 |
| Popsicles are awesome. |
 |
| teasing Daisy with delicious popsicle breath |
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Popsicle breath and other happenings
Just some photos today... but they're good ones ;)
Monday, January 16, 2012
Cranberry Almond Granola Adventures
I tried this granola recipe last week because I hate how expensive granola is at my grocery store! This was cheap to make, and tasted pretty good. Not great, but that could be my error. My first batch looked perfect, but then because I didn't follow the exact recipe, I burned it :/ So my second batch, I didn't have any sliced almonds, so I chopped some, leaving it a little clumsy, if that even makes sense. And I also forgot to spray the foil the second time so it completely stuck to the pan. Whoops. That was pretty annoying. Also, it doesn't seem to be the healthiest recipe (with the butter and brown sugar) but since I can't have booze, I'll take sweets. I'll try a healthier one after this baby comes!
Cranberry Almond Granola
2c old fashioned oats
1/2c dried cranberries
1c sliced almonds (much better than chopped!)
1ts cinnamon
1/4ts salt
4tb (1/2 stick) butter (reason for my "not the healthiest"disclaimer!)
1/4c lightly packed brown sugar
1/4c honey
1ts vanilla extract
1. Preheat oven to 400˚
2. Line baking sheet with aluminum foil (see note about size of pan and cooking time). Spray with non-stick cooking spray.
3. Mix oats, cranberries, almonds, cinnamon and salt
4. Combine the butter, sugar and honey in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the butter melts and the mixture begins to boil. Add the vanilla and stir. Remove from the heat.
5. Pour the butter over the oats, mixing until well coated. Transfer to the prepared pan and, using a spatula, press the oats evenly into the pan.
6. Bake until the top is golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes*. Transfer to a rack and cool. Using the foil as aid, lift out of the pan and place on a work surface. Crumble into pieces. Serve with berries and yogurt.
*If using a 9" square pan, bake 20-25 minutes. If using a 13x9" pan, 15-18 minutes.
 |
| yummmm |
 |
| perfect with "Banilla" yogurt, blueberries and banana |
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Manipulation and Dum Dums
What a day. I learned that Sam's head is incredibly hard, literally. Falling off the bed, he hit his head on the windowsill at 7am. Good morning. A HUGE knot. But the skin never broke. I don't know how.
I also learned that he is smarter than I thought. He used his injury to try to get what he wanted. This morning, wound still fresh in both of our minds, he pointed to the canister where I keep the Dum Dums. I said "no, it's breakfast time, we can have one later this afternoon". He looked at me, put his hand dramatically over his goose egg and started to whimper. I seriously thought to myself, "maybe one wouldn't hurt, the poor kid". Next thing I know, strawberry flavored drool is all over his pajamas and it's only 8:30am.
The pleads for sympathy rolled in all day. Pretending to hurt himself just for an extra hug or kiss. I'm happy to oblige. I dread the day where the injury takes more than a Mommy kiss to heal. Dread.
I also learned that he is smarter than I thought. He used his injury to try to get what he wanted. This morning, wound still fresh in both of our minds, he pointed to the canister where I keep the Dum Dums. I said "no, it's breakfast time, we can have one later this afternoon". He looked at me, put his hand dramatically over his goose egg and started to whimper. I seriously thought to myself, "maybe one wouldn't hurt, the poor kid". Next thing I know, strawberry flavored drool is all over his pajamas and it's only 8:30am.
The pleads for sympathy rolled in all day. Pretending to hurt himself just for an extra hug or kiss. I'm happy to oblige. I dread the day where the injury takes more than a Mommy kiss to heal. Dread.
On another note, you might notice another page link listed above. You guessed it, it's time again for Team HPB to get out the walking shoes! Please visit the page for more info in how you can help this year.
 |
| My office being taken over by Sam. And George of course. |
 |
| I love his little hiney in his cords. |
Monday, January 9, 2012
The Name Game
Great. Thanks a lot Beyonce. Now I can't name my son Green because I'll seem trendy going with the color thing because you had to go and name your baby Blue. Now I'm screwed. I could have even gone with Blue myself. Blue Boyer. I could say "you're my boy, Blue!!" all day. And Beyonce and Jay-Z had to take that from me.
I think it would be easier to name a baby if I were a celebrity. You can get away with some crazy shit. Pilot Inspektor? Taken. Moon Unit?? Taken. Bronx Mowgli? Taken. Zuma? Zowie? Arpad? Speck Wildhorse?? All taken. I could just blindly point to a few letters in the alphabet and create a new "American" name. I could pick a name and put a lowercase i in front of it in honor of Steve Jobs? iPaul. Has a nice ring, no?
By the third time around, thinking of another boy name is pretty hard. With Henry, it was frustrating. I merely suggested Henry Philip once to Phil and he held on to that name with a kung-fu grip. He untimely "won" the name battle, and in the end, it was perfect. With Sam, We knew we wanted the middle name to be Henry. So that knocked out a few names that didn't go with it. We tossed around some names, and almost every name I suggested - Phil hated. But in all fairness, every name Phil suggested made me gag. We're a little opposite. Samuel was on the suggestion list the first time around and of course Phil hated it because it wasn't Henry. But then I showed him what it meant, and he was turned. And then clutched on to that name with the afore-mentioned grip.
So now I've found a name I like. Finally. I know I have time. I know I might change my mind in some crazy pregnancy induced mania over the next 19 weeks. But I saw it, remembered it from a list I'd made in the past, and thought "that's it". And there is no "k" in place of a "c". No hyphens or apostrophes. It's not a color in the rainbow.
Now all I have to do is convince Phil. Because I've got a kung-fu grip too. That and you just don't mess with a grumpy pregnant lady who has made up her mind. She thinks.
I think it would be easier to name a baby if I were a celebrity. You can get away with some crazy shit. Pilot Inspektor? Taken. Moon Unit?? Taken. Bronx Mowgli? Taken. Zuma? Zowie? Arpad? Speck Wildhorse?? All taken. I could just blindly point to a few letters in the alphabet and create a new "American" name. I could pick a name and put a lowercase i in front of it in honor of Steve Jobs? iPaul. Has a nice ring, no?
By the third time around, thinking of another boy name is pretty hard. With Henry, it was frustrating. I merely suggested Henry Philip once to Phil and he held on to that name with a kung-fu grip. He untimely "won" the name battle, and in the end, it was perfect. With Sam, We knew we wanted the middle name to be Henry. So that knocked out a few names that didn't go with it. We tossed around some names, and almost every name I suggested - Phil hated. But in all fairness, every name Phil suggested made me gag. We're a little opposite. Samuel was on the suggestion list the first time around and of course Phil hated it because it wasn't Henry. But then I showed him what it meant, and he was turned. And then clutched on to that name with the afore-mentioned grip.
So now I've found a name I like. Finally. I know I have time. I know I might change my mind in some crazy pregnancy induced mania over the next 19 weeks. But I saw it, remembered it from a list I'd made in the past, and thought "that's it". And there is no "k" in place of a "c". No hyphens or apostrophes. It's not a color in the rainbow.
Now all I have to do is convince Phil. Because I've got a kung-fu grip too. That and you just don't mess with a grumpy pregnant lady who has made up her mind. She thinks.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
What would you do?
{cross post from Meghan Boyer Photography blog}
A few days ago (I think it was Friday, although I often confuse my days!), I asked a question on my Facebook page. "If you could do anything in the world today, what would it be?"
I started thinking about this question that morning as I was trying to ignore the fact I was a grown up and had to get out of bed. I started scrolling through all the things I thought I would rather be doing right at that moment. I knew the reality was I was going to get out of bed with only one eye open and use that eye to very carefully watch Sam as he whirled around the house as if he had already got into the coffee I was longing for. I though about how I would probably end up stubbing my toe (something I do at least 3 times a week), bang my knee into a wall, step on a lego, and get yelled at by the cookie monster toy insisting on cookies. I am not a morning person. So I stayed under the sheets for just a few minutes and thought about Paris and opening the window to the balcony and looking down at the cafe. I thought about warming up in front of a huge fireplace at a snowy lodge with furry boots, a blanket, a book and a huge steaming cup of coffee (with some liquor in it). I thought about a serene bathroom with a huge jacuzzi tub that I actually fit in and a stack of Real Simple magazines that I've been dying to catch up on. I thought of laying on a blanket in the grass of Central Park dozing in and out of sleep as the warm sun beamed my face.
SMACK!!!!! And then a boot hit my face. No, really. My cowboy boot hit my face. Sam's obsession with putting on my boots still exists and he wanted to wake me up by telling me he needed my help putting on the boots. So instead of any of the above scenarios coming to fruition, I got a fat lip and a big reality check of a start to my Friday. Thanks, Bubba.
So Saturday came and I always try to take some time on the weekend just for me. Even if that is an hour locked in my office without any Sam interruptions. Sometimes that "me time" consists of a desperately needed shower. But this Saturday, I was determined to get out of the house. I needed to get out and go somewhere else for a bit. I headed to a Starbucks with my laptop and a big stack of work to do thinking I was going to be so productive. My camera was along for the ride and my intentions were to just walk around and shoot. Something I used to do so often and miss incredibly. I stopped at my girlfriends on the way to drop off a few things she wanted to borrow (she benefits from me only fitting into maternity clothes). I stayed too long, and when I left I was headed to Starbucks still thinking about the work I needed to do. As I headed off, I realized how hot I was. I opened the sunroof, turned off the butt warmers, grabbed my sunglasses. What the heck? It was 66 degrees! I smiled knowing my work was going to wait. What I instantly thought of was how much fun Sam would have at the park on such a surprisingly beautiful January day. I detoured and was headed home to play with my boys.
On the way to the park, I thought for a moment how I was a little disappointed I didn't go out and "shoot for me". But almost as soon as that thought entered my head, it was gone. I was about to shoot for me. What I love to shoot more than anything in the world is Bubba. And bubba having a blast at the park with Dada was even better.
There will be other times when I long to be somewhere else. Somewhere fantastic, exotic, luxurious. But I hope I get a smack of reality by Bubba at those times, too. Because the cliche came true for me - and I really hate when that happens. What I would do if I could do anything would be to wake up, stub my toe, step on a lego, and bang my knee all on the way to get my coffee. Because I know that the rest of my day will be full of soaking in my Sam. It's as if he's a scratch n sniff. They never smell as long as you want them to. So I'm going to keep breathing him in while I can.
But maybe next time he could put down the boot and use a stuffed animal? Or a sock? I don't think those things could cause a fat lip.
A few days ago (I think it was Friday, although I often confuse my days!), I asked a question on my Facebook page. "If you could do anything in the world today, what would it be?"
I started thinking about this question that morning as I was trying to ignore the fact I was a grown up and had to get out of bed. I started scrolling through all the things I thought I would rather be doing right at that moment. I knew the reality was I was going to get out of bed with only one eye open and use that eye to very carefully watch Sam as he whirled around the house as if he had already got into the coffee I was longing for. I though about how I would probably end up stubbing my toe (something I do at least 3 times a week), bang my knee into a wall, step on a lego, and get yelled at by the cookie monster toy insisting on cookies. I am not a morning person. So I stayed under the sheets for just a few minutes and thought about Paris and opening the window to the balcony and looking down at the cafe. I thought about warming up in front of a huge fireplace at a snowy lodge with furry boots, a blanket, a book and a huge steaming cup of coffee (with some liquor in it). I thought about a serene bathroom with a huge jacuzzi tub that I actually fit in and a stack of Real Simple magazines that I've been dying to catch up on. I thought of laying on a blanket in the grass of Central Park dozing in and out of sleep as the warm sun beamed my face.
SMACK!!!!! And then a boot hit my face. No, really. My cowboy boot hit my face. Sam's obsession with putting on my boots still exists and he wanted to wake me up by telling me he needed my help putting on the boots. So instead of any of the above scenarios coming to fruition, I got a fat lip and a big reality check of a start to my Friday. Thanks, Bubba.
So Saturday came and I always try to take some time on the weekend just for me. Even if that is an hour locked in my office without any Sam interruptions. Sometimes that "me time" consists of a desperately needed shower. But this Saturday, I was determined to get out of the house. I needed to get out and go somewhere else for a bit. I headed to a Starbucks with my laptop and a big stack of work to do thinking I was going to be so productive. My camera was along for the ride and my intentions were to just walk around and shoot. Something I used to do so often and miss incredibly. I stopped at my girlfriends on the way to drop off a few things she wanted to borrow (she benefits from me only fitting into maternity clothes). I stayed too long, and when I left I was headed to Starbucks still thinking about the work I needed to do. As I headed off, I realized how hot I was. I opened the sunroof, turned off the butt warmers, grabbed my sunglasses. What the heck? It was 66 degrees! I smiled knowing my work was going to wait. What I instantly thought of was how much fun Sam would have at the park on such a surprisingly beautiful January day. I detoured and was headed home to play with my boys.
On the way to the park, I thought for a moment how I was a little disappointed I didn't go out and "shoot for me". But almost as soon as that thought entered my head, it was gone. I was about to shoot for me. What I love to shoot more than anything in the world is Bubba. And bubba having a blast at the park with Dada was even better.
There will be other times when I long to be somewhere else. Somewhere fantastic, exotic, luxurious. But I hope I get a smack of reality by Bubba at those times, too. Because the cliche came true for me - and I really hate when that happens. What I would do if I could do anything would be to wake up, stub my toe, step on a lego, and bang my knee all on the way to get my coffee. Because I know that the rest of my day will be full of soaking in my Sam. It's as if he's a scratch n sniff. They never smell as long as you want them to. So I'm going to keep breathing him in while I can.
But maybe next time he could put down the boot and use a stuffed animal? Or a sock? I don't think those things could cause a fat lip.
Monday, January 2, 2012
New
Well, another year has gone by. I looked back to my first post of 2011 and saw that I vowed to splurge for a sitter on New Years Eve. Well that didn't happen. My first goal of 2011 and I didn't keep it!
I always hesitate to write down my goals at new years. I don't really believe in New Years resolutions. I think we should resolve to do things all year not just on the first day. But really, if I write them down, them I'm held accountable for all those things I didn't do. All the disappointment. It's the same reason I hate to-do lists. I have them (actually right now about 20 of them post-ited to my desk) but I hate them. Always looming. Staring at me. The words getting bigger as they try to get my attention and I continue trying to ignore them by covering them up with random things I find. Right now one is being covered up by my stapler. Another by a new bottle of body wash I haven't yet put away in the bathroom.
But as I take mental note of the resolutions I won't be writing down, I'm thinking about all the new things on the horizon for us this year. The obvious new baby who is going to give me a run for my money - I just have a feeling. The new ventures for my business - the photography workshop and wedding photography. A new house hopefully before the baby comes and we burst out of the seams of our current one. Some pretty life changing things.
It might be a struggle to keep the sanity during the next few months, but the only resolution I'm going to write here I think is an important one to hold myself accountable to. I'm resolving to not loose sight of the most important thing - my family. Phil, Sam and yet-to-be-named Booger. I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that while we might be crazy and stressed during the process of renting out our house, looking for a new one, getting prepared as much as we can for another child, that I make sure we all just stop every now and then. Stop to enjoy dinner together slowly and not in a rushed "shovel the food in your mouth quickly because there's too much to do" kind of way. Stop and enjoy a Saturday morning by bundling up and heading to the park or for a long walk to get breakfast together. And to stop and always remember to be grateful that we are able to do all these things we are planning. It's been a long road trying to get to this point for us, and for many the road is even longer. For both having children and buying a home. We are incredibly lucky and I won't loose sight of that.
And speaking of lucky, we got to spend New Years day with a super cute Caroline. And Sam poured tea for everyone, whether they wanted it or not. Daisy snuggled with Snoop Dog. And Sam got to ride his favorite Christmas present (an antique John Deere pedal tractor) that is temporarily being held at the Harkins Garage.
AND, in case you haven't noticed, the blog got a bit of a makeover. I figured it's time for a fresh look. AND a new web address! You can simply go to www.boyerhive.com from now on to get our updates! Isn't that handy?!?
I always hesitate to write down my goals at new years. I don't really believe in New Years resolutions. I think we should resolve to do things all year not just on the first day. But really, if I write them down, them I'm held accountable for all those things I didn't do. All the disappointment. It's the same reason I hate to-do lists. I have them (actually right now about 20 of them post-ited to my desk) but I hate them. Always looming. Staring at me. The words getting bigger as they try to get my attention and I continue trying to ignore them by covering them up with random things I find. Right now one is being covered up by my stapler. Another by a new bottle of body wash I haven't yet put away in the bathroom.
But as I take mental note of the resolutions I won't be writing down, I'm thinking about all the new things on the horizon for us this year. The obvious new baby who is going to give me a run for my money - I just have a feeling. The new ventures for my business - the photography workshop and wedding photography. A new house hopefully before the baby comes and we burst out of the seams of our current one. Some pretty life changing things.
It might be a struggle to keep the sanity during the next few months, but the only resolution I'm going to write here I think is an important one to hold myself accountable to. I'm resolving to not loose sight of the most important thing - my family. Phil, Sam and yet-to-be-named Booger. I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that while we might be crazy and stressed during the process of renting out our house, looking for a new one, getting prepared as much as we can for another child, that I make sure we all just stop every now and then. Stop to enjoy dinner together slowly and not in a rushed "shovel the food in your mouth quickly because there's too much to do" kind of way. Stop and enjoy a Saturday morning by bundling up and heading to the park or for a long walk to get breakfast together. And to stop and always remember to be grateful that we are able to do all these things we are planning. It's been a long road trying to get to this point for us, and for many the road is even longer. For both having children and buying a home. We are incredibly lucky and I won't loose sight of that.
And speaking of lucky, we got to spend New Years day with a super cute Caroline. And Sam poured tea for everyone, whether they wanted it or not. Daisy snuggled with Snoop Dog. And Sam got to ride his favorite Christmas present (an antique John Deere pedal tractor) that is temporarily being held at the Harkins Garage.
AND, in case you haven't noticed, the blog got a bit of a makeover. I figured it's time for a fresh look. AND a new web address! You can simply go to www.boyerhive.com from now on to get our updates! Isn't that handy?!?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)