Lemon-Zucchini Cornmeal Cookies

In our most recent co-op pick up, we got a zucchini. Since Clay has been out of town so much, I knew it would go bad before we could eat it so I thought and thought about what to make with it in the meantime...

After a little searching on marthastewart.com, I found this recipe for Lemon-Zucchini Cornmeal Cookies. And fortunately, I had all the ingredients!

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup confectioners' sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste, which is what I use)

1 tsp lemon zest (I used more because I love lemon so much!)

1 tsp coarse salt

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup fine cornmeal

1 medium zucchini, grated on the small holes of a box grater (about 1 cup)

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Then combine the butter and sugar in a large bowl. 

 Mix with a wooden spoon until pale and fluffy. (I suppose you could use a mixer, but everything in your kitchen would be covered with a fine layer of powdered sugar!)

Stir in the vanilla, lemon zest, and salt.

Add flour and cornmeal.

Mix until the dough is crumbly like this:

Add zucchini and stir until a thick dough forms.

Drop by rounded tablespoons onto baking sheet.

I love to use my Silpat baking mat - they're reusable and ensure that my cookies are evenly baked!

Bake until cookies are golden brown around the edges, about 25 to 30 minutes.

 Allow to cool and enjoy!

24 Weeks

Wow- it is hard to believe I am SIX MONTHS PREGNANT!

Only three and a half more months to go... Yikes!

Unfortunately we haven't been able to make much progress on the nursery as Clay has been going to Shreveport each week, and then I have been working volunteer trainings on Saturdays. Hopefully things will clear up in the next few weeks so we can get to work. I have a feeling June will be here before we know it!

23 Weeks

...and still going strong!

Baby Rich is moving around more and more these days (there's some kind of jig going on in my belly as I type this). Clay even got to feel the baby move this weekend - while we were catching up on shows Saturday night, he put his hand on my belly and felt the little kicks. Wish I could have captured the look of wonder and excitement on his face!

We also got some exciting news from Clay's cousin and her husband: their family will be expanding in August of this year! I am so happy for Laura and Eric - and excited that Baby Rich will have another playmate in the family. :)

22 Weeks

Look at that baby bump!

It is truly amazing how I've just popped in the last week or so - and it seems like everyone has noticed! Two people just couldn't help themselves and invaded my belly space this week. Looks like I'll be in for another four months of belly grabs. :}

I had my routine check-up on Monday and the doctor said everything looks good! I am right on schedule - with weight gain and belly measurement - and so is our little jellybean. :) All the little body parts that the sonogram tech could see looked healthy and normal, which is what we like to hear. AND I've been feeling Baby Rich move more and more. Sometimes I wonder if there's a jumping bean in my belly!

This weekend Clay and I made some more decisions on the nursery -

finally picking out a crib

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and a rug

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though we won't have either for quite some time.

(Thank you, eternal delivery waits!)

We also went to Babies 'R' Us to register, and boy! were we unprepared! Although we had made a list of what we wanted to register for, it was still incredibly overwhelming when faced with all those strollers and car seats and crib sheets and bottles and bibs. Many times we just stood in the aisle staring at the multitude of choices. What a sight we must have been!

All you moms out there, what are your top three favorite baby products? We would love some more direction as we add to our registry. ;)

A Week of Weekends

Can you believe this is Texas?!!?!!

 

During all of these snow days, I have certainly tried to keep myself from going stir-crazy

by staying busy...

On Tuesday, I finished reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusac,

which I cannot recommend highly enough.

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The story follows a young girl who lives in a suburb of Munich, Germany,

during World War II. I know this sounds odd, but Death is the narrator - and a fantastic one at that. The writing is absolutely amazing - I can't even begin to describe it. Please, please, please check this book out! It is absolutely worth your time to read. And if you need a copy, I've got one I'm happy to lend. :)

I also worked on some photo books using Picaboo, which is one of my

"28 Before 28" goals. Three down and (only) 12 more to go!

Clay watched Despicable Me one evening this week while I did some crafting. I know we're a little behind the times in viewing this one - but better late than never! It was a very clever movie with a great ending. ;)

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AND my cute little felt snap-ons are one step closer to being finished -

if only I could have run to the store since I ran out of snaps. :(

My sister's birthday is today (Happy birthday, Rach!)

and she requested that I make her a chocolate cake.

So with my schedule clear, it allowed me lots of time to whip up this beauty:

We'll see how it tastes at her party tonight!

And that's not even counting all the fun things I've yet to do today. :)

Hope you've enjoyed your week of weekends!