Random Monday ::
I baked a really yummy pumpkin cake with a pumpkin from our garden the other night (the from our garden part always makes me happy.) I followed Stephinie’s pumpkin bar recipe with the following changes: used all spelt flour, substituted butter for coconut oil, sucanat for brown sugar, and added a frosting made from one block of softened cream cheese mixed with about 1/4 cup maple syrup. And of course I doubled the recipe. You should make this! I also made my friend Eve’s Autumn Gratin over the weekend. I absolutely love that stuff. (And by the way-I omitted the chicken broth and it turned out just fine without it–maybe even better.)
Our property is so overgrown and wild right now. Jonny is hoping to get everything in shape before the baby arrives. The upside of all that wildness is that there is still so much blooming all over the place for the bees. We sure are hoping that they make it through this winter.
One thing that I sort of randomly decided I wanted for myself before the new baby comes is a new purse. I am not sure why I connected a purse with the baby, but I haven’t bought one in about six years, so it was time. My last purse was a handmade bag from Bayan Hippo and it is actually still in great shape after all these years which is pretty amazing, so I decided I would order another from that shop. It’s pale blue velvet corduroy and so pretty.
So many little things are getting accomplished around here, but as is always the case, there is still so much to do. I washed the newborn baby clothes and tucked them on the shelf beneath Silas’ in the little armoire they will share. I had the great idea to add Sleepy Baby essential oil drops to the (unscented) laundry soap I was washing with, and the clothes smell so good now. I’ve washed all the little woolens too, of which we have a good many for this baby thanks to a sweet mom who passed hers to us. My midwife visited last week and set up her kit of things for the birth since I’ll be having a baby in just a few weeks. I pretty much can’t believe that, but then I never can until it actually happens. A baby!
Joan says
I tried the pumpkin bars, as written, and they are delicious. I love the little crunch from the almond flour. Thanks!!
shwell says
I wish you could see my smile right now Ginny.
Love love love to see those woollens on your drying rack ready to warm another wee one.
That old saying “it’s better to give than to receive” is so true.
XOXO
M
christyb says
Oh that shot of the homebirth supplies brings back memories! I wish I could send my leftovers to you, or someone else who needs them. (Acutally, my husband just asked “when can I get rid of that bag?” …. did I mention youngest is seven and a half? and no, we’re not planning more…!)
Gris fleur says
Oh ! I love this drying rack….is it possible to find one like that in Europe ?
Catherine Zeliff says
Dear Ginny, my first time visit to your website today. Happy wishes for your imminent delivery and new baby. Your last thought about how it’s not real til the baby is here. I know what you mean!
My infant is 3 1/2 months old, and sometimes when I hold her, I think, where did you come from, you amazing, beautiful, thing, you??!!
And this was after learning to chart cycles, a flight to the Pope Paul VI Institute in Omaha, NE, laparoscopic surgery, progesterone shots, and of course the standard full pregnancy. And yet, I still wonder “where did you come from?” I was glad to read your comment and know that I’m not the only one for whom the miracle of life is still so amazing.
From one Catholic mom to you — God bless! Catherine Zeliff (Big Canoe, Georgia)
Corinne says
Oh! how exciting! a new baby in a few weeks! I just love the
photo with all the little baby clothes hanging up to dry…how sweet
is that! I love your new pale blue purse, just love the color and I’m
not a big cat fan, but your cats look so lovable and of course your
family photos are always great!…..I’ll have to give your cake a try….
it looks soooooooo good!
Corinne
Janet R says
I’m excited with/for you and your family! Special blessings of calm for these next few weeks!
lori says
oh ginny. i have chills thinking. i am so excited for you. i wish i were having a baby too. i’m going to live vicariously through you. (wish i could come for a cuddle though).
Linda says
As always my soul is soothed whenever I stop by. Thank you for being you.
Barbara says
I’ll be praying for you in the next few weeks!
tamara says
I love your site and your images are so wonderful! I can tell you home educate too by your images – so quiet and lovely!
Love the bag – love it! I can see why you ordered another!
Blessings on the new babe!
Kelly says
Ginny, I’m so excited for you!!! And I couldn’t believe it when I saw the picture of your bag – I got myself a bag from Bayan Hippo as a new-baby present when my youngest was born four years ago (I’m not a purse collector, I just decided I really wanted one), and I still love it! 🙂
Jennifer says
Lovely photos, as always. Wishing you all the best for baby’s arrival!
Michelle M. says
I am right there with you- I probably have 2-3 weeks left. 🙂 I’ve been on modified bedrest for the past two weeks and am very ready for that to be over with so that I can probably nest. I love the new purse! Adding another little one to the family is a great time to get a new purse. Enjoy!
karen says
I can always find an excuse for a new purse! I don’t know about you but this pregnancy has flown by for me 😉
Tracey says
A new purse and you will have a new baby in a few weeks? You my dear Ginny are having a great month! 🙂
Leah says
So excited for you! And those sights look familiar:) We are moving to a different house in about 3 weeks and I am anxious to get all that nesting done:) However I am only 29 weeks, so I have a bit more time, but still! A baby in 10 week? Crazy to think about!
Laura says
A new baby!! How exciting, I adore every sweet memory of my three. Good luck with it all, will be praying for you. Love the pictures.
molly says
oh ginny,
i’m afraid i’ve become a lousy, lazy commenter. but i must take a moment to let you know that you’ve been in my thoughts and heart daily, for weeks and months, now. thinking of you and your back and your babe. your energy and your days and your other bigger babes. all the things, big and small, you do in a day. how you’ve managed with grace and poise (occasional totally counts) to get through these last trying weeks. what all lies ahead, great and small, in the weeks ahead. just, you.
sending all the warmth, love and laughter i can muster your way.
xo,
molly
Maria says
Best wishes Ginny! Even though it never feels like you can truly be ready for baby, somehow everything gets done that really needs to be! Sending a prayer your way.
kimberly schildbach says
Lovely baby, lovely family! I am so excited to “meet” this new little one.
Kim
Nancy says
I truly love reading your blog. I can feel the excitement in the air at your house. Best wishes for a peaceful, beautiful birth and babymoon!
Brooke says
A baby! Yay! Getting a new purse is a great way to take care of the Mama.
Fruitful Harvest says
Congrats on the up coming baby 🙂 So exciting!
We are expecting our 8th baby in April 2014 between Palm Sunday and Easter <3
I can't wait to see pic's of baby.
Mary says
Well, if that first picture isn’t just the sweetest thing, I don’t know what is! Praying for you!
A Little Blue Dragonfly says
So exciting! Beautiful pics. I especially love the first one with all the baby laundry drying. *sigh* I loved getting ready for babies! 🙂
KC says
What beautiful pictures. I so need to try this recipe of Stephinie’s. I love pumpkin everything.
Lis says
I love the wild beauty!
I’ve got just another couple of weeks left too, so exciting, but it seems there’s always ONE more thing to get done :).
Olivia says
I have a purse from Bayan Hippo as well and it has lasted forever. You made a good choice, that corduroy is perfect.
I love the home birthing kit, it makes everything more real!
I am so excited for you, Ginny!
Nahuatl Vargas says
A baby…. so beautiful, you are so lucky, I send you the best wishes.
Elizabeth says
what a lovely purse! so wonderful that you have so much prepared! We are still praying for you and baby! 🙂 🙂
Andee says
I feel like I can smell a newborn baby with your descriptions in this post. I think I’ll go cuddle with my puppy now 🙂