MommyCoddle

It's that time of year : Pumpkin Bread

It's cold and rainy here this morning. The same old story, this Fall. The girls plowed through breakfast and are upstairs dancing to bluegrass on my bed. But on a day like today, I figure they need to expend a little energy. Soon, I'll send them out in their boots to let out the chickens and feed the cats. (And I'll stay inside curled around my cup of coffee and lesson plans.)

But days like this always beg for a little baking. Yesterday in the comments, Gina mentioned that she was getting ready to make some of our pumpkin bread. I share the recipe on here every year. It is a family staple at the Thanksgiving table, and is always a marker for Fall. I'm a little behind this year but I think today is just the day.

A few notes from many, many times of making this bread (there's a link below to print out a 4 x 6 copy of this recipe). Yes, it calls for a lot of sugar. But you can tweak it back without it really effecting the outcome of the recipe. I've just never written down exactly how much I subtract, so I left you with the straight up original recipe. I also know you can substitute the oil with applesauce, but I haven't done that yet. Maybe my sister has and she'll leave a comment to let us know?? Mary?

The recipe makes two loaves and they freeze extremely well.

So stay dry. Stay warm. Bake something  and enjoy. 

** Click HERE for a printable download of the recipe above. **

good eats

I have twenty minutes to write this post. I've got myself on a strict schedule this morning--something we homeschoolers are not used to--because I have been asked to sing at the funeral of a woman from my church who passed away this weekend. I will be bringing the girls, but they'll be playing together in the nursery while I slip in and out to offer what I can to this sweet family and in honor of this sweet woman who was such a strong part of our church community. I feel honored to be able to offer my voice as a gift to the family.

I knew I wanted to write this post first thing in the week for those meal-planners among us. I made the transition to meal planner in the last year and although there have a been a few weeks where I've slacked, the peace and time-saving of knowing what to buy at the grocery store and exactly what I'll be making at the end of each day is so helpful to me.

So I thought I would share a few recipes that we've been enjoying lately. Some are simple classics--but that is what I love. And I love finding a recipe that works. Others are great comfort foods. And of course, I had to throw in a kid-friendly dessert as well...

Enjoy!

Sarah's Chicken and Dumplings : Drop whatever it is that you are doing, and make this recipe tonight! Sarah is my neighbor and friend and an amazing, amazing baker and cook. This recipe is so good, I can't even tell you. We've had it twice in two weeks it is that good. The second time I made it my husband was so happy because he'd been under the weather the first time I made it and "couldn't fully appreciate how good it was." He proclaims it the best dumplings he's ever had. And while you're visiting Sarah for the recipe, check out all her recipes. Amazing, folks. Amazing.

Baked Ravioli : I know most people probably have a version of this in their repertoire, but this one was so simple and delicious. Especially the sauce. Usually my children pick out the chunks of tomato, but I found certain members of the family eating the tomato-y parts straight out of the dish.

Pasta with Turkey Meatballs and Bocconcini : This was is so yummy, too. You'll have to spring for the bocconcini--it's not exactly a pantry staple, but it's worth it. 

Pork Tenderloin with Honeyed Butter : I like how simple this recipe is. Although be warned that, in my opinion, in needs to cook longer than the 7-10 minutes recommended in the recipe.

Vegetarian Black-Bean Chili : I'm trying to introduce more vegetarian dishes into our meal plans. It saves money and it's good for us. This one was a hit with everyone. Though I will confess to have a little bit of cheese and bits of bacon on hand to sprinkle over the top.

Buckeyes : And of course, dessert. I had to try this recipe because the last time I made buckeyes, it was a culinary disaster in the kitchen with my big sister--and I was probably in middle school. We had chocolate and buckeyes everywhere. Not to mention the number that completely dropped into the bowl of warm chocolate only to be fished out and plopped onto the waxed paper. It wasn't pretty. In a very weak attempt to redeem this recipe, I added 1/4 cup of wheat germ to the peanut butter balls. And we dumped the eyeball part in favor of a more traditional buckeye look. *My children helped me make the peanut butter balls. They were distracted during the chocolate dipping step. I think it was better that way. :)

What recipes are working for you these days? I'm always excited to add some more good things to my recipe box!

lessons from the landscape

Sometimes I wish I had it all figured out. That I'd learned all of life's lessons so that I didn't need to be taught anymore. I wish my well of patience was overflowing and that when faced with annoyances, stresses, messes, unwelcome news, I could handle it with more grace and calm.

Yesterday my car broke down.

My laptop keyboard broke, leaving me to type this post at an excruciatingly slow speed.

I missed an ultrasound appointment.

My vacuum cleaner broke.

I felt the heavy strain of the same thing that always wears on me lately.

My two year old is waking way too early, napping way too briefly, and taking way too long to fall asleep.

And my house feels dirty and disorganized.

I can hear my mother's voice in my head, "this too shall pass." And I've said to my husband many times that I see the light at the end of the tunnel, yet for some reason we're on a treadmill.

Yesterday afternoon when Elizabeth woke up from her nap, crying, I went in to hold her, hoping to lull her back to sleep. I wrapped her in quilts and we sat in the chair, in her dark quiet room. Within seconds I felt the heaviness of her little body against mine and I heard her breathing switch to the raspy rhythms of sleep.

As I sat there in the chair, I tried to talk myself out of my mood. I tried to regain perspective. I prayed. But man, I just couldn't. I so wish I could have gotten that fresh breath, that new perspective, but it just wasn't coming. And I knew that I was being faced with one of those days where every reserve of patience is required. But I was either finding my reserve empty, or I was just unwilling to dip into it.

I have to say, I'm learning as I type this post. That sometimes on the hard days it feels easier to just rage against all that's wrong in your life. It feels easier to be in a bad mood. To snap at your children. To curse the mess. To allow yourself to believe that everyone else has it all together, has everything in their house working, has every load of laundry folded and put away. But if that is the path you choose it leaves you feeling worn out, exhausted, disappointed and does absolutely nothing to change the situation.

I've been thinking lately how the view out my window has changed. In what feels like the blink of an eye, the trees have shed their leaves, the zinnias flower heads have turned brown and gone to seed. But now, with the landscape stripped bare, it is amazing what hidden beauty comes into view. The trees are littered with nests. Tiny works of woven art. If I stand in the girls bedroom and look out the window, I can see the shimmer of the sun hitting the stream that runs at the back of our property.

When stripped bare, the landscape is revealing its inner beauty. When taken back to bare bones and twigs there is still something to behold.

In a small sense, yesterday stripped me bare. Some of my leaves were blown from the tree. And unfortunately, afterward, there wasn't much beauty to behold.

But I'm still learning. I'm still a young tree. I'm growing. And maybe next time when things seem to be falling down around me, there will be a little more beauty to behold on the inside.

sun, day 2

Good Morning, friends.

We are on day two of sunshine and I am soaking it in. It has been a wet, dreary fall so far and I'm learning to truly appreciate each sunny day, as if it were a gift.

Yesterday, I actually found myself out on the mower--mowing our grass in the middle of November. I have to say, I'm sad to see that job disappear for the winter. It is one of my favorite things--ipod on, children can't interrupt me, seeing the trail of accomplishment (mowed grass) behind me. And to top it off, the mower we use is one of those commercial zero-turn kinds. The kind that spins on a dime. I think you all know how much I enjoy a good power tool. And this, though much bigger, falls in the same category. And when you have as much grass to mow as we do, a little riding mower would take half a lifetime to get the job done.

Did I just write about riding mowers on my blog?? I'm turning into my husband....

Last week was a long one--Dan was home sick for two days, which always seems to throw everything off, even though we barely saw him emerge from the guest bedroom. And the girls and I were on house arrest the rest of the week, as my car was in need of brake repair. Let's just say, when it gets to the point of grinding, it's time to change the brakes. Thank goodness, my husband could do it, and save us the astronomical costs of repair.

Did I just talk about changing my car's brakes on my blog? I am turning into my husband...(I did refrain from talking about the frozen calipers [my new vocab from the weekend])....

We also had rain all week and by Friday the girls (and I) were suffering from a severe case of cabin fever. I could tell they had huge amounts of energy that needed to be expended, so I got them going on a project. I figured they could expend that energy in a creative form. Creative therapy, I like to call it.

So we pulled out the iron and ironing board and my big basket of fabric scraps and began cutting out triangles for what will eventually become a little flag banner to hang above the beds in their room. Each child had a job--Mary turns out to be an excellent iron-er. And Emma traced and cut out (with pinking shears) all the triangles.

Elizabeth "sorted" the scrap basket. And Ruby laid behind me and chewed up tiny bits of fabric scraps and paper. She's such a help.

Immediately, the mood of the house changed. The girls settled down and became engrossed with their jobs. Emma, who loves a good project, began to talk my ear off. I barely spoke through the whole project except to answer a few questions, or agree with the things she was sharing with me. It seemed like all that energy was coming out through her hands, and her mouth.

It was a great way to break the week's foul mood.

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In other news, the winner of Friday's Show & Tell giveaway is Emily Preston.

Emily, please send me an email (you'll find it on the About Molly page) and let me know you're mailing info. I'll get the book out to you asap.

Show & Tell : ReproDepot Pattern Books

 
I'm sure many of you have seen the new ReproDepot pattern books--Flora and Folk -- floating around blog land. They are truly amazing books that come with a CD containing more than 200 patterns that you can print and craft away with. They have the wonderful appeal and charm of vintage-inspired design and graphics. I love them. I'm already thinking of a million things I could do with the patterns--silhouettes of the girls, a paper chain advent calendar for the holidays, Christmas cards, or a new blog banner, perhaps?

The images have some licensing restrictions--they are intended for personal use, though there is a small provision for individual craftspeople to make limited edition handmade items for resale using the patterns. The details of those terms are provided in the back of the book.

The designs included in the books have been selected by ReproDepot founder, Djerba Goldfinger, and the book also contains several inspired project ideas and tutorials created by Mollie Green.

Though it will be hard to part with, I have one copy of the Flora Pattern book, that I'd like to giveaway to one MommyCoddle reader. *But there is one tiny catch--I am personally shipping out the book, it is not coming directly  from Chronicle Books, so I'm asking the winner to be willing to pay shipping charges. Thank you!*

If you'd like a chance to win a copy of one of these books that offer unlimited crafting potential, leave a comment, I'll announce the winner on Monday.

grateful hearts and full bellies

Yesterday afternoon while my girls were snuggled beside the woodstove "studying" an episode of Little House on The Prairie, I slipped off into the kitchen to make a little thank you gift for my favorite veteran. If you didn't see the video I shared yesterday, that my father shared with me, I hope you'll take a few minutes to watch it. I tend to think I'm a pretty grateful, patriotic person--yet watching that video reminds me of how easily we take our freedoms and safety for granted. It is important to see the faces, hear the words and memories of a generation that has kept our generation free.

So, this little "Veteran's Day Apple Cake" is a good one. Simple, quick, and best of all it's a "one to keep, one to give" kind of cake. The recipe makes two loaves. I owe the discovery of this cake to my sister--who made it for me on our last visit. And I'm pretty sure it comes out of her church's recipe book. I swear, those little church recipe collections are full of culinary greatness. 

:: Veteran's Day Apple Cake ::

p.s. this cake does not fall in the low-fat, low-cal category. but it is high in the yum-factor.

1 1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 cups sugar (see what I mean?)

3 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

3 cups flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 cups chopped, peeled apples

1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Combine oil, sugar, eggs and vanilla. (I mix the whole cake by hand, and don't bother getting out any kind of electric mixer or my kitchenaid). Sift dry ingredients and add to wet. Fold in apples and nuts. Pour into two greased (or parchment lined) 9 x 5 loaf pans. (my pans are different sizes, I just monitor their doneness at the end.)

Bake for 1 hour at 350. Turn off the oven and let stand in the oven for five minutes or until loaves test done. The tops should be nice and dark and crunchy, the insides will stay moist (one of my all-time most despised words) and delicious.

Now, I know it will be hard, but wrap one of those loaves up and share it with someone special. And enjoy the other one yourself.

Yum.

every day is a bonus

My father, a Vietnam veteran, sent me this video this afternoon.

I think we often forget the privilege and gift that our freedom is. This clip is a moving tribute to the some of the people behind our country's security.

Emma sat beside me as I watched the video, with tears staining my cheeks. She asked, "Mommy, why are you crying? Who are these men?" I barely got my words out : These men are heroes.

more local love

The smARTS Week, that I wrote about yesterday culminates in an Arts Festival held at the school over the weekend. It is a juried art show and sale that displays the work of some amazing local artists.

I always love to go because their work is so inspiring and there are so many amazingly talented artists and ideas, from every genre of craft and every walk of life.

I told myself this year, that I was going to do some Christmas shopping while I was there. I came home with nothing. Well, nothing for Christmas....but a few small things for me. I'm horrible, I know.

The bracelet and bobby pin were from Allison Fomich--who had the coolest stand. I pretty much loved everything she was making. (I could have done a lot of Christmas shopping there, had I not been so selfish.) But you know, the bracelet--those are SO my colors. And I wear a bobby pin in my hair every.single.day. I think I deserve to have a cute one, don't you?

Thankfully, Allison is online and I'm pretty sure I'll be hitting up her etsy shop or sending her an email once I get serious about Christmas gifts.

The ring is from a funky little stand that I also fell in love with. It was hard to pick just one, and who can resist a fun little ring that's cute enough to eat. 

As I walked around the art show, I picked up cards here and there of a few of my favorite crafters and I thought I'd share their etsy shops here, for you to explore and enjoy.Though I have to say, seeing their work in person, and meeting the artists face to face is so much better than any online website or shop.

Alison Fomich (the bracelet and bobby pin) : Tigerlilly Shop :  Alison's blog

Poppi (the ring) : Poppi Shop

Dana Marie Hosler : her shop : her website

Shelly Daly : A Stone's Throw : her shop

Backlog Pottery : website (also home of Trashy Women)

Heidi Hammel, Reclaimed Creations : website

many of the crafters at the show belong to Baltimore Craft : website : on twitter

local craft

Every year, the school that my little sister attends (and perhaps Emma will attend one day, too) holds a smARTS Week. Local artists, crafters, and teachers host a variety of classes and for those three days, regular schoolwork is put on hold while the students get up to their elbows in art. Classes cover the whole spectrum of interests from nature-journaling, cake decorating, flower arranging, gospel singing, sculpture, photography, glass fusing, pottery, and so much more. It's the kind of thing an adult could get mighty jealous of, (and I've been hinting around that I'd love to see a smARTS week for adults, too.)

Inspired by Jade's Craft Hope project, I threw out the idea of offering a quilting class to the students--having them create quilts that could be given to needy children in our community. The idea was a success. There were sewing machines available, the school's music teacher was also a quilter and things were set in place.

The original plan was for me to be on location, helping with the class, but when my babysitting fell through, I found myself as the behind-the-scenes help for the class.

The students in the quilting class created two quilt tops--in quite interesting color schemes :) --and they were sent home to me to add the batting and the backing, and then sent back for them to hand-tie the next day. Most of the students in the class had never sewn before and I was given some interesting quilt tops to work with. But with a little squaring up, some reinforcing of seams, and a bucketful of God-given patience, I was able to send back their quilts, tied up in bundles to be hand-tied and sent off to someone in need. 

I've always noticed in my sewing experiences that projects truly motivated by love and giving tend to go so smoothly for me. I'm constantly guilty of making silly mistakes, moving through my projects sloppily or quickly. Yet, when a project is inspired and driven by love and a giving heart, it seems that things always come together perfectly, as if my head and hands and heart are working together despite my shortcomings.

I love that about handmade work.

As I sat at my sewing machine, with the quilt draped across my lap, I noticed immediately the warmth it was providing in my very cold, farmhouse kitchen. And I could only think of the sweet little child whose lap and weary body these quilts would bring warmth to. The thought of that warms my heart.

dressing up the dresser

I've been on a bit of a mission lately. I'm capitalizing on this second trimester bliss--lots of energy, decent mobility before I get really huge and awkward and a strong desire to simplify everything around the house.

Yesterday, I bit the bullet and began my attack on Emma and Mary's bedroom. Their room has been going downhill lately. Swiftly downhill. To the point where I often don't even step foot into their bedroom because it overwhelms me. I tell them to throw their dirty laundry into their hallway, I retrieve it and look away. They make their beds each morning as part of our routine, but I haven't been cracking down much more than that.

Dan goes in their room each night to read and will often tell them that if he doesn't seem some improvement in their rooms when he gets home the next day there will be no horseback riding that week. But the girls' idea of room improvement is shoving things into random dresser drawers, under beds, and into toy baskets. That's not working.

It's not a new concept around here, but it's one that needs to be revisited more often:

Less is more.

Less toys means they play better. Less clothes means the laundry is more manageable, their dressers are tidy and there's a place for everything. Less "things" in their room, means less "things" on the floor, under beds, thrown into baskets.

So yesterday afternoon the three of us waded into their bedroom and began an attack. We cleaned out, reorganized, threw out, and gave away things from every corner of their room. Everything is gone from under beds. Every dresser drawer has been opened, folded and reorganized. Every book put back into place and many, many toys have found new "homes" out in the (storage) barn, or with another needier family.

I cut back their room to have just a few things : a small basket of schleich animals, with a fold-able wooden fence, a suitcase of dress-up clothes, a suitcase of doll clothes, and their books. But I'm thinking, once I get the downstairs toy situation under control, the suitcases will be moved there, instead.

It is amazing to me, what simplifying and organizing does for children's play. They could barely get through the last of the dusting and vacuuming before all three girls were belly down on the floor setting up elaborate scenes with their animals and fencing. The room felt lighter, happier and more peaceful. It was a space that they enjoyed.

Once we were completely finished, I gave them a tour of their room. We talked about what was in every drawer, where the Schleich toys went, how books go on the book shelf, where dirty laundry belongs. I pretended they were new children that were moving into my home who needed instruction on how we do things.

And then I gave them a quiz.

They ate it up.

As a treat, and because I had borrowed a sewing machine for another project, I secretly whipped out a little dresser scarf for each of the girls yesterday afternoon. Their bedside table tops are eye-sores. And this was one way to dress up the dresser and added a little touch of sweetness to their room. They were so excited.

About as excited as I was to have a sewing machine in my house again, even if it's only for a few days. When Emma found out I had it she said, "Good. Because I have sooo much sewing I need to get done." A girl after my own heart.

If you haven't heard, I've started an epidemic around blogland, introducing people to the inspiration that is tumblr. Each day a few new friends succumb to the disease. I love it. I have a few kids rooms posted on my tumblr from the past few days that are inspiring me lately--with the exception of the first one, with the bunk beds. I simply liked the beds, otherwise the room is a little too busy for my new simplifying mentality. :) So stop by, take a look around, be inspired. There is so much goodness out there to enjoy.

carving pumpkins with power tools

Our pumpkins barely made it to the carving blocks this year. In fact, if I hadn't rescued them quickly enough our chickens would have made short order of them, just like this scene. In fact, the chickens had already started some of the "carving" for us.

Since we didn't get to the carving until after Halloween, I really wanted to encourage the girls away from faces to something that could be more Fall-ish. Emma seemed pretty dead-set on carving something scary into her pumpkin...that is, until I brought out her daddy's power drill.

I wish I had pictures--bits of pumpkin flying everywhere. Girls wielding power tools. But a mother can only handle so much power tool safety without trying to photograph it at the same time. Some things are better left to the imagination.

Once the carving was finished, I happily carried the pulpy mess into my kitchen where I spent a painstakingly long amount of time cleaning the seeds. I LOVE pumpkin seeds. I mean, seriously LOOOVE them. It really bothers me if I accidentally let one slip into the discard pile, or I miss one hiding in the pulp. I get every.single.seed.

And then I roast them with a little salt and butter in the skillet, all while fighting off little fingers who try to get in on the goodness.

Now they are sitting on the center of our kitchen table in a canning jar, whose lid I have screwed on so tight, I can barely get it off myself. It's kid-proof, requiring help (and the rationing of seeds) whenever little children decide they want to dip in to the treasure chest of seed-wealth.

I get down-right aggressive about the careful, slow devouring of these seeds. 

And I'm thinking next year, I'm planting a whole row of pumpkins in my garden....

when all else fails, go to the stream

Each day, as part of our morning routine, I have the girls write a few things in their Gratitude Journals. I've found that it helps them reflect on their day and remember that they have many blessings and much to be thankful for.

Lately, I have to confess, I've been wallowing in some worry. Letting it get to me when my worry can do nothing to help or change the situation.

And it struck me on Monday, that I needed to be keeping a gratitude journal of my own. So I traded in my teacher hat, and became a learner, just like my children, spending a few quiet moments attempting to refocus my worry into what gifts and goodness I already had in my life.

Armed with my new attitude, and inspired by a much-needed day of sunshine, we blew off much of our typical school work and headed outside to the stream.

I packed my camera, my FLIP and we headed out to a newly-discovered spot in the stream--accessible now that the cooler temperatures have dried and pressed down the once long and overgrown grasses and vines. A turn in the stream that has been catching logs and debris for quite some time. It makes for a magical spot. Slightly nerve-wracking for the mother on the shore, but still quite a place to explore.

A little musical montage for you to enjoy....and lest you think that all is magical and perfect here on Thomas Run--allow me to let you in on the behind the scenes:

The movie is set to music because Mary was crying desperately  in the background since I wouldn't let her cross over the stream on the tree trunks without my help (in her very slippery, new cowgirl boots).

The movie is spliced together in order to edit out one child who wasn't completely clothed after needing to "use the facilities" once we got down to the stream, which subsequently led to each child needing to "use the facilities" Funny how that always happens.

And the littlest and probably the most fearless in my brood explores the edges of the water without any care or knowledge of the consequences if she were to fall into the water. (You'll notice the camera lurch when she slips on the shore, and I prepare to dive in and save her.)

Enjoy.

Happy Wednesday, friends. What are you thankful for today?