See my other posts at FarmFlavor.com.

I got up one morning to find this on the counter. Mr. J had set out everything I needed to make the perfect cup of coffee to start my day. It made me smile!

Here are 10 more reasons I love Mr. J:

1.) He makes me laugh.

2.) He washes dishes.

3.) He’s geeky.

4.) He helped me make this.

5.) He puts up with my crazy ideas. 

6.) He gives really good gifts.

This blog is coming to you live from the MacBook Air he surprised me with for my birthday! Wow!

7.) He really likes my cooking.

8.) We’re time tested.

We’ve been together for so long, I don’t know where he stops and I start.

5 years of marriage this year, 12 years together total

9.) He likes to go on adventures. I like to go on adventures, too.

10.) He’s so smart!

He’s really good at what he does for a living. He even wrote a book about it! It’s usually WAY over my head, but I love to hear him talk about it.

He does all of the measurement conversions around here…”Hey, Jack, what’s half of 1 3/4?”

He does all of the hard stuff around here that makes my head hurt: paying bills, dealing with insurance, planning trips, fixing things with wires, etc. etc.

I may or may not be bringing this to work today:

Read all about it here.

Are you eating like a king today?

I really love my Tervis water “tank.”

I drink a lot of water. All night long. All day at work. In the car. To and fro.

I’ve always loved Tervis products, and the water bottle is no exception!

For inspiration, check out the Bite this Book from Simple Bites. I LOVE this sentiment:

I think that the food system itself has taught us that we have no business making this stuff; we should just do the convenient thing and buy the boxes, bags, and containers they’ve prepared for us. … I always advise people to start with one or two foods that feel really exciting to them. If we start with the joy of it, and let our curiosity lead us to a few recipes, than often, those foods themselves will lead you to others, and the process happens on its own.

-Alana Chernila, The Homemade Pantry: 101 Foods You Can Stop Buying and Start Making

We can do it!

I have a new buddy in the kitchen. I usually do my cooking while he’s napping or in bed, but every now and then, he joins me. He’s picking up a few things here or there. He’ll be a whiz in the kitchen in no time!

This week, I’ll mark the second birthday of this blog. Let’s celebrate!

I missed the first birthday because I didn’t realize and the date passed me by. Blog, would you like a smash cake and some striped paper straws to make up for it?

I also recently racked up another accomplishment over here…200 posts! That doesn’t seem like many since I’ve technically had this ship running for 730 days, but I didn’t post as much when I was cooking the wee one. I just wasn’t that into it, ya’ll. BUT, the fever is back now (the blogging fever, that is!). And I’m ready to put on a party hat!

I’m going to go easy on myself (in new mother fashion) and post about Everyday Celebrations this week. That’s kind of my style anyway (see resolutions: 2011 / 2012). Let’s do this!

How brilliant is this - Hot Ingredient for the New Year: Elbow Grease?

I found this post when I was reading the kitchen tune-up post.

I have whipped egg whites into submission* by hand before. It was fun…one time

Personally, I think you’re one step ahead if you make your own whipped cream instead of buying cool whip, but I fully understand where thekitchn is coming from. It kind of reminds me of this post from Kate, if you’re into that kind of thing.