Coffee Twice

I am not ashamed to say I frequent Starbucks. Their coffee makes me happy.

That said, I do try to make and drink coffee at home most days as opposed to buying out. I brew my strong 12 ounces and splash in some half and half and do alright.

Some days, like today, I want a yummier-than-usual coffee drink, and I don't plan to be out and about, and even if I do go out I just don't feel like forking over three bucks.

So I make this Maple Cinnamon Coffee.

I make enough for a hot cup in the morning and then later I ice the rest and add milk, 1 to 1, and it is a lovely iced coffee drink. I don't do the whipped cream usually, just my half and half or un-whipped heavy cream. And the amount of maple syrup she calls for is a little too sweet for me, but you'll have to experiment to see what you like.

On my nightstand

As a single woman, I had a book on my nightstand always. And one on the couch in the living room, and possibly another on the kitchen counter, and yes, the back of the toilet. You get the idea. Lots more time in the day where I got to actually decide what I wanted to do instead of have it dictated to me by three adorable little people.

Now I only have a book on my nightstand a few times a year. I love to read. I'm VERY discerning at this point about books, and it has to be an easy read that requires SOME thought but not too deep. Not because I don't want to think deeply, but because I just CAN'T right now, people. Another day, when I'm getting more sleep.

But right NOW, I actually have TWO books on my nightstand. Yikes! It's exciting! It makes me smile, and the covers are so pretty and inviting, and I can't wait to crawl into bed at night to devour a chapter of each.

Here's what I'm reading:



My mother bought this for me Monday night when we went to see Immaculee speak. Wowzers. Holy woman of God. And she autographed it for me, and she kissed my baby. Yay. Read about this apparition of the Blessed Mother, the only Church approved one in Africa. I only wish all of you could hear Immaculee speak about it. But this will be the next best thing.



This one is about unplugging, going completely off the grid. It is one couple's story. I just started it, but how interesting is that? It was an experiment to see what among today's technology is actually helpful to mankind and what technology is just sucking the life out of us. I'll keep you posted.

That's all folks.

Sunrise, Sunset

Both today's. An awesome opportunity to share the love of God with Grace and Joshua.

Good Deal on Green Works Laundry Detergent

If you like Green Works laundry detergent, this is for you.

If you haven't used it before, I will tell you from my limited experience that it works just as well or better than my usual suspects, such as Tide and Up & Up.

So here's the dealio. Click here for a link to a coupon for $3 off and then go to Target Coupons and print a Target Coupon for $3 off. You can stack these for a total of $6 off a 90oz bottle at Target. I'm pretty sure it was $9.99 last time I bought it, so at $3.99 for 90oz, that's a heck of a deal.

I'm also rolling the catalina deals at Dillons this week, let me know if you want the 411.

Not Your Momma's Zucchini Bread

I love the Zucchini Bread recipe I got from my sister-in-law. It has orange juice concentrate and orange zest in it, and it is refreshingly tasty. And I will be happy to share it with you, but not today.

Yesterday I was looking for something new and different and tasty (and healthy but don't tell the kids) and so I found a popular recipe on food.com and then altered it to suit my baking preferences (less sugar, different oils, heartier flour) and voila!


Yep, it was that good.

This bread is seriously desert-like, but you could totally eat it for breakfast. Or lunch. Or a snack. I ate half the loaf myself. I just made it last night. OK now you know too much.


Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread

3 eggs
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup coconut oil
2 cups shredded zucchini, squeezed out (a tea towel works well)
3 cups whole wheat flour (hard red) (not white whole wheat)
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 pkg. mini chocolate chips

I was in a rush (baby waking up), so I honestly just dumped it all in my KitchenAid stand mixer, gave it a whirl until it was well combined, and then plopped it in two well buttered loaf pans and baked it at 325 for 50 minutes. In the interest of full disclosure, the original had you mixing things up separately, you know the drill.


Neurotic Notes:
1. I've tried zucchini bread with butter instead of oil, and it really is better with coconut oil. Strange as it seems to me, I don't like the buttery taste in my zucchini bread.
2. Next time I make it, I'm going to experiment with a different, more nutritious sweetener. I'm considering: raw sugar, honey, or just less of the refined stuff. My recipe here has half of what was called for already though. Drop your suggestions in the combox.
3. Chopping up dark, higher quality chocolate would take it up a notch on the health-o-meter. I really liked the mini chips in the bread though, to be honest.
4. If the batter seems unnaturally thick, don't worry about it. I thought it would turn out a brick based on the way it went in, but it came out fine.

I hope you make it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Two Year Old Stares Death in the Face and Lives to Tell About It