Oh how things change....and some blueberry coffee cake too!

I was talking to a great friend today and she made the comment that I've heard many times now. People seem to be surprised that I'm the same person they knew five years ago. Sure, we all change, we all get a little bigger, grayer, have a few more wrinkles and sometimes we even change professions. Perhaps though, we really don't change, we just become confident enough to be the person we have always wanted to be. We learn to find happiness where we are. There comes a time where we quit saying "when I grow up" and instead we just grow up. We find the things we feel passionate about and are no longer embarrassed to be passionate about them. So, perhaps I am not the same person I was five years ago, but the person I am now is the person I was always meant to be. I've found happiness in my family and my faith. I know that no matter where we are as long as we are together things will always be okay. That, is really where the change occurs, in no longer chasing after what will make us okay but realizing that it's really been right here all along!

I awoke this morning to a child who was finally breathing well! Matt has turned the corner and seems to be getting back to normal. Thanks again for all the prayers and thoughts. I was so busy with him yesterday that I didn't even get a chance to write and for that I am sorry. I'm sure everyone will survive ;)

Yesterday I did make two coffee cakes for my Mom's Group. I was most excited about a Jewish Coffee Cake recipe that I had found. It had all my favorites...sour cream, sugar, nuts....how could it not be perfect....well, it was less than perfect. Okay, it was edible and to some probably not bad but it was definately NOT what I was looking for.

I had also found a blueberry coffee cake that I decided would be a good option for people who didn't like nuts...I really wasn't expecting much but let me tell you, it was awesome! This past summer some friends of ours, the Brown's, along with David's sister and her family, went with us to pick blueberries. I have to admit, prior to then, I had never ever picked a blueberry. I had never seen a blueberry bush and I wasn't so sure I knew what to do with a blueberry. When I go to a farm, I always ask what I am looking for when picking said item. Growers are more than eager to share their knowledge and if I'm lucky enough, they may even share some great recipes. Well, we picked a bunch of blueberries and I was sure that this would be more than enough to last my family to the next season, sad to report, I have just used the last bag!!!! I guess I'll be purchasing some frozen blueberries next week because I can't resist making this coffee cake again. Here's a little tip that my friend Stacie taught me....when using frozen blueberries in baking recipes, make sure they are frozen when you add them, it keeps them from all sinking to the bottom of your item. I am happy to report...she is absolutely right! You can bet I'll be baking this during blueberry season next year!

Divine Blueberry Coffee Cake

1/4 cup butter
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups blueberries

1/2 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons butter

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9 x 9 pan. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the milk, mixing just until incorporated. Stir in the blueberries. Pour batter into prepared pan. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, 3 tablespoons flour, and cinnamon. Cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over the batter.
Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

So tonight it was just the kids and I so we had some pork chops and mashed potatoes. Nothing fancy just easy and kid friendly. When Dave finally made it home from work I planted myself on the sofa to watch Julie & Julia. I have to admit, I had never seen the movie but was intrigued by the whole "cooking" aspect of it. I was laughing my butt off when I realized it was about a woman who blogged about her cooking :) So much for original ideas. The movie was great and I really did get what she was doing. She was following her passion. I have told people many times that when I cook it's an intimate thing. When someone eats my cooking, and enjoys it, they are allowing me to nurture them, to provide them with not only the substinance they need but hopefully with some pleasure. It may sound corny but it is truly how I feel.

It looks like mother nature is going to smile on us this weekend. Temps in the high 40's in January, what a blessing. I need a break from the cloudy cold. Yesterday morning I got to see a beautiful sunrise. I would have actually missed it but Aaron was looking out the patio door and said "Mommy, the sun is on fire", he was so right! Aaron has a way of stating things that continually bring a smile to my face. It turns out several of my friends saw the same sunrise and posted about it on their fb accounts. Isn't it neat how we can all be so far away but yet be connected by something as simple as the sunrise.

Well, it's late, the kids are in their own beds (woohoo) and I'm ready to go spend some quality time with my hubby!

Until we eat again,

Simply FAB