Snowblind...

Hi guys! I am trying something new with the blog. This is the little piece of the world that is mine and I have come to view it as an escape of sorts. It's so snowy and cold outside, I just want to bake to warm my home and hearts, keep myself busy so the snowy days don't start getting to me. I don't know about you, but cabin fever really starts to set in once I know the time is going to change. I don't care that it goes forward, I just want the sun to come out! Remember how it feel's to walk in the wet grass to pick up your mail or how it feels to open your curtains and window's to the sun's full on shine. I am missing it. I need to make dinner! That's the perfect remedy for how I am feeling. We are in the middle of a ANOTHER winter storm warning with ft.'s of snow and freezing rain. I just wish it was over already.

We do have something to look forward to this month. We have Shane's birthday to celebrate. Those of you that don't know (HA! I am writing like someone is reading this, my therapy session) me, Shane is my 8 year old, soon to be 9! I can't believe it. My oldest Hunter is 18, and now Shane. Since he is in school at his dad's in Raleigh Co., I don't see him as much in the winter because of the weather and because of school/sports. I miss him something terrible but I know when it's not safe to travel and how selfish would I be if I put his life and those that were on the road in danger to make the trip. So I prayed last night that God would let me have a weekend in March for nice weather. I am not asking for 80 degrees, just a couple days with no snow (I just wrote sun and didn't realize it) and a couple beams of sunshine. His birthday is the day after St. Patrick's Day so we usually have some kind of green themed kind of party but this year I am not so sure. It's kind of hard to plan a party when you don't know what Mother Nature has in store for you.

Sometimes I feel guilty for not posting all these things I am doing. You know, being the "hostest with the mostest" kind of thing. Sometimes I don't have the interest or the time to be Betty Crocker/Martha Stewart. A lot of the day's I just have time to throw something in the pan and hope that the biscuits don't burn. I know I am not alone in that. I remember my mom scurrying to get dinner together when my dad came home and we were home from school. She did it though, we had supper every day about 4:30-5-00. That was everyday. Granted she was a stay-at-home mom but that doesn't mean a thing when you have 2 girls 5 years apart and a husband to take care of. Plus all the household stuff that we take for granted because life is a little more advanced these days. I am tired just talking about it. I do love to write though. If I had the imagination I would have been an author (its not too late, but sadly I am not that creative or imaginative) because I love to write. Is it self-centered to want to write about the things you find funny, sad or accomplished throughout the day? I don't think so. Honestly, what is so bad about this life?

Not a damn thing other than the weather. 

I am waiting on Bub (my S.O) to get home. It's pouring the snow and he is out taking care of the elderly people that he keeps shoveled out. He is a blessing. He will go out of his way, out of town, to go and help my grandma when it's bad out. He treats me good, and I am very, very lucky. It took me a minute to find him. Once I did we have never let go. Ok, if we are being honest, I did go. I went back to my then husband and children to see if we could give it a second try. Needless to say, it didn't work but I ask myself everyday, "what kind of mother would I be if I had not gone back and tried"? That is how I sleep at night. My children are safe and loved to the best of my ability. All you can do is give all of you, there is nothing else left once you do that. God Bless the Child.

Anyway it's supper time and I think I am just gonna make a home style meal. Some pork steak, crescent rolls, Cesar salad, sweet potato's w/ cinnamon butter and some homemade coffee cake for desert. Oh shoot, you want the coffee cake recipe? It's really easy and it has a simple crumb topping.

Coffee Crumb Cake

Active 15 min * Total 1 hr. 5 min.

Serves 10 * Cost per serving  24 cents

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

2 tsp baking powder

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) cold, unsalted butter, cut into small pieces.

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

1 large egg, beaten

1/2 cup cold coffee

1. Heat oven to 375. Lightly coat 8x2 in round cake pan with cooking spray. (I use Pam for baking) Line the bottom with parchment and spray the paper.

2. In food processor combine flour, salt, cinnamon and baking powder. Add the brown sugar and pulse to combine. Sometimes I do this step by hand. I am too lazy to dig out a lot of the kitchen items I have.

3. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse bread crumbs. Transfer 1/2 cup of the mixture to a small bowl and toss with the walnuts and set aside.

4. Add egg and coffee to the food processor and pulse just to combine. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan. 

5. Sprinkle the walnut mixture over the top and bake until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean, 35-40 minutes.

Transfer to a cooling rack to let cool for 10 min before serving.

This is so good and always a hit at our house. Its also super simple. It's going to be good on this freezing winter evening. Ok, I guess I should get off here and get the coffee on and dinner started. I wish it was desert already.

Keep warm or stay cool! Whichever you prefer. 

~Crystal