Ahhhh reading. A love of mine - a love that, unfortunately, these days gets little or no attention. Sigh. I am surrounded by books that call to me. However, I am also surrounded by two toddlers, hubby, housework and laundry...and well, lets just say, life. When I find a pocket of time to read - it's a treasure.
However, I love it when I find a book that captures my attention and makes me find time to read it. That's how it was with this novel, The Help by Kathryn Stockett.
Being a girl who has no Southern roots, this book was very eye-opening for me. It has given me a deep, deep respect for African-Americans that I can honestly say I did not have before reading this. It has left me thinking about certain issues, weeks after finishing the work. Excellent.
In addition, Kathryn does an superb job in using three different voices throughout the book. I was very surprised to learn that this is her first book! I felt that I was reading a well seasoned author - and hope there will be more to come!
So, now I feel like I'm one of the kids in Reading Rainbow, looking at the camera, ending my book recommendation with: "so get to your local library and pick up this book!"
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Our Little Orange....
Today we had our first OB appt - yes, it was the first, (with this baby) and yes I'm 18 weeks today! I stalled making that first appointment because I was in a bit of denial about baby number 3. Then, when I knew that I knew and called to make my appt - the soonest they could get me in was a month a week away! What?
My doctor's practice has grown a lot in the past year - the first time she saw me with Baby Brother I was able to come in the next week. She was also in the process of starting her practice - and her office was being built...so I had all of my OB visits at a Emergency Clinic. All of the labs and ultra sounds had to be outsourced to other practices. Today, I went into her new office, with all the bells and whistles - and it was lovely!!! She wheeled the ultra sound machine into the room and did the sonogram right there. She has nurses, and two receptionists....(at the Emergency clinic she had one nurse who was also the receptionist). Things have changed a bit!
So, everything looks great. We saw our baby and heard that sweet heartbeat. The baby is measuring at exactly 18 weeks today, making the due date March 31st. It will be a scheduled C-section. We will find out the gender the day before Thanksgiving - and I am excited.
The baby weighs 7 ounces - Hubby headed to the grocery store to find a piece of fruit that weighed 7 ounces. He sent me at text that said "It's an orange!" :)
My doctor's practice has grown a lot in the past year - the first time she saw me with Baby Brother I was able to come in the next week. She was also in the process of starting her practice - and her office was being built...so I had all of my OB visits at a Emergency Clinic. All of the labs and ultra sounds had to be outsourced to other practices. Today, I went into her new office, with all the bells and whistles - and it was lovely!!! She wheeled the ultra sound machine into the room and did the sonogram right there. She has nurses, and two receptionists....(at the Emergency clinic she had one nurse who was also the receptionist). Things have changed a bit!
So, everything looks great. We saw our baby and heard that sweet heartbeat. The baby is measuring at exactly 18 weeks today, making the due date March 31st. It will be a scheduled C-section. We will find out the gender the day before Thanksgiving - and I am excited.
The baby weighs 7 ounces - Hubby headed to the grocery store to find a piece of fruit that weighed 7 ounces. He sent me at text that said "It's an orange!" :)
A Lovely Autumn Morning
I am loving autumn here in Austin. I am discovering that it's more like our summertime - lovely days, and cool nights. It's so nice that the temps are not hovering in the 100's anymore! On a recent Saturday morning, I took advantage of the nice weather and set up our breakfast table outside. I had fed the kids earlier, so it was just a nice meal for my hubby and I, while the kids played outside.
I enjoyed puling out and using my nicer plates and tableware - something I need to do more often!
Baked this recipe -and they didn't last very long... sooo yummy!
And made Colorado Quiche - a recipe I haven't had in years. This too is so good, but there's a reason....butter, cheese, whipping cream, bacon....need I say more?
And made Colorado Quiche - a recipe I haven't had in years. This too is so good, but there's a reason....butter, cheese, whipping cream, bacon....need I say more?Colorado Quiche
1 prepared 9 inch pie crust in pie pan
1 c sliced fresh mushrooms
1 T. butter
1 c grated cheddar cheese
1 10 oz pkg. frozen chopped spinach thawed, squeezed very dry
3 eggs
1 1/2 c whipping cream
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp crushed garlic
1/2 tsp onion salt
1/8 tsp freshly ground pepper
6 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/3 c Parmesan cheese
Cook mushrooms in butter until soft. Drain and set aside. Sprinkle cheddar cheese into bottom of pie crust. In large bowl, combine spinach, eggs, cream, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, garlic, onion salt, pepper, mushrooms, and bacon. Pour into crust. Sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes, until knife inserted in middle comes out clean.
Enjoy! :)
1 prepared 9 inch pie crust in pie pan
1 c sliced fresh mushrooms
1 T. butter
1 c grated cheddar cheese
1 10 oz pkg. frozen chopped spinach thawed, squeezed very dry
3 eggs
1 1/2 c whipping cream
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp crushed garlic
1/2 tsp onion salt
1/8 tsp freshly ground pepper
6 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/3 c Parmesan cheese
Cook mushrooms in butter until soft. Drain and set aside. Sprinkle cheddar cheese into bottom of pie crust. In large bowl, combine spinach, eggs, cream, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, garlic, onion salt, pepper, mushrooms, and bacon. Pour into crust. Sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes, until knife inserted in middle comes out clean.
Enjoy! :)
Monday, October 26, 2009
The Sweet Berry Farm
Yesterday we headed out to the Sweet Berry Farm - and had a great time. We went last year, but had a completely different experience this year. Last year we pretty much had the farm to ourselves - this year, it was very crowded - but still lots of fun.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Our Big News
Yes...it's true. Our sweet Baby Brother is not going to be Baby Brother for much longer. We are going to have another little one at the end of March!I know it's been pretty silent around here - and this pregnancy being one big reason. The first trimester was pretty rough. But we made it through and I'm singing the praises of second trimester glory!!! :)
Love,
Rebecca
Friday, July 31, 2009
Look! It's A Real Post!
Hi! How are you? It's been a while, hasn't it?
Yes, I intended to blog throughout the summer. And there has certainly been much to blog - family reunions, birthday parties, a month long trip Colorado, and a new nephew! And, I hope to give you at least a brief glimpse of these events.... So many sweet times!
So, what have you been up to? You may ask. My Answer: Learning how to effectively manage. Managing my home, my family, my body. That pretty much sums it up. Computer time - drastically reduced. Completed projects, sense of accomplishment and routines greatly increased. Hmmmm.....
Let me break it down for you.
Managing My Home - During our trip to Colorado, I had a great wake-up call. And that is how well my boys function with a routine. I realized that although our normal routine in Texas is not all that I wish it could be - we do have one. And when we weren't following it, for weeks on end, we all went a little bonkers. I am not, nor never have been a lady of routine. That is changing. When we came home, I determined that it's time to step it up.
Time with my children is precious. I can't waste the time we have been given. And lots of days, I feel that time was lost due to my lack of planning. It has been a lot of work and a lot of habit changing - but oh so worth it. So, things like meal planning, picking up before bed, limiting my computer time, etc has been put into place, and it is becoming more the norm. Yeah Me!!!
The book that has helped me A TON in the arena is Simplify Your Time. It was recommended to me by a friend as well as my sister. I like it because she takes a lot of the fly lady's methods and builds on them. Simple two page chapters that are intended for you to read one day at a time, make it very doable. I have found that my time needs so much simplifying that I am averaging about three chapters a week.
My Family - Well, let's just put it this way. I have a hubby, three year old and a one year old. Everyday we are learning how to pick up, how to treat our little brother, how to play with new friends, how to control our emotions, how to crawl down the stairs backwards, how to go potty in the potty,how to eat solid foods and drink from a sippy cup you get the idea.... And they aren't the only ones learning. I am learning how to answer genuinely when I hear "Why?" for about the millionth time in the course of the day. I am learning to be gracious when potty happens at the most inconvenient places. And most importantly I am learning how to be a life-giving and encouraging wife. To be honest, at the end of the day, I'm more than ready for a long bath and my pillow. Notice I said learning - I feel that I have a long ways to go in all of these areas!
My Body - Well, this is a hard one to talk about. But it's just as big - if not the biggest thing I'm working on right now. (no pun intended!:) I have had a really hard time taking off the baby weight. And, baby weight has turned into post-baby weight, which has turned into just plain weight. Ugggh. This too has got to change. I feel and see my health slipping. I have been diagnosed with Plantar Fasciitis and boy is it no fun. Every morning I hobble out of bed and limp around like an old lady. I have tried numerous things - but I know that the main cause is my weight gain.
So, added to all of this, a weekly exercise routine has been added to my week. I can't wait for the fall and winter when the boys and I can go on long walks. Right now, it's too stinkin hot here it TX to walk outside. So, I have been going to the YMCA on an average of three to five times a week - and I'm feeling great! I've been going early in the morning before hubs goes to work on Tues and Thurs and then attend a FABULOUS water aerobics class Mon, Wed,evening and Sat morning. Don't scoff when I say water aerobics - it's definitely doing it's job! Yesterday I was so sore from the class that I couldn't walk up the stairs without flinching. And the good news is - I've lost three pounds so far! Yippee!
I'll be honest that there has been a lot of heart searching and God seeking in the weight thing as well. That is probably a whole other BLOG in itself. Which, speaking of, there is a great tool called Sparkpeople, which a friend recommended, I am getting to know - and love. It's an online community of people who are losing weight. It's been a good motivation to get me going - and I have a ton more to discover about the site. It's an incredible, free tool with a WEALTH of information.
That pretty much sums it up. That's where I have been, and where I hope to be going. It's a good place to be.
Yes, I intended to blog throughout the summer. And there has certainly been much to blog - family reunions, birthday parties, a month long trip Colorado, and a new nephew! And, I hope to give you at least a brief glimpse of these events.... So many sweet times!
So, what have you been up to? You may ask. My Answer: Learning how to effectively manage. Managing my home, my family, my body. That pretty much sums it up. Computer time - drastically reduced. Completed projects, sense of accomplishment and routines greatly increased. Hmmmm.....
Let me break it down for you.
Managing My Home - During our trip to Colorado, I had a great wake-up call. And that is how well my boys function with a routine. I realized that although our normal routine in Texas is not all that I wish it could be - we do have one. And when we weren't following it, for weeks on end, we all went a little bonkers. I am not, nor never have been a lady of routine. That is changing. When we came home, I determined that it's time to step it up.
Time with my children is precious. I can't waste the time we have been given. And lots of days, I feel that time was lost due to my lack of planning. It has been a lot of work and a lot of habit changing - but oh so worth it. So, things like meal planning, picking up before bed, limiting my computer time, etc has been put into place, and it is becoming more the norm. Yeah Me!!!
The book that has helped me A TON in the arena is Simplify Your Time. It was recommended to me by a friend as well as my sister. I like it because she takes a lot of the fly lady's methods and builds on them. Simple two page chapters that are intended for you to read one day at a time, make it very doable. I have found that my time needs so much simplifying that I am averaging about three chapters a week.
My Family - Well, let's just put it this way. I have a hubby, three year old and a one year old. Everyday we are learning how to pick up, how to treat our little brother, how to play with new friends, how to control our emotions, how to crawl down the stairs backwards, how to go potty in the potty,how to eat solid foods and drink from a sippy cup you get the idea.... And they aren't the only ones learning. I am learning how to answer genuinely when I hear "Why?" for about the millionth time in the course of the day. I am learning to be gracious when potty happens at the most inconvenient places. And most importantly I am learning how to be a life-giving and encouraging wife. To be honest, at the end of the day, I'm more than ready for a long bath and my pillow. Notice I said learning - I feel that I have a long ways to go in all of these areas!
My Body - Well, this is a hard one to talk about. But it's just as big - if not the biggest thing I'm working on right now. (no pun intended!:) I have had a really hard time taking off the baby weight. And, baby weight has turned into post-baby weight, which has turned into just plain weight. Ugggh. This too has got to change. I feel and see my health slipping. I have been diagnosed with Plantar Fasciitis and boy is it no fun. Every morning I hobble out of bed and limp around like an old lady. I have tried numerous things - but I know that the main cause is my weight gain.
So, added to all of this, a weekly exercise routine has been added to my week. I can't wait for the fall and winter when the boys and I can go on long walks. Right now, it's too stinkin hot here it TX to walk outside. So, I have been going to the YMCA on an average of three to five times a week - and I'm feeling great! I've been going early in the morning before hubs goes to work on Tues and Thurs and then attend a FABULOUS water aerobics class Mon, Wed,evening and Sat morning. Don't scoff when I say water aerobics - it's definitely doing it's job! Yesterday I was so sore from the class that I couldn't walk up the stairs without flinching. And the good news is - I've lost three pounds so far! Yippee!
I'll be honest that there has been a lot of heart searching and God seeking in the weight thing as well. That is probably a whole other BLOG in itself. Which, speaking of, there is a great tool called Sparkpeople, which a friend recommended, I am getting to know - and love. It's an online community of people who are losing weight. It's been a good motivation to get me going - and I have a ton more to discover about the site. It's an incredible, free tool with a WEALTH of information.
That pretty much sums it up. That's where I have been, and where I hope to be going. It's a good place to be.
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