive oil to lightly coat. Spread on a baking sheet and pop in the oven for 40 minutes.

Meanwhile, over medium heat, coat the bottom of a dutch oven with olive oil. Add the rice. Stir to coat the rice with the oil. Add the wine and stir until absorbed. Turn the heat to med-high. Add between 1 and 2 cups of chicken broth. Bring to a fast simmer and stir until the liquid is abosorbed. Add more broth and, again, stir until the rice has absorbed the liquid. Continue until you have 1 cup of broth left to add. With the final addition of broth, add the chicken, curry and pepper flakes. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 min, or until rice is tender. Add milk and parmesan. Salt and pepper to taste.

At the end of the vegetable cooking time, they should be tender and lightly carmelized. Transfer the veggies into the rice mixture, toss gently to distribute them evenly and serve.

Garnish with additional parmesan and sesame seeds.

The Nesting List

We keep mislaying the Nesting List. I would like to think it is accidental, but the smirks upon my children's faces as I wander about searching for it lead me to believe that it is a well-orchestrated assault on both my plans and my sanity. But, having lived longer, I am much more wily than they and to prove it, I am posting the list here, where it cannot be hidden by malingerers.

* denotes that the budget will dictate whether this item is completed

Living Room, Entry & Hall

• Paint trim
• Clean cold air returns
• Paint gray cold air return white
  
• Vacuum ceiling
• Detail dust shelves & display items
• Buy heater grates*
• Install ceiling light*
• Paint light fixtures*
• Clean light fixture glass
• Purge entry closet, set up with pantry shelving
• Vacuum lampshades
• "Dust" curtains using fluff cycle in dryer
• Clean window tracks
• Purge entertainment center, organize
  

Kitchen & Dining Room

• Clean garden window
• Clean behind frig and in cubby
• Wipe ceiling
  
• Vacuum frig coils
  
• Clean under stove plus stove drawer
• Clean out silverware drawer
• Purge knife drawer, get knife block or mag strip*
• Clean apron and legs of dining table
• Clean stickers off dining chairs
• Build drawers for window seat*
• Wash curtains
• Trim garden window and paint new trim
• Install new valance or blind at garden window*
• Wipe down insides of cupboards
• Wipe down display shelves
  
• Clean out frig and freezers
• Defrost outside freezer
• Fix exterior window trim so that window closes correctly
• Paint lower cabinets?
  

Homeschool Room

• Vacuum computer fan cabinet
• Purge sewing cabinet by completing projects (this may deserve as list of its own)
• Decide which clothing boxes go back in storage and which go to charity
• Hand-mop under cabinets
• 
  

Front Bathroom

• Wash curtain (delicate cycle, hang dry) and liner (with towels
• Purge drawers
• Purge cabinets
• Paint trim
• Clean light fixture glass
• Install new fan*
• 
  

Master Suite

• Vacuum mattress and flip/rotate
• Clean carpet
• Paint trim
• Caulk crown
• Vacuum lampshades
• Declutter top of armoire
• Purge pregnancy related books
• Wax /polish armoire
• Touch up spice-colored paint
• Move Nolan's clothes to Boy room
• Move changing table to our room
• Paint changing table and tighten screws
• Buy new changing table pad and covers*
  

a one minute photo shoot

Although the weather was cooperative, the children weren't especially interested in sitting still for photos. I snapped these off in just under a minute, without even checking the settings on my camera. Thankfully, there is an angel somewhere who has mercy on frazzled, sandy mothers who *just* want a photo of all their children together.

Mason, Madelyn, Gavin, Mara, Sirena, Sarah, Nolan

All smiles...because this is the last picture!

Thrifty NW Mom: Old Navy Coupon Giveaway

Check out today's post at Thrifty NW Mom! She is giving away 6 coupons for $45 off a $100 purchase at Old Navy.

the mighty huntress

I filled my freezer with meat yesterday; a deed that made my husband exceedingly happy. Since the meat was purchased from a wholesaler and at a great savings, my pocketbook and I are also exceedingly happy.

Here's the score:

120 lbs of boneless/skinless chicken breasts @ $1.29 / lb. I ordinarily pay $1.99 / lb, so this was a savings of $84.00 over our everyday prices.

27 lbs of Foster Farms oven browned turkey breast, produced and wrapped for our local warehouse club. The price on their tag was $3.99 / lb. I paid $1.69 / lb. Since I don't ordinarily buy deli meat with a $4 price tag, it seems right to calculate savings from what I would normally pay, which is $1.99 / lb. Savings: $8.10.

10 lbs of all beef, pre-cooked meatballs, also at $1.69 /lb. Warehouse price is $2.16 /lb. Savings: $4.70.

10 lbs all beef, skinless franks at $1.69 / lb. Warehouse price is $2.25 / lb. Savings: $5.60.

30 lbs of steak fries @ $.63 / lb. Safeway price is $1.76 / lb. Savings: $33.90.

Total savings: $136.30

All of these items were "specials", which change every 3 - 4 weeks at this wholesaler. All together, I find that this is a trip I will happily repeat.

wistful

On a hot, hot day, two very small people contemplate the unfairness of toddlerhood.

Nolan (14.5 mos) and Liza (17.5 mos)

See? Madelyn's having a great time out there...

Nina is clearly having a fabulous time...


Gavin, too.

Cousin, how long does it take to grow up?

a special photo

A brand new birthday buddy for Madelyn, cousin Liza, cousin Ashton and Uncle Torgan!

Due 1/31/2010