European Planning Post no. 2

European Update! We've modified the cities yet again for our fourth and final version of our 2013 trip!

Our new plan is; Frankfurt, Germany to Paris, France to Geneva, Switzerland to Barcelona, Spain to Lucerne, Switzerland to Prague, Czech Republic.

I really wanted to go to Barcelona, but it wasn't going to fit in with the time line before.  Now, since my friend in Switzerland isn't going to be IN Switzerland while we're visiting, I was able to rearrange the dates and add Barcelona!  I'm so excited, because it's my favorite city!  I always end up there when I go to Europe.  Each time, I'm not planning on going there and then somehow it gets added on to the trip!  It totally manifests itself into my life.

I'm not excited about the train ride from Barcelona to Lucerne with a 9 month old baby.  It's about 9 hours {which is the longest train ride I've ever been on, and with a baby!}.  But I think it's best to just get there instead of adding another city or stop to our trip.  Because, once we're on the train it's easier to just keep going than to get off, check into a hotel, go to sleep, wake up early and get back on the train.  This way we're only losing one day to travel as opposed to shorter train rides but two days of rushing to the train stations.

In other news, France is no longer a part of Eurail Select Pass which is extremely inconvenient!  When we started planning this trip, it was going to be about $470 for our four countries with the Select Pass. But the 2013 rates increased that too.  Now, we have to purchase the Global Pass which is $783 each for Husband and myself.  And that doesn't include reservation fees which each train station charges independently.  Even though the Eurail pass is our ticket, they require reservations to make sure you have a seat on the train... I guess you could just show up and see if there is a spot, but since we're not staying in hostels & we NEED to be in certain cities on certain days; we have to pay the reservation fees. Reservation fees range from 3€  to 15€  {or more} and we will have to pay that each time we go on a train.  Which is about 5 times, according to our most recent itinerary.

As far as hotels go, we've booked our Paris hotel and Geneva hotel and we're planning on booking another soon.  We're still waiting for plane tickets since it's just under a year away, expedia.com is just now listing flights there and doesn't have return flights posted yet.

I've also just purchased my new jacket for the winter weather we'll be expecting while there {a big portion of our budget is getting warmer clothes to bring with us!}  I still need to get a backpacking pack for the trip and Husband needs one too.  Our plan is for each of us to pack for ourselves and one of the kids so it's just one huge backpack each and Sonja will have a little backpack with her personal items and entertainment.

That's the update for now.  I'll probably share a bit more next month, once we've made some more progress!

-Jenn

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Fall Garden 2012 Update No. 3

Technically, it's now 2013 but our garden is still hanging on from fall 2012 .  I'll probably replant in February but thought I'd share one last fall update.  Since, thankfully, the frost didn't kill everything!

Above is our orange tree with just a few fruits this year.  Our tree is new just 4 short years old.  This is the first year the fruit actually tastes like oranges instead of just water!

Also, the lettuce, kale and carrots held on through the frost, I covered them with a blanket/quilt at night and let them sun during the day.  

Unfortunately, our pumpkins and winter squash didn't make it, and we never got to enjoy their fruit.  This year I'll make sure to have seeds in the ground no later than August 1st!

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D.I.Y. Hanging Stuffed Wire Heart

I made this for Valentine's day {last year!} to hang as a wreathe and now you'll know how to too!

What you'll need:
Scrap fabric about 24in x 12in
Scissors
Sewing Machine
Ribbon
Bag of poly fil
Wire Hanger
Pliers

cut 2 pieces of fabric approx. 24in x6in each 

fold in half "bad" side exposed

Sew the cut edges together, to create an inside out tube. 

Then, flip the tube "inside" out so it will be the pretty side exposed. 

you can see the seam above.

Repeat with second piece of fabric. 

If you're into measuring the seam was a little over a 1/2 inch from the edge of fabric to the seam

Here are the empty tubes 

I stuffed them with this left over poly fil probably purchased at Michael's or Joann's, but first I sewed them together 

Line up the tubes, with seams out so they will be on the inner side of the completed heart

Sew together about 1/2 inch from edge

Insert piece of ribbon for hanging and resew together, this time with ribbon inside

Now the tubes have a lip for the middle this will give it support later

Or if you forgot {like me} sew in the hanging ribbon at this point.

hanging 

now fill one side with fluff. 

shove it in there with a ruler if you have to... 

pack it full for maximum stuffing. 

side one complete. 

side two still flat. 

in order to give it the heart shape, I used a hanger cut in half and straightened out using pliers 

then I shoved it into the tube all the way to the top

once in all the way, I bent it to the shape I wanted. 

side one complete.

side 2 complete 

fold in the bottom of the tube and in it together 

do the dame to the other side then pin them both together, remove first pin

once the needle is inserted remove the pin and sew together 

DONE. 

Display with some lovely art.

I hope you all forgive me for the blurry images!  I documented this with my old phone's camera, and I've gotten much better at writing tutorials too!  Since, I made this Valentine's Day Eve last year, I figured it was best to save it and post it now. So, now you all can make it this year!  

Good Luck and Happy Crafting!

Jenn

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Pregnancy Round 2 {31 & 32 Weeks}

31 weeks and I finally feel pregnant.  I'm huge.  I seriously can't imagine getting bigger.  So, I'm a little freaked out about that.  Thankfully, I've only gained about 20lbs. which is a huge relief {I gained over 50 with Sonja}.  I've also updated my wardrobe to include 2 brand new maternity pants.  And just when I ordered them an offer on my midwife's community facebook page showed up with an offer for 2 free used pairs as well.  So I grabbed those too!  Now, I've got almost a weeks worth of elastic banded pants!

This week, I woke up with my leg "asleep", which freaked me out.  I mean, normally, I wouldn't care, but I'm trying to avoid edema and I want to make sure my blood flow is awesome while I'm sleeping.  In my Pilates for Pregnancy book the whole 3rd trimester is dedicated to exercises to keep ankles and feet from swelling.  That and our nightly walks should keep me in the clear.  Last time, I swelled up right before Sonja's birth and I'd like to keep it away for as long as possible this time as well.

Oh an did you catch that?  WALKS?! We've actually been going these past two weeks.  And if we don't walk, it's only because I worked out or did yoga that day!  A huge improvement and something really important in preparing for birth.  So proud of our little family for making the effort with me.

Other noticeable differences in this pregnancy, compared to my last, are the showers.  I actually want to shower!  Last time, it was forced and I felt like I was going to pass out just being in the hot water, this time I need it.  I need to let my stomach stretch in the shower every night before lotion and oils in order to be comfortable for bed. Also, I've noticed this baby likes to spread out differently in my tummy.  S/he likes to push out on both my left and right side at the same time.  Sonja never did that.  It's not pleasant and I'm hoping that s/he is in the right position {we should know within the next few weeks, when the midwife feels for the head and such}

Week 32 has been a shopping frenzy.  I bought a bunch of stuff we needed for the house, and I'm blaming it on nesting.  I also finally created a "registry." Which is mostly just a list of the diapers I'd like to add to our collection.  With Sonja, we used cloth.  And I tried lots of brands, some organic and some not.  This time, since I've gifted most of her non-organic ones away to my new mama friends {almost everyone I know is cloth diapering! Yay, for the environment}, I'm asking friends if they're going to get us anything for our baby sprinkle {we already had a "shower" for Sonja} to get us organic diapers.  Best of all, I found a LOCAL baby boutique with tons of organic stuff and a huge range of cloth diapers.  Have you checked out Zoolikins?  Not only do they have a brick and mortar store, they have a super user friendly website!

Also, Bees!  can we just take a moment to appreciate the bees?! They've been all over me this week.  They've been my pregnancy animal this pregnancy {with Sonja it was peacocks}.  While at the park this week, one landed on my hand walked around {and tickled me} before flying away, and the same day another one tried to kiss my ear while out back with Sonja.  I guess this would be more interesting if you all knew my baby sprinkle theme and or saw the invitations I just sent out, but I'm saving that for when I share the party in a separate post.

Friday, we had an appointment with our Midwife.  She says baby is in a good position, and "big" and sturdy.  And when I asked about breech {a slight concern I have this time around} she assured me after my birth with Sonja I could handle anything.  She also mentioned that she'd like for Husband to catch the baby.  And, that, you know? she'll be there, but she's probably not going to do anything.  {Unless I need her to}.  Which is cool that she has that confidence in me.  We talked about my hopes for having a new bathtub by the time of the birth, but now it's probably not going to happen.  I didn't know if getting a play pool outside was worth it, since I'd have to heat and change the water {or someone else would}, and would I really be outside all that much?  Last time, I stayed on the toilet when labor got really intense because I was going to the bathroom every few seconds {not exaggerating!}.  She laughed at me, and reminded me I'm not the type of woman to sit still in a tub and labor for a few hours anyway {which is SO true}.  So, we're still thinking about our "plan."

I told her my plan was to have the baby fall out.  I've been trying to walk more, I went to the gym and "ran" for a few minutes and since I know I can do that now. I'm going to keep adding sprints to my treadmill routine.  And maybe I can sprint this baby out of me.  I should clarify, when I say run, I mean go fast for a little over a minute, then resume walking.  I can't really run all that long when I'm not pregnant.  So, it's exciting I can still do even just a minute at a time.  Instead of running I've always been a brisk walker at high inclines.  I've also been doing my yoga twice a week.  Which helped so much with knowing what position my body needed last time I was in labor.

I was sort of freaking out that I had 8 more weeks to go, and that I feel huge and uncomfortable.  But, as I'm starting off week 33 I am feeling a little more accepting of 8 more weeks and using this time to prep. all the food and supplies for our birth.

I'll update you all again soon & thanks for following along on my second pregnancy journey!
-Jenn

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Food Club No. 7 {The Vig Uptown}

This month's food club was at The Vig Uptown.  I actually drive by this place all the time and have been wanting to try it for a few months now.  So, when food club votes were due last week I added this resturant to the list.  I was stoked when it won, and I think everyone else really enjoyed it too.  {*Please forgive the lighting of these photos in advance, the patio was dark and the lights were sporadic, which was great for ambiance, but not so great for shooting in manual mode.}

I'm sure everyone is going to be stoked I took these photos while they were talking... SERIOUS conversations happening pre-appetizers.

Above: Garlic Edamame for the table.

My sister and I shared these Hot Totties, which were AMAZING!

Yes, that's cheese inside of a tater tot!

After the tots I knew I'd want something light and healthy.  So, I shared this Uptown Chopped Salad {with Kale, Beets, Butternut Squash and more in a champagne vinaigrette dressing} with my sister.  it was perfect!

And we shared this "Vigin but not quite Vegan" sandwich and sweet potato fries.

Above: Holy Mac & Cheese {with Bacon} Below: Holy Mac & Cheese with Broccoli.

Above: Stephanie's "Achiote Salmon and Chorizo Arepa"

Above: Katie's "Patty Melt" {There's a fried egg on this sandwich!}

Above: Gretchen ordered the "Legalize Pot Roast"

The Review:

Favorite Appetizer: The Hot Totties!  They were tater tots filled with cheese!! We also got some garlic edamame which was good, but I still like Moira Sushi's more.

Favorite Entree: The Mac and Cheese looked amazing! but Katie's Patty Melt might have been the winner.  Although, I didn't actually try it, since I don't eat meat. But you guys, it had a fried egg on it!  My Uptown Chopped Salad was exactly what I needed.  I've been all about the light meals with this pregnancy.  It was perfectly flavorful but not too filling!

Favorite Drink: I had water but on a non-pregnant visit I might have tried one of their many wines, or chosen a classic cocktail from their fully stocked bar.

1-10 Service {0 worst, 10 best}: 9 We were really hungry and our appetizers came out pretty quickly, but since some people didn't get appetizers it felt like a while before our food got there.  Overall, I think it was great service, the wait time is always subjective.  They sat us right away and our drinks came out fast and our glasses were never empty.  

Cost {$  $$  $$$  $$$$!}: $$  I spent about $20 I shared two appetizers and my sister and I each ordered an entree and shared that too.  So, I got to try 4 items, for the cost of an appetizer and entree.  Of course I tipped 20% bringing my grand total to about $26.00.

Mistakes {corrections?}: No mistakes.  Everything came out delicious. 

Reservations? We didn't make any for our group of 7 BUT they do host large events so I'm sure if you have a big group they'd love to know about it!

Would we eat there again? You know it!  The best part of food club is knowing the best places in town to go when Husband wants to go out or when we have out of town guests visiting.  So far, we haven't been disappointed!

I wanted to do a fancy brunch for January's food club, but we pushed it back to February due to scheduling conflicts for club members on the weekends. BUT if you like brunch you'll want to keep an eye out for our next meeting.  Happy Local Dining!
-Jenn

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