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Baby Food: Banana Pancakes
I’m going to try to start sharing a little more about Casper in this space. What I’m feeding him, what life has been like, and things like that. Because, really, I’ve been hesitant to mention him too much. For fear that I’ll be deemed a “mommy-blogger”, as if that’s somehow a terrible thing to be. It’s not and I AM a mom and a blogger, and I feel like I should share some of that here. Casper is currently the center of my universe, he sets the rhythm of my days and I am so incredibly thankful that he’s here and he’s mine. I feel silly even writing that because, really, the words just escape me. The road to motherhood was a little rough for me. There were really dark days, a lot of disappointment, crushing fear and doubt. I kept all my feels pretty close–of course Sean had a front row seat to my emotion showdown and a few close friends, too–but, my 28th and 29th years were just a mess of trying to keep my head up while grappling with fertility issues. There were times that I felt totally lost, without purpose, and I really questioned myself. I know that’s a controversial thing to say these days when we are leaning in–that motherhood gave me purpose–but it did and it is honestly what I have always wanted. I may talk about this in more depth sometime–someday when I can gather my thoughts on Casper’s birth and my pregnancy and everything that led up to it without it being a billion words long. But, in short, it was at once more difficult and more easy than a lot of people have it–and, seriously, I feel so lucky.
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Cherry Almond Smoothie
Even though they often look like a swamp-drink, I’ve been drinking smoothies like this one every morning for weeks now. My mom generously gifted me the Vitamix I’d had my eyes on for Christmas and it’s been smoothie-town up in here ever since. It’s a pretty healthful way to begin the day and since we are notorious breakfast skippers in this house, it’s the best lazy breakfast during the week. The swampy hue comes from a big handful of spinach, but it’s not even a detectable flavor, though visually it’s no beauty. The key is drinking it before it reaches room temperature, because that’s when the spinach really oxidizes and turns into some sort of swamp-thang.
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Lemon Bar Ice Cream
Meyer Lemon Curd
This past summer, right after Casper was born, my mom bought me a couple of plants for the yard–a squat, red Japanese maple, a lilac, and two jasmine plants. It was our first trip out of the house and Casper was only a few days old. I wore him in my Solly wrap and wandered Portland Nursery in what I can only describe as a new-mom-haze–a mixture of emotions running from sentimental, to overwhelmed, to smitten. While we were there I spotted a wee Meyer lemon tree and always the giver, my mom bought it, potted it, and popped in my house by our back door. It’s a glass slider door that gets a ton of afternoon light and my little citrus has been growing pretty well, I think. It sprouted a few little lemons, to our surprise, but it really won’t bear much fruit for a couple of years. Until then, I will prune the waxy leaves, try to keep Casper from eating the potting soil, and buy my Meyer lemons from the store and turn them into lemon curd until my home-grown citrus dreams come true.
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Brown Butter Cinnamon Banana Bread with Brown Butter Honey Drizzle
Ham and Chive Mini Biscuit Muffins
Guys, tomorrow we are taking Casper on his first plane trip and I am just a leeeetle bit nervous (aka, a LOT nervous). Mostly about the germs and the diseases I’m convinced are lurking everywhere and since everything Casper can get his paws on goes into his mouth, I’m just freaking out a bit. On the inside. On the outside I only look mildly freaked out. I may or may not be the weirdo in seat 20b shrouding myself and my baby with a muslin blanket while Sean tries to not roll his eyes too hard. Thankfully, the flight is a short one (1.5 hours) and we’ll be landing in Reno to a happy reception of friends and family. Casper is meeting my BFF and her family for the first time! I’m so excited! She and her sister, also my good friend, have daughters a few months older than Casper, so it’s going to be a baby party! I can’t wait to see how they all interact. I’m sure it will be hilarious.
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Chocolate Cupcakes with Goat Cheese Frosting & Cherry Jam Middles
Recently at Betty’s: Brown Butter Bourbon-Cherry Coffee Cake with Pecan Streusel and Cookie Butter Cheesecake Brownie Cups
Guys, guys! Brown Butter Bourbon-Cherry Coffee Cake with Pecan Streusel. Has there ever been a string of words more enticing? Maybe, but maybe not. I’ve made this coffee cake several times since it’s conception. It’s so easy and so delicious. It’s a start-with-a-mix-end-with-amazing type of situation adapted from a coffee cake my mom is known for…except I added booze, cause I’m smart that way. It’s fragrant, it’s tender, it’s glazey, and streuseled, and it kills every of the time. Get the recipe HERE.
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