Sunday, January 4, 2015

Blueberry Cobbler Cake

1 loaf
Ingredients
Batter
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 1½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup blueberry puree (about 3 cups blueberries blended) + ½ cup blueberries reserved
  • ½ cup butter, melted
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
Crumble Topping
  • ¼ cup cold butter, cubed
  • ½ cup flour
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350°
  2. Spray a 9x5 inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Line the pan with a strip of parchment the width of the pan long enough to hang over the sides a bit. Spray parchment with cooking spray. Set aside.
  3. In bowl of stand mixer combine first five ingredients (flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.) Stir until mixed together evenly.
  4. In a medium sized bowl combine the blueberry puree, melted butter, eggs and vanilla. Whisk together until smooth.
  5. Pour the blueberry mixture into the dry mixture and mix on low until batter forms, scraping the sides as necessary. Batter will be purple!
  6. Pour this into your prepared pan.
  7. To make the crumble topping combine all the Crumble ingredients together with a pastry cutter or fork. You can even use you hands to create large sized "crumb topping" if desired.
  8. Sprinkle this over top of your batter.
  9. Scatter reserved blueberries on top of crumble and bake for 50-60 minutes until center is done.
  10. Allow to cool for 15 minutes and then remove bread from pan and cool completely.


Saturday, January 3, 2015

One Year Later

First I apologize for being so quiet it has been very hard having Teen #2 being away. 

Today I find it especially hard. Today one year ago my beautiful determined spirited Teen #2 took what should have been a lethal dose of medication. 13 hours later I found her paralyzed in her bed barel responsive. Today is the day I fought for her care as some of the staff at the hospital though my then 13 year old was an 18-20 year old junkie and should be treated as such. 

I never left her side. Not even when she was in a locked psychiatric room unaware of her surroundings or of her self. It took a week for the Doctors to say she was "Medically Clear" to be moved to the adolescent psychiatric unit. There we were forced to separate & myself to go home. 

Another 4 days of fighting with staff & outside agencies till we had an acceptable discharge plan. 

A year later & it still hurts like it was yesterday. 

Today she's on the very slow path to treatment. The treatment center she is at is actually a working farm. They are having a snow day today. Which includes treats games and a hole wack of movies in the "homestead building". 

Though I can not hold her close today I've spoken with her on the phone. (Thank heavens for all inclusive long distance plans let me tell you!) 

So this one year later and a new year I am thankful for this wonderful chance of still having my Pixie with us.