Lemon Rice

Made this last night and it was Fantastic! Even Noah had several helpings!
Go here for recipe and photo

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 leeks (white and light green parts only), chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• kosher salt
• Pepper
• 2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 c. Arborio rice
• 1/2 c. dry white wine
• 1/2 c. fresh lemon juice (from about 2 large lemons)
• 4 c. low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 c. sour cream
• 1/2 c. grated Parmesan
• 1/2 c. fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• 1 tbsp. chopped fresh tarragon

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the leeks and onion and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 6 to 8 minutes.
2. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the rice, wine, lemon juice, and ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until the wine is absorbed, about 2 minutes.
3. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, until the liquid has absorbed and the rice is tender, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and fold in sour cream, Parmesan, parsley, and tarragon

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Photo credit: Con Poulos; Food styling: Susan Varjaranant: Prop styling: Megan Hedgpeth

Mary Kay - who knew?!

So I recently became a BIG MK fan after a friend visited and showed me some of the products and gave me a great offer with an order. So I tried the CC cream, tiki hut color cream eye shadow and a coral true dimensions lipstick. I love the coverage of the CC cream - it's perfect. So literally each day I have been only wearing the CC cream, a little bronzer, the eye shadow, mascara and a swipe of the lipstick - that is so moisturizing and soft. So my makeup routine just got even simpler and faster, I'll take it!











Here's the info of my friend who sells it if you want to try any products - I know there's a money back guarantee if you don't love it!

Circus!

We went to the local circus and tho parts were less than impressive, there were a lot of WOW moments and the kids absolutely loved it. Noah still talks about it almost everyday - he called it going to the service, so naturally for days I thought he was talking about church....but no, he loved the twirling girls on the ropes at the circus, not at church :) haha

Lucy and her BFF Nora

Noah enthralled with the Elephants!

31 weeks

Here are pics from 29 and 30 weeks!

Best moments this month: All the movements of the baby, having Lucy and other family members feel the kicking and shifting. Getting into week 30 and starting appts every 2 weeks!

Food cravings: Fruit, Popsicles, been HUNGRY somedays, not sure if that is me or pregnancy...eeks

Gender: A June surprise!!

Belly button in or out: Beginning its shift outward....

Labor signs: some braxton hicks around 20 weeks, 25 weeks, 28 weeks - not sure why certain days and then not for awhile

What I miss: mobility, not feeling sore, having energy for projects and getting work done after kids are in bed....now I just want to sit and read or go to bed!

What I am looking forward to: Being outside with the kiddos, getting a little sun, wearing dresses! Also getting to May! That means I'm SO close!

Milestones: Baby is 3lbs, almost 16 inches - wow!
I passed my glucose test and had my Rhogam shot - ouch!
But now I'm up to visits every 2 weeks and in the 30's hooray!

Pray for me in May as I have to travel twice and just hope the baby holds off until at least 38 weeks like Lucy and Noah. <3 <3

Noonday Love

Go here to see my sister-in-law's post on Noonday Jewelry and info on how to order if interested!
I LOVE this stuff! Just placed an order since I couldn't attend a party hosted at my in-law's and just seeing her and my other family members wearing it made me so excited about it! I may even host a party one of these days!! See below for more pics and to see which pieces I ordered - can't wait to wear them!




I just ordered this metric cuff below - far right










I also ordered the necklace that Ashley is wearing in the middle - it's awesome - it looked amazing with her Easter dress And with her casual sweater/jeans.

Baking with my girl

Lucy's favorite past time has been playing baking apps on my phone...Strawberry Shortcake Food Fair & Bake Shop and Easy Bake Treats.....
So naturally she has been dying to help me bake and cook in the kitchen. I struggle with this bc me doing it myself is easier, cleaner, faster. Fortunately I had just read "Loving the Little Years" by Rachel Jankovic and in her chapter called "Knowing your Sheep" she talks about letting all (5!) of her little ones help in the kitchen and the joy it brings them - they aren't trying to be overwhelming - and fat souls are better than clean floors. Reading this chapter has helped allow me to let my kids crack more eggs, stir more pots of sauce and soup and add more cups of sugar to the mixer. Another humbling reminder? After Lucy spilled like a 1/2 teaspoon size of sugar and I told her to be careful, I spilled about a 1/2 cup........................
:)

A Must Read!

Loving the country

Here are a few reasons we love our country life:
Lots of sunsets through the woods, lots of deer sightings, albino deer included! playing outside, sledding in our backyard, but now we just can't wait for some warm days to be outside!