divine intervention

Sometimes God does funny things around us to show us that He's looking out for us.

Like giving you a Full moon 3.5 weeks before your baby is due. {It could happen at ANY moment, right? I mean I'm not antsy or anything...}

Or...making the black beans in your fridge spoiled as you were pulling together ingredients to come up with a pre-dinner snack.

Seriously. Black beans? What was I thinking?

This little salad is similar but different to a recipe you may have tried before: Crunchy Tomato and Cucumber Salad. 

I like to keep you on your toes people.

If you, too happen to be seeking a little snack, and you too happen to have all of these ingredients, AND a commemorative football bowl to kickoff the first NC State Game of the season, you too, should make this yummy salad.

I pinky promise I won't make you put black beans in it.

Parmesan Zucchini and Tomato salad 

1 zucchini, sliced thinly into crescents

1 pint cherry tomatoes, rinsed

1/4 cup red onion, sliced thinly

1 clove garlic, minced

Juice of 1 lemon

2 Tbsp olive oil

Salt & pepper, to taste

2 Tbsp fresh grated parmesan cheese

Combine all ingredients into a bowl and serve cold. 

"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercyand good fruit, impartial and sincere." James 3:17

pinsday double-chocolate-pumpkin-cake with pumpkin icing.

It's that time of the week again!

Time for me to tempt you with a drool-worthy Pinterest find...

Y'all, this cake is amazing. It's like a creamy, fudgy, chocolate-y chip brownie with pumpkin icing on it.

Yep! Pumpkin.

I couldn't wait until September to break out the pumpkin.

Double Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cake with Pumpkin Icing Recipe from Picky Palate.

I can't wait to try more Picky Palate recipes! {Especially if they involve this much pumpkin.}

"Come near to God and he will come near to you." James 4:8

thirty five.

How far along? 35.5 weeks-can we say OHMYGOSH? I can't believe we are down to the final stretch

Sleep: Sleep.Toss.Turn.Sleep.Pee.Toss.Turn.Sleep.

Best moment this week: So many great times with friends and family this week! See my week according to my iPhone.

Miss Anything? clothes! Like new, fun, clothes that don't have to have a yard of extra fabric involved in the tummy area. 

Movement: She gets hiccups all of the time and I love it! Also there is a lot of dancing happening on my bladder. Which is cute, but can be very nerve wracking when you are not in a spot to use the lou. 

Food cravings: coffee? Weird, I know, but the good news is they make decaf for just those types of craving. Hello Decaf Caramel Macchiato. 

Gender: Girl

Labor signs: Still none, other than Braxton Hicks. I can't believe I'll be saying yes to this in the next 4.5 weeks!

Belly Button: So so Outtie

Symptoms: Heartburn and some puffy feet, but feeling pretty good this week.

Wedding Rings: Wearing my favorite coctail ring? Yes. Wedding rings, notsomuchrightnow.

Looking forward to: Pumpkin lattes and all the lovely things that come with fall!

“Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.”

my week according to my iPhone...

Birds eye view at 35 weeks.

Me and Mr. avaitor

Scribble chalkboard fun.

Sneaking Macaroni and cheese to a best bulldog friend.

Adding ruffles to anything that isn't nailed down.

Upside Down raking before Durham Bulls Game.

“I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.” Psalm 116:1-2 NIV

31 Retirement Sale...For you!

Hello sweet readers!

I wanted to pass along an offer to my blog readers [and fellow shopping aficionados] for a Thirty-One Retirement Sale.


My cousin Tonya, wonderful mother of this gorgeous blue-eyed baby girl, is offering you a chance to take part in a sale of 10%* OFF  Thirty-One's Summer Retirement List. 


And who doesn't love a sale??

From totes or purses you can wear while you’re out and about, thermals to help you transport food and drinks to a party, or organizational items to help you keep your house neat and tidy Thirty-One has a solution!

Summer Retirement List: 

http://assets.thirtyonetoday.com.s3.amazonaws.com/toolbox/summer2012/retirement_list%20summer_2012.pdf 

These items are available through the end of August or while supplies last. Order between now and Monday August 27th to receive your 10%* discount. 

Visit my website to place your order. You can view the entire catalog and place your order through the Retirement Sale event. 

http://www.mythirtyone.com/TonyaStarbeck/ 

Go to "Place an Order" > Choose "Retirement Sale" > and "Shop Now"

Please contact Tonya with any questions, to host a party or be added to the monthly newsletter e-mail.

*10% is taken off your shopping total, not to include taxes and shipping which are calculated before discount is 

given.

*You must order directly through Tonya's site, from the Retirement Sale event from my page for your discount to be given. Your discount will not reflect when placing your order. I will manually edit your total after your order is submitted. If you want a total before placing your order you can also order via e-mail: babyblu445@yahoo.com. 

My personal favorites:  Thermal Tote in Flutter or Cheeky Elephant

Magazine Basket



Happy Shopping!

Pins-day Enchiladas

If I was trapped on a desert island and had to live off just one type of food for the rest of my life, I would hope to be stuck on a mexican island.

Or Italian.

This may or may not be the reason I have so much heartburn.

I <3 tomato sauce.

And if you, too, <3 tomato sauce, you will <3 these enchiladas.

Chicken Enchiladas by Pink Parsley

thirty four.

How far along? 34 weeks

Sleep: Still tossing and turning...

Best moment this week: Having the OB doctor tell me we had reached a milestone at 34 weeks! If the baby was born anytime after now, they would not do anything to stop the delivery. Craziness.

Miss Anything? Bending down to pick up something/put on my shoes. Hard to do with a basketball in the way!

Movement: Lots of movement every day with elbows and knees and feet in my ribs. The best feelings in the world! (except for the ribs part). 

Food cravings: Coffee cake. 

Gender: Girl

Labor signs: Some serious Braxton Hicks this week!

Belly Button: Outtie

Symptoms: Heartburn, heartburn, heartburn! Hoping this means she is born with full, flowing locks of hair!!

Wedding Rings: Mostly no. The heat + swelling has put them aside for now. I'm hoping with cooler weather the rings can make a comeback. For now I wear my fav cocktail ring. 

Looking forward to: Baby! And fall! And all things pumpkin on the way. 

"every good and perfect gift is from above.." James 1:17

Cinnamon Sugar Pita Chips.

This baby is a maniac for sweets.

Which has lead me on an exploration of all foods covered in sugar. Somuchso that today, when I stared at a coffe cake candle I have in my kitchen, I decided it was a good time for coffee cake.

I mean, when is it not  a good time for coffee cake?

So far, I have decided that the Pioneer Woman makes the best coffee cake ever, aptly named "The Best Coffee Cake Ever."

And it is. It really, really is. And it should be, because it has FOUR sticks of butter in it.

Today, this pregnant lady decided that she was a) way too tired to bake, b) didn't need to eat four sticks of butter, and c) may or may not have all of the ingredients.

And a yummy snack was born.

I wish I could take credit for the invention of this snack. I cannot. Stacy's Pita Chips makes these Ah-mazing Cinnamon Sugar pita chips.

Which brings me back to being way too tired to bake go to the grocery store.

This pregnant lady, did, however have pitas. And Cinnamon. And Sugar. Score one for preggers.

If you find yourself in the same preduncament, make these. They are sweet and crunchy and taste like a little bite sized coffee cake. On a pita chip. Sans all the butter.

Which illicited a major baby dance party in my belly after I ate them. Wouldn't it be awesome if we took a page from fetus' and danced after we ate something we liked?

I think we could start a trend y'all...

Cinnamon Sugar Pita Chips
3 whole pitas cut into 1'' squares
4 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp cinnamon
2 tbsp olive oil

Preheat oven to 375.  In a large bowl, mix together pita squares, brown sugar, cinnamon, and olive oil.  Toss until well coated, adding more olive oil if necessary to lightly coat the pita squares.

Spread out evenly on a baking sheet and bake 10-12 minutes, flipping once, until pitas are crunchy. Serve and enjoy!

"How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" Psalm 119:103

thirty three.

How far along? 33 weeks

Sleep: Sleeping and tossing and turning. And apparently snoring like a trucker-haha-poor hubby! I woke up at 4am the other morning and found him on the couch downstairs and the dog in the other room because I was being too loud. Oops. 

Best moment this week: Our second baby shower today! With dear friends who traveled near and far to make the day very fun and special for me. I am beyond blessed.

Miss Anything? Being able to squeeze past someone to go do something. Um. yeah now its more like pardon me as I try to sneak by and wack you with my pumpkin belly. 

Movement: Yes! I love her little feet and knees and hands that poke out all day long. I especially love trying to guess what is what.

Food cravings: More chocolate. And french fries. 

Gender: Girl

Labor signs: Still haven't "popped" yet. (; 

Belly Button: Outtie

Symptoms: Backache, swollen feet, reflux, and snoring, but who'se counting! I really can't complain because its been a fairly easy pregnancy and I truly just feel--absolutely lucky.

Wedding Rings: These guys are hanging on for dear life. And by hanging on I mean I have to pry them off at night. Here's to hoping we can squeeze a few more weeks in them!

Looking forward to: The coming weeks as we finish preparing for our little bean to enter our world. I especially can't wait to see what she looks like!

"love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength." Mark 12:30

Pins-day:Bibs and Burp Cloths.

Happy Pins-day!

With baby bean on the way, I have had a mega nesting urge, including a big knack to sew.

Luckily, there are lots of itty bitty little baby things on Pinterest that you can easily replicate at home.

And "sew" I did.

Baby Bibs courtesy of Chickpea Sewing Studio

Burp Cloths courtesy of MADE

There are hundreds of bib and burp cloth tutorials on Pinterest, but I found these to be the simplest to follow.

Aren't they precious?

White fabric: chenille
Print: Assorted cotton

I hope this Pins-day leaves you full of DIY inspiration!

“For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.” Psalm 149:4

thirty two.

How far along? 32 weeks

Sleep: Napping and sleeping decently... 

Best moment this week: Putting the changing table together with the hubby tonight-its so precious I can't wait to share!

Miss Anything? Having a variety in my wardrobe!! Please ignore this repeat dress from week 30.

Movement: Yes--I truly love feeling her move around in my belly and trying to guess which body part is which. She also loves to dig her feet up into my ribs on my right and try to push them out. Yeowch.

Food cravings: Chocolate and pastry cravings this week. These are weird to me because I normally craved salty and savory food pre-pregnancy, and this pregnancy has been full of sweet cravings!

Gender: Girl

Labor signs: Braxton Hicks are increasing, but according to the doc that is completely normal!

Belly Button: Outtie

Symptoms: I definitely feel myself moving more slowly than usual. 7.5 more weeks-we can do it!

Wedding Rings: Mostly on for work and going out and about, otherwise they stay off.

Looking forward to: Picking out a glider. our last big item for the nursery.

"Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body." Proverbs 16:24

Happy PINs-day

Happy PINs-day!

Otherwise known as sharing-my-latest-Pinterest-find-with-you-Wednesday. {Pins-day for short.}

Zuchinni Tots.

Perfect to take to a party or serve as a healthy and delish side item for your dinner. Tonight.

You might even fool your kids into thinking they are eating something fried. (My lil baby bean sure was).

Crunchy tots full of cheesy vegetable goodness that I can only thank my sweet lil sis for, accidentally leaving some just-bought zucchini's at my house when she was here for a visit this weekend.

And when you eat them and decide they are delicious, you too, can thank my little sis and Pinterest for the inspiration.

Zucchini Tots
adapted from the Curious Country Cook
1 large zucchini
1/4 cup red onion
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1 egg
1 tsp cayenne
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt & pepper
Cooking oil spray

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Using a box grater, grate zucchini. Place zucchini in 2 paper towels (or a dish towel) and squeeze as much liquid out as physically possible.

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients until they stick together. Spray a mini muffin tin with cooking spray and scoop spoonfuls of the sticky vegetable tot mixture into cups. Fill to the top.

Bake at 400 for 15-17 minutes until crispy on top.

"You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word." Psalm 119:114