Canning

I spent the weekend at the family River House canning with some of the ladies in our family. And not just canning, canning 55 jars of tomatoes from 4 bushels. With so much tomato-y goodness, the question came up of what to make with canned tomatoes, and since I use them liberally in my cooking, I thought I'd put together a list of foods that use canned tomatoes. Here are some my favorites:

Spaghetti Sauce

Lasagna

Pizza Sauce (Reduce the Spaghetti sauce until it thickens)

Salsa

Cioppino (Seafood Stew)

Chili

Chicken Cacciatore

Spicy Tomato Soup

 

Tomato Bisque

Pork Chops alla Pizzaiola

Pepper and Potato Stew

Shrimp Santorini (Replace the blanched tomatoes with canned)

Mexican Lasagna

image by Amynonymous for Domestic Observances

Natural Family Planning

Image copyright CycleBeads.com

Check out my contributing post on Natural Family Planning over at Sustainable Baby Steps! But be advised it contains some detailed information about fertility testing, so I know it's not everyone's cup of tea. : ) I'm glad I was able to combine writing and nursing, something I hope to do more of in the future.

End of Summer

I almost forgot about these pictures that were taken during the last few weekends of summer. I'd love to write a big descriptive post for you, but I have been working on a contributing article for Sustainable Baby Steps and need to study for two exams. Wish me luck!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everyday Style: Sleepwear

After years of rocking a sexy, stretched out unisex t shirt and old cheer leading shorts to bed, I decided it was time to find something cute to wear to bed. Also, because I usually wear a sleep mask (or goggles as they have been called) and a bite guard for TMJ, I need all the help I can get. I've fallen in love with wearing a cute little chemise (pronounced sheh - mease, take that one semester of fashion school). Target and Old Navy have some cute ones, and sometimes I'll splurge on an Anthropologie one if it's on sale.

Calypso St. Barth's for Target

Aztec Princess Chemise - Eberjey

Lace Trim Floral Chemise - Old Navy

gilligan women's chemise in sultry plum - Target

Downy Dandelion Chemise - Anthropologie

In the warmer months it's comfortable enough to just wear the chemise around the house in the morning. But in the winter, I usually throw on some yoga pants and a sweater, but I'm thinking I need these cotton thigh highs from American Apparel. Reminds me of the hunter green leg warmers I wore with my high school poms uniform.

Cotton Thigh Highs - American Apparel

And of course a sweater. Prettier than a bath robe, below are some cute ones from Old Navy, but I think a long sweater coat type would be cute too.  

Jersey Wrap Sweater - Old Navy

V neck cardigan - Old Navy