No KD here !

We love a good roast chicken.  Especially when it's served up with lots of veggies, potatoes & gravy !!

Birthday treats !!!

For some time now Ana has had a plan to go over to Mrs. Tonkin's house to decorate cakes.  Once Mrs. Tonkin was given the heads up to this plan of hers...a date was set !!  They decided that Keisha & Anthony's birthday would be a great reason.  So I whipped up some lovely lemon cupcakes and Ana packed up her supplies and waited & waited for what seemed like a life time for Mrs. Tonkin to finish work !  Finally it was time & off she went......

She had a great time and has been invited back, which is lovely !!  Keish & Anthony were really thankful and LOVED her work !!!  This year we've celebrated their birthday twice.  Once with Grandma Chris & the Aunties down in Victoria.....

where we had a special lunch at Montana's with cake & crazy horn hats !  Then off to the cinema to see the latest Harry Potter.

 And then again to day.  It just so happened that their birthday landed on the busiest night of the week for us. So today we've had birthday breakfast, birthday treat with their classes, after school birthday cupcakes, birthday roast beast dinner and finally last but not least more birthday cupcakes ! 

It's been a lovely day even if it's been a bit hurried.  Happy Birthday my Loves !!!

Granola grades 4/5/6 style....

This morning my school kids & I made a double batch of granola for some upcoming projects.  I've tried several recipies over the years.  I think I've found a keeper.....

Homemade Granola

2 1/2 cups regular or quick-cooking oats
1 cup shredded coconut
1/3 cup seeds of your choice ( I like flax & sunflower)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter
1/4 honey
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup dried fruit
1 cup nuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

1. Combine oats, coconut, seeds, nuts & dried fruit
2. In a small sauce pan combine the remaining ingredients over medium heat until bubbley
3. Drizzle over dry ingredients & stir until thoroughly coated
4. Spread mixture onto two baking sheets
5. Bake until golden ( 10 -15 minutes)
6. Remove from pan into heat resistant bowl & allow to cool completely

Playing, baking, learning, laughing, puppy loving....

.........all before 10 am !

The way to his heart and ever lasting loyalty.......

( yesterdays crisp with vanilla yogurt)

I Love the feeling of being productive !!

( Chocolate Chip Flax Cookies)

( Pumpkin Bread  & Oatmeal Wholewheat Blueberry Flax Muffins )

( Apple Raspberry Blueberry Crisp )

( Pumpkin Muffins)

( Lasagna )

Up & Down, Up & Down

Well, today's the first home day in several weeks.  Over the last week & a half we've made two trips down island for dental appointments.  Ana still has one more to go in a few weeks.  Ana like many little ones I know with poor prenatal care, has very weak enamel on her baby teeth.  Despite eating really well, brushing her teeth & on going dental care..her poor little teeth just rot !  In the last week & a half she has had three of her upper teeth removed & several fillings.  Her next appointment she will be having an upper spacing appliance installed.  She was so brave and with the help of a little sedation she did amazingly well !!

While my girl & I were in Nanaimo the rest of the clan was hanging with the amazing Nana Val in Comox. On this last trip I had planned a little fun family time.  After dropping Piper off at the kennel & checking into our motel we heading to Shamrock Farm's to stock up on sweet pumpkins.

This morning I started on my Christmas baking.  I have stacks of recipies ready to go and really not a lot of time to get it started.  I'm a little worried that maybe I've over committed myself.....oh well !  If need be I'll modify my plans as I go if necessary.  Today it's....snowballs & some of the cookie doughs that require being chilled & are happy to sit in the fridge until I can get to them !!!

Cinnamon Raisin Buns

 
I haven't quite mastered the heart of making yeast doughs the old fashion way.... yet.  I have however figured out how to use my bread machine to make the dough for pizza & cinnamon buns.  I thought I'd share how I make my cinnamon buns:

Combine the following in order, in the bowl of your bread machine.
  - 1 1/3 cups milk
  - 2 tbsp sugar
  - 2 tbsp butter
  - 1 1/4 cups wholewheat flour
  - 2 cups ap flour
  - 2 tsp. cinnamon
  - 1 1/4 tsp bread machine yeast

Set on the " dough" setting and let it do all the fussy work.....When dough is finished roll out onto a floured surface into a rectangle.  Long side should roughly be the length of your rolling pin.  Lightly spread soft butter over dough, sprinkle with cinnamon & raisins.  Slowly role from the long edge into a log.  Slice into 12 equal size pieces.  Place pieces into baking pans.  Bake at 350 for approx. 30 mins.  Time depends on your oven & the type of pan used.

My kids REALLY like it when I top them with this yummy glaze from our Better Homes & Garden baking book:

Maple Glaze:

Heat 3 tbsp butter in small sauce pan for about 7 -10 minutes or until light brown.  Stir in 1 1/2 cups icing sugar & 1/4 cup maple syrup.  If needed stir in a little milk to thin enough for drizzling.

So, How do you like your oatmeal?

Ana's a maple syrup with no milk.

Keisha like brown sugar & rice milk,

Liam like a bit a everything..a few raisins, brown sugar & milk,

Anthony like most things, is a pile it on kind of guy...brown sugar, lots of raisins, cinnamon & milk

and little old me....I'm a raisins, sprinkle of brown sugar & rice milk kind of girl !!

How about you ?

Carrot Apricot Bread

Today, along with the laundry & phone calls I decided to whip up a couple of these.  One to be sliced up for the kids lunches & the other for a friend who needing to increase her iron intake.  Did you know the dried apricots are a super source of iron?

Carrot Apricot Bread

2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup ap flour
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup shredded carrot
1 cup apple sauce
2 eggs
1/4 cup veg. oil
2/3 cup diced dried apricots

Bake at 350 for approx. 45 - 50 mins.

Split dough into 2 loaf pans for best results.  If you'd like to switch it up into dessert just drizzle with a little apple glaze.

Apple glaze

1 cup icing sugar
4 tsp apple juice

* before drizzling, poke the top of each loaf all over with a toothpick for best results.

Hope you give it a try.....it's super good according to Anthony & Liam !!!

Mommy, Why don't you just go to the store?

Today it's raining and I'm baking & canning some more.  I was asked a couple of time why I didn't just go to the store.  Well.....

1. Because I'm capable of making my own food....

2. Because I think it's healthier for us....

3. Because it's cheaper...which means more money to do other things....

4. Because it makes me feel good....

5. Because it's more environmentally friendly.....

6. Did I mention that it's way cheaper?

( Bread & Butter Pickles)

I most certainly won't be considered a medical expert in the big scheme of things. However, when it come to my kids I'd like to think I'm pretty tuned in.  I have seen what the fumes from commercial cleaners, food preservatives ( MSG, nitrates), commercial food dyes and what I consider " fake " food has on them.  Sudden mood changes, increased rages, rashes, swelling of the tongue, change in sleep patterns.....The reality is that they each are unique in how their prenatal exposure has effected their brain, muscle and nervous system.  The one thing they have in common is that when "crap" goes in..... their bodies rebel !!!  That's a huge motivation to keep improving how I do things around here.

( Ana decided we just had to used the " fancy" muffin liners)

7.  Because I Love You and your health is the most important thing in this world !!!!

 ( Pickles, Chewy Ginger cookies & Chocolate Zucchini cake/muffins)

Oh !! Mr. Fish

why do you intimidate me so ?

Redirection, Distraction, Satisfaction, back to Redirection.....

Well that pretty much some things up around here these last few days.  Four more day until we head back to school.  I've had a chance to chat with both schools and caught up with a few of our teachers.  Would really LOVE to hear back from the school board regarding K & A's new designation.  Left several messages back in June...no response.....left another one this morning.....no response....errrr!

I've been doing a whole lots of keeping them busy these last few days.  We've been:

playing with friends,

reading lots of books in an effort to help some short people's withdrawl from being plugged in so much,

running, walking, climbing what ever it takes to burn off all kinds of crazy energy. I wish the pool had stayed open just one more week !

Blackberry jamming, Blackberry coblering, Blackberry pancaking,

I'd like to say that all my efforts have maintain a happy peaceful home...well not so much !  Everyone is ramping up despite all my efforts.  This week we visited with both Danielle ( child & youth mental health) & Dr. Lund ( ped.).  Lots of support planning and a little med tweeking.  Here's hoping next week won't be a total dissaster. 

 
Found out today that the kids PAA ( post adoption assistance) will cover some added medical expenses coming up.  It all helps !  So thankful to my mom and her savvy shopping skill...the kids are all set for the Fall.  Was able to sign Anthony up for Junior Rangers...he's so pleased. Let's hope this group works out for him.  Despite this difficult period, I'm looking forward to the Fall.  Getting back into my school kitchen with the kids....all kinds of good ideas flowing.