Leftover Cereal Muffins

While we were in Charlotte, I finally tried and helped make my mom's famous cereal muffins. After many many half eaten cereal boxes, my mom searched for a usage for these crumbs! She has perfected the recipe, and I am so excited to start making them for my family. They are the perfect breakfast muffin for Ryan to grab and go. They go perfectly with some greek yogurt. Or just by itself. and bonus, they freeze well.  And I'm happy to share the recipe with you!

Start with 4 cups of any kind of leftover cereals, doesn't have to be one kind. You can mix and match, just note if the cereal has sugar in it.

Put the cereal in a large mixing bowl and cover with 2 cups of any kind of milk.

Let it soak for a few minutes to soften up the cereal and then add the following:

4 large eggs
1 cup applesauce
3 cups of flour (any combination of white/wheat)
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 to 3 tsp cinnamon
half tsp salt
1/4-1/2 cup sugar (depending on whether you use sugary cereal)

Extras to add in:
chopped nuts
dried cranberries
dark chocolate chips
fresh blueberries
1/2 cup ground flaxseed

Stir everything together with a large spoon until it is all moistened.

Heat oven to 375 degrees and spray muffin tins.

This recipe makes 24 full muffin cups and they don't rise much so you can fill the muffin cup right to the top.

Bake for 20-22 minutes and let cool for 30 minutes before turning out of muffin tin.

I freeze these in large Ziploc bags and just pull a couple out in the morning. They defrost well in the microwave for a few seconds or just leave to defrost on the counter for about an hour.

I made this batch with LIFE cereal. I didn't add any extra sugar. I realized after I got started that I only had 2 cups of flour, so I added in 1 cup oatmeal and it turned out perfectly fine. I also added in dried cranberries, flax seed, and fresh blueberries.

New Mom Ride

Phew, this was years in the making. Years, people! We have been looking, saving, waiting, looking, waiting, and waiting for the right car to come into our lives.

The week before we left for Charlotte, Ryan went to go see a small SUV at a local car dealership. The moment the sales guy opened the door, Ryan detected cigarette smoke and immediately said that this was a no go. We were really bummed out because the SUV was priced well and it had great reviews. And we were ready to pull the trigger and buy a second car!

After a few hours, Ryan called me and said that the sales guy called Ryan about a trade-in SUV that he felt was perfect for us. Ryan made plans to visit it the dealership during his lunch break. The next thing I knew, Ryan was driving home with it! I didn't know too many details about what it was, but when I saw the SUV, I knew that I had to have it.

The story about the SUV is that an older couple bought it brand new from our local Volvo dealership in 2004. Over the past 10 years, they had only put on 44,000 miles. UNHEARD of. Seriously. We're assuming they drove it to the grocery store and back for 10 years and never left South Florida. They had a completely clean service record and zero accidents. It felt stupid of us to leave this gem! The couple traded it in for a 2014 Infiniti c50, so Ryan is now dreaming that in 10 years, we'll buy their c50 if they trade it in again. Wouldn't that be insane!

So, we got a babysitter that night, drove over to the dealership, signed the papers, and drove her home! (and stopped at 5 Guys for dinner...my request of course). 

When we got home, we switched carseats over, loaded her up with our things, and started driving to Charlotte the next morning. The SPACE. and it drives so beautifully! The worst part was, I was gone for 2 weeks the day after we bought her, so now that I am back, I am getting to know her again. I love being able to leave when I want during the day without having to worry about driving to and picking Ryan up from work. We have all sacrificed and I am so happy that the stars finally aligned for our family to add another member!

Grandma and Grandpa Briggs Weekend

This past weekend, we had the privilege of hosting Ryan's parents for their first visit to our new area. We only had a few days to spend with them, but we tried to make the most of it. Lots of Brinley and Ellie time. Fun adventures to our favorite spots and favorite eats (including a new fancy place on the water called the Dolphin Bar). And of course the beach. We are so happy they came to visit and we hope they make a trip again down soon. Since we've lived here, the visits from parents just aren't long enough to fit in all that we want to do. But--it makes the next trip even better with a new list of things to discover and do. Brinley always goes through a tough grandparent withdrawal after they leave. She is extra needy and whiny and in desperate need of attention. Lucky me! :-) They are the luckiest girls to have so many wonderful grandparents that are so eager to spoil them!

**My mother-in-law took all these pictures with her new fancy canon. She's been taking photography classes and is eager to make this a new skill. And I'm happy to bum off these beautiful photos! Thanks, Dolly!

Come visit again soon! 

Valentine's Day 2014

Every Valentine's Day, Ryan makes breakfast for his girls. This year, he was actually able to eat with us! It was so delicious. He made french toast and put nutella in the middle of two pieces, topped it with fresh strawberries and blackberries and whipped cream. DELISH.

Brinley has been asking if it is Valentine's Day the second I put up a few hand made decorations weeks ago. This may be her favorite mini-Holiday. I think her favorite thing in her cupcake tote was her glitter chap stick. And it is probably my least...glitter all over her face!

^^new sandals for summer, pair of socks, and glitter chap stick.

^^new book (from G&G Briggs), socks, and a new diva hairbrush.

^^attempt #1. Blurry and wayyyy too early for a picture, but I love it!

^^hahaha this is amazing

This afternoon we have a play group Valentine's party! So excited to spend our afternoon with good friends. Tonight, I have a surprise dinner planned. And we'll probably spend our night catching up on Bones and talking about our 6 previous Valentine's spent together. 6! On February 16, 2008, we got engaged, so Valentine's for us is always a special time to celebrate our love. cheeeeesy :-) 

Previous Years:

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009