Fighting to Keep Things Simple

Apple Cinnamon Tea.  Ahhhhhhh.

Moving back to the US has been interesting.  One thing we have noticed, is that there seems to be more pressure to schedule things here.  I am fighting that urge and wanting to spend lots of time at home. 

With Paul's back in the state that is in, we are trying to keep it simple. 

For instance, like making dinner from bagged salad, stuff from the pantry, and a bag of frozen Honey BBQ chicken.  Yum.

Playing close to home.                                                 (in our pajamas.)

Couldn't have made the past few weeks without this guy.  My baby brother.  We are 18 years apart, but we are very, very close.

And since we have been home, we were there to see a deer in our yard.  In the suburbs!

 My childhood BFF, Claudia,  also came for a visit and helped out a ton!  Both kids adore her, and she and my brother cleaned my kitchen until it sparkled.  It was so nice to spend time with someone who knows me so well.  I have to be honest, it has been lonely moving to a new place.

One day soon, I hope to have time to create.  Look at this cute cup cozy!!!  

I will have to be patient until that moment comes.  We are in survival mode.

Why I Haven't Blogged Lately....

Soooo kids....wear your helmet when you ride a bicycle.

Paul was riding his bike, in the dark, without a helmet on the way to Target.  There was a drainage ditch to the side of the bike path and flipped into the hole.  He broke his vertebrae in 3 places and will be in a brace for 12 weeks.

Be back as soon as possible!

Making Morning Easier

Yum!! Baked Oatmeal for "Oatmeal Day"!

I got the recipe from here lottie and doof,  who got it from Heidi Swanson's book, and it turned out superb.  It is flavorful, not overly sweet, and can be heated up all week.

The baby loves it, as do I, but Tate is going to stick to his Quaker Maple Syrup version (which I know is total junk for him!).  He tried the Trader Joe's version and also turned his nose up to it.  (It has a weird after taste that even I didn't like).

Here is the recipe:
I omitted the nuts and used real maple syrup instead of sugar.

Baked Oatmeal (from Super Natural Every Day: Well-Loved Recipes from My Natural Foods Kitchen by Heidi Swanson)*

• 2 cups / 7 oz / 200 g rolled oats
• 1/2 cup / 2 oz / 60 g walnut pieces, toasted (see page 219) and chopped
• 1/3 cup / 2 oz / 60 g natural cane sugar or maple syrup, plus more for serving
• 1 teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder
• 11/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• Scant 1/2 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
• 2 cups / 475 ml milk
• 1 large egg
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 ripe bananas, cut into 1/2-inch / 1cm pieces
• 11/2 cups / 6.5 oz / 185 g huckleberries, blueberries, or mixed berries

Preheat the oven to 375F / 190C with a rack in the top third of the oven. Generously butter the inside of an 8-inch / 20cm square baking dish.

In a bowl, mix together the oats, half the walnuts, the sugar, if using, the baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.

In another bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, if using, the milk, egg, half of the butter, and the vanilla.

Arrange the bananas in a single layer in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle two-thirds of the berries over the top. Cover the fruit with the oat mixture. Slowly drizzle the milk mixture over the oats. Gently give the baking dish a couple thwacks on the countertop to make sure the milk moves through the oats. Scatter the remaining berries and remaining walnuts across the top.

Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until the top is nicely golden and the oat mixture has set. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. Drizzle the remaining melted butter on the top and serve. Sprinkle with a bit more sugar or drizzle with maple syrup if you want it a bit sweeter.

Travel and My Children

On Sunday, we went to see my cousin who was on a stopover on the way to her first military assignment.  I am soo proud of her!! She just earned her airborne wings and the girl is so strong! 

  Tate went with me and said "I love airports!" as well as  "I want to live in a hotel." I think all the travel he has experienced has left an impression on him.  I, on the other hand, do not need to go anywhere for a very long time.  (Or at least until the baby can sit in her seat for longer periods of time!)

And another traveller....."I am ready to go to school!"