Good morning! It’s thundering here, which is making Koda a bit jumpy, but there’s nothing like a good gullywasher to get rid off all the pollen! Finally, my eyes aren’t itching my face off (because that statement makes a lot of sense, right?). Hoorah!
…does the word gullywasher make anyone else think of Fern Gully?
Fantastic flick. But I digress…
My first Mother’s Day weekend was wonderful. It began Friday with a neighborhood event. We all gathered with blankets and food and set up a picnic while a band played.
Veggies, grapes, hummus, pretzel chips and sliced turkey make for tasty finger foods that you can grab while holding bouncing babies and petting pups.
Unfortunately the littlest one didn’t nap so well that day, so it was an early night. No matter, I knew I had to get up Saturday morning to volunteer at the Girls on the Run 5k. Girls on the Run is a wonderful program that focuses on building character and self-esteem in young girls, and it just so happens that my friend, Tanya, is the Council Director.
(I know, I’m so far past due for a hair cut that it isn’t even funny)
It was really inspirational watching all the girls get excited for their 5k. They warmed up, stretched and sprayed their hair different colors. You know, the pre-race norm.
Cheering on the girls and handing out lap-counting beads has me really interested in being more involved next year. Maybe I’ll coach?! Can I do that with a baby? Can I do that if I’ve never run more than a 5k myself?
Sunday was Mother’s Day and I can honestly say it was exactly what I wanted. After David made me an omelet, we proceeded to spend the day as a family, doing whatever I chose and I didn’t have to change a single diaper. It was bliss.
With a whole day to plan myself, what did I choose?
A turkey burger salad from Bad Daddy’s (H demolished some mandarin oranges and black beans) and a family trip to the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market!
Please notice my desperate attempt to get a bow into Hailey’s hair. It’s hanging on by about 5 strands.
The family date was perfect; the farmer’s market slightly disappointing. It was smaller than my beloved Davidson farmers market and didn’t offer as much variety.
Once home, we played in the kitchen. As a family.
We went a little nutty with the dehydrator and made some incredible homemade jerky (with thinly sliced and seasoned flank steak) and apple chips (sprinkled with cinnamon).
Why the dehydrator? And why the new toaster oven? Well, the Mother’s Day fairy paid us a visit and finally killed our oven, which means…. I’m getting double ovens!!! …in about a month, so I’ll be using the toaster variety until then.
Excited?! You betcha!! People say you never use both ovens, but I really think I will. Am I fooling myself?
If you have double ovens, do you use both?
If you don’t, do you think you would?
Bethany @ One Girl's Taste On Life says
That’s so exciting! I am ready to have double ovens myself, but I’m also saving for a new car. Since our oven is still alive and kicking that means no new oven for this chica. Can’t wait to see what you pick and if you like it. I’m also intrigued if you (and anyone else reading your blog) uses double ovens as much as you think you will!
Ashley says
I definitely use my double ovens a lot! I think that it really depends how much you host parties and family meals. There are times I wish I had a third– but that just seems crazy 😉
Jenny says
Sounds like a great Mother Day indeed!! Glad you enjoyed yourself. As far as the double ovens go I am a little biased because I’ve had them for as long i can remember. A big family who loves to eat will do that do you. Dan and I have also had double ovens now for a while and although we don’t use them all the time we definitely love having the option. As a baker they’re great because I can cook 2 batches at the same time and on holidays or when we have parties they are a life(and time)saver. You will love them!!!
Amanda Perry @ Sistas of Strength says
I don’t have double, but my parents do and my mom loves it. She loves that the smaller one heats up fast and is perfect for the two of them and then she has the other one for when they are entertaining!
Liz @ IHeartVegetables says
Haha my parents have a double oven at their house, and I’m always turning on the wrong one!!! haha
Those pretzel thins you have up there ^^^ Are like some of my favorite snack-age. LOVE them!
Brittany says
I do that a my mom’s house, too! I always get confused as to which controls go to which oven 🙂
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
Oh my gosh…so jealous of your new double ovens! I don’t know why people say they don’t use both except for holidays. That would be completely untrue in my house. How many times do you have to roast something at 400 or above while cooking something else at 350 for dinner? ALL THE TIME!
Brittany says
I feel the same way! I roast vegetables all the time when I also want to be baking chicken, for example. That’s why I really think I’ll use it! …guess we’ll see 🙂
Jen says
You will use both ovens! My parents had two when I was growing up, and my mom entertained a TON and it made things a lot easier.
We almost went to Bad Daddy’s yesterday, too! Their black bean burgers and turkey burgers are the best!
PS- orange is your color! Looks great on you 🙂
Susan @ Real Life Travels says
2nd the Black bean burgers at Bad Daddys … SOOO good!
Tanya @ Vegan Faith says
For the record…we now have those words written in the eternal internet books. I will be recruiting you all summer to coach!
Brittany says
I really want to!! …if I can figure it out with the baby, of course 🙂
RhodeyGirl says
Congrats on the ovens! My auntie has double ovens and uses them all the time.
Hailey is as cute as ever 🙂
Sherry says
Love having double ovens, even though I may only use them 4-5 times a year. The lower one is a great place to store all my cast iron cookware when not in use.
Great pictures and your turkey burger salad looks delicious!
Susan @ Real Life Travels says
I think you would totally use them! Glad you had a good weekend!
Lisa says
Double ovens are so fun! Unfortunately, I don’t have them though. It sounds like you had a perfect weekend for your special day! Happy belated Mother’s Day by the way! So glad the whole family got to celebrate and it was everything you wanted
christina says
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!
and oh my gosh, i was just talking about fern gully with someone. i used to love that movie!
Erin says
Good morning and happy mothers day! We love our double ovens and use them often. I don’t know how we ever lived without them. Good luck!
Lindsay@Fuel My Family says
I think I would use them on holidays of course! And maybe occasionally I’d I wanted to roast veggies at a higher temp than the rest of dinner. Exciting!
kristin point says
We have double ovens and though we never really use them except holidays and when company are here, they are great to have and my mom (mom to 7 kids) has major oven envy!
Paige @ Running Around Normal says
Awww, happy mother’s day, Brittany! Sounds like a wonderful day 🙂
Love Tanya! I met her last year and we shared a cab back to the airpot.
I WISH I had a double oven. I’d definitely use it!
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
I want double ovens so badly!! I don’t think you’ll use them both on a daily basis, but I do think they’ll come in handy!
Glad you had such a great mother’s day!
Heather says
oohh double ovens! I don’t have them but my parents do and they use them on holidays and when we come to visit, but not generally everyday use. Still good to have!
JenRD says
That is so strange, out oven died on us last week too! Fortunately, it was just a matter of a circuit needing replacement. Growing up I had a double oven, and it definitely came in handy during the holidays, when multiple dishes needed cooking/warming at different temperatures!
If you want to do more for GOTR, you may consider being a SoleMate, where you run a race of your choice to fundraiser for them. I did that two Sundays ago, and it was great! I just contacted my local chapter to find out more. I also would love to coach a team, but maybe when Maya is a little older.
Heather Peisel says
You should totally be a GOTR coach! When I taught at Elon Park when we lived in Charlotte, I was a coach! It was so much fun, and a really great message for self-esteem building for the girls!
Roz@weightingfor50 says
A double oven??? Be still my heart. Very envious. Belated Happy 1st Mother’s Day to you Brittany!!! (I have a new dehydrator myself…do you marinate your meat before you dry? If so, how long does it need to marinate?)
blackhuff says
I’m not going to burst your bubble of joy regarding my comments about double ovens. You enjoy them if that is what you want.
Glad your first Mothers day was so great.
Kirsten says
Happy belated mothers day!
I know you love your Davidson farmers market, but if you want to give the regional market another try, you have to go on Saturday morning. Just beware of the crowds! I also think you’d love the little Saturday market next to Luna’s in the southend if you haven’t been.
Layne says
How did you do the jerky? My hubby loves it but it is so expensive…thinking of getting a dehydrator to make some!
Brittany says
We went to my local meat market and got italian seasoned flank steak sliced thin. Then we just dehydrated it for a couple hours. It’s SO good and doesn’t have the preservatives store bought stuff has. I’m loving my dehydrator recently. If you do get one, go for the cheapest. They all work pretty much the same in my opinion 🙂