It happens every fall…
I have grand plans to work on the garden and plant fall/ winter veggies…
Or, perhaps, I would try a “cover crop” to prepare my soil for spring…
Then along come these…
Zinnias that sprouted on their own from previous years of planting them…
And I look out my kitchen window, enjoying the color and the humming bird friends…
and the butterflies! And… all my fall gardening plans go out the window, too…
My kids are so weird!
We’ve done all the traditional apple breakfasts this week, (and still have more apples). Apple pancakes– check!
Apple coffee cake — check!
Dutch baby with apple syrup — check!
Apple waffles — check!
Then I tried something new: Apple carrot cake breakfast cookies. I was met with “Ews” and “Can I have cereal?” (I told you my kids are WEIRD! Except for Allison who happily enjoyed a cookie date with me — she’s now my favorite!)
Can I tell you, these cookies are awesome!? Some day… some day they will come back home and beg me to make these. And, I gladly will!
Here is the recipe:
Carrot Cake Breakfast Cookies
Ingredients:
Directions:
We had the most beautiful fall weather this weekend. Windows open. Candles burning. Apple baking. And, a family walk to the horse stables. Unfortunately, it also included lots of naps trying to combat this head cold. It wasn’t in the plans. (Sickness never is, is it?) Here I am Tuesday and my weekend to-do list is still unchecked. It kills me. It feels like my beautiful weekend was “wasted.” Yet, this morning when I opened my devotions, the first line read, “Be careful not to attach your sense of worth to your performance.” BAM! I am feeling much better today, though still not 100% and I am reminding myself that each day is a gift. No, I did not get to enjoy a family hike or gardening in the cool morning fog, but I was blessed to sleep and just be with my family, which I am convinced is why I am feeling a bit better today.
Confession: I don’t love apple pie. I’ve learned to appreciate some if it’s not too gooey, is a little tart, and super fresh. In other words, if it’s homemade the way I like it, (which is rare to find!) But, over the years we have always been a fan of galettes and tend to go that way. For one, they are so easy… and light and delicious. Tonight we indulged in a galette after dinner, and didn’t even make a dent in our basket of apples. I see lots more galettes in our future!
Here is the recipe we used:
PASTRY
TOPPING
Step 1
In a food processor, combine the flour with the sugar, salt and butter and process for about 5 seconds. Sprinkle the ice water over the flour mixture and process until the pastry just begins to come together, about 10 seconds; you should still be able to see small pieces of butter in it. Transfer the pastry to a work surface, gather it together and pat into a disk. Wrap the pastry in plastic or wax paper and refrigerate until chilled. (You can also roll out the pastry and use it right away.)
Step 2
Peel, halve and core the apples and slice them crosswise 1/4 inch thick. Set aside the larger center slices and coarsely chop the end slices and any broken ones; about half of the slices should be chopped. In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon.
Step 3
Preheat the oven to 400°. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the pastry to a 12-by-14-inch rectangle and transfer to a large rimmed baking sheet. Spread the chopped apples over the pastry to within 1 inch of the edge. Drizzle the honey over the chopped apples. Decoratively arrange the apple slices on top in concentric circles or in slightly overlapping rows. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly over the apples and dot with the pieces of butter. Fold the pastry edge up and over the apples to create a 1-inch border.
Step 4
Bake the galette for about 1 hour, until the pastry is nicely browned and crisp and all of the apples are tender. Transfer the pan to a rack and let the galette cool. Serve warm or at room temperature.
They said it was a “great year” for apples… and indeed, it was! Traditions are awesome, and picking apples is one of my favorites! Oak Glen is just so beautiful, and we have our routine down by now. Park, pick apples, hot dog lunch and apple cider, hike.
This year we even picked some fresh wild blackberries on our hike. While we were picking, we passed a school group. I heard the leader say, “Kids, don’t touch anything!” “That’s the difference between homeschoolers and public schoolers,” I thought… The homeschool teachers, (us moms), were saying, “Find us some blackberries, too! Go ahead and eat them! Hey, climb that tree! Ooh, jump over these rocks.” Daniel even had them pet bees — something even I wouldn’t do. But, that’s the beauty of having moms AND dads for teachers!
Until next year, Oak Glen…
It must be a long week… I just tried to wash my face with hair gel!
Truly, this week has not gone as planned. Life has a way of doing that to you, doesn’t it? Throwing the unexpected at you and trying to overwhelm you, I mean. The good news is, God is close to the broken-hearted. In my weakness, He is strong. I have felt unsure of myself this week. But, He is my sure foundation; the Rock on which I stand. Even as I type these words, (the Words of Truth), God is overwhelming me with a sense of peace. His peace passes all understanding. I am grateful for the extra time I have spent with him this week, crying out for him to help me with my situation. I am also grateful for his grace, as I have also selfishly wasted time when I know I should have been seeking him.
Most of all, I am thankful that his mercies are new every morning, and that he has already won the battle. My victory is in Christ alone!
You may see these pictures and think… “Poor thing! How sad!”
Yes, it is sad to see my baby wearing the “cone of shame;” (name that movie!) But, we are actually thrilled he is alive and only required a few stitches on the back of his leg.
I walked into the house from my morning jog, expecting everyone to be asleep as usual. Natalie came to me in tears and asked, “Did you let the cat out?” My heart dropped. She detailed the long, blood-curdling scream she had heard, and I told her “He’s gone, Sweetie.” We both searched, seemingly in vain, as we cried.
An hour later, guess who appeared at our back door? He was half covered in slime from some enormous animal, and had a back leg with a cut. Other than that, we saw nothing wrong.
We found a long, coarse hair from either a coyote or bobcat on him, confirming our suspicion that he was in a wild animal’s mouth. How did he survive? That is a mystery… though I am certain God had his hand in it. The vet was baffled and confirmed that our kitty is a miracle.
Angel, we’re so glad (and shocked) that you are alive! Praise God!!
It is finally finished… no more home inspections, no more social worker visits, and most of all no more worrying about whether we will lose him… After 446 days of living with the Yeh’s, Xavy has now officially been declared a Yeh! And we are thrilled to celebrate this “Gotcha Day” with him! Here is a picture recap of our morning.
Arriving…
Waiting…
Swearing in…
Answering questions…
Hearing the “official announcement…”
Celebrating with a picture…
And another…
Walking out…
A picture with our sweet social worker…
And a picture with our dear friend who drove all the way out to the courthouse early in the morning because she is precious like that! (And, she took all our pictures!)
It is hard to believe it is over. Court took all of 2 minutes; (a bit anti-climatic after months of classes, months of waiting to be cleared, months of waiting for a placement, and then months of fostering!) Yet, I am grateful for the wait. God does all things in His timing, and learning to rest in Him and enjoy the process is a challenge, but a good strengthening of character!
Xavy, long ago God put it on Papa’s heart that he was to adopt a little boy, and teach him about his heavenly father. Xavy, you are that special little boy. Little did we know, that you would be one to show us our Heavenly Father’s love in new and deeper ways. Thank you. And, welcome to the family!!
The garden doesn’t look so good right now. I picked the last bouquet of zinnias and sunflowers yesterday as I began to prune and pull. We still have beautiful butterflies and the air is still warm, yet there is a scent of fall that is unmistakable. Because I love the turning of seasons so much, I actually don’t mind the ugliness of the garden.
It was so wonderful to be outside enjoying a “normal” weekend; one that comes at the end of a routine week of school. The kids did their chores, and once again there was music in the air from piano practice and a last splash in the pool. The hum of the wash machine sounded throughout the day.
Today Daniel made his famous quiche for breakfast, and we are now headed to church. Though we only missed one week, the kids said it feels like “forever” since we last went to church. Today’s plans include pulling down our fall bins from the garage and decorating while munching our fall mix and making a stew for dinner. I think I may even take a Sunday afternoon nap…
After Sacramento, we drove down to spend the weekend with my parents in San Mateo. It was this little guy’s first time to Grandma and Grandpa’s house. The cooler fall weather had me all smiles. Daniel and I planned to take them to the beach, but they preferred to go to their favorite park instead.
Uncle Nate and aunt Hilary joined us for dinner one night, and the kids were thrilled to see them. Aunt Hilary showed up with a special fall project for the kiddos. I think I was the most excited to see jack-o-lanterns. (I have fall fever right now; can you tell?)
I don’t think Xavy will ever forget being chased around the house by Uncle Nate. Personally, I won’t forget his yummy chicken! It was a short but sweet trip. So thankful for family… and Fall!
