Apple Oatmeal

I love oatmeal for breakfast, I usually make it just plain because that's what I have time for. But when there is time this is the oatmeal I like to make.  

2 ½ cups water

1/4 tsp. salt

1 ¼  cup quick oats

½ of an apple, peeled and chopped

1 tsp. vanilla

¾ tsp. cinnamon

¼ tsp. nutmeg

2 Tbls. brown sugar

Bring water and salt to a boil in a medium sauce pan.  Add oats and chopped apple, then bring to a simmer and simmer 3-5 minutes or until the oatmeal has thickened.  Add in the rest of the ingredients and stir.  Makes 5 half cup servings

*My kids like to add in more brown sugar.  I usually pour milk over my oatmeal, unless I have vanilla creamer then  I treat myself to that.

Food for Thought:

Life has been weighing me down this week.  Every day I had a lot that I needed to accomplish and I have a lot to accomplish in the near future, and I might be at my breaking point.  Because of this I have had a heavy heart, a distracted mind and I have not been mentally with my family because I am worrying about the hundred things that are going to be coming at me.  Does anyone else feel this way? And honestly I didn’t know that this was how I felt until yesterday, I was in a Relief Society* Presidency meeting when my dear friend said our opening prayer and it went something like this, “Father we come to Thee burdened downed”.  Not until then did I realize that this is how I was feeling, and the tears flowed freely.  I finally recognized that I was feeling a heavy burden.

I came across two scriptures when was I looking for something else on lds.org this morning,

Mathew 11:28-30

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Mosiah 24:15
And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

I had one of those ah-ha moments.  When I am burdened down with all that I have going in my life, why am I not asking Him to help carry my load? Why am I not following His council, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me?”  He promised me that He would give me peace.  Isn’t that what I needed this week?  I needed my burden lightened and I needed peace

I like the scripture in Mosiah because it gives me hope that if I will follow the council of the Lord that I too can be strengthened and will be able to bear my burden with ease.

Pumpkin Pie Pancakes

My family loves pumpkin pie; they are so excited when November finally comes around again so that they can have pumpkin pie.  Last week I asked my kids what they wanted for breakfast and their response was PUMPKIN PIE!!  Obviously I am not going serve pumpkin pie for breakfast, so I came up with this recipe and hit was a hit at my house.  I hope that it will be a hit at your house.

Pancakes

**Dry Ingredients:

2 cups flour

1/3cup brown sugar

4 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon nutmeg

Wet ingredients:

2 eggs

½ cup canned pumpkin

4 tablespoons oil

1 ¾ - 2 cups milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix all the dry ingredients together in a bowl.  Mix the wet ingredients in a separate bowl.  Then combine the wet and dry ingredients.  Cook on a non stick griddle at 350.  Serves 6-8 people

Topping

1 cup heavy whipping cream

½ cup canned pumpkin

¼ cup brown sugar

½ tsp. cinnamon

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon cloves

1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

1/8 teaspoon salt

Whip the heavy whipping cream with a mixer until it has stiff peaks.  In a separate bowl combine the remainder of the ingredients, mix really well.  Fold in the whipping cream.

** If you are in a hurry you use pancake mix.  Just mix up your pancake mix and add in the pumpkin, 3 tablespoons of brown sugar and the spices.

**It’s also really good if you top your pancake with really maple syrup before you put on the topping.

Add in:  ½ cup mini chocolate chips or you can top with candied pecans

Food for Thought: Fight all your battles on your knees and you will win every time.-In touch ministries

My daughter shared this quote with me this week during a discussion.  This quote has been true in my life.  Whenever I need help to know how to help one of my struggling children I have found the answers on my knees and listening to the Holy Ghost When my husband and I have hit rough patches in our marriage we kneel in prayer together and ask the Lord to give each of help and soften our hearts that we might come together.   

If you don’t know where to turn or which direction to go, kneel in prayer and ask the Lord. He will answer you.

Pumpkin French Toast

I love the tastes of Fall.  There is just nothing more homey the taste of pumpkin 

1 cup milk
1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
4 eggs
3 Tbls brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp vanilla

1 loaf of french bread or 12 slices of bread

Whisk milk and flour together, add in the pumpkin then mix together.  Add in the eggs then mix. Add in cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla and mix.

Cook on a griddle at 350. 

Serve with warm maple syrup or my caramel syrup and whip topping. 

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

I love oatmeal for breakfast, I usually make it just plain because that's what I have time for. But when there is time this is the oatmeal I like to make.  

2 ½ cups water

1/4 tsp. salt

1 ¼  cup quick oats

½ of an apple, peeled and chopped

1 tsp. vanilla

¾ tsp. cinnamon

¼ tsp. nutmeg

2 Tbls. brown sugar

Bring water and salt to a boil in a medium sauce pan.  Add oats and chopped apple, then bring to a simmer and simmer 3-5 minutes or until the oatmeal has thickened.  Add in the rest of the ingredients and stir.  Makes 5 half cup servings

*My kids like to add in more brown sugar.  I usually pour milk over my oatmeal, unless I have vanilla creamer then  I treat myself to that.

Food for Thought:

Life has been weighing me down this week.  Every day I had a lot that I needed to accomplish and I have a lot to accomplish in the near future, and I might be at my breaking point.  Because of this I have had a heavy heart, a distracted mind and I have not been mentally with my family because I am worrying about the hundred things that are going to be coming at me.  Does anyone else feel this way? And honestly I didn’t know that this was how I felt until yesterday, I was in a Relief Society* Presidency meeting when my dear friend said our opening prayer and it went something like this, “Father we come to Thee burdened downed”.  Not until then did I realize that this is how I was feeling, and the tears flowed freely.  I finally recognized that I was feeling a heavy burden.

I came across two scriptures when was I looking for something else on lds.org this morning,

Mathew 11:28-30

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Mosiah 24:15
And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

I had one of those ah-ha moments.  When I am burdened down with all that I have going in my life, why am I not asking Him to help carry my load? Why am I not following His council, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me?”  He promised me that He would give me peace.  Isn’t that what I needed this week?  I needed my burden lightened and I needed peace

I like the scripture in Mosiah because it gives me hope that if I will follow the council of the Lord that I too can be strengthened and will be able to bear my burden with ease.

To read more go to There are Chances all around us- Are you Burdened Down?

French Toast

French toast is one of my most favorite breakfast foods, I also love it for dinner

1 cup milk

¼ cup flour

4 eggs

2-4 tbls. sugar*

1 ½ tsp. cinnamon

¾ tsp. nutmeg

2  tsp. vanilla

Pinch of salt

12 slices of bread

In a shallow dish (I like to use a pie plate or 8x8 pan), pour in milk and the flour, and mix really well.  Add in the eggs and whisk together.  Then add in the rest of the ingredients and whisk. Dip both sides of the bread, and cook bread slices on lightly greased nonstick griddle or skillet on medium heat until browned on both sides.

*I do 2 tbls. of sugar in I am using syrup and I use 4 tbls. if I am using fresh fruit.

Food for Thought:

I certainly can relate to this message, I don’t know about you, but I have had some of those days. There are those days when my list seems to get longer and longer, and the people around me are in  need  of my help and I just feel frustrated and want to yell “what about me, when is it my turn?”

 What I love most about this message is that we get to see what effect that her influence and service had on others.  Most of the times we never get to see the outcome of our influence and service to others. And most of the time we don’t take the time to stop and realize what we have done, we just look at what we didn't accomplish, or we are just focused on what we want to do most.

This is one of my favorite hymns, I do find myself singing this hymn when I have had days like is illustrated in this clip.  It sometimes helps me have perspective.

Have I done any good in the world today?

Have I helped anyone in need?

Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?

If not, I have failed indeed.

Has anyone’s burden been lighter today

Because I was willing to share?

Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?

When they needed my help was I there?

This is posted as the tag line for this clip; I think it will be going on my bathroom mirror for a while.

“How many things did you get checked off your “to- do” list today? Sometimes, the most important things you do each day were never even on your list. As we help a neighbor or family member, we often overlook the results. You might worry about the things you never get done, but President Gordon B. Hinckley reminds us, “You never know how much good you do.”

Have a fabulous day and go and do something good today!!

Cowboy Coffee Cake

2 ½ cup flour

2 cup brown sugar

½ tsp. salt

2/3 cup shortening

2 tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. ground cinnamon

½ tsp. ground nutmeg

1 cup sour milk or buttermilk*

2eggs, beaten

*To make sour milk, add 1 Tbs of lemons juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of milk and let sit 5 minutes.

 Mix flour, sugar, salt and shortening till crumbly; reserve ½ cups. To the remaining crumbs and the rest of the dry ingredients, then mix well.  Add in the eggs and the milk, mix well.  Pour into 2 greased and floured 8 or 9 in cake plates.  Top with reserved crumbs. Bake 375 30-35 minutes.  You can serve warm or cold.

Food for Thought: