What I ate Wednesday

Good morning, from Beaufort!  You all know the inspiration flows when I am in the Low-country.  We are here for our annual Water Festival trip, and we couldn't be more excited to share this tradition with Wills for the first time. 

Here's what I ate in the midst of packing, traveling and arriving to my favorite place.

Breakfast was a quick cup of coffee, watermelon, and two scrambled eggs with cheese.

Mid-morning packing was in full force, and I whipped up my latest smoothie, inspired from Jenna at Eat Live Run.  I've been trying to fit in a daily smoothie to make sure this growing baby girl gets all that she needs.  These are a little more nutritional and calorie dense than my usual pre-pregnancy smoothies. 

1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk, 2 large handfuls of spinach, 1/2 cup whole fat plain Greek yogurt, 1/3 cup raw oats, 1 Tablespoon chia seeds, 3/4 cup of frozen peaches, 1/2 cup frozen blueberries, and 1/2 cup water.

Delicious and filling. 

I packed lunch for the road.  A large bag of grapes, cracked pepper turkey and muenster cheese on an Everything bagel thin with mustard, and Cheetos. 

I enjoyed a few snacks when I arrived in Beaufort.  A handful of animal cookies, a few crackers with pimento cheese, and three or four sips of red wine.

Can we talk about dinner?  It was the most amazing thing I've eaten in a while.  Seriously, I wish I could eat this everyday.

Fresh blackened red fish.

Fresh heirloom tomato pie. 

Along with corn on the cob.

I could go on for days about this dinner.  Thanks, Mom and Dad!  

Where am I?

Want the truth?

I've been feeling particularly uninspired with my writing these days.  I'm blaming it on the pregnancy hormones, the hot days of summer, a husband who is traveling quite a bit making my time to write very limited, the distance from my yoga mat, a regular glass of red wine, and a good book.  I am hoping some new routines will help me find my niche, again.  

Regardless...I'm determined to find some inspiration, make time for the things I love (even on the days when all I would really love is a nap,) and enjoy these last four months of pregnancy and the time I have with Wills as my only child. 

In the midst of a dreary, overcast morning, this is my inspiration.  These are the little blessings I am so thankful to share:

Concerts from my boys.  Wills is beyond obsessed with music.  It is, by far, his favorite thing. He plays his drums, taps his foot, sings, always has a guitar, and at any given moment can be found on the piano banging away singing "Sweet Annie."

An occasional sip of red wine waiting to be paired with a football game and a cozy fire.  39 days until Game Day!  Who's counting?

My new Fitbit Flex...thanks to Sissy, Tony and Maddi!  I love tracking my steps, sleep, water, calories, etc.  Plus, it's cute enough to stack bracelets and wear with almost anything.  It blends right in.

Planning a three-year-old fire truck birthday party. 

His and hers pizza night.

Deep dock conversations.

Making the most of the summer heat with a daily trip to the park.

Then coming home to a few fall inspired lunches.

Looking forward to my 30s.

L

More tomato sandwiches than I can count. 

Telling stories about this sweet boy.

 and...dreaming about our baby girl.  One day, I will find the words to share this excitement.  For now, we are speechless and overwhelmed with gratitude, anticipation, and love for this growing miracle.  

 On the challenging days, it always helps to capture and hold tight to the simple moments that bring us so much joy.  In the end, the rest is silly.  These are the moments that matter.  

Pizza! Pizza!

At our house, we LOVE pizza. And we aren't picky. I've created pizzas on everything including English muffins, pita bread, Naan flatbread, and portobello mushrooms. 

Our recent favorite: crusty French bread. 

It's becoming a weekly menu item.

I sauté a ton of veggies.

Split the French bread in half. Bake for 7 or so minutes. Then add the yummy toppings.

And bake for another 10 to 15 minutes.

Simple and delicious.

Wills and I had it twice last week while Bill was traveling. On our second night, we added avocado.  If only we could have added red wine.  Soon enough. :)

Speak of Joy

My Tuesday morning yogis showed up.  Big time.  They brought energy, power, and rejuvenation into this space and their practice.  I feel so honored to be able to lead them once a week.

I shared this conversation from Danielle LaPorte during hip openers.  I read it a few months ago on Peanut Butter Runner - a blog where Jen, a Charlotte based yoga teacher, shares details around her yoga classes, and this essay spoke to me.  I couldn't help but pass it on. 

"We need you to tell us your good news.
Tell us how deeply in love you are.
Tell us how your life is rocking.
How free you are these days.
Tell us how wonderful your family is.
How many opportunities are coming your way.
How great it feels to make your work in the world.
How lazy, luxurious, or revitalizing your holiday was.
Tell us how fulfilled you feel in your job.
How sexy you felt on the dance floor, on your bike, in the interview.
Tell us how well you’re being loved.
How delicious your dinner was.
How healthy and sturdy you are these days.
Go ahead, tell us how lucky you are.

Do you feel so utterly blessed at times that it blows your mind?
Tell us about it. Please.

Even if you have to stretch to find the one golden thing in your existence right now, accentuate that. And give it to us.

We need you to light up our realities. Don’t shrink from sharing the story of your good fortune. Give us examples of well-loved living. Give us evidence of the rewards of courage, that it pays to hold out, or to go wild, or to burn prayer candles.

Declare your fulfillment without restraint.

Create conversations of fulfillment so we can step away from the shadows of media madness
and habitual, repressive, dampening complaining of the day.

Forget about arrogance and your britches.

Never mind potentially envious reactions — envy can be a positive agitator.

Yes, be gentle in the face of another’s lack, but still, let them know that certain happiness is possible — you’re living proof.

Tell us what’s good in your life so that we can believe in it for ourselves, so that we can reach out and join in.

Speak of your joy.  Whatever it is.  Often."

I love her advice here.  Why hold back?  Speak of joy - without restraint, without a fear of arrogance, without worry.  Someone needs to hear it; someone may need a little hope. 

After yoga, I came home and whipped up a quick fruit smoothie. 

Frozen fruit, almond milk, sunflower butter, and chia seeds.  Simple and delicious.

While the music played...

While William was hanging out (for probably the 90th time) with Widespread last week...

Wills and I took off to the beach.

But not before we baked some blueberry breakfast muffins, that he referred to all week as "Clarabelle's Moo Muffins."  Maybe we watch too much Mickey Mouse?

I adapted the recipe from a blog called Damndelicious and was able to sneak in and substitute with these goodies.

I won't call them award winning, and they definitely took a backseat to the cinnamon rolls and blueberry streusel bread at the beach, but they were a nice, healthier option...when we chose that route. :)

Wills had one for dinner the night before we left.  Bert and Ernie watched.

We filled our week in the Lowcountry with front porch kisses,

morning beach jogs,

afternoon reading on the front porch (during Wills' nap time),

a waterfront wedding and rooftop reception,

complete with some photo-booth memories,

and loads of beach fun!

I love this month's Skirt! Magazine cover.  Let the summer fun continue!

Summer Basil

I must admit, as much as I LOVE the changing seasons, summer isn't my most favorite.  However, I do try to enjoy the present moment (it's all we are promised, right?) so as my mind drifts to football season, red wine, and cozy fires, I remind myself of the things I love about sweet summertime! 

In the top ten...fresh basil.




Although I have dreams of a garden one day, I am not convinced my thumb is green; however, basil gives me confidence.  It's foolproof to grow and so flavorful to cook with.  We add it to pastas, pizza, fish, lemonade, and my favorite appetizer: the Barefoot Contessa's Tomato Crostinis.

I am sure I've posted about these before, but I couldn't find the exact spot, so here they are again. One of my summer projects is to get my blog organized into recipe categories, so they are one click away from locating.  Stay tuned...

Start with green onions, red wine vinegar and garlic.

Add in chopped grape tomatoes.

1/3 cup of olive oil, sea salt, ground pepper, and the star of the show...fresh basil.

After this step, I was a little distracted by a two year old and didn't capture any more process pictures.  But, using a food processor, mix together 8 oz feta cheese, lemon juice, 1/3 cup olive oil, 4 - 6 oz softened cream cheese and pepper.

I slice a french baguette, drizzle with olive oil, and toast it on 400 degrees for 10 minutes.  Top with the cheese mixture followed by the tomatoes.

These are always a crowd favorite, and I am thankful I got to these before the last one was gone. 

I recreated the crostini on a slice of sour dough bread, with an egg, for lunch the next day.