squash cubes and treasure

The time has come once again for me to make baby food. Lyle has had a few tastes of some easy things- banana, avacado. You can just mash those up and give it to him. But I think he is ready for more, so I've started to make some purees for him to try out. He has had a bit of carrots, sweet potatoes, and now squash. He is still in the tasting stage, and doesn't actually consume a lot of food when we offer it, so the ice cube trays work perfectly for freezing the puree. This is butternut squash, and we also now have a stock of sweet potatoes and green beans in the freezer with these.



It's really quite an easy process, making baby food. Just cook the veggies, strain if necessary (for those with skins/shells like beans and peas), and puree in the blender. And the little cubes are so nice because I can thaw out just one right now and then when he starts eating more I can grab 2 or 3, and even give him options. I just pop them into a bowl and set it on the stove top between the burners while I am cooking dinner, or into the oven/toaster oven for a few minutes to get them thawed and take the chill off. You can also put them into a bag or bowl with a seal and stick them in some hot water for a few minutes. We don't use a microwave for our food, so you just have to allow a few extra minutes to prepare.

Here is a great site I refer to for questions about making baby food.



On a completely separate topic, I wanted to mention our Cousins Treasure Box! My sister and I are sending little treasures back and forth between the kids just for the sake of keeping the cousins in touch and pampering each other. I found this adorable little faux alligator case at the thrift shop and it slides into a Flat Rate box just like it was made for it. So we can load it down as heavily as we like with fun treats and surprises and it only costs $8.95 to ship. We have had one round so far and I think it is going to be something we will all enjoy for a long time! The kids were thrilled to open it up when it arrived back at our place this week- we got fabric and a game and a coloring/activity book and some fruit snacks and some soap and a book and some artwork by Ava... it was fabulous! The best part is that we are thinking about each other more often and the kids are getting involved in scouting for treasure to send to their cousin and aunt.

"THE TREASURE BOX IS HERE!!!"

I just had to use all caps to try and convey the level of excitement in the kids' voices when they came in from the mailbox on Friday. We have had a little break from the Treasure Box, with the gift giving of the holidays and our visit to Minnesota in February. So they have been wondering when it would show up again and were SO thrilled to see the package. They recognized the size of the Postal Flat Rate Mailer, and then my sister's return address was the confirmation that it was indeed what they had been waiting for.



A little bit of something fun and special for each of them, and a sweet treat as well (Lyle nearly choked trying to eat a chocolate lady bug with the wrapper still on! That guy is a chocoholic.)







And composting books for me! Perfect timing. I love the treasure box!

treasure

We received our treasure box back from my sister and niece the other day. I am so pleased to say that this has become something we all look forward to very much! The kids get so excited about picking out goodies to tuck in the box for their cousin and aunt (and their pets!) and they just love when the box arrives back at our place, brimming with thoughtful little presents and handmade cards and pictures. We feel such a connection through this- not only when we are packing or unwrapping the box, but also whenever we are out shopping and take a few minutes to pick out some special little trinket. And when we see and use the items we have received around the house. We think of my sister and her family more often and more regularly, and with a sense of sharing and giving. This is really invaluable to me.



This time we were the lucky recipients of some really cool stuff. A piece of jewelry for each of the girls, a shirt for Lyle, several packs of silly putty (always a hit!), and a variety of other little things. For me was a lovely chunk of fabric yardage as well as a large printed fabric panel, some yummy looking seasonings for apple cider, and the biscotti featured in my photo yesterday. (Which is absolutely divine, let me tell you. Go check out that website- they have some great stuff listed!)

We have already begun stowing some items into the box for it's trip back to Minnesota. And now that we are back to living in an area with really great local stores, it's going to make the shopping part even more fun.

delinquent

–adjective
1. failing in or neglectful of a duty or obligation; guilty of a misdeed or offense.
2. past due; overdue.


This is the only appropriate way to describe me in regards to the Treasure Box, pictured above on our lawn this morning, after only 7 months in our possession (which I am completely horrified to admit). I am happy to say it is now on it's way back to Minnesota, and my only excuse is that this year has dissolved before my very eyes. Sorry, Tammy & Ava! We think about you often and love you a lot, though our procrastinating nature sometimes betrays us.

in the mail

It's not every day the mail can make you smile like this. I think it's pretty cool that my sister paid for their plane tickets, but we get the credit for the "vacation"! Pretty good deal!



It looks like I need to get in gear with the Treasure Box, though. We are clearly taking much too long for Ava's taste! We'll be moving that up to Top Priority for sure.