In the Kitchen - Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Making supper.  I love the idea of cooking, but usually I'm so tired by supper time that my interest in cooking has faded.  Plus it's like some magic time that signals meltdowns in children, or neediness.   My oldest son isn't so difficult to distract at that time, because helping with supper is something he enjoys doing.  Buy my one year old is "done" by then.  Seems to be regardless of whether or not I have given a snack, or set him up with something fun to do, he's just not that happy.  And of course, the baby usually needs to be nursed, or changed or cuddled...  So yes, while I like the idea of cooking, I'm usually pulling my hair out by supper time.

I hear many people saying the slow cooker is their best friend for this reason.  I have been known to make use of it, especially when working full time.  I tend to stick to sauces, soups, stews, roasts...the usual.  After a long weekend of hot weather and yummy barbeque, thanks so my husband, I decided to try a different slow cooker meal today.  

I had taken boneless pork chops and wanted something saucy.  With the help of this recipe, this is what I came up with.

Slow Cooker Pork Chops with Broccoli and Carrots on Rice

Adapted from: allrecipes.com

In the slow cooker mix:

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup soya sauce

1/2 cup ketchup

2 cloves chopped garlic

pepper to taste

Place the boneless pork chops in the sauce and put on low for about 3 hours.  (This really depends on how thick your chops are.  Mine were thin.  Add time for thicker chops.)

An hour before serving, toss in 1 cup of broccoli and 1 cup of carrots.

Serve with rice.

My family seemed to enjoy it.  It's a simple, easy meal with lots of flavour.  I think the sauce would also pair well with chicken.


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Family Time and a New Discovery

Today we had a really nice dinner at my mother in law's house for her birthday.  It's so nice to spend time with family, and to see my children being loved.  Cayden had a lot of fun amusing all of us and getting everyone to play with him.  He had the Lego out and was very focused on building a plane, a spaceship and a base for the spaceship.  Cole was very smiley and vocal.  He loved looking around and watching what was going on.  As a mom, I enjoyed sitting back and watching my boys spend quality time with their famliy. 

My mother in law got a Kobo as a gift and I had to check it out.  Of course I've heard of the E-reader's before, the Kindle, the Nook, but I've never actually paid much attention.  I was skeptical of getting the effect of reading a book on this little machine.  I love reading, but being accustomed to the feel of the paper in my hands, I just wasn't sure.  Well this Kobo seemed really neat.  The text looked nice to read, it felt comfy in my hands....I think I need to look into this a little more!  Does anyone have one?  If so, which one, and what do you think of it?

In addition to thinking about the e-reader, has anyone read any good books lately?  I plan to take the boys to the library this week and I need to pick up something new for myself.  Children's book recommendations are also welcome - lately we've been reading a lot of Little Critter books, Robert Munsch, and anything that talks about fire trucks.