Live Out Loud - Adventures of a mom

 Breakfast, anyone?  This is an easy recipe, with a hint of 'healthy' ingredients.  You do not need a mixer.  Just a bowl and a spatula! Ingredients: 1 cup whole-wheat flour* 1 cup all purpose flour* 2.5 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/3 cup unsalted butter 1 egg 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 cup milk 1 cup finely grated carrots (1-2 carrots) 1/2 cup dried cranberries (or raisins) *You can replace whole-wheat with all purpose flour Directions: 1.  Preheat oven to 400F 2.  Prepare a 12-cup muffin pan with liners 3.  In a mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients:  flours, baking powder, salt, cinnamon.  Mix until the cinnamon is distributed well. 4.  Measure the butter.  Place in microwave and melt it. 5.  In a second bowl, combine the wet ingredients:  melted butter, egg, brown sugar, and milk.  Blend until smooth 6.  Add carrots and cranberries to the wet ingredients. Combine 7.  Add the dry in...

 Scones!  Who doesn't like scones???  If you know me, that is my go-to treat on a gloomy day.  Scones are not as dense or oily as biscuits (American friends, do you agree?), but they are not buns either.  Many people are surprised at how easy scones can be to make.  There is no need to let doughs raise (no waiting!) The secret?  You gotta be patient and try this recipe maybe 2-3 times to master it. Some key things before you start: - If this is your first time, follow the recipe the first time and then check and adjust results - Measure things as they are on your first try. - Modification: you can use craisins or dry cranberries and/or orange peel from 1 orange instead of raisins (the difference?  raisins will give your scones a sweet kick; craisins/cranberries will give it a hint of tartness; orange peel will give it a citrus hint) - Every oven bakes differently.  Keep that in mind on your second try **This recipe is based on Ina Garten's re...

 Yes, and just like that, 2020 is over and we have flipped the page to a very unpredictable, mind-boggling and challenging year.  Covid-19 was not in our plans but soon after the year began, it took over everything in our lives. People ask me why I still bother writing these yearly 'letters' and why still send out cards to our families and friends.  They are valid questions but my answer is always the same: I gain a lot in pausing and reflecting back.  In order to write this, I go through our pictures, think back to all that we did, and reflect on who we have become.  I don't usually make new year's resolutions, but I suppose I prefer to make end-of-year reflections. I also know relationships take time, conscious effort, and willingness to share.  Everyone yearns to belong and connect, especially during this time of isolation and lockdown; but although we all long for it, it is not automatic; we don't feel belonging and connection just by wishing it. S...

"It only takes a spark  To get a fire going   And soon all those around    Can warm up in its glowing That's how it is with God's love   Once you've experienced it   You spread His love to everyone   You want to pass it on " I learned this song when I was a teenager.  Back then, all I thought about was that it was our job as Christians to pass on the message of Jesus to others.  I loved the song, but lately, the song has taken a new meaning for me. Growing up, my family was not really big on Christmas.  It was coming to Canada, and being welcomed into other people's homes, that got me 'hooked'.  I remember being invited into people's homes for sleepovers, Christmas bake-athons and for huge family dinners.   I wanted that.   I wasn't quite sure what "that" was,  but I knew how it felt - it was warm, and it felt good. And so, every Christmas, as part of our new family tradition, I bake and share the goodies...

  If you are up for something different, you are in the right place!  These Marshmallow Clouds are not your standard cookie.  They are so good you will not be able to put them down after one bite! They look outright UGLY but they taste heavenly! Trust me! The secret? Mini marshmallows! Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour 2/3 cups unsweetened cocoa powder (you can also do 1/3 of cocoa and 1/3 of coffee granules or Horlick) 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1 cup white sugar 1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed 1 cup salted butter, softened 2 large eggs 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract 2 cups (miniature) semisweet chocolate chips 8 oz miniature marshmallows, frozen Yields 3-3.5 dozen The key?  FREEZE the mini marshmallows.  The longer they are frozen the better.  If they are defrosted and soft when you bake them, they will make a gooey mess Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 400F 2. Flour mixture:  Combine flour, cocoa and baking soda. Set aside. 3. Combine sugars in a la...

 I love scones!!! If you care for savory scones, this is my go-to recipe!  Hope you enjoy it Buttermilk Cheese Scones

  Do you like shortbread cookies? They are one of my favourites!  I love how they melt in your mouth!   Earl Grey Modification This is a recipe my friend Mei shared with me (Thanks Mei!).  It is super simple!  I have used it as a base and have also modified it to add Earl Grey tea.  Both are delicious! Shortbread Cookies

 In the middle of the pandemic, I had visited a friend who had a big property.  The previous owners had been avid gardeners and had left a lot of 'goodies' my friend was benefiting from.  I had never seen the rhubarb plant and was fascinated when she showed it to me.  I remember its taste.  In my early years in Canada, many families would invite me to their homes and for dessert I remembered them serving me something very red and sour.  Well, I found out my kids had never seen nor eaten it, so I decided to ask my friend for some 'samples' and made this pie. Enjoy! https://youtu.be/acqHnAz4HIU Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

 There is a story behind this recipe.  This is how I lured my husband into noticing me!  Back in High School, we were foreign students far away in a small town in Alberta.  I don't even know when I had learned how to make Shake n Bake, but I made some and took it to the Dining Room to share it with other students.  Later Stephen would tell me that was when he first set his eyes on me!  He had never heard of Shake and Bake and did not know it was so easy to make. If you don't know how to make it, here is the video.  I made it as part of a lesson I taught my students. Shake n Bake Chicken

“It is the same with my word.     I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to,     and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” Isaiah 55:11 View part of what I shared Today, I had my classes’ Christmas party.  As it is becoming tradition, I share something with them to affirm them, encourage them and to challenge them.  This year, as I prayed that God guide my thoughts and words to what he wanted me to say,  He kept on directing me to the words Light and Presents/Gifts. I was scared to share.  I was worried that someone would not like what I was saying; but I also felt strongly that my life-sharing with my students would speak loud and clear that what I was sharing was from my heart...and I asked a few dear warriors to pray for me. Some of my students have NEVER heard of the name Jesus.  How can they choose to follow if they have never heard?  Is just “living missionally” enough?...