cobbler, the easy farmhouse dessert

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You have to just memorize it. This recipe is so simple that you can put it together while sitting down to supper and have it steaming hot as you finish cleaning up the meal. I have been making it for 15 years, and it’s still a summer staple.

It requires no forethought. No need for peeling, dicing, nor butter-softening. It’s a one bowl recipe. Perfect when you’re in a pinch to serve guests, pretty for an occasion to celebrate, yet mouthwatering on any given night of the week.

The edges get so crispy and buttery, the center so soft and the fruit oozes its delicious sweetness. This cobbler is nothing short of tempting. We serve it with fresh cream, but sometimes we have ice cream – wow!

We love blackberry the best. Peach is our next favorite. While cherries are good too, strawberries turn mushy and may not be the best choice for cobbler. Fresh fruit doesn’t last very long in our kitchen, which I’m sure happens at your house too. Since frozen fruit bags are something I keep on hand, that is what I always use. There’s no need to thaw the fruit before making the cobbler. Oh, and I always double the recipe and bake it in a 9×13 inch pan. The leftovers are even better! Promise.

Peach (any fruit) Cobbler

-1 cup flour

-1 cup sugar

-1 Tablespoon baking powder

-1 cup milk

-4 Tablespoons butter(1/2 stick butter ; a 1/4 cup)

-1 16 oz. bag of frozen fruit (or 4 cups of frozen/fresh is perfect too)

-Cinnamon-sugar for dusting

Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Add the butter to an 8 inch square pan (a 12 inch cast iron skillet works very well) and place in the oven until the butter melts.

In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder and milk. Pour mixture over the melted butter and drop the fruit evenly over the batter. The dusting of cinnamon-sugar (or just sugar) over the whole thing will add a little crust when it’s baked, and I highly recommend it : ). Bake the cobbler for 45 – 60 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean from center.

Let me know how you like it!

 with love, Damaris

First Trimester: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Photos Credits: Maria Wild

I had all the symptoms. I was obviously going through a growth spurt – eating, and sleeping, and a touch of the flu.

All I did for many weeks was survive.

The first trimester was more difficult than any other of my previous pregnancies. I would be lying if I didn’t tell you it was hard. I would also be lying if I told you I wished it to go away, though. Every moment of every day, I praised God for His gift, and the children stepped up to help. They asked many times throughout the day how I was feeling. They often got breakfast started, made little lunches, entertained baby Samuel so I could rest, or just jumped up on my bed and did school right by my side. Prime time’s portrayal of morning sickness is waking up to a nauseous feeling followed by running to the bathroom at the smell of coffee. But many of us know that morning sickness lingers all day, progressively getting worse until you fall asleep while clutching your stomach.

I didn’t want to frighten the children, so often after I groaned I’d reassure them that there were only a couple more weeks of this, and that then I’d feel so much better. Their gregarious joy over the new baby helped me more than they will ever understand. Many times daily they all showed care and concern. I heard, “Mom is tired, I can help you.” “Mom is sick, but the baby’s not sick.” “Dad told us to make lunch today.” “Let mom rest.” “How is your baby today?” “Can I see if the baby grew?” Mostly, the little girls climb on me, and squeal again and again about how excited they are. My cup overflows.

Vacillating between “I have to vomit” and “Give me all the pretzels and blue cheese“, I ate so many carbs! You might remember our Whole30 endeavor being cut short by 5 days a few months back. This pregnancy is the culprit. I could not take another day. Nothing I could eat on the program sounded good anymore, and the few things that didn’t make my stomach churn were not allowed. So, I called it quits in favor of eating something decent during those difficult early weeks of pregnancy. Totally worth it, as you can imagine.

I had far more nausea than exhaustion, which I am so grateful for. It would be very difficult to have them both severely – which I know many women have. Amazingly, amidst the morning sickness, I managed to gain a few pounds… on donuts and pizza! Come to think of it, I’m still on that diet : )

We are overjoyed with a growing bump that reminds us everyday of the blessing of a new life. The profound honor of carrying a miraculous creation of God. Also, we are thrilled to have the anatomy ultrasound this week and share more news with you!!!

with love. Damaris