Growing A Baby

38 weeks pregnant and counting. I can feel every second pass. We are mostly set up with the little man starting out in our bedroom in a smallish crib. The only thing left to do is to let baby cook a little longer. I wouldn't mind going into labor any second, really, although I would prefer to not be in the hospital over the Christmas Holiday. Hopefully any day now....

Autumn Rush

I'm back. With a steaming loaf of pumpkin bread. I am rounding the corner on my third pregnancy and am mostly over feeling nauseous at everything I set my eyes on. Just over eight weeks to go. I am not one of the wonder women who feel their best while pregnant, they "glow", and have no hormonal upheave. No, I am the sort who gets weak, paste-y, sick, drained, and basically, your worst nightmare.

Anyway, on a much lighter note, I have pumpkin bread in the oven. This is the first time I am using this recipe found on another blog- honey & jam. I passed on the browned butter glaze because the batter tasted very sweet by itself. If it tastes half as wonderfully as it smells, I will be pleased...


Beautiful Orange


Moist, dense, chewy, and just the right amount of sweet...

Time Out

On a hiatus. For a bit. :)

Slow Days

It's been a quiet past week and I haven't had too much to blog about. Also, a bit of a lapse in energy. Here are a few randoms that have been sitting around that I'd like to share. A doctrine and two vintage birds I have fallen in love with. I told you they were randoms...

UTILITARIANISM: A theory that the aim of action should be the largest possible balance of pleasure over pain or the greatest happiness of the greatest number

What a great ism. Lovely.

My Sister's Keeper

Watching My Sister's Keeper tonight. Guess I feel like absolutely bawling my eyes out. FYI, I haven't read the book. Review to follow...



*Update*- So I've been crying for the last 110 minutes! I haven't cried this much during a movie since Life is Beautiful. Listening to the soundtrack alone would cause me to start sobbing. My tip is to have a whole box of tissue with you when you start this movie. If you don't, you will end up using your sleeve because you don't want to pause the movie to go get some.

My recommendation: See it!

A Spring Meal

Simple, light, satisfying. Grilled chicken, green beans, and homemade coleslaw

 
Coleslaw with hand-chopped cabbage seems to taste better than the bagged stuff...

 
Miss G doing a little taste-testing

RECIPE FOR COLESLAW (courtesy of Grandma B):

1/2 cup mayo
1/3 cup + 1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup sugar (more or less)
3/4 teaspoon season salt
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
chopped/shredded cabbage
optional: shredded carrots, onion

Mix first six ingregients until blended. Add chopped cabbage. Refrigerate.

Breakfast Anyone?

There is something so wonderful and innocent about children's cheeks smelling like syrup. Well, not a random syrup smell (we did have french toast for breakfast), and these cheeks I'm talking about have been washed, yet that smell is just lingering...

 
It is so adorable. Maybe it has to be one's own babes, but...

 
...boy-oh-boy, those cheeks are just asking to be kissed!

Isn't She Lovely

This gem is a gorgeous dresser I snagged off of Craigslist about a year ago- at a ridiculous price ($15!!!). It features dovetail joints and little wooden wheels! Unfortunately, the knobs had been switched out for some modern pulls, stealing some of the charm. On a recent trip to the local hardware store I purchased some lovely knobs to replace the old. My choices came down to two styles which ended up being a leaf or flower design. It brought to mind this poem by Robert Frost which made this experience a bit more delightful. I chose leaves....

 
Before

 
Before Detail

 
After

 
After Detail

At His Happiest

This is my little man, doing what he does best- sticker books. Definitely the latest obsession, these are a lifesaver on chaotic days. Hats off to G&G B who sprung for the latest load!

 
 

Running Shoes

Today I did a new thing. I smiled or waved at everyone I passed while on my run. This doesn't sound like a massive accompishment, but for me it is. I don't normally do this. I've just started running again (after a 6-year hiatus) and I am eating it up. I am, by no means, an accomplished runner- close family and friends can vouch for that! (which is a whole other blog in itself). But to get back on track, I am usually a very introverted person. I would normally look down or away if I were to pass someone. It felt good to look at someone as I was passing them, to acknowledge them in some way. It charms me if someone does the same- so why not pass on the message? I came across an old man on his walk, carrying a bag picking up garbage. An older lady and her dog. A pair of grumpy ladies on an after dinner walk. Sometimes it can mean more to the person receiving than to to the one giving. And what an easy motto for living....

A Mid-April's Day Dream

One of my favorite sounds is the sound of a running lawn mower. I know this seems a bit odd, but let me set the mood. A lawn mower symbolizes all there is of summer- a warm day, working outside, green growing grass, and ahhh.... the smell of cut grass! To think that I actually heard a lawn mower, today, on April 14, in Minnesota, feels oh-so-wonderful. I can't wait for the suffocatingly warm nights that our state offers in summer. I sit with open arms...

"Happy Birthday Cake"

What an overwhelming weekend! In a good way. The birthdays of Miss G and Dino Jack happen to be only four days apart. So whenever April rolls around we end up having something more along the lines of a birth(day)week celebration. And, not to forget, singing 'Happy Birthday' every night before bed. Now that it is Sunday night and all is said and done, I feel a titch sad about my lovies growing older, wiser, and more liberated. But as for that birthday cake- don't let the door hit you on the way out. More chaos, I mean pictures, to follow...

 
 

My 15 Second Break

  I say 15 seconds because usually about 10 seconds after I sit at the table in the morning I have 1-2 children bidding for a spot on my lap. On another note entirely, I'm not sure if it is wonderful or criminal that the muffin is larger than my coffee..... hmmm.... I'll worry about that later...

Egg Salad Sandwiches

Our Spring has been beyond belief! It would be impossible to top this weather. On Saturday we colored a few eggs- only a few because, honestly who can eat egg salad sandwiches for more than three days in a row? This was new territory for Miss G and Dino Jack. It was successful for the most part, but as always, curiosity trumps cleanliness. And shouldn't that sometimes be the case?

 
Don't be jealous of the volume of Miss G's hair

 
Just warming up

 
Old pros

 
You'll have to drag her in, kicking and screaming

Things I am Thankful for Today

Spring weather that feels like Spring weather
My ever-working husband
Naptime
House projects
Being able to open all windows


Dino Jack on a warm day


A wooden crate I've stained for a new toy box


Bright buds right outside the front door

My (Future) Nook

Lately I've been wanting my own little alcove. A place for my books, notebook, cup of tea, papers, a small (or large) potted plant, this little laptop, my glass of wine (after 7pm of course), a pretty framed picture and any or all little trinkets from throughout the day that still need to be sorted. Nothing fancy, even a corner off of a hallway. I've been obsessed with some blogs as of late- The English Muse or Ill Seen Ill Said which doesn't help. Below, a photo from the latter blog. Someday...

Brew The Perfect Cup

 Brewing the perfect cup of tea is pretty simple, yet not all common sense..

1~ Boil the water. Don't microwave it
2~ Let the water sit for a minute.
3~ Pour the boiling water over the tea bag. Not the other way around
4~ Leave the bag in your cup for over 2 minutes. More for a stronger tea and taste
5~ No need to constantly dip the bag in and out.
6~ Savor.

Water Street Inn

  My lovely and I on a recent overnight at the Water Street Inn in Stillwater. One of the best times we've had. It was a wonderful old inn on the St. Croix, with an Irish band playing in the pub all night long. The rooms were charming and clean. Only regret- I wish I took waaaaaay more photos!

Latest Discoveries

Thrifting, antiquing, garage sale-ing. Call it what you may- I love it. These are two recent finds that I fell in love with. I haven't found a permanent place for either in my home, but I knew I needed them. I originally wanted to use the fabric tote for Miss G's doll clothes, but that is now postponed until the offspring no longer have the yearning to climb inside.

 
 

Moment of the Day

Me: "WHAT are you DOING in there!?"

Dino Jack: "Being a hitting guy, hitting things, with my stick."

Oh.....

 

Almost...

 
Today. It is colder than I would like. At least the sun is shining. And it is March, so it won't be this cold for too much longer. We are looking forward to the days when we can have all of the windows open, travel outside in a t-shirt, and feel the warmth of the sun without trying. So close, I can almost smell it. And not to mention FLIP FLOPS. But I can't really be mad at that blue sky...

Ambrosia

Drink that is smooth, warm
Like a consoling nook, a secret.

Drink that is floral and sincere
Formal to the touch, no ounce of mess.

The best of two opposites.
Don't compliment or underline.

Ever at constant competition
Pick me, pick me.

AN IRISH BLESSING

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

My New Obsession

William Morris. I came across a quote of his in a design book. For some reason, it stuck with me and I decided to look him up and see what he's all about. Turns out, I love his stuff. He is described as the 'practical romantic', which I find very fitting. It was hard to post only three of his works.

William Morris~ Writer-Designer-Illustrater~ 1834-1896

 
Morris' original sketch for 'Trellis'

 
'Willow Bough' wallpaper print

 
Roman Goddess of Spring and Fertility. Morris designed the background, the figure is by Burne Jones. 1885

Peanut Butter Heaven Goodness

 
Dino Jack's favorite snack. Waffles with melting peanut butter and chocolate chips. It doesn't get much better than this (for him of course- I have a much more sophisticated palate). We usually try to work this in while Miss G is napping away. She can make a mess out of eating raisins...

And The Fog

Don't get me wrong. I value sunshine as much as the next Minnesotan, however there is something to be said for thick, rolling fog. I find beauty in the way it covers up, softens edges, and canopies depth. I admire it's gentleness and calmness. It even smells good. The only disagreeable thing about it is that it moves on too quickly and I am left behind like a longing lover...

Missing

It's been three days since I have seen A. Anticipating spending time with him when he returns from the gym. We have time together this weekend without Miss G and Dino Jack, which I am increasingly looking forward to. I like getting reacquainted with that guy once and a while...

Things I am Thankful for Today

Miss G loves to cuddle
It is raining instead of snowing
I have homemade chocolate chip cookies on hand
Grandparents on the weekends
Using God's hands to put things in

 

Ol' Blue Eyes

 

Such an eager little bugger. Easy to love...

*~*~BRIGHT STAR~*~*

"A thing of beauty is a joy for ever" ~John Keats

Lovely... it captures the romance between John Keats and Frances Brawne. Maybe one of my favorites. I think I'll go read some John Keats right now...

My recommendation: See it!

Wine Night

A recent wine night with a great friend. We usually go through a few bottles of wine and have some satisfying food. I contributed the black bean and corn salsa (with Dino Jack's help and Stacey's recipe). You really can't stop eating this stuff. Recipe included...

 
My little man mixing it up

 
Mack looking on, hoping we are clumsily buzzed...

 

BLACK BEAN AND CORN SALSA

1 can of black beans
1 can of corn
1 small jar of salsa
1 small red onion (more or less)
cilantro (more or less)

Chop the onion and cilantro and mix everything together in a bowl. This is best if it sits about 4 hours in the refridgerator before eating. Serve with regular or lime tortilla chips... yum...