Things I Love: Spring Edition

It’s finally spring! At least, it is today. It might snow tomorrow. St. Louis weather is finicky! But, no matter what the weatherman says, I’m already preparing for spring. Our winter coats have been pushed to the back of the closet and I’m trying to decide what the best pair of flip flops for these pregnant feet will be this summer.

Here are a few products that I’m enjoying that are helping me celebrate the beginning of warmer, sunnier weather!

spring

 

  1. Contigo Water Bottle – We bought these in a two pack at Costco and haven’t looked back. I love that this water bottle has a straw. I’ve found that having one leads to me drinking much more water throughout the day.
  2. LaCroix Lime – Again, purchased in a giant pack at Costco, this is a recent favorite. It’s the perfect drink to pour into a pretty glass with a slice of lime and drink on the patio after work. Since I’m off the cocktail wagon for a few more months it’s nice to have a drink that still feels fancy!
  3. Gentle Leader – Without the gentle leader our boys are beasts to walk. They only weigh about 20lbs each but when they aren’t being gently lead it’s hard to keep them on the path. Having one of these for each of them makes going for a quick walk a more enjoyable and frequent experience.
  4. Simple Human Compost Bin – Our garden is about to yield it’s first round of produce and we’re stocking up on more fresh foods at the grocery each week. As a result, the composter is back in action after a sad, slow winter. This bin is pricey, but worth every penny. We’ve used it for over a year now and I’ve never, ever, even once smelled grossness in my kitchen.

What are your favorite things this spring?

Turning 31

Last week I celebrated my thirty first birthday. Thirty. One. Dang. My darling husband took me away for a two day stay-cation to celebrate. To step back from life and breathe.

We enjoyed some fine cocktails at the rooftop bar. We sat in the sunshine and read books for hours. We browsed the record shop until we found just enough Yacht Rock to go home with.

Then we went home and eased our way back into real life. A slow birthday breakfast at my favorite local diner. Snuggling with the boys. Flowers, presents, and a home-made dinner with the man I love.

Blessed be the LORD,
for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me
when I was in a besieged city.
I had said in my alarm,
“I am cut off from your sight.”
But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy
when I cried to you for help.
Love the LORD, all you his saints!
The LORD preserves the faithful
but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.
Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
all you who wait for the LORD!
(Psalm 31:21-24 ESV)

A Taste of Tacoma

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Creamy Limoncello

I had my first lesson on driving a manual transmission after Mr. ThirdRow encountered limoncello for the first time at my parent’s house last spring. Limoncello is a wonderful, traditional Italian drink. It’s the perfect after-dinner treat. We both love it. So, when I came across this article on NPR about making your own, I knew that we couldn’t shouldn’t resist. We decided that small bottles of creamy limoncello would be the perfect compliment to our handmade soap for our family’s homemade Christmas.

We followed Susan’s recipe  with just a few slight variations. We used Kirkland brand Vodka that we bought at Costco instead of Everclear. The result was that our limoncello freezes slightly while stored which is easily remedied by setting out a bottle a few minutes before serving to allow it to become pourable again. We also used a few less lemons and an extra orange or two which added a slight sweetness that I really enjoy.

Let’s just say that making this limoncello was truly an adventure. Our house was robbed in the middle of the process (luckily the little punks didn’t steal the huge tub of vodka and lemon peels that were soaking on our kitchen counter) and we had our first major post-marriage fight while adding the cream to the first batch.

I’m happy to report that our fight has long since been resolved and the limoncello turned out as a wonderfully tart, sweet treat in spite of us. We bottled our final product in glass bottles with cork stoppers. For a special holiday touch we dipped them in gold bottling wax to add that je ne sais quoi classiness.

Linked Up: http://www.skiptomylou.org/

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