The Chou Life

It’s cold.  And we’ve had a lot of snowfall lately.  Last weekend gave us about a foot of the white stuff, and we’ve had a few flurries here and there since then.

I think I took this photo last Friday...

The kids are loving it.  I enjoy it too…but I have to admit that I’ll be happy when it’s warm again.  Cold weather and snow are fun for the first few months (I kinda like being stuck at home sometimes!), but I start to get weary with all the bundling up, the pools of melting snow constantly being tracked into the house, and the higher natural gas bills!  But enough of my whining…

This photo was taken yesterday. Hudson is getting pretty good with his snowball-making and throwing skills!

Boulder loves the snow too, but it’s hard for the poor little guy to get around when the snow is nearly as deep as he is tall.  And the silly kid won’t keep his mittens on.  He inevitably comes in crying because his hands are icy and hurting.

Can you imagine playing in this snow with your bare hands??

Does anyone know of good mittens for toddlers?  Mittens that he might actually keep on his hands?

Just in case you’ve ever wanted to see a hugely pregnant woman standing in the snow, here you go…

I’m 37 weeks along now!  And yes, my back hurts.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend, snow or no snow!

-Abby

Calla's artwork depicting our family

Another year, another baby;

Done at last, but there’s always maybe

Room for one more in our little abode.

At least we have more than one commode.

The things we share,

The things we bear:

Tummy aches and Tums,

Childrens’ little bums…

Stinky messes that they leave,

Watching you clean as I dry heave.

You are my best, I admit,

Loving me even when I throw a fit.

The things you do, the way you care,

Washing my clothes and cutting my hair,

Cooking, cleaning and all that jazz

While I sit around looking like Chaz.

Just so people don’t think me a dunce:

Remember when I did that one thing once?

Like when I helped you preheat the oven

Or when we made sweet sweet..muffin?

Now we’ve been married for seven years,

Trusty companions like tools from Sears.

Our time together has just started,

Faithful and true and Hey, who farted?

It’s just not in me to be so serious;

These fresh beats will make you delirious.

My rhyme and meter can be redundant

But my love for you is more than abundant.

Financial means we have not much,

Splitting a coffee from the Brothers Dutch,

Redbox codes to rent a free movie

Like the one with Horton and Dr. Hoovey.

Restaurant coupons predict an ominous fate

For soon they close and we’re too late

To enjoy a meal at a discounted price.

It has happened to us more than thrice.

Mama is right, you’re my Princess Diana.

I love to hear you play the piana,

Special moments for you and me

Like duets out of tune and out of key.

As sure as God’s creation is wide

I am thankful that you are my bride,

For once I heard the wedding bells ring

I knew you’d be my first, my last, my everything.

-Eric

{From Abby: I’m linking up with Ruth’s GraceLaced Mondays today.  A hubby who loves me and keeps me laughing is perfect example of God’s grace in my life!}

With three kiddos and my love for cooking, you’d think I’d be experienced in preparing for life with a newborn, at least as far as meals go.  But I’ve never really made the effort to prepare food before the baby comes; that is, until this pregnancy!

Over the last few weeks I’ve been (trying to) plan ahead when I make dinner.  For example, when I have enough ingredients available, I’ll put together an extra casserole to freeze.  Or when I cook a whole chicken, I’ll store the leftover meat in a ziploc bag and toss it in the freezer.  (We received a hand-me-down upright freezer from some friends last year and I’m so grateful!)

(I normally don’t do much freezer cooking so I’ve definitely had to put some focused thought into these preparations.  This website, Tammy’s Recipes, has been especially helpful.  She outlines how she’s planned ahead during her pregnancies so her family is still well cared for — at least in the food department! — after her babies arrive.)

Last week I discovered a container of frozen pumpkin puree, so I made two loaves of my favorite pumpkin coconut bread recipe and put one of them in the freezer for an easy breakfast down the road…

Earlier this week while trying to use up a container of frozen ham and a partially-used bag of frozen broccoli, I came up with what turned out to be a big hit with everyone in the family!  Gotta love it when that happens.

CREAMY CURRIED HAM & BROCCOLI

16 oz. frozen broccoli florets

2 c. cooked cubed ham

3 c. cream of chicken soup (this homemade recipe is amazing and so easy!)

2/3 c. sour cream

1/3 c. chicken broth (homemade is best!)

1/2 tsp. curry powder

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1/8 tsp. paprika

1 1/2 c. shredded cheese (I used a combination of cheddar and colby-jack)

Rice, noodles, polenta, or mashed potatoes for serving

1) Preheat oven to 375 F.  Heat broccoli on the stovetop until no longer frozen; spread evenly into a greased 9×13″ baking dish.  Layer cubed ham on top of the broccoli.

2) In a mixing bowl, whisk together the cream soup, sour cream, broth and spices.  Pour over the ham. 

3) Bake, uncovered, at 375 for 20 minutes.  Sprinkle cheese over the top and bake another 10 minutes.  Serve over rice, noodles, polenta, or our favorite — mashed potatoes.

Instead of a 9×13″ pan, I used one 8×8″ pan and one foil pie pan for freezing.  The 8×8″ dish was enough for all five of us, and there was even one serving left over (lunch for Eric the next day!)

If you have any tips or recipes for freezer cooking, please do share.  I’d like to do as little cooking as possible in the weeks following Baby Chou #4′s arrival!

-Abby

Once, years ago, I ordered a bowl of Zuppa Toscana (Tuscan Soup) at Olive Garden.  It’s been a while, but I do remember thinking that I had to find a similar recipe.  The soup was so rich and tasty!  Well, apparently I got distracted with other things (stuff like getting married, having kids, the usual…) and I never got around to making the dish at home.

Until last week — when trying to come up with something for dinner, I realized I had all the basic ingredients for that yummy soup: ground pork, bacon, potatoes, kale, and heavy cream.  We had zuppa Toscana for dinner that night.

ZUPPA TOSCANA

1 lb. Italian sausage (or ground pork seasoned this way)

1 small onion, chopped

2 slices bacon, diced

1 clove garlic, minced (or 1/4 tsp. garlic powder)

4 c. chicken broth (homemade is best!)

2 potatoes, cubed

2-3 c. fresh kale, torn into small strips

1/2 c. heavy cream*

Remove sausage from casing and crumble into a large skillet; cook over medium heat until browned.  (I used ground pork seasoned according to the recipe link above.)  Set aside.

In large saucepan over medium heat, saute onions and diced bacon until bacon is browned, 10-15 minutes.  Add garlic and saute for another minute. 

Add chicken broth and potatoes; simmer 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender.  Stir in kale, cream, and reserved sausage; simmer 5 more minutes or until kale is slightly wilted.  Serve and enjoy!

*Depending on prices and sales, I usually buy either organic heavy cream OR non-organic, rBST-free cream that is ‘pasteurized,’ NOT ‘ultra-pasteurized.’  Sinton’s rBST-free heavy cream is one of the few ‘pasteurized’ brands I’ve found. 

A lower level of pasteurization means that the cream retains more of its original protein structure as well as its good bacteria and enzymes (and cream that is pasteurized at a lower level simply tastes better than its “ultra” counterpart!)  If I could get my hands on some raw cream, we’d definitely be using that instead!

Hope you enjoy!

-Abby

Just five (or so) more weeks!  As Baby Day draws nearer, I’m cherishing the opportunities to sleep through the night…and my early mornings with the Lord that follow a decent night’s rest.  I know that once Baby #4 is here, finding quiet times will be more difficult.  And I’m ok with that, as I know it’s just a season.

But for the next few weeks, I’m thankful for these consistent morning moments with my Sustainer, a cup of hot tea, and a few great teachers.

(By the way, I highly recommend D.M. Lloyd-Jones’ Studies in the Sermon on the Mount.  I only read 2-3 pages at a time, but those few pages give me so much to chew on for the day.)

Visit GraceLaced and see how others are finding grace in their everyday…

Well, blogging obviously hasn’t been a top priority for me lately.  In case you’re interested, here’s a summary of our (super interesting and unbelievably exciting) (not really) life from the last few weeks.

Last week Eric and I were blessed with a date night!  We ate at Stagecoach Inn (such a cozy, old-school restaurant) in Manitou Springs.  I ordered fish & chips (totally a pregnancy thing) and we actually enjoyed some unhurried, quiet conversation.  (Aaahhh.)  Then we saw the latest Mission Impossible at the IMAX.  (Loved it.)  It was a fun, relaxing evening.

This was after we left the theater -- we didn't eat at the Asian Bistro...but we thought it would make a fun (fuzzy phone) picture.

My mother-in-law came for a quick visit over the weekend.  We had a wonderful time!  (The kids were especially excited when they learned that their Lao-Lao would be sleeping in their room on the bottom bunk.  Sleepover parties are the best!)

Sunday afternoon we all walked around the outdoor 16th Street Mall in Denver (a fascinating place to people watch.)  We happened to run into Robo Mike (who apparently is quite famous in these parts) and he kept us laughing for a good while.

You probably can't tell, but the kids were slightly terrified. It took a few minutes of coercing to get them to stand right next to Robo Mike! (His character was a bit unnerving, I have to admit!)

I finally had my tooth pulled earlier this week.  I’m so happy to have it out of my mouth (and I’ll be even happier when my jaw stops aching!)  The procedure was surprisingly bearable, and it (you know, the gaping hole in my gums) seems to be healing as it should.  Thankful!

At my midwife appointment yesterday, everything checked out fine.  The baby is head down and still kicking like crazy!  My blood pressure is still ridiculously low and I’m measuring right on track for 34 weeks.  I’m grateful to be blessed with another healthy pregnancy.  And I can’t believe how quickly it’s going by.  (Although the kids says it’s taking “soooo long!”  They can’t wait to meet their new little sibling!)

Speaking of little siblings, Boulder Boy is getting four new teeth!  I didn’t notice until a few days ago, when he couldn’t keep his fingers out of his mouth and seemed a bit cranky.  I’ll try to get a picture of his TEN little chompers sometime soon.

That’s all for now!  Hopefully it won’t be another week and a half before the next update.

-Abby

Has anyone else been buying oranges and clementines by the boat-load lately?  (Or at least, the mini-van-load?)  I love it when fresh produce is affordable…especially citrus fruits in the middle of winter.  Lots of vitamin C for cold and flu season — what a blessing!

Although we don’t have any trouble plowing through pounds and pounds of oranges just by peeling and eating them, I like to use oranges in cooking and baking too.  Quick breads are one of my go-to breakfast items, so I thought I’d try incorporating some citrus into one of my standard recipes.  (I was inspired by these Orange Mini-Muffins with Brown Sugar Glaze from The Pioneer Woman.)

I’ve made this recipe with both wheat flour and Pamela’s Gluten-Free Baking Mix, and it’s delicious both ways.

ORANGE QUICK BREAD (adapted from this recipe)

1/2 c. butter, softened or melted

2/3 c. sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 c. buttermilk (or 1 T. vinegar + enough milk to make 1 cup)

1 orange, juiced and zested

1 3/4 c. flour (I prefer white whole wheat)

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

{Or you can use 2 c. gluten-free baking mix in place of the flour, soda, and salt.}

1/2 c. brown sugar (for the glaze)

• Preheat oven to 350 F.  Grease a 9 x 5″ loaf pan. 
• Cream butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl; add eggs, vanilla, buttermilk, and orange zest and mix well.  Combine flour, baking soda, and salt; add to creamed mixture.  Mix just until combined.
• Transfer to the greased loaf pan; bake 50-60 minutes, or until golden-brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
• While bread is baking, combine brown sugar and orange juice in a small bowl.  A few minutes after removing the bread from the oven, transfer the loaf to a plate.  Poke a dozen or so holes in the top of the loaf with a toothpick.  Drizzle glaze all over the bread.
• And then be sure to eat it warm!

If you need more ideas for using up all that citrus fruit, check out my Springs Bargains post: What To Make With What’s On Sale: Oranges!

-Abby

I’m excited to be joining my sis-in-law, Ruth, at GraceLaced for Grace Laced Mondays.  We’re sharing our stories of grace at work in our lives.  I think all of us could use encouragement to intentionally look for how God covers us with His lavish grace in the everyday moments!

Last night as I was rocking my littlest boy to sleep (which I’ve been doing more than usual lately — he only has 2 more months as the baby! *sigh*) I was thinking about the past week.  To be honest, it was difficult.  Nothing specific was wrong; I’m just feeling clumsy, tired, and hugely pregnant these days, and keeping up on simple household chores is becoming a challenge.  And for some reason, it seemed that the kiddos were extra-whiny and extra-destructive this week.  I found myself in the ugly cycle of reacting to their behavior with a bad attitude of my own (and we all know that this only makes things worse.)

Saturday morning, I had a few moments alone with the Lord before the rest of the family woke up.  I asked Him specifically for grace and patience toward my kiddos.  It was a small request, made with a teeny-tiny amount of faith.  But WOW, He answered swiftly and abundantly: we had an amazingly simple weekend of fun family togetherness, and I enjoyed my kids more than I have in a long time.

I bought a box of Cutie clementines on Friday, and for the last several mornings the kids have enthusiastically enjoyed their early morning snack while I finish up breakfast preparations.

**Here’s a short video of my little  Cutie Eaters **  <— (Click the link to watch the video!)

I’m humbled by God’s work in turning a seemingly insignificant weekend into an incredible blessing for me and my hubby.  (One example: the five of us spent 2 1/2 hours at Souper Salad after church yesterday, enjoying a leisurely meal while Eric and I marveled at the unique personalities of each of our children, revealed in something as simple as eating at a buffet!)

I’m an imperfect mama in serious need of grace, and God’s answer to my prayer over the weekend has encouraged me more than I can really explain.  I look forward to serving my family with joy this week.  As Spurgeon reminded me this morning…

If there be not a holy cheerfulness to oil our wheels, our spirits will be clogged with weariness.  The one who is cheerful in his service of God proves that obedience is his element; he can sing, ‘Make me to walk in your commands; It’s a delightful road.’

How have you seen God’s grace at work in your life lately?

-Abby

It’s been TWO whole weeks since I’ve posted here!  We thoroughly enjoyed our Christmas celebrations…how about you?  It was busy at times, but we also had the chance to rest and relax with family — and for that I’m so