Orange Chicken

I've been wanting to make my own Orange Chicken, just like from Panda Express, for awhile. Sunday, I took a crack at it and it turned out pretty good. Was a little too sweet, orangey (is that even a word) and not enough spice.  Now I know it's not too difficult to make and next time I'll add a bit more red chilis to get more spiciness and actually have green onions on hand. Plus, some of the directions for the recipe were horrible, so I'm going to try and make better sense of them for you all.

Yum, Tasty.

Orange Chicken


Ingredients:

• 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken, chopped into bite sized pieces
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• white pepper
• 2 tablespoon oil divided, plus
• extra oil for frying
• 1/2 cup cornstarch, plus
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 tablespoon ginger root, minced
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed hot red chili pepper
• 1/4 cup green onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon rice wine
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil 
• Zest of 1 orange (optional)

Ingredients for Orange Sauce:

• 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 1/2 tablespoons water
• 5 tablespoons sugar
• 5 tablespoons white vinegar

Directions:

1. In large bowl mix egg, salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon oil.
2. Coat chicken pieces with egg mixture
3. In separate bowl mix cornstarch and flour
4. Coat chicken with cornstarch mixture 
5. Heat oil for deep-frying in wok or deep-fryer to 375 degrees.
6. Add chicken, small batches at a time and fry 3 to 4 minutes or till golden brown (Do not overcook or chicken will be tough.)
7. Remove chicken from oil with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Set aside.
8. Mix ingredients for Orange Sauce together in small bowl. Set aside.
9. Clean wok/deep-fryer and heat 15 seconds over high heat.
10. Add 1 tablespoon oil, ginger and garlic and stir-fry until fragrant; about 10 seconds.
11. Add and stir-fry crushed chilies and green onions
12. Add rice wine and stir 3 seconds
13. Add Orange Sauce and bring to boil.
14. Add cooked chicken, stirring until well mixed.
15. Stir water into remaining 1 tablespoon cornstarch until smooth and add to chicken.
16. Heat until sauce is thickened
17. Stir in sesame oil
18. Add orange zest if desired.
19. Serve and Enjoy.

Baby Signing Time

We were recently introduced to the Baby Signing Time DVD's. James is in love with them and always asking for "baby." Meaning he wants to watch the DVD.  You have to be careful not to say the "b" word or its all you hear about untill you give in. Of course I love that it gives me 30 mins of freedom to get things done with out having him whining at me or getting in my way. He is absolutely cute doing the signs even if he can't do them exactly right.

Balloon:

Of course he was doing it over and over again until I got the camera out, then he was done.

Word of the day....Cereal

New Favorite Cereal

James' new word is cereal and so all evening it has been "cereal, cereal, cereal, cereal." Which also means that is all he wanted to eat for snack time and dinner. I did stand my ground and got him to eat a bit of chicken soup for dinner, but then it was more "cereal, cereal, cereal, cereal." When did my little boy realize he can ask for certain foods and know exactly where to go to find them? I think he's getting a little too smart.

My 18 Month Old

I can't believe I have an 18 month old baby. Well, guess he isn't much of a baby any more.

James went to the doctor, yesterday. Was weighed, measured, got one little shot and all that other fun stuff. Once I laid him on the table to get his height measured, he realized where we were and cried/screamed the rest of his appointment. We do have to go back in 3 months for a developmental check because he isn't walking. It isn't the first time we've had extra doctor's appointments for development check. I try not to think/worry about James constantly being behind on his gross motor skills and some days I am pretty darn close to tears. Having others give their opinions on what I should be doing with out asking for them isn't helping, either. It seems to be happening more and more since he's 18 month old and not walking.

Any way, here are his stats from the appointment:
Height: 31.5 in.
Weight: 22.15 lbs.
Both fall between the 25-50%.

And, here is my cute little 18 month old:

He thought it was really funny to put his cereal on his head.

Playing at the park. He absolutely loves slides.

Cute sleeping boy.

Trying on Mommy's shoes.

Good Bye Uncle Sam

No not this Uncle Sam...

 this Uncle Sam...

James' Uncle...

And Joe's little brother...

I thought I could find at least a normal picture of Sam for my post, but he likes to do more fun/creative ones.  The above pictures are taken from his Senior Pictures Gone Wrong album which show his creative side quite nicely.

Here's one of my favorite videos that he created.

Wednesday, he arrived at the Missionary Training Center and will be spending the next two years serving a LDS Mission in Florida. The Florida South Mission to be exact. He will be missed but we know he is serving the Lord. He will be a great missionary.

Happy Anniversary

5 Years Ago...

4 Years Ago...

3 Years Ago...

2 Years Ago...

This was actually taken 2 months after our anniversary.
I don't have any pictures of us from our actual anniversary trip.

1 Year Ago...

Today...

When years are passing by like days,

and in my hand your hand is placed,

a knowing smile crosses your face,

a simple touch can still make my heart race.

When I can see my soul in your eyes,

and you see your soul in mine we realize,

that a love so deep can harbor no lies,

where our only tears shed were happy tears we've cried.

I love you as much now as I ever did before,

if possible, I may even love you more,

all starting from a feeling we did not ignore,

a feeling of connection we chose to explore.

I don't know what it is that you saw in me,

what I saw in you was the utmost happiness that can ever be,

even more so on the day when you and I became "We",

I can still smile and say with love and truth 
Honey, I love you...Happy Anniversary.