friday's letters...from jm

Dear Mama, remember when you complained last weekend about how sore your legs were from doing Karen (150 wallballs)? Well, respectfully, mama, I wish you could live a day in my soft-soled moccasins. Roughly 10 times a minute for hours and hours I pull up to the standing position, survey where I am and what I can reach, then make my way back to the floor. I think of this as my training, because daddy says I've got the predisposition to being a very athletic kid. The next time he complains because I want to eat twice during the middle of the night, I'll remind him of that story you told me when he woke up and ate a full meal in the middle of the night for months so he could get stronger.

Dear Daddy, why in the world did you tell Mama about our great adventure earlier this week? Remember, we went to that park with the river at 9 a.m. when it was 40 degrees outside and you let me splash in the puddles and soak my clothes? Mama did not sound too happy that you let me do whatever I wanted, but I sure am glad we're on the same page. In the future, let's just keep these fun adventures to ourselves, especially once I'm a teenager. That way, neither one of us will get in trouble.

Dear Daylight Savings, you are very confusing for a baby. One day, I'm on a walk with mama late afternoon, and the next day it's almost dark by the time mama picks me up from daycare. Don't you know I need my walks outdoors to be in my happy place? Mama took me to the mall to stroll around on Monday, and while it was nice to see all those bright lights, I could tell neither one of us was truly happy about it. Winter already has one strike against it because of all the warm layers that Mama stuffs me into. Reduced sunlight is strike No. 2.

Dear Cousin Eden, I had so much fun playing with you in Blue Ridge, Ga., this past weekend. It sure was fun taking leaves from you and ripping them into pieces. I can't wait to see you this Christmas. Mama says you may be walking and talking a lot by then, but that I'm on my own time table, as evidenced by my lack of teeth. I told mama that's ok with me, because one day I'll be able to bench press you with ease. You definitely don't need any teeth for that.

Linking up with Ashley for Friday's Letters.

texas chili

Chili. It's one of my all-time favorite meals. When I was pregnant, I craved chili during my first trimester, despite it not being chili season. I love trying all kinds of chili, but admittedly, I can't handle too much heat.

My first time trying Texas Chili was at a chili cookoff at my work, where one of my co-workers entered her Texas Chili recipe (which didn't win) but stole my heart. Chili without beans? Unheard of. But Texas chili is so good you won't even miss the musical fruit.

My co-worker gave me her recipe, and it was quite involved because she's a great cook. Over the past couple years, I've simplified her recipe and made it my own. You'd think that a batch of chili involving 5 lbs of meat would last quite a while, but not in this house. This chili is so rich and meaty and good that you'll eat more than you imagined.

Texas Chili

Ingredients:

• 5 lbs beef brisket or shoulder
• 7 cloves garlic, minced (divided)
• 1.5 tbsp cumin (divided)
• 1 tbsp sea salt (divided)
• 1.5 tbsp chili powder (divided)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 medium white onions, diced
• 1 poblano pepper, diced
• 3 jalepeno peppers, diced
• 3 serrano peppers, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 28 oz can whole tomatoes
• 1 tbsp oregano
• 1 bottle gluten-free beer
• 1.5 cups water

1. Trim meat, then slice into roughly 1-inch cubes and place in mixing bowl.

2. Combine 2 cloves minced garlic, 1/2 tbsp cumin, 1/2 tbsp sea salt and 1/2 tbsp chili powder, and massage into meat in bowl.

3. Sear beef in small batches in olive oil for 3 to 4 minutes on medium high heat in dutch oven. Place batches in separate bowl for use later.

4. Using leftover oil and meat juices in pot, saute onions, poblano, jalapenos, serranos, bell pepper and 3 cloves of garlic for roughly 10 minutes.

5. Blend tomatoes, 2 cloves of garlic and 1/2 tbsp of sea salt in blender until smooth, then add to pot.

6. Add 1 tbsp oregano, 1 tbsp cumin, 1 tbsp chili powder, bottle of gluten free beer, 1.5 cups of water and previously seared meat.

7. Bring chili to boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and let simmer for about 3 hours, stirring occasionally.

Delicious! I love the meatiness. If you like it spicier, increase the amount of peppers. Also, if you can't find the peppers listed, just use three different kinds of spicy peppers. I seem to use a different variation of peppers every time.

three homemade lara bar recipes

So, here's how it all went down. Wednesday, I made a batch of homemade Lara bars, sampled a small piece and thought the recipe was good. My husband comes home, bites off a big chunk and promptly expells it into the sink. I look at him like "Why in the world did you do that?" and, as he's hanging over the sink, he shoots back a glare like "Are you trying to kill me?"

Upon investigation, the dates I used weren't pitted. Oops. Regardless, I couldn't stop laughing at my mistake because his face was priceless.

Thank goodness the final product was well worth the possibility of a cracked tooth--easy for me to say, I know.

I came up with three different flavors based on the ingredients in the pantry: Coconut Cashew, Chocolate Cashew and Mocha. In the future, I want to try my hand at some fruit flavors, but we had no dried fruit in the house.

In my humble opinion, the one ingredient that sets these bars apart from Lara bars is the addition of salt. If Lara bars contained just a dash of salt to offset the sweetness of the dates, I'd be broke from likely chowing down on a couple a day.

I had a couple friends taste test these bars (and one friend who swears he hates Lara bars) and mine were very well received. Despite being a chocolate lover, my favorite flavor of the three is the Coconut Cashew. I plan to do some experimenting in the future, but this could make for a delicious paleo crust for an apple or pumpkin pie.

Creating these homemade bars is quite easy, even for self-proclaimed non-bakers out there. Simply, process all ingredients in a food processor until you get the texture you desire. Then, empty out onto wax paper and shape to your liking. I prefer to shape into approximately the size of a loaf pan, then use a pizza cutter to slice.

Coconut Cashew Bars

• 15 medjool dates, PITTED!
• 3/4 cup almond meal
• 1/2 cup cashews
• 1/2 cup coconut flakes
• 1 tbsp flax seeds
• 1 tsp coconut oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extra
• up to 1/4 tsp sea salt

Chocolate Cashew Bars

• 12 medjool dates, PITTED!
• 1/2 cup almonds
• 1/3 cup cashews
• 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1 tbsp flax seeds
• 1 tsp coconut oil
• up to 1/4 tsp sea salt

Mocha Bars

• 15 medjool dates, PITTED!
• 1 cup almond meal
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 1/4 cup coffee beans
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1 tbsp flax seeds
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp coconut oil
• up to 1/4 tsp sea salt


"James, pose eating one of my Coconut Cashew bars."





"No, open your eyes. You look creepy."


"I give up."

friday's letters...from james michael

Dear Daddy, mama says she's tasked you with finding me a Halloween costume this year. When you suggested that I should be a mini you for Halloween, mama frowned. Let's just go behind her back. I can't wait to go shirtless half the day, eat every 2 hours, drink a gallon of milk a day and lift all those heavy weights at the gym.

Dear nature, I heart you. I kind of wish I was an animal so I could be outside all day and night. Mama tells me to be careful what I wish for, because it might come true, especially once I hit 15. I have no idea what she's talking about, but I do know that my favorite time of the week is when me, Mama and Daddy go on our family hike.

Dear crawling, it took me a while to figure you out, but I'm starting to really get around now. Mama sometimes calls me a peg-legged pirate, because I'll keep one leg out straight instead of being on my knee. What she doesn't realize is I can do anything from this one-leg-bent, one-leg-straight position. I'm not worried about how fast I can crawl, but how fast I can do everything else I want to do, like sit up, pivot and pull up on things. I really am smarter than I look.

Dear Mama, I know I've had a sleep relapse lately, but it's not my fault, promise. A couple times a night, when I randomly wake up, my mind always wonders what time it is on the bright red digital clock you have in my room. So, of course, I have to roll over and sit up so I can see the time. The only problem is, I never think about laying back down to go to sleep once I'm sitting up.

Dear Athens, I had so much fun during my first UGA tailgating experience. I want to be just like Mama and Daddy and go to college at UGA when I'm older. Mama says this scares her to death, especially if I end up being a mini version of Daddy. But hey, she's got 18 more years to get used to the idea.

organizing the have-tos and get-tos

To say I've felt overwhelmed lately is an understatement. I can't seem to keep up with things in my work life or personal life. There's so much to do, and so little time. I'm being pulled in a million directions, so Monday I sat down and churned out a to-do list.

Now, sometimes writing down everything that needs to get done makes things more overwhelming. That's definitely how I feel about things in my work life. When I attempt to write it all down to try to figure out how I'm going to tackle everything, it makes things even more overwhelming.

But for my home life, I'm hoping a little more organization will help me get more done in a short span of time, and give me a little help in balancing the have-tos and get-tos.

As most of you know, my husband owns a gym. And like most gyms, his hours cater to the working class, meaning he's open when most people are off work. The only catch to this is I don't see him until 8:30 or 9pm, meaning I'm a single mom on weeknights. By the time I pick up James Michael and get home, I have 1.5 to 2 hours with him before he goes to bed. Then another 1.5 to 2 hours before I go to bed. Writing it out makes it sound like so much time, but in the moment it all seems so fleeting.

I've written before about how it's hard being a working mom. But that's not what this post is about. This post is about making the most of the time I do have. I want to capitalize on the couple hours I have with James Michael each evening, and not worry about the load of laundry that's wrinkling or the spaghetti squash that I need to throw in the oven. I want to focus on him entirely.

In making this master to-do list, I also want to give myself a little me time, too. I want to build in time, even 15 or 20 minute blocks, for me to do things that I enjoy. Sure, I can't CrossFit five times a week like I used to, but I can shoot for a couple times a week. And obviously, I can't blog as often as I used to, but I can work in time for hobbies.

I realize I'm probably blogging about this prematurely, since it's really day 1 of implementing this plan. I know I've forgotten tasks, and not accounted for things that pop up at the last minute. And that's ok. This list addresses the big stuff, and by writing it all out makes me feel like I'm in control—even though life may beg to differ.

Hopefully I didn't get too ambitious, but I also have tried to think through what I can do to save time each week so that I can fit in more undivided attention to James Michael and more time for personal hobbies. So I'd like to start meal planning for the week. In the past, I've never been a fan of this approach, because I wanted to be inspired to cook dinner that night. But, that was back when time wasn't an issue. Even though it may take a little time to think through on the weekends, I would love to know exactly what I'm cooking for dinner that night when I come home, even if it's something as simple as fish and veggies. I also am going to try prepping meals ahead of time. Theoretically, this approach will allow for a couple nights a week to CrossFit, blog or bake.

Do any of you mama's have suggestions for how to fit it all in, especially when you've only got a few precious hours? Please let me know your secrets—I'm all ears!

On a side note, a couple weeks ago, my husband told me that no one read my blog any more because I never post recipes and instead only blog about James Michael. I didn't contest it, because it's true. Life has changed since I began blogging. Maybe I now fall into the category of a very inconsistent mom blogger. It is what it is. My life has been forever changed by JM's birth. Do I miss cooking and creating in the kitchen? Of course. I still take a crack at new recipes every week or two, but I can't seem to find the time to share them on here. Maybe that will change with my new to-do list, only time will tell. All I know is I blog about what I'm passionate about, and James Michael will always be at the top of that list :)

picture montage

September has already been a busy month. I've lived out the past two weeks with the constant thought, "I should blog about that," but then I never get around to it. So to catch up on the past two weekends, here is a steady stream of pictures.

Labor Day weekend marked the last lake trip.

 Party barge with tons of shade for James Michael!

Lovin' from great grandmother Gigi. 

 A backwards-scooting baby.

Homemade pumpkin spice latte. 

Sea Doo dude.

Baby napping in the cabin cruiser. 

Good eats.

Good friends. 

Happy baby who loves being the center of attention. 

Sweetness. 

Eat meat, repeat. 

The shirt says it all.

Last weekend, we celebrated Great Grandma's 87th birthday.

Doting grandparents. 

Cheek smushes. 

Baby got back. 

Get me off my tummy! 

Hubby's mistress: Kawasaki Vulcan 900. 

friday's letters...from james michael

Dear "Uncle" Bair, thanks so much for helping to lower my crib. Mama said she didn't sleep well a couple nights worrying about whether I would pull up and fall over the side. I told her, "Mama, don't worry about me. I'm a big boy." She then gave me what daddy calls 'the look' and said, "That's exactly why I'm worried."

Dear Hurricane Isaac, you really put a damper on my fun this week. Mama and Daddy weren't able to take me on my daily walks, and you know how restless I get when I'm stuck indoors. At least I got to go to the gym one day and see all the crazy, sweaty CrossFit people do lots of crazy things. Can't wait until I start walking and do what I want at the gym. Mama is scared to death of me having free reign, so she's talking about pinning me up in a corner so she doesn't have to worry.

Dear Aunt Ellie, I'm so excited to see you this weekend. It seems like just yesterday that you were right there when I opened my eyes after I was born. Yuck. Actually, I don't remember my birth, but mama tells me you were right there coaching her. I really love your long blond hair, and can you please wear those crazy glasses that I like to pull off your face? Also, I can't wait for you to do the Shuler dance for me again; I've heard laughter is the key to a long life.

Dear Mama, I know that sometimes it's hard for you to go to work all day and be away from me. I've got the same confidence as my daddy, and know I'm irresistable, so how could you not want to be with me all the time? But mama, I love playing with all the other little kids and I have so much fun during the day. Just know that I'm happy and healthy and well cared for.

Dear musical toys, you are a.w.e.s.o.m.e. I could play with you for hours. Oh wait, I do. Mama and daddy are very tolerant for now because they say the toys keep my attention while they do things like cleaning and cooking. The reason I love you is because you randomly start playing music in the middle of the night when everyone is sleeping and scare my mama to death.

Dear Daddy, I think you and I are going to have so much fun together as I get older--and possibly drive mama crazy. When she came to pick me up from daycare yesterday, she just laughed at me and asked me why my daddy had dressed me in a bathing suit for the day. I just smiled at her because there are so many crazy things that me and you are going to do over the years that I didn't want to scare her this early.