Summer Soup & Crazy Veggies

This record-breaking heat is not good for my CSA. Just as well, I needed a break from the enormous amounts of fruits/veggies we've been eating.

Crazy veggies of the week are these cool looking Green Zebras, a White Eggplant and some purple okra.

So what's one the menu this week? I plan to try these Boiled Peanuts and Okra & Tomatoes. And I finally found a Cole Slaw recipe that my hubby really likes!

Even though it's so hot, recipes for Roasted Tomato Red Pepper Soup and Mexican Corn Chowder are super-tasty, since the ingredients are in peak season right now. And lastly, I plan to try out this Cucumber soup recipe, which a friend sent me. Bon Appetit!

COOL CUCUMBER & AVOCADO SOUP
1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded and cut into chunks
2 avocados peeled, pitted and cut into chunks
2 1/2 c. buttermilk
3 T chopped red onion
1 t. lemon juice
2 or 3 fresh basil leaves, torn
Dash of salt and ground white pepper
1/2 tomato peeled, seeded, and chopped for topping
Fresh basil chiffonade & Crème Fraiche for topping

Combine all ingredients except toppings in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for several hours. Serve in bowls topped with tomato, basil chiffonade and a dollop of creme fraiche. Serves 4.

Reusable Shopping Bags

I've told you before how I’ve been bringing my own grocery bags for a year now. I’ve been asked where to get them, and what type to buy so here are some thoughts.

I have 4 bags, which is plenty to start out with. Mine are just simple basic totes, found free from company picnics, joining a bank, etc. I’m sure these are abundant at your local thrift store or yard sale. My German friend Julia also just sent me this clever tote (pictured), the Reisenthel Easy Bag. It’s awesome, but unfortunately doesn’t fit most US shopping carts.

If you are looking for style, something like this $19.95 beauty this would be great. Or, the height of hipster conservation is Anya Hindmarch’s I’m not a Plastic Bag bag (pictured), which is sold out in the US, but can be found on ebay.

So Now - My recommendation? Simple grocery totes, which I've heard can be found at Kroger for $.99 and Publix for $1.49. If those options are not available, you can find plenty online. I would just recommend something simple, like this basic tote for $4.95.

Purity Delivery Update

So here’s the update I promised about the Purity Dairy Home Delivery. I have done some minimal price comparisons to that of the grocery store. It does seem similar to the prices at the store. However, Purity is a premium, quality product, so it is more expensive than a generic brand. Regardless, your minimum weekly order is just a ½ gallon of milk, so seems like a decent deal.

Unfortunately, my two free weeks never came to me, so I’ll probably pass on the home delivery for the time being. I’m the only one in our house that even drinks milk, so we don’t even have that great a need for milk at all.

I Never Knew How Silly Kids Could Be

Don't Hurt Me, Mark

I had the same hairstyle for so long. My natural “blah” color with bangs from 7th grade to my junior year of college. Then, I discovered good stylists & dye jobs and I’ve never looked back. I’ve been long, short, brown, blonde, and various stages in between. Pictured are just a few of the many stages that my hair has gone through in the past couple of years.

But lately I’ve been missing my bangs, but have been reluctant to return, because those were not my cutest days ever.

But I did it. Grabbed a pair of scissors and…Chop. Chop. Chop. I’m quite glad I did.

(Second picture above is me sad because I’ve dropped my marshmallow on the ground. It was hard finding pictures more than 2 years ago, because we had no digital camera!!)

Updates from E.

I haven't updated on out little boy's progress in a while, so I thought I would tell you what he's up to!

-He's 19 Months
-He has about 30ish words and talks all the time.
-He really knows how to pull our strings with his new word, 'please'. As in "Nee Nee Pees? (Banana Please?)
-The way he says these words melt my heart: Gehhn?! (Again), and "Beh-yah" (bear), and "bah-boh" (belly button) "taxi" and "toes."
-This week brought his first fever, and last night we saw his first vomiting spell.
-He will only accept feeding help from daddy if he's in the room. (and it's actually kinda nice.)
-He's opening doors. AHHH!

Can Moms Have it All?

A couple of days ago, Oprah featured a heated debate with stay-at-home-moms versus working moms. It began with an interview with Elizabeth Vargas, who stepped down from the most coveted job on tv – the anchor woman for the nightly news – to spend more time with her kids. She is still on air, but not logging as many hours. Now, she’s receiving a ton of flack from some women who feel her decision is a ‘step-back’ for women’s rights everywhere. Umm…Isn’t it her decision to do what’s best for her family? Anyway…

This is an emotional issue for many of us. A few months ago, I posted some of my feelings on the subject. It struck a nerve with y’all, because a lot of you commented that day.

So...Can women "have it all?" My opinion is that life’s full of compromise, sacrifice & choice in all things. It makes us better. So yes, I miss my job like crazy sometimes. I thought long & hard about going back to work. But FOR ME, I would be sacrificing something that I wanted even more – to be here at home full-time during these early years. Doesn’t mean that it’s 100% rosy all the time, or I don’t have days of missing the fulfillment of my professional career. But in the long run, it’s what’s best for me & my fellas.

An Ex-Runner's Lament

I'm sad that...

Just a few months ago I ran a Half Marathon and now 2 miles leaves me worked. -- It’s hard to motivate yourself to run when it’s 102 degrees. -- I need to run for a full hour to work off the whole pack of cookie dough I ate in the last 2 days. Seriously. That was 2,160 empty calories I snacked away. -- When you stop running 15-20 miles a week and eat a half-pack of cookie dough per day, your metabolism starts to catch up with you. -- I haven’t added new music to my Shuffle in forever. Which brings me to the question…

Have any new music suggestions to motivate me to get my behind moving? Here are my former faves that make me want to move fast…

Your Cover’s Blown – Belle & Sebastian
The Sound of Settling – Death Cab for Cutie
Take Me Out – Franz Ferdinand
Let Go – Frou Frou
Clark Gable – The Postal Service
Talk to Me, Dance with Me – Hot Hot Heat
Ready, Steady, Go – Paul Oakenfold
Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
Yeah! – Usher

Fisher Price & Mattell Recalls

Lots of posts for today!

Okay Y'all. Check your toys against the recent recall lists from Fisher-Price and this one today from Mattel. Both are due to lead paint issues.

Toys include some Diego, Elmo, Polly Pockets, Doggie Day Care, among others.

These Made me Laugh

I laughed out loud today when I saw these...First, I loved this MasterCard Commercial of kids doing the robot. Isn't it great to have friends that really "get you"?

On an entirely different note, here's the Duct Tape Bandit. And wait for the brilliant interview towards the end...

Earl

During the mustache contest a few months ago, Lance had an eerie resemblance to Earl Hickey. Creepy.

18 Cousins

Ethan got to hang out with just a few of his 18 cousins this weekend. My sister came down with 6 of her 8 kids (yes, that's right) for an impromptu visit. This is a picture of Liz's 6 youngest, plus my brother Troy's 3 kids.

One more thing...Heat Stinks! Ethan now has a 100+ fever, it's 100+ degrees outside, and I'm going stircrazy inside!

Best of Nashville

It’s time again for the Nashville Scene’s Best of Nashville Reader’s Poll! My lovely friends & family, would you take a moment and log in your votes for Climb Nashville? Categories of Best Place to Take Kids when it’s Raining, Best Fitness Club, Best Summer Camp, Best Place to Meet Single Men and/or Women & Best Place to take Out-of-Towners might apply.

You might also express love for Baja Burrito (Blue Coast Burrito) in the categories of Best Cheap Eats, Best Kid-Friendly, Best Mexican & Best Vegetarian. Here are some other favorites: Laurel Creech or Blake Farmer (radio personality), Lightning 100 (best radio station), Portland Brew (coffee), Best Bike Shop (Cumberland Transit,) Best Local Artist (Seth Conley, Julia Martin, Trevor Mikula.)

One ballot per person. Must vote for at least 25 categories. Get your entries in by Sept. 12! Now…Get your vote on.

Amy Butler Pattern - Bag

Another Sewing Group has passed, and look what Marge & I made! Using the pattern for this Amy Butler Toiletry Bag / Clutch, and some free samples from Lance’s old architectural firm. I love it, but I’m sad that I cut off the little birds’ heads!

Speaking of the Sewing Group…You want to come? I send out emails about the date (Usually Midday Tuesday or Wednesday,) we have 2 sewing teachers, and you come…for free! No sewing experience needed.

Post here if you would like me to email you when we set the date for the next one.

The Antique Tureen

Before I buy anything, I try to ask myself “Do I really NEED this?” When I saw an antique soup tureen that was an identical match to one I already owned, I told myself “No. No one in the world needs 2 soup tureens.” But hours later, I regretted that decision. What are the chances that I would run across an identical matching soup tureen? So I went back at the end of the day & bought it at the garage sale down the street! I must say that I’m glad I did. So guess what you’ll be having next time you come over? ..SOUP!

Vienna Reunion

This is for Amy H, Emily M & Sarah M.…My weekend was full of fun activities visiting with friends I haven’t seen in a long time. This is a picture of some of the wonderful people I spent a semester with in Vienna, Austria. There were lots of people missing (You know who you are!) We missed those of you who couldn’t make it, but it was so great to catch up. All the spouses & kiddos are absent from the picture. It went by to fast though! This is the only picture I have of the weekend though. Sorry!

Also, I wish I had a picture scanned of us way back then. If someone has one, send it my way for the "before" picture!

Flowers

He picks my flowers out of the garden, but how can I be mad at this little thing?

Simpsonize Me

So this is what I'd look like if I was on "The Simpsons." Amanda posted her results a few days ago, from SimpsonizeMe.com. I don't know, guys. It's a bit of a stretch. What do you think?

Storytime

We have ourselves a snuggler! And I am so glad!!! Ethan has never been one to want to snuggle. Since he was tiny, he always wanted to be held facing out so he could see the world. He was not content with the world until he could move & get to where he wanted to go. His mobilization was his freedom, & he never wanted to sit in my lap, rest in my arms or cuddle on the couch.

Until Now! Over the past 3 weeks, he has started to snuggle! I love it. He'll lay in our laps while we read to him, or rest his head on my shoulder. It's just the best!! I must say, Ethan has been SO much fun these days!

Purple Beans

Thanks to my local farmer, this week I'll be making:

Tomato Soup, Fresh Salsa, Eggplant Parmesan, Fried Okra, Greek Salad, Fried Cabbage, Purple Beans, Cucumber Salad, and LOTS OF CORN!

Correction: We actually recieved Purple Hull Peas, not beans. Click here & you can see why I was confused!