Ezequiel

Cushioned against my bare breast, I hold my son as he drifts off to sleep. His plump lips have just released my nipple, the sweet "liqueur" drips down his chin. I look forward to this moment every night. Just him and me, flush with one another, floating away into our own sleepy wonderland. I stare at his long eyelashes, his button nose, his fleshy cheeks. I think about the nine months that he spent inside me, growing and developing into this amazing little baby that sleeps so peacefully against me. He's the most beautiful creation I've ever laid eyes on.His chest rises and falls, quickly and sharply, his tiny lungs, his little heart all work together at the perfect pace. I inhale his sweet milky breath as he exhales with a sigh of relief and relaxation. He begins to enter REM sleep, his eyelids slit and his eyes darting back and forth.

His legs look longer... when did that happen?

His head has outgrown my palm. The length of his body now hangs sleepily at all angles across me. What happened to my tiny seven pound baby that once fit so easily inside my tummy?

I forget about the five hours of sleep I got the night before. I forgive you for pulling my hair out and yanking on my earrings. I don't mind all the grunting and fussing. That painful tooth coming in? Cry all you want, as long as I can hold you tight.

I instantly regret how quickly I lay him down to bed some nights; how I urge him off the breast before he's done just so I can go back to sleep. I look at his precious face and tell myself, this moment won't last forever. I remind myself to take a mental picture. I stare at him - my love, my world - until my eyes dry out and I'm forced to blink. I close my eyes and listen to his breathe, soak in his warmth. I picture him. Never forget this moment. 

Pin It

Summer Watermelon Juice

Summer produce is always so amazing and delicious. Fresh blueberries, juicy peaches, swollen blackberries and tasty watermelon. There are endless recipes for all the delectable summertime fruits but sometimes I don't want to eat them, I want to drink them! Fresh fruit juice is a wonderful treat on a hot summer day and its quick and easy.

When we traveled in Costa Rica, we stayed with a family who always made fresh fruit juice throughout the day. Reba made juice with all sorts of tropical fruits such as papayas, coconuts and mangos. She was very simple and would blend the fruit with just water and ice. Blending fresh fruits always reminds me of Reba so this watermelon juice recipe is inspired by her. Enjoy!

What You Need:

Blender or Juicer
Citrus juicer

1 small watermelon

1 medium orange*

1/2 lime
4-5 ice cubes

Serves 1

*An alternate option to orange juice would be coconut water

What To Do: 

1. Cut up the watermelon into small chunks until it makes about 2 cups - the more the better though! 

2. Juice the orange which will give you about 1/2 cup of juice

3. Squeeze half a lime directly into the blender.

4. Add watermelon, orange juice and ice cubes to the blender and blend on high until smooth. Pour into a cup, take a seat on the porch and enjoy your fresh juice!

Pin It

A Twist on Pulled Pork Sandwiches

I had these scrumptious sandwiches at a catered party and at the demand of my husband, who ate 5 or 6 of them, I had to recreate these at home. Most pulled pork is BBQ flavored and served with slaw on the sandwich but this! This is a twist! Here's how it goes down (be prepared for your new family favorite):

What you need: 
1 - 2 lbs of Pork Shoulder Butt Roast (This is not the pig's actual booty portion, it's the shoulder)
1 can pineapple rings
Sweet Hawaiian Rolls
Mayonnaise
Sriracha
Crock Pot
Frying Pan

What to do:
1. You will be slow cooking the pork shoulder to ensure it is nice and juicy and shreddable. IF your pork shoulder is frozen, throw it in the crock pot before work and it will be done cooking by the time you get home - 8 hours or so. IF the pork shoulder is refrigerated, it will take about 6 hours to cook.

When your pork is all done cooking, turn the crock pot to warm and transfer the pork onto a cutting board. With two hefty forks, shred the crap out of and return it to the crock pot.

2. Put your frying pan on high heat and place the pineapple rings in the pan. You want the grilled effect so keep an eye on them, turn them when one side starts to brown and remove them before they burn.

3. In a bowl, combine about a cup of mayonnaise and 1 to 3 tablespoons of Sriracha. If you like it spicy, add more!

4. Now for the showdown! Take your Sweet Hawaiian Roll and split it in half. Slather on a nice layer of Sriracha mayo on both sides of the roll. Pile on your juicy pulled pork. Top with a grilled pineapple ring, the other half of the roll and you've got yourself one hell of a pulled pork sandwich! It will be so delicious you won't even be able to get a picture of it before its all gone.

Pin It