still finding time to smile

Yes, we are!

Withdraw with Drew (and the rest of the crew)

I'm going to take a bit of a break from blogging.

Life is really getting busy around here. Of course, of course, we have a new baby. That's all well and good, and as expected, she and her older brother are keeping us busy round the clock.





But, to add fuel to the fire, we are also trying to close on our first home at the end of August and if it all goes as planned, we'll be moving in September... which will coincide with my return to work....which will also coincide with my son starting a new preschool.

All of this is leaving me bobbing up and down a bit, gasping for bits of air, and hoping it will all turn out alright.

I may pop in every now in then, but I really try to keep this a place to share the pleasantries of my life, and not a place to blow off steam.

So, until I'm feeling more grounded, I think I'll just sign off.

Wishing you peace and fun and joy in these last dog days of summer....

homemade salsa

I love fresh salsa. I'll buy it if I have to, but never NEVER the kind that you find unrefrigerated, sitting in a jar, all dark red colored and tomat0 saucey tasting. Ew. That stuff isn't REAL salsa.

My college roommate, Joe, used to make huge quantities of homemade salsa, and we would devour it all before it could even be put away in the fridge for later. He lives in South Korea now and when he came to visit a few months ago, one of the first things on his agenda was to make this salsa! (He had a hard time getting the ingredients over there)

So here's how to make the best salsa at home... and for cheap! If you have any of the ingredients in your garden - even better!!! I had an onion and some jalapenos for mine.



Joe's Homemade Salsa

1 14 oz can Italian style stewed tomatoes (yes, I actually prefer canned over fresh. It gives it better flavor), drained (retain just a little liquid) and chopped
1/4 cup sweet onion, minced
1-2 jalapenos (depending on how hot they are and how hot you like your salsa)
a handful of fresh cilantro, chopped

Combine all the ingredients, and serve with tortilla chips or serve with your favorite burritos, tacos, quesadillas, eggs, salads... anything!

This recipe makes enough to fit perfectly in an empty salsa container from the store.



You might want to make a double or triple batch, because this stuff disappears fast!

saving beauty

I noticed that my neighbors trimmed the flowers from their dill plant when I saw them in our shared yard debris container. Seemed like a good idea, so I followed suit with my own plant, hoping to encourage it to keep producing its tasty leaves.

But it seemed a waste to toss those pretty flowers out, so I brought them in and put them in a vase on my dining table, which now smells a bit like dill pickles. It only makes sense really. Wouldn't you rather smell fresh herbs while you eat than perfumey lilies or roses?

Today

I borrowed this great little meme post from Benita over at Chez Larsson

Today...

Outside my window... scorching heat at 97 degrees, but believe it or not, this is relief from the past few days of triple-digit weather.

I am thinking... about all the birthdays I get to celebrate at this time of year.

I am thankful for... children who nap at the same time.

From the kitchen... cookies and cream ice cream.... mmm my favorite, though not helping with my efforts to lose the post-partum belly.

I am wearing... a brown gaucho skirt from Target, and vintage-style brown tee.

I am creating... nothing right at the moment, but I have a few ideas up my sleeve if I can ever find the time.

I am going... to take a nap... if I ever get off the computer!

I'm reading... lots of blogs, Parents magazine, and Dreams From My Father by Barack Obama

I am hoping... our offer is accepted on the house we want!

I am hearing... the whirrrrrr of the a/c and the silence of a house with sleeping children.

Around the house... my cats are sprawled out, stretching as much as possible, trying to stay cool

One of my favorite things... knowing my maternity leave isn't quite half over.

A few plans for the rest of the week... heading to my dad's house for a weekend barbecue to celebrate the his 60th birthday, and my sister's boyfriend's 29th!

A picture to share...

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!

trip to Anthropologie

I've been trying hard to beat the heat here in Portland, as we are experiencing multiple days in 100+ degree weather. The house is pretty miserable, and we've been living in the basement all together at night. During the day, Drew and I head out anywhere where we can stay entertained and cool. In some ways, its kind of nice because it has given me an excuse to do some of the window shopping I love, but am usually to busy to get to.

Yesterday, we took a little trip to Anthropologie, which is a fun place to take pictures. I didn't even look at the clothes. Why torture myself when I am still trying to get my waist back? But that's ok, there was plenty to look at over in the housewares.



I would love to have a kitchen comprised of dishes purchased here. I mean, aren't these just the most gorgeous drinking glasses you've ever seen?



Sadly, I cannot afford the steep price of $12 apiece.





Most of all, I've been wanting one of these botanical coffee table books for a long time. I keep scanning thrift stores in the hopes tht someday I'd get lucky and find one used, but I think that might just be too much to ask of the thrifting gods...
Maybe for Christmas this year? (ahem....hint, hint to my family readers!)