Wednesday, January 28, 2009

DOUGHNUT MUFFINS


Doughnut Muffins

6 oz butter, softened, plus extra for greasing
1 C sugar
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 1/2 C flour
3/4 tbsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 C milk

Topping
1/2 C sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp butter, melted

Method
1.) Grease a 12 cup muffin pan. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and creamy. Add the eggs, a little at a time, beating well between additions.
2.) Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg together. Add half to the creamed mixture with half of the milk. Gently fold the ingredients together before incorporating the remaining flour and milk. Spoon the mixture into the prepared muffin pan, filling each hole to about two-thirds full. Bake in a preheated oven, 350 F, for 15-20 minutes, or until the muffins are lightly brown and firm to the touch.
3.) For the topping, mix the sugar and cinnamon together. While the muffins are still warm from the oven, brush lightly with melted butter, and sprinkle over the cinnamon and sugar mixture. Enjoy warm or cold.

I only had about a 1/2 a cup of white flour so I used whole wheat flour for the rest, of what the recipe called for. I also sprinkled ground flax seed into the batter as well. I always try to find ways to incorporate flax into my recipes. It is so good for you and especially if you can sneak it into your childs diet. I am so sneaky, they never know the difference!!!

These muffins turned out really yummy and the kids ate them up. I think Chad will even like them. Thank you Amy for the wonderful muffin book for my birthday! I want to try all the muffins in that book!

Monday, January 26, 2009

UPSIDE DOWN

Look at these goof balls!!!
They were all watching a movie on my bed
and the next thing I knew they all 
were upside down

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

MY BIRTHDAY....

I just love this picture!!!
Charli's arms wrapped around my neck
while I attempt to take a picture of us.
Who needs birthday presents 
when your child gives you a hug 
like this.

Charli and I enjoying our pedicures
for my birthday.

Even though Charli opted out 
for a pedicure
she enjoyed the nail dryers
Maybe next time she will get a pedicure

Amy, Brooke, Kelly, Charli and I 
all enjoyed our girl time together

Look at our pretty toes!!!

So Kelly and I decided we would treat eachother to pedicures for eachothers birthdays.  Mine being in January and hers in July.
  So some of us girls enjoyed an afternoon of pedicures, wine, truffles, and snacks.
Charli was our little waitress and delivered all the snacks 
while our toes were getting the royal treatment
I was hopeful that Charli would partake in a pedicure but she was not so sure and chose not to
Maybe next time she will do it
I thought her little toes would be so cute all painted and accented with a little flower.

Chad and I at Ojiya for my birthday dinner

The Behlke's & Finches at dinner

Look at all that yummy food
Our chef was great and very entertaining.

Opening some of my birthday gifts

The Kennedy's, McGregor's, Behlke's and Finches

I had such a great couple day's celebrating my birthday this year.  I am now officially "In my 30's" or as my step mom likes to say "Your 30 wonderful".  I love it and am truly embracing the 30's.  I love that I am still young and enjoying life but at the same time am so done with the teen and early 20 years.  30's really are great and I hope they just get better.


Thursday, January 15, 2009

KNITTING AND MOVIE NIGHT....

So one of my New Year Resolutions was to learn how to knit.  And look what I have done!  I was so proud of myself, I went to a local knitting store and they gave me a little lesson.  I picked out my starter yarn and they picked out the knitting needles.  I really like the green yarn that I picked, it has orange, brown tints in it as well and is so pretty.  I can't wait to finish this little scarf and start my next project.  It really has been fun to learn a new crafting skill and am so excited to actually be able to be craft when I travel or just watching tv.  


So last Sunday we had our 2nd Family Movie night and the movie of choice was Betthoven.  The one with the Saint Bernard dog.  It is an older movie and I thought that would be a light hearted family movie for the 3 of us to watch.  Well come 7:00pm Sunday night we cleaned up and got our movie treats and drinks all ready for movie viewing.  Half way through the movie there was a scene where the vet, the bad guy in the movie stages that Betthoven bites him and this fake blood is all over his arm and on the dogs snout.  Well Charli starts crying and I instantly cover her eyes and try to convice her that it is just pretend and that everyone is going to be okay.  Of course I started thinking that Charli's little run in with Zilba, and when he bit her all came back to me.  And if I was thinking it I am sure that Charli was too.  I felt like the worst mother in the world and was sure that my child would need a life time of therapy after the movie.  But we all survived and Charli is just fine.  I had no idea that scene was in the movie and if I did, I would have fast forwarded through that scene.  

Friday, January 9, 2009

Whole Wheat Strawberry Orange Muffins.....



Today we made some yummy muffins....with the help of 3 little monkeys! They turned out really tasty, as you can tell. I was inspired by this mom and got the recipe from here
If you are looking for a new and very different muffin, try this one. I added ground flax seed as well to my mix, I always try to sneak flax in when ever I can, for that added healthy-ness.


Monday, January 5, 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR




I hope everyone is having a great New Year so far! We have started a new tradition in our house, yesterday.... every Sunday night we are doing Family Movie Night. Last night we watched Bridge to Terabitha. We bundled up on the couch with our hot cocoa and marshmallows and Chocolate Turtle Chex Mix. Overall it went really well and I think we will continue this tradition in our household. It was actually really good for me because it made me stop running around the house doing mindless household stuff. I got to sit for about an hour and a half and just relax. Charli loved it!!!!

*****

So I don't usually think about New's Years Resolutions.... but this year I have some. Whether or not I stick to them that is beside the point.


*Be more frugal. I am currently reading Your Money or Your Life. Simple Mom started a book club and is tackling this book. I am super excited to be a part of a book club. This is new to me.


*Learn to knit & remember how to crochet.


*Stay more organized. I cleaned my whole house on my recent vacation and I am determined to keep it that way. With 6 children in my house 5 days a week, it is a constant battle to keep my house organized and decently clean.


*Family Movie Night every Sunday night.


*Make a Chore Chart for Charli. She is 4 years old and I think she can start doing some small things around the house to contribute.


*Start my Christmas crafts, projects, gifts in September. I am not kidding this time. I know it may seem a bit early in September to even begin thinking about Christmas but this year I thought I was giving myself enough time but of course I ran out of time and was scrabbling around last minute to finish up.


*Be more patient with Myself, Chad and Charli.


*Accept my flaws and be okay with them. I am human right?


I'm sure I have more but for now this is what I have. I think it is a great start.