Tuesday, January 29, 2013

a warm and tasty soup






I am a believer in soup.  When it's cold, when you are lonely, when you are sick, when you want to be cozy it will make all these a little better.  I'm going on almost two weeks of being sick and David is on day three.  It's pathetic over here and I can only think of doing one thing.  Make soup.  I used this recipe and changed a few things.  Here is what I did...


Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cups chopped leeks, white part only (from approximately 4 medium leeks)
  • 2 tablespoons finely minced garlic
  • 2 cups carrots, peeled and chopped into rounds (approximately 3 medium)
  • 1 large sweet potato diced in chunks
  • 2 cups fresh green beans, broken or cut into 3/4-inch pieces
  • 2 quarts chicken or vegetable broth
  • 14 ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Half a bunch of kale shredded from stem
  • 1 can Northern White beans, drained and rinsed (or any bean you wish)
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Directions

Heat the olive oil in large, heavy-bottomed stockpot over medium-low heat. Once hot, add the leeks, garlic, and a pinch of salt and sweat until they begin to soften, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Add the carrots, sweet potatoes, and green beans and continue to cook for 4 to 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the stock, increase the heat to high, and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, add the tomatoes, and pepper. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the vegetables are fork tender, approximately 25 to 30 minutes.  In the last 10 minutes add the beans and kale.  Remove from heat and add the lemon juice. Season, to taste, with kosher salt. Serve immediately.
I hope you all enjoy!


Monday, January 28, 2013

Studio 54

Over the weekend we traveled back to the late 70's to a little club called Studio 54.  Hive, where I work, had a big benefit birthday celebration and we channeled our inner disco divas.  It was too much fun and I was reminded how much I love a themed party.  Also, how much I love to dance and eat good food with good wine.  A fun time was had by all and I'm happy we were able to help a local non-profit organization.
















Have a groovy day!

Sunday, January 27, 2013

4/52


"a portrait of my husband each week for a year"

A diagonal view of David at breakfast.  We love to go out and eat, breakfast, lunch and dinner we love them all.  I particularly love breakfast.  Sipping good coffee(hopefully) and starting our day with good food is one of my favorite things in life.  David likes to sit across from Quinne so he can watch all her silly faces she makes.  I wish eating out was part of our budget for every meal.  I'm serious! 

Here are all the other number fours.



Saturday, January 26, 2013

on being a parent

There are so many emotions and feeling that come with being a parent.  You are instantly thrown into a world of emotions you didn't even know existed before having your baby.  Of course there are the happy, joyful ones that you assume come with being a mom or dad.  The ones that you see on commercials and hear about from moms at the park or anywhere that is a public place and people may be listening and judging.  The ones that catch you by surprise are the anxious and alarming ones.  I have spent countless nights in a panic mode, not being able to relax enough to drift off to sleep.

Last night I read a really sad, heartbreaking story of a family that lost their little boy from a washing machine accident.  I was reading on Love Chugs last night and Tiffany Hebbs story broke my heart into a million pieces.  You can go and read her story, and keep a tissue handy because you will need it.  It's overwhelming to think that a regular day can turn into a horror story instantly.  I couldn't get her out of my head and as I went to bed I broke down.  I was sobbing for a stranger who lost someone so special and irreplaceable.  Someone I will never meet brought so many tears and made me want to reach out and lay a hand on her.  Just to let her know I am thinking and praying for her.

When I woke up I was groggy from a crappy nights sleep and so was David.  After telling him what I read and crying my eyes out he wasn't able to sleep either.  We both were so saddened and heavy from the thought of losing our own baby.  You can't put into words the worry and fear that comes from being a parent.  The nonstop thoughts and what ifs that suffocate you at times.  My stomach aches from worry and deep down I know this isn't going to help or make things better.  I know that I can't control the things that happen to Quinne, or what will happen to her as much as I want to.  As much as I plead and beg God to protect her I know that's not how it works.  I'm scared of that realization.  I'm so scared of losing her.  I'm scared of the unknown, and having faith in our future.  I don't understand it and I suppose that's when having faith is the most important, when you don't understand the things that happen to us.  My battle from fear, anxiety and panic is far from over.  My love for my daughter is so strong and big I can barely comprehend it.  It's the greatest weight I've ever carried, in the best way imaginable.  I've been given the greatest gift and that terrifies me to the deepest places in my heart.

A few things that have helped me with my struggles are things that I chant in my head.  I'm a broken record willing myself to calm down and breath.  I read that we choose to be negative, positive, stubborn, you get it.  And it takes a lot of practice to become a positive, anxiety free person.  Which is a million times easier to say than do.  But I try and hope one day it pays off.  

- Chose to pray more
- Chose to be thankful
- Chose to dwell on the positive


Monday, January 21, 2013

a summer day in winter









It has been freezing here.  And when I say freezing that means 50 degrees, so for all you in the cold cold of winter you can call me a wiener.  But really, I almost die from frozen fingers and the thinnest layer of frost on the car.  This weekend has been filled with so much warm sunshine my bones have finally thawed out.  And Quinne loves her warm days.  I'm very thankful today.


Sunday, January 20, 2013

3/52

Bath time dad.  Every night David gives Quinne her bath, and it gives me a chance to finish dinner or get her room ready for sleep, or just sit down for a few minutes alone.  And Quinne really loves her bath time.  




I can't find the button to click on, but here are all the other people playing!

Friday, January 18, 2013

teeth

What a ghost town it's been around here.  This week has been rough.  The littlest lady is teething in a big way.  Like 5 or 6 teeth coming in as we speak.  It's such a hard and sad thing to watch your tiny person be in pain.  She is constantly grabbing and pulling at her mouth and jaw and whining all day long.  And I feel like the worst mom ever because my patience is running thin.  I'm exhausted and frustrated and want her to feel better.  I feel selfish that part of her feeling better would make my life easier.  I'm reminded in these moments that being a parent is hard and pushes you to limits, yet the most rewarding thing you'll ever accomplish.  I just pray she feels some relief soon.  My heart breaks for her.

I think this sums up our week, so so sad


To the weekend we go!

Monday, January 14, 2013

A year of baking

This yummy pie was adapted from The Pioneer Woman's dreamy apple pie.  And my oh my it was dreamy.  I used raw sugar and dark brown sugar, gluten free flour and a different crust but you get the idea, delicious!  I have a little crush, or maybe infatuation with Ree, the pioneer woman.  While I don't think I would love to be in the middle of the Oklahoma prairie, I would love to have land, cook, bake and be the cutest mom ever.

Imagine apple pie and pecan pie meeting, falling in love and having a pie baby.  This would be that pie.  And I'm making myself sick because I can't stop eating it.  I probably shouldn't have any sugar until next weekend!




Happy Monday y'all! 

Sunday, January 13, 2013

2/52


Week two caught up on me, and before I knew it it was Sunday.  This project makes me see how quickly a week really goes.  And it's scary.

David doing one of his favorite things.  Working on the yard.  And as you can see it really needs some love.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

the explorer

“One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.” — William Feather 












Wednesday, January 9, 2013

1/52


I have seen this on quite a few blogs, so I guess it's the cool thing to do in 2013!   Take a portrait each week for the year.  Which leaves you with, you've guessed it, 52.  I'm a week late, but from now on I'll be posting this every Sunday.  I'm all over Quinne and I'm sure she could use a break from my constant and highly annoying lens in her face.  A few people out there are doing their significant others, and I'm jumping on that bandwagon.

David.  He is the man that I married a little over two years ago.  He is funny and kind.  He works really hard and has big dreams for this life of ours.  He is the best Pop to Quinne.  I couldn't have dreamed of a better dad.  He never wants to put people down and is always ready to lend a hand to those who need it.  I am lucky.  We fight, argue and disagree.  I'm a pain in the bum but he loves me regardless.  We are in no way perfect.  Far far from that as a matter of fact.  But we do love each other and our family.  This project is focusing on that man up there.  The one who just got back from Colorado,  is pooped, but is doing laundry right now while I sip tea and write.

Cheers to you man-baby.  



hello back there


Not quite the weight requirement, but this girl has a bad case of car sickness.  Or maybe it would be called motion sickness?  Either way it is sad and gross.  David experienced it first a few months back on the way to the doctor, perfect timing I guess, and she said it was probably a case of care sickness.  Then a week later it happened to me.  It's odd because she doesn't make any noise.  Not a peep and then you look into that handy "mommy mirror" (side note: one of the many things I said I wasn't going to use or need before having Q, then realizing it has saved my life on more than a hundred cases I love it)  and she is covered in throw up.  And I mean covered!  The first time it happened my sister was with me and saved my life.  We had to strip her down and clean everything on the side of the road.  After that we turned her around to face forward.  She loved it, we loved it and that was that.  Then I turned into a paranoid mom and freaked out that she wasn't the full 30 pounds.  I was a crazy person and scared David one night, who in turn switched it back to rear facing after I went to bed.  Ha!!

I felt better instantly when I opened the car and saw it back to normal.  Then she threw up again, and again and again.  I can't keep up with this.  I know you sacrifice a lot being a parent but this was out of control.  Anytime we drive for more than 25 minutes she gets sick.  I feel sad for her and for myself.  So I turned it around yesterday.  After a call to her Dr. to assure me I'm not risking her life, of course.  She is happy and I feel relieved I won't be washing barf out of the car again.  I hope.  

Thursday, January 3, 2013

bits & pieces

 a butternut squash treat
 treasure hunters
 home made puzzles
 grocery store splurge
 we're ready for you!
 A is for apron- thanks Krista!!
 not home made puzzles
my guilty pleasure