Homemade Jumpers

I hesitate to write a title to a post that sounds so Sandra Lee'ish (the word "homemade" will forever remind me of her lame TV show on the food network...).

Regardless, I was inspired by a friend to actually buy a toddler jumper pattern and have successfully made a couple. I could lie and tell you I finished these effortlessly but if Evans is reading, he'd be laughing hysterically.

The longall was pretty easy.

However, once I decided to hand-make his shortall for our upcoming family pictures, the pressure was on! I wouldn't settle for less than perfect and unfortunately this heightened standard dictated my Saturday morning, afternoon, and early evening.

Atleast it is finished!

The full ensemble:

If only we could keep him still.

Did you wonder what Van was getting up to while I was sewing?

So did I:

Little stinker.

In other news, we got the flyer for the annual Green Jamboree at the Irvin Nature Preserve. It will be our first time bringing Van. I am so excited for the summer, bluegrass, BBQ, and being outdoors!!

Mama Mozart

(Not quite!)

But I have learned a song or two at my violin lesson!

Van enjoys my playing at first, then seeks refuge soon after:

(In daddy's closet)...

(Mom- I am not coming out until you stop playing!)

Have a great weekend! Cannot wait to see you Auntie Suggs!

Fun Visits

Cousin Frasier, Auntie Snags, Uncle Bo + birthday parties + pedicures + some good outdoor sun = Happiness!

My heart melted hearing "Aunt Em! Aunt Em!"

(Other than "mommy" it  may be the best sound I have ever heard!)

Come back soon, Fam!

(And Go Heels!)

Tunnel Vision



(Excuse the mouth full of Ritz Bitz)



Red tail hawk, sittin on a limb...

(...Lucky as a seven, livin' in heaven, With my Dixieland Delight!)

We woke up this morning to the family of 3 red-tail hawks (who live in our backyard) flying around our front yard. While scary predators, there is something fascinating about them. Whenever we catch a glimpse of (Ernie, Frita, and Alister), Evans and I just stop and watch.

Lately, they have been more visible than usual - which probably has something to do with the warmer weather and chasing lots of new little prey running about (yuck!).

We have been more visible outdoors as well, except the only thing we are chasing is our crazy little toddler!



Speaking of "lucky as a seven," I think Lent is a good time to reflect on our blessings and sacrifices.

Did you give anything up? I decided to stop nagging Evans and this weekend was so much more enjoyable for the both of us because of it. Its nice to chill out for a change and just relax! (He even brought me some flowers! Maybe this will become permanent?)

Two more days until our family arrives!! Cannot wail to see you 3 (and a half!)

Do you hear the people sing?

Hopefully I wasn't the only Le Mis enthusiast serenading her significant other with these tunes while it aired on PBS last night!

(Was I? Was a Jonas brother Marius?)

If you lived in the Chi-O house sophomore year, you know me well enough to know I have already drafted words to this post to the tune of Le Mis:

 "On his own...Van ate his mashed potaaatoes...all alone...he used the fork to eat them"

...but decided to spare you the rest. (Van- if you ever read this in the future, yes your mom is a huge nerd).

But he did feed himself mashed potatoes! At G-Mommy and G-Daddy's for dinner last night, Van - unable to resist the delicious dinner that sat in front of him - put fork in hand and managed to insert a mouth full of mashed potatoes! Evans proclaimed how much we have underestimated him.

He is also dancing to the Alphabet song which is incredibly entertaining. Maybe soon he'll start singing opera?

Do you ever catch a glimpse of something in/around your house and smile?

This scene out front is making me very happy this morning.

And our freshly painted kitchen cabinets! 

I am counting down the days until our northern fam arrives!! Van and I cannot wait to steal Fray-wump and get some lovin.


Watch out Frasier! I can chase you now!





My first brrrrrroom!

-Angela Lansbury.

Van has formed a new attachment.

With the broom.

He "sweeps" everything. Shoes, leaves, mud.

Let us know if you need some service.

He has an "indoor" and "outdoor" broom for convenience.

(About to take off...)

Van has also discovered how much he loves graham crackers and goldfish. (And I love discovering half-eaten bites all over the house, in my shoes, in his legos - if only he'd put those sweeping skills to good use!).

Spring is near, as determined by my slightly inaccurate car thermometer (which has read 80 degrees two days in a row!) and I am harboring very jealous feelings towards our neighbor's blooming yard. He caught me taking pictures and laughed. Whoops! (Notice the grass line of demarcation):

I just improv'ed a "use all of the veggies in the fridge" soup. It turned out tasty!

-1/2 a box of spinach

-chopped celery

-chopped carrot

-chopped onion

-1 clove of garlic

-2 cans of cannelini beans; drained/rinsed

-1 can of black beans; drained/rinsed

-S&P

-2 cans veggie broth

-Rosemary

-Parmesean Cheese

Sautee first five ingredients in some EVOO until tender, add veggie broth, S&P to taste, and a chopped sprig of rosemary. Mash all of the beans with a potato masher (I am convinced the smushy texture makes the soup more filling) then add to soup. Top with cheese.

I let it simmer for  a while. We ate the soup with roasted red pepper and mushroom quesadillas (a recipe I snagged from Aunt Mary Beth's donation to my "Teenies Tappas" cookbook).   Making a cookbook is (in my opinion) one of the best wedding gifts to give/recieve. My loving Auntie Snags sister gave me this one for a wedding gift and I have a good laugh every time I look through it.

An excerpt from the introduction:

"This is how it usually went down as the car pulled away from the drivethru: We listened to Mix 101.5, stuffed napkins up our nose to alarm other drivers, and stashed burnt French fry nubs in the Nissan console..."

It is very special to have so many recipes donated from friends and family.

I've been cracking up at this photo in particular:

Sorry for the lack of cohesion in this post. To wrap it up, lets just say the warm, springy weather is inspiring me to try some new recipes while my little one embarks on the spring cleaning!