A Peter Rabbit "New Momma Meal"

Hello, little lovelies!  Happy Wednesday…almost Thursday!

Spring is in the air and I loved watching the grey doves flirting on our back fence this morning.  I always look forward to their return.  They usually are to be found out front under our three tall pine trees, but for some reason they were out back.  Maybe, they, too, have had it with Mr. Woodpecker!

It is also that time of year when we start receiving wedding invitations and baby arrival announcements, which I LOVE!!!

Although it is impossible to take every new momma a meal, it is one of my favorite things to do.

Generally speaking, I like to pick out a new theme every year and kinda go with that.  This year, in planning Twinsie’s birthday party, I decided to go with the vintage Peter Rabbit…and decided to adapt it to a new momma meal.  It will be altered according to food allergies and “the wish list” favorites…but it was fun and easy to make and take and to prepare extra for our family.

Leftover curtain fabric, diaper pins, and glass containers were included for a bit of whimsy.

The veggies were made for a birthday party and were fun to include!  A scrap piece of paper with a monogram would also work out perfectly!

I thought I would mimic plant markers for the food labels.

What is a Peter Rabbit meal without a garden salad?  :}

All little bunnies LOVE lemonade with lavender and mint.  It's true!

The food, drinks, plates and silverware were packaged in a KRAFT BOX with the evening menu  attached to the

outside of the box.

The gift for babycakes, the ice cream, and the mini pita breads were tucked inside the gift bag.

{The gift:  a Peter Rabbit set of baby silverware}

Isn't the gift of new life one of life's most wonderful miracles to CELEBRATE!!

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A Brownie Bar

Happy Monday!  

Goodness, time has been flying by so fast.

Can YOU even believe that we are this far into February?  Spring can not come soon enough this year! :}

Parties are great!  However, keeping the food easy seems to be a problem.  

I am finding that less is more.

Making a dessert that everybody likes can be a bit tricky, but for the most part everybody LOVES chocolate.  Chances are, if they don't like chocolate, they probably like vanilla ice cream, which can also be stashed away in the back corner of your freezer.

For those of you who know me well,  know I am a semi-newbie to boxed cake mixes and brownie mixes...like in the past 10 years...but if there is one thing I have learned {who am I kidding?} when it comes to having guests into our home...it is NOT worth the stress of spending all.day.long on a chocolate mousse or a "24" tiered crepe cake made from scratch!  It is BEST to keep it simple and sane {my version of KISS!}.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a boxed brownie mix...especially when it is on sale for $.68!!!  

Anyhoo, I like to keep frozen brownies in the freezer so that they can be pulled out for a last minute dessert.

A few weeks ago, the brownie supply was low, so I baked up a batch and froze the "cupcake brownies" without the papers so they could be placed in mini mason jars for a brownie bar.  Talking about simple and sane...you MUST try it!  :}

About an hour before guests arrived, I plopped them into the mason jars and stuck some already made cupcake toppers into them.

I kept the toppings simple as to avoid a cluttered table.  I had chopped pecans, bright red Maraschino cherries with their stems...for those who are talented enough to tie the stems into a knot with their tongue!!!!, the three sauces and fresh whipped cream.

No Muss.No Fuss.

It can all be baked, chopped, poured and dished out ahead of time.  That way, you are sane and calm and a FUN.FUN hostess!

Sorry about the pictures, but I have resolved to the fact that I am not a photographer...and I can't always wait for the lighting.   For heaven's sake we live in OREGON!!! :}

Do you like my excuses?

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The Simplicity of Oatmeal

Celebrations are upon us! Easter is next, but I think there is something to celebrate every day...even if it is a sunshine-y DAY!

Although a "throw and go" quiche is great and crepes and waffles are divine, there are times that you need something even simpler.

Oatmeal is nutritious, yummy and best of all requires no fridge space, no cheese shredding,  veggie dicing OR baking!!

A couple of days ahead of time, line up your containers on the kitchen counter.

Place 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats into each container.

Sprinkle a couple shakes of sea salt onto the oatmeal.

Top with 1 Tbsp. brown sugar.

Mark each seam with a sharpie about a thumb's width from the lip of the container.

Place lids back on top and store.

You can leave them plain or add some fun touches...only if time allows!

Place directions into a frame and that is it!

The containers may be placed onto a tray or in a basket along with fresh cream and toppings...like dried cranberries, raisins, walnuts, coconut, dried pineapple, etc.!

OOOPS! Don't forget the boiling water in a large carafe or tea kettle!!

ANNNND, if you are not planning on hosting...they are fun to pack up for on-the -go mornings, spring picnics or to take to a friend for breakfast!

When time is short and I have wanted to take a meal to a new momma, I have taken this on several occasions. I think it was almost liked better than the chicken pot pie meal! :}

Okay. I think that is about it! The ideas are endless. Just keep it simple!

Have a lovely Monday...even if it is laundry day or the beginning of your work week!

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Baked Donuts

I love a leisurely day of baking! Not baking because we need bread or granola for breakfast, but baking out of sheer pleasure. No rush!

This Saturday, I was craving donuts for breakfast! Well, we had them for lunch, but...who keeps track on lazy, rainy Saturdays anyway? Not me!

ENJOY!


Baked Donuts

recipe from donut baking pan packaging


Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups cake flour

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/4 tsp. baking powder {aluminum free}

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg {fresh ground is BEST!}

3/4 tsp. salt

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 1/2 Tbsp. butter, melted


Directions:

Preheat oven to 425*.

Mix dry ingredients together.

Add wet ingredients.

Stir until combined.

Grease mini donut pan.

Fill donut cup about half full.

Bake about 4 minutes.

Let cool a bit.

Top with favorite glaze and don't forget the SPRINKLES!

My favorite donut glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 Tbsp. milk
1/8 tsp. oil

Mix all together until drizzly. Dip donuts in glaze and sprinkle immediately with sprinkles, or the pretties wont stick...and then, they just wont be as cute.

*To gift...simply put them into a little box, add a tag and don't forget the VALENTINE twine.
*We maade the larger donuts, too, but we all LOVED the little ones BESTEST!

Happy Tuesday!

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A Mother's Heart

This morning was wonderful reminder of mommahood.

I was running late, but I got to see our Caleb and Laurissa just a bit after 8.

First of all, that never happens anymore...but as I saw Laurissa walking toward me with her little doggie wrapped in her arms, I had to get out of my car and give kisses and deliver "I love YOU's" first.  It was something my momma and mother.in.love would have done.  They would not have just driven off...
It only took a few minutes, but I think everybody thought I was entirely too bubbly so early in the day....but it was an unexpected treat.

Now, more than ever before, I find myself thanking God for my momma and for my mother.in.love who have instilled in me what it takes to be a momma...

What she thinks.

How she thinks.

How she treats her husband.

How she talks to her husband.

What she says to others about her husband and what she chooses not to say...

How she spends her time.

How she treats all of her children.

How she treats those who have nothing to give in return.

How she takes time to listen...with no attention to the clock,

How she acts when little eyes are not peeking...or when they aren't supposed to be.

How she prays for a close parking spot...small...yet significant in the mind of a child.

Sweet words that nurture.

The importance of cherishing handmade clay bowls, notes and dried flowers.

Love notes tucked bed side.

Names of endearment.

A deep love passed on to her children...demonstrating God's love in a very real way.

As I watch our children grow...I am again reminded that it is the momma's heart that is the child's classroom...and we all know how we loved patient teachers!

It is how you love your child, that they will love...and how they will eventually love others including your grandbabies!

Soooo, I say let those babes of yours eat cookies and milk...tonight...in bed after bedtime stories...because quite honestly there is nothing bettter than little ones in jammies...with a tiny cookie, one for each hand, of course!

AND P.S.  I am tired of the "no sugar" diet.  It aint working!  I still think everything in moderation is BEST...and vacuuming counts as exercise.  My momma says so.  XOXO

That is it.

Happy Friday!

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Poppy Seed Breakfast Cake

Do you ever find yourself making more time for your friends than your own family?

What about listening to your friends more than your family or TREATING them better than your family? 

What about getting all.dressed up to go out with ladies?...and having no problem living in your jammie bottoms for dinner {I am guilty!!}

Here is an idea...why don't we think about making time with our family really count?  Anticicipate answers when question are asked.  Allow time to talk if your child needs some guidance in life.

What if we were to take a child aside and ask them how they are doing?  What about making their favorite meal as opposed to slaving away on a meal that is for somebody else?

When was the last time you cancelled on a friend to stay home for the night?

What about primping before our hubby's get home from work?

Of course, we need to teach our children the importance of giving, but they need to have been treated with lots of love so that they in turn will love others well!  They need to see that their daddy is worth primping for.

It is a way of showing gratitude and a simple way of conveying..."we are thankful that you work so hard for us and we are happy you are home from work!"

As tempting as it might be to treat others better, let's demonstrate our love to our family...and in turn it will trickle into our friendships!

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and perfecter of our faith."   Hebrews 12:2 

Poppy Seed Breakfast Cake

1 cup butter

1 cup sugar

3 eggs

1 can SOLO poppy seed filling

2 1/4 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 cup milk

Directions:

*Beat butter and sugar until nice a fluffy.

*Add eggs one at a time.

*Beat in poppy seed filling.

*Stir flour, baking powder, and salt until mixed.  Add to poppy seed mixture alternately with milk.

*Beat until well blended.

*Spread in to 12-cup Bundt pan...be sure it is greased and floured! 

*Bake at 350* for 50 to 55 minutes.

After cooled completely...drizzle mixture below:

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons light cream

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

This may be made up the night before and covered under a glass cloche! 

Be sure to send some home with your children.   Eating cake for breakfast never gets old!  Especially if it is momma's cake!!!  Enjoy

 

 

Shared with:  stonegable

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Mexican Stacki Upi Bowls

It is never too soon to start thinking about spring and summer picnics. Honestly, we picnic all year long...because we take food everywhere. Not only is it fun to package up, but it is a much healthier and economical alternative to fast food.

Picnics are also dinners to go when you are taking people meals. Did you know that? I am just kidding...but since I LOVE picnics...I like to think of it that way. Doesn't that sound like a fun thing to get to do???


I need to learn to be more focused when writing...but there is so much to cram into this little post while my hubby makes a trip to Goodwill {dropping things off...not picking anything up!}

Back to Mexican Stacki Upi Bowls: They are great to pack up and go, and amazingly SIMPLE to prep ahead of time or for a casual evening of entertaining. You can easily assign friends to bring a topping. You can provide the rice and warm beans...and if you have a rice cooker...you will have NO excuse not to have a party at your house. Start makin' your guest list now.

We grew up on Javanese Stacki Upis {frequently requested}...but this is the Mexican version:

Steamed Jasmine rice...white or brown

Yumm sauce {from YUMM Cafe} I am working on figuring this sauce out. This is optional...we just started using the sauce.

Warmed black beans

Grilled Chicken breast or rotisserie chicken from Costco {also optional} or leftover Crockpot Steak Fajitas...THIS IS MY FAVORITE WAY TO SERVE THESE STEAK FAJITAS...it still keeps the meal nice and simple as it is all tossed into the crockpot.  The last few times I have made this, I had the meat and seasonings and sauces frozen in one bag and the veggies pre-sliced and frozen in another baggie.  PERFECTLY PERFECT for a quick dinner with guests.  Just an idea for little YOU!




Sliced olives

Cilantro

Shredded Tillamook Cheese

Avocado

Sour cream and Salsa

jalapeno rounds...yummy!


That is it!

For a Picnic:

Just layer ingredients into to-go containers...send extra salsa in portion cups.

For children: Layer rice, olives, cheese and chicken

***I have also sent all the toppings in individual chinese to-go boxes {Cash and Carry} and boxed up the rice in a large BIO BOX {Cash and Carry} Whatever floats your boat or what will work best for whom you will be taking a picnic to. :}

PLEASE don't forget the lemonade! REALLY, you neeeed this.

Sugar cookie sandwiches with lemon buttercream frosting for the filling

Don't forget to include fun napkins {inexpensive at IKEA} and plastic ware so there is no clean up or dishes to return.






For at home: Simply set out a large bowl of rice and all of the individual toppings on a kitchen island or dining room table and serve it buffet style.


Shared with my friend Yvonne at Stone Gable

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