- Corn
- Peaches
- Cucumber
- Okra
- Potatoes
- Patty Pan squash
- Other green squash (don't know the name)
- Lettuce
- Leeks
- Tomatoes
- Maroon carrots (Go Aggies! I am surprised a Longhorn town like this allows maroon carrots)
marți, 31 mai 2011
This past weekend, David and I left Little B with her favorite babysitter and went out a date night to celebrate our anniversary. We originally had grand plans to get all dressed up and go somewhere fancy and decadent, but we just weren't really feeling it that day. So we scrapped our fancy plans, changed into more comfortable shoes and headed to Home Slice Pizza. And for all of you that know my husband and his love of pizza, you know that there was a big fat smile on his face!
For those of you not from Austin, Home Slice is an amazing pizza place right on South Congress. The lines are always long, but the pizza is so worth the wait. It is a very Austin sort of place.
We hung out on the patio sipping on beers while we waited for our table, enjoying the people-watching and good conversation. And after we stuffed our faces with way too much pepperoni and mushroom pizza, we headed home wishing we could enjoy outings like this one more often.
For those of you not from Austin, Home Slice is an amazing pizza place right on South Congress. The lines are always long, but the pizza is so worth the wait. It is a very Austin sort of place.
We hung out on the patio sipping on beers while we waited for our table, enjoying the people-watching and good conversation. And after we stuffed our faces with way too much pepperoni and mushroom pizza, we headed home wishing we could enjoy outings like this one more often.
luni, 30 mai 2011
When I woke up on Thursday, it just seemed like one of those days where whatever we originally had planning did not seem to fit. Why follow routine when you can get out of dodge and go cause some trouble with friends?
So that is what we did. Little B and I took off last Thursday for an impromptu trip to San Antonio. We packed up the mini cooper and headed down south to hang out with one of my best friends and her little girl, M.
I think we made the right choice.
And if you can't tell based on the photos, I think Little B has quite a girl crush on her pal, M.
But seriously, who wouldn't with those eyes?
I love impromptu fun. When life gets just a little too serious or too boring, it is good to break out of the routine and go on a quest for fun life moments. Those are the memories you hold on to long after they are gone. Staying up way too late drinking wine with your feet dipped in the pool. Lounging in your pajamas until it is time to switch into swimsuits. Letting the kids run wild with popsicles dripping everywhere... because hey, why not? You are on a mini vacation!
And now we are back home feeling refreshed and recharged. It is like coming back home to find all the windows have been washed. Things are looking a little bit shinier, a little bit brighter.
So that is what we did. Little B and I took off last Thursday for an impromptu trip to San Antonio. We packed up the mini cooper and headed down south to hang out with one of my best friends and her little girl, M.
I think we made the right choice.
And if you can't tell based on the photos, I think Little B has quite a girl crush on her pal, M.
But seriously, who wouldn't with those eyes?
I love impromptu fun. When life gets just a little too serious or too boring, it is good to break out of the routine and go on a quest for fun life moments. Those are the memories you hold on to long after they are gone. Staying up way too late drinking wine with your feet dipped in the pool. Lounging in your pajamas until it is time to switch into swimsuits. Letting the kids run wild with popsicles dripping everywhere... because hey, why not? You are on a mini vacation!
And now we are back home feeling refreshed and recharged. It is like coming back home to find all the windows have been washed. Things are looking a little bit shinier, a little bit brighter.
miercuri, 25 mai 2011
3 years ago today, I married my best friend on a little beach in Mexico.
It is one of the happiest days of my life. One of those days that I will think about when I am old and gray sitting in my rockin' chair. I'll say, "Yep, that was a good one."
I'll never forget that day...
The blue paint of the church. Whispering to my dad, "Let's do this!" just before we walked in.
The way the David looked at me when I walked into the church. It was like everyone else just faded away.
Being surrounded by family and friends who traveled so far just to celebrate our big day with us. All my favorite kindred spirits gathered in one place.
Dancing and living it up until the wee hours of the morning. Nobody cared that it was hot and sweaty. Or how ridiculous we looked jumping rope and doing the limbo in the sand. We did not care. We were having way too much fun to care.
Love was in the air that day.
And it smelled like new beginnings,
... a life together full of hope, promise, and adventure.
My happiness was overflowing. Not only because I loved having all the people that I care about the most gathered in one place all at the same time, but also knowing that my best friend was now officially part of that inner circle... that was the best part.
Yep, that day was magical. It was a good one.
To my love ~ Thank you for such a magical day and a magical life. I choose you again and again every morning.
It is one of the happiest days of my life. One of those days that I will think about when I am old and gray sitting in my rockin' chair. I'll say, "Yep, that was a good one."
I'll never forget that day...
The blue paint of the church. Whispering to my dad, "Let's do this!" just before we walked in.
The way the David looked at me when I walked into the church. It was like everyone else just faded away.
Being surrounded by family and friends who traveled so far just to celebrate our big day with us. All my favorite kindred spirits gathered in one place.
Dancing and living it up until the wee hours of the morning. Nobody cared that it was hot and sweaty. Or how ridiculous we looked jumping rope and doing the limbo in the sand. We did not care. We were having way too much fun to care.
Love was in the air that day.
And it smelled like new beginnings,
... a life together full of hope, promise, and adventure.
My happiness was overflowing. Not only because I loved having all the people that I care about the most gathered in one place all at the same time, but also knowing that my best friend was now officially part of that inner circle... that was the best part.
Yep, that day was magical. It was a good one.
To my love ~ Thank you for such a magical day and a magical life. I choose you again and again every morning.
marți, 24 mai 2011
Oh, you know I am excited when we get both peaches and a mango in our CSA basket!!!
- Potatoes (these will be perfect for breakfast tacos)
- Corn
- Peaches
- Mango
- Bibb lettuce
- Carrots
- Beets (beet pizza, baby!)
- Cucumbers (I am going to just throw these into an already-made jar of refrigerator pickles)
I was first introduced to refrigerator pickles during the summer that I was pregnant with Little B. That summer was one of the hottest summers I have ever experienced... And I am native Texan.
It was brutal. We were (and still are) in a severe drought and everyone was begging for rain. Nobody went out and did anything because by the time you made it to your car and got the AC running, you were dripping in sweat and needed to change your clothes.
So imagine that kind of summer... and then imagine being pregnant on top of that. It makes the back of my knees sweat just thinking about it.
I spent that whole summer floating in one of Austin's public pools... Just a big pregnant lady floating on her noodle while wearing ridiculously unattractive flower print pregnancy bathing suit. Those poor teenage lifeguards... I am sure they were drawing straws to determine which unlucky soul would have to pull my butt out of there if I needed help. God forbid I have that baby in the pool.
Now, you may be asking, "what the hell does this have to do with refrigerator pickles?" Well, I am getting to that.
Now that you have a good picture of how brutal that summer was, you know that no one in their right mind wanted to turn on an oven to cook. It was just too damn hot. Food needed to be simple. And if you could not grill it or eat it raw, it just wasn't going to happen.
So when I was introduced to refrigerator pickles, I thought I died and went to heaven. My thoughts were...
Mix sugar and vinegar. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
Put all other ingredients into a separate bowl. Pour the vinegar and sugar mixture over the cucumbers. Let stand in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, but ideally for a day or two. The pickles get better with time.
Note: In order to speed up the dissolving of sugar, I will often heat the vinegar and sugar on the stove top.
It was brutal. We were (and still are) in a severe drought and everyone was begging for rain. Nobody went out and did anything because by the time you made it to your car and got the AC running, you were dripping in sweat and needed to change your clothes.
So imagine that kind of summer... and then imagine being pregnant on top of that. It makes the back of my knees sweat just thinking about it.
I spent that whole summer floating in one of Austin's public pools... Just a big pregnant lady floating on her noodle while wearing ridiculously unattractive flower print pregnancy bathing suit. Those poor teenage lifeguards... I am sure they were drawing straws to determine which unlucky soul would have to pull my butt out of there if I needed help. God forbid I have that baby in the pool.
Now, you may be asking, "what the hell does this have to do with refrigerator pickles?" Well, I am getting to that.
Now that you have a good picture of how brutal that summer was, you know that no one in their right mind wanted to turn on an oven to cook. It was just too damn hot. Food needed to be simple. And if you could not grill it or eat it raw, it just wasn't going to happen.
So when I was introduced to refrigerator pickles, I thought I died and went to heaven. My thoughts were...
- It is so refreshing and makes me feeler cooler just by eating it!
- This is delicious!
- Now I know what to do with all these dang cucumbers!
- I don't have to turn on the oven!
- It keeps in the fridge for 3 weeks!
- It doesn't give me heartburn! (in my defense, I was pregnant)
Refrigerator Pickles
7 sliced cucumbers (I do not peel mine)
1 cup onion, sliced
1 tbsp mustard seed
1 tbsp celery seed
1 tbsp salt
1-2 cups sugar (to taste - I like mine less sweet)
1 cup vinegar (I like rice vinegar)
Mix sugar and vinegar. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
Put all other ingredients into a separate bowl. Pour the vinegar and sugar mixture over the cucumbers. Let stand in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, but ideally for a day or two. The pickles get better with time.
Note: In order to speed up the dissolving of sugar, I will often heat the vinegar and sugar on the stove top.
luni, 23 mai 2011
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| via |
- Monday: Grilled steaks, patty pan squash, and green beans
- Tuesday: Ham and lentil stew
- Wednesday: Spanokopita and Caesar salad
- Thursday: Dinner out with friends at The Little Deli
- Friday: Grilled pizzas with Caprese salad
This is what happens when I let Little B pick out her own clothes.
I think she definitely wins creativity points. Who says flowers and plaid don't mix? Shorts as a hat... that works too. The more color the better. And I love how proud she is of her outfit. She is strutting her stuff all over the house.
I think she definitely wins creativity points. Who says flowers and plaid don't mix? Shorts as a hat... that works too. The more color the better. And I love how proud she is of her outfit. She is strutting her stuff all over the house.
sâmbătă, 21 mai 2011
One of my favorite things to do just before summer begins is to plan my summer reading list. It is a nostalgic throwback to childhood. Just like the scent of new pencils makes me think of first day of school, a neatly written list of recommended book titles lets me know that summer is right around the corner.
And while past lists have been filled with books recommended by teachers, now I get to choose my own. I take this job very seriously. Themes and subject matters should be diverse. A book of serious should be followed by a something more playful. And of course, all of them must be engaging.
I am sure every book aspires to be on the summer reading list. It is like the Academy Awards for books. So many good contenders, but only a select few are chosen.
Here is what I have on my list so far, but there are a few prime spots left. So if you have any recommendations, leave me a comment and let me know.
And while past lists have been filled with books recommended by teachers, now I get to choose my own. I take this job very seriously. Themes and subject matters should be diverse. A book of serious should be followed by a something more playful. And of course, all of them must be engaging.
I am sure every book aspires to be on the summer reading list. It is like the Academy Awards for books. So many good contenders, but only a select few are chosen.
Here is what I have on my list so far, but there are a few prime spots left. So if you have any recommendations, leave me a comment and let me know.
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Amaryllis in Blueberry |
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The Kitchen Daughter |
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The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks |
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Force of Nature: Mind, Body, Soul (And of course Surfing) |
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The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest |
joi, 19 mai 2011
If today was handing out prizes for the most ridiculous-looking person, I would win... easy.
I am nursing the most wicked crick in the neck ever. I can barely move my head and it is in a constant tilt to right side. And this tilt is not doing any favors for my hair either. I part my hair the other way; so now it keeps falling my face. Oh yes, could I be any hotter right now? (rhetorical question, people!)
I feel like Joan Cusack in Sixteen Candles. And tell me, who does not want to be that girl
Grandma and Grandpa have come to the rescue and are entertaining Little B for the day. Thank god. Because that girl does not understand why mama can not go down the slide or chase her around the house.
So while I am walking around doing a pretty rockin' robot impression, I am doing my best to enjoy the day anyways.
Pandora is serenading me with some Iron & Wine, Joseph Arthur and Jimmy Eat World. Zucchini bread is baking in the oven. And I about to sit down and watch my disc of Big Love episodes (I am still on Season 1).
I am taking it easy today. And while that might sound so luxurious, I am a bit antsy at the moment. I am happiest when I am busy.
I am nursing the most wicked crick in the neck ever. I can barely move my head and it is in a constant tilt to right side. And this tilt is not doing any favors for my hair either. I part my hair the other way; so now it keeps falling my face. Oh yes, could I be any hotter right now? (rhetorical question, people!)
I feel like Joan Cusack in Sixteen Candles. And tell me, who does not want to be that girl
Grandma and Grandpa have come to the rescue and are entertaining Little B for the day. Thank god. Because that girl does not understand why mama can not go down the slide or chase her around the house.
So while I am walking around doing a pretty rockin' robot impression, I am doing my best to enjoy the day anyways.
Pandora is serenading me with some Iron & Wine, Joseph Arthur and Jimmy Eat World. Zucchini bread is baking in the oven. And I about to sit down and watch my disc of Big Love episodes (I am still on Season 1).
I am taking it easy today. And while that might sound so luxurious, I am a bit antsy at the moment. I am happiest when I am busy.
I am on a constant quest to consume less than we provide back and to reduce our overall waste. So on that note, of course I find this Planet Green article about weird things that you can compost fascinating.
Dryer lint - check.
Coffee grinds - check.
Latex condoms - ewwww!
Anyways, it is interesting read for sure. Go check it out.
Image via Climate Lab
miercuri, 18 mai 2011
Every day, Little B and I check the garden. I love it... instant gratification of all the hard work that I have put into it and knowing that our food is healthy and pure... and a lot cheaper and tastier than what is found in the grocery store..
The garden is growing and growing. And while there is not too much to pick just yet except lettuce, it is the calm before the storm. I know that in just a matter of weeks, we will be swimming in the bounty.
And you may ask what is Little B doing while I check in on all my green babies. This, of course.
The garden is growing and growing. And while there is not too much to pick just yet except lettuce, it is the calm before the storm. I know that in just a matter of weeks, we will be swimming in the bounty.
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| Lettuce. Just take a few leaves off at a time and they will regenerate. Constant supply. |
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| Mint and Buttercup Squash |
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| Chives |
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| Acorn Squash |
And you may ask what is Little B doing while I check in on all my green babies. This, of course.
marți, 17 mai 2011
Every morning, Little B and I go for a walk or run around the neighborhood. Often it is with my friend, Sara. And sometimes it is just the two of us with an audio book or workout music playing through my iPod.
As we go, we see other mamas out pushing strollers, people driving off to work, and retired folk tending to their yards. We wave at the friendly faces and swap comments about how babies are growing up to fast. Our walk is one of my most favorite parts of the day and without it, I feel a bit off for the rest of the day.
Little B also enjoys our routine as this is when she gets to point out buses and trucks and, best of all, catch a glimpse of the magical choo-choo train (the metro-rail). If we do not go on our walk, I hear about it all day long. "Train? Train? Train?"
Well, yesterday's walk proved to be extra beneficial. We unexpectedly stumbled on some great finds that someone was trying to get rid of. And while many will look at these and think I am crazy to be excited about broken-down furniture, I am okay with that. Because with a little love, some new hardware, a bit of paint, and lot of hard work, I think I can make these as good as new.
As we go, we see other mamas out pushing strollers, people driving off to work, and retired folk tending to their yards. We wave at the friendly faces and swap comments about how babies are growing up to fast. Our walk is one of my most favorite parts of the day and without it, I feel a bit off for the rest of the day.
Little B also enjoys our routine as this is when she gets to point out buses and trucks and, best of all, catch a glimpse of the magical choo-choo train (the metro-rail). If we do not go on our walk, I hear about it all day long. "Train? Train? Train?"
Well, yesterday's walk proved to be extra beneficial. We unexpectedly stumbled on some great finds that someone was trying to get rid of. And while many will look at these and think I am crazy to be excited about broken-down furniture, I am okay with that. Because with a little love, some new hardware, a bit of paint, and lot of hard work, I think I can make these as good as new.
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| This one is laying on its side due to a busted leg. Easy fix. |
luni, 16 mai 2011
- Monday: Slow cooker honey-sauced chicken with black beans
- Tuesday: Coconut crusted tilapia with salad and blueberry crisp
- Wednesday: Meatballs and broccoli
- Thursday: Grilled pork chops and leeks
- Friday: Sloppy joes and tator tots
vineri, 13 mai 2011
So it seems that Blogger has lost all my posts (and your wonderful comments) from this week... ugh! They were there yesterday and now they are not here today. Blogger's servers went down for a bit yesterday and they are working now to rebuild everything. Good times.
On that note, I think we should all enjoy happy hour a little early to kick off the weekend right. You know the people at Blogger would probably like a margarita right about now. What do you think?
Margaritas all around!
On that note, I think we should all enjoy happy hour a little early to kick off the weekend right. You know the people at Blogger would probably like a margarita right about now. What do you think?
Margaritas all around!
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