New Favorite Blog Alert

I found 101 Cookbooks while searching for a recipe for choc. zuchinni muffins. Scrumptios whole, natural cooking. Check it out next time you need a recipe or if natural foods strick your fancy.

Caged In?!

I could see the large box on the doorstep as we approached the house.
Buddy... Mama's special package is here. Get excited...
I had ordered the Superyard XT after several different strategic placements of chairs and ottomans failed to dissuade Asher from climbing the bookcase, the floor lamp, eating cords. You know how the story goes.

So, while a part of me feels badly for "caging" my son, a bigger part of me feels happy with the idea of him being able to play safely and still have some room to crawl around while I'm in the bathroom or cooking dinner. Not to mention that the time is coming when I'll have my hands full with a newborn who needs nursing!

Maybe someday we'll spend our house budget money on something fun like a new kitchen floor. Maybe. Someday. But for now,
I'll take a peace of mind over new pieces of tile on the floor :)

A Great Way to Cook Zucchini

Asher turned 11 months old today, but instead I'm blogging about zucchini. Updates and pics of the little man to come, promise. Sooooooo, if you're anything like me and have small mountains of zucchini and squash piling up over the summer time, you may appreciate this post. It's probably just my lack of creativity with food, but I continue to do the same thing with my abundant zuchinni: cut it up and saute it in olive oil... add it to pasta sauce... yada yada. (On a strange and random side note, I had a dream recently that I married Curtis Stone (celebrity chef, he's on the Biggest Loser a lot) and all of my mealtime woes were solved. It's okay, I mentioned it to Ben when we both saw a Curtis Stone look-a-like walking down Wooster St. and it triggered the memory). So anyway, if you want to reignite your love for squash, try this: Simply cut into 1/4 to 1/2 inch slices, sprinkle with desired seasoning (I used Creole) add some shredded cheese on top and throw it in the broiler for 5 minutues. The zuchinni is still crispy and the cheese and seasoning add some amazing flavor. I used sharp cheddar tonight (tasted like a Cheez-It!) and I think I'll try fresh parm. next time. Enjoy!

Freedom

With the 4th of July just yesterday, I keep thinking of how thankful I am for freedom. Our everyday freedoms here in America, yes, so thankful. Freedom from the weight of my everyday sins and struggles, thank you Lord. But most of all, at least most recently anyway, the freedom that I have in my mothering and every day life. Freedom to spend these summer days at the beach, at the pool, on walks around town, over at friends' homes, to travel. Freedom to just be. Just be with my baby boy who is so quickly growing up (closing in on a year...). I came across this quote on a blog I often read and thought of how lately I've felt so free from the every day to-do's and how I want that to continue. This quote makes me teary-eyed.

Babies Don't Keep
Cleaning and scrubbing will wait ’till tomorrow, but children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow. So quiet down cobwebs! Dust go to sleep! I’m rocking my baby. Babies don’t keep. – Ruth Hamilton