As strange as it might sound, I think it finally hit me this week: we’re having a baby. At this point, I’m very comfortable with being pregnant, but in a matter of weeks, I’ll begin a new chapter. I’ll be a mom. And this reality–motherhood–is both exciting and terrifying. Maybe I’ve come to realize the realness of little Lucy because her kicks are no longer just playful jabs. Her movements are powered by real, strong, baby legs. And when she turns, I can feel the heft of her body. My stomach moves to one side, and Ryan can run his fingers along her back. Or maybe it’s because we’re finally in our new home. Lucy has a bedroom now. Her crib is sitting beneath her window. The changing table is by the door. This new environment, our first home, inspires visions. Visions of her crawling. Visions of her coming home from school. Visions of weeknight dinners with a family of three.
I’ve heard this is natural. These feelings of ambivalence and even fear. I’m thankful I have the support of my family. A well-placed sentence can do wonders to calm a nervous mama’s heart. And Ryan and I are so thankful for our new home. We still have LOADS of work to do, but I wanted to share at least a few pictures. There will be more to come soon!
Our fireplace mantle might just be my favorite part of this house. On it: a few favorite prints, spools of colored twine, and a recycled “heart” from my Aunt Sherry.
I just hung my collection of vintage plates on our dining room wall. I found all of these at the thrift store, and I love the small imperfections in each. I wanted to give you a “full-room” picture, but our table is still covered in boxes! Priorities right?
Now that I’m done with my MFA, I’ve organized my books by color. Highly impractical but visually stimulating. Unfortunately, we have about five more boxes of books that didn’t fit on the book shelf or in the color scheme.
Another favorite part of my new house? A built-in china cabinet. I have so many little things that make me smile, and it feels good to finally have a place to keep them. My sister Susanne gave me How to Cook the Perfect Day last year, and it’s become one of my favorite books. Not only is it full of good recipes, but the prints are beautiful.
And because home is much more than a pile of possessions, I wanted to share one of the first breakfasts I made in my kitchen. I’m fully convinced, you can never go wrong with a fresh plate of pancakes. Light, fluffy, and full of ripe bananas, these whole wheat pancakes are addictive, to say the least. The slight sweetness from the honey pairs perfectly with that ubiquitous yellow fruit. I know I had a hard time not eating the entire batch! These taste especially good when served with maple syrup or strawberry jam. As if you needed a reminder.
Best Ever Banana Pancakes
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon honey
3 tablespoons melted butter
1 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1/2 to 1 cup chopped bananas
In a small bowl, whisk together whole wheat flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside. In a medium bowl whisk together honey, butter, buttermilk and eggs until light and fluffy (about 3-5 minutes). Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Stir in chopped bananas. Allow batter to sit while you heat your skillet.
Heat medium skillet to medium-high heat. A drop of water should sizzle upon contact. Grease pan with either oil or butter (butter is my favorite, of course). Pour 1/4 cup of batter into skillet. Allow to cook for approximately one minute. Bubbles should rise to the surface and the edges should be golden brown. Flip and allow to cook for approximately 30 seconds on the other side. Serve warm with maple syrup or strawberry jam.
Oh Monet-how lovely!
Everything looks so fresh and organized, love all your special homey touches;-) Yes, you’re going to have a baby and that is so exciting!
I’m also loving your stack of best ever banana pancakes-wishing I could have a few for breakfast or dinner..
Congratulations to you;-)
Congratulations on getting settled into your new home, Monet! These banana pancakes look like the perfect breakfast to make your new space feel cozy and warm. I know you’ll have lots of fun decorating and imagining Lucy in this new space. So happy for you two!
Congratulations on new home and baby…may you be blessed with lots of love and happiness there… Thanks for sharing yourhome…it’s beautiful….
Monet! I LOVE banana pancakes :)These look scrumptious!
Your plate wall might be my fave, I just dumped all my everyday walmart china for vintage thrift finds, and I love that they are all different and unique. Yours are exceptionally lovely! Cant wait to see it all in person someday! xoxo
I think the fear is natural, but I am so excited for you. Take care these next few weeks.
And I love that you organized your bookshelf by color!
This whole post warms me right up. Your home is so lovely, which is no surprise at all. Also, my books are organized by color and even though it’s not practical, it’s totally worth it for the aesthetic. I think the fear of being a mom is completely natural, and I would say really healthy. It’s about how you harness that fear and use it to make yourself into the mama you want to be that matters. Lucy is in the best hands ever – that’s why she’s been given to you and Ryan. đ
What a beautiful home! I can’t wait to see more pictures as you guys settle in. đ And of course pancakes are one of the necessities of life. Pancakes forever!
Already your new home is you! Love your book organization! When Mr. Rosemary and I first merged possessions, he was in awe of all my books. The collection grows. Always will. Anxious to try these pancakes. Grandkids coming this weekend . . .
I can imagine Lucy in your new home too!! I know those feelings you are having! They are so natural–all a part of becoming a parent. I’m all for tossing the Dewey Decimal system aside for color coordinated books. That is exactly how it was (and still is in the original part) done in one of the oldest libraries in the country in Newport, RI. Those pancakes will be on my mind for awhile!
Best,
Bonnie
Monet, congratulations on getting settled in your darling home! It all looks great, fresh and new, and I love the fireplace and mantel. Plus, your plate display. Actually, all of it, I’m so happy for you, your husband and little Lucy! She will be one loved and well-cared-for little girl!!!
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Wonderful post, wonderful recipe!
loved the bookshelf, indeed the color organization make it quite striking…
Your home transpire happiness at each corner, so don’t worry about anything, you will be a wonderful Mom!
I love banana pancakes! Can’t wait to try these!
I love all the touches you’ve already added to your house to make it feel like a home! The book organization is such a fun idea – my sister has a cube shelf in her living room and has also organized her books by colors in different cubes, so I want to do that too whenever I get a house and have space to display all my books! These pancakes look like a great way to welcome yourselves into the new home!
I love the way you arranged your book shelf! These pancakes look perfect for tomorrow’s weekend breakfast. I shall go grab some bananas.
Hi Monet,
I’m already seeing a lovely home! Love the vintage plates.
Your banana pancakes looks so good, such a wonderful breakfast!
Take care, and have a great weekend!
Your new home looks absolutely beautiful! I could just stare at that fireplace for hours! I am going to make these pancakes tomorrow morning they look great!
I can’t believe you’re only a few weeks away! I’m thinking of you and sending you all the best! Your home is so inviting, full of light and love! I don’t think organizing books by color is impractical at all – after all, we’re very visual and can remember books based on the way they look. Very cool idea indeed! Have a fun weekend, missy!
I think my favorite is the mantle too! Looks so neat and homey and elegant at the same time! I love the look of those pancakes too! so fluffy and thick and full of healthy goodness!
This is so sweet, Monet! I love these little glimpses into your new home, and I can’t wait to see the rest (although no rush on the boxes – I know how long those take to unpack! đ ). Those plates in particular are stunning, and I’ll bet they are the gorgeous focal point in the room.
Thanks for sharing such a delicious-looking pancake recipe! I’m thinking pancakes on the menu tomorrow đ
Your house is really coming along! I love the fireplace as well. There’s just something so warm and inviting about it. I feel the same way about these pancakes. I just bought a jug of buttermilk; now I know what I’m going to do with it!
I’m so happy to see that you’re in your lovely new home. Don’t rush to see little Lucy crawling, walking, running home from school. Savor each moment and each step you have with her because it goes by way too fast.
I love the what you’ve done with your new space! Organizing your books by color and your plate wall are especially pretty. It has such a cozy, warm feeling. The best addition to your house will be Lucy. I can’t wait to meet her. Banana pancakes always remind me of the Jack Johnson song of the same name. I try to play it whenever I make pancakes. Yours sound so very good. Have a great weekend!
Your house is starting to become a beautiful home my friend đ
And I love the delicious pancakes to welcome yourself into your home!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
You can’t go wrong with bananas in baking! đ Love the photos of your new home! Look at that book shelf!
I’m so so so glad to hear you’re enjoying your new home! It looks beautiful!!
And way to break in your kitchen with pancakes. ESpecially such perfect ones as these!
Dearest Monet, congratulations on becoming a mother – I am THRILLED for you. And I love the little views of your gorgeous space and things – books by colour, you’re my kind of girl! Stay well.
Monet, the parts of your new home you shared here are so lovely! I LOVE your book shelf! Organizing them by color is something I could never think!
And these pancakes look scrumptious! Love that you use whole wheat flour!Wish you a nice weekend my friend!
Oh Monet, being a new mommy can def be a bit scary, overwhelming even. As soon as you hold little Lucy in your as for the first time it will feel like the most natural thing on earth. Not to say everything will come easy but you two will figure it out one step at a time.
Cute home!!! Love the wood floors! Your book case made me laugh! I’m the same way. đ
It sounds like you’re in such an exciting time! I’m sooo excited for you and that you’re soon going to have a sweet little baby girl! Your house is gorgeous and I adooore how fluffy and delicious these pancakes look!
Monet,
Congratulations on your new home! As you unpack your possessions, the house will become your home, a part of you. I can’t wait to see how all of the rooms unfold. I also can’t wait till Lucy is in your arms, and that the love that will surround her.
Such a pretty little home, my dear! And those pancakes!!! Wow-zers!
I’m in love with organizing the books by color. Quirky and fun. The fireplace is perfect for Santa and now Lucy won’t have to wonder how it’s all going to happen!
Every mother understands where you are and we think back with real fondness for the days pre-baby. After baby there’s no time for thinking. đ
Monet, what a sweet post! So nice to see and read that you are settling in beautifully into your new home – I love the picture of the bookshelf with the books all arranged by color! And the ecipe for the Banana Pancakes souds like true comfort food!
Have a great weeekend in your new home!
It’s so much fun seeing how other people decorate. I think that color coding your books is a great idea đ I’ve been feeling like I need to get do some redecorating lately – maybe one of these days đ Have a great week Monet!
Thanks for the pictures of your house! Lovely place. And these pancakes are lovely, too – great recipe. Thanks so much. Oh, and I hope you get those last boxes unpacked soon – moving in is fun, but it’s also such a pain!
Hi. I made these banana pancakes this morning for breakfast… Really delicious, both me and my husband loved them. I also sent the recipe to my little brother who is going to try them tomorrow. Thanks for the recipe! Your house looks really nice, modern and with a classic touch that I like!
Ciao.
Congratulations again! What a sweet and lovely home. đ I can’t wait to see more pictures as you settle down. But don’t forget to get more rest in between unpacking and organizing. đ I still remember the excitement and the worries I had before my first baby was born. But you’re going to be fine. Especially you have the love and support from you family. That’s all that matters. Please take care,until next time.
Congratulations on your new home!! Sounds like the perfect place to raise your daughter. The banana pancakes look wonderfully delicious! A great way to start your day!
Hi Monet!
Congrats on your new home! We’ve been in our ‘new’ home for three years now-time sure flies.
Tried these pancakes this morning and they were tasty! With my hungry daughter wailing and pulling at my legs, I didn’t quite have the luxury of time for stirring or combining wet and dry ingredients separately. I employed the ol’ measure and dump method, and they turned out just fine, albeit, probably a little less fluffy.
Enjoy the last few months of baking by yourself, it’s a whole new animal once kiddos come along-for better or worse đ
Looks great… Now I’m so hungry…
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