Mommy's Time Out

Being the mother of five is EXHAUSTING!

Even with having two adult children out of the house,

 I still find myself overwhelmed with daily life.  Between working as a nurse, managing the household, homeschooling, and all the kid's activities, I find myself at the end of the day with headaches and anxiety about being able to do it all...and do it all well.

I long for a TIME OUT!

A couple of weeks ago my husband gave me this book.  It's a "do it yourself retreat" in preparation for Marian Consecration.  I initially rolled my eyes and thought to myself, I simply DO NOT have time for homework!  Just one more thing on my "To Do" list, and I actually felt crippled by the additional commitment it would take.

I should have known better.

I started my "retreat" a day late, of course.

I usually get up early, before the kids so I can get my chores done. 

But this day I made a cup of coffee, headed out to the garden, 

took a deep breath and began reading.  

I was immediately surprised at the ease of this book.  

Each day takes less than five minutes to complete and comes with a beautiful prayer to the Holy Spirit.

It felt REALLY good.

And I found myself recalling what I had read 
to give me strength through the day...
maybe it was the Holy Spirit just whispering in my ear.

I guess I thought devotional time had to be some monumental, mystical experience requiring great theological thought and contemplation. 

It's doesn't.

I think it just requires you to set aside a little time each day to read the Word of God...then to listen.

My days are still hectic and I still have anxiety about being able to do it all.  But I have learned that if I give the first part of my day to God...before I check emails, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram,

He never fails to breathe a certain peace into my heart and home.

Mommies, feel free to put yourself in a
TIME OUT
every once in a while!

Garden to Kitchen ~ Zucchini Breads

If there's one thing I can grow, it's zucchini!

It's actually a no brainer and will grow itself.  Once the plants start producing, you'll have zucchini coming out of your ears in no time.  One day they're little two inch stubs and the next day they're the size of baseball bats.  I'll never understand how they grow so fast! 

 If you get "baseball bats" in your garden, 
I have the perfect solution for you.  

Make zucchini bread!

I make this all summer long and the kids never get tired of it. 

 It's a dangerous thing, though.  
I've been known to eat an entire loaf by myself.

LEMON ZUCCHINI BREAD:

2 cups all purpose flour 

2 tsp baking powder 

½ tsp salt 

2 eggs 

½ cup canola oil 

⅔ cup sugar 

½ cup buttermilk 

2 TBS lemon juice 

zest of 1 lemon 

1 cup grated zucchini 

Lemon Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar and juice from 1 lemon

Combine all the dry ingredients in a bowl.

In a separate bowl, combine all the wet ingredients.

Mix the wet ingredients into the dry.

Spray or butter a loaf pan and fill with batter.

Bake at 350 for 55 minutes.

While still warm, pour lemon glaze over loaf.

CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI BREAD:

1 and 1/2 cups shredded zucchini 

1 cup all-purpose flour 

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 

3/4 teaspoon baking soda 

1/4 teaspoon baking powder 

1/4 teaspoon salt 

1 teaspoon instant coffee  

3/4 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips

2 large eggs 

1/4 cup vegetable oil 

1 small container plain Greek yogurt 

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

Same song, second verse...

Combine the wet, combine the dry.

Mix together and put into greased loaf pan.

Bake at 350 for 45-55 minutes.

And here's a little tip about making these breads...

MAKE TWO LOAVES!

(Trust me, one will be devoured right out of the oven)

Enjoy!