CSA, October

Here are pictures from the last 2 weeks' CSA shares. I've been behind on my cooking, so I'm going to work hard this week to get caught up! Tonight's dinner was: kale chips, indian style okra, stuffed green bell peppers, and baked delicata squash. I have lots more cooking to do to get caught up!
Ethan helping with the Kale Chips.

Fall Veggie: Butternut Squash

Time for Winter Squash! I have lots of these piling up in my kitchen, so here's a post I liked from TheKitchn. 8 Things to Do with Butternut Squash. Perfect timing for me. I haven't spent much time looking through their suggestions, but this week I'm planning to cook up some Butternut Squash Risotto, and also some Penne with Butternut Squash, Sage and Prosciutto. What's your favorite butternut squash recipe?

In other food news, I made this yesterday, Jessica Seinfeld's Chicken Nuggets (with flax, and sweet potatoes) and it was a huge hit. And last week I made this beet cake, which was so great, and tasted a lot like carrot cake.And check these out, also from The Kitchn! I hope to try these some day.

Father Abraham

Katie Belle loves to sing! This is her latest favorite...

Anyone Out There?

If anyone is still out there, we're really on the home stretch now. My due date is 2 weeks and 2 days from now!! Not a whole lot going on around here, just getting ready for no-name-baby-#3. When we have a baby & a name, I'll let you know!(pictured: my little artist above, and kb acting just like mommy!)

CSA - September

Of course I'm behind again on some CSA posts. Here's what we received in September. For a flashback, check out what we got last fall right here.

Jedi Robe

I mentioned that Ethan has been into Star Wars...actually, the Clone Wars cartoons, to be exact. So I've been working on making E a jedi robe. I think KB wants to keep it - I might have to make her a little Yoda outfit!

First Haircut

Last week, we took KB in for her first haircut! It wasn't much of a cut, more like just a tiny little trim. But it was still a big moment. Don't you love how they gave her a poker robe? Really? For her first haircut? Don't you guys have Winnie the Pooh or something? Anyway, there is not a huge difference, but I think she looks precious. It's crazy how a first haircut can make them look so much older!

Nesting...Displaying Kids Artwork

I love art. We have paintings displayed from my mother, grandmother, myself, and a variety of friends and local artists throughout our house. So for a while I've been trying to figure out how to display the kids artwork in the house. The problem is...we also don't like clutter. So I was scouring the ohdeedoh.com for inspiration (see here and here) and I settled on this solution. I am so excited about hanging the kids artwork here!!!

PS. Don't you love how "nesting" usually results in a laundry list of "To Do's" for the husband? He did a great job though. Thanks honey!

Ethan & Cars

It's hard to believe that Ethan was about the same age as KB is now in this video. I was pregnant with Katie Belle, and Ethan loved cars. He would sit and look at car magazines for ages. He wanted to talk about them in parking lots. He couldn't get enough. Ethan could recognize about 20+ car manufacturers. He recognized the difference between a Honda and a Hyundai. He recognized that the old Kitchen Aid's logo looked just like a Nissan one. Once he folded a french fry in half, and said, "Acura!" It's hard to believe that all that car knowledge is gone. Am I glad he replaced the memorization of car logos with that of numbers & letters? oh yes. But it's just fascinating that something that so consumed him has vanished. Now he's moved onto legos, action figures, & Star Wars. I can't wait to see what's next for my little ones!

Fabric Bucket

Remember when I used to sew? Ahh...memories. Well, I wouldn't say that I'm "back at it," but I am trying to finish up a few projects before the baby gets here. I am so excited about this one! It's a fabric bucket that I've been meaning to make for ages. I pulled this tutorial, and got to work! It was a fun little project, and I think it turned out pretty cute!

Fire Station

Last week, we headed over to the local fire station and met some real firemen! Ethan has this awesome fireman costume...doesn't it look like the real ones? The kids had a blast! We love firemen!

Counting Down

A funny little belly shot my husband took without my knowledge. I promise it's the horizontal stripes which is making my belly look so big. :)

I just have a few weeks left (6 weeks and a day to be exact) before #3 gets here! Still slowly chipping away at little projects around the house, and trying to get the room all ready! KB is now in a big girl bed, and the transition from the crib to the bed was fabulous. E & KB are getting along more & more every day, which is such a relief. Plus, Ethan has really been into Legos (and Katie Belle is into babies, purses, and anything girly) which is helpful as they are better & better about playing by themselves. We are no closer to deciding a name. There are lots that we like, but none that really seem to fit just yet. So now we're trying to finish up some projects & wait for #3 to join us!

Master Pouter

Our little girl knows how to pout!!! Some of you have seen this one, but it's worth a repeat. This is my precious little one when she was put into time out. Needless to say, she was not happy! I am so astounded by kids & the habits they pick up. I'm blaming this one on my husband! :)

My Favorite Part

This was one of my favorite memories of childhood - licking the spoon clean. Looks like they are fans of it too.

CSA - More August

Well, I'm behind on my CSA posts. So here are the past 3 Sunday's shares. The below picture is from this week. On our menu is Eggplant Parmesan, my grandma's Squash Casserole (no cream of soups!), Stewed Okra & Tomatoes, Sliced Cucumbers,Cherry Tomato Couscous, baked potatoes and homemade salsa. Check out the Green Zebra Tomatoes. Aren't they pretty? And I'm way backed up on peppers. Time to stick some of those guys in the freezer!

Visitors!

Our friends Tommy & Becca came to visit this past week. The kids were in love with them! (Remember the cuties as ring bearer & flower girl at their wedding?) KB asked for "TommyBecca" every morning, instructing Becca to play in the kitchen, sit down, read books, etc. See you guys again soon we hope!

Back to School!

This week, Ethan went back to preschool, and Katie Belle started too! I can't believe it. She seems like such a baby! In other big news, she's decided to potty train this week. It's crazy how easy it can be when they really want it. What a difference from the firstborn boy....

Canning Peaches

And now to canning peaches! I had my very first solo run of canning! It went well, but was time consuming. And I goofed a bit. I thought things were going well, but lost some of the liquid during the canning process. Major bummer. So these are still okay to eat, but I've read that I really should get around to eating them sooner than later, due to the loss of liquids. That stinks, because I was really looking forward to opening these this winter! My kids love those little travel-sized packs of peaches, so this was my attempt at preserving something similar. No preservatives, just peaches + sugar! Boy are they yummy.

30 Weeks

I can't believe that I'm 30 weeks! Time flies with baby #3. Except for the heat, which continually reminds me that it is NOT fun to be pregnant in this Southern Summer! 3rd Trimester + 100 Degree Temperatures = One Grumpy Pregnant Lady.

We still haven't gotten anywhere with the baby names. Here's where I go out on a limb and say, "Suggestions, Anyone?" Feel free to suggest, as long as you don't get your feelings hurt if we don't pick your name. We are having a hard time with this one! I liked Ruby (a family name on my side) but I know a dozen baby Ruby's right now!!!

CSA, August 1

This week we received corn, melon, tomatoes, green bell pepper, cucumber, potatoes, pattypan squash & green beans. Here's what we got this week last year.

Cherry Tomato Tart

Between my garden and the CSA, I had lots of cherry tomatoes floating around here! So on Monday, I made this Cherry Tomato Tart (recipe from Food & Wine Magazine). Oh....It was Delicious. I highly doubted my husband would eat it, because he rarely likes straight-up tomatoes. I thought about going the route of a tomato pie, full of cheese & mayo, which would have been an effort to ensure that the husband ate it. But I'm glad I didn't. He went back for thirds!!! I followed the recipe exactly, but instead of a tart pan, I used a pie pan. Worked beautifully. And 2 days later, I'm already accumulating another mass of cherry tomatoes (and Tommy Toes, thanks to Karina!) This is on the list to make again shortly.This morning, I've got a pot of homemade spaghetti sauce on the stove, thanks to even more tomatoes that have been piling up in my kitchen!.

New Lens

We got a new camera & new lens. I like it!

Mason Jars

Over the past few years, I have tried to increase the number of items I buy unprocessed, and in bulk. My pantry is looking prettier & prettier! Look at all those old blue mason jars that I have received from my friend Gail. Looks way prettier in the pantry than an assortment of plastic bags & cardboard boxes.

Blueberry Jam

Guess what we did yesterday?

Back at it! CSA July 25

After a spring/early summer hiatus, we're back with our CSA! I've missed it, but we have been traveling a ton. Also, garden was not as successful as we had hoped, so I'm having veggie withdrawals. This week, we'll be eating zucchini squash, green beans, new potatoes, tomatoes, corn, peppers, & some sort of melon. (Can you help me identify it?)

When I get these weekly shares, I look and think, "How can anyone not believe in God?" Maybe I'm weird for seeing God in the produce, but I just think the colors, shapes, variety & flavors are so amazing!

Random Photos

Months ago, we stumbled upon a big Dr. Seuss storytime (and United Way event) a bookstore near us. The other day, I randomly ran across these images on a photographer's facebook page. Hey, that's us! It was a fun surprise to find documentation of our normal everyday activities.

Cucumbers

With cucumbers in peak season, we've been snacking on lots of these guys lately. Peeled, thinly slice, with a smidge of salt on them right before dinner. It has been an unbelievable smash hit around here! My best ideas have been stolen from friends, and I have Yolanda to thank for this one.

So what are you guys snacking on these summer days?

All Tapes on Deck

I learned a valuable lesson from my mama. Before you throw something in the trash, see if it can serve another purpose. That brings me to several mixed tapes I had in my possession. Years ago, this scene would be money down the drain. But now, they were destined for the trash. But before we did, I let the kids pull out all the tape! It was a good 30 minutes of quiet time around our house!!! I did keep a few tapes, for sentimental purposes, even though I have no way to listen to them anymore. It was so worth the peace & quiet.

Birthday Party, Part 2

Although it was a 'dog' theme, we had our friend & neighbor Rick bring over his animals over and the kids got to pet chinchillas, guinea pigs, bunnies & turtles!The girls glued fur & eyes on the doggie.
Then we went searching for lost doggies. The girls got to put a collar on them, and comb their hair.
the girls and their dogs.she blew out all her candles! the girls ate their cake from doggie bowls.