Peach Pie

Tonight we had an invite to dinner with friends. Jonah is away at the farm for the week and thus I knew the huge bag of peaches in my fridge would not be eaten by our peach lover. So, peach pie it was for our hosts. This recipe is incredibly yummy. You will love it even if you don't like peach pie. It is well worth the few extra steps from a traditional peach pie. Don't cheat with a store bought crust. This crust is simple and delicious.

Pie crust:

2 1/2 cups A.P. Flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water

Combine dry ingredients and add chilled butter incorporating it with your hands until fine crumbs are formed. Slowly drizzle in ice water until dough comes together. Slice in half and form into two disks. Wrap and chill in fridge for at least an hour. You only need one half for the pie. The other half of dough can be frozen for up to a month or used for decorating the top of your pie.

Once the dough is ready, roll it out and press it into your pie pan. Then line the inside of the shell with parchment paper and pie weights like dry beans. Bake for about 30 minutes at 350 until crisp but not completely done. This step ensures a non-mushy pie bottom. Well worth the extra time.

Peaches:

10-15 peaches, pitted & sliced (Pealing is optional. I prefer not too.)
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Put all ingredients over sliced peaches and toss gently with your hands to get an even coating. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. After thirty minutes remove from fridge and drain off the excess liquid with a strainer. This is key to avoid an overly runny pie. Place aside and proceed to making a quick caramel sauce....

Caramel:

1/4 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. heavy cream
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Combine the water and the sugar into a small sauce pan over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. You can stir it a few times, and then just let is do it's thing. Once it starts to develop a light caramel color quickly remove from heat and whisk in your butter and cream creating a caramel. Place aside.

Crumb Topping:

1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, cubed

Using your hands work the butter into the sugar and flour until crumb like.

Fold the caramel sauce into the strained peaches. Place into your pie crust. Top with the crumb topping and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 35 minutes until bubbly and lightly browned. Serve warm.

Yes, It Has Come To This!

Look Out Mama!

That's Gracie's current mantra. All of a sudden Gracie seems to be able to do it all. She can go down the slide at the playground all by herself! After assistance up the ladder of course, but once up at the top, look out! She pushes herself off and flies down.

She also loves somersaults, and I find her with her head down on the carpet ready to show off her new skill all throughout the day.

The best of the best though is her favorite new game. Climbing onto the bottom bunk of Jonah's bed and standing on the bed. Oh yes. Mama has sprinted across the house several times to discover our little monkey jumping on the bed with that ornery grin on her face as she dives into the covers to try and escape her fate.

Toddler hood has arrived ready or not!

Oh Lonely Forgotten Blog....

I promise I am still here. I just cannot seem to get back into my routine since Kevin left us once again. My laundry is still not caught up. I finally steam cleaned my floors for the first time in weeks last night at midnight. Groceries are few and far between. Bills are sitting idle. Everything feels off and like a huge weight yet again.

To top it off we sold the house, bought a new one, and have to move out in a month. My Wamego safe havens are getting ready to be flipped upside down. I am excited to move, but unexcited as well. Scared for my kids to start again, and truthfully me as well. Making friends in the neighborhood has never been a strength of mine. It took me 1 1/2 years to befriend my neighbors in Wamego. Now we are moving away from some of our dearest friends.

I know it's all worth it, and the change will only bring positive results and blessings in the end. It's just getting to that point that is the hard part.

Daddy Love

Daddy's Home!

Fifteen days with Daddy! We couldn't be more excited!

Bring on the sun!!

Don't tell Daddy!! Her first bikini!

Hairbow Holder Project

Gracie's hair has started to grow a lot within the past month. It seems to get darker by the day, and she has little curls at the base of her neck. In preparation of the bangs to come, I have started making lots of hair bows and clips. I needed a place to put all of the clips, thus the photo frame project began.

I paid $2.25 for a frame at the local thrift store. Bought a can of pink spray paint and went to work. Brown ribbon and a glue gun completed the project. Now if only I had a wall to hang it on. She definitely needs her own room.

Gracie Can Finally Clap!

After months and months of trying to get her to clap, tonight she did it!! She clapped and was so proud of herself she continued to clap all night.

Bronson's Miracle

I came across this story and felt it was something that we should all take the time to share with as many families as possible. This is a very eye opening truth about never leaving our precious miracles alone in the bathtub for even a few seconds. Although this video is very hard to watch, it is an important reminder for all of us. This Mom walked out of the room after placing her two small children in the tub. When she returned the results were devastating. You can read her account of the day at the following link;

http://stakerzxposed.blogspot.com/2010_02_01_archive.html

Jonah's In The Army Now.

After six months of unsuccessful attempts at getting Jonah to stop pulling his hair, last night Mama got him with the hair clippers. Poor little booger cried, and I admittedly feel truly awful about it. When we started I never intended to cut it that short, but surprise! We now have a little Kevin running around. We quickly came up with all the pros;

We don't have to rinse his morning bedhead so he can sleep an extra ten minutes in the morning.

Gracie will no longer be able to grab a handful of his hair sending him into a screaming frenzy.

Rubbing his head now feels like rubbing Kevin's head, and we love rubbing Kevin's shaved head.

We will save $ on shampoo.

So next time you see him make sure you tell him how handsome he looks and how mean his Mama was to do that to him!

What happen to my baby girl?

Gracie is all of a sudden not so little anymore. She now walks everywhere. Gone are the days of baby steps. She has officially taken off. Every time I see her following behind me or walking across the room, I have to do a quick double take to believe my eyes. Jonah is equally stunned. Tonight we were at the library and she was racing all over the place. Squealing with delight at her new trick. Walking between all of the aisles and searching around every corner. Jonah stopped dead in his tracks and I watched his jaw hit the floor as he stood in awe watching her go.

My little girl is really walking now. It's the most amazing and sad moment all rolled into one. She is such a beautiful spirit and it is devastating that her Daddy has to miss these milestones. When he gets home she won't be walking. She will be running! The perfect speed for Daddy.

What is it about bubbles?

What is it about bubbles that make everyone so happy? The $2.99 bubble gun that I got the kids for Valentines Day has turned out to be a huge hit in our household. Everyone loves bubbles!!

Cranberry Scones

This is my favorite breakfast treat. These freeze beautifully. You can just pull out a couple at a time and microwave for 20-30 seconds for a quick breakfast on the go.

2 1/4 cups flour
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup butter, chilled and cubed
1 cup cranberries, fresh or dried
1/3 cup sugar
Zest of 1/2 orange
1 cup soy milk or heavy cream

Mix dry ingredient and fold in wet. Your dough will be wet, but you should be able to work with it. Form it into a circle onto a lightly floured surface. Cut it into triangles like you are cutting a pie. Place on baking sheet. Brush with cream or soy milk. Place in a 350 degree oven for approximately 15-20 min. When they have cooled drizzle with powdered sugar icing.


Powdered Sugar Icing:

Powdered Sugar
Vanilla
Milk

*This recipe is all by eye. Add approximately two cups powdered sugar to a bowl. Mix in 1 Tbsp. Vanilla and approximately 2 Tbsp. Milk. Add more powdered sugar or milk to get your desired consistency.

The Flu Bug

Today Jonah came down with the flu. Not twenty minutes after I dropped him off at school I got the call. It's days like this that confirm my decision to stay home with my kids.

So with Jonah in isolation, Gracie is trying to figure out why he can't come out and play. I am on a clorox cleaning frenzy in hopes that Gracie and I stay healthy. Considering we haven't had the flu in probably five years I guess I can't complain. It was bound to get us eventually.

My Husbands Smell Is Gone.

Tonight I made my way to my closet to pick out a t-shirt to wear to bed. Instead of reaching for one of my usual choices I found my way to my husbands side of the closet. This is a place I often find myself going to on a bad day. When I reached for one of his shirts I instantly smiled thinking of him giving me trouble if he saw me wearing it. He would say that it was one of his best undershirts, or that I would stretch out the collar.

When I took it off the hanger I stopped and engulfed my whole face in the shirt and took a good long breathe. I was instantly overwhelmed with emotion. I could feel him all around me, but his smell was gone. We are just over ten days shy of the six month mark and his smell is gone. I start smelling every t-shirt, polo, and dress shirt he owns. Nothing. Not even the sacred navy blue polo that was worn nearly every other day. The shirt that he had such a deep connection with that he rarely put it in the wash. Nothing. My husbands smell is gone.

I was broken. I felt instantly swallowed by the reality of this ghost I live with. My husband is gone. Now his smell is gone too. The Army has taken him away from me and now I live my life married to a two dimensional computer husband. I spend every second of my day on alert waiting to hear that whisp sound letting me know he is on the computer. The kids and I rush over to get our ten minutes of what has become our new normal. Touch and smell are no longer a part of our relationship. Only the idea of those things keep us going. Another day crossed off the calendar and one day closer to wrapping our arms around each other and taking a long deep breathe in.

Banana Cake

This recipe is so moist and yummy. It can easily be made vegan or non-vegan. For those of us who are not fans of the traditional banana bread this is another way to use up those leftover bananas. This is twice as good the next day!

1/2 cup soy butter, rm temp (or regular butter)
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup apple sauce x 2 (or 2 eggs)
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 cup soy milk (or cows milk)
1/2 tsp. vanilla
3/4 tsp. baking soda
3 over ripe bananas, mashed

Mix all dry ingredients together and fold in the wet until mixed well. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. You can eat this plain like we do or top with cream cheese frosting.

Mama I was so overwhellmed I was speechless!

Tonight we had an invite to pizza and a play date. The family attends church with us and has a 1 year old girl and a 5 year old boy. The Mom and I met at the kids Catechism classes. She is also a stay at home Mom and her husband is in the local family business. This family business has nine branches.

When we pulled up I suddenly wished I would have canceled yet again. As I pulled into their driveway in my 2004 Oldsmobile Alero, which mind you hasn't seen a car wash since my husband left, my poor little car suddenly felt very small and dingy next to one of their two shiny black beemers. Jonah said, "We are going in there. Too that mansion!" I quickly said, "Yes honey we are. Yes they have more money than us, but please be polite." It took everything in me to get out of my car and make the long walk up to the marble steps. My clothes, my hair, everything about myself and my children I started to question. I felt very small and intimidated as they opened the massive double doors to greet us.

Everything was beautiful. Down to their photo frames on the wall. My mind was quickly wondering to my own photos on my walls in their Walmart $9.99 frames, and how they couldn't begin to hold a candle to what lay before me.

The toy room was like a department store. Toy after toy. Gracie was in paradise. She just kept going in circles and didn't know where to begin or end her journey. We have a 12 by 12 toy box for Gracie in our living room! I started to feel very suffocated and overwhelmed by the fact that I can't even give Gracie a fraction of what their little girl has. Jonah was on his own sensory overload. Lego after lego was displayed in the little boys room. Jonah was instantly taking tally in his little brain and jealousy had set in.

We ate and wrapped up our visit quickly more out of my own desire to escape the reality of what I had just witnessed. They are a wonderful family and they were very kind to us, but how could I ever dream of having them over to our home after stepping foot in theirs. I can't even afford a new shirt let alone the newest toy for my child. I know, I know what you are thinking. But still!! It was a lot to swallow.

When we reached the car Jonah was instantly professing his jealousy for this little boy. He said, "Mama I was so overwhelmed I was speechless." This is true. I never heard a peep out of him the entire visit. Gracie and Jonah were both on sensory overload. Who am I kidding, I was too!

When we got home and got settled Jonah and I talked about what made them successful. We discussed what we should take away from this experience is simply a desire to always continue to push ourselves to try and achieve our own personal fortune and success. We may never have a mansion with marble steps and every toy money can buy, but if we are successful in our own eyes then that is all that truly matters. Money and things can't buy happiness, and I am very aware of that as I have more than I need in my small beautiful home blessed with the love of my children and husband.

Money and a mansion would be nice though!

My Little Valentines

First Words

Gracie has developed quite a vocabulary lately and it is so much fun to watch her everyday try and recreate her own version of what I say.

Outside, Squirrel, Hi, Bye, Mama, Dada, Jonah, Star, Duck, Hungry, Bird, Dog, Kitty, & Music just to name the ones that come to the front of my mind. If you heard these words you might not understand them, but being her Mama she sounds clear as day to me.

Everywhere we go she says Hi to anyone who will listen. She arches her head at them in attempt to catch their eyes. She will continue on until the once cranky Walmart shopper is forced to stop choosing cereal and say hello to her. It's amazing how the words of a child can bring a smile to anyones face.

Bye is her new favorite. She pushes her baby stroller around the house saying, "Die, Die, Die." Her version of Bye. Jonah and I can't help but stop what we are doing when this occurs. It's not everyday you hear someone chant Die, Die, with a big grin on their face!

Applesauce Granita

This is a refreshing simple snack or dessert.

2 cups applesauce
1 tsp. lemon juice

Spread into a shallow pan and place in freezer for at least one hour. Shave with a fork or spoon. Spoon into bowl and enjoy as is or top with fresh berries.

Gracie Is Walking!

Bucket Swing

Today it was finally warm enough to enjoy the park if only for a short burst of fun. Gracie enjoyed her first cruise in a bucket swing. Bring on the Spring! We need the sun!

Happy Birthday Jeter!!

Happy Birthday Jeter! I can't believe your a year old already!! Enjoy your first bite of cake!

Bath Fun!

Produce & Pesticides: The Dirty Dozen & The Clean 15

Consumer group Environment Working Group released their annual consumers guide to produce and pesticides. The dirty dozen are products that you should try and buy organically if possible due to their high pesticide residue. The clean 15 are products that are relatively low in pesticide residue making them safe to buy non-organically. This list is available for download online to carry in your wallet for quick reference when you are shopping.

Dirty Dozen:

Peaches, Apples, Bell Peppers, Celery, Nectarines, Strawberries, Cherries, Kale, Lettuce, Grapes, Carrots, & Pears


Clean 15:

Onions, Avocado, Sweet Corn, Pineapple, Mango, Asparagus, Sweet Peas, Kiwi, Cabbage, Eggplant, Papaya, Watermelon, Broccoli, Tomatoes, Sweet Potatoes

Copy Cat Game

Gracie LOVES her brother! If he is home she wants to be where he is! Their newest game is, "I Scream, You Scream."

I Will Sleep When I'm Dead............

I've decided Gracie is trying to kill me. At least that's how it's starting to feel. My little princess will not sleep. All night every night it is the same routine. We are in a co-sleeping, nurse snaking nightmare. I don't know how to fix it. I know it's my fault, but now what? Everything you read is a cry it out method or a spin on the cry it out method. That is heart wrenching to go through in my opinion. Is it worth it? Will my child stop trusting me? I'm so confused, but I know that we can not continue on this way. I would like to sleep again, and I think it would be beneficial for her to have a solid 10-12 hours of sleep as well. Regardless I'm ready to put out the call for help. Nanny 911 please come help me!!

This morning I yelled from the kitchen to the bathroom at Jonah. "Please hurry up and come out here and eat your shirt!" Jonah and I laughed until we cried. Ah sleep! Glorious sleep! Someday we will meet again. All tips and suggestions are welcome. Our long journey to a solution begins.

A Little Sunshine

My Monthly Wall

Today I am feeling the weight of being a single mom to deployment. Finding myself having to rely on the help of those around me is always a humbling experience. I hate asking for help. It is something I have never been good at. I always feel super guilty, and after the fact feel as if I have to come back with ten fold the kindness in return.

Today after three cancellations I attempted a dentist appointment with the help of a friend watching Gracie in the waiting room. Forty minutes in and my teeth had not even been cleaned yet. Gracie was quickly melting and I ended up having to leave and reschedule. It feels like this is a common occurrence for me. Every time I attempt to accomplish something it backfires. After all the prep and work of getting there, then nothing.

Today I am hitting my monthly wall. My wall of needing my husband home. Some weeks the days just flow along and we see the calender shrink bringing us closer to his return. Other weeks everyday feels impossibly long with no end in site. I am relishing in this wall with Chocolate Ice Cream and Lays cheese chips! One hundred thirty six days down. Only two hundred twenty nine to go!!!!

Vegan Mac & Cheese

In my search for the ultimate comfort food, Vegan Mac and Cheese, I came upon the following recipe. Although it tastes nothing like traditional mac & cheese it was very good. Nutritional yeast is the primary ingredient making it rich in vitamins and very filling. Gracie inhaled this. Jonah did take a bite and said, "Hmmm, not too bad." This makes a lot! Serve with a simple mixed green salad.

Vegan Mac & Cheese

1 1/2 cups plain soy milk
1 cup water
1/3 cup Bragg's liquid amino's (tamari or soy sauce)
1 1/2 cups nutritional yeast
1 Tbsp. paprika
1 Tbsp. garlic powder
1 Tbsp. vegan margarine
1/4 block firm tofu
1 Tbsp. spicy brown mustard (any kind will do)
1 lb elbow macaroni noodles

Cook the noodles. Drain and set aside. Blend all ingredients until smooth in a blender. Mix into noodles and place in a 9X13 pan. Bake covered in a 350 degree oven for 30-40 minutes. Optional step: Top with seasoned breadcrumbs and place back in oven uncovered for approximately 10 minutes until golden brown.

The Black Bean Burger Standoff..........

Tonight I made Black Bean Burgers. Gracie & I both found these very delicious. Jonah on the other hand would not come near his. He had to at least take one bite before I would make him an alternative meal, but this was not happening. He refused! He cried! He whinnied! "I'm starving to death! Your so mean Mama! How could you make me eat that garbage!" After three long hours of listening to this, and watching him stare at this one tiny piece of burger he was asked to eat. Well...........I caved! I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as Gracie & I did!

Black Bean Burgers

1 can black beans, drained & rinsed
1/4 cup tofu (or 1 egg)
1/4 onion, chopped in Cuisinart
1/4 green or red pepper, chopped in Cuisinart
2 cloves chopped garlic
1 1/2 cups bread crumbs
2 Tbsp. E.V.O.O
1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning
1 Tbsp. Bragg's Liquid Amino's (or soy sauce)
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. cumin
2 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. salt

In a large bowl, mash the black beans. Then add all your ingredients and mix together, hands work best. Adjust your seasoning by tasting at this point. Form into patties. Bake in a 350 degree oven on a cookie sheet for 15 minutes. Then remove from oven and pan fry with just a non stick cooking spray until golden on each side. These will be soft and tend to fall apart if you are not careful. To avoid this you can freeze them prior to cooking. Top these with all of your favorite toppings; Avocado, Alfalfa sprouts, Tomatoes, Grilled Onion slices, Mixed Greens, etc. You won't need ketchup. Enjoy!

Vegan Pancakes

These are very yummy! They have a better flavor than any egg based pancake I've ever made. These are the kind of pancakes you can eat plain just for snacking.

1 cup flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 cup. soy milk

Snow Day!

Ok, so I realize it 2 degrees outside with a wind chill of negative 21, but seriously another snow day!! We just got done with a two week Christmas vacation off from school to send our kids back for 1 1/2 days to have them home again! Jonah has been up since 8 a.m. and it feels like a twelve hour day already! Of course we are stuck inside so our long day of bouncing off the walls begins! Did I mention how much I HATE KANSAS WEATHER!

Gracie "Gravy" according to her brother is thrilled with him being home. She is chasing him around the house as fast as her little legs can go squealing in delight. Time to pull out all of our games and bake some of Gran Gran's famous sugar cookies. I will make it through this day! I will make it through this day! I will make it through this day!

Love Is...........

My new Haan Floor Steam Cleaner! This amazing piece of equipment was my Christmas present from my husband this year. It is now official that my husband has purchased me more home cleaning appliances than diamonds! If we can't afford diamonds I guess that cleaning appliances come in second best. He knows me all too well!

This simple floor cleaner is my new favorite thing, along side my Dyson of course! Every time I use it I feel like I am doing something good for my home and my family. It is so simple and I love that I no longer have to deal with filling up a mop bucket and pushing around a dirty mop on my floor! This is a must have for anyone with hardwoods.

http://www.haanusa.com/

Don't Eat The Black Snow!

We have had our fair share of snow this winter season. As I look out my office window right now more snow is trickling down from the sky. I am not a fan of snow or the cold, and would rather spend my winter months with my feet in the sand somewhere warm. When I suggested that the whole family up and move to a beach house for the year that Kevin is deployed.........well, let's just say Kevin wasn't as excited about the idea as I was. So, here we sit. Stuck inside to keep from getting frostbite from just stepping outside in this Kansas winter weather.

But despite how I feel about it, Jonah loves the snow! Tomorrow he heads back to school after a leisurely two week Christmas break of digging in the snow. Everyday he has been outside shoveling away. Not shoveling the driveway or the sidewalk, but he does shovel. I just haven't figured out what exactly it is that he is shoveling. At the end of the day if I look out the window I see every garden tool we own decorating our yard. Three rakes, a shovel, two snow shovels, a hockey stick, a soccer ball, and a tennis racket. As the snow melts more surprises appear in the snow.

Despite our large corner lot yard filled with a vast array of beautiful white snow to play in, Jonah has no interest in all of that snow. He is always laying or digging atop the nasty, black, snowplowed snow that comes up over our curb and onto the edge of the yard and our driveway. If I look outside I can guarantee there he will be. Rolling around in that nasty snow, digging a fort in it, and almost always with a piece of it in his mouth! Yes you read that correctly. In his mouth!

I always open the door and yell at him to get that nasty snow out of his mouth, but he assures me he isn't eating it. "Mama! I'm not eating it! I'm just tasting it!"

White Bean Sauce

This is a delicious and amazingly simple recipe. It can also be used a million different ways.

1 can white beans, drained and rinsed
Juice of 1/2 lemon or lemon juice in a bottle works just as well, approx 1/4 cup
2 Tbsp E.V.O.O.
2-3 Cloves Garlic
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 Tbsp. dried Italian herbs

Blend all ingredients together in a Cuisinart or food chopper. Store in fridge.

This makes a to die for pizza sauce. Generously top a homemade pizza crust with this sauce, and then top with loads of caramelized red onions. Bake at 400 degrees until crust is golden.

Toss this sauce with hot fettuccine noodles, smoked sausage, asparagus, Gouda cheese, and a splash of heavy cream.

Serve this sauce with pita bread that has been sliced into triangles, tossed in E.V.O.O., Italian herbs, and then baked at 350 until golden.

Beer Bread

I had been curious about beer bread for sometime, so I finally decided to give it a try this week. Both of my kids ate it so I guess it was a hit. Beer bread is fast and easy without all of the prep time as with traditional yeast bread. This recipe has a sweet almost cornbread like flavor. I omitted the butter, but I'm sure that adds a nice flavor as well. This is perfect with your favorite bowl of chowder.

3 cups flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/4 cup. sugar
1 12 oz can beer
1/4 cup melted butter

Mix all of the dry ingredients together. Add your beer and fold it into the dry ingredients just until it is all incorporated. Pour mixture into a loaf pan and top with your melted butter. Bake at 375 for one hour.

M.I.A.

I apologize for being M.I.A. for so long. Getting back to my blog is always in the back of my mind. My wireless has now been down for a couple months and this a huge part of my M.I.A. status. The phone call to fix it takes hours. Time I do not seem to have, or the patience if we are being completely honest. Gracie is so busy, that keeping her out of trouble all day seems to be all I have the time or energy for.

Christmas has come and gone and although it was wonderful spending time with family, it is always even more amazing coming home! We spent New Years Eve alone, and I drank a single glass of white wine while reading Night Of The Living Eggnog to Jonah at record speed before Gracie woke up for the thirteenth time in two hours. It's amazing how times change.

We find ourselves missing Kevin a lot these days with the holidays here, and so much time stuck inside with the weather not allowing us to escape the walls that creep in around us tighter and tighter with each passing day. We still don't have a definite date for his R&R (Rest & Relaxation Iraq Vacation), but the hope is the end of March or early April just around Gracie's first birthday.

With Kevin already down almost thirty pounds I decided that it was time for me to shape up for his return home. I'm not one for New Year Resolutions, but then again maybe it can't hurt. So, I am committing to at least 20 minutes of exercise a day in anticipation of his return. I know, I know, I don't need to lose weight. I am just concerned with getting rid of my baby soft tummy and firming up a few other spots as well. I am taking my measurements, and although I won't share the stats, I will share the results once he returns.

Goal # 2 is to eat what Gracie eats. It's so amazing to me how much time and energy we spend making sure our kids have balanced healthy meals, but when it comes to ourselves we are lucky to eat a handful of Doritos(or the entire bag), and a piece of last years Halloween candy for dinner! Raising two vegetarian children poses it's own set of challenges, and when I went back to work after Jonah turned two I quickly fell off my healthy meals lifestyle. Kevin likes to say that I am the unhealthiest healthy person he knows.

Since Gracie now wants to eat everything we are eating it is my new goal to only cook meals that she can also eat. It only seems fair to our little princess who looks longingly at whatever we are eating. That means dairy free Vegan cooking is once again at the forefront of our diet. Jonah is happily snaking on Homemade Vegan Cinnamon Rolls as we speak for a late night snack. Dinner was Homemade Vegan Pizza topped with Spinach, Black beans, Roasted Tomatoes, and NO CHEESE (Jonah of course had cheese). Breakfast was whole grain toast spread with Avocado. Yummy! It will be an ongoing challenge to come up with tasty vegan recipes that not only my kids will love, but my husband will also love once he returns home. I hope to share all of the delicious recipes with you along the way. I realize this is a far stretch for some of you. I promise to only share the super yummy ones!

I hope that through this blog I can hold myself accountable and stick to my goals. We will see together how far this journey takes me. Happy New Year!