This is thirty....thirty-two!

Another year. Another day. My 30's have been great this far. I dreaded turning 30 but quickly realized it was pretty amazing. This morning I woke up with "This is the day the Lord has made". Thank you God for another day of life, another year of life. I often dip into pieces of my past and wonder how on earth did I make it this far? God...that's the only explanation. Through all my life experiences and now working through my awful mood swings, He is the only one getting me through it. 

Today, I am here raising six babies and trying to be a "good" wife. After almost 14 years of marriage I still haven't figured out how to be a "good" homemaker, but I'm trying. 

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well." Psalm 139:14

The year ahead of me will be a year of healing my body & mind. I need to learn patience and grace. It will also be filled with lots of coffee drinking! 
~Cheers!~

Morning Glory Muffins with a Twist

Hello Spring!

I've taken quite a hiatus from blogging. I've missed the bloggy world but it has been refreshing. What's new? I had baby number 6 on May 1st! Baby Girl Averie. I'll do a blog post when I'm up to it. We've been taking it easy this last week.

I've had a major urge to clean and bake and organize lately. Making up for lost time in the last 9 months I suppose! Last evening, I began the process of emptying our gigantic freezer in the garage. It has lasted for the past 6 years and a previous 20-30 before that with different owners....it's on the verge of dying now. :( Time to do some spring cleaning! Lots of berries out there that definitely needed to be used up ASAP. So, what do I make? MUFFINS! With all these ever growing bodies to feed, muffins are a quick and easy breakfast or after school snack.

The recipe is adapted from a cookbook gifted to me many years ago. The book is called 'Muffin Mania' by Cathy Prange and Joan Pauli.

note* I am a one bowl kinda gal, so I really just throw everything in and mix it up! The muffin man would be very disappointed in my kitchen logic!

Morning Glory Muffins with a Twist

2 cups flour
1 1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups cranberries
2 cups Saskatoon berries
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
3 eggs
1 cup oil
2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup almond milk (optional, mine was a bit on the dry side so I added this)
Lemon zest to taste.

Mix it up. Fill greased muffin tins. Bake at 350* for 20-25 minutes. Yields 24 nice size muffins.

These muffins remind me of McDonald's Fruit N Fibre muffins. But you will have to see for yourself.

note* I like to add what is on hand in my cupboards, You have nuts, add nuts, Craisins? do it. Raisins? Be my guest! Play it up to what you and your fam jam like! Have fun with it and make it your own!

Until next time,

The Abstract Mama - Winging it, One day at a time.

Word of the Year 2017

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!" John 16:33

Thanks to The Paper Shelter for this freebie background this past week!

It's a good day to start a new year! And with this new year comes another Word of the Year! My word is....

it is my hope and prayer that I can & will endure and persevere through whatever is thrown my way this year. All with God's strength of course, because I know I cannot do it on my own. 

Today has been a quiet, peaceful, & relaxing day. We made a huge breakfast, the hubs took all the kiddos sledding while I stayed home with the baby so he could nap. It's been a day of coffee, food, and family. I am grateful for the year behind us (the good and the bad), and looking forward to whatever is in store for this year. I am choosing to look at this new beginning with joy, and not fear. God is still in control no matter what is going on in our world...