More Park Pics

At the Park & In the Kitchen

Even though we're still rocketing passed 100 degrees each day, the calendar says it's Fall and we're tired of being stuck inside. We have braved the heat a few mornings and spent them at the park. Aside from the occasional run-in with a bee, Liza is delighted. 

Now that I've appeased the grandparents, aunts, and uncles with their daily dose, I'd like to share a new recipe. I've tried a few blueberry muffin recipes and have never been quite satisfied. These muffins though, well, they please me in taste, texture, and ease of preparation. They'll be my go-to blueberry recipe from now on.

Cinnamon Sugar Blueberry Muffins

1/2 c. old-fashioned oats

1/2 c. orange juice

2 eggs

1/2 c. canola oil

1 c. all-purpose flour

1/2 c. white whole wheat flour

1/2 c. sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1 c. frozen unsweetened blueberries

a pinch of sugar + a generous dash of cinnamon for each muffin

1. Line a 12-muffin tin with paper liners. Spray lightly with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. In a small bowl, combine the oats and oj, let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in egg and oil until blended. Combine the flours, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Stir into oat mixture just until moistened. Fold in blueberries.

3. Fill cups 2/3 full with batter. Sprinkle muffin tops with sugar and cinnamon. Bake for 18 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.

Adapted from allrecipes.com.

Friday Letter #3 - Grandparents

Dear Liza,

While thinking about this letter today, I've had so much fun poking around in my memories of my grandparents' houses. Here are just a few of my most favorite at Grandpa & Gramma's:

eating carrot sticks with Catalina out of blue china bowls,

red floor pillows and Saturday night t.v.,

riding bikes up and down the driveway with cousins and neighbors,

hauling my collection of Dr. Seuss books to the butler's pantry and creating my very own lending library,

and at Pete & Ditty's:

chocolate ice cream in milk,

spinning and bouncing off the table in the black vinyl kitchen chairs,

the big porch swing,

hammering, sanding, and painting in the shed,

watching "The Sound of Music" over and over again (Aunt Gini and I can recite a good portion of it still today).

Bitsy, You're a lucky girl to have two sets of grandparents that love you like crazy. There's something special about the time you'll spend at their houses having fun and creating unique memories. Daddy and I are already enJOYing watching you build relationships with Grandpa & Nana and Grandaddy & Mimi.

And, it's only going to get better with time!

Love, Mama

This post was inspired by FridayLetters.com.

Uncle Allen Was Here Too!

Four Generations

While Lee was away for most of August, reinforcements arrived from the east and west coasts. It was so much fun to have company and help around the house. Liza was especially ecstatic with all of the new people to talk to and play with. During their visit Liza decided that Gramommy is now Mimi. It's less of a mouthful and much more fun to say over and over and over again.

Mimi, Gigi, Aunt Gibi (and Uncle Annen), thanks for sweeping in and filling the hole left by Lee's absence. We loved having you and can't wait for your next visit!!

Friday Letter #2 - Friendship

Dear Liza,

There are many types of friends, and they will each serve a different purpose in your life. There will be some that are just plain fun to hang out with. Others will share the same passions as you which provides an instant conversation and activity to do together. Then there are those that will be important for one stage of your life, but like travelers on a journey will just be passing through, moving on as you both grow and change.

Besides your daddy, who I consider to be my closest friend, there are two friends of mine who I consider very real, better than good and if I liked this word (which I don't because it feels so exclusive) my best friends. Why? They both happened to go through life-changing experiences with me. There's nothing more that shows just who your friends are than to experience something big together. These two girls know me well. They've seen me at my worst, picked me up, and helped me get it back together. They've cheered with me at my best moments too. I know that no matter what, they are both always there, willing to listen, offer advice, laugh, and experience life's JOY with me.

Bitsy, I have no idea who your friends will be, where or when they'll appear in your life, what role they will play in your journey, whether there will be many or just a select few. I'm looking forward to discovering them with you. Sometimes you will choose to seek your friends out before your family, or even instead of your family, and that's okay. My wish for you is that you'll find friends who will stand by you, encourage you to be your best self, and love you unconditionally like my friends have done for me.

Love, Mama

This post was inspired by FridayLetters.com.

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