Saturday, April 28, 2012

The Magic of Pretend


Sienna loves her American Girl dolls. They are her favorite toys. I hesitate to call them toys because these dolls are almost real to Sienna…so real, in fact, that they have beds, get their hair done, go to lunch with their friends, etc. I think these dolls live better than most people in this world. 

Josefina and her friend waiting in line at the American Girl Cafe.

Anyway, I was inspired by Sienna’s belief in these dolls – by the magic of pretend – and partly by the whole Elf on the Shelf movement (although, I think this is way less creepy than that scary-looking elf, and a lot more fun!), so while Sienna is at school, I set the dolls up and make it look like they are doing funny things.

Here are a couple of examples: 

They play Go Fish.




They blow dry and style their hair.

They make really big messes!
Sometimes they work on puzzles, other times they climb the shelves to get new toys, or dress up, etc. It takes some time and creativity to come up with these ideas but it is worth it when I see Sienna's reaction when she gets home from school. My rather serious little girl will laugh and giggle and scream in shock when she sees them. I love it. 

This magical world of make believe is one of the best parts of being a kid. The naive belief that anything is possible. It makes me smile to think about it.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Saturday Morning Baking Ideas

The Easter Bunny (a.k.a. my aunt) bought me a new cookbook.  


The Bunny knows me well. I love cookbooks. I have way too many. I want more.

“The Back In The Day Bakery Cookbook” by Cheryl Day and Griffith Day is filled with new sweet treats to try and even has some new twists on some old favorites. It is the perfect cookbook for my Saturday morning baking sprees.

Here are the two recipes I’ve tried so far. Yum and yum!

Of course I had to try the following recipe. Chocolate for breakfast? Yes, please!

Mocha Oatmeal Muffins
Recipe from Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook

Makes 12 muffins

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/4 cups quick-cooking oats, plus extra for sprinkling
4 large eggs
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup freshly brewed strong coffee
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts
Turbinado sugar, for sprinkling

Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly spray 12 large muffin cups with cooking spray, or fill them with paper liners.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until thoroughly combined. Stir in the oats.

In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, butter, buttermilk, coffee, and vanilla. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts with as few gentle strokes as possible.

With a large ice cream scoop or spoon, scoop the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling them approximately two-thirds full. Sprinkle the tops with oats and turbinado sugar.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the tops or golden. The tops should be firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin should come out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes.

Turn the muffins out of the pan and enjoy warm or at room temperature. The muffins can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.  

How could I resist?!

The following recipe is a spicy twist on the traditional banana bread. I've never cooked with mace before. It's a lot like nutmeg. Grant and I liked it. Sienna and Bill did not. You be the judge.

Brown Sugar Banana Bread
From The Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook

Yields One (1) 9-inch loaf

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 cup light brown sugar
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
1 teaspoon ground mace
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1¼ cups pecans, toasted then chopped
1 ½ cups well-mashed, ripe bananas (about 3 medium sized)
¼ cup sour cream
2 large eggs
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 teaspoon of vanilla
2 Tablespoons dark brown sugar

Lightly grease a 9” x 5” loaf pan vegetable oil spray. Line the bottom with parchment paper.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, mace, cinnamon and pecans. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, mix together the mashed bananas, sour cream, eggs, butter, and vanilla with a wooden spoon.

Fold the banana mixture into the flour mix until just combined.
Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading evenly across the top.  Sprinkle the two tablespoons of dark brown sugar over the top.

Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until loaf is golden brown and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool loaf in its pan for 5 to 10 minutes; then transfer to a wire rack.

Hope I've inspired you to bake something up soon! 

Monday, April 16, 2012

Meal Plan: "Taste of Home" Edition

We were home most of the weekend with sick kids. It gave me a chance to get organized for the upcoming week, including working on my meal plan. I've gotta admit, I've been slacking off on my meal planning. The hubby has been gone a lot in the field and between that, and the recent heat waves, I haven't had much motivation to cook or eat. In a perfect world I'd snack my way through the day. But, I'm going to power through this week and try to eat well. Plus, I was recently introduced to Taste of Home magazine/website and have several recipes I want to try. So, here's what's cooking this week....

(To view the links, you might have to sign up on the Taste of Home website; it's free and a great resource. You won't regret it, I promise!) 

Greek-Style Pizza

Monterey Artichoke Panini

Crowd-Pleasing Taco Salad

For Dessert: Strawberry Trifle

Lastly, I came across this article about giving up microwaving. I've given up on microwaving several times in the past because I've always thought it seemed "unnatural" to me. But, sometimes with kids, you need food and you need it fast. Still, I try to use it sparingly and rely on my toaster oven to reheat leftover food (great for leftover pizza or kids chicken nuggets, etc.) Apparently, I'm not the only person who has this weird quirk about microwaves. 

Hope you all have a great week and happy cooking! :) 

Thursday, April 12, 2012

The Visitors Have Landed


Oh, goodness. My little bloggie has been ignored for a while now. To my three faithful followers, I’m sorry.

It’s been a busy few weeks.

First, we had visitors. 



Next, we had a visitor. 



Then, we had more visitors. 



In the middle of all that, we had a birthday*...



and Easter...


Oh, and we had the stomach flu. (Not pictured, thankfully.)

As you can see, it has been a whirlwind of fun. I’ve eaten my way through El Paso three times! And my “love tank” is full (along with my tummy!). Seriously, visiting a military family, or any family far from home, is pretty much one the best “acts of kindness” you can do. I so appreciate the effort. I wish I could drag everyone to lovely El Paso, but I know that's not possible. I still love you.

So, the good news is: I’m back and going to catch up on all things Ginger, Spice and Everything Nice. Stay tuned for more soon!


*Editors Note: Birthday party was an intimate gathering – family, work phone, yummy cake. You know, the usual.