This

I have been doing a lot of thinking and planning and daydreaming about Isabel's first birthday. Nothing extreme or over the top, just family and close friends. And lots of cake and ice cream! All my mental efforts seem silly, but I need to get ON THE BALL now. Nine months have flown by, and I know the next three certainly aren't going to slow down. I do wonder if time could slow just a bit, so that that I could learn how to make this:

happy

Upon signing into Skype this morning and searching for my father, this is what I found:

"Make sure your contact's name is spelt correctly."

My father may not be on Skype, but I bet if he were his name would be SPELLED correctly. Oh happy day! Nothing brings a smile to my face like a grammatical error first thing in the morning!

What I am loving lately...

...my body wash. It smells amazing-a bit spicy, a bit exotic, lots of yummy. I could, quite possible, use it every single day and never grow tired of the scent. Sadly, I'm too cheap to buy name brand body wash. I wonder when Wal-Mart will come out with its "Compare to Caress' Evenly Gorgeous" body wash??!

What is your favorite product scent?

Food Blogs

Someday, I would like to cook really, really yummy food and do it really, really well! Limited resources leave me searching google for "cheap meals" and "budget friendly entrees" and "meatless dinners." Oh the joys! Not super inspiring. But, every once in a while, to boost my culinary spirits, I will check out epicurious.com. And on a daily basis, I read Sassy Radish, just to drool a bit.

What are your favorite food websites and blogs?

uhoh

She likes the boys. She likes the older boys. Here's proof that we're going to need to buy that shotgun sooner than we had originally thought! ;-)
(It's horrible quality, thanks to my cell phone not having a flash!)

Move over...

Jodi Piccoult. You've met your match in James Patterson. While neither are fantastic authors-I deem them both "beach reads." Both authors have mastered the Plot Twist. Jodi Piccoult's are guaranteed to leave your jaw on the floor. But, after reading Beach Road, by James Patterson, I wonder who the master Plot Twister truly is. The book seemed straightforward. A murder. A trial. A happy ending. The End. Right?? Wrong. In the last chapters, the entire story was turned upside down, and left me asking, "Is this for real??!" It was the twist of all twists-unpredictable, unanticipated, and just plain wrong. Beach Road certainly did not end how I scripted it, but it did entertain. And from a "bead read," what more could I really ask? Thank you, James Patterson, for taking over the spot as top J.P. in my book.

Libby and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Week

My week has felt pretty much just like the much beloved children's book. Not bad as in "my dog died, and I used sour milk in my cereal." But bad as in "I'm just not quite myself." Let me explain.

On Friday, I woke up with a very sore throat. This sore throat traveled north into the sinuses and has resulted in the use of two entire tissue boxes.

On Saturday, I arrived at the beach to realize that I had forgotten MANY things:
1. Isabel's sunglasses
2. My strapless bra that would go with 3 tank tops.
3. My white cami that would go with my OTHER 2 tops (read: No shirts to wear!)
4. My razor.
5. My contact case.

On Sunday, I went into my HOT car and found my favorite tub of lip gloss...melted all over the place.

On Monday, well, Monday was an OK day!

On Tuesday, I drove home from vacation, only to realize that I had forgotten MANY things:
1. My bathing suits
2. Isabel's bathing suit
3. One cantaloupe, a box of granola bars, and food containers
4. One green towel, one white towel, one washcloth, and one pink pouf

On Wednesday, I had another OK day.

On Thursday, I drove past my exit because I just had to tell Kristin something that I had forgotten to tell her just seconds earlier. I then had to drive 10 miles out of my way to hit the next exit and turn around.

On Thursday, I also managed to buy a box of crackers that I didn't really want for a measly $4.99!!!!!! While browsing the cracker aisle, I saw a new type of cracker with a "Try me for free" rebate sticker on it. All that was required was an original receipt and the rebate form. "No problem," you might be thinking. However, in the self-check out line, I ran into Erika. We chatted while I checked out. I left. Once I was home, I went to fill out the form and realized I had forgotten to grab my receipt. Lovely.

It truly was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week...at least for my organized, generally put together brain. I think I'll move to Australia. Or go make a list.

all grown up

I have officially graduated into adulthood. I will now eat tomatoes, well at least tiny cherry tomatoes cut into quarters ;-)

What foods are you enjoying this summer?

Psalm 103

¹ Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

² Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-

³ who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,

⁴ who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,

⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

⁶ The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.

⁷ He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:

⁸ The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.

⁹ He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;

¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.

jewelry

I am not a jewelry kinda girl. But I saw this and think that A) I love it, B) I need it, and C) It's a quirky, yet sophisticated idea. Since becoming a stay-at-home mom, I honestly feel like I have weeks where I am constantly asking, "What day is it today??!" I've had to reschedule my work appointments so many times, and think this bracelet could be the solution to my "daily" confusion!(Click on the picture to see the Etsy store)

Books

It's been a while since a good old fashioned book review. I had not read a whole lot, and was finally able to get back into the swing of things. I find that if I don't have my next book ready and waiting, I will go months without reading.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Story of a young girl in WWII Nazi Germany. Story told by the omniscient narrator, "Death."

Initially, I was hesitant to read this book club selection. It's on the 9th grade reading list, for heaven's sake! It is shelved in the Juvenile Fiction section of the library. Yet as I delved in, I was pleasantly surprised. The author's writing style was unique, and the plot was more than the typical WWII drama. You will fall in love with Liesel, the book thief, as she grows and changes. You will laugh at her misadventures; hold your breath as she stares Death in the eyes; cry at her losses; and perhaps even feel your heart breaking for her. Warning: I sobbed through the last two chapters of the book.

Another Thing to Fall by Laura Lippman. Suspense thriller about a private investigator. One of the books in the Tess Monaghan series.

Laura Lippman used to write for the Baltimore Sun, and I was told that all of her books are set in Baltimore. That was the initial draw. It certainly didn't stop there! I couldn't put this thriller down. The writing was excellent, and at times, dictionary worthy. The characters were believable, and the plot was intense. I loved that I could picture Tess walking through town to eat at Burke's. Or the film crew cruising along Locust Point. I will certainly be grabbing the next book in the series. Warning: there is a bit of foul language in the book, though no more than a PG-13 movie would contain.

Sneak Peek

On Saturday, we had a family photo shoot with Megan Russell. Check out her website for a sneak peek of the pictures she took. Isabel's silly faces make me laugh. I can't wait to get a few developed, framed, and hung.

summer

As a kid, I spent many long hours at the Harford Square Pool. There were play dates, and swim lessons with Mr. Norm, and push-pops from the snack bar, and yearly swim tests, and cannonballs off the diving board. I was never a great swimmer, nor did I learn to touch the bottom of the pool. I didn't have a ton of neighborhood friends, and was only allowed one snack. But I don't remember those things so much. They weren't important at the time, and aren't now. I can still hear the carefree laughter, feel the warmth of the sun, and see the smiles, even after twenty years.

As I splashed in the pool yesterday, I had this overwhelming desire to ensure that Isabel grow up with those very same experiences. Perhaps it won't be Mr. Norm teaching her to swim. And perhaps she will prefer strawberry shortcake Good Humor bars. It really doesn't matter. I want my daughter to have vivid memories of her childhood, giggling and splashing away the summer hours.

What memories do you have of your childhood summers?

ohboy

I think we're in trouble. This girl LOVES her food. Flaps her arms and legs when she sees it. Whines if it doesn't come fast enough. Cries when it's finished. On top of all of that, she is a Barowski, which means she is destined to think ice cream is a major food group. AND, we've become "those" parents that give their children sugar before their first birthday. *sigh* it was a lost cause, why did I even pretend?!

Quinoa

Zucchini with Quinoa Stuffing
Serves 4

• 1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 4 medium zucchini
• 1 15-ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed
  
• 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 1/2 cup almonds, chopped (about 2 ounces)
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan (3 ounces)
• 4 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

• Heat oven to 400° F. In a large saucepan, combine the quinoa and 1 cup water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender and the water is absorbed, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cut the zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Arrange in a large baking dish, cut-side up.
• Fluff the quinoa and fold in the beans, tomatoes, almonds, garlic, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan, and 3 tablespoons of the oil.
• Spoon the mixture into the zucchini. Top with the remaining tablespoon of oil and 1/4 cup Parmesan. Cover with foil and bake until the zucchini is tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until golden, 8 to 10 minutes.

I have been into quinoa for a while now, thanks to Hope. Generally, I've used the pure protein as a substitute for pasta or rice. Last month's Real Simple had the above recipe, and since I had all of the ingredients, I tried it. At the very end, we drizzled balsamic vinegar over it, to add a little flavor. It is a great, filling side dish for chicken, steak, or even fish.

Purpose

Often I wonder why I am cleaning my house, again; why I am doing laundry, again; why I am persevering through the mundane, again....This morning's excerpt from Morning and Evening brought a bit of light (and encouragement) to my daily, seemingly meaningless tasks.

"We live unto the Lord."—Romans 14:8
Why are His children still wandering hither and thither through a maze...? The answer is—they are here that they may "live unto the Lord," and may bring others to know His love. We remain on earth as sowers to scatter good seed; as ploughmen to break up the fallow ground; as heralds publishing salvation. We are here as the "salt of the earth," to be a blessing to the world. We are here to glorify Christ in our daily life. We are here as workers for Him, and as "workers together with Him." Let us see that our life answereth its end. Let us live earnest, useful, holy lives, to "the praise of the glory of His grace." -C.H. Spurgeon

Right now, I am called to live a useful life, a holy life. My areas of ministry may have shrunk drastically, and my contact with "the outside world" may be limited, but I am still called to bring glory and praise to HIM in this season. As I go about my daily chores, as I care for Isabel, and as I carry out those oh-so-boring tasks today, I pray that I will keep my purpose in life in mind.

Middle of the night

I talk in my sleep, this is a proven fact. Usually, I wake myself up, realize how silly I sound, and go back to sleep. Last night, apparently, I was talking but did not wake myself up. Miguel called me this morning and relayed this conversation:

Me: Get it, get it. *sitting straight up in bed, screaming*
Miguel: What is it??
Me: I'm serious this time, it's really in bed.
Miguel: WHAT is it??!
Me: An umbrella, get the umbrella! I'm serious!
Miguel: What's an umbrella going to do??
Me: Poke me in the eye!!!!

When Miguel told me our conversation, I cried from laughing so hard! I often dream that things are in our bed-bugs, animals, people. I have never, however, dreamed that a killer umbrella was on the loose. Too many rainy days in a row, perhaps?!

Psalm 61

verses 1-4
Hear my cry, O God;
listen to my prayer.

From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe.

I long to dwell in your tent forever
and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
Selah

Chocolate Cake Heaven

When I get to Heaven, I pray this cake is on the dessert buffet!

%-iles

Isabel has been quite the slow grower, weight-wise. However, her doctor is happy, so we're happy. Today, at her 6 mo. appointment she weighed 14 pounds, 10 ounces and was 27" long. That puts her 86th%-ile for height and 19th%-ile for weight. Tall and skinny. Let's hope she stays that way!

Fun things she's doing:
*Sitting up on her own
*Sleeping on her belly 90% of the time
*Blowing raspberries quite loudly
*Feeding herself everything in sight (including rice puffs)
*Eating solid foods and loving every single thing she's tried
*Showing us two very different personalities-loud and silly at home; quiet and reserved in public-wonder where she gets those two opposing traits?!