thejlbs

Shhh!

Jessica — Fri, 18 May 2012 01:02:06 +0000

That fuzzy thing you see in the upper left corner of the bug cage is… a caterpillar spinning it’s cocoon! Bastien brought the caterpillar inside a few days ago. And just as I was internally freaking out that we don’t really know how to take care of a caterpillar, well, it just took care of itself. Such is nature. And we, for one, are so very fortunate to be able to stand back and watch.

52 New Recipes: Cabbage Leaf Chicken Enchiladas

Jessica — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:33:41 +0000

I had big plans for this rhubarb recipe that involved same-day, fresh rhubarb from the Farmer’s Market. Until there was no rhubarb at the Farmer’s Market. As luck would have it, the only vegetable missing from Kroger also happened to be rhubarb. Panic.

Standing in Kroger, I combed my frazzled brain (ouch) for any other recipe idea I might have stashed away. I even logged in to Pinterest right there in the produce aisle for inspiration. And then I remembered the idea of using cabbage leaves for tortillas, as sent in a recipe by my friend Lisa. The recipe is here.

It was delightful in that it used a whole lot of new skills, like dismantling a chicken. And picking apart a cabbage without tearing a single leaf. I must admit my weening days were very present in my mind, as they were probably the last time I handled whole cabbage leaves. So it became not just a recipe, but a trip down Memory Lane! A two-fer.

Everything came together just fine and worked out well because the kids like plain chicken shreds anyway (which I had plenty of). The bad news is I seasoned the enchiladas with far too much salt. The good news is Jim made triple-shot margaritas again from scratch. And all in all this was a neat little dish that felt a bit miraculous really. You know, considering the national rhubarb shortage and all.

Not So Secret Garden

Jessica — Thu, 17 May 2012 03:00:47 +0000

This garden was a complete disaster until Courtney stepped in. Due to a mild winter, I do believe our weeds kept right on growing around the clock. But now it’s all just about under control. Thanks or no thanks to a couple extra special helpers.
It completely satisfies my heart every time I even glance at it.
Please remember this, Jim, when you find out how much I paid for it.

52 New Recipes: Barley & Asparagus Soup. AND Jim FINALLY Uses The Smoker

Jessica — Wed, 16 May 2012 03:00:34 +0000

What you need to know about this recipe:

Like your favorite pair of yoga pants, you will crave it every rainy day for the rest of your life.

It was nearly flawlessly executed by me until the very last step – mixing Miso with water. Which somehow jumped off my counter (really) and splattered all over myself and the entire kitchen. Even to the far wall on the other side of the room where all our pictures hang. Right after our cleaning lady came.

So, watch out for that last step, it’s a doozy.

In other news, Jim made the best non-rainy-day meal of our lives last weekend. 12-Hour smoked pulled pork with five sauce options. Homemade organic strawberry ice cream. Homemade caramel and sea salt ice cream. Homemade pecan butter crunch toffee. Homemade almond butter crunch toffee. Oh, and margaritas from scratch. When it comes to Cheat Day, we do not mess around.

Last Day of Timbits

Jessica — Tue, 15 May 2012 03:00:43 +0000

Who’s legit now???

At first I wasn’t so sure a hockey rink was my first choice for a Mother’s Day celebration. But what do I know?

Birthday Morning TheJLBs Way

Jessica — Mon, 14 May 2012 02:19:36 +0000

::Great big balloon
::Presents piled on the table
::Something handmade
::Cake for breakfast
::More pictures taken than any A-list celebrity
::The day’s destinations locked in
::Plenty of love to go around

Happy Birthday, Dear Haddie

Jessica — Fri, 11 May 2012 02:47:43 +0000

We have so many hopes for you Hadley, on your special day. But if you could just be happy, well, that would be enough.

Nothing but love and affection for our (not Madly, not Sadly, nor Badly) three-year-old Hadley May.

1 Million Clippies

Jessica — Thu, 10 May 2012 03:00:04 +0000

To be honest, I am not even sure who was happier in this scenario.

Jersey Girl

Jessica — Wed, 09 May 2012 03:00:46 +0000

If there’s a garish, clashy combination in her closet SHE WILL FIND IT. Obviously, at this point, we’re just running with it. And biding our time until she sues us all in 13 years for neglect.

Give Her PJs Or Give Her Death

Jessica — Tue, 08 May 2012 03:00:05 +0000

The reason you hide new pajamas from Hadley AT ALL COST is because she will otherwise immediately imprint on them. And then she will need to be physically attached to them at all times, no matter where in the world she is going, until you eventually have to pry them from her death grip. And if necessary, she might just go ahead and eat them.