Apr
20
2010While I was totally rocking the dairy-free lifestyle during the winter due to a bunch of soups and stews, Spring has brought a new challenge to eating dairy free. It’s far too hot for soups and stews down here in South Carolina! Usually, during the warmer months Derek and I enjoy a bunch of cheesy pasta dishes and our famous on the deck crackers, lunch meat, exotic cheeses, and fruit meal. My brain is warped with trying to adapt dairy free into this new season, but I think it’s mainly because I’m too lazy or too busy with tired girls to want to make more than a one dish meal. Slowly, I think I’ll get into a dairy-free summer groove.
Here’s our dinner from a few nights ago.
Grilled kielbasa, Jiffy Corn Muffins (made with water), and Spicy Okra and Tomatoes.
Spicy Okra and Tomatoes
I like things pretty hot, but mixing the okra with the muffins mellows this dish out just a we bit. If you don’t like hot, you can substitute a regular can of tomatoes.
Ingredients
- One Onion, sliced thinly
- 5 cloves of Garlic, minced
- Cooking Oil (I think I used Canola… but it might have been Olive)
- about a pound of Okra, cut into coins
- a small can of diced tomatoes with green chilis
Directions
- Saute the onions and garlic in oil until the onions are translucent.
- Add the okra and saute until they are warm.
- Add the can of Tomatoes and green chilis and let simmer until most of the juices are absorbed.
Apr
19
2010370. Bronwyn fingering her bumper ruffle and talking to it gently mid-nap
371. A tiny leaf shaped bug on the clothesline
372. Dandelions
373. A cherry pitter that my sister found at a thrift store, just before cherry season ripens
374. A replaced stroller that works
375. A very unexpected gift card from my amazing sister
376. Cut glass water droplets of dew on my tiny peas.
377. An empty box for the girls to play with
378. Aeralind snuggling close with me in bed to take a little nap
379. Bronwyn laughing and kicking her legs in a swing at the park
380. Derek caresses
381. Lily of the Valley plants finally discovered locally at the Farmers market from a sweet elderly lady!
Apr
19
2010Back when I was 4 months pregnant with Aeralind and Bronwyn, I sewed up Vogue 1027 in some Ruby Red Cotton Jersey. I cut my size in the bust and eased the bottom out to the next size up to add a little room for the babies’ belly. I wore it all the time!
No really, I promise I had a baby belly in these photos, the dress was just that flattering! I even wore it for our church picture directory photo 2 weeks before I delivered the girls. I almost wish I was pregnant again so that I could wear it. Almost…
There was very unfortunate problem with this pattern: it had way too much wearing ease for a garment made from a knit fabric and, therefore, had quite the case of gaposis at the bust. Fortunately, I had just enough of that wonderful red jersey leftover to make a spring top!
I used the bust portion of Vogue 1027 two sizes smaller than the back of the pattern suggests. Then, I used one of my Down East Basics Wonder Tees to draft the lower portion of the shirt.
It’s not as fun to twirl in, but it’s definitely more modest (especially since I tacked the crossover closed) and super comfy! I think I’ll be revisiting this pattern again in the future. 😉
Apr
17
2010Here’s Spring Top number 1: My Purple Ruffle Shoulder Top
A little secret: this used to be an Old Navy maxi dress that I wore throughout my entire twin pregnancy. The tummy was a little stretched out (and a lot stained…ahem) and I didn’t think I’d wear again. Here’s a little view of the dress in it’s former maternity life:
2 months pregnant
4 months pregnant
8 months pregnant
I started with the Chickadee pattern on BurdaStyle for the cute sleeve shape and a block for doing raglan type top. I added width in the middle front and gathered it into the neckline binding. I used the pre-existing hem on the dress and gave it a kind of straight flowy fit. Then I gathered some 1 1/2″ strips and pinned them on the left shoulder in a fun swirly arrangement.
I wore this top all day and went shopping with the girlies at Target, hung diapers on the line, and all the normal daily stuff with the girls too. I love how cool it was in this super warm weather. I think the purple ruffle top will quickly become a favorite and happy for the challenge to make it. Thanks, Rae 🙂
