Christmas Music- Guilty Pleasure

Since December 1 I have been listening to Christmas music NON-STOP!  Every time I'm in the car I obsessively flip stations to find it, at home while I'm cleaning, cooking, getting ready, or just around I have it on.... and at work we have been playing the same three cd's over and over and I LOVE IT!  I found this CD amongst all my pandora playlists and downloaded and I'm in love- She & Him are making my christmas music lovin' heart melt!

Click HERE to hear their version of Christmas Waltz 

What a Gem

I got this picture in an email about a week ago...  I about died when I saw how cute she is.  

We are so proud of our little missionary!! 

Her first *French* pastry

Sister Ellsworth and her companion

A Very Fowler Thanksgiving

I know its almost mid December and I’m just getting to this, but we’ve had a busy few weeks around here…  and as Jon prepares for finals this week and next I will have a little time to myself to get you all updated on the blog.

What a wonderful way to spend our first Thanksgiving together- Jon and I were able to take a week vacation down to Georgia to visit the oldest Fowler brother and his family.  Together he and his wife have two lovely daughters, two dogs, a cat, and a fish.  It was a full house with lots of love!  This was also the first time I was meeting this part of the family and I couldn’t have been more blessed to have another thoughtful brother, loving sister, and sweet as pie nieces!  

I could probably go on forever talking about what a wonderful trip we had… and all the things that happened that were so very meaningful to Jon and I, but it may put some of you to sleep so I’ll just recap a few of our favorite things

-For me just getting to meet Jon’s brother and connect with him and his family, and for Jon it has been THREE whole years since he has last seen his brother!

- Spending hours talking with my new sister!

-Playing with my new nieces, and watching Jon spend hours play littlest pet shops with the girls {melt my heart}

-movie night and game night

-Georgia Aquarium- BIGGEST aquarium in the world!!

- Baking, cooking, and eating tons of delicious food
- Geting a surprise phone call from Lara as she was leaving the MTC and heading to France!! Only a few short weeks and we'll get to *SEE* her face via SKYPE!!

-Blue Bell’s chocolate ice cream- and bringing two gallons home with us- a little bit of heaven in our freezer.

It was the perfect vacation and I must say we are both eager to head back down: maybe after we have eaten all the icecream we can make a trip for more :)

Here are a few photos from our trip... I wish I had more, and I'm bummed I don't have a group one of all of us- just another reason we need to go back down!

Jon and I at the Aquarium

Lura, Sadie and Jon 

*love* 

Thanksgiving Feast!!!  

my apple pie!! 

Jon and Bridgette

That's right- our Blue Bell!

Home at last!

Saturday morning after our vacation
Jon and I woke up early to go to my
favorite breakfast spot in Lansing...
mMmMm!!

Can you see my its my favorite?!
Berry french toast with a vanilla cream
sprinkled with sugared oats!!  

I’m thankful for…

This season I am especially thankful for fall times up in TC and all this brings with it.  Over the weekend Jon and I went up to Traverse and got to experience some of my favorites… now becoming Jon’s favorites too. There is nothing like a crisp fall day *Up North*.  We made a pit stop at Potters Bakery for their amazing pumpkin long john’s {very festive for the season}, had Bubba’s for the most amazing burgers and fries {mine was vegetarian, don’t worry: their black bean and avocado burger is out of this world!!}, spent time with the family, visited my closest friends *new* home, and both got a new do!!!

Another thing I’m so very thankful for is the opportunity I’ve had to watch Jon become another member to the *Ellsworth Clan* that is practically bursting.  It’s hard to imagine fitting anyone else in, but of course Jon has been welcomed with open arms; loved and adored by all!

This weekend was another testament of this flourishing bond.  Jon desperately needed his hair cut: the last time was before our wedding!  And first thing Friday morning Seth with to town on his lovely locks.  Seth may have missed his calling in life, as he seemed to have skillfully tamed the beast that had been left to run wild on top of Jon’s head.  It was cute to hear them talk about their interests, and really learn about each other.  Needless to say Seth has been hired as Jon’s new barber.    

There also seemed to be quite the fan club following Jon around since he has now inherited a rapidly growing number of nieces and nephews.  I think we are at 20 with two more on the way… and it will keep going…  This weekend it was Seth and Chelsea’s 3 girls that could hardly wait to receive a little attention from “Uncle Jon”.  Any free second Jon had from studying was spent playing with 3 lovely ladies that will no doubt grow into little heart breakers one day.  And when Jon was tucked in a bedroom buried in a book all I heard was “Where is Uncle Jon?”, “When will he be done studying?”,  “I want to play hide and seek with Uncle Jon, when will he come over?”… you get the idea.  It melted it my heart.

This was also the first weekend that Jon and I got to stay with my Grandpa.  Although it was a full-packed weekend of running around and getting things done {trips home seem to always go by too fast} I have loved to see Grandpa and Jon build a relationship.  I love seeing the way Jon looks at Grandpa and how he hangs on every word Grandpa shares about his life- especially his service in the military flying fighter planes, and about Grandma.  Grandpa has genuinely taken an interest in Jon’s studies, very delighted to engage in conversation with Jon about law. But I think my favorite was seeing the two of them interact as Grandpa ask Jon about his experiences in Russia.  *sigh* yup, its been pretty perfect. 

I always knew I had a pretty great family; this is was just another reminder to me.   

Lara would be so proud of this :)

Happy Halloween!

Things weren't very exciting around here for us this Halloween- Jon had class until 10 and I worked until 9:30.  We did get a chance to carve pumpkins together for our date night over the weekend {between my last few days of Ele's Place training and between studying for Jon}.  I haven't done this since I was kid, and it was such a treat to get my hands a little dirty doing this crafty project alongside Jon.  We hope everyone enjoyed a very spooky Halloween!

My favorite picture... Jon's professor
gave everyone in class this
"costume".  Jon wears it pretty
well don't ya think?!

3 bean chili

Last week was a busy week around here.  I started my training at Ele's Place so that added an extra 10 hours to my week (on top of this impossible cold I've seem to come down with).  I love the training, and it has made me miss my Death, Loss and Grief class I took my last semester at UM.  My professor Sally Foley was absolutely amazing!  A true inspiration for a social worker.  She had so much energy and passion for what she did and EVERYONE loved her classes.   She taught the death class and sex class...  2 of the most interesting and most important pieces of life- the beginning and the end.  Anyway, the training has gone well, I feel comfortable, and I'm looking forward to being able to work with the children.  Made me do lots of reflecting of my own loss this spring of the beloved Virginia Ruth Lutz.       

Last week was another big week too because I finally officially changed my name!!  Yup, I'm legally Ashlee (Ellsworth as my middle name) Fowler!   We had to wait for the state of Hawaii to file our marriage license, and then mail it back to us before I could go to the social security office and secretary of state, it only took Hawaii 10 weeks.  I got my new card in the mail last week, and I'll be heading over to the bank this week to change my name on my accounts there!  I know it's just a little thing, but it has been so very exciting to me.  

Last week at work I made a double batch of three bean chili that sold out after three days!  It's probably the least time intensive soup I've done too!  Here is the recipe for a single batch- makes about 5 quarts

1 medium to large size onion chopped

1 red pepper chopped

6 cloves of garlic minced

olive oil

2 Tablespoons chili powder

2 teaspoons cumin

1 1/2 teaspoons oregano

a dash or two of red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon cinnamon 

1 teaspoon sugar

1 28 oz can tomato sauce

1 can diced tomatoes with juice

2 cans black bean with liquid

1 can garbanzo beans drained

1 can dark kidney beans drained

1 can corn drained

water, salt, pepper

Add onion, red pepper and garlic to a large heavy pot (I use a 6 qt dutch oven) add enough olive oil to coat ingredients, let simmer till onion fragrant and translucent- about 10 minutes medium heat. Add all the spiced (chili powder, cumin, oregano, pepper flakes, cinnamon, sugar) mix  and lower heat to low/medium cook for 2-3 minutes then add all the cans starting with tomato sauce.  Stir everything together, add water if needed add salt and pepper to taste.  Let simmer for at least 15 minutes, I think its better if the flavors meld for least an hour on low with the pot covered.  Serve with a little sour cream, cilantro, and cheddar cheese!    

We are having the missionaries over for dinner tonight and I found a recipe for sour cream corn bread that I'm trying- I'll post it if I like the way it turned out!!  

Who wants some soup?

So life never goes how we think it will.  If you would have asked me a year ago where I thought I would be today I do not think I would have come anywhere near the destination I have arrived at....  and the same thing for Jon.  But we both never could have guessed we would be this happy and blessed.  Everyday there are little reminders to us that we are doing the right things and on the right track.  

Obviously, those of you that know me, and if you have read my blog posts you can tell that food is one of my passions.  I think it's one of those hands on projects that just fills my senses with satisfaction.  Nothing like using my hands to kneed dough, or press a knife through an onion, to smell the flavors as they meld together, hear ingredients sizzle and crackle as they warm on the stove, and of course my favorite parts the ascetics of presentation and how it tastes and feels in your mouth and belly.  You know I really love you if I've shared a meal with you I've prepared, because I've just given you a piece of my soul.  

Now I'm not claiming to know lots about cooking, I would consider myself a novice cook.  But I'm adventurous, and I'm not afraid to try something.  I love learning from how other people do things, watching and reading about creating something new from just a few ingredients.  Each time in the kitchen is like an experiment, and some things work better than others.  

Anyways, where I'm going with this is- last week I had a few customers ask about the soup we serve at the bakery/pastry shop I'm working at part time.  And let me tell you, the soup is not good.  It comes from a can and looks a little bit like a cross between dog food and throw up.  People actually eat it, and I think some like it!  None of it is vegetarian so I haven't actually tried it, maybe it is okay, but I'm going to go ahead and say I don't think so.  Well, I had this great idea that I would make the soups, with fresh ingredients, and they would be vegetarian friendly, some even vegan friendly.  I suggested this to my boss on a trail basis, thinking he would shoot me down, and to my surprise, he accepted my offer without a second though or any persuasion on my end!!  So thursday evening I came into work with my ingredients, food processor, and apron AND went to work!  I decided to go with a zesty Tomato Basil.  Fairly simple, light and pretty fresh tasting with a nice bite at the end (I love adding a few drops of sriracha, always a pleasant kick to a simple dish). The soup was sold today in the shop.  I was a little nervous, in fact, I spent all last night dreaming about soup and having enough of it to sell!  I heard that things went well, I'll be curious to get better feed back when I work again!!  SOO now I'm on a soup craze at home!  This week I've already made a curried lentil, that I will make for the shop as well as a 3 bean chili!  This is going to be a cozy fall for us in Michigan...  Nothing warms the soul in this chilly weather like a bit of homemade soup.  And this folks is where I never would have guessed I would be, but here I am, here we are, living this game we call life. 

Zesty Tomato Basil

4 tablespoons olive oil (you can use butter too if you want)

1 medium size onion

1 carrot (or about 10 baby carrots)

4 cloves garlic

5 tablespoons all purpose flour

1 (28 oz) can whole, peeled tomatoes with juice, roughly chopped (Note: Next time I make this I will probably use two cans of tomatoes for a little bit more textured consistency)

3 sprigs of fresh thyme tied together with kitchen twine

1 ounce or so of fresh basil leaves chopped (our grocery store here sells it in a container just under an ounce)

a dash of the hot pepper flakes

a few drops of sriracha (this is powerful stuff, a whole bottle of it will last you forever because you only need a little at a time.  

1 cup of milk ( I've made it with skim all the way to heavy cream- use what you like.  My favorite is 2%)

Salt and peper to taste 

In a large soup pot, heat olive oil or butter with onion, carrot, and garlic.  Should be about medium heat and take about 8 minutes for everything to become soft and fragrant.  Stir in flower and continue stirring for 3 minuets or so, add the broth and tomatoes, bring to a boil.  Then add the thyme, basil and pepper flakes, turn down heat and let simmer for about 30 minutes.  

Remove the pot from heat and cool slightly.  Use a colander to separate the liquid from everything else, put he liquid back in the soup pot.  With the tomato portion use a blender or food processor to puree the chunks.  You may want to do this in small batches if the ingredients are still hot so you don't make a mess.  Return the puree back to the pot with the broth.  Reheat mixing in milk, sriracha, and salt and pepper to taste.  ENJOY!  

*Note* I added an extra cup or so of water through the simmering process to help stretch out the soup* this is not necessary though.  

  

Holladay Photo Blog Post

Incase anyone is interested our photographer from Hawaii made a blog post of our wedding photos.  Click here to check it out.  We really enjoyed having Mark be apart of our big day.... I'm so glad I have all the photos to help us remember the beginning of {OUR} forever.  

just one of my favorites 

Susie Homemaker Has Arrived!

As a kid growing up I NEVER wanted anything to do with canning.  I have vivid memories of my Mom and Aunts in my Grandmas kitchen prepping food, filling mason jars, and pots and pans all over.  I even saw this same thing a few times in my parents kitchen.  But I never wanted anything to do with it, ever!  That is, until now!  Last week I found a recipe for apple butter, with directions for canning it too.  And since apples are in season right now in Michigan- what a perfect fall treat!  So, I went out, got all the supplies and planned a day to try it out.  The process from start to finish (clean up and everything) was probably about 3 hours or so, but it is quite simple, it just involves, boiling the apples with cider, blending them to a puree, reboiling adding sugar and spice, pouring in the jars and boiling the jars- and TADA I DID IT {with a little help from Jon too}!!  Plus I've got some homemade breading going in the bread machine as we speak!


For anyone that is interested this is the recipe I tried out. Click here.

Boiling apples and cider

Blend the cooked apples and cider to a runny
applesauce consistency

You have to heat the jars to 220 in the oven

reboil the applesauce puree adding the sugar and spices

pour it

boil it

and now you have homemade apple butter!

Picture Update

I was able to take a picture with my phone of the wreath I made while I was up in TC a few weekends ago!

a hawaiian wedding...

So Jon and I have been waiting, and waiting, and WAITING for photos to come back and FINALLY this friday after 9 weeks of wedded bliss we received a zip drive containing 374 photos from our day!!!!  Obviously I'm not going to post them all, but I thought I would share a few of our favorites.  We loved our photographer, and we had tons of fun doing the shoot with him.  Enjoy!