Georgia on My Mind

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Pepper Place Saturday Market

Today, we got up bright and early to head to Pepper Place Saturday Market near downtown Birmingham. I heard about this charming farmer's market from a good friend that lives in the area.

(side note: In case you do not know, my family lived in Columbus, MS for 4 years when I was in 4th-7th grade. It was a wonderful season of my life and through the beauty of Facebook, have kept up with my friends from the area. Several now live in Birmingham (just a 2 hour drive from Columbus) and have been super helpful in giving me tips on the best places around town to shop and eat locally, which I prefer versus 'chain' stores and restaurants.)

Anyway, she told me I HAD to check it out sometime, so that was on our agenda for this morning! The market is located in a hopping area of local arts, furnishing stores, and restaurants called Pepper Place. There were lots of people out and about and plenty of families and strollers. I loved the great feeling of community in the air! There were 3 sections with 2 having food and flowers and another with booths of jewelry, clothing, art and other odds and ends. Snow cones, homemade ice cream, sausages and some other food items were being sold. Next time I want a snow cone! Also, each section had a local musician and/or band providing some ambiance.

I was happy with the selection of in-season, locally grown fruits and vegetables. The market was not too big, but not too small-- it was juuuust right. :) We are blessed to now have many great farms in the area. James and I have both decided it would be good to try and get our produce and vegetables from the market. I priced it compared to what we've been paying at the store and the market was cheaper! I'll be the first to admit that I am not a big eater of vegetables-- never have been. But, I'm going to pick one vegetable each time we go and find some recipes and give it a try. James has promised to try it, too. :) We looked into buying locally grown and processed meat. We may order some of that next time.

I have a feeling we will return often! Especially when it gets cooler outside! The market runs April-Dec every Saturday 7am-12noon. Come visit and we'll take you! ;)

Part of the market with people milling about.

My handsome husband buying some peaches!

Some more booths

Two person band playing some folk music.

Georgia Kate's first time at the market. It was a tad warm, but she was a trooper as always.

Our goods-- a basil plant, some kale, and peaches!

I bought a basil plant and plan to use it in some recipes I found, including this one by Pioneer Woman. After seeing several shows discussing kale and using it to make kale chips, I decided to give it a try using this recipe from foodnetwork.com. I am cooking some in the next couple hours, so I'll let you know how it goes. And, of course, I had to get some peaches! This area is teeming with them!

Now, I've made myself hungry. I'm gonna go bite into a big, juicy peach. :)

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Georgia maneuvering to get her toy. If she starts crawling soon, I am in BIG trouble!!! :)

My what a difference a day makes...

Well, it's official! Georgie Girl has become a roly poly! Just a mere 24 hours ago life was truckin' along and then something switched last night when I laid her down to sleep. She started fussing an hour into her nighttime sleep, so I implemented the '10 minute rule' we have in our household and watched the clock to give her 10 minutes to settle back down before I went in to check on her. Well, 6 minutes passed and I stopped hearing her. A little while later I went in and found her asleep on her tummy! I had seen her roll over from back-to-stomach a couple times, but never in her crib! I proceeded to roll her onto her back (for safety reasons - 'back is best'--and also because I have yet to see her be able to roll back over on her own and she gets frustrated after a while.)

And so it began...

I woke up several times last night to hear her frustrated cries and found her on her tummy yet again. Today, every time I tried to put her on her play mat to do a few things around the house or in her crib for a nap, within 10 minutes she had rolled herself over and was subsequently 'stuck' on her tummy. I'm talking EVERY TIME, PEOPLE. Suffice it to say, she didn't nap a whole lot today and I didn't get a whole lot accomplished...

It is amazing to see how fast she grows and learns! We spent a good bit of time practicing her roll today, but she still doesn't have the tummy-to-back maneuver down... Here's hoping tonight and tomorrow fare better!

Video of GK rolling over:

"To Be Fit For God"

Thou Maker and Sustainer of all things,
Day and night are thine,
   heaven and earth declare thy glory;
But I, a creature of thy power and bounty,
have sinned against thee by resisting the dictates of conscience,
                                                          the demands of thy law,
                                                          the calls of thy gospel;
yet I live under the dispensation of a given hope.
Deliver me from wordly dispositions,
   for I am born from above and bound for glory.
May I view and long after holiness
   as the beauty and dignity of the soul.
Stay my mind upon thee and turn my trials to blessings,
   that they may draw out my gratitude and praise
     as I see their design and effects.

Balance my mind in all varying cirumstances
   and help me to cultivate a disposition that renders every duty
     a spiritual privilege.
Thus may I be content,
                  be a glory to thee
                  and an example to others.

- excerpt from The Valley of Vision, A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions {bold text emphasis mine}

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Residency 101

‎"I became a doctor for the same four reasons that everybody does: chicks, money, power, and chicks." -Dr. Cox from Scrubs

juuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuust kiddddddddddddding!

My sweet friend reminded me this morning that I've been a bit neglectful of my darling husband on here! So, I thought I'd give you a little update on how his first year of residency (also known as 'intern year') is going. He is working for the Baptist Health System of hospitals here in Birmingham (many people assume he is working for UAB, but not so.) This includes Princeton and Trinity Hospitals. He is currently on an ER elective rotation and is really enjoying work! His schedule changes each month and sometimes week by week, so there is really no routine. That's fine for me and he seems great with it. His shifts this week are from 11am to 11pm.

The ones I am truly dreading are called 'night float'. ugh! It's where he works from about 7pm to 10am the next morning. Those months will not be very fun as we are really intentional about always going to bed at the same time and I often rely on his body heat for warmth. (:)) Oh well, time to put my big girl panties on! :(

There have definitely been days where he has not seen Georgia at all, since she goes down for the night at around 8pm. It makes me sad but, he takes great care to play with her and love on her when he can.

James still studies during nights and weekends so he can do well and answer tough questions the attending doctor may throw at him. His work ethic has never let up for all these years and I am so proud. A couple weeks ago he got his first paycheck and made his first dollar as a DOCTOR! haha. I think it was a very fulfilling moment for him.

All in all, things are going well for him! He is building up his repertoire of stories to share, soaking up lots of experience and knowledge, and eating all the FREE food he can at the hospital to save us money on our food budget! He is an excellent provider. :)

No more short coat for this man!

Home from his first long day at work. (He had already taken off his tie)

"I've been thinking a lot lately about taking chances, and how it's really just about overcoming your fears. Because the truth is, every time you take a big risk in your life, no matter how it ends up, you're always glad you took it." Dr. John Dorian 'JD' - Scrubs

Fourth of July Weekend Extravaganza!

July 4th has always been one of my favorite holidays! Maybe because I enjoy being patriotic, maybe because I love summertime, or maybe because it means my birthday is around the corner. ;) Either way about it, it continues to be one of my favs. I have wonderful memories of 4th of July traditions throughout the years and, hopefully, Georgia Kate will look back fondly on our 4th celebrations!

Fourth of July way back when meant...
Meeting at Grandmommy's and Granddaddy's to decorate Uncle George's truck with streamers and such
Filling bags with Tootsie Rolls and Strawberry hard candies
Riding in the truck with all my cousins, Uncles, siblings, and Dad waving and throwing candy (I liked to throw 2, eat one :)) in Lakewood's neighborhood parade
Later that night, stretch out on blankets and lawn chairs at Uncle George and Aunt Ginny's house eating pound cake, ice cream and strawberries
Then, watching Lakewood Country Club's fireworks show

What awesome memories I have from my childhood!

Fourth of July now...
Fruit Pizza (a tradition the last few years)

Couldn't get a pic before people starting cutting into it!:)

Georgia in RW&B

This year we were happy to host my parents in our new home in Birmingham. We had a wonderful weekend shopping, exploring the city, and showing off our new place. We were sad to see them go this morning!