I got the recipe for Apple Cranberry Bread from Sarah years ago and it’s one of the first dishes that has become a seasonal tradition for me. I borrowed a few mini-loaf pans (so cute!) and learned that little loaves bake much faster than big loaves (imagine that). And yes, you are still looking at the Prairie Box even though tonight it resembles Needs More Butter.

Apple Cranberry Bread

2 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
2 T. canola or vegetable oil
1-1/2 cups flour
1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups chopped, peeled tart apples
1 cup fresh cranberries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs, sugar and oil. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt; add to egg mixture just until combined. (Note: Batter will be very thick!) Stir in the apples, cranberries and walnuts.

Transfer to an 8-in. x 4-in. x 2 in. loaf pan coated with non-stick spray. Bake at 35o degrees for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center of the loaf comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Yield: 1 loaf

It’s hard to venture out today with one’s camera and not take photos of the ice.

Cowboy baby or Baby Cowboy?

I am quite possibly the pickiest peppermint afficionado that exists. I love Bob’s peppermint candy canes, but other brands sometimes taste a bit off (which is why I ended up with a gigantic box of 48 candy canes, they were Bob’s). Bob’s sugar sticks, sold at Cracker Barrels, are quite possibly the most divine candy on the face of the planet. I am a complete snob about peppermint ice cream–it has to meet certain specifications to receive my stamp of approval. Blue Bunny? Two thumbs down, way down. Edy’s? Two thumbs up. And Renae’s homemade ice cream? The best I’ve ever tried. Though I love the chocolate/peppermint combo, I do not enjoy most peppermint beverages (Starbucks dark chocolate peppermint frappucino, I’m looking at you). Picky, picky, picky. In order to not sound too Scrooge-y, I’ll leave you with this. I adore this recipe for Chocolate Peppermint Kisses. Mm-mmmm.

“We going to putt paint today?”

My child adores crafts. One morning while we were snuggling in my bed, the first phrase out of her mouth was, “Let’s paint today.” I could have composed a list as long as my arm of tasks I’d choose to do before painting with a three year old, but sometimes a mom’s just got to bite the bullet and get out the brushes. Liv and I have been working on these snowflake ornaments for days now. “Putt” paint was the final step. Sometimes I wonder if I have the next Jackson Pollock on my hands.

I can post this picture now because Livia’s back to her normal self this evening. This morning she informed me that she was going to throw up and I didn’t believe her. (Note to self: Next time, believe her.) My poor punkin was hit by a virus almost all day and I was almost shocked by how Sick Liv varied so greatly from Everyday Liv. Sick Liv decided to lie down on the living room rug and didn’t move from that position for hours. Sick Liv also slept soundly while all sorts of action happened around her. It was sad. I’m glad Everyday Liv is back.

King of Cocoas.
Warm and sweet.
A must-have
when the furnace breaks.
I may not have heat.

But I’ll always have cocoa.