one less trip to the store

Taste tester for our yummy granola

 

 

When you don't feel like packing the kids in the car to go grocery shopping you get a bit creative with what you've got in the cupboards. In this case, we had everything we needed for homemade granola. I put the bowl on the floor and let the kids mix their hearts out as I added the ingredients. We used oats, almonds, coconut, honey, oil, raisins, and added some dried banana after baking. Unfortunately I burnt the first batch, but the second one turned out great!

Later that day I attempted to let Shepherd paint. He lasted about 10 seconds, then wouldn't stop putting his paint covered hand in his mouth.

Growing up...

The other day, the kids and I were playing in the living room while waiting for daddy to come home. The photographer in me could not pass up the great light coming in from the window and just had to grab my camera. As I was looking over the photos I took I couldn't help but pull up Shepherd's baby pictures and see how much he's grown. I can't believe he is going to be one in twenty one days! It has been such a blessing to see this little man grow and I have to admit, I kind of miss the newborn days. On the other hand, I sure do love this new concept called sleeping through the night!

Oh and there has been lots of bread baking going on in this house. Still trying to find a good recipe for whole wheat sandwich bread. Anyone have any suggestions?

cookie time

Ever since I can remember, baking has been something that either puts me in a great mood, or I bake because I am in a great mood. Today it was the latter. While Ruby was watching her morning cartoon, Max and Ruby, I got all of the ingredients ready for us to make buttery jam cookies. The recipe is from the book Baking: from my home to yours by: Dorie Greenspan. You might also know her from her book Baking with Julia. This was the first time I made these cookies, and they are delicious. She recommends eating these with a hot cup of tea, and I fully agree. They are petite little cookies, which are perfect for a small afternoon treat. (Recipe found at the end of the post)

Buttery Jam Cookies

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter, at room temperature

2/3 cup sugar

1 large egg

2 tablespoons milk

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/4 cup apricot jam (or your flavor of choice)...we used raspberry jam

Getting ready:

Position the racks to divide the oven into thirds and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

      Whisk together the flour, baking powder, ginger, and salt.

       Working with a standing mixer, preferably fitted with a paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy and smooth. Add the sugar and beat for a minute. Add the egg and beat for 2 minutes more.The mixture will be satiny. Add the milk and vanilla and beat just to combine. Don't be concerned if the mixture looks curdled, it will even out shortly. Reduce the mixer speed to low, add the jam and beat for 1 minute more. With the mixer still on low, add the dry ingredients and mix only until they are incorporated. You'll have a very thick dough.

Spoon the dough by rounded teaspoonfuls onto the baking sheets, leaving about an inch between mounds.

        Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, rotating the pans from top to bottom and front to back at the midway point. The cookies will be only just firm, fairly pale and browned around the edges. Pull the sheets from the oven and allow the cookies to rest 1 minute, then carefully transfer them to racks to cool to room temperature.

       Repeat with the remainder of the dough, cooling the baking sheets between batches.

Makes about 45 cookies

snow fun with family



Playing in the snow as a family. Jeremy found this storage container in our friends shed and used it as a sled for Ruby!
We had so much fun in the snow. Jeremy helped Ruby make a snow princess with a branch skirt for modesty and leaf pigtails. The last morning at my mom's house we made yummy cornbread. As you can see, Ruby had her hand in every step of the process.
 Hope you all are enjoying your winter!