Recipe for Pork Carnitas

I'm trying this recipe for Pork Carnitas (crock pot recipe) and Tomatillo Salsa for dinner tonight, from 100 Days of Real Food (see link and recipes attached) The salsa tastes great (I had some quality control sampling this morning after made it), and the best part was that it was significantly easier than other tomatillo salsas I have made. I wanted to make the corn tortillas as well, but the recipe (also 100 Days) strongly recommends use of a tortilla press, which I don't have. There are some good looking tortilla presses on Amazon for around $20, so maybe I'll update after Christmas with a homemade corn tortilla post.

http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/08/01/recipe-pork-carnitas-tacos-with-tomatillo-salsa/

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Nap Time Strike

My son has been an excellent napper for the past year. He's been down to one nap in the afternoons since February 2013 or so. Usually his nap will last anywhere from 2-3 hours, and he will spend 3-4 hours in his crib when I include playing before he falls asleep or after he wakes up. That is, until recently. Bram had a fever for 24 hours almost 2 weeks ago now, during which he napped almost 18 hours straight (all afternoon + all night) and woke up cheery the next day. Since he recovered from the virus it seems, naps have been hit or miss, where he only seems to be falling asleep in his crib 1/3 of the time. When he does nap, it lasts quite a while so it makes me think he needs it. He lays in his bed, talking and singing to himself. He's only two, surely he's got more nap time left in him. Anybody else run into this?

The Shaping of a Christian Family

"Love sees what needs to be done, and does it." Somewhere in this book, I read this line and it struck me as absolutely true (even in the deepest spiritual sense, when Jesus went to the cross to save sinners), as well as terrifyingly convicting. How often I notice work that needs to be done and I don't want to do it. I'm thankful that I follow a God who loves perfectly, and can enable me to love others better, as "the fruit of the Spirit is love...". There are so many other good thoughts in this book; do read it if you ever get your hands on a copy.

Aunt Sarah in D.C. (Year 2)

Wow, we had a great week hosting Jon's sister Sarah. She flew in from Louisville just to hang out with us. During her stay we saw a bunch of other friends, too - the fact that Sarah is beloved by nearly all who know her made our house a popular hangout this weekend. We especially had fun seeing the Dewberrys (or is it Dewberries? ;)) who drove down from Philadelphia. Sarah also kept Bram overnight one night and Jon and I stayed in a hotel in a nearby city. We thoroughly enjoyed the 24 hours kid-free by going to dinner, seeing a movie, having a leisurely breakfast out, touring the Smithsonian's Museum of American History, seeing the WWII Memorial, and grocery shopping. Other highlights from Sarah's stay include: eating her cookies, seeing how fast she does dishes, laughing at Bram's constant request for Sarah to take him out to the basketball court (our deck with the Little Tykes goal), and lots of good adult conversations. We are already hoping to reserve her for a week next summer. Love you, Sarah!