Menu Planning Monday

I don't think I've done one of these for almost eight or nine months. I'm finally getting back on my feet after our move and super busy summer (oh, and new baby. Can't forget that!) and feeling more at ease in my home and kitchen and season of life.

Luke turned four months old last week and I still have about twelve pounds of pregnancy weight to get off. Ugghh. And then I want to lose more from there. . . so we are beginning anew! Today! I'm starting New Year's Resolutions a bit early this year . . .

My Workout and Eating Goals

• Following the Turbulence Training exercise plan - working out 3-4x a week (I'm starting with his Beginning Fat-Loss program) and then light activity the remaining days (like a walk to the park with the little guys)
• Limit calories to 1600-2000 per day
• Limit carbs to 80 grams per day
• No alcohol consumption Monday - Thursday. Limiting wine to the weekends. We'll be sipping on sparkling water and herbal teas in the evening instead
  
• No grain consumption
• No sugars, except those naturally found in fruit

I am giving myself a caveat of very limited grains - maybe once a week or so and probably homemade. I love baking, especially sourdough, and as it begins to get colder there is nothing better than a loaf of sourdough bread with some freshly made soup. So you will see me making bread once in a while, but for the most part, our diet will be grain free.

Sunday Dinner - Smoked ribs and Green Beans with Balsamic Tomatoes and Bacon
To-Do: Relax

Monday Breakfast - Green Smoothie
Monday Lunch - Leftover smoked ribs with green salad
Monday Dinner - Zucchini Lasagna (using zucchini and an Italian largo squash as the "noodles")
To-Do: Hard boil a dozen eggs, make homemade ranch dressing

Tuesday Breakfast - Scrambled Eggs
Tuesday Lunch - Leftover Lasagna
Tuesday Dinner - Green Chile Roasted, Shredded Pork with guacamole and sour cream and green salad
To Do:

Wednesday Breakfast -Yogurt and grain-free granola
Wednesday Lunch - Egg Salad with sliced tomatoes
Wednesday Dinner - Leftover pork roast, Calabacitas and Green Salad
To Do: Freeze leftover pork roast in freezer in 4 cup portions. Grocery shopping.

Thursday Breakfast - Green Smoothie
Thursday Lunch - Minestrone Soup (from the freezer) and egg salad
Thursday Dinner - Leftovers
To Do: Make yogurt in the crockpot

Friday Breakfast - Green Smoothie
Friday Lunch - Leftovers
Friday Dinner - Roast Chicken with mashed cauliflower and green salad
To Do:

Saturday Breakfast - Eggs and bacon
Saturday Lunch - Leftovers
Saturday First Husker Game Dinner - Chicken Wings, homemade Ranch dressing, veggies
To Do: Go to the Farmer's Market!

Sunday Breakfast - Yogurt and Grain Free Granola
Sunday Lunch - Leftovers
Sunday Dinner - Dinner at my in-law's
To Do: Make menu plan for next week!

Snacks Include:
veggies and homemade ranch dressing
hard boiled eggs
cottage cheese
fresh fruit
cheddar cheese

For more menu plans, check out Organizing Junkie! Have a great week!

Whole Wheat Graham Crackers

These are one of my son's absolute favorite treats, and a staple in our home! I make a batch of these up regularly (sometimes making a double batch and just storing half of the dough in the freezer until I'm ready to bake again) and cut them out using seasonal cookie cutters.

The original recipe is from one of my favorite cookbook authors, Nancy Silverton of LaBrea Bakery. I've adapted it to using whole wheat flour, increased the milk as whole wheat tends to need more moisture than white flour, and added whey to help make the flour more digestible and the cookies more tender. I also added cinnamon directly to the dough, rather than covering them with cinnamon-sugar, as the original recipe suggests.

Whole Wheat Graham Crackers

adapted from Nancy Silverton's Pastries from the LaBrea Bakery

• 2-1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
• 1 cup dark brown sugar, lightly packed
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 stick unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch cubes and frozen
• 1/3 cup raw, unfiltered honey
• 1/3 cup whole milk
• 2 Tablespoons whey
• 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
• 1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade or in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Pulse or mix on low to incorporate. Add the butter and pulse on and off on and off, or mix on low, until the mixture is the consistency of a coarse meal.

In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, milk, whey and vanilla extract. Add to the flour mixture and pulse on and off a few times or mix on low until the dough barely comes together. It will be very soft and sticky.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and pat the dough into a rectangle about 1 inch thick. Wrap in plastic and chill until firm, at least 2 hours or overnight (this dough can be kept in your refridgerator for up to three days. Ask me how I know this.)

When ready to bake:

Adjust the oven rack to the upper and lower positions and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Divide the dough in half and return one half to the refrigerator. Sift an even layer of flour onto the work surface and roll the dough into a long rectangle about 1/8 inch thick. The dough will be sticky, so flour as necessary. I recommend flouring and turning with each roll to make sure that the dough will not stick to your work surface.

To make traditional graham cracker rectangles:

Trim the edges of the rectangle to 4 inches wide. Working with the shorter side of the rectangle parallel to the work surface, cut the strip every 4 1/2 inches to make 4 crackers. Gather the scraps together and set aside. Place the crackers on one or two parchment-lined baking sheets and sprinkle with the topping. Chill until firm, about 30 to 45 minutes. Repeat with the second batch of dough.

Mark a vertical line down the middle of each cracker, being careful not to cut through the dough. Using a toothpick or skewer, prick the dough to form two dotted rows about 1/2 inch for each side of the dividing line.

Or, simply use your favorite cookie cutters - my son's favorite's include an alphabet set and seasonal cookie cutters like pumpkins, stars, etc.

Though I have to warn you not to choose a cookie cutter for this particular cookie with a lot of detail. The dough is very sticky and puffs up a bit when it bakes. The more intricate and detailed the cookie cutter, the more you're going to be exasperated when trying to make these because the dough will stick in the little recesses of the cutter! And then, once they're baked, you lose some of the detail. Keep it simple. My favorites are apples, stars, hearts, etc.

Gather the scraps together into a ball, chill until firm, and re-roll. Dust the surface with more flour and roll out the dough to get more crackers.

For smaller cookie-cuttered crackers, bake for 10 to 12 minutes. The original recipes calls to bake for 25 minutes, but I've only ever made mine with cookie cutters, resulting in smaller cookies and a shorter baking time. Just keep your eye on them. Bake until browned and slightly firm to the touch, rotating the sheets halfway through to ensure even baking.

These are great with a cream-cheese frosting, with roasted marshmallows for s'mores and just as a little treat for little ones 12 months and older (since they are baked with honey!). I hope these become a staple in your pantry as they have become in mine!

Enjoy!

Calabacitas

Calabacitas. How can I have forgotten about calabacitas?

Calabacitas is a traditional New Mexican dish, often made with the first of a season's squash harvest (hence the name. "Calabazas" are squash or pumpkin in Spanish. Calabacitas means "little squash".). My version includes summer squash, fresh corn, green chile and bacon, served up in a creamy, cheese sauce. Unctuous, creamy, salty and sweet, it is a comforting tribute to the best of the season. The first time I had it was when I was invited to my dear friend Carly's house in college and her mom made it for us. Heaven. I've since made it many times since when in college and for the first few years after graduation, but somehow, it had gotten out of my repertoire and I had forgotten it.

Forgotten it, that is, until another dear friend from college, Heath (who still lives in New Mexico) reminded me about it when he mentioned he'd just made it on his facebook page. My mouth watered. I had to make it. And, as I had all of the ingredients in my fridge, whipped up a batch that very night.

Heaven.

I normally make this as a side dish, and have served it up next to grilled chicken, steak, even fried eggs, but it can be made into an entree by mixing it with the cooked protein of your choice and creating a casserole with it. Serve with a green salad and you're ready to go! Enjoy!

Calabacitas

serves four, heartily

• Three to four large squash, cubed into bite sized pieces (I used zucchini and pattypan this time around) - you're looking for 5 to 6 cups of squash**
  
• Two cups of whole kernel corn, for best results, cut straight from fresh corn (I used three ears) however frozen is fine if it is not in season
• One medium sized onion, chopped
• 3/4 cup of roasted, peeled, mild to medium-heat green chiles (New Mexican preferred, but Poblano or Anaheim work well. Poblano is a mild/medium chile while Anaheim is more mild). De-seeded and diced*
• Six slices of bacon, diced
• 2 Tablespoons butter
• 3/4-1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese, cheddar or monterey jack or a mixture of both

In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the bacon. Once browned, remove to a waiting paper towel, leaving the bacon grease in the pan. Add butter and onion. Wilt the onion until almost translucent before adding the squash, corn and chiles. Cook for about eight to ten minutes until the squash is almost tender. Add the heavy cream, reduce heat to low and simmer slowly for fifteen to twenty minutes to allow flavors to combine and to thicken slightly. After simmering, add cheese, stirring to melt, and bacon. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Remove from heat and serve hot.

Enjoy!

*If you are making your roasted green chile from fresh chiles, simply roast the green chiles over an open gas flame, on a grill, or simply in a dry, cast iron skillet until the skin turns black and blisters over most of the chile, turning with tongs to get a good roast. Remove from heat and place immediately in a Ziploc bag, which you will then seal. Allow chiles to sit for at least ten minutes. Once thoroughly steamed in the bag, remove skin under running water, then de-stem and de-seed and chop as desired. If you can find frozen Hatch Green Chile or canned, try to find the medium or hot varieties as the mild has no flavor and you'll lose it in this dish. The chiles to the left are banana peppers, and were entirely too mild. You couldn't even find them in the dish.

**I've only ever made this with summer squash, like zucchini, yellow squash and pattypans, however I've found online recipes for winter squash varieties as well. We'll have to try them out this fall!

This post is written in contribution to Real Food Wednesday. Please go check out the other contributors!

Herb Gardening

In my never-ending quest to utilize my herb garden to it's full potential, I've been researching lately into how to save my herbs so that I can use them year round. Drying techniques. Over-wintering. Freezing and more. . . .

I've so enjoyed watching these beauties grow outside of my kitchen window, and have loved using them in my summer dishes, that I feel compelled to ensure that their sacrifice is appreciated.

Join me next week as I share with you what I've learned and have been doing to preserve my herb garden!

Have a great weekend!

Daybook

Daybook for Today, August 19, 2009

Outside my Window... it is rainy. Again. This Midwestern summer is unlike any I've experienced in California (where it rains until about April then starts up again around the end of September.) Lots of rain. But it is doing this lazy gardener's garden good!

I am thinking... and wondering why all the "staples" of my kitchen always seem to run out at the same time. Just got back from a trip to Whole Foods to replenish coconut oil, red wine and apple cider vinegars, honey, olive oil and cod liver oil, just to name a few. All items I use A LOT of. Phew.

Oh, and by the way, did you know that Whole Foods has it's own brand of Coconut Oil? Their 365 Organic line of Unrefined, Expeller Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil was only $5.69 for a 14 oz jar! We decided to try it out . . . it was about a two/thirds the price of the Nutiva.

From the school room... I had such a great conversation with my Aunt Tina, who homeschooled her five children for several years, while we were in California this past weekend! I told her about my plans for home pre-school this fall and she got all excited again! We came home with a (gifted from her cupboards!) alphabet cookie cutter set and she's going to be sending me some of her old curriculum and notes. I am so excited!

I am thankful... for a fantastic weekend with my family! Not only did Andrea and Blake get married, and they had a gorgeous wedding with many a teary eye, but we got to visit and just love on each other as one great big happy family. Lloyd even came home with a new phrase - "Okey Dokey." Nice.

From the kitchen... Now that we're going to be home for a while I'm looking forward to replenishing my supplies. Making up a batch of whole wheat graham crackers for Lloyd this week (using those new alphabet cookie cutters!) as well as maybe some carrot spice muffins. I'm also going to be making up another batch of pesto within the next few days as my basil plant is overflowing, a batch of grain-free granola for breakfast this weekend and I'm trying my hand at making a kombucha scoby.

Our loose menu plan includes:

• Beef Kabobs with Bell Peppers and Mushrooms with Tzatziki Sauce and a Greek Salad
  
• Roast Chicken with green beans with balsamic tomatoes, basil and bacon
• Ina's Chopped Liver with Nut Thins

I am creating...happy boys.

I am wearing... Dark blue jeans, black t-shirt. Pearl studs.

I am reading... a lot. Blogs. Books. Magazines. Cookbooks. I've got a lot on my mind and a lot to research and think about.

I am hearing. . . Luke playing in our Exersaucer. He loves it!! Just like his brother did.

Around the house... it's a bit messy. We are in the process of unpacking and catching up on laundry. I think everything is clean, but two more loads need to be folded and put away. Then we need to put away the suitcases, sweep, etc. Looking forward to a more normal week at home next week. I'm thinking of refreshing my cleaning schedule with our new home and new season of life.

One of my favorite things... is iced coffee after lunch/during naptime.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week ...

• Pray for guidance, patience and grace as a new mama of two. With T., with Lloyd, and with myself.
• All of my kitchen projects, listed above
• Trip to the park - as soon as it stops raining!
  

A Picture Thought to share (above) - The happy couple! I didn't take any pictures of the wedding (a bit busy perhaps? Being a matron of honor and mother of two little ones?! :) I snagged this from my dear friend Melissa's facebook. Thanks Melissa! Once we get more, I'll be sharing them here!

Have a great day!

See you next week!

We're off to get my littlest sister married!!

Mama's Helpers

We start 'em young! My boys "helping" with dinner.

Daybook

Daybook for Today, August 9, 2009

Outside my Window... it is raining and dark. We are smoking ribs again (with a new rub this time!) and I'm happy we're smoking and not grilling because we're just letting it do it's thing while we wait and relax indoors.

I am thinking... and wondering if Lloyd is indeed gluten-intolerant. Or at least sensitive. And maybe me too. I thought we'd been eating grains enough to keep our stomachs used to them (as Becca noted in the comments last week, one loses the ability to digest grain and gluten properly if one doesn't eat it for some time - thanks Becca for the info!) as we do have the occasional PBJ at least once a week, sometimes tortilla chips and I do enjoy baking sourdough every once in a while, but again, after a few "cheat" meals this weekend with grain (sushi Friday night - the rolled kind with rice [but no extra rice], and Lloyd had some pancakes Saturday morning at brunch with my in-laws) both of us had some serious digestive issues.

I'm wondering also if maybe it is not the grain or gluten itself, but the preparation. Whenever I make homemade banana bread or sourdough, it doesn't seem to affect us the same way. Even oatmeal for Lloyd. But I normally soak and do a longer-fermentation sourdough. Plus I don't use canola or soy oils . . . . hmmm. We are doing great today with eating just basic proteins and fruits and veggies, seeds and nuts.

From the school room... Lloyd is currently addicted to watching his "letters" video and playing with the letters I made for him. He is learning and memorizing all the sounds that letters make. He seriously cries when the video ends (it is only about twenty minutes long.) and asks for me to play it again.

As much as I am against having children watch a lot of television, let alone mindless television, there is something to be said for educational television. Especially when the parent sits and explains what is happening and then brings the information that is taught into the real world. And especially, especially, when you neither have the time nor the patience to repeat and repeat and repeat the alphabet and the sounds each letter makes, like this video does. It allows me to sit with him while I nurse the baby or quickly sweep the floor or make dinner on a rainy night while he is still absorbing quality information.

I am thankful... for a great weekend with my family! Lloyd ran through the sprinklers - for the first time ever! - this weekend and we even got to go see a movie yesterday! T. and I went to see Food, Inc. as it is only in Omaha for a few more days (and I didn't hear it was in Omaha until mid last week!) It was the first time I've ever left Luke with anyone (my in-laws watched them in our home) and I was wary because I had pumped milk for him but he'd never yet taken a bottle. Luckily all went well, he took the bottle and we got to watch a movie. Success!

From the kitchen... Lots and lots and lots of veggies. A new girlfriend introduced me this past Thursday to both a local farmer who sells raw milk (it is yummy! Tastes like a farm. I don't know how to explain that, but it does; there's almost an aftertaste of alfalfa. Different than the raw milk I used to buy in California. Maybe it has to do with shaking the farmer's hand herself.) as well as to a local farm stand, Wenninghoff's, and I bought way more veggies than I probably should have. Especially since we are having a short week and leaving for California early Thursday morning! I may end up having to preserve or freeze some of them before we leave.

Our loose menu plan includes:

• Smoked baby back ribs (tonight! Yum!) with corn on the cob and artichokes (with my homemade mayonnaise!)
  
• Leftover Sloppy Joe's over strips of roasted bell pepper
  
• Another batch of my green beans with balsamic tomatoes, basil and bacon with . . . something. I bought a big bundle of green beans and was just gifted with some garden tomatoes we'll have to enjoy!
• Calabacitas (Heath, I need your recipe!!) made with zucchini and a huge pattypan squash I was also gifted with. Currently developing the recipe, but if it is a success, I'll post it! I could eat this straight as an entree. Maybe I'll make a fried egg or two to serve on top.
  
• I'm also making up a batch of cortido and might even make some Italian pickled peppers. I think I only have enough peppers right now to make about a pint or two, so we'll see. But I do love them and have banana peppers in the fridge (though they might make it into the calabacitas instead.)
  

I am creating... some new plans and ideas for meal planning and food purchasing. T. and I have been working towards eating better and making a lot of our own foods (which most readers of this blog are aware of) but we haven't fully been able to yet focus on the meat side of things. Mostly budget related, purchasing the highest quality meat is expensive. But we hope to be moving towards more ethical, healthier meat for our family in the future.

Watching Food, Inc. this weekend definitely began pushing us in that direction. As a couple. I didn't think that we'd be learning much more than we already knew walking in, yet we walked out speechless and moved. If you have the opportunity, go and see it!!

We are looking towards buying more locally and ethically raised animals from local farmers and I just found out about the Nebraska Food Co-op which we are thinking about joining. Has anyone else used or been a part of a similar co-op? What were your results?

I am wearing... Dark blue jeans, rolled up so they look like pedal pushers, a chocolate brown shirt and turquoise earrings. Hair in a low ponytail. Bare feet.

I am reading... library books. I picked up a few on quilting this past week. Getting inspired to try my hand at it (and also getting overwhelmed too! :) I've been enjoying perusing fabric online. I'm in love with Heather Bailey's line.

And, I admit, I'm hoping the September issue of Vogue is out in time for my airplane trips at the end of the week!

I am hearing. . . Quiet. Both boys are taking great afternoon naps. And I'm taking full advantage of it.

Around the house... I'll be getting ready and packing to head back to California this week for my littlest sister's wedding this next Saturday! This entails everything from doing laundry and packing to clearing out the camera drive to pumping milk for the bachelorette party. I can't wait!

One of my favorite things... is spending weekends with all the men in my life. Big and little. This was a good weekend.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week ...

• Pray for guidance, patience and grace as a new mama of two. With T., with Lloyd, and with myself.
• Packing!
• Flying to California! Please pray for our safety and for my sister's new marriage!
  

A Picture Thought to share - Some of my favorites from this weekend! Above and below.

Have a great day!

Green Beans with Balsamic Tomatoes, Bacon and Basil

This is one of those recipes that you start out with just an idea of a taste combination you want while you're making dinner. You fiddle around with it, change your mind once or twice and, when it's done and you taste it, you want to immediately write it down while it's fresh in your head because it was the best dish ever.

Ever.

This is the best green bean recipe I've ever tasted. Seriously. You need to try it right now. It is a simple way to enjoy the bounty of summer and I always have all of the ingredients in the fridge and pantry to whip up a batch when it is green bean and tomato season. Enjoy!

Green Beans with Balsamic Tomatoes, Bacon and Basil
serves four

• Four big handfuls of green beans, washed and trimmed
• Three medium sized tomatoes, cut into wedges
• half of a large purple onion
• four garlic cloves, diced
• Four slices of bacon, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
• A couple dashes of your favorite balsamic vinaigrette, to season the tomatoes
• Fifteen or so leaves of basil, chiffonaded
• Sea Salt
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper

In a non-reactive skillet over medium heat brown the bacon. Once browned, remove bacon to a paper towel, leaving bacon grease in the pan, and place onions in the pan. Saute onions for a few minutes until almost translucent before adding green beans and garlic.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl pour a few spoonfuls of balsamic vinaigrette over your tomatoes. Don't skimp on the vinaigrette, you'll probably want more than you think.

Allow beans to cook, stirring once in a while, for about five minutes. Test one and check to see if it is getting a bit softer, but not yet soft enough to chew. Once that happens, throw in the tomatoes (the juice from the tomatoes will help deglaze the pan), season with salt and pepper, stir and cover with a lid. The green beans will continue to cook and steam for about five more minutes until tender crisp.

Once beans are cooked (we want them to still have a crispness to them when you bite them, not turned to mush), remove pan from heat, decant into your serving dish and sprinkle bacon and basil on top.

Enjoy immediately. You will swoon at how sweet and smoky this dish is. I can't wait to make it again!

Enjoy!

This post is written in conjunction with Real Food Wednesday. Please go and visit the other contributors!

Daybook

Daybook for Today, August 3, 2009

Happy Birthday Mom!!

Outside my Window... it is sunny and supposed to be hot! I see Lloyd's yellow dump truck up on top of the deck, just waiting to be pushed.

I am thinking... and wondering if Lloyd is indeed gluten-intolerant. Or at least sensitive. We've been eating very little grains with him, and those he's eaten have been soaked or in sourdough, but yesterday he ate some simple Wheat Thins (which he hasn't had for weeks) at Grandma and Grandpa's and this morning not only had he pooped overnight (sorry, TMI) in his diaper, which he hasn't done for, maybe a year?, but it was very stinky and very acidic. Sick belly poop. It caused him to have a major diaper rash today and he is just hurting poor baby.

Needless to say, we had scrambled eggs this morning. Didn't even consider oatmeal!

From the school room... I'm still working on lesson plans for our home preschool that we hope to implement this fall.

In the meantime, Lloyd is loving identifying colors and looking at picture books.

I am thankful... for a great weekend with my family! We were very productive with continuing to unpack and make our house our home. I weeded a big plot out in our front yard that was just overgrown with weeds and vines on Saturday, and then Sunday I replanted it with cauliflower and acorn squash.

Hopefully the roses enjoy their new neighbors. We have two rose bushes that we are salvaging there as well.

From the kitchen... I made my first batch of mayonnaise last week! I added whey to it to make it last longer in the fridge and hope to make some salads with it this week! This week we are continuing our countdown to Andrea's wedding and continuing to watch our diet and eat low-carb/grain-free.

Our loose menu plan includes:

• Making salmon salad - trying to use up some of the (plentiful) cans of salmon I have in our pantry, served on top of mixed greens served with grilled artichokes with a dijon aoili on the side
  
• Grilled bratwurst with cauliflower gratin
• Grilled chicken hot wings with homemade ranch dressing
• Something with shrimp as I have half a bag of frozen shrimp in my freezer. Thinking a shrimp scampi served with zucchini and summer squash "noodles." Sounds very summery for the hot weather we're scheduled to have this week!

I am creating... a home. I've kind of been enjoying thrifting lately, inspired by all the lovely home decor bloggers including the Nester, ThriftyDecorChick, Southern Hospitality and more! I am loving Goodwill these days for house accessories! I've bought a few baskets that are gorgeous, all for under $5 each, along with some pretty white accessories; a pedestal vase, a cookie jar, and a wide, long vase, that I love. Using the pedestal vase for holding pens and pencils in our kitchen, the long wide vase for holding stationery in our office and I've always wanted a cookie jar but never found one I liked - until Goodwill! The most expensive piece, a gorgeous cream-colored soup tureen with matching lid and ceramic serving spoon, was $7.99. Everything else runs under $5. Will be sharing some pics of the house as it gets a bit more fine-tuned.

I am wearing... Workout clothes. Black workout capris, black tank top, bare feet. Planning on just spending time doing laundry at home today and hope to get on the elliptical at some point. Taking it easy with my little boy with the sore bottom. :( He's in a snuggly, quiet mood and needs lots of attention this morning.

I am reading... library books. I am still LOVING A Pig in Provence.

I am hearing. . . Yo Gabba Gabba. It's dancy dance time!

Around the house... Cloth diapers are being washed today. I have to say that I am loving using them! I hope to pick up a few more of the Fuzzi Bunz One Size Diapers at some point for Luke. We've been using them at night with a doubler and he stays dry all night long! He normally pees through disposables, but the nights we use the Fuzzi Bunz his pj's stay dry all night long. Seriously, close to 12 hours!

One of my favorite things... is spending weekends with all the men in my life. Big and little.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week ...

• Pray for guidance, patience and grace as a new mama of two. With T., with Lloyd, and with myself.
• Playdate at the park tomorrow with a new friend we met last week! We're excited!
  
• Storytime at the library
• Playdate with another new friend on Thursday to pick up some raw milk and farm eggs! Maybe it's more of a mama playdate, as her baby is only a few weeks older than Luke, but she is introducing me to the farm where she buys raw milk, so I am excited! I'm excited for Lloyd to see the cows.
  

A Picture Thought to share - One of my favorite shots of my mom - holding Luke just a few days after he was born! Today is her birthday! Happy Birthday Mom! (see above)

Have a great day!