score!

Nathaniel had a couple of tough weeks getting into hockey.  He is now enthusiastic about going each week and spends the entire hour on the ice.  He was so proud of himself after this goal.  I'm so proud of you Nathaniel!

zucchini fries

I love zucchini.  This is a perfect recipe for the end of summer when you have so many zucchini you don't know what to do.  Until then, market zucchini are perfect.  My kids ate these with ketchup, I ate them plain.  Next time I might whip up a quick horseradish spiked mayo for a dip.  Yum!

Zucchini Fries - adapted from Martha Stewart

1 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon thyme
coarse salt and ground pepper
2 large egg whites
2 large zucchini, halved crosswise and cut into wedges

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.  Lightly coat 2 baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray.  In a shallow dish (I used a pie plate) mix together panko, parmesan, basil, oregano, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper.  In a medium bowl, lightly beat egg whites.

Place 5-6 zucchini wedges in the bowl and toss with the egg whites.  Carefully remove the zucchini from the bowl and toss in the breadcrumb mixture.  Press each side to adhere crumbs to the zucchini.  Arrange zucchini on the baking sheets in a single layer.  Continue this process with all the zucchini.  Bake until the coating is golden brown and crisp, 20 minutes, flipping zucchini and rotating the sheets halfway through.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Serve immediately.

music

The boys' music lessons are almost done for the year.  Every Wednesday they met with their teacher Cathy from the Tannery.  I did not provide her with an easy task.  The age difference between the boys was the obvious challenge.  But she was so flexible and focused on providing each boy with an experience that expanded their musical knowledge and built on their appreciation for music.  Their classes were very free flowing with the main purpose being to have fun.  They often began their lessons at the keyboard and then moved to the drum room.  This was the favorite place for both boys.  They were able to choose their own music, play drums, bells, tambourine and sing.  As I sat outside the room, there were often the same songs being played.

One of Jesse's favorites was the Gummi Bear theme song.  Cathy gets the music teacher of year award just for enduring this song week after week.  After a song was done, they would head over to the laptop and look for another good song.  They would take turns picking what song they would play to.

Nathaniel loved anything with a really strong beat.  His favorite times were definitely spent at the drum kit.  (I am thinking our house renos will need to include a drum room.)

Jesse was happy to play on all the instruments.

 I am happy that they had time together to enjoy making beautiful and very loud music.

fudge popsicles

I believe this will be the summer of the homemade popsicle at our house.  I recently purchased new rocket popsicle molds and the kids are loving helping me make cool treats for hot days.  I made these chocolately popsicles a couple of days ago and they are so good.  They taste just like a fudgsicle.
Edit - I bought the molds at The Great Canadian Superstore

Fudge Popsicles - adapted from Smitten Kitchen
makes 11 popsicles (in my molds)

4 Tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips
2/3 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 1/2 cups whole milk
pinch of salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 Tablespoon unsalted butter

In a medium saucepan over very low heat, melt the chocolate chips.  Stir constantly until smooth.  Stir in sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder, milk and salt.  Raise the heat to medium and stirring frequently, cook the mixture until it thickens.  This will take approximately 5-10 minutes.  Remove from heat and add the vanilla and butter.  Stir until combined.  Set aside to cool slightly then pour into your popsicle molds.  Freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.

earrings

Abigail has been asking for earrings since she was 7.  I told her when she turned 8 she could get her ears pierced.  Her ninth birthday has passed and finally it happened.  On Friday Abigail and her best friend got their ears pierced.  Before we left they were discussing who would go first.  Initially they both wanted dibs, then Abigail agreed she would go second.

She was sure not to watch her friend and sat confidently in the chair as she waited.  She was talking with nervous excitement as we received all the instructions, had her ears cleaned and decided where the holes would go.

The first.

And the second.

She was very happy with the results.

They both were.

They were bursting with excitement as we left the mall.

Two beautiful girls.

his turn

The other two had their turn at an unplanned photo shoot with me.  Yesterday Nathaniel lay down in the grass and I asked him if he'd let me take his picture.  I'm so glad he agreed.  It is so difficult to get a natural expression from him and this is now my favorite picture of him.  But he quickly grew tired of the whole photo shoot with mom thing.

He much preferred playing frisbee with his mom instead.

strawberry granola squares

I guess I'm on a little bit of a strawberry kick these days.  You better watch out since our local strawberry season hasn't even officially begun!  With some of the strawberries I had leftover after baking this bread, I wanted to try another recipe I spotted on line recently.  Jesse and I worked together mixing this recipe together.  It got popped in the oven, a DVD started for Jesse and I hurried upstairs to get some editing done. As I came downstairs to check the timer, the most amazing smell greeted me in the kitchen.  I'd make this again just for the heavenly strawberry aroma coming from my oven.

Some complaints with the original recipe were that the squares were very crumbly and wet with the addition of fresh strawberries.  To problem solve the crumbliness I added an egg to help bind the mixture together.  While I didn't find the squares to be too wet, they do not hold together like a typical granola square.  So, I'd say you have two options if you are looking to make these.  I'd either try making it with 2 eggs or just be okay with squares that will crumble.  My kids were fine to eat these with a spoon.  And having pulled one from the freezer yesterday, these squares still slightly cold were perfect!

Strawberry Granola Squares - adapted from fresh365
makes 15 squares

3 cups old fashioned oats
2 cup slivered almonds
1/4 cup wheat germ
4 Tablespoons sunflower seeds
1 Tablespoon orange peel
1 cup brown rice syrup*
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-2 eggs
1/3 cup chocolate chips (optional)
2 cups chopped fresh strawberries, excess liquid drained (I placed my cut strawberries into a colander to drain while I prepared the other ingredients)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

On a baking sheet, mix the oats, almonds, wheat germ and sunflower seeds.  Toast in the oven for 10 minutes, stirring once during baking time.  Transfer to a large bowl and stir in orange peel.

Reduce the heat to 300 degrees F.

In a small saucepan, combine brown rice syrup, honey and salt.  Cook over low heat for 5-7 minutes, until hot and liquid.

In a small bowl, whisk the egg(s) with vanilla.  Add to the oat mixture, stirring until combined.  Pour the syrup mixture over the oats and quickly stir until well combined.  Gently stir in chocolate chips and strawberries.

Transfer mixture into a 9x13" parchment lined baking pan.  Spread evenly and press firmly into the pan.  Transfer to oven and bake for 45 minutes, until lightly browned.  Allow the pan to completely cool before removing the squares.  Once cool, cut into squares.  Store in the fridge or freeze individual squares.

* Brown rice syrup can be found in health food stores or in  the natural food section of large grocery stores.  I found mine at the Superstore.  Any Loblaws (Zehrs) would have this too.

impromptu photo shoot

Abigail often asks to have a photo shoot with me.  Today as I walked around the house getting all our "before" photos of our renovation, she asked if she and Jesse could have a photo shoot.  They set up the shots and I just went with it.

fifteen

I've struggled whether to document this point in our lives.  The challenging moments as a parent.  The difficult times as a child growing up.  But I want to share these struggles to hopefully look back and breath deeply knowing that we made the right decisions.  That we helped you find your way without too much pushing.

Nathaniel - you started summer hockey 3 weeks ago.  There is no denying the fact that you have a passion for hockey and an amazing natural ability to play the game.  Signing you up for summer hockey skills seemed like an obvious step to prepare you for winter hockey.  This is your first experience playing hockey in a structured environment.  You were so excited to begin.  You tried on your equipment MANY times before walking out on to the ice with your skates.  It is difficult to know what you were expecting.  You have a hard time sharing your thoughts with us.  You spent most of the hour sitting and watching.  There were some tears.

By the second practice you spent the majority of the time sitting on the ice but participated at the end of the hour.  For your third practice we all came along to watch you.  You love the beginning of practice when you can skate around, taking shots on net.  You're not shy to go for the puck when another player is also looking for a puck to play with.

Soon the skills portion of the practice begins.  It's at this point that you have come off the ice in the past 2 sessions.  Today you stuck with it for one round of skating.

As you waited for the other players to skate to your end of the ice, you started looking towards us on the bench.  We knew you were struggling.  Then you made your way towards us.

You often complain about your feet being sore in your skates.  Daddy tried fixing your skates and then you chose to sit on the ice and watch.  I really struggle watching you like this.  We try to encourage you, your coaches skate by and try to engage you in an activity.  But you continue to sit and watch.  We aren't pushing you but it is so difficult knowing how much you love this sport and how you are lacking the motivation to push through the uncomfortable skates and make mistakes out on the ice.  My hope is that you continue to love hockey and soon find the spark to try and challenge yourself.  Your natural drive and focus for a 6 year old amazes me and I hope that you use these gifts to fulfill your passions and find happiness.

brown butter strawberry banana bread

We made our first visit of the season to Herrles this morning.  I was thrilled to find local strawberries available.  I had 3 sad looking bananas at home and had plans for making this bread when Jesse and I returned home.    

Now, don't be scared off when you read brown butter.  This is something that you can do.  Read the directions below and just don't walk off when your browning is crackling and bubbling.  You do not want burnt butter.  I hope you'll give this one a try.  Homemade treats are the best!

Brown Butter Strawberry Banana Bread - adapted from Joy the Baker
makes 1 loaf

6 ounces unsalted butter, melted and browned to just over 1/2 cup of butter

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/4 cup plain yogurt (any fat content) or buttermilk

1 1/4 cup mashed banana (from about 3 medium bananas)

3/4 cup diced strawberries plus 1 strawberry very thinly sliced, for topping

Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.  Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan and set aside.

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.  Butter will begin to foam and crackle as it melts.  When the crackling subsides, the butter will begin to brown.  Swirl the pan and the butter cooks.  When the butter brown and begins to smell nutty, remove the pan from the heat and transfer the butter to a small bowl.  Taking the butter out of the hot saucepan will stop the butter from overcooking and burning.  Set aside to cool.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, vanilla extract, and yogurt or buttermilk.  Whisk in the mashed bananas.  When butter has cooled, whisk in the browned butter.

Add the wet ingredients, all at once to the dry ingredients.  Fold together, making sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl to reveal any hidden pockets of flour.  Fold in the diced strawberries.  Fold together ingredients, but try not to overstir.

Spoon batter into prepared pan and top with thinly sliced strawberries.   Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until a skewer inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.  Remove from the oven and allow to rest in the pan for 15 minutes, before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.

four

It was a week ago today that we celebrated Jesse's 4th birthday.  The night before he was talking about having friends over and giving them all loot bags.  This wasn't anything I had planned, so I was SO thankful that he forgot about this when he woke up in the morning.  I really didn't want to disappoint him or have to pull together a birthday party in one night.  But his best friend did surprise him with many homemade works of art and a Backyardigans CD.  (We've been listening to this all week.)  I think she was just as excited if not more so than Jesse when he was opening all the gifts.

And this was Jesse's response when I asked if he wanted to share cupcakes with Selah.  We had just finished icing his strawberry cupcakes.

After school, Grandma and Grandpa came over for supper.  Jesse requested pizza.  Soon it was time for gifts.

We heard lots of "cool" and "awesome" when he opened up his firefighter boat from G&G.

He received a drum making kit and books from us.

Then it was time for the unveiling of the final present.  No peeking!

His very own scooter!

The boys finished off the boat,

while the girls chatted.

Saying thank yous.

And finally sharing the cupcakes with our family.

Jesse and I made extra so the two of us went out with his scooter and shared cupcakes with neighbours.  Happy Birthday 4 year old!