As promised, Homemade Pop Tarts

One of the things I love about my husband is how versatile he is.  He is book smart but also street smart.  He loves to hunt, great at cooking.  He is a man's man, but a tender tender heart.  (I promise, I will get to the pop tarts).  A few years ago we decided to dive in to the world of canning, as we'd seen his parents and grandparents do.  There is no way I would continue canning if he didn't help me with it.    It is hard hard work, but worth the reward.  He really loves it as much as I do, and for that I am thankful!  Over the years we've learned how to make many jams and jellies, along with pie fillings, canned green beans, pickles, tomato sauce and more.  What I love about the jams and jellies is that they can be used for far more than spreading on a biscuit!  My boys like to use it as a topping to their oatmeal, I use apple jelly and butter on top of a pork recipe, and most of all...we love to stuff our homemade pop tarts with our home made jams and jellies!!

Below is the recipe we use from 100 Days of Real Food.  They are easily frozen so I tend to make them in bulk, with several different varieties.  This is a great food to let your kids help with.  Mine love to help roll out the dough, spread the jelly and press the ends down.  On the morning of, pop one in the toaster and voila!  Another fresh, warm breakfast at your service.  AND it's all real food.  Winning.  

Whole-Wheat Toaster Pastries (a.k.a. Pop Tarts!)

SERVES: 7 – 8 TOASTER PASTRIES

ADAPTED FROM THE HOMEMADE PANTRY

INGREDIENTS

• 2 ¼ cup whole-wheat flour, plus extra for rolling out the dough
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup cold, unsalted butter (2 sticks)
• ½ cup water plus ice
• 1 egg beaten with a splash of water
• 7 – 8 tablespoons
• jam or jelly (we prefer either homemade jam or an all-fruit spread that’s sweetened with fruit juice concentrate as opposed to sugar or high-fructose corn syrup)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Put the flour and salt in a food processor with the dough blade and pulse it together briefly.
3. Meanwhile fill a glass measuring cup with ½ cup water and add a few ice cubes to it.
4. Take the cold butter straight out of the fridge and cut it into ½ inch chunks. Sprinkle the pieces of butter on top of the flour in the food processor. Be careful to spread out the butter as opposed to letting it all clump together in one piece.
5. Turn on the food processor and blend until the mixture resembles a crumbly meal. While the food processor is still running add ⅓ cup water through the top. Watch the dough come together and add 2 – 3 more teaspoons of water as needed so a dough ball will form. If some of the dough is in a ball and some is stuck to the sides that is okay…you can fix it with your hands. At this point the dough could be stored in the fridge in plastic wrap for up to 3 days or in the freezer (in a freezer safe container) for up to 6 months.
6. Remove the dough from the food processor and put it on a lightly floured counter or large cutting board. With a rolling pin (and another sprinkling of flour) flatten out the dough to one big rectangle or square that’s no more than a quarter inch thick. Trim any uneven ends and use those to patch other edges as necessary.
7. Using a knife cut out 14 to 16 rectangles of dough. Actually you could make them any shape or size that you want at this point. Lay half of your dough shapes onto the parchment lined baking sheet. Spoon about a tablespoon of jam down the middle of those bottom dough pieces.
8. Top them with matching dough shapes and seal around the edges by pushing down with a fork. Make a few holes in the top with the fork as well. Lastly, brush the tops of the uncooked toaster pastries with the egg wash.
9. Bake at 375 degrees F for 18 – 24 minutes or until golden brown. Cool the cooked pastries on a cooling rack (if you have one) then either eat them right away or store them in the fridge for 3 days or the freezer for several months. They can be eaten cold or reheated. Enjoy!

Freezer Muffins

The title of this post doesn't do it justice.  Freezer muffins are life altering.  Truly.  My life changed when I found out about it.  Why, you may ask?  Think hot, warm, FRESH muffins any time of day without having to make them on the spot.  Guests coming on a whim?  No problem, let me throw some fantastically awesome blueberry muffins in the oven right quick.  Taking care of kids all day with no time to make a quick treat for your Bible Study ladies?  On it.  House smell like diapers and in need of a "I promise I do more than chance diapers" pick me up?  No?  Anyone?  Ok.  Don't feel like waking up at 5:30 am just to make your family a warm breakfast?  Please, and thank you.

So, here's my little secret.  I've held on to it for a while wanting it to be all mine but I feel like there's some pride to that in fooling everyone I'm a happy little baker and have time (hah!) to bake all the day long.  So without much further ado...

Make your batter.  Pour it in your lined muffin tins. Pop that tray of raw muffins in the freezer.  Let them freeze.  Pop them out and into a storage bag.  Label said bag with oven temperature and cooking time.  Next time you want some muffins, pop some of those suckers in the oven and voila: You're awesome. 

And if you want to get CRAZY make your muffins in bulk.  Bake a few in the moment.  Save a fewer for later.  And make a few varieties all in one day.  Then you can heat up whichever muffins you want...whenever you want.  

Family favorite

Often times I get the idea to blog.  You know, sit down an write a post start to finish.  And then after the flood of ideas and wondering where to start I realize that there is not a single thought in my head that make a coherent sentence by the time I actually have the time to SIT DOWN and write a single blog post.  True story.  You would be astonished at how long it took me to write the above three sentences which are more than likely grammatically INcorrect.

But hey, since we are on a roll....

You know what I love?  Food.  You know what I love more?  Chocolate.  That's true, but not where I was going with this.....

I love blessing those whom I love with food.  One of the most satisfying things for me is to get up early before my family (which lets be honest.. It's a pretty rare occurrence since I have a 3 1/2 yr old 5 am wake up call) to feed them a warm meal.  

Side note: have we mentioned I have 2 small boys and 1 large boy who eat us out of house. and. home.  So praise the dear LORD these children of mine love oatmeal.  No, but really.  They do.  By the bowls full.  Especially when it is stuffed with fresh peaches, warm cream and a tad bit of vanilla.  

Back to warm breakfasts.  This summer a favorite was fresh peaches n' cream oatmeal.  I don't like oatmeal, as its not generally something associated with chocolate, but if I did I am confident I would love this combo.  At other favorite is homemade pop tarts.  Sounds scary, but it's not so bad.  I will share the recipe soon.  But seeing as we are halfway through this glorious North Carolina fall, I'm going to share with you a family favorite from my favorite cookbook at the moment, Deliciously Organic.  Enjoy!

Pumpkin Muffins, by Deliciously Organic

4tbsp unsalted butter, softened

2 tbsp coconut oil

1 1/3 cups whole cane sugar or Sucanat

1/2 cup puréed pumpkin

2 large eggs, room temperature

1 3/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour (we love King Arthur)

1/4 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground cloves

1/3 cup whole buttermilk

1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional-but so good!)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

In mixer bowl, beat together butter, coconut oil, and sugar on medium-high speed for about two minutes.  Turn mixer to low and add the pumpkin.  Add eggs one at a time, blending well after each addition.  Mix in vanilla.

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and cloves in a large bowl.  With the mixer on low, add half of the dry ingredients, followed by half of the buttermilk.  Repeat process and mix until just combined.  Fold in pecans.  Spoon batter into oiled muffin cups until 3/4 full.  Bake 23-25 minutes, or until golden brown.  Cool for 5 minutes before serving.  

And that's that!  This recipe makes 16 muffins.  We usually double and freeze for another day.  Check out the freeze post for an interesting twist on fresh muffins!!

A Challenge

As recently posted on my reading list, Kisses From Katie is at the top of my list of favorites right now.  With every page I wanted to be there, with her, loving on the babies, feeding the hungry, aiding the sick and needy.  But right now I know my mission is with Billy and it begins at 5:00 each morning with our two little ones.  I know and pray that our mission at home and community is of eternal value.  And I am thankful for the calling.  But while we eat out every other weekend, stop at Starbucks on the way to the library each Tuesday, or buy new shirts just because they're on sale, I can't help but feel a call and challenge to do something for the people there even though we are still here.

Billy and I have felt a responsibility to care for some of these children, though hours and hours away.  There are many ways to do this, with organizations such as Compassion International who offer many different countries and age groups to give to.  Billy chose a child with each of our boy's birth date to start supporting.  Personally, my heart has been drawn to Katie, author of Kisses From Katie, who has started a non-profit organization (Amazima) that is feeding and caring for hundreds of orphans and widows.  She started out just caring for one.  It has turned into over 600 children.  To sponsor a child in Uganda via Amazima ministries is $25/month.  This gives them a fighting chance.  This gives them an education, 3 meals a day, a uniform and school supplies, medical care, and arms to love and disciple them.  When I asked Billy last night where he thought we should give and how much, he asked me how many children need to be sponsored for school and meals through Amazima.  I knew where his mind was going.  He's an all or nothing kind of guy and his heart aches for the orphan and the hungry.  Give big or go home.  I told him the ministry helps over 600 children.  You can do the math.

In case you all were wondering we do not have $15,000 on hand.

Billy's response?  "We don't have $15,000.  You should find a way to get enough people to sponsor 600 children."  I love him.

So this is my challenge.  To overwhelm Amazima Ministries with financial support.  To let them know that here, in North Carolina, we care and we are for what they're doing.  To make sure that those 600 and MORE children are being fed, clothed, and educated.  To help feed the poverty stricken village of Masese, where 1600 orphaned children rely on Amazima's food every week day.  84 people visited my blog today.  I wonder if those 84 would be willing to sacrifice $25/month.  A couple new shirts, a few trips to your favorite restaurant.  Or maybe one trip to your favorite restaurant.  One less outing to the movies.  One less upgrade on your phone or digital cable.  And then I wonder if those 84 would be willing to share this link with their friends.  The average facebook user has 130 friends (that was based on a google search...forgive me if I'm incorrect).  Can you imagine how quickly 600 children would be cared for if we spread the word??  What would it look like to give enough for the ministry to sponsor even more than 600 children?  What would it look like to overwhelm Amazima with enough money to feed Masese each month?  It would look like the hands and feet of Jesus.

For more information please visit the website, Amazima.org; read her book, Kisses From Katie; read her blog, http://www.amazimaministries.blogspot.com.

And please, PLEASE, spread the word.

Real Foods = Major Changes

While my sister-in-law was recently in town with our adorable and ever-so-edible niece, Addi, she mentioned a blog that a friend mentioned to her.. 100daysofrealfood.com. It is based on the idea of eating without any - as in none, zero, nil, ANY - preservatives. 100% all natural and all good for you food. I've often been intrigued and very interested in this but the time it takes to rethink a menu, find appropriate recipes that are "allowed" and shop at multiple stores when necessary was daunting enough with one child. But thanks to Lisa, most of the leg-work is complete as her website and facebook page offer [free] menus, shopping lists complete with prices from Trader Joes/Whole Foods/Earthfare, and printable recipes. After browsing around and seeing if this was even possible with our budget and my time we've decided to take the plunge! We've made a few modifications to fit our lifestyle right now as we gradually transition to a healthier kitchen. Here's how we're approaching it:

1. I'm not getting rid of any previously bought processed/not-all-natural/not-organic goods. I can't justify the waste and we are just thankful for food in the pantry and refrigerator!

2. We aren't following her meal plan 100%. I'm using the meal suggestions and planning/preparing accordingly but hey if Luke doesn't like egg salad, no big deal. And if Billy prefers carrot sticks over celery sticks that's fine by me.

3. Her weekly budget is high for our needs. SO, we buy the most important things first and work around what fits in our grocery budget on a monthly basis. And as stated above, if I already have an ingredient in the house that doesn't fit her "criteria," I'm using it up before I purchase anything new.

4. We are not doing a "100 day challenge." We are slowly modifying our complete diet as we are able and are willing to make an exception here or there to eat out or splurge on a special treat. My hope is that within 6 months we are out of the main processed foods in our house and relying on what's in season and more natural alternatives, such as honey for sugar, whole wheat flour instead of white flour, etc.

This week we did our shopping on Saturday (the farmer's market and grocery shopping is so much more pleasant when my husband tags along!) and are only on day 2 of this "food makeover." I'll be sure to give an update at the end of the week to share how we're making this work. For now, run over to 100daysofrealfood.com and check it out for yourself. So worth it!

So...What's it Like...

They say when you get married you realize how selfish you are. And then you have a baby and you realize even more how much of your life is - or was - all about you. And then you go and have another baby.......... (and all you mom's of more than 2 children are laughing right now).

Billy and I have decided that if you wake up each morning expecting and knowing that this day is in no way about yourself, then you're good to go. Which is funny because that's the entire premise of the gospel anyways. I thought I was already more about others than myself. However, the Lord is still in the process of doing a work in me and He is not finished yet, thank goodness. And thank goodness His mercies are new each morning! So after taking me 4 weeks to understand that really my job is to serve my King by serving my family and putting myself last (taken to a whole new level now..), the question "What's it Like?" is much easier to answer and I am no longer staring like a deer in headlights. It is busy. The things that I thought would be hard aren't as hard and the things I didn't really think through have proven to be a bit more difficult. Everett is precious. And seeing Luke as a big brother is also precious and wonderful. And then seeing my two little boys with my handsome husband ... be still my heart. I am in love with how God has shaped my family right now. But the day to day - let's be honest - life with two is tiring. I am constantly needed by the husband, the children or the dog. I rarely sit down to eat, and when I do it is quickly interrupted by my littlest one. Most meals or beverages I prepare for myself I find later in the day untouched and cold remembering that I was supposed to eat at some point. It is inevitable that the minute my body lays in my bed sweet Everett wakes up. Some mornings I wake up feeling like I have nothing in me to give after a night of no sleep. BUT. God, in all His goodness has given me joy in those moments (er...my husband would probably beg to differ that I have joy at 3 am....truth.). He gives me laughter with my husband at 5 am as we wonder how on earth we're supposed to function on this day. He gives me snuggles with my Luke and conversations with him that keep me giggling and amazed as we go about our day. He gives me glimpses of Himself as He sustains me in my weariest moments. And I am continually reminded that in all the tired, in all the mess, in all the "being needed" He. Is. My. Portion. In those moments of frustration, impatience and irritability, I see my need for a Savior. And because He loves me I can love my family. Because He sustains me I am able to meet their needs. I am able to give more because of the sacrifice my King gave for me. I am able to give grace because of the grace He has given me. I don't want to ever forget my sinful state or think that I've got it all figured out...so I am thankful that through my husband and through my children God is continuing a work in me. So the gift of my family is just that. A gift. Tiring? Absolutely. Draining? At times. But most definitely worth it.

4 Days and counting...

Just 4 more days until we meet our sweet Everett! I wish I knew his full name but a few weeks ago Billy decided he didn't like William anymore so we are tossing around a few other ideas. As you may recall with Luke it took Billy FOREVER to find a name that I suggested and he loved. Finally a couple days before Luke was born I called him at work and this was our conversation:

Lily - "I'm at the craft store and need to buy letters for his room. Pick a first name."

Billy -"Lucas"

Lily - "Ok, middle name options are Manning or Michael. Go."

Billy - "Michael."

Lily - "Awesome, see you tonight!"

So...who knows, maybe we'll decide when we see him :)

Ok, back to 4 more days!! This week every day has been our "last day" before we are a family of 4. Today is our last Thursday which means the last time I clean house and do laundry for only 3 of us. Tomorrow is our last play date with friends before I try and get out of the house with 2 kiddos. Last night Billy and I went out to dinner and it was our last date leaving just 1 kid behind! So crazy to think about but as Billy and I often chat before falling asleep we are just so excited to see the joy this baby brings to our family!! Luke is a delight. He is exhausting and full of energy, and lately full of naughty. But oh my gracious we love it. We are constantly laughing together and seeing life through the eyes of our precious almost-two-year-old. Don't get me wrong. It is straight up crazy-town most days when you walk through our front door. And some nights I am in tears confessing to my husband how I totally bombed the day... But it's a good crazy. A learning crazy...a growing crazy... And in 4 days we will be adding another kind of crazy to the mix :)

A quick update from the Dr - I'm making some progress surprisingly, but this baby is still holding onto my tonsils. In fact, yesterday at my appointment my precious Dr. looked at me while feeling my belly and said, "He's so high that I am holding his head in one hand and his bottom in the other." It's true. She was. But she said from holding him like that he's definitely not as big as Luke. So we are winning there. I go back again tomorrow to see if there's any more progress before we decide about going in on Sunday night versus Monday morning. Personally I just want to get this show on the road and go ahead in on Sunday night but who knows, maybe I will go into labor! But probably not.

This week I've been anxious, wondering through all the "what-if's." I have lost a lot of sleep thinking about the terrible, unable to focus on the promises of God. On Tuesday night out of desperation for sleep I asked Billy to pray over me before we turned the lights out. One thing he prayed for specifically was for the Lord to give me dreams of our little baby boy, that I would find comfort knowing that He has already gone before us and knows the special day and time for this baby. I woke up so refreshed after a full night's sleep AND a sweet sweet dream of our big, but to us seeming so tiny, baby that in my dream had already been born. Thank you, Lord!! What a gift!

God has given me many promises through his Word. While we do not know what will happen, He does. And he will carry us through whatever happens, just like He always has. I invite you to pray with us over the coming days. For my anxiety, for a healthy and uneventful delivery for Everett and I, and for a sweet transition into our new life of 4.

"I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Psalm 27:13

"It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:8

The Pros of Having [another] Big Baby

1. More to squish and cuddle.

2. Big babies are generally less lazy eaters.

3. Big babies (from my limited experience) love their nighttime sleep.

4. He will be able to fit into all of Luke's baby clothes, and might actually be able to wear newborn size for longer than 1 week.

5. By the time he is born his total weight alone will be 1/3 of my total weight gained. Yay for fitting into my clothes a little more quickly.

6. He will be able to wear cloth diapers pretty quickly.

7. He will not feel out of place among his big brother, big dog, and big father.

8. Did I mention more to squish and cuddle? :D

What can I say. We make big babies.

I'm not sure what I was expecting this time. Actually, I do. I was expecting many things. That by counting my calories, watching the scale, staying active (as if there's an option when raising a two year old) and walking two miles on a regular basis I would have a smaller baby. Not only would I have a smaller baby, that I would actually go into labor with my smaller baby. And early, of course. This time around I consumed less - and healthier - calories (With the exception of a few pepperidge farm 3 layer chocolate cakes ...). I watched the scale very carefully each week. I was and am extremely active with my sweet boys. And I am still at 37.5 weeks pregnant vigorously walking a solid 2+ miles multiple times a week. And let me tell you folks - our baby is not smaller; It is very unlikely that I will go into labor; and early is laughable.

At 28 weeks we knew he was in the 66 percentile, which on a bell curve really isn't that bad or big. My belly has measured appropriately and my weight has been glamorous considered to the gluttony with Luke. At this past appointment I was hoping for huge things - a shrimp on the ultrasound screen, more dilation, that he dropped - I was trying to convince myself that surely she would do an exam and send us on over to the hospital. But let's be honest, deep down I knew this wouldn't be the case. I was so hoping for different results but really in my heart I was prepared for what she would say. At 37 weeks our sweet one is measuring at 39 weeks. I'm chuckling as I write this. On the ultrasound screen he measures at 7 lbs 9 oz but both the ultrasound tech and the dr. are giving us a more realistic estimate of 7 lbs 14 oz. Sweet of them :) My cervix - is that weird to talk about? - is still far back and hasn't shown any signs of being ready give up Everett. Everett is still high, minus 2 station. And Lord have mercy, this little boy's cheeks are CHUBBY! I'm so ready to snuggle on him!

I was frustrated and annoyed. Very disappointed, but unsure of why exactly. We have been praying for a healthy baby boy, right? He is indeed very very healthy. After taking some time to process what this means for delivery I finally figured out what has and is frustrating me the most. We have to decide his birthday. January 30 being an induction or February 1 being a c-section. I don't want to decide. I want to surrender this and say, Lord bring him into this world when you want! But at the end of the day, we still have to decide between these two dates. We have to look at all the options, all the risks associated with the two, all the risks that can be eliminated with the two, the recovery options, and then choose his birthday. And. I. Hate. It. My mind reels with the "what if's" not because I think of what could happen, but because I think of what did happen. And with every "what if" there is an explanation of how this could and more than likely will go differently. So then I'm just back to having to choose between the two. After processing all of the above and praying fervently for clarity we've decided on inducing at 39 weeks, which is January 30. We feel very confident in our Dr's recommendation and we are excited to meet him so soon. Luke has big plans for baby Everett. So far they include giving him his lovey, showing him his Curious Buddies DVD, helping rock his car seat if he is crying and showing him library time with Miss Martha. He also talks about playing rough with Everett and giving him bubble bellies.

San Fran 2011

It's very peaceful in our home right now, and rare is the day that I'm actually awake to enjoy it. Short rest, quiet snack, bills paid, pictures uploaded, and what's that? Even a blog post!

Billy and I had the awesome opportunity to go on a vacation to San Francisco just the two of us...what a breath of fresh air!! Don't get me wrong, I love my job, but getting to sleep in and eat on my own schedule was such a treat. It was a very relaxing, laid back, do what we want-when we want kind of trip full of uninterrupted meals and conversation. To that I say YES! And did I mention it was a cool, breezy, overcast 62 degrees while we were there? Hello jeans, sweaters and clam chowder :)

The first day we spent driving through the mountains visiting various beaches and forests - truly amazing how there are such vast differences in landscape so close to each other. We also ventured to Sausalito, a very quaint town with a few fun shops and delicious cafes. The next day we spent drove around some more looking at lots of beautiful (and oh so expensive) neighborhoods filled with lambhorginis, porsches, ya know the usual... We also went over to Palo Alto for dinner and dessert, another fun town with a little shopping. My favorite day was just staying in the city and making our way through Fisherman's Wharf and Fort Point, sipping on mochas and eating a giant bowl of clam chowder on the water. A cool breeze, cozy sweater and hot bowl of soup brings my heart much joy amidst the 104 degrees we've been experiencing here in NC. It was so nice to just spend time enjoying my awesome man of a husband. I love that 3 years and a baby and a half later we are still the same "us." Luke has changed us for the better but he hasn't taken over our marriage which was a huge fear of mine. It was a great escape for the two of us and when we came home we were able to love our sweet little man even better. Shout out to Nana and Papa who kept our boy happy and full while we were away :)

Here's a few from our trip: