An Apple a Day

What do you do with about a dozen apples?



This isn't the first time I've found myself with an overabundance of apples (my parents have a tree, neighbors have trees, we even have a tree back there in the yard somewhere).

Last time I made a yummy and super easy apple cobbler.

I've already boiled them this time so that I can mash some up with cinnamon and mix with Ava's oatmeal for breakfast.

But I'd love to hear any other suggestions you might have?

What's For Dinner? Taco Tuesday!

I know, it's only Monday, but "Taco Monday" doesn't really have the same ring to it, does it?

So I made a restaurant-style Mexican fiesta for dinner tonight.

Avocado is probably my absolute favorite food. It's great with Mexican food, sandwiches, seafood, or by itself. Actually, if I had to pick only one food to live on for the rest of my life, it would be avocado. But that would be a cruel mandate. I would not vote for the person who restricts the population to only one food. I digress...

Homemade guacamole: 3 avocados; 1/2 diced tomato; 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion; 2 cloves minced garlic; 1/4 cup cilantro; 1 tbsp. lime juice; salt and pepper to taste. Serves 2 with hearty appetites for both dipping and taco filling.

Homemade Mexican rice: In the rice cooker: Heat 1 tbsp. olive oil on quick-cook setting; add 3 cloves minced garlic and 1/3 cup chopped yellow onion and sautée for a few more minutes; add 1 cup of Uncle Ben's rice and cook until golden (about 10 minutes); add 1/2 cup diced tomatoes (I used canned with the juice), 2 tsp. chili powder, and 1 3/4 cup water; cook on regular setting for the duration. Serves 4.

Shredded chicken.

Corn tortillas.



Alex was pleased. Ava was pleased. It was a happy home.

Going Bye-Bye

Ava learned how to wave and say "bye-bye" quite a while ago, but lately she's been abusing the gesture.

Whenever she feels the slightest bit of ennui she says "bye-bye" and demands an outdoor adventure.

She makes her way to the front door, sometimes climbing into her stroller all on her own to get the show on the road faster.

Sometimes she'll try to put her hat, or some other article of clothing, on her head to really move things along.

{wearing the matching hat and cape her Babcia made her by hand}

Spring Brunch Playdate

Since Ava was born and so many of our close friends gave birth soon after, nearly all of our social engagements revolve around the babies. Our favorite thing to do is now have friends over for good food and drink while watching the little ones discover each other. (I'm always worried Ava isn't socializing enough since she's home with Grandma all week. She lights up whenever she has the chance to interact with other kids and it really is the best thing for them.)

We had some great friends over for brunch today. We served mimosas, lattes, strawberries, creamy Greek yogurt, mini crab cakes from TJs (just pop these in the oven for about 9 minutes -- so easy and they're super fancy), and a dozen of these orange marmalade muffins.

They turned out to be more like biscuits, which is fine by me.

Here's my adaptation:

Sift together the following ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sugar

Cut in 1/2 cup shortening. Set aside.

Beat 1 egg with an electric mixer. Add 1 cup milk. (Both should be room temperature.)
Pour the dry mixture into the egg mixture. Add a tablespoon or two of orange zest. Let sit for about 45 minutes.

Spoon about a tablespoon of the mix into each paper-lined muffin cup. Then make an indentation into the middle of each one with the back of a teaspoon, and fill with a dollop of marmalade. Add another tablespoon or so of the muffin mix. Bake at 400° for 22-25 minutes.

Then, for the main course, I whipped up some garden omelettes with spinach, asparagus, shitake mushrooms, yellow and green onion, red, yellow, and orange bell peppers, and some fresh feta cheese straight from the farmer's market earlier this morning. I had chopped and sautéed everything earlier so all I had to do was pour the beaten egg (two per omelette seemed to work best) into the pan over medium heat (after adding a little olive oil) and add the fillings.

It was the perfect light but filling (and pretty healthy) brunch combination.

Of course Ava loved showing her buddy Luke all the fantastic new toys she received for her birthday. She also learned how to share (sometimes painfully so).

Always a Bridesmaid Dress Roundup

It's such an honor when a friend you deeply cherish asks you to stand beside her as she pronounces the biggest commitment of her life. Until you see the dress she expects you to wear... and you realize what she really thinks of you.

Just kidding. (Kind of.)

Actually, I've been extremely lucky in the bridesmaid dress department. My girls have never failed me. But also, the stereotyped "ugly bridesmaid dress" is apparently a thing of the past. I would wear any of the dresses some of my besties have chosen for their upcoming nuptials at subsequent formal events (says the girl who repurposed the bridesmaid dress worn at her own wedding; see below).

I was 6 months pregnant when I wore this Belsoie tiffany chiffon dress in teal.
The style really does work with all body types.

I spent the day oohing and aahing one of my best friends as she tried on wedding dresses. Sorry, I can't divulge the gorgeous gowns she's considering until after her main event. But I don't think there's any harm in giving you a sneak peek at what I will be wearing at three very special days I'm looking forward to over the next few months.

Here are some of the dresses you will find me in this coming wedding season:

1. This is my favorite of the three choices Kristen gave me for her classic outdoor June wedding.

J. Crew Sinclair silk chiffon dress in graphite

2. Tiffany chose this one for her vintage Hollywood glam affair this fall.

David's Bridal structured satin dress with convertible Neckline (Style F13629) in apple 

(Do we see a halter neckline trend here?)

3. Katie decided to let each of the girls pick out a dress in any style and any shade of light blue. This gives the dresses a really cool ombré effect when we're standing together in the pictures. (I seriously considered doing this until my bridesmaids and I found the universally flattering teal number above, which I obviously loved so much I had to wear it myself.)

Here's what I'm thinking:

Donna Morgan Strapless Silk Chiffon Dress in Angel Blue

But it really all depends on the dress Katie decides on...

Our Paris Hotel

We booked our hotel in Paris!

(Remember the apartment rental option we explored here?) 

I'm looking forward to the entire Europe trip -- a week in Florence to visit my mother-in-law while she's teaching abroad this semester, along with my father-in-law and sister-in-law, plus a weekend all together in Rome. This will be my first vacation with my in-laws (and Ava's too, obviously). 

But there is something extra special about the week our little family will spend alone together in Paris.

Paris has claimed a piece of my heart since I inexplicably decided I wanted French to be the foreign language I took in eighth grade rather than the more popular and practical option of Spanish (it's practically a prerequisite in California). I can't explain why, but I was drawn to the classic charm of the French culture. 

(And the food, of course, particularly the pastries.)

So we were looking for a place to stay in Paris that reflected that traditional French charm while still keeping within our budget. And we found it!

I love this traditional yellow suite.

Our room will overlook the courtyard rather than the busy street in front.

Creating Storage Where There is None

I spent most of last weekend organizing buttons, ribbon, hairbands, bathroom supplies, and all the little things I didn't have a place for. Instead of storing these things in drawers that Ava is now finding her way into despite the child safety locks (also works if you just don't have enough storage space), I decided to sort things into pretty jars and canisters I had stuffed away (see, we're freeing up space there too!) and set them on the appropriate counters and dresser tops (see this post for another example in Ava's room). That way, the things I use often are easily accessible and it will be easier to keep everything in its place.

And if you don't want your personal items out on display but your limited storage space demands that they still be out in the open, any of these lovelies from Neiman Marcus are worthy of any space in your home.

Antiqued White Canisters