Jewell's Embroidery

I recently received a gift from my aunt Glenda. It was a hand-embroidered linen from her mother (and my grandmother), Jewell. I have always loved hand embroidery. In fact, I frequent this embroidery blog, which offers a modern perspective on embroidery. It's so interesting to think about the women who spent hours and hours on these types of crafts, which now linger at garage sales everywhere. I can't seem to pass them up when I come across a beautiful hand-embroidered linen at a garage sale. This one will top them all though. I'm so glad our baby Jewell will have this to remind her of her great-grandmother, for whom she was named.

Do you remember that I embroidered this sign for Katie Belle's room? I need to do this again soon!

6 Months

Within minutes, the "6 Month" sticker was a big gooey mess, with her drooling all over the place.

Baby Updates

Yesterday, the baby started sitting up all by herself. And for long, long periods of time! With my other 2, I remember them quickly toppling over, but she seems like she has known how to do this for quite a while. It's probably because she's a giant compared to the other 2, so those big chunky thighs provide quite a support. Jewell is 6 months old today. While we haven't done our sticker photos yet, I know from here on out they will be more & more difficult. She's wiggling and scooting all over the place!

In Season: Peas

It is almost time for fresh pea season! I love this time of year. I hope I can get Ethan & Katie Belle to help me shell peas again this year. I keep hearing that if you can't eat peas immediately after they are picked, you should go with frozen peas. They apparently lose their flavor & nutrients very quickly.
Simple is Best! I love my veggies easy and unfussy. Here's how to make the peas.

SIMPLE PEAS: Bring a saucepan of water to a boil. While the water is heating, remove the peas from their pods and place in a bowl. When the water reaches a boil, add some salt and the peas. You are just going to cook them for a very short time. Don't leave the stove. Somewhere between ten and thirty seconds. You want them just barely tender, so they still pop in your - mouth, no mushy overcooked peas please. Quickly drain. Return the peas to a bowl with a dollop of butter and a sprinkling of salt.

Here are some others worth trying:Pea & Mint Soup (there are lots of minor variations of this recipe online), Carla's Peas, And from Martha Stewart Kids: Roasted Pea Puree, Pea Gnocchi, Pea Fritters, B.L. Pea Sandwich, & Pepperoni Pea-zzas

Here's the rundown on why you should love peas.

Gotcha

When I try to take a picture of my sweet kids, this is usually the kind of thing that I end up with instead.

Put a Lime in the Coconut

Well, it looks like Ethan is allergic to coconuts. Bummer. Remember when we had coconut milk? He was totally fine. But this time, we decided to crack open a coconut and eat the meat. It was fun. We watched this little video and things were going swimmingly until Ethan's eye and ear got red and itchy. Rats. But we took a little Benadryl and he was all better. Could've been worse.

Company Visits!

Our good friends, the Caldwells, came to visit (the kids were in their wedding, remember?) What do we do when good friends come to visit? Make them watch our kids, do our dishes, play "sisters" and Trouble, get in lots of workouts and cook.
Tommy and Becca made stuffed chicken, and then Becca & I made this Sage-Flavored Gratin Dauphinois with Potato, Sweet Potato and Pink Turnips. I've been wanting to make it since I saw it, because the photos were so beautiful!!! I finally broke in my mandolin slicer. And guess what? It was yummy too!

Flowers in Mason Jars

I have some blue mason jars like this. Aren't they pretty? So simple & beautiful.


Here is even more inspiration on how to put those mason jars to use. (Unfortunately, I do not know the original sources for these above photos)

Recipe: Rainforest Crisps

Have you ever tried Lesley Stowe's Rainforest Crisps? Whether or not you've tried them, you must make this recipe!!! Our friends Tommy & Becca came to visit us and brought some homemade crackers. They are so amazing!

Running Update

On New Year's Eve, I made the decision to attempt to train for the half marathon. I felt that (no pressure) If it was too time consuming to balance training & family, I would just bail and not feel bad about it. But I'm almost there! I have 5 weeks to go and this morning ran 11 1/2 miles. Running & Nursing is still going fine, for any of you who might have concerns about exercising while you are nursing a baby. (Is this too much information? If so...sorry.) I've been staying very well hydrated & it hasn't been an issue! Any of my blog friends running the half or full marathon this Spring?

Added Note: Thanks to Caroline, I changed this to be more grammatically correct. Thanks, grammar nerd.

Guide to Spring Cooking

I'll be checking this out in a few weeks when the CSA starts. Stuff to eat right now that's easy to find around here: Asparagus, Ramps, Garlic Snapes, Rhubarb, Arugula! Check out these & other recipe ideas on thekitchn.com.

Lilac

I've been filing away photos that I found online of flowers that we have in our yard. Unfortunately, I don't know from where these images. But my lilac has started blooming in the past 2 days. Time to bring some indoors. Isn't this lovely?

Also in Bloom

You know what's a bad idea? Stuffing hyacinth branches into a cool old glass water container that you find left in your attic. Reasons: You will lose little flowers in there that you'll never be able to get out. Also, you can't clean the inside of the bottle. They don't make bottle brushes that long. It will be nice while it lasts though. Next spring, I'll just copy Emily Henderson (ps. have you seen her show? i haven't, but love her blog!) and do something like this with hyacinths:(above photo by emily henderson)
That's alright though. Because I LOVE SPRING! Also blooming in our yard - anemones, and more little bitty daffodils.

Hyacinths & Daffodils

Our yard is beginning to bloom! I love Spring. But...it seems like hyacinths & daffodils do not play well together in the same vase. The daffodils started to wilt right away. So now they are living in separate vases. Next up is lilac. Another one of my favorite smells!

5 Months, Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Baby Jewell is now rolling all around, playing with her feet and her hands, staring at her fingers, and laughing out loud! She's a giant compared to her sister at this age. And she thinks her daddy's shaved head is hilarious.
After 3 babies, I finally got the hang of taking a baby's photo in a fun way! Here's Katie Belle's first 4 months.

And here is Jewell again, at 4 months, 3 months, 2 months, 1 month. If you are wondering how the other 2 didn't sneak into the picture, it's because they are at their grandparents!

Yesterday

Clearly, I've been taking a trip down memory lane lately. It feels like just yesterday that we took these pictures, but it was 4 years ago!! For the first 5 years of motherhood, I eagerly awaited the next stage of parenting. But once we began approaching Ethan's 5th birthday in January, I wanted to slow everything down! I know that I can't go back (nor do I have any real regrets), but I am so ready to be completely in the moment, cherishing every minute of my life with my husband and three precious babies. As my mother reminded me, "Life is a vapor." I am blessed beyond measure.

James 4:14, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."

Tummy Time

Our baby is 5 months, and we're still crazy about her. She is the sweetest little thing, and she actually doesn't mind tummy time!!!! She's baby #3 though, so I hardly ever remember to do it. Good thing she has a sister to flip her over & make her do it. :)

Kitchen - Before & After

I ran across this picture of our old kitchen, before the wreck & subsequent renovation. (Look at that little kid. So cute!) And here it the kitchen as it looks now!Similar in many ways, but with a major facelift. It's fun to take a look back! And here's another shot, looking across the other direction in the kitchen. And now I have to squeeze this next picture in there for old times sake. The day after the wreck, Ethan (age 2 1/2) raced to get his tools to fix the damage!

If I had my Way, I'd give Coconuts to Everyone.

Sometimes my husband rolls his eyes at me. Sometimes, when I bring home something like a coconut, and tell him I have no idea how to cut it open. But my wonderful husband does it anyway. This time he got a "new" drillbit, and got it open. Doesn't this look good?Coconut is full of electrolytes. In fact, these guys say it's "Nature's Sports Drink." I think they all liked it! I did have some left over. I used it instead of water for our steel cut oats (our daily breakfast). I get way too excited about food, I know.

Seasonal Spotlight: Asparagus

This morning, we picked this asparagus right out of our yard! I've been waiting for this moment - you aren't supposed to eat your asparagus for 3 years after you plant it. (Anyone know why? Anyone know what will happen if you do eat it early?) I can't remember exactly when we planted it, so I'm hoping we're on year #3. It popped up last April looking very tasty, but we didn't get to eat any. This year, Ethan has been eating it raw out of the garden!
Tonight it's going on our dinner plate though. Here are a few recipes that look great, and easy. Right up my alley.

Simple Steamed Asparagus.
Steamed Asparagus with Lemon Butter
Grilled Asparagus
Roasted Asparagus

And here are some of the reasons we should love asparagus. Want it in your yard too? It comes back for 15 years! Check it out!