lessons from the kitchen

This week with the weather a bit cooler than that of mid summer I have had the urge to bake again.  It has been a while since we have used our oven.  We made Granola and Apple muffins.  Yum!  

I love that the boys were so into helping me- so much so that they began arguing about who was doing what.  Oh the joys!

But I do love it ALL.  I love how they may not like green apples but they do love them when they are cooked into muffins. I love how they are learning to use knives so well, and their mama isn't freaking out.  I love how they are tasting the apples as they cut them. Do they know they are still green apples? I love how we discuss fractions as we are measuring out the ingredients. I love that when the muffins and granola are done- there is SO much eating to be done. (We ate a dozen muffins in one day.)  I love how they smile the entire time we are in the kitchen together, and the little comments of "This is fun Mama" happen to come about.  I love the feeling of not relying on others(the stores) to feed my family  healthy food. I love how it really only takes a short amount of time to create big results. 

That last statement is the truth of it all.  Not just in baking but in real time. A few moments of serious listening and close attention is what makes all the difference. Giving them what is needed will result in some pretty amazing ideas/thoughts/character/personalities. You name it.  Things happen when you really listen. I hope I am always waiting with an open ear.