reading

Adventuring and Getting Creative in the Kitchen

Pittsburgh has been getting some warmer weather and sunshine lately! So much so that we mowed our lawn twice this week and it was warm enough for Mavis and I to take a little adventure to a creek near our house.

Cocker spaniel puppy by water

This was her first experience with a body of water and she was definitely curious, but not super into it. Lola enjoys water, so I wish she had been with us to show Mavis how fun it is, but I’m not confident taking two dogs by the water with an almost 20 week baby bump, lol.

The warmer weather has me dreaming of gardening, too. Jimmy and I were back and forth on starting a garden this year since our baby is due in September and we have done like zero things to prepare for his or her arrival, but we figured we’ll just make the garden smaller this year and if it gets neglected, then oh well. We love gardening too much to give it up 🙂

I’ve been having fun in the kitchen lately! I think my favorite way to cook and bake is to see what we have on hand and then improvise and create meals or treats out of those items.

Tabbouleh ingredients cucumber, tomato, green onions, bulgur and quinoa mix, and lemonTabbouleh

I realized we had some of the classic tabbouleh ingredients on had yesterday, so I improvised off of this recipe and our little side dish turned out wonderfully!

I had also bought a container of cocoa powder and was in the mood for cookies, so I made these chocolate drop cookies and highly recommend the recipe. It’s simple and they definitely hit the spot.

King Arthur Flour Chocolate Drop Cookies on cooling rack

Other ways I’ve been creative in the kitchen lately include whipping up my favorite homemade baked beans and adding some extra spices, making a strawberries and cream oatmeal creation, and cooking cereal bars with marshmallow fluff, vanilla Chex, and Mr. Goodbars.

Alright, I better get going. I’m having my mother-in-law, mom, and sister over this evening and need to clean up our house a bit! I got the kitchen all cleaned from the aforementioned cooking and baking, but the rest has been a bit neglected 😉

Do you like to get creative with cooking and baking?

Currently: April 2018

I don’t know how we’re in the fourth month of 2018 already, but here we are. This year is flying by, and I am looking forward to this new season. I saw some daffodil leaves (is that what they’re called?) beginning to bud in our neighbor’s yard, so I know spring-like weather is truly coming soon. Here are some current things from my life!

Current goal Organizing our house and going through all of our items to see what we no longer use and can donate.

Current Drink Peppermint tea, and also warm, frothy milk. I read peppermint tea can often help morning sickness, so I tried it out and love it! I have also tried this tea for morning sickness (and it has helped), but it’s a lot more expensive than buying a 20 pack of peppermint tea for less than $2.00 at Aldi.

Benner Tea Peppermint Tea from Aldi

Peppermint tea with a side of Malcolm’s paw…

Current beauty product Dollar Shave Club Pillowy Shave Lather. Random, right? Dollar Shave Club is a shaving subscription service totally geared towards men, and Jimmy loves it. I tried his shave lather and got hooked, so he ordered me my own bottle! It. Smells. So. Good.

Current book Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman. I first read this book in 2013 (I have no clue why I was reading a parenting book at age 20?!), and it has been fun to reread it now that Jimmy and I are expecting. Lots of interesting points and differences between French and American parenting styles.

Current craving More warm weather walks with Lola and Mavis!

Black lab and cocker spaniel sniffing telephone pole on walk with harness and leash

Current song Point to You by We Are Messengers. The lyrics are just beautiful.

Current obsession I just brought home a cookbook on Jewish baking (challah recipes galore!) and have been thumbing through it and finding so many recipes I want to try. I think a chocolate cherry challah is first on my list.

Current food Pork chops.

Bone in pork chops with glaze and fresh herbs

Current blessing Jimmy and I did our taxes and will be getting enough of a refund that we are able to replace the gutters on our house! This is much needed, and we’re feeling so thankful that God worked that out for us.

Current excitement Jimmy and I are planning a vacation! We went camping for two nights last year, and this year we are doing something a bit longer (and easier, lol). Super, super excited.

Current procrastination Getting Mavis re-tested for the Canine Good Citizen Test. We need to practice having strangers touch her paws and body a bit more before she re-tests.

Girl hugging brown and white cocker spaniel puppy

Current indulgence Naps, naps, and more naps 🙂

Current prayer We’re praying the boy we sponsor at Ninos De Mexico has a great birthday next month. We’ve been getting his gift together (we bought him The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe in Spanish) and have been thinking of him and praying for him as we get ready to ship it.

Tell me something current in your life!