Happy Birthday Husband!

Today is my husband’s birthday. I LOVE my husband’s birthday, maybe almost as much as I love my own birthday. J On November 7^th every year I get to celebrate the man I love the most. I get to make his favorite breakfast (waffles.. he’s easy to please) and dote on him all day. He has a hard time with this, accepting all the extra special attention from others on his birthday. And my favorite part of the day is when I get to give him his present. He’s not a spender and will always say he wants nothing, but I know he’s weak in the knees for anything Patagonia or BMW related and can always convince him to keep his gift rather than return it and save the money! At some point in the day we usually make our way to Starbucks for his grande vanilla late, extra hott; the choice of beverage he always use to get with his dad and brother.

Mike's Birthday 2009, we were engaged at the time

 His dad passed away in the middle of the night of his birthday 5 years ago. What used to be a celebration of pure joy is now one that also includes sadness. I am always amazed by my husband’s perspective on this, his firm and un-moving belief that his dad is in glory with Jesus. Because of his assurance of this truth, his sadness is somewhat relieved by the joy of knowing where his dad is, and that he too will join him in Heaven when the Lord calls him home. What an amazing example my husband is for me, to remind me that this life is not all there is. Greater and more fuller is the promise of our eternal life with Christ. So though our hearts still ache from the very real pain that is losing our dearest ones, we still find great joy and celebration on Mike’s birthday.

Chris, Mike and Ed

As part of his gift this year, I wanted to write about the gift he is to me everyday of our lives. Mike and I love spending time with couples older than ourselves. It is so rich and encouraging to see what marriage looks like 10, 15, 30 years down the road. We always find the same response from these couples, that marriage is hard, marvelous, it ebbs and flows, but above all, marriage is good. In the little more than three years that we’ve been married I have experienced what it means for love to grow. The day we married I thought my heart was going to explode with this burning love for my husband. The passion and intensity that is falling is love is so wonderful… but I’ve found that over time love morphs into something else. Today I would describe it differently. Today, I would say that our love is like stew. The flavors have simmered all day and the ingredients have tenderized from the process of cooking. Mike and I have weathered life a bit, we’ve turned the page from intensity to steadfastness. The man who used to appear before me absolutely flawless, without blemish and basically perfect is no more. Just as I am none of those things to him. (though we do feel we are perfect for one another!) We have discovered that his constant tapping drives me crazy, and the duration of time at which I leave the fridge door open gets under his skin. In our first year of marriage we used to avoid the idea that we “fought”. We simply had to “talk” about something a little longer and then all was well. Let’s just say things have changed since the first year. But in all the messiness that is living two lives together (because let’s face it, even “clean” people are messy), it has only gotten better. He has proved to give me extra grace in my stubbornness. In all my insecurities and flaws he has proved to love me harder. As our marriage stew tenderizes on the stove-top, I can see and know and feel that his love for me grows everyday. He is a gift to me everyday. Mike is the person who makes me laugh the hardest, so hard it sometimes hurts. He is the person I never want to be without. Even when he leaves for a day I miss him. Happy Birthday to my loving husband, expectant father, and Godly man. With all of my heart I love you, more than words could ever describe! May your birthday be great, may you see and know and feel that my love grows for you each and every day, and may God truly bless you not just on your birthday but on every day. 

"I found him whom my soul loves" Song of Solomon 3:4

With Love,

L

Baby Showers!

I have been intending to share the creative talents that my amazing family have put into the very important occasion that is... my BABY showers :-) !!! They were too beautiful not to share and I am so incredibly grateful to have been "showered" with all the things we need and want for our baby boy. Both were extremely different and both captured the parts of my personality that I have woven into the preparations for this child.

The Wisconsin Shower: Southern

My sissy outdid herself, as to be expected, and surprised me with a southern themed shower. She knows how much I loved living in Charlotte as well as my "wannabe" southern tendencies. So out came the sweet tea and white lace tablecloths, the most amazing cornbread I've ever tasted and our cowboy boots. You can see for yourself how she turned her backyard into a true southern affair! We might have even done our hair the same way, attempting some T-Swift curls to round the whole thing out  ;-)

Left: My beautiful sissy Right: My mom and mother-in-love

The Illinois Shower: Traditional

A working collaboration between my mother and a few aunts really turned this Little Golden Book themed shower into the sweetest day I could have imagined. My Godmother and cousin hosted it in their home and it was truly special. Did you read Little Golden Books as a child? I was fourth in the lineup of children in my household, so by the time I showed up the book stacks were high and I have a handful of favorites I can still remember! From the napkins to the cake and a part of almost every gift, Little Golden Books were everywhere! It was truly precious. And keeping it real for everyone else, my Aunt Shari served guests blue champagne as they arrived. I thought that was adorable! 

Notice the Golden Book Cake? My Aunt Lynn made it, herself.. be amazed! The picture in the middle with my girlfriends shows all of us at the same home for my wedding shower, and now all back together for the baby shower. We missed you Jordan!

It still amazes me the ways that family and friends have helped Mike and I prepare for this baby boy. I am so grateful for all the generosity that has been poured out on us and wish I could take each and every person whose loved on us out for a Thank You coffee! Today I am considered full term at 37 weeks! So now we remain faithful in praying that this boy continues to grow, stay healthy, and we wait...
With Love,
L

A New Season

As I have attempted to put the pen to paper (or finger to keys) I found myself with a case of the very familiar writer's block. Or maybe a more fitting description would be, "I have 8 million thoughts and don't know how to organize them or make them cohesive and the chance they are actually interesting for this blog are slim..." It is both tempting and easy to just tell you about my day or what I did this weekend. But quite honestly, that is already happening on Facebook and Instagram and Twitter. I don't care to tell you about the inter-workings of who Mike and I had dinner with and how I felt about waking up 5 times last night to pee (yes, that happened) or what my latest pregnancy emotion is; that could be a new blog post twice a day! ;-) So you'll forgive me when a little time goes by with no post, as I think on meaningful things to include here. Or at least, meaningful to me :-)

It seems I have taken on the underlying theme of "seasons" on the blog. Over the past couple weeks it has felt to me that I am again transitioning into a new season. One that has married the practice of reflection with the emotion of anticipation. 

Yesterday I was 35 weeks pregnant, with 5 weeks to go until life as I know it will never be the same. Mostly this brings more excitement and joy for me than anything else. All I can ever remember wanting to be when I grew up was a mom. Of course that answer isn't acceptable for the fifth grade school project or your high school Spanish teacher, so I came up with a few "professional" answers and went to college and then became a nanny. I loved it. (Well, except for one family I worked for that confused the meaning of nanny with house slave.) But there is a sense in which I feel like I finally get to do what I've always wanted and my senior-itus can only last for 5 more weeks. In just 5 weeks I will have graduated and gotten my dream job. For me, that means the dreaded for some of you. Those 4 little controversial words that our society is so conflicted over, that moms are so conflicted over, that I have dreamed about: Stay at home mom.

**Very important side note: do not mistake my dream for an opinion. We are all different and have been gifted in a variety of ways. This is MY dream, not my opinion regarding the ways all mom's should raise their children.

With all this anticipation has come a great deal of reflection, too. As I think forward to what my son's life will be like, I hope and pray that in some ways it will be similar to mine. Abounding in great thankfulness, I can look back at the 25 years that make up my life and see that God has been good to me. I have not faced much suffering or hardship. I have known and felt without a shadow of a doubt that I have been loved every second of my life, despite my shortcomings or mistakes. All that I have ever needed and more has been provided for me. Sure, there have been seasons of difficulty and pain and minor hardship, but compared to what so many endure, I can see that I have been blessed. I am confidant I will face these times ahead, as the complications of life only increase with age. However, this is a reflection of the past, not a looking-glass into the future.

And so, as I continue to anticipate the future and reflect on the past, I am met with a myriad of emotions: Thankfulness, gratefulness, joy, eagerness, anxiousness. It is by God's grace alone that my reflections are met with a perspective that life is full and sweet. And it will be by God's grace alone that my anticipation will also be met with fullness and sweetness.

With Love,
L

Menu Monday: Butternut Squash soup w/ Brie and Apple Grilled Cheese

Once again, Happy Monday! If you're reading this than you already got through the hardest day of the week and are hopefully cuddled up on the couch with warm cider or a glass of wine. So let the unwinding continue as I tell you about our super yummy (always in my opinion) dinner tonight!

I'm not sure if naming it "Butternut Squash Soup" actually does this soup justice. It really is a medley of fall favorites including sweet potatoes, pumpkin and apples! If you are looking for your traditional Butternut Squash Soup then look away, this is not it. It is, however, one of my favorites! I first cooked this soup last fall and have since lost and forgotten much of the recipe. What I could remember, though, were the main ingredients. So tonight I experimented and I think it was a winner! To go with the soup I made a brie, apple and (turkey)bacon grilled cheese. Sooo gooood! Would have been even better with real bacon...

Butternut Squash (and sweet potato, pumpkin and apple) Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 butternut squash, halved and roasted and seeded
• 2 medium sweet potatoes, baked
• 1 can plain pumpkin puree (could just buy a pumpkin but I was getting lazy)
• 2 granny smith apples- peeled, cored and chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/4 tsp ground Thyme
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 3 tbsp butter
• 2/3 cup beer (I used Sam Adams Boston Lager)
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 bay leaf

Directions:

Cut squash in half and roast flesh side up for 40 minutes at 400. Make sure flesh is soft when done, otherwise keep baking. At the same time, bake sweet potatoes wrapped in foil. While those are roasting, chop onion, garlic and apples and saute in olive oil (butter would be better!) until apples are soft. Scoop flesh of squash and sweet potato and add to the pot with onions and apples. Add butter and cook for a few minutes. Add in stock and stir. When mostly combined add brown sugar, milk and thyme. Cook 3 more minutes. In food processor or blender blend in batches entire pot of soup. Soup will be thick, transfer back to pot. Add in beer and bay leaf. Salt and Pepper to taste. Allow to simmer for 30 minutes. Garnish with a dollop of sour cream, green onions, crumbled bacon, or whatever your heart desires!

Do you have any tried and true butternut squash soup recipes? This recipe made a huge batch, so we will have it for dinner on Wednesday night, too! If I have leftovers after that I will freeze it in individual batches to pull out for lunch. Enjoy!

With Love,
L

Craving Confessions

Do you know anybody who is pregnant? Are you or have you been pregnant? Then you most likely know what I mean when I include in the title of this post, craving confessions. I have no doubt had my fair share of cravings in my first pregnancy. I would even say that as the weeks go by, the cravings have become stronger, more intense, give me what I want right this second! Like the time I bought chocolate milk while grocery shopping and was so impatient to get home and pour a glass that as soon as I got to my car I sat in the trunk and chugged a bunch right there in the parking lot! Things really hit the fan at the 32 week mark. The exact day I graduated to 32 weeks Mike and I were on the way home from my doctors appointment and I demanded a McDonald's chocolate dipped cone. This was my first official pregnancy demand. Later that night I found myself experiencing a bout of insomnia. This insomnia led to another first in my pregnancy... middle of the night snacking. The peanut butter cheerios that I had discovered at the store earlier that week were calling my name. It was 2am. I was tossing and turning and those darn cheerios kept calling my name. So I did it. I got up and ate a big bowl of peanut butter cheerios. I almost look forward to waking up in the night again to eat a bowl of those cheerios. Food tastes so much better at 2am.

32 week picture, also modeling my awesome new snow boots :-)

Did you have any crazy or weird cravings while pregnant?? Here are mine!

First Trimester:
Coconut, Scooby Doo Snacks and fruit.

Coconut: I don't know what it was about coconut, but it was one of my sister's cravings too! I wanted coconut yogurt, coconut ice cream and popsicles, almond joys and coconut sweetener in my latte. It even got to the point where I was putting coconut extract in anything I could imagine.

Scooby Doo Snacks: they look like dog bones and I felt slightly salty eating them in public. However! They are basically graham crackers in the shape of dog bones only 100 times better than graham crackers. I carried the whole box in my purse for like 15 weeks!

hey look, they're whole grain!

Fruit: no fun stories here. I just wanted fruit all the time. Especially coconut ;-)

Second Trimester:
Chocolate Malts, Jalapeno Poppers, Almond Milk shakes, anything sweet!

Chocolate Malts: On any normal day of my life, I usually can't eat ice cream. I have some tummy issues and frozen yogurt will have to suffice for the rest of my life. BUT for whatever reason, while pregnant, my tummy struggles have ceased and I have been able to indulge in some of the foods that I can never normally eat. (ie, ice cream!) I come from a malt kind of family. Forget the milkshakes, we do malts. Chocolate malts to be exact. This summer Mike and I were in Atlanta for his work and I think on two different occasions I made the couples we went to dinner with drive us around to look for chocolate malts. Y'all, they are hard to find in the south! When I decided that I should stop consuming chocolate malts on a regular basis I went to the store and bought malt powder. I tried to make a healthier version of a chocolate malt using frozen greek yogurt but Mike requested I never make it again. Just as I did with the Scooby Doo Snacks, I also carried the malt powder around in my purse. I would order vanilla bean frappuccinos from Starbucks and have them add malt powder. Major props to Starbucks for being so accommodating!

thanks ebay, for the picture!

Jalapeno Poppers: To be clear, cheddar jalapeno poppers. Might as well throw cheddar cheese curds in the mix too. Another type of food I normally cannot consume, so I have been thoroughly enjoying the downing of jalapeno poppers with no stomach ache end game. Normally I am a sharer. If I really like something I order I want everyone to try it. I do not share my jalapeno poppers!

Almond Milk shakes: Often times my friends and I share food ideas with each other, especially when we start to feel like we're cooking/eating the same recipes all the time. My friend Rachel recently shared this recipe and I have been making this shake at least 4 times a week!

1 cup almond milk
1 frozen banana
1/4 cup peanut butter (or almond butter, or whatever kind of ....butter you use)
1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
a handful of ice cubes

That's it. Blend it up and you have yourself a yummy, protein packed lunch! I have seriously been obsessed!!

Third Trimester:
Entenmann's Cheese Danish.

No need to crave anything other than this sinful treat. It takes every ounce of self control not to eat the whole thing, honestly. Who needs homemade baked goods when you can find the most delicious tasting food in the world at almost any grocery store or gas station?

Just so nobody thinks I am neglecting the health of my baby, I should probably include that in addition to these cravings I eat a well balanced diet almost every day! I can't get enough roasted broccoli these days!

With Love,
L

Menu Monday: Garlic with a side of food

Happy Monday! I am struggling to gain an ounce of energy on this beautiful day. So, I'm officially declaring this Monday my Sunday. Mike and I had a SUPER busy weekend that started early Friday morning and didn't end until late last night. I knew I had reached the point of utter exhaustion when during worship at church Sunday morning I ran out of breath while singing Holy Holy Holy. (that's of course also thanks to the growing baby boy in my belly) It was then that I resolved to get at least 5 brisk walks a week in until this baby comes. I will maintain some level of fitness, gosh darn it!

BUT, let's move on to the food. To the juicy, garlicky pork tenderloin I'm going to tell you about. And the creamy mushroom risotto sitting next to the slightly crispy roasted broccoli. I want it right now. I could it eat every night I think! If you don't like garlic, then don't waste your time reading on. We love garlic. I cook with it almost every night. My husband has been known to grab a slice of it right off the cutting board before I have even started cooking it (gross, I know) and he actually likes it like that! One time last year I arrived to work in the morning, hugged my boss and was told I wreaked of garlic. Also gross, I know. But let's focus on how GOOD it is :-)

Garlic, Herb and Wine Pork Tenderloin: Serves 2 with a few slices leftover for lunch tomorrow

This is the *easiest part of the whole dinner! You know those handy dandy Grill Mate seasoning packets that my friend McCormick makes? Well he should be your friend, too! And invite your crock pot to the party while you're at it!

Ingredients:

• 1 pork tenderloin
• 1 packet McCormick Grill Mates Garlic Herb and Wine Marinade
• (need olive oil and vinegar to mix marinade)

Directions: Follow directions on marinade packet and dump in crock pot. Tip: the last time I made this I accidentally poured equal parts olive oil and vinegar. So I added a little extra water in fear the vinegar would completely take over. It didn't. AND this mistake is worth repeating. Let cook in crock pot for proper amount of time, check with meat thermometer to be sure pork is done. (cooking time will vary depending on your crock pot setting) Over the course of cooking time, I turned my tenderloin and coated with juices.

Garlic Roasted Broccoli: Serves 2 (we really like broccoli)
(I probably should give credit to someone for this recipe, but I don't know where I got it and have adapted it since. So just know, you can find variations of this all over the internet)

Ingredients:

• 1 head broccoli, cut into florets
• 5 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1/2 lemon
• olive oil
• salt and peper
• optional- parm cheese for sprinkling when done

Directions:
Line baking sheet with foil and evenly spread cut up broccoli. Sprinkle garlic slices all over broccoli. Lightly coat tray with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Mix all together with fingers and spread broccoli back out evenly. Pop in the oven at 350 for at least 25-35 minutes. Be sure to watch that your garlic is not burning. May have to turn florets half way through baking time. When done, squeeze half a lemon and grated cheese over broccoli. Return to oven until cheese is bubbly.

The star portion, Mushroom Risotto: Serves 2, generously
(Another recipe I don't know who to give credit to? Lots of these recipes out there. I adapted mine from a friend)
If you have shied away from making risotto because of the time it takes or the amount of steps it requires, then now is the time to get out the calendar. Schedule a night this week, next week or next month. I don't care when, just do it.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Arborio rice
• 5 cups stock, give or take
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 cup Chardonnay, any white wine on hand will work, but don't skip it!
• 1/2 lemon
• salt and pepper

Directions:
In olive oil (or butter. butter is better!), saute onions, mushrooms and garlic until soft. Add rice and allow to sit in pan 2 minutes, stirring. Pour in wine, I usually make it a generous 1/2 cup. When most of liquid is cooked out, start adding stock 1 cup at a time. Stir frequently, but not necessary to stand over the stove constantly. Each time majority of liquid is absorbed and rice starts to look creamy, add another cup of stock. I cook mine until just passed al dente. Squeeze in lemon, add salt and pepper to taste.

There you have it. A wonderful, balanced, soul warming dinner. A few things to note- McCormick grill mates marinade packets come in lots of different flavors. We like most all of them and they make for a super easy no-think dinner. You could skip the broccoli and risotto sides and just throw a bunch of veggies and potatoes in the crock pot with the pork tenderloin and have yourself a super easy and delicious dinner. Also, the risotto recipe is so versatile. I made it last week and swapped out the mushrooms for bacon. You could really do anything!

With Love,
L

Menu Monday: Healthy(er) Pumpkin Muffins, Eddie Bear Approved

Open the newspaper, scroll down your fb news feed, gaze on pinterest and you cannot miss the very important detail that is is officially FALL! Or as I prefer to say, Autumn. I think "autumn" sounds lovely, sophisticated, heart-warming.

In honor of autumn, I have created a pumpkin muffin that I not only feel good about eating, but enjoy eating! Baked goods can be a challenge in our house. My husband has the metabolism of an Olympic runner. I, on the hand, have a very normal 25 year old female metabolism. This means I'm by no means overweight, but my self esteem mirror can show me fluctuating images of myself ranging from a beached whale to a decent figure, or on a really good day I might have skinny thighs and a smaller booty. So, if I keep chocolate chip cookies and banana bread stocked on the counter (the way my hubby likes it) my mirror is never nice to me. Hence the effort to create a muffin that includes the flavors of autumn, heart healthy ingredients, and of course figure friendly modifications.

meet my helper and nephew, Eddie Bear

Healthy(er) Pumpkin Muffins

• 1 1/4 cups sifted whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pumpkin spice
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup flaxseed- if you are new to this ingredient, I highly recommend trying it. It sounds unappealing, but I think it adds pure goodness- for the taste buds and the heart. 
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie puree)
• 1/3 cup almond milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips, optional
• you could also add nuts. we do not add nuts in this house

Directions
Mix dry ingredients. In separate bowl mix wet ingredients. Combine dry and wet ingredients, do not over-mix. Over-mixing reduces muffins moist factor.  My recipe made 2 batches of mini muffins. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes. Tip: keep in ziplock bag on counter and they are even better on day 2 or 3.

I think my photography skills are improving, don't you?

15 minutes later...super moist pumpkin muffins and perfectly sweet without the guilt! Your definition of a healthy  muffin might not even include 1/2 cup of sugar and chocolate chips. To you I say, no offense, but your muffins are not yummy. This is a treat after all, just a healthy(er) one :-)

Eddie-Bear is my toddler-approved proof that these are indeed yummy. Also, I gave him these without the "too much sugar" look from his momma AND won the affections of his heart. A win-win. Whoever said food was the way to a man's heart was... well, right. But food is also the way to a toddler's heart. And this aunty wants to be right at the center of Eddie Bear's heart!

Finger lickin' good!

As my southern friends say, Happy Fall Y'all!! (in this case, I love to say fall)
With Love,
L