I only have a few pictures to share from this weekend because, frankly, it kind of sucked. Friday night was the highlight, when I went out to Taste to share a delicious dessert and a slow gin fizz with my friend Elisha, but after that, it was all downhill.
Nothing horrible happened, it was just that we never found our groove. All day Saturday it rained and was cold and miserable, so our plans of moving forward on the garden were put on hold… again. The feeling of standing still with such a big project is frustrating. On top of that, Emil was a sleep thief again. We have been struggling just to get him to go down each night. After a restless, wakeful night, he wakes up for good at 5am and is miserable. 
Andrew had to work all day Sunday, but at least the rain held out. I took the boys on a nice long walk, and we stopped by Winslow’s Home for a quick breakfast (their scones just never, ever disappoint!). Pushing the stroller through big muddy puddles with a nice big cup of coffee in my other hand made things a bit more pleasant. I tried to adjust my attitude, but it was just a hard, long day. But you know, not every weekend can be the best weekend ever! 
Tomorrow I have a bunch of meal ideas for you… seven, to be exact. And if you would be so kind as to return here with your top 2 or 3 and leave them in the comments box, I figure we will have some great ideas for next week’s meals! What d’ya say?
Happy Monday!
Sometimes days are off, but that makes up appreciate the “on” days, doesn’t it? Regardless, you take marvelous photos and your boys are so sweet (looking) so that makes me think that this next weekend will be glorious. 😉 Hope your weather starts to warm up!
Your weekends are usually much more stupendous than ours! I’m still in shock at how well you function with such little sleep.
Have you tried Chamomile with him? That always seemed to settle our little one down at night. Lavender could help too, diffused or in his bath.
Just some things that helped us during those difficult nights!
Enjoy your week 🙂
Bummer, when you’re low on sleep it makes everything so much more difficult- just the worst. There will be plenty of sunny days ahead though- onward and upward 🙂 And the puddle jumping does look like fun.
Thanks for the suggestions, Meagan! I will have to try all of the above. It’s crazy, just so hit-or-miss with that one and sleep! But today is a sunny warm day, so I’m feeling better already!
Each and every day has a little sunshine, but the whole can sometimes be a bit cloudy. I bet those scones were delish! I looked back and just love your gardening outfit — seriously, I am doing yard work these days, so I need a outfit that looks decent while I am digging in the dirt. You inspired me to find one. 🙂
Here is a recipe I use often. I leave out the chicken when I don’t have it.
Asian Bowtie Pasta
Serves 6-8
1 lb farfalle (bowtie) pasta (I used the mini farfalle)
1/3 cup canola, safflower or other mild tasting oil
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/4 cup sesame oil
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon honey
3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
2 red, yellow or orange bell peppers, cut julienne
1 cup of scallions, diced
2-3 cups of rotisserie chicken, cut into bite sized pieces (put more chicken if you want it meatier)
3 tablespoons roasted sesame seed
Pepper to taste
3 cups washed baby spinach
1/4 cup cilantro, OPTIONAL
2 tablespoons red pepper flakes, OPTIONAL
Boil and cook pasta according to directions. Make sure to salt the cooking water. Drain pasta and set aside. Return the pasta pot back to the stove. (You don’t need to wash it.) Add the canola oil, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, and rice wine vinegar. Heat over low heat until the honey is dissolved. Remove from heat and toss in the pasta. Add the bell peppers, chicken, scallions, pepper, sesame seeds, cilantro (optional) and red pepper flakes (optional). Toss well to coat all the ingredients. Before serving, toss the pasta with the spinach, to keep the vibrant green as much as possible.
This can be chilled or served warm at room temperature (which was really delicious.)
Annie, that sounds AMAZING!!! Thank you! 🙂
Well even if the weekend was a bust, the photos are adorable!! Here are a few recipe ideas we like… xo
Turkey Meatball Sandwiches – http://www.heatherchristo.com/cooks/2011/02/06/turkey-meatball-sandwich/
Lemony Tuna & Olive Oil Pasta (so easy it’s silly) – http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/lemon-tuna-olive-oil-pasta-00100000066530/index.html
Chicken & Kale Pasta Casserole – http://www.marthastewart.com/862208/chicken-and-kale-casserole?czone=food/produce-guide-cnt/produce-guide-winter¢er=276955&gallery=286367&slide=862208
And this for good measure… http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-best-chocolate-chip-cookies-recipe.html
I just wanted to tell you how refreshing it was for me to read this post! So many of the blogs that I read are written in a way that makes one think that there are never any bad days (or bad weekends- not to mention those occasionally lousy weeks)! I appreciate your honesty because yeah – not everyday is filled with sunshine and well-rested children. Here’s to a great week and hopefully an even better weekend!
I agree with Kate (above). I enjoy your blog so much because of your honest reporting (and because you have 3 little ones like me!). Yours was the first blog that made me feel like I wasn’t the only one who felt/said/did (whatever) with my kids! Sorry the weekend was a bummer, but good ones (and better weather) will follow!
I am looking forward to tomorrow’s recipe post! I will try to dig up my family’s faves and post them here (or tomorrow’s comment) as well.
Take care.
I agree with Kate and Heather – thank you for being so honest and frank. Reading your blog makes me feel that it’s ok not to be the perfect mother and wife. Other bloggers often pretend that in their world, the sun is always shining, the house always clean and the kids always happy – that’s why I prefer starting my morning with your blog!
I have also found lavender to be a good remedy for my little light sleeper. I always put a big wet cloth with some drops of lavender oil over the foot rails of his crib. Good luck, and keep up the good spirit!
Ahhh – I’m so behind on your blog posts but it’s been nice reading through them in a big chunk like that. Love your show outfit – really loving your hair like that too. And the garden – the bean pole teepee!
I can relate to the afternoon “witching hour” too – what in the HECK is that about?? Post-nap late afternoon is definitely the most trying time for everyone in our house. I feel like I want to run away at times – but I really like your idea and should do it more – run away together!
xo
cortnie
Oh, and Happy Anniversary to you and Andrew!
xo
c.
That first photo is amazing! It should be turned into wallpaper. It would look awesome. I hope this next weekend is better for you. I hate when the weekend is a bummer! 🙂
Jo
Damn girl! I agree with everyone on both your honesty and your ability to function so well on little sleep/ three kids. You’re my hero. Also, not all weekends are created equal, i think it’s just ‘cos we have expectations of them. Also, It’s 4:30 AM, I’m wide awake and there’s a mouse in the room. Cats=kid-training?
Oh my goodness! Thank you for all of the kind words, ladies! Sometimes it is rough, right?! I appreciate the feedback, too. I know exactly what kind of blogs make every moment look like a work of art. I do admire their photos and seemingly flawless taste/clean houses, but I have to admit, I too enjoy blogs where life is more balanced and real!