waiting for applesauce

I have learned the most about my relationship with God through the relationship I have with my children.

There are so many wonderful parallels: I am a child of God, they are my children. I love them with an intense and sacrificial love. He loves me with an intense and sacrificial love. I want only good things for them, but I also want them to develop good character, sometimes at the cost of their immediate happiness. The same is true of God’s desire for me.

Then there are the more difficult parallels: my children whine to me, I whine to God. My children get upset with me for things that are not my fault. They get impatient with me because they know what they want and when they want it. And the "when" is now. Right now.

And it is painful, because this is how I treat God.

The other morning, James wanted applesauce before breakfast. I told him to sit at the table and wait, and I would bring him the applesauce.

He sat. He watched me get out the applesauce.

“Mommy, I want some applesauce.”

“I know, James, you told me. And I will get it for you, just be patient.” I pour a little applesauce into the pancake batter I am making so I can finish it up and get some pancakes going on the griddle.

“Mommy, is that my applesauce?”

“No, James, I am putting some in the pancake batter. Hold on, just a second, I will get your applesauce.” I turn to pour some batter on the griddle.

“Mommy! My applesauce! You forgot! I want applesauce!”

Sigh. I am frustrated with him. Not because of the nagging or the impatience, really (I mean, he is three and it is first thing in the morning). But because I said I would give him applesauce. And I meant it. Does he not believe my words? Does he not trust what I say?

But I do this to God all the time.

The truth is, we are all waiting for something. The promotion. The car. The house to sell. The positive pregnancy test. The diagnosis. The proposal. The call. The restoration of a relationship. The chance to take a vacation. The chance to take a rest. Whatever. We are waiting.

And we are not quite sure that God remembers: “God! Hello! Remember me down here?! I keep praying, and I think you may have forgotten about my request!”

James did get his applesauce that morning. And pancakes with maple syrup. But the scene played out again about a week later. This time I went to pour his applesauce, and noticed a thick ring of black around the inside of the bottle.

“No applesauce today, buddy, it’s gone bad.”

“What!? Why!? But I want applesauce!”

I didn’t give it to him because I knew it was bad for him. It would have made him sick.

I knew I could get more applesauce at the store later, and he could have some in the future. I knew that our fridge was stocked with many other things that would be good for him. I would not let him starve. He just couldn't have any applesauce at that time.

God knows what is good for us, even when we think we know better.

The problem isn't really patience, it's trust. Do we trust God enough to believe that He has heard our requests and will do what is best for us?

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: 

that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 

And if we know that He hears us- whatever we ask- 

we know that we have what we asked of Him."

-1 John 5:14&15

Let us approach with confidence, knowing He will answer in the best way: according to His good and perfect will.

february ten on ten :: ashley

We have been snowed in since Thursday. It has provided some good stay-at-home time, and made me so grateful for our warm house when it is freezing and icy outside.

Yesterday morning, someone woke up in a great mood:

James and Eleanor took a tub together, which was surprisingly successful:

The last of the ice was melting off all the branches. It was so beautiful:

We have been playing a lot of board games:

Giving the girl a piggy back, and attempting to take a photo in the mirror:

Making thumb print cookies:

I've been so grateful for these boots over the last couple days. They look like they are staring out the window, hoping for another adventure:

These curls:

Finished product of our baking project:

Thai chicken soup and salad with ginger dressing... not bad for being at the end of the grocery supply:

So much ordinary, and so much beauty.

Happy Tuesday.

Ashley

simple cupcake valentines (a kid craft)

This year, I decided to keep James' Valentines nice and easy.

(I could NOT get this picture to turn. Neither could my engineer husband. 

So, I guess... just turn your laptop? Or head sideways? Thanks for your cooperation.)

He started by using watercolors to fill a piece of white paper. Then, I traced half-dome shapes for him to cut out of the watercolor. He glued one dome onto each piece of blue card paper.
I cut the "cupcake papers" out of brown paper bags and he glued those in place. 

His favorite part, of course, was gluing the candy hearts as the "cupcake toppings". You could easily add more "toppings" of glitter or cupcake sprinkles using a little glue or modge podge.

I love how colorful and homemade they look. James was pleased with the way they turned out, and said that the watercolors really look like frosting. 

Happy five days 'til Valentine's Day!

Ashley

PS a (sort of) tribal-looking Valentine kid craft and a Valentine DIY gift for your adventure buddy

french yogurt snack cake

I need to start this post with a confession: This is an adapted recipe.

I generally only post original recipes here on my little blog, but this one is a cover of another's work (obviously, because it is a French recipe, and I am not French).

It is actually adapted from a book that is not a cookbook. The book is called "Bringing Up Bebe". It is about French versus American parenting and is written by an American living in Paris. I have many thoughts on the book, but that is a whole other post. So for now, we will focus on the one recipe in the book.

This recipe is (apparently) often made by French children who eat it as their one snack of the day (my kids wouldn't survive a day in France). They use containers of yogurt as the base, and then measure out the other ingredients using the containers. One of the several adaptations I made was to convert the measurements from six ounce containers into cups. Another was to substitute olive oil for the vegetable oil. There is just something about that pure olive oil taste that I love in baked goods, and this cake is no exception.

James helped me make it, and later enjoyed his with a glass of cold milk. My slice was perfect with a cup of coffee.

We may not be French, but we can sure bake a great snack cake.

Gateau au Yaourt   (French Yogurt Cake)

3/4 cup yogurt (I used nonfat, a mixture of Greek and regular)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2/3 cup olive oil
3 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 chocolate chips*

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 inch cake pan with cooking spray or butter.

Combine the yogurt, eggs, sugar, vanilla, and oil in a large bowl. Sprinkle in flour and baking powder and stir until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 30-40 minutes, until a knife in the center comes out clean. The top will turn a golden-brown.

*I would love to make this again during berry season and substitute some berries for the chocolate chips and add a little lemon zest

Happy snacking!
Ashley

PS Coffee in the background of the photos brought to me by a sweet friend from my favorite coffee shop.

our beloved pacific northwest : where to eat in portland

We believe the west coast is the best coast... and the great Pacific Northwest is our favorite place on earth. We want to share our love for Portland, Seattle and Vancouver BC with you by giving you some hints on places to eat and things to do in our beloved cities! We both grew up in Portland, OR and Ashley is still a resident; Katie has spent the last ten years in Seattle and Vancouver BC, so our hints come from our experiences of these great places. 

Portland is such a great town, and has been gaining popularity over the years as outsiders realize the greatness: bicycles, beer, parks, the Willamette, and the cozy, laid-back all-around atmosphere. The Rose City is known for its' micro-breweries and food carts, and for Stumptown coffee and Voodoo Doughnut lately, but there's a lot to it than beer and donuts! Here's a few of our favorite spots:

All over

Food Carts (of course)! In the past few years, Portland has become home to more than 500 food carts. Many different styles of food are represented and most are delicious. Carts are grouped into Pods all through downtown and the east side. Find a map here. 

McMenimans’ Pubs: A quirky, northwest classic. Many locations all over, each very different but with great food and microbrew. Portlanders are big on beer, you’ll find.

Northwest

Stumptown Coffee Roasters (NW 3rd @ Pine): some would say the best coffee in town. They roast their own and now it’s sold all over the country. A perfect place to spot true Portland hipsters.

Lucky Lab Beer Hall (NW Quimby @ 19th): Lucky Lab is a Portland institution. Tons of great beer on tap, appetizers and fun vibe. Outdoor/ indoor seating, casual atmosphere (21+).

Oba! (NW 12th @ Hoyt): A lovely latin-fusion restaurant in the Pearl district. Go for just appetizers, or a nicer dinner. Cocktails are lovely and the coconut shrimp is amazing.

Cha Taqueria & Bar (NW 21st @ Everett): delicious tacos and margaritas.

Pizzicato Pizza (locations on NW 23rd, and in Hillsdale and the eastside): My favorite pizza in the city. Gourmet toppings, or a phenomenal slice (Puttanesca is the best). The Hillsdale location is the only one that does slices. The salads are awesome too!

Papa Haydn (NW 23rd @ Irving) A bistro on 23rd with some of the most amazing cakes and desserts. A bit pricey but fun for a nice evening out- we typically do just dessert here although the food is fantastic... I can vouch for the French Onion soup.

Southwest

Portland City Grill (SW 5th @ Pine): At the top of one of the tallest buildings in Portland, here’s a great place for drinks and dessert, or a fancy meal.

Fat City Cafe (Multnomah Village): A hole-in-the-wall breakfast joint in our old neighborhood. Great vibe and food.

Salvador Molly’s (1523 SW Sunset Blvd., Hillsdale- 10 minutes from downtown): Caribbean food to die for. Get the surfer tacos and a mojito. You eat peanuts as you wait to be served and toss the shells on the floor. Fun and delicious. 

City Thai (Hillsdale): the Pumpkin Curry here is amazing.

Acapulco's (7800 Capitol Hwy; the main corner in Multnomah Village): Mexican food. Always good, even if it isn't the most authentic... Get the peasant plate and peppermint milkshake (hey, we already warned it wasn't authentic)

Jake’s Famous Crawfish (SW 12th @ Stark): A Portland landmark. Arguably the best
seafood in town. Owned by a family Katie used to go to church with.

Cacao (SW 13th @ Stark) or Moonstruck Chocolate (several locations) have incredible drinking chocolate- hot chocolate that is basically melted down chocolate bars.

Southeast

Rimsky-Korsakoffee House (SE 12th @ Alder): as quirky as it gets. A dessert house (literally in a house) with live classical music, tables decorated after composers, and strange things that occur... you just have to see for yourself. Ice cream sundaes are awesome.

Pok Pok (SE Division @ 32nd): New and famous thai fusion. Haven’t been there yet but people talk LOTS about this place. The other location is in Brooklyn NY. 

Genie’s Cafe (SE Division @ 11th): People say this is the best brunch in town. 

Hoda's  Mediterranean (SE Belmont @ 34th): Amazing family-style mediterranean food- platters of meat, rice, veggies, hummous, falafel, you name it. 

Oooooh my, I'm hungry now! Have fun eating at our favorite spots! Let us know if you visit one... or if you have something to add to the list! Pop in next week for our list of things to do and see in and around Portland. 

happy eating and exploring, Katie & Ashley

two more sweet potato lunches

We have already covered the fact that my kids and I love sweet potatoes and have them for lunch in their various forms several times per week. Here are a couple more throw-together lunches starring the delicious, nutritious sweet potato...

Roasted or microwaved and topped with shaved parmesan, fresh oregano, crushed almonds, salt, pepper, and drizzled with olive oil:

Curried and caramelized sweet potatoes:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Cube 2 pounds of sweet potato (about 2 large). Place on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with a tablespoon plus a teaspoon of olive oil. Then sprinkle 1 tbsp brown sugar, 2* tsp curry powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper over the potatoes. Using your hands, coat the potatoes with the toppings. Roast for 10-15 minutes, or until becoming caramelized on bottom and soft when poked with a fork (but not mush!).

Happy lunching!
Ashley

*use 3 tsp curry powder if you want a more bold curry taste...yum!

ordinary joys

Yesterday was rainy and gray. 

Despite the weather, the kids and I trekked outside to feed the ducks and geese some old slices of bread. The kids picked up sticks, bark, and moss from the ground. Eleanor threw a couple tantrums when I would not let her pick up goose poop.

We got home and shed our muddy, wet clothing just as the sun was peeking through the clouds. I ran to our back deck to catch a picture of the one sun break of the day. 

Hoping for more sunshine in the coming week.

-Ashley

One of the greatest joys of being this little guy's parent is the privilege of watching him get to know this beautiful, crazy world. We walked along the water with friends yesterday, and he was actually awake this time. I wonder what was going on in his little mind? I look forward to introducing Peter to many more of the amazing parts of God's creation.

-Katie