what a week!

Over the past week I have:

1)  conquered an earthquake
2)  been conquered by a faulty alternator
3)  ridden in a tow truck
4)  prepared for a hurricane
5)  spent a week alone
6)  picked up Mr. Clean on the last flight in before the hurricane
7)  discovered braxton-hicks contractions
8)  visited the local library
9)  been very very (very very) thankful for my family
10) entered my third trimester

I should probably elaborate further on some of these.  However, when I start to think about them again it mostly just makes me want to take a nap.  I will say that with regard to Nos 5 & 6, I missed Mr. Clean like crazy and there was nothing that could have made me happier than to see him walking out of the airport toward our car through crazy wind and rain.  Home just can't be home without him.  I am so glad he is back.       

a small triumph

Normally if I see a bug I scream and call the fearless and handsome Mr. Clean to come take care of it for me.  I hate bugs (Mr. Clean does too, but he must love me a lot because he always catches and gets rid of them without complaining). 

This morning I spotted a HUGE (ok...it was tiny) cricket that had somehow wandered into our apartment.  I stood there, frozen in place for a minute, then I realized the following: 

1.  I really really really hate bugs. 
2.  Mr. Clean is gone a lot now.
3.  I am home all of the time now.
4.  Running away from something never helps. 
5.  Soon there will be a baby to take care of.
6.  Part of taking care of babies is being brave about things like that are scary or icky.  Like bugs (and throw up...but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it).

Moving forward on that conclusion, I trapped and flushed the cricket - all by myself - with a minimum of squealing and a ton of tissues.  I decided I can count it as a victory even though I never, ever, ever want to do it again. 

Off to obsessively vacuum the apartment now...it's all about baby steps, right?

A new place to call home

Red Lentil Soup

I love lentils!  This is a flavorful, beautiful, and satisfying vegetarian recipe I've cobbled together based on four or five lentil soup recipes I've tried via allrecipes.com. 


Red Lentil Soup

1 large onion, diced
4 carrots, diced
4 stalks celery, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 T dry oregano
1 T dry basil
1/2 t thyme
2 bay leaves
14.5 oz crushed tomatoes
2 c dry red lentils
8 c chicken or vegetable broth
1/8 c lemon juice
1/8 - 1/4 c oil
salt and pepper to taste

 In large soup pot, heat oil over medium heat.  Add onions, carrots, and celery.  Cook until tender, stirring often.  Stir in garlic, bay leaf, oregano, basil, and thyme.  Cook for 2 minutes.  Stir in lentils.  Add broth and tomatoes.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for at least 1 hour (more liquid may be required as soup cooks down).