on wednesday ramblings and a list.
Hiiii. I’m going to share a boring little update with you! It’s like… what we are eating in photos when I’m not buried in work or “trying to nest” which means just doing more work because I lack the nesting gene.
I feel like a chicken with my head cut off. I don’t even know what that expression means but I feel like it.
The leaves are almost gone. The color is almost gone! The malls are playing Christmas music. I haven’t caved… yet.
We keep finding excuses to do things like go to brunch at the last minute randomly and spend the entire day out shopping or walking around because “it might be the last time!” We probably have a few more weeks of “last times” so that should be fun. I’ve always been able to justify anything but now… I have a partner justifying all sorts of things.
A few weeks ago we did this with last minute brunch at Marty’s. I don’t know why, but their pancakes are my FAVORITE.
I dream about them. With cinnamon butter.
Perfection right?
It’s helpful when someone wants to order two breakfasts. Yessss.
Last week I taught my last cooking class before the baby comes, and it was all about SOUP.
It was hot as all get out. Three hours to make five giant pots of soup and homemade bread bowls does not compute.
It all worked out. On the drive home I almost got stuck sitting in the car and had to pry myself out and waddle into the house.
As a side note, Eddie says I’m not waddling yet. He’s been checking constantly. We are both surprised.
On Friday, which happened to be my birthday, I blinged out my nails (that’s deborah lippman’s glitter and be gay (huge fave) and nails, inc crushed diamonds in winter mews) like a 13-year-old and went to Altius for dinner. IT WAS SO GOOD.
Like so good that the next day I almost suggested we go there again after I did a local book signing. Had it not been the middle of the afternoon (they were closed), I would have put up a fight.
This is a mocktail by the way. I don’t remember what was in it except for those magical sweet, sweet cherries.
And! I ate butternut squash gnocchi with smoked ricotta. I want to make it at home. Can I smoke ricotta in our smoker? How else would one do this? Teach me the ways please. I know ricotta is easy but… smoking it?
Uh, as another side note, you know how I wrote a post all about scarves? My mom bought me three for my birthday. Feed the obsession. Probably because it’s the sure thing I can fit in to.
I’ve been cooking up a storm lately so I have some recipes to share when the baby comes. Everyone keeps asking me what I will do regarding the blog when the baby comes, and the truth is that I.have.NO.IDEA! It’s all new to me. Not much will change content-wise, things just may be added. I have some to-die-for recipes that I’ve tested the hell out of for December and even January, so I’ll share those. I want to keep it as real life as possible though – like I can’t imagine having the baby and then instagramming about a BLT that’s on the blog two hours later? I can’t function like that. You get me? We’re gonna play it by ear. I shouldn’t say anything because I’ll probably do EXACTLY THAT. Hypocrite.
Oh! Later this week the nursery furniture is finally coming. I don’t have a bag packed (of course) but I have a LIST of things that need to go into the bag. That’s gotta count for something? My mom says “pssh. you don’t need a bag. you’ll be fine. you won’t even feel it until the end.”
For the record, the three of us basically FELL out of her. She is laid back. I am not.
I’ve been a little bit of an emotional wreck the last few days, just overly feeling the urge to OMG BAWL MY EYES OUT for no apparent reason at all. Eddie says that because of this, I should certainly not listen to the Garth Brooks “Mom” song. I haven’t.
Guess what I’m doing right this very second? Baking the cookie lidded oatmeal. I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited to eat something in my life. The bad news is that I couldn’t stop eating the raw shortbread dough. The good news is that it’s allllll for me.
Almost six months ago I shared this list – I was pregnant but keeping it from all of you – and thought it would be fun to revisit right before this huge life change.
Eating / everything above. everything in my path.
Drinking / water like it’s going out of style. so boring.
Practicing / writing things that push me out of my comfort zone.
Mastering / the art of crossing off lists. i mean, lists that don’t include “shower” as a bullet point.
Learning / how to decorate. or attempting to. at least. and failing.
Trying / to come up with a list of freezer meals. i threw this out on facebook + twitter last night. i might do it.
Playing / frozen on repeat. i know. i can’t stop. maybe just because i’m excited to have a little one?
Finishing / things too far in advance. it makes me uncomfortable because i prefer to be last minute. (for real.)
Reading / an incredible story by someone i adore… and i’ll share it soon.
Remembering / my (paternal) grandma. this hasn’t changed. i’m devastated (and pissed) she can’t meet the baby.
Wearing / scarves! puffy vests! leggings, boots, long tanks and layers.
Cooking / an insane short rib dish for eddie. you’ll see it sooner or later.
Working / on three really exciting projects that have been forever in the making.
Traveling / around my house. it still needs unpacked. haaaalp me.
Wanting / to not be scared of the next two months.
43 Comments on “on wednesday ramblings and a list.”
I’ve caved on the Christmas music… I celebrated Thanksgiving last week while visiting my family, and in my mind, it’s way over, even though it’s not even here for 2 more weeks. I have Christmas brain.
What a ride of emotions. So much in here! Can totally see how you’d feel busy and time-crunched and anxious, but so excited! I hope you enjoy these weeks leading up to it as much as possible, and then when the baby’s here, you can focus on him/her, hopefully!
I went to Altius for brunch about a week ago and it was fabulous! Their pastry chef is amazing-my personal fave was the monkey bread with peanut butter icing.
ooh ooh, is the story you’re reading an advance copy of andie’s memoir?!?
and happy belated birthday!
and cinnamon butter!
Totally ignoring all the baby stuff and dying to know – how do you remove glitter nail polish?? Every time I try it it’s like cement on my nails.
Omg, I tried doing my own glitter nails for the first time last week and just found this out. Can’t. get. them. off!
Try “OPI Glitter off Peel-Able Base” it’s not perfect and some say it seems like the pinterest trick of using Elmer’s glue but to me it’s easier and better than scraping and soaking off glitter polish.
i wish i had a secret, but for some reason glitter NEVER sticks on my nails!! maybe i just have weird nail beds? i do always use base coats though – right now i’m using zoya anchor – or i’ve used orly bonder in the past too!
Soak some cotton balls in nail polish remover, stick ’em on your glittery nails, and cover with tinfoil. Wait 5-10 minutes, then remove — with a bit of extra rubbing, the glitter nail polish should come right off!
I refuse to do anything christmas-y until after american thanksgiving … starbucks isnèt making it easy — neither are all of the stinking cute william sanoma decorations!!
Your birthday nails — amazing!! And that brunch … blowing my mind. I LOOOOVEEE BRUNCH! And pancakes, it’s always a good time for pancakes!!
Also, you’re going to be an amazing mom – you will and the blog will still be as awesome as ever
Love the comparison of the list now and 6 months ago. Oh, how time flies :)
Emily
http://www.workinggirlafterhours.com
I love how you always keep it SO REAL. Thank you :) And the great thing about parenting is that you always will and do just figure it out as it comes to you. The best laid plans are usually the ones that never end up working out, or even coming into play, so your more-or-less ‘wing it- approach and see how things unfold is perfect :)
Do not worry! You are going to be amazing! Your husband sounds like he is just as amazing as you! You are going to love being a mom more than make-up, sprinkles, scarves, and yes even bacon!
The soup class was amaaaaaaaazing!! I know it was way too hot in there but so worth it. I can’t wait for the next one!!!
Is Altius by the same owner of something else? I thought I heard that… I’ve been waiting to try and your dish you got there sounds perfect!
Scarves – love!!!!!
Whaaaa! We have the same birthday! Happy belated birthday! :)
Jess – You got this. Your body was made for this exact reason – to bear children. Just focus on the end result of a happy, healthy baby and a happy, healthy mama and not stress (I know SO HARD) about the rest. We are all pulling for you, and can’t wait to “meet” your little one. Big virtual hug.
I’m so excited for you.
I totally feel you on the whole wanting to decorate and totally failing thing. I want to be good at it SO BAD. Also so excited to find out about what your big projects are!!!
That gnocchi sounds SO good! I want it!
omg cinnamon butter is literal heaven <3!!! the photos are so pretty :)
http://www.sinceresphere.blogspot.co.uk
Oh my god! My mom was the exact same–she had my oldest sister in like 3 hours. She was swimming at the pool the afternoon I was born, and my dad had to force her to leave to go to the hospital (she was in labor all of like an hour and a half). Oh, and she never had any epidurals. Just advil.
Also–pretty sure you need a smoker :( http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/8872-smoked-ricotta
Love this post! Happy Belated Birthday too!
Happy belated Birthday!! Love the nail polishes, btw.
Ok, to the last item on your list, I say “What’s wrong with feeling scared, anyway?” Our society touts pretty result-oriented words like perfection, bravery, stoicism, etc. but rarely gives credence to the homely relatives that accompany them like practice, scared, restraint, etc.
Truly, what’s so wrong with feeling scared? I ask myself that question as needed and immediately gain a new perspective on the situation and am usually reminded of all that I know or all that I have done or all that I have thought about related to what is scaring me. For some reason asking that question somehow puts me on a level playing field with whatever it is that is scaring me and I feel empowered.
Being scared is natural but you are a thoughtful person, obvious by your successes as well as your ecisions so far by doing what is best for you and Eddie, and not succumbing to all that the magazines, books and loving suggestions tell you to do. You’ve nailed one of the toughest parts of parenting straight out of the gate!
Being a mom? You’ve got this. And if feeling scared sometimes is part of it, really what’s so wrong with that?
Smoking gun for the ricotta cheese? That sounds amazing! So many uses for smoked ricotta cheese…yummmmmm.
Ps- so excited for you to have your baby! We have our first 3 months ago and are in LOVE. Our house is trashed and I’m a complete disaster and exhausted but it’s so worth it!!
Love love love this post. You are going to be SUCH a great mama – this kid is so lucky to have such a fun and passionate mom!
Total subject change (unashamed)… but umm, SOA this week!?! Just caught up last night and dyyyying. Abel (even though the little kid actor totally freaks me out) is about to blow the lid off everything. I love it. I hate it. But I love it.
You baby excitement is contagious! I’m so happy for you! I’m in grad school so we are waiting to have one more until I graduate so I’ll live vicarious through you!! Hang in there!
I also wanted to let you that you can smoke ANYTHING! I’m vegan/vegetarian and we have smoked veggies, Mac n cheese and the list goes on. We bought an electric one that basically does everything for you online for 100 bucks. They also make a smoke gun where you can put your food under a bowl and smoke it instantly! Then it looks real dramatic when you pull the top off and the smoke comes out. The smoke gun is awesome for…..wait for it….Bloody Mary’s!!!
Take Care! J
Love this post…you know it makes us all feel like we’re your BFF and you are talking just to “me”!!
I WISH I could change your natural anxiety and make you not worry about the whole birth…even though I can’t, I will say what I have said a few times on here (and to every pregnant friend I have…and my children…and to anyone thinking of having a baby): Birth is and was the most amazing thing I have ever experienced, and I will miss that once in a lifetime (well, 4 times for me) experience forever!! I had drugs (wish I hadn’t…after the first baby anyway…first time, do what you need to do) so I know that helped, but still: I promise you, it is NOT like the horrific scenes in movies…it is (for lack of a better word) miraculous!
I just accidentally had my four kiddos watch a home birth on “At home with the Duggers”… my 12 year old boy and 10, 8 and 7 year old girls were watching and my boy said “I’m glad I’m not a girl!” and I immediately replied “Oh honey! It was the greatest, most awesome experience of my life and I tell Daddy all the time, I am so glad I AM a woman so I could do that!!!” Then I explained to the girls how awesome it was and how you can do birth at home, a hospital, with or without meds…it’s all worth every single minute!!
GAH! Sorry…didn’t mean to give a lecture :P Love you and SO super, duper excited and I am praying for a smooth, beautiful delivery for you!!!!! And, as long as you share pics of that baby, and let us encourage you through the first 4 months (you will be awesome! Do NOT panic… you are not alone… you will sleep, shower and eat again on a regular schedule one day…it’s true!!!) we will all be happy…no demands from a new Momma (well, other than pictures… ;) )!
CAN.NOT.WAIT. :D
Just popping in to say that yesterday was my birthday (yep, another crazy scorpio…)
and my BF got me your cookbook! I can’t wait to sit down and read it cover to cover and cook allthethings. Thanks for doing what you do and Happy (belated) Birthday to YOU!
I would love a post on eats in Pittsburgh or just Pittsburgh in general. There’s a chance I could be moving there next year and I don’t know too much about the city- I would love to be convinced that it’s a fabulous place to move to!
Oh man, I want to go out to dinner with you! You selections sounded fabulous and I’m swooning over the nail polish. Time to ‘sit on the nest’ now and wait for the baby. :)
I’m pretty sure my boyfriend hid the box with our christmas tree in it along with the huge box of decorations. I keep laughing at myself in the garage looking through the same boxes like it is going to appear there. It won’t. He may have recycled them. Anyway, that Deb Lip polish is one of my favorites! I have it on my toes on top of a grey polish by essie. I want to say the name is chinchilly or something snazzy like that but either way its an awesome combo and you should totally get it!
Yum – those pancakes look so yummy!!!!! I love the fact that you do cooking classes! I wish I was closer so I could attend one. I love your blog so it would be fitting haha. Aw :( You’ll be a great mom!
Jessica
http://www.littlemapleleaf.blogspot.com
Happy belated Birthday!!!
So excited for you! Cannot wait until your wee babe is born! You’re going to do great! The epidural is your friend. I wish I could get one every day ;)
Soooo…I just watched The Affair because I am caught up on all my regular shows and have no desire to do anything productive even though I have Christmas, plus a family AND a separate friend party to plan for my christmas eve baby, now 1st grader. And we’re going on vacation in 3 weeks. And my house looks like someone threw up legos and dust bunnies. Anyway, I needed a new distraction and now I’m obsessed. I watched on a free program online and it works really well on my ipad, but my husband took it on a business trip so I’ve been forced to watch on the laptop. I kid you not, it took me slighlty over 2 hours to watch the last episode. Got my nails done! Toes and hands! Anyway, I adore Pacey. ADORE. I am so anxious to see where this goes. It’s very, very interesting. Thank you!!
If you chop a chicken’s head off, it supposedly runs around crazily for a few seconds before it dies. Nice visual, huh? Now you know what it means! ;)
Do not be scared! I had my first little one just before last Christmas and it is so wonderful! You’ll be guessing about everything and have some “wish-I’d-done-that-differents” but there is so much joy that you don’t mind. Just hold on – it goes by FAST!
Gahhh! So exciting! I have absolutely no baby advice to give you, as I’ve never had a kid. But you seem like you have it together! Your baby will be one of the most well-fed and have the best palate, like, ever.
Happy belated, and SO excited for you. PS The waddle ain’t all that bad. Your day is almost here!
I’m pregnant and scared too. :) I’ve been having so many emotions that just scare me more! But you will be a fabulous mommy and just fall in love with your little one :)
I know exactly what “chicken with it’s head cut off” means. When I was little, we lived on a farm. When it was time to butcher the chickens, my dad would catch them, hold their neck over a log, and chop it off. Then the chicken would run around like a crazy little thing (headless), in circles, etc., and my brother and I would have to chase the headless chickens and put them in the wagon. We’d then ride in the wagon with the headless chickens until we got to the place where the ladies were waiting to pluck and clean them out. Haha! Craziness.
Definitely TMI…way too much.
Do not worry. You are going to be an amazing, fun, kind, crazy, loving, very special mom.The litte one has no clue how lucky he /she is to have you and your husband for parents.
I love these massive brain dumps on life. I am so iffy about our hospital bag. I have a list. Things are crossed off, added and notes by the side. Nothing is packed.
Those leaves! And I need that Nails Inc polish.
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