At the Pool

 

What does a day at the pool look like………

A nervous little guy wanting so much to say 'It’s not scary…It’s Fun!”

Lots of laughter and lots of splashing…………

Happy Healthy Children and their grandpa

My heart is full

That feeling doesn’t just come from anywhere….it comes from places where family brings meaning to life.

A place of gratitude for so many blessings…

A place of contentment knowing that my Little Man is growing, learning, and loving,

A place of awe moments that will dwell inside me forever.

A family of harmony….enjoying the richness of life every minute of every day!

Blueberry Whole Wheat Pancakes

Good Morning Sunday – Everyone wanted homemade pancakes today and they actually turned out fabulous!  Watching Sunday Morning about Food reminded me that my passion is really cooking and watching the ones I love enjoy eating it.  This is definitely a recipe that will be used over and over again.  Fruit of choice will be substituted during season.   Of course, Blueberries are always in the freezer ready for any delicious moment!

 

Technorati Tags: Whole wheat blueberry pancakes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk
• 1 tbsp vinegar* (white wine or apple cider)
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• blueberries as you like

Directions:

1. Combine the milk and vinegar and let the mixture curdle while you mix together the other ingredients.
2. In a big bowl, whisk to combine the whole wheat flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In another bowl, whisk together the egg, melted butter, and the curdled milk, until it looks fairly homogenous and smooth. Whisk this wet mixture into the dry ingredients, and stir the two together until just barely mixed. You want any visible loose flour to be stirred in, but there should still be plenty of lumps. If you stir out the lumps, the pancakes will likely be tough. Carefully fold in blueberries or dot the top of each pancake with them as you place them on the griddle.
4. Preheat a nonstick griddle to 375 degrees F and grease the surface with butter. Add small scoops of pancake batter and use the cookie scooper to gently smooth the scoop into a flatter circle. Cook for a few minutes, until you start to see little bubbles forming on the surface. Flip the pancakes with a turner and cook for a few minutes on the other side, until you peek underneath and see that the bottom is golden brown. Serve with butter and real maple syrup. Enjoy!

Where Are We Going

Kendry where are we going in this picture……..

”We are going to see Halie and Brevin and we are going to their cabin!”

Just the response I was hoping he would give us. The wonder of the beauty God gives us each day is something we need to be more appreciative of.  I love the canyon.. I miss it when the winter winds begin to blow and the snow covers the ground.    The above picture is not our canyon, it just called our name when we saw it on google search!

Already in Charge of the Man Toys

The masculine power is already evident!

Brownie Refrigerator Cake

Ready when you are………….

Ingredients:
1 box brownie mix
1 extra large egg
1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
2 (8 oz.) containers whipped topping
1 (3 oz.) package instant chocolate pudding
1 (3 oz.) package instant vanilla pudding
3 1/2 cups milk
1 Hershey candy bar or chocolate syrup
Directions: Mix brownie mixes according to directions. Add egg. Bake in brownie pan. Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar and 1 container whipped topping. Put this mix on top of the cooled brownies. Blend puddings and milk together and put on top of the cream cheese mixture. Top with another layer of whipped topping. Put chocolate shavings or chocolate syrup on top. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

 

Thanksgiving A Little Early

Tonight we enjoyed Crockpot Turkey Cranberry Delight

So easy to prepare – So delicious to share!

5 – 6 lb turkey breast – thawed

1/2 cup orange juice

1 pkg dry onion soup mix

1 can whole cranberry sauce

Mix those three ingredient together and pour over the bird!   Set the crock pot on low until the temperature reads 160 on the turkey.   I checked several times through out the day, was worried about it drying out and getting done before it was time for dinner.  I put it on warm for several hours.  2 hours before it was time to set the table I turned it back to low and finished cooking.   It was fabulous. 

The gravy was yummy over mashed potatoes – I strained it, added the package of gravy that was stuffed inside the turkey and thickened with cornstarch!  

Definitely a keeper!  

Carefree

The leaves dance around his ankles…he is carefree, happy and content.

I love how he runs with abandon.  It doesn’t matter what he looks like, he doesn’t care if his pants don’t match his shirt  he just runs!

His little legs jump to and fro inside the pile and I stand back on the patio and watch from afar. 

The sun goes down quickly these days because of the time change, but he fears not the setting of its light.

He is filled with joy and laughter and endless energy, because he is carefree.  He runs because he loves life and how strong his three-year old legs are.  He runs because he can, not because he has to or because he is worried about what he is going to have for dinner tonight…he is carefree!

He plays because he still knows how to celebrate being alive, rather than to challenge it or measure it by accomplishments.  He just absorbs every minute of it!

He runs through the pile with the bounce of Tiger and the leaves scatters as he comes their way!

Soon he looks over to find me and calls to me, “Come Mommy, come run with me in the leaves!”  I go to him because I can and I’m carefree of all of life’s trials if only for a fleeting moment! In beauty we run!

 

Sunflower Honey Whole-wheat Bread

 

Whisk together in mixing bowl:

1 1/4 cups HOT water (110 degrees works for me)

1/4 cup oil

1/4 cup honey

Then add:

1/2 cup flour and whisk for 30 seconds

then 1 TBSP yeast and whisk for 30 seconds.

I let this sit for 5 – 10 minutes to make sure the yeast is fresh and active.

Add: flours(mix of white and whole-wheat) 1/2 cup at a time and mix together until it forms a ball around the dough hook of my mixer.  Add in 1/2 tablespoon of salt and flour as needed. At this point I threw in a handful of sunflower seeds.   Knead for 5+ minutes. The dough should be soft but not sticky.

Let rise in a clean, greased, covered bowl for about 30 minutes.  You can let it rise on the counter, but it will rise nicely in the oven.  Set your oven for 450 degrees for a minute or less then turn it off before placing the oven safe bowl inside.  When dough has risen, remove from oven and heat oven to 175 degree. Grease your bread pan and the counter with spray oil.  Roll the dough into a long oblong shape.  Kendry thought it was really funny that the dough popped!   You all know what he thought it sounded like ---!  Push all the air bubbles out is a very good thing so keep rolling until they are gone. 

Roll into a tight cylinder, tuck the ends under or squish them and place it in a greased bread pant.   Place loaf in warm oven (175 degrees) for about 1/2 hour or until the dough has risen to fill the pan.    Here it is ready for the second rise!

Now turn the oven up to 350 degrees and cook for about 30 minutes.  The bread is done when you hit the top and it sounds hollow.  Don’t worry about time as much as this indicator.  The bread isn’t done until you hear the hollow sound.  If you are worried that the crust is getting a little to brown, cover it lightly with a piece of foil.  Turn out on a wire rack and let cool completely before cutting.  Smother the top of the loaf with butter if you dare!

 

“Drum roll ….Fan Fare…..and Ta Dah”, said the Little Red Hen!

Good-bye October – Hello November

It was a fun night out with my little Mario!  Treats, dinner, lots of ghosts, witches, and  goblins. 

Good-bye Halloween – we are already planning next year!