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sweet potato muffins
It’s cloudy, cold, and raining outside, which makes the home seem so inviting and warm. When I went downtown to pick up Jacob from school, we admired the pretty fall leaves blowing around us as we drove along.
It was a muffin day here. They baked up so nicely (and, all 7 children liked them) that I just had to share the recipe with you.
Recipe source: allrecipes.com
Ingredients
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed sweet potatoes
- 2 teaspoons grated orange peel (I used 2 tsp.orange extract)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (my children don’t like nuts in baked goods, I left them out.)
Directions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine eggs, oil, applesauce and vanilla. Stir in sweet potatoes and orange peel; mix well. Combine the flour, sugars, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and baking powder; stir into sweet potato mixture just until combined. Stir in nuts.
- Pour into two greased 9-in. x 5-in. x 3-in. loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees F for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. (Or, as I did, line muffin tin with foil liners and bake for about 20 minutes, or until done. This recipe made 20 muffins.)
I am so tired tonight. Rich is gone at a Bible study while the three older children are at youth group. I just got David, Caleb, Seth and Sarah to bed so I have a few minutes to blog before I also go to bed for the night.
I wake up every morning at 5:30am. The older children get up at that time, too. I usually get my coffee made at 6 and sit on the couch with it, talking to my older ones as they get ready for school and make their lunches.
By the time they get on the bus at 6:30 (and Rich leaves for work), Seth is usually up. I wake Caleb and David up at 6:45. I get their breakfasts and get them ready for school; clothes, socks and shoes, lunches and so on.
This morning, Sarah woke up last. I gave her breakfast and waved to David and Caleb as the bus picked them up for school. Always lots of talking going on.
It took me a solid hour to fold and put away 4 loads of clothes.
Run the dishwasher, straighten every room.
Read to the little ones.
One thing that is hard right now, is that I can’t leave Seth with Sarah at all. He ends up hurting her somehow, not sure why. To hear her cry? She was crawling up the stairs today as he was coming down and he kicked her in the cheek, just hard enough to make a mark for about a hour. It’s so sad. However, they did play for little bit, nicely, too. It was so cute to see him try to get her to play ball with him, he was pretty patient about it. “Throw it to me, Sare!” And she would walk to him and hand it to him………
Sarah went back down for a nap at about 9:30. Seth and I went outside to play so he could get some energy out.
He had LOTS and LOTS of energy today. He’s such a wonderful, happy, handsome boy. He tires me out!
We went down to the stream after untangling the dog’s chain for him.
Seth “fished” with a stick. He would hold it in the water and then lift it up and say, “See my fish!” and I would say, “It’s a big one! Want me to get him off the hook for you?” it was all pretend, of course. He asked me too look at his fish about 25 times.
The sun was so pretty as it shown through the trees in the woods, and on the water of the stream. I thought about getting my camera but didn’t…..I ended up making a little table of food for the fairies.
Later on, I ran back down by myself to take a picture;
I remember when I was a child I would go through phases, usually when I was spending a lot of time in the woods, when fairies would become almost real to me. It was fun to think that way again today, although it was hard getting started at first. Every day life gets so busy, it’s hard to find time to imagine things.
Later on, after Ethan, Jacob, and Grace got home, Ethan took the dog for a walk. When he came back, he had this milkweed pod to show me. He thought it looked like a pinecone on the inside.
I feel bad because I did look at it at the time, but it was in the midst of so many other things, and I did take a picture of it but I wonder if Ethan truly felt like I was giving him time……..I’m hope he did. I love my children so much. I try to hug them all, pat them on the back, tell them I love them, smile at them all.
Seth was high-energy today and took a short nap. He locked himself into the bathroom. He runs around, he slams into things, he kicks and plays and talks and yells and doesn’t sit still EVER unless we are reading books or he’s watching his favorite videos; thank goodness for SPOT, BUSY TOWN, & BLUE’S CLUES.
While I was trying to get Seth to rest, Sarah and I did have some alone time together. I played dolls with her. She had a doll that needed her hair fixed and some clothes on. We borrowed her big sister Grace’s doll things. Sarah points at her doll’s face and says, “Baby!” and holds her dolly gently. She’ll be a good mama someday.
When David and Caleb came home from school at 3, Caleb immediately put me to work applying his temporary tattoos that he got from school yesterday. I had told him this morning I would. I think he has five tattoos all about being safe with fire, and how firefighters are heros. He ran around without a shirt, the better to see the tattoos.
The older children did their homework right away, so they could go to youth group. They made a pizza and snacked on it as they worked.
David and Caleb kept getting on each other’s nerves so we had a talk about speaking kindly to one another, and working together to play and do fun things.
I like the children to all get fresh air every afternoon so I went outside with the younger ones. I decided to make an easy craft with Seth and it actually amused him, so I thought I would share it with other moms of preschoolers.
You take a brown paper bag, rip strips of newspaper, and have your child stuff them into the bag. Seth liked that part a lot.
When it’s full, you gather the bag closed and tie it with a rubber band (I used a hair band, they are easier to find in my house.)
Draw a face on the bag, and it ends up being a soft “ball” toy. Seth loved holding the end and throwing it. He liked looking at the face and pointing out the eyes, nose, mouth, etc.
The boys named it “Bob.” LOL
I took advantage of the pretty fall colors to take a few pictures.
David (I helped him with spelling homework tonight.)
Here are several of Seth and his funny smiles. He’s such a happy boy! I noticed that he even talks happy, “Yum! This nice juice is delicious!” was one thing that he said today. 
Sarah Joy;
Sarah is much better today, although still coughing. Thank you so much for praying for my baby!
After we played outside, we all came in so I could make dinner. We had fishsticks, veggies with pasta, and homemade applesauce. While we were eating, Rich called and said he had a terrible day of work. I haven’t even seen him…..he was running late so he just pulled in the driveway and the kids ran out to join him. LOL
Seth was so silly that I buckled him in the high chair this evening for a while, to “color”. (He’s not fond of quiet work) I ended up letting the boys watch Spot AND Blue’s Clues and then I put them to bed. I gave Sarah her bath, put vicks on her chest and feet, and put her to bed, too.
It’s just been one of those very long, tiring days. You know.
A good day, but busy.
Random; I’m loving the “Life is Good” online store and ordered myself several shirts today. Have you looked at their things? They even have a happy radio station you can listen to as you browse!
If you had an extra busy-mama day today (or any kind of busy day), I wish you a very lovely, deep sleep!
xoxo,
Shan
PS, (written wed. morning) I stayed up until Rich came home and we talked for a while, it was nice. I did sleep good, only waking up one time because you guessed it–SETH–came in our room at 2:30. He needed a diaper change. LOL It took me a little bit to get back to sleep, but this morning has been pleasant. Here’s to a good day~
sugar cookies made with a friend
Before we talk cookies, I would like to ask you to pray for our little Sarah Joy. We’ve had a nasty cold going around the family, a cold that includes a terrible cough. I didn’t tell you before, but a few weeks ago Seth had to go on antibiotics for bronchitis. The littlest members of the family get hit worse, and Sarah has developed croup. She was so feverish and miserable yesterday morning that Rich and I took her to the ER for a breathing treatment and a steroid shot. She woke up this morning a little better but she’s running a fever again now, and her cough sounds yucky….so pray that she will get better soon, and not any worse. Happily, she is eating and drinking nicely, and gets up to play now and then, and is still a pretty little darling despite the circles under her eyes. Very snuggly, too.
She’s been sleeping a lot. This morning, while she was napping peacefully upstairs in her sunny bedroom, her big brother Seth and I decided to make cookies.
First of all, I put an apron on him and laughed at the cuteness. Turns out, he really needed that apron this time.
He was a big helper by dumping in the ingredients for our cookies.
He even did the eggs. “You tap it on the edge and open it over the bowl.” Then, throw the eggshell over into the kitchen sink (he missed). Three eggs.
We moved to the table and rolled out our dough. Seth’s dough didn’t roll out right.
It was more satisfying to dump out all the flour. Do you have enough yet, Seth?
No. He wants it ALL.
You’re cute. Isn’t this fun?
We started getting some cookies baked….after devoring five, fresh from the oven, Seth hopped down from his chair.
The recipe makes tray after tray after tray……tiring. I’m not a big fan of rolling and cutting out dough. I get impatient. But, it just seemed right today. A nice, plain, cakey, sugar cookie day, with a hint of nutmeg.
ANOTHER cookie, Seth?
It was so cute when I realized that he wanted to “bake” some in his oven, too.
So, we made him a toy cookie sheet, custom fit for his oven. I took a piece of cardboard out of the recycling bin, ut it to size, and covered it with tin foil.
In the oven they went.
Then, he set the timer (look at his toes). “Buzzzzzzzz!” They’re done.
Be careful, they’re sliding off! Your cookies look great.
lots and lots of cookies
I’ve used the same sugar cookie recipe for years. You can find it HERE.
When Ethan came home from school today, he had a hunger that surpassed cookies.
So, he got right to work and made this, all on his own:
(The waffles were made using a mix.)
He even took the picture. I wasn’t home when he made this fabulous snack, and he wanted me to see it. (I was gone picking up Jacob from the library.)
Thanks for stopping by my blog today. I hope each of you is having a wonderful day. xoxo
two day pumpkin pie
busy in the kitchen
How about some pumpkin pie?
When Bob and Jenny were on their way here to visit us, they stopped at a roadside stand and picked up a pumpkin. Bob wanted to make pumpkin pies for us. (Isn’t that great?)
Others came and went, but David was Bob’s faithful sidekick throughout the whole process. The first thing they did was cut up the pumpkin, and I daresay this step (involving large sharp knives) was quite thrilling for the little boys, as he let David and Caleb do some cutting, too. They peeled it, seeded it, cleaned out all the membrane inside, and cut it into chunks. They worked slowly and carefully and Bob talked to David, teaching him and telling him things, and sometimes they were quiet, too.
(Seth, Bob, David,and Jenny)
The cleaned up all their own mess, so thoughtful. David had a great lesson in baking and how to work together with someone to get a good result. Bob encouraged him a lot.
They filled a big pot with the cleaned pumpkin, and added water to cover. Then, they simmered it on the stovetop until the pumpkin was completely cooked and soft. Bob drained the water off and mashed the bright golden pumpkin until it was glossy and smooth. By the time this stage of the recipe was completed, it was about 7:30pm and they decided to make the pies on the next day. The mashed pumpkin was left in the pot with the lid on, overnight.
The next day, after our nature walk, there was much searching around in the cupboards to gather the ingredients; cloves (I only had whole cloves so they chopped some up into powder, as we discussed how useful a mortar and pestle would be in that situation. My mom has one). So yes, cloves, cinnamon, evaporated milk, eggs from my own chickens, and…. (I turned to ask just now) “Did you use sugar, Dave?” (He said yes.)
Next, homemade pie pastry; flour, salt, shortening, and water. (using a marigold fiesta mixing bowl)
When the pies were assembled, each in a fiesta pie plate, they were carefully settled into the oven to bake.
(juniper and scarlet fiesta pie plates)
By the end of the day, after it baked and cooled, we were able to eat and savor the most delicious homemade pumpkin pie I ever had, made with so much thoughtfulness and love. Bob sliced and served it to us, Rich first, then me, and then his beautiful wife and all the children. It was a welcome treat, and a memory made.
There was enough leftover for me to snack on the next day and the next. In fact, before I went to bed last night I ate two pieces. I wonder if that’s the reason why I slept so good? (goodpie/goodnight)
our visit
Jenny has come and gone again. It was such a nice face-to-face meeting, and visit, here at our place. Better than I could have imagined. Jenny, her husband Bob, and their son David are friendly and comfortable to be with, such a dear family of warm hearts, ready to say encouraging things. I heard “We LOVE you guys!” several times. What a blessing.
The children spent most of their time outside, the weather was beautiful. That’s Grace way up in the tree, with David and my David on the bottom.
Jumping on the trampoline;
Eating dinner (Shepherd’s pie, veggies, and apple crisp), on the porch.
Bob and Jenny won hearts by being willing read-aloud-ers.
Lots of stories were read (some of the favorites were read repeatedly).
Wednesday morning, the sun came up and we got ready to go for a walk in the woods.
In the meantime, David won hearts by becoming a jungle gym. He now has several adoring fans.
The nature walk was SO SO LOVELY!
They were up ahead and I said, “Wait! Everyone turn around and smile!”
Davy came across a pencil and a pad of paper right before our walk so he was inspired to bring it along to draw pictures of notable sights along the way…..
….like sammies (salamanders). He found it under a mushroom!
The boys did violent battle with dead tree branches.
We were so glad that Rich was able to take the day off from work. It was good for him to have the fellowship with Bob especially, and be outside on such a gorgeous day. He works so hard, that vacation days are much-appreciated.
Golden mushroom, golden leaves
Grace is in this next picture;
Sweet Jenny, with Sarah…..
I love this picture of all of us!
The guys all practiced their grass-whistling. It got pretty ear-piercing at times. Lots of laughter.
We walked quite a bit but the children of course never got tired. They ran home and got on the trampoline again!
We greatly ENJOYED this opportunity to meet our friends. They came all the way from the other side of the USA to see us (actually, we were just one stop of many adventures for them here in New England; NYC, Boston, New Hampshire….) and we were so honored that they took the time to visit.
Thank you so much, Jenny and Bob and David! We love you guys!
Dear friends,
Hello! How are you on this fine, fall day?
I’ve been busy puttering around the homeplace, getting ready for some very special company. Bob and Jenny are coming to visit us, with their son David! All the way from California (and xanga-land.) We all appreciate Jenny here on xanga, and her gentle encouragement to us. I’m thrilled to meet her TODAY! In just a few hours! I’ll be sure to tell her that you all said hello. Okay?
The guest bedroom (Seth will be temporarily moved into big sister’s room) has been prepared. A bed has been freshly made (our own Davy’s) for David, downstairs in the boy’s “dorm room”. Will they get much sleep down there? Shepherd’s pie has been prepped for dinner, and an apple crisp is cooling on the counter (baked in a Scarlet fiesta 9 by 13). Rich is taking tomorrow off and we are letting the children stay home from school; it’s our own personal holiday, we want to appreciate every moment with them!
The best part of all, is the fall colors are at their prime. Thank you, God, for this gift for our West coast friends!
I took this *all my children* photograph last Thursday during a cool spell. We needed jackets, some of us even needed shoes. What a pleasant evening it was, watching the children play, as this mama was tired, and with a camera in my hands I took a few shots (including the cartwheel photo! so fun).
Is it any wonder that her Papa
sometimes calls her Dandelion?
Our Grace, who was full of it***so happy*** to be home and frisking about. Lying on gravel and what not. Silly girl. Beautiful daughter.
They were playing catch on our very hilly yard. The ball gets away so often. Who will end up with it this time?!
I wear my LL bean boots every day now, to gather the eggs from the coop, as there is so much swampy lawn about the place.
Try as we might, we often have an escaped hen or two from their fenced in yard.
Thanks for the lovely eggs, my dear hen. Did you hear me? Are you listening?
I was holding the bucket in my hand, and the camera in the other hand………
A couple of older pictures, of Sare. (one of her nicknames)..
(dress and knees-highs from Target.)
And, lastly, a few autumn pictures that I took yesterday, and this morning. The colors are so beautiful!
The beauty that shimmers in the yellow afternoons of October….who could ever clutch it? Ralph Waldo Emerson
{this moment}
A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember
Grandma’s soft molasses cookies
There is something quite meaningful when a recipe is shared and given, it truly creates a connection between two hearts, whether the loved ones have been separated by the miles or by death (like Grandma and me), we can think of one another as we create tasty foods.
Like every person that loses a loved one, I wonder, “Can Grandma see me right now?” “Does she know I’m a stay at home mom with seven children?” I would sure love to spend an afternoon with her again and show her the little ones that she didn’t get a chance to meet, Sethie and Sarah Joy.
But, how wonderful, that Sethie and Sarah helped me make HER cookies, yesterday? On a day in which I felt down in the dumps, I found Seth at the mixer, getting ready to make something. I took *the advice*, and even though there was not a fiber in my tired body&soul that wanted to dirty a bowl, or cookie sheets, I pulled out the recipe and got to work.
Ladies, if you’re feeling blue? Get in the kitchen and bake! If you’re anything like me, it will cheer you up as you put your thoughts into a recipe, handle the ingredients, laugh at your babies tasting molasses straight from the jar, and bake something yummy for the children coming home from school.
(Even if you burn the last tray, it’s worth it.)
Thanks, Grandma, for the tried and true recipe. You always seemed to have some yummy baked good for Grandpa, ready for us to share. I love you and can’t wait to see you again someday!
Grandma’s Soft Molasses Cookies
1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup molasses
1 egg
(cream these together, then add the following):
4 3/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
3 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. ginger
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. allspice or cloves
3/4 cup sour milk (milk with a little vinegar in it)
Mix well, until smooth. Drop rounded spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake at 375 until just set (for very soft, chewy cookies) or edges are browned (for more solid, cake-like cookies).
For burned cookies: put your last tray in the oven and then go change a diaper, pick up a mess, and read a book until you smell smoke.
Also yesterday, our baby girl discovered a yellow jacket here in the house on the floor, crawling around so conveniently for nature study. Before I knew what was happening, she was screaming in agony. She had touched the *pretty little buggy* and it stung her terribly! I found the stinger in the tip of her tender middle finger….I pulled it right out and ran her finger under cold water, gave her Motrin, held her, patted her, but it took a while to settle down. Bee stings hurt!
About an hour later, we were outside on the driveway watching the boys play. I happened to look at Sarah, and she was so quietly pitiful, studying her big finger (swollen).
“What’s that over there? This finger feels so strange.”
“It looks strange, too. I’m pretty concerned about it.”
“Maybe I can find something else to do, I don’t know.”
“Ugh. I just can’t get my mind off the pain!”
“Mama, please kiss it! I seem to remember your kisses having magic powers.”
(so that took care of that)……..
…..And this is what the boys were doing:
I know it’s pretty obvious, but just in case you need a clue……(smiles)……they were industriously making valuable money! They have collected bottle caps and they were hammering them flat and thin. (the red ones are worth the most, because there are fewer red ones) Then, Davy was cutting them and folding them into a pie-shape. Why not leave them in circles, you ask? “Because the stuffed animals can’t hold them unless they are folded up!” Oh, yes, why didn’t I think of that myself?
I love busy boys, when they are busy doing something this harmless and precious!
Pictures (taken yesterday) of Seth William, age 2 years and 8 months:
What a boy!
Thank you, dear friends, for stopping by today here at my place in blogland. I hope you try the cookies!
Have a great day,
Love, Shan
{this fun animal moment}
A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
I laughed
Good to be Home 