The Beautiful Life

Avocado Mango Salad

Our favorite salad from our favorite cookbook, Rick Bayless’ Mexican Everyday. (And yes, there was a time when we really did eat Mexican every day).

You’ll have to check out his book to get the recipe, but I can tell you that it includes mangoes, avocados and crispy bacon, and is drizzled with a yummy honey-lime dressing. The dressing is worth the price of the book alone. I’m serious!

Project 52–Week 22

This week’s theme is “Technology.”

We do a babysitting exchange with our good friends every Friday night. Last Friday, I caught 5 of the 6 kids perched on our countertop, eyes glued to the laptop screen and belting out “Time to Say Goodbye” along with Andrea Bocelli and Hayley Westenra. Because opera is the “in” thing with the under 7 crowd. Apparently.

4:42 AM

4:42 AM

I never knew that this would change everything.

swollen and overdue, pain coming on…fear and excitement…this is it, it’s time.
after all of the heartache of losing one, can it be true that we are actually going to have a baby?
years and months and days of waiting, of preparing.
eager to meet this child of mine who has been kicking and moving…living inside this young wife.
but so unprepared to face the agony of birth.
sweat and blood, fear and pain. hope and disappointment. frustration and impatience. indescribable anguish…then relief.
almost too tired to care after something so intense, so raw, yet I am drawn to touch this new one. my own one.
downy soft hair, still damp. purple-pink skin so wrinkled. puffy eyes a mirror of my own.
a gift.
all of the pain of that moment, all that is yet to come…all of the joy at seeing this one thrive and grow, learning to love and be in this broken world. all of the uncertainty, all of the hoping and fearing and praying and trusting…
I wouldn’t trade any of it.
it’s all a gift.
every tear, every smile, every let down. every whispered secret, every kiss goodnight, every moment.
my life changed that day, and I will never be the same.

Credits:
Clockwork by Linda Gil Billdal at SA
Heartstrings by HGD by Laurie Ann at SA
Live Laugh Love by Createwings Designs at Oscraps
Handstamped Alpha by Michelle Coleman at LDD
Worn Frame by Danielle at Catscrap
Tutti Fruity by Emily Powers & Paislee Press at WST (retired)
Urania Czech Font
CK Ali’s Hand Font

Project 52–Week 21

I don’t have theme for this week, so you’re on your own.

I just really love this close-up of my husband playing guitar:

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever

For the last ten years or so, I’ve been on a search for the perfect chocolate chip cookie. I’ve tried every recipe known to man, except one, apparently. This week, my husband (who was on a similar quest) sent me this recipe from the NY Times. We made them Sunday evening after dinner and they were almost perfect. We only used 3.5 oz of chocolate, so I think I’ll double that next time. I also thought they were a little too sweet, so I’d probably use less sugar, but they were really, really good. And big. So I wasn’t tempted to eat more than one, which is also good. And best of all, they were nearly as good the next day. We’ll definitely be making these again!

Project 52–Week 20

Inspired by my two crazy preschool boys, this week’s theme is “Live in Color.” Or more appropriately at our house, “Be in Color.” I caught them painting each other under the table in the kitchen, and here are the remains before cleaning up.

Quick tips for Slowing Down

Sorry for the title. I couldn’t resist the irony. On to the tips…

We try to practice these in our house.

1. Never run to answer the phone. If it’s that important, they will call you back. We also don’t own a cell phone, so I’m often unavailable, and I LOVE that.
2. Eliminate “hurry up” from your vocabulary. I’m not so good at this one yet, but I’m working on it.
3. Make eye contact. Actually looking someone in the eye causes you to slow down and focus on what they are saying. And it makes them feel like you are interested. It’s a win-win.
4. Get outside every day. There’s really nothing like a breath of fresh air. Why do you think people spend so much on air fresheners?
5. Spend a few minutes in prayer at the beginning of each day. I recently did a Beth Moore Bible study, and she talked about getting on her face before God every morning, literally. Whenever I do this, it helps me remember Who I am dependent on.
6. Make a home-cooked meal, from scratch, at least a couple of times a week. We are bombarded by instant everything, and it’s doesn’t even taste very good. Enlist the kids, your spouse, or a friend and spend some time together making dinner. Then sit down and savor it. Stay at the table and talk, even after you are all finished.
7. Record everyday moments. Take the time to snap a few photos, jot down something funny your toddler said, journal your prayers. You’ll be glad you did later.
8. Sew things by hand. Earlier this Spring, I made several dolls for some young friends who were having birthdays. My sewing machine has been broken, so I sewed them all entirely by hand. It was wonderful to have something quiet to do that didn’t require something that made noise. I don’t think I’ll ever do them by machine again. For less-ambitious moments, try sewing on that missing button or repairing a seam. It’s very rewarding and you’ll feel just like Ma Ingalls.
9. Play. When you go to the park with your kids, go down the slide, play hopscotch and swing. Get out the playdough and make something alongside the kids. Do a family art night.
10. Read aloud. Read novels, read poetry, read short stories–and do it slowly.

For more great tips on slowing down, and to pre-order what looks like a fabulous book by the lovely Ann Kroeker, mosey on over here.

Make-Do Breadcrumbs

What, two make-do posts in two weeks? I must be on a roll! And this one is actually my own tip.

I needed some breadcrumbs the other day and didn’t have a loaf sitting around. I dug into my freezer praying that something would turn up, and found a frozen bun way in the back. You know, the one that’s leftover from the kid who won’t eat a bun with their hamburger. I pulled out my grater and grated the frozen bun into a bowl. And it made really great, fine breadcrumbs. I’ve since also just broken it apart with my fingers, which is even easier. Kids love to do this kind of stuff, so you can put them to work, too. Any leftover bread with a fine crumb will work. The key is to make sure it’s frozen. After you’ve grated it, you can toast the crumbs in the oven if you like.

Eating out—19th Century Style

There’s nothing like a picnic on the lawn in Spring, especially when it includes some yummy greens and radishes from our first CSA share of the year. Inspired by Anna’s recipe.

Project 52–Week Nineteen

This week’s theme is “Creative Self-Portrait.”

And here’s mine:

I’m sporting a lovely apron, purchased from the equally lovely Anna over at Pleasant View Schoolhouse.