Today was slightly hectic with lots packed in, but fun at the same time!!
I woke up after a decent night’s sleep and went RUNNING because Grammie Buzz was here to play with Maze. I ran a 5K, which was hard. Running is never easy but it’s definitely gotten harder since I haven’t done it much this year. I no longer feel like I ‘just had a baby’ when I run — I just feel out of shape in general. I gotta get out there a little more frequently! Despite how hard it has become, I still love running.
Between my run, an extra surprise feeding (9 week growth spurt!?), a shower, and other details, we didn’t eat breakfast until nearly 11 o’clock! I had a medjool date before I left, so my stomach wasn’t totally empty, but I was still very happy when I finally got to eat.
Mom and I had toast with sunflower butter, pumpkin butter and coconut plus fruit on the side. And coffee!
Lunch came 3 hours later. We made a video for Real Health (mom and I are doing a questions series together!) and played with Maze for a while.
For lunch I had leftover bean soup – beans n greens
And a snack plate with a Honey roll, carrots + apple, sunbutter and two slices of sharp cheddar.
Follow this: Our friend Chris, who is Karen’s friend and landlord, a fellow blogger, the mother of Jessica whose baby was due the same day as mine (and went to Duke!) and also a co-author with my mom on a book, came over to meet mom and Maze – both for the first time.
She and my mom were both contributors to this cute book that was recently published called Tangerine Tango where “women writers share slices of life.”
After more feedings, a boys’ trip to Beer Run and some girl time with the babe, we all walked downtown to meet Karen at Market Street Wine Shop for the weekly wine tasting.
I loved the McManis Petit Syrah!
The grandparents loved on the baby.
Our final destination was Karen’s place for dinner.
We had lots of playtime during cocktail hour along with some cheese and crackers
And then sat down to healthy soup and bread
Pork + Kale with White Bean soup. {Karen said she’d share the link to the recipe in the comments.}
Great Harvest pesto parmesan swirl!!
I had two slices of that great bread.
For dessert, we had vanilla bean gelato and Great Harvest cookies. Nothin’ finer!
‘Cept the sweet cheeks of a baby. We’ll be sad to see grand mom and dad go home tomorrow.
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
Ooh so many delicious foods! The pesto swirl bread sounds amazing. Since there’s no Great Harvest up here in Ontario, I may be forced to try to recreate it myself!
Mary says
Which wine did you buy?
KathEats says
Karen bought the Fuego
GrandPeePaw says
Karen, that soup was truly delicious. Please share the link.
Simply Life says
Oh that bread does sound incredible with a bowl of soup!
Lauren @ Lawfully Wedded Wife says
Mmmm can’t wait to see the recipe for that kale and white bean soup! Looks delish!
Leslie says
The soups sounds delicious. Looking forward to Karen’s recipe!
Leslie says
PS-If your mom is still there, tell her I sent her my final installment for her blog and sorry it was a week later than I had planned! 🙂
Michelle (Peachy Palate) says
They’re big proper smiles Maze are sharing now…his little personality is coming through! I think he definitely looks more like you! You’re so lucky to have the grandparents around…such a great help when they’re tiny!
Kelsey @ SoMuchLifeToLive says
Good Morning, Kath!
Running has gotten more difficult for me since I’m not training for anything right now. It’s incredible how different that certain exercise feels when you’re in shape for it or not! Wowza! Great job on keeping it up – you’ll be back to your regular running shape in no time, I’m sure:)
Melissa says
I love his full on smlie. No way he’s 9 weeks?! He’s so sweet!!
Nicole says
Love his smiles so much! You’re a rockstar for tackling 3.2, and slowly but surely your body will remember all this running going on and you will feel great doing it! It definitely has everything to do with consistency, the more you head out to run the quicker you’ll feel super natural about it!
Happy Saturday! It’s so hard to say bye to grandparents, they are so full of joy and just love being with their grandkiddos, I wish they could always be right next door sometimes!
Karen says
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/pork_white_bean_kale_soup.html
Instead of fresh tomatoes, I used a 15 ounce can of diced tomatoes.
chris says
Can’t wait to try that soup Karen! And Maze and your parents are a delight 🙂 Hugs
Steph says
Hi Kath,
I’m a huge fan of your blog and have been following it for quite some time but haven’t commented yet. I am super excited to report that I will be attending UVA law next year, so I am headed to Charlottesville for the next 3 years (everything you’ve blogged about the town had a big role in selecting UVA, C’ville seems like such a wonderful place!)
So cheers to you and Matt and Mazen, ya’ll seem like a great family!
KathEats says
So exciting! Let us know when you get here : )
Tiffany says
Hi Steph,
I am a 1L in law school and I want to suggest a book I read before I began in August. It’s called “Bridging the Gap Between College and Law School: Strategies for Success”
One of my law professors recommended the book and I found it to be extremely helpful 🙂
Good Luck!!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
I haven’t been running for 3 weeks because of an injury, and I don’t know when I’ll be able to start again but I’m nervous that it’s going to be hard!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
What a great book the ladies wrote together! Congrats to them!
And you with running – that’s interesting you feel out of shape but running is one of those things that even modest time off can leave me feeling pretty winded for quite awhile. I essentially took 2 years off running when I was pregnant and the first year after the birth. The longest of my life…and it took a long time to get back to where I was, but I didn’t even care – I was just happy to be out there trying as I’m sure you are!
Sally says
Hi Kathy,
How was Karen’s soup? I understand the bread and dessert were delicious!! But how was the soup?
KathEats says
It was great. Loved the pork chunks and Kale. We all liked it a lot.
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
I’m sure Maze is loving all of the extra attention of his grandparents around. And I’m glad you’re able to utilize them to get out for a run! 🙂
Karen looks GREAT by the way! I’m assuming that means she’s doing well.
Susan H. @ The Food Allergy Chronicles says
Karen’s soup looks like the perfect soup to enjoy on a beautful fall day! 🙂
Amelia says
Karen is such a great cook!!!
Ashlee says
I spy de Fuego in your wine tasting photo. That is one of my favorites wines ever…sometimes I can’t belive it is so affordable. I couldn’t get it for about 6 months last year (I was told they stopped making it?!) and am so glad to have it back.
Love your Christmas colored shirt + vest 🙂
Jenny @ For Your Consideration says
Mazen is one lucky baby to be surrounded by so much gramma/grampa love.
Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) says
I can’t get over how cute Mazen is!
Rebecca @ Blueberry Smiles says
It’s so that your parents are able to come frequently!
robin says
sweet family
Jenn says
Mazen cannot get any cuter! I love how he is really starting to smile more. You make cute babies Kath 🙂
Lisa @bitesforbabies says
Pumpkin butter sounds yummy…I’m a huge fan of almond butter (and a creature of habit!) so I’ve yet to try all the “other” nut butters out there. Which do you recommend?!
KathEats says
Sunflower butter all the way! Sunbutter brand or trader Joes
Lisa @bitesforbabies says
Never would have thought 😉 Thanks!
Amanda Cowan says
I have a totally non-related question. So the hubby and I just came back from celebrating our 10th in Jamaica and I tried this tofu dish there. Normally I’m NOT a fan of tofu, but this was a fairly firm variety and I loved it. I think maybe I’ve tried only mushier versions. Could you suggest a brand/type that might be along those same lines?
KathEats says
Look for extra firm kinds. Twin Oaks brand is the one I get local to the midatlantic that is very firm.
the 3volution of j3nn says
Maze looks more and more like Matt every day!
Carrie @ The Cook's Palette says
I’m digging the festive red and green attire! Darling series of photos with Mazen and your dad. So nice that your parents are able to come visit while he’s so little.
Kristen @ Change of Pace says
Seriously Maze is too big! Look how long he is. Everything looks delicious as usual 🙂
[email protected] says
Looks like a fun day!
Emily @ www.main-eats.com says
Way to go with your run! Taking that time for you is SO great and important!
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
Great to hear that you are getting back into running. Running is never easy for me either. I would rather do quick sprints and HIIT workouts than run for long distances.
Karen says
I was up in C’ville for the game this weekend (AWESOME game by the way) and stopped by the bakery on our way home. My family got three loaves of bread (Dakota, cheddar garlic and pecan cinnamon) and they were all so delicious that we about finished them off in two days. My parents are raving about the bread and will probably stop by every time they go to c’ville:)
KathEats says
So glad!