Peachy @ 15 Months

I know I haven't been writing as many monthly updates since Peachy turned one, but she has changed so much in the last few months. Although she is still our baby, she is far from being a baby any longer.

I now understand why others are saddened by their child growing up. My daughter no longer fits sweetly on my lap and in my arms. Gone are the days where she placidly lets me carry her where we need to go.

Now that she has that walking thing down, she wants to, well, be down and walking.

I am constantly amazed at the way her brain soaks up all that is around her. I can see her studying and thinking and trying to figure the world out. And her vocabulary continues to grow and grow. I love hearing her spout off one of her new words.

Over the last four weeks she has been very busy in the teething department. She got four of her molars and I just discovered the tips of her top eye teeth.

Getting her first 8 teeth were a breeze compared to these six. I have definitely seen a change in temperament with these last ones. And the eye teeth, aye yai yai.

The first thing that alerted me to their coming was in the diaper area. Poor baby!

Peachy is such a blessing to Mr. Cherry and my life. I wish there were a way to truly express the joy she brings to us everyday.

Tutorial Tuesday: Paisley Tote Bag

I recently found myself looking for a new purse. I was getting tired of hauling around the full out diaper bag, but I knew that a regular purse wouldn't cut it for all if the "momma" things I need to haul around. I looked at the local stores and nothing was really striking my fancy. Then I found this tutorial for a tote bag at the blog Kerri Made. (Part 1/Part 2)

I decided that the Michael Miller Playful Paisley that I had on had would be just the fabric to create this bag. Unfortunately I didn't realize what a challenge I would have in finding coordinating fabric. I finally settled on a solid for the bag top and a brown polka dot for the lining.

Type of Tutorial: Sewing
Skill Level: Advanced beginner
Changes: I would definitely add more interior pockets if I were to make this bag again. Especially since I am using it as a diaper bag. I did add the magnetic clasp like she suggested. Instead of cutting two pieces for each handle, sewing, and turning right side out, I would cut one piece, press the long sides and sew together ala Lazy Girl Patterns. I did add some quilting template plastic to the bottom to give it a little more structure.  I also used a heavy weight interfacing to help with the structure.
So far I am really enjoying my new bag!

PPPPPeppers

When I updated on our garden last week I neglected to mention this little fella.

Okay, maybe he is not so little. We bought this "inferno" pepper plant at a nursery for 99 cents part way into the summer! He has already given us two peppers and as you can see there are many more to come. We didn't have any room left in the garden when he joined our family so he resides in  pot on the front porch. He seems quite happy with this arrangement, so even though we now have room in the garden on the porch in a pot he shall stay.

The peppers have a little kick to them, but nothing too strong. It is really the perfect pepper for Mr. Cherry and I. We will have to see if we can find another pepper plant next summer for under a dollar!

Foodie Friday: Meatless Enchiladas

Here is another delicious recipe from the lovely Emily at One Lovely Life.

Ingredients:

For filling:
2 (14.5oz) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (14.5oz) can corn, drained (you could also use 1-2 ears of fresh corn)
1/2 sweet onion, diced
3 roma/plum tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 can diced green chiles
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4c grated monterrey jack cheese
1/2c salsa
juice and zest of 1-2 limes
1/4c chopped cilantro
1/2tsp pepper

For enchiladas:
8-10 medium flour tortillas (I like whole wheat)
1c grated monterrey jack cheese (or more, to taste)
1 recipe red enchilada sauce (or one large can)

Directions:
In a large bowl, combine black beans, corn, onion, tomato, chiles, garlic, and cheese. Stir in 1/2c salsa, juice of 2 limes, and cilantro and pepper to taste. Taste mixture and season with additional pepper or more salsa as needed.

To make enchiladas, spray a 9×13″ baking dish with cooking spray. Scoop 1/2-3/4c filling into the center of each tortilla and roll up, folding in each end as shown. Form a single layer in baking dish. Cover with enchilada sauce and sprinkle with cheese.

Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes, or until bubbly.

That's a Mouthful

Little Peachy can be quite the chatterbox at times. She likes to sprinkle real words in with her made-up gibberish. Here she is after dinner one night talking to mom and dad.