Chicken Stir-fry with Soba Noodles

Here is the first installment, DinnerTime, Again?

It seems lately I’ve been pulling teeth to get my children to eat. They all of a sudden don’t like things they’ve always adored. Boo.

Instead of getting too discouraged, I’ve been experimenting making things I know they love and sneaking some good stuff into it.

This first recipe was based on chicken teriyaki. They love Asian noodle dishes so we bought some Soba noodles, made from buckwheat (pasta with dietary fiber, it can’t be true!). If you’re thinking about the crunchy and heavy whole wheat noodles from the grocery store, you’re thinking is sooo wrong. These are a great texture, and they have a slight nutty flavor but very mild. It is complemented in the dish, so it isn’t a stand out flavor.

I’ve gotten asked every night since by Isabel if we’re having this again.

Chicken Stir fry with Soba Noodles

1 package of soba noodles, made per the instructions on the box
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut up
1/2 cup of toasted sesame marinade (I usually make my own but I had some in my fridge).
1 small red bell pepper chopped pretty fine
1 small yellow pepper chopped pretty fine
2 carrots cut into thin rounds
1/2 small onion chopped very fine
2 garlic cloves chopped very fine
2 tbsp oil
2 tbsp soy sauce (or more)

Marinate chicken for up to 4 hours toasted sesame marinade. I do mine for about 30 minutes. Make the soba noodles while everything else cooks. Draining, add soy sauce to keep from sticking.

In a large fry pan, heat oil. Then add peppers, onion, garlic, and carrots. Cook on medium-high heat until carrots are almost tender. Then add chicken and all the marinade to the fry pan, until chicken is cooked thoroughly. Pour chicken mixture onto the soba noodles and toss until coated. If you need a little more “sauce” you can add a little more of the marinade sauce (from the bottle... never use the raw chicken marinade as a sauce if it’s not cooked. You are smart enough to know this... but just a reminder).
Serves 4.

Izzo mistook the peppers for carrots. YES!

If you try this reipe, I’d love to hear how it goes.

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Again if you have a recipe to add to DinnerTime, Again? Check out the button on the left for instructions.
*You can buy Soba noodles online at amazon grocery

DinnerTime, Again. How to join in!

Want to join DinnerTime, Again?

These are some things we’re looking for:
A photo of the dish if possible, if not send one of you (and your kids and dog..... You’re garden....) cooking or whatnot. If not possible, no worries.

A story or an intro of why you love cooking. Or how it’s changed now that you (have kids, moved to a different region, since whatever.....)

The recipe— with clear easy to follow directions. I would like these to be ORIGINAL or based on this recipe (give a link and the original author) but I did this totally different because....

A two or three sentence bio about yourself.

Email to theyellowdoorpaperie[at]gmail[dot]com

Let’s EAT!

Suit-kini's and Rainboots

Bathing suit season is here. And to Isabel, that means her usual uniform. If you caught yesterday’s post, you would have seen this is now a recurring theme in our summers. Swim suit and rain boots— the perfect summer uniform. You are ready for getting wet by the sprinkler, but you can get your shoes as muddy as you please with out feeling and then yelling “MY FEET ARE DIRTY!” It’s funny that once the boots are on, she can get covered head to toe in mud, and not have a care in the world.

I love this girl. She thinks her two piece bikini is called a Suit-kini (but it sounds like more Zucchini). She must have gardening on the brain too!

And her tag-a-long little Brother. He has the same fascination with watering that she had last year.








In this last shot you’ll see why she needed those boots. This is about how big our garden is, we weeded and watered this weekend. There were more weeds than growing plants, but isn’t that just how it goes? Potatoes and onions are looking real good and so are the tomatoes. I’m excited for all the fresh food that comes along with the garden. But you will not catch me weeding in my Suit-kini.

Summer Uniform: Swimsuit and Boots

When you see tomorrow's post you'll see why I decided to remember this...


Please check out two opportunities for you to participate in here! Dinnertime, Again! and My GreenSpace! I'd love to hear from you!

Ahoy, Maties!
We've graduated from fairy princesses straight to Pirates. Our beloved Captain, Grandma P bought us a pirate ship.

Truman Loves his new backyard playset he recieved for his birthday... Isabel loves it even more. When the box came she said, "Look Mom! Grandma P got us a PARK!"

Well, the PARK slide now slides into the baby pool which transformed it from a regular plaything to a vessel in the open ocean. And with a little lingo coaxing from the super fun, Aimee, Isabel now exclaims, "Arrg... I'm pirate Biz-a-bel!"


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Isabel discovered how to work the sprayer on the hose, claiming to help Daddy water. I believe what she likes more is to water Daddy!



Here she is on our nature parade. We were going on a nature walk and on the way out the door she grabbed two metal pot lids for cymbals and marched all the way to Grandma Bonnies house.

Do you notice how often she wears those boots?

Two opportunities!

We were able to spend so much time outside and that has really cleared my mind— perhaps blown out the cobwebs that come with winter and living in the indoors. I’m wondering if other people feel that way too. I think green spaces and sunshine make me a better person. This weekend was filled with green spaces, weeding and planting. Perhaps a metaphor for my brain. To clear out the old and plant the new.

With that in mind, I’ve decided to make two new sections that you can participate in!



My GreenSpace— A collection of your photos and descriptions of your favorite place to go and unwind outside. You can submit photos and a paragraph about why you love this little spot of green (oceans, deserts and snow are accepted too) to theyellowdoorpaperie[at]gmail[dot]com. Don’t forget to include a link to you’re blog or company website (if you have one... If you don’t that’s ok too). I’ll add those weekly as I receive them.



Dinnertime, Again?— You can submit you’re favorite recipes with photos, and a story of the night you made it, why you like it and such. If you took a recipe from the internet, provide that link too. I’m thinking about dinner ideas, but I’ll take all kinds of recipes. If you want to share an experience about you’re meal planning, I’d love to hear about it! If you have a food blog, you can provide links to you’re favorite recipes on that site, I’ll list some of those too! Again, reach me at theyellowdoorpaperie[at]gmail[dot]com.

I hope you have a beautiful day and that you take some time to get outside in this great wide world!

Beautiful Weekend...

I don't think I can accurately put into words what a wonderful weekend this was. We got much needed rest and family time. 

Being in the out-of-doors hopefully cleared my indoor funk. I wasn't into or excited about much lately. I rediscovered my beloved camera, I forgot that in the spring/summer/fall I can use my telephoto lens, because I'm actually more than 5 feet away from people. Hallelujah! The light was amazing. And I got some favorite shots of my beloveds. 

I did about a thousand loads of laundry, cleaned out drawers and switched all of the kids seasonal clothing! What a feat. My living room looked like an unorganized laundrymat for most of the weekend. I wish the house looked as though I've spent time on it. Unfortunately, it looks like we've been playing hard all weekend-- well it's an honest house!

We went up to Sioux Falls to our favorite Natural Food Co-op and stopped at the bread shop next door. We picked up ingredients to make sushi... I've never made it. But vegetarian sushi is so delicious, I just want to try it! Any tips before I embark?

On Sunday we ended our day with a picnic at the beautiful Oak Grove State Park. We all rode with Grandma Bonnie, ate our picnic dinner and took a little stroll. The kids (and Eric) were so tuckered out, we drove home pretty quickly as it was nearing bedtime (or the bewitching hour as it's called at our house). 

More weekend photos and stories to come. 

Saturday Mornings...

This photo is from a while ago. But it is a morning that I want to replay weekly.

Maybe this weekend.

We don’t have much planned for Saturday and that’s the way I like it. All of us survive better during the week if we get our day of rest (and I get in my trip to the thrift store... that closes by noon!). I think that quiet, contemplative, early-morning Saturday with a journal, a carafe of french-pressed coffee and a homemade cinnamon roll is a good way to spend eternity.

My grandma used to say, “Now, let’s wake up slowly.” She has this wonderful little mobile home that we used to go stay at on weekends, holidays and vacations— the last hour of the drive used to be all open spaces, big sky, amazing hills with cacti and low shrubs— it was magical to me. I still get this fairy-dust feeling in my stomach when we drive down to her house (now it’s from my parents house. The commute from Iowa is a tad longer...). A smile creeps up across my face, whether I mean it to or not.

As a little girl (and let’s be honest... as a teenager), I’d crawl in bed next to her (because Grandpa was always awake, dressed and busied with some project. I never remember him to be idle— and never over busy). I’d snuggle next to her and when I’d wiggle she’d pat my shoulder and say, “Now, lets just wake up slowly. Slowly, slowly.” Then I thought she just wanted me to stop wiggling, and in some ways she probably did. But the air of what she said calmed me.

I understand what she meant now. We have nothing to do today but treasure it— we’ll eat together, laugh together, sit together and just be together. So let’s wake up slowly.

Something is going on here...

A little refresh and clean up! Check back tomorrow and later this weekend for a whole host of changes... and let me know what you think!

Starting Summer Early

It got up to 96 degrees yesterday. In the evening. It was 88 at lunch time, then it got hotter and hotter.

It was one of those evenings where the kids spend all afternoon and evening in their swim suits playing in the kiddie pool and sprinklers.

This is my favorite kind of weather. When I was a stay at home mom, backyard-pooling could become an all day event. Isabel would get to eat a popsicle and splash around for hours. I’d strip Truman down to his diaper, lay a cool pillowcase on his bouncy seat and put him in the shade for a nap. I’d grab a magazine, stick my feet in that ice cold water and drink a coke. Insanely fun for all. Why is the water in a splasher pool is always icy— even on a 90+ day?

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It’s been a while since I’ve shared a good recipe.

This is one from my friend Maria. She makes this sweet Chex mix (sometimes with chocolate drizzled over). Yikes it’s delicious— her recipe is called School Fuel. Yum.

I mixed it up a little bit. Here’s my version--- which we made three batches of this weekend. One with popcorn, one without, one with almonds.

Sweet Party Mix
4 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup raw honey (the original recipe calls for corn syrup, I’ve even used maple syrup all work)
Shake of salt

4 cups whole wheat Chex cereal (you can use any Chex or Crispix)
2 cups popped popcorn (with the ‘old maids’ removed)
1/2 cup almonds (or peanuts)

Pop popcorn according to directions or use these. Put aside.

Mix butter, sugar and honey in the biggest bowl that will fit in your microwave. Microwave for 3 minutes. Or until bubbly. Dump chex, popcorn and almonds in the bowl and fold into the syrup until coated.

Microwave for 1 minute, stir to coat more of the syrup. Repeat two more times. Layout on sprayed cookie sheet or on wax paper. Salt lightly. Let cool 10 minutes. Break apart large chunks. Makes enough to bring to a party.

This is wonderful on days you don’t want to use the stove. And it can be eaten in a lawn chair with feet in a ice-cold pool!

And some new things....

With Tulip Festival over, it means that the Farmer's Market is getting closer. It starts the week of June 2, I will be on a trip with a bunch of friends and no kids.

O wow. It will be the longest I've ever been away from them but I'm sure I get some much needed rest and grown up time. What shall I do with my free hours? I need to make a list. Or not. Just bring a stack of books and magazines, some knitting. YAY!

I will start at the Market June 13th 9-11 a.m. and most Saturdays there after.

I posted a while ago some recipes in the works.

Jayne and I made bagels a few weekends ago. The first batch were less than glamorous, and the latter recipe was amazing. And I am so looking forward to making dozens of different kinds. What is you’re favorite kind of bagel? I love anything extra cinnamon... Or cheesey. But not cinnamon-cheese... But that might work eh?

I'm going to be bringing some breakfast goodies for our getaway. So we'll get to taste the wares before they go into production.

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On another note, visit our facebook page to become a fan and send a happy hello. I’m planning on recipes, free tutorials and digital scrapbooking pages for fans! O the wonder of technology.

When do we become Dutchess?

After some thoughtful contemplation, in the front yard on Thrusday night Izzo asked,
Izzo: Do I get to be a Duchess?
Me: When?
Izzo: For Tulip Pestable? Do I get to wear a duchess costume?
Me: I don’t have a DUTCH COSTUME for you. Sorry, Izzo, maybe next year.
Izzo: That’s ok I have a cat costume from Halloween I can wear.

We obviously haven’t gotten a handle on the difference between being Dutch (which we are not) and being a Duchess. And a costume for the ‘Pestable’ and a costume for Halloween.

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We survived Tulip Festival. It is an exciting time of year, the whole town gets into the spirit. Dressing up, scrubbing streets, food, friends and this town-wide reunion that happens. The parade runs by our house several times a day. It is exciting, wonderful and a tad overwhelming at the same time. The kids love that they can watch all the goings-on from the comfort of our huge front window. I get a tad tired of the lookie-loos (that’s a word my grammy used to use...). Um, no coffee in my bathrobe at the front window. I didn’t want the whole town to see me my quaft-hair and turquoise bathrobe glory.

A picture of Tammy and the kiddos at Halloween-- Izzo in her cat costume...

This year’s festival was a tad different because our beloved house-mate (like family, close like-one-of-my-sisters) sweet Tammy graduated from College! We had all the tulip festivities and all the graduation festivities. We were bursting with pride to see Tammy walk across the stage in all her regalia. It was really nice to be able to spend this last week with her, she didn’t have much work to do in the latter part of the week. And we got some much needed time with her, however, we didn’t watch EverAfter, which um... we both love. Its our thing. O next time.

A few other graduation parties for high schoolers and a bonfire at our house for Eric’s youth group kids— we had a pretty full weekend.

The kid’s were exhausted but in a good way. Both went to bed early last night and woke up in peach-keen moods. Which makes Mondays feel so much better.

*Tulip photo from sxc.hu

Style file: Yellow For Spring

SpringDreams by TheYellowDoorPaperie featuring Savannah Leather Bag

What I am up to...

Instead of blogging here’s what I’ve been doing:


Making and eating chocolate chip pancakes.


Watching the apple tree begin to bloom.


Watch chickens waddle as Eric makes a new coop.


Preparing for the Tulip Festival. I was part of joint project with my beloved Grandma Bonnie. A little designing and printing of placecards. They turned out quite nice. I'll post a photo soon.

Playing outside


Sewing and screen printing. This delicate pink linen bag was for a friend at work, her 30 year anniversary.


Making some wine labels...



Picking up TAMMY! She is back here for graduation and we are very glad to have her back ‘home’. Even if she’s only here a week.


Designing a blog...



It was my birthday this mother’s day. And even though I don’t like a big deal made about my birthday, I do like when I feel known.

This birthday I felt very spoiled. My little family got me a lensbaby. O my goodness I love it. Watch for me at the festival with my camera-- its charging on the counter.


Missy sent an amazing gift box for me full of wonderful trinkets, books, scents and a pair of TOMS have you seen these. Missy got me the vegan variety. O goodness!


Cute and conscious. Ooo and comfy too.

I hope you’re doing as well as I am... I’m hoping for some slow time, but I’m glad I actually like what I’ve been up to!

Old Songs Through New Eyeballs

We have this song in our family.

It’s a theme song of sorts. My husband first heard it over 10 years ago now, at a Youth Conference in Toronto. He brought back the CD, played it for my prolific-worship-leading twin sister who sat down, with prolific-piano-playing mother and figured out all the music. Then they introduced it to our friends, our church, our college, and hundreds of other people along the way.

She and my younger sister sang it at my wedding. It was played at Isabel’s baptism, it will be played at Truman’s and it has been sung countless times, round campfires, the old piano in the house I grew up in, and with a group of people around the death bed of my beloved grandfather. It has a lot of power to us, it binds us together.

With all that background in place, Isabel asked us to play it for her in the car this morning. We did.

Here are some of the the lyrics:

God of Jacob (Give Us Clean Hands)
We bow our hearts, we bend our knees
O Spirit come make us humble
We turn our eyes from evil things
O Lord we cast down our idols

Give us clean hands give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another
Give us clean hands, give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another

O God let us be a generation that seeks
That seeks Your face, O God of Jacob
O God let us be a generation that seeks
That seeks Your face, O God of Jacob


She starts strong, sings every word, on keep in time. Somewhere though the second line of the verse and says, “I have to cast down my eyeballs!”

Huh?(ME: Muffling giggling)

Izzo: “O I cast down my eyeballs all the time!”

Eric: Do you cast down your idols?

Izzo (indignantly): “No, we have to cast out our eyeballs.”

She’s three, and gets words mixed up. Hey I’m (almost) 26 and I get words mixed up. It makes me think of that old VH1 show where they debunk lines of songs that everyone sings wrong (Think: “Hold me closer, Tony Danza).

So, have a wonderful day and don’t forget to cast down your eyeballs!
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A Truman Date....

Last week Eric and I got a rare date alone with Truman. We didn't do anything particularly exciting but, he was thrilled.
We just went to the local hardware store-- just two blocks away-- and saw the baby chicks. We have plenty of full grown ones at home, but the babies are just so cute.



We walked around to the little live plant nursery they have. What beautiful colors of spring.



A perfect evening, my two boys, chickies and flowers.

Friends

"A friend is one who knows us, but loves us anyway."
Jerome Cummings