Noisy Toy.

I mean...really.  Who thought they were a good idea?


They taunt you - shrieking of all things baby.


Back before I had Georgia, I swore I would never have them.  And then, by some horrible twist of fate (ahem, my sister Brynn), we still ended up with one anyway.


Insert - The Noisy Toy.

Sure, it looks cute and innocent, as it flaunts it's plastic structure and primary colors.  It lures you in with it's bright smiley face and it's flashing lights - but no, oh no.  Don't be fooled.  


For this toy will haunt you in your sleep.


Literally.


I woke up the other morning with this song running through my head:
     I feel silly when I play
     I feel silly every day
     Sometimes tired and grouchy, too
     But I feel glad when I'm with you!


Yikes.  Not exactly what I want running through my head at 5:00 a.m.  Sure, it doesn't sound that bad when I type it out - but it's the voice.  The female voice that sings this alluring jingle that really gets me.


Oh wait.  There's more! Try this one:
     Green grass, blue skies
     Flowers of red
     Smile because the yellow sun is shining overhead
     *Insert electronic giggle*


That one is Stuart's favorite.


And you know what the worst part is?  Georgia LOVES it.

She's always smacking the smiley face in the face so it'll sing her another song.  And it just won't stop!


What's so wrong with toys that just sit there and look pretty, I ask?  What's so wrong with toys that have little blocks to move around or plastic rings to pull on?  Is it such a crime to be entertained by non-noisy objects?!  Lawdy, have mercy.


I suppose I should be thankful that we've been able to skirt by with only one noisy toy.  It could be much worse!  Do you remember those old toys they made that looked like a plastic lawnmower or a vacuum cleaner? And when the baby pushed it around, it made the balls inside pop all around and make a TON of noise?  


Ah yes...it could be much worse. Those things are noisy!


However, I would still like to take this moment to thank my dear sister, my friend, for buying this toy for Georgia for her birthday.  Never has my home been filled with such wonderful electronic singing.


If I ever decide to put the batteries back in, I'm sure G-love will really enjoy it.


I'm kidding. 


I wouldn't do that to poor G-baby.


Or would I...

The ant is done storing.

Ya know what?  This girl's tired.  I ain't even gunna try to hide it.


As our growing season comes to end, I can't help but feel mixed emotions.  I am sad in the fact that I will no longer be able to gather side dishes from the garden.  I am sad that it will be another year before I will taste the warm, oozy deliciousness of a ripe peach and it will be another year before I will gather a basket full of goodness in all it's garden glory.  Collecting and eating the bounty of the summer is not only entertaining, it is downright wonderful.

That being said.


I am also happy.  You see, for the past four months, I've done nothing but dry fruit, pickle beans, freeze and slice a variety of produce, and make chutneys. I've concocted berry syrups and tomato purees.  I've shucked and blanched corn and dehydrated herbs.  I've filled a chest freezer and closet full of summer goodness to be enjoyed year round...and that's a lot of work!

Here's our list of stored & preserved food for the winter (in no particular or organized order) thus far (we still have applesauce, dehydrated apple slices, kale, more green beans, and onions to go!):


6 quarts pickled asparagus
11.5 pounds frozen berries
Frozen/dried dill
5 bags frozen kale
12 quarts canned cherries
Dried cherries, 1/2 gallon bag
Dried peaches, 1 gallon bag
4 gallons frozen cots
Dried pears, 2.5 gallon bags
18 quarts canned cots
Dried coriander
Dried sage
Dried thyme
Dried oregano
Dried rosemary
Frozen basil
2 quarts frozen chives
2.5 gallon bags of frozen peaches
1 gallon bag of peach nectar, frozen
29 quarts canned peaches
4 gallon bags frozen green beans
1 pound frozen jalapenos
2 quarts pickles
8 pints canned banana peppers
2 pints pickled beans
3 gallon bags of frozen, sliced peppers
1 quart frozen green onions
5 gallon bags of frozen corn
2 gallon bags of carrots, stored for winter
1 gallon bag of beets, stored for winter
12 quarts canned pears
4 pints pear butter
4 gallon bags of frozen tomatoes
1 quart dehydrated tomatoes
3 quarts canned tomatoes


I.  Am.  Tired.

I am fully embracing the shorter days of fall and am enjoying the chill in the air.  I am enjoying sitting down with a pot full of tea at night, with my fuzzy socks on, and snuggling up with a blanket as I type my blog posts.  I am enjoying the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves that bring their warmth to baked goods this time of year and I am enjoying the brisk walks through the orchard.


You see, I believe God designed the seasons to be just this way.  We are happy to see them come and we are happy to see them go, each one bringing with it new treasures for us to enjoy.  Sure, by February, I can hardly stand it - I am so anxious to get back in that garden! 


But for now, as of October, I am ready to call it for a season.


This past Saturday, I spent the morning out in the gardens, pulling up the majority of leftover plants.  I pulled the last of the green tomatoes, all the eggplant, most of the onions, kale, green beans, peppers, carrots, potatoes, basil, and beets.  

I'm officially closin' up shop.  Sorry caterpillars, but you're going to have to find someone else's cabbage to destroy.


Now, I've just got to hunker down for a season, in my fuzzy socks, and really work on this danged e-book.  So many projects to do- so little time!


For now, however, I choose to do nothing except for sit in my big brown, comfy chair and drink this delightful cup of raspberry tea my husband made me me.  Because that's how I roll.


What are YOU doing to enjoy the beginning of fall?

Friday Menu.

I don't know if you know this about blogging...but let me just tell ya...it takes a lot of time.


"Not now, Stuart...can't you see I'm typing a post on squash?"


"Georgia, can you please go change your own diaper this time?  I'm in the middle of re-configuring my margins."


I kid.  If I ever get to the point when I am ignoring my family to write on my blog, Lord help me. 


The truth is, even though it takes time, consistency, and energy - I love this blog.  I love hearing from my readers.  I love getting comments & emails.  I love being able to have a virtual space to connect with others like me and being able to learn new skills.  I love the encouragement we can bring to one another.  What a cool place the internet is!


That being said, I thought it's be fun to bring a new element to this rad blog.


Weekly menu plans.


I've received lots of comments & emails from readers inquiring as to how to incorporate better foods into their diets.  And yes, I am in the process of writing a detailed e-book on this as we speak!  But because that will take me a few more months to complete, in the meantime, I thought it might be beneficial if I posted a menu.

Each Thursday, I plan our menu for the next week.  Normally, I don't write down breakfasts and lunches, because they are fairly consistent and are usually leftovers.  But for your sake, I will try to document three meals per day.  Plus snacks, of course.  Because this girl loves snacks.  Also - please note that I like to cook a lot (as in, big portions!) for dinner. That way, we always have leftovers for lunches.  It's hardly any more effort to cook extra...and really pays off the next day!


Obviously, your family may have different taste preferences than mine, which is fine!  These menu guides are simply an outline of what our whole-foods diet looks like.  Switch 'em up and swap things out as you wish!   Would it be helpful if I included our grocery list too?


If you don't already plan a weekly (biweekly, or even monthly!) menu, might I recommend it?  Not only does planning a menu keep you from beating your head against a wall as you try to figure out what to cook for dinner, but it also allows you to overlap ingredients and plan out your grocery list.  I cannot be trusted going into a grocery store without a list - it's just too dangerous.  We have a rule in our home - if it's not on the list, we don't buy it!  Period.  


Exception is made for red wine and/or artichokes and/or pomegranates.  Because I love all of these things and if I see them I buy them.  Always.


That being said, let's start this bad boy!:


Sunday
Breakfast: Fried eggs, soaked whole wheat toast, fruit
Snack: Homemade popcorn
Lunch: Potato goulash (fried potatoes, onions, peppers, eggs, mushrooms, avocado, tomatoes, etc.), corn tortillas, fruit
Dinner: Moroccan chicken, basmati rice, cucumber salad


Monday
Breakfast: Kefir smoothies, scrambled eggs
Snack:  Dried fruit and almonds
Lunch: Leftover Moroccan chicken & rice, veggie sticks
Dinner:  Beef stew, soaked whole wheat bread, roasted beets


Tuesday
Breakfast:  Soaked oatmeal with fruit, scrambled eggs
Snack:  Cheese sticks, sliced cucumber
Lunch:  Leftover beef stew, veggie sticks
Dinner:  Scotch eggs and soaked waffles with pear butter


Wednesday
Breakfast:  Homemade yogurt & fruit, fried eggs, bacon, and toast
Snack:  Homemade popcorn
Lunch:  Leftover scotch eggs and waffles, fresh fruit & veggies
Dinner:  Beef bourgignon, smooshed potatoes, grilled eggplant

Thursday
Breakfast:  Dutch baby pancake with apples, scrambled eggs
Snack:  Fresh fruit and almonds
Lunch:  Leftover beef bourgignon, potatoes, and fresh veggies
Dinner:  Homemade tomato soup, grilled cheese sandwiches with avocado on soaked whole wheat bread, cabbage slaw with almonds and miso dressing

Friday
Breakfast:  Scrambled eggs & toast, kefir smoothies
Snack: Cheese sticks, veggies
Lunch: Leftover tomato soup, leftover cabbage slaw, fresh fruit
Dinner: Mom and Dad's for family dinner!


Saturday
Breakfast:  Homemade fried potatoes, bacon and eggs, homemade yogurt & fruit
Snack:  Wing-it!
Lunch:  Moroccan Stuffed Acorn Squash, toasted & salted almonds, green salad or beans
Dinner:  Eat up all the leftovers!

Is this set in stone?  No way.  Sometimes, we'll invite friends over last minute and need to change plans or we decide to have egg sandwiches for dinner.  It's flexible - don't worry!  The purpose of my menu is (primarily) to make sure I have all the ingredients I need to make meals, but it's also to give me peace of mind. Having a plan, laid out ahead of time, allows me to put my mental-energy into something else.  Like blogging.  Uhh, hello?!


Ten minutes of planning can replace an hour of standing in front of your refridgerator wondering what the heck you're going to produce out of old celery and a tub of sour cream.


And lastly, planning a menu allows us the luxury of having fun with our food!  Slip a few jazzy recipes into your menu!  It doesn't have to be boring!  When I know that I get to try a fun new recipe, or use a unique ingredient, it gets me excited about cooking dinner.  Truly, it does.


Like yesterday morning, when I got to try a new pear dutch baby pancake recipe!  Whoop whoop!  Girlfriend's on fire!


Simple pleasures, my friends.  Simple pleasures.


The end.

This post part of Fight Back Friday!

Our gift from God.

I don't know why I do it to myself, but sometimes I can't help but watch those danged 'ol reality television shows about babies.  What can I say?  I'm a glutton for punishment.  When my husband asked me why I put myself through the pain, I didn't have a good answer.  I love babies, I said.  That was my best defense.


After watching the emotional story of a young, teenage couple who chose to put their baby up adoption, the moment inevitably came where they had to hand the baby off to the adoptive parents.  


Now, just let me say - I think that adoption is a beautiful thing.  


Okay, so they are handing the baby off to the adoptive parents, and because they were worried about changing their minds, as soon as the baby was delivered, the boyfriend threw his arms around his girlfriend and hugged her, blocking her few of the baby.  They lay there, just having delivered their first child through blood, sweat, and tears...and they just wept.  "We can do this.", they kept saying.  "She'll have a better life...we have to do this."


The nurse held the baby up and said, "Look at your beautiful baby!"


But they didn't.  They just held each other.  Sobbing.  Weeping.  "We don't want to see...take her away."


Blah.


I have tears rolling down my face as I type this.  I can't even describe to you what my face looked like as I was watching this scene unravel.  I.  Lost.  It.  Big.  Time.  I'm talking like serious sobs with moans.  Alligator tears.  That funny squished face that you make when you're really, seriously, uncontrollably crying.


Georgia stopped playing with her plastic banana and looked up at me.  She laughed, ran over, and grabbed my knees...laying her head down.  Then she climbed into my lap and kissed my face.  Twice.

And I died a thousand happy deaths.


Again, I respect these teenagers for making the best choice that they felt they could for their daughter.  They were able to bless an infertile couple with the gift of a lifetime.  They were able to bless them with the child they could never have on their own.


But, my goodness.


My goodness.


The thought of giving that precious child that you so carefully carry all those months away...well, frankly, it rips my heart out of my chest.


I can't imagine not seeing her face every day.


I can't imagine not having her to hold.  To kiss.  To snuggle.  To love.

Being a mother is a calling.  God has called me to care for the every need of this child - emotionally, physically & spiritually - while she has been entrusted to Stuart and I.  Ultimately, I know that she belongs to the Father, who cares for her even more than this mother can comprehend.  But for her time here on this Earth, I will protect her and comfort her to the best of my ability, while completely relying on God's strength and parenting graces.


As a mother, I hope to be selfless.  It's not about my post-pregnancy body or my post-nursing-negative-AA-bra-size.  It's not about less "me" time, or having to sacrifice "my" social life.  It's Not.  About.  Me.


It is about raising this child to love the Lord.  It is about preparing her as an arrow to be shot forth for His glory.  It is about handling this responsibility with grace & glory.


Yes, I do realize that this doesn't really have anything to do with the story I told you above...but in reality, after watching this show, all I could do was smother her little face with kisses.  And cry.


Because she is our gift from God.


And for that, I am humbled & grateful.


*Tear*


...


There is a chance I may still have a hormone problem.


The end.

It's a love/hate relationship.

It's a love hate relationship.


I want to just completely love it. Though I hate it so...


I guess I should say...it's complicated.  


I lazily walked downstairs the other morning, early anticipating my first cup of delicious coffee, when I began to smell a burning of sorts...


...had I left my curling iron on?


...was the coffee pot malfunctioning?


...had Stuart set flames to something? (Yes, these are things that were all running through my head).


Then, at last I located the smell coming from the laundry room.  Quickly, I rushed in, certainly sure I would find my new dark denim jeans had gone up in flames.  Luckily (or not...), it was coming from the washing machine.  Yep.  Look's like the 'ol $100 washing machine from CraigsList finally bit the dust.  Sometime during the night, the pump had burnt up.  And so it sat.  Full of water and soaking clothes.


That's always a fun way to start the day.


That was a lie.


That is not a fun way to start the day at all.


I left Stuart to deal with the problem while I went on my merry way of work and errands.  About lunch time, I got a phone calling saying..."That's it.  We're getting a new one."


You see, this was our third CraigsList washing machine.  And it's our third one that has broken.


I guess my poor husband had just had enough.




But, "poor" is exactly the reason why we kept purchasing these gems from CraigsList.  And when we went to our local store to price out our options, I almost had a breakdown.


$1200!!!! FOR A WASHING MACHINE!!!!  You've gotta be kidding me.

Now, if you know me at all by now my dear reader...you know there is no way in heck I would actually spend $1200 on a washing machine.  Ain't gunna happen.  Girlfriend would be scrubbin' the clothes in the river before that would happen.



Eventually, we settled on a less expensive model that promised lower water and energy usage and had an extra "freshwater rinse cycle" - ideal for our cloth diapers.  Score.


Now, here's where the complicated relationship begins.

I love.  Love.  LOVE.  having my very first new appliance in the history of my existence.  I love that is sits like a shiny little pearl in my laundry room.  I love that it is as quiet as a mouse while it spins as fast as a jet-engine.  I love that smells nice.  I love that it washes my clothes much better than before!  I love that it doesn't shake and rattle around like our old one.  I love that I don't have to hold the lid open with a wooden spoon.  I love having something pretty, functional, and nice.


But I hate.  Hate.  HATE.  having to spend our hard-earned-hard-saved money on stupid things like washing machines.


I was trying to save up for another baby...hello!  I had plans...BIG plans for that money!  I had places to go!  People to see!  


The poor lady at the appliance store had to pry it from my cold, dead fingers.


When my parents came to help us unload and install it, they arrived to find me sitting on the couch...staring off into space...my eyes full of tears.


I try to be so responsible with our money...*sniffle*...and then something like this always comes up unexpected...*sniffle*...and then it's just gone....


My Mom hugged me and laughed.  She knows exactly what I meant.

Isn't it wonderful how God can use little things like broken washing machines to teach us lessons?


In humility.


In trusting in His plan, not ours.


And in not making idols of our savings account.


Or future babies.


Or clean laundry. 


Money ain't no thing, sister.  You can't take it with ya when you go.  Just like my dear husband said..."It's just money."  I guess sometimes, I just need to be reminded that He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together!  For which I am thankful.


Just like I am thankful for my beautiful, sparkling, new appliance that shall efficiently wash my dirty laundry for me.


(Though it's not nearly as beautiful as a new baby...I'm just sayin').

On Becoming Babywise.

Someone asked me the other day what the best parenting advice I'd received is.  And there's been some good stuff, that's for sure.  One of my favorites is:


If you don't want you child to act like the world revolves around them, don't treat them that way.


Good one. That's a good one.


One of the most useful tools I'd been "gifted" as a first time parent, without a doubt, has been this beauty:

Babywise.


Sweet, sweet Babywise.


Yes it takes effort, but none-the-less, an amazing tool.


After seeing my friend Natali easily lay her then one and a half year old down for bed (no tears, no screaming, no fussing), I was amazed.  How'd you do that? I asked.  I wanted to be able to do that!  


Enter: Babywise.


The basic premise is this: When your baby is born, you begin teaching them to take a full feeding.  Then, after the first few days, begin implementing a consistent eat, sleep, wake cycle throughout their day (always ensuring they receive a full feeding).  When they are really little, the feedings will be consistently 2-2.5 hours apart and as they baby grows older, the feedings will slowly stretch to 2.5-3 hours apart and then 3-3.5 hours apart.  Each day, you must work at keeping their routine consistent.  Eat.  Wake time.  Sleep.


Sometimes, this means laying them down for the "sleep" portion and letting them cry (ahem, coo) themselves to sleep.


Sometimes, this means letting them just play in their crib until they fall asleep.


Sometimes, (most often when they are little), it means flicking their feet to keep the awake enough to take a full feeding!  Full feedings are essential!


The goal of Babywise is this: Get baby to sleep through the night.  A sweet, ideal for any parent to strive for.


And let me just tell ya...


...it works!!!!!!

Georgia began sleeping through the night at 9 weeks.  Every night.  It was wonderful.  Eventually, as she grew older, we were able to drop her last night time feeding, and in a few more weeks, she had progressed to sleeping 10 hours a night.  For the past eight months, she has been sleeping for 12 hours.  Every night.  Straight through.


It's AWESOME.


Not only has she learned how to put herself to sleep at bedtime and naptime (thus avoiding the rocking, walking, driving, anything-to-get-the-baby-to-sleep routine), but she is also a happy baby.


People tell me all the time how lucky I am to have such a happy baby.  And trust me, I know I have been blessed.  But it's also been a lot of work!  Effort went into establishing her Babywise routine - she wasn't just born this way!  It took planning & consistent practice on our part.


As a first time parent, it was such a relief to not have to 'guess' what was wrong with her if she began fussing.  Based on her cycle and daily schedule, I knew if she was fussing because she was hungry or tired.  It completely took the un-certainty out of dealing with a new wee-one.  Babywise is based loosely on scheduled feedings (though they're not set in stone) and therefore, there it is not an on-demand feeding program.


I like this idea though for a few reasons:
  1.  If you teach baby to take a full feeding, they naturally will 'demand' to be fed within the scheduled time.  It doesn't take them long to fall into this routine.
  2.  It allowed me to nurse a set amount of times per day, consistently.  This helped me to avoid not having enough milk and/or becoming engorged.  My milk supply remained consistent, helping make breastfeeding a success.
  3.  I was able to schedule baby's routine around my life, not my life around the baby.  As much as I love little G-baby, I surely don't want her to grow up thinking the world revolves around her pretty lil' self.  


I tell you this because I love sleep.  And my guess is you do to.


I couldn't live without my sweet sleep.  Seriously.  I would just shrivel up into an emotional brain-fart and die.  One.  Needs.  Sleep.


So if you have a baby... or are pregnant (I'm so jealous!)...or are even considering one day procreating...I highly recommend that you read this book.  HIGHLY.


As a young parent, I'm sure you hate it when people are constantly giving you "how-to" advice.  Well....too bad.  I'm going to be one of those people.


That's how much I love Babywise.  Available HERE.


As usual, I will now step off my soapbox.


Ahem.


The end.

Hoop-houses & fall plantings.

Even though this past week has taken on the chill of fall, I'm not ready to give up on my harvest quite yet.  There is still time in the garden and in the kitchen to put up goodies for winter.  And lucky for me, I have a super-manly husband to complete a few "honey-do" tasks I have assigned for him in the garden.


One of which was to build me a few hoop houses over my raised beds.


About four weeks ago I planted a fall crop of lettuce, and while it is coming in wonderfully, I know that at the first taste of a frost, it will be wonderful lettuce no more.  I need to protect these little beauties so that they can continue to grow!

Insert: Hoop house.


Not only will the hoop house raise the temperature in the bed, but it will also protect it at night from the chilly air.  


Building it was relatively simple in theory.  Although, some projects just look more simple on YouTube than they end up being.


First, "we" screwed in a few brackets spaced four feet apart...


...then "we" bent some 1" pipe across...

...and then ran some boards down the "spine" of the hoop-house for extra stability.  This step became important when we initially skipped it, and our end hoops bent over.

Here's the hard part: stretching the plastic across.  Sure, it sounds easy enough.  But it was windy yesterday...and we could barely get a few corners pinned down when the wind would pick it up again!  So, we just decided instead of getting frustrated and wanting to throw rocks at the invisible wind, we would just attempt to secure the plastic after this raging breeze had passed.


When we are finally able to secure the plastic, we will be able to just clip it along the edge of the bed with clothespins.  In theory.


Side-note: While we were at Lowe's picking up a few of the supplies to complete our hoop house...I insisted that we look at the ceiling fans which we've been needing to purchase for approximately two years...and we found one...and I whined...and we bought it...which we shouldn't have...but we did.  And it's AWESOME.  Sometimes, you just gotta live on the edge and buy ceiling fans.  I love it!!!!


Anyway...back to the garden...


I'm planning on covering four of five beds...heck, maybe I'll cover all of them.  These hoop houses will be wonderful to have in the spring!  They will make a significant difference in the overall temperature of the soil.  Plus, they will protect my tender seedlings from wind, rain, and stupid cabbage moths.


I hate cabbage moths.  Next year, every time I see one, I'm going to shot it with my 12 gauge.  Overkill?  Nah.


None-the-less, I am very excited at the prospect of these hoop houses.  Maybe next year, I'll get more than 5 red tomatoes and 2 bell peppers.  Note-to-self: In the wonderful short-seasoned pacific northwest, it maybe be smart to choose short-season varieties.  


Wow.  I'm, like, so smart.


I'll quit mourning my tomatoes now...the time has come to say goodbye.  I'm letting them hang on for the last few days of sunshine, and then they will promptly be turned into a green-tomato-relish of sorts.  

This next week, I will be digging up potatoes, onions, carrots, and beets to put them in the cellar for winter.  After that, we have a few more eggplants, green beans, kale, herbs, and parsnips to harvest.

  
Oh!  And if you're looking to start your garden next year...this is the perfect time to plant your garlic and shallots!  So get that booty in gear!


I love the prospect of a new garden and lessons learned.


I love knowing that next year, I have a chance to wipe the slate clean.


I love knowing that next year, there is a chance I will harvest so many tomatoes, my head will explode!


Hey - a girl can dream, can't she?!


Happy fall gardening!

Happy 1st Birthday G-Love.

365 days ago, I was laying on a bed.  Oozing from my freshly stapled scar.


How's that for an opening sentence?!

Let's take a step back here...


365 days ago today, after a restful nights sleep, I awoke at 4:00 a.m. to the most unique pain I had ever experienced.  Menstrual cramps?  No.  Sharp pains?  Sort of.  Unique?  Yes.  That's the only way I know how to describe them.


365 days ago today, as I lay in the bathtub breathing through my consistent contractions, my husband offered to read me Lord of the Rings.  Umm...no thank you.  Not exactly what I consider relaxing...though I appreciated his wanting to help.  I can only imagine how helpless a man must feel in this situation.


365 days ago today, after a few hours of laboring at home, I called my parents to tell them we were just going to swing by the hospital to see if I was "actually" in labor.  I told them we would call them as soon as we knew.  Needless to say, they arrived at the hospital before we did.  They're prompt like that.


365 days ago today, I had to mentally check into my "happy place" (which is the cottage from the movie Babe), as a needle was shoved into my spine while I sat in a freezing cold surgical room.  Ya.  That was fun.

365 days ago today, warm tears of anxiety and fear ran down my cheeks as the doctors quickly prepared me for the surgery.  All I could do was keep my gaze on Stuart, who calmly assured me all was well without saying a word.


365 days ago, as I lay on the table aware that I was being surgically opened, I had (literally) never been so terrified in my entire life.  It's like something out of a horror movie.  Really. If you missed the details that landed us here, read G's birth store here.


365 days ago, when the doctors finally delivered the 5 pound G-baby, I had never been so relieved, and elated, in my entire life.  This amount of enthusiasm and excitement is impossible to write into words. 

365 days ago, I got to see the look in my husbands eyes as he saw his daughter for the first time.  It was the happiest look I have ever seen.  And because I am an emotional brain-fart, all I could do was cry.  Go figure.

365 days ago, my baby took her first breaths.  Is there a better sound in this world than hearing your newly born baby cry?!


365 days ago was the first time I understood what people meant when they said, "You'll never understand until you have a child of your own...".  They were right.


Sure, it involved a big belly.  And swollen feet.  And heartburn.  And weird veins in my legs.  And a scar.  And a catheter (bleh).  And lots and lots of needles.


But I would do it one billion times over to have this little wee one in my life.  


Happy 1st Birthday to my sweet little stinker.  Who I love so much it's impossible to comprehend.  I pray that we would be blessed with many years together, that Stuart and I might prepare her as an arrow to send forth for the Lord.  

Okay, now I'm getting all choked up.


Okay, now I'm crying.


*Sniffle*.  


Happy birthday, my love.

Pears, peace, and The Pundit's Folly.

God is good.


As I was near a hormonal breakdown over these last few days, he heard my cry.


And so he sent me these:

Sigh.


He knew exactly what I needed.


Pears are therapy.


As I sat picking out the ripe ones yesterday to prepare them for dehydration, I just felt this overwhelming peace that I have been missing.  I slowly washed each one, carefully cutting out the bruises.  Then, I cut them carefully into thin slivers, and placed them on the dehydrating sheet.  Nothing fancy.  Nothing formal.  Just me, a paring knife, a box of pears, and a little baby burying her head into the back of my knees.


Have you ever heard the old story about a mother telling her daughter to pick all the seeds out of a watermelon?  To ease her mind?


Well, these pears were those watermelon seeds.

The sky was overcast, but warm, and the smell of those ripe, deliciously juicy pears just took my mind to fall.  To a time of coziness and comfort.  And that's exactly what I needed.

When I asked our landlord/neighbor if I could purchase a few box of pears during harvest, he lovingly told us that we could glean as many as we liked after they were finished picking.  So J-Money, Stuart, G-Baby, and I waddled through the orchard, our hands full of pears from the ground and upper limbs.  I don't think Lee knows how much gleaning means to this little 'ol heart of mine.  I surely do not mind cutting around the bruises of the imperfect fruit.


As I continually chase the chores to be accomplished on the homestead this time of year, I am reminded of a most wonderful excerpt from a favorite book of mine: The Pundit's Folly.


     You have made us for yourself
     and our hearts are restless
     until they find their rest in you.


There is nowhere else to go, no other foundation from which we can drink to quench our thirst.  God alone can do that.


Be it momentary joy, I will no more find a continued peace of mind in this box of pears than I will in a clean house.  These chores, albeit important and glorifying, shall pass.  The joy that they bring shall fade.  As Scottish poet Robert Burns penned:


     But pleasures are like poppies spread
     You seize the flower, the bloom is shed
     Or like the snow falls in the river
     A moment white, then melts for ever...
     Or like the rainbow's lovely form
     Evanishing amid the storm.


I suppose I have spent far too much time hoping I could find satisfaction in accomplishing tasks and chores, when really, true rest and contentment can only be found in the Lord.  And it is only through Him I can find the peace I so deeply desire.


Although sometimes, truly, I do believe he sends that peace in a box of pears.


Because He knows what I need before I even ask.


Even if that need is a fruit.


And Amen.

Grilled & Stuffed Portabellas. And the river.

So J-Money was here over the long weekend...and what a wonderful weekend it was.  We spend time talking about theology, music, food, and family.


We also spent time down by the river.  For those of you who don't know about our area, our lil ol town is situated right on a river.  And there is nothing better than heading down to the rocky beach for some summer fun. 

G-Baby had fun sitting with the little fish in the water.  And chewing on rocks.

I watched the boys jump in....nervous that they would hit their heads and forever suffer from spinal injuries...

...I for one, chose to just wade in to my knees and/or ankles.  This greatly decreases the chances of spinal injuries.  Unless I were to slip, in which case, I would probably be more concerned about my D70 getting wet then I would my head.  That's how much I love my camera.

What a glorious end-of-summer day.  Does it get any more beautiful?  No.  It doesn't.  I will answer that for you.


Aren't you glad you have me here? 

Stu + our baby = melted heart.


I love when Jerry comes into town because it means that we get to get to do fun things, plus enjoy extra delicious food and drink.  He loves good food.  So I cook it.


Upon his request for a portabella mushroom dish, I made this recipe on a whim.  It was delicious, and a perfect ode to our last few days of grilling weather.

Grilled & Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms
You will need:
 - 8 portabella mushrooms
 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
 - Pinch of sea salt


 - 1 cup quinoa (soaked is best)
 - 1/2 cup lentils (soaked is best)
 - 3 cups water


 - 2 carrots, minced
 - 3 green onions, minced (or one small onion, minced)
 - 2 cups kale, minced
 - 1 clove garlic, minced
 - 2 tablespoons butter
 - 2 cups white wine/1 cup vegetable stock (or any combination thereof)
 - 1 to 2 teaspoons each oregano, thyme, rosemary, basic (or any combination of your favorite herbs!)
 - Goat cheese, for topping


Step One:  Place the quinoa, lentils, and water together in a saucepan.  Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat & simmer until quinoa and lentils are tender.  Roughly fifteen minutes.

Step Two:  While the quinoa & lentils are cooking, melt the butter in a skillet.  Then, add the carrots, onions, and garlic.  Saute until tender, maybe five minutes or so. 

Step Three:  Pour in the white wine and vegetable stock and bring to a simmer.  Allow the liquid to simmer for ten minutes or so, until it is reduced by half. 

Step Four:  Once the liquid has reduced, throw in your kale & herbs.  Then, mix this together with your quinoa & lentils to create a pilaf of sorts, if-you-will.

Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Congratulations, my friend.  You have now completed the "stuffing" for the stuffed mushrooms.

Step Five:  Fire up the grill baby.  Then, rub the cleaned (and de-stemmed) portabella mushrooms with some olive oil and a pinch of sea salt.  Grill for two minutes per side, until just beginning to release some liquid.

Step Six:  Scoop a generous spoonful of the quinoa pilaf onto the bottom (gill-side) of each mushroom.  Top with goat cheese and freshly ground pepper.  As usual, the goat cheese is not an option.  It is a requirement.  Thank you for cooperating.


Serve.  Eat.  Enjoy. 


We topped this vegetarian meal off with freshly grilled corn and peaches & cream.


Yes, I'm still eating peaches & cream.  I can't stop.


It's not too late to get in more deliciously fresh summer meals - don't give up yet!  We must hold out hope that our tomatoes still have a few weeks to ripen - don't quit on me now, people!


Sorry.  I tend to be dramatic when it comes to tomatoes.


Help.

This post part of Real Food Wednesdays and Pennywise Platter.