Risotto

We have acquired a ridiculous amount of rice (specifically of the Cajun variety) during our little experiment with local eating and getting twice weekly $25 food boxes from Hollygrove market.  Usually we get a bag containing a solid pound of either Cajun or popcorn rice, fish fry, or grits in each of our boxes.  As you can imagine, you have to get creative with rice to use all of this.  We have essentially eliminated pasta from our diet and eat rice with almost every meal.  Lately, I have been making rice pudding as a special snack.  recipe here!Todd says it is the best oatmeal he's ever had.  Last night, I learned the definition of patience by deciding to make a risotto out of long-grain Cajun rice.  The result was still slightly al dente but still delicious.  recipe here!  Of course, we were lacking on carrots and celery, so I substituted beets for carrots and leaks for celery and I still have to say, it was tasty delicious and the pepto-bismo color I feared never materialized as it turned an earthy deep brown read as the beets turned into soft melty deliciousness with the rice softening.    I forgot to get a picture, but will take one of the leftovers.

Weekend Kohlrabi

We made this recipe this weekend,..  http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2011/11/shredded-kohlrabi-quick-pickle-recipe.html?utm_source=March+24th+Box+Email&utm_campaign=Newsletter+Results&utm_medium=email  With a Kohrabi that was gigantic!  I got to taste them a little and they are delicious.  Can't wait to start snacking on them.

We took the baby to Tulane's Crawfest only to find out there was no crawfish left.  Oh well.  It was fun walking around with a baby on campus in a Dino hoodie (the kids couldn't get enough of that) who kept losing and carrying his shoe around.  So funny.

On Sunday, I  went to Dr. Lara Doyle's wedding shower.  She was beautiful and a fun time was had by all.  So excited to get home to my boys and pick up some crawfish.  We enjoyed some good times on our porch as Lawton played with his water table and ate crawfish as they were pealed for him, in a drive-by fashion.  you had to watch your fingers as he zoomed passed and indulged in the salty, spicy, deliciousness.

A fun time had by all!!!  Right before bed, we put on the squeaky shoes and a new outfit that made Daddy think that I was dressing Lawton up like a girl.  Oh well, what's so bad about that? 

Pool and other fun

We went to the pool last night.  Lawton is so much fun in the pool and now he loves to get on the side of the pool and jump into your arms. He is also exploring how to jump in head first and I am sure soon he will master this, once he gets a little better at swimming.  I love that I swam with him everyday while he was in my belly and now he is a swimming & water fool since he has been out.  He has never once been in a pool or bath tub that he did not like.

We came home and I gave him a bath in my bathing suit, which was a fun way to give him a bath and avoid the inevitable constant request to nurse if I am naked.

He has slept much better since we've been home from Colorado, think the hardest part of teething is behind us.  We will definitely be trying to start night weaning, soon!

 

Whole Foods

Last night we went to Whole Foods.  We marveled at Lawton who decided he wanted a box of organic hamburger helper and carried it around for three aisles.  In true Tara fashion, I decided that I needed to go back to the aisle where the hamburger helper lives because I needed something on the other side of the aislenand Lawton put the box back in the exact spot it came from.  Then he grabbed the Tuna helper.  Guess he was needing some omega-3s and wanting to avoid unnecessary cholesterol.  Man, this kid rocks. We met a cute mom who has a little one a few months younger than Lawton and works for Tulane.  Her husband is out of town for 3 years!!  Three years!!!  That is crazy.  I am going to email her and find out if she wants to go to Craw-fest with me!  New friend!!!

Fruita, Colorado

Gear check!  Love the carrier!!

 

Waiting to get off the plane!

Lunch with Anabelle!

This camping thing rocks!!!

A stove I can touch!!!  Awesome!!!

Family hike!

Where's Boo?

Anabelle, Lex, Jack & Stella!

Paradise!!!

Adorable!!!

Dancing with AB Blaise

MTBing with Daddy!!

When can we do this again?

4/17/2012

We just got back from Fruita, Colorado.  It was an incredible week.  We felt like Lawton grew so much while we were there!  He is a little outdoorsman and was a walking, running, hiking, camping, fool!!!  We were there with great friends and had a fabulous time with good food, great beer, and average weather.  Yes, unfortunately, the high desert did its best to thwart our camping attempts and we were subject to high winds, rain, sleet, hail and snow all in a 6 day span.  We left dirty, exhausted, with significant wind burn on our faces and one of us had a mild diaper rash, but otherwise, happy, happy campers.  More pics to come later, just wanted to get some thoughts down!