A little fun in the kitchen

 On Christmas Eve, we pulled a little chair into the kitchen and let Savannah and Noah help make goodies.  So, pull up a chair and get in on our little fun in the kitchen...

Making "date balls"...don't turn up your nose until you try them! They're a memory from my childhood and I love them!!! And thankfully, so do my kids. =)

 My sweet little Noah. =)

 Now, for some chocolate dipped pretzel sticks! This was their choice to leave on Santa's plate later that night!!

So much I could have been doing (maybe you saw all the dishes in my sink above) but this is what warms my heart...and the rest just doesn't matter sometimes.  


Next post....Christmas Eve! "We're ready for you Santa"

Popcorn, Pancakes, and ALL things Pumpkin!

Last week, we took our first real outing as a family of 5 and headed to "Dean's Farm" in Wilson.  Our mission: to find a good carving pumpkin!  But while there, we enjoyed free popcorn, face painting, and a giant slide!  (Oh, and Savannah had her very first experience in a "port-a-potty" ~ THAT was interesting!) 

Our great day began with popcorn... 

Then, trying to find the perfect pumpkin for carving.

 

This is not the pumpkin we took home....she picked out a bunch!!!

Face painting! 

She told the lady she wanted a "girl" pumpkin after seeing Noah's, so the sweet painter added a pink bow as a final touch! Savannah approved. =)

 Not afraid at all!  She LOVED this slide and repeated this scene over and over...

 I love this red-headed duo...

 ...and this precious bundle! Levi James at 8 days old...  


A couple of days ago, I found a recipe for these delicious pumpkin pancakes.  We've been on a pumpkin kick lately and these did not disappoint.  I've posted the recipe if you want to try them out!  

Pumpkin Pancakes

2 eggs
1 c. milk
1 cup cooked pumpkin (canned)
1 3/4 c. Bisquick
1 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 c. chopped nuts; optional

Mix all ingredients well, and cook on hot griddle until golden brown. 

Yields 2 1/2 dozen 4 inch pancakes.

***I sprinkled powdered sugar on top***

Hope you enjoy!

Thankful for family....and molasses.

...Lentil soup, fresh salad, and cheese biscuits.  That was dinner tonight!  Never cooked with "lentils" before, but found a recipe for this hearty, healthy soup in a magazine and wanted to try it! It was tasty!!  Dolan's taking the leftovers for lunch tomorrow! There's not much of a story behind this picture, or our "almost" healthy dinner except for the biscuits!  

Anytime I make biscuits, Dolan searches the pantry for Molasses!  I've always loved molasses, but he has fond memories of this rich condiment going back to his Granny Ruth....who had a special way of eating a biscuit with her molasses. So tonight, Dolan teaches Savannah just how it's done!

First, you make a "well" in your biscuit with your finger... (Savannah likes this part!)

Next, you gently hold your biscuit while pouring the molasses into the little well.  (She liked this part too!)

Finally, you take a bite out of your biscuit and enjoy the rich flavor you just poured into it! (So, she REALLY liked this part!)


After eating her first, she was definitely asking for another...and since she had eaten ALL of her lentil soup and salad, we graciously let her enjoy a second.  =)


It's not every night you have a little "nostalgia" with your dinner.  So very thankful for my little family....and molasses.

Yummy Muffins!

So, I found this recipe for "Limelight Blueberry Muffins" in a magazine and had to try them! They are delicious!! Made with ingredients you wouldn't expect...a little healthier...and they're not very sweet. But delicious! I thought I would post the recipe so if you are like me and love blueberries, you might give this recipe a whirl.

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup light sour cream

1/3 cup canola oil

1 teaspoon grated lime rind

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large egg whites

1 large egg

1 (6-ounce) container plain low-fat yogurt (I used vanilla)

Cooking spray

1 cup (or more) fresh blueberries (or thawed)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl; make a well in center of mixture.

3. Combine sour cream and next 7 ingredients (through yogurt) in a bowl; stir with a whisk. Add sour cream mixture to flour mixture; stir just until moist. Spoon batter evenly into 12 muffin cups coated with cooking spray.

Sprinkle blueberries evenly over tops of muffins. Little hands can help too!! Savannah loves to help me cook! =)

Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until muffins spring back when touched lightly in center. Cool in pans 10 minutes on a wire rack; remove from pan. Serve warm or at room temperature. Yield: 12 muffins. Enjoy!!! =)

***Remember, these are not a super sweet muffin, so if that's what you're after, these are not for you! My family loves these and they don't last 2 days in their pretty little basket!