Easter

My weekend was full of wonder and I thought I’d share a few snapshots and ideas with you.

A first….On Friday I went to the zoo and rode on a merry-go-round.   

Easter 2014 - Good Friday - Zoo - My first merry go round ride with Caden

No, it wasn’t my first time at the zoo or my first time on the merry-go-round.  What made this a first was that I rode on the amusement ride with my grandson.  I am often surprised by the moments of grandmotherhood – is that a word?  If it’s not – it should be.  I was happy to be able to take him but little did I know that I had a few things I needed to learn.  You see it’s very important to pay attention on what is being said before your ticket is taken.  I learned that not all animals go up and down and my grandson likes to go up and down.  I lifted him up on the cheetah we had chosen only to realize that I wasn’t very proficient at buckling him.  The attendant took pity on me and came to help – I had him in a little tight.  We waited patiently and soon the motor started to sing and we started to go round and round – up and down.  With each turn his delight grew and so did mine.  He became brave and lifted one arm from the pole to wave to his mommy and daddy.  We both enjoyed our ride very much.

I then explored a french bakery.  I had a lovely lunch of crab/shrimp in a puff pastry and then tried my first macaroon – Caramel.  There was a light sprinkling of rain (we get excited here in Arizona about rain) and sitting outside was so pleasant.  The food was amazing;  and I learned a french macaroon is gluten free.  Since my husband has wheat sensitivities the caramel, mint chocolate and expresso macaroons I brought home were happily received.  If you live in the Phoenix Area here is the bakery I visited Essence Bakery 

Easter 2014 - GF - Essence Bakery - First Macaroon

 Our Easter was celebrated by a Saturday evening church service and a Sunday brunch.

Here is how I decorated our table. 

Easter 2014 - Table

I used a free printable from the Clumsy Crafter and placed it in an existing picture frame.  The flower arrangement was enhanced with some Easter Egg Sticks.

Easter 2014 - Egg Napkin Rings 

I have had these Easter Egg napkin rings for many years.  Imagine my delight when I pulled them out and they matched the printable perfectly.  Tablecloths aren’t working well with a little one and I didn’t have placemats that would work so I raided my card stock.  The piece of blue paper allowed the white plate to pop and could be thrown away after the meal.

Easter 2014 - Caden plate 

This was my grandson’s placesetting.  I really like this gummi mat from Kidkusion which fits nicely under his Chicco Seat for the table.  

Here is what we had for brunch: 

Easter 2014 - Mini Muffins
Banana Mini Muffin Recipe

 
Waffles - Baked and Whole
Waffle Recipe

 
Orange Juice

Fresh Orange Juice – We picked and peeled 40 oranges from our tree

I hope you all had a sweet Easter.

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Waffles

Waffles are better than pancakes – at least that is what I’m thinking this month.  They are easy to make and freeze beautifully. 

Waffles - Complete

 Serve them with butter, maple syrup, fresh fruit, whipped cream, nut butter – all our delicious.  My son-in-law tells me they are rock stars with fried chicken.  He actually bought us our first belgium waffle maker 8 years ago and it’s still going strong.  You will see from the picture later on that it has been loved.

This recipe comes to me from my daughter and I have included her link below as my inspiration.  I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.  

Oatmeal Waffles
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Ingredients
  1. 3 cups of flour - I use White Spelt Flour
  2. 2 cups of oats - I use Old Fashioned
  3. 2 Tbsp of baking powder
  4. 1 tsp of cinnamon
  5. 4 eggs
  6. 3 cups milk - I use unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  7. 3/4 cup butter, softened
  8. 1/4 cup brown sugar
  9. 1 Tbsp vanilla
Instructions
  1. Mix Dry Ingredients together in a bowl
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients together in a bowl.
  3. Mix wet into dry and combine well.
  4. Turn on waffle maker to heat and oil. I use a plastic baster and canola oil. Use can also use a spray but I like the control the brush gives me.
  5. Place amount of batter onto hot maker (please follow the directions for the amount per your waffle maker instructions) and shut lid immediately.
  6. Waffle makers normally have a light that will turn when waffle is done. Again follow the instructions of your maker.
  7. Open the lid - sometimes I'll gently use the tip of a fork or butter knife to release the waffle.
  8. Place on cooling rack. These are extra yummy placed in the toaster for a crispy texture.
Notes
  1. I place the cooked waffles on a cooling rack and then cut in quarters. Two quarters go into a ziploc bag into the freezer. This helps me with my proportions.
  2. You can vary your extracts - I used coconut and it was very good.
  3. Ground flax seed can be added - 1 to 2 Tbsp. You may need to increase your milk because flax seed will thicken your mixture.
Adapted from The Workout Mama
Adapted from The Workout Mama
Deliciously Inspired http://www.deliciouslyinspired.com/
Because the right tools for the job at hand are so important:

You can find the Waring Waffle Maker on Amazon – HERE

You can find the Basting Brush on Amazon – HERE  (This is on sale.)

You can find the XOXO Whisk on Amazon – HERE

You can find XOXO measuring cups on Amazon – HERE

You can find the Wilton cooling rack on Amazon – HERE

You can find the Wilton spatual set (3) on Amazon – HERE

Waffles - Dry Ingredients

Waffles - Wet Ingredients

Waffles-Whisk

Waffle - Batter

Waffle - Waffle Maker - Waring

Waffles - Baked and Whole

Waffles - Baked and Quartered

 

What do you like to top your waffles with?

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