Weekender

Posted on January 11, 2016 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

How is the weekend over already? I swear to God it was only two seconds ago that I woke up and was excited to eat pancakes! Another low-key weekend for us..dang cold weather is keeping us indoors more than I’d like.

Friday: Pancakes in peace. Wes didn’t wake up until almost 8:30 so I was able to clean up the kitchen, make breakfast AND eat it in peace and quiet.

I took a peak out the blinds and noticed how frosty white everything was! I opened the patio door to snap a pic and WHOA- it was pretty but FRIGIDLY cold out. Brr

Wes’s first tooth even poked through! It’s very tough to see, but it’s there. So of course, photos were taken to celebrate. Love this sweet little boy!

We braved the cold to run some errands- Co-op had a great sale on Vega so I had to make sure to pick some up. Wes wore his dino hat- I really need to take a pic of him in it because it’s so cute and I can’t help but laugh when he’s in it.

I was able to watch more Making A Murderer while Wes went down for a nap. BONUS: I had a Wild Rose Brewery Cowbell to enjoy while I watched! Tyler spent a good chunk of the evening painting all the trim we had picked up last weekend. Do home renos ever end? The guy is seriously busting his butt ALL THE TIME with something around the house! (PS: Thankful for that. I’ll stick to doing laundry and cleaning the bathrooms, tyvm)

Dinner was super simple: Chicken roasted in Mums (<—SO GOOD), potatoes and broccoli. We watched a few episodes of Homeland then went to sleep.

Saturday: Did I mention Tyler’s the best? He pretty much TOLD me to take a bath before Wes went down for his nap and to take as long as I wanted. I used one of the bath bombs he got me for Christmas and abused some me time for a whole hour. It was glorious.

Meh- I just realized I took practically ZERO photos on Saturday.

During the afternoon, Tyler did more work on cutting and installing some of the trim while I took Wes grocery shopping. We played around for a bit when we got home, then I took the dogs for a walk while Wes napped.

Tyler made lasagna for dinner- we stuffed our faces- then plopped on the couch downstairs to watch The Intern.

Sunday: The lasagna didn’t agree with me so well, and I wound up getting sick during the night (could’ve been the mix of that plus the prosecco I drank during the movie?) Yuck. I took a SUPER LONG nap in the morning then made myself a delicious brunch plate.

The extra sleep + tons of water + food = much better feeling Jen.

We had the games on downstairs while Tyler was in/out of the garage cutting more trim. We’re a split household–> I’m a Seahawks fan and he’s a Vikings fan, so the game was pretty intense to watch. Not gonna lie though, I was sorta rooting for the Vikes because they have been having a pretty great season. Bummer ending…but my team’s still in it!

During halftime, I decided to throw together my first ever batch of baked doughnuts! I chose to use this recipe– it was so simple to put together and they turned out GREAT. Like….super.freaking.delicious. Dare I say better than Tim Hortons? Yup.

I will definitely be making this again in the VERY near future. And then all different kinds. I’m predicting a donut phase. Any flavor suggestions? Recipes to share? Send them my way, please!

After these were done, I exercised extreme self-control by heading downstairs to workout BEFORE enjoying one…or two…of them.

We had Mucho Burrito for dinner (I’d much rather make food, but we were both STARVING and didn’t want to wait for meat to thaw. And we didn’t really want to cook either). Wes had dinner, his bath, then continued his weekend adventure of attempting to get on his knees to crawl but mostly managing to only roll all over the place.

The dogs got a walk before bed, but we sort of jogged it since I wasn’t much in the mood to be outside. Poll: Is anyone else guilty of keeping their PJs on under warm layers? I do it almost every time I walk the dogs.

Time to hit the sheets, I’m pooped!

How was your weekend?

From the Weekend

Posted on November 23, 2015 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

No play by play on the weekend this week. I’m pretty sure if you scroll through the past dozen or so Weekend Recaps, you’ll see the same things happened. These would include:

eating pancakes Friday morning
watching a movie Friday night
pool class at the Y on Saturday afternoon
Costco
Sunday BRUNCH
hanging out
the end.

See? Same old same old. I hardly took any pictures either. But here’s what I’ve got..

Yup, Friday morning pancakes. While I watch an upside down, tummy sleeping Wes.

Snack: Apple slices w/pb, raisins and chocolate chips. I didn’t even want this, but it was the only healthy option in the house that wouldn’t fill me up too much before dinner.

Dinner: Leftover lasagna, caesar salad + garlic bread. Afterwards, I went to pick up another EXACT SAME jumperoo off Kijiji. Now we have one upstairs and downstairs!

Saturday dinner/dessert: CPK BBQ Chicken Pizza. I saw Costco now carries them! They’re one of my favorites (well, when you order it in the restaurant. The frozen ones aren’t the same quality, but they’re pretty OK for being frozen) & melted chocolate with Halos. Yumm.

I’m quickly realizing that many of my photos are of food. Too many.

There ya go, a photo of my boy. And Layla!

Committed a major party foul and accidentally used ONE CUP of butter for this recipe instead of 1/2 cup. The results? Not terrible, but yeah…super buttery. I am hoping that after a couple of days in tupperware they’ll set nicely and be edible.

Who am I kidding…I’m still gonna chow down on them today. And tomorrow. I used this recipe and used Oreos, dark chocolate chunks and semi-sweet chocolate chips. And double the butter…don’t do that.

Another non-food picture! Wes, of course. He is an absolute black hole for solid food. As soon as I buy it, it disappears. It actually makes meal time for him pretty entertaining for me. Despite the fact that he chucks his toys on the floor about 20597139523502 times.

Random dinner of a mini cheese quesadilla and a portion of southwest chopped salad.

Some other tidbits:

The pool was way too cold this weekend and Wes did NOT want to be in it, so we left after 5-10 minutes.
I had my first fall of the snow season and completely wiped out on the ice as I was getting out of the car at Costco. Made me GRUMPY.

How was your weekend??

From the Week

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Monday

Mondays. Mondays are already ew on their own. But to start it off bright and early with a consultation for my wisdom teeth? Barf city. On the way to the appointment, I had a pretty delicious smoothie (vega chocolate nutritional shake, pb2, quinoa, greek yogurt, almond milk.)

I put Wes down for his nap as soon as I got home so I was able to fit my workout in. Once he was up, we played for a long ass time. My knees are starting to take a severe beating with all the up and down from the floor with a heavy baby!

After Wes went down for his afternoon nap, I headed out for yet another appointment, this time for my annual physical. The good news- my blood work came back with flying colors and I was in and out of there in about 20 minutes.

For dinner, Tyler whipped up some fajitas. SO DELICIOUS. It’s one of our go-to’s when we can’t decide what to have. I could probably eat them every day.

The evening was pretty typical- I walked the dogs, Wes got a bath, and we hung out until it was time for the dude to get to bed. I put him in his jolly jumper to wear him out a bit before bed time, and the kid.can.jump.

Wes jumping from Jen Linton on Vimeo.

Tuesday

Same old same old kinda day. Lots of playing with Wes.

Baby boy is obsessed with flipping now. He even slept on his belly during his naps! Layla’s not super impressed, but she’s tolerating it. Reggie could care less since he hardly touches the floor (he sticks to his bed or the couches as often as possible).

Long naps are great because I can get in my workout, shower and attempt to look somewhat human.

Later, I met up with Leigh and Brie at Craft for dinner. It was really nice to get out of the house and have some girl talk- even if I did stay up way past my bed time! Fish tacos for the win. The only downside: it started to snow while we were out. Ewww.

Wednesday

I woke up at 5 and noticed that Wes was on his tummy again, so I slept pretty crummy for another hour or so before getting up- it’s still a new position for him so I’m a bit paranoid he will suffocate or get stuck and freak out. (I know, I know, he’s most likely fine but I can’t help it!)

I did a lower body workout in the late morning that left me absolutely dead and wobbly. This means not only was it a great workout, but it was a CHORE trying to walk back up the stairs afterwards.

We had an appointment for Wes to check on a scratch he has on his nether region which turned out to be fine. I’m betting he just wanted in on the doctor-appointment action.

We picked up some groceries before heading home for lunch.

You know it’s a pretty decent day when you can take a 2pm soak while the baby sleeps. I’ll take it.

We had pulled pork sammies for dinner and went to bed just after 8pm.

Thursday

It wasn’t even hard getting out of bed at 6:15am when you’ve had about 72 hours of sleep. That was fantastic. And yet, my cardio workout for the morning was ROUGH. I was gasping for air like a fool- but it was so worth it afterwards.

Wes has been really great going down for naps lately- he’s out in almost 5 minutes each time. I think I have finally started to pick up on his tired cues so I don’t haphazardly attempt a nap time when he’s not ready.

He slept on his tummy the entire night before, so I won’t be wrapping him in a blanket anymore.

Another thing- he figured out how to use a straw! I bought one of the Playtex straw cups and had him attempt it only twice before he got the hang of it. Solid food feedings are now just too funny- he wants to eat EVERYTHING and drink EVERYTHING and throw EVERYTHING.

And I somehow manage to still get in my snack plates. Even if it does come with a staring owl.

I also baked a loaf of apple cinnamon bread that is delicious! I didn’t make the topping as listed in the recipe, but instead topped with sliced apple pieces and dusted with cinnamon/sugar.

Dinner was a stuffed sweet potato (loaded with pulled pork, broccoli, cheese and green onions).

I took the pups out for a walk and it was SO SLIPPERY. Goddamn snow and ice. No wait, goddamn dogs. They’re terrible on the leash (better lately) and when combined with inclement weather..I am doomed.

I poured myself a glass of wine after Wes went down, but ended up only taking a couple of sips before calling it a night. WHO AM I.

Cinnamon Swirl Banana Muffins w/Cinnamon Frosting

Posted on April 9, 2015 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Does that make them cupcakes? Meh, whatever. I will eat them any time of day thankyouverymuch.

These are seriously SO good. I kept the leftover frosting just in case I need to dip into it at random for a little pick me up. Don’t judge.

Maybe next time, I’ll just load these puppies up with more frosting so there won’t BE any leftover frosting. Yup, that sounds like a good idea. Definitely remembering that.

Let’s just cut to it and get to the recipe

Cinnamon Swirl Banana Muffins w/Cinnamon Frosting

for the bread

3 bananas, mashed
1/3 c plain greek yogurt
3/4 c brown sugar
1 egg
1 t vanilla
1 t baking soda
1 1/2 c whole wheat flour

for the cinnamon swirl

1/3 c sugar
1 T cinnamon

for the cinnamon frosting

4 oz cream cheese, room temp
1/8 c butter, softened
1 t vanilla
1 t cinnamon
3(ish) c powdered sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 and spray muffin tin or line tin with paper cups.

2. Mix bananas, yogurt, sugar, egg and vanilla in a bowl until incorporated (can hand mix or opt for a standing mixer).

3. Add baking soda and flour and mix until incorporated. Don’t over mix!

4. In a separate bowl, mix the cinnamon and sugar. Fill the muffin tin halfway with banana mixture. Generously sprinkle (and be VERY generous) with the cinnamon/sugar. Top each muffin with the remainder of the batter. Bake for 18-20 minutes. Note: I accidentally forgot to set the timer on this, but that’s my estimate! Just make sure a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean

5. Let muffins cool on wire rack. While they cool, put all ingredients for frosting in a bowl. Using a hand mixer, beat on high until nice and smooth.

6. Once muffins are cooled, top the shit out of them with ALL THE FROSTING.

Haha, did you actually read the directions? I swore in one of the steps. So naughty of me.

Oh wait, there’s one more step. EAT THEM ALL.

When I attempted to take the above picture, Reggie promptly got ahold of this one. I fought him for it and I won. And then I ate the rest of it.

So yeah, these are kind of healthy? I used greek yogurt instead of butter and brown sugar instead of regular sugar. Yup let’s consider that a healthy swap.

Ah what the hell, let’s just call them cupcakes.

Your turn: cupcakes or muffins?

Chai Pear Muffins

Posted on March 24, 2015 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

So I bought a couple of pears last week and usually they take a couple of days before they get ripe enough for me to be able to eat them on their own. But it had been EIGHT days already and the pears were both still hard as a rock. So weird. But I really wanted to eat those suckers.

That, paired (see what I did there? Play on words) with the fact that I was only really comfortable with either a napping position or a standing position, I opted to take the standing position and whip up some sort of baked good that included these pesky pears.

I recently saw a post for Pear and Applesauce Muffins (recipe can be found here) but decided to change it up a bit based on the ingredients I already had. The result? A SUPER tasty, dense muffin. PS: Some people are strictly light-and-airy muffin goers. If that’s you, I’d stay away from my recipe, but maybe give the one linked above a go. If you can handle a more dense and hearty muffin, give this one a whirl.

Chai Pear Muffins

1/3 c plain greek yogurt
1/2 c sugar
3/4 c unsweetened applesauce
2 eggs
1 t vanilla
2 c flour
2 t baking powder
dash of salt
2 t chai spice
1 pear

I opted to use chai spice as I bought a jar of it from Epicure about 2 years ago and have only used it once since! If this isn’t available to you, go ahead and use apple pie spice. Or cinnamon. But chai is really such a unique flavor that I highly recommend picking some up if you ever see it in stores!

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and heavily spray a 12 muffin tin with cooking oil (or use liners)

2. Add butter, sugar, applesauce, eggs and vanilla to a large bowl and use a beater to thoroughly combine. Add salt, baking powder and chai spice. Combine. Slowly add flour to mixture.

3. Fold in diced pear (cut into about 1/4 in pieces). Spoon mixture into muffin tins and bake for about 15 minutes or until tops of muffins ‘bounce’ back to the touch.