This morning, at 6:45, my baby turned 5 years old. This past weekend we had a fun-filled, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Party, but today has hit me like a ton of bricks. I’m reminded of an article I read a few weeks ago that pointed out that there are exactly 940 Saturdays between a child’s birth and his 18th birthday. Even more overwhelming is the realization that with Jack, 260 of those are already gone. Now, granted, some folks could hear this and fly into a full tailspin at the realization of the quickly passing time, but it’s not really about that for me. Sure, it does make me keenly aware that each of the Saturdays with my little guy are painfully numbered, but more than that, it encourages me to make the most of the time I do have with him. I know these Saturdays will quickly pass us. My hope is that he can one day look back at all these and have something exciting and fun remember. I want him to have REAL memories from his childhood, like I do.
My wish is that one day he’ll look back on all the Saturdays and he’ll remember the ones where we made homemade popsicles and played football in the yard until the lightening bugs came out. I hope he remembers the early morning trips to the doughnut shop or waking up early to make his mommy breakfast in bed. I want him to remember every single birthday party he ever has – be they themed Sesame Street, baseball, superhero, or whatever the next cool thing to come along is. I hope he remembers the Saturday we spent chasing lizards and toads around the yard and can remember the feeling of his amazement at God’s incredible world around us. I hope he can remember the Saturday night bath where his mommy filled the tub with so many bubbles that we could barely see him in there. I hope he’ll remember the Saturdays we spent on family vacations in the mountains of Tennessee or at Disney World. I hope he will remember the Saturdays we spent with his great-great-grandmother. Many kids are never fortunate enough to have the opportunity to meet great-greats. From baseball, to shopping, to the times we built a sheet fort in the living room and watched movies all day…
Most of all, I just want him to remember.
But, I’m afraid much of this won’t stick in his mind. And my fear is that one day, he’ll see his old man as just that… an old man. Eventually I’ll lose my super hero status and my kisses won’t make boo-boos better anymore. And there will come a time when my aging brain will no longer allow me to revel in these memories either. But for now, the Saturdays I do have with him will be ones that I will try my hardest to make the best of. It’s a lot of pressure, but I’m not willing to miss something amazing or amazingly simple with my little boy. I’ve got 680 Saturdays left… Happy Birthday, baby boy!
Someday, he’ll be a big-time movie star
or a fifth grade English teacher.
Someday he’ll marry,
have a few kids.
Maybe he won’t.
Someday, he’ll change the world as we know it.
Or maybe he’ll travel,
send postcards from China.
Someday, he’s going to be a big strong man,
able to carry you in his arms.
One day, he’ll have his own hopes and dreams,
not knowing that once upon a quiet time
you closed your eyes and made a wish
to one day have him in your life.
–unknown
_______________
Y’all this recipe just screams fall to me! And while these easy apple fritters are good just dusted with a little powdered sugar, the Honey Cinnamon Cream Cheese is really what makes them special! Y’all enjoy!
Recipe Card
Apple Fritters with Honey Cinnamon Cream Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 cups self-rising flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon all spice
- 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 apples, finely chopped (about 2 cups chopped)
- vegetable oil for frying
- powdered sugar
For the Honey Cinnamon Cream Cheese
- 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Make the Honey Cinnamon Cream Cheese by stirring the honey and cinnamon into the softened cream cheese; set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, all spice, and brown sugar. Add the eggs, milk, and vanilla and stir well. Stir in the apples.
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat about 1 to 1 1/2 inches of vegetable oil to about 350 degrees F. Once the oil is hot, drop the fritter batter by heaping tablespoonsful into the hot oil. Cook about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes then carefully flip the fritters over and cook another minute or so - or until golden brown.
- Drain the fritters on paper towels. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with the Honey Cinnamon Cream Cheese.
* If nutritional values are provided, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used. The values do not include optional ingredients or when ingredients are added to taste. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, I recommend grabbing your favorite brands and plugging those ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.
Martha Blevins
Well golly gee Stacy. This is one more awesome child.Pretty!!! handsome I guess rather.
I sure do accept the applerecipes. I am an older lady who has started nesting as my soncalls it. I want an old timey stack recipe with apple sauce filling. can you get it 4 me?
follow your blog, love the comments. Be for having a great fall.
Thanks, Martha! Let me see what I can find…
Frederick A Tietz
Thank you Stacey for the Apple Fritter Recipe. That was a cute Story about your Son and all The Saturdays. Maybe someday, He will follow in your Footsteps.
You’re so welcome! Hope you enjoy them!
Catherine R Truitt
Do you peel the apples? I did not see that mentioned.
Yes, you’ll want to peel them.
Donna Guillen
Do you think you could 1/2 the recipe
I don’t see why not. 🙂
Sharon
Loved this post. Saturdays go by too fast. My son is turning 35 in less than a month and I remember his first day of kindergarten. I might make these fritters for him when he visits this weekend. Thanks for sharing your feelings and recipes. I enjoy both.
Thanks, Sharon! Enjoy!!
Dorothy Dunton
Stacey – I left out the word “he” is today. You would have knew what I meant anyways!
Dorothy Dunton
Stacey – I my humble opinion it is the time you spend with your children. I taught my son to catch a baseball, drive a stick shift car and also gave him the opportunity to watch his cat give birth to kittens. We also dealt with the death of pets and people. It is life and that is what makes him the fine young man is today.
You are so right!
chris gonzalez
my dad worked for many years as the chef at a Swedish smorgasbord, and one of their customer favorites were their Pineapple fritters…the same as this recipe but with pineapple dices istead of apples…delicious!!!
That sounds delicious, Chris!!
Stephanie O
Eek! Looks like my original post disappeared. Here’s the Encore …
This recipe looks and sounds absolutely SCRUMPTIOUS!!! Can’t wait to try it ; thanks for posting! ;D
Stephanie O
P.S. — I also wanted to compliment your sweet and touching tribute to your son. Beautiful, vulnerable writing like this touches my heart, and although I’m new in your “virtual neighborhood”, I can tell you have a gentle, generous spirit — something the world can definitely use some more of! Happy day, and blessings to you and yours *
Thanks so much, Stephanie!
Laura
Beautiful post, wonderfully written. I admire your ability to put those feelings into words.. My oldest is eight and I am already do desperate to remember it all- you just have to love them each and every day and with that there will be no regrets. No matter how frustrated or late, or even just a day of errands versus a day of digging worms, its a special day to end with a cuddle and as much love, as my 3 year old says ” too much love” is what is important. Cannot wait to try this recipe, thanks for sharing your post it was beautiful and really makes you appreciate every Saturday.
Thanks, Laura! I hope you enjoy them!
Bethany
Made these tonight as a Friday-evening extravagance. Easy and delicious. Total kitchen time under an hour, too!
Awesome! So glad y’all enjoy them!!
Sheri
Do you have an apple preference or recommend a particular type to use in this recipe? I love to cook, but am not much of a baker, working on that. Thank you.
Any apple will work, though I prefer something like a Granny Smith with this recipe. Enjoy!
Nana
Your son will remember the times you made for him and how you have made him feel special. Not all days will be as simple and trusting as those of a five year old but you are instilling values, respect, and love and he will remember. Perhaps just as importantly–you will remember. as well. As you age and your son goes on his way in life, you will look back and know that you did a good job.
Thanks so much for your kind words and encouragement. 🙂
Teresa - SassySuburbanite
This is an absolutely lovely posting that really tugged at my heart strings. Last year my firstborn baby left for college and this year my youngest left. I’m so happy and proud as they are both two wonderful, loving young ladies. I do admit that I struggle at times as it all seems as if it went by in the blink of an eye. There are so many details I remember and so many that I’ve already forgotten. I desperately want to hold and play with those little toddlers again. Thankfully my young ladies indulge me and will even let me “hold them” when sitting on the couch. I’m lucky for our closeness and memories. It’s all good as we’ll make many more together. You sound like a wonderful father who “gets it.” Keep up the good work.
Thanks for the post. Oh, the fritters look delicious.
Teresa
Thanks, Teresa! I can only hope that I do get it and that I’ll be able to look back on all these memories like you are with your girls. Thanks for sharing.
Tina
These look delicious! We love apple fritters and sure will enjoy them with the honey cinnamon cream cheese! Thank you!
Tine, you are welcome as always!