eve

I thought of ways to conclude the year in this blog...but nothing really stood out...so...on that high note, happy new year's (eve)! Posts for the year 2007 to come!

critter ridder

Currently Reading:
Thanks Mom and Dad!

swede

While preparing a vegetable dinner recently, I came across something new...after a little research, I think this purple and white striped root vegetable is swede.

emily

Happy Birthday, Emily!

winter pear

A pear in Winter.

zoe

This is only because I love my parents. Per request, this is Zoe....cherished and adored. If you ever have the privilege of meeting the family dog, remember these things:

1. Zoe is half chiwawa and half pug. This explains her broad shoulders, so I'm told.

2. Zoe is not trying to be rude when she barks with all her might while first meeting you. This is the "watchdog" in her.

3. Try not to talk to Zoe with an Irish accent. It confuses her.

4. Zoe's yellow raincoat can be found in the laundry room. She wears this on "work days" with Dad.

5. Don't let her pink fur coat fool you. She's really just a simple country dog.

sisters

My sister and I on Christmas. We really are laughing in this shot. Sometimes you wonder if the whole, mouth-open, looks-like-they're-having-fun thing is legit...tis.

vintage christmas

This is my brother, Ryan, and I. I think it was 1989...? I'll try to get an updated shot with Ryan...probably not on anyone's lap...until then, Merry Christmas! What a precious time to remember Christ's birth, death and resurrection! What a precious time to be with family and friends!

gift idea

It's fun to make gifts for other people. Here's an idea...bake bread in disposable tins, wrap and give to loved ones. Featured here are chocolate zucchini breads for friends from work.

steffens christmas cookies

I can't remember a Christmas without my mom's Christmas cookies. Once a year she would bring out the rolling pin and a bag full of assorted cookie cutters. It was a huge production making these holiday treats. Mixing the dough, letting it chill, rolling it out and cutting what seemed like dozens of shapes. We used the same recipe each year. We used the same icing, colors and sprinkles. They were probably the best cookie ever. We would wrap them up on Christmas plates with candies and give them to our friends and family, who, if ever had my mom's sugar cookies before, eagerly awaited them. It goes without saying, because I think I already did, we had these cookies every year. One year my family moved during December (I'm pretty sure it was December 15th, a Friday)...it was a rainy, hectic move, but we still had our Christmas cookies. I remember another year my mom and I putting together a plate for Rob, back in high school. We purposely put in his "collection" a white star with blue and red sprinkles. We were patriots in high school. Rob played basketball, I cheered.....so the star thing made total sense. Rob accepted the plate and was like, "Thanks...but what does this American-themed" cookie have anything to do with Christmas?" I stopped and thought and said..."Um, actually nothing. But they're pretty good...Merry Christmas, I like you." He's been a supporting fan ever since....so much, when my mom decided she was passing on the cookie tradition to my sister and I, there was no need persuading Rob to help decorate. So...year two for Rob and me decorating. It takes a long time and when we are finished we're happy. We get pretty into it. We added a few new shapes and darker colors...including lime green. I don't think Juliet is making a second batch this year because she is getting her wisdom teeth pulled (today) so...hope everyone is down with Christmas cookies that were decorated to be roosters, walruses, yellow submarines, blue's clues and the hulk...obviously inspired by traditional Christmas things. We dig them. These are our favorites...it's probably not too hard to determine who decorated each one. You can see more pictures of the "production" on my flickr.

elf reunion

A sneak at our 4th Annual Elf Reunion...Elf Reunion is a highlight of the year for the 2002 resident assistants of Sweazy Hall at The Master's College. Our story began when Sam Neylan, our resident director, took us (myself, Carly Payne, Sarah Dyer, and Sarah Jane Brock) to watch the movie Elf in theater. We couldn't get enough of the holiday spectacular and saw it again the same season. We have since met during the holiday season to catch each other up with how God is growing us in our relationship with Him, ministry, family, friends and jobs. (We also watch the funny flick whose script has become common quotes in our dialogue.) What a blessing to know and see friends being faithful to the Lord. It's a privilege to save one night a year for our Elf Reunion...each night seems to extend itself a bit longer that we actually didn't end up viewing Elf this year...maybe year five.

dad and sister

Juliet and my Dad, Christmas 2005. Dad's sweet...even with the skull.

velvet

I don't think I have utilized the butternut squash enough this fall. Just joking. We enjoyed a soup last night which can only be described as smooth and velvety. Because of it's practically therapeutic texture and rich flavor, I'm sure it will be made again and altered with other seasonal produce. For fellow soup and butternut fans...and health nuts (I suppose this really limits my audience), I'll let you in on a soup-lover's secret....swap silken tofu for cream and you will find a fabulous finish to pureed soups. Tofu takes the flavor of what it is cooked with. It's the perfect thickener for smooth soups and friendly to the dairy-free. Try it. Spit it out if it's terrible. Try it again if you like it and spread the news to your friends.

Velvety Butternut Squash Soup

By Sarah Ikegami

2 shallots, chopped

1 butternut squash, peeled and chopped

1 Fuji apple, chopped

2 cups vegetable broth

salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, oregano

silken tofu

Bring everything but tofu to a boil, cover, simmer for 15-20 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes and add about 8 ounces of chopped tofu. Blend soup until very creamy. Enjoy. Rob likes his with a fresh baguette. I like it with pink peppercorns.

plastic wrap

Some things get neglected at our place. Ironing, mopping...these things I could do without. Other things get used until they have little, if not nothing, left to offer. I remember picking this plastic wrap up from the store before Rob and I were married. I thought, "How great would it be to move into our apartment with plastic-wrap stocked drawers." Now, over one and a half years later, I find it difficult to let go...yes, we have been using the same box of plastic wrap for over a year and a half. I have no idea why. It's not even very good plastic wrap...maybe the worst on the market. With just a few more uses, this box has seen better days.

Good-bye, sad, little, beaten up box of generic plastic wrap. Thank you...for everything.

christmas colors

These legumes highlight traditional Christmas colors...green lentils, celery and pistachios, red cranberries and white garbanzo beans...by Sarah Ikegami.

DMBLGIT?

I take pictures of food. Yes, it's true! I came across an event called DMBLGIT? (Does My Blog Look Good in This?), where fellow food bloggers submit their best food picture. The event is held monthly. I don't think there is a prize, except for being called a winner. Well, entries are being accepted for November 2006. I'm taking a risk and asking for any feedback as to what picture I will submit. The deadline to submit pictures is approaching....December 28th, Midnight EST. These were the pictures I posted in November. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions/comments.

spelt

It wasn't until I read an article from Food & Wine Magazine that I learned there is a flour in existence called spelt. Spelt is a nutty, slightly sweet whole grain used for baking. Because it does not contain the same gluten as wheat, many people with wheat allergies are able to swap wheat for spelt and still enjoy baked goods. I myself do not have any food allergies, but my curiosity for new grains lead me to practice baking with spelt. I began with these spelt raspberry scones, as featured at BabyCakes NYC, a vegan bakery with impressive public feedback. It was after testing spelt scones that I realized I love spelt.

Besides being wheat-gluten-free, which honestly, does not matter to me, as I am neither allergic or opposed to wheat-gluten (and have found it to be a key ingredient in homemade, quality bread making), spelt offers many benefits. Looking for vitamin B2...look to spelt.

So...since I am one who is convinced of baking with spelt from time to time, I thought it was time to try a new recipe using the nutty grain. This is where I prove to be quite a geek, as I pull out cookbooks, magazines and the enormous binder I try to organized my tested recipes in. What should I try? Should this recipe be borrowed or created? The possibilities seem endless and I almost decide to not test anything and go to bed. This is a regular occurrence. Silly, I know.

My desire to test a new spelt recipe was redeemed when I flipped through this month's Vegetarian Times, featuring several holiday cookies worth trying, if you are into baking animal-free. I decided on a chocolate chip spelt cookie. This cookie is wheat, dairy and egg free and as probably figured, a vegan cookie. Perfect for children with allergies, suitable for anyone who likes natural food.

I was happy with the final product. These may be the freshest, most natural tasting cookie I have baked...and I am a beginner...so I hope to improve. Natural peanut butter and pure maple syrup act as the binding for the dough. Carob chips replace cow's milk in regular chocolate. The results were not only impressive to me...Rob noted how fresh they tasted as well...it won't be long....

Chocolate Chip Spelt Cookies

Vegetarian Times

1 1/2 cup natural, crunchy peanut butter

2 1/4 cups spelt flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 1/2 cups pure maple syrup

2 tsp. pure vanilla

1 1/2 cups vegan carob chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Sift flour, baking soda and salt together. Heat peanut butter in microwave for 30-45 seconds. Add syrup, vanilla and peanut butter to flour mixture. Lightly fold in carob chips. Drop 2 inch spoonfuls onto cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes and transfer to a cookie wrack. Enjoy!

green bottle

Jon's idea to display dried flowers in this green bottle was very thoughtful. What a great Secret Santa gift, along with this.

holiday memories

Hasn't this year gone by so fast? I was reminded of the year's speed when I saw this picture, taken at Disneyland last Christmas...all the kids...Rob, Ryan, Myself, Alysia, D & Juliet.

youth group baking

It's tradition for the girls in the Church of the Canyons youth group to bake cookies at Christmastime. We wrap them up on paper plates and deliver them to others as we sing carols. It's a blessing and reminder of Christ's birth, friends, others, and goodness to us all. And let's be honest...it's a time to be silly and make a huge mess of cookie dough, sprinkles, candy and flour, of course. This is Anna, a fellow youth leader and friend. She let us bake at her place. Hopefully she and Tim do not find too many sprinkles throughout their apartment this week.

Alot of girls helped...ever heard the "too many cooks in the kitchen" saying? Yeah...we didn't abide by that this weekend. It was alot of fun. The girls were very kind to each other...not making a mess of their faces with flour...never.

camera & cranberries

I think our new camera will be alot of fun...

gingerbread elves

In honor of a cherished "Elf Reunion" about to be celebrated...gingerbread elves.

retro rob & sarah

It's true...Rob and I go way back...considering how old (young) we are. We met when I was twelve. This is our high school 2000 homecoming...ironically themed "unforgettable" (even if you try). Unfortunately, we loved using our flash button. I will try to find more retro pics of us, but for now, link to our Flickr set, here.

peppermint dark chocolate

What flavor doesn't go well with chocolate? Coffee, orange, vanilla....mint. I know what you are thinking...and sure, there are things that would make chocolate repulsive...

These are the peppermint, dark chocolate cookies I made for a holiday party tonight. I used dark chocolate. They were made with all-natural ingredients...even the candy canes. Yes, they make natural candy canes...what a world.

Just another cookie for the Christmas season.

christmas flicks

Christmas movies I like:

A childhood and married-life tradition. My Dad brought this home one Friday night (yes, I remember that it was a Friday) from a Shell Gas Station on VHS. Rob and I watched it the other night and I confess I could quote lines.

This was and still is a Steffens family fave...I am way too embarrassed to watch this with anyone because I love it too much...quoted year-round.

...and my most recent obsession...Elf. In fact...expect more about this holiday spectacular and an annual "Elf Reunion" in the very near future.

hollie

Hollie is wonderful. She is my boss and my friend. How many people can say that? Things I love about Hollie are:

*Her loving, compassionate and generous spirit.

*Her ability to a create family atmosphere wherever she is.

*She rollerblades...and apparently, kayaks.

*The word she commonly uses that has spread like wildfire...at least in our office..."Holla!"

stuffing

R: "So...technically...it's not stuffing since it was never stuffed."

S: "Good point. What is it then?"

Everything 101 Cookbooks features is worth trying, including this Sage, Walnut & Dried Fig Stuffing. I was, however, suspicious of what it should be called, since it was not stuffed into anything...possibly a winter bread salad...either way, it was very good.

one year, six months

So we have been wed for one year and six months! Ahh....each day gets sweeter.

life of pi

....most current reading material.

winter salad

Yet another idea for a butternut squash....roasted and prepared as a flavorful, winter salad, topped with walnuts, rosemary, thyme and sage....by Sarah Ikegami.

erin & jordan

What a fabulous shot of Erin and Jordan Walter, honeymooning in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Erin and Jordan were married on June 24th, 2006. A few things you may see one or both of these friends doing are, but not limited to:

1. Worshipping & serving here.
2. Running in this race.
3. Determining the best spinach artichoke dip in town.
4. Reading (aloud) Harry Potter.

PS - I met Erin on our first day of college and now have the privilege to work with her here.

follow-ups, 3

The most recent follow-ups are here!

Follow-ups refer to former posts...they include pictures, articles, reviews, results etc. I have included the month these posts refer to:

rob's saturday fave - September 2006

free-time sites - October 2006

pumpkin carving - October 2006

family vintage - November 2006