Ambrosia Creative

I absolutely feel like crashing right now, but since my blog doubles as personal journal, I just had to quickly visually document our week. Good news is that Kai should have his cast off in two weeks which is before his birthday, before Halloween (a huge concern for him), and before the baby arrives (gigantic concern for me). Then he can go back to what got him in trouble in the first place; attempting bike tricks and worrisome speeds. But this time he’ll have elbow pads, wrist guards, knee pads, shin guards…whatever to keep him from breaking another bone. A little crazy? Yes. But is my child crazier? Yes.

And I’ll be posting an easy kids’ Halloween craft soon. Once I find some energy, blessed energy.

(Also wanted to throw in the link to the new Future Islands album. So much good music happening. Fall is the best.)

Peach and crème fraîche pie, fried pickles (amazing), and chocolate frozen custard atop of cherry Italian ice. Gone are the days I couldn’t keep even a glass of water down!

My bed and I are reunited after being separated by the country for a whole month. Yeah! Graduating from the air mattress and getting to sleep with my million pillows (instead of the Pillow Pets we stole from the kids) is such a luxury. Ryan and I made a pact to never complain about our mattress again.

And speaking of luxury, why are hot dogs + relish so good to me right now? It’s funny that when I was pregnant with the boys, I had a wicked sweet tooth, but with this baby it’s been all about salty, sour, aaand…water retention. She’s kicking right now as I’m writing this and wants queso dip.

Today is a lazy, sick, pho-craving day for me. I was hoping Kai would go down for a nap so I could too, but I still hear him pulling toys out and making airplane sound effects. Guess our lunch of sugary, mini-pizookies wasn’t such a great idea. But wouldn’t this be a great idea for a party? I just spooned cookie dough into muffin cups, placed cups onto cookie sheet, underbaked slightly, then topped off with a scoop of ice cream. Would get extra style points with sprinkles on top.

I celebrated the completion (for now) of my store by indulging in cupcakes from Vanilla Bake Shop that Raya picked up from LA. Not only are they “Mmmm! Ishes!” as Dax would say, but their mini cupcakes will compel you clap your hands and say yay.

And. This is the most awkward segue ever. But now I’m going to tell you to enter the giveaway for my goods at Simple Blueprint: two winners, any item in my store for your choosing. Good luck, and huge thanks to Joanna for being a kind host!

ENTER GIVEAWAY!

If you recognize those dots in that pink-lined box, you understand how a certain addiction can be almost debilitating. Six cupcakes is indulgent, yes. But turning a year older is a good GREAT excuse. Oink.

We are a family that gets McNuggets cravings every now and then.

We give in when the baby wants some fries.

And we sometimes don’t dress our age.

We are honest when we ask for a cup for water. And get only that,
even when the soda machine is within arms-reach.

And we get very excited over Happy Meal toys.

And I will end this by saying that McDonald’s is wrong. WRONG! It represents everything I’m against; crummy 90′s pastel decor. A clown that was probably the inspiration for “It” (I accidentally caught parts of the movie when I was little and am ruined). Self-maximizing corporate execs who care only about the bottom line vs. quality. Trans fat. Beef tallow. Ugh! I mean, yum! I mean, gross…

Maybe that’s what makes it so good when we do give in. Because McDonald’s is pure sin. McDonald’s sundaes, I heart you forever.

I haven’t been able to wear my dear Antiks since spring oh-seven (not counting the one time I wore them to a park playdate where I got lots of compliments, but no one knew that I couldn’t sit, breathe, squat, bend, or eat one Goldfish cracker). But once a month, I dig out “The Jeans” and try, try again.

After another failed extrusion attempt last night, I am finally coming to terms that this is my body after two children. Two, beautiful children that more than validate the scars, stretchmarks, and other (non-mentionable) physical changes that are part and parcel to being a mother in this mortal existence.

And lastly, note to self: Heavenly Father has provided us too many wonderful promises to get bogged down by lemonade diets and silly, stubborn jeans. Next size up, please!

(And, speaking of jeans, this girl needs to RUN. AWAY. From the high-waist. Please!)

So, Ryan made it to day 3 on the cleanse. When he announced he was done, we promptly ordered pizza. And went back to our usual diet of food and giant chocolate bars.

However.

The cleanse wasn’t all in vain. I’ve noticed that Ryan is much more conscious of what he eats. He’s working out more. And is a lot better at portion control. He doesn’t regret doing the cleanse at all. But, like Dana said, we’ve decided that we’ll stick with fasting just once a month!

You have not lived until you’ve tried above cookies. If I had the means and resources, I’d track down all ya’lls and make like Oprah and yell “Surprise!” and lo and behold, you’d find a box of Joe-Joes hidden underneath the very chair you are sitting on.

Go get them. They are so good. We can start a support group for those of us that eat a box a day.

They also come chocolate-covered. Dangerous!