Yes, Teacher!

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

New Mamma Reading

I know there's LOTS to learn about becoming a mom for the first time, but I'm a little lost about where to start. (There's just so much out there!)

So far, this is the only book I've read in depth - and while somewhat informative, it was definitely HILARIOUS and worth the read:

The authors/bloggers have a website here and a book trailer here!

But on a more serious note, are there any books that you would recommend for me? Books about labor/delivery? Breastfeeding? Baby care?

Please share! I'd love your suggestions!

Monday, January 16, 2012

Tickle Me Tuesdays, 52nd edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Tickle Me Tuesdays, where we all share what's been tickling our fancy!

If you'd like to participate (and you know you do!!), here are the rules:

1. Write a short post with anywhere from one to five items that have been tickling your fancy recently. Please include pictures and links :)

2. Make sure to link back to the party in your blog post (you can grab the button or include a text link)

3. Come back here and link up your blog post!

4. Visit some other links and HAVE FUN!

Distressed Sign from Barn Owl Primitives

Wood Calendar Chalkboard from Urban Outfitters

Surfer Cuff Leather Rope bracelet from Cheng

Now it's your turn! What's been tickling your fancy lately?

Missionary Kid Monday: Moving

{For more on this series, click here}

After my traumatic sixth grade year in California was over, it was time to go back to France for another four year term.

We moved to a different region this time, to Grenoble. At first we stayed in a conference center in the Alps, owned by our missionary organization. It was about an hour away from the city, and the winding road ways were a NIGHTMARE for my motion sickness.

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We were only supposed to be there temporarily, but my parents were having an awful time finding a house to rent. They were looking for something big, in order to accommodate large groups of people (youth groups, Bible studies, etc.), but they also needed something very affordable.

They saw dozens of houses. Some of them they even liked but were outbid by someone who was willing and able to pay more rent.

They prayed and prayed, but became very discouraged. My siblings and I started school, and still... no house.

Then one day, after about six weeks of dead ends, they came upon the perfect house. But the rent was way too high.

So my dad knocked on the door to talk to the tenants. He asked them to tell him every single thing that was wrong with the house (everything from the non-working fireplace to the minor inconveniences). Armed with that information - and much prayer - he was able to negotiate with the owners for a more reasonable rent.

And that is how we came to live here:

It doesn't look like much on the outside, but there are four stories in there (plus the basement), several bedrooms, a spacious living room, and a great backyard with a cherry tree. I can still taste those cherries! Every summer we would get gobs and gobs of them!

Do you have a favorite childhood house?

Friday, January 13, 2012

The Best of the Blogosphere

As the weekend is fast approaching (and I hope you'll be enjoying a THREE DAY weekend like I will be - yahoo!!), I thought I'd share some of my favorite blog posts that I've seen this week:

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- Six printable 2012 calendars via Delightfully Noted And they're free too!

- Custom fabric wall decal tutorial via Positively Splendid I want to do this for our nursery :)

- Six Twitter New Year Resolutions for your business via Oh My Handmade

- Ten rules for living well when life sucks via Powering Possible

- How to make a Facebook business banner via Just Lovely Things (I've got to try this!)

- Seven ways to simplify your creative work life via The Academy

- Don't Carpe Diem via Momastery - I found this to be quite thought provoking... what do you think?

- I'm trying to win a Baby Cargo Ultra Lightweight Stroller via The Bragging Mommy, and I'm also trying to win The Original Baby Bullet via Thanks, Mail Carrier! Wish me luck :)

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Easy Peasy Black Bean Soup

You know those nights when you just don't feel like cooking? Or those days when you swear there's nothing in your pantry? Or that last day right before payday when you feel totally broke?

Meet my favorite recipe: Black Bean and Salsa Soup

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This recipe is originally from Allrecipes, but I've made some delicious modifications!

Here's what you'll need to do for this easy peasy (and cheap!) meal:

Ingredients:

3 (15 ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed

1 1/2 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)

1 cup chunky salsa (or 1 can diced tomatoes and green chilies)

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon garlic powder

Optional:

4 tablespoons sour cream

2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion

Crushed tortilla chips

Shredded cheese

Directions:

In an electric food processor or blender, combine 2 cans of beans, broth, salsa, garlic, and cumin. Blend until fairly smooth.

Add the third can of black beans into a saucepan. Add the blended bean mixture and cook over medium heat until thoroughly heated.

Ladle soup into 4 individual bowls, and top each bowl with the optional toppings

I promise this meal does NOT taste like it came out of a can!! And it's so filling and yummy for these cold winter nights!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Documenting my pregnancy

After much thought and much internet surfing, I've decided to document my pregnancy by harnessing the powers of Picnik. I'll be wearing the same green dress in all of the pictures (it's VERY roomy for when I start showing more). Here's what I have so far:

I'm kicking myself for forgetting to document any of the weeks between 7 and 14. Life got chaotically busy, but oh well. There are still many weeks to go!

Did you document your pregnancy? How did you do it?