Beltline Brunch & Play.

I admit, I've done a poor job getting into Atlanta and exploring. Since I've grown up here, I just don't make time to keep exploring. Stevie and I do such a great job exploring other cities, because it's an adventure! But when we are home, I tend to hibernate a bit more and just enjoy my immediate surroundings. Like my backyard and the golf cart paths :)  But every time I go into the city I am reminded how close it is and how we should just do it more. Because the food is better, you guys. It just is.

I've been feeling a little insulated at home. A little baby-fried. I love being home with my kiddos but we are so in it right now, up to our neck in bottles and swaddles and no sleep and OUR MEAL TRAIN ENDED. So basically there hasn't been anything to look forward to (have I mentioned how much I loved my meal train? I can't even talk about it anymore. Because I get too sad that it's over.) But all that being said, we were due to have some good old fashioned FUN. So last weekend we trekked into the city and met our friends the Hunts for brunch in Inman Park, right along the Beltline. Everything at Parish was soooo good (hence the "food is better in the city" comment) - if you go, get the Croque monsieur, the cranberry french toast and the corned beef hash. It was SO GOOD.

Like seriously, I need more.

Then we walked the Beltline, found a playground and a water fountain (two musts when you're a parent with wiggly little people) and chowed down on King of Pops popsicles. I'll admit, the weather was still slightly chilly for popsicles, but we are beckoning spring onward, so it felt like our duty to have King of Pops. :)

I can't believe how BIG Everett has gotten. I remember holding him just like I'm holding Daxton these days, a little baby in my arms. I remember trekking into the city with him, along with my monster stroller and basically everything we own, just for a few hour stint in the city. I can't believe that time is over. I can't believe I am doing this again. I can't believe I made another baby and he's here and he's so big and beautiful. It's true when they say it - everything with kids goes by SO FAST. It feels so challenging when you're in the thick of it, but then you blink twice and maybe move once or twice and suddenly your baby is a toddler and you have another baby in your arms and its like - what happened? Are we really a family of four?! Wasn't I like, just living in NYC and going on auditions and doing whatever I wanted with my time? Oh the wonderful selfish years.

Those are gone.

But! That's why we trek into the city and play, because even though all my years going forward will be consumed with meeting everyone else's needs and making sure they're happy and healthy - this mama wanted a day in the city, and that's what she got :)

It was just a really, really good day.

P.S. - Recommendations for other family-friend restaurants and activities in the city are so welcome! I want to do more Atlanta things as the weather warms up - any suggestions?

P.P.S. - I'm running a giveaway for another few days over on my Instagram, gifting one special mama with some must-have postpartum products from Earth Mama Angel Baby - don't miss it!

P.P.P.S. - I'll be helping host an event at the Peachtree City Banana Republic this Thursday evening, 2/23 from 5:30-8pm and I would love it if you came out! There will be bites and drinks and pants (the promoted item of the evening :) I'll havemore details for you on my Instagram tomorrow :)

TASTE: Bacon-Nutmeg Quiche

Yum yum yum.

Happy Saturday! I hope you're enjoying this lovely weekend. Brunch is a weekend staple, so I thought I would share one of my favorite recipes. No matter what season, quiche is always an appropriate go-to. I got this particular recipe from my dazzling mother. Once you get the hang of quiche, you can pretty much whip anything together with eggs and a pie crust and it will turn out hot and delicious. Mmm I love brunch. Especially when my mom makes it. I sit at her kitchen bar and drink coffee and she scolds me for putting my feet up on the counter. It's a marvelous tradition.

Ingredients:

- A 9-inch unbaked pie crust

- 1 tsp. unsalted butter or olive oil

- 1 small yellow onion, chopped

- 2 cups shredded swiss cheese

- 6 slices lean bacon, cooked, crumbled

- 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour

- 3 large eggs

- 1 cup low-fat milk

- 1/4 tsp. salt, to taste

- 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees.

2. In a 6-inch non-stick skillet melt the butter (or olive oil) over moderately high heat. Add onion* and saute for 5 minutes or until soft, then transfer to a medium bowl.

3. Toss onion with cheese, bacon and flour. Spread this mixture in pie crust.

4. In the medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt and nutmeg.

5. Pour mixture over the cheese, bacon and flour in the pie crust.

6. Bake uncovered for 35 minutes or until center is set.

*Sometimes I add mushrooms and green pepper. The more veggies, the more fun!

Bon Appetit! My husband tends to scarf this down within a day. Hopefully you will be equally as endeared to the tastiness of it. Let me know how yours turns out! Happy brunching!