To stay or to go

When we found out that we were moving to Pennsylvania in November, we only had three weeks to square things away. I was in charge of finding us a house and I wanted to try something outside of the box. Since there is very few houses that are over 100 years old in Texas, I thought an old victorian would fit the bill perfectly. After searching through all the rent sites for older houses with charm, I found this 2800+ sqft, 3 story, 6 bedroom, built in 1892 that was once a rectory to the church next door. It looked as if it jumped out of the pages of a story book! The price was right! After only viewing the house on the internet we signed a one year lease.

So this brings me to the question; To stay or go? We are nearing the 3 month mark until our lease ends and we have spoken to the owners to go month to month after it's completion. The owners need to sell soon and are waiting until March and it will go back on the market! Like us, they relocated out of state and couldn't sell their house so they leased to us! We also leased our house in Texas due to the poor real estate market!

The house, although very charming has many problems! The electrical is old and many of the sockets are still two-prong. It has limits before a fuse is blown and we have to go down to the basement to reset it! It costs a small fortune to heat and cool, and the kicker is that it doesn't have central air conditioning! It is noisy! There is a fire station one block north and one block south that set off an alarm any time there is an emergency whether it is 2 AM or 11 PM. Also we live super close to a railroad crossing. Usually I can get past most of the issues with the exception of a hot day! On those days I am reminded that the next house will have central air and all the rest of the problems with the house also seem a little more difficult to stand!

We finally have recuperated from the cost of the move and we have finally become able to put back money to put down to purchase a house but it will be at least early Spring before we have enough to move! We have considered renting another house for a few more years so that we could save for a larger percentage down on a house but most of the houses are asking a lot more a month and the cost to move again would also set us back further. This is not a permanent place to stay for many years to come but we very well could stay a little longer! If we do, James can stay in his school longer. It was a hard transition or him last November and I want to eliminate as much change as possible for him. We have great land lords and they addressed any issue that has come up! So do we stay a little longer in the current rental or consider moving into another rental when the lease is up so that we can purchase a house with more money down?

Chicken and Pepperoni Super Subs

On Friday I saw Rachel Ray making this on her show so I thought I would attempt it! I made this as a special Father's Day meal for my husband! It was a hit with not only my husband but our 7 year old son as well!

Chicken and Pepperoni Super Subs

Courtesy of Rachel Ray

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil plus additional for shallow frying of cutlets
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 to 4 cloves garlic, very thinly sliced
• 1 small Fresno chili pepper, very thinly sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• Salt and pepper
• A few leaves of fresh basil, torn
• 4 small pieces boneless, skinless chicken breast
• Flour, for dredging
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 1/2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup, 2 handfuls, freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• A handful chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 4 Italian-style bread hoagie/sub rolls, 8 inches (no problem since I live in the Philly area)
• 1/4 pound deli-sliced pepperoni
• 8 deli slices provolone cheese

• Preparation

  In a saucepot, heat 1 tablespoon EVOO, a turn of the pan, over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, chili pepper, oregano and soften 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add tomato paste and stir to combine, 1 minute. Add stock and tomatoes, season with a little salt and stir in a couple of leaves of torn basil. Simmer to thicken, 30 minutes.
  
  Season cutlets with salt and pepper, and dredge in flour then eggs then breadcrumbs combined with Parm and parsley. Heat a thin layer of olive oil in large skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Cook cutlets in batches, a few minutes on each side until deeply golden. Transfer to racks.
  
  Turn broiler on. Split rolls open, leaving them hinged at back. Top each with some sauce, a layer of pepperoni and sliced provolone. Place under broiler to melt cheese. Top with cutlets and serve, passing extra sauce at table.

My Father's Day Project: FRAMED FAMILY HANDPRINTS

I did this for about $13 using scrapbook paper. I found this great 8X10 picture frame already matted at A.C. Moore for only $10. Since I am left handed I traced everyone's right hand!

35 week visit to the OB

I went to the OB today and Dr. Ehmer checked me an said that I was 1 centimeter dilated but Tristan's head was still floating and not engaged. My blood pressure was normal and I am very thankful for that as my first pregnancy in the entire third trimester had elevated BP Levels. Unfortunately, they found a high level of protein. They took some blood and sen me home with a 24 hour urine kit. I was told to return to the office on Friday to drop off the sample and draw more blood. After a little research it could be that I have a UTI, Preclampsea, or that I just need to drink more water. Please pray that all goes well!

34 Weeks

I am getting close and in the home stretch so they say but I don't think I'll believe it until I'm checking in the hospital to give birth.  I am so ready and really getting big!  No, I'm not as active as I need to be and I am absolutely NOT going to the gym!  I have huge plans for what I'm going to do after the baby is born.  I plan to lose this much weight and plan to take this class at the gym and walk this many miles.  I at least have goals but I am not very motivated to accomplish these goals at this current time to be honest as the contractions are coming on pretty painfully.

As for my eating, I have done great!  I only have gained about 10 pounds so far and have eaten pretty healthy thanks to cooking a good deal at home.  Not that I don't have cravings.  In the early stages of pregnancy I couldn't get enough of calamata olives, especially in a nice fresh Greek salad.  Last month I would dream of eating cupcakes,  I only gave into that craving twice.  I made a trip to the famous sprinkles and I ate the best tasting cupcake I have eaten.  The second time I made cupcakes at home and made my own icing which I didn't like so I guess that is a good thing because I only had one and I no longer wanted cupcakes anymore.  My new craving is strawberries and boy I can't get enough of them.  They are sweet and full of water and I just feel nourished when I have them.  So at this point... Bring on the strawberries!

Austin

This weekend we went to Austin to visit my best friend Emily and the family. We have actually been planning on coming down for a year but something always caused one of us to cancel at the last minute. Jamie couldn't wait to see William (as they are only 3 months apart).  We spent a lot of time relaxing and just catching up.  On Saturday we met our friends Jackie and Kaylse at Kirby Lane for breakfast.  It was yummy and great seeing the girls other than the long wait to eat.  On Sunday we went down to Ski Shores (an old greasy spoon 1/4 mile from Emily's)  for lunch and fed the birds.  Emily is such a great friend and we always pick up right where we left off!  Thanks for such a great weekend!

More Christmas Celebrations.....

This has been one busy holiday for the Burk household!  Of course we love spending time with our family and friends so my only complaint is that we have to cram it all into one week!  Here are some highlights of the various celebrations at our house and others.