another year

I finally sat down and thought about my 2014 resolutions. In an effort, to have more success in the resolution department, I am sharing them with the Internet. Maybe if I put them out into the Universe, it will provide me gumption. Or at least, shame.

1. Go on more culinary adventures.
{ cure our own bacon, raise chickens for eggs, make cheese, turn our weber into a smoker}

2. Go on a summer family vacation.

3. Foster the relationships that are important to me within my family and friend circle
{ more dates with Mike, one on one time with my kids especially Hendrix, girl nights, more solo time}

4. Learn how to use my sewing machine.

5. Create more.
{ check out my Pinterest board labeled: to make 2014}

6. Go on my first vacation without my kids or hubs.
{ Ikea here we come!}

7. Continue to practice kind self talk.

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I've already started on number 5. Here's the Valentine's wreath I have wanted to make and finally did over the weekend.

simple spaghetti with kale, lemon, and garlic | pinterest test

January is the month of new beginnings and resolutions, but it is also the month the seed catalogs arrive with mammoth force. Seed catalogs make me long for Spring and make it very difficult for me to stay in the moment. I have lists upon lists laying about planning our garden, spring cleaning, and the kids' birthdays. I have paint chips on the front door. I'm constantly looking into the future in January. It's time for me to take a deep breath. Whew.
This recipe I made several times last Spring. It is one of those few Pinterest recipes that comes out spectacular the first time. It's a great one for the days when it seems the greens won't stop coming or even when you forgot a bunch in the fridge. It's also great when you long for Spring, as I am now. My husband loved it as a side to a grilled steak. It is, however, a wonderful main dish. Adjust the quantities of the ingredients based on how many eaters you have and your taste.
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Simple Spaghetti with Kale, Lemon and Garlic
Adapted from Jess Thomson
Spaghetti
Kale
Olive Oil
Garlic, sliced thin
Salt
Pepper
Parmesan
Juice from fresh lemon
Prepare spaghetti. When it is almost done, saute kale in olive oil until almost crisp. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Drain pasta and add kale. Season with salt, pepper, lemon juice, and parmesan. Serve immediately and dream of Spring.

farro with sausage and apples

Happy New Year! Turns out, transitioning from one to two children is more difficult than none to one. It has been for me, anyways. Ha! Also, time seems to be on fast forward with Violet Alice. She's already standing and cruising. That among other things explains my lack of posting.I'm still figuring out what to make of this space. I also received an email from a disgruntled reader while I was pregnant. It left a bad taste in my mouth and forced me to review how I handle criticism. I ended up deleting a post. Which I now regret. You can't make everyone happy. In the end, I decided that this space is mine and what I want to say, how I want to say it, and what I want to share is my business. And I like sharing. The Internet is awesome and it allows you to connect with way more awesome people than not.  People keep linking back,so I must be doing something right. For the most part, though, I've been spending time with my family. Which has been so, so great.  Also, in the end, this space is a record of my family's life and it gives me great joy.
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There has also been a lack of Trader Joe's in my life until recently. Over the Holidays I took a job as a fragrance rep. It put me near TJ's. We have been reunited and it feels so good. Let's talk about the 10 minute farro packets. They also have bulgur and barley. I realize I am late to this party, but better late than never!! I bought the farro one and gave the recipe on the back a whirl. I have been trying to add more grains and variety to our dinner plate.  I like to have a protein, starch, and veg on the dinner plate.  So I have been trying to replace the usual starches (potatoes, rice, pasta) with different grains. This recipe was great, easy, and budget friendly. I estimate the whole thing cost about $10 to make. That is including the cabbage I served alongside.
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Farro with Sausage and Apples
1 packet of farro from TJ's, prepared in broth according to package directions.
1 onion chopped
1 large apple, chopped
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 package of chicken sausage, removed from casing and crumbled
Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper
In dutch oven, heat olive oil and saute onion, garlic, and apple until soft.  Add sausage and cook through. Stir in farro and season with salt and pepper.  Serve warm.  We had sauteed cabbage as a side. 

falling into fall

violet alice eating peas for the first time!!

preschool has been in full swing for over 2 months now which means we've all had a couple of colds and the stomach flu by now...it makes monthly menu planning a little more difficult. however, i am still planning my dinners.  i just do it for every 7 - 14 days.  whatever i can muster. *wink* i also make a big salad that i keep in the fridge for the week for quick lunches or snack, as well as, another snack like granola or muffins. some of these are repeats, i know, but they are so good!!!

here is a menu plan for next week:

sloppy joes with fries and coleslaw

{coleslaw recipe found in the dals cookbook}

butternut squash with orzo, bacon, and parmesan

{i'm simply roasting squash and tossing with orzo, bacon, parm, olive oil, and seasoning}

flounder with roasted fennel and potatoes

{see below}

homemade franks & beans

chicken, ham, and cheddar roll-ups with roasted broccoli

slowcooker tomato basil soup with grilled cheeses

turkey meatball soup with greens

{i'm using sausage since i have a ton in the freezer}

take & bake cheese pizza

{friday is pizza & movie night at our house so we treat ourselves to take out}

spinach salad

dark chocolate banana breakfast muffins

lately, i've been checking out cookbooks at the library before i commit to buying them.  the latest one i picked up was the fresh 20 cookbook.  it is a total winner and on my wishlist now.  here is my take on one of her recipes...

flounder with roasted fennel and potatoes

1 lb flounder or tilapia

1 bulb of fennel, sliced thin

4 yukon gold potatoes, sliced thin

1 onion, sliced thin

olive oil

salt

pepper

paprika

preheat oven to 450 degrees.  toss veggies in olive oil. salt, and pepper.  spread out on baking sheet and cook for about 20 - 25 minutes or until potatoes are tender.  heat oil in skillet.  season fish with salt, pepper, and paprika.  saute fish in pan, cooking about 4 minutes on each side.  serve with veggies. 

for more ideas check out my post baby meals board or the what's for dinner page.

happy cooking!!

Six Months of Two, Four, & Violet Alice

may 1, 2013 seems like a lifetime ago some days and most nights, when it is quiet and calm, it seems like yesterday.  violet alice was born in the early morning on may 1st.  it snowed that day.  the weather broke records. so did my daughter.  she always will. that's the kind of girl she is.
she let out one yell when they brought her into this world.  she never really cried until about two weeks later. she preferred to be snuggled quietly with me.  and, for the most part, she still does.  she slept through the night at 6 weeks.  then at about 5 months her lioness came alive and she was off of the sleeping for awhile.  now after battling bronchitis she is getting back into the swing of things.  nursing, co-sleeping, and baby wearing are her jam.  so, so different than her brother. strong will is also her jam. just like her brother.  crawling and sitting up all before six months. so not like her brother.  eating and loving all things food.  just like her brother.

peas, green beans, spinach, parsnips, squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, strawberries, blueberries, apples, prunes, pears, bananas, rice cereal, oatmeal, and baby mummums have all graced those beautiful lips.

these two children of mine are so different from one another at one moment and then two peas in a pod the next.  their blue eyes show they are related and not much else. their love for one another is second to none.  mike and i will never forget watching hendrix in the rear view mirror on the car ride home from the hospital. hendrix just stared. awestruck. this was his person.  his life was complete with purpose.  he was a big brother.  it was as simple as that.  getting two siblings to like one another/coexist has never been easier.  when she started to move and be able to get at his things...he freaked out. with excitement that she could finally play with him.

the four of us started out as three for most of the time.  planting season and work kept mike away for the first several weeks.  then a choice to launch pf land clearing and focus on projects around the farm gave us some much needed time together. four has been an easy transition.
two was/is hard at times.  feeling pulled in multiple directions.  figuring out schedules.  doling out the proper amount of attention.  making everyone feel special and loved.  dealing with colds and stomach viruses that spread like wildfire.  volunteering at preschool.  helping babies cope with separation anxiety. throwing parties.  welcoming the holiday season.  it's all a juggling act.
i love them. these children of mine. this family.

Chicken Taco Soup + Six Months

last night, we had our first annual halloween party.  it was so fun to see the kiddos in their halloween costumes and have our first hurrah as a family of four (even if violet was ms. crabbypants). violet alice will be six months this friday and i haven't even written about her, yet.  this has been the fastest six months of my life. soon i will share more about her, hendrix's love for her, my fascination with having a daughter, and all the wonderful changes our family has undergone.  to the readers that kept checking in...thanks for checking in and waiting while i got used to two kids. xo!
i made this soup yesterday and it turned out to be quite a hit with our guests. it's super simple and delicious.  also, the smore candy you see all over pinterest?? make it. now. so good.
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chicken taco soup
2 - 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 c. chicken broth
1/2 onion, chopped
1 can of diced tomatoes
1 can of black beans, drained & rinsed
1/2 bag of frozen corn
1/2 T cumin
1 t. minced garlic
salt & pepper to taste
combine ingredients in crockpot.  cook on low 8 - 10 hours.  shred chicken before serving.  serve with avocado, shredded cheddar, cilantro, limes, green onion, tortilla chips, and/or sour cream.

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sneak peek of the cutest baby

an open (love) letter to my son on his fourth birthday

FOUR!

hendrix,

you are four today! four. four seems very old to your mother.  perhaps because i remember my fourth birthday.  it's the first birthday i remember.  i still remember the porcelain figurine of a little girl with the number 4 next to her that someone gave me.  four is a little kid.  there are no ifs, ands, or buts about it.  you are a little boy.  no longer a baby.  but, you see, you will always be my baby.  my heart.  the one who made me a mother.
people always seem to be in awe of babies, but i am here to tell you that the real awe comes in watching your children grow up and become real live, talking, opinionated individuals. watching you become a little boy has been the most awesome experience of my life.   your generosity, sincerity, thankfulness, curiosity, genuine concern for others and reflections on life blow me away everyday.  i am often humbled by the gift that i was given when i had you.  you are a better person than i could ever imagine to be.  you bring such joy into the lives of the people around you.
three was full of firsts for you.  soccer, preschool, field trips, new friends, amusement park rides, the loss of a pet, potty training, school pictures, visiting a sick grandma at the hospital, building a barn with your dad, and more.  three was also the most challenging for you and i. three is the time kids are becoming really aware of the world outside of their little family units. it has been a year of discovering what makes you tick.
you are a builder.  you are a scientist.  you are mechanically inclined.  you are an animal lover. you are your dad's best bud.  you are incredibly kind.  you are adaptable.  you are forgiving.  you are a cook.   you are charming.  you are the love of your grandma joann's life.  you are creative.  you are never lacking in imagination.  you, in a lot of ways, are still a momma's boy.  and thank god.
every time i write these letters, i cry.  i sit and cry over time flying, but mostly i cry over what a fantastic person you are and continue to become. here's the first letter i ever wrote to you, written a few days after we came home from the hospital:
The Day You Were Born. . .
Began long before Wednesday, March 11th 2009, 9:48 P.M.. On Tuesday, March 10 that 2:30 P.M. Aunt Theresa and I went to the doctor to have an ultrasound, I had been placed on bed rest the week prior for preeclampsia and they were monitoring my blood pressure and more importantly, you. The ultrasound went great, but my blood pressure continued to be high. So at 4:30 Dr. Tierney sent me across the hall to Labor & Delivery to begin the process of inducing labor. When I called your dad to tell him what was going on and to ask him to pick up my things from home on his way to the hospital he asked me, “Now?” – He was slightly in shock. The doctors began giving me medicine to start the process and continued to do so until 3 AM the next morning . . . not much was happening, but then contractions started. At 3 P.M. my water broke. You, however, were not responding to the Pitocin very well and my body was not progressing very quickly. Aunt Theresa and your dad were there the whole time. The feelings went from elation to exhaustion to anxiety to anticipation and back again. At 9:15 PM your father and I agreed with the doctors that a C-Section was the best and safest way to bring you into the world. I won’t lie. . .I was scared out of my mind . . .I had never had surgery, stitches, a broken bone, or stayed in the hospital for any length of time. The doctors and nurses were so wonderful and at 9:48 PM you were born. I saw what falling in love at first sight looks like when your father looked over the blue screen and saw you being taken out. All he kept saying was how beautiful you were. . .”Oh, sweetie, he’s so beautiful. He’s so beautiful.” Aunt Theresa and your father then spent the next hour watching the nurses work on you and clean you up while I got stitched up and recovered. I met you about an hour and half after you were born . . . my biggest disappointment in life is that I was not able to see you and hold you immediately. Hendrix, you are my greatest accomplishment ever and my greatest love. You have made me a better person and I hope to make you proud some day. I love you so very much.
(somehow i skipped your first birthday, but wrote one for your second and third birthdays. )
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in a couple of months, your sister will arrive.  never once have i worried about what type of brother you will be. or how you will adjust.  everyday you tell me something you are going to do with your sister or are looking forward to about having a baby.  even your preschool teacher, mrs. adams, remarked how well she thought you were going to do with a new baby.  violet alice is very lucky to enter this world with you waiting to be her big brother.  i am even luckier to have you.
hendrix, you are my heart.  you always will be.  it has been my greatest joy to watch you grow up and i fall in love with you more everyday.
i love you,
your mommy