Our Year in Review

Dear Family and Friends,

Happy New Year!   If we are not seeing you in person this holiday season we hope you have a beautiful and blessed time.  Also, know you are on our minds and in our hearts.  This year has been one of a lot of exciting changes for us and we thought it might even be worthy of an update to let you know all that has been going on.

                This Valentine’s Day was a significant one for our family as it was the residency match day for all DO students.   We found out officially that student DrOgg would have the opportunity to make his dream of being an orthopedic surgeon come true.  We also found out that he would be doing this back in Erie, PA which meant we would be living there for at least 5 years. MrsOgg immediately started planning the upcoming move and we debated whether we should buy a home in Erie or look for a rental.   Of course our hope was to move into our first house but, unsure if we could afford it we began exploring our options.

In April we found out the great news that a 3 bedroom home had come available through the hospital’s resident’s rental program and we were at the top of the list.  Since this was the most affordable way we knew to a nice house we hurried up to Erie to take a look.  After 5 years in all kinds of apartments this little ranch with a big yard in a quiet neighborhood was a dream come true. 

 We signed the lease and made plans to move to Erie as soon as possible.  On March 15^th we moved into our first house and even though it was 10 pm when we finally arrived (through a snowstorm) DrOgg and Ogglet couldn’t help but run around playing and exploring all the space we would be blessed with for the next five years.  Though MrsOgg loved everything she especially couldn’t be happier with her new kitchen that boasts a dishwasher and just about 3 times the space of our previous tiny kitchen.

After settling in for almost two months the day we all had been waiting for finally came:  graduation day!  On May 29^th our student doctor officially became Dr. Ogg and the first leg of his long journey to becoming an orthopedic surgeon was completed.  What a proud day it was for everyone!  Seeing Dr Ogg walk across that stage and knowing all the hard work and sacrifice that had led up to it was wonderful.  We celebrated with some family and food.  We even got to enjoy our yard and patio out back since our central air decided to conk out the day of the party.  But, in spite of the heat,  it was a wonderful weekend of celebration and of course time with our family.

Not soon after graduation we found out the most wonderful news of the whole year, we are having another baby!  So, the past seven months have been full of adjustments and challenges.  For DrOgg learning the ropes of his first year of residency and of course for MrsOgg caring for an active toddler while pregnant have been challenging to say the least.  And of course Ogglet turned two this October.  We have been surprised daily her amazing growth and learning these past months.  Not only is she talking more than ever but, she likes to put together puzzles, learn her alphabet, numbers, colors and shapes.  Basically anything we can teach her she is willing and eager to learn which makes all the “terrible” parts of being two not seem so bad. 

All in all it’s been a pretty amazing year.  Of course now we are trying to finish last minute preparations for the new baby girl and hope to enjoy our last 6 months with daddy before he has to start his rotations at out-of-town hospitals.  In spite of all this joy and the blessings we’ve been given we have already learned and will probably continue to discover that these last 5 years of DrOgg’s training are going to be the most trying.  Please keep us in your hearts and your prayers that we will be able to make the most of these years and stay strong in the Lord and close as a family.  Thanks for all of your support in small and big ways that helped us to get this far.

"Mommy...hands!!"

I will admit I am lucky.  I have what my mom would refer to as a "trick baby."  That's the kind that are so good and sweet that they trick you into thinking it would be easy to have another. ;-)  Of course we've had our challenges along the way but, all things considered our Ogglet has been a pretty easy baby.  Even now as she enters the terrible two's she manages to balance out her angry fits and loud "NO!'s with many many more sweet and totally amazing moments.  I can't believe how fast she is learning EVERYTHING and I suspect at this rate she may surpass DrOgg and I by the 3rd grade.  Of course this time-frame may be overly generous (to us).

Something happened today that I'm not sure whether to place it the terrible category or the cute...it's kind of a mix for me.  After every meal I wipe Ogglet's hands off with a wet wash cloth.  Since she often finishes after me she will call out to me (wherever I am in the kitchen, etc) and say "Mommy, done."  Or "Mommy, hands!"  So I can come wipe her face/hands and get her out of her highchair.  The last few days she has been asking for me to wipe her hands after one dish before starting another.  For example...she wants mommy to wipe of the egg yolk before she can eat her orange.  So, that is what happened today.  I served her an egg that had a slight bit of runny yolk still in it and she was asking me to wipe her hands before she would even touch her orange (her total fave food right now).  I said what I've been saying, no and explained again to her that I would wipe her hands when she was totally done with the entire meal.  Anyways...she had already eaten a whole egg and two pieces of toast so when she didn't eat the orange set in front of her I figured she was full.  Then she set the orange aside--kind of a nonverbal cue she does when she doesn't want or is done with something.  I wiped her hands and was ready to take her out of the high chair and she grabbed the oranges again and started eating them!  She tricked me!!  I was really surprised because up until now the Ogglet has never lied to me.  Admittedly this was more of an indirect deception but, I can't believe she did it.  And now what kind of prissy ritual are we starting?  Am I to be wiping her hands between each course?  Argh....I'm not letting her trick me again!

Winter Squash A-Z: Butternut Squash Epic Fail....Almost!

Some of you might say you can't go wrong with Butternut Squash but, I'm here to say: Yes you can!  I actually made a few attempts with one squash and three recipes.  Now, I will be the first to admit that I don't have varied experience when consuming butternut squash.  No one has ever cooked it for me and I've never seen it on the menu at a restaurant in any form.  I do feel like I had heard of a lot of it being made into a soup so I was wanting to do something a little different than "the norm."  Steering as far away from silky soup as possible I decided to try a recipe that I saw on Dr Oz over a year ago.  It was one of those recipes I had been meaning to try for forever but, hadn't gotten around to.  The Hungry Girl Blog author raved about it on Dr Oz and I willingly believed.  I will say however, that it didn't live up to expectations.  Has anyone made these Butternut Squash fries and had success? It sounded great...a lower calorie alternative to sweet potato fries!  Was it something I did wrong? I really LOVE sweet potato fries so I thought this would be right up my alley too but, something just didn't taste right.  Very disappointing after the prep time of cutting, drying, etc. I started to wonder if it was my prego taste buds but, even Annabel wouldn't eat them and she's not a picky eater so.... I shared all that to say that I am NOT sharing that recipe with you  today. 

Next, I was eager to redeem the poor squash which I had only used a third of.  I decided to go a more traditional route and had a little time while Ogglet napped to make something nice for dinner.  I decided to make a Butternut Squash Bisque recipe from one of my cookbooks and a garlic and cheese biscuit with salad.   Sounds good right?  I started the recipe the silliest way possible.  Rather than reading it to be sure I had the ingredients I just jumped right in assuming I knew more or less what would be in this soup.  I was surprised part-way through to discover that it called for some potatoes.  This was unexpected (to me at least) but, it seemed like a small amount compared to the other ingredients so I was unconcerned.  After making this bisque...my first bisque actually I was soooooo disappointed.  The potatoes in my opinion ruined the texture.  It gave the bisque a graininess that you would not expect from butternut squash puree.  Annabel liked it though and not wanting to be wasteful I reheated and ate this with the biscuits for lunch two days after. I will admit it grew on me a bit...actually reminded me of the base to a corn chowder my mom used to make when I was a kid.  But, I wanted a creamy butternut soup NOT corn chowder without the corn so, this too I consider a fail.  If anybody reading this knows a great butternut squash recipe for soup please send it my way and it will be appreciated!
If you've read this far into my post, i certainly appreciate your dedication and don't want to leave you empty handed so here is a recipe you must try!  It is very simple and easy to make and since I don't remember now where I first learned it I'm just going to give you a rough description of how I make it.  This is the one butternut squash recipe that I know for sure is a winner.  It's so easy to make but is so unique to most people that it really is a special dish to serve for family or friends.  I've been making it for a few winters now and my hubby never gets tired of it and neither do I.

Ravioli with Butternut Squash Puree

Cut squash into 1" cubes and boil until soft. 
Once soft, puree squash in a food processor or blender.   I use some of the water from boiling the squash to bring the puree to a pasta sauce consistency.  
Return puree to pot (minus the excess water of course) to reheat.  Then add salt, nutmeg and cinnamon to taste.  Depending on the squash I have often added a few tablespoons of brown sugar as well but, this is totally optional.  If you prefer more savory flavor you could also add pepper....just do what feels right! 
In the meantime boil your favorite cheese ravioli.  When ravioli is done, drain and ladle squash puree over like you would any sauce.  A little grated Parmesan on top will give it a nice touch.  Now, enjoy!

Mmmmm....

Ogglet loves soup!

Winter Squash A-Z: Garlicky Baked Buttercup Squash

Wow!  It sure has been for-ev-ah  since I started this "series"  so if you were anxiously awaiting another installment it is finally here.  I will say part of the problem was being busy but, also these squashes are not as easy to find as you would think.  Finding recipes for less common squash is not impossible but, buying some of them in your area might be next to impossible.  I actually found this super yummy sounding soup recipe and an amazing cooking blog in the process.  It calls for Banana squash which is supposedly available at grocery stores but, I tried all the stores in Erie and even checked local stands and of course went grocery shopping on black Friday when we were in Columbus, OH....so I DID try.  But, if by some luck you have grown some of this giant yellow squash or know someone who has check this recipe out!  Apparently it is pretty much interchangeable with butternut squash as for flavor but, has a softer, smoother texture.  http://changeabletable.blogspot.com/2009/11/smooth-as-silk-banana-squash-soup-every.html  Haven't tried it yet but, will report back when I do. 
Since I couldn't find the Banana squash I finally went to the next available which I found here locally at more than one store.  It is Buttercup and it is kind of a black squash that to me tastes a heck of a lot like acorn squash.  I actually had trouble finding a recipe specifically for it and needed a side one night so I made a recipe for butternut squash and found a staple that I LOVE and will be sure to make over and over again.  http://allrecipes.com/recipe/garlicky-baked-butternut-squash/  This recipe was so flavorful and delicious and really so ridiculously easy!  The only recommendation I would have is to cut the salt in half or just sprinkle the salt to taste rather than mixing in it like the recipe calls for.  It was too salty for  my taste so you might be the same and I'm thinking it's easier to add more later than to take it off.  If you try any of these recipes I would love to hear about it!  Please comment and let me know what you think.  Also, I am doing butternut next...trying to hurry up and get to pumpkin because I am planning to bake a yummy desert that you won't want to miss!