Fun Times

The past two weekends have been simply gorgeous!  I finally got some pictures uploaded (the laptop is temporarily out of comission, so we hooked up the dinosaur desktop) so I’ll keep this post short and sweet and let the pictures speak for themselves:

The hiking pictures, btw, are from Hide Out Hollow near Boxley Valley and the Buffalo River. There are so many beautiful trails over that way!

 

Eight months

So much can change in a month! One month ago, I could set Munchkin down with some toys and he was pretty much contained. Sure, he would scoot around, but he wasn’t so fast that I couldn’t keep up with him. It wasn’t to much of an ordeal to set him down in the kitchen and fix dinner, or in the bedroom to fold laundry, etc… Now, WOW! He is all over the place. He crawls, sometimes on hands and knees and sometimes on hands and feet with his butt up in the air, he climbs over anything in his way, he pulls up and walks along furniture. He goes nonstop. He opens drawers and empties the contents, pulls books off the bookcase (and cats off the window ledge!), eats anything in sight (including cat food!). He gives bear hugs and great big slobbery kisses. He loves to chase his mama around the couch on hands and knees laughing hysterically. He loves eating finger foods like cheerios and bits of butternut squash muffin. He has also decided he’s just a one (short) nap kind of guy. Oh, and I could’ve sworn I heard him say kitty the other day…

 

driving me crazy…

Whew… finally got the little stinker down for a nap.

Munchkin spent his first 7 months sleeping so well that I actually caught myself wondering upon occasion why it is that so many new parents make a big deal about sleep deprivation these first few months. What is the big deal anyways? I mean, it isn’t bad at all Maybe I’m just super mom or something. Ha ha… I am eating my words now! Munchkin has lately developed quite an attitude and has really been testing it out. I used to just lay him in his crib after breastfeeding him at bedtime or naptime, awake or not, and he would just go to sleep. If he woke up in the night, I would feed him, put him back to bed, and he would drift right back to sleep. Piece of cake. For seven months it worked this way. Then… this past week he has started pitching a royal fit if I even approach the crib with him in my arms. And if I try putting him down after he falls asleep he wakes up. every. time. Same at nap time. He’s not hungry, doesn’t need changed, is barely-keeping-his-eyes-open-tired, but he WON’T sleep in his crip. I’ve tried rocking him back to sleep and putting him back to bed… and repeating until three AM. I’ve tried going into his room, laying him back down without saying anything, and leaving, but he just stands back up and screams. I’ve even tried letting him cry for a while, but that just makes both of us more upset. The only thing that works is putting him in bed with us. Spoiled, I know, but at 3 in the morning I’m just ready for some sleep and if I put him in bed with us, he’s out like a rock in two seconds flat.

sigh. At least he’s asleep now. Better get the floors swept and mopped before he wakes up. They’re starting to look scary…

 

Lately

Life has been busy, but wonderful. Have I mentioned that I LOVE this time of year??? We went to the Applefest last weekend, and while the fest was a little short on apples (there were a couple of booths that had apples or apple-related stuff, cider, applecakes, etc…, but it was mostly just a craft fair/carnival) it was still fun. There were also yardsales and flea markets open ALL over town, and we picked up an old Radio Flyer wagon for Munchkin that needs a little work at one of them. We didn’t get to do the kite flying because the wind completely died down by evening, but we can always do that another day.

I am also beginning to have renewed faith in my gardening skills. It seems like fall crops are a lot more successful (at least for me!). Our second crop of beans, radishes, carrots, and swiss chard are absolutely thriving. In fact, we have more chard than we know what to do with! Oh, and we got our chickens back (Husband’s sister was kindly caring for them when we were considering selling our house), so our teeny tiny farm is complete. Except I still really wish I had room for a dairy goat or two:-)

Munchkin loves to spend time outdoors and is facinated by all things nature. Bugs, leaves, twigs… Unfortunately, we haven’t had as many opportunities to go hiking as we usually do this time of year, but we still get out whenever we can, even if it is just a walk to the park or the store. He also loves to “help” in the garden:

(I did rinse the carrot, btw, before I let him gnaw on it… and we had it for supper with some other carrots and fresh green beans… yummy!)

My is he growing up fast! He’s all over the place now, crawling and pulling up, and even letting go and standing for several seconds unsupported. I counted 15 seconds the other day! He is such a sweet, happy boy. I just can’t tell you how happy he has made us.

Here he is birdwatching (after running off the poor kitties who were sitting on the ledge before)

I have been working on a project update post for a while now, but Munchkin has been keeping me extra busy. I did finally restock some things on my Etsy site though, so check it out!

 

It’s that time of year again…

…time for homemade apple sauce and apple butter, fresh baked pumpkin pie, creamy pumpkin soup, fuzzy warm mittens and hats and socks, beautiful Ozark Mountain leaves… happy fall, every one!

I really, REALLY wanted to go hiking today, but husband has to speak at the Men’s Breakfast at church this morning, so we have to be in town. Bummer. We are planning to go to the Applefest in Lincoln this afternoon though, and maybe take Munchkin kite flying this evening. All in all, a pretty fun day!

Munchkin has changed SO much this past month! He went from not crawling at all and just barely “scooting” at 7 months to crawling ALL over the place and standing completely unsupported for up tp 15 seconds at almost 8 months! This kid is wearing me out:-) His new favorite obsessions are cat food and potting soil, which he can seek out like radar from across the house. Oh, and he loves to sing (in the highest voice I’ve ever heard) and dance. It’s SO cute!

 

Pumpkin outtakes

These three together crack me up:

See what we have to put up with??? EVERYTHING goes in the mouth!

 

Oh, the cuteness!

Munchkin was supposed to start his swimming lessons this weekend, but his instructor was sick. Of course, we didn’t check our phone messages, so we didn’t know that his first lesson was cancelled. Anyways, we ended up driving around over on that side of town and came across a quilt fair at a local Museum, so we stopped. There were beautiful contemporary and antique quilts of all kinds. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my camera with me (because I thought we would be swimming!) but I did notice that the Museum grounds were all decorated for the festival with pumpkins and cornstalks. I knew there were some cute pictures in there somewhere, so we went back after everyone was gone and brought the camera. Isn’t my little pumpkin precious???

The tongue thing is showing up in lots of pictures lately… he has just figured out that he can blow spit and is SO proud of himself!

This is an old water tank by the barn at the museum

I think this one is my fav:-)

and family. It takes some ingenuity to get a family picture using the self-timer when there is a baby involved…

I think I am giving up on the password protected posts for now, at least the picture ones. I still like the idea of not using our real names and of course, avoiding personal information about us, but I am just too picture happy for my own good. I keep thinking, “Oh, I would love to post this picture, but then I’ll have to add a password…” So then I just don’t post anything. Besides, I am thinking of trying to start up a photo business, and since most of my portfolio thus far is pictures of my family, I will have to use our pictures to advertise anyways… I don’t know. Maybe I will revisit the idea later. What do you guys think? Password or no password on pictures?

 

Seven months, and a hike at Rush Mountain

This Labor Day weekend, Munchkin turned 7 months old. He is getting so big! We spent part of the weekend visiting family at their cabin on the White River, and went for a hike at nearby Rush Mountain. I really wish we would have gotten there earlier while it was still cool (thanks a lot, husband!:-) because there was a lot more to see than what we were able to take in. I am a bit of a history buff, so this hike was particularly interesting to me. Rush Mountain was once the sight of a booming Zinc mining community, but when zinc prices fell after WWI, the town dried up. Now, only a handful of dilapidated buildings and stone foundations, as well as several fenced-off abandoned mine shafts, remain. There’s a short (less than 1/2 mile) interpretive trail with several plaques telling the story of Rush, and a longer (approximately 4 mile) hiking trail. Definitely worth checking out! We will have to go back sometime when it isn’t so hot…

A bit about Munchkin at 7 months:

• soooo close to crawling! Actually, I saw him crawl about three feet once when he was after the cat, but he hasn’t done it since. He still primarily scoots around on his butt or tummy, and now can go backwards and around in circles:-)
• can pull himself up to stand! Standing is by far his favorite position, but he just figured out how to pull up on his own a couple of days ago. Maybe he won’t be quite so clingy now that he doesn’t need me to hold him up as much…
• has three teeth… and like to practice using them on Mommy
• still primarily breastfeeding, but gradually getting used to other foods as well. He is a great eater… so far the only food I’ve tried that he doesn’t care for is peaches.
• sleeps well through the night most nights, and wakes up around 5:30-6 am. The naps could use some work….
• LOVES to splash in the water, and will be starting swim class next Saturday! 
• has a really amazing attention span for a baby… he will sit and play with his blocks in the living room, or a set of measuring cups in the kitchen for an hour or more some days.
• loves to go for walks
• has become very interested in animals, especially the cats (unfortunately, they’re not quite as interested in him!)
• his hair is coming in very quickly now, but it is SO light that he still looks fairly bald from a distance. It is a little odd that his hair is so light, since his dad and I both have dark hair. Really, it’s almost white!

 

Favorite Recipes, part II: Garden Veggies

With garden season still in full swing, I thought this round of recipes should focus on dishes that use lots of yummy, fresh garden produce. Whether you grow your own or buy the veggies at the supermarket, you’ll love these tasty recipes:

Mediterranean Pasta Salad

This recipe features ripe tomatoes, crisp fresh green beans, and flavorful basil, all of which are easy to grow in your back yard. You could even throw in a chopped zucchini or yellow squash for variety.

• 1 lb. Whole Wheat Pasta
• 1 lb. fresh green beans, trimmed
• 2 lbs. fresh tomatoes, diced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 Tbs lemon juice
• 2 cans tuna, drained and flaked
• 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives
• salt and pepper to taste

Cook pasta according to directions, rinse and chill. Cook green beans until crisp-tender. Drain and cool by rinsing under cold water. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve. (This makes a large batch, but the recipe is easy to halve)

Garden Veggie Fritatta

This recipe makes a delicious breakfast or lunch.

• a cast-iron(oven proof) skillet full of veggies (onions, peppers, broccoli, yellow squash, green beans etc… any veggies that can be stir-fried will work)
• spinach or other greens (swiss chard, kale, etc…)
• 6 eggs
• 1/2 cup grated cheese of your choice (I like cheddar)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• a little bit of milk (1/4 cup or so) or sour cream if you’re feeling naughty:-)
• salt and pepper to taste
• seasonings to taste (I like chopped fresh basil or oregano from the garden- yum!)

Stir fry the veggies (except the spinach) until crisp-tender over medium heat in a little olive oil. Meanwhile, whisk together the eggs, cheeses, milk, salt and pepper and any seasonings you like. Towards the end of the cooking time for the veggies, toss in a couple handfuls of spinach and let it wilt. Pour the egg mixture into the skillet and stir to evenly distribute the veggies. Cook for a few minutes until the bottom of the eggs starts to set, stir gently, and then place in under the broiler in your oven for a couple more minutes, checking frequently, until the egg is cooked through and the top is golden brown. It cooks very quickly under the broiler- don’t let it burn! Cool for a few minutes before cutting so that it will hold together better.

Pico de Gallo

This is perfect when you have a bunch of ripe tomatoes to use up all at once- which happens frequently when you have a garden! It is great with tortilla chips for a snack, or with tacos, or on top of chicken or fish… use your imagination! Sorry I don’t really have any specific measurements- I usually just go by taste. You really can’t go wrong!

• several ripe tomatoes (I think I used about 5-6 medium sized ones last time I made it), chopped
• one onion, finely chopped
• a couple cloves of garlic, chopped
• juice of a lime or 1 Tbs bottled lime juice
• a big handful of cilantro, chopped (leaves and stems)
• 1-2 jalapenos (optional) chopped- watch out if you grow your own, they always seem to have a lot more fire than peppers you get at the store!
• salt and pepper to taste

Stir everything together in a large bowl and refridgerate until ready to use. It gets better as it sits and all the flavors combine!

Easiest Dill Pickles Ever- no canning required!

These refrigerator pickles are easy enough for even a novice… and it’s easy to get the flavor just how you like. If you like your pickles really dilly, or garlicky, just add a little more to the mix!

• enough cucumbers to pack 4 clean quart canning jars fairly tightly (either the whole small kirbys, or larger pickles cut up)
• 2 cups cold water
• 2 cups distilled white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon celery seed
• 3 tablespoons kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon dried dill or a bunch of fresh dill for each jar 
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 4 cloves garlic, sliced (or more, if you like them really garlicky like me!)
• 1 tablespoon mustard seed
• 1 teaspoon red-pepper flakes

Evenly divide the spices and salt between the four jars. **note that the spice quantities are for the ENTIRE batch, NOT PER JAR- the first time I made these, I put 3 Tbs salt in each jar. YIKES!** Pack the jars fairly tightly with cucumber slices. Mix the vinegar and water together and pour over the cucumbers to fill the jars. Put the lids on the jars, give them a good shake, and store them in the fridge. It will take a few days for the pickles to soak up all the flavor, so just just give them another shake each day for a week or so until they are ready. Now how easy was that???

Homemade Baby Food

It is SOOOO easy to make your own baby food, and so healthy for baby to have nutritious, organic foods from your own garden or farmers market. Give it a try!

• veggies of your choice (good candidates include: sweet potatoes, squash, green beans, peas, carrots, etc…- I’ve even tried a few fruits)
• filtered water
• ice cube trays
• ziploc freezer bags
• immersion blender

Steam the veggies until thoroughly cooked, reserving the cooking water. Use the immersion blender (or a regular blender) to blend the veggies until smooth, adding some of the cooking water if needed to adjust the consistency. If you don’t have an immersion blender, by the way, I HIGHLY suggest getting one if you have a baby around. You can get one for about $10 bucks, and it is so much easier to just blend up a little bit of whatever you’re having for supper for the baby rather than getting out a big, cumbersome blender with all the parts that have to be cleaned… sorry about my little commercial, but I seriously use mine just about every day:-) Now back to the baby food: Once you have the consistency just how you want it, spoon the pureed veggies into an ice cube tray. Freeze for several hours, pop out the cubes, put them in a labeled freezer bag and store in the freezer. When you are ready, just take out a couple of cubes (works great to mix and match flavors) and put them in a dish in the fridge the night before to thaw or microwave. Munchkin’s favorite combo? Sweet potatoes and mango (I didn’t cook the mango, btw, just pureed it). It’s actually REALLY good! I might have to try to come up with a more “grown up” way of combining the two…

Hope you enjoy my favorite garden veggie recipes! I would love to hear some of yours as well

 

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