Project 52: THIRTEEN

I hate to be a sap, but sometimes seeing my two sweet peas together just melts me like butter. Ella seems to be taking more and more of an interest in him. I catch her reading him stories and pretending like he is a customer in her play store and offering him her dee dee (little lovey) at times. Now I know you are reading this and rolling your eyes but it's only fair I get to celebrate these moments a little because I face a lot of hair pulling and paci throwing and "mommy put him down" in my day. All that being said, I'm grateful my children have a sibling. Here's one of the finer moments this week. We went to South Llano River State park to camp (yup camp... tent and all) and decided to take some Verbena pictures (who knows where the bluebonnets were??). Wish Ella had a little summer dress on but hey you get what you get. 

Compost say what??

I know I know we're all down with being "green". You're all for recycling, CFL light bulbs and buying organic, but composting?? Now that's whack. Or so you think. I've been composting for the last 3 years and I LOVE it. Well no I don't love composting but I do love the kick ass soil it creates and the fact that I'm seriously reducing my contribution to landfills. *I also reeeeaalllly love that I feel a little less guilty about tossing produce that I didn't use up fast enough since I'm giving it one last purpose instead of literally trashing it*

So here's how I do it:

1. I use a composting barrel that is slightly elevated off the ground and has a twist off lid. This is the girly way of doing it. You never have to touch your compost this way and it's super easy to aerate it. Also, you don't have to worry about little critters messing with your compost. These barrels are pretty cheap. I see them in the spring at Costco for about $100. I'd also suggest you get a compost thermometer and some compost starter. (I'll explain in a minute) And No, it doesn't smell. Actually mine has zero odor.

2. Ok to compost you gotta put green and brown in your bin. Greens are your nitrogen containing material and browns are carbons. Here's some examples:
GREEN: grass clippings, fruit, veggies, egg shells, coffee grounds
BROWN: Leaves, sawdust, ash, bread. 
NEVER: oil, dairy, cat/dog waste, meat, weeds. 

So do I head out to my compost every day? Hell no. But when I'm cooking a big meal with lots of scraps or cleaning out my fridge or throwing out leftovers, I pile it all into a big bowl and throw it in the compost. My husband adds the yard scraps and leaves. Every time I'm over there I give it a good spin to keep things mixed up.

You want to try to add equal parts of brown and green ingredients. I usually have plenty of brown in mine so I'm constantly trying to add the greens.

3. Once you've got your browns and greens added, you need to let it "cook". This is where everything starts to break down so that you end up with this super rich black soil (awesome for you gardeners!). Sometimes a pile can have a hard time getting started. So I like to use a compost starter. You can find it at most nurseries. It's about $10 bucks and is good for two applications. I typically only need to use it once to start my new compost. It's a gritty little powder that you add about a gallon of water to and pour over your pile. Easy breezy.

Sometimes it can seem like your compost is at a standstill. This can happen. When your compost is in good working order, it gets nice and hot. That's from all the little bacteria breaking shit down in there- creates some heat. So the best way to tell if you are at a plateau is to take the temperature. This nifty little tool lets you know if you are in the hot zone. If you're not, then it tells you how to fix it by either adding fuel, water or by turning your pile.

4. How long till you get this black gold as they say in the biz?? Well it depends on you. Mine takes about 6-9 months.

Project 52: TWELVE

First day of Spring is officially here and with it comes one of my favorite things... SOCCER!! Ella Jane has started her first sport this last week and it's been full of nostalgia for me. So far she's done just as you all imagined- lots of dancing, playing in the sand and most importantly she gets a huge kick out of having a water break. Tomorrow is her first game and I'm under her strict instructions to cheer loud enough for her to hear- ha! Can't wait :-)

Bling Bling on Pegboard

Y'all I've got more jewelry than the beach got sand (word up DMB). It's bad. Real bad. And I really like it. I keep it everywhere too. Jewelry boxes, bead boxes, hanging jewelry holders, pretty little ring things, etc. It's stashed all over my room. I've got a good mental inventory but let's face with 2 kids (ok shit even when I didn't have kids) it's hard to rack the cerebral library and select a piece that really makes the outfit pop. I wind up putting on my few favorite pieces over and over and over. And I'm seriously sick of not putting the stuff to good use. SOOOO after scouring Pinterest I found a great idea... pegboard. So I had my favorite handy man, Mr. Ryan, install a few pieces in my closet. I have a rather large closet that is MY girl space. It's pink, has a little chandelier and vanity and it does not allow children :-) My own little private corner of the house- also the perfect place to hang some jewelry. Here's how it turned out. (*pardon the shots, it's a tight corner and hard to photograph*)

A few organization tips:
* Hang like things together. For example, I hung all my bangles in the same row so when I'm in a bangle mood, I know exactly what I have to choose from.
* Things I don't use as often or that are bulky I hung higher.
* Things that are harder to put away, like earrings, I placed lower so I could get to them a little easier.
*Use the space to spread out your necklaces. You know you will NEVER wear your necklace if you are constantly getting out knots. So even though they are tiny, I made sure they each had their own little space.

Well I wish I could say I got it all up there but there are still several stashes. The good news is that I got the majority of pieces that really make an outfit up there. Kind of like hanging a shirt. Things that are more valuable or I wear for more special occasions are still put away, but my head space is much more organized by having this much out and ready.

Project 52: Eleven

My heart is full of love and warmth seeing my little man curled up with my big man. Nothing better than seeing these two together. Plus the fact that it gives mommy a little time to clean up and wind down.  Couldn't be more grateful for such a good daddy for our children. 

Baby Food 101

Making your own baby food seems to be the latest trend, but in reality, it's probably the oldest. I'm personally a big fan. I figure if I don't want to eat what comes out of those baby jars then why would my baby? And seriously, it's easy. I don't have any real tricks or big fancy baby food making machine. I'm VERY basic when it comes down to it. I'm no expert, just a mom feeding her babe. Wanna know how I do it? Then stay with me. And feel free to share your own tips and tricks. 

1. I like to make a ton of baby food all at once- usually about 6 weeks worth at a time (it doesn't last as long as the baby gets older and eats more, but by then I'm usually incorporating table foods). Some people like to make one veggie and let that run out and then do another batch. Whatever floats your boat. SO head to the store and pick out what you want to make. This go round I selected: butternut squash (1), yellow squash (4), zucchini (4), broccoli (1-from my garden), cauliflower (1), sweet potatoes (5), carrots (1 lb), green apples (1 bag). Get yourself some cheap ice cube trays (I have 6 and wish I had twice that). In terms of organic or not, I follow my normal rules (veggies and fruits with thicker skins or that I'm going to peel I buy standard, thin skins like berries I buy organic when available). 

2. Prep your veggies. Peel your carrots, sweet potatoes, apples etc. and chop to smaller pieces for faster cooking. Boil a pot of water (usually just enough water to cover what you are cooking). I boil almost everything I make for baby with a few exceptions (I'll go over that in a minute). Throw in your veggie and cook until seriously soft. I cook all my veggies separately with the exception of yellow squash and zucchini and broccoli and cauliflower. Those I combine because they cook down quite a bit (it's really for efficiency more than anything). 

Butternut squash, spaghetti squash, tomatoes and sometimes sweet potatoes I will roast in the oven. See my previous post on spaghetti squash to see detailed instructions on roasting this delicious squash.

3. Once your veggie/fruit is super soft, drain off MOST (not all) of your excess water. Now you are ready to MASH MASH MASH!! I use this awesome avocado masher and just cream away right there in the pot. If the veggie seems thick I add a little water. If it's too thin, no worries, we can correct later by adding some rice cereal or by combining it with other veggies or beans or lentils when we defrost. Now you let this cool down some. Want it really super pureed? Use a blender or food processor. Or one of them fancy William Sonoma baby food things. 

4. Once it's cool enough to handle, I spoon the veggie into ice cube trays and freeze. Usually takes my stuff anywhere from 4-6 hours to freeze. Then I bust it out and put it into ziplock freezer bags (make sure you label the item and put a date on it). 

5. I don't add any ingredients to the stuff I cook with the exception of apples. These I add a little shake of sugar over the top and some cinnamon. Delicious! Pears are also excellent like this. 

Now a few side notes and tips to some commonly asked questions:

* I typically use 2 cubes of veggie per serving for my new little eater. More cubes as they grow. 

* Picky eater? To sweeten a veggie I like to use a dash of cinnamon (works well with butternut squash and sweet potatoes). Needs to be a little more salty?  I use a little shake of parmesan cheese (great with broccoli and peas). Both my kids have responded well to this. 

* Add to your food stash as your baby grows by preparing some white beans or lentils. Great way to bulk up the meal. One bag of these makes a TON!

* If you are in a mommy circle or HAVE AWESOME NEIGHBORS (2 of my neighbors had babies the same week as me :) then consider a baby food exchange. Shout out to Crystal and Laura who came up with this idea. I just scored some peas and carrots for some sweet potatoes. 

* Hmm what to do with frozen cube of food and screaming baby? It's easy! I throw mine into the microwave and use the defrost mode for about 40 seconds. Then nuke it in 10 second increments if you need it warmer. 

* I'm usually able to defrost and throw it in tupperware if I'm heading out to eat and want to feed my little man on the town. BUT when I'm short on time or on a road trip, I really like the Sprout brand of baby food. I'm also a big fan of the Plum brand and their nifty little spoon that just twists on for a seriously fast feed. 

* Baby bored with the selection? Well this is when it gets fun. I like to start combing. (Obviously you should only do this once you are sure baby doesn't have any allergies to what you are mixing). Serve your yellow squash stirred into some sweet potatoes. Try tomatoes and legumes. Play with some combos. Need more ideas? Walk down the baby food aisle and see what awesome little meal ideas they have- Sprout is great for thinking outside the box. 

* Use your common sense. Most restaurants have a banana or avocado. Ask for one whole and mash it with your fork. 

* Need some healthy snacks? Try warming a handful of peas or edamame and let your baby work on their pincher grasp. Those little green balls look like fun to a 9 month old (we hope at least :)

* Cook what's in season. Fall is great for squashes. This is a great time of year for citrus. Berries are awesome in the summer. Not sure what's in season? It's usually the stuff on sale. 

The Bachelor- Oh My Cape

Eh. The whole thing was just "eh". Courtney. Eh. In fact that may be a bit much credit. What an awful season really. Those last two dates were beyond ridiculous. We all knew he was going to pick Courtney. The dates were boring, the clothes were boring and the conclusion was boring. Most exciting part of the night was trying to discern what the fuck Lindzi had on... turns out it's a floor length cape over feathers. Interesting. Courtney wasn't much better. Domininatrix looking gloves with a boxy too bright white cape. WTF?!?!? Use a space heater if necessary, but don't wear that crap. Looked like a bunch of old maids out on a mountain. But really it all pales in comparison to Ben's horrible hair. He only made it worse at the After the Final Rose with his patchy half beard and major frizz. USE SOME FREAKIN PRODUCT!!!!

I suppose I'm a little shocked that they are "working on it" still. Would have thought they would be long over by now. I give them a few more months and when all the attention goes away, they'll split.

On a more interesting note, I watched Lindzi on Jimmy Kimmell and that was rather funny. Turns out her parents were not on crack when they named her. Her name is legally Lindsey but she felt she needed something a little "special" to "stand out" so she changed it to Lindzi. Umm for 'ril? That's how you ghettofy your name. For example, my friend Ali Bissell is Ali Bizzell in ghetto. Thug life yo. Also got the sense she is now campaigning to be the next Bachelorette. Lord help us. I really won't be able to watch. Just can't stand her voice. I know I know, it's not her fault, but it gets me. It's like listening to Khloe Kardashian (the SNL version- yikes!). She also dyed her out to a medium brown. Eh.


Well that's a wrap ladies. Thank God it's over. We survived. We're all a little less for it and today I'm not sure it was worth it. Here's to hoping Emily can bring it back to its original goodness.

Project 52: TEN

I was less than impressed with winter this year. No, I'm not a fan of the cold, but I am a fan of a break from the heat. And this year was rather pitiful. Hardly wore a sweater much less my new trench coat. Hard to be excited for summer when you feel like it hardly left. But this last week has been so beautiful, I'm almost looking forward to the months ahead. The sun is out, the grass is turning green and all the dead of winter is fading away. So this week I'm grateful for the sheer beauty of spring. My sweet little spring that pulls me from my warm robe and transitions us so innocently to the season of swimsuits and sunburns. So with that, I leave you with a poem and some photos of my apricot tree.

A Prayer in Spring by Robert Frost

OH, give us pleasure in the flowers today;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orcahrd white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,
To which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends he will,
But which it only needs that we fulfill.

Favorite: Rays Phoenix Ride

8 PM. Tired. Two kids down. Dishes down. Ready to rest. Damnit, time to pull it together. Throw on some mascara, change your pants and look alive. Be present to the moment. 

Needed to head over to our church and represent Mobile Loaves & Fishes. It's an organization I volunteer for to feed our homeless brothers and sisters of San Antonio. My turn to run our table. 

Show up. Get banner. Get pamphlets. Wait. Be cheerful. Give info. Mingle. Smile. Stay present. Meet  people. Discuss mission. Stay present.... Then bam. Meet a person who is so totally interesting. 

His name is Ray. He's not from here.  He's passing through. Riding his bike from Cali to Florida. Why? Who does this (other than Karen :)?? His son was burned. What? Is he ok? No, well not really, but he's alive. How bad? 85%. Damn. Unimaginable. Flash backs of graphic nursing movies. Worst nightmare. For myself, possibly. For my child, definitely. He rides for his son. Best part... he blogs!!!!! 

raysphoenixride.blogspot.com

Love. Glad to be present. Glad I can be present. Blessed. 

 

The Bachelor- Crock o' Shit

This show is bullshit. I know I know, I can't quit watching either. But it's serious crap. I can't swing a dead cat without running into more Bachelor gossip. Apparently Ben is already making out with random bar girls and Courtney is crazy trying on wedding dresses. Honestly, who gives a flying F$%k at this point? I figure I'm 22 hours in so I'll see it through to the BITTER end. I'm thinking he goes with Courtney. Proposes, she says yes and they break up 12 days later. *Winning*

I think the highlight of tonight's reel would be the mention of an Ali and Frank reunion. LOVE THAT! And did you see Ed? Lookin' good fella. Love Ed. Seriously wish Kasey (Vienna's ex) and Ryan (water heater dude) would disappear. O.V.E.R. them.

Kacie B- Still appeared fragile tonight. Poor thing.

Jamie (aka Poor Jamie) - Holy shit, I didn't know this girl could get any more desperate. Terrible, just terrible. Sweetheart, he's still not interested.

Blakely- thought she stood up for herself really well. Hate to have that stripper title follow you. But seriously what the hell is a VIP cocktail waitress?

Jennifer- Girl you looked a fool. Sounded so tacky asking Ben why he chose Blakely over her? Really a pro/con list? Damn girl, you were supposed to work this shit out BEFORE coming on national tv to embarrass yourself. You let me down darlin.

Nicki- Lookin good. I believe she is being coached by producers as a potential bachelorette candidate. But really, best guy you have ever met? Hmm... really? You must live in a cave. And shit, that doesn't say much for the men of Dallas.

Samantha- super trashy. And I say this as a girl whose alter ego LOVES to curse.

Emily- I would say another possible Bachelorette contender. I'd also award her most improved for the season. Seems to be one of the few to walk away with a handle on the situation. Not so sure about the purple dress though. Whole thing made me nervous.

Shawtel- pity party. I like how Emily called you out for knowing that you are gorgeous. Hips don't lie biotch.

Jenna- So glad I didn't fast forward over this last clip. That was hilarious. Very relieved she was able to admit to her breakdown and look normal doing it.

Ben- Wow you look bad. I don't know how else to put it. He looked pale, depressed and well, creepy with his bad hair. The man should not wear gray.

So I'll leave you with this. For all my fellow Real Housewive fans. LOVED this on SNL last Saturday. Enjoy!




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Project 52: NINE

It's hard to believe just how fast my baby boy is growing. This week I'm grateful for these tiny little fingers that love to hold my own.




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