lebluegrass

Oh, Tumblr. You have been so good to me these past 4 years, with your countless GIFs, internet personalities, messages, and reblogs. I will always look back on you with a happy heart. 

However, it is time to give this blog a chance to grow. All of the previous content from this blog will be available on the new one! So, from now on you can find regular updates at lebluegrass.wordpress.com. 

I will still check in from time to time on the ole’ dashboard, but posts will be quiet on this little spot of the internet. 

Thanks for having me and hope to see you on the new site. 

Friends: The blog will be a little quiet this week. I am working on transferring nearly 4 years (!!!) worth of content over to a new platform. Stay tuned! 

Some words of wisdom for our week though... “If we all threw our problems in a pile, and saw everyone else’s, we would grab ours back.”- Unknown

I’m off to spend FOUR WHOLE DAYS with some of my best galpals in beautiful Pawley’s Island, South Carolina. To say I’ve been counting down the days to this trip is an understatement. 

Enjoy your 4th. U-S-A! 

Hope yours is ‘peachy’! 

Some nice words to start off our week: “Now that same-sex marriage is legal nationwide, plenty of gay people won’t get married just because they can, just as plenty of straight people don’t. Even so, how wonderful that the option exists for all of us.” -Curtis Sittenfeld

Whew, what a WEEK! Lots of history made. Amazing times we live in. 

With summer slipping through my fingers like sand, (and how are we already halfway done with 2015?!), I decided to make a bucket list. I often find bucket lists daunting. They tend to overwhelm me and I turn into a polymath and then end up sort of accomplishing several things instead of focusing on a few, key ideas. I tried to keep it short, approachable, and somewhat challenging. 

Here’s to the 2015 Summer Bucket List: 

Today it upheld the Affordable Care Act in a 6-3 decision. It isn’t often that you, personally, are effected by a massive, federal law. This legislation has influenced my health and well-being in such a wonderful way and I want to make this law real for you. 

After I graduated college, I worked in DC and a few of these gigs did not offer healthcare. Because of Obamacare, I was able to stay on my parents’ health insurance and receive affordable birth control and wellness check ups, one which nipped a murky mole and the potential for skin cancer in the bud. Preventative medicine is no joke, folks. 

Now that I am married and fortunate enough to have my spouse’s job provide health insurance, we are still feeling the love: My breast pump and other necessary breast feeding items are covered due to this legislation. SO many families who once thought, “Can we afford a breast pump, etc.?” do not have to worry and their children (and eventually society) will reap the benefits.

Thank you to all the Senators, Representatives, special interest groups (Looking at you, Planned Parenthood!), grass roots activists, think tanks, and especially The White House for all your hard work. This American lady truly appreciates it. 

The likelihood that our Wednesdays are filled with white linens floating in the breeze is not high, but hey! they’re pretty to look at. 

Keep on keepin’ on. 

I love me a good salad, preferably one that can keep for a few days in the fridge and be eaten cold, warm, or at room temperature. It also needs to be hearty, yet light, and leave me filling somewhat full. This one covers all the bases and more. You can make it vegetarian or top it with ground pork, grilled shrimp, or even tofu. It could also be made into a hearty soup by pouring it over chicken or vegetable stock. 

I opted for ground pork and also included some snap peas, soy sauce, minced ginger (in the dressing), and sriracha. The basil and cilantro are the best, best, BEST! Don’t skimp on those. 

Find the recipe over at Food 52, by the incredible Molly. She can do no wrong. 

Happy eating! 

Here we go again: another holiday reminding us that in 3 months it will no longer be just the two of us... there will be three. Well, four if you count Bozzie (which I very much do). It is an exciting, weird, stressful, thrilling, and comforting thought. How do you prepare for a total 180 of your current life? You marry someone like this and know as long as you stick together things will be just fine. It’s uber cheesy, but true. 

You’re going to be the best papa, love! We’re so lucky to have you. xo!

We love a good stroll along the water here (who doesn’t?!) and Bozzie has taken a liking to jumping up on the walls to peer out at the battleships. It’s so stinkin’ cute. I swear he has human tendencies sometimes! 

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend– with some water views if we’re all lucky. Here are a few links for to peruse on your (hopefully) days off:

No-Cook Blackberry Lemon Ice Cream. SO EASY & DELICIOUS. 

A brilliant bumper sticker: Make Dinner, Not War. There is loads of research documenting the benefits of eating dinner with your family every night. Yes, this requires a pretty standard work schedule, but I think even a few times a week is great for kiddos. 

Completely senseless. Do these kinds of shootings happen in other first world countries as often as they do here? My heart hurts for this community. 

My sister (Laura!) kicking total butt in the Washington Post. 

Use. Less. Water. Water your plants with leftover pet bowl water, turn off the faucet while doing the dishes (it doesn’t need to be running while you’re scrubbing!), use your sprinklers at night to avoid massive evaporation. You can do it!