in the forest.

Zara and I shared some time at Jefferson Memorial Forest.
Our souls were craving some time spent with nature.
A random warm day provided the perfect opportunity.
I hope for a million more bonding hikes and bug searches with my favorite little person.

life lately (valentine-ish edition).

Bless Leslie Knope and her idea to start Galentine's Day! I got to spend mine with my #1 Galentine- Zara, my sister, Brooke and my sister/ best friend, Catherine. We let little Rex attend too :) We had great food from Saul Good and a lovely time celebrating. I love these women most because they are full of love and compassion. They uplift me and empower me. They are a judgement free zone and a safe space from a harsh world. I love them.

Valentine's Day is one of my favorite days. Z had a little party at her school with pizza and treats and handing out Valentine's. We also prepared gifts for each other at home. The aisles covered in pink at the store bring joy to my heart too!

 Z had to show me all of her candy. We have such drama when there is candy around. I have to hide it and give it to Z a little at a time, but there are always tantrums. PS- her shirt is off because we are trying the potty some nights with pull ups!

Over the weekend, we celebrated my nephew's birthday. I cannot believe he is 7! I still think of him as this chunky baby with the cutest face. It is so much fun to get together with family and see them take care of each other. We also went to a trampoline park. I wish I had taken a photo of my brother climbing and jumping- he is like American Ninja Warrior. And the kiddos were hilarious. One little girl took Zara's hand and they kept climbing up one trampoline and sliding down, so cute!

 I always learn something with Z when we are playing with other kids. It is such a fascination to see them get out some built up aggression and work through things with play.

I am back on breakfast smoothies! They make me feel so good.

We also went to church this weekend for the first hour only. I am pretty worn out from work and living with anxiety, so I needed those extra two Sunday hours. But Zara slept through church and it makes me think of her infant days.

 Taking selfies was all Zara's idea on Sunday!

 We made pasta and cookies together in matching socks. I took a nap, such a rare thing for me but I was tired!

 We spent some time at the park Sunday, the days are getting longer and warmer. Thank goodness!

Other things:
I have gotten stuck in mud..in my yard..twice this month and had to be pulled out. Time for some gravel!

I took my first Level Up Louisville course! It was on monetizing your home through Airbnb. I plan on doing it during special events after some home projects have been completed. & I hope to take more Level Up classes, they all look so great.

Above you will see Zara and our friend Bella and their blanket fort. They were so proud. What is better than being a kid hanging out in a fort?
Bella has come over to help me so much lately- dishes, giving Zara a bath and cooking.

I have been off facebook for the past month. I do log on to check Zara's school closing and open up some articles that some organizations only post through FB & to post a blog updates, of course! I still love my instagram, but I do not miss FB and I am glad to (mostly) be rid of it.

a favorite recipe!

This is a very "standard alyssa" recipe. I can make it pretty fast now, it is super easy anyway. It has so many things I love- cheese, pasta, rosemary, fresh basil (oh, that smell!). It is by Jamie Oliver, he is so good. I also love him for fighting Mcdonald's on the "meat" they serve. 

I should also let you know my modifications. I can never find Jacob's cream crackers. I have had them so I just try to find something similar. I also like to add some wine into my sauce. 

Also, you should take his word for it and use quality ingredients, the extra few dollars makes a difference! 


Jamie Oliver's Meatballs & Pasta::

Ingredients

• 12 Jacob's cream crackers
• 4 sprigs of fresh rosemary
• 2 heaped teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 500 g quality minced beef, pork, or a mixture of the two
• 1 heaped tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 large free-range egg
• olive oil
• 1 bunch of fresh basil
• 1 medium onion
• 2 cloves of garlic
• ½ a fresh or dried red chilli
• 2 x 400 g tin of plum tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 400 g dried spaghetti or penne
• Parmesan cheese

Method

1. Wrap the crackers in a tea towel and smash up until fine, breaking up any big bits with your hands, then tip into a large bowl.
2. Pick and finely chop the rosemary, then add to the bowl with the mustard, minced meat and oregano.
3. Crack the egg into the bowl, then add a good pinch of sea salt and black pepper.
4. With clean hands, scrunch and mix everything up well. Divide into 4 large and balls, then with wet hands divide each ball into 6 and roll into little meatballs – you should end up with 24.
5. Place the meatballs onto a plate, drizzle with oil and jiggle about to coat, then cover and place in the fridge until needed – this will help to firm them up.
6. Pick the basil leaves, keeping any smaller ones to one side for later. Peel and finely chop the onion and the garlic, and trim and finely slice or crumble the chilli.
7. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat, add the onion and cook for 7 minutes, or until softened and lightly golden.
8. Add the garlic and chilli, and as soon as they start to get some colour add the large basil leaves.
9. Tip in the the tomatoes, breaking them up with the back of a spoon, then add the balsamic vinegar, and season to taste. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer until needed, stirring regularly.
10. Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of oil in another large frying pan over a medium heat, add the meatballs and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until cooked through, turning regularly To check if they’re cooked, cut one opening – there should be no sign of pink.
11. Once cooked, add the meatballs to the sauce and simmer while you cook the pasta.
12. Cook the pasta in boiling salted water according to the packet instructions, then drain, reserving a mugful of cooking water. Return the pasta to the pan.
13. Spoon half the tomato sauce over the pasta and toss together, adding a little splash of reserved cooking water to loosen, if needed
14. Transfer to a large platter or divide between bowls, serving the remaining sauce and meatballs on top. Add a fine grating of Parmesan and scatter over the reserved basil, then tuck in.

muhammad ali center.

I found some long lost tickets to the Muhammad Ali Center so we decided to use them before it was too late. Muhammad Ali was rare and wonderful, I loved learning about his life as I chased a toddler :)

 Can't fault this honesty::

 People who use these make it look so easy!::

 Zara's favorite part was playing with dried flowers when we left. We had a little war going, throwing them at each other. She won, of course::

 Out of focus, but I still love this photo::

Zara's Room.

When I was little, my mom took photos of my room. I loved looking at them as I got older. They were like a time machine. I wanted to do the same thing for Z, because her room won't always look like this.

pillows made by my nieces and one fox pillow from Brussels when Z was in my belly::

On this shelf, we keep her German & English books separate. The little rabbit on top of the letter Z is from her grandma in Germany::

I think I enjoy these more than Z::

I bought this mirror from pottery barn kids and my cat knocked it down as we were preparing to hang it. They replaced it for free. How nice was that?!

My Grandma bought Z's crib and dresser so they mean a lot and hopefully she will use the dresser for a VERY long time::

This apple print is one of my favorite things in the whole world::