puffed pancake

i always love breakfast. i could eat it for every meal. and it's my favorite meal to share with friends. the other morning i met with a dear friend (papa bird watched little bird) for breakfast, french press, and a heart to heart chat.

ingredients:

2 eggs
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup milk
dash of salt
dash of cinnamon
dash of nutmeg
1tablespoon butter

heat oven to 425 degrees.
in a bowl, whisk together eggs, flour, milk, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.
while the oven is preheating, melt butter in a pie pan (in the oven). pour the batter into the hot buttered pan.
bake 10-12 minutes, until the pancake is puffed around the edges.

serve while still warm. top with lemon juice, powdered sugar, and fresh strawberries. (you could also try other berries or even maple syrup.)

i made a version of this one. (i personally like mine better, it's a lot simpler, and oh so tasty.)

enjoy!

mother's day

on my first official mama's day, my heart was overflowing with love and pride. i was on cloud nine the entire day, as my husband layed on the sweetness extra thick and honored my journey into motherhood in the sweetest way. i awoke to homemade cards, letters, breakfast, and many kisses from both of my loves.

papa bird planned a day of adventure and even a photoshoot for our family of three. we headed to the same spot where we had some of our maternity photos taken, built a similar boho fort, and had a blast adding our little bird to the scene.

this place has become sacred to my heart, a little treasure that i will always bury deep inside my soul. i anticipate as years pass, and more little birds join our nest - we will be returning to this magical place. to capture the essence, joy, love, and connectedness of our growing family.

oh sweet motherhood

how quickly sparrow came into my life, a sweet wild breeze, enveloping my entire being and heart. here i am in the deep end, swimming in joy, love, and utter happiness. there is no turning back and no desire to. oh sweet motherhood, you have made me love louder, more fierce and with beautiful freedom and grace. this journey of motherhood, has humbled me and taught me a kind of bravery i have never known , truly a gift from my creator.

to my beautiful little sparrow. it is an honor to be called your 'ma-ma' everyday. you have brought the most joyful love into our home, a love that keeps growing. .and my darling husband, chirstopher. you are truly the best part of my life. thank you for being a loving and kind man, one i can lean on through the ups and downs of this journey. being a mama has been my greatest, most rewarding adventure and i thank both of you so much for giving me the chance to become one. i am so very lucky to have both of you.

happy mother's day to all you amazing mothers, motherly figures and future mamas out there! and a special thank you to my own beautiful mama and mother-in-law who i love so dearly. i am so thankful for both of you, the mountains of love you pour out into our lives, is truly an inspiration.

love,
meg

strawberry cobbler

what do you do when you have 2 pounds of fresh strawberries and company coming over? you make strawberry cobbler of course. and this is my new, super easy, and oh so yummy recipe!

6 cups fresh strawberries, halved
3/4 cup sugar, divided
1/2 cup plus 2 tbs. flour, divided
juice of half a lemon
1/8 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp. salt
31/2 tbs unsalted butter, slightly softened (or nonhydrogenated vegetable shortening)

1. preheat oven to 375. coat 11x7 inch baking pan with cooking spray (i use organic olive oil spray).
2. toss together strawberries, 1/2 cup plus 2 tbs sugar, 2 tbs flour, and lemon juice in bowl. transfer to prepared baking dish.
3. in a separate bowl, whish together remaining 1/2 cup flour, remaining 2 tbs sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. add butter (or shortening), and mix well with fork until mixture is crumbly. stir in 1/2 cup water. spread over strawberry mixture.
4. bake 20-30 minutes, or until browned and bubbly. let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

when served warm it taste divine with a little homemade vanilla ice cream (without high fructose corn syrup of course!).

enjoy!

drum circle

(despite it's blurry quality, i love this photograph)

we met up with some dear friends at a drum circle hosted by one of the local universities in our town. every year, the music therapy department (at TWU) provides all the instruments - mainly djembe's and encourages everyone to play and dance along.

i simply loved that all of the children (and adults!) played and danced along to the singing and drumming - coming alive and fully engaging  their entire beings to the music. it was such a beautiful and fun experience to see the community come together and just be present with their surroundings and with one another. to hear loud singing, hands beating in rhythm, clapping, feet stomping to the beat, and tiny squeals of delight and bursts of laughter, simply made my heart happy.

sparrow absolutely loved every aspect of the drum circle - the drumming, singing, and playing with all of the other kiddos. my little bird loves music so much, it awakens her body and soul, and it's so cute to watch her move to the beat. and as i see the wonder in her eyes, the passion in her smile, and hear her uncontrollable squeals, my heart can't help but swell with emotion. i love my little bird and it is pure joy to be at her side as she experiences all of life's firsts, even little hippie drum circles.