This is the first rainy day we’ve experienced since being in Michigan in June! Geez, we do live in the desert. Ian’s taking a nice long nap while I prep some lamb stew that will bubble away in the crock pot while we play at Bodhi’s.

I started off the only way one should on a deliciously gloomy October morning.

1 cup oats

1 cup water

1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

liquid vanilla stevia

1/4 cup Trader Joe’s Candied Walnuts

Combine oats, water, milk, cinnamon salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Cook until desired consistency, maybe5-7 minutes. Pour into bowl (I like to let it cool awhile and thicken up). Stir in walnuts and add stevia to taste.

Serves two people, or one Mama Mandy.

Total calories: 500

Last night, we had company for dinner. I realize now that this was a first for Ian (except when we’ve had relatives in town), and he was so so so so so excited to have not one guest, but two around our little table. My wonderful friend is having her first baby next month, and I have the honor of being her birth (and postpartum) doula! My other wonderful friend, who is a seasoned doula and student midwife, has offered to support me in supporting the mama since this is my first trip to the birth rodeo (other than my own birth, obvi) and because I’m a Mighty Virgoan Worrier.

So over Carrot Coriander Soup (can I ever thank you enough, Lisa, for introducing me to this recipe?) and Brazilian Cheese Bread, we carved out a birth plan. And played with Ian. It was a pretty perfect evening, capped off with an exhausted babe falling into his crib and sleeping soundly for twelve hours.