My first efforts at upcycling...

Attended a baby shower today for a kind-hearted family member who will have a beautiful new baby soon.  I have no doubt this baby will posess a gentle soul and the confidence to change the world.  Lucky all of us.  With the mother as my inspiration, I hit up a vintage shop on Cherokee street and found some vintage fabric (flower print), 3 mens dress shirts (stripes) & an orange house dress.  I wanted to keep the quilt gender neutral and I didn't use any particular pattern.  Love this one. 

A lovely Sunday afternoon at City Garden.  We should go there more often, the kids love it.

First Day of Kindergarten

Thank goodness we are in afternoon Kindergarten.  We get one more year of sleeping in a bit, not rushing around.  We still get to eat breakfast and lunch together.  Today we went to the park, came home had pizza and made chocolate chip cookies. Daddy came home and walked to school with us.  We are so blessed to have a safe, 4 minute walk to school.  E had to grab a walking stick he keeps in the yard for such occasions.  All went well, no tears (from anybody). 

Moved Food, Recipes

I started a seperate blog to keep my food and recipes. Check it out at: www.picketfencepaleo.blogspot.com

Marshmallow/Pretzel Building

H enjoyed a week at Magic House camp and E was bummed that he wasn't big enough to go. We tried to do some of the activities from camp at home, so that E would feel like he didn't miss out. This activity was a hit. I NEVER BUY PRETZELS AND MARSHMALLOWS, so the kids think they are getting away with something right away.

Potluck Dishes

Attended a Potluck this weekend. Here is what I made. Healthy and delicious!

Coleslaw (from Everyday Paleo by Sarah Fragoso)
2 cups purple cabbage, diced
1 cup cucumber, diced
1 shallot, minced
1/2 cup mango, diced
1 TBSP balsamic vinegar
2 TBSP EVOO
pepper to taste

1. Mix the cabbage, cucumber and mango
2. Shake up the shallot, vinegar and EVOO.
3. Pour dressing over veggies and serve.


Red Curry Beef Stew (also from Everyday Paleo)
2 lbs stew meat (I used ground beef)
1 TBSP Thai red curry paste
1 can coconut milk
1/4 cup chicken stock
1/2 head purple cabbage, cut into chunks
3 sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 1 inch rounds

1. Put beef in crockpot and mix with red curry paste
2. Pour in coconut milk and chicken stock and mix well
3. Top with sweet potatoes and cabbage, cover.
4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours till meat is tender and potatoes are soft.

Lousy blogging but great at dinner.

I learned a few things at our annual girls weekend at the Lake of the Ozark. 1) We always break something expensive (plumbing, air conditioning, boat) and are lucky we are allowed to come back. 2) My friend J keeps a MUCH BETTER blog than I do, and if I knew anything about what I am doing I would link you to it. 3) I don't update my blog, according to my dear friend C, that tells it like it is.

I guess I need to take a class or something.

I have had a couple of Paleo success stories this last couple of weeks. One family member that brought down all her "bad" numbers at the Dr office (cholesterol, triglycerides, etc...) and is able to be off medicine. A college friend has been migraine free, feeling good and down 15 lbs in about 3 weeks, following Paleo.

Same ole, same ole around here. Thought I would share an example of a typical dinner. Took some pictures, duh. I will never be the Pioneer Woman, but I probably could put a little more effort into this.

Dinner:
Grilled steaks - Easy. (Marinated in Olive Oil and Greek Seasoning)
Foil packet veggies - Diced zuchinni, onions, sweet potatoes - cooked on the grill. I do cut up the sweet potatoes first and boil them in some water for 5-6 minutes, while I cut up the rest of the veggies. I tossed with coconut oil and dill.
Blackberry and Peach "Cobbler" - fresh berries with the topping made from almond meal/flour, cinnamon, coconut oil. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.