Little Wife in the Woods

The Best Sugar Cookie Dough Recipe for Kids

This is the perfect edible sugar cookie dough recipe for kids! A great consistency for playing and shaping as well as a tasty treat for the whole family after they bake. Enjoy this completely safe, from scratch sugar cookie recipe with your little this season!

sugar cookie

A Kid Friendly Sugar Cookie Dough

Over the years I have tried several sugar cookie recipes that are deemed “kid friendly” however some just lacked in the right consistency for playing or they were so firm that when you baked them they lacked in the taste department. My goal was to make a great cookie dough for kids to play with that also tasted great when baked! Here’s what I discovered….

Cream cheese. Cream cheese is the “secret sauce” of this recipe! It binds the dough together and thickens it without compromising on a moist and chewy cookie!

Less sugar. It is also somewhat important to me to limit the sugar where possible when it comes to the kids, the holidays, and winter sickness. I’m not a troll about it but I do care. So this recipe has less sugar than most but not to the point of tastelessness- it’s definitely sweet!

No eggs. It’s debatable…raw eggs in cookie dough and the safe consumption rules. When it comes to our kids we can never be too careful so this recipe is eggless.

Flour. The flour is the one ingredient standing between a crunchy, stiff cookie and a soft, chewy one. Too much flour will absolutely ruin a good sugar cookie. Too little will leave the dough too sticky for the kids. It took a bit of playing with things to get this recipe ratio just right.

child making sugar cookies

Making it Fun for the Whole Family

My kiddo is a nice, fresh two years old. I wanted to make fun Christmas cookies, but I also dreaded the mess. That is why I decided to keep it super simple. No fun, crazy sprinkles or icing (maybe next year!) just the simple, fun play of shaping the cookies and sneaking a bite of dough every now and then! This made it more fun for both of us.

I also taped down some parchment paper for her to play with the dough on. I would not have minded her just using the table surface but there is a crack and I didn’t feel like scrubbing cookie dough out of it for a week! Make sure you have a stress-free (for you!), safe environment for them to enjoy making their cookies on.

If you have bigger kids it might be fun to get more festive with things like icing, candy, sprinkles to decorate your sugar cookies. They can even help clean up when they’re done!

For babies and the one year old they will LOVE squishing the dough around in their hands! Or just eating it all like my youngest did. Either way, this is a completely enjoyable recipe for the whole family!

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Baking Your Sugar Cookies

Baking these sugar cookies is super simple. Your main objective will be to not over-bake them. Depending on how thin/thick your kids roll them out you might need to adjust the bake time a bit. Ours only took about five minutes. You want to pull them out slightly doughy in the center for that nice, soft sugar cookie texture. If you like a crunchier cookie you can always bake them a bit longer.

Click here to get our recipe for Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies!

*Note: Since little kids will roll them out differently every time you may find it best to bake some of the thicker cookies on a separate sheet or roll the dough out for them.

sugar cookies

Sugar Cookie Dough Recipe for Kids

The funnest edible "play dough" for kids that also tastes great baked! This eggless play dough recipe is perfect for toddlers who want to grow their baking skills. Then enjoy soft, chewy sugar cookies made by your little ones!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Dessert, Snack
Servings 12 cookies

Ingredients
  

  • 4 tbsp butter softened
  • 4 ounces cream cheese softened
  • ⅓ cup cane sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2½-3 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt

Instructions
 

  • Combine butter, cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla to a large mixing bowl.
  • Add baking soda, salt, and 2 cups all-purpose flour. Add flour 1/2 cup at a time until the dough is firm and thick. (Do not exceed 3 cups.)
  • Roll dough out on a floured surface and allow children to eat and make fun shapes with the dough.
  • When the kids are done playing bake the cookies at 350℉ approximately 5 minutes. (Time will depend on thickness of the dough and could vary if you let the children roll the dough out- see post for more details.)
  • Optional: Sprinkle warm cookies with cane sugar or allow to cool 20-30 minutes and decorate with icing and sprinkles.
Keyword cookies, easy sugar cookies, edible cookie dough, edible cookie dough for kids, edible playdough, eggless cookie dough, eggless sugar cookies, sugar cookie recipe, sugar cookies
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Holiday Activities With Littles: How to Navigate Socially With Toddlers

I never knew until I became a mom just how tricky learning to navigate the holiday season can be. To be honest, it can suck the life and joy out of this wonderful season if you let it. Here are some helpful tips for navigating all the parties, family gatherings, and social events….

Capacity and Boundaries During the Holiday Season

We are not all created equal. AND THAT IS OKAY! Just because you see a mom out there with four kids and she’s doing all the things this season does not make you a bad or inadequate mom because you can’t handle that. We’re all different. Some of us thrive off the energy of the hustle and bustle- and we can do it all with that baby strapped to our hip! Others of us find it exhausting to go to that family gathering or social event all while trying to keep children happy and behaved.

Or maybe it’s certain social events that have you stressed out. An awkward family event you are just not sure you want your children to be exposed to. A Christmas party you know is going to be more exhausting than the fun is worth. That social gathering where you know entering is going to be begging to hold your newborn and upset when you say a polite, “no”.

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That is where boundaries come in. Acknowledge them. Express them. And don’t budge on them. Here’s what we mean…

If you have restrictions for your children regarding food, certain family members having access to them, naps, others holding the baby, whatever your nonnegotiables are, have a conversation with your spouse before the event. Make sure you’re both on the same page so that they can support you in them or sometimes even offer a different perspective. Then you won’t feel alone while trying to wrangle your children because each of you knows what’s expected of the other. Frustration with your spouse is usually rooted in assuming the other knew something that was never communicated to them. This goes both ways.

Don’t budge on your boundaries with people or situations you are uncomfortable with.

Realize your “no” is enough. You can say “No.” You don’t have to go to every holiday event. You don’t have to let everyone hold your baby. You don’t have to be pulled into the consumerism obsessed society. You don’t have to be so busy that you can’t enjoy your family. You can say no. It’s ok to say, “I’m sorry, I’m not in a season where I can do that right now.” And that’s it, that’s enough. No further explanation is needed. So, just in case you needed permission to say no, there it is.

Learn Where You Can Be Flexible

Learning what things are nonnegotiable for your family and what things it’s ok to relax on will help you enjoy the Christmas season so much more. Maybe nobody will die if we don’t make it home by 8p.m. for bedtime, or maybe they will? Maybe we can skip a nap, or maybe that’s not an option for your child because they really need it (maybe you really need it.). Maybe they can have some sugar this time, or maybe they’ll be really sick if they do? Only you know what things are ok to let slide. Figure out what works for your family. If you try to keep up with it all, you’ll go crazy and miss any joy you could’ve had.

Prioritizing who is most important in your social circles will help you in deciding when and where to be flexible. My (Tori’s) husband’s family lives in Africa as missionaries so when they are in town for the holidays we will be as flexible as we can be to accommodate them and the fact that they don’t get every Christmas with us. On the opposite side of the scale some social events will be put on the back burner because we’re just too busy.

Keeping Your Littles Well This Holiday Season

This is sick season. Mainly because of the lack of sunlight frombeing stuck inside, and all of the sugar that comes with this time of year.

You’re gonna want to support your littles bodies extra. Some ways you can do this are by giving them elderberry syrup, a good probiotic, a quality vitamin C, and nutritious food. Adding these things daily can help keep your little one’s immune system strong to help fight off all the germs they’ll be exposed to this season.

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Newborn and Baby Tips

I’m not gonna lie, this is a hard season to navigate. We both have had newborn babies for the holidays and this can be so fun! It can also be exhausting.

My biggest tip is to get your rest. If your baby is a newborn that means you’re still in your postpartum era. Your body needs to heal and social events are not your priority right now.

Baby wearing. If you want your newborn or baby close to you without a big fight on your hands, baby wearing is the way to go!! Chances are they fall asleep in there and you are able to enjoy the time with family without having to explain this very common sense boundary.

Make sure your boundaries are VERY clear. Sometimes all you have to do is let people around you know what the boundaries are. I truly believe most people are not just trying to be belligerent, they probably just do not know what the boundaries are. If you don’t want people to touch simply say, “There are a lot of germs going around right now. Please don’t touch her hands or face.”

Breastfeeding. This can be tricky to navigate if you are breastfeeding your baby. Some social situations are completely fine with you nursing publicly while covered. Other places you will find it very awkward and uncomfortable for yourself or others. I find that the car is my safe place in all social situations where there is not a designated place I feel comfortable in. I keep a nursing cover out there at all times. You may find that nursing is the perfect excuse to get away and chill for a minute!

Toddler Tips

Toddlers, while in different ways, can be just as tricky in social situations! They want to touch everything, maybe you have a picky eater, or one that needs that nap. Here’s a few helpful tips I’ve learned…

Bring what you know they need. Whether it’s a snack you know they will eat, a sound machine for naps, or a few toys to keep them busy being prepared for what you can be is so helpful.

Leave early. There is nothing wrong with cutting out early if your toddler is starting to go downhill quickly!

Touching things. I work on this constantly so that when we’re at sometime else’s home I can say a simple “no touch” and get quick obedience. However, new environments often test the skills we train for in new ways. In these situations I like to distract them with something they can touch (a toy we brought, things the host has placed out for them to play with, etc.). This usually works great!

We hope these tips help you this holiday season! If you still find yourself feeling stressed just remember to relax- it will all be over before you know it. Remember the true reason for this Season is not about us but the Prince of Peace Who can give you all the peace you need this season- even in the most stressful situations.

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The Best Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

This delicious and easy to make cranberry chocolate chip cookies are filled with the sweet fruity taste of dried cranberries and decadent chunks of dark chocolate. Perfect for parties, large batch baking, or filling up the freezer for a quick and easy dessert! Guaranteed to be the recipe you can’t go wrong with!

cranberry chocolate chip cookies
cranberry chocolate chip cookies
christmas cookie ingredients

The Key to the Best Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies

There are TONS of cookie recipes all over the internet these days! Everyone claims to have the “best” or the “softest” and many other words to describe why their cookie is number one. I have to say in most cases, the best cookie is the one I’m eating- they’re all delicious!

This tip is specifically for this recipe and that is chilling the dough. Sounds super simple! However, for this recipe it is the key. I will be honest, I skip over this step on pretty much all cookie recipes I find online. You can with this one but I have found that the best results happen with adding this very inconvenient and somewhat annoying step.

So the key to getting the best cranberry chocolate chip cookies is chilling the dough overnight in the refrigerator. If you are short on time you can chill the dough in the freezer for about an hour instead. The reason for this step and its necessity is that it helps all the butter to incorporate with the other ingredients. If you choose not to chill the dough you will have a GREAT tasting cookie but it will be a bit less fluffy and very flat. This is great if you prefer a crunchier taste.

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Making Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies Healthier

I realize this is a cookie recipe and more than likely if you are here you probably are not looking for a healthy version! However, I always like to offer options in my recipes for a bit of a healthier option. I will not say that using this method will make these cookies “healthy”, it may just make them better for those with dietary issues. Here are some tips for making cranberry chocolate chip cookies healthier…

  • These cookies do call for lots of sugar. I personally prefer using organic cane sugar. It is still sugar but it is a bit less processed and a more natural option. The recipe also calls for a good bit of brown sugar. If you want a healthier option you could use the same amount of brown coconut sugar instead or make your own brown sugar using maple syrup and cane sugar.
  • Using organic cranberries sourced from a place you can trust is another way to make a more healthy, natural version of this recipe. I use Thrive Market- my one stop grocery store for all things quality, non-toxic ingredients! They have everything from snacks to pantry staples and beyond. Get $60 in FREE groceries when you use my link!
  • Zero added sugar (or lower sugar count) dark chocolate is another great way to help these cookies be a bit friendlier to the body. There is plenty of sugar in the cookie itself that when you add a low sugar or zero sugar chocolate it actually creates a beautifully balanced taste.

Ingredient List for Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies

As always I like to provide a little grocery list in addition to the ingredient list found in the recipe card. To make it simple you can copy and paste the list below to your notes app or screenshot this section of the post.

  • white sugar (or organic cane sugar)
  • brown sugar (or brown coconut sugar)
  • eggs- 2 large
  • butter- 2 sticks or 1 cup
  • vanilla extract
  • baking powder
  • baking soda
  • all-purpose flour
  • 1 bar dark chocolate
  • cranberries- about 1/2-3/4 cup depending on preference
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Freezing Cookie Dough

The most efficient method for freezing cookie dough is to freeze them in individual, pre-shaped cookies that are ready to pop on a pan and into the oven. This method is perfect for individual or small family snacking. Larger families may find it easier to bulk freeze the dough since you will need more cookies at a time.

To individually freeze pre-shaped cookies, line a baking sheet with parchment, shape balls or rounds of cookie dough, place them on the baking sheet and allow to freeze overnight or until solid. Remove the cookies from the baking sheet after freezing and place them in an airtight container or ziplock freezer back for storage. To bake simply place cookie dough pieces on a baking sheet and bake at 300 degrees F for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

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cranberry chocolate chip cookies

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cookies

Cranberry and Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Decadent dark chocolate chunks and delicious dried cranberries in a soft, chewy cookie that will melt in your mouth.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time (optional) 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Course Dessert, Snack
Servings 24 -30 cookies

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup white or cane sugar
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar or brown coconut sugar
  • 2 sticks salted butter softened
  • 1½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1½ tsp baking soda
  • 3-3½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 bar dark chocolate hand chopped into chunks
  • ½-¾ cup organic dried cranberries

Instructions
 

  • Cream together softened butter, sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl.
  • Add eggs one at a time.
  • Add salt, baking powder, baking soda, and 2 cups of flour. Continue adding ½ cup of flour at a time until the dough is thick and holds shape well.
  • Add hand chopped chocolate bar (chunks) and ½-¾ cup of cranberries to the dough. You may need to hand mix them into the batter because of the thickness.
  • OPTIONAL (for best results): Allow the dough to chill in the refrigerator overnight or in the freezer for one-two hours.
  • Arrange the dough on a greased baking sheet and bake for 325℉ for 8-10 minutes or until the tops start to turn golden brown.
Keyword chocolate chunk cookie, christmas cookie recipe, christmas cookies, cookie, cookie recipe, cranberry cookies, cranberry dessert, dark chocolate cookie, dried cranberry, easy cookies, festive cookies, holiday baking recipes, quick cookie recipe
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Finding Joy in a Simple Christmas Mindset

In a world of consumerism and a culture that says Christmas is all about things we are here to tell you there is joy in a simple Christmas. The simple, minimal pleasures of Christmases past remind us that the size of the gifts does not matter. It’s the laughter we share, the memories we make, and the Reason for the season that makes all the difference!

Blog graphic

The Biggest Question: What am I Teaching My Children About Christmas?

As we now have families of our own, it’s caused us to question everything we do. Knowing it is our example they are following. The Christmas season is no exception to these considerations. Of course, we’ll tell them Christmas is about Jesus, but in what ways will we show them? If we say Christmas is about Jesus, but it feels like it’s all about the presents, have I really portrayed a Christ-centered Christmas? That is where our desire for a more minimal Christmas began. Taking a step back from the consumer mindset and finding value in the things that really matter. We’re not saying if you’re an extravagant Christmas doer, you’re wrong. This is just how we feel The Lord nudging our hearts.

A Minimal Mindset Teaches Sacrificial Giving

Are my children understanding that it is better to give than to receive? A way you can implement this is to allot some of your Christmas budget for your little kids to pick a gift out for their siblings. As they are older and can earn money, you can have them pay for the gift themselves or at least a part of it. Even better than purchasing a gift would be to have them make something. They can bake them cookies, draw them a picture, or build them something. The heart in these projects is much greater than the expense of a store bought gift. These gifts cost time. The most valuable resource.

A way to teach this is to have your children pick out a toy that they enjoy (not just one that sits in the closet) and donate it to your local church for families in need. To demonstrate how The Lord honors sacrificial giving, you can replace or upgrade that gift with their “something you want” gift category. The goal is to teach your babies that The Lord will always honor doing what is right. Until they get to the age they can understand to do right just for the sake of doing right, knowing that He sees all.

Keeping the “Big Man” out of it.

We’re sure this will ruffle some feathers, but we don’t do Santa. In fact, we think Santa is very wrong. If for no other reason than it’s lying to your children. We all know how The Lord feels about lying, so I don’t think we really need to go further right now. If you’re looking to lean into a more minimalistic Christmas, that’ll be difficult if your children are looking at their presents as a measure of their goodness and what they’re entitled to.

A Simple Christmas Does Not Have to Mean Boring

We have “amped” Christmas up so much with our consumer culture that often when we think of scaling things down we equate it with boredom. However, maybe what is minimal in today’s world is actually just what “normal” is. The small gifts that spark so much joy, the time spent together, the food we share. These things are only boring when we have allowed ourselves to embrace the stuff, the chaos, and the money pit that is the Christmas of our culture.

Practical Ways to Incorporate a Minimal Mindset into your Simple Christmas this Season

We would be lying if we weren’t thrilled to give our little Christmas gifts. This post is not at all encouraging you not to give gifts or even to be stingy and grinchy in your giving. After all, Christmas is all about giving!

If we have not made it clear so far our motive behind a more minimal and simple mindset when it comes to Christmas is to teach our children it is not about all the toys, the big expensive presents, or the things the world says we all need at this time of year.

Here are some fun ways to give amazing gifts while still having a balanced approach…

The Five Gift Rule

The five gift rule is where you give a gift out of each of these categories:

  • Something to do
  • Something to wear
  • Something to read
  • Something you want
  • Something you need

Some gift givers also like to add another category called “something special.” Which involves giving a gift of more sentimental value or importance.

My favorite of these is something to do. I enjoy experience gifts. Some ideas for this might be a family day trip somewhere local, an outside toy for the kids to share as a combined gift, or even tickets to a family attraction. It’s the gift of making memories.

There are a few ideas behind this gifting strategy. One is being more intentional. Having a set amount of gifts to give causes one to put more thought into what the receiver might enjoy the most. Another idea is that it takes the stress out of Christmas shopping. Since you’re giving out of each category, it narrows down the options and makes it a little easier.

Simple Decor

If you’re on a tight budget or just want to be less of a consumer and more of a reuser, check thrift stores for Christmas decor. Often, you can find some adorable vintage decor for cheap. You’ll probably have to search through a lot of ugly things to find it, but it’s in there. Keep digging.

Homemade Gifts

Can we please bring this back as a tradition! I adore homemade gifts, specifically the edible kind. Home grown and canned goods, from scratch breads and butter. All hand packaged with curled ribbons. It screams Christmas to me. I love it! Aren’t a baker? How about something sewn or crocheted? Something carved or crafted? The possibilities go on, but the point is the thought and heart that go into it.

Pictures

I used to think it seemed selfish to gift someone a picture of yourself or your family. As I’ve gotten older, I understand that family, grandparents especially, treasure nothing more than their loved ones and value those pictures greatly. You can even add to the minimal mindset and thrift the frames or have your children personalize them.

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Our Approach on Limiting Others

While we have chosen the more minimalistic approach for our home, I never limit the grandparents or other family in the items they gift. The only limits we place there are the standards and convictions we have set for our home. Things like our views on magic or electronics, and any characters we wouldn’t support. There are plenty of things we choose to set ourselves apart from out of a biblical stance, so the things that are optional I try not to limit. Spoiling grandchildren is a right of passage.

How Will You Continue to Keep Christmas Simple in the Future?

If every year you are trying to “wow” your children with all the gifts and gadgets you are eventually going to run out of stuff. I saw a Facebook post of a mom with teens who was desperately searching for ideas among friends on what to buy for her children this year. They have everything- the video games, the cell phones, ATVs, name brand clothing. There seems like there is nothing left to really knock their socks off this year.

Sadly, this is what our culture has become.

This approach to Christmas eventually leaves the giver and the receiver with less and less joy over giving during the holidays. It just does not spark our excitement like it used to. A minimal mindset is just the opposite. It realizes that the season is more about the simple than the extravagant. It does not mean you are giving your children less- you are giving them more than stuff!

Maybe you have been on this consumer Christmas track for a while now. You have a fine year old or maybe even a pre-teen. It’s never too late to take a step back! We challenge you to give yourself this Christmas. Give your time, give your presence- not just presents.

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Simple and Cozy Christmas Decor Ideas for Small Spaces

cozy christmas decor ideas for small spaces

Get all the cozy Christmas decor ideas in this post! These few simple, budget friendly ideas will turn your small spaces into your favorite places this holiday season. Keep reading to see how we use little spaces to turn our home into a place of peace and beauty!

Cozy Christmas Decor in our Small Home

I’m definitely no expert decorator! I actually dislike the area of decorating in homemaking because I just feel like I’m not very good at it. Christmas over the years has especially been a pain point (my husband always does the tree because I just can’t do it as good as he can- he had a better natural eye for it!).

This year I have been bit by the Christmas bug. Maybe it’s the fact that the past two years I’ve had a newborn and have been too preoccupied to care. Maybe I just haven’t felt “Christmas-y” like I do this year. Whatever the reason, the urge to decorate is strong!!

Over the years the one thing that I have learned about my decorating style is I love functionality and cozy. If I can get a cross between the two I am beyond thrilled! This is especially true in our small, 900 sq. ft. home.

So while I’m in the spirit of decorating I thought I’d share all my small space inspo for cozy, functional Christmas decor Let’s hear your ideas in the comments, you probably have some I never even thought of!

Adding Cozy Christmas Decor Touches to Your Small Space Kitchen

The kitchen is the centerpiece of my home. If you know anything about this blog you know we do food from scratch just about every meal. That means I’m here a lot! Some days it seems like if I’m not cooking the food I’m cleaning up the food. And I love it!

Click here to read about How to Create a From Scratch Kitchen for the Holiday Season.

This year I decided to en corporate more cozy Christmas touches in the kitchen- it’s my favorite place in the house after all!

Kitchen Window Decor

I usually do a bit of Christmas decor at my kitchen window but it’s honestly never been my favorite. It usually just looks like a cluttered mixture of “leftover” Christmas decorations I had to put somewhere. I spend a lot of time at that kitchen sink (we don’t have a dishwasher). Too much time to not enjoy the scenery in front of me.

Christmas village
Christmas village

I honestly had no idea where to even begin. It took an afternoon in Hobby Lobby to come up with an idea and even then I was not sure it would work. So much confidence I kept the receipts and packaging for all the supplies!

But it was better than I even imagined! And so simple!!

My idea came when I saw these simple, but pretty ceramic village houses. I didn’t have a clue where to put them- they had to go where little hands couldn’t reach! Then I decided to paint a little scene with all the cute little pine trees. Then I saw the fairy lights and my vision was coming to life! (Of course this little woodsy village would need some snow too!)

What you need:

Cozy Touches in Functional Spaces

By functional spaces- I mean my baking cabinet!! This little space is visited on the regular but nothing like during the Christmas season. I use the term “functional spaces” because this might look different from mine. Maybe you don’t bake. But maybe you host and your dish cabinet is frequently visited. Maybe your most functional as pace is a countertop where you prep all the food or a kitchen island.

Wherever it is can I encourage you to think outside the box? What can you do to spark a little joy into yourself when you open up that cabinet this holiday season? It doesn’t have to be big, it doesn’t have to take up loads of space. Just try to make it beautiful! My cozy little touch was adding simple touches of wrapping paper to the bottom of the baking cabinet.

christmas cabinet decor

Handmade Wreaths for Kitchen Cabinets

This might look different for you based on the set up of your kitchen and personal taste but I think adding some little handmade (or store bought) wreaths to kitchen cabinets is a great way to add a little touch of Christmas in the kitchen!

I have two corner cabinets that face my main entrance door and I thought wreaths would look best there. However you could add as many or as little wherever you like! They’re so timeless and cozy.

Make the Most of Your Outdoor Spaces

This is a little trick I have learned (one of the few!) for small space decorating. Since my husband and I can’t handle too much going on inside our little home I like to carry my creative urges outside. Greenery over the door, wreaths on the windows, lights, and whatever else you love!

This year I think I finally found my “style” or the look I’m going for but I have not collected all the pieces for it. I might not get the dream look completed until next Christmas but at least I have a goal I’m shooting for!

I’ve also been experimenting with live greenery this year and I’m loving it. You just can’t beat the look of the real deal!

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Dual Purpose Cozy Christmas Decor Hack

There is nothing I love more than functional decor except functional decor with a duel purpose!

This blanket ladder stocking hanger hack is just that. If you are in a small home you know the limited space saga of trying to find a place to hang stockings (unless you’re blessed enough to have a fireplace!). One year we even decided to hang then on our curtain rod. It worked but I didn’t love it.

So this year I’m using our blanket ladder to hang the stocking up as well as all our cozy Christmas decor blankets.

Pillows and Blankets

I’ve already mentioned the blankets but pillows and throws 100% count as decor in a small home situation! Make the most out of it by finding (or making) pillows you love. Get blankets that match your tree theme and decor vibe. You definitely can’t get cozier than that!!

I’ll even add linens, bedspreads, and decorative shower curtains to this list. You’re using them anyways so they won’t take up any extra space like typical decor would. The fun of decorating small spaces is to find the minimal, everyday things and just jazz them up a bit!

Finding Joy and Contentment in Your Small Home This Christmas

We all have areas we could be discontent with. Whether you live in a large home or a small one. The key to joy this season is finding contentment and loving well the home you have with what you have. We cannot all afford to make our Christmas decor dreams come to life this year. That’s okay! At the end of the day it is not about the lights, the decor, or even the cozy tone we all want to set. Christmas is so much more than things that we only get out once a year.

As homemakers (makers of the home) we set the tone with our attitudes and actions- not the pretty lights or our great (or not so great) decorating skills. If you find yourself in that small home this year wishing for this and wishing for that can I encourage you to be grateful! This little home holds so much more than just a tree this holiday season. It holds love, it holds a family. It holds a gift that is so much greater than anything we will receive this Christmas. So cherish it, make it beautiful inside and out, and be thankful.

pumpkin donuts baked donut hole recipes

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How to Prepare Your From Scratch Kitchen for the Holiday Season

The holidays are upon us! Is your from scratch kitchen ready for all your shenanigans this holiday season? Here is my list of must-dos before all the fun begins!

from scratch kitchen holiday season

A From Scratch Kitchen This Holiday Season

If you are new around here, welcome! I’m Tori- mom of two littles (another on the way!), homemaker, and lover of all things from scratch. As we head into the holiday season I am here to share all my favorite from scratch baked goods, handmade gift and decor ideas, and meal inspiration!

If you are new to from scratch cooking or need some inspiration this holiday season make sure you subscribe to my email list! We never sell your information, no spammy content, or over emailing. Just quick notifications bout new posts and recipes.

Our holiday season revolves around all the food- which means the kitchen is the headquarters of the season. That is why I like to get ahead of the holidays by a few weeks and get things prepared for the madness. If you have never tried this in your from scratch kitchen try borrowing my strategy!

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Have you heard of my friends over at Earthley Wellness? They are dedicated to providing 100% natural products for the whole family! They have everything you need from hormone support, vitamins and mineral supplements, herbal remedies for colds, fevers, headaches, and so much more. I have been using their products in our home for nearly a year now and we love them! Go check them out and save 10% when you use my link below and the code LITTLEWIFE10 at checkout!

Click here to Shop!

Getting Your From Scratch Kitchen Ready

1. Clean out your refrigerator.

As the holidays start to happen we all know one of the m most chaotic places in the home is the kitchen. Leftovers, ingredients, regular food- everything ends up getting packed in there. So to begin the kitchen preparation I like to clean out and organize my refrigerator and freezer. Throw away everything that is out of date, stuff I know I just will not actually use (that random sauce I bought for a random meal!).

After throwing away things and getting stuff out I like to do a thorough surface wipe down. This just assures me that the things I am storing or baking for others will be kept in a clean space.

The last step is organizing all the spaces. I may be a bit over-strategic but I like to leave a shelf open for ingredients- things like butter, milk, eggs, etc. The next for prepping food- cookie dough, fermenting sourdough, etc. Then another shelf for leftovers and current meals that are being thawed or planned for the weeks in between the festivities. Keeping all these areas specific and organized keeps me from loosing track of things and inventory.

2. Organize your from scratch kitchen baking goods and take inventory.

Before all the madness of the season I also like to organize and take some inventory on my shelves. Things like sugar, flour, baking soda, etc. that are constantly being used during all the holiday baking. I take the time to clean out these shelves while I’m at it. Just a simple wipe down.

I also take this time to save some money and buy in bulk for my from scratch kitchen. Things that I know I will use like flour, butter, eggs, sugar, etc. One way I restock my from scratch staples is by shopping with Thrive Market! Stock up healthier options without compromising taste and quality. Thrive offers thousands of products from hundreds of companies all at affordable prices that ship right to your door. Shop and save when you use my link!

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3. Season cast iron and wooden utensils.

This is a great time to prep all your cookware. Personally I use mostly cast iron and wooden utensils in my from scratch kitchen. These require some extra care but they are well worth the investment. I season my cast iron with organic coconut oil on low heat in the oven over several hours. Depending on the shape of the cast iron I will repeat the process several times.

The wooden utensils and cutting boards I clean well with homemade citrus vinegar. After they have dried completely I seal them with organic coconut oil as well.

4. Clean the oven and stovetop.

Depending on the last time you cleaned your oven deeply you may want to skip this step but I find it the perfect time to do a chore I otherwise put off. Making food in a clean oven just gives me peace of mind that my food is being made in a clean environment.

5. Clean out the microwave.

Some of you may be a step or two above me on the crunchy scale. If you are, ignore my microwave tip! With two very young children I am just not at the season of warming everything in the oven and on the stovetop. I also soften all my butter in the microwave currently so I like to make sure it is clean and ready to get splattered with more butter!

6. Deep clean everywhere else.

Countertops, cabinets, and floors. All the places get a good and thorough wipe down. I like to clean and sanitize the places that have been neglected or that I know will be used like the counters.

I do this at specific times of the year- after new year, sometime in the spring, etc. I have also found that if you just do the things as they need them they do not get as dirty. This just keeps the flow going smoothly in the kitchen.

7. Take inventory on from scratch kitchen bake ware.

Usually this is unnecessary but I like to take the time to check stock on mixing bowls, measuring cups, potholders, and all the bakeware. I would rather check on these things and make purchases before I find out I need them. Other things like cupcake liners, gift boxes, and ribbons for wrapping baked good gifts are another thing that I like to purchase before the rush of everything.

sugar cookies

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How to Enjoy Motherhood: 8 Things to Try in Those Not So Enjoyable Moments

This post is a part two of the post How to Enjoy Motherhood in the Little Years. In that post we discussed practical tips for how to enjoy all the different aspects of life with little people. In this post we will dive into practical ways you can adjust your mindset and routine when motherhood is less than enjoyable.

enjoying motherhood main image

*We are Tori and Anna- moms in the trenches with three babies between us under the age of three. We are not professionals. We are not seasoned mothers. We’re just young moms going through birth, postpartum, and these little years with you, giving our fresh perspective on motherhood as we enjoy the journey ourselves.

1. Adjust Your Mindset for Enjoying Motherhood

Mindset is everything. Don’t think, “Oh no, I have to stop and feed the baby,” think, “I get to stop and feed my baby.” When I (Anna) plan to go out and run errands, I actually plan and alot places for making those little pit stops to care for my baby. It becomes something I look forward to. A chance to pause and rest for a few moments before heading to the next task. If you treat your children like an inconvenience, even accidentally, they will pick up in it. Children feed off of your emotions. They will reflect your attitude back at you.

My little one doesn’t sleep well, and pretty much never has no matter what I’ve tried. He is almost a year old and has never slept without waking multiple times a night. I could choose to be bitter about this and complain, but I chose a different perspective. I chose to see it as “extra” time with him. The years go fast even when the nights are long, so I’ll be grateful for all the nights pacing with a restless baby.

2. Choose to Enjoy the Pace of Motherhood

We discussed this a bit in our previous post (if you haven’t read that yet we highly suggest you read that post as well!). If you are an on the go kind of person it can be hard to just enjoy slowing down at the pace of babies and young children. Even if your personality more laid back it can be aggravating that it takes twice as long (or longer) just to get out the door, get to bed, clean your house, etc.

“The more you fight against the season you’re in the less joy you will find in it.”

Embrace the slower pace, the night wakings, the sticky messes and you’ll find beauty in the hard places.

Anna

Embrace the fact that it is going to take you five times longer to do anything you did before having babies. It’s ok, in fact I believe it should be celebrated. I truly believe God designed this pace for mothers. When you embrace it, you will learn how to enjoy it. You will stay stressed and become bitter with your children if you have the mindset that they’re constantly slowing you down.

3. Don’t Expect Everything Out of Yourself

We’re all in different seasons. Know what your capacity is for your season. Don’t overload yourself with optional tasks, and end up so stressed out over them that you can’t serve your family well. Learn how to say, “No, I can’t do that right now.”

More tasks are optional than you think. It may not be your season to cook for all of the church dinners, volunteer for nursery, do bus route, go to prayer, be at every ladies meeting, and show up to every birthday party, and football game, all while training littles, managing a home and being there for your husband. It isn’t possible, and you will run yourself into the ground trying to be something for everyone.

Prioritize. For us, this looks like my walk with The Lord, my husbands needs, our child’s needs, and the health of our home (spiritual, physical and emotional), and then church and the ministries at church we are responsible for. This isn’t an excuse to get out of things. When run properly, your home should run cohesively with your local church. You’ll have to learn your balance between ministry and home life. Everyone’s is a little different, but this isn’t an excuse to avoid responsibilities. The Lord expects service in your home and in His house. You just need to learn to operate where He expects you to be and not in others’ expectations.

It’s about serving in a way where each area gets the best of you, not the rest of you.

Anna

4. Keep Your Focus and Priorities Right

This piggy backs off the last point…

Juggling priorities as a wife and mother can be overwhelming. We are creatures of constant motion! When things start to get off balance when it comes to my priorities I generally find my children less enjoyable. They can be doing the same things they always do but when my priorities get out of whack I find their presence interrupting and annoying. Off balance or just slacking in areas does not bring out the best mom in me. I need to constantly check myself to be sure I have my priorities right and that I am able to fulfill them.

Of course my children are one of my top priorities. However, when other things are slacking or being ignored I often find myself trying to get by with the bare minimum as a mom instead of making advancements. This is not fair to my children, nor is it any way to truly enjoy the gift of motherhood.

So how do you overcome this balancing act of priorities? I am still learning! This is what I’ve learned works for me so far…

Keep God first. This is hard with littles constantly demanding to be first place over everything in life. And they definitely should be close to the top of that list! However, I find that when I put God first all the other things find a place in a smoothness I could never create on my own without Him.

Make a list of your top ten priorities in the season you are in right now. Arrange them in order of importance (some things will be close or intertwined in importance but do your best to be honest and realistic). I’m my case the top four to five on the list are truly the most important things. When life gets crazy, as long as I am striving to keep those five plates spinning we call it a win.

Be ready to pivot. Some days things on the priority list have to shift and that has to be okay. It does not mean you failed if some things had to take a backseat. Motherhood is constantly pivoting and regrouping.

5. Remember You Are in a Season

Whatever is not so enjoyable about motherhood right now will quickly be gone. Maybe that helps give you some relief. Maybe that makes you realize that it is not as big of a deal as it seems.

Let me be clear- some seasons of motherhood are not enjoyable. Enjoying motherhood is not about pretending those seasons do not exist but choosing to find joy in the midst of those seasons. It is refusing to focus on the unenjoyable moments and letting them cloud out the beauty in every day, ordinary motherhood.

Tori

It is not wrong of you to feel like motherhood is not enjoyable when you are going through the postpartum blues, or a tough stage of training a toddler, or sickness with a baby. These are hard and they are definitely not enjoyable! But they do pass! And we cannot let these things rob us of the joy and blessing of being a mother.

So whatever hard season you are in right now shift your mindset by remembering- it’s just a season.

6. Take a Deep Breath

Sometimes motherhood is less enjoyable, not because of anything my children are doing, or a specific season but because I am overwhelmed. Maybe lots of things are going on in my mind or I have a lot to get done and just can’t get it together. Regardless of the reason, when I’m being snappy or short with my children I find that going to a quiet place just for a few seconds to take a deep breath grounds me. It brings me back into focus. I breathe a short prayer as well many times. Then I go about my tasks without viewing my children as a constant annoyance.

If I am very overwhelmed, days on end, with minimal relief or I have been experiencing a very difficult season I try to take a few hours to be alone with nothing to do but relax during nap time.

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Have you heard of my friends over at Earthley Wellness? They are dedicated to providing 100% natural products for the whole family! They have everything you need from hormone support, vitamins and mineral supplements, herbal remedies for colds, fevers, headaches, and so much more. I have been using their products in our home for nearly a year now and we love them! Go check them out and save 10% when you use my link below and the code LITTLEWIFE10 at checkout!

Click Here to Shop

7. Ask for Help

It does not make you a bad mother to ask for help. Repeat it with me. It does not make you a bad mother to ask for help.

It doesn’t mean you’re unqualified or incapable of being a mother if you ask for help. Everyone needs help with something at some point in their lives. It would be a disservice to your family for you to struggle along, needing help, but not be willing to ask for it. They’ll learn many of their behaviors from you, especially the traits they carry into adulthood. Would you want your child to desperately need help but never ask for it because they thought it’d make them look weak? They’ll learn first from you.

8. Just be Thankful

No matter how rough your season of motherhood is it could always we worse. If you have healthy babies you have more than some mamas do. To have this blessing of motherhood at all is such a gift!

When I find myself in a low place and find motherhood more of a burden than a blessing -and we all do at times- what helps me most is to stop and just be thankful.

Tori

Wherever you’re at remember you used to pray for the things you have now! Those little people are gifts, blessings to cherish and enjoy.

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The Best Sourdough Cinnamon Swirl Bread Recipe

This sourdough cinnamon swirl bread is so moist, sweet and delicious- like a from scratch cinnamon roll without all the work! Enjoy this simple sweet sourdough loaf swirling with all the rich flavors of brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon.

Sourdough Cinnamon Swirl Bread

Benefits of Sourdough

“Of course it’s healthy! It’s sourdough!”

I won’t try to say this is a true statement but if it’s sourdough (even smothered in sugar!) and from scratch it’s definitely “healthier” than anything you will buy on the grocery shelf.

Here’s why…

• Probiotic content.

Even with added sugars (I always suggest cane or natural sugar), you are still getting all the benefits of the probiotics in sourdough starter. You could say that it balances out the bad with some good, or at least is counteractive when it comes to gut health and sugar.

• From scratch is always healthier.

Even the “good” and “organic” brands just do not come close to from scratch food made right in your kitchen!

• Breakdown of Gluten.

Because of the fermentation process you can add to all sourdough recipes most people with gluten sensitivities and/or allergies/intolerance are able to digest sourdough recipes- even if they are made with flour containing gluten. This is because fermenting the dough allows the gluten to break down before your body has to digest it.

• Cost.

For a loaf of bread that you are getting at this kind of quality you would have to pay quite a bit at a bakery or market. But you can make this in your own kitchen! It’s simple and cost effective to learn.

Making Cinnamon Swirl Bread without Sourdough

This recipe can easily be converted to a yeast bread recipe. If for whatever reason you do not have starter available or if you do not do sourdough you can still follow those recipe by replacing the starter with yeast.

dehydrated sourdough starter

To turn this recipe into a yeast bread simply sun out the sourdough starter with 2 1/2 tsp active, dry yeast and 1/2 cup warm water. Follow all the other instructions in the recipe. Rise times may need to be adjusted. Baking time should be similar (give or take five minutes depending on oven).

Making Sourdough Cinnamon Swirl Bread with Only Natural Sugar

This recipe calls for brown sugar. However, as in all my recipes I like to make sure variations are available for everyone! If you want to make this recipe with only natural sugar follow the instructions below….

  • Use only honey or maple syrup in the bread batter.
  • For the cinnamon swirl substitute brown sugar with brown coconut sugar.

Making this recipe healthier using only natural sugar does not have to mean it skimps out in the taste department! You can enjoy healthy, and good food.

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Ingredients List

Here is a quick reference for a list of ingredients you will need to make sourdough cinnamon swirl bread…

  • Sourdough starter- active and bubbly is best but discard will work as well (expect less rise).
  • Warm water
  • Butter- salted is always best!
  • Eggs- points if they are farm fresh
  • Honey, maple syrup, or cane sugar
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • All-purpose flour
  • Cinnamon
  • Brown sugar or brown coconut sugar

As always, I hope you enjoy this recipe! Be sure to sign up for our email list for more from scratch recipes every week!

Sourdough Cinnamon Swirl Bread

Sourdough Cinnamon Swirl Bread

Tori Ruckman
A deliciously moist bread filled with swirls of rich, buttery brown sugar and cinnamon!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course bread, Dessert, Snack
Servings 1 loaf

Ingredients
  

Bread Batter

  • ½ cup sourdough starter active and bubbly
  • ½ cup warm water
  • ¼ cup butter melted
  • ¾ cup honey or cane sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

Filling

  • ½ cup butter melted
  • 1 ½ cup brown sugar or brown coconut sugar
  • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp cinnamon

Instructions
 

  • Combine sourdough starter and warm water. Allow starter to dissolve in the water for 5-10 minutes.
  • Combine all bread batter ingredients into the bowl of a stand mixer or add one at a time by hand. Mix until all the ingredients form a thick, wet batter. (You want a more battery constancy, not doughy.)
  • OPTIONAL: Allow the dough to ferment in the refrigerator overnight or for 8-12 hours. (See the section in the blog post about the benefits of sourdough and fermenting.) This step is completely optional. If you do not wish to ferment the dough skip this step.
  • Place batter in a well greased bread pan. Preheat oven to 350℉.
  • Mix butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a small bowl or in the bowl of the stand mixer. Texture should be thick and sugary. You may need to add 1-2 tbsp more of sugar to get the right thickness.
  • Pour the sugar mixture straight into the center of the pan of bread batter so that you have a long line all the way through the center.
  • Next, take a butter knife and zig/zag as you drag the knife through the batter and sugar mixture. This will create those delicious swirls. Swirl until your heart is content!
  • Place into the oven and bake at 350℉ for 35-40 minutes or until top is golden brown. The center of the bread should be cooked through at this point although it will have a somewhat gooey texture because of the buttery swirls. Enjoy topped with cream cheese icing, with ice cream, or simply sliced as is!
Keyword cinnamon bread, cinnamon bread recipe, cinnamon swirl bread, dessert recipe, easy sourdough bread, fall dessert recipe, sourdough bread recipe, sourdough cinnamon bread, sourdough dessert recipe, sweet sourdough bread recipe
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How to Enjoy Motherhood in the Little Years

Hi littles mama! We see you- running around trying to keep all these little people alive. You’re doing a fantastic job by the way! Ever feel like you’re just trying to survive another day of motherhood? That if you can just make it to bedtime you might stay sane another day? We’ve definitely been there!

We are Tori and Anna. Moms of little people just like you! Currently between us we have three children- just turned two, about to turn one, and a ten month old. We definitely feel the crazy!

motherhood graphic

Just like you, we long to enjoy these days, not just become survivors of motherhood. These days are short, precious, and let’s be honest- sometimes they are hard. We long to make the most out of them and truly say on the other side of this season- “Wow! Those were good days!”

We are not pros. We definitely are still learning this thing of mothering little people. But we truly love it- and so can you! We’ve compiled a list of very practical, everyday scenarios and pain points that may help you navigate this season of little…

Leaving the House with Littles

This can be a major pain point as a new mom with a little, or two! Each new child you add changes the dynamic of getting out the door, in the car, then to and through the destination. We all know those moms who always get a sitter for grocery shopping or errand running. And hey- if that’s you, I don’t blame you a bit!

However some of us who do not live close to family or find getting out of the house for a bit a refreshment have to figure out how to do it with these little people.

I will say at first I found this complicated and somewhat frustrating. Even with just one baby it seemed impossible to get out the door smoothly and run an errand without interruption. Then about the time I (Tori) got it figured out with my first baby a second one came along and it was time to learn all over again!

Here are a few things we learned about leaving the house with littles absolutely dread free…

  • Plan plan plan, but be okay with your plan not working! Where are you going? How long do you expect to be gone? Will the baby/toddler need to eat within that time frame? What can you bring along to keep them busy? Thinking through all these things will help you plan your outing. Think through things like when your baby will need to eat. Add a bit of time for a nursing stop if you are breastfeeding. Then be okay if your plan has to change. Motherhood is constantly pivoting!
  • Homemade bottle warmer. We all have a thermal cup somewhere (or ten!). Boil water and place it in a thermos with a lid. This will serve as a bottle warning station that will allow you to quickly heat up a bottle any time you are out. You can even hear it up while you are driving and have a bottle ready to go when you reach your destination.
  • Know it’s going to take twice as long and just go with the flow. Keep your expectations low. Do not think you can cram all the things into one day. Look at your list of errands. See what absolutely must be done. Do those things first and if things are going well continue through your list until everyone is done.
  • Practice! It gets better. The more you go out with a baby, the better you’ll be at it. It’s hard, it’s really hard at first actually, but you’ll get better and soon it’ll be second nature. I (Anna) remember being terrified the first time I took my baby to the doctor without my husband. But now, baby is just my little errand buddy.
  • Train your toddler for parking lot safety. This was a terrifying thought for me (Tori) when it came to leaving with two under two. In fact I didn’t go in any stores for a few months. The logistics of getting two babies out of the car and into a cart safely was a bit stressful. I began by training my toddler when we got in/out of the car to hold the back tire beside me and to not move while I buckled her sister in. Now she instantly, without even being told (although I still remind her plenty!), will place both hands on the tire and wait until I get sister out and grab her hand.
earthly wellness ad

Have you heard of my friends over at Earthley Wellness? They are dedicated to providing 100% natural products for the whole family! They have everything you need from hormone support, vitamins and mineral supplements, herbal remedies for colds, fevers, headaches, and so much more. I have been using their products in our home for nearly a year now and we love them! Go check them out and save 10% when you use my link below and the code LITTLEWIFE10 at checkout!

Click Here to Shop

Enjoying God with Littles

God has a special way of meeting women and mothers where they are if they’ll make the effort to draw near to Him first. As mothers, we rarely get the opportunity to go spend five hours in the woods communing with God. Especially when you’re in the season of having littles. He understands this and will still meet with you while babies crawl around at your feet, and toddlers are smearing snot across the window. Make the effort, and He will honor it.

If you are already communing with The Lord, you’ll be grateful for what you catch at the back door bouncing a baby or in the nursery listening to babies screams overpower the speaker for the service.

Just do. With them, without them. Quiet, not quiet. If you’re waiting on the perfect circumstances you’ll rarely have time with God!

-Tori

Enjoying Church with Littles

A big part of enjoying church with littles will revolve around your daily walk with The Lord. If you treat church as your lifeline thrown to you while you’re drowning, you’ll die spiritually every time you have to step out of service with a baby. You’ll feel empty if you require filling in every service just to survive until the next. If you’ve been walking with God throughout your week, church will feel like a bonus to your spiritual life, not the only thing keeping you afloat.

I’m not trying to discount the importance of being at and in church. What I mean is this, if you as a mother have no daily walk with The Lord and treat church like your spiritual lifeline thrown to you before you drown in your week, then you’ll grow cold and die when you miss a service taking your baby out. It has never and will never be the churches job to keep your closeness with God alive.

If you don’t want to live in the nursery, don’t start in the nursery!! If your baby learns that all they have to do is fuss a little, and they’ll get to go play in the nursery, then they’re going to fuss every service. If you were a child, would you rather sit still and be quiet or go play with toys? Babies will need to be taken out. We understand that, but don’t reward a behavior you don’t want to encourage. If I (Anna) have to take my baby out (and I do often), I address the issue (diaper, feeding, etc), and then we go right back in service.

I stay in the back to be as little of a disturbance as possible, but we’re still in service. I also don’t let them down most of the time. I don’t want my babies to think they can whine a little and get out of sitting through church. Adopt this mindset when they’re babies, and you won’t have to retrain toddlers. Now, there are exceptions I make at times if I know they’ve had a particularly hard day stuck in the carseat, traveling, and such. Know your child’s limit.

*I (Tori) can 100% stand by this statement and method of child training. It is hard, hard work in the beginning. However, now as a mom of a two year old I can already testify to the benefits of early, immediate church training. She certainly still has her days but our toddler can now sit through a two hour church service generally still and quiet for her age.

We realize that adopting this mindset is hard. Most of the child training years you will not be getting a whole lot out of the service as you try to train your baby to stay quiet, be still, and do so with a good attitude. However, it will be so worth it on the other end! Keep the end goal in mind. Don’t focus on the “failures” of yesterday’s church service. Just keep training. Keep working and soon you will look back to see the benefits of your efforts!

Bonus Tip:
For the last several years as I have tried to keep my babies in church, I have made my goal “one thing”. If I can just get “one thing” out of the service, one phrase of the message, one verse that was read, one testimony that encourages me- often I can take that one thing into my week and God will use it to feed my soul as I dwell and meditate on that “one thing”. Of course I often get more than one thing as I am faithful to God’s House but even in the rough services of child training and children acting up He is always faithful to give me “one thing” as I am faithful to listen.

-Tori

Enjoying Who the Are

Learning their little quirks and personality traits can be so fun. Some of them can also be annoying. Learning the difference between what is just them and what is unacceptable behavior can be tricky. When it’s who they are just embrace it. Try to shape them without braking who God made them, even if some of who they are is conflicting with your personality!

For example, one of my (Tori) children is a hardcore extrovert (much like her dad!). I am most definitely not. Even as a baby this girl would attract so much attention and she absolutely loved it while I stood in horror at the fact that I had to talk to all these random strangers she was winning over! So much of me wanted to squelch that. Make quick exits away from people. Until I realized that this little girl has a gift and it is not mine to take away or to dampen. This is who God made her! She brightens people’s day in a way that only she can and that is not just for my enjoyment alone. It is a gift plenty big enough for all she meets!

Children change so often as they grow that sometimes it can feel like waking up to a new person each day. Get excited about it, look forward to learning more about this little person you birthed. You have the “best seat in the house” for this show.

-Anna

Enjoying the Pace of Littles

Embrace the fact that it is going to take you five times longer to do anything you did before having babies. It’s ok, in fact I believe it should be celebrated. I truly believe God designed this pace for mothers. When you embrace it, you will learn how to enjoy it. You will stay stressed and become bitter with your children if you have the mindset that they’re constantly slowing you down.

I (Tori) am a go-getter. I have to constantly have a project (or twelve!). As a new mom I almost felt so “held back” because this little person would not just let me do all the things! As the years have gone by I have both developed a flow so that I am able to have those life-giving projects while still keeping these little at the forefront of my priorities. After all, they are my funnest “project”!

I say all that for the mom who feels like she’s lost herself in motherhood. In many ways you have and that is not at all a bad thing. It is a beautiful, natural part of motherhood the way God designed it. If you feel a bit lost, just know, there are ways to develop a flow for those things that you enjoy. You may just find as your children get older those are the things they will adopt to enjoy as well!

“The more you fight against the season you’re in the less joy you will find in it.”

Embrace the slower pace, the night wakings, the sticky messes and you’ll find beauty in the hard places.

-Anna
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Sourdough Pumpkin: How to Make the Perfect Pumpkin Shaped Loaf

This delicious sourdough pumpkin shaped loaf is the perfect mixture of soft inside with a slightly crunchy crust! Add pumpkin purée to make it a true pumpkin loaf or turn our regular artisan bread recipe into a beautiful pumpkin. Get all the instructions you need below!

sourdough pumpkin loaf

Pumpkin Season and Sourdough Pumpkin Making

It’s pumpkin time!! I am fully determined to embrace the seasons this year and it’s no different in the kitchen. Every week I’m adding to my collection of fall recipes here on the blog in celebration of the “Fallidays”.

Whether you like pumpkin flavored things or you are firmly against, this sourdough loaf is for you!

Make it true pumpkin style by adding purée and pumpkin spice or keep it low-key with the looks. Either way, this loaf is delicious and the perfect addition to your favorite fall recipes.

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Getting the Perfect Sourdough Pumpkin Shape

This sourdough pumpkin loaf may look complex but achieving the perfect pumpkin shape is quite simple. Follow these instructions to get the best results!

  • Twine works best. Flexible twine works best for getting the right shape without leaving behind residue in your bread.
  • Coat your twine in oil. For best results removing the twine I highly recommend coating your twine in a bit of coconut oil or butter. The twine will somewhat bake into the bread, this is totally fine. However, the removal process can be quite tricky. The oil helps the twine slide right out without damaging your pretty pumpkin loaf.
  • Four strings is best. For an accurate representation, four strings or more for tying your loaf up is recommended. Anything under four seems to make the load look unrealistic. (Four strings makes eight indentations.)
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  • Make them slightly uneven. Placing your strings slightly uneven around the pumpkin gives it a more accurate appearance. Look at a pumpkin…the sections are rarely in perfect precision.
  • Allow the dough to refrigerate before tying. Getting the dough cool before tying and scouring is key in this recipe. The best way to do this is to allow the dough to chill for an hour while the Dutch oven is heating for one hour.

The Perfect Size

This recipe will make a standard size pumpkin loaf. It is perfect for slicing for sandwich bread or turning into a companion for soups/chilis during the cold seasons. A smaller loaf can be turned into a soup bread bowl (great for dipping!) as pictured below!

sourdough pumpkin soup bowl

Simply cut out the middle and add whatever soup or dip you desire! Serve with the cut out middle portion, other bread, or tortilla chips.

  • Make a larger loaf by adding 1/2 cup more sourdough starter and 1/2 cup more water than what this recipe calls for. You will likely need to add more flour. Keep the other ingredients as is. You will achieve a very large pumpkin loaf about twice the size as the standard version this recipe calls for.
  • Make a smaller, soup bowl loaf by using only 1/4 cup sourdough starter and 1/4 cup water. You will need less flour. This gives you a small loaf perfect for a small family or a pretty pumpkin soup/dip bowl.

Adding Flavor to Your Sourdough Pumpkin

As stated, this sourdough loaf is as delicious as it is pretty- with or without -any added flavors. This recipe gives you the basic loaf but adding flavors is quite simple when you follow these guidelines…

Adding Pumpkin

When adding the pumpkin flavor you will keep everything in the recipe as is except for flour and honey/sweetener of choice. When you add the pumpkin purée this adds moisture to the recipe and you have to adjust the amount of flour so the dough is not too wet. Because you are going for a sweeter vs savory loaf adding about 1/4-1/2 cup more sweetener is recommended. I would also recommend adding 1-2 tsp cinnamon or pumpkin spice for additional flavor.

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Adding other Flavors

This load would make a great chocolate bread as well. Simple add cocoa powder, cane sugar, and chocolate chips. Pecans would also be a great, seasonally appropriate choice. Try mixing apples into the dough during the stretch and fold process for delicious apple bread! The possibilities are endless.

Tips for Making a Sourdough Pumpkin Loaf

Making this sourdough pumpkin loaf is really quite simple but here are some tips to achieve the best results…

  • Use active, peak rise starter.
  • Allow the dough to ferment for up to 8 hours unrefridgerated or up to 12 hours in the refrigerator.
  • Pre-heat Dutch oven for 1 hour on 400 degrees Fahrenheit before baking the bread.
  • After stretching and folding allow the dough to chill in the refrigerator for one hour (during Dutch oven pre-heat). Do not shape or score until after chilling.
  • Use at least 4 strings in the shaping process and arrange them slightly off center.
  • Bake for 20 minutes with the lid on and 20 minutes with the lid off.

Ingredients

As always I like to include an ingredients/shopping list so you know you have all you need before hand. You can copy and paste this list to your notes before you go to the grocery store.

Sourdough Starter (at least one cup)

Warm water

Baking Powder (3tbsp)

Honey or sweetener of choice (1tbsp)

Salt (2 tsp)

All-purpose, unbleached flour (up to 3 cups)

I hope you enjoy this recipe. This lovely loaf is great for parties, home decor, and of course- eating! Please share your thoughts, comments, and questions below. We love hearing from you!

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sourdough pumpkin loaf

Sourdough Pumpkin Loaf

A delicious, and beautiful loaf of sourdough bread shaped in a pumpkin! Perfect for parties, soup bread bowls, and more. Add pumpkin puree and extra sweetener to make it as a dessert!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Fermentation Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 50 minutes
Course bread, Dessert, Side Dish, Soup
Servings 1 standard size loaf

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch Oven

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup active, bubbly sourdough starter
  • ¾ cup warm water
  • 3 tsp baking powder optional; for softness
  • 1 tbsp honey or sweetener of choice
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 ½-3 cups all-purpose, unbleached flour

Instructions
 

  • Combine sourdough starter and warm water. Allow to completely dissolve (about five minutes) then stir.
  • Add honey, baking powder, salt, and 2 cups of flour. Mix well. (Recipe has been tested by stand mixer and by hand.) Add 1/4 cup flour until the dough is slightly sticky but firm.
  • Cover the dough and allow to rise on the counter for one hour.
  • REFRIGERATION FERMENT: If you plan to refrigerate your dough throughout the fermentation process or longer than 8 hours shape your dough into a ball. Cover with a damp tea towel and allow to ferment in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours. After the ferment begin 3 rounds of stretch and folds every 30 minutes to an hour. This is the best option for a loaf that is begun in the evening.
    COUNTER FERMENT: If you want the process to go a bit faster you can skip the refrigerator fermentation and combine fermentation with stretch and folds. Shape the dough into a ball and place on the counter in a covered bowl for about 3 hours. Then begin a round of stretch and folds every hour for the next 3-4 hours. This will give a total of 8 hours fermentation time while stretch and folds are performed making it quicker. This is the best option for a loaf that is begun in the morning or early afternoon.
  • After fermentation and stretch and folds shape the dough into a ball. Allow the dough to chill for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  • While dough is chilling, allow the dutch oven to pre-heat for 1 hour at 400℉.
  • While dough is chilling cut 4 pieces of twine. The length should be about 12 inches. Dip the twine into melted butter or coconut oil for best results (this helps the twine to come out easier and cleaner). Allow the butter or oil to solidify (this process can be sped up when twine is placed in the refrigerator or freezer). Now your twine is ready to use.
  • Place twine in a snowflake-like pattern (see pic). The shaping is best if they are slightly unevenly placed, it gives a more realistic look.
    twine binding for sourdough pumpkin loaf
  • Flour the surface and string, then place ball of dough in the center (see pic).
    sourdough pumpkin loaf shaping
  • Take the two strings opposite one another and tie around the dough in the center (see pic). Continue to do this all the way around the dough until all the strings have been tied. Transfer the dough to the pre-heated dutch oven.
    shaping sourdough pumpkin
  • Score the dough in whatever pattern you choose. You do not need a main score line because the strings will allow the dough to expand properly.
  • Cover the dutch oven with the lid and bake for 20 minutes at 400℉.
  • Bake and additional 20 minutes at 400℉ with the dough uncovered.
  • After the dough has cooled for around 15-20 minutes, remove the strings carefully.
    sourdough pumpkin loaf
Keyword artisan sourdough, fall sourdough recipe, pumpkin, sourdough, sourdough pumpkin bread, sourdough pumpkin loaf

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