Mindika Returns July 25th

Next week Anniston will be 4 months old. I can hardly believe it. Why doesn't pregnancy time pass as quickly as the new born stage?? It's a cruel twist.

So...with both kids sleeping well and life seemingly back to normal, I've decided it's time to get off my butt and start cooking again. At first I figured I'd apply the "Field of Dreams" approach with my motivation; If you start cooking...it will come, come back that is. But then my good friend Melissa turned me on to Bountiful Baskets. If you haven't heard about it, click HERE for more info. My first week of surprise produce was just what I needed to get the creative juices flowing and a few new recipes swimming in my head.

That being said, I still need a week or so to get a good start with photo's, editing etc. So Mindika Moments will officially be back with a new yummy recipe on Monday, July 25th. I hope you'll still bear with me as I ease back into this. I'll probably only post once a week for a while, just so I can get a handle on things.

Thanks for all your patience and well wishes through my pregnancy and maternity leave. I'm one lucky mom with these two beauties to care for each day!!

Nesting....

Sorry it's been so long. I promise I'm working on a few posts and haven't totally forsaken this little blog of mine.

It seems like the minute the holidays were over, something in me clicked and I can't stop nesting. What little energy I have these days has been spent, cleaning out and organizing baby clothes, putting the final touches on the nursery, deep cleaning my house, finishing all my sewing projects and just about anything else I can think of to make my life as easy as possible once this baby comes.

With each passing day I feel my energy level diminishing and my pain increasing. I've decided the final weeks of pregnancy have to be so miserable, so mom's are willing to suffer any amount of pain and sleeplessness just so they don't have to be pregnant anymore. And I tell ya...I'm almost there.

But I do have a few things to post before I take a little maternity leave, so hang in there and you won't be disappointed!

IN THE PINK!

That's where we are!

I'm now in my 22nd week of pregnancy,

expecting another beautiful baby girl!

Most importantly it's a healthy baby girl! This has been a rough pregnancy. I've been feeling a bit like Jonah lately. Just when I feel like one torturous symptom ends, another begins. But honestly I'm just so grateful this little person has hung on as long as she has and I'm eagerly anticipating her healthy arrival.

Needless to say, Reese and I are thrilled to have another girl join our team. My husband however is a bit concerned about the estrogen overtaking our house. I keep telling him how lucky he is! His whole life will be filled surrounded by women that love and adore him, and whether he realizes it or not he does such a good job of dealing with us. We couldn't ask for a better husband and daddy!

Anyway, as far as recipes and more blog updates. I promise I should do a little better for the next little while. I have a few ready to go and my energy level is much better these days. I'm grateful so many of you have had such patience with me. Thank you for your understanding, concern and friendship!

I'M ALIVE!

Thank you so much to those of you who've emailed me wondering if I was OK. I'm so sorry to have made anyone worry. All is good here...not necessarily "well", but good.

Last week we finally got to take that awesome trip we won last spring. It really couldn't have come at a worse time. I have been so sick with this pregnancy. Right up until the morning we left I was throwing up, and not looking forward to anything about flying across the country...not even for Disney World. But surprisingly it wasn't as bad as I imagined and we had a relaxing good time. That is until the flight home. I'll spare everyone the detail's, but he word "hell" comes to mind. The next morning both my husband and I woke up feeling like death. I've spent this entire week trying to get back into some kind of groove, or I should say...just surviving day by day.

This afternoon I finally had a glimmer of energy and got a few things accomplished around the house. And obviously I finally found some time or strength for an update. I really am sorry that I've neglected for so long. I'm almost 14 weeks pregnant and I keep hoping that 2nd trimester high is around the next corner. I'm on strict orders from my doctor to keep my blood pressure down and stress level low. But I'm hoping I can be back and posting a least 2 or 3 times a week, by Monday. I have to warn you...I haven't been doing much cooking lately. But luckily I have several recipes "in the can" as they say in the media world. And a few idea's up my sleeve.

Thanks for sticking with me and thanks again for all your concerns. You all are the best!

Here's a couple picks from our trip. I decided to take our old point and shoot camera instead of lugging around my big fancy one...in hind sight I wish I'd taken the good one. I might have some better shots to share!

SECRETS TO A LONG AND HAPPY MARRIAGE...Or So She Says

I'm a little late in this announcement, but on Monday I was a guest blogger on Or So She Say's. You can check out my post about secrets to a long and happy marriage by clicking HERE! I hope you enjoy!

HOMEMADE DONUTS...Or So She Say's

In case you're wondering, I'm still alive. I've had a rough week with extreme morning sickness, night sickness, and all round fatigue. But that's a "good" thing...right? I guess it means that hormones are still working their magic, as they should. The good new is that I had my first ultrasound last Friday and we got our first glimpse and Reese's soon to be baby brother or sister. She was very excited, and so were we!

Don't worry I do have some fun upcoming posts I'm working on. But for today you can check me out over at Or So She Say's. I'm thrilled to be a guest blogger for the day, where you can learn all about my family tradition of donut making and get my grandma's amazing recipe!

I hope you'll stop by!

Monday Moments - Today...

I've spent the morning throwing up...baby related, attempting to potty train...I may be crazy, and reading this book....

Are you a fan? I just finished. I won't give anything away, but I'm a little disappointed. Don't get me wrong, I like the book, but I was hoping for a little more powerful ending.

Thoughts?

Monday Moments - THE BIG REVEAL!

I gave you a sneak peak of my "big project" a couple weeks ago. I've been working on little r's "big girl" room for some time now; thinking about the colors, finding the perfect bedding, the right color chair, a perfect organization system, picking a paint color, making curtains and pillows etc... It has been quite the project. But I'm excited to announce that it's finally complete! And as I'm typing at 10 p.m. on Sunday night...r has been peacefully asleep in her big girl room for the first night, for over an hour, with no incidences...so far.

The best part about this room is that Reese is absolutely in love with it. We can't keep her out of it. And that makes me so happy!

I posted these pictures on my family blog and on my personal facebook last week and I've been inundated with emails and comments about where I got certain things or how I made other things. So I thought I'd address a few of the questions here, for anyone who may be interested.

Chair - It's from Pottery Barn Kids, but we purchased it at Down East, a local store that carries discontinued or seconds from high end retailers. We have yet to find a single thing wrong with it, and I couldn't believe that they had the exact color I was looking for...it was fate!

Curtains - I made them, and I wanted to kill myself about half way through the project. I didn't have a pattern, just and idea and vision in my head. I think it could have been much easier if I'd taken a different approach, but I was already half way done and 6 yards in when I figured out an easier way. Live and learn...live and learn!

Mirror - Stainless steel, beveled edge from Walmart for $12.99. What a steal!

Lamps - Found at Target on sale. I paid less than $20 for the pair. I then used the left over ribbon from the throw pillows and trimmed the edges.

Name - I made these for Reese's nursery before she was born, by decoupaging scrap book paper onto wooden letters purchased at our local craft store. For her new room I had to rip off the old paper and start over with paper that matched. A little bit of work, but worth the effort.

Bedding - Again from Target! I love Target. I bought this bedding months ago, then a few weeks after I bought it, I went into the store and found it on sale. I of course got a price adjustment, so I was even more excited with how much I saved!

Throw Pillows - Made these in less than 2 hours. That's one thing I'm good at making...throw pillows.

Bookcase - First of all...please excuse Reese's disheveled look. I took these pictures at 8:30 in the morning and she insisted on being in them. Anyway, this is the one item I've had the most questions about. It is from Ikea, along with all the bins. I can't say enough good things about this item. It's been up for a week and it's the single greatest thing I've ever purchased from Ikea!!

As you can tell, Reese really does love her new room. That is my greatest reward! And I'm not going to lie...I'm a little jealous! I'm kind of wishing I were 2 again...kind of...just a little!

...and just for fun...some night time shots. OK, ok...I'm just a little in love with this room myself!

Sneak peek for next week!

Wow...I have to say...even I'm surprised with how much I've neglected my blog this week. I hope you guys haven't given up on me. I promise to be back in full swing on Monday. I may even surprise all you faithful followers with an extra post.

Here's a little sneak peak with what I have in the works...get your taste buds ready...

Homemade Pizza Sauce - My husband has deemed this the best thing I've ever made. He even suggested I not share it with everyone. He thinks it should become a secret family recipe. He's so funny...he should know I don't believe in those.

My favorite recipe for Pesto... and about a dozen things you can do with it!

Sausage and Bacon Marinara...it's what I have on the stove at this very moment!

Greek Chicken Wraps...yes I'm still in my wrap phase.

Studio 5 appearance...what should I make...what should I make. Yes, my August Studio 5 appearance is next Thursday! Any idea's/requests of what I should demo. I'm also brainstorming for September...and open to suggestions!

Hopefully I have you drooling to check back in on Monday! Thanks for giving me a week off!

However, I haven't been completely lazy. I've been working on decorating Reese's new "big girl" room. Curtains made, throw pillows made, a few other art projects finished, painting room tomorrow...oh...I will be glad when it's done. Don't worry, I will post pictures. It's going to be soooo cute!

Here's an abstract sneak peek...

Hope and lots of prayers....

I always know with-in just a few days of conception that I'm pregnant. It hits me like a ton of bricks...the extreme fatigue, sore boobs, and over all bloating. I don't know why my symptoms come on so strong or with such intensity, they just do. The first trimester is difficult right from the start. I feel beaten up and just plain icky! Icky...There's a good mom term for you.

The reason I know this so well, is that I have been pregnant now 6 times, 4 of which have been this year. Of the 32 weeks so far in 2010, I've been pregnant for 21 of them. You can probably guess how I'm feeling so far about good old year 2010. Life has been hormonal, emotional and tiring. All these pregnancies have taken a visible tole on my body, and a not so visible tole on my heart.

I've had every test done. I've been pocked and prodded and everything seems to be on the up and up. I've been given a clean bill of health and told that I should be able to conceive and carry a healthy baby to term. The bottom line is...I'm old...and my eggs are old too. My Doctor assures me that I have plenty of good one's left, I just need to find one. I joke a little, because what else can you do? Life has all kinds of challenges and this just happens to be one of mine.

I'm now about 5 weeks into my 6th pregnancy, with hope and lots of prayers that this one has a happy ending. This isn't an announcement. It's so early in the pregnancy that anything could still happen. When I reach the "safe" point of this pregnancy, I'll make a formal announcement and tell you all about it. If a formal announcement doesn't come in let's say...9 weeks or so then you'll know...we're back at square one.

I'm only sharing this with all of you because I feel like it's good for me, and maybe there's a few of you out there that can relate. I know there are many women who struggle with fertility. We all have our own unique issues and they all come with their own unique kind of pain. It can often seem unfair when we are denied or given challenges surrounding the things we want the most in life. But I've learned through my challenges that feeling sorry for myself and mopping around is only a waste of time...time we never get back. I'm determined not to let this obstacle in life ruin or take away from the time I have with the beautiful little blessing I've already been given. It would feel selfish of me to not recognize all that I have...my life is good.

I'm just hoping you'll cut me some slack when I'm late here and there and miss a post from time to time. I'm still here, I'm not going anywhere...just a little slower than normal these days.

Monday Moments - Friends!

A true friend is someone who allows you to stretch both inside and outside yourself, and loves every shape of you through the journey.

I wrote this years ago for a college essay. I don't think I realized at that time in my life the full impact of that statement. The truth behind my random spark of enlightenment.

The other day while waiting in the doctors office I read an article about woman and friendship. It talked about a woman's hard wire for female friendship. How woman instinctively seek out close female bonds to cope with life. It sighted an interesting study where they had women stand at the bottom of a steep hill. They asked the woman to gauge how difficult it would be to climb the hill. The woman who were standing by one of their female friends didn't gauge the hill as difficult as the woman who were standing alone or by a complete stranger. They also noted that the longer the woman had been friends the easier they gauged the hill to be.

The article also sighted a study that shows woman with close female friendships cope with stress better, are generally happier and live longer! Sounds good to me...right?

For some reason I found myself thinking a lot about friendship this weekend. Yesterday I was lucky to be sitting in church next to one of my best friends while we watched another best friend's first baby be blessed. These two women are an inspiration to me. We have stood by each other through many ups and downs over the years. Just knowing that I was going to see them yesterday, put a smile on my face all morning.

As we were leaving for the baby blessing we were pulling out of our garage and my neighbor and dear friend was pulling up. She's been gone for the last couple weeks and I've missed her. I've missed talking to her and hanging out with the kids in our front yard together. When she saw me, she jumped out of her car and came to give me a hug before I pulled away. It made me smile!

I am a lucky woman, because I have many many friends like that. Through out my life I have been blessed with good friends! Woman who I love. Woman who inspire, uplift, comfort, guide, support, teach, and share their lives with me. I have friends from high school that I still love and speak with often. I have college roommates and old mission companions that while months may go between contact, when we get on the phone it's like no time has passed. I have old work friends, and church friends and neighbor friends! There are friends I call when I need a shoulder to cry on, others I call when I need a good laugh, some I call when I need a spiritual up lift, the ones I call when I need a good vent session, and those unique and amazing friends I call for anything and everything! But no matter the case...they are always there for me. Words can not express the thoughts of my heart when it comes to my friends!

To all of you, old and new...and you all know who you are...Thank You!! Thank you for loving every shape of me along the journey. I love you and couldn't live with out you! I just hope, in return, that I am and will continue to be the kind of friend you all deserve!

Monday Moments - The gift!

Sorry for a late Monday Moments...I've spent the day recovering from our weekend camping trip! We had a blast playing with friends at Jordanelle Reservoir. It's nice to know that I'm still young enough to sleep in a tent!

I've also been playing with my awesome birthday gift! This little beauty is my new favorite Toy! Thanks to my wonderful husband for spoiling me!

Canon Rebel T1i EOS 500D

36 years ago today...

my mom was in the hospital delivering a baby girl! That would be me! As a mom and a women who now more fully understands the pain, heartache, sacrifice, long suffering, frustrations, joy, love and miracle of both pregnancy and birth...I've decided that birthdays should really be a celebration in honor of the mother who made life possible!

INVESTMENT

by Carol Lynn Pearson

How enviously I watched

The rose bush bear her bud...

Such an easy lovely birth.

And

at that moment I wished

The sweet myth were true...

That I could pluck you my child

from some green vine.

But now as you breathe

through flesh that was mine

(Gently in the small circle of my arms)

I see the wisdom of investment.

The easy gift, is easy to forget.

But what is bought with coin of pain...

Is dearly kept!

Thank you mom for your Investment! I love you!

Monday Moments - Back to reality!

Do you ever feel like you need a vacation from your vacation? It's not that we didn't have a great time in Moab...quite the contrary. We had a blast! But coming home, cleaning up, putting away and getting back on schedule...well it's just plain exhausting.

Here's a few highlights from our trip...

The beautiful rainbow we saw coming off the mountain one night in Castle Valley.

The view from our Hotel room. We stayed at the Red Cliff's Lodge at the base of Castle Valley. It was so beautiful. I would definitely recommend it, if you ever find yourself in Moab, Utah.

If you can't tell, little r was all about the 4 wheeling. All we heard for 4 days was, "go fo wide, go fo wide?"

Although we stayed in a hotel, most of our family camped up in the La Sal Mountains in a big clearing down from my Aunt and Uncles cabin. We just drove up to the camp site every day to hang out with everyone.

Little r and her cousin K trying to get a good look at the cute little deer that visited the camp every day.

I think I've mentioned that I come from a family of cooks...it really is in my DNA. This is the camp kitchen. When the Nordfelts camp, they don't mess around with cooking. We had gourmet food for every meal. This particular night we enjoyed a traditional Southern Shrimp, Clam, Brat Boil.

This is my dad, one of the master chef's!

Thanks to my Uncle Kirtley and Aunt Gay for organizing and doing most the work for our fun reunion! We really had a great time!

Now back to reality...I have some yummy recipes for this week, so stay tuned. Also, I have a studio 5 appearance on Thursday, July 15th. I'm still trying to figure out exactly what to demo. Busy Busy Busy! I guess that's life...right?

ROMAINE SALAD WITH CREAMY PARMESAN

The red rocks are calling my name. So, wish me luck...I'm off to Moab for 4 days of family fun! I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but Moab is kind of like home to me. My dad grew up in Moab and while I really never had a home town (military bratt...remember), as kids we spent ever summer in Moab visiting my grandparents. I love that town. It's like a blanket of red rocks that comforts my soul. Maybe it's my own childhood memories, or the hundreds of stories my dad has told me about every rock formation, every hill crest, every street corner, and ever bend in the road...I feel like his home town, somehow became mine too. What can I say...it's the true blooded Nordfelt in me! This will be little r's first trip to red rock country and I'm so excited to share my love with her.

Dead Horse Point...one of many favorites in Moab. As kids we used to sit on the edge, just like this. I can remember my mom freaking out while my dad encouraged. I'm so sorry Mom...what were we thinking? The mere thought of little r going anywhere close to the edge, gives me an anxiety attack... But it really is so beautiful!

...so one last side for the week. This super easy salad has recently become a favorite. I like it because it's delicious and full of ingredients that I always have on hand. It may seem kind of plain, but trust me the flavors are bold, zesty, and tangy. If you wish, you could also add some grape tomatoes and croutons. But it's really not necessary.

ROMAINE SALAD WITH CREAMY PARMESAN

(Recipe adapted from Cuisine at Home)

1/4 C. sour cream

1/4 C. grated Parmesan cheese

2 T. mayonnaise

2 T. white wine vinegar

2 T. minced fresh parsley

1/2 t. Dijon mustard

1/8 t. Worcestershire sauce

1/8 t. hot sauce

salt & pepper to taste

8 C. chopped romaine lettuce

1. Whisk together the sour cream, cheese, mayonnaise, vinegar, parsley, Dijon, Worcestershire, hot sauce and salt & pepper.

2. Toss the dressing the the lettuce, just before serving.

3. Serves 4.

Monday Moments - SICK!!!

I'm sorry there's not much to post today. I was up all last night with the stomach flu...and so was my little r. Unfortunately, we didn't know she was throwing up all night until this morning. Little r is such a good sleeper, she doesn't wake up for anything. We walked into quite the mess in her room. She just gave me puppy dog eyes, tilted her head and said, "Yucky Mommy". My heart broke. I was up all night, why didn't I just check on her. I could have saved her from a very messy disgusting nights sleep.

Well, she seemed to recover quite well and although she did take a 4 1/2 hour nap today, she's jumping around and acting like she's all better. I on the other hand still feel like death warmed over. I haven't had the flu in over 5 years and I forgot how treacherous it can be. I can usually power through most any sickness...cold, sinus etc... but the flu, it's takes me out and renders me helpless.

Thanks to my amazingly wonderful husband who took the day off to nurse his two girls back to health. To bad I didn't quite make it...we'll see how the night goes...

On another note...I'm a little ticked...every year of my life that I've gotten a flu shot...I've gotten the flu! Please someone explain that to me. I was talked into it this year with all the H1N1 hype, so I got vaccinated for both the regular flu and H1N1. Now I realize that this stain is probably not either of those...but this was the first time in 5 years that I've gotten a flu shot, and walla! It's a mystery!

Monday Moments - Invictus

Last night my husband and I watched 'Invictus'. It was thought provoking and inspirational. I highly recommend it.

'Invictus' tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) joined forces with the captain of South Africa's rugby team, Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon), to help unite their country.

The word Invictus is Latin for unconquered. The movie is titled 'Invictus' after a poem written by William Ernest Henley. A poem that gave Nelson Mandela strength and hope during his 30 year unjust incarceration.

As a writer and lover of poetry, I think this is one of my new favorites. I give thanks to God daily, for my own unconquerable soul!

INVICTUS

By William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll.

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.