Daddy Time

The moments after Adam comes home get better and better the sillier and more ornery Atticus gets!

 I love that I could catch one of these 'sessions' on my camera.

Atticus LOVES his Daddy!!!

His face here just makes me SMILE!

Baking pt.2

(Aren't lemons so enticing?! all of that COLOR!)

Citrus pound cake was another in my notebook since 2006...and this is a new favorite! We've been snacking on it like crazy...Atticus has even been begging for it after each meal.

I ended up not making the syrup, so if you try it, you'll have to let me know how it is!..I served it with fresh raspberries (they were on sale for $1ea this week!) and some chocolate mousse..YUM!

I caught some great pics while making this as I had to 'zest' a lemon...so Atticus got to partake in the lemon meat...he has such a love-hate relationship with lemons...totally cracks me up!

Enjoy!

(I'm having copy & paste problems... total user error...so forgive the 'funkiness' of the layout of this post *wink*)

Citrus Pound Cake With Cranberry Syrup

Ingredients

• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for the pan
• 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
• 2 tablespoons orange liqueur (optional)

Directions

1. Heat oven to 325° F. Butter a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, vanilla, and zests. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium-high, beat the butter for 2 minutes. Add 1 1/4 cups of the sugar and the salt and beat for 2 minutes. Slowly add the egg mixture. Beat for 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low and slowly add the flour. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes.
3. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. Using a knife, loosen the cake from pan. Invert it onto the rack. Turn it over again onto a serving plate.
4. In a saucepan, over medium heat, simmer the cranberries, orange juice, and the remaining sugar until the berries burst, 5 to 7 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes. Strain the syrup into a bowl and stir in the liqueur (if using). Slice the cake and serve with the warm syrup.

Boring picture, I know...I was too busy eating it once it was all 'dressed up'!

Baking

I've always been quite intimidated by baking...maybe that's because I often confuse baking soda and baking powder or because I feel like a teaspoon can be estimated by a few shakes... or because I have been known to go down the list of ingredients, adding each into the bowl, before I look at the instructions (opps!)

Despite all of that, I have turned a new leaf! I have started baking... and now that I've started, I dare you to try to stop me! *wink* 

These recipes have been in my 'bake me' book of recipes that I've gathered over the years...since 2006!! So, it's about time I whipped them up!

I have a couple of recipes to post... so I better get to it!

Bake away!

signed, Julia Towell...not to be confused with Julia Child (giggle)

Applesauce Spice Cake by Real Simple 2006

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for the pan
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 stick unsalted butter, plus more for the pan
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 2/3 cups jarred chunky applesauce
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• pinch ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup dark or golden raisins
• 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
• 2 pints vanilla ice cream

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350° F. Butter and flour a 9-inch springform or round cake pan.
2. In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. In a large saucepan, over medium heat, melt the butter. Remove from heat and stir in the granulated sugar, applesauce, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, vanilla, and eggs. Add the flour mixture and stir just until combined. Stir in the raisins. Pour into the prepared pan.
3. Bake the cake until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. Using a knife, loosen the cake from pan. Invert it onto the rack. Turn it over again onto a serving plate. Sprinkle the cake with the confectioners' sugar, slice into wedges, and serve with the ice cream

Game Day

 Adam and I went to Cincinnati this weekend for the Oklahoma/ Cincy game... 

it was such a blissful day for us!

It couldn't have been a more beautiful night and it was a great game! 

Now, this is where Adam and I differ: I think a close game = a good game. 

I kept saying, "even though I want Oklahoma to win, I can appreciate a good play for the other team"...he would promptly roll his eyes. He explained that a good play for the other team is a bad play for his team, so he wasn't going to find any pleasure in that. I guess that's what separates me from the real 'fans'. I truly enjoyed seeing the fans of the other team scream and yell of excitement almost as much as I did when 'our' team had a great play. Needless to say, I'm so thankful that OU won, even if it was just by 2 points!  It could have been a very long drive home if things when the other way!! *wink*

I just brought my Coolpix with me, but I got a few shots of the beautiful stadium and it's surroundings...it really is an amazing setting! And I always have a hard time not photographing large crowds of people... *sigh*

Adam and I haven't had a picture of the two of us that I 'approved of' for several months now...so we (I) took a lot!

Thrifty Find

You read that right! I got this amazing carafe at the thrift store for $2.98.

It's totally vintage and cute and lovely..AND it keeps coffee warm for hours and hours...I tried it!

A-mazing!

(Poor Adam says that I buy things just because they're a great deal ...I say who doesn't NEED a carafe?!)

Hospitality vs. Pride

I had a lovely brunch with a friend this week, and we got to talking a bit about what we {women} do to ourselves in the name of 'hospitality'.  I often struggle with finding a balance between 'fluffing' things to make people feel welcome, and 'perfecting' things to hide the 'real' in my life.

I think that these issues go deeper than cleaning my house and hiding the dirty laundry, it comes down to not being real to people. About putting up a wall (ie. a clean house) to only let people see the 'neat' parts of my life. Not the messy, 'I suck at this' parts.

I've just been thinking a lot about what exactly it means to be hospitable... And I think it means being open in home and in heart.

This is a messy area for me, but it's on my mind a lot, so hopefully God will start 'working on me'...

Ode to Summer

Summer has officially ended (although it's been long gone in my mind)! Most of you who know me know that I don't prefer Summer. That's a lie. I, very much so, dislike Summer. But it an effort to be grateful to its Creator and all of the fun events of the season, I am going through Summer pictures and compiling collages of some of our favorite memories. I'll be posting them for the next week or so, here and there.

Here goes it... HAPPY FALL!!! *BIG smile on my face*

The first is from the splash pad in Norman, OK. Where Adam and I lived when we were first married. We were visiting dear friends, so it made the splash pad even sweeter. Atticus didn't enjoy it until the last 5 minutes or so...he inched closer and closer and finally realized the shooting water was his friend.

Atticus was so ornery but still very pensive that day... he wasn't sure what was going on...

Oh, Heaven's, I love this kid and all of his crouching glory!

Quick Tip: Chalkboard

So, I'll admit it, I'm a bit obsessed with chalkboards. I think I always have been...looking back to the day when I painted my entire (hideous green) refrigerator with chalkboard paint. I will still stick to my opinion that it was a brilliant idea, you make your own judgement. 

Now-a-days, I have smaller items in my house as chalkboards *wink*.

I bought several of these 'decal' thingies that you can peel the back off and stick wherever. Which are super cool... BUT my friend Sarah gave me an 'upgrade' with a fancy frame on it...just wait, it's amazing! 

So, where's the quick tip, you ask? 

*Get a chalkboard* 

They come in so many forms now (yes, even paint!)... and really, who doesn't love finding notes in the morning, or leaving them for that matter. We have used our chalkboards for writing Bible verses, love notes, grocery lists, the neighbor's names (true story), and right now, the fancy board gets the week's menu on it! So fun! And now when Adam walks into the house from work, he knows just what we're having for dinner...pretty fun!

{Rob & E: Maternity}

She has been one of my sister's closest friend since we were in high school. So, naturally Erica is someone that I love dearly and was so excited to capture moments from this magical phase in her and Rob's life. 

Enjoy*

(Ps. I bought this sheet (backdrop) at the thrift store JUST for E's session *wink*)

Proverbs

Since we moved into our house, coming up on a year ago, I have savored nap time. 

Now I know every mother reading this is saying 'DUH?!' But, not only have I savored it for it's silence and 'rejuvenating factor', I've savored it because I can light a candle, sit in my big cozy chair, and sip my (reheated) coffee as I read. 

And even though I enjoy my time reading the Bible alone,  I've been putting a lot of thought into how I could incorporate the Bible into Atticus's life, without it being a 'chore-like' time. I've always loved reading the 'Proverb of the Day' (30/31 days a month/ 31 Proverbs), so I've decided to read Proverbs aloud each day as Atticus plays. And it has truly become one of my most treasured times of the day. He will often come sit on my lap for a moment and then crawl down to return to his play. Or he will come up and kiss my knee as I'm reading. I can't help but think that by inviting the Holy Spirit into our home in such a tangible way, he feels peaceful and safe in that moment. 

More than anything, I want God's word to be something that is commonplace...

regardless of how much he understands at this point. 

Who knew that I could share my 'reading time' and still thoroughly enjoy it?! 

I think it makes it sweeter that I get to read from the pages of my Granny's Bible... she passed away earlier this year. I often will come across something she saved, or a note she wrote in the margin... 

It's a lovely reminder of the legacy that we pass down to our children...and their children...and...

(Ps. I STILL look forward to nap time!!)

Muffins

I found this recipe at allrecipes.com and since I had extra bananas and K* was coming over, I figured we would try it out! We ate them right away, possibly more than one, I can't remember *wink*... it had to be that crumble topping..YUM! I've already made them again! I have a feeling that this might be a Fall/Winter staple.

Enjoy!!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 bananas, mashed
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 
  
• Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease 10 muffin cups, or line with muffin papers.
2. In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg and melted butter. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
3. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean

My little friend, K* looking cute as a button while outside playing with Ellie...

Weekend Project

I found these puppies in the trash. Two matching 'side tables' ..one missing the legs. So, I painted them up and stacked them....and now I LOVE them!! They might be my new favorite thing in our home!

I will post the weekend's projects as we finish them...there's lots of fun stuff!:)

{Anna: Senior}

I'm trying to catch-up with session posts from when I was 'in between' sites.  So, let me introduce you to Anna. Anna and I met when she was a young seventh grader and I was her 'junior high' worker at church. I loved Anna right away. One of my favorite memories with her is when she and another 'jr. higher' spent the night. We had chocolate fondue and they had it everywhere! It was far from the classy experience of fondue, but oh-so-fun! Anna, thanks for sharing the evening and a Diet Coke from McDonalds with me (the only place to get a D.C. *wink*)... we'll have to do it again soon!

Get ready for some stunning pictures...Anna's quite the 'looker'!!

The Small Things

It's the small things in marriage...

I make coffee for him (via auto-brew), he feels appreciated.

He leaves a note, I feel loved.

It's a great day!

{Myres: Family}

Paul has been a friend of mine since I was a junior in high school. I have lots of fun memories with him and our group of friends that year. We lost touch, but reconnected again about a year ago. Adam and I have had the delight of getting to know Paul and his (much) better half, Aimee. *wink*

And soon after we met Aimee, we got news that they were expecting little Emma. We love all of the time we get to spend with Paul, Aimee and Emma, but this past Saturday we got to do a mini-shoot and have lunch at Graffiti Burger! What more can you ask for, right?!

So, here's a little glimpse into the beautiful Myres family and our day together!

"OH-IO"

(Is there something wrong with me if this is my favorite image from the shoot?)

Then we had lunch...

 

Little Man and his hat

I love the quirky personalities of children. And I love it even more when they have a physical manifestation.
Atticus has started an obsession with hats. He has about ten words (maybe) that he says...
One of his favorites is 'hat'. (Not to compete with 'ball' which is his all-time favorite word...don't know if that one's ever going to fade!...we'll tell 'ball stories another time!)

I don't remember exactly when this started, but it's been going on for a while now. He's even reached for strangers to pick him up to get to their hats. Poor unsuspecting elderly with their big-brimmed sun hats... they think the sweet child is reaching because of their gentle spirit, then snatch! He's got them bowing away to save their dignity! (yes, it's happened just like this multiple times.)

Well, today, he reached an all time high (or low, depending on your perspective *wink*). First, he insisted on wearing a hat while eating lunch...which for a clean, mannerly eater, would be no issue. But for Atticus, (a boy who we routinely strip down for meals) it meant disaster. I decided that it wasn't something I was opposed to, nor did I care to fight over it, so he ate 'mexican chicken' wearing a hat. And in the end, the hat ended up wearing mexican chicken. It was a great photo-op! And later in the night he graduated to not one, but two hats.

I'm loving all that comes along with this little man...even the things I don't love so dearly (temper, fits, SIN), make me smile at the end of the day! Mostly because I know we made it through another day...and I think I love this kid a little more with each sunset!

{Quintin & Sarah}

I just mailed their image CD today... and I was so happy editing these pictures.
Honestly, doesn't everyone want picture with the person they love that truly expresses those 'ahh' feelings? I really saw the 'ahh' in these... So I'm going to post away.
Thank you, Quintin & Sarah for letting me be a part of your love story!