Donuts: part one

My friend Megan posted a recipe for Buttermilk Donuts last week on her blog and it made me crave some fall sweetness. I remember, as a child, going over to a relative's house and making donuts... it was a lovely fall tradition and it made me want that for Atticus, and for my niece and nephews (and, secretly, I know that donut making will automatically give me the spot of the 'cool Aunt' *wink*).

So Atticus and I got to trying out making donuts...

we only got the dough made today...

things take a bit longer when a 16 month-old is part of the process...

I'll post a 'part two' (hopefully tomorrow) when we get them fried up!

Quick Tip: Intro

So, I read a lot.

I read a lot of blogs, magazines, websites, you name it, I read it...when I find the time. *wink*

So, as I conversed with a BFF, and told her something I had been doing to save time, it hit me: I've collected all of these 'tips' from different places, and I should share them more freely. So, here goes.. I'm going to start a little 'segment' of my blog dedicated to 'Quick Tips'...and it will be called just that. I'll share all sorts of things... some cooking related, some cleaning related, some organizational...just whatever.

Now, let me be the first to say (SHOUT!) that I'm not a great housekeeper. I'm not great at a lot of things that are in my job description as SAHM (stay-at-home-mom)/ Homemaker. BUT, I think I'm continually getting better at it due to tips I stumble on along the way. So, if you have a great tip...please share! I'm always looking to learn!!!

Quick Tip:

About once a week, I put a whole chicken in the Crockpot. Either in the AM, and leave it all day, or I will put in in before I go to bed, and leave it overnight. You could season it all sorts of ways, but I usually put a couple cups of water, and some salt and pepper in there...maybe a bullion cube, and let 'er go! I put that baby in there frozen, to minimize the 'steps' then when she's all cooked up, I will just piece off the chicken (then freeze, make casserole's, whatever). We will often have 3-4 meals off of one (little) bird. These things are so cheap ($3-4), it seems wrong to get so many meals from it! Aaand, if you're up for it, you can also freeze the stock, and use it for soups, other chicken meals, gravy, whatever. Now, let me say that the chicken 'taking apart' is no fun! It can take about 15-20 minutes, and it's a little gross, but it's worth it in the end (I think).

Here's a look at my bird of the day (it makes the house smell all yummy, too):

If you have a 'Quick Tip' to contribute, please leave a comment! I will get in touch with you and I will link your blog here also! Thanks!:)

A Birthday Miracle..

So, I have neglected to give my husband props for the 'Birthday Miracle' he pulled off.

Let me preface with: my husband is a constantly wonderful husband! He's loving, patient, selfless...but *not* a gift giver! This has been something I've harped on through our marriage (like it was my job).

But this year, Adam made it a priority to make me feel special the entire week.

Here is the list of events:

Monday:

Woke me saying "happy birthday week" before he headed to work. (small but mighty;))

Tuesday:

He wrote on the bathroom mirror " happy 2 days until your birthday, I love you!"

Surprised me for a dinner at the Cheesecake factory (my birthday favorite) and had my mom keep Atticus overnight so I could sleep in and have a morning to myself.

Wednesday: (Lunch & pedicure with my mom) Adam cooked 'snack dinner' and we relaxed:)

Thursday (my actual birthday): (lunch with my sister) Arranged for our dear friends to bring over yummy Greek food for dinner...and gave me the greatest little gift!

This is, in fact, a birthday miracle! I anticipate years to come of great birthdays:)

I just wanted to post a couple of pictures of my new necklace, which I just adore.

(Each of the 'discs' is a magnetic top which makes it really like 4 different necklaces..it's from the cutest little Etsy shop , Polarity)

Thanks, AKT, for the best birthday week ever;)

I Love, love LOVE you!

Oh, my dearest Fall

Oh, how I love fall!

I know, lots of people love fall. And I'm not going to say how much *more* I love fall...

Just that my heart leaps a bit when I: feel the cooler breeze, get out my hoodie or jean jacket for the first time, or open up the windows after the heat of the Summer gives us a break.

I once heard how Fall represents death, and Spring, life. I won't argue the theory, but I will say that regardless of the morbid link, I ADORE FALL! (that was meant to be read aloud. Go ahead, I'll wait as you read it again *wink*)

I have to say that some of my favorite things about Fall weather moving in, are the baked goods and hearty squash themes of the food surfacing. One of my favorites is a Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Soup that I stole from my friend Megan at Itty Smitty. I'll post the recipe below so that you can enjoy it as much as I have. I already made a double batch and it is occupying a large amount of space in our very small freezer. But I'm sure it won't be there for long!

Guess what I'm having for lunch?

Southwest Tomato & Roasted Pepper Soup

It is adapted from a Fine Cooking recipe:
1 large red bell pepper, diced (or you could use a roasted red pepper)
3T olive oil
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped.
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
3 cups chicken broth (I used 2c. and a bit of water)
28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup sour cream
1 Tbsp. lime juice
1/2 tsp. lime zest
Salt & Pepper

In a pot heat oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until just soft, 8-10 minutes. Stir the chili powder and cumin into the onions. Add the diced red pepper and cook another 2 minutes. Add the broth and tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer 15 minutes.
Let cool briefly and then puree the soup in two or three batches in a blender or food processor. Return to pot and add salt and pepper to taste.
Meanwhile, combine the sour cream, lime juice and lime zest in a small bowl.
Serve soup with a dollop of sour cream and enjoy!

Heavenly night...

The weather has been unbearable...not tonight.

Our family has been too busy to relax...not tonight.

I have neglected to cook...not tonight.

We sat outside to eat dinner and then watched Atticus play in the yard.

We searched for ripe tomatoes, and played ball.

It was heavenly.

I told Adam as we basked in the setting sun and the breeze,

"I can't even take in all the joy of this moment".

I hope tomorrow holds the same!

Creation

I'm pretty thankful for this new photography thing going on in my life... and I love that I get to be out in nature with all of my shoots. I'm able to take in the beauty of God's creation...and have a bit of worship time before each shoot. When I go through the images from a shoot, I get to stumble across a flower or a tree or an insect that brought me a moment with my creator... pretty cool!

Because...

Because he's growing up before our eyes...

Because my camera has missed him...

Because his hair is starting to curl in the back...

Because he loves books...

Because I'm filled with joy experiencing him...

Because it's my birthday, and I didn't want to photograph anyone else...

I took pictures of Atticus all day.

Here are a few of my favorites!

Homeless...helpless...broken hearted

I'm still processing this 'situation', so pardon the 'rawness' of my writing...

Yesterday I was driving on the West side of Columbus and as I exited the highway, there was a woman holding a sign, "COULD USE SOME HELP"...

Now, let me first start by saying that, (after a life-changing inner-city mission trip to Toronto while I was in High School) I have a place in my heart that aches for the homeless...or the 'sign-holders' or the 'beggars'...I know all are not homeless, but I hurt for the humiliation and inhumanity it takes to wear a sign bearing your struggles with strangers who drive by...I make efforts to look them in the eye and smile, even if I have nothing physical to offer...

But...in this situation, it wasn't the sign that caught my eye. As I drove closer, I noticed one side of this woman's face was bruised to a blueish-purple and so swollen that only a sliver of her eye could peak through. Aside from the obvious 'battle wounds', she had the saddest face I've ever seen. I turned at the light, feeling an urgency to get back to her. I drove to the first fast food restaurant I could find (a couple of miles down the road) and quickly returned to the exit (not totally sure how I was going to maneuver this, since she was 'stationed' at a highway exit ramp), but realized she was no longer there. As I drove past, disappointed, I saw her sitting at the bus stop. I pulled over to talk to her.
My heart raced as she approached my car...I could feel my emotions unable to be controlled...

Me: Are you ok?
Her: um, no, not really...

Me: well...I got you some food...Are you hungry?...
Her: yes, that's so nice...thank you sweetie..
I kissed my hand and then shook hers as I began to cry...terribly.

then I drove away.

I wanted to turn around and do something...something big...take her home with me or sit and pray with her or find her somewhere to stay, save her from this person who hurt her...and instead I said "I got you some food"...yup, that was my 'big save' moment.

As I kept driving I realized just how small I was...that I could have done those things... but I didn't. And that won't stop God from doing whatever He has planned for that woman.

I don't even know her name, but I've been praying for her... and I'm realizing that prayer is the biggest thing I can do.

Heavy Hearted

A little over a week ago, at the closing of our church service, we were told that a church member's twenty-two year old son had taken his life. I have never met these people, but mourned, along with many others, thinking of that great loss the family must be experiencing.

The funeral was yesterday, and still, over a week later, not a day has passed without me crying over their loss. Again, I've never met this family, and it's not a selfless mourning on my part. I relate to this pain, not because I've experienced it, but because I can't even imagine not having Atticus in my life. I can't imagine losing him now, or in 20 years. The pain it would cause me is a place I can't even venture in my mind.

I have found myself going through what every aspect of this 'situation' might feel like. It has made me think of what it must be like to be left wondering what your child was struggling with that could make him feel so hopeless...and to not know about it. I'm now thinking more and more about ways to communicate with Atticus in the future to make a situation like this less likely... but the truth is, I can never prevent sadness in my children. I can provide them with all of the love I have, but ultimately, I have to give them to Jesus. I have to trust that He will hold and comfort them. And when things happen that are not in 'my plan', I have to trust that He is still God, and that, as unimaginable as it may be, He loves them even more than I do, and He is in control.

I continue to pray for peace and healing for the W family, along with wisdom on my part to take the experiences of others, like this, to push me closer to trusting God as I mother my child/ children.

Lovely Life

So, Adam is out for a men's retreat... and I'm finding myself really enjoying the time to reflect on our home and how thankful I am for it.

We brought my Granny's hutch into the kitchen this evening and I'm enjoying putting little cherished 'nick-knacks' in it. I've stopped to gaze at it many times this evening...

Nights like this remind me of life before marriage and the babe, where I would sit in my quiet home with dim lighting and just enjoy the "noises of the house" as my Granny would call it...

..it's nice to reminisce.