Fun times this weekend! We lowered our crib, in case you’re about to leave me a warning comment
M just learned how to pull up if we plopped in him sitting. He still can’t sit from lying down, but we’re trying to be ahead of the game before he can figure that one out and jump out. FYI, when I was 2 I climbed out of my crib and broke my collar bone!
We are having unseasonably cold weather that isn’t over yet. Not only are the next few days going to be cold, but rainy also. C’mon May!
But for Fridays After Five it was pretty nice not to be sweating on every inch of the body.
We took a picnic – this week mini sandwiches. Hummus + spinach on Tuscan Sourdough and cheese + fig jam + spinach on Cville Crunch.
Mazen had spinach as well : )
And had a great time playing with his girlfriends!
Saturday morning Matt baked sweets and did a slicing event and was back home by 9am for naptime. While the boys napped, I went on a 4 mile run!
Our weekends are getting so predictable – Saturday we went to the city market together. Doesn’t M look thrilled to be there?
We played on the porch and ate salads for lunch.
And I spent the afternoon spray painting these black tables white. I liked the diamonds, but the black was so dark. Our family room looks so much more cottage-y now.
Saturday night we met some friends at Mono Loco for an early Cinco de Mayo party
It had been SEVENTEEN MONTHS since my last Spice-A-Rita!! (Alcoholic one, that is). YUM!
I dove into the chips + salsa and gave myself a stomachache for the walk home.
Burrito was a crispy cod and shrimp bowl with avocado crema, rice and beans
Here is his serious face. [And thanks to Janae for the tip to use a calculator as a “smart phone” toy!! M loves it.]
Ok here’s a happy face featuring those pearly whites!
Sunday morning I went grocery shopping alllll byyyyyy myselfffffffff. It was fun! Although in some ways it was not as fun because I felt pressure to get home instead of staying to explore new foods.
M and I had lunch together while Matt went to do a Great Harvest slicing event. Leftover salmon burrito!
In the afternoon we three went on a 4.5 mile walk. Why does walking 4.5 feel harder than running 4.5!?
We ended our day with dinner on the porch – Thai coconut tilapia from whole foods, coconut rice made in the rice cooker with Silk Coconut milk (yum!) and fresh local asparagus.
Did you do anything super fun this weekend?
Lynn @ the actor's diet says
Salmon burrito sounds great, as does the rest of your weekend activity. I don’t think I’ve ever ran all those miles vs walking!
Paige @ Your Trainer Paige says
We did all our celebrating on el quatro (and tres and seis) de mayo, too! haha
I’m not sure what a spicearita is, but it sure does sound tasty!
KathEats says
Triple jalapeno Margarita!
Mara says
Have you ever tried to recreate the spice-a-rita at home? I bet you could come pretty close.
KathEats says
We haven’t but Matt knows the recipe…!
Mara says
Are you willing to share?? 🙂
KathEats says
Yes we’ll do a post on it sometime. We need to buy tequila and get our jalapeno soak on!
Mara says
Awesome! I look forward to it sipping one soon!
Sara R. says
SO exciting! I’ll get my materials together too so I can make one as soon as you post the recipe! Those things were amazing!
Matt says
A bartender told me how they make it. First, they take fresh jalapenos and grill them until nicely charred. They then cut these into slices and store. Then, separately they make a big batch of lime-mix. I didn’t get the recipe for this but it tastes pretty typical for good margarita mix, and I believe they also put some of the roasted jalapeno slices in it.
Now the assembly: They toss 5-8 slices of jalapeno in a mixing glass (“pint glass”) and then fill it with ice. Then they pour white tequila up to the 66% mark, pour triple sec to the 80% mark, and then top with the lime mix. Amazing!
Coreen S says
Coconut rice sounds great- how do you make it?
P.S. Mazen is sooo cute!
KathEats says
I just used Silk Coconut Milk instead of water in the rice cooker – it was incredible!
Hannah @ Sprints & Scones says
I am going to try that this weekend – I may even replicate your meal and grab some of the fish at WF too. It looks so yummy!
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat says
Totally jealous of your meals this weekend! I went to a baseball game and got in a few great workouts. We ate so many Mexican meals last week that I didn’t partake in Cinco de Mayo!
Jeri says
I have been hiding under a Rick since my last final. I feel mentally drained. So I went to Williams-Sonoma and got a melon baller and a strawberry corer. Fruit salad here I come!
S/n you can cut up plums when the skin starts getting wrinkled into the salad and use the melon baller to remove the seed from the other side after cutting in half.
KathEats says
Lucky Rick 😉 Haha
Jeri says
LOL! I really hate that I and O key
Lisa C. says
cracking up! LOL
Ali @ Peaches and Football says
I spent the weekend at a baseball game. Great weather and my team won!
I am terrible with the chips and salsa when I go out for Mexican. I can’t stop eating them and so by the time my entree arrives, I don’t have any room left. 🙂
I love Maze’s pearly white teeth. They are so cute. You can definitely tell he’s getting bigger!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
What a fun weekend! We celebrated on Cuatro de Mayo too and then I ran a 5k on Cinco de Mayo (I don’t recommend that) 😉
Lindsey @ Pas de Deux says
Looks like you all had a great weekend! I had a big “first” this weekend– I manned the grill all by my self! Like you, I’m finding my weekends settling into a lovely routine driven by the City Market on Saturday morning, yoga on Sunday morning, and Mad Men on Sunday night 🙂
Nina @ Too Hottie For That Body says
Our weekend wasn’t quite as awesome. We’re just counting down the days until the farmer’s markets are open and flip flops are a necessity 😉
Jessica says
I think its seems harder because it takes a lot longer to walk that far than run.
kelly says
Mazen is so big now! Wow time does fly!!! What a great weekend of family 🙂 I am so jealous how much you guys go out to eat as a family…It just isnt in our budget right now. Hoping one day it will be. Do you guys budget for going out to eat on a weekly basis?
KathEats says
It’s roped into our monthly family budget which is tied to other things we buy for the family – so if we go to Target and spend too much, dinners out get reduced. We’re going out a lot less since having a baby though, which is good because we’re buying more stuff for the baby!
Ashley says
First — Haha, I realize this is NOT the case, but that picture from Friday looks like Matt’s about to give Mazen a sip of his beer. Not for a few more years!! 🙂
Second — OMG OMG OMG Where did you get that T-rex onesie!? I must have one!
Lastly, I definitely gotta try the calculator cell phone!
KathEats says
haha no beer for babies!
Onesie is Old Navy!
Hayley @ Running on Pumpkin says
I used to go to these nights called Music in the Park when I was little every Friday, kind of like the Fridays After Five! I loved them and hope there is something like that to take my own kids to eventually.
Eating 4 Balance says
That calculator that Mazen is playing with is too funny! I played with my mom’s old calculator when I was younger. It was a TI-30 I believe. One of the first handheld calculators. My how things have changed! 🙂
Carly @ Snack Therapy says
I love Mazen’s Zoolander face in the photo of him in the blue striped sweater with Matt. And those sandwiches- Ah! I’m totally jealous of your bakery insider connections ;).
Ashli @ But What About Protein? says
Haha his face in the 14th photo looks like he’s saying “C’mon Mom, you really think I think that’s a smart phone?” He’s so dang adorable!
Leslie says
We had a lovely weekend as well. Family dinner (18 of us) on Saturday night and then our little family of four went downtown on Sunday to celebrate my husband’s birthday. Downtown Portland had lots going on for Cinco de Mayo and it was a gorgeous, sunny day! We took a long walk with my daughter snapping photos the whole time (she is just home from college and heading to Australia for the summer). Good times!
Ashlee@HisnHers says
I had a jalapeno margarita a little while back and LOVED it! So refreshing. I’m thinking you should maybe re-create a recipe for this! 😉
Stephanie @cookinfanatic says
Oh how I adore Mono Loco – I haven’t been in way too long – need to get back to Charlottesville soon!!!
Elise @ Expeditions of Elise says
Mazen always looks so serious when he’s playing. I guess it’s serious business! Seemed like a fun weekend.
Susan H @ The Food Allergy Chronicles says
I had fun painting too…I am refinishing a statement chair for my antique desk. Painting it a creamy white for a pretty ‘tree of life’ pattern for the seat. As I am allergic to paint…this is my first project. I am using Home Hardware’s Beauti-Tone’s Natura line…it is VOC free and virtually odourless. It doesn’t make my throat constrict but it also leaves me feeling a bit nauseous. 🙂
Sally says
A girlfriend and I came so close to eating at Mono Loco on Saturday evening, but decided to try sushi at Ten instead. That spice-a-rita looks yummy!
Karen says
Mazen is becoming such a big boy, esp. striking when you compare photos of him appearing on the sidebar taken just a few months ago! And, his personality is just really beginning pop off the page…his preciousness brings a big smile to my face!
Kay says
Spice-a-rita? Yum! Do you mind sharing what type/brand spray paint you used for the tables? They came out great and I’m planning a similar project for an old bookcase of ours. Thanks!
KathEats says
I used Lowes Valspar – one coat of primer and one of paint on each table
Barca Mama says
Love the calculator idea!!! I remember the first time I went grocery shopping minus baby… Caught myself rocking the shopping cart like it was the baby’s stroller;)
KathEats says
Ha!
Brittnie (A Joy Renewed) says
Love his serious face! Clara can sport quite the serious face as well! 🙂
Lisa C. says
I’m very intrigued by the coconut rice. Just substitute the coconut milk for water (equal amounts)?
Both the squeezie spinach and the soft blocks are favorites of my littlest too. 🙂
Jane @ Not Plain So Jane says
Ha sometimes I set out on a walk and end up running back because it just seems so much longer (and therefore harder) to walk all the way home. Thai coconut tilapia?! Yum! Your rice makes me want thai mango sticky rice. If you ever have a chance to go to a Thai festival, you would love the food!
Ted says
I could really go for a Spice-a-Rita right now. As I absolutely love Mexican food this post was great. I could live on rice and beans. Thanks for the nice pics also.
Tracy says
I bet that Spice-a-Rita tasted really gooood!!
Jen and Emily says
Looks like you had fun! It was a nice weekend in our area….but could have been warmer! We went to the food truck court gathering behind the Museum here in Richmond……..very fun. Along with that we went to a great Farmer’s Market….so glad it’s time for Summer vegetables again 🙂
http://layersofhappiness.com/weekend-a-visit-from-bubbie-and-poppie/
Shel@PeachyPalate says
We had a long weekend here and I worked in the restaurant right the way through it including the food festival. Incredibly busy but great fun! Well done on getting in the run; walking possibly harder due to the baba in tow!!! And the fact that it was the day after your run? I always find I’m a little less energised of a Sunday…I think psychologically it’s always been a family rest day and my body refuses to see it any other way!
Jelena@FabLifePhD says
I love the idea about painting the furniture. My brother was here for the weekend and we made a day trip to Luxembourg! Such a great sunny day and a nice ride
Elyse says
I fell out of a bed when I was two also and broke my collarbone! Everyone thinks it’s so weird, so I’m glad to know I’m not the only one.
Amanda Cowan says
Couple things: Mazen is beautiful. Seriously such a sweet face. Also, we are planning a thai sort of stir fry for dinner and you just gave me the idea of doing coconut rice to go with it. I’ve always wanted to do that but I never seem to remember with the right meals! So excited now.
Lauren @ Fun, Fit and Fabulous! says
M’s little cheeks are so stinkin cute!! We went to a big arts and crafts festival in downtown Austin this weekend and got a ton of new decorations for our house. We moved in about 2 months ago and it is still a little bare. Those tables look so great white!
faith says
It’s my birthday!
Miranda says
Mazen is totally pulling the blue steel in that picture of him and Matt together. I actually laughed out loud when I saw it, I was just watching Zoolander the other day!
Cindy Love Childers says
Kath,
Hey two quick questions…
I love the blue/purpleish bag at your picnic in the park. Is that a diaper bag or a purse. Looks like it could be either. So cute!!! Where did you get it if you don’t mind sharing? Also,
I don’t have a rice cooker but I see you using yours all the time. What else can you use it for besides rice? I seem to remember maybe you put oatmeal in it ? Anything else? I have a gazillion kitchen appliances b/c I love love love to cook and collect things but I know they are sort of spacey and I’m wondering if I need another appliance in the kitchen. However, the coconut rice sounds so tempting and don’t know if that would work just in a regular saucepan.
Thanks,
Cindy
KathEats says
It’s a diaper bag and is great – love all the pockets. I reviewed it here on BERF and here it is on Amazon (it’s not cheap).
You can cook a million things in the rice cooker – including all kinds of grains, beans and even cakes! I have this cookbook which I reference often when I’m cooking something new.
Karen says
I SO want to like this rice cooker, but after several failures attempting to cook various grains, I got so frustrated I ended up putting it in storage. First, the instructions are not clear at all – poorly translated to English, perhaps. Second, what is the deal with the special measuring cup? The measurements do not correspond to commonly used measurements – one cup is less than one cup, for example.
It’s too bad – the sterling/black combo is pretty enough to occupy kitchen counter space and it seems to be a well made appliance. I’m not crazy about the idea of buying a special cookbook, simply for timing/setting instructions for various grains, but if the cookbook is clear (and uses normal measurements!) I may go for it. Any other tips, Kath?
KathEats says
Bummer : ( Almost all of the rice cookers use those cups – I’m not exactly sure why, but that book has a whole section on measuring and things and it tells you if they’re talking about a rice cooker cup or regular cup. It’s probably not worth buying because it’s not specific to that particular cooker so sometimes the recipes can be confusing. What kind of failures did you have with other grains? I always use the quick cooking setting for them (I pretty much just do what Emily does)
Karen says
Yes..the quick cook setting seems to be the simple way to go – I concluded that by the end of my trials. Mostly, the grains (including brown rice) turned out dry, not enough water to last through the entire cycle. But, it was the incorrect measuring cup that really had my head spinning so that’s why I ultimately called defeat. I think I’ll dust it off and give it another go soon. I’ll reach out then – a super simple cheat sheet from you would be awesome, and perhaps valuable to many readers (?) who followed your recommendation re. purchasing the rice cooker. (Quiona is my most frequently cooked grain, followed by various wild/brown rices and ancient grains. I habitually make several days worth of grains in advance, and would rarely cook a multi-ingredient meal slow cooker style.)
KathEats says
Dry rice! That should never happen. Just to be clear, you used the rice cooker cup that came with it and then filled the water to the brown rice line? You don’t use the same water to rice ratios as you would on the stove top. That little cup is not an incorrect measuring cup – it is THE correct measuring cup. For other grains, I do use the stove top ratios and always add just a splash more liquid. 2:1 water to quinoa, millet, etc.
Karen says
Okay…so in all cases use the measuring cup that came with the rice cooker, use their machine-line markings for rice, and use normal+ ratios with other grains. Got it! I’ll let you know how it goes…
Thanks dear!
KathEats says
Yes – try the rice again. It really should not have been dry! That’s a major fail.
Brieanna @ Going Brienanas says
OMG Mono Loco is fantastic!! I love their passion fruit margaritas and truffled mushroom burrito, definitely a great spot.
Samantha says
What a cute baby!! Muah!!
Emily @ Life on Food says
I always give myself a stomachache with chips and salsa. It is my one and only snack food.
rosie says
Cute pic of M and L!
L now has her very own calculator. She was jealous of Mazen’s!
KathEats says
haha cute!
Amy Height says
Sounds like a brilliant weekend! It’s incredible how much you fit into two days! The tables look amazing, btw!
We had a nutrition conference on Saturday and Sunday [so enlightening!], and nice to mix things up a bit with a 6mile run in the park. I am just thrilled it’s spring!
Could you share the coconut rice recipe? Sounds pretty darn good.
Kelly Yamauchi says
You are so lucky to have a cute baby! Anyway, my husband and I also love Spice-a-Rita and Burritos. I hope I can also have a fun weekend just like this one. I’m planning to have a picnic with my family.
Alicia @ Wanna Be Ina says
What a cute picture to open up your blog to! I spent the weekend painting an old sewing desk for my craft room. Unfortunately it was not a job for spray paint, but required 2 coats of primer and 2 coats of paint. Can’t complain though, it was a freebie on craigslist!
Sabrina @ Living, Learning, Eating says
You guys are such an adorable family! I’m home for reading period, which is really nice – I missed my family so much!!
Grace says
Hi Kath — I’m curious about your furniture painting. Have you painted a lot of old furniture? I saw you used one coat of primer and one of paint. Did you sand or anything before hand? Did the tables have any kind of factory-glossy finish? I’ve got an old wooden brown hutch that has some kind of finish on it, and two black bookcases from Ikea (the billy ones) that I want to paint a fun, eye-popping color, which is why I ask. Do you have any tips? I’ve actually not been able to find much on the internet about repurposing/painting already-finished wood or composite-type materials (such as the Ikea bookcases). Is there a reason why you used spray paint as opposed to a brush, other than convenience? This is kind of random but it occurred to me maybe you’ve done a fair amount of this in your home beautifying endeavors. (Or maybe other readers might weigh in). Thanks!!
KathEats says
I am not an expert at all, but I stick to spray paint because it goes on any surface without sanding (I just typed sandwich! ha!) I use the store brand from Lowes and it comes in a ton of colors. I’m not sure if you could use a primer + paint with a paintbrush and not sand…but perhaps it’s worth a try?
Maria Tadic says
That spice-a-rita looks so yummy!
Diana @ Eating Made Easy says
Coconut rice sounds so good! Great idea!
jodea @ chillichocolatelove.com says
I was in Athens for Greek Easter with friends, visiting family. It was hot hot hot and I enjoyed lots of nice cocktails and food… And got a stomach ache, too! It was worth it 😉
Whitney says
I love the sound of that spicearita! I had a jalopeno’ margarita for brunch in Flagstaff this weekend and the bartender told us they use jalopeno’ simple syrup! Nothing fancy there, but man, it was GOOD. Loved the kick. And easy to recreate at home!
Val says
Love the way the tables turned out. Did you have to sand them down and then paint them, or just painted over the black? What type of paint did you use? Did you have to prime them to make sure the black didn’t come through the white?
KathEats says
I didn’t sand – just spray painted. One coat of primer and one coat of paint from Lowes
Janae@hungryrunnergirl says
HAHAHAH SO HAPPY that he loves the smart phone calculator. He really is the cutest… maybe someday our kiddos can play on their calculators together:)
kayleigh says
hi, Kath! i have a quick Cville question for ya. my mom is looking into moving up there within the next couple of years and I was wondering if you had any neighborhood/street suggestions? she would really prefer to be as close to downtown as possible and also to be able to step out her front door and go straight to running. also, a safe, well kept-up area. any input is seriously appreciated!
KathEats says
Check out these neighborhoods near downtown:
Martha Jefferson
Locust Grove
Little High
Fifeville
Belmont
All are close to town and all have a wide selection of houses. Nest Realty has a good section on their website describing different neighborhoods too
Kayleigh says
thanks SO much, Kath!
Courtney @ CardioQueen says
I love Janae and her blog! Ahh—so crazy and exciting when two fun bloggers know each other!
Kayleigh says
thank you SO much!
Kayleigh says
oops, responded to the wrong comment! darn smartphone 🙂
Alex @ Raw Recovery says
Oh gosh, Mazen’s serious face is adorable! Last weekend I went to a Harry Potter themed party (sounds nerdy but was really awesome!), celebrated the Greek Orthodox Easter (and taught my 2 year old niece to repeat “Rajon Rondo” when I asked her who our favorite basketball player is and “Celtics” when I ask her about our team–establishing allegiance early!), and went to a murder mystery party (so fun!).
Renee King says
Hey there Kath, I think walking 4.5 seems harder than running 4.5 because it takes you longer maybe. Not sure since I am not a runner. Mazen seems very happy at dinner, and I love the calculator tip, I’ll have to try that.
One question I have been meaning to ask you, and it is kind of out of the blue so sorry ahead of time. James and I are trying to eat healthier, and I recently bought some almonds that were dry roasted with sea salt. I looked at the package to count calories and fat, and boy was I shocked. They have so much fat. Now I know Olive oil and Avocados are high fat, but it is good fat. Does that go with the same thing as Almonds being a good fat? Thanks
KathEats says
Yes they are very very good for you. But just be really careful about portion control cause it’s easy to eat too many.