1.  I did 45 minutes of yardwork today!  My plan is brilliant – 30 minutes seems so not-daunting that I go outside and then I’m having fun so I stay out longer!  Poor Ellie gets tired of sitting in her Bumbo chair but we do need to make some Vitamin D in both of us so the plan is doubly beneficial!

2. I have discovered a new way to buy a few more minutes when Ellie is grumpy/tired/hungry – take off her diaper and let her have a little bare bottom time on the kitchen floor.  She loves it and I can get just a couple more things done before nursing/nap time! (I do put a pad under her for the inevitable peeing!)

3. I have cracked the code of creamy hummus, finally, after 8 years of making it.  The secret?  Lots and lots of the cooking water.  Here’s my recipe (such as it is – I’m just adapting this recipe which I made up long ago):

Lots of chickpeas (preferably cooked from dried beans – they taste better and are BPA-free) and save the cooking liquid.
tahini
lemon juice
cumin
olive oil
cayenne pepper
black pepper
sea salt
2-3 cloves garlic (or more), minced/pressed through a garlic press and then slowly sauteed in some olive oil on very low heat until golden brown.

Combine all ingredients and process in a blender/food processor until smooth.  Add olive oil and bean liquid as necessary to get it smooth and creamy.

The secret?  Keep on adding the cooking liquid.  And adding it.  And adding it.  I used to put in maybe 1/4 – 1/2 C – just enough to get it to blend.  This time, I probably put in closer to 2 C (although I didn’t measure it so I really don’t know.)  I also put in lots of salt and added more olive oil than I thought was necessary.

And wow, it’s good! And good for us!