Five on Friday

 1.  So there's this. . .

As I hinted at last Friday, I'm pregnant!  I'm sure some of y'all had a suspicion due to my lackadaisical blogging habits over the summer.  When one is alternating between sleeping like the dead and puking, something has to give.  Luckily, I chose blogging over toddler care or my actual job (although, Sesame Street did a lot of parenting for me, and I am still playing catch-up with work).

So, I'm 21 weeks today- due the first week of February.  About a week after Miss Priss turns two.  This should be interesting.  Once again, we're not finding out the sex of the baby.  I don't have a strong feeling like I did last time, so it is anyone's guess.

2.  This weather!

 I know it's completely trite, but it is amazing when the humidity vanishes, yet the days are warm.  My toddler wants to be "oww-siii" all the time.  I love when I actually enjoy it as much as she does.  My weeding is done, and I am thrilled to plant my containers soon. Pansies! Marigolds! Front porch pumpkins!

3.  Our new bathroom.

Another thing I have slacked on, besides the blog?  Putting the last touches on our renovation, and showing y'all pictures.  For example, I still don't have a mirror in my bathroom, dresser in my bedroom, or pictures on the walls.  I have been far too busy soaking in my glorious toy-free tub to fiddle with such nonsense. Hanging up clothes?  Hmmm, maybe after I take my bath. . . .

4.  These mushrooms.

I did not even tweak the recipe (linked above).  I invited my parents over for pork tenderloin, garlic cheese grits, roasted okra and these the other night because I needed a break from Miss Priss because I am an excellent daughter. We devoured these!  Unlike some similar recipes, these need to cook for 3 hours, versus 8-10 hours, so one can make them on a whim (a three hour in advance whim, at least).  Also, they have a slightly better butter to mushroom ratio than say, the Pioneer Woman's version.  Don't mistake my intent- I love butter, but no need to drown the mushroomy flavor.  Miss Priss devoured these and okra, yet ignored her cheese grits.  She is odd.

5.  Fall Fashion.

I feel like all the new clothes coming out right now are just darling, simply because I can't wear them.  However, I did splurge and take advantage of the J. Crew sale to buy some maternity Pixie pants.

I'm very intrigued to see how they work.  Have any of you fellow preggos tried J. Crew's new maternity line?

So that's it for me!  We have a quiet weekend of the fall norm- kid's birthday parties and football.  Have a lovely weekend!

Oh, and I'm linking up with these lovely ladies!

Garlic Cheese Grits

I could probably eat cheese grits once a day for a solid week without tiring of them.  This recipe was delicious with pork tenderloin and burgundy mushrooms, with leftovers rounding out a breakfast of sausage, eggs, fruit and biscuits.  These are creamy and cheesy and simply delicious.

Adapted from Southern Living (because who knows grits better?)

• 4 cups milk (I used whole milk- it makes it tastes better It's cheese grits- we aint counting calories.)
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 cup uncooked quick-cooking grits
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 heaping cups (8-10 ounces) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1  cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 
  
• Preparation
• Bring milk just to a boil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; gradually whisk in butter and grits. Reduce heat, and simmer, whisking constantly, 5 to 7 minutes or until grits are done. Remove from heat.  Stir in seasonings and cheese- taste for seasoning.
• Stir in egg. Pour into a lightly greased 11- x 7-inch baking dish. 
• Bake, covered, at 350° for 35 to 40 minutes or until mixture is set. Serve immediately.

In a completely different vein, my aerobics instructor this morning was chatting to the class about how women can multitask like no other.  Right now, I am writing this blog post, making vichyssoise for this week lunches, and doing laundry. Oh, and eating popcorn and watching DCC Making the Team.  Granted, none of those takes too much brain power, but I think she has a point. . .

Little Minnie Mouse

 Dell Harper attended a birthday party this very rainy Saturday.  Relocated from the host's backyard to the church fellowship hall, I am eternally grateful for space for toddler energy to fly.  We have had a birthday party every weekend lately, and I just LOVE it!

 The theme was Minnie Mouse, and we dressed accordingly.  I was not reluctant, as it was conveniently Georgia colors as well. (Side-note, in general I am a terrific speller [but terrible typist, hence typos abounding in my posts] but "convenient" has always been impossible for me to type/spell correctly.  Am I the only one?).

 So, kids' birthday parties- great excuse to get out of the house, have your child work off some energy while you socialize.

 And a wonderful reminder to get out the camera and take some pictures!

Why is it impossible to get a decent photo with my child?  The mouse cookies she ate with black frosting did not help the situation.

 So basically, this whole post has turned into a demonstration of how charming and adorable my child is (most of the time).  Also, proof to myself that it is possible to take pictures on an actual camera, and while my child is wearing more than a diaper.

Okay, off to prep dinner then get some actual work done during nap time.  I will be back this week with cheese grits, and details about Friday's little hint. . .

Five on Friday

So, I am joining up with the Five on Friday gals today to let you know what's on my mind lately.

1.  You know you are an adult (and feeling rather prosaic at that) when a vacuum gets you all fired up.  However, this vacuum is amazing.  It has no cord!  It weighs nothing!  

I have to vacuum constantly due to this furball, and this vacuum allows me to do a quick sweep without being deterred by dragging out the dyson.  It also has a detachable dust buster!  Genius!

2. I know all of you are all excited about Pumpkin Spice Lattes, but the harbinger of fall treats for me is HONEYCRISP apples!  I was thrilled to find a big stack of shiny honeycrisps at the Fresh Market yesterday.

3.  The Barefoot Contessa's Turkey Meatballs.

We had these last night for dinner- delicious, and I can fool myself into thinking that they are practically diet food.  After all, the recipe includes turkey.  I get a little hungry everytime I open the fridge and see the leftovers.  I might have to freeze them before they disappear.

4.    All you girls who cheer for orange teams probably want this C. Wonder shirt as much as I do- tasteful orange and zebras?  LOVE!

Too bad the price tag exceeds my budget right now.  Maybe I will have a smaller splurge and get the scarf instead.

5.  Speaking of clothes, I found the most amazing vintage patterns on Etsy.  I ordered a bunch of fabric, and now I am just stuck with finding a dressmaker.  I called the local sewing machine place, and they gave me one name, but she is totally backed up.  Any ideas on how to find someone to sew me a few dresses?

P.S. if you look closer at this picture, you will see some an interesting fact about me. . . .

Hope y'all have a lovely weekend!  I'm looking forward to gyros and Greek fries at Greekfest, watching the Vols struggle, the Dawgs whip North Texas, and working on my yard in these lovely temperature.

Toddler Power Muffins

 I saw a recipe for "Power Muffins" floating around and decided to adapt it to suit Miss Priss.  She always likes to have "Cawk!" for breakfast, so her cake might have a little nutritional value.  I made a big batch and froze the leftovers.

Someone dashed into school, and zoomed all morning from her power muffin. They aren't the most beautiful creations, but tasty and nutrient dense.

makes 12 regular muffins (depending how full you pack your muffin tin)

• no-stick cooking spray
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup plain oats
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3 5.3 oz packages of Greek Yogurt (I used blueberry acai Fage and honey Fage)
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 heaping cup fresh blueberries

1. Heat oven to 350°.
2. Coat muffin tin with cooking spray or liners.
3. Combine flour, sugar, oats, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl.
4. Combine yogurt, eggs, butter, and vanilla in a second bowl.
5. Fold yogurt mixture into dry mixture; stir to combine completely.
6. Gently fold in blueberries.
7. Spoon into muffin tins.
8. Bake until top is golden and springs back when you gently touch it, 20-25 minutes.

Dive in!

Dreaming of New Orleans

 Morgan is in New Orleans for work, and it has me dreaming of a life spent in Julia Reed's home in the Garden District, as featured in Elle Decor.

 I love her bright and open kitchen, crammed with cookbooks.   I would make a lot of étouffée on that stove- I mean, there is no way you could burn a roux on those beautiful burners.

 I can just imagine taking a long bath to prepare for a party in this beautiful tub.

This library/study just screams for a gloomy day or waiting out a summer thunderstorm with a good mystery and a glass of tea.

The room I long for the most? Ms. Reed's sunroom.

Look at all those art and design books!!  I could lose myself for hours.  It reminds me of my friend Joyce, whose collection of books pertaining to design and food is truly outstanding.  I spent a few hours just in Joyce's storage unit of books (a storage unit just of books!  my heaven!), examining all her tomes  that didn't make the cut to reside in her house.  Incidentally, Joyce has two recipes featured in Julia's latest book, which totally makes me feel famous by association.

In related matters, my sister in law gave me this book by Bryan Batt, of Mad Men fame, and co-owner of Hazelnut in New Orleans.

 Oh, I could just eat up every room featured in the book- color, pattern, art!

Maybe Morgan can bring me back a tray in Hazelnut's signature New Orleans toile.  I can drink chicory coffee and nibble on beignets in bed, while pretending I'm in Julia Reed's beauty of a house.

Weekend Recap

 We headed to Asheville this weekend for a quick get together with Morgan's family.  Miss Priss wore her Saturday uniform.

She was thrilled to see (and swing with) her Pop Pop.  Later, when her older cousins arrived, her little world was rocked with amazingness.  My very patient nephew, Chase, had a little shadow calling "Ase! Ase!" behind every step he took.

Don't you just love her seventies shag look her hair has got going on?

The UT v. Oregon game went as expected.  Next week, Miss Priss might need to be in her UGA cheerleader gear.

Anyway, I made a wonderful baked grits soufflé, which I will recreate this week.  I planned on snapping a few quick pictures of the leftover grits after dinner Saturday (discreetly, in order to not appear like a complete weirdo in front of the in-laws), but they were completely gone!.  Not a single grit left.  I was preening with pride (and a bit regretful that I did not eat more).

I hope y'all enjoyed beautiful fall weather and excellent football this past weekend!

Five on Friday

1.  I love my new Elsa top for fall.  I truly believe these tops are magical- they are flattering and extremely forgiving without being clingy.

I wore it to a little get together last night, and got tons of compliments, which always is a thrill (vain Leo here- flattery will get you everywhere!).

2.  We're heading for a family get together in North Carolina this weekend.  I think I am going to tote along this super simple breakfast casserole from Southern Living.

3.  SCHOOL!

School is in session!  Miss Priss is going two days a week to preschool and it is glorious for both of us!  I had not realized how stressed I was trying to get all my work done from home during naps.

She just marches into her classroom without a whimper or whine, and goes straight to playing. 

4.  I am dying for these curtains to make their way into my master bedroom.

With maybe a matching monogrammed sham?

Unfortunately, my current home budget is $0.00

5.  Lastly, I am so happy to be checking back in with all my favorite blogging ladies!  I am slowly catching up on all your lives, and it just perks up my day immeasurably!  Okay, off to a screaming toddler and some jazzercise.  Have a wonderful weekend!