Saturday, October 29, 2011

Celebrating Hannah

Yesterday afternoon these two little cuties celebrated their 10th birthday together.
(Hannah is on the left)

We took the girls in their class to get manicures after school.
I really should have taken a photo of their nails. I didn't know you could do so much with that little amount of space.

Cupcakes pre-salon.
Sweet friends.Later that night, we had our "family" party with the Flemings. Her birthday isn't 'til Tuesday.
Next up for the 10th birthday celebration.... She's getting her ears pierced!

Friday, October 28, 2011

Lately

Life has been full. Dumping all my photos from the last two weeks in one post...

We celebrated my husband's birthday last Saturday with soccer games, Mamma's for lunch,
and an evening of flashlight tag and s'mores with dear friends.
Our leaf pressing corner.
Saturday soccer (photo by Peter).
Kindergarten field trips.
Making time for their favorite fall projects.And catching up with our treasured friends, Chris and Mindy, who are home from Ethiopia for a few months.
It's been 10 long years since we have seen each other!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Weekending : Soccer Edition

It was one of those perfect October weekends.
Deep blue skies overhead, cool in the shade, warm in the sun...
just the right kind of weekend for 5 soccer games.

Peter kicked off the weekend with Kindergarten soccer.
Then Will's game.
Then Hannah's game.

Later that day, an opportunity for Will's team - the 'Sniper Cats' - to play on the pitch at RFK Stadium before the D.C. United game. Pretty exciting. And I must add that the 'Sniper Cats' can now say they are undefeated at RFK!
Don't you just love the name they chose for themselves? Hilarious.

The boys enjoyed a little American football while tailgating. Marine One flew right over our heads
- we're pretty sure President Obama was cheering for them.
D.C. United vs. Chicago Fire
It had been a full day. I marvel at Peter's ability to sleep in the loudest places.
Hannah's team had a Sunday make-up game.
The 'Angry Birds' - one win and one tie this weekend.
My sweet parents were in town cheering them on!
This handsome guy got off a plane Friday evening, went straight to a dinner event, then to a breakfast meeting, three soccer games - coaching one, a funeral, the D.C. United event, church, then coached another game....
He deserved an Elevation Burger.
(photo by Peter - he's always got my camera these days)

Friday, October 14, 2011

{This Moment} - To His Defense

{and he comes home today!}

{this moment} - A Friday Ritual. Joining with SouleMama, sharing a moment from our week.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

After-School Snack

It's been raining for two days here. When it rains, I bake.

I had about a cup of pumpkin in the fridge I wanted to use. It was hard to decide between Pumpkin Snickerdoodles and Baked Pumpkin Doughnut Holes; doughnut holes won.

Aren't they beautiful?

Mine weren't quite so lovely, but they tasted so good. The kids were doing backflips. We will definitely be making them again.

Visit The Craving Chronicles for the recipe: Baked Pumpkin Doughnut Holes

my recipe notes:
There is enough batter to make more than 24 mini muffins - many of mine were too big and lost the round shape - looked more like muffins. Also, I only used the butter-sugar-cinnamon-coating for half of them. They are wonderful without it, just more muffin-y and less doughnut hole-y.

Next up: Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

Monday, October 10, 2011

Finished : 1000 Gifts

Almost three years ago I posted this picture of our student in the basement.


Well, as of TODAY he is finished! Awarded his PhD from the University of Aberdeen (Scotland).

For the past 7 years, my husband has beautifully balanced family life, full-time pastoral ministry, and all the researching/writing/trips to Scotland that this degree required. We are so proud of him! And so thankful he is finished!

Today I will add just two to my list...

1162
His PhD. Finished.

1163
The Rev. Dr. Love-Of-My-Life!

For those interested, his dissertation is on the Covenant Theology of Zacharias Ursinus (author of the Heidelberg Catechism). Please don't ask me if I've read it. : )



Pancake Apple Rings


You really must make these. So delicious.

I saw the idea on Pinterest a few weeks ago. Saturday morning I gave it a try and sliced one of the hundred or so apples we have in the house to throw in the last bit of pancake batter.

Seriously. You will not believe how good they are.

What I did:
  • I peeled and cored an apple, then sliced it into very thin rings.
  • Tossed them one at time into the pancake batter.
  • Placed them on the griddle. Cooked them just pancakes.
  • Put the rings-of-deliciousness on a plate and sprinkled them with cinnamon-sugar while they were still warm.
  • Watched my family giggle as they devoured them.
Hint: use more than one apple! : )

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Weekending


Deep blue October sky.
Apples sweet and crisp.
Carefully selected pumpkins.

Weekend exhale.

Friday, October 7, 2011

{This Moment} - at the Farmers' Market


{this moment} - A Friday Ritual. Joining with SouleMama, sharing a moment (or two) from our week.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

The Barber Shop : Photos by Peter

As soon as we settled in our seats at the barber, Peter spotted the camera in my bag and purposed to document the entire visit. I love what he captured...







Tuesday, October 4, 2011

It Was Time...


... to make the first batch of pumpkin bread. And so begins the season of all things pumpkin.

Here's a repost of a few favorite recipes...


Pumpkin Waffles

This recipe makes enough for our family of five with a few leftover. Serve with warmed maple syrup.

1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 3/4 cups milk
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup oil
1/8 teaspoon vanilla

In a large mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients. In another bowl, combine the wet ingredients (eggs through vanilla). Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Mix well. Pour onto hot, lightly greased waffle iron.

*****************************

And if you opened a can of pumpkin for the waffles, you will have enough puree leftover for this yummy recipe: Pumpkin-Chocolate-Chip Squares. I made these last weekend for company. Perfect with a cup of good coffee.

*****************************

Whole Wheat Pumpkin Muffins
Adapted from a recipe I found on the back of a can of Whole Foods store brand pumpkin puree several years ago.

We have been making these for years. My kids love them! They are not sweet like pumpkin bread. Great for breakfast.

1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 beaten egg
3/4 cups milk
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup pumpkin puree

Preheat oven to 375. Grease 12 muffin cups.

Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. In a small bowl combine egg, millk, and butter; stir in pumpkin. Add all at once to flour mixture. Stir until just moistened. Batter will be lumpy.

Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean. Serve warm, with butter. Makes 12 muffins.

*****************************

And last but not least, here is our favorite pumpkin bread recipe, too.

Enjoy!

Monday, October 3, 2011

October Chill : 1000 Gifts

Celebrating His gifts, the list goes on...

1143
Candlelit family dinners.

1144
Lingering and laughing at the table. Dinner Games.

1145
Two Goals. Two happy boys.

1146
Empty parking lot bike riding fun with friends.

1147
The joy of completing his first big project.


1148
Lunching with the Kindergarteners.

1149
A chilly fall weekend with football games on the TV.

1150
And Football Dip.
It's standard football watching fare in our house. The neighborhood kids even come in for it. SO simple... mix a can of re-fried beans & half a jar of salsa together in an oven-proof dish; sprinkle with cheese (cheddar or cheddar/jack); bake at 400 for about 20 minutes; serve with tortilla chips.


1151
Finding Photo Booth open when I sit down at the computer. And photos like this....


1152
Pulling extra blankets over sleeping kids.

1153
Gathering to pray for one on her way to Romania... joining other friends already there sharing God's love.

1154
Digging fleece and sweaters out of the basement bins. Cozy comfort.

1155
A spontaneous (and much needed) family dinner out.



1156
And then family night at the Apple Store.

1157
Sunday afternoon naps.

1158
My husband kindly taking care of the acorn piles on the patio... with a snow shovel.

1159
Church-wide celebrations.

1160
Head on pillow at day's end.

1161
Sleep, glorious sleep.


LinkWithin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin