Little Z is getting bigger and bigger and has now entered into a whole new stage: the Toddle Stage. He is walking, more than ever, tottering around with his hands waving to help keep him steady. He is oh so very cute, as all who spend time with him will attest. But, with this new stage has come the standard headstrong will. Now when we go grocery shopping, he does not want to sit in the cart (there's no action there!). No, he wants to walk, securely between mom and the grocery cart, pushing the cart around with such strength for such a little guy. We literally walk laps around the grocery store, me grabbing items from the shelves as we pace by, trying to keep him from running us into other patrons. Every once in a while when I need us to stop, I lodge him into a corner, which he has quickly adapted to by pulling the cart back and turning it a bit and then pushing again... repeat until that works! The alternative is me lodging my foot under the cart wheel so it can't go anywhere, which results in Z pushing with all his might (think practically horizontal baby) and crying out in frustration. Part of me thinks that he sees pushing the cart as his very important job in our grocery shopping endeavor. Unfortunately, he just doesn't know when to stop, and things always go south when we reach the check out line and the time for pushing has come to an end. Then, I'm stuck juggling pulling items out of the cart, while making sure Z doesn't shove the cart into the person in front of us, or while holding a squirming, very unhappy little boy. Yup, checkout cannot go fast enough. We may have reached the stage where little Z will have to stay home with one parent while the other shops... at least until he's old enough to run down the isle to fetch items for me - another adventure I'm sure. I must say though, it is pretty cute seeing him put all that effort into pushing the cart. So much gumption for such a little person!
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Monday, October 8, 2012
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Pie porn
Because I didn't include any pictures in my last post, here's what we've been up to this weekend:
Thursday, August 2, 2012
The good life
Oh, how much better one feels after a full night of sleep! Z has been giving us a little grief during the night time as of late, either waking up around 330/4am looking for a feed, or deciding that 530am is a great wake up time. At just shy of a year old (it's only a matter of weeks now!) I know he can go the whole night without a feed. Anyways, last night we ate spaghetti (that kid can pack it away!), and then I took the little one for a walk along Willow's Beach. It was such a beautiful night; we started at Estevan Village, walking past Willows Galley Fish n Chips on our way down to the beach. That reminds me, I need to get a fish n chips meal in before the end of summer; it smelled so good walking past that place! Z kept his little sunglasses on the whole time and we had a nice peaceful walk, seeing all the other families and groups of friends enjoying the beach and the playground.
I want to highlight the dinner I made last night. I decided to try something new with my tried and true spaghetti recipe. First, I added zucchini to the sauce; I've been trying to get more veggies in where-ever I can. Second, I decided to make spaghetti squash to cut some of the noodles out. This was the second time I had spaghetti squash. I was pretty impressed the first time I made it, with the ease of prep (I seriously just poke some holes in it and microwave it whole for 8-10 minutes, turning it over every couple of minutes), how tasty it was, and how much it actually resembled noodles... so cool! Anyways, it turned out really great... I think it helped that we also had some fresh baked (not by me) focaccia bread to go with it.
Tonight we caught an outdoor show of Towers and Trees. They're a new local band, of which my brother is a part. Also, my sister in law, his wife, sings vocals sometimes. It was such a wonderful night. The show was early enough that we actually both got to go and bring Z. Normally we kindof flip a coin to decide who gets to go, and who stays home to watch the munchkin. You couldn't ask for better weather, and the food on the patio at the Canoe Club was so tasty. It was pricey, but we both agreed, it was a great evening. Plus, little one did a lot of cruising around with all the patio chairs that were available as anchors.
I'm looking forward to this long weekend. My hubby is off tomorrow, and Monday is a civic holiday, so we'll enjoy a good four days of family time. I'll leave you with a debut video from Towers and Trees.
I want to highlight the dinner I made last night. I decided to try something new with my tried and true spaghetti recipe. First, I added zucchini to the sauce; I've been trying to get more veggies in where-ever I can. Second, I decided to make spaghetti squash to cut some of the noodles out. This was the second time I had spaghetti squash. I was pretty impressed the first time I made it, with the ease of prep (I seriously just poke some holes in it and microwave it whole for 8-10 minutes, turning it over every couple of minutes), how tasty it was, and how much it actually resembled noodles... so cool! Anyways, it turned out really great... I think it helped that we also had some fresh baked (not by me) focaccia bread to go with it.
Tonight we caught an outdoor show of Towers and Trees. They're a new local band, of which my brother is a part. Also, my sister in law, his wife, sings vocals sometimes. It was such a wonderful night. The show was early enough that we actually both got to go and bring Z. Normally we kindof flip a coin to decide who gets to go, and who stays home to watch the munchkin. You couldn't ask for better weather, and the food on the patio at the Canoe Club was so tasty. It was pricey, but we both agreed, it was a great evening. Plus, little one did a lot of cruising around with all the patio chairs that were available as anchors.
I'm looking forward to this long weekend. My hubby is off tomorrow, and Monday is a civic holiday, so we'll enjoy a good four days of family time. I'll leave you with a debut video from Towers and Trees.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Breath before the end
Allow me to explain my MIA status - I have been teaching summer school. This has made me a tad busier, especially with the onset of Z cutting his baby molars. So far the bottom two are in, and the top two are mercilessly trying to break through as well. Whoever said being a baby is easy hasn't dealt with a baby going through some serious teething. It's been interesting going back to work. I like to think that I fell back into the swing of things fairly naturally. There are parts that I had missed, and parts that I think no teacher misses. Regardless, it's been a good way to see what it'll be like in the fall when I go back, potentially full time, and Z starts daycare full time. For now, it's one more week and then back to normal time at home with Z for the month of August.
But, enough about work, I want to focus instead on what I always seem to come back to in this blog - my garden! Allow me to present my tomato plants! They're HUGE!
I look out my living room window and they're there, more than halfway up! The hubby and I like to think of them as our tomato hedges.
As you can see, there are lots of green beauties on the vine, and a ton of little yellow flowers still in production. I actually pruned a couple of the plants today, as per a suggestion from my father that it may help the plant focus its energy on fruit production rather than growth. It makes me happy to see the plants so happy! I think this really is the perfect place for them.
Funny thing is, I've never been a big tomato eater. My husband loves them, but I always order my burgers and sandwiches sans tomatoes, and I don't like them in salads. I think this may be a good opportunity to change that. I have canning plans (I'm practically giddy about using my own canned tomatoes during the year), and may try my hand at making salsa. Aside from that, and making many tomato-based recipes once they're ripe, friends and family will probably be recipients as well!
But, enough about work, I want to focus instead on what I always seem to come back to in this blog - my garden! Allow me to present my tomato plants! They're HUGE!
I look out my living room window and they're there, more than halfway up! The hubby and I like to think of them as our tomato hedges.
cutesie little cherry tomatoes... this plant is called Sweet Million
As you can see, there are lots of green beauties on the vine, and a ton of little yellow flowers still in production. I actually pruned a couple of the plants today, as per a suggestion from my father that it may help the plant focus its energy on fruit production rather than growth. It makes me happy to see the plants so happy! I think this really is the perfect place for them.
Funny thing is, I've never been a big tomato eater. My husband loves them, but I always order my burgers and sandwiches sans tomatoes, and I don't like them in salads. I think this may be a good opportunity to change that. I have canning plans (I'm practically giddy about using my own canned tomatoes during the year), and may try my hand at making salsa. Aside from that, and making many tomato-based recipes once they're ripe, friends and family will probably be recipients as well!
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Garden Update
It's a rainy day today in Victoria; a perfect day to take a few picture of my garden. I am so proud of how our tomato plants are doing (cue the deer eating them all up). I planted them right underneath our living room window in a bed that gets a lot of sun (south facing) but is very protected from the elements (including the rain). I made sure to really saturate the soil with water before planting them, and took the advice of another garden store patron and snapped off the lowest branches and planted them a little lower. He said that it would help them establish their roots. I think it has helped us remember to water them in that they are right out front and we pass them multiple times daily (plus the hose is right there).
My hanging baskets have also expanded from my original plantings. I decided to make my own baskets this year, as I always find them expensive and lacking in variety. I had two baskets left over from last year, and bought $20 worth of plants that I split between the two (so $10 a piece - not bad!). I'm really happy with how they've flourished. I also saturated the soil with water before planting them, and I've stayed up of watering them. I think the nasturtiums will be flowering soon; I've seen little buds!
I didn't take the chance to photograph the backyard, but the radishes are done now, and the kale, carrots and peas are growing well. We planted quite early this year, what did we have to lose? I think I will still plant some beans, just need to get out there and do it. We've got quite a few foxgloves, as usual, and welsh poppies of course, which have already started going to seed (and will continue to self-seed and grow throughout the summer), but none of the large poppies that we had last year. I remember collecting the seeds, and I think I may have been to efficient! I sprinkled some seeds around, but we may have been undiscerning in our mowing and chopped them all off.
My hanging baskets have also expanded from my original plantings. I decided to make my own baskets this year, as I always find them expensive and lacking in variety. I had two baskets left over from last year, and bought $20 worth of plants that I split between the two (so $10 a piece - not bad!). I'm really happy with how they've flourished. I also saturated the soil with water before planting them, and I've stayed up of watering them. I think the nasturtiums will be flowering soon; I've seen little buds!
Monday, May 7, 2012
Weekend Fun!
I had a great weekend. On Saturday I met up with a dear friend at the Journeys Victoria Quilter's Guild Show and Sale. It was absolute bliss to just walk around together, sans kids, and fawn over all the different fabrics and quilts. I should really save all my fabric purchasing for craft fairs and shows, the deals can be really good. Considering I still have fabric that I bought especially for Z, when I was still pregnant, waiting to be turned into a quilt, I was careful not to go overboard in my purchases. I ended up buying a panel of Halloween fabric from Satin Moon Quilt shop that will be perfect for turning into a trick-or-treat bag, and perhaps some decorative panels for the season. Z's first Halloween; I can hardly wait!
I also bought a jelly roll (I think that's what you call them) of Ten Little Things by Jenn Ski for Moda (from Hamels Fabric and Quilting). The colours are super cute, not too stereotypically boyish, and I think they would make the perfect bedspread for Zachary (or any other little kidlet that might be added to our family).
That was Saturday. On Sunday the weather was absolutely fantastic. Hubby and I decided to take advantage of it, and as soon as the little one went down for his morning nap, we were outside. Hubby washed the cars while I worked on planting tomato plants. We have this planter right below our living room window. Since our house faces South, the planter gets a TON of sunlight, but very little water as it's protected by the roof overhang. It's also gets protected somewhat from any late-spring frost. We're hoping the heat will help produce some great tomatoes, as long as we keep it well watered, and hopefully the dear aren't keen on coming that close to the house (I'm not banking on it).
As you can see, I need to get a couple more tomato cages. In other garden news, through the act of weeding our veggie garden, we discovered that we already had a crop of radishes for eating. Can I just say that there aren't a lot of recipes out there for radishes outside of the realm of salads? These grow great, not sure how the two of us are going to eat them all though!
By this point, little Z had woken up from his nap, and was outside with us, under the protection of a beach umbrella, watching mom and dad huff and puff in the sun!
Aside from that, my brother stopped by for a visit, and helped me plant two bushes/vines that I bought during the week. The top one is Star Jasmine. We planted it by the fence, and I'm really hoping that with minimal training, it'll take over the side of the fence (there's not much nice over there at the moment. The bottom image is a shrub called Golden-Leaved Mock Orange. All I know is, I like the bright green foliage, it's supposed to bloom in the summer, it can grow to 2m x 2m in size, and it only cost me $12.99 at the garden center. Score!
Anyone else get up to some fun over the weekend?
I also bought a jelly roll (I think that's what you call them) of Ten Little Things by Jenn Ski for Moda (from Hamels Fabric and Quilting). The colours are super cute, not too stereotypically boyish, and I think they would make the perfect bedspread for Zachary (or any other little kidlet that might be added to our family).
That was Saturday. On Sunday the weather was absolutely fantastic. Hubby and I decided to take advantage of it, and as soon as the little one went down for his morning nap, we were outside. Hubby washed the cars while I worked on planting tomato plants. We have this planter right below our living room window. Since our house faces South, the planter gets a TON of sunlight, but very little water as it's protected by the roof overhang. It's also gets protected somewhat from any late-spring frost. We're hoping the heat will help produce some great tomatoes, as long as we keep it well watered, and hopefully the dear aren't keen on coming that close to the house (I'm not banking on it).
As you can see, I need to get a couple more tomato cages. In other garden news, through the act of weeding our veggie garden, we discovered that we already had a crop of radishes for eating. Can I just say that there aren't a lot of recipes out there for radishes outside of the realm of salads? These grow great, not sure how the two of us are going to eat them all though!
By this point, little Z had woken up from his nap, and was outside with us, under the protection of a beach umbrella, watching mom and dad huff and puff in the sun!
Aside from that, my brother stopped by for a visit, and helped me plant two bushes/vines that I bought during the week. The top one is Star Jasmine. We planted it by the fence, and I'm really hoping that with minimal training, it'll take over the side of the fence (there's not much nice over there at the moment. The bottom image is a shrub called Golden-Leaved Mock Orange. All I know is, I like the bright green foliage, it's supposed to bloom in the summer, it can grow to 2m x 2m in size, and it only cost me $12.99 at the garden center. Score!
Monday, March 19, 2012
Do as I do
My little boy Z is in his seventh month now, and I've been offering him solids for about a month and a half. It has been very much trial and error. I truly feel as a parent, that although over all I am confident in my abilities to keep my child alive, well loved and well cared for, I am constantly teetering on the brink of I-have-absolutely-no-CLUE-what-I'm-doing!! I guess parenting is its own type of humility (boy, isn't that a load of perspective!)
Being the first month or so of solids, we've had out digestive issues. His initial favorites were rice cereal and bananas, which are both binders (I'll let you figure that one out). Now, he seems to enjoy mangos, which is great as they are in season. Ideally, I would like to offer him a variety of fruits, vegetables, and other whole foods, but I feel I am always confronted by indecision... what should I offer him next? I'm also the type of person who has my likes and tends to stick to them... not the best when you're trying to offer a variety.
I titled this blog "do as I do" because no matter what I seem to offer Z, he is always the most interested in what I am eating and what I am drinking. Take today, for instance. After a morning feed, I offered him barley cereal mixed with some prune yogurt and a little bit of water to thin it out. I ate my breakfast while offering him his food (that seems to work best). He ate some of it, but the whole time I could tell what he really wanted was my toast and my tea! Okay, I'll confess, I let him have some chasers of my tea! I can't resist that cute super-proud-of-himself look when he has a sip from an adult cup! For lunch, I had some roasted red pepper black bean soup. You can bet he was going crazy, making the motions like he wanted some. I decided to offer him some, and his reaction (which I've seen before in response to yogurt) was hilarious. He puckered his face, squinting one eye and his body gave a little shutter. Obviously the flavor was a surprise to him, but he kept wanting more!
I believe this is a form of Baby Led Weaning, though if I were a true purist, I think I would hand him the soup and a spoon and let him go to town. All I know is, if we're going to continue this way, I had better make sure I eat well all the time. I've got someone little watching me now.
Being the first month or so of solids, we've had out digestive issues. His initial favorites were rice cereal and bananas, which are both binders (I'll let you figure that one out). Now, he seems to enjoy mangos, which is great as they are in season. Ideally, I would like to offer him a variety of fruits, vegetables, and other whole foods, but I feel I am always confronted by indecision... what should I offer him next? I'm also the type of person who has my likes and tends to stick to them... not the best when you're trying to offer a variety.
I titled this blog "do as I do" because no matter what I seem to offer Z, he is always the most interested in what I am eating and what I am drinking. Take today, for instance. After a morning feed, I offered him barley cereal mixed with some prune yogurt and a little bit of water to thin it out. I ate my breakfast while offering him his food (that seems to work best). He ate some of it, but the whole time I could tell what he really wanted was my toast and my tea! Okay, I'll confess, I let him have some chasers of my tea! I can't resist that cute super-proud-of-himself look when he has a sip from an adult cup! For lunch, I had some roasted red pepper black bean soup. You can bet he was going crazy, making the motions like he wanted some. I decided to offer him some, and his reaction (which I've seen before in response to yogurt) was hilarious. He puckered his face, squinting one eye and his body gave a little shutter. Obviously the flavor was a surprise to him, but he kept wanting more!
I believe this is a form of Baby Led Weaning, though if I were a true purist, I think I would hand him the soup and a spoon and let him go to town. All I know is, if we're going to continue this way, I had better make sure I eat well all the time. I've got someone little watching me now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)