MommyCoddle

Rubber boots and other things to be thankful for

I finally broke down and took my annoying, non-stop cough to the doctor this week. Turns out I was sick–walking pneumonia to be exact. I may have even said something like, “Are you sure?!” to the nice walk-in clinic doctor.

But I guess that would explain the cough, not to mention the general lack of “get up and go” these past two weeks. So now, I’m just over 48 hours into my antibiotics and the haze is starting to lift and I’m remembering that yes, at some point, I did lead a mildly productive life after all.

In the midst of the piled up laundry and forsaken school work and the mess, oh the mess!, I’m finding that the lifting of the veil of sickness makes for

In the midst of the piled up laundry and forsaken school work and the mess, oh the mess!, I’m finding that the lifting of the veil of sickness makes for a very grateful heart.

A few things on my gratitude list to usher me into the weekend….

*Stepping over the laundry to take this little person outside to get into the puddles this morning. And retrieving her Daddy’s newspaper at the end of the lane, and that I answered the plea of, “But I want YOU to go out with me!”

*Rubber boots that were outgrown weeks ago, but somehow, miraculously were managed to be squeezed into this morning. Me: But how did you get them on? Birdy: I just pushed and pushed until they popped on! But my feets are kind of hurting.”

*An episode of Parenthood and Nashville (yes, I know, it’s a train wreck. But I love it.) waiting for me on the DVR.

*Knitting needles in size 9 found under the couch by a little person, which means that Parenthood and Nashville will also involve knitting. Even better!

*Getting out of the house–Wegmans! And getting a little carried away in the European aisle…crumpets, lemon curd, PG Tips and plans for a formal tea time tomorrow afternoon.

*Rain–both for our farmers and for the excuse to lay low, stay inside, and hunker down.

*Nap times. For all.

*Fresh flowers on my kitchen island.

*Some of my favorite people coming to visit this weekend, which also means some of my favorite little people will be coming as well.

*A sick sheep who is well! And friends and sisters who tweet and text me advice at moment’s notice.

*13 years of wonderful with Dan–celebrated at our quiet dining room table, grilled cheese sandwiches, noodle soup and glasses of wine. And realizing how nice it is to be in your house together, alone, even if it’s just for an hour or two.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and hoping you have much to grateful for. xo.

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favorites / home / knitting

9 favorite knits for fall

Happy Monday, morning! We are all fighting the dreaded fall colds in this house so things are moving along pretty slowly. Kids are still in slippers and pajamas (okay, me too.) and lounging around the house. I’m hoping to gather enough energy to drift into the kitchen and make up some muffins, in case it’s the only thing I can muster the rest of the day. I think surviving on muffins isn’t the worst thing in the world, is it?

Happy Monday, morning! We are all fighting the dreaded fall colds in this house so things are moving along pretty slowly. Kids are still in slippers and pajamas and I am in my Luxurious Silk Sleepwear and lounging around the house. I’m hoping to gather enough energy to drift into the kitchen and make up some muffins, in case it’s the only thing I can muster the rest of the day. I think surviving on muffins isn’t the worst thing in the world, is it?

In the meantime, I’d be enjoying the downtime even more if I could find my blasted No.7 circular needles so I could go on to the next step in the Acorn Hats I’m knitting up for the girls. I love this pattern and love that it’s an excuse to buy Manos Maxima yarn. The girls picked their colors and they’re pretty fun–shocking, spirulina, and kelly–not mixed together of course.

But I’m still dreaming up other knitting projects I’d like to work on this fall and winter. As soon as the weather changes, my fingers get all twitchy for some knitting. Will I make all these? Nope. But they’re definitely on my radar for the near future.

See below for links to each of these patterns. Or see what else I’m stashing away on Pinterest.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

left to right, top to bottom:

slipper boots // raglan crewneck by les tricots // small and clever booties

nova sweater // temescal jar cozy // mittens sarahmcneil on etsy

bubble wrap cowl // cord necklace elements of alchemy // beehive beanie

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favorites / IN MY KITCHEN

Fall Favorite // pumpkin bread recipe

If you’ve been reading my blog for any amount of time, chances are you knew this was coming. It is officially fall and that means I can finally break out my favorite sign of the new season. This recipe for Pumpkin Bread has been in my family for as long as I can remember. There have been many loaves made, frozen, shared, devoured, eaten off the counter by naughty Labrador Retrievers…loves that were under-baked, over-baked, or even baked with whole cloves instead of ground…that was an interesting version.

We are fighting the urge to turn up the heat at Woodlawn, and yesterday’s cold kitchen called for some baking. So while the girls were off

If you’ve been reading my blog for any amount of time, chances are you knew this was coming. It is officially fall and that means I can finally break out my favorite sign of the new season. This recipe for Pumpkin Bread has been in my family for as long as I can remember. There have been many loaves made, frozen, shared, devoured, eaten off the counter by naughty Labrador Retrievers…loaves that were under-baked, over-baked, or even baked with whole cloves instead of ground…that was an interesting version.

We are fighting the urge to turn up the heat at Woodlawn, and yesterday’s cold kitchen called for some baking. So while the girls were off studying spelling words or some other studious occupation, I snuck into the kitchen to throw together a batch of pumpkin bread.

The recipe makes two good-sized loaves and every year I make it, I ease off on the origianal recipe’s called-for amount of sugar. You can safely cut the sugar pretty significantly and not alter the outcome. (Yesterday, I only used 2 cups plus a generous 1/3 cup)

Wrapped in parchment and foil, the loaves freeze beautifully. And while I’ve known some to slather their Pumpkin Bread with butter, that seems like a crime–it’s best as is, and great at any meal, even breakfast, according to Birdy.

Welcome to my favorite season, welcome pumpkin bread, we missed you…

FALL FAVORITE // PUMPKIN BREAD

3 cups sugar

1 cup oil

4 eggs

1 can pumpkin (15/16 oz. can)

2 1/2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking soda

2/3 cup water

1 teaspoon each: ground cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice

Combine sugar and oil. Add eggs one at a time. Blend in canned pumpkin and water. Sift together dry ingredients and add to wet ingredients. Pour into two parchment-lined loaf pans. Bake at 350 for approximately one hour or until toothpick test comes out clean.

Sneak peek behind the scenes…naughty Black Labrador begging for a taste….

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