School Pictures

Finally!  Alex had hers done the first week of school, the others before the end of the first month.  We just got them last week-nearly 2 months to see how they turned out!  Alex doesn't like her hair-the pony was not cooperating, but she has such a great smile!  Annika had just cut her own hair a few days prior-of course.  Ian just smiles and says how handsome he is.  That's my boy!

Plugging away on everything else!  I've been on a bit of a cooking jag and obsessively wanting to share recipes, so here's another one.  SUPER yummy-even Ian eats his veggies this way!

Pumpkin Muffins

1 cup mashed pumpkin (note all squash is called pumpkin here.  Canned pumpkin works great, but even better is baking your own, scooping from the shell, mashing/pureeing and using.  Use butternut squash-delicious!)

1 c wholewheat flour

3/4 cup plain flour

1 egg

1/2 c vanilla yogurt

1T cooking oil (I prefer olive oil)

1 t baking soda

1t baking powder

1 T vinegar in measuring cup, add milk to make 3/4 cup and let set 4-5 minutes

1 t cinnamon

1 t ground ginger

1/2 t ground cloves

Oven at 350, I just dump it all into a mixing bowl once the vinegar and milk has worked, mix until it is incorporated, put in cupcake liners and bake!  I have done regular size muffins and mini muffins, but not cake.  As it is sooo  moist, if you use a cake pan, use an 8x11 or jelly roll pan.  Muffins bake 15-20 minutes, minis 12-15.

Not a typo-there is no additional sugar in this.  The squash is sweet and the yogurt is too.  To reduce sugar further, use unsweetened Greek Yogurt.  I really can't tell a difference!

If you don't like pumpkin, replace with banana, applesauce (reduce milk to 1/2 cup), peaches or plums (reducing milk to 1/2 cup)

Also yummy to add in 1/2 cup choc chips!

Annika is selling Girl Guide biscuits this month (girl scout cookies!) and does not like the door to door approach.  She does not like hearing no and it makes her so sad!  They only have 2 varieties here!  The horror!  NO THIN MINTS and NO TAGALONGS AND NO SAMOAS!  All we have are shortbread and choc dipped shortbread, and mini choc dipped shortbread.  Yes, I will survive, but no Thin Mints??  Really!

Alex is planning her birthday party-sleepover with the girls!  A trip on the bus to the local mall, pizza and sushi for dinner with a choc cake, white frosting, and mint m&m's on top.  She scored big-a bed frame from Ikea (Malm style-white and simple!) with new sheets and comforter from Target.  Already got the bed and assembled it-the rest coming Thursday as they have arrived at the store!  Will have to post a pic next time!  It is pretty-and very Alex.

Happy Birthday to my Mom!  And almost happy retirement to my dad!

Love you all-counting the days down until we get to visit!