Thankful for a Normal Day
Jan 23, 2012

Thankful for a Normal Day

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Today I felt like I had all my energy back suddenly. I think somehow I woke up this morning and my body forgot to be sick. It is wonderful.

We even managed to turn off the TV today after only two episodes of Dora.

In honor of the wonderfulness that health is, I thought I would list some of the things I am thankful for today.

1)  I have had a great burst of productivity. The kitchen and dining room are clean, swept, and mopped (yeah to the start of disinfecting!) and five loads of laundry are done and put away.

2) We had a great mini-baking day today. Elizabeth requested banana bread and chocolate chip cookies and was kind enough to help me make them (and start to eat them). During this process I might have made the mistake of showing her the fabric for her future apron (since she was wanting mine). She asked me to make it for her right then, so I think I had best get sewing soon.

This batch of cookies did not understand about personal space. Luckily, the other batches were much more respectful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3) Elizabeth and I got our reading time back. My sore throat meant a lot less (if any) toddler reading time the past few days and we definitely made up for it today. She is so fun to read to and gets so animated. After reading our elephant library book set twice, we crawled around on the floor like elephants using our arms as trunks. She thought it was hysterical.

4) We had some great independent toddler play today. From water painting in her special books, coloring, or playing with her dollhouse toys, Elizabeth drifted in and out from playing with me to playing on her own. This really made my day easier, especially since she didn’t take a nap.

Elizabeth was happy to show off painting with two brushes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5) A quiet evening. Due to the absence of a nap today, Elizabeth was exhausted and is already asleep. I’m off to knit, watch the latest Vampire Diaries (I’ll admit it), and get to bed early (I don’t want this healthy day to be a fluke).

~Krista

 

Filed Under: Family Life · Tagged: ,
Almond Cake Recipe
Jan 18, 2012

Almond Cake Recipe

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For a few years, I have been making almond cake as my go to brunch or dessert dish. We love it and could snack on it all day (and have).

It is also really easy to make. The batter is mixed up in the food processor, spooned into a cake pan, and baked.

Since I have made this cake twice in the last few days, I realized it is time I finally posted the recipe.

I adapted the recipe from the almond cake by Alice Medrich (from Pure Dessert). My main changes from the original recipe include increased almonds, reduced sugar, and no kirsch. Here is my version of almond cake:

Almond Cake Recipe

1 cup raw almonds

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 tp salt

1/2 tp pure almond extract

3 large eggs

1 stick of butter (8 Tbs), softened

1/3 cup flour (I use bread flour, but you don’t have to)

1/4 tp baking powder

Gluten-free version: Sometimes I make this gluten-free by using 1/3 cup almond flour instead of regular flour. I think it is actually better that way (just more expensive since almond flour is not cheap).

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees. First add the almonds, sugar, salt and almond extract into the food processor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pulse until the mixture is fairly fine, like this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add eggs and butter (cut the butter into multiple pieces and put evenly around).

 

 

 

 

 

Pulse until well blended.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add flour and baking powder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pulse until blended and spoon into a buttered cake pan (you can also use parchment paper on the bottom of the cake pan).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes at 350 degrees. Make sure a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. We like powdered sugar sprinkled on top (and raspberries when they are in season).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy!

~Krista

Filed Under: Recipes · Tagged: