It's as Bad as it Looks

(picture from tennessean.com). It's been a crazy, crazy couple of days around here. It's a major, major disaster in Nashville. Downtown Nashville is flooded and the waters are rising. It has been a relentless downpour for 2 days. Water is in short supply in many places, power outage, hotels are being evacuated, hard line & cell phones are out, the lakes are overflowing. Here's a slide show of photos on Tennessean.com. In evidence of where we live, Naomi Judd called the local news to warn of her 6 buffalo on the loose in Liepers Fork. We are fortunately safe, but many in our neighborhood have serious flood damage. Many people were stranded on the roads, as you will see here, where a building floats by the stranded cars. Or how about this huge carp, captured on Blackman Road? This guy, who may now be making his big break into country music super-stardom, summed it all up in this little ditty.

Hopefully in the next few days, the story of the damage being done here will be told more in the national news. The kids, on the other hand, loved the rain. We took a walk to check out the damage around our house.Below is a friend's house 2 doors down from us. Their home stayed relatively dry, if you can believe that. Keep our city in your prayers. There are so many stories of tragedy coming out of our hometown.

Monsoon Wedding

In case you are wondering, these are the shoes you wear to an outdoor wedding in a monsoon. If you don't live around here, we got more rain than I ever remember in my 31 years. The streets were flooding all over the place. Our house, fortunately, stayed dry. But Lance missed the wedding because he was helping a neighbor shop vac out their flooded basement. :(

If you are from my neck of the woods, did your houses stay dry?

Edited Note: This post was from Day 1 of our devastation. The worst was yet to come.

Flower Girl - A Preview

Here's a little preview of my little flower girl. I don't want to spoil the surprise, so this isn't the actual dress she will be wearing. But isn't she precious? This is her "cheese" pose. Katie Belle and Ethan will be flower girl and ring bearer in a wedding in a month and a half. Lance's great friend, Tommy, is getting married to a wonderful girl, Becca, and Lance will be the best man! We're excited to make the trek down to Estes Park, CO. Oh, how I dread going back to this place!

Still looking for ring bearer outfits. They are not going the tux route. So anyone have suggestions for finding dressy-casual little boys clothes? The guys are wearing J. Crew linen vests.

Deceptively Delicious - Recipe Review

I have been in a cooking rut - big time. But I'm slowly snapping out of it, and am very excited about all of the seasonal vegetables that are coming up! But I thought I'd share a few reviews of some of Jessica Seinfeld's Deceptively Delicious recipes. If you aren't familiar with her book, they all call for veggie purees. And if you have leftover jars of baby food, there's no reason why you can't use these and save some time! There are a few others I want to try, but I thought I'd share these recipes!

Quesadillas (with Butternut Squash & Navy Beans) - Everyone loved, kids and adults alike.
Chicken (or Turkey) Pot Pie (with Sweet Potato) - I was surprised with this one. I thought it would be gross, so I made a backup meal! But everyone raved, and Ethan asked if he could eat it every day! It's not every day that you get those kind of reviews. Plus, there is no "cream of..." soup in it!
Mozzarella Sticks (with Cauliflower) - Maybe I didn't do these right. Katie Belle liked them, but no one else did. I didn't quite "fry" the sticks right, so they weren't crunchy. Still, KB is hard to please, so that is worth something...
Italian Meatloaf (with Carrot) - Meh...I must first admit that I've made meatloaf probably one other time in my life, so maybe I don't have the technique quite right, but when I made this, the meatloaf all fell apart. I won't make it again.
Sloppy Joes (with Carrot, Squash, Red Pepper- Delicious! Of course the meatloaf was hard for my little ones to eat, so I probably won't make it again for a while. But we all loved the flavor.

Have any of you tried any of Jessica Seinfeld's recipes? WHat about any recipes from the Sneaky Chef?

Turning Off

Starting today, there will be no tv-watching in this household until the fall.

It's not something we were really planning on. I mean, we've been talking for 7 years about getting rid of cable, but it has never happened. Until last night. My husband said he was returning the cable box to Comcast. Honestly, I didn't think much about it. We've had these conversations before, but nothing ever came of it. But today, during the kids' naptime, I went to return to my tv-and-laundry-folding routine, and the cable box was gone! Now that we have one of those fancy tvs, we can't even watch the basic channels! So there will be absolutely no tv watching for us until fall. We plan to get it back in time for Lance to watch football (although i could go the rest of my life without ever having to see football on tv.)

Today, I looked at the tv selection on hulu. It's just not the same. I think I'll be okay, but I do have a few shows I like to watch. And I really do enjoy my folding-clothes-and-watching-tv routine. But I'm excited about the quiet, and the family time, and all that fun stuff.

What about you guys? What's the longest you've ever gone without watching tv?

Affection

Katie Belle loves to give kisses. I can't say that I mind. I don't know if it's a boy/girl thing or what, but hugs and kisses were never part of Ethan's repertoire. If E ever took a spill, my favorite part was that he actually wanted me to hold him or kiss his boo boos. So it's pretty fun to have a little one who can't seem to get enough. Will I get tired of this? I can't see that happening! She is so cuddly!

Early Morning Smiles

These are old pictures, I know, but I just love the faces of the kids first thing in the morning. These are their faces as they uncovered their Easter baskets!

Gardening Blogs

I found a new gardening website that I like! It's awaytogarden.com. It's a good one, and even has a great section for beginners. Do you have any favorite gardening websites? I've had trouble finding good ones!

Wild Violet Arrangement

I love flowers in the house, but you know what I really love? Free flowers in the house!This floral designer, featured on Design*Sponge, shows how to use these "weeds" as a pretty arrangement. Free pretty stuff that God made: It's right up my alley. Enjoy!

Asparagus

A few weeks ago, these guys started sprouting up in the garden!!! Gardening is so cool!!! Ethan said, "Looks like Veggie Tales!" We can't eat the asparagus for another year, but they should come back every spring for about 7 years. I'm looking forward to eating them...in another year!

Zoo Trip!

Last week, Ethan's class got to go on a very special zoo trip! When I say "special", I mean it. We even got to go to the giraffe's (barn?) and feed them. These elephants played harmonica & danced for us!

Uninspiration

As you've seen, I'm still waiting. Waiting to finish planting my garden. Waiting for the baby #3 to arrive. Waiting to have more energy so I can do something creative with my free time. Waiting until I have free time.

In related news, I broke a tooth on Grape Nuts about a month ago. But I couldn't have it fixed until I was in my 2nd trimester, so I'm waiting until that appointment so I can eat normally again.

Until I have something more interesting...
-Carrie.

Flexibility

In an effort to make our daughter more a flexible sleeper, Lance has become passionate about trying to get them to sleep in the same room. Most nights have not been successful, with 2 nights even including finger biting. But we have had one night where they fell asleep in the same room. It was so cute to see them side-by-side! Yes, I know KB is under the bed.

Like His Daddy?

People tell me all the time that Ethan looks like his Daddy. I can't look at those eyes without thinking I'm looking in a mirror!!! Lance gets all the credit for our kids genetics. It's not fair!This is another picture from the boy's recent hiking/climbing trip. I love the dirt on E's face!!!

Lilac & Irises

Our yard is looking so colorful these days! A few years ago, we planted this row of irises along our fence. It's looking so lovely, alongside the most amazing-smelling lilac bushes! We are spending lots of time these days in our flower & veggie gardens. We're pretty optimistic about our veggie garden this year. I'll be posting pictures soon!

Any of you trying any new flowers or veggies this year? I'd love to hear about it!

Happy Easter!

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter celebration. We had a great weekend. Katie Belle, upon realization that there is something in the eggs!! At that point, she was no longer interested in the hunt. She just sat in amazement of this egg.

Flag Bunting

For ages, I've been eyeing this project, a sweet little flag bunting. You may have seen these all over the web, but I went roughly by these instructions. It was pretty easy to make, and the kids love it!

Easter Party

Ethan attended the most awesome Easter party on Wednesday. Ethan and his classmates had an awesome time! We're looking forward to a weekend of praise, celebration, family, and Easter egg hunts!

Babies

Looks like we'll be having another one of these guys on October 15!!! This is the big reason that nothing interesting has been cooking over here lately. I've been working on a bun in my oven. During the first trimester of my pregnancies, I can barely stand the smell of my own cooking. I'm ready to get back in the swing of things. Eating out all the time is expensive!!!

Seed Update

My windowsill is crowded, but these little seeds are growing! It won't be too much longer before I can plant them & start more seeds outdoors.

There Are Just Some Days...

There are just some days when the kids wake up on the wrong side of the bed. Why is this? I can't figure it out. Those are the days when they can NOT leave the house without the backpack filled with cars, and a huge basket full of random goodies to tote around on all your errands. And THOSE are the days when you have so much to do. Is this God's design for personal growth in the discipline of patience? I think I'll ask Him someday.

This is Parenthood.

Advice? How to Display This?

When we got married, we received this beautiful crocheted (thing?) with our name on it. I'm so sad that I don't remember who made it for us, because I truly love gifts made by hand. I have never done anything with it, however, because I cannot figure out how to frame it in a way that reflects my style. SO, dear people...Do you have any ideas? I would love to figure out a way to frame it, without going in a Traditional Southern or country direction. I like simple, clean, classic...

Ideas? Anyone? Anyone?

Winter CSA, Week 9

This week we received apple butter, apple jam, linguini, stewed tomatoes, tomato juice, cornmeal, sorghum, blueberry jelly & saurkraut. My favorite thing to do with apple butter is to make these morning glory muffins. I made them on Monday, and we've already made & consumed the entire batch! Now if I could only figure out what to do with that saurkraut...

Dying Easter Eggs

Dying Easter Eggs was always one of my very most favorite holiday traditions of all. But as a parent of a child allergic to eggs, it was a tradition that I thought my kids might never get to experience. But now that we've kicked that egg allergy to the curb, we can finally join in the fun! Since we are buying most of our eggs directly from farmers, we have a majority of brown eggs. I wasn't sure how they would turn out. But they are beautiful! I absolutely love the colors. I know the tradition is bright, vibrant colors, but these colors look so beautiful and rustic. Maybe I'll do this all year round! (I hid the stickers that came with the eggs. They ruin a pretty, simple, dyed egg. Don't you think?!)

Reevaluating CSA's

As the local growing season begins, and CSAs begin to start again, I am reevaluating my CSA. I cannot imagine not doing the CSA this year, or even the thought of switching to a different CSA. However, we are planning to do a major garden this year. And a person can only eat so many vegetables. Plus, we have been with the same CSA for 3 years. I fully endorse and highly recommend them. But when we began, there were 3 CSAs that I knew of. Now, there are billions. So I picked up a CSA list in a recent Local Table publication, and am reviewing them all. The process is giving me a major headache, but so far, I'm happy to say that nothing looks better than our CSA, Avalon Acres. I'm still in the midst of my research, so I'm sure you will know when I decide!

The Local Table includes CSA's all over TN, so I definitely recommend you pick one up if you are interested in a CSA. You can also look for one in your area on LocalHarvest.org.

If you are researching CSAs, I recommend you find out the following information:
1) What is the price (and package size, and length of season)
2) Where is the dropoff or pickup location?
3) An idea of the variety of their deliveries

What about you guys? Any of you going to give it a go this year?

Looking Like Spring!

It looks like Spring all around our yard! Bring it!!

Mini Carrots?

Somehow I think this one slipped through the cracks. Does that look like a mini carrot to you?

Update

True, I have been behind on my posts. I've been busy working in the yard, consignment sale shopping, traveling, working on a variety of committees, and other miscellany, but none interesting enough for a blog post. I did sew this cute little number though. However, it is HUGE on my little bit of a child. (It's actually supposed to be a shirt for a 12 month old). I'm working on a redo, but this time I'm trying to make my own changes to the pattern. Wish me luck with that. It will probably end up crooked, but I'll do my best. I know it's not much of a post, but I wanted to let you friends know that I am STILL HERE.

Oh...Here's news...I'm wearing my hair curly these days. See? NOT INTERESTING. I'll be quiet now until I come up with something better to say.

Winter CSA, Week 8

This week, we received: cornmeal, corn, popping corn, chow chow, saurkraut, tomato juice, stewed tomatoes, and kudzu jelly.

Ranuculus & Peonies

Getting your favorite flowers might sometimes be worth the argument. :)

Seed Starting

The seeds I have started in my Jiffy Seed Starting Kit (purchased at Wal-Mart) are looking fantastic! There are 2 varieties of heirloom tomatoes that I saved last year, plus heirloom seeds that I purchased (tomato, basil, red pepper), so I am excited to see green sprouts! My garden-advisor Karina recommends planting 2 seeds in each pod, and then trimming off one of the shoots when they reach about 2 inches. Although it is not necessary, this it to ensure that you have at least one seed in each pod. When the plants grow a second set of leaves, they are ready to move into another pot to continue indoor growth.

In addition, Lance has been working hard out in the yard, tilling up additional ground for the garden. I can't wait to get these in the dirt. Our garden is coming along well so far!

Bat Houses

Did you know that a single brown bat can catch hundreds of mosquito-sized insects an hour? We're thinking about getting a bat house. Any of you friends know anything about this? I must admit, I do not want to ever see a bat, but the idea of no mosquitoes sounds pretty great. They don't bother me too much, but they love the boys in this household.

Added Note: I have since learned that our neighbor just put up a bat house. However they said it usually takes a few years for the bats to find it. Hopefully they find it soon, and we can benefit from their mosquito-eating skills!

"Gringo Nightmare"

I can't believe it has been 2 years since Eric Volz was released from Nicaragua. Since his return, he has become a closer friend to Lance, and we've enjoyed hearing his journey. He has finally finished his account about the murder of his former girlfriend, his imprisonment, and the political climate which made his situation an emotional firestorm in Nicaragua. Although his book, Gringo Nightmare, will not be released until April, you can preorder it on his website. Lance read an early copy, and says it's amazing.

A Cool Story

Last week, Lance went climbing. It was a new location to him, so he called to ask permission from the landowner. It was an elderly woman whose husband had passed away a couple of years ago. "Would it be weird if I brought her flowers?" Lance asked me. I told him I thought it would be a nice gesture. The next morning, he was unsure if he would do it as he left for his climbing outing. He decided to do it, and as he left her with the flowers, she smiled and said, "Today is my anniversary."

I thought this was great reminder that you never know how God uses you in someone else's life. It's like her husband still got to send her some anniversary flowers, regardless of whether he was here or not. Cool, huh?

Seeds

Our seeds came in from Seed Savers Exchange, a non-profit that preserves heirloom seeds. Although E usually avoids the camera like the plague, he insisted on hopping in front of this picture.
Finally I got a picture. We ordered the following heirloom seeds: Scarlet Nantes Carrots, Detroit Dark Red Beets, Arugula, Cilantro, Pride of Wisconsin Melon, Sweet Genovese Basil, Napolean Sweet Pepper, Dragon Carrot, and German Pink Tomato. Last year, I also saved some seeds myself, which I have no idea how they will turn out, but I thought it was worth a shot. They are: Cherokee Purple Tomatoes (which Karina introduced me too, and they are DELICIOUS), white eggplant, some yellow heirloom tomatoes, and lemon cucumbers. Yesterday, I started my tomato, basil, and red pepper seeds indoors. I'm ready for Spring!