February 9, 2010
I’m going to post a few different posts on what we are giving/making for the girls. I don’t want to do much but I do want to make the day special for them. So I tried to come up with some things that they could really use.
First up? Reusable snack bags.
I used this tutorial to make reusable snack bags. I found the strawberry printed fabric on clearance at a local craft/fabric store and they ended up being super easy and cheap to make.
He liked the snack bags I made for the girls so I made him two in a more manly fabric:
February 7, 2010
Saturday. Again, already. I’m finally feeling better (I think) and we had a super breakfast – chocolate chip pancakes for the girlies and scrambled eggs with sharp cheddar, fried potatoes with onions and liberal amounts of salt and pepper, and little sausages for the husband and I. Plus lots of orange juice. We have great big breakfasts every weekend but this one topped most before. We all stay in our jammies and take it easy. And then we watch This Old House – even the girls – and this season looks like it’s going to be a good one.
I was able to get out of the house for the first time in ages. To Target, Whole Foods, and Spirit World. Which, by the way, is a delicious store. If you are local you must try it right away. I picked up some chicken salad and their amazing chocolate chip cookies. And I can’t believe I gave away that secret. These are the best I’ve had so please don’t eat all of them.
Came home for a late lunch of chicken salad on a bed of Romaine, which was delightful. And then the quiet. Della down for a nap. Husband gone for a 17 mile run (it’s 36 here today!), and Cora in her room for quiet time. I’m beginning to really enjoy and need the quiet. Two chocolate macaroons from Whole Foods and lots of water and rest for my tired body.
Saturday night Kelly worked on the attic and I got some reading done. Pray for my sanity here. The husband is finishing the attic pretty much by himself (with the help of an amazing brother-in-law on the plumbing). And it’s not that he can’t do it. But that it makes me crazy when we do home renovation projects! It just ends up taking so much more time and money then you estimate.
Sunday was church, yummy leftover soup (“Jewel’s Favorite Soup” from The Family Chef), spent some time putting together Valentine’s, more time in the attic, and naps for everyone.
We had a late invite to some friends’ house for the Superbowl so I made guacamole and enchiladas (what we were going to eat at our house anyway) and we took those over. The kids had so much fun and we did too.
How was your weekend?
February 7, 2010
Inspired by Kyrie.
“What happens at birth,” asserts Lester Hazell, the former president of the International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA), “tends to be guided by our belief systems about birth. “
“A positive image of birth is the cornerstone of a safe, happy birth experience. If you believe your body is menat to give birth efficiently, naturally, and without complications and that birth is a joyful even, you are more than halfway to a safe, natural birth. Positive beliefs and attitudes contribute to a happy birth experience, enabling the mother to labor more efficiently and to open for her baby with less effort.” (Mind Over Labor a really fantastic, must read book for pregnant moms)
February 5, 2010
I’ve been sick all week. Some sort of tummy bug I think that luckily (knock on wood?), no one else has caught yet. The not so fun part of all of it is that I haven’t been able to eat anything all week. Other than bananas, and plain white rice. I have been reading about food though. And now that my appetite is coming back, it’s all sounding like perfection.
Molly, from Orangette, writes a fabulous blog. One I have browsed many times. I really wanted her book but never purchased it because I’m trying to not buy any more books until I finish some I have that aren’t finished.
buy it on amazon.
My sister lent it to my other sister and it was then passed along to me and can I just say that it’s fantastic?! I mean, obviously it will be fantastic. But it makes me think about food in a whole new way. And it makes me hungry.
Like this paragraph:
“First there will be pineapple scones, still warm from the baking sheet, and a cloth-lined tin of cinnamon muffins and spice bread. Then a poached pear, buoyed by a pool of Grand Marnier creme anglaise. Then a warm plate with a small poached egg on a bed of pureed spinach, with caramelized apples and a crispy phyllo purse filled with sausage, ricotta, and mushrooms and baked until flaky outside and melting inside. This is breakfast on this almost-Christmas day. You sigh and decide to stay seated right where you are until tea at 4:30 (cranberry linzer tart; ready?)” (p 74).
Which makes me deliriously hungry for this actual breakfast. Right now. Only I’m still on my rice and banana diet until my stomach can agree with me a bit more.
I’m making future plans to buy the book though. And future plans to make that breakfast. Have you read it yet?
February 4, 2010
In the new Martha Stewart magazine there are patterns for making items out of men’s dress shirts. The link with the templates and patterns is here. I really want to make the little girls dress and the bunny she is holding. Adorable things.
February 3, 2010
Ok, not until next Friday (the 12th). But we have plans to go down. The husband is running the half marathon on Valentine’s Day.
Anyone been? Tips on places to go, places to eat, kid friendly places?
February 3, 2010
I first read about the Trainer Momma blog on The Still in the Spinning (which is another great read).
I’m obviously not trying to lose weight while pregnant, but she inspired me to try some new food items.
First up? English muffins with peanut butter and banana. I seem to be having a bread issue this pregnancy but english muffins are sitting fine with me. Nothing revolutionary here but I’m so glad for the visual inspiration.
Next? Whatever I have on hand salad – scroll down to lunch. This idea sounded so tasty to me. And a great way to use up what we have in the fridge. I want to try some of her poppy seed dressing next.
And finally? She inspired me to search out Oroweat Sandwich Thins (scroll down to dinner). These are so good and reasonably priced and so tasty.
And she is hosting a super fantastic giveaway – go check that out right away!
Plus if I was trying to lose weight she has all kinds of inspiring and awesome fitness tips. Go check it out!
February 2, 2010
The headbands I made last night were in the kitchen this morning and the girls were so excited they put them on right away. I think I will have to make more of these.
February 2, 2010
What do you do to decorate your house for Valentine’s Day? I previously hadn’t done much but I wanted a heart garland to hang on the fireplace. I was so happy when I saw this one on Kyrie’s blog because it was just something I could do quickly.
So Sunday I spent a few hours cutting out lots and lots of hearts. And then a bit of time threading the clear thread into my sewing machine (not the easiest ‘thread’ I’ve ever worked with). And I came up with this:
And the little head in the bottom of this picture? Della thinks whenever I have the camera out I am taking a picture of her, naturally. And she starts yelling “cheese” over and over. So I took one:
