Archives for June 2013

18 Weeks- Bump Update

June 30, 2013

I’ll do a weekly bump update so I can look back and see how things progress and what was happening at various points along the way.

So this early-ish 2nd trimester (start of 14 wks-end of 27 wks) stuff is like being in limbo.

At least for me.

I basically feel doughy and not really pregnant. Maybe it doesn’t exactly seem that way looking at me and you’d actually exactly ‘get it’ when looking at me but I just feel my extra super muffin top isn’t cute. Maybe I just need to get into maternity wear but my pants still fit- snugly, but they def still fit.

I’m still waiting to feel movement. I’ve felt some but I’m just eagerly waiting for more. I want more damn it!!!

Basically, I just don’t feel like I’m fun to talk to…

‘are you feeling better now?’ ‘I was never sick, not once.’
‘what are you craving?’ ‘nothing. Though, I eat a lot of plain pasta because boiling water is about much effort I want to put into cooking right now.’
‘when do you find out if it’s a boy or girl?’ ‘we’re not going to.’

However, all that being said, I love laying down and feeling my poochy bump in the morning and at night when I go to bed. It’s nice, relaxing, and that is when this whole pregnancy stuff feels really. Which basically why I took that photo above.

Oh yeah, not to mention the minor meltdown over nothing special I had this morning that resulted in me laying down again just to cry. Like tears streaming into my ears cry. Hormones!! Whattaya gonna do?!?!

18 Week Bump Update

Current Due Date: 12/1/13

Weight Gain: Heading to the Dr on Wednesday so I’ll get an update then.

Stretch Marks: nope

Belly Button: umm, still cool

Clothing: No maternity wear yet- pants are def getting tight so I just extra flowy tops with them

Cravings/Aversions: nothing but I really like plain pasta, mainly because I feel so lazy that I don’t really feel like cooking

Sleep: Lots! I’m always tired. Totally looking forward to having Wed-Sunday off!!

Mood: I was super bitchy this last week but I had a deadline so stress levels were high but then I had an all day headache one day so yeah, I was awful.

Movement: starting to feel some movement but not much

Milestones: Two Dr’s appointments this Wednesday so I’m looking forward to getting some more sonogram pics

What I miss: wine & beer, but mostly beer since it’s been so hot. I’d love an icy cold beer!

What I am looking forward to: definently feeling movement

Comparable Fruit/Veggie Size: Sweet Potato (Average size: 5.6 inches, 6.7 oz.) via The Bump

Thirsty Thursdays: Fourth of July Drink Round Up

June 27, 2013

So, I had planned for a milkshake today to wrap up the month of milkshakes but… last week’s Alt NYC adventures/vacation (more on that later) and a work deadline due TODAY has sidelined me from getting much of anything done.

Well, that means instead of a milkshake from me you get a round up of Fourth of July drinks I’ve seen that have peaked my interest. They all look so good!!!

Layered Drink Tutorial from @katrinaskitchen

4th of July Layered Drinks

Fourth of July Cocktail

Star Spangled Martini

Red, White, and Blue Sangria

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Red, White, and Blue Striped Freezies

No matter what you sip on during the Fourth of July next week I’m sure you’ll have a great time celebrating the day.

Duct Tape Surfing

June 26, 2013

I saw this today and it made me insanely happy.

Duct Tape Surfing from Mark Tipple on Vimeo.

It’s so inspiring and just so awesome.

If you happened to enjoyed this as much as I did then check out their fundraising effort so they can go out on their “”Leggless Summer” trip, heading to Western Australia in search of bigger waves, to continue to inspire people to have a dream and make it happen!”

Love the creativity and passion.

xox

6.21-23: NYC Weekend Recap

June 24, 2013

{Friday Night} after wandering around during the day | amazing dinner at Montmartre with Steve, Victoria, and Jack | meet Emily back at the hotel Pod 51 | walk to Shack Shake for Em- line too long so went to Ajisai Japanese Restaurant for sushi | walk back to the hotel | bed

{Saturday} up early | get ready | juice/smoothies from TreeHaus | get to MOMA early for tickets | Rain Room line too crazy (6-7 hrs!!!) so we went to the observation only line | Henri Labrouste exhibit | walk up to Momofuku Milk Bar for coffees and treats | FAO Swartz | walk around central park | cab | lunch at Inside Park | relax back at the hotel | happy hour hang out on the roof top with Mealanie and Lewis | late night dinner at Le Bateau Ivre| bed

{Sunday} sleep in a bit | get ready & pack up | cab | Lafayette to meet Melanie for brunch | cab back to the hotel to get our bags| cab to Grand Central | express strain to Stamford | Peter picks up us | pizza at Frank Pepe’s Pizza in Fairfield | Peter and Em drop me off at home | relax and catch up with Price | unpacking | bed

Montmartre dinner

central park

pod 51 roof deck

Banana Nutella Bread Pudding- SRC

June 24, 2013

So probably picking a bread pudding for this month’s Secret Recipe Club post was not the best idea since it’s been so hot out now. Wasn’t I just complaining that it was cold and rainy? Well, that is the way things go in New England. But not or not I swear it’s worth it to make this bread pudding anytime of the year!

For this month’s Secret Recipe Club post I had Shirley’s blog Enriching You Kid!. It had such a fun time going through Shirley’s blog because she had such interesting recipes. I went through years and years of recipes looking around for something to make and share. I had several recipes in mind but decided on the Banana Nutella Bread Pudding. I couldn’t pass up on having some Nutella!!

I kept all of the ingredients the same but played around with the proportions of the ingredients. Shirley’s recipe called for 2 cups of milk and 1 cup of bread. Since I prefer a bit drier of a bread pudding I changed up the amounts to 1 1/2 cups milk and 3 1/5 cups of bread. If you prefer a wetter bread pudding then increase the amount of milk and reduce the amount of bread a bit. Just as simple as that.

Hope that you enjoy this delightful bread pudding as much as we did 🙂

Banana Nutella Bread Pudding

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups milk
1 egg
2 tablespoons sugar
3 1/2 cups bread pieces
1 banana, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons Nutella
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or hazelnuts, optional

Process

Beat together the milk, egg, and sugar in a large bowl. Add the bread, sliced banana, and the Nutella. Fold together completely to combine, let soak for 30 minutes.
While the bread is soaking up the milk mixture, preheat your oven to 325 degrees and prepare a baking dish by greasing all the sides.
Pour the bread pudding mixture into the greased baking dish. Sprinkle nuts on top.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, then let stand for at least 10 minutes prior to serving.

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Check out my previous Secret Recipe Club Posts

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17 Weeks- Bump Update

June 23, 2013

I’ll do a weekly bump update so I can look back and see how things progress and what was happening at various points along the way.

Ugh, horrible super cropped iphone photo but it was after a long day that started in NYC and ended back home. Just so glad to be back home with my Price and Kemper.

Pants, short still fit but I just feel extra muffin top pudgy. Gross. I have just been really trying to wear loose tops or dresses since that makes me feel a bit better about things. This is the first week or so that I’m starting to feel pregnant though.

I feel like I drink a gallon of water a day. I’m always thirsty. Always. At least I’m not always hungry.

PS- No filter. I can’t stand our bedroom paint color anymore. I need some simple white in there. Stay tuned!

17 Week Bump Update

Current Due Date: 12/1/13

Weight Gain: How much does 5 million gallons of water weigh? But really no idea. Had lost some weight the last time I was weighed at the Dr.

Stretch Marks: nope

Belly Button: umm, still cool

Clothing: No maternity wear yet- just extra flowy tops

Cravings/Aversions: nothing that I NEED TO HAVE but burgers- meat or veggie- are cool with me

Sleep: Lots, love naps and unisom

Mood: as perky as ever

Movement: nothing to really note yet

Milestones: No appointments this week

What I miss: wine! Lots and lots of booze.

What I am looking forward to: definently feeling movement

Comparable Fruit/Veggie Size: Onion (Average size: 5.1 inches, 5.9 oz.) via The Bump

Grape, Celery, and Couscous Salad

June 21, 2013

Just about every time I tell someone I watch NASCAR I hear 1 of 3 things.

…

Thirsty Thursday: Cookies and Cream Milkshake

June 20, 2013

Hands down my FAVORITE ice cream is Cookies and Cream. And I think Friendly’s is the best. But really, how can you resist the combo of ice cream and Oreo cookies. Plus Oreo’s are just my favorite. Bliss. 🙂

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ROY G. BIV

June 18, 2013

Last night there was a fierce storm that passed though Boston right as I was about to leave for home. From a hot sticky afternoon to a chilly wet evening in just about an instant! At least I didn’t have to water the plants. 🙂 Well, after a bit of a delay I headed to meet Pricer and continue on our way home. I got to work on making dinner and he took the dog out. I soon got beckoned outside to see this…

Incredible.

I went to tell my neighbor about it but was having a little bit of a hard time explaining what I was insisting she come outside to see since I couldn’t remember what rainbow is in Spanish. Note to future self: it’s Arco Iris!

Loved how bright it was. Just something magical about it.

PS-Thank you everyone for the well wishes related to our little news on Sunday. Oh baby!

Monday Munchies: Chefs in Shorts 2013

June 17, 2013

As part of my Monday Munchies series, I will feature a different eatery for a review on the first and third Monday of every month. Hope you enjoy!

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So I’m changing this up this week and sharing with you a recap of an event instead of an established eatery. What I say goes!

Last Friday night we attended the sold out (!!) 16th annual Chefs in Shorts event. It was my first time attending the benefit that helps out Future Chefs, which helps students in the Boston area get into culinary school and ultimately into kitchens. So cool.

As soon as I walked in I saw this little cutie hard at work helping her chef aunt prep the most amazing grilled cheese. I just love when kids are helping out and learning in the kitchen.

I could have eaten each and every one of those grilled cheeses. But I held back and only had one. Sang! So good!!

Working on some potato pancakes to serve up with chicken chili. The flavors were so good. A bit of a kick from all the spices. Plus, check out the view… that was just as awesome!

Decorate your own cupcake bar! Pick out the cake and frosting combo and then get to decorating. This would be so cute for a kids party.

Can I have a platter of these please?

This station served ribs that you could top with honey… that you scrape right off the comb. Seriously- coolest thing ever.

So much fun to see the chefs grilling up a storm.

We were stuffed (and one of us was buzzed) at the end of the night. It was so much fun to meet the different chefs and try all the fun grilled dishes that they were preparing for everyone to enjoy.

I can’t wait for next year’s event!

While I was invited to attend this event as a guest, my views and opinions are my own.

6.14-16: Weekend Recap

June 17, 2013

{Friday Night} Big G Summer Bonus Party | meet Pricer after work | Chefs in Shorts Event w Staci and Eddie | home | bed

{Saturday} up early | Price is hungover! ha!! | bagels for breakfast | gardening work together in front of house – dig up bed & plant lilly bulbs| lunch- burgers, corn that Pricer grilled | dishes & tidy up the kitchen | lounge and nap time | work from 5-8.30 | mac & cheese for dinner | watch the Bruins game | blogging | bed

{Sunday} get up early | made waffles for breakfast | a little blog announcement! | get ready | work for a few hours | Sonsie brunch (very late May date!) | Boston Strong sports car show on Boylston | home to change & get Kemper | 2.5 mile walk aroung Arnold Arboretum | grocery store | dinner- leftovers & take out | make kemper huge batch of food | give Kemper a bath | miss usa | bed