Michigan Trip [Summer 2013]

Happy Fourth

Cherry Blossom Festival [Spring 2013]

Shenandoah National Park [Memorial Day 2013]

applesauce

This morning when I asked the little man what he wanted for breakfast, he didn't ask for banana or cheese or bread like he usually does.  He asked for applesauce.   

During the three months when he was eating nothing but apples, apples, and more apples, there were days when I spent most of my time in the kitchen - peeling, coring, slicing, pureeing, cooking down and freezing applesauce.  Sometimes I felt like I never ever wanted to see another apple.  Other times it reminded me of home and family and canning season - picking apples, messing around in the kitchen with my siblings as we helped my mom prepare the fruit and fill the jars.  When I thought of that, I didn't feel quite so desperate about him eating only apples, because there is nothing quite as normal and reassuring and wholesome to me as my mom's applesauce. 

Now that we have more foods, sometimes he doesn't eat applesauce for days.   Yesterday, he had his first cookie.  It has taken 14 months to pass that particular milestone.  It was so wonderfully normal to sit there and share a cookie that we'd made together.  It is fun to see him eat blueberries or pieces of cheese, or giant bites of banana.  He likes trying new foods.  But this morning his request made me wonder if for him, like for me, there is just something about applesauce that makes him feel good. 

For those who are keeping track: 
apple, mango, peach, blueberry, blackberry, banana, broccoli, spinach, quinoa, millet, wheat, dairy

a follow-up to the great goodreads race

I ended up reading 35 of my 37 remaining goal books during my great goodreads race.  While I do wish I had been able to squeeze two more in before the end of the year, it just didn't work out that way.  I made it a condition of completion that it would not take away from my responsibilities as a mom and as a wife and I held myself to it.  I do feel good about making a near finish instead of a disastrous miss.  A deficit of two feels much better than a deficit of thirty-seven. 

This year's goal is set at a much more reasonably attainable 25.  I also decided to lay out a few parameters to help direct myself in what I would like to read so that the time I spend reading feels more productive. 

1.  Read a book about food.  2.  Read the biography of President Monson  3.  Read a book about a historical event.  4.  Read a new series.  5.  Read a parenting book. 

Greatest thanks to my wonderful family who sent me book recommendations, gave me time to read while I was in Utah, and an extra special thank you to my awesome Mom, who didn't laugh at my silly goal but instead promptly went to the library and checked me out a dozen books to work through while I was visiting.