Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Autumn came a few days early
The rain came yesterday in Portland, which leaves me a bit conflicted and confused about the seasons.
This has been a strange summer by my measures. It began pregnant, on bedrest, and with countless hours spent wondering what to do with my time before my baby girl arrived.
Two days into the summer, she came to us.
I hardly recognize that girl now.
Now, after buying a house, packing, moving and unpacking, doing some finishing house projects and cleaning up the messy backyard that came with the house, heading back to work, caring for 2 kids and a husband, and all the day-to-day routines that comprise my days (and nights too!), I seem to to have missed the summer days that August and September brought my way.
In my mind, it has been autumn for the past three weeks. I was shocked every time I wandered out of the house in jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt to find it was 85 or 90 degrees.
Even though I missed berry picking, camping, tanning, swimming in a lake, and many other summer adventures this year, I guess I've been a little bit ready for the season to change and I didn't even know it.
So I was pretty excited when Addison asked to get out his umbrella out of the closet and wanted to wear his new boots to go for a little walk in the rain.
Autumn, here we come!
This has been a strange summer by my measures. It began pregnant, on bedrest, and with countless hours spent wondering what to do with my time before my baby girl arrived.
Two days into the summer, she came to us.
I hardly recognize that girl now.
Now, after buying a house, packing, moving and unpacking, doing some finishing house projects and cleaning up the messy backyard that came with the house, heading back to work, caring for 2 kids and a husband, and all the day-to-day routines that comprise my days (and nights too!), I seem to to have missed the summer days that August and September brought my way.
In my mind, it has been autumn for the past three weeks. I was shocked every time I wandered out of the house in jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt to find it was 85 or 90 degrees.
Even though I missed berry picking, camping, tanning, swimming in a lake, and many other summer adventures this year, I guess I've been a little bit ready for the season to change and I didn't even know it.
So I was pretty excited when Addison asked to get out his umbrella out of the closet and wanted to wear his new boots to go for a little walk in the rain.
Autumn, here we come!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Happy 60th Birthday Dad!
It's hard to believe you're 60, dad. After all, you can still do back flips, haul river rock around your yard for a solid afternoon, sleep directly on the ground in nothing but a sleeping bag, and wail on the trumpet like nobody's business!
I love you!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
4th of July - Here we come!
With 2 days to go before Drew's real due date - the 4th - I couldn't be happier that she came to us early. For one, she is a joy and I can't imagine my life for the past 9 days any differently than with her in it.
But I'm also quite excited, because her earlier arrival means we'll get to go to my all-time favorite place in the world to spend the 4th of July - my hometown, Hood River. I feel like my 4th of July experiences growing up were sort of iconic and about as all-American as you can get...in a really great sort of way.
My memories of the day include waking up and heading to an early breakfast put on by the Mormon church I grew up in. We would all gather in the parking lot and sing patriotic hymns like God Bless America and America the Beautiful while the Cub Scouts raised the flag and a trumpeter (often my dad or my brother) played Taps. Then we'd all head inside for a buffet of eggs, pancakes, fruit, etc with all the people in our church community.
Next, we'd head to one of the main streets in Hood River and find a good spot to watch one of the best small town parades I've ever seen. People cheer for all the runners on the last stretch of their 5K (a number of whom you inevitably know personally), and children flood the streets to pick up Brach's candy and bubblegum while fire engines, local 4-H groups, and spruced up old-timey cars roll by.
The parade ends at Jackson Park, where for several years my dad played trumpet in one of the bands performing. People barbecued and picnicked, and kids threw water balloons and ate shaved ice to keep cool in the scorching heat.
By this time, we'd head back to my mom's house to regroup and have some down time, while the sounds of the little league playoffs were audible from the field across the street. "Next up to bat: Timmy. On Deck: Jeremy!" Please return all foul balls to the concession stand for a free snow cone!"
For dinner, we'd barbecue at home or at our family friend's house, then head to the Marina looking over the Columbia River for a spectacular fireworks show launched from the Washington State river bank, where all the big ones are legal.
Sigh-------
There are some things that shift and change so much from childhood to adulthood that they become unrecognizable. Like my childhood home that was bulldozed a few years ago--where an empty lot now sits waiting for something new.
But the 4th of July in Hood River remains mostly unchanged. The small town parade, the barbecue at a family friend's place, and the fireworks show... the sights and sounds and smells are all still accessible to me, and it gives me a sense of comfort and stability in my life that I think is rare in a time when our culture and surroundings change rapidly.
4th of July, here I come-- this time with my own children's memories in the making.
But I'm also quite excited, because her earlier arrival means we'll get to go to my all-time favorite place in the world to spend the 4th of July - my hometown, Hood River. I feel like my 4th of July experiences growing up were sort of iconic and about as all-American as you can get...in a really great sort of way.
My memories of the day include waking up and heading to an early breakfast put on by the Mormon church I grew up in. We would all gather in the parking lot and sing patriotic hymns like God Bless America and America the Beautiful while the Cub Scouts raised the flag and a trumpeter (often my dad or my brother) played Taps. Then we'd all head inside for a buffet of eggs, pancakes, fruit, etc with all the people in our church community.
Next, we'd head to one of the main streets in Hood River and find a good spot to watch one of the best small town parades I've ever seen. People cheer for all the runners on the last stretch of their 5K (a number of whom you inevitably know personally), and children flood the streets to pick up Brach's candy and bubblegum while fire engines, local 4-H groups, and spruced up old-timey cars roll by.
The parade ends at Jackson Park, where for several years my dad played trumpet in one of the bands performing. People barbecued and picnicked, and kids threw water balloons and ate shaved ice to keep cool in the scorching heat.
By this time, we'd head back to my mom's house to regroup and have some down time, while the sounds of the little league playoffs were audible from the field across the street. "Next up to bat: Timmy. On Deck: Jeremy!" Please return all foul balls to the concession stand for a free snow cone!"
For dinner, we'd barbecue at home or at our family friend's house, then head to the Marina looking over the Columbia River for a spectacular fireworks show launched from the Washington State river bank, where all the big ones are legal.
Sigh-------
There are some things that shift and change so much from childhood to adulthood that they become unrecognizable. Like my childhood home that was bulldozed a few years ago--where an empty lot now sits waiting for something new.
But the 4th of July in Hood River remains mostly unchanged. The small town parade, the barbecue at a family friend's place, and the fireworks show... the sights and sounds and smells are all still accessible to me, and it gives me a sense of comfort and stability in my life that I think is rare in a time when our culture and surroundings change rapidly.
4th of July, here I come-- this time with my own children's memories in the making.
Friday, June 5, 2009
surprising growth
My plants are going crazy!!!
It was just last week that I showed you how everything was growing nicely. For example, here were my yellow patti pan squash and lemon cucumbers one week ago:
They must be loving the heat, because check them out this morning!
I'm shocked! We even have some little thumb-sized squash hiding among the larger-than-life leaves. I think we may be harvesting soon!
I'm also honored to share my son's very first drawing of "mommy" and that's daddy next to me (with the hair).
This took me by such surprise! When we draw at home, it is all numbers and letters, all the time, and I had never seen him really attempt to draw people, so when I found these in the pile of art projects brought home from school, I literally had tears streaming down my face and gave Addison the biggest hugs. There's nothing quite like seeing your own portrait through the eyes of your first child.
He even mocked one up of himself...
which, you've got to give him credit... is pretty accurate!
I love you, my bubs.
It was just last week that I showed you how everything was growing nicely. For example, here were my yellow patti pan squash and lemon cucumbers one week ago:
They must be loving the heat, because check them out this morning!
I'm shocked! We even have some little thumb-sized squash hiding among the larger-than-life leaves. I think we may be harvesting soon!
I'm also honored to share my son's very first drawing of "mommy" and that's daddy next to me (with the hair).
This took me by such surprise! When we draw at home, it is all numbers and letters, all the time, and I had never seen him really attempt to draw people, so when I found these in the pile of art projects brought home from school, I literally had tears streaming down my face and gave Addison the biggest hugs. There's nothing quite like seeing your own portrait through the eyes of your first child.
He even mocked one up of himself...
which, you've got to give him credit... is pretty accurate!
I love you, my bubs.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Season of changes
I'm kind of up to my ears, people.
The good news is, we had the luxury of, count 'em, 4 nights and nearly 5 days with no children in the house, which allowed us to tackle a number of things on our overwhelming to-do list as we prepare for huge life changes.
We finished up the final pieces of Addison's new big boy room, and we are pretty happy with the way it all turned out. Its nice to have most of the toys contained in his own room instead of being strewn about the house. He seems pretty happy with it too!
We also got our child care situation squared away for the fall (after much toil and hard work by us, and un-professionalism on the part of the school we were originally trying to work with). And, we got rid of furniture we weren't using, set up the nursery in our ginormous bedroom, cleaned, cleaned, cleaned, and even had time to relax!
It's nice to know that if this baby made her appearance tomorrow, we'd be ready for her.
There are still a gazillion things left to do, because we're also beginning the process of possibly buying our first house in the fall (I know right? Pile it on!!!) But, if we don't, we are perfectly happy with the many other changes that are coming right around the corner.
The good news is, we had the luxury of, count 'em, 4 nights and nearly 5 days with no children in the house, which allowed us to tackle a number of things on our overwhelming to-do list as we prepare for huge life changes.
We finished up the final pieces of Addison's new big boy room, and we are pretty happy with the way it all turned out. Its nice to have most of the toys contained in his own room instead of being strewn about the house. He seems pretty happy with it too!
We also got our child care situation squared away for the fall (after much toil and hard work by us, and un-professionalism on the part of the school we were originally trying to work with). And, we got rid of furniture we weren't using, set up the nursery in our ginormous bedroom, cleaned, cleaned, cleaned, and even had time to relax!
It's nice to know that if this baby made her appearance tomorrow, we'd be ready for her.
There are still a gazillion things left to do, because we're also beginning the process of possibly buying our first house in the fall (I know right? Pile it on!!!) But, if we don't, we are perfectly happy with the many other changes that are coming right around the corner.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
at our house
Although the laptop is still broken (fixed, then wiggin out some more, so back to the shop it went), I FINALLY was able to get some of the pictures off of my camera. You have no idea how itchy I was getting about it!
We've been busy over at the Soon,Then household, trying to get all the to-dos done before our baby girl arrives in about 6 weeks! We've got a few more big things to do, but we've really accomplished a lot!
We finished planting the garden, and are enjoying watching the little carrots and chard sprout up from seed, and the peas grasping to the bamboo trellis. We've also planted golden beets, walla walla onions, shallots, pole beans, lemon cucumbers, yellow patti pan squash, brandywine tomatoes, sungold cherry tomatoes, red potatoes, bell peppers, jalapenos, strawberries, and a variety of herbs.
I am so looking forward to the summer. Addison is entirely absorbed in writing his numbers on every flat surface outside with sidewalk chalk, and this can occupy him for a good deal of time while we work in the yard.
We've been having fun drawing our favorite foods, flowers, and people, too. He also loves to help me water the plants and is showing interest in climbing trees, watching worms and bugs, picking flowers (sometimes not ones I want picked!) and of course, sampling all the herbs. All I need now is a big comfy lounge chair back there so I can nurse and nap in the shade, or just watch Addison wear himself out on lazy afternoons.
Inside the house, we've been in a buying, selling, moving and repurposing furniture frenzy. We got an IKEA Expedit for Addison's room in an effort to contain most of his toys in his own room. Addison helped Ben build it with his little squeaky toy hammer.
The shelf looks great, and he loved helping me "redecorate" his room. He ran around putting toys and books just where he thought they should go. I'm so glad he's taking all the changes around the house quite well and enjoying it all. I can only hope he continues to be so positive when his baby sister arrives!
I'm in the pretty uncomfortable last legs of this pregnancy, with about 6 - 8 weeks to go! It sounds like forever, and so soon at the same time... But for now, I am still enjoying mostly restful nights of sleep, being able to do projects around the house, cook meals, spend uninterrupted time with Addison, and I plan to get at least two more dates in with my husband before she comes!
Here's to being in the now....
We've been busy over at the Soon,Then household, trying to get all the to-dos done before our baby girl arrives in about 6 weeks! We've got a few more big things to do, but we've really accomplished a lot!
We finished planting the garden, and are enjoying watching the little carrots and chard sprout up from seed, and the peas grasping to the bamboo trellis. We've also planted golden beets, walla walla onions, shallots, pole beans, lemon cucumbers, yellow patti pan squash, brandywine tomatoes, sungold cherry tomatoes, red potatoes, bell peppers, jalapenos, strawberries, and a variety of herbs.
I am so looking forward to the summer. Addison is entirely absorbed in writing his numbers on every flat surface outside with sidewalk chalk, and this can occupy him for a good deal of time while we work in the yard.
We've been having fun drawing our favorite foods, flowers, and people, too. He also loves to help me water the plants and is showing interest in climbing trees, watching worms and bugs, picking flowers (sometimes not ones I want picked!) and of course, sampling all the herbs. All I need now is a big comfy lounge chair back there so I can nurse and nap in the shade, or just watch Addison wear himself out on lazy afternoons.
Inside the house, we've been in a buying, selling, moving and repurposing furniture frenzy. We got an IKEA Expedit for Addison's room in an effort to contain most of his toys in his own room. Addison helped Ben build it with his little squeaky toy hammer.
The shelf looks great, and he loved helping me "redecorate" his room. He ran around putting toys and books just where he thought they should go. I'm so glad he's taking all the changes around the house quite well and enjoying it all. I can only hope he continues to be so positive when his baby sister arrives!
I'm in the pretty uncomfortable last legs of this pregnancy, with about 6 - 8 weeks to go! It sounds like forever, and so soon at the same time... But for now, I am still enjoying mostly restful nights of sleep, being able to do projects around the house, cook meals, spend uninterrupted time with Addison, and I plan to get at least two more dates in with my husband before she comes!
Here's to being in the now....
Monday, April 20, 2009
weekend of sun
Wow. Some sunshine in my life goes a long way toward making me a happy girl.
This weekend felt like a different world. Partly because of the sun and all that it brings out of this city and the people in it who all patiently (or impatiently) waited out the long, grey winter... Barbecues, shorts and short sleeves, mowed lawns and gardening, drinking cold drinks and playing games on the lawn, cats stretched out in windowsills, children riding bikes, frisbees...
Plus, the return of old friends from days when there was less responsibility in our lives, when we spent entire days lazing about together, being silly and talking about nearly nothing important, playing video games late into the night...
And then there are the things that are new in our lives, that combined with the old, just make everything the way its supposed to be, and oh-so-right... precocious, beautiful children, talk about our careers and the things we're experiencing in our diverse lives... and of course, you know you've all grown up a little when the side dishes at your potluck grow up past bags of chips and store-made potato salad into green beans dressed in a white balsamic vinaigrette, strawberry-mango crisp, grilled salmon, and other delectable morsels.
Oh spring, disguised as summer, you have been a blessing this weekend.
This weekend felt like a different world. Partly because of the sun and all that it brings out of this city and the people in it who all patiently (or impatiently) waited out the long, grey winter... Barbecues, shorts and short sleeves, mowed lawns and gardening, drinking cold drinks and playing games on the lawn, cats stretched out in windowsills, children riding bikes, frisbees...
Plus, the return of old friends from days when there was less responsibility in our lives, when we spent entire days lazing about together, being silly and talking about nearly nothing important, playing video games late into the night...
And then there are the things that are new in our lives, that combined with the old, just make everything the way its supposed to be, and oh-so-right... precocious, beautiful children, talk about our careers and the things we're experiencing in our diverse lives... and of course, you know you've all grown up a little when the side dishes at your potluck grow up past bags of chips and store-made potato salad into green beans dressed in a white balsamic vinaigrette, strawberry-mango crisp, grilled salmon, and other delectable morsels.
Oh spring, disguised as summer, you have been a blessing this weekend.
Friday, April 10, 2009
enjoying the now
Thanks for the support about the child care situation, everyone. It was a rough day between awaiting news on the school (which hasn't been solidified yet, but is looking promising) and anxiously anticipating an ultrasound to see if our little baby girl is doing alright. I'm so happy and relieved to say, she looks perfect!
Because I can't help myself, here's a picture of her little lips, nose and chin. (look at it sideways)
I'm amazed at how much more detailed the ultrasounds are, even compared with those we had 3 1/2 years ago!
I'm really looking forward to meeting this new little one, but also enjoying now as much as I can. I realize that the days I have one-on-one with Addison are numbered precious. I expect as much as I will embrace the new family dynamic of there being four of us, I will miss the undivided attention I'm able to devote to Addison right now.
So, when I have the chance, I'm trying to pour my energy into our quality time. We took a trip to the library a few weeks ago, which is something we do frequently, but this time I wanted it to be a lesson in using the library to find out about anything you want to know about. Addison chose books on cars, clocks, and stop signs. And, he chose a cookbook dedicated to making all kinds of cookies. (of course!)
We checked out our books, chose a recipe for Chocolate Cat Cookies and went to the grocery store to purchase the ingredients we were missing at the house. We brought them home and got right to work.
I have to admit, they weren't the tastiest cookies I've ever had, but seemed to satiate our sweet tooths and went down easily with a cold glass of milk. Plus, they were just the right kind of cookies to make with a toddler that loves to help.
He loved making the ears, putting the chocolate candies on and using the fork tines to make whiskers. We snuck a couple of dogs, an owl and some other unnamed creatures in there too. :)
Oh, these good times...
Because I can't help myself, here's a picture of her little lips, nose and chin. (look at it sideways)
I'm amazed at how much more detailed the ultrasounds are, even compared with those we had 3 1/2 years ago!
I'm really looking forward to meeting this new little one, but also enjoying now as much as I can. I realize that the days I have one-on-one with Addison are numbered precious. I expect as much as I will embrace the new family dynamic of there being four of us, I will miss the undivided attention I'm able to devote to Addison right now.
So, when I have the chance, I'm trying to pour my energy into our quality time. We took a trip to the library a few weeks ago, which is something we do frequently, but this time I wanted it to be a lesson in using the library to find out about anything you want to know about. Addison chose books on cars, clocks, and stop signs. And, he chose a cookbook dedicated to making all kinds of cookies. (of course!)
We checked out our books, chose a recipe for Chocolate Cat Cookies and went to the grocery store to purchase the ingredients we were missing at the house. We brought them home and got right to work.
I have to admit, they weren't the tastiest cookies I've ever had, but seemed to satiate our sweet tooths and went down easily with a cold glass of milk. Plus, they were just the right kind of cookies to make with a toddler that loves to help.
He loved making the ears, putting the chocolate candies on and using the fork tines to make whiskers. We snuck a couple of dogs, an owl and some other unnamed creatures in there too. :)
Oh, these good times...
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
She's so real
I dreamt about my baby girl last night. The vision of her was so clear, so real. She had a head of short dark hair and clear, light hazel eyes. She looked a little like me as a baby. But prettier...
She brings me so much joy already, even when she's kicking my insides in uncomfortable places. It just makes me giggle. I think this is how motherhood is supposed to feel.
She brings me so much joy already, even when she's kicking my insides in uncomfortable places. It just makes me giggle. I think this is how motherhood is supposed to feel.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
My Valentine's Day part 2
For lunch on Valentine's Day we headed to Petite Provence, a sweet and fairly new bakery on Alberta Street in Portland. This place was hoppin' with families, couples and friends out for the morning, but luckily we came in ahead of the real lunchtime rush. We sampled some kind of 4-layer mousse cake while we waited, which was to die for, and was a good indicator of the treats in store for lunch!
I had their french onion soup and a yummy assortment of veggies piled onto one of their croissants. Can you smell the soup?
It was gooooood.
We really felt like we were on vacation. Maybe it was the food, maybe it was sitting high atop the restaurant on their balcony, or maybe it was just the fact that we never go out to lunch together as a family since its usually Addison's naptime. But he did great, and it was a good lesson in letting things go.
Later, my sister and her boyfriend gave us a couple of hours of couple time, so Ben and I wandered around The Pearl (a section of NW Portland for you out-of-towners!), sampled a cupcake from Cupcake Jones, hit up a bargain close-out sale at a retail store, browsed Anthropologie and swooned pointlessly at all the things that my pregnant body won't be fitting into this spring, perused an art gallery, and reada few magazines at Powell's.
(they have these little enclosed ecosystems at Anthropologie. They have live shrimp in them and are totally self-sustaining. We had one for a long time in college before the last shrimp standing died. We'd love to get a new one but they are pretty pricey.)
After hours of walking, my feet hurt and I was pretty worn out. I came home and happily collapsed into this bed that Ben surprised me with.
Ahhhh, love.
I had their french onion soup and a yummy assortment of veggies piled onto one of their croissants. Can you smell the soup?
It was gooooood.
We really felt like we were on vacation. Maybe it was the food, maybe it was sitting high atop the restaurant on their balcony, or maybe it was just the fact that we never go out to lunch together as a family since its usually Addison's naptime. But he did great, and it was a good lesson in letting things go.
Later, my sister and her boyfriend gave us a couple of hours of couple time, so Ben and I wandered around The Pearl (a section of NW Portland for you out-of-towners!), sampled a cupcake from Cupcake Jones, hit up a bargain close-out sale at a retail store, browsed Anthropologie and swooned pointlessly at all the things that my pregnant body won't be fitting into this spring, perused an art gallery, and reada few magazines at Powell's.
(they have these little enclosed ecosystems at Anthropologie. They have live shrimp in them and are totally self-sustaining. We had one for a long time in college before the last shrimp standing died. We'd love to get a new one but they are pretty pricey.)
After hours of walking, my feet hurt and I was pretty worn out. I came home and happily collapsed into this bed that Ben surprised me with.
Ahhhh, love.
Monday, February 16, 2009
My Valentine's Day part 1
Our Valentine's Day was one of the best days I've had in a long time.
It couldn't have started off any better, with Addison giving us an uninterrupted night of sleep AND sleeping in, so we all woke up rested and ready to start the day. Ben and I exchanged Valentine's while we were still in bed, and I had a couple for Addison too, so the day just felt special and we climbed out of bed with big smiles on our faces.
One of my gifts to Ben was this pot of succulents that I put together myself. It was as fun to make as it was to give since I had the great help of the salespeople at Pistils Nursery here in Portland. They helped me pick out plants for the pot I brought in, and they had all the necessary charcoal, soil and gravel I needed for proper drainage.
I'm really pleased with the way it turned out and now I want to make another!
The trip there was really fun since they have baby chicks hatching right now, and Addison got to see one still wet from the egg, eyes closed and stumbling around in the incubator, plus 4 other cute little fluffy ones beeboppin' around in their pen. Fun and educational!
Next, I had fun plans for our breakfast after getting this great idea over at suziebeezieland.
Piggy Pancakes!
These were pretty fun and tasty without being too decadent. Our pancakes had chocolate chips, pecans and bananas inside, and I used pear slices for the ears. Addison loved them, and asked for them again the next day. Luckily I had a few leftover!
Next up: a French bakery.. (ooh la la!)
It couldn't have started off any better, with Addison giving us an uninterrupted night of sleep AND sleeping in, so we all woke up rested and ready to start the day. Ben and I exchanged Valentine's while we were still in bed, and I had a couple for Addison too, so the day just felt special and we climbed out of bed with big smiles on our faces.
One of my gifts to Ben was this pot of succulents that I put together myself. It was as fun to make as it was to give since I had the great help of the salespeople at Pistils Nursery here in Portland. They helped me pick out plants for the pot I brought in, and they had all the necessary charcoal, soil and gravel I needed for proper drainage.
I'm really pleased with the way it turned out and now I want to make another!
The trip there was really fun since they have baby chicks hatching right now, and Addison got to see one still wet from the egg, eyes closed and stumbling around in the incubator, plus 4 other cute little fluffy ones beeboppin' around in their pen. Fun and educational!
Next, I had fun plans for our breakfast after getting this great idea over at suziebeezieland.
Piggy Pancakes!
These were pretty fun and tasty without being too decadent. Our pancakes had chocolate chips, pecans and bananas inside, and I used pear slices for the ears. Addison loved them, and asked for them again the next day. Luckily I had a few leftover!
Next up: a French bakery.. (ooh la la!)
Thursday, February 5, 2009
puff pastry for the groundlings: my obsession grows
I have a serious new-found affinity for puff pastry. Since my adventures in making blueberry peach tartlets with puff pastry, I have purchased two more packages of the stuff and proceeded to make ham and cheese turnovers for breakfast, which were divine. Each time I make something with it, it feels like cheating. The end product seems fancy, tastes and smells delicious, and gives the impression that a lot of work went into it, when in reality, its one of the simplest things made in my kitchen all week!
Then I discovered a new use for puff pastry, which isn't fancy at all, but certainly tasy and easy to make: hot dogs wrapped in puff pastry (or if you still want to sound just a little bit fancy: pigs in a blanket). I am convinced that these are the absolute best thing to make with a toddler, since it is straightforward and they will gobble it all up. These would also be the perfect item to serve at a child's birthday party. Easy to pick up and no mess!
image from vegetariansrecipes.org
Here's how to make them:
Addison ate two of these, saying "mmmmmmm!" with each bite. And Ben and I didn't even mind that we were having hot dogs for dinner when they were dressed up like this and dipped in a little mustard. We'll be doing this one again!
Then I discovered a new use for puff pastry, which isn't fancy at all, but certainly tasy and easy to make: hot dogs wrapped in puff pastry (or if you still want to sound just a little bit fancy: pigs in a blanket). I am convinced that these are the absolute best thing to make with a toddler, since it is straightforward and they will gobble it all up. These would also be the perfect item to serve at a child's birthday party. Easy to pick up and no mess!
image from vegetariansrecipes.org
Here's how to make them:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Cut the hot dogs in half (I had 4 left in a package at my house).
- Cut 1 sheet of puff pastry into 8 rectangles (1 horizontal cut, 3 vertical cuts)
- Roll each hot dog in a strip of puff pastry and place on a lightly greased baking sheet, being sure that the end of the puff pastry strip is facing down to prevent it from unrolling during baking. (great step to let the kids do!)
- Lightly beat 1 egg yolk in a small bowl.
- Using a pastry brush, dip the brush into the egg and brush onto the tops of each rolled hot dog. (Addison loved this part!)
- Bake for 12-15 minutes.
Addison ate two of these, saying "mmmmmmm!" with each bite. And Ben and I didn't even mind that we were having hot dogs for dinner when they were dressed up like this and dipped in a little mustard. We'll be doing this one again!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
a little yogurt makes it better
This past 3-day weekend was a long one. Long in both the good and bad sense of the word. Why? Because the stomach flu was an unwelcome guest and we all took turns passing it around. Yuck. I originally had really great things planned: a really great party that I didn't have to plan but could invite all my best friends to, and a concert that I've been anticipating since I first heard of the band...
Results of the fun weekend?
I left the party mid way since I was so nauseous I could no longer have a normal conversation. Its really bad when you have to interrupt someone you are just getting to know to tell them, "I'm sorry, but I just have to sit down".. and mosey on over to the corner of the room and sit by yourself. And to make matters worse, it was my husband's office party, and I felt like I was giving off the impression to his coworkers that I was either too bored or too insecure or too lame to be having fun. In reality I was just too sick, and I went home at 9:30. Le sigh.
I also missed the concert. No good story there, except I was just sad to be at home watching old SNL clips instead. Le double sigh.
Luckily, after we'd all had our turns being sick, we managed to get out of the house all together on Monday for some frozen yogurt at Skinnidip. Wow, I had heard about this place, and it even made my to-do list, but the experience far surpassed my expectations! It was creamy, delicious, tart and not too sweet, and the topping choices were great. I enjoyed the plain yogurt with fresh raspberries best.
Addison ended up liking mine better because I'd gotten brownie pieces in it. And, when every last bite had been devoured, he nearly cried because he wanted some more. Oh the joy of toddlers!
Here's to a fine new week, with better health, a fine new President and hope on the horizon!
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