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I told you she is growing up too fast…
From newborn to 6-months. Amazing, no?
For more photos from Summer’s 6-month shoot, please click here. My favorites are the black and white series Emily took of Summer sitting in CD’s lap. CD will rest his head on Summer’s belly, and she just giggles like crazy. While Emily and her husband, Chris, packed up after the shoot, CD started doing the belly trick. Emily heard Summer laughing and quickly grabbed her camera, getting a few final pics before we left for lunch. Emily, they are all magical. Thanks again for recording so many memories for us this year. 
Another magical thing in my life?
Breakfast!
Melissa suggested I try her quinoa flake power breakfast. Only problem? I was quinoa flakeless this morning. Solution: make my own quick cooking quinoa.
First, toast quinoa in a 350℉ oven. Watch carefully and remove when the aroma of toasted quinoa starts to fill your kitchen, 10 minutes or so.
Allow to cool and then grind your toasted quinoa in a blender. Any blender should do, but you might have to stop blending and stir the quinoa with a fork a few times.
Quinoa flour can be subbed for whole wheat flour in any recipe, and it also makes a great hot cereal. For my breakfast this morning, I brought 1/2 cup of the flour, 1 cup water, 1 cup HEABified coconut milk, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt to a boil and then whisked over low heat until thick – less than 5 minutes. Toppings included more cinnamon and Ground Nut Butter Co. chocolate and plain almond butters. I love these nut butters!!! The chocolate tastes like chunks of a slightly bitter dark chocolate bar, and it melted all over my quinoa. Delicious. Why don’t my homemade almond butters ever taste this fresh? Not sure if it’s the almonds I use or my roasting time. Oh well, thankfully I still have a few more servings of Shawn’s samples – I don’t want them to end!
What made your morning magical?
{ 111 comments… read them below or add one }
I made Katie’s Red Velvet Pancakes this morning. They definitely made my morning magical (and delicious!)
The photos are gorgeous! Summer is such a cutie.
Every single photo of your family looks positively beautiful. It must be gentic.
My magical morning? Getting in a great training swim towards a private racing goal I have
.
Victoria,
I didn’t know you were such a swimmer. Fueled by chocolate no doubt.
I swam 4 years in college – and when I swim with other folks around here and they comment on my speed, I tell them that they ought to try eating chocolate every day – it’s obviously what does it!
Whoa, that breakfast sounds awesome! I’ve never tried making quinoa into a flour before. I’m going to get on that.
I’m also going to take a look at the 6mo baby shoot. I LOVE looking at baby pictures!
Coffee made my morning magical. It does every day. I am an easy girl to please at 6 am.
Katie,
Ah yes, the regular coffee is back in my life, and it’s good…really really good.
Tony making me laugh! It makes every day great! I love the photos and can’t believe how big Summer is getting. I hope you have an incredible day Heather!
Sarena,
What a sweet way to start the day.
SO ADORABLE!!! Her eyes are just amazing when they stare at you
My weight workout this morning with a green omelet and fresh omelet made my morning magical!
Fresh omelet? Ooops! I meant fresh WATERMELON!
Alex,
Ha – I was wondering what you meant, but I liked the sound of a 2-omelet breakfast.
I still can’t believe how big Summer is! What a doll. <3 I love that you make your own quinoa flour — it's easy to just assume you can't at home, but how rewarding when you try it and it's easy!
I am waiting for my little miniblender to die (it's definitely on it's way out!) and then I'm looking into something that can handle grains and such for these purposes. I bet it saves some moolah! 
Katie,
I’m sending death vibes to your miniblender. Sorry, but I want you to be able to make your own flours. It’s so fun and easy!
those pictures are absolutely gorgeous heather!
As I said yesterday- those pictures are amazing! You are like the cutest family ever. AH! And you look just fabulous. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I bounce back just like you
. BTW- I joined amazon mom today! I will definitely be purchasing diapers that way- thank you for the tip!
Erica,
Oh my goodness, you will. You are active and healthy, and I promise you will bounce back quickly. Don’t even worry about it for a second! And yes, Amazon mom is the BEST!
Those are beautiful photos, what a gorgeous family.
she is growing up soo fast ! i love all the photos, Summer is truly one beautiful baby!
Wow, Summer is really growing up fast! And she is so beautiful!:) The photos are all awesome. The breakfast isn´t bad looking either:) I am in a mood for some quinoa right now (even when it is time for dinner:)
Oh my GOODNESS, Heather!! These photo shoots get better and better. Summer is such a beautiful baby… her eyes, they are like blue diamonds. Emily’s photography is outstanding. All of the pictures are endearing and utterly breathtaking. I would travel to Emily should I ever be blessed with a little one of my own. Her work is remarkable. You have such a gorgeous family… I love all the pictures!!
Jenn,
I know – I am grateful that we have Emily in our lives. She started out as our photographer, but now I consider her and her husband wonderful friends. They are such a cute couple and so talented, and I know Emily would be more than happy to photograph your blessed little one some day.
Those pictures are adorable!!! I love her big smile in her 6 month photo. You have such a cute little family
What made my morning magical – an easy commute to work!
Those pictures are so incredible! I think you’re going to need to take one every 6 months…forever!
My morning was made magical by a powerful vinyasa flow class with one of my favorite instructors. Made even more magical because my dear friend was practicing next to me, and it’s rainy and cold outside today, so it was nice to be warm inside.
oh, the photos are beautiful – Summer is so cute and you all look incredibly happy and beautiful!
I just finished an energizing workout and my “chocolate peanut butter endurance oats” are cooking – a perfect start to a GREAT week!
hope yours continues to be great too!
Oh my god dear Heather, those pictures are so wonderful!
)
Whenever I read your blog, I get all giddy and happy and can’t wait to have kids of my own. Still few more years till that
Marina,
It’s truly amazing. You will love being a mama when the time comes.
Oh my goodness, Heather- your pictures are amazing! Emily is an awesome photographer, and the pictures came out great. Summer’s eyes are remarkable- such a gorgeous sky blue!
My fiance makes and packs my breakfast for work every morning, so breakfast always puts a smile on my face
Melissa B,
You’ve got a good man.
That breakfast looks delicious!
oh, those are precious! how wonderful to have so many family pictures already. i can’t get over how adorable they are!
i should have checked out your blog before i ate! i would have made that for sure! instead i had a fluffy strawberry smoothie and i’ve got the chills! burr!
my little babe woke up earlier than normal so we enjoyed a 6 mile run together. something about getting in some exercise in the early morning makes for a magical day- i feel like i am ready to tackle whatever comes!
have a wonderful monday!
Alli,
I agree. The plan was to take a walk pre-breakfast but it was pouring rain. Now, I’m thinking of doing some yoga while Summer naps instead.
Love the pictures — that is my favorite age!
Jess,
I know. Everyone told me to enjoy Summer as infant b/c she would sleep so much and not require a lot of entertaining, but she is sooo much more fun now. Laughing and babbling. I love just lying on our backs or sides next to one another and talking/playing. It’s so sweet.
Quinoa flour looks great! I’ll have to try baking with it. Do you have to rinse off the saponin before toasting the quinoa?
Evan,
I usually rinse and drain the quinoa first, but I was too lazy this morning. Only do it b/c I read I should – didn’t even know it was to remove the saponin. Ha, I don’t even know what saponin is…fun word to say though.
so adorable! You and summer will be so glad you have these when she’s older!
Wow! I never realised how blue her eyes are! What a little stunner! (You guys look great, too!)
Wow those pictures are amazing!! You guys all look great and Summer is absolutely breathtaking!!
Your family is just gorgeous. I love the comparison shot from 6 mo ago. Time flies!! The first few with that adorable dress and her big blue eyes are just amazing. Such a sweet little face.
Thanks Ashley. She’s got CD’s big blue eyes.
absolutely precious!!
and your quinoa breakfast looks yummy. I must try ! my breakfast was nothing special today, but it’s always the most magical time of the morning
Heather! This second round of photos is BEAUTIFUL. Summer is nothing short of angelic, and your family as a whole is simply radiant! What a great idea to have these photo shoots to look back on later…
And YUM QUINOA! I make something very similar with millet instead of quinoa (I’m obsessed with the flavor of millet – it is so nutty!) I posted it on my blog a while back if you want to check it out: http://thepalatepeacemaker.com/2011/01/16/millet-porridge-3/
Now I’ve got to try your quinoa version though!
xo
Desi
I didn’t even recognize you in the first pictures! thank you for not being like the real housewives of somewhere and posting nude. black and white with shirts on- so classy
Katherine,
No problem. HEAB is G-rated…well, sometimes my language and CD’s jokes might get a little PG-13.
You used the perfect word to describe the photos Heather as they truly are magical! Wonderful family, wonderful photos, and Summer is so precious!!
What made my morning magical today? Getting a proper workout, it was good and a refreshing way to start my week, especially when you know the week will involve lots of studying and 2 final exams ahead.
That quinoa breakfast looks totally creamy and delicious. I am on an oat bran quick this past few days myself
Ana
Ana,
I am on an oat bran kick everyday.
Best of luck with your finals – you’re almost there!
LOVE the inventive use of quinoa! Will definitely be trying this soon!
She’s so sweet and adorable! Your breakfasty bowls always look so yummy – I love how simple they are – the simpler, the better – lets you appreciate the subtle flavors.
Meghan,
I could not agree more. Sometimes I like more complicated bowls, but the simple ones are my always favorites.
what a beautiful baby girl
i actually have quinoa flakes that i received in a blogger swap! i must try them out now that i’ve seen you use quinoa flour! hehe.
xo.
How cool! My boyfriend just gave me some quinoa this weekend and I was wanting to make it into flour. Now I know how! Thanks, Heather! Beautiful pics of your family, too. =)
Lauren,
You’re welcome. It’s so easy – enjoy!
The photos of Summer are absolutely incredible. Now the hard part begins… choosing which ones to order prints of. I am sure you could spend two fortunes.
Heather: Summer is just beautiful. I love those eyes looking up at the camera. What a beautiful family!!
Oh my goodness, look at those eyes!
Oh HEAB Summer is just stunning. Not that she needs professional photos to show that off, but many compliments to Emily for her great work, too. Thank you for sharing the magic!
Awww….looking at this pictures made my morning magical. They are wonderful THank you for sharing.
Aww, beautiful photos! And you’re right, little ones grow so fast!
I love your quinoa bowl! Such a great idea to use flour for a porridge! It must turn out incredibly creamy!
Kath, super creamy, but you to whisk whisk whisk or else it gets lumpy.
Quinoa flour at home? You are just so clever and crafty, arent you! Love it, Heather!
It’s amazing what motherhood does..it makes us want to make almost everything we can at home. Well, it did for me.
And that Summer…she is just growing by leaps and bounds!!! And is such a cutie pie!! Good thing you have that new dslr to take a zillion pictures of her
Keep me posted on the lens stuff!
Oh goodness, I just can’t wait till I have a real kitchen! These lil Cambridge stoves just aren’t cutting it. And beautiful photos
She is growing so fast!! And time has really flown, for you and us all! It seems like just yesterday you announced her birth.
Mary,
I announced the pregnancy a year ago this coming weekend, on Mother’s Day. Can you believe it?!?
gorgeous photos! Summer is just beautiful, and has grown so much
Those pictures are stunning. Summer really is growing quickly! I love her happy facial expressions
Thanks for the quinoa flour tutorial. I love that idea!
LOVE the one of y’all on the blanket! Adorable Heather. Thank you for sharing!
Those pictures of Summer are beyond cute! The different poses are so creative!
just went and looked at her photos—summer is absolutely GORGEOUS!
Thanks Natalie.
You’re brilliant– I love how creative you get when you don’t have ingredients on hand. What do I do when I’m out of something? Run to Whole Foods, of course. I really need to start learning from you….
What made my morning wonderful? You’re cookie- dough boy smoothie, of course! It was pure amazing; you know exactly what I love!
Emilia,
Put yourself on a grocery budget, and Whole Foods is usually the first thing to go.
They grow SO fast! I remember taking 6 month family pictures with my oldest…and he’ll be 9 this September!!!
One word: awwww!
cute family pics
and super good idea on the toasted quinoa flour breakfast cereal. next time i have quinoa i will try it out.
BEAUTIFUL photos (and a brilliant recipe)!
This morning, after dropping the kids off at school and running all my errands, I actually took a much-needed nap. It was VERY nice!
Alyssa,
I love naps and keep telling myself I should take them more often when Summer sleeps. I’m definitely missing out!
Such precious photos!!!
At first your breakfast looked like ice cream. Haha I actually recently bought quinoa flakes but have only used them once! Now I’m inspired to make some yummy breakfasts
These precious pics made my day for sure! How sweet! Beautiful!
Geez Heather, it is amazing how fast time flies, I remember when you first announced you were pregnant, It feels like yesterday! Crazy!
Hope you have a great night!!
Katie,
I know – I announced in on the blog last year on Mother’s Day – one year ago this coming weekend. Crazy, huh? Thanks for sticking with me throughout my journey.
she seriously could not be any cuter! zomg. the photos are gorgeous!!!
A perfectly ripe mango made my morning magical.
Heather, your family is beautiful! Summer looks so much like you, and she looks like such a healthy, happy baby. Congratulations on the 6-month milestone!
Thanks Emily.
Oh Heather! The pictures of Summer are fantastic! I love the color shot of her looking up! You did a great job picking out that outfit too…it makes the color of her eyes POP!
I’ve been wanting to try Melissa’s quinoa bake but didn’t want to go out and buy a box of flakes! I can’t wait to give this a try! And it’s always great to have a flour that can pump up the protein in a baked good!
Wow ! You really took that up a few levels. I forgot to mention that I also added a few raw unsalted cashews to mine. Great work, that looks amazing.
It was Melissa. Thank you…although I’m sure it would have better with a little cashew crunch.
What a beautiful set of family photos
So precious!
Opening up a brand new jar of peanut butter made my morning extra special today.
*melllllt* these are soooooooo adorable!! I kind of want a baby right now so I can do this! Plus, I love kids. (not in the creepy way)
what a beautiful family.
And my morning? Carob oats were definitely a hit today for me.
I don’t know how you can pick just one. Beautiful….all of them.
AWWWEEEE!!!! Summer is so cute!!
Gosh she has grown a lot! When you see them everyday, you can’t really see the changes. But it’s pictures like that that remind you how much she’s changed so quickly!
Loved all the pictures! Summer has the most precious smile! Thank you for sharing them!
I had no idea it was that easy to make the flour…impressive. Love the photos!
Stop worrying about her growing up too fast girl!! Just enjoy every day and live it
awww. heart melts..
she’s like you. beautiful.
Oh my stars GREAT PICTURES!! They’re all fabulous… would have a hard time picking… but love the CD & Summer tummy tickling ones… so sweet
love the quinoa flour idea… interesting!
I gotta try that quinoa flour!!! SOunds awesome!!
summer is growing up too fast…love the black and white photos. I love how they tell so little, but with so much more emotion!!
my morning was made magical with some coffee and donuts, something I have been enjoying too much lately, haha
Darling pictures
I want to try that quinoa flour for some breakfast! Looks delicious. Thanks for the tip!
Eating quinoa flour? I think this is the weirdest I’ve seen! Haha.
Just too much cuteness and adorableness and beauty in those photos. Too much to bear!
Love this idea for quinoa flour, too. Surely will be cheaper than the quinoa flakes at my local health food stores, which comes in ridiculously small quantities!
Heather, you beautiful, amazing pictures made MY morning!!!
Oh, you just filled up my day – I will have these amazing smiles of love, happiness and joy of your family all day in my heart!!!
THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
And quinoa? On my list today!
THAT.IS.AMAZING. I am going to make my own quinoa flour ASAP… it is so expensive in the store, I never thought to try and make it myself. I have been on a massive quinoa kick the last few weeks. (I went through 2 cups of quinoa in 2 days and just made another 2 cups last night HAH good thing I buy it in bulk)
I’m still jamming on your rolled oats with unsweetened bakers chocolate and tahini. My fave breakfast of all time!
Beautiful pictures. It’s amazing to see how much Summer has grown…the time is going too quickly…have I mentioned that before:)!!
Beautiful pictures, beautiful family! This made me smile this morning, you’re all so full of joy, it’s wonderful
She is such a sweet little cherub! The pictures are amazing.
I’ve always heard that you had to really soak and rinse quinoa or it’s bitter. Did you do anything to prevent that or notice any bitterness?
Thanks Heather, and yes, I try to remember to soak the quinoa overnight but I often forget. The toasting helps with the flavor, and no, I didn’t really notice any bitterness.
Thanks for the quinoa flour recipe.
A few weeks ago I made cooked quinoa into a breakfast porridge, but it took forever to prepare and cook… this would definitely save a ton of time in the morning.
Wow what an amazing breakfast. I never know you could make quinoa flakes out of just toasting up quinoa!! This is a life saver
Beautiful pics btw!!
Thanks Jenny,
I think quinoa flakes are actually quinoa that has been steamed and rolled flat. So the flour isn’t quite the same, but it does cook much faster than regular quinoa grains.
I got goosebumps looking at the pictures. They are amazing! There is so much love expressed through each and every one.
OMG your pictures are so beautiful! She is very precious!!
SJ