Peach Cobbler

I've really been enjoying the peaches down here. I think the season begins earlier than what I am used to because of the warmth, and there is no shortage of them, for sure! I had never made a peach cobbler before, but lately it's been sounding really good. I used this Taste of Home recipe and have made it twice in the past week and a half! It says to use 2 peaches (??) which doesn't make sense. The first time I made it I'm pretty sure I used 5 and this time I used 6. I think 5 was a perfect amount for an 8x8 pan. I also used just under 1/2 cup butter. It was deeeelish!

I feel very Southern. :)

You Might Think I'm Crazy...

...but I know what I saw. Or didn't see.

Yesterday I was out and about running errands. I needed to make a left hand turn onto the highway, but the turn signal was red, however the light was still green for cars going straight. So, I was stuck at this light for a while. It's fairly common down here to see people in the median or on the side of the road homeless or in need of money. I mean, it's not like every street corner, but I see it more here than I have before. Well, except for Northampton. Anyway, so there is a man standing in the median with a teeny piece of cardboard that simply says "Homeless. God Bless You." My heart always goes out to people that I see begging like that. I guess it makes me think about what got them to this point and how hard it would be to "come back" from it. Plus, I always just feel super self-aware when I'm sitting there in my brand new car, enjoying my perfect little life, and these poor people are practically staring me in the face. And I can't spare something to help?! Please. Ok, anyway, so it was almost 90 yesterday, not to mention humid and I figured this guy had to be thirsty. I had been to Target earlier in the day and gotten 2 large bottles of Starbucks Frappucino's. So, I rolled down my window and called out to him. He came over and I offered him one. I said it wasn't cold, but he said that was okay..it was wet! So, he proceeds to start telling me that he doesn't have anything in this world, but he has Jesus and even though he's homeless, Jesus still loves him and he can talk to Him. On & on he goes. At one point, I agree with him that the Bible does say that Jesus loves him. Finally, the arrow turns green (this was a seriously long light!) and I say, "Well, my arrow is green, hope you have a nice day!". He says thank you & God bless and off I go. So, I'm making my turn and look in my rearview mirror and...

HE WAS GONE!!

I'm telling you. NOT THERE. He did not cross the 4-lane highway, he was not hanging onto my bumper, he was just gone.

So, you think what you want. I'm just saying....

"Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13: 1-2

Who's Training Who?

We (as in Alex & I) have been having a rough couple days this week. Partially of my own doing.

I do believe that the process of training Alex began almost immediately in the form of establishing some routines, or expectations, for him. We started off great..he'd eat, be up for a little bit, then I would swaddle him and put him in his crib to sleep. Rinse and repeat about every 3 hours. After weeks of this, I began to allow him to also nap in his Boppy during the day for a change of scenery. Once we set up the swing and I realized how much he loved that, the "routine" has morphed into feeding him, playing with him, and I then put him in the swing. Which he inevitably falls asleep in until feeding time. As it has been lately, the only time he has been swaddled and put into his crib is at night after his last feeding.

When Alex was 2 weeks old, he began sleeping through the night, waking up only once to eat, and would go back to sleep until about 6:00 am...no fuss, no muss. Lately, however, once he eats he does not want to be put back down and go to sleep. Our days, most noticeably this week, have not been much better. The only time he seems really content is when he is in his swing. He does not cry constantly or anything, he's not colicky, but he is definitely fussy...unless he's in his swing. I used to be able to go and do things during the day while he slept peacefully in his car seat. This week, however, it seems any time I've left the house it's resulted in a meltdown. I don't mind changing diapers, getting spit up on, giving baths, holding him or any of the "mothering" duties. Where I start to lose it is when all of his needs have been met and there is nothing I can do to appease him, because essentially, there is nothing wrong.

This week has been so trying for me and I'm positive there are many more to come. I've chosen to be angry at times and I even tried to reason with a 6-week old. Neither of which were in the least bit effective or made me feel any better. I've spent much time this week confessing my anger and spite and yesterday, amid tears, shame, and regret, I began to view things a little differently. I suddenly realized that in training my child, I have also become the trainee. This new job called Motherhood is a road I've never traveled and I have much to learn. Patience being the most obvious.

A couple of weeks ago, I called a dear friend because I was beginning to understand how some animals could eat their young. Yesterday, I reviewed some things she said and wrote it down to constantly remind me.

1. I need to put off bitterness, resentment, and anger...all of which stem from PRIDE and SELFISHNESS.
2. I need to put on confession, hear what scripture says, and renew my mind.
   
3. I need to constantly be confessing my sin, most noticeably of late is anger.

I also began to realize some other things (with the help of my husband!). I am partially to blame for the un-settledness of our recent days. While I do not think that I need to be so stringent as to never break from a routine, I have realized the value in consistency. In many ways, I've "given in" to my 6-week old by allowing him to set the rules. I know to some that may sound crazy, but in life, he won't be able to only do the things that make him happy, so why would I start that as a precedent now, even at this early early age? Granted, things have been crazy here lately...moving, traveling to visit family, there hasn't been much of a norm, but I haven't been very consistent in areas I could be...in what I know is best for him (and us!) in the long run.

So, beginning today, we started something new-ish. He eats, and I play with him for a bit and put him in his swing for about 1/2 an hour. After that, whether he falls asleep or not, he gets put into his crib. Surprisingly, (or maybe not so?), we're having a great day! He seems almost more secure and content in getting back to the old routine. I think he is even napping better being back in his crib. It does seem that he doesn't sleep as soundly or as long when he's in his swing.

I'm not inclined to think that I have this all figured out. But, I am pleased that, praise the Lord, we seem to have had a breakthrough today. I have a lot to learn about Motherhood, but I realize that I cannot do it in my own flawed, sinful, strength. I have to allow myself to be constantly changed.

Looking for Me?

Baby Alex has arrived about 6 weeks ago and there have been many many changes going on in our life. Read more here!

the {Pumpkin Queen}

I think I should hitherto be known as the Pumpkin Queen. I've been cooking so much with it lately, but 'tis the season and it's been so good!

Today for breakfast, I made these Pumpkin Pancakes courtesy of my mother-in-law, courtesy of my sister-in-law, courtesy of allrecipes.com! It made quite a large batch (10 pancakes, I think?) so we have a couple left over for breakfast tomorrow. These were YUMMY! Light and fluffy, very flavorful, wonderful with butter and syrup. Definitely a "will-make-again".

And... {PS: I currently have Pumpkin Whoopie Pies in the oven...again!}


Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 egg
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons vinegar

Directions

In a separate bowl, mix together the milk, pumpkin, egg, oil and vinegar. Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon, ginger and salt, stir into the pumpkin mixture just enough to combine.

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

Counting Down...

In just a couple short hours, we will know what "type" of Baby Shaw we're having!! I'm so excited I could...well, you know. Pee. Which is a good thing because I'm supposed to about 1.5 hours before my appointment. Then, after "you-know", I have to drink 24oz water in 1 hour for the ultrasound. (Was that TMI?!)

Pending full and complete cooperation from the construction zone, I'll be sure to post the "results" soon!

Have I mentioned how excited I am?!

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

So, what should you do with some leftover pumpkin? Make pumpkin whoopie pies, of course! This recipe was originally called MINI Pumpkin Whoopie Pies, but since there's only the two of us, I figured we really don't need 36 {mini} pies! Better to make 10 regular size ones. :o) Not only do these pies have the standard cream filling, but it's a cream cheese filling. Yum. Definitely put these on your "to bake" list.

COOKIES
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
1 cup 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

CREAM CHEESE FILLING
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

FOR COOKIES:
PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Lightly grease or line four baking sheets with parchment paper.COMBINE flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and salt in medium bowl. Beat butter and sugar in large mixer bowl on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add pumpkin and vanilla extract; beat until smooth. Stir in flour mixture until combined. Drop by heaping measuring teaspoons onto prepared baking sheets. (A total of 72 cookies are needed for the mini pie recipe.)BAKE for 10 to 13 minutes or until springy to the touch. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

FOR CREAM CHEESE FILLING:
BEAT cream cheese, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl on medium speed until fluffy. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until light and fluffy.SPREAD a heaping teaspoon of filling onto flat side of one cookie; top with flat side of second cookie to make a sandwich. Repeat with remaining cookies and filling. Store in covered container in refrigerator.

*Since I made regular size pies, the cookie "drops" were more like a heaping tablespoon or two and the same when spreading the filling on the baked cookies.