get after grateful

•This. This is what made my heart happy this morning💕•

•it didn’t start that cheerfully though. lil mister woke up long before his normal hour and lil miss made it hard for mama to get into a comfortable sleep position last night, making for what felt like a very early morning and leaving me craving the large cups of caffeine I can’t have ☕️ #preggoproblems •

•all the feelings started to set over me as I stepped over the laundry piles on my way to his crib, and began drumming through the list of my to~dos that I just knew I didn’t have the energy for now•

•so, we stumbled into the kitchen, grabbed one of those deliciously oversized Costco muffins off the counter and sat together, sharing bites, watching the rain dance across the window in our favorite chair. I looked down to gather those unavoidable crumbs ~let’s be honest, more from mom then from the babe 🤦🏼‍♀️~and that’s when my heart lifted•

•a gentle bump from our sister girl reminded me of her ever growing presence, seeing A mans little body snuggled in against the curves she’s been so dutiful at creating. These babes. They are my everything, my calling, my responsibility, my whole heart•

•that’s when I decided to #getaftergrateful today•

•to remember it’s ok to just be their momma if that’s what they need. That I don’t have to feel guilty for not using up those bananas to make muffins and eating those convenient store bought ones instead. No, the laundry won’t do itself, but at least we have clean underwear, even if it’s on the floor still. The rain. Well, I’m gonna pretend it’s September and I have mums and pumpkins waiting on my front step. I’ll brew some warm cuppa goodness and play dinosaurs and cars simultaneously until the lil guy decides he’s had his fill~I may be here awhile, I’m gonna need a big cup. We will probably read llama llama, harry the dirty dog, and Peter Pan several times today, bc they are his favorites and why not? Swedish meatballs are on the menu and I have high hopes they will make it to the table•

•It’s a top knot, dads sweatshirt, yoga pant wearing kinda day. Letting perfection go and letting Him have control. Learning to lower my expectations about what I can get done in a day and remembering that to keep my babies safe, warm, fed, and knowing love is enough. I’m enough, and it’s enough to be a “just” be a mother some days. Motherhood is a calling, there are so many aspects to that, some days more challenging and full then others, but for me, I want to live in those moments, the instamoments, the messy, the discovery, the exhausting. It’s not my hobby or something I want to squeeze in the time for, it’s what I’ve been given the time for. To squeeze those little hands and help their little hearts~ to let them teach me some things, to have an open heart, open mind, and open time for them. Today I’m reminded to see the beauty and the blessings in the simple everyday, and I hope to do just that•

{Be still and know I am withyou}

Recipe || spiced pumpkin bread 

When the crisp fall air descends upon us, and the calendar gives way to the autumnal days of September, the loaf pans and pumpkin spices make their grand entrance round here. The mixer is humming and the babe is at my feet, giving these sweet days all the more tender feelings then the years before.

I can almost imagine myself in a little white farmhouse, set perfectly among the rolling prairie. Chickens clucking in the yard, orange and red foliage waving blissfully in the breeze outside my window, while the wood floors beneath my feet creek from age and the changing temperatures; scents of fall filling the space within… Dreams made up almost entirely of Chip and JoJo’s Fixer Upper’s and my southern upbringing; dreams that will remain thoughtful imaginings for now.

Luckily, my tastbuds need not only consider the flavors of fall, but get to participate in a full on sampling, beginning with the traditional loaf of pumpkin bread. This recipe has quickly become a family favorite and may I venture to say, is a no fail. Its moist, and ever so pleasing to the palate, topped with a delightful crumble, and seasoned with the most perfect proportion of spices. If you lovelies are craving the flavors of fall, this little ensemble will deliver. Disclaimer: best enjoyed with loved ones and a cuppa-something warm.

~Spiced Pumpkin Bread~

1-15oz can of pumpkin puree

4 eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

2/3 cup water

3 cups white sugar

3 ½ cups flour

2 tsp baking soda

1 ½ tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp cloves

½ tsp ginger

{or 1 tbl pumpkin pie spice}

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees, butter and flour loaf pans or muffin tin. {I like to use the jumbo muffin pan and have large, bakery style muffins-they make quite the lovely presentation}

Mix together all wet ingredients until well blended

Separately, whisk together all dry ingredients

Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet until it is mixed together thoroughly

{at this point, you may add nuts, or chocolate chips if you desire ½ – 1cup usually suffices}

Transfer batter into prepared pans

Crumb topping:

1 ¼ cup flour

¼ cup white sugar

¼ cup instant oats

½ cup brown sugar {you can substitute one pck of instant maple and brown sugar oatmeal here if you like}

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

½ cup melted butter

Pulse all ingredients in food processor and distribute crumble evenly over wet mixture in loaf pans

Bake for approximately 45-50 min, or until bread has risen and is cooked through

Remove from oven and let sit for 10min, before removing from pan to rack

Enjoy while the scent is fresh and the bread is warm; preferably with a pad of melting butter smeared generously over the top. Happy Baking!

 

 

seasons of lovely

All the fall things….

It’s finally here, the loveliest, most darling season of them all…fall!

I get positively giddy at the word. For me the season represents all the beautiful things; crisp, delightful, scrumptious, cozy things!

Working at a farm, more specifically this time of year, a bountiful pumpkin patch, the spirit of autumn is not in short supply, my coworkers are equally as ecstatic, and my friends have come to appreciate my passion, if they did not already possess their own zeal from the beginning of our acquaintance.

At home, we all look forward to the shift in mentality that the season ushers in. The busy summer period is shelfed and logged in our memories, as our hearts and minds make the transition to a softer, more comfortable time of the year. Evenings at home again become the “new normal” and an appreciation for all things ordinary and simple is revived. A hot beverage is usually close at hand, and something drool-worthy is always baking or bubbling away on the stovetop, tempting our senses.

Most of our moments are unplanned this time of year, as that seems to be what we all desire, a slowing in pace and less restrictive schedule to just take time and “be”. However, while not knowing has it charms, there is always a list of autumnal delights that we plan to enjoy together while the season beckons for our participation; and this year we will add a few more bit & pieces to our traditions as our little man begins his exploration of the fall things.

~Autumn Delights~

drink one-let’s be honest, several-pumpkin spice lattes

mums for the entry

collecting pumpkins of all temperaments

gather a spectrum of leaves on our breezy evening walks

skip rocks by the river

apple picking in an orchard

shadow puppets by the light of candles

pumpkin scented candles everywhere!

Cider sip’n

play in the crispy fall leaves together

loaves, upon loaves of warm pumpkin bread

get lost in a corn maze

cozy blanket cuddles and warm sips

multiple trips to mama’s farm

seasonal viewings of You’ve Got Mail-The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown-& now Winnie the Pooh’s Blustery Day

pumpkin patch pick’n

get sticky fingers with fresh, gooey caramel apples

splash in a puddle

make many a dutch oven delight

craft a hand turkey of little man’s tiny dimpled fingers

roast pumpkin seeds

try new recipes with farm to table squash

re-enter the world of Hogwarts and all things Harry

football and fan moments

reading in bubba’s teepee

boo at the zoo

bonfires and smores

facetiming with those far-away

putting our phones down and recording these sweet days and happy bits of togetherness in our hearts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

through the eyes of my little

learning through the eyes of my little:

There is still magic in the world

The ordinary is extraordinary

Find wonder in the simple things

Discovery awaits

Curiosity leads to adventure

Routine is a comfort

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again

Never hide who you are

Playing is learning

Time spent with the ones you love is never a waste

Human touch is healing

Embrace messy moments

Love is expressed in the sparkle of your eyes

Two hearts can beat as one

Time doesn’t stand still

Words and actions are equally as important

Always look for the best in people

Trust isn’t instantaneous

and it’s always better to know more then you say; think more then you speak; and notice more then you realize

 ~I am so very thankful I get to be both your teacher and student my little man cub, you are the very best everyday adventure partner my darling and I am appreciative of your lessons~