We recently went to visit my parents and I learned two things: 1. flying with a toddler during their nap time is both stupid and one of the most stressful things ever (why did we think that would be ok again?) and 2. playing with my mom’s china is my grownup version of dress up. Literally within moments of recovering from the worst plane flight ever, I spotted my mom’s beautiful vintage china and said, “I’ll be doing an Easter brunch table setting. Cool?”
My mom introduced me to beer…bread. 🙂 Believe me…if there were a wine version I would’ve known about it (and she would’ve told me about it) WAY sooner than just a few months ago. But back to beer. Somewhere in the hustle and bustle of her busy life in Florida she told me about this here beer bread she made for…oh…I don’t know…book club? mahjong? bunko? Take your pick, she does them all – that Floridian social butterfly. Either way, the beer bread made its way into my inbox, my Pinterest and about every meal I can think to fit it into. What better time to share it than March? The month of shamrocks, leprechaun’s and BEER!
Brunch is definitely different with a kiddo. Those days of sleeping in until 11am, stumbling to our favorite brunch spot and indulging in bottomless mimosas are long gone. These days it’s more like rise and shine at 6:30, down our coffee, scarf some food down (I suggest Southwestern Breakfast Muffins :)) and then have our friends over to the house to indulge in the second breakfast of the day before putting the little one down for her nap so I can enjoy a couple mimosas. Ya…it’s definitely different but I gotta tell ya…I love my new style of brunching. Partly because I love being able to eat breakfast twice in one day but mostly because it allows me to stick to my 8pm bedtime…I am not ashamed.
I have a confession y’all…I hate bananas. Even more odd…I love making banana bread. Right? Such a contradiction. Here’s the deal: from a very young age I would complain to my parents that bananas made my mouth itch. However, this weird itching thing didn’t lend itself to showing up on an allergy test so my parents chalked it up to this little girl being her dramatic self and just not liking bananas. So be it. But I still stand by my complaint – bananas make my mouth itch and I will not eat them. As much as I personally despise the fruit…my little girl has given me a new appreciation for them. They’re natures easiest food – soft for the early eater, loaded with nutrients and no packaging required. And thanks to banana breads, I can always get the most out of my bananas without ever having to eat them. I’ll take it…just don’t make me eat it.
Let me just brag for a moment…Texas is having an AMAZING winter this year (and now I’m sure I just jinxed it). In fact, I’m currently enjoying the sunshine and 65 degree weather as I write this (I’m pushing my luck at this point, I just know it). I think my favorite part about it so far are the abundance of bright, springy flowers in the shops around here. Bushels of bright yellow calla lilies can be seen everywhere! Perhaps this is the normal time of year for it but for some reason it just feels like this is the first time I’m thinking “yay!” versus the typical, “ok, you’re getting ahead of yourself spring.” Maybe it’s the calla lilies, maybe it’s the sunshine, but at this point in time all I can thing about is getting out from the heavy dark chocolate lava cakes and making springy, fluffy, bright desserts.
I know it’s not quite strawberry season just yet but nothing can stop Valentine’s Day from covering fruit in chocolate to convince everyone they’re getting a healthy goodie right? See …it’s not me…it’s that tricky Hallmark holiday, Valentine’s Day. Regardless, Trader Joe’s has my strawberries and I had an idea I just HAD to try. And now I just HAVE to share it with yall! I present to you…drumroll please…strawberry hearts!
If you haven’t been told this already – date nights are a bit more challenging when you have a kiddo. 🙂 I won’t go on about the reasonings as I’m sure they’re pretty obvious (if you’re curious just google it…you’ll be inundated). What I will say is when you become a parent just because date nights are harder to do, DON’T STOP DOING THEM! The hubby and I make it a point to do at least one date night a week. Now, let me clarify, that does not mean finding a babysitter and spending money at a nice restaurant. What it does mean is showering and putting something besides active wear on (the struggle is real here), waiting until after the babe has gone to sleep, not sitting in front of the TV and setting the table – for two. Thus, the Table for Two series. This series will follow me on my date night tablescape journey and what a perfect time of year to start – Valentines!
I will be the first to admit I’m a fair-weather fan…of any sports team really. Now that doesn’t mean I don’t like a good party or a chance to spend time with friends. You just won’t catch me paying much attention to the actual game until the last 5-10 mins. I know this will all change once my kiddos are playing but until then – I will be over here creating other fun games to do in conjunction with the football game to keep myself entertained 🙂 And so I give you Super Bowl Squares! Super easy to create (or download at bottom!), scalable, gets everyone involved, you don’t have to know anything about football to play and includes a little gambling – how does that not sound like a winner?
LAST WEEK OF WHOLE30!! If you are scratching your head about what the heck Whole30 is check out It’s Not A Diet…It’s A Challenge. If you are scratching your head about why the extra exclamation point is needed let me explain. I am not only finally on the upswing of Whole30 (so many victories happening!) but also only one week away from a nice little celebratory cocktail after 30 days of NO ALCOHOL…and did I mention I had a toddler? Ya, I’m ready for a drink.
So you got invited to a diaper shower huh? If you’re not a female over the age of 25 you probably don’t know what the heck a diaper shower is. And that’s ok! My husband finally just kept calling it, “that thing you’re going to.” So let me explain. Not to make you feel stupid but diaper showers are pretty much exactly what they sound like; you shower a person with diapers. The reason it’s not a baby shower is most likely because someone else is already throwing one of those for the mom-to-be so they’re diversifying or it’s not their first child and have the baby necessities. So, there goes the element of surprise with, “what could this gift be!?” If we can’t have that, why not have, “OMG! How cute!” Yes, that can be the reaction with diapers and wipes, I assure you 🙂
Fun, Yum & Frills 