Ra Ra Raspberry!

 
The organic raspberries from my Aunty and Uncles farm are usually to great to freeze but it was a bumper crop last year and I did sneak a few bags in to jam and into the freezer before my family ate them up.
Little Brother and I passed by Starbucks and my eye caught a quick glimpse of a raspberry loaf.  Three hours later it was on my counter!
My Mr. had it in his lunch today and raved about it later when he got home from work.
 

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) butter, softened
  • 1 cup (250 mL) granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1-1/2 cups 1-1/2cups(375 mL) (375 mL) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp (10 mL) grated lemon zest
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
  • 1/2 cup  (125 mL) buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup (60 mL) lemon juice
  • 2 cups (500 mL) frozen raspberries, thawed and drained

Preparation

In bowl, beat butter with sugar until light and fluffy; beat in eggs, 1 at a time. Whisk together flour, lemon zest, baking powder and salt; stir into butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, making 3 additions of flour mixture and 2 of buttermilk. Stir in lemon juice.

Spread one-third of the batter in parchment paper–lined 8- x 4-inch (1.5 L) loaf pan. Arrange half of the raspberries over top. Repeat layers once. Top with remaining batter.

Bake in 350ºF (180ºC) oven until cake tester inserted in centre comes out clean, about 1 hour. Let cool in pan on rack for 10 minutes. Turn out onto rack; let cool completely.

I like to slice up pieces and wrap individually for lunches, sharing and on the go.  Not a slice went to waste!

glow


 
The first picture makes me laugh. 
I was attempting to get quick picture of a new cook book I picked up at Costco that has a few good ideas for the baby shower I am co hosting.  The lighting on our hardwoods is great, way better than our black granite so I more often than not take advantage of the great light and photograph tons on the floor.
Something photo bombed my photo!
It was that sweet little baby we have yet to meet!
I'm still in my regular clothing but the zippers on my Lulu hoodies are getting snug :)  Time to up size the hoodies!
I feel super great and Dr. says baby is BIG!  Makes me feel like I'm doing a good job as a Mom already!
 
 
Have you read this book?
There are a few recipes that look yummy and we can't wait to try.
The photography is good too.
So much fun to cook with great tools, I have a super great set of pots.  Go titanium go!
Off to try a new recipe!

mini banana muffins with my mini muffin










He goes to school in the mornings.
We usually have piano practice or lesson and either bake or do an art project in the afternoons.
It is perfect.
He will go to school all day next year.  Eeeek.
My life at home is wonderful.  Working online is perfect, I can mark papers without doing my hair!
It is a great balance for me.
I will look forward to opportunities to work outside the home one day but why my boys are young I am thrilled to be able to spend so much time with them!
Warmer days are coming and more outside time means slightly less baking which is good for this Mom!
Spring is a great time to live in the glory of nature and all the new life it brings.
 

first day of spring art

 Set up was easy.  We actually had all we needed in the studio. Love that place. 
 Each artist chose his colours
 and shape
 and we began!

 (little brother was a quick study, he had Cheerios that needed to be ate! He puts down his brush so sweetly when he is done.)

The shapes will be removed.
A great project for combined skill levels!
The end result is a great way to talk about colour, shades, pattern, blending, line, space and depth.
Or you can just hang up the canvases and enjoy art made by your awesome kids and the great time you had!

Happy St Patrick's Day!


 
 
He woke up to a trail of gold!

Green milk!

And everybody wearing green!
His excitement has kept me smiling all morning.
It will be fun to see what tricks that sneaky leprechaun will be up to for the rest of the day! 
Today I feel so lucky for just being a Mom and having my boys to love.
We watched 12 Years a Slave over the weekend at the cabin.  I can't but help to hug my boys a little closer when I think of the pain of them being torn from me like the Mom character in the show.  It makes me think of how lucky/blessed/gifted I am to be able to be a Mom everyday.
 
 



a fresh breath of air



The weather and gloom were just too much for me this year. 
I needed a new, fresh breath of air and I didn't even realize how much I needed it until today! 
Little Brother and I dressed up in our rain boots and headed out for some fun.
I knew it would probably end with wet pants and water spilling out of our rubber boots but I got even more out of our afternoon of play than I expected.
As he splashed I splashed. We laughed.  We really laughed. I stopped caring about how dirty and the water splashing us was and started being thankful for being able to splash with this sweet little guy. 
He reminded me that you don't need anything but a good attitude to have fun. Real fun. Not fake fun. 
He reminded me that all he needs is love and attention, honest love and honest attention. 
He reminded me that the will not be two forever and someday he won't want to splash in a puddle and I will probably miss that.
He reminded me why I should leave the cell phone in my purse.
He reminded me of what true happiness is.
He reminded me it is not the destination, it is the journey.
A fresh breath of air. Just what I needed!

our family will be growing by two feet!

 This is my happiness!
We have five bedrooms upstairs and they are filling up fast!
It sure is hard to mark papers and keep my mind on grocery list items lately.
Everything in the nursery is still intact we just need tot restock and evict the tenant....his new big boy bed in his new room just isn't quite interesting enough to him yet.  He will get there, when we are all ready!
 

For now we enjoy sporadic baby talk. In the middle of a meal baby name discussions, holiday planning (one last trip as a family of four!), and summer vacations plans that will need to happen around the arrival of this must anticipated and long awaited bundle of joy.  My email is full of "I knew it would happen soon, glad your wait is over!" and "can't think of two more deserving Parents!"  My heart is full and although number 3 didn't happen as quick as we would have liked we are so thrilled and excited and happy that we are blessed again!
I love the cleaning out of closets and the pantry while the 3 boys play in the hot tub or in the snow.  My mind wanders as I build hotwheel tracks and lego creatures to how lucky I am to be a Mom once again.  How important the support and love of family and friends are. It reminds me to take nothing for granted, every breath, every kind and thoughtful person in our lives, every second is precious.  Each snuggle with my sons and each movie night or workout with my husband.  (workouts, yes, I have to build up stamina for an upcoming trip that will involved LOTS of walking and bathing suits!)

 
My Mom was in my dream last night.  We were visiting and talking and then I remembered that  I hadn't told her I was pregnant and it was suddenly time to go.  I touched her warm arm and said, "Mom, I didn't tell you I am pregnant!" She smiled so warmly and said, "I know Honey, I know."  When I woke up this morning it was like I had really talked with her.  In my heart I feel that she does know.  My Mom was always one of the first people to hold my babies in the hospital.  She also slept with the phone while I labored for 26 hours with our first son. Other than my husband and myself there was no one I trusted more with our brand new baby than my Mom. My heart aches that she will not be there in the hospital room this time.  I know I will wait to see her and she will not come. 
Life is a blessing. Each day.  Being prego makes me emotionally in a really good way (most of the time!).  I play "run" with my favorite 2 year old instead of unloading the dishwasher.  I draw and journal with my favorite 5 year old instead of checking my email.  I put off marking to go on a quick date quick my husband.  I have tea with my Dad more often instead of blogging, like I am about to do now.
 
 

We are so excited to share...

It has been a hard secret to keep!
We've known since the first week in December!
So excited, happy, blessed to add to our sweet family once again!
(this is why we ordered the TWO sets of log bunks for the cabin this summer! We knew it would happen, we were just waiting and waiting and waiting!)
 
Love your Mommy and Daddy!
 

a little taste of some big news!

 There is a sweet new baby in town!
Seven pounds and 3 ounces of sweetness to be exact!
 Sweet baby and family are doing just fine.
What an amazing world we live in!
More photos and details to follow.
I am too smitten to blog and have way more pictures to take!
There are two siblings at home who need to get in on the photo action.