skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Paper Mache Pumpkins in the works
Thanksgiving dinner with Dad, Mom, Sarah, Ben, Joe, David
The Tumacacori Mission is lit up with luminarias every Christmas Eve.
Richard, Mom, Amber (with Andrew) and David
David, Justin and Jacque
David, Dad, Jane, Dorothy (Grandma Lewis)
David brought our little waffle iron just in case they needed one for waffles. In his opinion, there is no such thing as a 4th of July breakfast without waffles!!
Banana Bread
“One of my favorite childhood memories is the delicious smell of my mother’s banana bread as it baked. I’ve made a few minor changes to my mom’s original recipe, and I hope your family likes it as much as mine does.”
-Jane Reinhardt-Martin, RD, LD.
1-1/4 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup ground flaxseed
2/3 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons baking power
¼ teaspoon salt
2 eggs
¼ cup skim milk
¼ cup canola oil
1 cup mashed bananas (about 3 medium or 2 large)
½ teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
Preheat oven to 350 F.
In large bowl, mix flour, flax, sugar, baking powder, and salt together.
In food processor or bowl, mash bananas. Then add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla, and mix in well together.
Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients just until moistened.
Fold in chopped nuts.
Coat 8 ½ by 4 ½ inch loaf pan with non-stick spray.
Pour batter in loaf pan. Bake for about 50-55 minutes until dark brown, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan on a rack for at least 10-15 minutes before unmolding to cool completely on the rack.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Baking Time: 50-55 minutes
Yield: 16 slices
This recipe is taken from The Amazing Flax Cookbook, by Jane Reinhardt-Martin, RD, LD. The Amazing Flax Cookbook may be ordered on our site by clicking here.
Here is the link:
http://www.flaxhealth.com/recipes.htm
Whole Wheat Flax'n Apple Muffins
1/4 c. flax seed
3/4 c. whole wheat flour
3/4 c. white flour
1/2 c. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg, beaten
1 - 1/2 c. finely chopped apples
3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. chopped nuts
Blend dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, combine egg, vegetable oil, and milk. Add dry ingredients to egg mixture and stir until just blended. Fold in apples and nuts. Batter will be thick. Fill well-greased muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake at 400 degrees for 18 - 20 minutes or until top springs back when touched. Yield: 12 muffins.
Meat Loaf
2 lbs. lean ground beef
1 c. skim milk
1/2 c. ground flax seed
1/2 c. dry bread crumbs
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 egg, beaten
1 Tbsp. Worchestershire Sauce
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. garlic powder (I used real garlic)
1 tsp. dry mustard (I used dijon mustard)
1/2 tsp. celery salt
1/4 tsp. ground Thyme
1/4 c. ketchup
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix well. Pat mixture into a 9 x 13 pan. Spread ketchup over the top. Bake at 350 degrees F for 1 - 1 1/2 hours, until no pink remains. Remove and let stand 5 minutes.
Here is the link:
http://www.flaxusa.com/template.cfm?page=flax-recipes
I started this blog to share Wright and Despain family recipes and traditions with each other. My mom always emphasized the importance of traditions in binding a family together and I hope to share that as I create and add to this blog. I also hope to share new recipes that I learn and add to our regular mealtimes.
About Me
- About Me
- I started this blog because many people were often asking for ideas of things to do with their kids. I am loving life as a stay-at-home mom with two kids. We have lots to do to keep ourselves busy and entertained! I hope some of the ideas I share will bless your homes and families.
HALLOWEEN TRADITIONS
Mom Despain (in Midvale) makes chili and they have a Halloween party.
David and I started a tradition last year of making paper mache pumpkins.
David and I started a tradition last year of making paper mache pumpkins.
Paper Mache Pumpkins in the works
THANKSGIVING TRADITIONS
The Wright's sit down to dinner and each say one or two things they are grateful for. Then we all enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
Thanksgiving dinner with Dad, Mom, Sarah, Ben, Joe, David
CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS
Wright Family Traditions
Every Christmas Eve, our family has a traditional Mexican dinner. Tamales, tacos, enchiladas. We then head out to the Tumcacori Mission to enjoy the ambiance of thousands of luminarias lighting the pathway through the ancient mission. People from the community all around come and share the spirit of the season. When our family returns home, we read the story of Christ's birth out of the Bible, eat Christmas treats and then each open one gift. Then the rest of the late evening is spent wrapping up last minute gifts.
Every Christmas Eve, our family has a traditional Mexican dinner. Tamales, tacos, enchiladas. We then head out to the Tumcacori Mission to enjoy the ambiance of thousands of luminarias lighting the pathway through the ancient mission. People from the community all around come and share the spirit of the season. When our family returns home, we read the story of Christ's birth out of the Bible, eat Christmas treats and then each open one gift. Then the rest of the late evening is spent wrapping up last minute gifts.
Luminarias
The Tumacacori Mission is lit up with luminarias every Christmas Eve.
Utah Despain Traditions
For Christmas every year in David's family, his mom makes banana cake and fudge. Very delicious.
Banana cake
¾ cup shortening mixed with 1 ½ cups sugar cream it together
Separate the whites and yolks. Whip whites until stiff. Add the yolks to the batter. Beat until blended. Keep the whites out. 1 teaspoon of baking soda. 2 teaspoons of vanilla. 2 cups of flour. 1 cup of walnuts, chopped up. 2 big bananas or 3 smaller mashed up bananas. Let the bananas be ripe – sit over night. Mix all together and fold in the egg whites. Cook at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Don’t overcook. Check with a knife.
Frosting
Powdered sugar a couple of cups. Evaporated milk, not very much. Start small and whip until it’s creamy and stiff. Cream cheese or butter. Cream cheese is good. Butter – whole square. 1 tsp. vanilla. A dash of salt.
Fudge
Double boiler – put 10 marshmallows and a square of butter. Cook until melted. In a separate pan, put 2 c of sugar. ¾ c evaporated milk. Rolling boil then cook for six minutes, stirring constantly. Take it out. In a bowl, you already have a package of chocolate chips and a cup of walnuts. Add both mixtures and stir. Put in a greased pan and put in the fridge.
The Christmas Tree
His mom also has a tree downstairs that she loves to decorate and have the family spend time around. The tree is just beautiful and really adds to the ambiance of the Christmas Season.
Banana cake
¾ cup shortening mixed with 1 ½ cups sugar cream it together
Separate the whites and yolks. Whip whites until stiff. Add the yolks to the batter. Beat until blended. Keep the whites out. 1 teaspoon of baking soda. 2 teaspoons of vanilla. 2 cups of flour. 1 cup of walnuts, chopped up. 2 big bananas or 3 smaller mashed up bananas. Let the bananas be ripe – sit over night. Mix all together and fold in the egg whites. Cook at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Don’t overcook. Check with a knife.
Frosting
Powdered sugar a couple of cups. Evaporated milk, not very much. Start small and whip until it’s creamy and stiff. Cream cheese or butter. Cream cheese is good. Butter – whole square. 1 tsp. vanilla. A dash of salt.
Fudge
Double boiler – put 10 marshmallows and a square of butter. Cook until melted. In a separate pan, put 2 c of sugar. ¾ c evaporated milk. Rolling boil then cook for six minutes, stirring constantly. Take it out. In a bowl, you already have a package of chocolate chips and a cup of walnuts. Add both mixtures and stir. Put in a greased pan and put in the fridge.
The Christmas Tree
His mom also has a tree downstairs that she loves to decorate and have the family spend time around. The tree is just beautiful and really adds to the ambiance of the Christmas Season.
The Christmas Tree
Richard, Mom, Amber (with Andrew) and David
Colorado Despain Traditions
On Christmas Eve in Colorado, David's sister, Jacque, has a Christmas Eve party at her house. She spends days preparing food for the event and decorates just beautifully. The family gets together for dinner and spends the evening together. This past year, we also got together at Dad and Jane's house and had dinner on Christmas night and had dinner at Jane's mom's house a couple of days prior to Christmas. It was so nice to spend time with all the family.
Christmas Eve Dinner
David, Justin and Jacque
Dinner with Family
David, Dad, Jane, Dorothy (Grandma Lewis)
BIRTHDAY TRADITIONS
Amber's Birthday Traditions
My mom always worked to make birthdays special. We would always have the traditional cake and ice cream and occasionally we would do different things like have a party or go to a special dinner. One thing she did every year was offer to make a breakfast of our choice. My favorite breakfast and the one I always chose was German Pancakes. I still make it on my birthday to this day and as a special treat for when we have company.
German Pancakes
(adapted from Puff Pancake recipe from Merilee)
6 eggs
1 c. flour
1 c. milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 c. margarine
Move oven rack to lowest level. Set oven temperature 400 degrees. Put 9 x 13 inch pan in oven to melt the butter. Mix all ingredients. Pour batter into pan. Bake 20 minutes. Serves 6 - 8.
David's birthday Traditions
David said when it was his aunts' and uncles' birthdays, they would go to his grandma's house for the evening to celebrate it together. Sometimes the grandkids would do the same thing on their birthdays as well. David said his mom would always ask what kind of cake they wanted for their birthdays and that was something special she did for them.
My mom always worked to make birthdays special. We would always have the traditional cake and ice cream and occasionally we would do different things like have a party or go to a special dinner. One thing she did every year was offer to make a breakfast of our choice. My favorite breakfast and the one I always chose was German Pancakes. I still make it on my birthday to this day and as a special treat for when we have company.
German Pancakes
(adapted from Puff Pancake recipe from Merilee)
6 eggs
1 c. flour
1 c. milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 c. margarine
Move oven rack to lowest level. Set oven temperature 400 degrees. Put 9 x 13 inch pan in oven to melt the butter. Mix all ingredients. Pour batter into pan. Bake 20 minutes. Serves 6 - 8.
David's birthday Traditions
David said when it was his aunts' and uncles' birthdays, they would go to his grandma's house for the evening to celebrate it together. Sometimes the grandkids would do the same thing on their birthdays as well. David said his mom would always ask what kind of cake they wanted for their birthdays and that was something special she did for them.
FOURTH OF JULY TRADITIONS
As I was growing up, my family would always go to the Fourth of July breakfast at the Nogales Ward building. They would have a flag raising ceremony and cook up some food. Then we would head out to Patagonia for their small town parade where we would have a picnic. In the afternoon, we would have a bbq at home and watch a movie or play games. For the evening, we would head out to the Tubac Golf Course to watch fireworks.
David and I still go to the Fourth of July breakfast at our ward building. David loves to be involved with the cooking and this year he initiated the waffle making. We love to go see the fireworks celebrations, but this year we stayed home because they started way past Andrew's bedtime!!
David and I still go to the Fourth of July breakfast at our ward building. David loves to be involved with the cooking and this year he initiated the waffle making. We love to go see the fireworks celebrations, but this year we stayed home because they started way past Andrew's bedtime!!
4th of July waffle and egg making!!
David brought our little waffle iron just in case they needed one for waffles. In his opinion, there is no such thing as a 4th of July breakfast without waffles!!
Entertaining
We spent some time with some friends this weekend. For dinner, Laurie made a spinach salad with grapes sliced in half, small chunks of parmesan cheese, and sliced almonds. She used a Raspberry Vinnagerrette dressing. It was delicious.
For lunch, Laurie made pizzas out of wheat flat bread with sauce, pepperoni, brocoli and cheese. I can't remember what she called the bread, but she got it at Trader Joe's and it is the same bread you can use for wraps.
For lunch, Laurie made pizzas out of wheat flat bread with sauce, pepperoni, brocoli and cheese. I can't remember what she called the bread, but she got it at Trader Joe's and it is the same bread you can use for wraps.
Italian
Spinach and Mushroom Manicotti
(Adapted from Barilla Pasta box)
1 8-oz box manicotti
2 Tbls. olive oil
6 oz mushrooms, chopped
1 minced garlic clove
1 15-oz container Ricotta Cheese
1/3 c. chopped fresh basil leaves
1 tsp. salt
1 26-oz jar Barilla (I use spaghetti sauce) baking sauce
1/2 c. freshly grated parmesan cheese
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. Cook manicotti 7 minutes; drain and rinse in cool water; set aside. 3. Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet over medium heat.
(Adapted from Barilla Pasta box)
1 8-oz box manicotti
2 Tbls. olive oil
6 oz mushrooms, chopped
1 minced garlic clove
1 15-oz container Ricotta Cheese
1/3 c. chopped fresh basil leaves
1 tsp. salt
1 26-oz jar Barilla (I use spaghetti sauce) baking sauce
1/2 c. freshly grated parmesan cheese
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. Cook manicotti 7 minutes; drain and rinse in cool water; set aside. 3. Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet over medium heat.
Crockpot Recipes
Easy Chicken Recipe
1. Clean whole chicken inside and out.
2. Place whole chicken in crockpot.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Do not add water. The natural juices of the chicken provide enough liquid.
5. Cook on high all day.
6. Clean out bones and freeze to use in meals.
1. Clean whole chicken inside and out.
2. Place whole chicken in crockpot.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Do not add water. The natural juices of the chicken provide enough liquid.
5. Cook on high all day.
6. Clean out bones and freeze to use in meals.
Flax Recipes
Banana Bread
“One of my favorite childhood memories is the delicious smell of my mother’s banana bread as it baked. I’ve made a few minor changes to my mom’s original recipe, and I hope your family likes it as much as mine does.”
-Jane Reinhardt-Martin, RD, LD.
1-1/4 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup ground flaxseed
2/3 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons baking power
¼ teaspoon salt
2 eggs
¼ cup skim milk
¼ cup canola oil
1 cup mashed bananas (about 3 medium or 2 large)
½ teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
Preheat oven to 350 F.
In large bowl, mix flour, flax, sugar, baking powder, and salt together.
In food processor or bowl, mash bananas. Then add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla, and mix in well together.
Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients just until moistened.
Fold in chopped nuts.
Coat 8 ½ by 4 ½ inch loaf pan with non-stick spray.
Pour batter in loaf pan. Bake for about 50-55 minutes until dark brown, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan on a rack for at least 10-15 minutes before unmolding to cool completely on the rack.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Baking Time: 50-55 minutes
Yield: 16 slices
This recipe is taken from The Amazing Flax Cookbook, by Jane Reinhardt-Martin, RD, LD. The Amazing Flax Cookbook may be ordered on our site by clicking here.
Here is the link:
http://www.flaxhealth.com/recipes.htm
Whole Wheat Flax'n Apple Muffins
1/4 c. flax seed
3/4 c. whole wheat flour
3/4 c. white flour
1/2 c. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg, beaten
1 - 1/2 c. finely chopped apples
3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. chopped nuts
Blend dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, combine egg, vegetable oil, and milk. Add dry ingredients to egg mixture and stir until just blended. Fold in apples and nuts. Batter will be thick. Fill well-greased muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake at 400 degrees for 18 - 20 minutes or until top springs back when touched. Yield: 12 muffins.
Meat Loaf
2 lbs. lean ground beef
1 c. skim milk
1/2 c. ground flax seed
1/2 c. dry bread crumbs
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 egg, beaten
1 Tbsp. Worchestershire Sauce
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. garlic powder (I used real garlic)
1 tsp. dry mustard (I used dijon mustard)
1/2 tsp. celery salt
1/4 tsp. ground Thyme
1/4 c. ketchup
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix well. Pat mixture into a 9 x 13 pan. Spread ketchup over the top. Bake at 350 degrees F for 1 - 1 1/2 hours, until no pink remains. Remove and let stand 5 minutes.
Here is the link:
http://www.flaxusa.com/template.cfm?page=flax-recipes