Fall, birthday boy, and some deliciously simple carrot cake

It is Fall! The leaves are changing and the temperature dropping. I know this is a lot of people's favorite season -- not mine, mine is Summer if you ask me. However, this past week I realized how I take it for granted the beauty of Fall. It's been 7 years since I moved to the States and I quickly forgot or got too used to the great spectacle of Autumn. So much color. I had friends over from Brazil and they wanted to take photos of the amazing colored trees. My friend said to me: "it is so much color; green, yellow, orange, red, purple, brown." I realized I never really stop to appreciate Fall because I am too consumed with getting sad that Summer is over.
Is during Fall also that I celebrate the birth of one of the most important person in my life: my best friend, my soul mate, and my love. His birthday was this weekend, so we took off for a fishing trip (fishing for him, shopping for me and little Z).
My husband's favorite cake is carrot cake, so I made this recipe for his birthday with some minor changes.
Instead of the 1 1/2 cup of oil, I just added 1 cup and then I added 1 small can of pineapple chunks, a small box of raisins, and about 1/3 cup of chopped walnut. For the icing, I wasn't sure how much was the amount of the sugar in the box for that recipe, so I just added about 1/4 bag. It was deliciously simple as the name says.
What is your favorite Fall thing to do?

The fishermen in his natural habitat (in Branson, MO) and lots of fall foliage (at the Arch Park)

Carrot cake with cream cheese icing

Nursery decoration and a happy environment

I still feel that I need to do a lot on her room. I had so many pins on inspirations for Zoe's room and in the end I still didn't do half of what I had envisioned.
In the meantime, I couldn't paint or put wallpaper since we rent, but I was able to put up some maps and fun papers up. Zoe loves to look at her inspiration wall and we talk about all the places she's been or will be while looking at her maps.
Here are some tips for a fun, happy environment for your little one: 

An inspiration wall

A mobile they will love

Great morning light

And HANDS! Those are fascinating little things, don't you think?

And they are yummy too!

Routine and more.

Zoe - 3 months

So, It's been 3 months already! Crazy how time flies! Our little baby is not little anymore -- Justin said this morning. It is true, she is getting so big, so fast, but now is a lot more fun too. Zoe loves talking and she can go on on her cooing for a long time. She smiles a lot too which is great and she also tries to laugh. It is so funny. I don't have a lot of toys for her and I don't want to overwhelm her with all those colors and noises from those activity centers. She really loves looking at faces and we take her often on walks on the park so she can see nature and hear different noises.





This past month Zoe flew on a plane, had a blast in Maryland with her aunts, uncles, and cousins, and she also went on a boat ride. She is so busy this little girl.

1st plane ride

Boat ride

 

Enjoying nature in MD

Working out - morning routine

Throughout the week we keep busy by going to the gym every morning. While mommy sweats, Zoe sleeps, wakes up, and then waits for me patiently. I like to go in the morning to get it out of the way or else I won't work out. Also, right after her first feed and after a little awake time it is when she takes her longest nap, which gives me time to work out, shower and eat when I get back before she has to feed again. I am not very strict with routines but this morning schedule works very well for us.
What about your routine?

Life changes.. (new baby, move and everything else).

Wow! Once again, it's been a while. I will really try to commit on writing more often this time, but you know, I just had a baby. Well, it was 2 and a half months ago, so life is pretty crazy. I can't complaint though. Little Zoe is already sleeping through the night. Yeah!!! She is such a good girl and she gives me so much joy. I never thought I would feel so good as a mother.
Zoe already did so much in her life: We have moved from Columbus, OH to St. Louis, MO, traveled by train to Chicago, IL, gone to Kansas City, MO, visited Springfield, IL. Also, she often go out with us to restaurants, art museums, parks and even the Zoo. That is a lot for a 2 month old baby, but she does it so well.
Now we are learning to fall on a good eat, play, sleep schedule. I can't wait to see her doing things like crawling, talking, laughing, but it is kind of sad how fast she is growing. I don't have that tiny little baby we left the hospital with anymore. She is filling up, but that's all good because she is a healthy happy little girl. And, Oh my! She is so pretty! -- ok, you can tell I am the mother -- ahem..
Well, I'll leave you to that.. I am going to work on a raspberry jam now and will post about it later.

Me about to pop at 8 1/2 months

 

Zoe - 2 weeks old, sleeping in mommy's arms

 2 weeks old

1 month old

2 months old

 She is just so pretty!

Smiles!!!

Big News - Small happenings

Yes, we are expecting our first little one!!! This is week 17 of baby Sutters and I am thankful for many things during this first 4 months:
I am thankful for my husband who makes me fresh squeezed OJ every morning and is always taking care of me. (Love!)
I am thankful that I did not get morning sickness (except during weeks 11 and 12 that I felt a little nauseous).
I am thankful for water (plain, room temp water or a nice cold bottle of Perrier or Pelegrino).
I am thankful for the internet and all the information I can access about pregnancy (since both of us lost our mothers and feel a little lost during this first time run).
I am thankful for days-off (as mentioned in previous posts)

On a random note I made this delicious banana and doce de leite pie (or as you might know dulce de leche). I followed this recipe: http://www.brooklynlimestone.com/2010/08/recipe-banoffee-danger-pie.html#.TybaFEaOT6g

PS: I did make a slight change on mine, since I was afraid a whole can of doce de leite would leave it too sweet. I used a little more than half can of doce de leite then I added half prepared box of french vanilla flan, which is about 1 cup. All the rest is the same. Yummy!

Happy weekend!!!

Last month

Since it is been a while since my last post, I will try to summarize the last events of the month in a couple of photos.

Since I last posted I have been:

Watching Shakespeare in the park

Eating breakfast at home - I am obsessed with hard boiled eggs--, brunch at Tasi, sweets at Pistacia Vera

Enjoying the night sitting outside

Seeing art - at a museum or at the street

Celebrating our 7th year anniversary - This photo was our dinner at Lindeys Restaurant in German Village.

Bread making

This weekend I spend two days working on making and baking bread. I made my starter a couple of weeks ago following the recipe on the Macrina book that I bought in Seattle.

I made a rustic baguette and a Casera loaf, which were both really tasty and even though they use the same basic ingredients each one has a different consistency and flavor.

Making bread is a long process especially since I do not own a mixer, but I can assure you it is very satisfying when you have your first bite of the crisp crust, soft center loaf. The warm aroma of bread filling the air is very comforting.

15 minutes beating and a mess

More beating

Casera Loaf

Rustic baguette

To finish it up, we spread some raspberry, strawberry jam I made a month ago. It was delicious if I can say so myself. This is pretty close to the jam recipe I used from the SURE.JELL box directions.

Raspberry Strawberry Jam

Click here to see on the Macrina webpage how they made their starter.

Have a great week!