Our Month in Instagram: April

Currently

Listening: The xx. I discovered them a couple of years ago. I love them. I wish they would come to the US. Not that I have time to go to a concert with a baby, but you know what? I bet Sweet A would like to see them in concert too. I recommend Googling them. Or YouTubing them. Or whatever it is the crazy kids are doing these days.

Pinning: Color! I'm craving color in a bad way. I really, really wish we weren't renting right now. I would love to splash some color on the walls. Yellows... turquoise... greens... orange! I want it all! I'm so sick of living with the We-Rent-Oatmeal color every landlord insists on painting the walls. And why must the carpet match? Don't they realize how hard it is to get red wine out of that color rug?

Photographing: Sweet A. I can't help it. I'm addicted. Can you blame me?

Eating: Ugh. I'm in need of an intervention. Chocolate chip cookies, Hershey's Minis, peanut butter, Nutella, cheese, pizza... How is it I can still fit into my pants? I did have some fruit today, though. And I usually eat plain, Greek yogurt every other day, so that's good, right?

Cracking up over: My sweet girl. Obviously. When she laughs, her whole body laughs. She's so awesome.

Working on: Cleaning the house. Who am I kidding? No I'm not. I am working on thinking about cleaning the house, which I've been doing since our last house guests left, about a month ago. Whoops. Seriously though, our house is a disaster. It's embarrassing. I wouldn't want anyone to stop by right now.

Anticipating: Visitors for Memorial Day. I can't wait! Family is coming down from New York to see me Sweet A, and I'm super excited to have a chaotic, bustling house full of guests! Better get the house cleaned.

Wearing: My pajamas. It's almost ten pm. 'Nuff said.


This post was inspired by Katie at Skunkboy and her "Currently" post.

10 Things I Love: Current Obsessions

There are quite a few things I've been obsessing over for ages. They've been on my wish list for quite some time. Now that I know I don't have to spend my tax refund on a nanny, maybe I can buy myself a treat (or something new for the Bug).

1. this pretty Chevron necklace

2. a leather journal

3. vintage dishes

4. anatomical heart t-shirt

5. aqua cake carrier

6. Bummis cloth diapers

7. Bunny's leather boat slip-ons

8. Ikat Frequencies Shirtdress

9. sunbird sheets

10. Frye boots

The Faces of Baby Led Weaning*

We chose to skip the baby cereal and baby mush and instead go the route of baby led weaning*. We're loving it! BLW means starting immediately with "real food" and allowing the baby to feed herself from the beginning of the solid food experience. Not only does Sweet A eat a wide variety of foods (black beans and bean sprouts anyone?), but I have never spoon-fed her. Not once. She even eats applesauce and oatmeal on her own. With a spoon. I love my girl. One of my favorite things about BLW is the mess. BLW is so messy! I can't get enough of watching Sweet A explore and experience new foods.

Oatmeal and blueberries

Thumbs up for squash

Green beans, sweet potatoes and pierogies!

Spicy black bean and sweet potato "pancakes"

Yum! Strawberries.

Next up on our plate? I'm thinking some Mexican. Maybe some Thai? Who knows, with baby led weaning, the possibilities are endless.

Baby led weaning resources:

Baby-led Weaning

Nourished Kitchen: Baby-led weaning

Wholesome Baby Food

Rapely Weaning

*Technically, as soon as you introduce anything other than breast milk, you are weaning, even though it may not be your intention to end breastfeeding.

Blueberry-Pecan Flax Pancakes

I woke up today with a craving for pancakes. But plain old pancakes would just not do. I wanted something more substantial. So I pulled out the trusty cookbook, Betty Crocker's Cookbook, Bridal Edition (my mom bought my sister and I each one years and years ago, stating, "it's not like you girls are ever going to get married", Gee, thanks, mom), found a basic pancake recipe (I don't do Biquick), and tinkered with it to create a recipe that would meet my wants this morning.

Blueberry-Pecan Flax Pancakes

recipe adapted from Betty Crocker

1 large egg

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 cup milled flax seed

3/4 cup organic 2% milk

1 tbsp. brown sugar

2 tsp. vegetable oil

3 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 cup frozen blueberries, thawed and drained

1/4 cup chopped pecans*

Beat the egg in a medium sized bowl until fluffy. Add the remaining ingredients; stir well. Make your pancakes. (I would never presume to tell anyone how to make their pancakes because I have yet to perfect the art. But personally, I use a griddle.)

Yield: approximately 10 pancakes

*We were gifted some flavored, sugared pecans over the holidays, which weren't really to our liking. I've been using them in baked goods and my morning oatmeal to get rid of them. I used orange flavored ones in this recipe.