"No."

As a parent, there are a lot of times when you have to say no.

Especially, I'm learning, when you have an [almost!] one-year-old who is just beginning to discover and explore a great big world...crawling and walking and reaching and climbing and grabbing and eating. 

He doesn't know yet what belongs to him, what belongs to others, what will hurt him, or what will hurt others.

For a while we couldn't tell if Knox understood the word NO.

But we have passed that stage. 

He definitely knows now.

When we say no now he gets a very serious look on his face and even shakes his head no along with us.

No means no.

But saying no isn't fun.  I don't think any parent enjoys saying no.   

Every day I try to look for and make a big deal of the YES's, too, so that I'm not always just saying no.

But sometimes NO is very necessary.
1.) Like when something is harmful to my child (i.e. electrical outlets, drinking daddy's coffee...);

2.) when something is harmful to others (i.e. hitting other people, pulling on mommy's earrings...); and

3.) when it's not time yet (i.e. that pile of colorfully wrapped birthday presents in mommy and daddy's room that are being saved for the BIG DAY...).

Eventually Knox will understand a little better that certain things might hurt him, or might hurt others...he will eventually learn the meaning of "wait until tomorrow."  (Although, if he's anything like his dad, he'll be asking to open his presents early for the rest of his life.)  :)

But right now he doesn't understand any of that.  He just hears NO. 

This has been intriguing for me to consider, because although God says YES to me a lot, sometimes He says NO, too.

Sometimes I don't like his rules.  Sometimes I don't like His answer to my prayer.

And like a little child, I don't understand why.  I get angry, I protest, I reach for what I want anyway.

Why can't I play with the electrical outlet?  It is (obviously) the most exciting looking item in the whole house!

I can't see that He is saying no because it is going to hurt me.  

Why can't I pull on mommy's earrings?  They're so colorful and inviting!

I can't see that He is saying no because it's going to hurt someone I love.

Why can't I tear open that bright wrapping paper?  It's TANTALIZING and it's mine, isn't it?!

I can't see that He is saying no because He has set it aside to give it to me later, on a special day.

God loves me even more than I love Knox. 

That is a lot of love.

I hope that the next time God says no to me I will hear myself saying no to Knox...and see His kind heart and loving intentions for me even when I don't fully understand the whys.

Whenever God says NO, it is because He has a big YES to give us later.

My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline,
   and do not resent his rebuke,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
   as a father the son he delights in.

Proverbs 3:11-12

Doughnut Muffins

We just had another exciting week with visitors here in Dallas.  The day after my sister and brother-in-law left us, Josh's parents arrived to meet Baby Eli and hang out with Knox, too.  

We have LOVED all the time we've been able to spend with our families this summer...it doesn't always work out like this for us.  It has been a special summer.

 

While Josh's parents were here, I made my newest favorite muffin recipe...these doughnut muffins. 

I think I love them because they remind me of the homemade donuts the older ladies in my town always made for us when I was growing up.  These muffins are reminiscent of old fashioned homemade donuts...only much faster and easier to make.  I found the recipe on the King Arthur baking blog.

 

The only problem I have with this recipe is that my favorite part is the top half, the half dipped in the melted butter and cinnamon sugar.  It just melts in your mouth!  I wish that every muffin could have TWO top halves.  :) 

But I did discover a remedy to this problem...just mix up a little extra cinnamon sugar and sprinkle it on the bottom half of your muffin before you eat it...with a little butter, if you're feeling especially indulgent.

 

 

  

Doughnut Muffins

Batter:

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 to 1 1/4 teaspoons ground nutmeg, to taste
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 2/3 cups flour 
• 1 cup milk

Topping:

• 4 tablespoons melted butter
• 1/2 cup cinnamon sugar

Batter

• 2 ounces butter
• 1 3/4 ounces vegetable oil
• 3 1/2 ounces granulated sugar
• 2 1/2 ounces brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 to 1 1/4 teaspoons ground nutmeg, to taste
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 11 1/4 ounces King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
• 8 ounces milk

Topping

• 1 1/2 ounces melted butter
• 1 3/8 ounces Cinnamon-Sugar Plus or cinnamon sugar

Directions:

 

1) Preheat the oven to 425°F. Lightly grease a standard muffin tin. Or line with 12 paper muffin cups, and grease the cups with non-stick vegetable oil spray; this will ensure that they peel off the muffins nicely.

2) In a medium-sized mixing bowl, cream together the butter, vegetable oil, and sugars till smooth.

3) Add the eggs, beating to combine.

4) Stir in the baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla.

5) Stir the flour into the butter mixture alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour and making sure everything is thoroughly combined.

6) Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared pan, filling the cups nearly full.

7) Bake the muffins for 15 to 17 minutes, or until they're a pale golden brown and a cake tester inserted into the middle of one of the center muffins comes out clean.

8) Remove them from the oven, and let them cool for a couple of minutes, or until you can handle them. While they're cooling, melt the butter for the topping (this is easily done in the microwave).

9) Use a pastry brush to paint the top of each muffin with the butter, then sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar. Or simply dip the tops of muffins into the melted butter, then roll in the cinnamon-sugar...that's what I did.

10) Serve warm.

Yield: 12 muffins.

Velvet Covered Brick

Today I want to send a special shout out to my DAD.  

Because it's a big day.  It's his 60th birthday!!! 

Some friends once described my dad as a "velvet covered brick" and I love that description of him.

Because my dad is gentle and loving and patient and kind...but also very firm and very solid in his convictions, his beliefs and his integrity.  

People know they can trust my dad, and if you ask him for his opinion he will give you his honest answer. Even if it's not an easy answer to give.

He is a wise man.

I don't know if there is a harder working and more generous man in the world than my dad.  If someone needs a hand, he's there.  

There definitely there isn't a better auto mechanic anywhere. 

Nor a better dad.  

My dad has worked very hard all of his life.  But he has never been too busy for his girls. 

And that has meant the world to me.

I will always look up to him, and admire him, and respect him.

Happy 60th Birthday, Dad!

You are loved.

Meatball Subs Caprese

I stumbled upon this recipe last week on Epicurious and it was one of those recipes I knew I had to try A.S.A.P. 

So I did! 

As you can tell, they were a big hit. :)

If you love marina, love good meatballs, love good bread, love fresh basil and love mozzarella you are going to LOVE these subs!

Courtney, Justin and Josh and I all enjoyed them immensely.

In all their messy, delicious glory.

And now I am even more excited for football season to start because...well, because I love the Bears.  But also because I think these subs are going to be just the ticket or some football Sunday lunches this fall.

Enjoy!!

Meatball Subs Caprese

Serves 4-5

Make the sauce:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
• 1 28-ounce can Italian plum tomatoes, chopped, juices reserved
• 15 oz. meat flavored spaghetti sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil, crumbled
• 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
• Salt & pepper, to taste

Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; sauté until tender, about 10 minutes. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add red pepper flakes, tomatoes and reserved juices. Cover and simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add tomato sauce, sugar, basil and oregano. Cover and cook 15 more minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper.  Set aside.

Make the meatballs:

• 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (preferably Italian)
• 1/4 cup Italian bread crumbs
• 3 large garlic cloves, minced
• 2 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoons ground white pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• Long Italian or French rolls, split lengthwise 
• Fresh basil
• Sliced fresh or whole milk mozzarella

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray heavy large baking sheet with nonstick vegetable oil spray. Combine ground beef, grated Parmesan cheese, eggs, chopped fresh parsley, crushed cornflakes, minced garlic, dried oregano, ground white pepper and salt in large bowl and blend thoroughly. Using moistened hands, shape meat mixture into 2-inch rounds and place on prepared sheet, spacing evenly. Bake meatballs until just firm to touch and cooked through, about 20-25 minutes.

Add meatballs to sauce in pan and simmer uncovered until sauce thickens, about 15 minutes. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over low heat before continuing.) 

Assemble subs:

Gently press center of bottoms of rolls to compact slightly. Spoon sauce on bread, then 3 press meatballs into depression in each roll. Spoon more sauce over to coat.  Top with fresh basil and sliced mozzarella.  

Broil for a minute or two, until cheese is melted.  Place tops to rolls on bottom shelf of oven briefly to warm.

Place tops of rolls over and serve.

Rangers vs. Twins. GO WHITESOX!

All the Cousins

Knox probably won't often get to be with both of his cousins at the same time, so this was a special moment... worth documenting!

This picture makes me so happy, and so thankful for our families.

God is good.

Last Hurrah

This week we are enjoying one last hurrah with my sister Courtney, brother-in-law Justin and nephew Max before they move back to Indonesia in just a couple of weeks.

Justin needed to take a helicopter course in Fort Worth this week so it worked out perfectly for them to stay with us.  We are so happy they could come!

So what have we been doing together so far?

Well, we have learned that there are only two things that are fun to do in Dallas in July.

1.) Stay in the air conditioning.

  
And

2.) Stay in the air conditioning.

So we have been staying in the air conditioning. :)

We are thankful for every moment we get to spend together.

In the air conditioning. :)