21/52

There is an old hollow tree at our neighborhood playground that has become a favorite hiding spot.

"A portrait of my little lady, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Thrilled to be linking up with Jodi for The 52 Project.

20/52

We spent an afternoon at the playground - running, sliding, climbing, and laughing. We were walking from one area to another and when I looked at Sophia this is the face she was making. She has been practicing her pouting face a little too frequently. I asked her if she was sad, and she said no, broke out into a huge grin and took off running. 

"A portrait of my little lady, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Thrilled to be linking up with Jodi for The 52 Project.

Pork Carnitas and Cilantro Lime Rice

I think this is one of my favorite meals. The pork has a pop of citrus and is so easy to make.

Pork Carnitas

adapted from Crockpot365

Ingredients:

2 pounds pork shoulder

Juice of one large orange, about 1/2 cup*

Juice of one large lime, about 1/4 cup*

*I zested the orange and lime before squeezing the juice

7 cloves whole garlic

1/2 tablespoon kosher salt

1 tablespoon cumin

1/2 cup beef broth

Toppings:

sour cream, cheddar, pico de gallo, corn salsa, scallions, guacamole or sliced avocado

Method:

In a small bowl, combine the salt and cumin. Rub mixture on the pork and place pork in the crock pot.

Add the garlic. Pour the citrus juice and beef broth over the pork.

Cook on low for 8-10 hours or until the pork shreds easily with a fork.

Shred the meat and check seasoning. Add the zest of the lime and orange if desired.

I serve over cilantro lime rice or on corn tortillas for a delicious gluten free meal.

Serve with your favorite toppings.

Topped with salsa, avocado, cheddar, and sour cream

Topped with lime ranch, sour cream, warm sriracha corn salad, guacamole, scallions, cheddar, and pico de gallo.

Cilantro Lime Rice

adapted from Martha Stewart

Ingredients:

1 cup rice

kosher salt

1/2 cup cilantro

2 tablespoons lime juice*

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 garlic clove

Method:

In a medium saucepan, bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil. Add rice and a pinch of salt, cover, and reduce to a simmer. Cook until water is absorbed and rice is tender.

While the rice is cooking, combine the cilantro, lime juice, oil, garlic, and 2 tablespoons water. Blend until smooth. Taste and season with salt. *Disclaimer: I love a strong lime flavor so I added the juice of a whole lime along with some zest to amplify the flavor.

Add the cilantro lime mixture to the cooked rice and fluff with a fork.

Spring at the Zoo

When I was growing up, going to the zoo was a special trip. I am not sure that Sophia will ever feel that way about the zoo since we are there regularly. Her favorite parts of the zoo are the train and carousel. The lines get ridiculous, so we only ride them when we get there early. She loves the animals too, but she visits them quickly. Our zoo is also a botanical garden and spring is by far the best time to visit. 

19/52

Sophia is constantly in motion. We visited a local park that did not have a playground. She had so much fun watching boats on the water, pretending a stick was a snake, and running as fast as she could. This is not the most picturesque of the photos I took, but it captured her joy the best.

"A portrait of my little lady, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Thrilled to be linking up with Jodi for The 52 Project.

18/52

Sophia has entered a phase where she wants to know the source of any noises she hears. She heard a plane passing by, located its position, and watched it fly overhead.

"A portrait of my little lady, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Thrilled to be linking up with Jodi for The 52 Project.

Insta-matic April

Here are some of my favorite instagram pictures from April.
As always, obsessed with my little lady.

Favorite place at the gym - the bars.

The "cheese wall" where Sophia requests to have her picture taken.

Serenading her dinner.

My loves.

She wanted Dada to take her picture while they were on a walk.

Daffodils at Eden Park.

Tulips at the zoo.

Taking a break from running to watch the ducks.

A day of showing her independence.

Hot dog lunch at the zoo.

Little artist.

First egg hunt on Easter.

Second egg hunt - the day after Easter.

Helping with the list while shopping.

My loves and their tongues.

Sporting the upside down sunglasses.

Obsessed with the cranes and their egg at the zoo.

Current favorite picture from our Eden Park picnic dinner.

Walking and meowing in the rain.

Shopping with bear.

Puddle magnet.

Obsessed with Frozen.