Am I Back...

well probably not.

As I was talking with my friend Tiffany the other day she says "I sure wish you would post on your blog". My response, "you mean after I train and homeschool my children, tend to my husband, clean the kitchen and weed the garden". Of course when I returned home I thought of all the other things I had to do...move furniture and nick-nacks so our new windows can be install this week (the week I start school at home), vacuum and mop all the floors, prepare the garden and flower beds for winter, start and finish decorating/painting the girl's room, so on and so on...

But as I was driving to and from Seattle yesterday (taking my little brother to the airport so he can fly to Europe) I realized it may be some what therapeutic to get my thoughts down on 'paper'. So here I am. Do I expect to stay? Well, time and time again I have had good intentions to post daily, I mean weekly, I mean monthly...on this blog and it has never happened. Nevertheless, I will try again.

So my first day back I thought I would tell you all once again how much I LOVE FALL!! It brings with it so much joy, along with comfort food, cool days, candles burning and beautiful colors.

This morning when I awoke I thought it a wonderful day to play fall. So I lit a candle, brewed a cup of Stumptown Coffee and whipped up a batch of Zucchini Blueberry Bread. You should try them. They are super yummy and a great way to use up all the zucchini that you have in your pantry.

Zucchini Blueberry Bread

3 eggs

2 c. vegetable oil (I recommend coconut oil or grape seed oil)

3 tsp. vanilla extract

2 1/4 c. sugar

2 c. grated zucchini

3 c. flour (I used all purpose gluten free flour)

1 t. salt

1 t. baking powder

1 t. baking soda

1 T. cinnamon

1 pint of blueberries

Mix together wet ingredients. In separate bowl mix together try ingredients. Then fold them together along with blueberries.

Back at 350 for 50 min.

*This morning I made this recipe into muffins. I have also used a mini loaf pan and a regular loaf pan. All come out beautifully. Enjoy~

Corn Casserole

This is my favorite holiday side dish. It is very easy and so yummy. I get asked for the recipe all the time so here it is...

Shoepeg Corn Casserole
2 cans white corn (I have used yellow corn and it works just fine)
1 can condensed cream of celery soup
1 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I use Tillamook sharp cheddar)
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup green peper
3/4 cup crushed butter flavored crackers
2 tbsp. butter, melted

Combine first 7 ingredients in a 2 quart baking dish. Sprinkle with crackers and drizzle with butter. Bake @ 350 or 20-25 min.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

One Thousand Gifts

I have been inspired by 'Multitude Monday' One Thousand Gifts at A Holy Experience (dot) com.
Starting today and each Monday to follow I plan to tell you of all the gifts I have been given. I was hoping to have pictures but today I do not but hope to in the future. Blessings on each of you this day.

#1 My Savior...

#2 I have been saved, I am being saved and I will be saved.

#3 My husband, my lover and my friend.

#4 My little kiddos, ever the one who we haven't met. God has formed you in my womb and I am ever so grateful.

#5 My home

#6 Laughter over dinner of new finn potatoes and fresh salmon.

#7 A family that stands strong.

#8 A best friend.

#9 Authentic and true worship of God's people

#10 God's word and the power it has in my life.

Week 14: Baby Update

Ok, we have made it to week 14. We have passed the incredibly nauseous, can't do anything state and into the I have an tons of energy and now I will crash (this happens about every four hours or so).

Nothing special about week 14 so I thought I would tell you about some of the food cravings I have been having. At the beginning of my pregnancy I was craving cherries. Thank God they were in season and I could find beautiful, delicious, organic cherries to fulfill my desires. Around week 9 I started craving bagels and cream cheese. I love the sprouted wheat bagels and used yummy Organic Valley cream cheese. Last week I started craving tomatoes, which I added to my bagel as well. Now yesterday I thought I would add a little turkey (needing more protein). It was wonderful. For now that is what sounds good but I am sure as time goes on I will experience other craving.

Hope you are all having a great week.

As many of you have commented it has been a very long time since I have post on my blog. I have missed this writing outlet. However time seems to have gotten away from me. Maybe it has something to do with having two active kids, a loving husband, few sibling house guest, a house and a yard to keep up with? You moms know what I mean?

All that being said I have a little announcement to make and then hopefully I will be posting a bit more often. We are excited to tell you that we are expecting baby Maher #3. I am 12 1/2 weeks along, making me due Feb. 10, 2010. If you are wondering how I am feeling?? Much, much better. Week 5-11 were really rough. Bad moods, nausea, exhaustion, just and overall feeling of yuck. But last week I believe I turned a corner and now I am feeling a bit more like myself.

I know, I should have announced earlier but we were waiting to see Dr. Jen our wonderful midwife. We had our first appointment last week and were able to hear the baby's heart beat. It took several minutes for her to find it. She tried a few different dopplers and after 4-5 min I was getting really nervous. She took a little break and talked to the baby and when she tried again we heard that sweet sound. What a relief.

Oh, by the way Hadassah is very excited to be having another baby around the house. She always asks if she can pray for the 'new baby' in my tummy. She knows what it takes for a healthy pregnancy. She is convinced it is another girl and we should name her Fancy Nancy. I hope it doens't break her heart if baby #3 comes out a little boy.

I am hoping to post pregnancy updates as things progress. So check back and hopefully you will enjoy tracking this fun time along with me. Blessings!

Our Holiday Journey

This is one of my favorite pictures from our home. Looking out into our back yard through one of my favorite decorations.

We were very blessed this year to have a white Christmas. However this spread our Christmas get togethers out over a few weeks. Here you will find a quick synopsis of our holiday season.

My girls helping me decorate for Christmas.

Hadassah putting our classic Christmas star atop our tree.

Using the tree skirt as a cape.

My girls and I in front of our tree.

Since Daddy was away Uncle Brenton and Uncle Derek helped us put up our tree.

Hadassah helping out with frosting cookies.

Or eating the frosting.

And Daddy saves the day. We had a bit of a Charlie Brown tree so when daddy came home he fixed it for us. We love you!

Christmas Eve with my Dad's family. Kate and Elijah.


Uncle Brenton, Uncle Lukas, Uncle Derek and Jenni all came to celebrate with us on Christmas Eve. On Christmas day the boys and Shane's sister all came out for dinner. It snowed Christmas Day. Oh, a beautiful white Christmas.

Pappa and Haddie.

Hadassah smiling at her fun, wooden birthday cake.

Opening gifts on Christmas morning.

Daddy helping Kate open her gifts.

The weekend after Christmas we celebrated with Grandma and Grandpa Maher. All was great fun. Shane and I even got a night away by ourselves.

New Years Even we celebrated with Uncle Meyer. Lots of fun.

Go LSU!!

The weekend after New Years we celebrated with the Dykstra family. It was a great time, fun gifts and yummy food. Sophia and Hadassah opening one of many wonderful gifts.

Sophie and Haddie with Aunt Barb.

Sopie and Haddie with Aunt Jan.

Uncle Brenton with Baby Kate.

Christmas is quite possibly one of my favorite times of the year. Add a little snow and I am a happy camper. We were so blessed to spend time with each of our family members. Most importantly was the time we spent, as a family, reflecting on how we have been blessed this past year. God has been good and we are so thankful that he is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lord. May this New Year bring you joy and peace.

Holiday Baking

I was just wondering who said it was good for the soul to bake in an organized kitchen??