Love those Thanksgiving Craft Projects...

Flavor of the Month

We have a friend who while in college only ate pizza rolls. He would eat a carton of Totino's pizza rolls almost every day. We made relentless fun of him for the monotony of his food choice. However, I've noticed that I have the same tendency. Once I find a culinary delight, I indulge in it until I can take no more. I will eat the same thing day after day with no complaints. This month it has been quinoa. Jessica introduced me to it and ever since I have eaten a little quinoa every day for what has to be weeks on end. If you haven't ever tried it, please take my recommendation. I promise its much better than Totino's pizza rolls.

It's actually a seed. And it's considered a super food due to it's high protein content, iron, and fiber content. I eat it 2 different ways. Sometimes I make it with water and then I eat it like oatmeal in the morning, adding in cinnamon, agave, frozen fruit and almond milk. The rest of the time I prepare it in chicken stock and eat it with soup, vegetables, or as a side.

One of my favorite things to eat with it is black bean sweet potato mash. I know it's Thanksgiving and you might be tired of sweet potatoes, but this recipe is fabulous so I wanted to share it:

olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp dried oregano
3/4 c chicken stock
1 med sweet potato, peeled and cubed
1 can rotel tomatoes
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can corn, drained and rinsed
1 Tb lime juice (optional)
1/4 c cilantro (optional)

In large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook 3-5 minutes. Add garlic, cumin and oregano and cook 30 seconds. Add chicken broth and sweet potatoes. Bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, beans and corn. Return to a simmer and cook, uncovered until potatoes are tender and liquid has mostly evaporated. Remove from heat. Mash about 1/4 of the mixture with a potato masher. Stir it all together and add lime juice and cilantro if you like.

Such a yummy treat. You can use this filling to eat in burritos, on top of a baked potato, or as I like, on top of quinoa. Enjoy!

what labor taught me

Lucy is 8 weeks old today and I have been thinking of her birth...

It’s true that words fail sometimes. There simply is no way to describe the very primal sensation that occurs the moment your body gives up what it has been carrying and you deliver a new life. It’s this intense euphoric release. Just as you are nearing a physical precipice of pain, this child pushes out and leaves a rushing wake of emptiness behind. There is an immediate gasp as you reorient and breathe in what emptiness feels like again. Mentally you call yourself back from the haze of labor and are able to rest in the blissful reality that your labor has ceased – you have crossed the finish line and survived.

When Lucy was born, Christy, our midwife, had to work fast because the umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck 3 times; but thankfully she was fine and within moments she was handed to me. I remember looking down at this squalling creature resting on my chest and as I looked at my daughter for the first time, I was flooded with gratitude and my heart suddenly expanded with a new love, forever unique to this child.

As I have thought back on my experience, I am thankful that I was able to experience a drug-free delivery. We anesthetize ourselves to so much in our society. We try to minimize pain as much as possible – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. But going through labor, experiencing pain and living in that space for the time that it lasted, made me realize that I can survive. I can live in it and I can survive and it’s okay. Not only so, but sometimes all of that pain is necessary for new life and beauty to emerge.

These past 8 weeks have held so many different things for us as a family. The joy of a newborn; the sheer exhaustion and sometimes loneliness that come from caring for a newborn; the worry, sadness, doubt and resolution that go along with making big decisions; the demands of parenting a now very needy almost-4 year old; the fun of now being a family of 4; and the list goes on and on. During this season I am learning to rely on grace and I’m ever so thankful that its supplier has a limitless reserve. I am also learning that it’s okay to live in the space of each emotion. I can soak in the joy and the happiness, and I don’t have to immediately run from the unpleasant times. I can embrace all that this season has to offer, for better or worse. And if I live in this space with an ear to the whisperings of the Spirit, I am confident God will use this time, all of this time, to adorn my faith with new life and depth and dimension.

Snapshots

{snapshots from 6 weeks of life}

My brother looks a little uncertain about holding me, someone help before he lets go.

My first Baylor parade. I'm getting indoctrinated early for the freshman class of 2028.

I sound like a small wounded cat when I cry. I like making that sound a lot.

What's the big deal about pumpkins anyways?

My first golfing outing gave me a chance to break in my new tennis shoes.

Fishing trip at the ranch. Sunshine makes me happy and sleepy!

5 weeks. Enjoying a nice fall day without a care in the world.

My 6 week birthday. Notice my new double-chin. Life has been good to me.

october was busy!

Golfing with Dad and trying to be just like him!

Catching lots of fish with Uncle Blake

I now tell stories that feature me, Grant, as Superman and I always save the day...

Riding the cow train at the West corn farm.

Loving Waco Montessori

I might be a zoo keeper one day because I love animals.

I always wondered what a deer tongue felt like.

I only got to play with this for a minute because I started poking people in the eye with it.

My dream came true - Brusier ran straight to me and picked me up for a hug!