Growing and Changing

 As of Monday, Daniel started working in a whole new way.  As in, not just around the corner anymore.  As in, in a gorgeous new building... that is at least 35 minutes away.  No more little lunches at home and no more seeing Daddy five minutes after he gets off work.  Other than the fact that the building is absolutely amazing and perfect for the company he works, I'll admit to being a little bummed out.  Luckily, when we move in July we'll be quite a bit closer.

In the meantime, Little Nugget is ever-nearing her birthday and I've learning to revel even more in her growth.  Sometimes she just snuggles into my shoulder and I realize what a beautiful gift I've been given and the stress of running a business from home while raising a baby just melts away.

Her birthday party is on Saturday, and I've been gathering all the supplies for it.  I hope it's lovely.  I know she won't remember it, but I do think a little bit of this party is for Daniel and I... to breathe a little sigh of relief that we survived the first year.  We've got a long way to go, but by golly, we're going to celebrate every chance we've got.

We've started to get creative with food, and I love it!  As you can see, she adores rice... but the kid makes a ginormous mess with it, so maybe not every night.  I love watching her try new foods.  She surprised me by thinking kiwi is the greatest gift she's ever been given and tonight ate pasta and shredded chicken with cautious excitement (meaning she's the slowest eater ever with finger food, but we just give her the time and let her eat what she wants in between spoon feeding). 

 

Possibly the highlight of my week was Anni creating her own hide-and-go-seek.  One of us hides behind the door (which she will swing so you can't see her) and then when you peek out she stares, cackles like crazy, flops on her tummy and runs (er... crawls really fast) away.  I love, love, love hearing her laugh.  It makes me want to scoop her up and kiss her a thousand times just so I can remember these moments.  I want her to always know she's loved.

 

We're also working on standing a lot.  She can't pull herself up, but this girl can hold her own against a wall!  I know she's behind on walking, but I'm really not worried at all.  She'll get there in her own little way just like she's done everything else.  Because, as much as I'm raising her, she's teaching me a whole lot about slowing down and taking time to grow.  We're going to get there together, this girl and I.   

Former Fridays: A Happy Birthday Post!

I know, I have been absolutely awful about keeping up with these.  Blame it on a mobile baby :).  However, I had to make sure to wish my sister (the oldest, she keeps us in line) a happy birthday.  Every time I see this picture I marvel at how huge that cake is!  She deserves that and more!  Love you, Millie!

Happy Easter!

Hope you all are having a sweet and blessed Easter Sunday!

Hot Cross Buns

 

Hot cross buns!

This recipe is (minutely) adapted from: Breaking Bread with Father Dominic.

Hot cross buns!
One ha' penny, two ha' penny,
Hot cross buns!
If you have no daughters,
Give them to your sons
One ha' penny,
Two ha' penny,
Hot Cross Buns!

My sister started our family in following the tradition of eating hot cross buns on Good Friday a few years ago, and luckily she passed her recipe on so I could make them despite being away from the family.  They're a simple bun, but with enough hearty sustenance to get you through the fast.  

 

Needed: 

4 to 4 1/2 cups flour, divided

1/2 cup whole wheat (graham) flour (I've never been able to find it, so I just use whole wheat)

1 package Active Dry Yeast

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 1/4 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 cup milk

1/2 cup butter

2 eggs, beaten

3/4 cups craisins soaked in 2 tspoons water

Combine 2 cups of the bread flour, whole wheat flour, yeast, sugar, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in a large bowl; stir until thoroughly blended.  

Combine milk and butter in saucepan.  Warm over low heat, stirring occasionally until butter melts.  Remove from heat and let cool to lukewarm.  Stir in eggs.

Add milk mixture to flour mixture, beat for 200 strokes (here's where my husband ended up helping, my arm got tired!  Ignore the strange things I use to beat... we make do :)). 

Stir in craisins.  Ad 2 cups bread flour, mix until flour is incorporated.  Turn dough out on a floured surface.  Knead lightly, adding enogh of the remaining flour to make a soft dough that doesn't stick.  

Knead about 5 min., or until dough is smooth and elastic.  Lightly rub surface of dough with oil or butter; place in rinsed bowl.  Cover and let rise in a warm draft-free place for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until it rises to two times it's original size.

Punch down dough and transfer to a floured surface.  Knead lightly to remove air bubbles.  Divide dough into 12 pieces.  Form pieces into balls.  Place balls on a lightly greased baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch between balls.  Cover with a clean towel and let rise 45-60 minutes or until doubled.  

Use a sharp knife or razor blade (I use scissors) to cut a deep cross in top of each ball.  (Cut deeper than you initially think, it takes a deep cut to show up in the finished bun!)

While dough is rising, preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Bake buns 15-20 minutes or until golden.  Remove from baking sheet and place on wire rack.  Let cool 15 minutes.  Happy Triduum!

To see more great Lenten ideas on Catholic Icing, click here.

Anni's 1st Year...

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It's done and ordered (thank goodness for mother's day coupons), she can now officially turn a year old!