My new foal

Rose, my lovely warmblood mare, surprised me by having her foal 3 weeks early! Of course, I was away visiting family in Maryland at the time. Rose has always seemed to possess an uncanny ability to detect when I am leaving her and will get into some kind of mischief. In the past she has flooded her stall (twice), jumped out of her field (because the grass is always greener on the other side), destroyed gates (why not kill two gates with one lunge?), banged her eye, colicked, and a few others I'm sure I'm forgetting. I was disappointed to miss the birth and first few days, but thankful that Rose and foal were healthy and strong! We named the filly Gwen'dugethere (When did you get here?) and call her Gwen. I've been home for a couple days now and we are still working on convincing Gwen that she likes people. =) Not being with her for the first few days set us back a little bit, though Lorie, wonderful manager of Galloway Farms, where my girls are boarded, has played with her some. I am excited about learning more about foals and how to train them, since this is an entirely new experience for me!

Gwen

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Morning Glory Muffins!

My favorite muffins ever! These are delicious, healthy, filling, and just about impossible to mess up! I have made them with many different substitutions and they always turn out yummy. I love to bake a batch early in the week so my husband can grab one on his way out the door when I don't get up and make him breakfast. They also freeze pretty well. Delicious with butter or cream cheese!

2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup sugar or sucanat
1/3 cup honey
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup raisins or craisins (soaked)
2 cups grated carrots
1 lg. tart apple, peeled and grated
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped almond, walnuts, or pecans
1/3 cup sunflower seed or wheat germ
3 lg. eggs
2/3 cup coconut oil (or applesauce)
1/4 cup orange juice (or apple)
2 teaspoons vanilla
Cinnamon sugar (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease muffin tins.

Put raisins in small bowl and cover with hot water; set aside to soak. Whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, spices, and salt in large mixing bowl. I usually do heaping teaspoons of the spices. Stir in the carrots, apple, coconut, nuts, and wheat germ (or sunflower seeds). Note: I have left out the nuts or coconut or wheat germ at various times, or added minced crystalized ginger; these ingredients are very flexible!
 In separate bowl, beat together eggs, oil (or applesauce), orange juice, and vanilla. Add to flour mixture and stir until evenly moistened. Drain the raisins(or craisins) and stir them in.
Scoop batter into the greased muffin tins; they will be almost full. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, if desired. Bake about 25 mins, until a cake tester comes out clean. Remove from oven, allow to cool 5 mins. and then transfer to a cooling rake. If you don't remove the muffins from tin after 5 mins. they will get soggy.
Enjoy!!

Note: I have made them with all honey also. Just leave out the sugar/sucanat and use about 2/3 c. honey. This is an adapted recipe from "King Arthur's Flour Whole Grain Baking cookbook".

I am thankful for...

1) my beautiful baby, napping on the couch.
2) the fact that it is almost the weekend, so I get to spend time with my wonderful hubby!
3) my fluffy brown leather moccasins (thanks mom!)
4) my warm home
5) my mother-in-laws willingness to watch Nate for me so I can teach riding lessons this afternoon
6) hot coffee!!
7) my washer and dryer, which are currently running and thus make me feel like I am "accomplishing something" even when I am sitting at my computer. =)
8) my horse, and the little life growing inside her.
9) my mom, whom I can call with any silly question or concern I have about mothering (or anything else)
10) my husband, who is working so hard for us right now!

Welcome!

If you don't know me already, you will learn who I am as we go along, so I won't spend time introducing myself. I love writing and journaling, and have been blessed by other's blogs, so I decided to begin this one. It will simply be a hodge-podge of ruminations on Scripture, homemaking, relationships and life. Hope you will join me!
Lauren