Chocolate Zucchini Bread

This time of year we pretty much have zucchini coming out of our ears. For awhile I've been searching for the perfect chocolate-zucchini bread, but haven't been particularly thrilled with any of the recipes I've stumbled upon. So I decided to get creative and make it up as I went along. Keeping the ingredients fairly healthy for the most part allows this yummy treat to be an indulgence without the guilt attached to the typical sour cream-laden quick bread. Also, since quick breads freeze fantastically, go ahead-- make a bunch! You'll thank me when the weather turns cold.

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 1/2 cups sucanat (or substitute with regular sugar)
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup grapeseed oil (or substitute with canola oil)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 cups grated zucchini
• 1 c plain yogurt
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder (if you don't like your chocolate on the dark & rich side, you may want to scale this back to 2/3 or 1/2 cup)
• 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg (optional)
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips
• powdered sugar (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Grease three 8x4 loaf pans well.
2. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar well for several minutes. Add eggs, one at a time and mix until combined. Add oil, applesauce, zucchini, and vanilla, blending well. Fold in yogurt.
3. Combine cocoa, flour, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg in a large bowl. Reserve 2 tablespoons of this mixture in a small bowl. Mix the dry ingredients (the larger portion) with the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Mix the two tablespoons of reserved dry ingredients with the chocolate chips, stirring to coat. Fold in chocolate chips to batter. Pour batter into prepared loaf pans.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Let loaves rest on a cooling rack in pans for 15-20 minutes before removing. Cool completely on rack. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired.

Don't Look Into His Eyes!

As you might imagine, nap time is sacred around here.
Some days I quite literally live for it.

The only trouble is that one of our dynamic duo thinks that REM cycles are terribly overrated.
So he wakes up early sometimes. Most times. Nearly every time.

The trick is in getting him to go back to sleep. It is possible, but you must follow one very strict guideline.

Never make direct eye contact.
I cannot stress the importance of this singular rule enough.

Because once you lose resolve and sneak a peek, this is what you get:




























And then-- I'm very sorry to say-- it's all over for you, my friend.

Resistance is futile.

Thoughtful

Wait.
Was that my name that I just heard?

Wrestling with two babies during Sunday School isn't always conducive to active participation in gospel discussion.

What are we talking about? What was that quote again? Something by Joseph Fielding Smith, something about technology, something about the hand of the Lord in its development... A bold statement. An interesting statement. What was the question?

Wait.
They want my opinion?
I beg your pardon?

The teacher explained.
"Even though she's got her hands full at the moment, I'd like to ask what her thoughts might be-- having listened to her speak in church, she always seems to be quite thoughtful in her consideration of gospel matters."

I'm pretty sure everyone could hear my pulse race.
Or feel how much heat was radiating off my red-splotched face.
And I'm pretty confident my response was anything but thoughtful.

But all things considered, I'm flattered.

For as we maneuver our way through societal expectations, women are often encouraged to pursue qualities that are little more than skin deep. Beautiful. Sexy. Skinny. Youthful.

But thoughtful?

Now there's a trait I can get on board with.
♥

Panic! at the Market

Do you know what's worse than a missing Sheepie?
A missing Reilly.

We came to the farmers' market for some local honey.
We left with a near heart attack.

After perusing through the different vendors' stalls and enjoying some yummy chicken satay, we decided to let the kids play on the playground while we watched from a nearby bench.

And then it happened.

One minute she was there, the next...

Panic.

We checked the tube slides.
We checked the restrooms.
We checked every which way one could possibly imagine.

Nothing.

I felt fear starting a chain reaction within, threatening to consume me in a fantastic implosion of raw emotion.

"Bryson," I gasped, "We've got to find her!"

As if that wasn't perfectly obvious.

It was 5-10 minutes of sheer terror.

And then.
An angel in a farmer's hat and work shirt appeared, my own pig-tail clad angel in tow.

How do you thank someone for saving your life?
There simply are no words.
So I could only cry.

Life

4:32 pm...

I am stopped by Reilly mid-stride in the hall.

"Mom?"

"Yes?"

"Who are those guys in the picture getting married? I don't know if I know who they are!"

"Oh, honey, of course you know who they are. That's Mommy and Daddy!"

"Oh... My daddy?"

(a kiss on top of the head.)

"Yes, sweetie, your daddy."

"Ohhhhhhhh....."

(pause)

"So that means you're his life!"

"Life? Oh... do you mean wife? What do you think, Ry-- am I Daddy's wife or his life?"
(she smiles)

"Oh, Mom, I think you are his life."

Well, it certainly could be.
I know that he is mine.