Zucchini Recipe #2

Disappearing Zucchini and Whole Wheat Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

This bread is insanely good. No kidding. The children will sing songs in the streets about this bread. Probably because of those secret addictive chemicals they put in lemon pudding.

4 c. whole wheat flour
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 3.4 oz. package instant lemon pudding mix
1 1/2 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
1 t. salt
4 eggs
1 1/4 c. milk
1 c. oil
3 T. lemon juice
1 t. lemon extract
2 c. shredded zucchini
1/4 c. poppy seeds
2 t. lemon zest

This is a basic quick bread: mix the wet stuff separate from the dry stuff. Combine and don't mix it up too much. Makes two loaves. Bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes in 9x5x3 inch loaf pans. Do we really need lemon extract? What do we do if we don't have lemon pudding mix? Good questions, all. But Deb made it, and it was the best stuff ever, so I am not going to mess with the process. Happy baking.

Zucchini Recipe #1

Whole Wheat Zucchini Brownies
(brought to us by my wonderful sister Deborah)

½ c. cocoa
2 c. whole white wheat flour
1 ½ c. sugar
1 t. salt
1 ½ t. baking soda
2 c. shredded zucchini drained
½ c. oil
2 t. vanilla
½ c. chopped nuts

Sift together dry ingredients. Combine zucchini and oil, blend with dry ingredients. Add vanilla and nuts. Mix well. Spread in greased 11x15 in. cookie sheet
(batter will be very thick). Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes.

*Optional Frosting*

1 c. sugar
5 T butter or margarine
1/3 c. milk
6 oz package chocolate chips

Mix together sugar, butter, and milk. Boil 1 min.
Stir in chocolate chips until smooth. Spread on
cooled brownies.

*I never bother with frosting. I think it is better to sprinkle good chocolate chips over the top of uncooked brownies. They sink in a bit when baking and they harden for a delectable texture contrast if these brownies make it to the second day. 'Tis finally the season for Costco to carry Ghiradelli chocolate chips again. Stock up while you can, they disappear in January!

Tristan's Baby Blessing

Dirk blessed our sweet boy on Sunday. Uncle Doug and kids, and the Herrons came down for the big event, which was so wonderful. It was a weekend of great food and fun time with family. We missed Aunt Shannon and Hannah, who both had to work.


Sammy, Adam, Naomi, Dirk, Ben, Isaac, Grandma Ellen, Tristan, Brody, Gigi, Aunt Deb


Since Isaac and Josh's birthdays were only a week away, we had a mini party for them on Sunday afternoon, using Deb's now-famous Disappearing Zucchini and Whole Wheat Brownies. You would not believe how tasty these treats were, especially considering the name!


Rebekah with Pippin, who used to be her family's dog, and who she misses very much.


Gigi and Brody, who lately have become quite good friends, which makes a mother very happy.


Our family with the Averys: Jared, Josh, Doug, Jake, Rebekah, and Abigail.


Aunt Deb whips up her lemon poppy seed whole wheat zucchini bread -- amazing. Deb brought a bunch of zucchini from her garden and we put it all to good use.

Ouch!

We went to an outdoor concert here in Henderson on Friday night. It was a fun cover band who didn't take themselves too seriously. And, it rained lightly, which in the desert is pure magic every time. We were all having a great time, but the kids got antsy, so I took them to a lawn behind the seat and let them run around and dance. Ox got into running a loop on a cement wall that went the perimeter of the triangular lawn area. I was marveling at the athleticism it took for him to run and leap up to a higher wall at the corner. Then, he switched directions and what was an impressive leap up became a dangerous leap down and he fell badly. I saw the whole thing and I tell you it gave me nightmares. I grabbed him, blood all over, and my mom rushed us all home so Doctor Dad could fix him up. He was such a tough champ. This picture was taken three days later.

If you are breastfeeding . . .

you must get these: myposhpads.com

No kidding. They are awesome.

Those pictures I promised.

With cousins Harley and Shelby.


With cousin Harley.

Announcing . . .

We are so happy to welcome our baby boy here! He is perfect. It was rather a surreal experience to have a baby where I went to have my smashed ring finger fixed up after a bicycle accident twenty years ago. The hospital was great. Baby and I are both healthy and recovering well. Stand by for more pictures than you could ever want of my little family. I can't stop snapping photos of this little angel.