Cousins&Florida

We were so blessed to hang out with all our lovely Florida cousins!  It started when we planned to meet Aunt Marty one morning for coffee.........

..........and she planned to have our cousins Marcella, Keith, and Charlotte (and her boys) come to surprise us!  We had a great time in the bus eating Aunt Martie's tremendously yummy coffee cake and catching up with each other.

sisters: Marty & Becky

Chels, Marcella, Charlotte, Aunt Marty, Mother, me

another group photo with whoever happened to be close by:)

Aunt & nephew (Mother & Keith)

look-alikes: Keith & Taylor

(maybe they don't look so alike in these pictures...but the pictures of Keith when he was younger look SO much like Taylor!)

After our get-together in the bus, we headed to Uncle Elam's for the rest of the day.  Aunt Esther heard we were missing our kitchen, so she planned a wonderful "pizza making party".  We worked together creating pizza with the pre-made crusts and abundant variety of toppings.

sooo fun to truly COOK again-in a REAL kitchen!!

Laura & me.....enjoying the scrumptious pizza!

The kids loved playing with all the legos.:)

amongst other things...mom tried out the zipline, with the help of her brother Elam. =)

Since it was Chelsy's birthday, Aunt Esther put candles on a cookie for her.:)

dutch blitz

chatting

Nic and I both happen to have a fetish with popping those little packaging bubble things.  Thus........the above.:)

That game!  Catch Phrase was totally fun and hilarious.  

We Stoltzfus's (my Mom's family name) are rather competitive.........

.............and it got pretty intense!

conversation over Sunday dinner

sharing a cousin laugh......perhaps over one of Nic's puns?:)

Mother & her brother Elam

......................................................................

Family is such a blessing, and we are thankful for all the opportunities we get to spend time with our wonderful relatives as we travel.  

-posted by Allison

Mitchell Leaves Home for a Month

The other morning after a waffle breakfast with the whole family around our big table, we gave hugs and said goodbye to Mitchell.

We ran out to the road to wave one more time as he headed south to Arkansas, where he will be spending a month interning with a pastor friend of ours there.

We are excited for Mitchell's new adventure!  He will be working at the church, helping with outreach projects, learning from the pastor, and spending time studying.  He will be posting about his adventures and what God is teaching him at www.mitchellbontrager.blogspot.com.  Head on over to see his updates, and be sure to leave him a comment!

[posted by Allison]

Happy 25th Anniversary!!

Happy 25th Anniversary....

 to the best parents in the world!! 

They have given my siblings and I the best upbringing, the best home life, and the best example that I could imagine. I am so grateful for them, and beyond blessed to have them as my parents.

Will you join us by leaving a comment in the comment box to wish them a Happy Anniversary?!

{posted by chelsy}

Buckwheat Waffles

My brother is in town, so I made him these Buckwheat Waffles. My mom and I have been making these for years now.  I haven't eaten them for a few months now since I gave up grains, but I sure do love these!  You can't even taste the buckwheat. I used to just toast them in the toaster oven and eat them plain.  Also since the grains are soaked, they are easier to digest.

Buckwheat Waffles

Makes 3-4 large waffles

Ingredients: buckwheat, kefir {or alternative: almond milk, coconut milk, yogurt}, coconut oil or ghee {butter}, vanilla extract, eggs, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt

Place in a blender:

• 1 1/2 cup kefir {or alternative}

• 2 Tbsp coconut oil {or butter}

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 cup buckwheat grains or 1 1/2 cup buckwheat flour

Blend for a few minutes and then let sit covered for several hours at room temperature. {Not mandatory, but allows the grains to be easier to digest}

Then add to batter:

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1/2-1 tsp salt

• 1-2 eggs {I like two eggs because it makes them fluffier}

Blend until everything is well incorporated.

Add a little bit of water if batter is too thick.

Pour batter into a heated and oiled  waffle iron.

Then enjoy your waffles with maple syrup, honey, butter, almond butter, simple homemade blueberry sauce, or however you like your waffles!

*I usually double the recipe and freeze the extras.  They do great when heated up in the toaster.

Jordan Mens Air Jordan 6 Retro Varsity Red/Black-White 694091-625 14

Jordan Mens Air Jordan 6 Retro Varsity Red/Black-White 694091-625 14

Jordan Mens Air Jordan 6 Retro Varsity Red/Black-White 694091-625 14

ASIN : B00MJCVCZ4

Rating : 4.9

brand: Jordan

category: Fashion Sneakers

Description : Jordan Mens Air Jordan 6 Retro Varsity Red/Black-White 694091-625

Features :

• Jordan
• Air Jordan 6 Retro
• Varsity Red/Black-White
• 694091-625

Sweet Potato Brownies

I make these at least once a week for my mom and me.  My mom actually has them for breakfast most mornings as they use only good, healthy ingredients. They are great straight out of the oven, but even more delicious when frozen.  They are the perfect chocolate fix being a hybrid between brownies and fudge in textute and taste, but none-the-less they are the perfect alternative, or superior, to brownies.  Recipe is adapted from Paleomg

Sweet Potato Brownies

Makes an 8x8 pan of brownies

Ingredients: sweet potato, eggs, coconut oil, honey, vanilla extract, coconut flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and cacao nibs {or chocolate chips}

First, bake at 425 degrees:

• 1 medium-large sweet potato

Cook for 30-40 minutes. Remove peeling and place in a blender or a mixing bowl

Blend or mix together w/ the sweet potato:

• 3 eggs

• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil

• 1/4-1/3 cup honey {depending on sweetness of the sweet potato and personal preference}

•  1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Mix in a separate bowl:

• 1 1/2-3 Tbsp coconut flour {for more silky and fudge-like use less coconut flour}

• 4-5 Tbsp cocoa powder

• 1/4 tsp baking soda

• pinch of salt

Combine the sweet potato mixture to the dry ingredients and then add:

• 3 Tbsp cacao nibs {they add a great crunch. Can omit or substitute with 1/2 cup chocolate chips, but then use less honey}

Pour into an oiled or buttered 8x8 baking pan.  Bake for 30-35 minutes at 350 degrees. 

Now you have deliciously addicting Paleo brownies! 

*Best stored in the freezer

*I've also made a batch with 1/4 cup honey and 1-2 Tbsp maple syrup.  So good!

Quotes from those who have tried this recipe ❤

~ Tastes like frozen fudge brownies in Ben and Jerry's ice cream but even better! Oh dear I see myself just wanting to live off these...[I] am in sweet potato heaven! ~

~ These are some of the most amazing thing I've ever had.. I am in lurve [love]. I licked every last drop off the batter from the bowl... I am soo tempted to eat all of these right now ~

~ I made these tonight totally not expecting to like them but they are sooooo good!!!!!! Thank you for this recipe :) ~

~ Oh man.. The most amazing HEALTHY brownie! Paleo Sweet Potato Brownies. You'll seriously be amazed ~

~ These brownies are healthy alternatives and actually taste soo fudgy it's amazing ~

~Just died and gone to paleo-heaven ~

~ They are so awesome. I didn't have coconut flour so I used almond flour and they turned out great ~ 

~ Unbelievably incredible Paleo fudge brownies. This is a MUST to try. My husband couldn't believe that it was made of sweet potatoes and not the store bought kind... Yummiest and healthiest brownie you'll ever have :) my whole family is addicted ~

~ Sweet potato brownies sounded strange to me at first but these were absolutely amazing!!! ... I have tried frozen, refrigerated and fresh our of the oven... I loved them cold/refrigerated best!! Oh also I added the maple syrup too! Best! ~

~ Made these tonight. My whole family loved them. I have been trying lots of different "healthy" brownies recipes and my 16 yr old daughter said these were the best yet. I agree :) Thank you for the recipe ~

~ I'm obsessed with this recipe.  Have been making it weekly.  I have been making one new recipe each week from your blog and have loved every single one!! Thank you so much and keep them coming. You rock ~

This posts is a part of: 

~Slightly Indulgent ~

~ Frugal Days ~

~ Pennywise Platter ~

Nike Jordan Men's Air Jordan 1 Gym Red/Black/Dark Sea Basketball Shoe 10.5 Men US

Nike Jordan Men's Air Jordan 1 Gym Red/Black/Dark Sea Basketball Shoe 10.5 Men US

Nike Jordan Men's Air Jordan 1 Gym Red/Black/Dark Sea Basketball Shoe 10.5 Men US

ASIN : B00GWNUXRE

Rating : 4.1

brand: Jordan

category: Fashion Sneakers

Description : Inspired by the original Air Jordan, the Air Jordan 1 Mid Men's Shoe features premium leather for durability and style. An Air-Sole unit delivers cushioning and impact protection.

Features :

• brand new in original box never worn
• Combination full-grain leather and smooth Nubuck upper for durability with a premium feel
• Perforated toe for breathability
• Solid rubber cupsole with Air-Sole unit in heel for cushioning and added impact protection
• Solid rubber outsole with deep flex grooves and circular pattern for traction and flexibility