Month: March 2015

52:11

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I’m thankful for…..

a boy on the move 

It’s spring and most of the snow has melted. The ground is still soggy and it will be a few more weeks of sunshine and warm days before we can really play on the lawn.  For this boy, those days can’t come soon enough.

Now that Reid is on the move, he finds his way throughout the house. His favorite spot though, is where he can look outside. If he’s lucky, a door is open where he can get a taste of the outside world.

So until we can venture to the great outdoors, we’ll enjoy all that entertains us inside.

sweet potato brownies… take 2 

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Oh, wait? You guys can’t guess the recipe from my pictures? Interesting. 

Sometimes people forget things. That are maybe important. So here you go. 

sweet potato brownies

1 1/2 cups mashed sweet potato

1 cup nut butter, preferably almond or cashew

1 egg

1/2 cup maple syrup

2 tsps cinnamon

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla

3 tablespoons cocoa powder

Happy baking friends!! 

sweet potato brownies

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I really love being in the kitchen. Cooking and creating and trying new recipes are my way of relaxing. Plus, the end result pays off with something tasty.

Who doesn’t love brownies?!?! Two of my favorite brownie recipes involve black beans and zucchini. They help with that sweet tooth but cut down on the “bad stuff” and it’s fun to make people guess the secret ingredient.

So today’s brownie fix is going to be with sweet potatoes. I started by roasting a few in the oven this morning. I put mine in a 375 degree oven and went on my way with my morning coffee and 63 loads of laundry. It will take at least an hour depending on how big they are, so you can even do this part the day before.

I let mine roast just under an hour and half, let them cool and scooped out the goodness.

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I got about 2 cups from them, which for the recipe you’ll only need 1 1/2 cups. Reid loves sweet potato mash so looks like dinner is already ready for him.

Now you just need a few more ingredients.

I measured out my cashew butter and warmed it a bit so it was easier to blend. My favorite part of recipes like this are the fact that they come together so easily. No flour to sift or exact measurements needed. Brownies are forgiving.

Pour your batter in a greased 8×8 pan and bake for 20-25 minutes in an oven preheated to 350 degrees. I added some dark chocolate chunks to mine right at the end as well. That’s optional, but I mean, why wouldn’t you?!

The hardest part of this will be letting them cool long enough. And not sticking your finger in them, woops.

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They turned out moist and fudgy and incredibly delicious. I mean just look at them…

Now excuse me while I hide from my children in the closet. With this plate.

52:9

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I’m thankful for….

daytime dates 

Andy and I try our best to make time for each other and enjoy some space away from the kids. Even if it’s something simple like drinks and a movie. A few hours away from whining and crying. Spilled snacks and a messy house. Some peace and quiet or actual adult conversation. With Andy’s crazy work schedule this winter we have barely played in the snow, and have had two pairs of brand new snow shoes just calling our names.

My sister in law was sweet enough to  agree to wrangle the chiclets for an afternoon and we headed to the mountains for fresh air and a lunch date.

The sunshine decided it didn’t want to come out but the views didn’t disappoint.

The higher we climbed, the crisper the air got and the truck got smaller and smaller.

We made it up as far as we decided was best and set up lunch and enjoyed beer as it was intended to be drank.

We soaked in the peace and quiet and enjoyed the simplicity of each other’s company. Once our buns were cold enough we made the trek back down.

We made it home to our favorite little ones and paid our babysitter with a steak dinner. I mean you can never go wrong with a good slab of beef.

Nights we wear fancy threads and hit the town are always a time well spent. Days like this though, when we can disconnect from life and just reset together, are just what we all need sometimes.

52:10

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I’m thankful for…..

how easily she makes friends 

I took Hayden last weekend to an ice skating show that my friend was working at. We ate popcorn and enjoyed the show, and while we waited my for my friend to come over, Hayden found a tiny friend.

She was sweet enough to introduce her mama and her baby, Reid Philip, to her new companion and they spent the rest of our time at the rink playing with stuffed animals and sharing snacks.

Her kind and friendly moments like this make me feel like just maybe, I’m doing something right. At least for today.