Best Black Bean Burgers - Ever!

I really enjoy eating a juicy cheeseburger with my favorite toppings on a toasted bun. Nevertheless, in an effort to add more meatless meals to our dining repertoire, I've tested several veggie or bean burger recipes with some success. But, tonight I combined part Weelicious veg-wee burger with part La Bonne Cuisine black been burger and created the best meatless burger - ever!

Black Bean Bulgur Burgers


2 cans (15 oz.) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 egg
1/2 cup Bulgur Wheat
1 C water
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
1/3 cup salsa
Few shakes of garlic powder
Pepper to taste
1/4 cup shredded cheese of your choice
2 Tablespoons oil

Bring one cup of water and 1/2 cup bulgur wheat to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce and simmer 13 minutes. In a large mixing bowl, mash black beans with fork or potato masher. Add cooked bulgur wheat, onion, egg, salsa, garlic powder, pepper, and cheese; mix well. Using a 1/3 C. measuring cup, drop mixture into preheated skillet containing oil. I use a cast iron skillet which turns out beautifully browned burgers. Flatten the burgers slightly for better cooking and turning results. Cook on medium heat for 3 minutes. Carefully flip burger. Cook on second side until firm and brown - approx. 4 minutes. The secret is to only flip the burger one time or it may fall apart.

Top your burger with all your usual fixings and enjoy the best meatless burger you've ever had.

This recipe makes eleven mini burgers which are great for leftovers and freeze well too.

Wordless Wednesday - Still Learning to Use a Spoon

Photo Shoot Success

When Sophie was born we chose to hire a very expensive professional photographer to take her newborn, three months, six months, and one year old pictures. We went all out and ordered the posh photo book, gigantic framed portraits, a CD set to music, etc. Our final photo session, just after Sophie's first birthday, took place in an exclusive park only a handful of photographers from Tulsa are allowed (with a hefty fee) to use. When we went to the photographer's studio to view those photos, we were overjoyed at the quality. The photos were spectacular and the price tag was excessive. We ordered everything and the kitchen sink. Buying these photos was a financial sacrifice. We were investing in what we loved. We didn't go on vacations and Judd still drives a 1997 Honda Accord. But capturing our child and family in gorgeous photos meant the world to us, so we shelled out the big bucks. A few weeks later, when our photographer still hadn't called to set up a time for us to get our products, I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. Phone calls went unanswered so Judd stopped by the studio only to find it empty. Our photographer skipped town with our photos and money along with other families' treasures too. The local news reported the incident, but we were out of luck. It was bad enough she stole our money, but to show us such breathtaking photos and then disappear without giving us any was heartbreaking. Maybe it was because of all we went through just to have a baby in the first place, but I was crushed. She stole our opportunity to capture our family in that moment in time. Sophie would never be that little again.

When the twins were born we had my dad take a few pictures of our family. He did a good job and we certainly appreciated having a couple of shots while they were itty bitty. Time marched on. Piper and Riley turned one - still no professional pictures.

When the twins were sixteen months old I happened to be checking out items for sale on our local Craigslist. I came across a lady named Lori Boyd who wanted to barter. She offered a photo shoot at a secluded little park in exchange for a baby stroller. She was heading up a pregnancy outreach ministry at her church and needed baby items. I jumped at the offer. What did I have to lose? I still had Sophie's single stroller which we didn't use anymore. No money was involved and we received all the pictures on a CD with the release form to print them anywhere we wanted. My trust in photographers is becoming restored and I have some beautiful pictures of my girls. I am so thankful for Lori. She captured the essence of Sophie, Piper, and Riley and enabled us to freeze time, if only in portraits, of our precious daughters.

Thank you, Lori, for the amazing gift of captured moments in the lives of my children.

Zoo Outing Means 100% Chance of Rain

Pulling into the zoo's parking lot this morning we noticed how overcast the sky had become. But, as many of you know, when you've already gone through the effort to get your children ready, pack a diaper bag, grab snacks and drinks as well as the sunscreen (just in case), a few gray clouds would not deter us.

The flowers were beautiful. Most of the animals were out and about and the girls had a wonderful time.

Piper and Riley are almost eighteen months old. They were mobile enough to fully participate in today's activities. It was a delight to see them actually notice the various animals and squeal in delight while waving a joyful hello. We've been waiting for days like this - all three girls old enough to enjoy outings together instead of the twins just riding around in their stroller. We've reached a new stage in our family and I love it!

We rode the train and Sophie found her first carousel ride enchanting. Although it did downpour while we were inside one exhibit, the rain didn't hamper our excursion one bit. I'm glad we took advantage of Judd's day off from work. We had a great day today.

Happy Birthday, America!

When I sewed these bandana skirts for my girls months ago I had today, July 4th, in mind. I don't dress my girls alike too often, but when I do, they sure look cute. Thanks to their Aunt Colleen they had matching shirts too. They received lots of smiles and compliments as they tripped along down the hallway at church today.

My family got together over at my Dad and Debbie's home to celebrate America's birthday. We had our traditional meal: burgers, brats, potato salad, baked beans, chips, and apple pie with vanilla ice cream. I love spending time with my family. I love getting to see four generations of relatives together.

I'm grateful to live in America. I appreciate the tremendous sacrifice soldiers like my brother (Iraq) and my grandfather (WWII) gave in honor of our country. I'm thankful for the many freedoms we have here in the U.S.A.  We're an imperfect country made of imperfect people, but it's home sweet home, and I love my country.

Happy Birthday, America!

Apple Banana Muffins

I tried Catherine McCord's Apple Banana Muffins recipe from Weelicious this week and they were a hit.

If you haven't visited Catherine's site, you are in for a treat. She's a busy mom of two who loves to cook nutritious foods her whole family enjoys. She posts lots of videos with her kids "helping" her out in the kitchen. Isn't she just too cute!

Catherine needs our votes to win her own TV show (perhaps you saw her on Oprah). Check out her site and give her a vote if you like what you see. My family gave these muffins 4.5 stars out of 5 because four of us devoured them while Sophie finished her muffin with reluctance.

Apple Banana Muffins (Makes 15 Standard Muffins or 28 Mini Muffins)

1 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour

1/2 Cup Old Fashioned Oats

2 Tsp Baking Powder

1/2 Tsp Baking Soda

1/2 Tsp Salt

1 Tsp Cinnamon

3 Tbsp Vegetable or Canola Oil

1/2 Cup Agave OR Honey

1 Egg

1/2 Cup Milk

2 Bananas, mashed

1 Medium Apple, peeled and grated (Gala, Pink Lady, Fuji or Golden Delicious are good choices)



1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine the first 6 ingredients in a bowl and mix.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk the remaining ingredients together.

4. Slowly add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.

5. Grease a muffin tin or line it with muffin cups and fill each cup 3/4 full with the batter.

6. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

7. Serve.

Enjoy! - Jennifer

Hysterical Father's Day Rap Music Video by Church On The Move

I attend Church On The Move - home to one of the most hilarious and creative production teams on Earth. Check out the hysterical Father's Day rap music video Chris Munch and crew created.

http://www.vimeo.com/12714406

Laugh out loud - funny!

Clean Up on Aisle Four, Please

I guess it's that time again, when I'm forced to repeatedly endure tedious and messy learning experiences so my kids can advance in their developmental skills -- like feeding themselves independently with spoons. My primary motivation for putting myself through this torture is that I don't want to attend Kindergarten myself in a few years. I'm sure feeding oneself is a fundamental skill all most kindergartners have and I don't want to show up every day to feed my twins. So, bring on the spoons, the mess, and the independence.

Piper and Riley fed themselves chocolate pudding today. It was the first time I left them alone with their spoons. Normally, I guide them as they eat, but not this time. Piper relished her new found freedom and screamed like a wild animal when I did, at last, try to pry to chocolate coated slippery spoon from her slick stubborn fingers.

I know this training season will pass and soon they will be able to feed themselves without needing a clean up crew and drop cloth. It reminded me of when I first started feeding them baby food about a year ago. A time when their little mouths couldn't quite figure out what to do with food and ended up spitting out more than they swallowed.

I took all three girls, by myself, to Walmart this morning. A lady reminded me to enjoy every minute of my time with them while they're young because they grow up so fast. She's right. I'll choose to enjoy this stage too. Besides, I own a Shark Steam Pocket Mop, paper towels, and wet-wipes. I think the girls will need an early bath though.

Daddy & Sophie Date Night

Tonight, Judd took Sophie to a Daddy-Daughter date night at our local Chick-fil-a restaurant. I don't know if this special event is something just this one store hosts, or if other locations participate as well. Sophie wanted me to curl her hair and paint her nails. She picked out her yellow "princess" dress and wore the bracelet her daddy gave her the day she was born. She twirled around and around as she eagerly waited for Prince Daddy to pick up Princess Sophie for their date.

I admire Chick-fil-a for their thoughtfulness and generosity - out of the ordinary for fast food. This special night required reservations. Tablecloths, name cards at place settings, and a gift awaited Sophie. A picture was take and framed in a scrapbook frame. A waiter came and took their order and brought the bill at the end. Chick-fil-a also held a Mommy-Son date night around Mother's Day which included a horse-drawn-carriage ride and candlelit dinner. Kudos to Chick-fil-a for the special date Sophie had with her daddy tonight.

Blowin' Off the City in Gordon, Nebraska

We live in Tulsa - population 385,000.

It's not a huge city, but every now and then the hustle and bustle pushes us to get away.

Bring in my husband's hometown - Gordon, Nebraska - population 1,800 (that's not a typo).

Gordon has no stoplights. The nearest mall and airport are two hours away in Rapid City, South Dakota. Most Gordonites are very friendly and hospitable. Life in Gordon is much slower, but can be more meaningful with fewer distractions. Judd and I just took our girls to visit Judd's parents for a week. We played cards, baked cookies, rode the 4-wheeler, played at the park every day, and ate at the two main cafes.

Back when Judd and I were college kids and dating, I admit, I was scared to be in that little town on my first visit. While driving to get there I decided to time how long it took for us to meet another car on the winding road. It took 32 minutes. That seemed crazy to me. It was before cell phones, (not that we could get reception anyway) and I just prayed we didn't have any car trouble or hit a deer as we traveled. It freaked me out to see so much wide open space - no houses - no cars - no people - no buildings.

I took these pictures last week during our trip. Now I find Gordon relaxing. Maybe it's because I can get cell phone reception and high speed internet access (at the library - when it's open).

We took Sophie fishing at nearby Shell Lake.

The girl caught 6 fish in about 15 minutes.

It was one of the funniest thing I've seen. She would drop her line in and within 60 seconds catch another fish.

Once, Judd dropped the line in just to untangle it and a fish jumped on the empty hook in one second! No fish were hurt in this venture and all were released safely back into the lake.

Any future fishing trips will pale in comparison.

Judd's parents live on a farm just outside town. It's a great place for kids.

Sophie enjoyed playing on the swings her Grandpa made

Riley liked playing in the dirt.

Piper liked playing with bubbles.

Sophie even helped make two apple pies - from scratch. Yummy!

We really enjoyed blowin' off the city in Gordon, Nebraska. We made memories to last a lifetime.