It seems like just yesterday that I took that pregnancy test, knowing it would come back positive this time. I waited for Canean to leave for work and then immediately took the test. That day was one of the longest days of my life waiting for him to come home that afternoon. We had been trying for a while with no luck, so I wanted it to be a surprise. He came home rattling on about something with a house in Texas that we were thinking about buying at the time and I thought he would never let me get a word in! Finally I interrupted and told him I had a surprise. I made him close his eyes, and gave him a piece of paper on it where I told him in a not so obvious way that he would be dad. We both cried, were in shock, and felt incredibly grateful that God would give us this gift. Fast forward to 9 months later and we are two weeks and two days from baby boy's due date and it all seems so surreal to me.
Every year I wait for fall for when I can make all things pumpkin. Everywhere I go it's pumpkin this and pumpkin that. When everything screams pumpkin, I really can't be blamed for hopping on board with this whole pumpkin palooza going on right now. When fall rolls around fall beers of all varieties are released, out comes about a bajillion kinds of pumpkin beers. And since the weather is still on the warmer side here in Texas I thought a pumpkin and orange beer shandy sounded absolutely delicious right about now!
You guys, last weekend I went a little fall crazy in the kitchen. I am so ready for all things fall-like, I just can't stand it. The heat here is sending me mixed messages, but I have decided that it's going to be fall in my kitchen regardless of the weather outside. I ended up with a bunch of mealy apples from the grocery last week, which is always a bummer, and wanted to make something with them since they aren't good to eat alone as a snack. My pregnant brain heard the words apple and butter at some point last week and I decided I would whip some up with what I had in the pantry, including my mealy apples. The verdict is in! It's so easy to make you own apple butter in the slow cooker that I am never spending money on buying it in the store again. I made apple butter and then put it in my oatmeal for some serious yummy breakfast vibes and I am dishing on both today!
When you marry a man from Louisiana you learn to cook rice...a lot. Growing up Cajun, my husband ate rice with most meals and still to this day it is one of his favorite side dishes. While traditionally white rice was always served, I have over the years, swapped some of that white rice for brown rice as a healthier alternative! On top of that, adding in different flavor components to a rather plain side, keeps things interesting for the both of us! My cilantro and lime brown rice is one of our favorite ways to prepare brown rice and is delicious served alongside your favorite tacos, or with a grilled piece of fish.
There's a tiny (and I do mean tiny) feeling of fall in the air here in Texas, and it has me way too excited about all things cozy and fall like. With the drop in humidity and temperatures, came my desire to cook comfort food and turn my stove back on over the weekend. I am not going to lie, I am already plotting Thanksgiving and Christmas menus, decorations, and more. I know I need to have this baby first...that's what you are thinking...but honestly I think his arrival is making my excitement even more so. Regardless, my whole wheat butternut squash and pesto lasagna is the perfect transition meal right into fall!
Butternut squash and pesto is an epic combination.
I know that Monday was a holiday and technically this week should be flying by because it's a "short week", but for some reason that is not the case for me. I have been ready for the weekend since Tuesday! Am I alone here, or have any of you felt the same way? If I wasn't pregnant, this would have a been a cocktail heavy week for me, starting with one of my sparkling lavender lemonade's!
