Mmmm Granola!

This is the best homemade granola I've tasted. Antonia introduced me to it at Annie's shower-LOVE it! Now I just have to get the courage to try the homemade yogurt she says is oh so easy.... it intimidates me! This recipe is in my new More With Less cookbook (thanks, mom!)

Simple Granola

Preheat oven to 250.

Combine in a large mixing bowl:

2 cups whole wheat flour

6 cups rolled oats

1 cup coconut

1 cup wheat germ

(I added some slivered almonds, crushed walnuts & ground flax. do a bit less oats if you do this. you can also do half flax half wheat germ)

Blend together separately:

1/2 cup water

1 cup oil

1 cup coconut

1 cup honey or corn syrup

2 tsp. vanilla

1 Tbsp. salt

Directions:

Add blended liquids to dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Spread out on 2 greased jelly roll pans/cake pan and bake 1 hour or until dry and golden. I mix it after 30 minutes. Store in covered containers for a week or freeze.

Easter Pics

"I have set the LORD always before me.  Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, becuase you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your holy one see decay.  You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16: 8-11

Cousin Claire

Susan made Sharon's and my dress in the 70's! And she made Blaise's sweet little outfit too! 

Egg hunt! 

Cousin Colleen

Pinata time at Innsbrook! 

Nine Months!

Blaise is nine months and is a very busy boy; he’s on the move and loves to explore! Our hard wood floors have him crawling with one leg tucked under while the other does the pushing. Pulling up is his favorite activity and he tries to on everything! (Even the toilet-yuck! We are keeping doors closed now! ) The dishwasher and refrigerator get him so excited and make him move the fastest. Needless to say, there’s been a lot of baby proofing going on around here!

A few other firsts/updates….  

• Teeth! The top two have now joined the bottom two. I thought they had broken through until last night when he got really upset. David went and bought some baby motrin then took him for a walk to calm him since nothing else would! Hopefully, the worst is behind us!  

• Finger foods. He is trying to feed himself and is most successful with Joe’s O’s (aka cheerios) and mashed black beans. There's lots of recreation and exploration going on with food at our house! (Unfortunately, not too much makes the mouth!) Apparently, this is not unusual for this stage!  

• He weighed about 21lbs at his 9month check up (60%) and was 27 3/4’ (75%).  

• We got rear-ended. ;( Thankfully the lady was not going very fast! Blaise was in his nice new car seat (still rear facing) and seems to be fine- for which we are very thankful! My neck unfortunately is still sore, especially at the end of the day, so I've been going to a chiropractor since it's covered under insurance. (She had State Farm too & was from Rolla! ;)  

• We're also thankful that David still has a job! Last month, instead of layoffs and firing people, his company cut everyone’s pay 20% (so now we're sticking super tight to our excel spreadsheet budget! ;) Ideally, he works less hours, too, so it is nice to have him around a bit more! He's been riding his bike to work since parking costs $60 a month and we've been trying to get creative with other ways to save $$. I'll take him if it's raining and Blaise and I enjoy the scenic drive of old cathedrals, big buildings and the Arch!  

Here are a few more pics from the past month.....

"Look what I did! " (These pictures are getting progressively harder to take!) 

two roudy bears! (blaise & ellie grace)

will, blaise & kate chilling at the botanical gardens

blaise's first carousal ride! (the music was a bit loud-he wasn't sure what to think!) he loved the butterflies in the butterfly house at the park too but unfortunately the pics didn't turn out. 

carrots-wonderfully cool teethers

LOVES watching the washer. unfortunately, he has now discovered how to turn the knobs and push buttons and turned the cycle off the other day! 

Happy Easter!

We celebrate today because our Savior has conquered death and has risen! Thank you, Lord! 

"In Christ Alone"

In Christ alone my hope is found;

He is my light, my strength, my song;

This cornerstone, this solid ground,

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My comforter, my all in all—

Here in the love of Christ I stand.

 

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,

Fullness of God in helpless babe!

This gift of love and righteousness,

Scorned by the ones He came to save.

Till on that cross as Jesus died,

The wrath of God was satisfied;

For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—

Here in the death of Christ I live.

 

There in the ground His body lay,

Light of the world by darkness slain;

Then bursting forth in glorious day,

Up from the grave He rose again!

And as He stands in victory,

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;

For I am His and He is mine—

Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

 

No guilt in life, no fear in death—

This is the pow'r of Christ in me;

From life's first cry to final breath,

Jesus commands my destiny.

No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand;

Till He returns or calls me home—

Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend

Copyright © 2001 Kingsway Thankyou Music

Good Friday

 O Come and Mourn with Me Awhile

1. O come and mourn with me awhile,
O come ye to the Savior’s side
O come, together let us mourn,
Jesus our Lord is crucified.

2. Seven times He spake seven words of love;
And all three hours His silence cried
For mercy on the souls of men;
Jesus our Lord is crucified.

Chorus: O love of God! O sin of man!
In this dread act Your strength is tried;
And victory remains with love;
Jesus our Lord is crucified!

3. O break, O break, hard heart of mine!
Thy weak self-love and guilty pride
His Pilate and His Judas were:
Jesus our Lord is crucified.

4. A broken heart, a fount of tears,
Ask, and they will not be denied;
A broken heart love’s cradle is:
Jesus our Lord is crucified.
(Repeat chorus)

Tag: And victory remains with love;
Jesus our Lord is crucified!

©1999 Eric Ashley Music. 

Words:Frederick Faber

Weeeee Swinging!

Blaise has a new favorite-swinging at the park! 

Here are a few shots from his first time in a "real" swing taken at Forest Park on Saturday. 

Blaise and his bud, Micah. (Micah preferred trying to eat dirt & rocks over swinging;) 

Spring, Glorious Spring!

A few recent shots from our favorite place-the Missouri Botanical Gardens of course! 

Mmmm Spinach Bars!

My mom brought these tasty bars over after Blaise was born. Makes a wonderful, high protein breakfast or a lovely brunch dish! Easy and quick to make!

Spinach Bars

3 eggs

1 cup whole-wheat flour

1 cup skim milk

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking powder

2 T melted butter

2 boxes frozen chopped spinach (10 oz. each), defrosted, squeezed dry

1 lb. Monterrey Jack cheese, shredded (I used 2% mozzarella, I'm sure you could do cheddar too)

1 small onion, chopped

1/2 c. diced red peppers (I used Trader Joe’s tri colored frozen ones and cut them up with kitchen scissors while partly frozen)

(I added sausage last time I made it, mushrooms would also be good!)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Whisk eggs, milk, salt, baking powder, butter, flour and several grinds of pepper in very large bowl. Add onions, spinach and cheese; mix well.

Spray a 9x13" glass baking dish. Spread spinach mixture into it. Bake for 40 minutes or until the top is a nice shade of golden brown. Let cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting.

Enjoy!