tuesday cuteness

since henry was born, i haven’t picked up my ‘big’ (dslr) camera much, which surprises me. but it’s big, and takes time to get the settings with the light right (and with infants you need to act quick), so i don’t carry it around with me. i’ve been very reliant on my iphone, since it’s always with me, and with my point-and-shoot. but the couple of times i have, i made it count and did my own mini photo shoots. these pictures make me happy. especially the hat ones. oh that hat! one of my favorite things ever.

(pictures taken a few weeks ago…he’s already changed – getting so big! but is still as cute, or cuter, now. of course.)

{justine}

week 41 {maternity book}

better late than never

(see previous weeks here)

{justine}

guacamole!

(exclamation point necessary)

ryan and i have eaten a lot of guacamole lately. basically because of this recipe. it’s the best homemade guacamole i’ve had. maybe the best guacamole, not just homemade, but that title was previously given to rick bayless’ at his xoco restaurant. this recipe may beat it, but i’ve only had xoco’s twice a long time ago, so before  i hand over the title i need to have it again.

to be honest i don’t even like avocados that much. but when mixed with a few simple ingredients it’s so flavorful. i think the key to this recipe is the paste, which ensures that every bite is jam packed with flavor.

guacamole!
recipe adapted from the bon appetit blog

makes approx. 1 3/4 cups

2 tablespoons finely chopped white onion
1 tablespoon minced jalapeno (or more to taste, seeds optional)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or 1/4 teaspoon fine salt, plus more to taste
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 large or 2 small ripe avocados, halved and pitted
a squeeze (or two) of lime, to taste

1. mash the onion, jalapeno, salt (the coarseness of kosher salt helps you make the paste), and cilantro to a paste (use a mortar if you have one, or mince and mash the ingredients together on a cutting board with a large knife or a fork). add to a bowl.

2. score the flesh in the avocado halves in a crosshatch pattern (not through the skin) with a knife and then scoop it with a spoon into the bowl with the paste. mix well and mash with a fork to your desired consistency. season to taste with lime juice and additional salt.

 

my paste isn’t usually too pastey, but i just make sure it’s nice and mashed and juiced. and don’t worry too much about the measurements – everything is pretty much to taste. i’ve only added in one jalapeno (no seeds) the last time i made it, and i just eyeball the other ingredients, adding more at the end if needed. i like the zip of lime juice, so i use the juice of a half to a whole lime, depending on how much guac i’ve made. as long as you taste your own creation and adjust, you can’t go wrong. just grab some chips and enjoy!

{justine}

duh {my real instagram name}

apparently i still have pregnancy brain. or maybe just lack of sleep brain. my instagram name is not @youresomartha. it’s @jstuck. in case you do actually want to follow me and see a zillion pics of henry. sorry bout that! hope you have a great weekend!

(henry at 3 days and 15 days. little guy is porking up; at 2 1/2 weeks he is now 8lb 12oz, up from 7lb 13 oz.)

{justine}