My 30th Birthday!

The big 30, life has just begun right?

I had such a wonderful day celebrating. Nate surprised me by taking the day off work and treating me to a day of fun with him and Landan. The day started out with breakfast at one of my favorite places (Bette's ocean view diner in Berkely) then we headed to the city to do a little shopping. We walked up to Union Square from Market Street and took some pictures then walked back down and headed home. Once we got home I thought we were going to my parents place for dinner but to my surprise Nate had reservations for dinner at another one of my favorite places (Piatti restaurant in Danville). After dinner we returned home to find my parents, Nate's parents, my sister and her fam all there to celebrate and have dessert. Nate made it a point to make me felt like one lucky gal that day and he succeeded. I look back and I don't think for one moment that I am sad to be turning 30 but yet I look back and think how blessed and am so happy at where my life has come to this point.

Lastly, the best thing about my 30th birthday was how I was able to see how the Lord had answered my prayer. In our waiting time I would just beg the Lord to allow me to have a child by the time I was 30 and I had my son there to celebrate my 3oth birthday with me. Thank you LORD!!

My and my Landan at Breakfast

Daddy's the tickle monster

I love the holiday shopping hustle and bustle in Union Square

Handsome....lucky me.

My favorite holiday dessert. I just love having my birthday right before Christmas!

Rainy Day

One of the rainy days we had last week, I sat Landan in front of the slider door to watch the rain. He loved it. He stared out the window for a while and I got to snap a few fun pics. It was a fun cozy day at home and he and I hung out. I have the best buddy ever!

Landan 6 Months

Half a year over. So bittersweet. Landan started eating solid foods this month foods and growing so big, so fast. He is such a fun baby and I am so happy that I am able to spend so much time with him. I love you my son!

6 Months!

Dressed for the day


Jammie pose




1st time eating solid foods (sweet potatoes)


Mr. Independant wants to feed himself

Sippy cup love

I couldn't tell if he liked the food or the bid more

Sweet potatoes were yum...Avocados not so much

More please

Surprise

OK this is just a little late... but here is what the surprise was. Challah (braided bread), did you guess it right? To go with those yummy Lentils, so much fun to make.



Baked fresh from my oven


The final result

Someones in the kitchen

Ok so with all this staying home business I have been getting in touch with my domestic cooking self. I love trying new recipes as well as perfecting the old ones I love. Here is the latest fun find.

Hearty Lentil and Sausage Soup

Serves 6

This robust one-pot dinner packs in lentils, sausage and plenty of vegetables, including mushrooms, spinach, onions and garlic. A loaf of crusty bread is the only accompaniment you need for a complete meal.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
1/2 pound sweet or hot Italian sausage, casings removed
1/2 pound mushrooms (such as white, cremini, shiitake, portobello and oyster), chopped
1 cup (about 7 ounces) dried French or brown lentils, picked through and rinsed
2 1/2 cups beef broth
2 1/2 cups mushroom or low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup chopped tomatoes, with their juice
1 cup dry red wine
Pinch red pepper flakes
1/4 pound baby spinach, thinly sliced
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon chopped thyme
Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

Method

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add carrots, celery, onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent. Add sausage and cook, breaking into small chunks, until it begins to brown. Add mushrooms and continue to cook until mushrooms have released most of their liquid. Add lentils, beef broth, mushroom or chicken broth, tomatoes and their juice, wine and pepper flakes; cover pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until lentils are tender, about 30 minutes.

Add spinach and salt and pepper, stir well and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes more; stir in thyme. Ladle soup into bowls and top with Parmesan.

Here is the web link to the recipe. I found it on wholefoods market website. http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/408








Warm oil and add chopped, carrots, celery, onion and garlic.




Chopped Sausage ( I used Staggs all natural Chicken sausage, Mango Habanero flavor)

Add sausage to veggies

Chopped Crimini Mushrooms

Add Mushrooms to mixture

Chicken and beef broth. I use Better than Bouillon organic Chicken base and Beef base. You just add 1 teaspoon for every 8 oz of water.


My moms canned tomatoes, juice and all.


1 cup of lentils rinsed and ready to go


Add the broth, tomatoes and Lentils and simmer for 30 mins.

Once lentils are cooked.. add fresh spinach stir and simmer again for a few mins.

Enjoy!!


I also have a special surprise I am making with the soup... See if you can guess.....

Ok a little close peak....

Months 4 & 5

Where has the time gone! Here is months 4 & 5 updated in one lovely little post.

In September we ventured across the country to Florida to attempt a vacation to Walt Disney World. It was memorable to say the least but not quite the vacation we had anticipated it to be. We were thankful for the opportunity to travel with friends however I think we have a new found appreciation of traveling far with young ones let alone going to theme parks with two 2 year olds and a 4 month old baby. FUN TIMES!! Once I get my act together there maybe some pictures to show, but for now you will just have to take my word on that.

October was a roller coaster ride for me as I started back to work. What a hard thing that was for me... much more difficult than I thought it would be. That said I quit my job 4 weeks later and am now staying home with my sweet baby boy. He is so much fun to be around that it was killing me to miss this precious time. So I am officially a stay at home MOM and I LOVE it.

As for Landan, he has started to roll from his tummy to his back and loves playing on his back. He is not too sure what to do when he is on his tummy but we are working on that. He laughs and plays and loves to discover his new toys. I will be starting him on solids at 6months and so looking forward to that.

Hope Fall is treating everyone well.... I am sure loving it!



Big smile at 4 months

5 Months
I just love the CRAZY hair

Sneak Peek

Here is a sneak peek (a little taster if you will) of Landan's 3 months pictures... taken by none other than his Auntie Christina. I can't wait to see the rest!