Christmas Lights Fun

Oh yeah, she totally was saying "cheeeeese"

I would be totally lying if I didn't say that I was anxiously awaiting Christmas decorating with Addison this year, particularly hanging the lights. {cue Kanye West "All of the Lights"}.  I didn't even care how challenging basic decorating would be with Addison unwinding ribbon, stashing things I need, & pulling the ornaments of the tree, etc.  Since we came home from Boone I have been decorating non-stop (keep in mind that as usual Pinterest has killed me & I have been crafting up a storm).  In lieu of a this week post I'll post pictures of what we've been doing this week, decorating. 

This picture totally makes me laugh. I promise it was not staged! Who puts the star on the tree first; this...this guy? I am sure that is a cardinal sin of Christmas decorating. 

discovering the lights

Carrot Cake Pancakes {paleo of course}

One of Addison's favorite breakfast meals is pancakes.  I've tried several variations: sweet potato, plain, apple, pear, peach, blueberry, pumpkin...you name it.  Oddly enough I had never tried carrots.  Carrot cake is one of my favorite treats so I was delighted to whip these up for Addison (and maybe myself too).

Ingredients

• 1 cup carrots, shredded
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup almond meal
• 3/4 cup canned coconut milk
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 tablespoon coconut oil
• 2 tablespoon coconut flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• lots of: cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg
• handful of raisins

• coconut butter for pancakes
• maple syrup

Instructions

1. Mix all dry ingredients together in a large bowl: almond meal, coconut flour, baking soda and powder, and spice together.
2. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients: carrots, eggs, coconut milk, coconut oil, and raisins. Mix thoroughly.
3. Heat a large skillet up under medium-high heat and use coconut oil to grease the surface.
4. Pour batter into small pancakes onto hot griddle. Cook on both sides for 3 or so minutes.
5. Top pancakes off with coconut butter and maple syrup. 

Recipe adapted from PaleoOMG

Thanksgiving in Boone

Ever since Philip & I have owned our own home we make a trip to Boone, NC Thanksgiving weekend.  The primary purpose is to visit a local tree farm, enjoy the beautiful scenery & pick out our Christmas tree.  This year was the first year I didn't have to work Thanksgiving day, eve or any day surrounding the holiday, so instead of packing up the day after Thanksgiving (like we usually do), we spent Thanksgiving day in the mountains.  It was a little weird not being with our immediate families, the laughter, the tension, the sinful desserts, amazing aroma & all the things that traditionally come with Thanksgiving.  I am so thankful that We decided to spend Thanksgiving the way we did this year.  We ate a Thanksgiving lunch at Whole Foods with turkey, sweet potatoes, salad, roasted squash & kale...it was SO good.  That evening we another Thanksgiving-ish meal at Cracker Barrel: turkey, turnip greens, salad....it was actually rather boring. 

 We drove around Boone & did a little bit of Thanksgiving night shopping. Michaels was having an awesome sale on frames so I picked up a new frame for the living room & some burlap ribbon. The rest of the night was rather uneventful...it was so nice.

We got up in the morning & had breakfast at Melanie's (our favorite fresh/local/organic paleo friendly) spot in Boone.  We did a little black Friday shopping; mostly browsing & we explored with Addison. We spent some time in Blowing Rock & ate at an awesome little restaurant. I could kick myself because I can't remember the name.

 We found this little waterfall right outside of Blowing Rock.  We also came across a cute little stream with TONS of ducks.

 Addison was in heaven.  She ran around yelling "duck, duck", "quack-quack".  I think it made her day.

 From there we headed to get our tree.  We walked around for quite some time. Between Addison's hat & Hampton we were bombarded with people.  They were a hit.

We picked out our tree & just enjoyed the rest of our time.  It was a pretty short trip. My sister was visiting from PA so we wanted to spend a little bit of time with her.  I love making memories & new family traditions.

this week

This Week...

• Kicked off holiday chaos/commitments. We literally have something going on every weekend until the first of the year
• Addison wore a ponytail for the first time
• We celebrated Thanksgiving very simply & non-traditionally at Whole Foods & Cracker Barrel
• We made our annual trip to Boone/Blowing rock
• My sister came to town from PA
• Addison went to her first tree farm & we cut down our Christmas tree
• Addison said "I like it"; I guess that is her first sentence 
• We pulled out all the Christmas decorations & I am ready to decorate
• We made a huge food run & my veggie basket is running over...my favorite! 
• I discovered a new pancake recipe for Addison & will be sharing next week

Week of Thanks: FREEDOM

free·dom
/ˈfrēdəm/
Noun
The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.

I am thankful for freedom & the sacrifices those who defend it make.

Week of Thanks: PHILIP & ADDISON

I am not lying in my "about me" section on my blog where I say I am the luckiest. I am blesses beyond measure with a gentle, creative, kind, passionate partner who loves God. He is the most wonderful Daddy. God topped it all off with the sweetest, silliest, most affectionate version of her Daddy when He gave me Addison. She brings me pure joy. It goes back to grace & getting what we do not deserve. I am the richest woman alive.

Week of Thanks: MY CAMERA

My camera. I thankful that this little piece of technology captures & freezes life's most precious moments.  Despite being an amateur I have some of my most favorite memories forever because of my Nikon.

Month of Thanks: SMILES

One of my favorite things about life is smiles. Smiles? Weird right?! Mother Theresa said it best "Every time you smile at someone, it's an action of love. A gift to that person, a beautiful thing". How true is that! Receiving a smile from somebody instantly warms my soul. It brings a sense of peace. Smiling can makes you approachable, is an expression of joy, compliments those around you...it's infectious. When somebody is proud of you or showing a sense of appreciation, they are usually smiling. When somebody finds something funny, they smile. It is such a simple yet powerful act.  

Week of Thanks: GRACE

A lot of my friends on Facebook have been participating in "The Month of Thanks", updating their statuses daily with what they are thankful for.  In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday this week I have decided to share my "Week of Thanks." Of course I am overwhelmed with gratitude daily for the abundance of blessings in my life, I am just making a deliberate attempt in acknowledging them.  With that, today I am thankful for: GRACE

Specifically God's grace.  I am unconditionally loved & time after time I get what I do not deserve.  John 1:16 "And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace." 

Lately

A recap of our household over the last 2 weeks because I was slack & missed last week's "this week" post:

• My Mum discovered Pinterest & has been a craft-a-holic since.  We spent last Sunday afternoon over there making tree cones covered in felt, a wreath & a few other things.  
• Addison was a little social butterfly: birthday party & 3 playdates.  
• We went to Zoes for the first time in almost 2 months...crazy.  I feel like we used to eat there once a week. It was okay...sort of a let down. 
• Addison tried apple juice for the first time...it was gone in like 2.4 seconds,
• We went to Marbles. This will probably become a Thursday winter routine to get her out of the house & allow her to run around.
• We discovered Burger Fi.  All 100% natural, grass fed burgers. They have an option to wrap them in lettuce...OMG so good. Slightly disappointed that there weren't any salad or healthy side options.  It was okay though because I had some chile spiced mango slices in Addison's diaper bag & they paired nicely with my burger.
• I had several PR's (personal records) at CrossFit this week. My new clean & jerk is 105 lbs, front squat is 145 lbs, new power clean is 110 lbs, deadlift is 225 lbs, "Annie" (150 14 lb wall ball shots) is 8:41 min. 
• Addison racked up at Baby Gap...her Christmas picture outfit is too cute for words
• I got Addison's dress for my mother in law's wedding (I actually got 2 & can't decide). 
• I had record attendance in my spin class: 23 people...whoop whoop!
• I made the most delicious grain free apple granola (I will share this recipe this week)
• I had a manicure (almost 2 weeks ago) & it is still immaculate.  Totally in love with OPI gel color!
• We finalized the details of our annual mountain trip...I cannot wait!
• We started planning a trip to NYC for help with relief efforts.  We tried to make up for Thanksgiving weekend but the group we are coordinating the trip through hasn't gotten back to us. 

Elmo Obsessed

I don't usually post videos of Addison but this is way too cute not to share.
We don't watch much TV in our house so naturally Addison isn't very interested in the television...UNTIL you turn it on Sesame Street. She is totally obsessed with Elmo, OBSESSED. She gets excited, jumps up & down, claps her hands, shouts "Elmmmooooo" at the top of her lungs & becomes glued to the TV.  My parents bought her a little Elmo stuffed animal & she carries him around with a death grip.  So now Elmo, her zebra blankie, Mr. McQuacken (her duck) are in tote everywhere...geez. I was able to snag a few seconds of my Elmo obsessed child this morning counting along & singing with the characters. I, of course, am biased but I think it's totally adorable.

favorite snacks

Dried Apple Rings//We make them but if we are in a pinch you can pick them up, unsweetened at Trader Joe's

Blueberries

Chile Spiced Mango//She loves it on fresh mango but I'd venture to say that she enjoys the dried packaged ones from Trader Joe's best. 

Cucumber slices.  Plain, seasoned...she LOVES cucumber slices. 

Bananas//specifically flattened out banana

Grain free granola//crumbles, bars...she is a girl after my own heart & loves it.

Homemade Sweet Potato Chips

Veggie-Go's//Texture of fruit leather. Completely 100% natural, no sweetener. Just pure veggies/fruits.//We pick them up at Whole Foods//These are always in our pantry & diaper bag.

It's no surprise that Addison loves to eat. If you have ever been around her you know it's humorous, sweet & slightly embarrassing all at the same time. She squeals (literally) with excitement, claps her hands, bounces up & down, all while signing "more", "eat" & "please".  I am sure we've been in public a time or two & people have thought I don't feed her or something, lol.  She eats often, just like I do (every 2-3 hours).  Other favorites include: beet chips, kale, pretty much any vegetable, hard boiled eggs, homemade fruit leather, apple slices, avocado....a lot of times it's what I am eating.  Occasionally we let her have a gluten free Cliff Kids bar but that is once in a blue moon.