Leona Lane

Dreaming Of Camping

We started planning our Memorial Day camping trip last week, and then a few days ago this issue of Sunset showed up in my mailbox. Needless to say, I'm in full blown day dreaming mode... thinking of sunny days, snuggling in a two-man-tent, roasting marshmallows, grilling over an open fire, being out in the woods, hanging out around the campfire and just generally being "camp muffins" as my uncle would say.

I'm also dreaming of my "some-day" silver twinkie or vintage camper with an awning and twinkle lights, going on a long road trip around the country, stopping where ever suits our fancy. Maybe I'll have a portable hammock too and a stack of books to read just for fun. Oh ... and of coarse beach cruiser bikes to ride around on. Mismatched silverware and the old beat up quilts, and all sorts of fun thrift store finds to furnish the inside. Sounds like the perfect vacation to me, as long as I can find a shower every once in awhile!

Here's some old favorites from previous camping trips...

Is anyone else dreaming of camping? What are your favorite things to take on a camping trip?

It's a...

Matt and I just got home from the radiologist's office where we discovered that our little baby is in, fact a GIRL!! Shows that I was certainly wrong about the baby gender. :) My hubby and I are still getting used to the idea, but we are over-the-moon excited!!

Couscous Black Bean Salad

Today I want to share one of my favorite summer recipes with you! It's perfect with some grilled chicken and a glass of cold iced tea or lemonade. It's also a fun dish to bring to a picnic or potluck. I've been making this for years now, but I recently tried making a gluten free version with quinoa instead of couscous, and it turned out really good. So if that's more up your alley, try making it that way!

Directions:

- 2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed

- 1/3 cup olive oil

- 1/3 cup lemon juice

- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

- 1 tsp cumin

- 1 tsp oregano

In a large bowl, marinate beans with the ingredients above.

- 1 1/2 cup chicken broth

- 1 cup couscous or quinoa

Bring broth to a boil, add the couscous, cover and let sit 5 minutes. If you want to use quinoa, cook according to directions on package. Add to the bean mixture.

- 2 bell peppers, chopped

- 1 bunch fresh cilantro, finely chopped

- 1 bunch green onions, chopped

Add to above.

- Salt and Pepper to taste

- 1/2 bottle Greek Feta Vinaigrette. (I use Girard's brand)

Stir into the salad.

Little Things

Lots of little things. Heartbreak for Boston. Tulip Trees. Daily Walks. Baby kicks. Anticipation to be an Aunt. Pancakes. Scrapbook messes. Garlic Olives. Raspberry leaf tea. Rain and shine. Allie McBeal. Pretty papers. IPod Nano. Polka dot socks. Crying kitties. New coffee mug. Girl talk. Instagram. First baby gift. Invitation to a wedding. Cream in my coffee. Greek yogurt popsicles. Cherry blossoms.

This has been my week. Full of little things, some bad, but mostly good. Life right now is simple, but happy.

Eighteen Weeks

Firstly, I will share the exciting news. I felt my baby kick for the first time this week! I felt it on Monday night and at first I wasn't quite sure that's what I was feeling. But I have continually felt it on and off throughout the week. I feel like there is fish swimming around in there. But it's actually a baby. Very exciting. It's still pretty hard to me to picture an ACTUAL BABY is in there. Crazy!

Second, the less exciting news is that I am still sick!! I cannot express how completely exhausting it is to be nauseated all the time. The sickness is not really as bad as it was at the beginning, but it is still driving me crazy. Sorry to complain, but I really love to vent.

The most important change this week is that I have been exercising daily. Last week at my doctor visit I learned that I have gained more weight than I would have liked. (Afterall, mac & cheese is not exactly low cal...) I decided to make it a goal to walk every day. I walked Green Lake (2.8 miles) on Friday, walked twice in Ephrata on Saturday, walked twice in Sunday, and walked Green Lake every day this week. I have a sore foot today, so I may try swimming this weekend. I am not being a hard core runner or boot-camper, but right now daily walking is feeling really good and refreshing.

NEXT WEEK...On Tuesday I have my big ultrasound, and if we are lucky we will discover the sex of the baby!! Mostly I am just hoping for a healthy baby and no birth defects. Oh, and did I mention that I think its a BOY?? I am keeping tabs on people's predictions on my phone, so if you would like to make a guess in the comments I will add you to my list. I will probably update the blog with the baby gender on Tuesday or Wednesday next week.