DO IT LOCAL.

Since I grew up in a home where my parents owned a small local business, and now my husband owns a "small" "local" business, I try my hardest to support these people. People who started with nothing, or maybe a little something, and are working their butts off to make a nest for their little family. I know personally, Ryan started literally with nothing. At the time he borrowed a few bucks from his mom, got a business license, and off he went. Thank GOD he has the business brain of a genius. Not many people can say they have done that. I was going to school full time and had 2 jobs, so I chipped in where I could with everyday costs. Now, even though he is still considered a small business (and, pretty much local) he also does business world wide. He has friends on every continent, and people know and LIKE him. And he works hard at that. And, it is rewarding to work hard. We have had the opportunity to help out many friends and family members that have needed it. It makes you feel good to be able to give back. I always say, even if you have just a little to give, you should do it. Because one day that person who has nothing might be you.



When we go out to eat (not to often anymore, now that we have a 16 month old monster on our hands!) we try our very hardest to chose local. And despite what people say, Reno really has some GREAT local places to eat. We order our produce from a wonderful local business called Basketcase Organics. They deliver local produce to their customers on a weekly basis. And get this, it only costs me $22 a week. I can't even walk into Whole Foods for that price. And while I do buy most of Branson's clothes at Baby Gap, we also try really hard to support local company's. Rockaboo, and Scrunch Nose are 2 of our favorites. I'm trying every day to be more conscious of where and what I buy. Sundance book store? YES PLEASE! Eclipse Pizza? Supper yes! Squeeze In? Duh, we could live there. We always donate to the Local SPCA and Humane Society, and local schools as well. This last year we did the Angel Tree through a friend at Christmas time. We were able to donate Walmart gift cards of a substantial amount to 2 local girls who have nothing. I've never felt better doing anything in my life.



Of course we all have our vices. I can't help but buy my coffee at Starbucks. I just love the taste of the stuff. I've tried all the nearby local places, and I just don't like them. So, I spend a few bucks a week on my lattes and Via's. But, I almost always see this young kid (maybe 18?) sitting outside in the cold, and it's clear that he might very well be homeless. I always buy him a latte or hot chocolate, and sometimes a bite to eat. You have to give back when you can. And if I can afford an extra $5 added onto my starbucks order, I'll do it.



Bottom line, we are blessed. We live within our means, but if we have a little extra we don't mind sharing with our local friends and family, and those in need. Branson has everything, so I can't wait to teach him about giving back. Starting Local is the best way to do it.

I know I don't have a bazillion followers, but I'm going to give a list of some of our favorite local joints below. Visit them if and when you are in Reno, these places ROCK. And they have earned or are trying to earn their way in this community, and this economy.

Resaurants:
www.squeezein.com (the BEST breakfast anywhere. On the planet)
http://silverpeakbrewery.com/ (great for beer and a little bit nicer pub food)
http://sezmurestaurant.com/(a really great upscale dinner joint)
http://www.renogrill.com/ (a nice in between restraunt)

Baby stuff:
http://www.wix.com/scrunchnose/web
http://www.rockabyereno.com/

Other:
http://basketcaseorganics.com/index.html (local produce delivered to your home. A. Mazing)

FOOD. I LOVE IT.

Sometimes I really want to write in my blog, but don't have much to write about. Then it hit me: FOOD. Duh. I love food. Perhaps a little too much? I consider myself a foodie in the simple fact that I really, really, love the stuff. So here goes!

Last night Ryan made me dinner. And not only did he make me dinner but he cleaned up the kitchen after as well. Normally I would think this is super super sweet, but if you have ever seen a kitchen after Ryan cooks, it's literally like bombs over Baghdad. I mean every dish, every appliance, every condiment, everything you could get out and dirtied is out and dirtied. So it was more than super sweet. The poor guy got home about 5:30, started cooking and when all was said and done it was after midnight. But the meal was. A. MAZING. As follows:

Appetizer: caprese salad and stuffed mushrooms

Main Course: Pork chops (he makes the best, I promise), asparagus with Hollandaise sauce, blue cheese twice stuffed potato's, and garlic pesto bread.

Dessert: donuts or German chocolate cake. Buuuut neither of us had any room :)

Ryan is an amazing cook. It is one of the many ways he won my heart. I know he loves to cook, and even when he thinks he has overdone something or ruined it, the meal is spectacular.

Thanks babe :)

ONE STOP SHOP? NOT.

How come there isn't one store that has all my weekly needs? I mean, I have to go to at least 2 different stores every week to get everything I need. Usually it's Walmart and Whole Foods. Because walmart doesn't have organic produce. Or good meat. But, Whole Foods doesn't have everything else! And Whole Foods is ridiculously expensive! And sometimes I have to go to Trader Joe's or Raley's too! Have you ever tried to go to more than one grocery store with a 15 month old? not the worlds easiest task. And, what is it with Walmart not carrying normal things? Like Panko Bread Crumbs. Or my favorite brand of hand lotion. Oh and note to self, Scolari's is a waste of time. They don't have anything.

that is all. That is my rant for the week. Thank you for coming.

UP!

Well, Ryan made it home safe. He and Branson have had a hard time separating since, it's pretty cute. I couldn't imagine having to leave our little angel for more than a day. Or 2. Ok MAYBE 3 but that's pushing it.

Now that I officially have a toddler, I also officially have no time. Like getting house work done? Forget it. If I vacuum, I end up sucking up little toes or fingers trying to help. If I do dishes, He climbs in the dishwasher. Same with laundry. Scrubbing toilets...do I really need to paint the picture for you? Branson is so active. He always has been, but since he was a late walker this is pretty new to me. Ryan was always trying to rush him walking, but I wasn't. I think I was semi aware of what was to come. While it is wonderful and amazing and cute and all sorts great, it's also so. darn. tiring. I spend my day putting him "up" in his big boy chair at the table, only for him to climb right down and demand to be put back up again. Or I have to watch him right by his side because climbing on the couch is great fun! buuuuuut falling off head first into our slate floors is not. The other part of my time is spent climbing over the dog gate to retrieve toys (or food, shoes, clothes, remotes, phones etc) that Branson so lovingly shares with our furry friends. And, as you can see from the picture below, the piano is a great display for his toys! Except somehow he can get them up there, but can't get them down. So mommy does. Ah. I'm kinda tired just thinking about it! Of course there are the fun times too. Like playing outside. Watching him walk around our entire property is pretty awesome. Until we have to come in because his little fingers are blue and on the verge of frost bite. Then there might be a meltdown.

Today also marked our first pediatric dentist appointment. Two words: NOT. FUN. he screamed the whole time. I wasn't going to even make an appointment until he was 18 months, but the poor guy chipped his tooth. Sad! His gorgeous, straight, white, amazing teeth! Very, very sad day for mommy. "But it is just a baby tooth." And "it gives him character." And "you can barely tell. Kinda." None of which make me feel better. Anyhow. He checked out fine at the dentist, a little florid for Branson and xanax for mom. Kidding!

BABY FEVER

I have baby fever. Pretty bad. It's so amazing to watch my child grow everyday, and I can't wait to keep experiencing it with him, and experience it again with other kids. Today we had dinner at the "big boy table" (a little Fisher Price table that has been around for 15 years). It's pretty awesome to watch Branson grow into a young man. He sat quietly, eating his bowl of Mac N Cheese (which I of course snuck in tomato's, spinach and butternut squash), drinking his water and talking about Elmo (I think). So yes, I want more. Soon. They are so amazing! And I love watching him interact with his grandparents and Great Grandparents. He loves saying "Momo, Nana and Poppa". And the best part is he knows each and every person individually.

Sadly this week he is missing Ryan. Ryan is away on business for 10 days, and the first few days were really on hard on Branson. He would point at the garage door or bedroom door and yell, "dada?! dada?!", and in the mornings he would cry, saying dada over and over trying to crawl to Ryan's side of the bed. It really breaks my heart. We have been able to see Ryan everyday on Skype, but I'm not sure Branson gets it just yet. He sees dada, but then because of the bad Internet connection in Timbuktu (aka Bolivia), the video freezes and then it just looks like a picture. I cannot WAIT to pick Ryan up from the airport, and for him and Branson to be reunited. And it will feel so gooooood!