Catching Zzzs

 

Around here, we're all catching our Zzz's wherever we can.

 

Baby Girl here is in her infant insert that goes inside of the Ergo Baby Carrier I've been using when I need to get some things done that are particularly challenging when trying to hold a darling little nine pound bundle of cuteness.

 

 

When I "emptied" her out of the carrier onto the bed, she was deep in a dream, so I decided to leave her as she lay and snap some photos.  I'm sure these will embarrass her when she gets older. 

 

I couldn't resist snapping some shots of her sweet feet!  These babies are HUGE!  When she sits on my lap (propped against my thighs), I like to kiss them and make them dance.  When I do, she just looks at me like I've gone crazy.  Sweet thang!

Whoah!

 

When every experience is a new one, it's easy to wear a shocked expression.

 

Like a little black dress.

 



A Week of Blessings

Baby Girl did not want to leave my belly, so she was handed her eviction notice 2 weeks past her due date on 11/26.  Even with that intervention, she tried her darndest to stay put.  However, after about 15 hours of labor, she finally entered the world and my arms.

 

 

She loves her mommy and daddy very much already and seems to only calm down if she is stationed on one of our chests.  Unfortunately, Numbers Man has come down with a cold so he is having to stay some distance away (which is SO VERY DIFFICULT). 

 

Just look at that face!

Not everything has been easy, but with every trial comes gem, ready to be uneathed and polished,

 

2 Corinthians 5: 6-8

Therefore we are always confident , knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:    (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)   We are confident , I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Counting My Blessings

Waiting

~ When the waiting becomes trusting ~

~ Each breath is made up of one part helplessness and one part hope ~

~ And I realize that my time is not my own. ~

Diamonds of Rain

The rain has been so faint here lately, that it leaves behind delicate droplets of water clinging to the trees and plants, which, when the sunlight (or moonlight) hits them, reflects and makes them sparkle like little orbed diamonds.  My mom kept admiring the disrobed tree branches last night where these droplets hung, illuminated by street lamps, calling them diamonds.  I'm stealing that from her.

 

They really are so lovely.

 

When we examine things from far away, we marvel at the view we are afforded.  When inspected up close, their magnificence eludes and enraptures us.  Some call it science; others, appreciation.

 

Leave

(A shriveled magnolia blossom amid bare branches)

Today marks my first day of maternity leave as well as baby girl's due date.  Sitting at home with nothing on my agenda is an unfamiliar state of affairs for me, so I am putting together an enjoyable, productive, yet restful to do list.  The list involves some crafting, organizing, and writing, but will likely expand as my vista broadens (as it is want to do).  

A morning cleansing, shower and sermon, firstly.

We'll see how things progress from there.

Ralphie is curled up asleep next to me on the couch as I type, and he is a wonderful comfort and companion.  I think I fed him too much wet food for breakfast this morning...he looks sedated.  Ha!

Happy Monday!

Wordless Wednesday



Election Day

 

I elect to look upward, look outward;

To look for new life around me -

Without forgetting the wise ways of preserving

And cultivating a natural progression

Of growth and sustaining exhalation.

 



First Child Second Child

FIRST

Be it a girl, or one of the boys,
It is scarlet all over its avoirdupois,
It is red, it is boiled; could the obstetrician
Have possibly been a lobstertrician?
His degrees and credentials were hunky-dory,
But how's for an infantile inventory?
Here's the prodigy, here's the miracle!
Whether its head is oval or spherical,
You rejoice to find it has only one,
Having dreaded a two-headed daughter or son;
Here's the phenomenon all complete,
It's got two hands, it's got two feet,
Only natural, but pleasing, because
For months you have dreamed of flippers or claws.
Furthermore, it is fully equipped:
Fingers and toes with nails are tipped;
It's even got eyes, and a mouth clear cut;
When the mouth comes open the eyes go shut,
When the eyes go shut, the breath is loosed
And the presence of lungs can be deduced.
Let the rockets flash and the cannon thunder,
This child is a marvel, a matchless wonder.
A staggering child, a child astounding,
Dazzling, diaperless, dumbfounding,
Stupendous, miraculous, unsurpassed,
A child to stagger and flabbergast,
Bright as a button, sharp as a thorn,
And the only perfect one ever born.


SECOND

Arrived this evening at half-past nine.
Everybody is doing fine.
Is it a boy, or quite the reverse?
You can call in the morning and ask the nurse.      

 

by Ogden Nash

In the Mist of Morning

 

In the mist of morning you call me

With tender reminders of just one thing.

Just one thing is neccessary,

Just one thing is needful:

To sit at your feet and listen.

 



A Simple Womans Daybook

Outside my window: A dreary fall sky with a faintly setting sun.

I am thinking: About needing to detox (safely) from all the sugary Halloween chocolates I've been eating.  I have gone a bit overboard the last two days.  Eep!

I am thankful: For a helpful hubby and a log a'blaze in the fireplace.

In the kitchen:  There's an aweful lot of calories and energy running through my body right now so likely just a bowl of soup for dinner (probably just pea soup, my fave).  For Numbers Man, fried rice with orange chicken.

I am wearing: Black maternity leggings and pink, long sleeved sweater henley.

I am creating: The last minute to-do list before baby girl arrives.  And let's not hide our short-comings and vices...a post-pregnancy wardrobe (because a girl always likes to look purdy).

I am going: For walks around the neighborhood, taking in the colors of fall.

I am wondering: How much sugar a 38 week old fetus can take without going into distress.

 

I am reading:  Re-reading Emma.

I am hoping: Baby Girl waits until after the Halloween meeting/party at work before she decides to arrive.

I am looking forward to: Labor.  Seriously... 

I am pondering: How much pain brings clarity and how much, distress.

A favorite quote for the day: "She would keep the peace if possible; and there was something honourable and valuable in the strong domestic habits, the all-sufficiency of home to himself, whence resulted her brother's disposition to look down on the common rate of social intercourse, and those to whom it was important.--It had a high claim to forebearance."

A few plans for the rest of the week: Food plans: roasted chicken & root vegetables.  And buy some good cheese to keep on hand for when the snacking monster strikes.  And watch some natural birth videos.  And drink plenty of red raspberry leaf tea.

A peek into my day:

 

A Nursery Near Complete

With the baby due to arrive in just a few weeks, the nursery is pretty much put together.  There are a few lose ends needing to be "tied up"...

 

*I'm waiting on delivery of an area rug I ordered that is being shipped from Georgia.

 

*We realized we need to mount another wall shelf (we have one on the wall right behind where I'm standing taking the picture above).  The second shelf will be for the baby monitor (which has a camera), and the bear on the glider in the picture above.  The bear is made out of a mink stole that my grandma wore when she was livin' it up here on earth. :)

 

*One more light as the room is still just a tad too dark.  I'm thinking of buying a hanging lantern, but we'll see if that's realistic.

 

Also, you will notice a beautiful, pink, yellow, and white blanket on the glider in the photo; that is a gift/giveaway I won on Lisa's Blog: Searching for Balance.  It is so cute and a perfect addition to the nursery!  I have a pink and white rag basket (think rag rug style) between the dresser and the glider for all the blankets so I can grab them easily as needed.

 

The two framed art prints on the wall are from Breezy Tulip's Etsy shop and I absolutely love them!  I have had one of them for 3 years (I fell in love with it when I first saw it even though I was no where near mommy-hood).  And I purchased the second to go with it when we found out we were pregnant.  I'm so happy with both pieces and wish I could buy all of her beautiful artwork.

 

Just getting ready for the little girl to arrive already!

 

Blessings!

A Last Hurrah (Girly Style)

Today marked the last day of me charging around in the car by myself until after the baby is born.  For the remainder of the pregnancy I will be working from home and only going out with another person (read husband or parents) in tow...or rather towing me! :)

 

So I drove down south to visit with my parents and go out to tea with my mom at a beautiful tea house.  The tea house is located in a historic home, built in 1890, full of period details.  I really meant to take so many more photos of those very details, but it was raining and I have full-blown pregnancy brain so I missed my opportunity.  Luckily, we will be going back later this month for a mini family reunion (provided I don't go into early labor), so I will bring my camera again at that time.  The handle on the front door was stunning.

The front garden is ruled over by an enormous Chestnut tree that was dropping chestnuts all over the ground.  I was tempted to scoop some up for roasting at home, but thought that might look awkard (picture an eight months pregnant woman in a dress crouching around in the rain picking over the ground).  If the weather had permitted, we would have loved to sit on one of the benches to enjoy the scenery.  There were even still some roses in bloom!

We ordered the Larkspur Luncheon Tea which consisted of:

Pot of Tea

Scones with Devonshire Cream,

Jam & Lemon Curd

Sorbet

Tiered rack with Tea Sandwiches,

Savories, Fresh Fruit

Seasonal Tea Pastries & Sweets

Hot Towel Service 

 

It was all very tasty, and I was especially fond of this little crostini with bacon and quince jelly...words cannot describe!  A close second was the pear and gorgonzola tartine.

 

The tea blend I chose was: Afternoon Garden Party, a traditional black tea with hints of floral notes.

 



 

I wish I had the luxury of experiencing tea with friends and family each and every day; the ritual of afternoon just makes conversation feel *that* much more special and helps one to relax.

 

I hope you are all having a wonderful fall so far!



Easy Meals on Hand

Lately, I've been making up large quantities of food for myself to be able to grab when I need a little something. I make enough for about 7-10 snack size servings for the week. This past week was Tabouleh (recipe here) and this week is Spanakopita.

 

(a "snack size" serving of tabouleh)

 

 

Spanakopita Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 bunch green onions, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 pounds spinach, rinsed and chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 8 sheets phyllo dough
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly oil a 9x9 inch square baking pan.
2. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onion, green onions and garlic, until soft and lightly browned. Stir in spinach and parsley, and continue to saute until spinach is limp, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
3. In a medium bowl, mix together eggs, ricotta, and feta. Stir in spinach mixture. Lay 1 sheet of phyllo dough in prepared baking pan, and brush lightly with olive oil. Lay another sheet of phyllo dough on top, brush with olive oil, and repeat process with two more sheets of phyllo. The sheets will overlap the pan. Spread spinach and cheese mixture into pan and fold overhanging dough over filling. Brush with oil, then layer remaining 4 sheets of phyllo dough, brushing each with oil. Tuck overhanging dough into pan to seal filling.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, until golden brown. Cut into squares and serve while hot. 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

It's in the oven as we speak and I will likely bring a bit with me to work tomorrow to "test" out.  I'm a huge fan of this dish and usually buy it pre-made in the freezer food section of Trader Joe's so I'm sure I'll enjoy it, but I'm anxious and I want to try it NOW!  However, I am practicing "Just Say No" to eating after 8 PM since the heartburn of the third trimest of pregnancy started.  It's a sad, sad state of affairs folks.

 

Maybe a spanakopita photo later if I remember! :)

       

                        

Revelation

 

Revelation by Robert Frost

 

We make ourselves a place apart

Behind light words that tease and flout,

But oh, the agitated heart

Till someone find us really out.

 

'Tis pity if the case require

(Or so we say) that in the end

We speak the literal to inspire

The understanding of a friend.

 

But so with all, from babes that play

At hide-and-seek to God afar,

So all who hide too well away

Must speak and tell us where they are.



A Questionnaire!

Farrah's questionnaire just seemed like too much fun to pass up!

http://www.vintagewasp.com/2012/09/matchbook-magazines-questionaire.html?m=1

TEA OR COFFEE? Mostly tea, but espresso drinks about 3 times a week.

I COLLECT? Vintage books, perfume, fundies (fun undies), tea, stationery...

FAVORITE CITY? I'm convinced it would be Casablanca, though I've never been. City I've actually been to: Charleston, SC.

SPRING OR FALL? Fall...hands down.

BLOOM OF CHOICE? Gardenias and Peonies.

STYLE ICON? I try not to have one because I tend to over shop/spend. But....really...Olivia Palermo. ;)

LINENS? If only I could afford real linens. Frette! But...really...Charter Club from Macy's. ;)

CHINA PATTERN? Mikasa - Platinum

I'M LUSTING AFTER... Having a stable-full of horses.

MOST PRIZED POSSESSION? My Ralphie and my wedding ring. A tie!

GIRL CRUSH? Michelle Duggar and Elizabeth George. Another tie!

BOY CRUSH? Alistair Begg. I could listen to him preach and intermittently sing Beatles songs all day long.

ON WEEKENDS... Starbucks runs with Numbers Man an Ralphie. Early dinners out. If only we were over 65 and could get the senior specials!

Charming this Change

 

 

There is charm in this change:

In the unfolding of each day's newness.

Even when the petals drop and leaves droop

I fancy them disrobing.

 

Like speaking to spectators and

Picturing them in their underwear,

Instantly a grin grows

And nothing is alarming.

 

Only, charming.

 

 

One Year Later

One year of marriage, to my awesome hubby, has been full of so many blessings.

 

We were married on this day, September 16th one year ago today, surrounded by family and love on all sides.  We said our "I do's" and kissed in a garden.

 

 

In the last year, we grew as a couple, and grew as a family.

 

 

 

 

So, we celebrated.  Back to the start of it all.

To a corner table with a view of downtown Seattle.

 

 

We ate delicious food.

 

And he surprised me with a reproduction of our wedding cake top.  Seriously, the staff at The Fairmont is top notch...we love them!

 

It was so scrumptious!  Just as I remembered it...or didn't remember it. 

I was so caught up in everything I don't remember anything after the salad other than the conversation.

 

And on our way home, a gorgeous sunset.  Ahh, I couldn't ask for more!

 

I am so thankful and so grateful for this last year and the many, many years to come for us. 

 



Simple Woman's Daybook

 

Outside my window: Sun, sun, and more sun!  And temperatures that don't swelter...thank God for the Northwest!

I am thinking: Of the myriad of ways in which a person presents themselves to you during a lifetime and how our relationships evolve with every ticking minute.

I am thankful: For the ease of my days and the wane of my moons.

In the kitchen:  Leftover veggie soup and sourdough bread for me, and pork chops and scalloped potatoes w/ zucchini for Numbers Man.

I am wearing: Grey Lands End Canvas Cardigan, Grey American Apparel v-neck tee (it still fits over my belly Hallelujah!), Heidi Klum maternity jeans that just about save me each and every day, black Minnetonka moccasins, pink & white batik scarf, silver hoop earrings.

I am creating: /refining a craft project list instead of just picking up my new cross-stitching project and getting to work on it.  It's football season so I foresee oodles of time in my future.

I am going: A big ol' nowhere!  Sometimes a walk around the neighborhood is all one needs in this girl's most humblest of opinions.

I am wondering: Sadly, my wondering moments are being spent on the duration of time it takes for my hair to dry naturally.  Why, oh why must it take four hours?  "Inconceivable!"  - said in the voice of Vizzini from The Princess Bride.

I am reading:  Flipping back and forth between The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman and 1225 Christmas Tree Lane by Debbie Macomber.  The balance is non-existent and my head space is divided by a chasm so deep, a craft project easily fits between the two literary peaks.

I am hoping: To finish both books within the week.  That is, if I don't get too sidetracked by the craft list and baby shopping.

I am looking forward to:  Shopping with my mom on Saturday! 

I am pondering: A concept of contextual, rather than physical race: cultural ethnicity, indiscernible to the naked eye, but readily perceived of by the spirit.

A favorite quote for the day: "A portion of water served as our wine that evening, for there were no grapes, and no time to try to ferment the figs we occasionally found growing wild.  I had become accustomed to the way we lived and found solace in silence.  I'd grown to love the scent of the desert at night, fragrant and harsh at the same time." - from The Dovekeepers.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Hopefully making pumpkin muffins or loaf this weekend.    Going to my last monthly doctor's appointment!  That's right folks, just 8 weeks until baby girl arrives!

A peek into my day:

A Picture and a Story

"The quilt was a picture and a story.  It was a testimony to a time when pressures did not cry out for urgent things to be constantly tended to, when the world had not created a thousand different temptations pulling free time into a myriad of mindless activities.  It told of values and patience and timeless meanings.  It drew a person in.  It spoke of comfort and rest.  It soothed with a gentleness of a mother's kiss."

 

From The Quilt by T. Davis Bunn

Trusting in Him

"O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him."
~ Psalm 34:8