Friday Favorites

Hello and happy friday!

It has been a particularly good week over here, for no specific reason, just happy ordinary days.

Here are a few things that have made me happy lately:

A Little Garden

After adding it to my goals many months ago, I finally took the first step to gardening!  I was siting outside with James on Sunday morning, looking around and wishing our backyard were nicer.  He was about to nap and I decided it had been long enough, we’d lived here for over a year, it was time to do something about it.  I spent both of his nap times clearing space for a flower bed, went and bought dirt, and planted some flowers during his nap the next day.  I still need to get some more flowers, but it already makes me so happy every time I go outside!  Next, I’d love to start an herb or vegetable garden.

It’s so easy to feel like I get nothing done, and I know that just comes with this stage in life, but it felt great to get something tangible done that I can actually see (and that won’t be undone as soon as James crawls by….)

This Delicious Kale Salad

I first had this salad at Thanksgiving a few years ago and have been obsessed with it ever since.  I get the pre-shredded brussels sprouts and pre-torn kale from Trader Joe’s, which makes it really easy.  I also like to add some dried cranberries or cherries and hemp seeds.  It’s so good and it makes a ton so I’ve loved eating it for lunch this week.

“Cooler” Weather

Okay, it doesn’t exactly feel like Fall here in Austin (we don’t really have much of a Fall), but the highs have been in the high 80’s or low 90’s this week and it feels comparatively amazing.  It’s pretty dry here too, so the mornings actually feel cool.  I have been loving all of the outside time and extra long walks!

Trader Joe’s Nitrogen Infused Coffee

I just started buying this last week and I love it a little too much.  These little cold brews are infused with nitrogen, which makes the coffee super foamy when you pour it into a cup.  It’s delicious and looks so pretty.  The only downside is that they’re kind of hard to open (I couldn’t open my last one this morning and had to make normal coffee and almost lost it…this probably says more about me than the coffee…Edited to add: my husband easily opened it with a bottle opener…smart man.)

Story Time!

Story time started back up at the library this week (they take August off).  Our library has the best children’s librarian.  She knows all of the babies’ names, and there are a LOT of babies who come.  It’s the only library story time in Austin for just 0-12 months and I’m so grateful for it.  James will only be able to go for a few more weeks and I will really miss it!

Batch Cooking / Freezing Food for James

I’ve never really been into freezer cooking – well, that’s not really accurate, I’ve just never really thought about it or figured it out.  Lately though I’ve been trying to cook a big batch of something for James once or twice a week and freeze most of it.  This has been super helpful when I make his lunch, as we’re often just getting home from a morning activity at lunch time.  Lately I’ve made banana mini muffins, zucchini fritters and greek yogurt pancakes.  I want to make pumpkin pancakes, but haven’t seen pumpkin yet.

Extra Time

Have you ever wished for an extra hour in the day?  Well, I got one!

I’ve been feeling a little stressed about getting things done (or, not getting things done, I suppose).  My AWESOME husband agreed to play with the little guy for an hour before work a couple of times a week so that I can have a little extra time.   It has been amazing.  I am way more of a morning person than he is, so I always wind up taking care of James in the early morning because I’m either already awake or wake up at the first peep he makes.  My husband can sleep through anything.

This week, I went for a run..by myself…with no stroller.  I don’t actually mind running with the stroller, but we don’t usually get out until later if I do that and it felt amazing to be out running before the heat of the day.  Plus, when I run with James, there’s the whole issue or showering when I get back….  I also had a chance to make a big batch of pancakes one morning, so the freezer is stocked again with easy breakfasts.

This Guy….

Always, every week, but especially right now as I try to savor every day that he’s still a baby.  I’ve been catching little glimpses of the little toddler lurking inside (like him going over to something he’s not supposed to touch and grinning at me…) and I love toddlers, but I just want him to be a baby a little bit longer!

What was the best part of your week?

Do you have any good freezer recipes?

Do you have any fun plans this weekend?

At what age do babies stop being babies?