BLEUBIRD BLOG

OBSESSED WITH BEETS.

i have a slight obsession with beets. especially pickled and marinated beets. there is a market near our house that i like to pop into several times a week to grab a jar or two. once i get it home, the new jar lasts maybe two hours. i just can't help myself. they are that good. they are also quite expensive, for beets anyway. they're $8 for a small jar and with the direction my beet intake is headed i could be broke by next tuesday. not really, but it is a pricey little habit. i think i'm going to give pickling them myself a try. i got some good canning and pickling book advice from some friends. now i just have to decide which one to order. it looks like an easy, but time consuming process and it seems there are many specific tools that are needed before getting started... a pressure cooker/canning pot, hot jar lifter, canning funnel, among other things.

my question is... have any of you canned before? i would love to hear about it. any suggestions and advice would be great. i would also like to know what your favorite thing is to can or pickle. i am going to try pickling beets first, but if it's something that i enjoy (and i have a good feeling it will be) then i would love to try canning many things. i picture my pantry being filled to the brim with jars full of pretty, colorful canned vegetables. is that what your pantry looks like? i can't wait to hear what you guys have to say on the subject.

SPONSOR INFO & GIVEAWAY WINNER.

if you would like to partner up with bleubird for the month of february, please contact aubrey at: aubrey@bleubirdvintage.com for details and current rates. we are continuing last months special discounted rates for february because it is a short month. we work with companies large or small and have several sponsorship opportunities to suit your budget and needs.

the winner of the ellington handbags giveaway is: 

thanks to everyone who entered and thanks again to ellington for your generosity. xo!

BITS + PIECES.

bits + pieces of our week. {normally a friday ritual, i'll get better about posting them on time.} feel free to play along and link your bits + pieces in the comments below.

aubrey is out of town this weekend working the alt summit conference and hanging with all of my sweet lady friends. i am a leeeeedle jealous, but so glad that he gets to be there having fun. the rest of us are spending the weekend catching up on laundry, you don't even want to know how bad the dirty clothes situation has gotten in this house, and hanging with friends. hope you are all enjoying your weekend.

BIRD FOOD.

i have been meaning to share more of what birdie eats for some time now but rarely remember to snap pictures before she devours her food. i snapped photos this past week of her meals (when i remembered to) and am excited to make this a regular feature here to help inspire but also to hear what all of you are feeding your little ones and hopefully come up with some new idea's myself.

pink lady apple slices, mama made french toast.

grape tomatoes, green grapes, vegetable lentil soup with very little broth.

broccoli, bow-tie pasta, peas and feta salad with balsamic dijon dressing.

roasted potatoes, carrots, onions and sweet potatoes.

blueberries and greek yogurt with strawberries.

veggie burger patty and avocado.

sliced strawberries and banana rice puffs.

green grapes, blueberries and an egg, fresh spinach and parmesan omelet.

deconstructed taco: morning star crumbles, sauteed onion and bell pepper, avocado and black olives.

organic baked beans and fresh bread.

steel cut oats and maple syrup.

crab apple bisque, fresh bread and water.

scrambled eggs and avocado.

cous cous with left over lentils and vegetables.

this girl likes to eat. a lot. and nurse. a lot. oiy... i need to really think about weaning her. i feel like it's a constant thing throughout the day and, cover your ears guys, my boobies are tired. i nursed plum until she was 18 months and birdie will be 17 months tomorrow. i really wanted to continue until she was two but i think it's time. i just remember it being very hard. any tips for this veteran? oh and bring on the toddler meal ideas and suggestions. i am always excited to try new things.