Celebrating: Our Baby is Five

Isla turned five! There is a part of me that cannot believe my little bean is "school age" and heading off to Kindergarten in the Fall. She has enjoyed preschool so much and made some sweet little friends. Fingers are crossed that she has as good an experience at the Fine Arts school as her siblings.

We had a Luau for her party, mainly because I wanted to use the leftover Hawaiian themed decorations, leis, and grass skirts from a party we had for her brother when she was a newborn! She asked for ice cream sundaes instead of cake, just like Faire did, and man, that makes it easy!

But the day after her party, when the house was finally quiet (we had an adult birthday party for her Dad later in the day/evening of her birthday - yes, we are ridiculous) I decided to make a vegan dessert that we could all enjoy. And we happened to have 5 ripe strawberries in the garden, ready to hold her candles. The chocolate cake recipe I often use happens to be vegan anyway, and I made chocolate avocado mousse for the icing. Delish.

We love parties, but having a quiet birthday cake together felt much more like "us".

Happy Birthday little Bean!

Baking: Pumpkin Waffles

These are a family favourite.

I always stock up on sugar pumpkins in the Fall and keep them in my cold room. Then I periodically roast a couple of them up, puree, and freeze in recipe-sized batches. Mainly in 3/4 cup amounts for this particular recipe! 

 If we have any in the house, we add a dollop of whipped cream on top of these waffles. That, along with dark grade maple syrup, makes these ultra-decadent. I can only ever eat one waffle. My kids eat 2, usually. Jay eats 3 or 4, sometimes more. It makes my stomach hurt, watching it! But oh, he is in heaven as he enjoys these! I think he confuses them with a stack of pancakes... 

 If he doesn't polish off the whole batch, they keep well, and I send them along as a school snack, cut in half diagonally and with a little container of maple syrup for dipping. I get extra love from the kids on those days.

Enjoy.

Pumpkin Waffles

1 3/4 cups milk (I've also used almond with success)

3/4 cup pureed pumpkin

1/3 cup oil

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour

1/4 cup lightly-packed brown sugar

1 tbsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

Mix wet and dry ingredients separately, then stir together. I usually whisk the whole thing smooth, then let it sit for 5-10 minutes while I preheat my pride and joy (my All-Clad waffle iron). 

Oil or spray your iron to prevent sticking.

Serve with real maple syrup (dark is delicious!) and, if you really want to kick it up a notch, a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream.

makes approx. 12 waffles, depending on the size of your waffle iron.

Baking: Applesauce Muffins

The apple tree in Parksville went crazy this year. When we had our annual September gathering over there with friends this year, Jason and the kids and I spent a number of hours freezing applesauce from the fallen apples, and we filled two large Rubbermaid Roughtotes with apples from the tree. 100 lbs I'd say.

Much canning of applesauce and apple butter followed.

All these one-cup jars of apple sauce and butter are sitting around with not much to do, so I've tweaked a few recipes to come up with a quick, weekday morning muffin. Great for school snacks. These are plain muffins to be sure. Next time I may add some diced apple to really kick things up a notch".
(whoo, hold back Bonnie!)

Quick Applesauce Muffins

1 cup a.p. flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp allspice

1/2 tsp cloves

1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder

Whisk dry ingredients together. 

1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

Whisk together, then pour over dry ingredients. 

Pour in 1 cup applesauce. Blend gently until evenly mixed.
Fill 12 lined muffin cups

Bake at 400F for 15-20 minutes. Check at the 15 minute mark. My first batch seemed over-baked at 20 minutes, and my second was perfect at 15. But it will depend on your oven.

Enjoy with a cup of tea. Or a whole pot.