Happy Friday to you! I’m feeling a bit chit-chatty after a bonkers week, so it’s time for another round of “Currently“!
Time and place: 1:42pm, sitting at my kitchen counter. Lincoln just went down for a nap and I’m enjoying the warmth and view from my open back door (though not the noise of construction for the second summer in a row!) as I type.
Loving: lattes at home. This week I experienced my annual freakout/confusion over turning another year older in July, but instead of moping I decided to get the party started a few months early and ordered a Nespresso machine as an early birthday gift…to myself. Details. Anyway, we are OBSESSED!! I was debating on buying an espresso machine that had a built in grinder to keep things super fresh (the Nespresso uses pods,) but at the end of the day, or rather, the beginning of the day, I just want something quick and delicious, which the Nespresso is providing.
Plus check out the FOAM the accompanying milk frother creates! Could not be happier with this purchase – especially because it means I’m not spending $5+ on almond milk lattes from the coffee shop three, ok five, times a week. Total cafe experience at home. Lov-ing it!
Seeking: welcome mat. Do you have a suggestion for an outdoor mat that doesn’t stay soggy when it gets rained on? Even with a big flower pot our front porch feels uninviting, but all the mats I’ve bought in the past stay wet for days after it rains, getting moldy and smelly which makes Ben rage-y.
Craving: sweet cherries. It is rare that I crave fruit over something savory but the sweet cherries that have been popping up at the grocery store recently are just too good. I’ve been enjoying a big bowl each night as a feel good snack.
Destroying: Enjoy Life Cookies. In the same breath I have to tell you about the Enjoy Life Soft Baked Snickerdoodle cookies I recently received in a GF snack box. Oh my dear Lord – squishy pillows of pure cookie bliss!! Food allergies or not (Enjoy Life products are free from the top 8 food allergens,) you have GOT to try these cookies – they are some of the best I’ve ever had. Psst: locals, they’re on sale at HyVee right now!
Cherishing: quiet mornings. I recently became very aware that our quiet mornings will become a thing of the past come October, which is why I’ve been getting up at 6am everyday to sit and do…nothing. Make coffee (photo is pre-Nespresso purchase,) sit on the couch, watch the Today Show, check emails (but being disciplined about not getting too involved with work at that hour) – just cherishing and relishing in the quietness that is my life at this moment before well, it’s not. It’s been difficult “shushing” the part of my brain that tries to remind me of all the things I should and could be doing besides sitting on the couch for an hour, but it’s been very rewarding mentally and a great way to start the day.
Cooking: everything grilled. I’ve grilled dinner approximately five of the past seven nights – I just love how little clean up there is afterwards. One night I made steaks using this method (works every time,) another night was chicken marinated in Best-Ever Italian Vinaigrette which I drizzled on top of the chicken after it was done, salmon, Brat Burgers – #cantstopwontstop! What’s your favorite grilling recipe right now?
Playing: gluten-free playdough. I’ve made gluten-free playdough for Lincoln before but it’s kind of a pain in the butt, plus gluten-free flour is more expensive than all-purpose. Anyway, I did a quick hunt on Google and found a big tub of it in multi colors at Discount School Supply. It came a few days after I ordered and while it might be a tiny bit tougher than regular playdough, Lincoln has played with it as happily at home as he does with the regular playdough at school. Pass it onto your GF friends and family!
Eating: egg salad. Last weekend my Dad, Ben, and I were talking about the weird stuff we ate growing up – Ben: bologna and butter sandwiches (bahahahaha,) me: bologna, lettuce and mustard sandwiches, and my Dad: egg salad with sugar. Well, the idea of egg salad (sans sugar!) stuck with me and I’ve been eating it every day this week – totally forgot how good this easy dish is! I just smash hard boiled eggs with yellow mustard, mayo, salt, paprika, and tons of hot sauce, then eat it with rice crackers. Perfection.
Hating: pregnancy jeans/pants/shorts. The devil’s creation – can I get an Amen?! I’m avoiding them at all costs and am anxious to whip out my maternity maxis when it gets warm on the regular (which should be next week.) I can’t say being pregnant in the summer is ideal, but having an excuse to wear muumuus for four straight months = priceless.
Snacking: super snack. I recently created this “super snack” for The Laughing Cow that I am l-o-v-i-n-g. Gluten-free crackers are slathered with The Laughing Cow Creamy Original Swiss then topped with superfoods including blueberries and chopped walnuts. I love the combination of creamy, fresh, and crunchy.
Anticipating: planting. I think the really cool nights are finally behind us (knock on wood,) so I’m going to pick up flowers to plant in pots all over the front and back deck this weekend. They add instant color and life to our house, and make me feel like summer’s really arrived. Can’t wait. (Snapshot from this same weekend last year!)
Collecting: wanderlust photos. Ben and I have accepted the fact that, at this stage of our lives, travel is simply going to slow down. Before, our biggest challenge was working around Ben’s work schedule, since I can work anywhere, but now it’s two kids, three plane seats, naps, strollers, bottles – just things that make traveling to far off places not that enticing for us personally. As much as travel means to me (at one point it was everything I worked for,) right now I’m actually ok with sticking around the US, choosing a Colorado vacation over a Swiss Alps one, and taking a jaunt instead of a journey, knowing that someday we’re going to have twice as much fun seeing the world with our two kids (there’s nothing like seeing your child experience a new place!) That said, I’m still collecting travel inspiration for when that day comes. I keep a folder in my iPhone for screenshots of must-see places including these beauties…. Where are you currently dreaming of visiting?
Celebrating: my Dad! Happy birthday to this guy TODAY! Gosh how he makes us laugh. He’d do anything for anyone (if he likes you, anyway ?) and man oh man does he love his Grandkids (and Rolling Rock aka Donkey Water.) Happy birthday, Pops – you’re my Dad! ❤️
Pick a couple “Currently” categories and share with us!
Tracy 05.20.2016
Omg bologna sammies! We ate bologna & mayo on squishy white bread. We also ate braunschweiger (aka liverwurst) the same way!! Ewww to the sound of either now. We also ate grape jelly sandwiches? Pretty sure that inspiration must have come on a day with an empty refrigerator!
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday 05.20.2016
Happy birthday to your dad! And I love quiet mornings. Frankly, they’re not hard to come by when you’re an early riser in college, but I still cherish them a ton. :)
Beth 05.20.2016
BTW, I made your brat burgers last week. HUGE success for the entire family!!
Kristin 05.23.2016
Woooot! So glad to hear it – thanks for letting me know!!
Lidia C 05.20.2016
thanks so much for sharing.. i don’t have kids but I love to read your blog and I get motivated to try some new recipe or coffee drink and I love your sense of humor:) You make me smile… thanks!!
Julie 05.20.2016
I’m taking my 16-yo daughter to Italy in 3 weeks! I’ve been dying to go ever since reading all your posts when you & Ben went. I went back & reread them when I 1st decided this was the year! :)
Kristin 05.23.2016
Oh my gosh that is sooooo exciting – what a great age to take her, too!
Sara 05.20.2016
After seeing a certain music video, visiting Australia is on my travel list!! So breathtaking! We will have to save up for a long time but I would love to take a family trip there.
Also, my brother and SIL are expecting their second child in September-which I find so funny because their first was born a few weeks before yours and his name is also Lincoln. Can’t wait to see what cute names you both come up with for this one! :)
Greg Hankins 05.20.2016
PS: Happy birthday for your dad. I seem to remember he’s an elementary teacher – so I know he’s looking forward to June. I’m a retired second grade teacher, and I know I was always ready.
Greg Hankins 05.20.2016
re: egg salad. A friend turned me on to a way to make HB eggs that peel easily. Early in the day, take the eggs out of the frig. When fixing lunch bring a big pot of water to a hard boil. Using a slotted spoon, add the eggs one at a time to the pot. Bring the water back to a hard boil, cover the pot, and turn the water off. 15 minutes later, drain the pot and add ice to cool. The eggs slip right out of the shell, are never a funky green, and both whites and yolks have a nice texture.
jenna 05.20.2016
I bought one of these mats for our front porch…somewhat plain, but definitely never soggy.
lauren 05.20.2016
I LOVE this outdoor mat from Crate and Barrel: I’ve had it for over a year, and it still looks brand new. The texture also catches a lot before the kiddos/dog come in.
Michelle 05.20.2016
I can hardly wait until Ranier Cherries are in the store. They are so expensive and only around for a short time but oh so good. They are the best.
Laura Stano 05.20.2016
Quiet mornings!! My kids are 8 & 6, but they have been early risers since birth. I never have to wake them up for school, but it made mornings and days start WAY too early for me. So last summer, I set their alarm clocks for 7am and they had to stay and play in their rooms until the alarm rang and then we all started our day. I would get up at 6am and binge watch Parenthood on Netflix and enjoy my coffee! Babies definitely do not have such a set schedule, but my point is – we do what we can to find balance and sanity and you’ll have your quiet mornings somehow! Congrats!
Kindy 05.20.2016
I loooooove the Nespresso! The frother is the best thing ever!
Also, another great thing…if you ask customer service for some recycle bags, they’ll send you some pre-paid bags that you can put your used pods in. All you have to do is drop it off at the post office. Love a company that cares!
Katie 05.20.2016
I am due in October as well and am also HATING summer shorts! Why can no one invent a cute pair? I bought a pair of denim shorts at Old Navy that are okayyy, but like you will be sporting dresses as often as I can. Hope you are feeling well!
Kristin 05.20.2016
I totally forgot that I heard Target has cute AND comfortable maternity shorts – I am going to go check them out soon! Hope you are doing well too – so exciting!!
Julie 05.20.2016
I just went to Ann Taylor Loft outlet (not sure if they carry in the store), but they have this thing called walking shorts that are ELASTIC WAIST WITH DRAWSTRING but they don’t look athletic. They’re in cute cuts and colors and patterns. I stocked up because I figure they’ll grow with me!
Becky 05.20.2016
My husband and I just got back from a trip to Mexico with our two boys, ages 9and 13 and let me tell you, travelling with kids who can carry their own carry on bags is pure bliss :) We LOVE family vacations at this age. I’d freeze them right now if I could! Definitely an age to look forward too. That being said, the baby age goes fast (though doesn’t always seem like it while you’re in it ;) ). Congratulations!
Kristin 05.20.2016
Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about! ;) Thanks, Becky!
Sarah 05.20.2016
100% recommend this welcome mat: https://www.etsy.com/listing/159520124/doormat-welcome-mat-personalized-with?ref=listing-shop-header-1
Kristin 05.20.2016
Oh these are adorable!! I’ll check them out!
Anne Weber-Falk 05.20.2016
World Market sells very fun and vibrant looking welcome mats that are made from flip flop material. They really do look nice though and they are sturdy and heavy enough to stay put.
Kristin 05.20.2016
Should have thought of WM – they always have the bet tuff! Thanks!
Heather 05.20.2016
Try the water hog mat from LL Bean. I think we have had ours for at least 4 years — no smell, no mold. I have 2 kids – ages 9 and 12. They beat it into the ground. I hose it off & let it dry in the summer on the driveway. Even during the winter with wet feet or even snow, it drys off. It’s magic!!! LL Bean usually has good sales — just wait a bit. None of the welcome mats are very flashy or cute – just some basic colors but they are awesome!!! Good luck on baby #2! It was wild for a bit but things will calm down.
Kristin 05.20.2016
Always good quality products from LL Bean – thanks for the recommendation, Heather!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine 05.20.2016
O yes everything grilled right now!!!! I won’t stop until it’s snowing again!
And cherries! They aren’t in the stores yet, but the moment they are….I’m buying them ALL! My favorite summer fruit!
Donna 05.20.2016
I know EXACTLY how you feel, so I’ll share this: for me, those quiet mornings came back SOOOO much quicker with the 2nd child;). I found the ENTIRE house just adapted quicker (or at least a HELL of a lot easier than with the 1st??). I was terrified, but the 2nd was A COMPLETELY different/”easier” experience…or maybe you’re just used to everything being harder, so what’s one more bottle/car seat/etc?
And we feel the SAME about travel. As much as ITCH for it constantly, I know allofthestuff would overwhelm me at this moment, so what’s so wrong about wanting to slow it down for these 5 minutes while they’re little?? As much as I can’t wait to SHOW my kids the Grand Canyon/everywhere else?, I think they’ll like it better at NOT 4 & 10 months????
Kristin 05.20.2016
I am definitely hoping so and than you for the pep talk! I know having 2 will be nuts but I also know things are going to be SO much different now that we’ve done it before!