Hopeful Homemaker

One Year Old

August 11, 2010 jennifer Musings on Life and Beauty

My littlest one is one year old today.

It is a bittersweet feeling. I’ve never had one this age and not been looking forward to the next baby at the same time.

I’ve been looking back at photos of her from the past year, marveling at how she’s grown.

My heart is a bit sad to be passing this milestone so soon, and yet…

I am full of gratitude. Gratitude for her, for the wonder of having her in our family.

My heart is also full of thanks and praise for my Heavenly Father, who has blessed us with her, and has given us enough to make it this far.

The days have been long but the year has flown by. There is much I haven’t accomplished, but I can say this:

I have loved her. Our whole family has held her, snuggled with her, marveled at her, enjoyed her every day.

She and I have spent countless moments, just the two of us, looking into one another’s eyes, smiling, snuggling, whispering. Today my heart sings with joy that I had the sense to treasure those moments. To treasure her. My heart is at peace.

Happy Birthday little one!

Love, Jennifer

2 comments 8 kids

I am dood.

August 10, 2010 jennifer Musings on Life and Beauty

At our house we eat a lot of oatmeal. It’s good for you and inexpensive, too.

Thanks to my husband’s example, we often add a spoonful of peanut butter to the oatmeal in addition to a spoonful of brown sugar.

On this particular morning, I asked my two year old if she wanted both peanut butter and sugar.

“Just soogar” was the reply.

To clarify that her decision was just for that day and not a general statement, she added:

“But Mom, I am otay wif peanut butter.
“I am dood wif peanut butter.”

And I thought, “You’re two years old! Where did a line like that come from?”

She scrunched up her face and smiled at me.
As for me, I’m dood with how cute she is.

Hopeful Homemaker

One comment 8 kids

Creamy Zucchini Soup

August 9, 2010 jennifer Soups

This soup was a total experiment.

About a year ago a good friend told me about a zucchini soup she was excited to make. When I asked her later for the recipe, she was disappointed with the results and elected not to share it. For some reason I remember that every time I cook with zucchini, thinking how delicious it sounded.

I decided to go for it, and got really lucky.

I have a new favorite soup. Oh my, this is good. And really pretty.

Here’s how I made it.

Creamy Zucchini Soup Ingredients:
6 medium zucchini 1/2 cup onion 5 cups water 6 tsp. chicken bullion 1/2 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. pepper 2/3 cup whipping cream Parmesan cheese Wash and finely chop zucchini. You will need about 12 cups chopped zucchini.
Finely chop 1/2 cup onion.

In pot, heat water and bullion.
Add zucchini and onion to water and bring to a boil. Add salt and pepper. Reduce heat and simmer until zucchini is very tender.

Remove pot from heat and pour 1/3 of the soup into a blender. Cover and process until smooth. (Don’t forget to put something over the top of your blender to protect you from boiling liquids.) Pour pureed zucchini into a large bowl. Repeat twice more with remaining zucchini.

Pour puree back into pot and return to the stove. Warm for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 2/3 cup whipping cream.

Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese.

I was pleasantly surprised at how much my entire family enjoyed this soup. It was equally delicious as a leftover. Simple and inexpensive, this soup adds lovely color to a meal. It’s also a great way to use an abundance of zucchini from your garden.

Hopeful Homemaker