we’ve been doing pretty well on our own the last few days, with ABN out of town.  i took out the trash and recycle (his job) and EBN has blessed me with long naps (edit: one long nap – two days of short naps…mragh).  i realize, it’s too bad our nap schedules don’t match up a bit better – if she could hold out until 2 or 3 in the afternoon, i could go down for a bit too – but 11:30 is a bit early for me, especially since i’m typically still reheating my morning coffee.

this time on my own, being mama 24/7, does remind me that mother’s day is right around the corner.  while many moms out there will be sleeping in, followed by breakfast in bed and a mani/pedi – i’ll be getting ready to board a flight, just me and the babe, to the east coast.  the true celebration is that we sprung for a seat for EBN of her very own – or her toys – because i’m sure she’ll spend the flight twisting and turning in my lap.  good times.

forget about all that – mother’s day is about the gifts…right?  a time to indulge (or at least fantasize), just a bit, in things that you otherwise wouldn’t.  to celebrate the real work of being a mama.   part of the fun is day dreaming about things that would make you (and maybe your little girl) smile:

Read More

with ABN away at a conference (don’t feel bad for him, he’s squeezing in a bachelor party too), that puts this mama on morning hike duty…which apparently includes starbucks – coffee for me, a muffin for THE BUG.  we returned home to make GREEN MONSTER SMOOTHIES and color.

     

i’d say our day is off to a great start.

here’s what else has been keeping me busy:

now that i’m on the last chapter of my book, i’ve got to decide what i’m reading next!  i thought i had settled on THIS after hearing the author interviewed on FRESH AIR, but now, NICOLE has me pretty convinced it’s time to jump on the bandwagon

oh and i need to read THIS…now.  did you all see THIS NEWS?!?!

speaking of books – i’m super excited about DANIELLE’S new series featuring bloggers and the books that they love – i always felt that one of the best ways to  get to know someone is by looking through their bookshelf

ok, one more book thing and then, i swear, i’m done.  check out the BEST ETSY SHOP EVER – i sure did love me some bookfairs when i was growing up.  thanks LAUREN, for sharing!

KATIE wrote a letter to her future-self to remember what it’s really like to be pregnant – i can totally relate (not pregnant, not even thinking about getting pregnant because…well, just read Katie’s post)

i’m drooling over EMILY’S NEW SCRAF – but i’m following my new rules and i’ve starred it and saved it for later

are you going on vacation?  make sure your readers are well taken care of with MARYAM’S HELPFUL TIPS

HAIR

one of my favorite bloggers has moved to my VERY FAVORITE CITY

and finally, one of my big goals for while ABN is away is to finally finish my photo wall – don’t worry, i won’t nail anything in, but i can lay stuff out so that we are ready to go.  SMILE AND WAVE recently posted some tips that i plan to put to good use – check back soon for photo evidence!

we plan on making the most of this gorgeous weather – after EBN takes a nap…of course

have a great weekend!

xo – LBN

Read More

 

READING: A VISIT FROM THE GOON SQUAD.  it had been sitting next to my bed since my sister-in-law passed it along in july .  it’s been a long time since i read a physical book (my kindle is one of the great loves of my life after all) and it’s been a good change of pace (don’t worry, i’ve already decided what i’m going to download to my ol’ buddy next).  i wasn’t sure about the goon squad initially – in giving nothing away, the POV (don’t i sound scholarly?) changes with each chapter and as someone who only reads before bed, when i’m already mostly asleep, i found it a bit difficult to keep up.  but now – i’m in love.  the stories are connected but not so connected that you have to remember the details (which, in my case, is a good thing).  in my reading, i appreciate the thread that runs through the book, but i’m finding that the book offers a lot more too.  my favorite parts of novels are often the character details (FREEDOM) and this book is really chock full of them.

WATCHING: okay this might be my most embarrassing admittance on this here blog – we all know that i watch a lot of bad reality TV but this is worse…way worse.  i started watching THE SECRET LIFE OF AN AMERICAN TEENAGER...again.  it all started back in the summer of 2008 (i think) when we moved to SF and i didn’t know anyone.  but we did have DVR and so i filled my hours with walking up and down a lot of hills and watching trashy tv.  it only lasted one season (eventually i made friends) and when we last left our american teens they were pregnant and christian.  fast forward to one sunday when EBN took an extra long nap and really, what’s a mama to do?  we’re now almost 4 years later and the kiddos are still pregnant and still christian – but they seem to be pregnant christians who also sleep around.  the show must go on…i guess.  i know, i know.  i’m going to stop, i swear.  if for no other reason then i need to make room for BUNHEADS.

WORKING ON: cutting back.  i’m going on day 4 of WWPLD and so far so good.  work is busy but i’ve done a fairly good job of carving out special EBN time when i don’t check my phone and in which i’m fully (or getting close) present.  we took a long walk on monday and tuesday night i let her enjoy an extra long bath time.  this weekend will be a bit of a challenge because ABN is out-of-town at a conference.  typically we’d spend at least a bit of our time trolling the mall and ordering take-out.  but, the weather is supposed to be gorgeous, i’ve got a pj-filled girl’s night planned for saturday and sunday i’m planning to take a quick EBN break to spend a couple of hours playing mahj jong in pacifica…wish me luck!

THINKING ABOUT: ABN leaving town.  not too happy about it.  mragh

ANTICIPATING: our vegetable garden.  ABN put a lot of brain and muscle power into our little veggie patch this weekend i can’t wait to enjoy his hard work!  in a few short weeks i hope to be munching on beets, brussel sprouts, peppers and kale – grown in our very own backyard.

LISTENING TO: SPOTIFY…does that count?  i know, i’m so late to the scene and i still don’t totally get it but i’ve started following a few new playlists and have already discovered my NEW FAVORITES (i’m sure this discovery is so 2011 – or 2010…but i’ve been busy).

EATING: not much actually.  i made this delicious kale salad on monday night but it turns out all that roughage was a bit…rough.  i did have a  bottle of KOMBUCHA for the first time ever and that seemed to help a bit.  still – i’ll be cooking my kale for at least the forseeable future.

WISHING: i could have a week to just crochet.  i know – weird.  but i’ve gotten super into the hobby over the last several weeks (see my recently finished cowl above) and i just have so many projects floating around my head and no time to really do it (hence the circles under my eyes in the aforementioned photo).  i’m having a few women over tonight to crochet and sip wine – what could be better?

 

thanks again to DANIELLE for the original inspiration for these posts – they are a great way to get caught up on the details of life.

 

 

 

Read More

this recipe is quickly becoming a family favorite (EBN is a big fan of the sweet chunks of butternut squash).  as the weather gets warmer (did i miss my moment?) i find that i’m craving salads more and soups less.  this one is quick and easy too if you follow one essential rule – buy pre-cut squash

ARUGULA AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH SALAD – adapted from THE BAREFOOT CONTESSA

ingredients:

Read More

i promise, this is my last PASSOVER post until i start gearing up for next year – you know, next week

just a little proof that the wee one had a great time at the seder, and put her instruments to good use!

 

so glad her music classes are paying off!

Read More