I'm home!!!!

I can't believe it! I am home and have been for a week now!  It's been a great week but very busy.  I got back into my kitchen on Tuesday and Wednesday to bake and cook again which made me feel excellent. I also got to spend the weekend at my dad and step-mom's house with my husband and puppy dogs.  I also was so happy to get back to our church on Sunday.  Honestly, it has been overwhelming at times, especially when I first got home.  It is definitely a transition.  But there is a lot going on right now and a lot coming up.  So I figure now is time for some updates...

On being home... So I have already mentioned being home is somewhat overwhelming.  Generally speaking, I try not to think about things too much.  I still have dreams that I am still in Afghanistan but that is pretty normal.  I am on a good sleep schedule, though I crash at the end of the day (always before 10, usually before 9) and wake up every day between 0530 and 0630.  But I am enjoying my time at home and love being back in my kitchen.  I also absolutely love my brand new car.  I tend to feel more exhausted than before I left, but I am sure that will turn.

On Lean Six Sigma...  it has come to a screeching halt.  I have tried contacting my instructor at least three times since leaving Afghanistan and haven't heard anything back.  So, I am hoping that some doors might open on the opportunity, but I have no clue what is going to happen and it is really frustrating.

Our new kitchen cabinets... sitting in our garage.

On current projects...  While I was gone, one of our kitchen cabinets sort of fell from the wall.  So, as I have mentioned before, we are redoing the kitchen.  Because of the wood floors, I plan on painting the cabinets instead of staining them.  And I think we are going to do a tile counter top.  But so far, we have just bought the new cabinets, dishwasher and microwave.  The plan is to try to get everything done before thanksgiving.  We are also getting our landscaping in the backyard done this week and I worked on our front yard a little bit last week.  I am hoping to clear the rest of the weeds and leaves in the front yard this week as well (maybe even the clean the gutters).  Early next year we are going to put up the green house and plant some bushes in the yard- but one thing at a time.

On being married...  I forgot how much I truly enjoy my husband's company.  It might seem weird, but there seems to be lots of little things that I forgot.  It feels so good to be back home with my best friend.  He took a couple of days off with me when I first got home.  I thought it would be weird being with him all the time, but it really hasn't been.  If anything, I hate it when he isn't around.  In the next few weeks, we are going to start planning out our time and what our new schedule is going to look like and I am really excited about that.  We are also trying to plan some personal goals for ourselves as a family and how we want to serve in our church, community, work and social lives.

On self-study...  Kevin and I are nearly done with our reading through the bible chronologically study.  We should be done in less than two weeks.  After we finish, I plan on reading through the new testament focusing on verses that pertain to love (God's love for us, our love for him and our love for each other).  On top of that, Kevin and I are going to start reading "100 days to intimacy" which is a book recommended to us by some in our church.  We are hoping this will help us to communicate well and reconnect as we make this next transition.  Plus, we want to be intentional in focusing on our marriage and family.

So yeah, there has been a lot going on in just a week and there is so much more not said.  But I will continue to give periodic updates as we continue to work on our new (feeling) life together.  (And here's a video link from me seeing my puppies for the first time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYUCsxwKxtU)

Wife: Preparing for Deployment (Part 5) Orange Chicken

Canned Orange Chicken Mix:

Ingredients

Sauce:
1 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons orange juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup rice vinegar
2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh ginger root
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons chopped green onion
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
 
Directions

Pour 1 1/2 cups water, orange juice, lemon juice, rice vinegar, and soy sauce into a saucepan and set over medium-high heat. Stir in the orange zest, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, chopped onion, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil. (I also like to add chopped broccoli and water chestnuts to mine)

Mix together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water; stir into the sauce. Reduce heat to medium low, and simmer, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.


Put in jars with about 1/2 inch of headspace. Can in boiling water for about 30 minutes.


For preparing: Cubed 2-3 chicken breasts and cook in a pan. (you can dip in flour and fry cubed pieces). Add sauce after the chicken is fully cooked. Serve on rice.

Wife: Preparing for Deployment (Part 4) Sweet and Sour Chicken

Ingredients:
2 zucchini
1 can of sliced water chestnuts
1 can of bamboo shoots
1/2 cup small mushrooms (optional)
1/2 cup Smucker's® Apricot Low Sugar Preserves
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon powdered ginger
2 teaspoons soy sauce, or to taste
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper

Directions:

Cook zucchini, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots and mushrooms in a pan. In a separate bowl, mix preserves, cider vinegar, garlic salt, ginger, soy sauce and crushed red pepper. (I normally double this mixture, but I like mine extra saucy!)

After the vegetables are cooked, add the sauce mixture. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.

Put in jars with about 1/2 inch of headspace. Can in boiling water for about 30 minutes.

For preparing: Cubed 2-3 chicken breasts and cook in a pan. Add sauce after the chicken is fully cooked. Serve on rice.

Wife: Preparing for Deployment (Part 3) The art of canning

Ok, so canning isn't that difficult if you are to scared to try.  I started out with a quick canning kit that I bought at Bed, Bath and Beyond.  It came with a few jars, a plastic basket and a small recipe book (that I never used).  And it cost less than $15.  I soon bought a lot more jars and eventually bought a new canning pot that holds 7 quart sized jars with a basket inside.

My new big pot!

The first step is always the same, wash and sanitize both of the jars and lids.

Step two is cooking the food on the stove.  Whether it is vegetables or fruits, you want to cook it before putting it in the jars.   Also, if you are canning fruit, you are going to need to also make a syrup.  You don't want to leave any air in the jars... which leads us to the next step...

Step three is to fill the jars.  You want to use a spoon to push the food around in the jars and release the air bubbles.  You also want to leave various amount of head space.  Head space is the amount of empty space that should be left to the top of the jar.  As a rule of thumb, leave 1 inch for low acid foods, vegetables and meats.  Leave 1/2 inch of space for high acid foods, fruits, tomatoes, pickles and relishes.  And leave about 1/4 of space for juices, jams or jellies.

Step four is to wipe the rim well.  You want to make sure that the top is going to be able to be sealed.  Then place the top on and screw it down (tight, but not too tight).

Step 5 is to place the jars in a pot of water.  It is best to have a basket that keeps the jars from touching the bottom of the pans.  You also want about an inch of water over the jars.  Cook over medium high heat.  For precooked foods, cook from 25-30 minutes  and 30-40 minutes for raw foods.  (I usually aim for 30-40 always, just in case).

Step 6 is remove from heat.  When you press on the top of the lids while in the pan (with a spoon or utensil), the lid shouldn't press down.  You want it to be under pressure.  As the cans cool, the top should be sucked down.  It may take a while for the food to cool enough, but it should happen on its own.  If for some reason it doesn't seal, and the food has come down to room temperature, you may need to try again.  Repeat steps 4-6.  (And just a note, I have had a jar that I thought wouldn't seal because all of the others that were the same food and from the same batch did.  I decided to try leaving it over night to see if it would seal and it did.  It just needed to come down to room temperature).  

Wife: Preparing for Deployment (Part 2) Chili Mix

So here is a great recipe for canning...

Ingredients:
2- 14.5 oz of Hunt's Petite Diced Tomatoes
1/2 small yellow onion
2 jalapenos
4 cloves of garlic
4 tablespoons of chili powder
2 tablespoons of garlic powder
1 tablespoon of onion powder
1 teaspoon of black pepper
1 teaspoon of salt

Directions:

Finely chop onion, jalapenos and garlic.  Cook on the stove with a small amount of oil or water.  Add 2 cans of tomatoes and spices.  Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer.  Fill mixture into 2 quart sized jars, leaving 1/2 inch of space at the top.  (If your mixture leaves more space, you can add/ mix in some water).  Can for 40 min to store.

Directions for use:

Add 2 pounds of cooked ground beef and 2 jars of your preferred beans (I like pinto beans in my chili) with one jar of chili mix.  I like to cook mine on low heat in a crock pot for 8 hours, but it can also be cooked on a stove top by bringing the mixture to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer.

With some melted cheese!

Wife: Preparing for Deployment (Part 1)

So, as I am preparing to leave for Afghanistan in less than a month, there are many things that bog down my mind.  There are the regular thoughts about how life will be down-range, and wondering if the time will go by fast. But probably my biggest question is "How am I going to be a good wife when I am in Afghanistan?"  "How do I not feel like I am single when I am living on my own?" and "How do I make my husband feel like he has a wife that loves him from the other side of the world?"

The answer to this question isn't singular.  The first answer is prayer.  I am slowly learning that the best way to love my husband, is to spend time each day praying for him.  Though I will be able to call him frequently, I am already realizing that no matter how much we talk it will never be enough.  I can't talk to him about everything in the time we will have, so the best way to love him, is to pray that God will take care of him and comfort him every moment I am not there.  The joy and peace that brings unity is only going to come from God.

The second answer is to spend time each day dedicated to thinking about my husband and reveling in the man who stole my heart.  It's about taking the time to remember who my husband is and all he's done for me.  I am sure some of the moments in my life I will revisit often include the day he proposed, our wedding day, the trips we have taken and the things we have done together.  Spending time remembering the wonderful things my husband has done for me is going to help remind me not only why I fell in love with him, but also why I will always love him.

The third answer is doing a bible study or marital study together.  Hopefully it will not only strengthen our marriage, but also give us something in common.  That way not only will we always have something to talk about, but we can be connected by something even when we can't talk.

And the fourth answer I have come up with is the reason for why this blog is Part 1.  I recently was inspired to make Kevin as many meals as I could before I go. This all started on Sunday afternoon.  I had recently started canning my own salsas, which Kevin has loved.  I gave a jar to my Dad for Christmas and on Sunday, he was telling us that he didn't have tomatoes to make chili, so he added what was left of my jar of salsa and that it turned out really well.  So I started thinking that instead of just salsa, I could can a chili mix.  I added all of the spices, tomato, onion, and peppers.  So now all my husband has to do is brown a pound of hamburger, a can of beans and a can of chili mix.  He can make it in a crockpot or on the stove.  So it is really simple, and he can still have a homemade meal.  (For the record, my husband is a terrible cook :-) )  Plus, I already made a pot of chili to make sure the mix is good and it turned out great!

But of course, that got me thinking of other recipes I could do this with where Kevin just has to cook some meat and add a mix or sauce.  And the more that I thought about it, the more I realized the implications.  I could make a bunch of pre-made meals so that meals that take longer to cook won't take as long.  Or when I eventually I become pregnant, I could pre-make some of my favorite meals so I need to worry about cooking after the baby comes.  Life will only get busier, so pre-making meals just keeps sounding better and better.

So, again, there will be multiple parts to this blog that will include recipes that I try and enjoy, as well as at least one post of how you can do your own canning at home easily!