Back in July, I taught a preschool cooking class during Art Smarts camp at church. I made 5 different recipes with the kids, and surprisingly, pumpkin waffles were everyone's favorite! Let me start by saying I'm sorry I've had this recipe since July and I'm just now sharing it. Also, I know we are past the pumpkin season, but I promise this recipe is great year around!
During cooking class, I'd write the recipe on the dry erase board so helpers and other teachers could snap a picture of the recipe and use it with their class or make it at home for themselves! So, it seems only appropriate I share the recipe with you the same way.
A couple notes:
The recipe makes 4-5 waffles (if I remember correctly!). If that seems like too many for you, make them and stick them in the freezer!
Plug in your waffle iron first. That should give it time to heat up while you make the batter.
Pumpkin Pie Spice is not something I keep on hand, and actually the day we made these during class, I forgot the spice, so I used cinnamon instead. They were excellent! So use what you have - don't feel like you need to buy the spice just to make the recipe.
The batter will be thick, so you'll need to slightly spread it out in your waffle iron.
It says 3 minutes cooking time, but each iron is different. 3-5 mintues cooking time may be more accurate!
Add mix ins! I've made them with chocolate chips (they don't need syrup if you do them this way!) and pecans and both were so good!
Happy December! It
took me longer to get in the Christmas spirit this year than usual.
(Usually November, I'm itching to put out decorations.) I purchased the
Lauren Daigle Christmas CD on iTunes in mid November and that's when I
finally felt ready to kick off the holiday season! Btw, it's a great CD
if you're looking to add one to your Christmas music collection!
Since then, I've taken pictures for Christmas cards, ordered & addressed Christmas
cards, decorated the house, found some new recipes I want to try,
shopped online for gifts, and bought wrapping paper! I'm certain this
really is the best time of the year! Hope you're enjoying it too!
Here's
a look at some of my decorations. I'm 100% sure less is more... and
all of our decorations fit in 3 plastic tubs. Easy set up, easy take
down. (I haven't put out my Christmas ornaments in years, and will
probably wait another year - maybe two - before I get them out. They
are all in a container too, so technically we have more than 3 tubs!)
Also 95% of my decorations are kid friendly - so all the kids helped me
decorate and I didn't have to worry about them breaking anything!
One of my favorite nativity sets! Baby Jesus has been man handled a lot this year by Austin :)
I'm so thankful we have a mantle! It's one of my favorite things to decorate!
The cutest pair of deer!
I've always adored Annalee cats and the Christmas ones are my favorite! I've got a little collection I put on top of my china cabinet! (Along with some really cute trees I got from the Christmas store in Santa Claus!)
Our bear gets a Santa hat.
Hello Beautiful! Our tree! The girls and I picked it out the day after Thanksgiving (and got a Starbucks). We got it from the Boy Scouts and I was really impressed with the service! It's a Frasier Fir and it's probably the most beautiful tree we've ever had!
We've been talking about bunking the kids up in bunk beds for months. All the kids were excited about the idea and looking forward to having some room in their rooms to play. (And I was excited to have all their toys out of the family room and in one spot!) The room situation was: Hayden & Austin shared a room and Allie & Krissy shared a room. One night it dawned on me, why don't we bunk them all in the same room and have one whole room for a play room instead of having a boys and girls room. I ran the idea by Kevin and he thought it was a great idea. Then, I ran the idea past the kids, and they wanted it done that day.
I was thinking in my head that after the first of the year we'd move them, but Kevin was so on board with the idea it happened this past weekend! Let's be honest... I'm the one full of ideas and he's the one that makes my ideas reality.
We know this probably won't be our permanent room set up, but I can't even tell you how excited the kids are about this arrangement. They came home from school on Monday and asked if they could go to bed! Ha! I'm having to lay down the law about staying in bed when lights go out... and only 1 person in the top bunk at a time - Krissy and Austin are the ones that have the hardest time with the rules. Thanksgiving was the perfect time to move them. I was feeling very thankful about what great friends they are, so it was exciting for all them to be roomies.
The play room is a work in progress. I've got some storage ideas for this room, but they will probably have to wait until the first of the year before they become reality! Basically... waiting for Kevin to get some time off! :)
The bedroom will get a couple small additions - pictures on the wall, maybe curtains, but it's pretty much done!
I found the solid oak coffee table in the middle of the room at Goodwill this weekend. It was $8. I envisioned the kids playing at it, coloring, playing cars and playing barbies on it. I loved the height and the rounded corners and did I mention the price tag!
Several weeks ago during breakfast, Allie said, "I want Jesus in her heart, not the devil. When can I get baptized?" Back in February when Hayden got baptized, she kept saying she wanted baptized too, but Kevin and I decided to give it some time and let her come to the decision on her on, not because Hayden just did. Well, her proclamation during breakfast led us both to believe she was ready.
After she left for school that morning, I called the church to see about getting her baptized. They highly recommended she do the baptism class our church offers. The purpose of the class is to explain baptism, explain that we will still make mistakes, explain that getting baptized just annoucnes we know we need Jesus - all good things, right? Well we waited until November for the class, but due to the loss of the Rinehart family, classes were cancalled, but our plans of baptism were still on.
We met with the family pastor after school last week and he walked through the class with Allie. He did a great job, and at the end Allie was still sure she was ready to be baptized. Kevin has been working most Saturdays, so when we got word he was off the 26th, we planned for the baptism to happen that evening at church.
The day of her baptism she was so ready and excited to get to church. She asked, "how much longer?" from the minute she woke up. We let her get dressed and ready about 1 o'clock, but we weren't planning on leaving until 5. We gave her a little silver cross necklace as a baptism gift, and she loved it. As soon as we got to church, Allie and Kevin went back to get changed, while her little cheering crowd (family and friends) gathered near the baptistry. Her baptism was the first thing to take place during service. The pastor introduced Kevin and Allie, and Kevin spoke about Allie. She was quick and loud to answer the questions Kevin asked (Do you believe that Jesus is the son of God? Do you accept him as Lord and Savior of your life?) and it made people giggle. At the end when I went back to help her get changed, I was telling her what a good job she did and she said, "Mr. Andrew (the pastor) told me to talk loud so everyone could hear me."
After church we celebrated at Cracker Barrel (Allie's choice). We ate, she opened a few gifts, and then we had cake. She had requested chocolate cake with chocolate icing. The ganache was my idea, and it was a good one!
I wanted to make her a cake topper she could keep - so I decided to do an ornament. I burned her bible verse on a slice of birch wood and added a little paint around the edges to give it some color.
Allie took my camera and went around taking pictures of people.
Since she's been baptized, she's made lots of cute comments, like, "When I turn 7, I'm not going to ask for any gifts for my birthday,"or "I'll never do bad things again." I just smile and help her navigate through her thoughts. And I let her know she will mess up and do bad things, but we all do, and that's ok, and we will always love her, and God loves her more than we do. And she gets it. As much as a 6 year old girl can.
Yesterday was supposed to be a day of celebrating. Allie has decided
to accept Jesus into her heart, and we were scheduled to go to a
baptism class at church. That evening, Kevin and I had a date night
planned to celebrate us meeting on that blind date 12 years ago. But
before the day could begin, I received an urgent sounding text from a
friend. Then she called. David, our worship pastor at church (for most
of my life), his mom, and one of his daughters, Sophie, had passed away
in a tragic car accident on the interstate. One daughter had survived
and was being life flighted. It's really hard to wrap your mind around
such unexpected loss, and I wasn't even close to the family.
I
sat on the couch, trying to process what I had been told. As I sat
there, I remembered the prayer I had said the night before during
communion at church. I don't remember my exact words, but it was
something like 'Lord, help me get my priorities straight. I feel
like at the end of most days I've run around like a crazy woman, but
haven't accomplished anything. I'm not prioritizing my time with You,
and I know I need to. Shake up something in my life to get my attention
back on you.' Then I realized this was indeed the shake up I had just prayed about the night before.
Allie
and I went to church thinking we'd still be attending the baptism
class, but when we got there, they had cancelled all classes, and turned
the scheduled church service into a worship service. I've never
experienced anything quite like it. All of us, in one room, so saddened
by what had happened, yet all standing, most of us with hands lifted
and tears running down our face, and cracked voices singing:
"Oh praise the one
who paid my debt
and raised this life up
from the dead."
The
worship was so genuine. We sang Cornerstone and 10,000 Reasons too.
I'm glad Allie was able to experience that with me. She, worshiping
with her hands in the air, was indeed more moved by that service than
she would have been by the baptism class.
These three
people, three generations, were Christ followers. Their deaths will
serve as a reminder of His death for me, and I continue to pray that it
changes me forever. More personal devotion and worship, more
thanksgiving, more patience, more love, more acceptance. I was such a
fan of the daughter Sophie and her amazing singing abilities. So much
so, I'd periodically check her instagram to see if she'd posted any new
singing videos. Her instagram is flooded with young people speaking to
her amazing character and how love was the only language she knew.
David too, was a steadfast, solid worship leader for so many of my
growing up years.
Yesterday felt heavy. But it also felt like a great place to start a new chapter in my life.
A closer relationship with Jesus, a purposeful marriage, more
intentional mothering, and invested friendships. My bible reading
today took me to 1 Corinthians 1:4-9. "I always thank my God for you
because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have
been enriched in every way - with all kinds of speech and with all
knowledge - God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you
Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gifts as you eagerly wait for
our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also keep you firm to the
end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus
Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his
Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."
Several weeks ago I got a letter in the stack of papers Allie brings home from school. It was letting us know they'd be celebrating the 50th day of school by wearing 50s styled clothing, having ice cream floats, doing a bubble gum blowing contest, and talking about the number 50! Talk about a fun day!
I knew immediately Allie needed a poodle skirt. At that point in the month I also hadn't decided on her Halloween costume, so I figured if I was going to put time and money into making a poodle skirt, she could wear it for Halloween too!
My aunt made me a poodle skirt when I was in junior high, and it was the best looking poodle skirt I'd ever seen. I knew I wanted Allie's to look like mine, so I did my best to make that happen!
I found all my material at Hobby Lobby and spent just under $18. I also made a crinoline skirt to put under the poodle skirt to keep it full looking. I love how it turned out. It's the perfect length, the poodle is just as adorable as the one my aunt put on mine, and I'm thrilled Krissy will get her turn to wear it in 2 years!
I splurged on the gold jacket... it's from Target.
I'm obviously late posting last weeks highlights, but I have two good reasons why! The kids started fall break last Friday and I had so many great intentions to pack this time full of crafts and baking and family outings, but the cards were dealt a little differently. I was up all night Thursday/Friday morning vomiting and having diarrhea. It was h.o.r.r.i.b.l.e! Thankfully Kevin was able to take off work Friday and help me and take care of the kids. So I've spent the whole weekend trying to feel better. Saturday I overdid it and paid for it Sunday. Let's put all that behind me and get talking about all the good stuff that did happen last week!
Hayden and I ran to CVS to pick up a prescription for him. While we were waiting I decided I needed a new nail color. I had something dark in mind, maybe a nice gray, but then I saw "Good as Gold" and Hayden confirmed that it was my best choice. It's neutral, fun, and festive but not too distracting. I can see me using it through Christmas! I love all Essie nail polishes and recommend this color in particular!
About 6 weeks ago we decided to order new blinds for our bedrooms. It's something I've wanted to do for years, but just never had the extra money to do it. We ordered the same blinds we have hanging in the kitchen (from American Blinds) but the bedroom ones have a black out shade sewn into the backs of them. The order shipped from China (and they are called American Blinds? someone explain that to me) and took a few weeks to get here, but I'm very happy with how they look, and the quality is as great as I was expecting.
Kevin and I had a date Sunday afternoon. He planned the whole outing, which I loved because I hate making decisions. We started the date at the gun range. I love shooting but don't get to practice as much as I'd like. Then we went to downtown Evansville and rented two bikes. This is a new thing but seemed pretty popular the day we went to the river. We saw lots of couples riding them and we got stopped a lot by curious walkers wondering how they rode. We made a stop at a bike shop so Kevin could inquire about a new road bike and then went to dinner at Zuki. After the date, we came home and started a campfire and made s'mores with the kids. We put the to bed and turned on the presidential debate. It was pretty much a perfect day.
Guess which shot was mine :)
My in laws found some serving pieces at an auction they went to. They asked if I was interested in them, and after one look I said YES! They coordinate with my fiesta, and I love the little Christmas trees painted on them. I can't wait to use them this December! (The cats are fans too!)
Thursday evening I made a new recipe for ginger molasses muffins. I had a similar version when we went Clearwater this summer and I think about them often. My kids love gingersnaps so I figured these would be a hit, and I was right! The kids raved about them and I thought they were great too. The tops had a chewy consistency that reminded me of my mom's bran muffin recipe. Recipe is here and I made them exactly as the recipe was written! We had breakfast for dinner that night and I also made scrambled eggs and fruit to go along with the muffins. :)
I'm hoping I continue to feel better every day and no one else gets what I had (although I think it may have been caused by yogurt I ate) or any sickness for that matter! Hope you have a great week too!
What a week it's been at the Devine house! Between sick kids and chickens, school projects, and the daily tasks, life has been a bit nuts lately! Here's a little wrap up of the last 7 days!
Cheerleader Allie
Last Friday, Allie's little cheer league was invited to cheer at the Castle High School Football game for part of the 1st quarter. We made plans to go, Kevin took off work, and it rained and poured as we were leaving home. We ran into Walmart on our way to purchase another big umbrella, and boy did we need it! I was on the track with Allie, and Kevin, the kids, and my parents were in the packed full stands ready to watch. The rain let up while the teams were introduced, but the drizzle started again as the girls welcomed the Knights to the field. When her little cheer session was over, we left and headed to Pizza Chef. I reminded Kevin that this will be our Friday nights as the kids get older, and I think we are both looking forward to it :)
Only 2/6 girls from the squad showed up!
Fall Fest
Our yearly West Side Nut Club Fall Fest is going on this week. We planned to take Austin and Krissy on Monday for lunch, but chicken obligations came first, so we went on Tuesday. We made our rounds and got our favorites to eat: BBQ Baked Potato, Chinese fried rice, Pronto Pups, Cotton Candy, Elephant Toes (think bite sized Elephant ears with icing to dip them in) and {my favorite} a Monster Ear. We brought home cotton candy for Hayden and Allie and they didn't seem to care that they missed the festivities. We also intended to let the kids ride a few rides, but rides were closed to the public and opened just for the special needs kids so we saved lots of money :)
Sick Kids
Allie and Hayden both got sick this week. Allie came home Tuesday feeling horrible and about dinner time started running a temp. She slept all afternoon, evening, and night. I didn't think she'd be able to go to school on Wednesday, but she seemed perky and said she felt better. I explained that if she started to feel cold again, or felt bad, just tell her teacher and head to the nurse and mommy would come get her. No calls from the nurse on Wednesday, so I picked the kids up at the bus stop and Allie came over to me and told me how terrible she felt all day {insert now how horrible that made me feel}, and how she got so cold at lunch. I looked at her so confused and asked why she didn't go to the nurse and she said she didn't see her teacher during lunch (when she felt the worst) so she couldn't ask to go to the nurse. //This is the same kid that ran out of toilet paper in the restroom but didn't want to ask anyone to get her any "because you're not supposed to talk in the bathrooms". She may be too literal with directions.//
So, Wednesday evening I decided I'd let Allie stay home and rest on Thursday so she'd be healthy for her fall party on Friday. Hayden woke up in the middle of the night, so I was mentally preparing myself Thursday morning for both kids to stay home all day. I let them sleep in (they slept till 8), and when they woke up they were both laughing and joking and seemed to feel great. I changed my plans and told them both to shower because I was taking them to school. They got to school about an hour late. As soon as I sat down for lunch, my phone rang and it was the school nurse saying Hayden was complaining of a sore throat and had a fever. Ugh. I went to pick him up right away and was told he couldn't come to school Friday because he had a fever yesterday. Well, like I said earlier, the fall party is today so the poor kid has to miss it. I'm hoping the kids stay healthy the rest of the year!
Sick Chickens
Monday morning we noticed one of the chickens, Joy, limping. She has bumblefoot, which we've known about for several weeks, but it seemed all the sudden she was in pain and we knew we needed to do something to help her. I've watched several videos on how to remove the infection yourself, so I sent Kevin to walmart for a scalpel and bandages while I cleaned out our kitchen sink and put Joy in the warm water to soak and soften her foot. I knew it wouldn't be a quick procedure, but it lasted about an hour. The hen did amazingly well, and afterwards was back outside limping around the yard. That morning, I ordered a spray gel that I've heard can cure bumblefoot without "operating" on the foot, so we started the spray on another chicken's foot yesterday. Almost all the older chickens have the infection on at least one of their feet. We think it was caused by them sleeping on 2x4s. Apparently the 2x4s put uneven pressure on their feet and they need something rounded to sleep on. Kevin, with a little help from me, redid the chickens roost with big limbs earlier in the week, so now they are sleeping on round branches.
And that sounds like enough chicken drama for one week, but it didn't stop there. On Wednesday, one of our hens had a "lash egg" stuck to her. (I had no idea what it was, so I took pictures and posted questions about it on a chicken forum, and was told by another reader what it was - so I googled it {I should add "google at your own risk" because it's gross!} - and they were exactly right.) I'll spare you the gory details because it makes me want to puke, but as I'm writing this post, we are unsure if she will live or not. It may have been a fluke or her reproductive system may be completely failing (which is a common problem in her breed) and she will die in the next few days. If it looks like that's the direction she's headed, Kevin intends to put her out of misery if she's in pain. The only positive thing is she's always been skiddish around us, and has never been very social, so none of us feel deeply attached to her. We'd still hate to lose her, but if we had to pick one chicken that didn't make it, it's sad to say, but.... we'd pick her.
Cupcake Wedding Cake
I made a fun/simple/elegant cupcake wedding cake display this past weekend. Kevin was off all day last Friday (for Allie's cheer that night), so I went to my parents house - alone - and baked the entire day. I made 10 batches of cupcakes and a 2 tiered cake, all frosted with cream cheese icing. I recruited my mom to help me set up Saturday morning, and we had to take 3 kids with us (Kevin and Hayden were out selling popcorn, but the 3 did great and played on our phones the entire time). As we were setting up, it reminded me of my love for the cake making process. I ALWAYS get to the reception and start second guessing myself and my abilities and think, "How is this going to come together and look half way descent?" but it always did, and this time was no exception. I love seeing the final product! The display was beautiful and the bride texted me days later to tell me how much everyone enjoyed them.
School Pictures
Hayden and Allie both got back their school pictures this week. I don't think Allie's looks exactly like her - maybe just an odd angle, or her glasses shadow on her face - but it's still cute. Hayden refused a hair cut before the pictures insisting he liked his shaggy hair. I ordered CDs instead of prints for the first time ever, and I'm pleased with my purchase! I'm looking forward to their spring pictures when they get a full body shot, instead of the typical mug shot fall pictures!
Here's to hoping this coming week is very boring and routine :)
We've been without a computer for a good week because our rotten kitty (intentionally) knocked over a glass of water on the keyboard of our laptop. It is all repaired, so here's my latest edition of Kid Sayings.... Enjoy :)
7-30-16
My dad had given me a shirt he wanted hemmed. I'd been working on my quilt top (made from my late grandma's shirts) throughout the month of July and before I put my machine away, I wanted to get my dads shirt hemmed too. I cut off the excess from the shirt and thought it would be cute headbands for the girl, so I called for them to try one on. Allie was first and I told her it was the bottom part of papaws shirt I cut off, and she quickly asked, "Did he die too?!" I assured her he was just fine and just wanted mommy to sew it for him.
8-10-16
The first day of school was rough on Austin and Krissy. I just think they were lost without Hayden and Allie. So, there was lots of arguing/screaming. Krissy kept telling Austin "I'm not your friend," which would make his already unstable mood hit rock bottom and he'd start crying. After listening to this a couple time, I told Krissy, "Stop getting him upset!" And she popped back, "I'm not getting him upset! He's already upset!" then proceeds to whisper to him, "I'm not your friend!" Cue more tears!
8-16-16
Allie was telling Hayden about a boy that was mean to her on the playground the first day of school. He gave her his shark tooth necklace to wear, and they filled me in on this playground drama. He said she could scare him with the necklace. I suggested she just talk to a teacher if this boy keeps upsetting her, but most likely he's just being a silly boy. She and Hayden go back to his room and I hear him say, "Tell me when you see him and I'll tell him, 'Don't mess with my little sister or you'll be sorry you walked the earth!'" Allie was being agreeable and Hayden continued with, "Yeah show him to me and I'll tell him to stop messing with my little sister!" And then I hear him say, "Hang on I've gotta get my fists ready!"
I was dying laughing over in the other room with his big talk, but honestly, I think it's so sweet. And if he wants to get on some punk kid for messing with his little sister, then go Hayden go! (P.S. Hayden hasn't really ever shown he's got an aggressive bone in his body. He's much more of a calm caretaker, so I liked hearing this side of him!)
8-17-16
Me to Krissy, "Mmmmm!! Smell those chocolate cupcakes!"
Krissy, "Yummy! They smell like macaroni and cheese!"
8-27-16
Austin fell off the couch, wrapped in a big quilt and he said, "Oh my good-ess, I so tough, wight (right) mom?"
9-17-16
Allie: "Mom now can we get the Barbies out?"
Me: "Is your room cleaned?"
Allie and Krissy: "Yes!"
Me: "Is it all just shoved under your beds?"
Krissy: "Yep!"
9-24-16
I was polishing my nails at the counter and Austin climbed up a barstool to see what I was doing and said, "Whoa mom! You nails are bootiful!"
(He gives me compliments almost daily and they make me laugh because they are so sweet. He and Hayden both pay such attention to detail and one day their future wives will love that! The normal compliments start out, "I like you ______ " or "I like dat ______" [hair//necklaces//shirt//shoes])
9-26-16
Krissy and Austin had been playing well all morning, but thing went south when Austin started playing with Krissy's things. We've really been working on having her talk nice to Austin, and in a nice tone. I hear her say, "I like you but I don't love you right now!" And that seems like progress in my book lol!
10-1-2016
Austin was looking through a bag of dog stuff we were given. He found some dog treats and said, "I found a doggy bone! I don't want to eat it. I not a doggy. (Long pause) I'm a kitty!"
10-1-2016
Allie to Hayden were "ballroom dancing" together in our family room when she said to him, "I wish we could marry brothers."
