Sourdough Waffles

by Steph // Tuesday, April 15, 2025 // No Comments

It has been a long, long while since I have posted a recipe here!

It is pretty obvious through all of my photos that I love being in the kitchen, cooking and baking.

One of my absolute favorite things to make is waffles.

It always has been!

I made literally of thousands of waffles in my Grandma’s old cast iron waffle maker – which I talked about in this post here.

It was about a year ago that Blake bought me a new waffle maker, which we still use constantly and I LOVE.

I am not sure when I switched to making sourdough waffles!

Gluten-free sourdough is very easy to do and use, and I really enjoy the health benefits as well as the creative outlet it allows.

The gluten-free waffles I made for years and years were egg free, but instead made with flax meal and a blend of gluten-free flours.

The sourdough waffles I make now are the BEST!

Every time I am cooking them I tell the children that this is what heaven will smell like!!

My sourdough has always been super healthy – so much so that I should not leave it unattended on the counter while we are gone a few hours or it will bubble right out of the top of the jar!

The sourdough waffles that I make have a batter that you let ferment on the counter overnight and then add ingredients to and cook the next morning.

I usually make three batches at one time and freeze a bunch!

My kitchen motto is cook ONCE and eat MANY TIMES!

We love to add things to our waffles – most often frozen blueberries or raspberries.

The kiddos love raspberries in them!

These waffles freeze perfectly in Ziploc bags with parchment paper separating them.

They toast in a toaster straight from the freezer for a delicious breakfast!

Here is the recipe:

*this is not a gluten and dairy free recipe – I just substituted the flour and milk to make it safe for us!

2 1/2 cups of flour
2 cups of milk
1 cup of active sourdough starter

Mix, cover, and ferment on the counter overnight.

Add:
3/4 cup melted coconut oil
1/4 cup maple syrup
3 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda

Mix thoroughly. Add any add-ins and mix gently.
Cook in waffle iron on desired setting.

*we use Bob Red Mill’s 1:1 flour
*we use dairy free coconut milk, but any kind of milk will work

I hope you try them!!

Enjoy!!

Christmas 2024

by Steph // Monday, April 14, 2025 // No Comments

I am sitting in our little den typing this post with the window open and signs of spring all around.

IT IS LOVELY!

Just for a handful of minutes, though, I am going to think and write about our 2024 Christmas celebration!

The anticipation of the holidays was great in my mind around that time – with excitement and just a bit of overwhelm as I tried to get ready for all the things while our days were already so very full.

Thankfully, the Lord met me each morning (as He always does during my quiet time!) and kept my focus where my focus was meant to be!

Scottie and Addie offered to host Christmas Eve, and it was a GREAT idea and SO MUCH FUN!

First things first on Christmas Eve, though, as we all headed to church to attend the candlelight service.

I was just a bit emotional when I walked in and saw so many in our family leading worship that night – it filled my heart so full!

We had split up the food duties for Christmas Eve, but stuck with our theme of hor d’oeuvres.

As always, there was so much delicious food!!

It was fun to have so many yummy options to chose from!

After filling all the tummies, the siblings open their gifts from the sibling gift exchange.

I love that they have continued this tradition and added the spouses – they had a great time with it!!

I wish I had photos!

The next morning started with our trio here at home as they opened their gifts from Blake and I.

We had a brunch planned for later that morning when everyone would be joining us!

Eliza also got to play with her new Polaroid – Tate had Eliza’s name in the sibling gift exchange and had given her this!

The only photo I have of our trio opening their gifts is this one of Eliza holding a mug I had made for her.

Brunch started at 11:00 and the food spread was yummy again!!

I do not remember when we started our Christmas morning brunch tradition, but I hope it is here to stay!

What we usually do in the late afternoon, then, is re-run the snacks from Christmas Eve.

It works perfectly!

After brunch David, Kayla and their crew were the ones left with gifts to open.

We kind of opened gifts in shifts – which is just what happened with some needing to be other places – and it actually worked out very nicely!

It would have been way too much all at once, I think!

The whole crew had gone together to get a gift for Blake and I too!

It was SO sweet!

After all of the gifts were given, I “found” two gifts tucked behind the tree that I had “forgotten.”

Blake and I totally planned this, you all, so pay attention!!

Our two son-in-laws joke often about who is the favorite here, just to set this story up properly and all.

I handed these last two gifts to my sons-in-law at the same time.

David was delayed in opening his for just a minute behind Scottie – and Scottie was literally doing a dance after opening his – but then sees David has the same thing – WE DIED LAUGHING!!

When I asked to get a photo of them in their new shirts, they obliged.

Then David tells Scottie “Let’s make a peace sign.”

Please notice what David did with that – HILARIOUS!!!

The rest of the day Christmas Day was a lot of play for the children, good food, good coffee, and JUST BEING TOGETHER.

The guys also took the kiddos outside sledding at one point in the late afternoon.

My favorite kind of day!!!

We enjoyed every second SO much!!

Eliza posed for me the next morning when she wore her new sweatshirt – do you see a theme here with her gifts from us?

She loves animals and loves HER animals most of all!

What a wonderful walk down memory lane!

Birds chirping in my ears and all!

The holidays are always such an anticipated and treasured time.

We try to be very intentional with our calendar, time, and choices during the Christmas season as we hope to keep our focus on the most important things!

As our family continues to grow, this will always be my prayer!

Christmas 2024 – you were amazing and the memories are SWEET!!

Thank you Jesus for the BIGGEST GIFT EVER – your love for us and your sacrifice for us – which is OURS just by asking!!!

I am SO grateful, Lord, for all You have done and continue to do!

Next up is 2025!!!

The Month of December

by Steph // Tuesday, April 8, 2025 // No Comments

First of all, we ended the month of November with a visit from my niece!

She was able to visit us the weekend of Thanksgiving, and we had A LOT of fun!

We made and ate lots of good food, decorated our Christmas tree, went and saw a movie, and had a couple of Thanksgiving meals!

The Sunday that my niece had to head back to school, Blake took myself and our trio on a Costco run!

It was much needed, and it was fun to do together.

Jazzy even went along!

We stopped for dinner after our Costco stock up and then headed the two hours back home.

I had a second Costco run at the end of December with Kayla!

We were getting her stocked up before the baby was due!

I, of course, had plenty more that was needed that day as well.

The day after our first of the month Costco run, we had our Azure Standard grocery pick-up.

That certainly is one way to feel stocked back up and stocked up for the holidays ahead!

Our Azure pick-up is literally less than five minutes away and it is a BLESSING!!

Once you see all of the good things that came out of our cute little kitchen in December, you will know why I needed all of that grocery!

These guys can EAT.

Especially because they are all teenagers and young adults here these days.

If you know me, you know I love to feed people.

My Mom was this way!!

When we visit my Mom, who now has full-time care for dementia, she will say “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming! I would have went to the grocery store!”

It brings a little sob to my throat in thankfulness to know that I am like my Mom this way.

She taught me a lot!!

I made a few things ahead and froze them for when our newest grandbaby was due to arrive!

I also sometimes deliver a meal “kit” (instead of a meal) to my in-laws and my mother-in-law will just put it all in her crock pot to cook all day!

I am part of a small group of ladies from church – we call it a “huddle” – and this is the book we are going through!

We meet once a month, and it has been FANTASTIC.

I have prayers all over my journal for the last year asking God to show me how to find community.

Not only did He hear my prayers, but He answered them in the coolest ways.

School continued on for us until we took a break for the holidays!

We enjoy structured days, and we enjoy non-structured days too – but most of us do best with the structure!!

Including the gal typing this post!!

We finished our snowflake project too!

It starts to become more urgent when a bird hits our sliding glass door and gets injured, which is what happened this time.

There is just SO MUCH to enjoy in this life of ours!!

These small things are never lost on me!

I find it interesting that the Lord prompts me to notice and be grateful for such seemingly small things – because my brain is FULL, you guys!

But I do notice them.

And I do thank the Lord for them too, right on the spot.

Christmas lights.
Fun books.
Sunrise drives to town.
Cute puppies.
Fun games with my kiddos.

I think this next photo is hilarious.

I also think I should have put this photo before all of those bulk grocery shopping photos!!

The boot belongs to one of our giants.

We currently have two giants living here.

That is my foot next to his boot – my NORMAL size foot.

The boot on the other hand is a NOT normal size 14.

Send food.

Lane would say to send him a longer bed, poor guy!

Bunk beds are not made for giants!!

We used up the last of our garden onions in December!

We have PLANS, you all, to grow many more than last year this year, Lord willing!!

The seeds are already started – so I will keep you posted how that goes!!

One random Monday at the beginning of December, the Stipes invited us over for dinner!

Oh goodness, I loved saying it that way!

Addie is a GREAT cook, and we enjoyed our meal and the fun we had there!

I might really like snooping in all of her kitchen cabinets when I am there, but can’t you see why??

Wedding gifts are FUN to keep looking at!!

Speaking of the Stipes – they went ice skating with our trio one weekend!

They had a ton of fun!

I stayed home where it was warm and quiet – just saying!!

We found an amazing groomer for our Jazz, but it was not easy!!

There are not many available groomers in our area!

I drive to La Crosse to have Jazzy groomed every six weeks.

I enjoy it though!

And she never gets too long and crazy looking in between her cuts!!

Here is a before and after:

We had some snow this winter – but not much!!

This was a very good thing for my in-laws who are not used to much snow.

But not a very good thing for children who like to play in it and sled!

The snow always bring the red cardinals to our bird restaurant too – and we did not have them show up much this winter.

Our monthly Hymn Sing is extra special around Christmas time!

We enjoy this evening at our friend’s place SO much.

I enjoy helping with my grands while we are there too!

There are always projects in life, are there not?

Some are self-induced, some are not!

We are working on a huge painting project.

It is going sssllllloooowwwww – but that is OK – because it doesn’t really matter in the end!!

It is fun though.

Another fun project was sprucing up the laundry nook with some baskets for organization.

A before photo would sure help you appreciate this as much as I did!!

I also have deep cleaning projects every winter.

This school/office closet in the photo below gets very crazy before I realize it is time to clean it out!

We have a lot of people who live in this place and it takes intention to not let things get a way from us!

I also spent one whole afternoon on the project of wrapping Christmas gifts!

Guys – I am trying to streamline this – but goodness, I am not there yet!!

This year we gave each family member something to read, something to wear, and something to use/do.

It was easier to shop this way with the categories laid out and all.

But this is not streamlined quite yet!

Large families out there – tell me what you do!!!!

I have good helpers here with all these projects and daily jobs.

They are never allowed to leave.

Don’t tell them just yet though, ok?

I am hanging on tight because I already know what happens!!

And now for my signature.

THE SKY.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the sky.

The heavens declare the glory of God!!

December was full and wonderful and so fun to look back at!

Next up is Christmas!!

I just looked at the photos I downloaded and do I have a fun story for you all!

Until then….

Christmas Traditions!!

by Steph // Monday, April 7, 2025 // No Comments

Do you all enjoy holiday traditions?

Well, we do – especially the children do!

The first Saturday of December for many years now, we have volunteered at the Rotary of Lights in downtown La Crosse.

The Rotary of Lights is a yearly Christmas lights display that you can walk or drive through for enjoyment!

It is a very fun tradition that we all look forward to very much!

We collect monetary and food donations, direct traffic, and this year Blake organized the volunteers the night that we were there.

We bundle up because we stand outside for hours!

This year the weather was kind to us the evening that we were there – and our crew was in sweatshirts!

I personally was wearing many layers, ha, ha, and never got too warm!!

Another yearly tradition is going caroling with our church.

We split into groups and sing at several nursing homes and it is SO rewarding!!

We carol on a Sunday afternoon after we have had a fellowship meal at church first.

The Stipe/Moschel crew is in charge of set up, serving, and cleaning up meal days – and we enjoy that very much too!!

I can tell you that for sure because we just had a fellowship meal yesterday and I had such a great time!!

Of course sending out Christmas cards is a yearly tradition too!

I have missed some years, but this year I did not!

It was fun to plan our Christmas card for 2024 – well, because of TWO weddings that happened in 2024!!

Kayla took some photos for me in November – and specifically one of “those of us here at home” for our Christmas card.

She also took all new head shots of the children for this little ole blog of mine, which you can see on the side bar!

This year we had what I hope is our first annual Christmas get together with the gals on the planning committee for our church’s women’s ministry called Women to Women.