It's been awhile...

My posting has been pretty pathetic lately.  Not that there hasn't been anything to write on, it's just that there has been to much to do! Also, my camera is acting up, and I can't download pictures, so and I hate to blog without pretty pictures (or pictures of food). 

 I am really trying to not over-do it with Christmas-preparations this year.  Instead of baking my usual  amount of baked goods, I am instead reading to the kids, going for a run, or turning in early.  I have made a few favorite things that we simply can't do without:
-Spritz (2 batches)
-Sandboekles (using the tins from my Grandma Larson)
-Pretzels dipped in almond bark (so simple, but sooooo goooooood).
-Aunt Pat's Chocolate Mint Cookies

Instead of taking my usual cranberry or pumpkin bread to our neighbors, I am going to intead bring them a jar of the apple butter I froze this fall (I am so happy I did that!).  The kids are also getting fewer presents from us this year, and they are things that will be pretty usefull and don't require frequent battery changes! (Bicycle, watches, doll, clothes and some new play food). 

After the new year I will try to journal more frequently (maybe with a new camera??), but for now please excuse my absence and know that I am trying to maintain a sense of balance and sanity in the busy and special time of the year :).

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ice Capades

Image
 Sunday, after preparing Super-bowl snacks containing way too much Velveeta, cream cheese and mayo, while the littlest was sleeping and before we headed over to Grandma's to watch the game, I took the Bigs on a new adventure- ice skating!  There are several rinks in our town that rent skates for super cheap.  It has been on my "must do" list this winter. When I walked out the door, keys in hand, ready to drive the 8 blocks to the rink, the kids said "NO! We want to walk!"  "It's too far," I said.  You'll decide you don't want to walk home."  "NOOOO!  We want to walk!" said the Bigs.  Then I thought to myself:  " What's the MATTER with you?  Isn't this EXACTLY the kind of afternoon you were hoping for?? A winter's walk in the sunshine followed by bonding on the ice??"   "Ok!" I said.  "Let's go!  What a good idea!" And we were off.  The walk went great.  No complaints, but
Read more

On Purpose

Image
I remember looking at Claire as a newborn- only a few days old.  I remember thinking, "who are you?"  She was my little baby- so intimately knitted in me and now known in my arms.  But, I had a feeling that, unlike her brother, getting to know her would be like getting to know a stranger.  I would have to be purposeful in developing our relationship.  She has never been an open book, and her ways are not my ways.  Little by little, over the last 6 years, that is what I've done- gotten to know my daughter on purpose. She is sensitive, she is stubborn.  She hates loud noises and loves quiet, grown-up moments with me alone- folding laundry and drinking "coffee."  She has rhythm, she is strong.  She loves to teach, not to be taught.  I have seen her put aside her strong will to make her baby sister happy and tell her big brother that he's her "best buddy."  She loves nothing more to go... anywhere... with her Daddy.  She is sassy to me and
Read more

In My Kitchen... Yeast Bread With Liquid Whey

Image
I have been making  homemade yogurt  for awhile now.  I have hated pouring the whey down the drain, feeling as though I was wasting something of value, but didn't want to save it with no plan of how to use it.  I did a little research and found out that liquid whey is great to use in baking bread.  You just substitute it for the water!  I did just that in my most recent batch of bread.  I used my  Basic White Bread  recipe, but I tweaked it by using half whole wheat and half white flour.  The recipe makes two loaves, and I always make cinnamon swirl bread with one of the loaves. Cinnamon Swirl Bread right out of the oven My niece and 2 of my children eating the cinnamon swirl bread.  I think my dog scored some crusts once they left the table. The Cinnamon Swirl Bread 10 minutes after coming out of the oven.  When my husband stopped by the house a few minutes later, he grabbed this chunk of it and that was that.
Read more