Animal Crackers

“Animal crackers and cocoa to drink,
That is the finest of suppers I think;
When I’m grown up and can have what I please
I think I shall always insist upon these.
What do YOU choose when you’re offered a treat?
When Mother says, ‘What would you like best to eat?’
Is it waffles and syrup, or cinnamon toast?
It’s cocoa and animals that I love most!

 

The kitchen’s the cosiest place that I know;
The kettle is singing, the stove is aglow,
And there in the twilight, how jolly to see
The cocoa and animals waiting for me.”
-Christopher Morley

 

 

The January snow was falling gently outside the kitchen window, covering our yard with a fresh dusting of pure white sparkles. Inside, we were warm and cozy, snuggled away from the cold. On this Friday morning, our kitchen was especially busy as little washed hands eagerly helped pat out the dough for their cookies.
A weekly tradition this winter is making the little ones some animal crackers. I have fond memories of munching away on animal crackers as a child! A homemade version is even more tasty – and healthier!

 

I was thinking — while the dough was being rolled out – how fun it is to still have itty bitty children in the house! It is a season of a second motherhood, in a way. It is so delightful to be blessed with little ones in the family. We have great adventures together!
When our family goes out in public, yes, we do draw attention with the amount of children. Why, I was asked recently,  DID you have so many children?

Yes, 10 babies.

Oh my, I feel so blessed. How can I explain the goodness of the Lord in His amazing blessings of our children?
Why did we have so many babies? 

Here is a good quote to ponder …

“We fancy that God can only manage His world by big battalions abroad,
when all the while He is doing it by beautiful babies at home. When a wrong wants righting, or a truth wants preaching,
or a continent wants opening, GOD SENDS A BABY INTO THE WORLD TO DO IT.
That is why long, long ago, a Babe was born in Bethlehem.”

 

 

Goosebumps form on my arms when I think of adding to God’s kingdom, one baby at a time. Children are blessings, not a burden – and raising them as Kingdom Children is the greatest – and most humbling – honour.

P.S. Here is the recipe for the tasty animal crackers. 🙂 The animal shapes were purchased from Amazon.

Animal Cracker recipe 

  • 9 tablespoons (butter, softened
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups of flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamonMix the wet and dry ingredients separately. Mix together and chill the dough in the fridge for 20 minutes.
    Roll out dough (not too thick) on a floured surface and cut out with animal shapes. Bake for 15 minutes. Cool & enjoy!
February 7, 2025 - 12:14 am

Rachel Hunt Thank you for yet another little glimpse into sweet projects that nurture the hearts of the babes that make a difference in our world!

February 4, 2025 - 11:47 pm

Teresa @ SF Children are truly a gift from God, your heart and home is full of love and blessed. Thank you for the recipe! Lovely post!

February 3, 2025 - 8:42 am

Penny Price Baking inside while it snows outside, nothing could be nicer.

February 1, 2025 - 7:18 pm

Mrs. White This is so precious. The children are a joy. Your home is full of blessings. I also loved Ana’s comment. God bless!

February 1, 2025 - 2:13 pm

Linda Tucker Precious little hands. I have goosebumps too.

February 1, 2025 - 5:44 am

Roxana This is the most adorable thing I have seen today! Love to see those little hands getting busy and those little faces all scrunched up in concentration! Thank you for the recipe, something for me to try with my niece this weekend!

January 31, 2025 - 8:28 pm

Gigi HI GIGI: YOUR KIDS ARE ADORABLE AND HARD WORKING, I LOVE SEEING KIDS ENJOY COOKING, IT’S A FUN WAY TO LEARN. I HAVE ALSO BEEN ASKED MANY TIMES WHY WE HAVE SO MANY CHILDREN (9 BIOLOGICAL AND 3 ADOPTED) MANY TIMES THEY ASK HOW HOW CAN THEY HAVE SO MANY LIKE THE ECONOMY OF LIFE? WHEN I WAS YOUNGER AND HAD SOME CHILDREN, IT BOTHERED ME THAT THEY ASKED ME WHY I HAD SO MANY, OVER THE YEARS I STOPPED CARING, I KNOW THAT GOD LOVES CHILDREN AND THAT THEY ARE BLESSINGS IN OUR LIVES, I HAD MY LAST SON AT 45 YEARS OLD AND I KNOW THAT I WAS VERY CRITICIZED, BY MY FAMILY AND ACQUAINTANCES, I WAS THE HAPPIEST WOMAN WHEN MY BEAUTIFUL SON WAS BORN, TODAY HE IS 19 YEARS OLD AND I AM VERY PROUD OF HIM. NOW I HAVE 17 GRANDCHILDREN AND 1 GREAT-GRANDDAUGHTER, WE ARE MORE THAN BLESSED WITH MY HUSBAND, LET PEOPLE TALK, WHO ALWAYS DO. DON’T YOU THINK) BLESSINGS.

January 31, 2025 - 7:16 pm

ANA HOLA GIGI: TUS HIJOS SON ADORABLES Y MUY TRABAJADORES,ME ENCANTA VER A LOS NIÑOS DISFRUTAR DE LA COCINA, ES UNA FORMA DIVERTIDA DE APRENDER. A MI TAMBIEN ME HAN PREGUNTADO MUCHAS VECES PORQUE TENEMOS TANTOS HIJOS (9BIOLOGICOS Y 3 ADOPTADOS) MUCHAS VECES PREGUNTAN COMO ¿COMO PUEDEN TENER TANTOS COMO ESTA LA ECONOMIA DE LA VIDA? CUANDO ERA MAS JOVEN Y TENIA ALGUNOS HIJOS, ME MOLESTABA QUE ME PREGUNTARAN PORQUE TENIA TANTOS,CON EL CORRER DE LOS AÑOS DEJO DE IMPORTARME,SE QUE DIOS AMA A LOS NIÑOS Y QUE SON BENDICIONES EN NUESTRAS VIDAS,TUVE A MI ULTIMO HIJO A LOS 45 AÑOS Y SE QUE FUI MUY CRITICADA,POR MI FAMILIA Y POR CONOCIDOS, FUI LA MUJER MAS FELIZ CUANDO NACIO MI HERMOSO HIJO,HOY TIENE 19AÑOS Y ESTOY MUY ORGULLOSA DE EL. AHORA TENGO 17 NIETOS Y 1 BISNIETA,SOMOS MAS QUE BENDECIDOS CON MI ESPOSO,QUE LA GENTE HABLE, QUE MAS DA SIEMPRE LO HACEN. ¿NO LO CREES) BENDICIONES.