Muffins, Waffles & More Baby Steps

It was baking day here at our humble abode! Or at least it was an afternoon of baking. By the time I got home from running the kids to TKD, our shopping trip to Aldi & a trip to pick up a uniform it was about 2p.m. by the time I got started.
As I mentioned in an earlier post I'm taking baby steps in OAMC (Once A Month Cooking). Today's goal was getting breakfast items in my freezer.

First on the list were several batches of Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins.

Next was a quadruple batch of Coffee Cake Muffins.

Oh that cinnamon smelled yummy!

Bugsy was a sweet helper running to get me items & then sprinkling the cinnamon & sugar mix on every muffin.

After a taste of a Coffee Cake Muffin he gave it 2 thumbs up!

These poor little guys didn't fare so well. The bottom rack was too close to the bottom of the stove & their poor little bums burned. =( We salvaged them cutting off the burnt parts. It hasn't deterred the kids from eating them for one second! =)

Fresh from the oven!

Last but not least came the waffles. I made a quadruple batch of these too.

103 muffins all bagged up & ready for my freezer!

Dave offered to cook up the waffles for me. I was so tired I gratefully accepted.

A small stack.

These were only a few of what Dave cooked up. The kids had some for dinner & the remainder went into our freezer.

Next I hope to start prep work on our dinners! Today I did most of the shopping for them. Baby steps. Baby steps.

Baking With My Boys

We've been trying to get back to making more baked good at home. It saves money which is #1. It is more filling for the kids as it adds to dinner & makes for a heartier breakfast too. The kids all love to cook & bake. I believe it's an important skill for both my girls & boys to learn.

The boys wanted to make Sassy Cinnamon Muffins on Thursday so we set to work. I quadrupled the recipe. I was impressed at how easily Elvis converted the measurements. They took turns adding the ingredients & then stirring them all up.

Stirring the batter together!

We decided to add in an extra treat to our muffins. Apples! I cut the apples up into little pieces. The boys enjoyed taking turns putting them in the batter.

Here are our muffins! We had some for a snack as we couldn't' wait for dinner time. Lol! We all had some at dinner too. Delicious! The boys were very proud of their work.

Snowed In

A huge snowstorm hit us today. Well, huge for us Southerners anyway. The part that worried me was the ice. I begged Dave not to go into work & he finally relented. He was grateful for this decision a few hours later when he saw the condition of the roads & many wrecks on t.v. His office even sent everyone home at 10:30 a.m. That NEVER happens! He worked from home instead.
We had prepared for the storm ahead of time so we were all stocked up with milk, bread, eggs, canned goods (in case the electricity went out), & paper goods. I dropped by the library with the kids on Thursday and we all picked up books and a couple of movies. Dave stocked the last of our firewood inside and on the back patio. Let it snow!

I woke up early as I was worried about Dave. Though I was tired I got a lot done with my early start. After doing some laundry & cleaning I started some cooking. Bugs helped me make chicken vegetable soup for lunch.

Then I thawed a pork loin to put in the crockpot.

I couldn't resist showing my savings. Lol.

Chopping more veggies for our soup & onions for the pork dish.

Don't worry he only helped put them in the bowl.

While I took a break to nurse Princess the boys & Sweet Pea made blueberry muffins from scratch to go with our soup.

They love to stir & measure!

Outside the storm had arrived.

The snow came first which surprised us as the forecast was for ice first.

It's hard to see but it was coming down fast & the wind was blowing too. When Bugs & I went out to get the mail it stung us as it hit us in the face.

Lucy found a warm spot to play by the heating vent.

The boys wanted to go out and play. It took forever to find snow gear & get it on them. But we were successful thanks to Daddy helping.

Waiting for Boo to hurry up so they could go out.

And waiting.............

I finally just let them go & off they ran.

They made snow angels.

We 3 girls stayed inside.

Sweet Pea & Princess

Princess wanted Sweet Pea to play.

Snow fun!

Daddy was in the office working hard.

Lucy hung out with Romeo.

I think Bailey had the right idea.

Boo made it outside & they had fun playing together.

Sweet Pea couldn't resist & gave into some playtime.

After playtime we all had a yummy lunch of homemade soup & muffins. Our afternoon was nice & lazy with naps and some schoolwork. I love cozy days at home.

November

I can't keep up! So many things going on at once. I finally finished my sewing projects for Christmas gifts but I am kicking myself because I forgot to take pictures before I mailed them out. Drat! I still have baking & lots of wrapping to do. Only 2 more days to get it all done!

I thought I'd take a quick break and post some November pics before Christmas arrives. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and the weeks leading up to it.

WE MADE CRAFTS

He colored his hand print turkey.

Boo made an Indian hat for Elvis.

He played many hours in it.

Boo holding Bugsy's turkey. She helped cut & glue.

Elvis' hand print turkey. He wasn't too into it and did a sloppy job. But at least I got his hand print for memories.

A close-up of his headdress.

Boo made this comical turkey beak.

I cracked up every time I saw it.

Aren't they hilarious?

They also made pilgrims.

And turkeys from large leaves & pine cones.

Lots of glue of course!

BAKING TIME!

Pouring in the milk.

Adding the pumpkin.

Elvis could do it all by himself this year.

Stirring it all up.

Princess watched & waited patiently.

Bugs poses with his bowl of ingredients.

Stir, stir, stir.

He HAD to taste the chocolate chips.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

YUMMY!

THANKSGIVING DAY

Oh, so delicious!

And the rest! It all wouldn't fit on the table.

We had a little Indian join us for dinner.

And a beautiful baby.

After our feast it was time for PIE!

There was much to choose from.

Lemon Merigue.....

Chocolate Pie...........

................Pumpkin Pie......

.......and Apple Pie.
Oh so good!