Recipe Roll

I am learning to embrace my role as chef in this house. Although I realize that everyone seems grumpier in our house when there is no food, and thus how much an impact fresh, wholesome food has around here, I still lack motivation to get in there and cook sometimes. I usually end up enjoying it though - the process and of course, the product. And I'm learning that it's okay that there are always dishes piling up. Now that the babe eats three meals a day, I am slowly adjusting my expectations of motherhood.

 At first, motherhood didn't include too much cooking. Concern for nutrition hit the back burner during the times when I struggled just to make it to the store with a fussy or sleepy or hungry baby and we were content with the goal of eating for survival at times (this lasted for the better part of Abram's first year). My husband and I could scrounge around in the kitchen if need be for a meal or two.  But now I have this little one whose diet is primarily determined by me and what I offer him. And he is growing like a weed and in need of lots of good fat and calories and nutrients. So my role in the kitchen has taken a step up. Motherhood for me now includes a lot of cooking, feeding, and cleaning up. And I presume it will stay like that for many, many years. 

The past week or so was sort of an explosion of cooking (aka, Abram was taking long naps), and several dishes I made were new or almost-new recipes. They are a random assortment, so here goes.

Easy Slow Cooker Refried Beans from 100daysofrealfood.com
Taco Seasoning  from allrecipes.com 
Mini Crustless Breakfast Quiches from The Heavenly Homemaker blog
Dry Ranch Mix to make dip, a combination of 100 days and the Heavenly Homemaker's recipes
Giant Breakfast Cookies from The Heavenly Homemaker blog
Fried Okra from allrecipes.com
3 loaves of Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread - I can't find the recipe on the internet, unfortunately.

We liked all of these recipes! My fave were the breakfast cookies. Any excuse to eat dessert, right? I wanted to share the links as it always helps me when cooking (or, when wondering what to cook) to know someone else has tried it and liked it. It gives me confidence or something.

Tonight, we're having Cheesy Chicken and Rice adapted from this Cheesy Beef and Rice recipe. I've never made it with chicken, but I've made it several times with beef and it's a hit at our house (not to mention easy and healthy). My hubby likes to eat it with a big pile of tortilla chips almost like a dip. And then we put more sour cream and salsa on top, and avocado if we've got it. Yummy.

Carb heaven in a loaf pan.

My First Sizable Haul from the Farmer's Market

After growing up in Oklahoma (and for me, after being third trimester pregnant in the record 100+ streak last summer), my hubby and I are still in shock that August temps are well under 100 and that the lush grass and vegetation is consistently watered via rain shower here in Maryland. That being said, I'm excited about getting most of my produce (at least for the warm months) at farmer's markets, and as you can see, meat and eggs, too! Sadly, I just discovered unpasteurized milk is illegal here and in VA and DC, so the infant hope I had last week of trying my hand at making buttermilk, kefir, cheese, whey, and yogurt is officially dashed. Now how will Abram get all those healthy cultures in his system? I think I'll go console myself with a little fresh fruit consumption.

It's a Two Cup kind of day

Partly because I picked out our new coffee this week. Partly because Bram hasn't gotten the hint that 4:30 is not an acceptable time to wake. Partly because we're hoping to have a busy day going to the Farmer's Market near the hubby's office and then attempting Bible study at our church on The Hill tonight, so I could use some extra juice. And partly because I slurped down my first cup too fast I didn't get a chance to, well, stop and smell the coffee.

Bram's Birthday Week in Review

Last week was all sorts of birthday fun for the little guy. We started the week out swimmingly with a family-party-turned-pool-party in Oklahoma at Grammy's house. I'm currently downloading the pictures now and will hopefully share some of them at the end of this post. Monday was a traveling day, Tuesday through Thursday were pretty normal, trying to get back into the home routine. Friday was the real birthday day. Abram got a few presents in the mail on his birthday - a fun birthday book and lunch box from his bff Liam and a present we picked out (funded by Papa and Grammy). The hubs and I took the liberty to invite our friends Rob and Hayley over for dinner (seeing as Abram didn't invite any guests himself), and Abram's birthday served as an excuse to make Chocolate Crunch Brownies.  I mentioned previously that I had planned on a Parmesan haddock entrée because I thought the birthday boy would like it. Boy was I ever wrong.

Birthday boy was in a sour mood all week, but especially on his birthday. His day seemed like a constant string of whines. He didn't want any of his dinner - not the haddock, not the baked sweet potato, not the seasoned squash, not the rice, and not even his water! I figured the birthday boy needed something in his tummy before bedtime (other than brownie), so I had pity and gave him fruit and yogurt for dinner. He did seem to enjoy the brownie cake, but remained in a sour mood until we put him to bed.

Fast forward to early morning Saturday. I go in to nurse little man and he is hot. I knew right away he had a fever. We spent the rest of the weekend waiting for the fever to break and alternating ibuprofen and tylenol when needed. Poor guy. It made so much sense why my normally fan-of-savory-foods-eater of a son rejected his dinner that night.

The weekend's only real outing was to explore Ikea for the first time and while we were there, he gagged on the cheese cube he was trying to eat and threw up all over himself in his stroller. Not the best time to find out that Ikea does not provide paper towels in their bathrooms, only electric hand dryers, and also not fun to have the sinking realization that you left the diaper bag at home, combined with the knowledge that the emergency stash of napkins in the car is completely depleted. Can anyone say Parents Of The Year? So ended the family trip to Ikea. Not the most fun way to start your 2nd year of life.

You know what they say: Better luck next year, little man. Now, onto the pictures. Thanks Kelsey for snapping these memories for us!

Cousins Anna and Justice having some party food

Grandma Peggy goes through the food line.

Birthday song and birthday boy's confusion ensues.

When did they put this thing on my tray? This calls for closer examination.

It doesn't look like Mom put any vegetables on it, so I think I'll give it a try.

Oh man, that white stuff is tasty.

I'm not letting this out of my grip.

I'm starting to get full. I think I'll smash what's left of it in my left fist.

Abram's adoring fans.

A balloon and cake. This is the best day of my life!

 I think I'll just sit back, relax, and enjoy all this attention.

I'm lucky these balloons come with built-in string entertainment.

I'm such a mess and loving it!

I'm not really into this present opening thing. I think I'll just go explore Grammy's living room floor.

 I didn't think this day could get any better, but now they bring me to this huge bathtub. This is great!

Abram's favorite 2 year old buddy Alexa was able to come for the fun!

Okay guys, my lips are turning blue. When are you gonna get me out and warm me up?

I'm much warmer out of the pool with Grandma.

Birthdays are the best!