make some: granola

 Ingredients:

• non-stick cooking spray
• 4 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup sliced almonds
• 1/2 cup granular sucralose sweetener with brown sugar (such as Splenda® Brown Sugar Blend)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup applesauce
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 5 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Lightly spray large baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Mix oats, almonds, sweetener, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl.
3. Stir applesauce and sugar together in a small saucepan; bring to a simmer over medium heat and immediately remove from heat. Stir vanilla into the applesauce mixture; pour over the oats mixture and toss to coat. Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking dish.
4. Bake until golden brown, stirring occasionally, 20 to 30 minutes. Place baking sheet on a cooling rack until granola is completely cooled.

Recipe found here. 

**I tweaked this recipe slightly, as per comments other people left on the recipe site. I added and additional teaspoon of vanilla, and I used reualr brown sugar [well, because that's what I had.] I baked it for 45-50 minutes instead of 20-30. Note: The granola doesn't harden until after it sits and cools [also not stated in recipe.] We also added ghirardelli white chocolate baking chips to the finished product. These may be Lo's favorite part.

goggly eyes, paint, and glue

Today our sweet sunshine that we were so very used to left us, chilled with dark skies and a wet world. We had gotten so used to the nice weather that we were a bit unsure with what to do with ourselves this morning. It didn't take us too long to decided to go to what we know best, crafts. Lo's favorite thing too-- that lately has taken second string to playdates, park trips, sandbox fun, and countless hours spent outside. I think we needed a day like today: a day to practice cutting, gluing, painting, and making masterpieces.Is it just me or are kid crafts not the cutest thing?!

 Especially when we can recycle something else. Hello, toilet paper roll.

17/52

 "A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Lo: toddler problems, boss babe, window watcher, explorer, perfection.

be

 

 

free//classy//cool//brave

in honor of earth day

I'm posting a favorite "earthly" quote along with a few of my favorite photos of Lo loving mother nature. Happy Earth Day! :]

“Give children a chance to love the earth before we ask them to save it.” ― David Sobel

 

16/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Today you asked to go "on holiday." We could, so we did. It was a real treat for you. Us too! 

See other photos from this day here.

Linking up with Jodi [and many, many others] over at Che & Fidel.

wind, spring, treats, and beach

 

 

Today we decided to venture east to visit the shore per Logan's request. She has only been talking about the beach since the last time we visited when she didn't actually get to go on the beach [because of destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy months back.] But with much luck persistent effort, we finally found a beach we could go on. Lo was so, so very happy despite her beach time being cut short due to harsh winds. She did though have plenty enough time to explore the rocks and to collect some treasure for her nature box. We also got to play a game on the boardwalk, and get some ice cream, which was inspiration for Logan's prized pink shark named "Chocolate." This girl cracks...me...up! I l o v e spending time with her.

boston strong

source

Praying for the safety of our loved ones in Belmont, Mass and the safety of everyone during this time. I'm trying to get my day started, but the news is so compelling.

nature in the home

 

Since before Lo could walk, she has always been our little nature girl. Yes, she was conditioned by her mama and daddy, but nonetheless, she didn't mind it one bit. Except for that short period where she was completely freaked out by grass, and it touching her skin [which provided for excellent entertainment for cousins and uncles...my poor girl!] But aside from that, Lo has always loved all things nature: flowers, dirt, twigs/branches/sticks, rocks, leaves, and grass [eventually.] Some of my favorite photos of her involve her being one with nature. I will have to find them and post, because they are just too cute to not share/document. With all that being said, we really try to implement simple and natural play things for her-- so you can imagine my excitement when I came across these actual legit branch colored pencils in our local Home Goods. They arrived courtesy of the Easter Bunny, and have been a hit ever since. Everyone that sees them just has to try them out. The best and worst part about them is their actual realness. Dirt crumbs are inevitable with use, but we don't mind that real feel.

Linking up [ for the first time] with Lou from little green shed and her nature in the home series.

15/52

 

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Logan: Wearing mama's vintage shirt from the late 80's. I wore this shirt at a similar age. It's so special to see her in it now. Looking at this pic, it seems the shirt + boots combo, may very well qualify as a cat-lady starter kit. Haha

Linking up with Jodi [and many others] with this project.

My favorites from last week are here and here and here and here.

lately...

We've been loving netflix.// We've pulled out the summer clothes.// Playdates have become a regular thing.// OJ has become a favorite.// Sunny days are no longer uncommon.// Despite the Paci hoarding in this picture, weening has been working pretty well with use just for sleeping.// Band-aids have become Lo's go-to accessory.// Logan fell asleep on the sofa for the first time ever-- and as a crib sleeper her whole life, this was a big deal.// We have been reading a lot. A lot, a lot.// Lo has proven herself to be an excellent worker and is so helpful with work around the house.// Currently, "stripey" blanket is Lo's favorite thing to cuddle and sleep with.

14/52

 "A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Peek-a-boo at the park.

to my sco..

i love you more than...

having the bed to myself// cream soda// an order of large fries that I don't have to share// Christmas lights// back-rubs// Chipotle// bookstores// personal space// a sunny day, poolside// Ingrid Michaelson, Jimmy Eat World, and The Early November// chocolate ice-cream// whole foods// the Golden Gate Bridge// lazy// Sunday mornings// you love the Red Sox// french onion soup, but i'm glad that I can love you both:]// acoustic// instagram// Lo loves Hansel and Gretel// ANYTHING.

prints