Joseph & Shaylee: 2014

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Gluten Free "LuRolls"

What are LuRolls? My Mother-in-law's AMAZING, melt in your mouth, make me gain 15 pounds cause I can't stop eating them, dinner rolls. Seriously, they are really that good. We are now almost 2 years into my Gluten free lifestyle and I had yet to attempt to make these for myself. That is uNtil I stumbled into a new flour mix, and tried it. Sweet success, they were so good and they didn't last long in our house. Everyone was eating them. I believe in sharing my recipes, especially the gluten free ones so here they are...

Shaylee's Favorite Gluten Free Flour mix
makes about 9 cups

4 cups brown rice flour
2 cups white rice flour
2 cups potato starch
1/2 cup tapioca flour
1/2 cup Corn starch**
5 teaspoons xanthan gum

Mix all the ingredients bowl, Sift together using to really incorporate all of the flours. Store in an airtight container.

**With a corn allergy, feel free to simply use an additional 1/2 cup tapioca starch.

Roll Recipe

1 1/2 c. Warm water

1/2 c. sugar

2 Tbls. yeast

Mix to dissolve-set aside

Warm: 1 1/4 c. milk & 1/2 c. butter

Mix milk mixture and yeast together with:

1 Tbls. salt

3 eggs

6-7 c. flour (6 1/2 cups was perfect)

Mix until smooth - let raise until double in size

Punch down, shape (I use tapioca flour when working with the dough), and let raise until doubled in size

Bake for 10 min. at 375'

Enjoy!!

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Bready/ Wiberg/ Swanger/ Hess/ Mecham Family Fun

The Bready's came to visit early in July, it was my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary and we had a reunion and family photos done.
July 2nd- we took Tori & Sera with us to the free movies at Fairchild Cinemas. Sera was great and would ooh and aah at the right times, Tori was a little more concerned and would cry, but Uncle Joseph got lots of cuddles out of it.
July 3rd- dinner at G&G Wibergs, then we took Sera with us to watch our Hess cousins play softball. Lost the game but it was fun to watch and Sera liked trying to be like one of the big girls.
July 4th- We started the day going to another free movie, then Dustin joined us for lunch at Bob's Burger & Brew, then we stayed home until about dinner time before we joined the rest of our family out in the fields by Gesa Stadium for Fireworks (it was so hot!)
July 5th- we had family photos done- yea it was 100* outside. But they turned out beautifully and I'll post them later. We were only missing my cousin Madison and her husband otherwise we were all there. It's probably one of the last times we'll all be able to get all 50+ of us together at the same time.

Our Nephew Harvey James Mecham was born today too, Sam & Kaelee's 2nd boy.

And now for some pics...

We love to color.

Making rainbows!!

Sera "taking pictures" of our trip to the movies.

So excited for the movie to start... and blinded by the flash.

Happy Tori

Sera just chilling

Silly Tori, I promise we didn't buy any candy.

Sera went with us to our cousin's softball game it was fun!

4th of July hanging with cousin Easton.

Tori loved starbursts.

Sean and I snuggled up before the fireworks... and Tori is responsible for my glow stick crown.

Sera loves to take selfies, otherwise she hides from the camera.

Joseph, Rylee & I

Roofing!! June 2014

Roof top delivery, best decision ever! Those materials are crazy heavy!!

The scary part...at least for me, was the scraping off the old roofing.

I was VERY aware of the edge and kept well away from it.

Ready to roof!

Rooftop selfie!

Progress!

Mom & Dustin doing the corners. I don't like the nail gun... but I helped out.

We had so much help, neighbors, friends, family, home teachers and missionaries come and help us roof our house. Thanks so much, we sure appreciated the help and the roof looks amazing. So good in fact that our insurance guy asked who we had do it when he came to take pictures.

DQ celebration when the roof was finished!!

Fred & George

Those are the names of Joseph's Lofstrand Crutches. They joined our family on June 5th, at the request of Joseph's Physical therapist who also happens to be our stake president.

Joseph working hard at his physical therapy appointment

1st Day with Fred & George

Practicing with Ken, Dr. Call... umm President Call?!

They have been amazing, we just need to figure out how we want to paint or tape them so they double as white canes. It is important for people to know that he is visually impaired. We LOVE our stake president and the personal relationship we've been able to develop with him, he cycles with my dad and then spending much of our summer seeing him weekly in his office.

Monday, August 18, 2014

Joseph's Award winning White Chili Recipe

Okay Okay, we got the recipe off pinterest.

{Brasilian} White Chicken Chili

Ingredients

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced into 1/2-inch pieces {We suggest using a lemon pepper rotisserie chicken to cut down prep time}
1 small yellow onion, diced {we used a garden fresh walla walla sweet}
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 (14.5 oz) cans chicken broth
1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies
1 1/2 tsp cumin
3/4 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 (8 oz) pkg Neufchatel cheese, cut into 12 slices {aka light cream cheese}
1 1/4 cup fresh corn {frozen works too}
2 (15 oz) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice {or lime wedges}
chopped fresh cilantro, for serving
shredded Monterrey Jack cheese, for serving {we used Tillamook pepperjack cheese}
tortilla chips, for serving (optional)

Directions

Heat olive oil in a 6 quart enameled dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once oil is hot add chicken and diced onion and saute until chicken is no longer pink, about 6 minutes. Add garlic and saute 30 seconds longer. Add chicken broth, green chilies, cumin, paprika, oregano, coriander, cayenne pepper and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring mixture just to a boil then reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes.
Add Neufchatel cheese and stir until nearly melted (it will break down in little bits and will appear to look like separated cheese but it will eventually melt). Stir in corn, and 1 can of Cannellini beans, then process 3/4 of the remaining beans along with 1/4 cup broth from the soup in a food processor until pureed, add bean mixture to soup along with remaining 1/4 can of beans {you can skip the pureeing step and just add the beans directly to soup, the soup just won't be quite as creamy, we also added a little cornstarch to thicken things up}. Simmer about 15 minutes longer. Mix in fresh lime juice and serve with Monterrey Jack cheese, chopped cilantro and tortilla chips for dipping if desired.

Sunday, August 17, 2014

My 100 happy days

I apologize if you saw this already on instagram... 100 happy days in pictures.

Day 1: A sunny Sunday walk

Day: 2 Dr Appointment went well. My cyst covered left ovary.

Day 3: I have a little friend who shares his stickers with me.

Day 4: learning a new song

Day 5: This smiling pup always cheers me up.

Day 6: Great way to start my day, a beautiful sunrise on my way to work out.

Day 7: Painted piggies & warm baths make me happy.

Day 8: Spring rain showers make me happy.

Day 9: Impromptu dinner date with my love!

Day 10: Spring green!

Day 11: The perfectly executed spring break road trip!

Day 12: We loved the Woodenshoe Tulip Festival!

Day 13: Sister date...Movie & candy!!

Day 14: A girl could always use another pair of shoes... maybe not these ones.

Day 15: A conference weekend miracle- fluffy, yummy, gooey gluten free cinnamon rolls!

Day 16: Spring flowers, suddenly the trees are no longer bare.

Day 17: Southwest chicken salad in the sunshine= amazing.

The only thing that could make it better is if Joseph was here with me.

Day 18: It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

Day 19: Preschool Pirate treasure..Arrrg!

Day 20: Fun sock Friday!!

Day 21: I don't know about you, but I love my pillows!

Day 22: I said goodbye to 6-ish inches of hair.

Day 23: "little purple pansies with a touch of gold..."

Day 24: splash guard in my water bottle.

Day 25: cheap yummy ice cream!

Day 26: Rylee came to work with me.. he sniffed, kissed the preschoolers then kenneled himself!

Day 27: "I'm a little bunny and you're in luck. Just turn me over and I'm a...duck!"

Day 28: Scenery on the WSU-Tri-Cities 5k

Day 29: "Because of His infinite and eternal sacrifice...He can reach out, touch, succor, heal and strengthen us more than we could ever be and help us to do that which we could never do." Elder David A. Bednar

Day 30: I know it's a weed, but it looks amazing. Make a wish, there's one left!

Day 31: I rocked leggings and moccasins at work because I'm sick & I'll wear what I want.

Day 32: Rylee isn't easily coaxed out of his bed.

Day 33: Sonic limeades do amazon things for my sore throat.

Day 34: Nogii, it's seriously like candy!

Day 35: I'm happy to make use of my graphic design skills for work.

Day 36: Somedays the clouds and sky are so amazing!

Day 37: All of me, loves all of you!

Day 38: Our new lego set!

Day 39: I got to go home for lunch & spend it in the sunshine with my boys

Day 40: Look at him, Rylee used to be so tiny & chubby!

Day 41: my headphones magnetically cling to my macbook!

Day 42: Rylee kenneled himself after following us around all morning. He's the best pup ever!

Day 43: We had way too much fun (if that's possible) playing at north town mall in Spokane.

Day 44: Our wedding Anniversary

Day 45: stormy weather brings the best clouds.

Day 46: short hair is fun, I think I'll keep this length for a while.

Day 47: I wore my hair straight today, so the rain is my fault!

Day 48: Joseph bought me this ring from a street vendor in Spokane.

Day 49: My boys kept me company while I washed the car.

Day 50: My mother's day loot, a bittersweet day.

Day 51: A girl can't have too many notebooks.

Day 52: Rylee and his girl Rue.

Day 53: Mother's day tea, 1 down to go...

Day 54: sunshine + GF cupcake = an amazing lunch break!

Day 55: Starting friday off right, with a peach smoothie!

Day 56: Look what we found at WinCo!

Day 57: A beautiful sunset

Day 58: matching manicures,

I don't know if its a good thing to have the same nail polish as a preschooler?!

Day 59: Last day, in the classroom!

Day 60: dew drops, so pretty!

Day 61: my end of school year self portrait.

Day 62: blowing bubbles at work, thanks for the gum M!

Day 63: Movie date!

Day 64: My boys take such good care of me.

Day 65: I LOVE my new homemade face wash

(equal parts coconut oil & baking soda)

Day 66: There are so many reasons to be happy, some not to photographable.

Day 67: A cupcake for 2.

Day 68: Physical therapy, I was finally able to go with Joseph.

Day 69: Joseph is still my favorite person to be silly with.

Day 70: My day today...errands for seminary graduation: 19 candy bars, a trunk full of soda, 5 cakes, 4 balloon bouquets. Then homemade GF pizza for dinner.

Day 71: I'm giving tinted chapstick a try. Loving it so far.

Day 72: Pretty rose, one of my mother's day roses.

Day 73: I love when you can see the sun's rays. It's heavenly.

Day 74: Rylee is so funny after a haircut & bath.

Day 75: Today we added a pair of lofstrand crutches to our family,

we named them Fred & George.

Day 76: The lawn had no idea what hit it..

P.S. pink isn't my favorite color, it just happened

Day 77: my first dance recital, ever & I'm staff.

Day 78: Rylee & I share a love for the papasan chair, but it makes him hard to find.

Day 79: the lone daisy I found while mowing the lawn.

Day 80: I love my boys.

Day 81: She's Safe! Softball is fun!

Day 82: Joseph working with his physical therapist,

who also happens to be our stake president.

Day 83: wake up, get dressed, work out...it's gonna be a good day.

Day 84: REI Garage sale, we make out like bandits!!

$361.97 worth for $94.47

Day 85: When Rylee wants inside and no one is near the door, he sits and stares, then lays and stares. It's pretty darn cute and almost impossible to catch on camera.