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baby bump

it’s almost june and i never quite got around to announcing, via chockfullof, my pregnancy.  since most of you that read this are close friends and family, you already know, but better late than never for any of my new friends checking in! we’re having a boy and he’s due to join our family mid-september.

much to carter’s chagrin (and late night annoyance) i’m in full-on nesting mode, bringing up ideas for lamps and curtains as he’s attempting to drift off to sleep.  i’m feeling really good these days, energy-wise, but get pretty terrible sleep at night which is why i catch up with a nap every few days.  i’ve been craving meat and salt, and had a near-religious experience with an arby’s beef cheddar melt. (i pulled my dad into that meaty love fest as payment for painting olive’s room).

my wonderful mother-in-law has been patiently waiting for a photo of the baby bump as well as one of olive smiling…so here’s a two-for-one ellen! everyone that’s already seen this on my sis’ awesome blog, sorry for the repeat…this is all i’ve got right now.  can you tell we’re still in a sort of denial/state of shock?!

owl print

my lovely mother’s day gift from carter and olive! i had it framed and up within a day!

(ps. small talk studio is full of amazing pieces)

i am all about simple recipes lately as i’m not to keen to be on my feet for long.  the side effect of working retail. and being pregnant doesn’t help! i also really love recipes that don’t involve turning the stove or oven on as it’s starting to heat up these days.

this recipe comes from the “i heart trader joe’s cookbook” my sis-in-law gave me.  super simple, very flavorful and quick…as always, thank you trader joe’s (& becky)!

 

pesto chicken salad

(serves 2-4)

ingredients

1/4 c. pesto

3 Tbl. red wine vinegar

2 Tbl. olive oil

1 1/2 c. cooked chicken

7 oz. mixed greens

1/4 english cucumber, chopped

1/2 c. shredded carrots

1/2 red onion, chopped

1/4 cup toasted pine nuts

salt & pepper

** we nixed the pine nuts…lovely idea but not in our weekly food budget. you could add walnuts or whatever you have on hand, or skip all together like we did.   also, we used fresh spinach from the garden & just made a big bed on our plates…didn’t worry about measuring.  i’m not a huge fan of raw onion, so maybe let folks dish this part out themselves, or serve in a little bowl on the table.  finally, i got a package of trader joe’s chicken tenders and after marinating them in their tuscan italian dressing we grilled them.  had some with the pesto salad and had the rest tonight in a salad wrap.  bellissimo!

back to the recipe…

whisk together the pesto, vinegar, and olive oil.  season to taste with salt and pepper.  toss the chicken with half the pesto mixture.  in a large bowl, combine the greens, cucumber, carrots, and red onion, and dress with the remaining pesto mixture (we just drizzled some on top and saved a little for a future salad/meal).  adjust seasoning to taste.  arrange on a platter and top with the chicken.  sprinkle pine nuts over the salad.

dinner is done! hope you enjoy!

a couple weeks ago a friend’s husband contacted me about some matching aprons for mother’s day.  he was kind enough to let me be a part of the surprise and the gift.  i had a lot of fun making these and love knowing his amazing girls will be cooking up something delicious together!

(the half apron design is from amy karol’s “bend-the-rules” sewing book.)

(thanks to laurel for taking these great photos!)

 

 

and for her big debut:

(i love how she hangs onto the “z” at the end….and the train running through the background gives her a true gritty persona.  she’s so rock n’ roll man!)

 

posy pilgrimage

i recently got to take my first posy-related buying trip this past weekend to the liberty antique festival.  olive had been sick since the tuesday before and was finally starting to show signs of her old self.  suzanne, unfortunately, was home with sick kiddo #2.  i took advantage of the solo time and drove for about 45 minutes without any music or interruptions or feet kicking my seat.  the last 15 minutes were spent with lauryn hill…my go-to album for solo road trips.  pure heaven!

it was a totally overwhelming (in a good way!) experience.  tons of amazing treasures, southern smorgasbord for lunch and friendly folks everywhere.  my favorite was the announcer.  the first thing i heard upon entering the festival was, “if you haven’t tried the fried banana pudding, you’d better get you some!”  i knew i was in the right place.

i can’t wait for my finds to hit the shop…but until then, here’s a peak at what the festival had to offer.  i’m already looking forward to getting back next year!

next year, i’m bringing a wagon so my arms don’t fall off.  and i’m going to space out my shopping to include more food breaks.  i was really disappointed to have to walk away from the local church’s bake sale.  those pies looked delicious!  overall, a well-run, entertaining and educational festival. those vendors know their stuff!

a couple of weekends ago, i schlepped my family out to durham to deliver around 10 bags of crafty clutter to the scrap exchange.  i have to admit, it was really, really hard to let go.  we’re talking stamps, envelopes, beads, paints, papers, stickers, and tons of “this would be so fun to make _____ with” stuff. but, you know what, as you can imagine, i not only haven’t used it or made it, but i’ve let it sit looming in my closet, attics and bureau making me feel guilty. and not creative.  so out it went and in came a breath of fresh air and possibility!

as a reward for my letting go (and bribery to my family for taking the journey with me), we stopped off for an amazing lunch at foster’s market. highlight of the visit, besides the hot italian sub (with artichokes and all kinds of magic tucked inside!) and the giant chocolate chip cookie we enjoyed on a bench outside…was getting to meet ms. sarah herself.  carter was very cute and raved to her about how much he loves her.  i kept the part to myself where carter said if i wasn’t around he’d marry her. i think she got the picture!

and this is what i get for asking olive to smile.  when will i learn?!

ps. next time i’m totally going for the shredded bbq turkey sandwich with homemade slaw and bread and butter pickles.  it was a hard choice, but i’ll come back for you friend!

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