Month: February 2019

Moving Party

Dear Sis,

We are safely home from a very fun weekend, helping my mom’s parents move into their new home. They sold their home of 50+ years on the 21st and closed on their brand new, minimal care, carriage home. We spent the weekend unpacking and clearing away boxes. It was also a family reunion of sorts, mom and her boyfriend Brain, mom’s younger brother Uncle Glenn, Jamie, Nate, and Evelyn, plus William, Josh, and I were all enjoying catching up while we worked. 

As the pregnant lady, I coordinated meals, because lets face it… food is a huge priority for me right now:) We even tried my new baked oatmeal freezer meal recipe.

Baked Peach Oatmeal
Serves 4
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Ingredients
  1. 2 (8x8 inch) foil pans
  2. 3 c old-fashion oats
  3. 1/2 c dark brown sugar
  4. 1/4 c flax meal
  5. 1/2 t salt
  6. 1 t cinnamon
  7. 1/2 c butter, melted
  8. 1/4 c maple syrup
  9. 2 eggs, beaten
  10. 1 c whole milk
  11. 1 (10 oz) pkg. frozen peaches
Instructions
  1. Combine dry ingredients. Drizzle with melted butter, and stir to combine.
  2. In another bowl, whisk together syrup, eggs, and milk. Stir wet mixture into oat mixture.
  3. Stir in peaches. Pour mixture equally into two greased pans.
  4. Wrap pans in plastic and foil. Label, date, and write cooking instructions on each pan.
Cooking Instructions
  1. Thaw completely in refrigerator.
  2. Preheat oven to 350.
  3. Bake 20-30 minutes until mostly set.
  4. Serve with additional milk.
Adapted from Freezer to Table
Adapted from Freezer to Table
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/

The pictures are from a Friday night steak dinner at my dad’s and his younger brother Frank’s house.

(right-left) Grandpa Carmin, William, Evelyn, Brandy, Josh, and Uncle Frank

William was trying to pick Evelyn out of my lap. I told him he’d have to sit to hold her. His first words when I put her in his lap… “Heavy Mama.” There is only about 10 pounds between Evelyn and him. 

Love,

b

First Big Boy Haircut

Dear Sis,

Daddy has been bugging me to get a proper haircut for William for the past few months. I’ve been cutting his hair myself for the past year, and was reluctant to change our process. Today daddy took us to Great Clips and turned my baby into a little boy!

The stylist couldn’t get over how still and patient our two-year-old was. At the end, she shaped the back of his neck with the trimmer and it must have tickled. He had the whole place laughing along with him!

Love,

b

Newport Aquarium

Dear Sis,

Last year we took a family day trip to Newport Aquarium. William learned to say “fish” that day. We decided to go back again this year. It was fun all over again.

Last year we all went in the tunnel under the ray tank. This year my morning sickness got the better of me and I sent the boys to crawl through without me:) 

Also new this year, William was big enough to walk the rope bridge over the shark tank!

Love,

b

New King Size Bed

Dear Sis,

When we decided to try for child number two, Josh decided we needed to upgrade our queen sized mattress to a king. I guess he was imagining his pregnant wife and toddler hogging the bed and himself in the spare room. We ordered an upholstered bed frame 5 weeks ago and it arrived today:) Now we all fit!

Love,

b

Chicken Fried Rice

Dear Sis,

Today we made homemade Chicken Fried Rice. It was better than Chinese take-out. More chicken and move veggies:) If you have any leftovers they can be frozen for later, and then thawed and reheated.

 

Chicken Fried Rice
Serves 6
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Ingredients
  1. 2-3 T avocado oil
  2. 1/2 lb. chicken breast, diced
  3. 3 eggs, beaten
  4. 3/4 c broccoli florets, chopped
  5. 3/4 c carrot, peeled and chopped
  6. 2 t minced garlic
  7. 1/2 c frozen peas
  8. 1/4 c green onion, chopped
  9. 4 c cooked rice of choice
  10. 1/4 c low sodium soy sauce
  11. 3 T maple syrup
  12. 2 T butter, melted
  13. 1 T dried onion flakes
Instructions
  1. Panfry chicken in 1 T oil until cooked through. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.
  2. Add an additional T oil if needed and fry eggs. Set aside.
  3. Add an additional T oil if needed and sauté broccoli, carrots, and garlic until tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add peas and scallions and heat through.
  4. Add rice to pan and stir until heated through. Add chicken and eggs.
  5. Combine soy sauce, syrup, butter, and onion flakes. Pour over fried rice mixture and stir until well combined.
Adapted from Freezer to Table
Adapted from Freezer to Table
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/
Love,

b

 

Night Out with the Grandmas

Hi Sis,

After visiting Becca and Lanky, we drove to Trecaso’s Mary Coyle. We were meeting up with both of Evelyn’s grandma’s for dinner and ice cream. This particular ice cream shop has meaning on my husband’s side of the family, as his grandparents used to frequent the restaurant when they were courting. Many years later Mary Coyle is still open, which is great because they make and serve the best ice cream you will every taste!!!

The food, you can skip. But, do get the ice cream! I recommend the banana showboat. 

Anyway, Evelyn had a blast getting passed around. 

We got home pretty late, and went right to bed. For once, Evelyn slept well… those grandma’s tuckered her out! In the morning she slept with a smile on her face, and had a faint smell of maple syrup ice cream.

Love,

Jamiegoof

Preparing for a Baptism Gown

Hi Sis,

I have been absent for awhile, and have missed writing about several gatherings of family and friends. Go figure, when I have lots I could be blogging about, I don’t find the time ;).

This weekend, we finally went to visit Becca and Lanky’s baby girl Erin. Erin is 3.5 months old already, and growing fast. She is getting tall, just like her dad. While there, the boys played a game while Becca and I played with babies, chatted, and enjoyed the company of Lanky’s grandparents who stopped by to visit. I was nice to chat with another lady who is going through the same thing… a happy baby who never sleeps at night. 

While talking, she invited us to Erin’s baptism, which will take place in a few months. She had no idea what to do about the gown! So, I offered to make one, after all what is better then knitting or something baby garments?

I found this pattern and like the idea of taking a few features from the dress. 

Pattern/credits at: https://seekatesew.com/free-blessing-dress-pattern/

The fabric

My goals for the dress are as following.

  • Ruffled Sleeves
  • Bodice in pure white undecorated part of the fabric.
  • Skirt gathered into a waistband. 
  • Adjustable waistband. I want to add a drawl string cord to the waistband. This way, it will allow for some adjustability and make it easier to use for future babies.
  • Satin White ribbon at waist to tie into bow at back. I think this will create a nice separation line, as well as hide the waist’s adjustability nicely.
  • A rolled hem neckline with a thin cord to gather and adjust the neckline slightly. 
  • Skirt to start with whitework and end with the scallop border.
  • If I can create a longer skirt in the back, I would like to do that. I’m not sure if I can cut a curve into the top of the skirt and gather it tightly into the waistband? But, I want to try with spare fabric and see how it lays.
  • The bonnet is necessary as well. 

Can’t wait to get started!

Love,

Jamiegoof

Sausage Spinach Pasta Bake to Freeze

Dear Sis,

Tried another freezer meal today. Super yummy!

Sausage Spinach Pasta Bake
Serves 4
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Ingredients
  1. 2 (8x8 inch) foil pans
  2. 1 T avocado oil
  3. 1 (12 oz) pkg. chicken sausage, sliced
  4. 2 c fresh spinach
  5. 1 lb. pasta of choice
  6. 1 (25 oz) jar pasta sauce
  7. 1 c fresh basil, chopped
  8. 1/2 c Parmesan, grated
  9. 4 c shredded mozzarella
Instructions
  1. Sauté sliced sausage in 1 T oil until browned. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
  2. Prepare pasta according to package instructions.
  3. Combine sausage, spinach, pasta, sauce, basil, Parmesan, and 2 c mozzarella. Pour half into each foil pan. Top each pan with 1 c mozzarella.
  4. Cover each pan in plastic and foil. Label, date, and write cooking instructions on each foil cover.
Cooking Instructions
  1. Thaw completely in refrigerator.
  2. Preheat oven to 425.
  3. Bake 20 minutes.
  4. Serve with garlic toast and side salads.
Adapted from The Ultimate New Mom's Cookbook
Adapted from The Ultimate New Mom's Cookbook
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/

The fresh spinach and basil make the dish!

Love,

b