Although I have had a lot to say (I usually have a lot to say), I just haven't had much time to check in here (aside from {b&p}), due to the settling-in phase of homemaking, the learning the new area, the traveling over the holidays, the active little muffin to tend to, etc. etc. Eventually, I hope to show you lots of fun “before and after” photos of the Chesternest — but we just need to keep working on those “afters”!
I didn't intend to be obnoxiously tantalizing about the granola in the most recent {bits & pieces}! The truth is that I had to pop the photos in (the rest of the post I had put together already) and then run to tend to a very sick little girl. We hadn't figured this at the time, but it turns out that we are dealing with a bout of strep throat (as well as a cold). But the poor little one is doing better now that we know! I've been doing my best to implement my mom's secrets for caring for the sick child at home.
A note on strep, for those of you who, like me, are newbies at this: I realized later that her increased drooling should have been a clue to me that something was wrong with her throat; it was uncomfortable and painful for her to swallow. Now I know for next time!
Without further ado: the recipe for the granola that I've been using is this one from Nourishing Home (gluten-free people: it has instructions for you). (I mentioned this recipe before when I told you about the soaked oats granola bars I made last year.) The main reason that I've been going for it is that it uses soaked oats. The batch that is pictured came out well and had a good yield, but wasn't totally satisfyingly crunchy. A more recent batch that I made had a good crunch, but took a lot of time to bake and didn't yield as much. Which is all to say that I'm in the market to try a new recipe — I'd like to keep experimenting with soaked grains but I want an approach that's less labor-intensive on the baking end. Auntie Leila's granola recipe is delicious, however, and I have consumed many a bowl of that with complete contentment.
Anyway, if you click through to the recipe I used, you'll see she has suggestions for fillers. In my picture, I used raisins (dark and golden), dates, shaved coconut, and sliced almonds. I also mixed flax meal in with my oats both times.
Back to the strep throat: the RN who discharged us mentioned that Finnabee might like to suck on popcicles, since the cold is soothing and the sugar helps with fluid intake (a concern when one has a fever). I liked the idea, but didn't want to get the HFCS ones from the store. So after we got home and settled down a bit, I came up with a sort of hack/DIY popcicle (by this time it was late, so excuse the poor lighting):
I brewed a cup of ginger tea (ginger is supposed to be anti-inflammatory) with honey and mixed in a few tablespoons (ish? at least) of orange juice and added a bit more sugar (I wanted these to be a treat, after all, and the ginger tea is very spicy). Then I poured the mixture into some ice cub trays.
I was winging this, and I don't have any proper popcicle molds or appropriate sticks. So I used toothpicks for one tray to see how that went. Now, obviously, I would NOT recommend anyone handing their little toddler a frozen toothpick for them to run off with – yes, we can all easily dream up several scarring outcomes in that scenario. But stick with me here – we're talking about a sick child who will be under my supervision while eating these. So far she has very delicately eaten around the toothpicks and handed them back to be disposed of. I think the “bob-sick-els” are a hit.
Just thought I'd share – although I hope you don't have strep in your household! But these could be nice for any sore throat situation.
Annnd, there's that new baby on the way, too!
28 weeks along:
Not sure what's going on in this picture, but I assure you that my belly looks a LOT bigger than this. HRH the Duchess of Cambridge I am not.
We had our ultrasound a few weeks ago, and received the comforting news that everything seems to be going very well with our little Peabodee. All seems to be in order as I head into the 3rd trimester. One concern I have is that my growing belly might not fit under my coat through a long New England winter… Mind you, I'm not complaining about the winter! or coats! This is me not talking about how I would love an early spring! I don't say a word. I never find myself questioning why anyone lives anywhere outside of the tropics. I'm not even going to mention having frequent daydreams of relocating to the South before any future baby comes.
Can't wait to meet you and find out just who you are, little Peabodee!!
Lori @ In My Kitchen, In My Life says
Little tip for your toothpick popsicles — if you have some of the *good* plastic wrap the really stretches tight and stays that way (or use aluminum foil), try this: fill your tray with the liquid, stretch plastic wrap tightly over, around, and under the tray, and *then* stick the toothpicks through the plastic wrap and down into the liquid. The wrap or foil helps the picks stay straight up and down.
Laura Jeanne says
Yay! Congratulations on the new little one on the way! 🙂
Homemade popsicles are great. Once you get the molds from the dollar store, there’s no reason to ever buy popsicles from the store ever again. And kids love them pretty much no matter what you make them out of. I often make up a smoothie with berries, yogurt, honey, and probiotic powder, and freeze it in the molds. It makes a perfect snack in warm weather (i.e. maybe not right now!).
Elizabeth says
You may find that, by the time you can’t fasten your coat, you don’t want to anyway – all that extra heat that comes with being pregnant, and I will take a winter pregnancy with an open coat over a baby in August any day of the week! 🙂 Hope everyone is feeling better soon.
Susan DE says
A-men to this! Having had SEVERAL summer pregnancies, including two due in August (who came late) and one who came in late July — and a FEW through the winter, I would take the difficulties with the closing-coat thing ANY TIME! 🙂
Melissa Diskin says
I always say there’s nothing cuter than a toddler eating a snack. Unless it’s a toddler *in overalls* eating a snack.
I’ve done juice pops and gatorade pops before — but never thought of ginger tea pops! What a great idea.
Barbara says
Small bathroom paper cups make good molds, too (just peel the paper off to unmold). You can put plastic wrap around the top and secure with a rubber band. Put a popsicle stick through a small slit in the plastic and you’ll worry less about baby jabbing herself (craft sticks are the same).
priest's wife @byzcathwife says
awwww- another cousin! Congratulations!
Lindsey in AL says
Congratulations!! I haven’t lived through a real winter since we lived in Idaho almost 30 years ago. I HAVE delivered babies in the South in May, June, and July and am gearing up for one in August. I do NOT recommend being pregnant in Alabama in the summertime. Just go find a bigger coat 😉
Mrs. B. says
Congratulations! It seems you and Rosie are in sync! It’s too bad you are so far from each other, you’d have tons of fun, and the kids too!
Sweetness says
Congrats on Peabodee! So much fun!!
Can I have a popsicle? Poor Finabee but don’t beat yourself up, she won’t remember her sore throat but she will remember all the nurturing you will do as a mom through her life.
And I’m loving the granola, too. I can’t believe have have not been making this my entire married life, thinking it would be too much work.
I throw grains in a large mixing bowl (rolled oats, puffed quinoa, puffed amaranth, raw buckwheat groats, anything breakfast cereally) 8 cups sounds good
a bunch of nuts and seeds ( any combo of raw pumpkin, sunflower, cashew, walnuts, pecans, peanuts, whatever) about 2 cups
Then premixed bags of trail mixy dried fruit. I found a tropical one at Walmart with chunks of coconut, raisins , dried apple and papaya,etc) or craisins or raisins or chopped candied ginger or chopped apricots about 2 cups or more
Sprinkle it with dried ginger or cinamon, whatever your preference 1tsp Go ahead and add your ground flax. Chia should be good too but I haven’t tried it yet.
THEN, in a sauce pan over medium heat bring 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup or agave and 1/2 cup coconut oil to a boil that cannot be stirred down. Play with proportions if you want it sweeter, or less fat. Be not afraid!
Pour over stuff in bowl and mix with a silicon spatula until it all looks damp. Bake in any shallow pan (lasagna is good) but line it with parchment first! 350 for as long as you like stirring every 10min. At least 30 min for no oat versions and longer with oats or soaked oats.
My SIL makes a paleo version using only seeds and nuts with dried fruit, yum.
Lori B says
Congratulations! Regarding the granola, have you every tried stovetop? My family much prefers the texture of it over oven-baked.
theycallmemommy says
Your granola looks good! 🙂 I love your baby belly and good idea about homemade popsicles…I need to remember that. 🙂
Jeannie says
Great Popsicle idea, especially since little people don’t often finish bigger servings, especially when they’re sick.
…and how cute is that little hand reaching into the big bowl of granola! 🙂 toddlers crack me up.
Helen Aardsma says
Here is my favorite granola recipe. I have tried many ones over the years! This one is crunchy and only needs 1 hour to bake. I use chopped almonds in place of the peanuts. One can add all kinds of goodies after baking, just like any other granola recipe. Enjoy!
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/honey-peanut-granola
Margo, Thrift at Home says
So fun to get a pregnancy update – I had forgotten that I’m just cooking right along with you! I’m 27 weeks today and just realized yesterday that I can’t button my nice Sunday coat. The everyday coat is just barely fine, but yeah, what comes next!?
Popsicle molds are THE BEST. I have even put plain water in mine and frozen popsicle-shaped ice cubes and my kids STILL love them (and the best thing is, they can have them whenever they want to in the summer!). Love your idea for a sore throat kid.
Christine G. says
Thanks for checking in and sharing that recipe with us! You are looking great, congratulations!! I am 33 weeks with my first and although I am not in New England, it is very cold in Virginia and I spend a lot of time outside. I understand the dilemma! My suggestion is to buy a maternity winter vest and layer it under your open coat. You may be able to snag a great deal now that it is February, and it’s much cheaper than buying a whole new coat. Or alternatively, wear your husband’s coat! I have been doing a mix of each, depending on the temperature. Blessings to you and your family!
Mamabearjd(Michelle) says
The Popsicle maker that freezes 3 pops in 10 min is really great once you have more than one child and there is a sudden need for Popsicles. It doesn’t take up that much space and has helped me so much when my crew gets sick. I don’t even like to use it for “real” Popsicles – but you can for sure.
Deanna says
My kids used to love to make juice slushies. You could do this for Finabee my making your popsicles (without the toothpick!) and toss in the food processor for a pulse or two!
Congratulations on Peabodee! How fun to have lots of siblings and cousins!
Joy in Alabama says
Thank you for the update! Hope Finabee is better! And can’t wait to see beautiful baby Peabodee!!
Anitra says
Get a bigger coat! You know we still have at least 2 months of winter weather. I borrowed an actual “maternity coat” for my January baby (4 years ago now) and it was incredibly worth it. I am one of those people who is cold all the time. I’ve actually preferred being pregnant in the summer, because then I don’t have to figure out how to keep the belly completely covered to stay warm!
Amy says
I hate too mention it, but pregnancy in the deep south has other discomforts…. let’s just say that I’ve promised my milk cow and myself that neither of us will ever give birth in August…. Congrats!
briana says
Congratulations!!! So exciting!
Michele says
Congratulations!! You look adorable!
Sarah says
For years I have been making a granola recipe we loved -until this fall when we needed to avoid fruit. And my old recipe had a lot of dried fruit in it.
Then I found this recipe and it is so much easier. It is a base granola and you can add in later whatever you want. I use oat flour bc we are gluten and fruit free and I use sunflower oil and substitute sliced almonds for coconut. I dbl the recipe so I have lots for our family of 8! Well, it lasts a week. http://beautythatmoves.typepad.com/beauty_that_moves/2012/09/homemade-granola.html
Betsy M says
Congratulations!
Robin says
My trick for crispy granola is to bake it normally, then turn off the oven and leave it in there until everything is cooled off, usually the next morning at breakfast time! Just don’t forget and preheat the oven for something else while it’s still in there…not that I ever do that…
Beautiful belly! I had my first winter pregnancy (out of five!) last year, but was lucky enough to have my sister in law loan me a coat. 🙂
Mary @ Parenthood says
Strep is no fun at all. We had a bout last year that turned into scarlet fever – scary times that made me thankful for antibiotics! My mom advice is now to get sore throats checked earlier rather than later…
I have a large down coat that I can wear over my own pregnant belly and after baby comes there’s enough space to zip over a baby in carrier, which is also handy. Maybe you can find something in your local thrift store? I think worth getting something bigger but I’m in Ottawa (Canada) and there are at least two or three months to go yet. My big problem is snow pants -Some years I’ve tried rain pants and extra layers but not at all the same. (This is my third winter pregnacy. Since I suffer from Raynaud’s of the nipples while pregnant and we have air conditioning I think I’d prefer a summer one!
Anne Triolo says
One time I was walking down the street and felt like I was getting some funny looks. I looked down and discovered my belly had popped through the zipper of my coat. Zipped top and bottom but pregnant belly sticking out between!