Gourmet... Baby Style.

My little man baby just started eating food.

Actually, he's tasted it...

he's not quite sure if he's ready to fully jump in that boat.

I was excited for this stage again

because it gives me yet another outlet

to get creative.

I made all of the little ladies food when 

they arrived at this stage

and plan on doing it for this little guy as well.

The health benefits, the savings,

everything is a plus in my book!

Here is documentation of the first bite ever.

It was on Christmas Eve at Grandpa's house.

"Uh, what is this in my mouth?"

So, for his first set of meals

he's been feasting on

Roasted Carrots and Baked Apples

and Whipped Sweet Potatoes

(doesn't that sound so much fancier than

carrots, apples, and sweet potatoes??

Yes, it does.

And we like to fancy things up

any opportunity we get.).

This took me maybe 45 minutes one afternoon.

I already had all the ingredients;

so this cost me...

let's see...

oh, nothing.

I always like the sound of paying nothing

and getting exactly what I want.

Basically, I just roasted some carrots;

baked some apples;

and baked a sweet potato.

Once these were fully softened,

I added the carrots and apples to a blender

and pureed them adding a little bit of water

until they came to a nice smooth blend.

I did the same with the sweet potato.

Once pureed,

I poured the mixtures into an ice cube tray

and set aside in the freezer until completely frozen.

Once frozen,

I popped them out of the tray and put them in a bag.

Viola!

(or Wha La... 

for those who don't fancy things up with French

every now and then.)

Okay, friends,

I've been working on some ways to implement some

MAJOR ORGANIZATION

around here.

Hopefully, I live through it and can tell you all about it!

Until then...

The Only Two There From The Start

Thirty-two years ago today I arrived... fashionably late.

(Oh my goodness! I JUST realized that I was BORN a procrastinator!)

My mom may not consider the two extra weeks

I took that fashionable,

nor the emergency c-section,

but I've never heard her complain.

And I've ALWAYS tried to be on time for her ever since!

(Seriously, you can ask my husband,

she's the only person that I'd go

 "mascara-lip gloss only/hair in a bun" 

for JUST to be on time.)

So, I didn't get her punctuality gene,

but I did get her smile,

including her straight teeth.

She passed on her confidence

and her encouraging words 

have molded and shaped me continually.

I could sell a ketchup popsicle to a 

woman wearing white gloves

because of her

(yeah... our long line of sales genes ARE that good),

and can strike up a conversation

with just about anyone,

also because of her.

Mom,

I most certainly do not share this enough,

I know, I know...

but I do love you so much and

am so thankful for you

(and your crazy ways).

I wish I could be with you as you read this,

so I could laugh as you cry and wave me to look the other way.

It makes me smile just thinking about it

(also knowing that I'd do the exact same thing,

because I feel as though I received a double whammy

in the ole' emotions department,

getting that from both you and Dad). 

Oh, yes, and speaking of Dad...

though my mom claims I was perfect in every way,

he seemed to know different right from the start

as he tirelessly rocked me or 

drove around the neighborhood until I fell asleep

(however, he can't remember what happened two days ago,

so obviously I have to go with my mom on this one),

but then again he's always known me just as I am.

He looks at me as though I have a glass head

and knows every thought I think,

and then laughs with me as our imaginations take over...

because he's definitely the one that fed, watered, and grew

my imagination.

I'd say a good third of the songs in my itunes

are from the 70's because that's what we've listened to 

on every road trip he's taken me on.

Because of him,

I know that sacrifice is worth it;

suffering brings joy;

and love never fails.

Dad,

there are times that I think of you

and my heart just about busts

because of the love I feel for you.

I could never thank you for all the tears

you've shed with me and for me;

for all the loving embraces;

for taking me to dinner every Saturday night for a good year

as my 21 year-old self figured some things out;

for just loving me so perfectly.

And even if I could find a way,

you'd just say, "Okay."

rather than "You're welcome."...

because that's just your way.

So, today I give thanks

to the One who knit me together, 

the Writer of my days,

for writing out my 32 years thus far

and placing me in the care of these

perfectly wonderful imperfect people. 

Gift Swap Treats

Remember the gift swap?

Well... I loved it...

and was introduced to some incredible creatives.

First up,

"Love what you do" print,

by alana in love.

You can also find her here 

as she chronicles her 

adventures as a newlywed.

The colorful quilt was done by Jess Bridge,

jesssquilts@hotmail.com.

The Instagram Calendar,

by Marilyn over at Passionista Presents

(where you will find and sample some of the best taste in music!)

can be purchased here.

The mug rug is a 

moxiemandie original,

and can be purchased here;

but go check out all her amazing-ness at

www.moxiemandie.com.

And last, but certainly not least,

the wax seal necklace (um...awesome!) by

Brook aka Ritzy Misfit,

and can be purchased through her shop.

Each piece is so unique... I love them!

Go check these people out

and show them some love

by buying their stuff...

in fact, buy two!

Then you can keep one and pass the other on...

and the circle of love continues.

Whoa, whoa, WHOA!!!

As a way of saying 

{thank you}

to all their

25,000+ fans,

CRAVE PHOTOGRAPHY

is doing a 

HUGE,

AWESOME,

G I V E A W A Y!!!

Over $3000 worth of prizes,

but I've got my eye on that 1st prize a 

Nikon 85mm 1.4 lens OR Canon 85mm 1.2 lens!

And I KNOW there's a few of you out there that might as well...

ahem... Erin @My Suburban Utopia,

Lori @head above water,

I know you're not into giveaways, but c'mon!

This could be your lucky one!!
Julia @Writer's Block and Alina @My Yellow Umbrella,
I know you two are already in on this...
mainly because that's how I found out about it... heheee!

Okay, so go check it out.

And if you win...

well, I'll just have you know that my

BIRTHDAY 

is on Friday...

and I like presents...

especially surprise presents.

Here's to A New Year!

Here's to a fresh, clean slate;

here's to souls being awakened and renewed;

here's to immeasurable blessings 

through both joy and pain;

here's to hope springing forth!

May you be filled with hope

through this new beginning;

may your eyes be opened 

to the beauty around you;

may kindness and love overwhelm you

so that you may pass on the blessing.