Yummy apple muffins

I was just talking to my friend about apple picking, one of the fun activities to do in the fall. The conversation moved on to what we could make with apples: applesauce, apple crisp, & apple muffins to name a few.  After making a couple apple crisps recently, I wanted something a little different, so I made apple muffins yesterday.  We are really enjoying them. Cinnamon apple goodness!!!

My friend and I agreed, once apple season is over, pumpkins are next on the baking list.  Oh the delicious fall flavors!!!  Pumpkin bread is #1 on my list.  How about yours?

Here is the muffin recipe adapted from one on allrecipes.com.

Apple Muffins

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk (room temp)
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup butter, melted (1/2 a stick)
1 medium apple - peeled, cored, & chopped 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease 12 muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.
 

2. Stir together flour, baking powder, sugar, cinnamon and salt. In a separate bowl, stir together milk, egg and butter. Stir egg mixture into flour mixture just until combined. Fold in chopped apples. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
 

3.Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.

Good parents

An excerpt from my devotional:
As Christian parents, we have the awesome responsibility to lovingly discipline our children (Prov. 13:24; 29:17; Heb. 12:9-11). As we impart God’s wisdom to them, we have the blessing of helping them develop into responsible, God-fearing adults.
-Our Daily Bread, 9/17/12, Correct Them by Marvin Williams

Boy this got me thinking and praying.  What a responsibility Brian and I have in raising Katie.  We knew this, but these words put the pressure on for me.  I guess the words, "helping them develop into responsible, God-fearing adults" really hit home.  God has blessed us with this little one.  It is our responsibility to raise Katie in the church and pray for her.  We are doing our best as we seek God's direction in raising this little girl.  What is right and when?  Only God knows and we have to trust Him.  I know there will be tough issues in the months and years to come.  Discipline for bad behavior and who knows what other things we'll be dealing with.  We'll always have to go to God for His direction as we raise Katie.  Does this make us good parents?  What makes a good parent?

This little cutie is too precious to not bring her before the Lord daily.  That is the best thing I can do!

Surprise!

We had a surprise party for Brian & my 30th birthday. I threw the party. Did I take any pictures?? NO!!! Wow. What is wrong with me? Being a mom has thrown off my photography game.

The party was fun even if I forgot to take pictures! We went swimming and enjoyed spending time with friends. The weather was not too hot, but ht enough to swim. Pretty much perfect!

Thanks to those who came and celebrated with us. We had fun.

Enjoying Family

Last Saturday was a day for enjoying the family. Katie took her morning nap with Brian, Charley & I.  All four of us snuggled on the couch for a nice relaxing way to spend our Saturday morning.  We had absolutely no plans, so it was nice to just spend time together.  We went out for breakfast after our lazy morning and spent the rest of the day hanging out together.  This means, playing with Katie on her blanket with all her toys strewn about.  It was so nice.  Especially since Brian left for a conference in San Francisco the next day.

I spent the week in CT with my family while Brian was gone.  Charley, Katie and I left early Sunday morning during Katie's morning nap. We got to my parent's church a little late, but got to hear most of the sermon!  It was nice to be with my parents and sisters for the week.  I knew being home would be tough since Brian wouldn't be around to help.  My mom was a huge help & I'm so thankful that she could take some days off to spend with me.  We even went to Six Flags (just my mom, me & Katie).  It was so fun!  Katie got to see her great-grandpa again.  Overall, good week, though we did miss having Brian around.

Summer is coming to a close, but we're still planning on some fun times!  Gotta enjoy the warm days while they last :) Just wait until my next post :)

Modern Techonology!

Skype & FaceTime are just wonderful new pieces of technology!  Ok, so these are not brand-spankin new, but newer...like we didn't have it when I went to college!  With a smartphone, which is new technology for me, Sykpe & FaceTime are so easy to use.

Anyway, these video chats make it possible for Katie to see & "talk" to her aunts, uncles, & grandparents.  We chatted this week with Grammy, Tito James & Tita Robbie.  Its nice that family can see how stinking cute Katie is, what types of "tricks" she's doing and how big she's getting.

Olympics!

I'm obsessed with watching the Olympics. I don't even care what event is on. I just want the TV on and tuned into something! Brian thinks I'm crazy. I don't blame him. I mean I even painted my toe nails red, white & blue. Go Team USA!!!

So, when reading the comics...it's been a very long time since I've done that...I found these. They made me smile, so I thought I'd share. Enjoy!

AH! The big 3...0...

Yes, Brian and I are now 30.  Here a short string of thoughts I have on this milestone:

I remember thinking being this old was OLD...not so much anymore.  I feel older, but not OLD.  Though I am a bit sad...I feel like I'm truly a mom and should wear mommy clothes and that I'm just not as cool as I used to be. (if I ever was cool)

My life pretty much revolves around Katie right now, so I guess my age doesn't matter.  She's my little buddy and doesn't even know what age is.  She doesn't care how old I am, why should I?  I'm going to enjoy what God's given me: a sweet husband, my dear baby girl, and a cutie pup!  This is the plan God has for my life and I'm going to choose not to dwell on being in the 30s, but dwell on enjoying the blessings in my life.  I've been blessed for the first 30 years of my life with loving parents and some great siblings & friends, now to enjoy the next 30, 40, 50, or however many more years I have!!!