Summer

Is summer halfway over already? I'm finding it harder to post and more time goes in between when I do but I still want to keep at it because it helps me remember all the wonderful little things that are happening during this time of our lives. It doesn't really get documented anywhere else besides in my mind and it's become pretty clear that the little intricacies of those memories fade away over time. I thought I would remember all the little things about Maggie's baby sleep patterns, the exact month when she started potty training, the length of her curls at certain ages I see in photos, the faces she makes in relation to certain things, all of the funny things she says, and so on in comparison to Max but it really drifts away and morphs into bigger overall memories.

Life is full. Much of the time I don't want to sit down and post just as I don't have any umph to read new knitting patterns or look at my yarn envisioning new projects. I simply get excited these days (and I know I'm repeating myself) to be with my family, especially when I'm away from them. A couple days ago we spent the morning blueberry picking with our mom friends and all the kiddos. I watched them play together and create their little worlds in the moment. I love watching kids free play. I love letting my kids go in the backyard and learn to play with eachother without me interferring. It is full of funny words, sharing, fighting, rolling around laughing, eating plums and tomatoes, swinging, and them running around naked or Max in a diaper exploring the dirt, sticks, or hose. I cherish the time I have with my little ones, it makes my heart very full.

Summer Bucket List

Make ice cream
Make lots of forts indoors {we've started a couple and discovered that the art easel makes a great teepee}
Swing Max around in a big blanket {we did this when Maggie was a baby and she loved it}
Kiddie pool and sprinkler play {the kids got a couple cool sprinkler attachments for their birthdays and this is always a good idea in the 100+ degree heat}
State fair {we've been once with family, we're going to go a second time with friends}
Blueberry picking {check!}
Date nights {last two...Sellands market on couples night out with our mom's group friends last night, the one before that we did sushi + movie}
Watch Mary Poppins (Maggie told me" "I DO NOT want to watch Mary Poppins") {we watched it and didn't make it all the way through but Maggie was fascinated. I think she likes the songs more than the movie}
Read lots of books {visiting library about once a week, one of Maggie's favorite activities}
Make gazpacho
Visit grandparents
Make mock apple crisp with zucchini!
Frame lots of family photos
Visit Oregon {planning for it, especially the long car ride there and back}
One of us take Maggie out to a movie
Have a tea party with Maggie using a special teaset I got from our wedding
Set up obstacle courses in our backyard for the kids

 

Maggie quotes

Me: "I noticed you were making a fort today under the picnic table." We were at Boeger winery after blueberry picking and she was cutely playing with some friends. Maggie: "No, that was our house."

Maggie comes in from the backyard with real tears...me: "What's wrong?" Maggie: "There was a squirrel in the backyard." I think for a minute. Ok wait, she has spent the last couple years doing little screams at squirrels running on the telephone wires or up the trees and around age 2 or 3, she told my mom as she was watching one that they are so talented! Naturally, I was waiting for her to go on but that was simply it. Many animals, big and small right now, are scaring her. She's having wild dreams about them. After talking about it she said: "I wish squirrels weren't in this world." Over the next few weeks we talked about squirrels here and there, encountered them at the park, and sort of faced her fear to where she was again ok with them. Then this week Maggie came in again from the backyard right after she had gone out and shut the door looking outside. I asked her what was up and she said "I saw the squirrels eyes".

Maggie found a yellow jacket nest in her play structure and came in to describe it to me. I knocked the nest out in the morning but they were still swarming so I told her later we would go back out and check it. She reminded me that we needed to go out there in the afternoon. I asked if she had been over there to check it and she said: "No, I wanted to be on the safe side."

Maggie: "Mom, look at my tummy. It's full. I ate all my cereal. I ate all of my fruit cottontail."

Me: "Do you want a hermit crab as a pet?" Maggie: "No, too pinchy."

 

Seeing clearly

I'm happy that 2013 is here. I'm feeling refreshed and I like the number 3. I turned 33 a few months ago and with our two kids in tow, we're on a roll. This year I won't be pregnant or living in the trenches of one of our baby's first year. I don't make new year's resolutions because those just seem silly but I do hope to get in some more exercise and reverse some of these wrinkles I'm seeing. I also am going to develop more quality time with hubby and just have more fun, some of that was in short supply last year.

This year I am going to take a trip (or maybe four). I'd love to go back to Hawaii, but I also want to take the kids to Monterey and I know we'll be visiting Aptos, and hopefully Oregon and Cayucos.

I also want to read more which means I need to stay up after the kids go to bed. Hmm...

Our holiday vacation was full of long days but then it was over in an instant. I got a lot of things cleaned out ("spring" cleaning), and I rarely went outside. Too cold. We spent lots of family time together. I cooked new recipes and a really yummy, moist turkey on New Year's Eve. Maggie fell asleep on my chest that night shortly after I told her she could stay up. I think she was holiday'd out and it was just really sweet to have my baby girl peacefully sleeping on my chest. We went on a NYE daytime date to see this movie. Billy Crystal had us cracking up. We saw the snow but didn't make it past the parking lot (our plan was to snowshoe with the kids and friends). It was a challenging 24 hours but I'm still glad we went. Trying times (or ones that don't live up to your expectations) seem to make the best laughable stories and memories!

{More good recipes to share}

Really awesome chocolate chip cookies - the dry ingredients were gifted to us at Christmas. I let the batter chill for 36 hours.

Comfort food one-pot pasta meal with bacon and butternut squash - I used what I had on hand, so instead of shallots I used leeks and white onion and instead of provolone I used cheddar. I didn't use rosemary because I was too lazy to go outside and clip it and I didn't think I'd miss it.

Leftover turkey pot pie - I have been making this for a long time, I think I clipped the recipe in college (the one linked is similar). This time, I used turkey of course, frozen peas and white corn, fresh carrots and onion, herbs de provence, leftover turkey gravy mixed with country gravy to give it creaminess and water to get the right consistency.

Checking things off one by one...

...and taking it day to day. We're four days away from the big day. This month has been such fun with Maggie. Things we've accomplished:

-both kids sat on Santa's lap and it was quick and easy. Then later that night, Maggie sat on a different Santa's lap (more realistic, not creepy) while we toured the zoo lit up with lights. She hopped right up there and started chatting away. No tears for this girl. Not sure if I'm in trouble because even though we wrote out our list to Santa beforehand, she came up with new stuff to talk to Santa about. She told Santa that she wants a ladybug that walks and talks. I think it's a toy xylophone she saw on Doc McStuffins. Yeah, not happening. We don't do crazy presents and I still have shopping to do for others, the kids are set. Hopefully once Christmas morning appears and she opens her goods, the ladybug will magically drift from her mind. Oh, and she asked after leaving the first Santa "Why does Santa love me?". Then after leaving the second Santa she said enthusiastically "Santa really loves me!" Yes, we do :-)

-we made our gingerbread house and tree, thank you Lito and Lita!

-we made it to the Nutcracker. Plans changed last minute but we went with bells on. Maggie was a hit in her dress, one person even asked if she was one of the performers. In her dreams! She got a little antsy during the performance but I know she liked it. She kept asking me in her loud whisper voice when she could go up on stage to dance. Later that night I went into her room and she had all her ballet skirts/tu-tu's laid out neatly. Dance lessons are on my to-do list for her in 2013.

-we took Maggie ice skating for the first time and she had so much fun. They rent "assisters" and once she got the hang of it, she asked me to let her go (sigh) and there were times I had to keep up with her. There was a lot of slipping too. Again, no crying (I'm not counting the one time she fell on her stomach and cried for a minute).

-their letter to Santa was dropped off at our local toy shop. Supposedly they give them to Macy's who then donates money to charity for every letter recieved. Too bad Santa's not writing us back!

This has been a joyous time for us, but also a month filled with sorrow. I was deeply saddened when hearing about the event in Connecticut. As a parent of young children, it really affected me in that sense. I have grieved for those lost but also for our society as a whole because it feels like this is a sickness that we need to somehow heal. I felt better reading this, it's heartfelt and something positive to focus on.

We will be making peppermint sugar cookies in the shape of gingerbread people Christmas Eve for Santa. I look forward to being with my family near and far and hopefully seeing snow this holiday. Merry Christmas!

Holiday ramble

A lot has come and gone and I keep thinking "I need to write that down". Maggie's comments have been great lately, I want to bottle it all up. Oh wait, here's one:

I am fond of the old Rudolph animated movie and bought it last year to show to Maggie (she was 2). When the scene with the abominable snowman came on, it was too scary for her so we turned it off. This year, we tried it again. I built it up and she was back and forth about it. During a moment where she was for it, we turned it on. During the elf/misfit scene, I walk out of the room for a second and I hear wierd crying so I run back to see what was up and she was really crying, saying she'd seen a "claw!". I guess that was enough for her. She told me this week that we can watch it on Christmas day. Why? Because she'll be big enough then. LOL.

I discovered 4 new teeth popping through on Max Thanksgiving day. That makes 8 teeth on an 8 month old boy (as of tomorrow). He is now crawling, not just scooting everywhere and he likes to stand up holding onto things. Have I said how much he likes paper? He's like a goat. Present opening with him should be fun.

I am very much in the Christmas spirit. I've made my list of fun holiday things to do and I'm crossing them off one by one. Last weekend, when I started writing this post, we had crazy winter weather, we decorated our Charlie Brown tree (truly intentional this time), went to a Christmas party and birthday party, and I made some pumpkin bread and butternut squash soup with Christmas music playing in the background. Maggie watched the Caillou holiday movie and immediately asked for hot chocolate. I searched the cabinet and instead made her atole de pinole (like hot chocolate kind of but made with corn flour). It was "yummy mommy" until it tipped and spilled everywhere. This is our life. Something like that happens most days around here, I'm not sure we can escape it with 2 little ones running around.

I am in need of planning our next family getaway. The snow is calling me...but so is the wintery beach and family.

On my list for this month is taking Maggie to her first Nutcracker ballet! We both can't wait. She plans to wear her flower girl dress that she wore last month to a wedding. It's cleaned and ready for it's 2nd appearance :-)

{Christmas Holiday Fun Short List}

Nutcracker with the girls
Caroling
Have fun with Maggie's daily advent calendar
Listen to lots of Christmas music until we can't stand it anymore
Drink hot chocolate/warm drinks
Make a gingerbread house with Maggie
Watch the Dr. Seuss's Grinch cartoon
Make or get Maggie a scarf
Make cinnamon rolls
Have Maggie write her wish list to Santa
Pictures with Santa
Go ornament shopping
Get a couple new stockings
Go ice skating
Make holiday crafts

Two nights ago, I put Max to bed early and Maggie and I bundled up in her princess tent and read books, drank egg nog, and ate truffles with flashlights and candles until we fell asleep. She liked it so much she did it again last night. Creating good memories (especially for hubby when he sees me scrunched up in the tent) :-)

Elephant hearts and torte

We are blessed with an elephant heart plum tree in our backyard. This year, we've got a crazy amount of plums. I'm considering canning but I would need to quickly teach myself on that. Last weekend I made our family's recipe for plum torte. Not sure where it came from, but it's easy and yummy. Our plums are still a little tart so it's a nice balance with the sugar. I love how you simply lay the plums on top of the batter and the cooking process does all the work!


Plum torte

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 tsp. baking powder
2 eggs
1 cup flour
pinch of salt
Plums (halved), enough to cover top (6-10, depends on size)

Topping:
sugar
lemon juice
cinnamon

Cream sugar and butter until light. Add baking powder, eggs, flour, and salt. Beat well. Spoon batter into a greased baking dish (I use a pyrex glass pie dish). Cover with plums, skin side up. Sprinkle with sugar and lemon juice, then cinnamon. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

I should have taken a picture of the torte...you just have to trust me it's good :-)

New Zealand style



South Island

New Zealand holds a special place in my heart. It's where I spent my honeymoon; however, it was never a place on my radar, probably not hubby's either, yet it came into view the year we decided to get married because we had the chance to take a trip through REI Adventures. Michael was working for REI and as a result, we got a great discount that we couldn't pass up.

NZ was our first trip together internationally. We spent three weeks there, one week on the North Island, the last two on the South Island. I loved learning about the Maori/native culture (mostly on the North Island), hearing people speak with a British accent, trying the unique foods that are not common here, driving on the other side of the road, seeing the flora and fauna (which most are not native), and making travel friends. We were treated like royalty during the tour we took on the South Island because of our new marital status. Too fun! It was great to be with like-minded people with great attitudes. We keep in touch with some of our tour friends to this day.

One of our tour guides was named Beth and we all loved her. She was a little younger than me, not married yet, loved her tourguide job, and she was just one of those good fun-loving people. She loved nature like I did, helped educate me about the plants and animals on our hikes, and she loved to cook her family recipes for us during group meals. Getting to know our guides gave us a real taste of NZ.

Fast forward a few years. Digging through my recipes, which I often do every now and then for inspiration, I came across ANZAC biscuits (acronym for Australian New Zealand Army Corps). These cookies date back to WWI when wives and mothers shipped them oveseas to their loved ones. They were not something Beth made for us but they sounded good. Having just read the British Jane Brocket's Gentle Art of Domesticity, she talks about Lyle's golden syrup in her recipes. So, I already had that on my radar when I read through this recipe again. I've fallen in love with Cost Plus (again) and lucked out by finding this syrup there. I've made two batches of these cookies and everyone that has tried them really likes them.

Going to NZ gave me the international travel bug. I've always loved, loved, loved travelling. Two spots I have on my radar are Italy and Thailand/Laos/Vietnam. Still wondering how I can swing those destinations with a little one and limited funds, but one day it will be possible. I absolutely need vacations or at least ones to look forward to for a few months or I go stir crazy. I'm thankful for where I live and the places we do get to visit each year because California rocks in that sense, but I still dream of living or travelling everywhere else :-)

ANZAC Biscuits
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup unsweetened coconut
1 cup rolled oats
7 Tbsp. butter
1 Tbsp. golden syrup*
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 Tbsp. boiling water
Lemon zest*

Mix flour, sugar, coconut, and oats together. Melt butter and syrup in medium pot. Dissolve baking soda in boiling water and add to butter and syrup. Remove from heat and add to dry ingredients. Place spoonfuls on cookie sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees (10 minutes working perfect for my oven).

*Recipe says you can substitute light corn syrup, but I think Lyle's makes a difference.
*Added (meyer) lemon zest to the top of the second batch (hubby's suggestion). Didn't notice a big difference in taste but it made them a little prettier.

Comical Christmas

What a nutty week. I woke up yesterday amused by the craziness happening around me. Maybe I was amused because not only are these things out of my control, they are happening Christmas week when you want everything to go as planned. I've been listening to David Sedaris and his commentary is hilarious. It's put me in a good mood because it reminds me that crazy funny stuff happens to us all and it is what makes life lively.

Maggie caught a stomach bug. I've been thankful to be with her so much this week as I originally planned on working an extra day but it didn't feel right. I wanted to be home. Hubby also caught the bug and hearing him vomit in the dark is not something I enjoy. My poor family - I'm hoping I don't get sick and that we have a peaceful holiday. We had to cancel a few things but it was needed. Really, how many fun events can you cram into one week? Sometimes it's too much.

I baked this year. Not something I usually do around Christmas. It seems everyone around me baked too. I've felt energized by it knowing that my friends and family are all out there in their kitchens enjoying the holiday in this way. I had a major winner - Florentine bars. I clipped the recipe from a Sunset magazine. The picture in the recipe looked so yummy and the author said that when she didn't bake them one year for Christmas, she never heard the end of it. They are shortbread bars with a honey-coated mixture of almonds and dried fruit on top. I made almond macaroons for work that turned out tasty but dense. It's basically a mouthful of marzipan. They definitely need a cup of tea or coffee to go with.

Maggie is feeling much better but she had the biggest blow-out of her little life today. Thank goodness I'm prepared for the most part when we go out. This one required a shower afterwards :-)

I'm not mailing Christmas cards this year. Just didn't feel up to it. This has definitely been a year in my life where I'm making choices and decisions that are true for myself and my family. It's been a really good thing. Here are some shots from our family holiday shoot. Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

Gold and Green

I've been caught up with the holiday season and it's been wonderful. When I find myself getting a little run down that's when I go to sleep early or take a nap.

Knitting has taken a backseat. I just don't feel that interested in it, even though I would love some new handknits for myself during these winter months. I don't have much time for my own crafts as a mom; now that time is devoted to other things including devising toddler crafts. When I'm not tending to Maggie, I'm at work, doing endless errands, spending quality time with hubby, or sleeping. I hope my desire to knit comes back but I'm liking this break and it felt good to finally give in to it.

We visited the snow for the first time this season. I always like to take the time to just check it out before we make a ski day committment. I know, funny. Went up to Hope Valley/Sorenson's, a special place for us-home to where we got married. 

Maggie had fun, but she wasn't as thrilled with the snow as I thought she'd be. I imagined her frolicking through the snow but it was more like "Mom, I'm cold, you have me in an oversized pink snowsuit and boots, I hate wearing hats, and I just don't like this!" Stomp, stomp. 

It was a very peaceful drive which I appreciated. Lost in my thoughts, taking in the perfect snowy scenery. One of those get-away perfect days.

Maggie has officially sat on Santa's lap and in her Scottish plaid jumper to boot. She was hesitant at first but after seeing candy canes, she was putty in his lap :-) Wish I could share a picture but I haven't seen them myself! They are in the mail or soon to be...we did the free church picture during a busy street faire. While in the hustle and bustle on the street, Maggie was running around and a guy took one look at her and said, "That's a lot of plaid." At least I think that's what he said. Maybe he was referring to my outfit and said "That's a lot of black." Anyways, I laughed to myself. I remember my niece wearing this jumper at Christmas and it seemed like the perfect outfit for such an occasion.

I'm scrambling to put together presents and get ready for next week's busyness. I've got my weekend carefully planned out in order to maximize my efficiency with shopping, baking, cooking, and socializing. My present giving this year is heartfelt and creative and I'm looking for "green" wrapping ideas. Please share if you have any tips!

Day in the Life

You know you are having a great day when everything just falls into place. Hubby stayed in with the kiddo twice this week so that I could go out and enjoy some time with friends. So, today he was home doing his thang and I stayed busy with the Magster. We had a suprise visit from his dad and I captured a nice moment, father and son style. The funniest thing happened this morning. Maggie woke up early, which is normal, and we often try to entice her to fall asleep for another hour or so if we bring her into our bed. After doing this and her fussing around a bit, in my half-sleep state I felt her sliding off our tall bed, which she needs help to get off of, but intead of waking up and walking off she layed on the carpet and put her head on the pillow on the floor. It was so trippy. She slept like that for almost a couple more hours.

We hit up Harvest Day at our local horticultural center/community garden. I had Maggie on my back in the ergo and we tasted a variety of grapes and tomatoes grown there. It's an awesome site, with an orchard full of ripe fruit, native/Mediterranean plantings in full bloom, and lots of vegi plants. I picked up some plants for our own garden that are hard to find. Romanesco, dwarf pomegranate, lemongrass, dinasour kale, and other fun ones. You should have seen me leaving, it was a sight. Toddler on my back whining, a full tray of plants in front, and bags hanging off of me. In the same area is our library and we scored lots of books before we left. Maggie is always drawn to the kid computers, not the toys or books. The little girl next to her was being such a sport.

After a few afternoon beers with the boys, some much needed grocery shopping, and a dinner made up of homemade pesto over asparagus ravioli, sauteed brussel sprouts, chicken sausage, garden bruchetta on ciabiatta, and white wine, I'm one happy girl.

Now off to do more laundry and maybe throw some chocolate chip cookies in the oven...

Pancakes

Sharing a recipe I discovered. I needed to use up kefir, a drinkable yogurt that I like to buy occasionally. Needing to use up ingredients is the best way to discover new recipes. Kefir comes in a container similar to milk, so it's easy to store, and online it says kefir is healthier for you than yogurt. They seem pretty similar, just different consistency. Yogurt and kefir can be homemade too. I've made yogurt cheese before but haven't tried my hand at making kefir yet.

I made the pancakes for a second time with the last of the kefir and yogurt, so I added a little more milk to mimick the consistency of kefir. The pancakes turned out just the same and just as delicious. Aside from my sister's banana pancakes, these are the best I've had in a long time. Try them out, I think you will be suprised!

And along this line, check out this 4th of July recipe. Yum!

Holiday baking

I baked a couple treats this past week and was proud of both. One was a pecan pie. I'd never made one before and I'm always looking for recipes that are easy to throw together since I have little time. It turned out really tasty and got good reviews during Christmas, so I'm making another here soon. The taste of this pie is exactly as she describes on her blog. Not too sweet, nutty, buttery, and actually a little salty, which compliments the sweetness really well.

I also made a pear galette and managed to get a few pictures during the process.

This also turned out well and got great reviews (so great that I didn't get to try it myself). I had such fun cooking this. I'd never made a galette before and it involved such simple ingredients and techniques. A friend said it was the best thing they had tasted in awhile and they had just visited Napa (which I guess says a lot even though I haven't eaten much good food in Napa but know they are all about gourmet in that town).

It would have never crossed my mind to make a galette but my sister recommended I bake one with the pears she gave us for Christmas from Harry and David. Michael and I found the enclosed pamphlet with the pears kind of humorous, which read:

"Of the world's delights, the rarest, most delicious pears are the ones we call...

Royal Riviera Pears - so big and juicy, you eat them with a spoon."

When buying fruit, we usually don't choose pears so this was a suprise/treat. Baking with them was the perfect answer. I combined a couple recipes online, here and here. I used pre-made rolled out dough which I always keep on hand in the freezer, 2 pears, fresh lemon juice, cinnamon, sugar, flour, butter, and egg wash on the crust with raw sugar sprinkled over it. I have two pears left. Guess what I'm doing with those?