Our favorite Birthday Cake

Birthday cake! It's a happy ending to a lovely day full of surprises, warm hugs, visits from friends and family. We seem to have a bit of a traditional cake in our home......quite by accident. It began in 2006 when my DH challenged me to make a peanut butter frosting. He loves peanut butter and would (and will) eat it with most things. I remember seeing a bunch of bananas hanging in our kitchen that had gone past their raw consumption stage and thought "Hmm, banana cake and peanut butter frosting! Perfect!!" And it is. It's divine on so many levels. The cake is so moist and not overly sweet. Walnuts (or pecans, your choice) add a wonderful texture and earthiness.

Now, for the frosting......I am typically not a fan of frosting. My sweet tooth has seemed to wane as I age so I tend to think about ways to decorate a cake that doesn't necessarily mean slathering it with a thick, sugar sludge! I've experimented with whipped cream "frosting" and cream cheese frosting. Both have a gentle sweetness, one that won't hurt your teeth. A light dusting of powdered sugar suffices sometimes or a dainty drizzle of melted chocolate or lemon glaze. Anyway, I however, couldn't manage to think of eating this cake without it's counterpart, it's partner in crime, it's soul mate! Banana Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting....... since 2006 it's been a birthday staple in our home. You won't be sorry to try this for a celebration cake in your home!

Singing "Happy Birthday" to each other xo

Make a wish......

 

Banana Cake Recipe

 

2 cups of AP flour (I substitute a gluten free AP flour)

1 tsp of baking soda

1 tsp of baking powder

1/2 tsp of salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 stick of unsalted room temp. butter

(VEGAN:: sub. same amount, if you choose)

1 1/2 cups of sugar

2 eggs

(VEGAN:: sub. 2 tbsp of cornstarch w/ 1 tbsp of water per egg

OR the bananas should be enough as this recipe calls for extra)

4-5 ripe bananas

1 tbsp. vanilla

1/2 c. buttermilk

(VEGAN:: sub. same amount of soy/rice/almond milk with 1 tsp. of lemon juice

and let set for 5 minutes OR use equal amount of vegan sour cream)

1 cup chopped nuts

(I generally prefer pecans or walnuts)

 

~ Preheat your oven to 375 degrees

 

~ Grease the bottoms and sides of 2-8 inch round pans

 

~ Put all dry ingredients in a bowl and whisk together (that's how I sift)

 

~ Cream together the butter and sugar. Add your eggs (vegan option, too), bananas and

vanilla and beat for a few minutes.

 

~ Alternately add your dry ingredients and your buttermilk, mixing after each addition.

 

~ Fold in nuts if your using them.

 

~ Pour batter equally into each pan and bake for about 30 minutes or when tooth pick inserted

(or tip of knife) comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes or so and then turn them out

on a wire rack to cool completely.

 

Peanut Butter Frosting

 

6 oz. of room temperature cream cheese

(Vegan: use vegan cream cheese)

1/2 stick butter

(Vegan:: use vegan butter)

1 lb. of confectioners' sugar

(I don't use all of it, sweeten to your taste)

3/4 c. of peanut butter

1 tbsp. of vanilla

1 tbsp. of milk

(as needed and sub. soy/rice/almond milk for Vegan option)

 

~ Cream together the cream cheese and butter

 

~ Gradually add your sugar and continue beating after each addition

 

~ Add your peanut butter and vanilla

 

~ If the frosting becomes too thick, add your milk (at any point)

 

 

 

Frost and decorate your cake and Enjoy!!!! I promise you won't be disappointed!

 

Does your family have any birthday traditions? I would love to hear them!!!

 

 

 

 



Grace Notes

"If the only prayer you say in your life is ‘thank you,’ that would suffice."~ Meister Eckhart

 

 

 

 

On Tuesday I will turn 33 (Christ year!!) and Kiki will turn 3! On Valentine's Day of 2009 we were wonderfully surprised to find that we were expecting. She was due to arrive around October 10th. When she didn't come before or on that day I wasn't entirely surprised because Charlotte went 10 days over her date! My birthday was a Friday that year. We had planned to go out for pizza and then take the littles to see a movie. It never dawned on me that I was feeling a little out of it, slow, easy, drifting in and out of naps with a baby Charlotte (looking back I clearly see that now). We were both still in pj's by late afternoon so I felt a little overwhelmed realizing I  needed to get Charlotte and myself ready for my beloved to come home from work so we could go out for my birthday celebration. Charlotte and I made our way upstairs. I was still out of it and yet it still never really dawned on me that I was in labor. I wasn't having any real pain.......no rhythmic contractions. Just a sense of being in lala land!

 

 

My husband came home to find Charlotte playing by herself in a sea of toys in Bella's room (I have no recollection of how she got there!!). He found me on our bed, sitting and breathing through a contraction. Still, I had not admitted I was actually in labor! I was 100% denying it! We had plans! We were going out for pizza and a movie!!! My husband, of course, knew what was happening and frantically began running about packing overnight bags for our 3 older kids, for us, and getting Charlotte ready to go. All the while I was still convincing myself we were going on with our scheduled evening so I headed to the shower!!

 

I managed to get out of the shower, still not convinced, and got dressed. I was aware that I was having painful contractions but we sure it was just Braxton Hicks! We made our way to the car and began driving to pick up the big kids who were visiting a friend after school. I called for pizza.......for us to pick up! My husband tricked me into thinking we'd bring it over to my folks, just in case I decided I wanted to just go get checked out! We picked up the big kids and as we were leaving we drove over a speed bump.......not slowing down but actually slamming into it causing the car to jolt and throwing me into transition! It was that moment where, mind you I was completely shocked, that I admitted I was in labor. It was my birthday and we were going to have a baby!

 

We got to my folks, DH frantically unloaded the 3 big kids, bags and pizza. My Dad asked how frequently my contractions were coming and DH replied "Oh, I don't know.......every 2 minutes or so!" My Dad patted him on the back and said "Son, you better get your butt in gear!!" We left at high speed and made it to the hospital in no time. We got checked in, the nurses began their routine vital checks etc. Less than an hour later, with what seemed like the least painful experience of my childbearing years, we brought our little surprise into this world.

 

Now, when Charlotte was born, my husband took one look at her and swore he'd known her for many, many lifetimes. There was no mistaking that "Oh, yes, of course it's you!! I've known you forever!" When Kiki was in our arms we looked at her........her beautiful face, that nose, her eyes, her little hands and toes. We both looked at each other and asked "Who is she? Who is this little being?"

 

Our little Kiki  had surprised us in many ways. From conception, to being born so quickly and quietly and on a day we had never imagined. There is something so magical about sharing a birthday with your own child. On the day I was brought forth into this world I, too, brought forth the life of another. Her birth was also a gift of healing for us. It was only 21 months before that I lay in the birthing bed of the same room that I almost lost my life. Death and I shared an intimate dance that evening. I remember hearing my sister whispering into my ear to breathe, that she was there and to keep listening to her voice. Her hands gently sweeping my face, her face close to mine. I don't remember feeling much. I remember not being able to open my eyes. I do remember focusing on my breath and reminding myself to take another breath. I do remember looking over at one point and seeing my husband crying and in emotional turmoil; being so elated with the birth of our daughter but also watching, helplessly, as the love of his life slipped closer to the veil. There was a moment when I realized that my time on Earth might be over. I cried and I begged to be spared. I saw the faces of everyone I loved and felt the love and joy I had for each of them. I don't have much recollection of what happened next but I do know that it wasn't easy for many and I was surrounded by many angels. It was because of this experience that my beloved and I decided we would not have anymore of our own children. The fact that I was almost taken from him and our family was altogether too traumatic. That experience introduced a real fragility to our bubble so I'm sure you can see now why we'd be so surprised to learn Kiki was coming. Surprised, scared, uncertain, questioning. The Universe knows what it's doing especially when its asked to provide an avenue for healing. I am a firm believer that when you ask for something; healing, strength, courage,  love, that you'll usually be given an experience to be brave, for example. Kiki needed to come in order for us to heal from our traumatic birth experience. Everything had come full circle.

 

It was beautiful.......so, so beautiful.

 

 

Thank you for giving me life. Thank you for giving me life again. Thank you for trusting me to care for and love five beautiful souls. Thank you for forgiving me when I don't bring the best of myself to those that I love so deeply. Thank you for the unconditional love I am given every single day.

 

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

 

What are you grateful for this week? Please join me using the link-up below xoxo

For Little Hands: New Weekly Series

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to  A Simple Life's new weekly series: For Little Hands

Every Friday I will be posting a new project perfect for little hands. I would love for

you to join me! Please use the link-up form below and add something you've created that a wee one could create all on their own with some simple guidance. I look so forward to seeing what you all have done and come up with!

 

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I was looking for a lovely handwork project now that the Autumn season has officially descended upon us. The temperatures are much cooler, the wood stove is cranking, warm coats and scarves are hanging on our coat hooks. We're spending less time soaking up the hot sunshine, less time in the garden. I tend to be a bit of a home-body and the added warmth of the wood stove only makes it harder for me to get everyone out of pj's and dressed for the cold and blustery outside. Our home is quite cozy. It's become a bit "womb" like; everyone is safe, warm, comfortable, fed, and gently rocked through our daily rhythms (or free for all as it's been as of late!). I didn't really have to wonder too long before I heard our multitude of wool yarns screaming at me from their basket on a living room shelf!! "Pick me! Pick me!" they shouted......quite like the Golden Eggs story! I picked up my favorite yarn (they all are but one spoke rather loudly to me) and wished I knew how to knit! Then it dawned on me.......finger knitting is perfect for all of us!!! I needed a refresher course so I looked for a video on youtube.

 

 

I wasn't totally surprised when Charlotte, who is just shy of 5 years old (what??), picked up on finger knitting rather quickly. She is a go getter. An "I can see the forest for the trees" kinda girl. She'll put her mind to something and accomplish it to the best of her ability with much zeal and zest! She's fantastic.......and I love learning along side her! She's amazing in her will and excitement and is eager to encourage and insist that "you just do the best you can"! An amazing little soul, she is xoxo

 

 

Kiki wasn't all too interested in this.......she had her own ball of yarn to play with and untangle and tangle! She watched as we created little belts of radiant colors. She loved to feel the wool, watch as the colors changed from one to another. Her little eyes focused in and watched how we, with just our fingers, created beautiful strands of woven yarn. She was curious. She was also eager to wear one.......our little elfin princess.

 

 

 

I have to admit, I really enjoyed myself! I haven't yet learned how to knit with needles. It has been a long standing dream of mine however the right teacher hasn't yet surfaced for me. I've managed to learn how to crochet and have taught myself  few patterns. I'm looking forward to watching the littles play and imagine and give a purpose to our finger knitted ropes.

 

 

The picture is a little fuzzy but you can still see how happy Charlotte is to have given one little strand a home on her wrist!

 

 

 Would you join us? I would love to see and share all the amazing ways you enourage the littles in your life to use their hands!!

The Season of Celebrations

Our Season of Celebrating has begun! The Autumn Equinox (along with Michaelmas) is the official kick-off to an abundance of seasonal celebrations. So far.......so good!

Our Michaelmas season has been quite profound. We've each had a good look at the dragons in our life. We've stared them down, honored their presence in our moments, and have made steadfast and brave attempts to tame them. Our big kids have really been able to understand and acknowledge this seasonal shift in their days. The each are aware of how their dragons effect them and are being tested, everyday, in an attempt to practice their taming capabilities. It's been a wonder to watch but it has also been a bit overwhelming to lend them a hand and shine some light on their path. I am a firm believer that they are still connected enough to feel their way through an event. They each hear that little voice that prompts them to act in love and avoid the negative.  Sometimes their voice is muddled but they've proven to be courageous in their ability to listen more deeply.

 

 

As we come to closure with St. Michael we welcome in our multitude of birthdays. When one door closes, another one opens!! The first in our cycle of birthdays was that of my beloved husband. His was a full day of preparations and a full evening of celebration. Bella had invited some of her closest friends over (5 to be exact) for an impromptu sleepover. So in total we had 13 sitting around our table eager to sing a hearty "Happy Birthday" to my husband. It was loud and full of laughter. There was much to be grateful for on that day.......as always, I am ever grateful for the day he was born and the life he chose to create with me.

Our next celebration is less than a week away. We will, and I will forever be astonished, celebrating the birth of not only myself but also that of KiKi!! KiKi was not only our most super, special, most amazing surprise baby but when my birthday rolled around 3 years ago I didn't think for a moment that I was actually in labor!!! Her birth was a total surprise. We just barely made it to the hospital in time........it was pure magic! Our KiKi........full of magic and surprise xo

The Autumn time marks the beginning of so much........it truly could not be any more special in my eyes. The colors changing, along with the weather. The fragmented sunlight, the flavors, the smells........ahhh, the woodstove!!! I love everything this time of year has to offer. For me, it's my new beginning. My slate is cleaned, my heart renewed.

I would love to hear how you honor and celebrate the change to Autumn (or Spring if you're in the Southern half!!)

Grace Notes

 

 

Life. Is. Good! I can't be more grateful for this week and the days that filled it. This week held so many new experiences, new faces, new friends, family, joyful children. It truly has been a remarkable week.

Today I am deeply grateful for my life partner, the love of my life, my one in billions. He's like Superman to me! He works all day making art, building beautiful stone walls for his clients. Picking up and slugging hundreds of pounds worth of stones in a day. Then, he comes home and three nights a week rushes to get in the shower and turn his attention to me and our children in his effort to support my dream of going to school. This is not an easy task and I absolutely could NOT have believed I would be successful in my endeavor to fulfill my passion for bodywork without him. He loves me endlessly. He believes in my, encourages me, allows me to refind myself through the all encompassing world of motherhood. I believe he is just amazing! Thank you, my love!!!

Today I am also really, really grateful for the most wonderful visit and for the love and company of family. Claire and Stu are amazing! They love with no boundaries. They made our children feel as though they were the most important children in all the world. They played, laughed, baked, created jack-o-lanterns, and even survived two hours worth of Dungeons and Dragons!!! They brought so much happiness to our little home, our little world. They brought some DC energy and invigorated our country pulse. *sigh* Life. Is. Good!!

 

WE LOVE YOU xoxo

 

I would love for you to join me in sharing your Gratitude! Share a link below! Share on Facebook. Share on your blog. Share where ever you go!!  xoxo

Grace Notes

 

This week, I'm simply grateful for my family because without them I wouldn't be who I am today nor would I be faced with the challenges that encourage me to be and do better. Without them, I wouldn't be blessed with the most amazing gift of all: unconditional love.

 

 

Come share in the gratitude.......what are you grateful for this week?

 Link up below with a blog post or share your gratitude in the comments below xoxo
Please feel free to share this elsewhere.......sharing gratitude is a good thing :)

 

Michaelmas Shooting Stars

 

 

2012, the Year of the Dragon......It is the year in which we embrace the dragon, acknowledge, tame, accept, allow and understand all that they mean.

 

Michaelmas, a celebration of the archangel Michael and his ability to harness the courage he needed to slay (or tame) the dragon. Michaelmas is a time of much centering and inward reflection; a time to defeat the dragon within us, to look at deeply and shed light on the dusty places within our souls to allow our own star shine.

 

I could go on and on about what this time of reflection has meant to me. This Michaelmas season has brought about some wonderful shifts and exciting new possibilities. My heart has been opened wide and I've been able to listen and receive my calling, the whispers of my Angels who are guiding me along the way. My journey is not only continuing but most certainly beginning anew.

 

These thoughts are a bit much for the wee folk in my life. They absolutely can comprehend on a spiritual level the sacredness of this time; the purposeful work, the quiet storytelling and the magic of seeing the story of St. Michael come alive in our life. To help bring the story alive even more I chose to share with them this handwork project. Many years ago when my eldest first went to school we were blessed to be able to send him to our local Waldorf school. His teacher floated on air. She was as gentle as a lamb, as quiet as a mouse and her eyes twinkled like little stars. The children adored her, as did I. It was pure magic to watch her effortlessly move through a room of 20 or so children, sing a beautiful song and just like that the children would focus their attention her way. They quieted and they glistened in the pure magic of the moment. It was on a day just like this where I was able to assist the classroom in the making of these Shooting Stars.

 

The SITS Fall Back into Blogging Challenge has proven to be a bit difficult for me. I've been unable to keep up with the days and the blog challenges due to unexpected daily life occurances :) That being said.....I've mananged at least one post, albeit a day early, and so...... well, better late than never, right ;)

 

 

First, we went in search of Goldenrod to use for dying our felt.

 

 

We came home with two filled little baskets and began plucking the flower from the stems.

 

We put the flowers in a pot, covered them with water and boiled them for several hours.

 

 

While the flowers were boiling we went in search of the

 perfect stone to help add some weight to our stars.

 

 

One of the more fun parts......wet felting!!

 

Once the felt was formed into a ball, we dried them a bit then added them to our

strained goldenrod dye where they bathed for an hour or so. We let them

set/dry overnight. In the morning, we put them in a pillowcase and finished drying them in the dryer.

 

I added some needle felted star decorations and a ribbon tail and put them in

my littles hands; they ran for the door to send them into the sky.

 

 

"The Autumn winds wail through the wood,

Through rushes and through reed.

Who is the rider of radiant light

On the snowy white, shimmering stead?

Of garment of gold he rides along,

His face like the sun so bright.

O Michael, lend us your starry sword,

The darkness of Earth fill with light."