Day 7: Chocolate Custard

Take frozen chocolate custard (think thick soft serve, rich, chocolatey, and a little salty) from my favorite local joint.




Add a Take 5 bar.




Can you read that label? It says pretzels, caramel, peanuts, peanut butter and milk chocolate. Yum.

Add peanut butter cup. But don't use the Reese's version. Take it up a notch by using liquid gold peanut butter.




And hard shell chocolate. Just like on a dip cone.




Mix it up, and you get my celebration for today. A mini Take 5, peanut butter cup cement made with chocolate custard.




Repeat weekly for best results.

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Day 6: So Thankful

I started day 6 at 5:30, running with my neighbor and friend, Julie. I look forward to early morning runs this time of year. The sun is up, it's not too hot, and it feels like I'm making the most of our long days.

Julie and I talk the entire time we run, and I love it. It helps pass the time. Today we talked about families who have lost babies.

Julie went to a funeral on Monday for a co-worker who had a stillborn baby. We talked about our neighbor who lost twins at 24 weeks. My Mom who lost my baby sister at full term.

And the local Mom whose blog I've been reading (check out the link on this page) who lost her 16.5 month old son, Peanut, to Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (it's sort of like SIDS for older babies). I don't know Peanut's Mom, but her blog has impacted me. If you haven't heard of SUDC, you should read about it. Peanut's blog has a link to more info.

I'm so thankful for the health of my children and family.

XO, POB

Day 5: Exactly what I want?

Today I decided to do exactly what I want. Well, at least after 5 PM.

If I hadn't waited until then, I would have told the leave-10-minutes-early-from-spin-class-lady to sit back on her bike and stop being a distraction. I would have been more truthful with my client at lunch: "Yes, you are a micro-manager." And I would have replaced my 2 o'clock meeting with a nap in a hammock.

Instead, I unleashed all that willfulness on my evening. I spent 20 uninterrupted minutes playing and laughing with Charlee on the floor. I made a big salad for dinner. No protein in sight--sorry, Chad.

And then I had a dilemma. Do I really WANT to honor my pledge not to drink wine on school nights? This is a 2-day old pledge (see post about Day 3). Or do I REALLY want to crack open the Riesling I bought last week?

What makes me happier? Willpower or gluttony? Water or wine? Fun nights or alert mornings? Just who am I?

Day 4: Chia Seeds

Day 4: Chia seeds. Have you heard of them? Until spending time with my friend, Bita, the only Chia I knew was a pet.

Ch-ch-ch-chia

Chia seeds are chockfull of fiber, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. So say Dr. Oz and Dr. Weil.

Bita puts 1 tablespoon of the seeds in her water once or twice a day. She swears it fills her up. So I bought my Chia seeds today at Whole Foods.

Chia... the miracle seed?

 If I start sprouting green leaves on my head, cut me off.

Day 2 and 3: Simple and Spectacular

On Day 2 of my 40 days, I spent most of the day flying back from a 2-night work trip. When I walked in the door, Chad took off for a couple hours of well-earned time away. My OCD-like compulsion to unload and load the dishwasher, pick up stray shoes, and unpack my suitcase was strong.

Instead, I turned a blind eye and headed outside with the girls. We enjoyed an hour and a half of bike riding, flower picking, and walking. We need to spend more time outdoors.

On Day 3, I ate. And drank. And laughed.

Chad, two friends, and I enjoyed a unique eating experience at a farm near St. Louis. With 100 other people, we had a 7-course meal prepared by 17 local chefs using a bunch of vegetables from the farm we were on.

It was a benefit for our local Slow Food chapter. Slow Food St. Louis raises money to help small, local farmers.

The white tablecloths, vases of huge hydrangeas, and newly restored barn made me feel like I was in a Saveur magazine photo shoot.

The bottomless wine glass made me feel like I was in college.

The humidity and pine benches made me feel like I was at our family reunion. With less bacon.

The barn at Claverach Farms

Slow Food St. Louis Dinner ~ Feast in the Field

What a Difference a Week Makes

Charlee's give up crawling now. She's all walking, all the time.

Day 1: 40 Days of Celebrating

Inspired by a friend who celebrated her 50th birthday for 50 days, today I started my own celebration. I'm going to do something, however small, to celebrate for the next 40 days.

I enjoyed a yummy dinner (pizza with short ribs, manchego, and arugula) and a tasty cocktail with a good friend. Thanks, B!




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We're walking now!

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Sisters at 1

I just got this cool app that let's me blog from my iPad. So far it's greatly increased my blogging output.

Anyway, I recently compared photos of the girls when they were 1. I think Charlee and Claire look most alike. What do you think?











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Kate's First Dental Visit

One of our favorite books is How I Became a Pirate. The pirates have green, scurvy teeth. Our girls know that if they don't brush their teeth, they will suffer a pirate's fate of green teeth.

Luckily, Kate got a great checkup at her first dentist appointment. She was a great patient. I'm pretty sure she's a people pleaser like her Momma.



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Only 13 Years Until the 2024 Summer Olympics

Kate and Claire started gymnastics class this week. To say they were excited about it is an understatement.

They wear their leotards often. Claire calls it "doing nastics." This video isn't thrilling, but I figure when they're in the 2024 Olympics, NBC will want early footage from their first gymnastics class.

Claire Likes Makeup

Doesn't it look like she's performing in Cats?



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