Back to Basics

The Waldorf inspired rhythm we had created prior to our babe's arrival has fallen to the wayside for the time being as any rhythm or "schedule" would. Being at the mercy of a newborn takes precedence over following any rhythm and really.....our rhythm is being redeveloped again anyway!

Sleeping in increments of 1 1/2 -2 hours at a time and then not falling asleep right away makes most days and nights a bit of a blur. Then add into the mix: trying to maintain the laundry of 7 people because God forbid that gets out of hand........it's a nightmare trying to catch up and having had no rain for a couple of weeks, we'd be out of water in no time PLUS keeping up on the dishes because we run out of cups, bowls and spoons frequently, AND cooking! Not to mention the fillers in a day, diapers, nursing, boo boos that need kisses, a tantrum or two or three, snuggles and hugs, random baths just to keep the littles occupied......I'm sure you get the picture. I've been spared some of these tasks for the last month or so as we traveled through our rough patch but this marks the second full week of being on my own with all of these tasks! Sometimes it's A LOT! Sometimes it's OK! Sometimes I handle things fine and other times I don't.........all part of being a new(ish) Mom, with three littles  and two big kids with each one going in a different direction!!!!

Phew! It's been a marathon of weeks and days and today, although I knew it was a bit crazy to think I could actually BAKE something, I went ahead and tried anyway! Thankfully it was a success! It only took me about an hour to complete the batter as Seraphina was up and sleep and then up again and then asleep again; nursing, crying, snuggling, and nursing some more. The littles were preoccupied for the moment and then distracted and then preoccupied again. Somehow I managed to make a perfect batch of muffins which as we speak are just about gone! A dream come true!!!

So to celebrate our successful baking day, I'm sharing with you our beloved muffin recipe! It makes scrumptious, moist, delicate muffins that can be adapted to carry any fruit, flavor, and flour!

Blueberry Banana Almond Muffins

makes 18-24 muffins

1 cup of almond flour (meal)

2 cups of flour (we used King Arthur's AP flour)

1/2 cup of sugar

1/2 tsp. of baking soda

1 tbsp. of baking powder

1 tsp.  salt

1/3 cup of brown sugar

2 mashed up bananas

3 beaten eggs

1 1/3 cup of buttermilk

(I never have buttermilk when I want it so to supplement

I use the right amount of milk with a healthy splash of raw apple cider vinegar!)

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup of melted butter

1 cup of blueberries

For the topping

1 1/2 cups of rolled oats

3/4 cup of brown sugar

1 tbsp. of cinnamon

2 tbsp. of oil or melted butter

Whisk together the flours

Whisk in the baking soda, baking powder, sugar (not the brown sugar, the other one!), and salt

NOW, whisk in the brown sugar!

This is where I got pulled away from my batter making, so I don't have photos for the wet mixture.
Mash your bananas and beat your eggs. Mix them together and add the buttermilk. When the wet mixture
comes together add that to your dry ingredients. The trick here is NOT TO OVER MIX! Stir together the batter ever so gently, just a handful of times, leaving a rainbow of dry ingredients throughout. Add about 1/2 of your
blueberries and stir again, gently, and only about 3 or 4 times, still leaving some dry ingredients visible.

Scoop your batter into your muffin tins, either lined with paper cups or generously greased. Split the rest of the blueberries and top each of your muffins. Mix together the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and oil/butter. Split that among each muffin top and then bake for about 25-30 minutes in a 400 degree oven.

Here is our Charlotte. Her sister caught a shot of her enjoying her muffin after having given herself a "makeover" with markers her Dad had given her! Oh, and she also is showing off her first hair cut ever, in all of her 4 1/2 years. She's got bangs!!!! It's amazing how a little cut can change ones appearance so drastically! She looks totally different! And she loves them!

I hope where ever you are you have fresh picked blueberries and great bangs! Cheers xoxo