FFG > Cinnamon Cottage Cheese Muffins

To find out about Friday Farm Girls @ Heart, just click on the button to the right to visit Lori's blog and to read what it's all about!

This morning, I wasn't planning on making breakfast.  Due to sewing a quick fix for a blouse, I didn't get downstairs until almost 9am.  Jacob was getting set to leave for college, Thomas was working on an algebra quiz, Joseph was toasting some bread, and Danny was munching out of the fridge.

So when I half-heartedly asked, "Does anyone want me to make breakfast?"  I didn't expect a positive response.  But positive it was, and they agreed on muffins.  I figured if they helped, we could have muffins in the oven in a jiffy.  I grabbed my cookbook to start preparing a recent new favorite--Maple Crumb Muffins--then realized I didn't have enough sour cream.  We had cottage cheese instead.  Hmm.

Let me just say that the internet can be a wonderful thing!  I found a recipe, and altered it a tad for fresh whole wheat flour and for our love of cinnamon.  I licked the bowl scraper, and just knew I had a winner.  I share it with you here!  And of course, you already know I won't have pictures until--Lord willing--TOMORROW!  (Can you tell I'm just a bit excited??)

Cinnamon Cottage Cheese Muffins

1 1/2 C flour (I used whole-wheat, and used slightly more)
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1 t cinnamon
1/4 C softened butter
3/4 C sugar (I use cane juice crystals)
1 egg
1 C cottage cheese
1/4 C milk

In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  In a larger bowl, cream together the butter and sugar.  Add egg and mix well.  Add cottage cheese and milk and mix well.  Stir in dry ingredients until moistened.  Pour into paper-lined 12-muffin muffin tin.  I sprinkled a little cinnamon/sugar over the tops.  Bake at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes.  Remove to wire rack to cool.

Since I can't bear to leave without a photo, here's one from my spring garden.

...The grass withers, the flower fades,

But the word of our God stands forever.

Isaiah 40:8 nasb

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

Thursday Morning and Time for Tea

To participate in "Tea Talk" today, please click on Ruth's link above and read her blog for more information!

I'm having...just a plain old cup of caffeinated Irish breakfast tea this morning.  I'm using my garage-sale mug, white with a cobalt blue design around the sides.  I love its uniquely rounded shape.  And if you've been reading any of my blogs, any day now I'll be able to take a picture of it!  I spotted it in a recent garage sale for 50 cents, and it is my everyday tea mug.

A photo of...breakfast from earlier this year--really, new pictures will come soon!!

I'm feeling...invigorated.  Last week I was fighting a sore throat and the blahs, but I'm healthy once again.  I've also spent several little chunks of time--and one big one--de-cluttering and cleaning and organizing, and that always invigorates me!  I'm looking forward to another "Suspenders" time with Helen tonight to complete even  more projects (click here to find out what I'm talking about!).

On my mind is...I love cool September mornings--the crisp snap in the air, the fresh feeling of life.  Even though spring is the season associated with newness and re-birth, I always feel like the autumn air brings a breath of renewal and energy into my life.

Speaking of renewal, here is something I encountered this week in my morning devo's with Fernando:

Remember that you were at that time separate from Christ,

excluded from the commonwealth of Israel,

and strangers to the covenants of promise,

having no hope and without God in the world.

But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off

have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

For He Himself is our peace...

Ephesians 2:12-14a NASB

May Jesus truly be your peace today!

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

Tackle-It Tuesday!!

Visit CelticMom, the hostess for Tackle-It Tuesday, to learn more and to participate!!

Project Update
Well, I'm still without a camera, and I'm dying to take pictures from last week.  Now I've got some projects for this week, and I still can't take pictures.  So, a story from last week will have to suffice.

My friend Helen asked me to participate in what we are now calling our "Suspenders" Accountability group.  It's just the two of us for now, and--oh, wait a minute.  I need to explain what we're doing!  We are, like CelticMom, tackling projects that need to get done.  Here's how we worked together for even more accountability:

We chose Friday night from 6:30-8:00pm, 1.5 hours, and told each other what project(s) we would work on.  She chose filing and cleaning off her desk, and I chose decluttering and organizing my homeschool cabinets.  She called me at 6:30, we shared our projects, hung up, and began working.  After 45 minutes, I called Helen to give a progress report, and to hear her progress report.  A quick two-minute call, then back to work.  At 8:00, Helen called me back and we shared final progress reports, and chit-chatted for a few minutes.

We were both working, and we were both calling each other.  We knew we had to stick to the task--it was a date and we were holding each other accountable for the time.  We both felt wonderful to get 99% of our projects completed!  I got rid of two overflowing boxes of books and supplies (I've given some away at church, and have sold a bunch of art supplies).  My cabinets are organized and labeled.  :)

Now that I've described what we did, here's why Helen calls it our "Suspenders" Accountability program:

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.

For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion.

But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Praise the Lord for Tackle-It Tuesday, and the accountability it holds for me!  Try grabbing a friend, setting a date and time, calling each other, and getting a project done.  Most of my projects get put on the back burner, and I never have time to work on them.  They keep getting pushed aside for more urgent things, or simply become forgotten.  But, when I set a date with a friend, I know that that project is my goal for that particular time.  And it gets done.  No excuses.

Happy Project Day, ladies!  May the Lord allow us to live simpler lives before Him, for His glory!!

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

Weekly Wrap-Up with Canadagirl

I've enjoyed participating in the Weekly Wrap-Up; if you're interested, click on the link above to find out details!

My Home
Things are getting organized!  If I ever visit your home, tell me we're going to spend the afternoon organizing your _____, and I'll be thrilled.  This week, I participated with my friend Helen in a "project accountability" work evening (details on next week's Tackle-It Tuesday), and de-cluttered my homeschool cubby-hole cabinets in the basement.  I got rid of two overflowing boxes of books and supplies we no longer need or want.  I organized everything else, and now feel like a little piece of life is simpler and calmer.

Homeschool and College
After agonizing over almost every word in his English Comp essay, Danny put the finishing touches on and brought it to class, accompanied by Jacob.  Though he's very unsure of himself, I'm sure that he will do just fine in this class.  I'm so thankful that he's able to take it with his older brother.  What a protection and a blessing!

Thomas and I are slowly getting into a groove with schooling together.  At 14, he is a fascinating young man and it's exciting, frustrating, bewildering, and amazing to get to spend so much one-on-one time with this blessing from the Lord!

My Kitchen and Garden
I tried a new recipe this week, and will have to fiddle with ingredient amounts.  Even though they were a little dry, the maple-crumb muffins were yummy and very easy to make.

I've been so tired this week with a cold--though I've had no other symptoms--that I've not stepped into my garden too often.  Part of this afternoon is dedicated to that task.  I'm happy it's so cool outside now!!  My tomatoes have slowed way down, but I still have pole beans and will also probably pick some beets and a few carrots.

No canning this week, either, but Fernando and I stopped at the library this morning, and they had a display of canning/preserving books!  One caught my eye--Ball's Complete Book of Canning and Preserving.  It's one I've wanted for a few years.  At least I'll have this one for three weeks and a renewal!  There's a recipe for a green-tomato salsa I found that I'd like to try.  I'll let you know how that goes.

My Project Desk
Still haven't made that wedding card, but I completed a few sewing tasks.  Since July, I've been altering blouses to fit my unique shape, by finding larger blouses to fit me in the shoulders, then taking the sides in so they flare out at the bottom to give my straight waist some shape.  I've also added hooks/eyes for those immodest gaps between the buttons--do manufacturers make them gap in those particular areas on purpose???

Behind the Lens
I finally heard from the repair shop, which has kept my camera beyond three weeks now.  They have promised to overnight it to me for free once it is finished some time next week.  I plan on sending them daily reminders, since our anniversary is next weekend!! and I have something special planned for which I need my camera.  So I wait.  Meanwhile, here is a photo from my front-porch garden this past spring.

Siberian bugloss, brunnera, with purple buds.

My Nightstand
I'll be thumbing through the Ball canning book this next week, and also a book called The Art of Simple Food, by Alice Waters.  She is a passionate proponent of seasonal, local, sustainably produced foods, and breaks her book into 19 culinary lessons with everyday recipes.  I think some of the recipes are a little exotic, but there are some great, simple ideas and recipes I'd like to try.  Because of this book, I'm planning on purchasing a suribachi, a Japanese mortar and pestle with ridges in the bowl, which help when mashing garlic, herbs, and other things.  I think it will be a wonderful addition to my kitchen.

In my favorite book, we've been memorizing Proverbs 9:8-9:

Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you,

Reprove a wise man and he will love you.

Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser,

Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.

NASB

Pastor Fraley will be preaching on this chapter tomorrow at church.  As we've recited this verse over and over throughout the week, I'm struck by the earnest desire to learn from His reproof, to submit to His correction, to be quick to listen to the Holy Spirit's chastisement, especially in the little areas.  I hear myself making snippy comments to my husband, or correcting him, when I should keep my mouth shut.  (I call it my "spiritual duct tape.")  I need to be so careful to heed His nudges!!

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

Friday Farm Girls at Heart--My Life, The Lord's Garden

At the end of summer, my thoughts run toward the vegetable gardens in my backyard.  Harvesting, canning, munching freshly pulled carrots.  But curiously, my thoughts are also turning to my flower gardens, much of which have been neglected this summer.

My front porch garden

Several years ago, after I had had surgery and was having a hard time recuperating, a dear friend almost single-handedly dug out my front porch garden (above).  She mapped out a color plan, then accompanied me to the nursery to pick out flowers.  Then she helped me plant.

Since then, my garden has grown, becoming a jungle at one point.  I have divided plants and transplanted others to different parts of my yard, and still it keeps growing.  This spring, I purchased a macro lens for my camera, and trotted out to my front porch garden to see its close-up version.

My eyes were amazed!  Leaf edges, raindrops, bugs, individual unopened buds.  Little things I never paid attention to, or even could pay attention to because they were so small.

My garden is a picture of what the Lord is doing in my life.  Sometimes, I fight against the little things, not realizing that God has a bigger plan that I don't yet see.  And sometimes, I'm concentrating so single-mindedly on the big-picture vision He has for me, that I don't see the beautiful details He is weaving into my life.

Each individual bud, each individual flower, woven into one beautiful garden.  God the Designer, the Planter, the Transplanter, the Grower, the Harvester.

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

Tea with New Friends

Hi, Ruth and everyone!  I found you through Lori (my blog angel) and I think I'm just copying everything that she does.  It's nice to "meet" you this afternoon and to participate with you all--I love tea!

I'm having...peppermint tea, because I'm feeling icky from a cold.  Jacob (19) and Danny (17) are in their college rhetoric class, Joseph (21, my sweetheart with autism) is quietly playing a board game, and Thomas (14) is patiently finishing an algebra unit test from last June that we lost.  What a brave soul to re-do his test!

My teacup is new!  I saved my money and bought a few sets of "everyday china" from Macy's.  I got a great deal on it, and long story short, due to some broken dishes, they ended up sending me another whole set FREE.  I wish I could show you a picture of it; that'll have to wait until my dear camera is returned (one issue that is taking a back seat right now).  But, it is all white, with pretty lines on the bottom and a swirl pattern around the outside of the rim.  Just delicate enough to feel like a treat; just practical enough that I use it every day and it matches everything.  :)

I'm feeling...like I said, a bit icky.  Just really tired, though I'm not coughing or sniffling.  I'm also feeling overwhelmed with life, as we've started a school year like never before.  It's amazing--I tell myself that we've been homeschooling for 16 years, and that I should know what I'm doing!  But with one full-time at home, one full-time at college, one half-n-half, and one full-time high schooler, it is uncharted territory for me.  My dear husband tells me that my #1 priority is homeschool.  But then I struggle with everything else that isn't getting done!

On my mind...Fernando and I read and pray together every morning, and we're in my favorite book.  Here are a few verses that are special to me:

BUT GOD, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,

even when we were dead in our transgressions,

made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

and raise us up with Him,

and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

so that in the ages to come 

He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness 

toward us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:4-7

I emphasized "But God" because He broke into my life way back when (I was 16) and saved me.  My life was headed to hell, and I felt it, but I could do nothing.  I was dead, but God...  Thank You, Lord!

I'll leave you with a quote I found, since I've been making so many new bloggy friends!

Yes'm, old friends is always best,

'less you can catch a new one that's fit to make an old one out of.

Sarah Orne Jewett, US writer

Thank you for making me feel welcome, and letting me share a cup of tea with you!

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

Read to Me, Daddy!

 A word of explanation regarding my blog.  :)

"Indeed My Heritage" encompasses more than just my own heritage--the treasures of wisdom, learning, and life that my parents have passed down to me.  It also reflects my passion to impart a beautiful heritage to my own sons.  Here is the full Bible verse:

The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup;

You support my lot.

The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;

Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.

Psalm 16:5-6

Looking back, my heritage from my parents is indeed beautiful.  Looking forward, I know that my true inheritance is the Lord.  In Ephesians 1:18, Paul prays that the believers' heart-eyes would be enlightened so that they would know "the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints."  My chief desire is that His inheritance would also pass to my sons.  And thus the title of my blog.

Therefore--meaning because of all I've just written--I'm so thankful for my dear husband, who has led the way in creating a heritage of love for our sons.  He has lavished boundless love on his children from the very minute each one was born.  This wonderful papa even delivered his third son into this world!  (Not that we planned it that way...)  He cuddled them, slept with them snuggled in his side, played with them, rocked them, read to them.

Here is Fernando reading together with another friend's son.  He's still reading, even to other people's children!  His heart is always open and available to his children.  And I love him for it.

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne