Our New Table

The kitchen table that we've had for six years now was just getting way too small for our growing family.  Esther didn't even have a chair, aside from her highchair.  I had been considering getting a preschool art table for school use this fall, but we eventually decided that we really just needed a bigger kitchen table.

After searching Craigslist, we ended up finding a wonderful table with extra leaves and six chairs.  I love it!  With the leaves in, we can fit eight chairs around it quite comfortably.  Having company over was always a bit tricky with our tiny little table, but now we're all set.

The girls were excited to try out the new table too!  They love it and keep talking about how much more space we have.

We've been using the table for a few weeks now, and its great!  I can even put dishes of food on the table while we eat instead of having to leave everything on the kitchen counter.  Lucy will be able to do her schoolwork at one end and I will still have room to serve lunch or work on some other project.  

Even without the leaves in, we have so much more room.  I love our big table!  When we got the table I told my husband that I might cry.  It's just a table, but it symbolizes our big family and being prepared to offer hospitality to others, both of which are important to us.  :)  Want to come over for dinner?

linked to Gratituesday

Green Eats

Looking for safe children's tableware?  Check out Green Toys new line - Green Eats!  We love Green Toys around here, and have been trying out their new tumblers.

These are made of recycled plastic milk jugs, and contain no BPA, phthalates, PVC, or external coatings.  Definitely a safe choice that I am very happy with.  My girls enjoy the colors and like to use their new cups.

I would love to see these made in a smaller version.  It takes the girls two hands to pick up the cups; and Esther is too little for one yet.  From left to right shown below I have an old tupperware style cup, an Ikea cup, and the new Green Eats cup.  I would like an option something the size of the first cup, but haven't been able to find anything.  Even the Ikea cup is a bit wide for my girls to hang on to when they are little.

These are great big kid cups that we really enjoy using.  Overall we love Green Eats tableware and are excited to have this safe choice available!  Thanks Green Toys!

Zucchini Cheese Bake

I don't know what to call this, "Zucchini Cheese Bake"?  Except that you don't really bake it, you broil it... Whatever its called, my dad made it up and its delicious!  The key to this recipe is using lots of butter and garlic salt.

3-4 zucchini and summer squash
onion, chopped
1 can diced tomatoes
mozzarella cheese, shredded
garlic salt (lots!)

Saute onion in butter until tender (use 1/2 a stick or more).  Add sliced zucchini and summer squash, cover with garlic salt and cook.  Add tomatoes when the zucchini is almost done, along with more garlic salt.  Let this all cook for a few minutes longer, then transfer to an 8x8 dish.  Cover with shredded mozzarella cheese and more garlic salt.  Broil just until cheese browns.  Serve over noodles or as a side dish.

Update

Evidently I'm not very good at blogging while nauseous.  Or cooking dinner for that matter.  Or doing dishes, blech.  Hubby saved me today though and washed the massive pile of dishes that I couldn't stand to tackle.  He also gave in to my pregnancy craving and got me a piece of hot fudge cake with pudding and whipped cream on top from a local restaurant.  :)  Yes, if you still weren't sure after my recent disappearance and my hinting in this post, I'm pregnant.  We are thrilled to be welcoming baby number four to our family at the end of March.

Aside from just trying to get through the day without being too nauseous, I've been working on organizing the art cupboards and school shelves.  I think I've collected all of the books and things that we will be using, and I'm working on making out a schedule.  Fitting in schoolwork for two will be a new challenge this year as Julia begins some preschool work.  (Along with keeping Esther occupied and then a new baby coming in March!  Life is never dull...)  I'm happy with the way I've arranged our school area so far and will try and post some photos later this week.

I'm off to sip some homemade ginger ale and try not to be nauseous.

Easy Anytime Lemonade

Costco sells a large 1 liter bottle of organic lemon juice (not from concentrate) for only 3.89.  We enjoy having lemonade on hand, but I don't always want to make up a big batch of it.  We found the perfect solution - freeze the lemon juice in ice cube trays.

To make a glass of lemonade, simply pop a lemon cube in a glass of water and add two spoonfuls of sugar.  The lemon melts rapidly and this makes a perfect anytime glass of lemonade!  I also don't have to worry about the lemon concentrate going bad this way.

The cubes are often the perfect size to add to recipes as well.  One cube works nicely in my Blueberry Oat Bars.  :)

linked to Kitchen Tip Tuesdays