Wordless Wednesday: Lovely view

When life dumps snow on us...

We build forts...

We go sledding...

And we bake granola...

Coconut Granola
courtesy of COOKIE+kate

• 4 C organic rolled oats
• 1 C organic roasted, unsalted cashews (chopped)
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 C melted organic coconut oil
• 1/3 C real maple syrup
• 1/4 C molasses
• 3/4 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 C organic unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1/2 C chopped dried fruit (I mixed organic raisins and organic cranberries)
• Combine oats, nuts, salt, cinnamon, ginger
• In separate bowl, combine coconut oil, maple syrup, molasses, vanilla
• Add wet to dry; stir until oats are well-coated
• Bake on parchment-lined baking sheet at 350 degrees for 20 minutes
• Remove from oven; stir in coconut; bake for additional 10 minutes
• Remove from oven; stir in dried fruit; cool and eat

I followed the baking time on the original recipe - I worried it was getting over-done during the last 10 minutes but it is a bit darker in color from the molasses. This is a crumbly granola - it baked up crisp but doesn't form big clumps like other recipes I've used. All in all, I think it has great flavor and, naturally, I love that it uses no sugar.

Happy Snow Day! In the words of Elise: "The world is a wreck of snow!".

What's that you say? More snow?

BRING IT!

SNOW DAY!

Watching the trash truck, bright and early.... snow falling...

Time to shovel ... climb some snow mountains ... make some snow angels...

Back inside ... warm and dry ... hot cocoa time ...

Honey-sweetened Hot Cocoa

• 1 C local 2% milk
• 1 1/2 T local honey
• 2 T organic, unsweetened cocoa powder
• Combine all in a saucepan; whisk until combined and hot

Wordless Wednesday take 2: We loved snow then...

Wordless Wednesday: Ready for SNOW

Farewell, Freddie

It is officially the end of an era. And it feels surprisingly sad. :( Many of you didn't know about Freddie, some of you have heard of him, and some of you are thinking "Holy hell! He just died???". He already died twice. Once he was found, completely dried out, behind my bedroom door. I was around 10 at the time. The second time? In his cage in the garage, mid-summer, all the water evaporated. I was around 13 at the time. He wasn't really dead either time. I guess newts have three lives... Here's a picture of the only picture I could find of him:

Remember how I said that Aura was my journal? Freddie was not. Remember how I said that Aura knew every detail of my life? Freddie did not. But this newt deserves big props, and here's why: I had major reservations going away to college. I loved being home. I still love being home. And when I moved into the dorms, Freddie moved with me. I decided that, as long as Freddie lived, I would stay away from home. I was 18; he was 10. Then he moved into the sorority.... then into an apartment... and into a house... and into another house... and into another house... and then into my first house ... and then here. Freddie died today. He was 25. TWENTY FIVE YEARS OLD. No, he was never replaced. Real deal. Freddie spent 25 of the last 33 years with me. Give that old man props. 

Snack time: Roasted chickpeas

We've been working on the art of roasting chickpeas over here, and it's going pretty well. :-) They are a nice, crunchy snack and, so far, have been a big hit! Here's what we put together today. As you can see, all ingredient amounts are rough estimates. I've seen a number of recipes for "sweet and salty" chickpeas or "honey/cinnamon roasted" - I haven't tried anything sweet, so if you've got a winner - please share! I do think the hotter oven temperature is a must - we've tried some at 350 degrees and they didn't get crunchy, and a non-crunchy roasted chickpea just doesn't cut it. When John got home, the girls said: "Daddy, we had roasted chickpeas for a snack today. But we didn't save any for you." Hmmm... better do a double batch next time...

Roasted Chickpeas

• 1 can organic chickpeas - drained, rinsed, and patted dry
• 1 T (or so) olive oil
• 1 tsp (or so) kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp (or so) onion powder
• 1/2 tsp (or so) garlic powder
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees
• Spread the chickpeas on a silpat-lined cookie sheet
• Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and seasonings; mix around with hands
• Bake for 40 minutes at 400 degrees, flipping/stirring the chickpeas every 10 minutes
• After 40 minutes, increase oven temp to 425 degrees and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes

Bread and butter

Yesterday there was snow on the ground, we were enjoying an afternoon/evening at home, and the perfect accompaniment was most certainly fresh baked bread. We had fried egg sandwiches for dinner with bacon and spinach (on this bread). We had cinnamon/coconut sugar toast for breakfast (on this bread). We had tuna cheesy sandwiches for lunch (on this bread). And there are a few pieces that I tucked away in the freezer for later in the week. :)

Whole Wheat Buttermilk Bread
courtesy of Annie's Eats

• 1 1/4 C organic rolled oats
• 1 C boiling water
• 1/4 C room temperature water
• 2 T local honey
• 2 tsp yeast
• 1 1/2 C buttermilk (room temp)
• 1/2 C organic olive oil
• 2 1/2 C organic whole wheat pastry flour
• 2 1/2 C organic whole wheat flour
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• Combine oats and boiling water; let sit for 10 minutes
• After oats are done soaking up the hot H2O, combine oats, room temp water, honey, yeast, buttermilk, and olive oil in bowl of stand mixer (with paddle attachment)
• Turn on low; add 2 cups of each flour; after combined, add remaining flour
• Switch to dough hook and mix on low for 10 minutes - I sprinkled a bit more flour around the sides of the bowl while it was mixing as the dough was very wet and sticky
• Transfer dough to oiled bowl; cover; let sit until doubles - approximately 1 -1 1/2 hours 
• On floured surface, flatten dough into a large rectangle; fold short sides until they meet in the middle; roll long side until a log forms; pinch seams closed and transfer to an oiled bread pan; combine 1 tsp honey and 1/2 tsp hot water to brush the top of the bread and then sprinkle with oats; let sit until dough rises above edge of pan - approximately 30-45 minutes
• Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour

Oh... and the butter? Nothing special about that - "bread and butter" just always sounds nice together! But here's a great pic for you from our Valentine's Day double-date with our sushi-eating, wine-drinking, dog-loving, party-hardying friends!

Valentine's Day!

Nothing says "I love you" like heart-shaped food, heart-shaped bowls and SHINY SHOES! :) Serious Valentine's happiness hiding behind a big heart on a shoe box:

Abby: "Elise! Get in here! Come see what's on the table!"
Elise: "When did you buy these? Abby- what color are yours?"
Abby: "Can you get me some socks? Thank you, Momma! Thank you, Daddy!"
Elise: "Thank you, thank you! Momma, you are so creative!"

Happy heart day to you and yours!

Valentine's Week: Days 2 and 3

Valentine's Week: Day 1

Blueberry Muffins (baked in a heart-shaped donut pan)

• 4 T organic unsalted butter
• 1/4 C organic coconut sugar
• 1/4 C organic pure maple syrup
• 1 local egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 C organic unsweetened applesauce
• 1 1/2 C organic whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 1/2 tsp aluminum-free baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 C organic buttermilk
• 1 C organic frozen blueberries
• Combine butter, coconut sugar, maple syrup, egg, vanilla, applesauce
• Combine (separately) flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon nutmeg
• Mix wet with dry; add buttermilk; fold in blueberries
• Grease muffin/donut pan; bake at 350 degrees: 10-12 minutes for donut pan or mini-muffins; 18-20 minutes for regular sized muffins

It's too bad...

It's too bad.... they aren't expressive.

We've really been targeting emotions and talking about feelings lately. Partly as a developmentally appropriate teaching opportunity... partly to help improve coping skills. The conversations contain a lot of "Use your words" and "You look (insert emotion here)" and "Let's think of a solution" and "When (insert frustrating situation here) happens to me, I would feel (insert emotion here) also". It's the whole acknowledge-relate-comfort-support process. 

Today, while trying out bikes at Sunflower Bike Shop downtown, Abby was cruising around the shop on a bike and, when she went to park it, the damn thing toppled over. Now, I guarantee you that two weeks ago, Abby would have gone to pieces. She might have cried. She might have yelled. It just might have been a very unfavorable scene. Today? While still under the bike, she loudly, clearly, expressively stated: "I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT WHAT JUST HAPPENED". While holding back laughter, I reaffirmed her feelings ("You're right, Abby. I wouldn't be happy either if my bike had fallen over") and we smiled (along with the staff at the store). 

On an entirely different note, at dinner tonight, Elise announced that she was making a picture for Uncle Travis because he "probably doesn't get that many pictures". :) She was tracing her hand and wrist, drawing on a bracelet, and coloring the fingernails KU colors. Uncle T informed her that a monster would be nice, too. After a few more minutes, Elise held her picture up to me:

Elise: "Look, Momma. I drew a monster for Uncle Travis. It's green because it has the schwamp all over it". (say schwamp out-loud, please. it needs to be spoken for the full effect)
Me: "It's lovely! But what is all over it?"
Elise: "The schwamp." (stated very matter-of-factly)
Me: holding back laughter because of how awesome this child's /s/ sounds are: "Of course! The SWAMP! I love your swamp monster!"


Happy Sunday. I hope your day was full of freely spoken feelings and the schwamp. Both made me happy. Very, very happy.

Foodie Friday

We've had some mighty fine eats around here this week - enjoy some bits and pieces from our menu:

Whole Wheat Blueberry Scones
adapted from Top With Cinnamon

1/4 C local butter
1 1/4 C organic whole wheat pastry flour
1 1/2 tsp aluminum-free baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 T organic coconut sugar (pressed through a mesh strainer for a finer texture)
1/2 C organic frozen blueberries
1 organic egg
1/4 C organic buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla

• Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, sugar
• Use a pastry cutter to cut in butter until crumbly texture
• Mix egg, buttermilk, vanilla
• Add wet to dry
• Add blueberries
• On a lightly floured surface, form dough into large, flattish circle; cut into 8 triangles; brush with buttermilk and top with cinnamon/sugar
• Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, or so

Green smoothie

Frozen organic banana

Frozen mango

Organic pear juice

Splash of organic 2% milk

Fresh organic baby spinach

Organic whole milk yogurt

Whole Wheat Naan Bread

I originally posted this recipe here, and the only change I made this time was to use 2 T of local honey instead of sugar. Still a great recipe for pita-like bread. We had it for dinner, topped with grilled local chicken, organic veggies, and a homemade buttermilk dressing (John added sriracha). The girls had more naan this morning - I warmed it at 350 degrees in the toaster oven for a few minutes and topped it with local butter and coconut sugar/cinnamon. The girls had fun with their blueberries after eating the toppings off at dinner last night...

Homemade buttermilk dressing

Organic buttermilk

Organic sour cream (Wallaby brand is our FAVE)

Organic lemon juice

Paprika

Kosher salt

Dried dill

Organic garlic powder

Organic onion powder

For a snack, the girls had organic cucumbers topped with dressing and, per their request, blueberries. They thought it looked like eyeballs. Yup, sure did. 

Egg-n-Kale

In a fry pan, heat some olive oil and red pepper flakes. Add chopped organic kale; cover and saute until kale wilts and is tender. Remove from pan; drizzle with lemon juice. In same pan, fry local egg. Salt and pepper. Eat.

How old is she?

During our last two trips to the library, I have been asked "How old is she?" by another parent (both times a father), who was observing the girls reading aloud. The first time it happened, it was Elise reading. Today it was Abby. On each occasion, said-father overheard one of the girls reading, leaned in closer to see the words on the page, and then mouthed "WOW" as he realized that the words on the page did indeed match the words coming from this little person's mouth. This morning, the dad wanted to know if I had used a special program to teach the girls how to read. To which I replied: "Nope". In all actuality, we did use a special program. 

We implemented a program in our house that was based on our priorities and beliefs as parents, a program that is backed by research, and a program that fosters reading. I typically have 30ish books checked out from the library at a time - and we return/replace this supply almost weekly. Even if it's only every other week, that is 26 weeks in a year. I've been taking the girls to the library religiously since they were about 8 months old. The girls are 4 1/2, so let's say that this has been our routine for at least 3 1/2 of their 4 1/2 years. That's roughly 91 weeks (remember, this is based on every other week, which is a low-estimate since we frequently go weekly). That is roughly 2730 books. If each of those books gets read twice - one reading per child (really? have we ever read a book only twice?) - that is 5460 readings. The girls are only approximately 1640 days old. Are you with me? WE READ A TON OF BOOKS. And what has happened is that Abby and Elise LOVE books. They look forward to books. They are excited by new books. They are curious and interested and desire to know what each page says, how each story will end. They find comfort in books. All. day. long. Yes, we play. A LOT. We dance, we sing, we swing, we cook, we draw, we write, we do puzzles and games. There is so much more to life than books. But books are building blocks of our "special program". 

Wake up early? Read books.
Waiting for breakfast? Read a book.
Momma needs to shower? Snuggle in my bed with a stack of books.
Long car ride? Pack some books.
Rest time instead of naptime? Not a problem with books.
Feeling sick? Tired? Cranky? Everything is okay with a book and a lap.

Notice what else is missing from the equation? Screen time. That's all I'll say about that one. 

The final "bon voyage" of babyhood

Me: "Abby, will you always be my baby?"
Abby: "Yes, Momma! Even when I'm a grown-up, I'll be your baby."
Me: "Really?"
Abby: "Yes, Momma. I just love your schweet little face."
Me: "Elise, will you always be my baby?"
Elise: "Yes, even when I'm grown-up. Even when I'm sixteen."

We are officially through a full week of no-naps. That doesn't mean "rest time" has been eliminated - there is still a mandatory 1 1/2 hour rest every afternoon that consists of piles upon stacks upon heaps of books. But I've let the actual sleeping go. Finally. And guess what? My children are charming - maybe even more charming than before. Why? Let me tell you... 

Well, you know how babies, toddlers, little people wake up from naps refreshed and snuggly with those sleepy eyes and sweet smiles? You do? Hmmm... I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT IS LIKE!!! My children wake up from actual sleeping naps foul. Miserable. Crabby. Crying. Irritable. So why did I enforce sleeping until over 4 1/2 years? Because I worked so. damn. hard. to teach these girls to nap. Of their entire babyhood, establishing a napping routine probably had me in fits and tears more than anything else. Breastfeeding? Very difficult and painful but well established within a few months and a piece of cake for 14 months. Eating solids? Walk in the park. Sleeping through the night? Rockstars by 3-4 months. Potty-training? Done at 24 months with very few hiccups. Napping? EIGHTEEN MONTHS. It took me EIGHTEEN MONTHS to get those two little monsters to sleep regularly each day without a battle or tears (theirs or mine). When I finally won the battle, I assumed I'd enforce naps until the girls were sixteen. I bet they wouldn't love being my baby then, huh?

Sigh. I guess instead of forcing my babies to nap, I'll spend afternoons bike-riding, reading, playing, singing, and dancing with my big girls. They appear to enjoy this more than sleeping:

Snack sharing: Peanut butter apples

Snacks are a big part of life, aren't they? Now, I'm not an all-day-snacker advocate: we eat a good breakfast, a morning snack (if breakfast is early), a good lunch, an after-nap snack, and dinner. I don't do bedtime snacks - personally, or for the girls. And food is not readily accessible for Abby and Elise; they still ask 100% of the time before getting anything to eat. I've been making a more conscientious effort to reduce carbs and increase raw veggies. Don't get me wrong - I don't find any deficits in our diets. The girls continue to be bottomless pits hearty eaters. And while I'm thinking about carbs and grains and eating fewer myself, I am still a big fan of the real-deal, whole grains. 

All of that being said... let's share snacks! I mean, not really share - keep your germs on your plate, please. But I think I'll start posting pics now and then of our snacks. I would love if you'd share yours, too - either via FB or comments. So, to get this snack-party started, today we had peanut butter apples, with dried cherries: