Peeping Moms

thanks!

2008-02-14T20:06:00.001-05:00

thanks to all of you who have come by the new blog. it's great to have support of the mommy bloggers!

: )

kate

www.thecleanplateclub.net

on a break.

2008-01-13T21:10:00.000-05:00

hiya folks,

so, i'm putting all my attention on my new food blog these days.

visit me here: www.thecleanplateclub.net.

i was working with the Content Quake blog network for a while, but recently left to do my own thing! foodbuzz.com has asked me to be a featured publisher, so that's what i'm up to.

i miss blogging about the kids and the parenting life, but i just can't do both. and honestly, i have so much to say about the new baby that i don't know where i'd begin.

once i get the food blog rolling at a good pace, i'll be back! and i'll continue to check in with you all when i can!

happy new year!

kate

happy new year!

2008-01-04T15:02:00.001-05:00

hey everyone....or anyone who still comes to the blog now and again.

happy 2008!

i'm rolling out a new blog soon. . .

i hope all is joyous with you so far this year.

more soon!

kate

holiday hiatus

2007-12-18T12:22:00.000-05:00

having hard time finding the spare moments to blog.

see you in 2008--hope you have a warm and wonderful holiday season!

fa la la,

kate

snow!

2007-12-05T22:09:00.000-05:00

well, we've got snow. already. we're buckling up for a long winter here in the northeast.

last winter bb wasn't so into the snow. he was all, "I'm cold!" "It's too windy!" "Want to go inside!" this year, so far, at least, he just wants to eat snow. every time we step out he's putting it in his mouth. he's fascinated with the whole thing. i'm not sure why. today we caught snow flakes on our tongues and pretended we were baby birds.

i'm debating whether i should tell him that when we were kids we'd mix snow with kool-aid powder and eat that for a snack. . .

birthday

2007-11-18T19:54:00.000-05:00

yesterday was my 36th birthday and my daughters 2 month birthday. 2 of my good friends came to visit. my son and hubby made me a cake. there were many balloons and i got 2 gifts that i was wanting muchly.

:: the first--the new Duran Duran album. album titles and artwork have never been their forte in my opinion. but i'm psyched to have it none-the-less.

:: the second--a book i have borrowed from the library 3 times in the last year, so i'm totally jazzed to finally own it!

the best gift of all? my sweet, 2 month old babe continues to sleep really well. nothing like her brother. thank GOD. if she was, this mommy'd be in serious dire straits.

so, im a pretty happy birthday girl!

we're sleeping!

2007-11-06T10:57:00.000-05:00

there is much joy in the house.

the baby sleeps.

she sleeps from 7 or 8pm until 4 or 5 am with only *one* feeding in between.

there are nightly happy dances going on in our living room. hubby and i have actually had time together. we sit on the couch all giddy that our kidS, plural, are asleep AT THE SAME TIME-- UPstairs.

and we're down stairs enjoying a slice of apple pie and watching shows on DVD! it's amazing. it's awesome.

it's going to keep up, right?

last night i told her she'd get a car on her 16th birthday if she keeps it up. yes, i do love my sleep.

prouder than proud.

2007-10-25T12:18:00.000-04:00

i know i have mentioned before that BB is in school now. i could write a very long post about how i have NO IDEA how stay-at-home moms do it when #2 comes along before #1 is in school. dude.
i'd be a crazy lady if BB were home all day. but that's another post. . .

there's been 5 or 6 times lately where a parent at BB's school will say to hubby or i (hubby does drop off, i do pick up) something nice about our son. most often it's one or all of these kinds of comments, "your son is SO sweet. he's a really gentle and respectful kid." "he's so articulate." "is he really only 3?" "you should be so proud of him, he's genuinely NICE." and one mom the other day told hubby how her daughter who is 5 is hard-pressed to warm up to boys. she's tough to impress in general, but if you are a boy you have to work even harder to get "in" with her. well, she comes home everyday talking about MY son and how much she likes him and how he is nice to her.

that's my boy.

can you feel me beaming thru the computer?

photo op

2007-10-09T08:29:00.001-04:00

time flies.

2007-10-07T12:50:00.001-04:00

i can't believe it's been so long since i posted. i think about it everyday. i just either can't find the time or i don't know what to say. . . because there is so much i could say about being a mom to this new baby. there's so many ups and downs.

the ups:

she's a GIRL! and i can dress her in pretty patterns and in pink. she's cute as can be. snuggly. warm. soft. sweet. she reminds me how much i have to look forward to in life. i see her and my heart fills with gratitude for all i have. i watch hubby talk to her and hold her and i feel more in love with him. when bb comes over and says, "hi baby sister!" i melt. when he asks if he can read us a book while i nurse her my heart starts to smile. this is especially necessary when the downs feel really down.

the downs:
baby got gas. big time. it's currently 1pm here and we've been up since THREE last night. she can't sleep. all she can do is try to relieve the gas bubbles. i'm trying everything. homeopathy, baby gas relief drops, squeezing it out of her.
she also is having trouble nursing. shallow latch. more air. more gas. troubled boobs.
the latch was never great, but then i started giving her a binky at night a little and yeah, now it's worse. who doesn't believe in "nipple confusion?"
and i've got bronchitis. i've fractured a rib or pulled a couple muscles from the coughing, we're not sure which.
bb was a terrible sleeper. we were traumatized at our lack of sleep here. he was fussy. hard to put down. but little cm is not that way. she's having trouble with sleep, but i truly think it's gas-induced and not that we're in for more of what we had with bb. but, i could be delusional. i want to believe she's a good sleeper at heart.

that's all the news for now. it looks like she might actually sleep, which means i have to, too.

i tried to upload a picture, but blogger is being stubborn, so . . . next time.

i hope to be back to reading all your blogs soon!

she's here!!

2007-09-18T17:43:00.000-04:00

i'm so pleased to tell you all that my daughter has arrived!!!

she came yesterday, monday, september 17th at just before 8 in the morning. it was a smooth 6 hour natural labor. (nice compared to my THIRTY hour labor with bb. oy vey.)

she's lovely and perfect. she was 8lbs., 2 oz. she is nursing well and sleeping tons. so far she's "pretty chill" as hubby would say. it's been a very. . .peaceful experience so far.

bb has been a great older brother. hubby made me agree not to share names, so we'll use her initials, too, which are cm. bb has given cm many'a kiss today. he's been really sweet. he likes lifting my shirt for me when it's time to nurse. what more could i ask for? sure, i know this will not always be the way of things for him, but for right now, it's really nice.

anyway, here's a couple pictures of my cutie-patootie.

thanks for the well-wishes and support!!

waiting.

2007-09-16T13:53:00.000-04:00

well, here we are--4 days "late" and it should come as no surprise given bb's lateness, but still, it's sort of disappointing. i so much want to see and meet her!

while i am definitely an "everything works out how it needs to" kind of person, it's hard to be patient. i'm so ready to pop! so tired of being tired. so much wanting to eat with out having indigestion. wanting to NOT be constipated finally. ready to be able to walk the stairs without huffing and puffing. and we're ready to be a family--all of us together.

yesterday we had a big breakfast. i made pancakes, eggs and bacon and hubby and bb set the table and poured drinks. we had joni mitchell on the stereo. it was nice. but it felt like we were missing someone. like she should have been here to join us. my midwife thought i wouldn't see monday as a preggy person. we'll see.

i know the baby will be here soon. and the upside to her not being here yet? bb is in school from 8:30 - 2:30 (started last week), so i get (it's almost too good to say out loud) time to MYSELF. and the baby is moving and by all accounts doing fine. i've stocked the freezer with food to make newborn life a *bit* easier.

we're ready.
i hope to post good news very soon. thanks so much for the good juju and well-wishes!

2 weeks to go!

2007-08-28T14:14:00.000-04:00

it's been so busy around here that i haven't had a chance to post much. we had a great vacation at the beach. we're so lucky to be able to do that. BB got to play with his cousins 24/7 which was a big deal. . . although not as big as the ice cream we ate! he'd been waiting all summer for that! since being back it's been all about baby. getting the rooms ready. getting her clothes ready. getting diapers. setting things up. nesting. i'm due in a little over 2 weeks, so she could come anytime. and it'd be FINE with me if she showed a little early or on her due date. i'm praying she's not TWELVE days late like her brother, because, seriously, i don't think i can stretch anymore. i feel like i'm going to bust at the seams! she's gotta come out of there. i feel like i'm more baby than i am me! so, feel free to send your "baby come on time" juju my way. in the meantime, here's a few pics from the vacation.bb went to his first baseball game. it was minor league, but he didn't know the difference! he LOVED it. here he is waving at the "baseball guys."splashing in the water with mom. he climbed up and down that rock like a 100 times. i know this beach like the back of my hand given that i spent ever summer there as a kid, so it was awesome to see him discovering it. it made me all emotional to watch him.

and of course, trucking in the sand with dad. the beach is one big sand box after all!

hiatus.

2007-08-09T19:32:00.000-04:00

this weekend we're re-arranging the upstairs and painting the kids' room. baby is due in one month! then, we're off to the shore for a week at the beach cottage, so i won't be posting for a bit.

hope to see you when i get back! i look forward to catching up with my fellow mommy bloggers.

kate

2 is fine, it's 3 you gotta worry about

2007-08-06T13:54:00.000-04:00

so far, i can't say i'm a fan of year 3. sheesh. everyone complains about the 2 year old, but man, in the last 3-4 weeks, bb has become a royal pain in the patootie a lot of the time.

he only wants snacks. if i call a meal by it's name, "lunch" he has a break down. "i don't want lunch, i just want a snack!!!!!" food is a toughie. i love food and i love to cook. i already have a completely UNadventurous eater in the house (hubby). i don't need 2. but, of course i understand the toddler palate--not so refined. i am sort of a healthfoodie mom, but not in an extreme way at all. i'll give the kid Spud Puppies and all-natural chicken fingers and you'd think i asked him to eat tofu casserole. what's wrong here? don't most kids beg for things like Spud Puppies (healthy tater-tots)?

am i missing something?

i'm not sure when my kid transitioned into someone who can't hear no. we've never been pushovers with him. but all of a sudden it's like the end of the world if we say no to something. . . even if it's something we can't say yes to. "can i have some juice?" "actually, we're out of juice, want some soy milk or water?" he hits the floor and whines.

mommy cannot handle that.

maybe it's because the baby is coming and he feels it. maybe it's because school is coming and he feels it. there's certainly change in the air around here. so, i do feel for him and i try to be compassionate---but where's the compassion for me? just a quick dose is all i need. i'm nearly 8mos. pregnant, it's hot as blazes around here and i can't bend down anymore!

someone bring me a lemonade and cold fo' i pass out!

i don't wanna hear it

2007-08-02T20:08:00.000-04:00

if you have more than one kid, i don't wanna hear how hard it is. i'm not an idiot. i know that the challenges that come with a second kid are wide and varied and i also know that your life is not mine.

when i had my first kid everyone wanted to tell me their war stories--of the birthing, of the first few months of life with newborn, etc. and while i would like to think that people have good intentions it frustrated me because i felt like people were assuming that just because it was a certain way for them, that it would be for me.

i'm an optimist--for the most part and i like to believe in the best outcome in all things. this is true of having my second baby as well. i know we'll struggle. i know it could be really hard for bb to get used to his sister. i know we'll be busy and it will be hard to do laundry and dishes. and i also know it will be wonderful.

i guess i'm just tired of "veteran" moms saying in all-knowing tones, "oh, you'll be busy!" or "oh, you'll SEE!" like they've cornered the market on parenting. well, i have my own way of approaching life and i want to be let to have my own experience, you know?

i don't think that's too much to ask.

a fabulous new site!

2007-07-30T13:54:00.000-04:00

the amazing jamie over at All Things Avery has launched a new site/web biz selling her fabulous card designs. go check her out--she's got invitations, announcements, cards. and she does really cute stuff. www.weelittledesigns.com.

she's doing a giveaway for her Grand Opening! join in!

we have a winner!

2007-07-27T13:22:00.000-04:00

CONGRATULATIONS to Jen at The Mom Chronicles! She won the onesie or tee of her choice from my shop--www.bubbleandsqueak.biz as part of the Dog Days Giveaway!

Thank you so much to everyone who came by and entered. I was truly surprised by the response! It was wonderful! And thank you for all of your nice comments on my shirts. It really made my day(s) to hear.

I hope to see more of you--i'll be hitting your blogs and I hope you'll come back to mine!

: )

Dog Days GIVEAWAY is Here!

2007-07-23T13:35:00.000-04:00

It's too fun to resist! Shannon at rocksinmydryer is doing this fabulous bloggy giveaway carnival. I'm SO in. Here's what I am giving away--a ONESIE or TEE from my own biz; Bubble & Squeak Baby Wear. The winner will be able to specify which size s/he would like, but the design choices are limited to the ones you see below.

Hit my website for size options and info about the clothes. This Friday before noon (EST) I'll randomly choose a winner. How do you win? Just post a comment saying you want in!
Have fun!

reasons to limit TV - they are many.

2007-07-19T14:15:00.000-04:00

it's a struggle for me to know what to say to other parents about my son's lack of TV watching. i feel really strongly about it and the older he gets the more i feel it, but given my fear of being judged about it, i get all tongue-tied and rambly when i try to explain why it matters so much.

here's a great resource posted by The Not Quite Crunchy Parent. she gives quick, easy answers--all things i think and feel, but have a hard time saying in the moment. maybe it'll help untie your tongue, too!

The Not Quite Crunchy Parent: Reasons to Limit TV - What to Tell the Relatives!

stories on CD--a must for the long car ride.

2007-07-17T13:47:00.000-04:00

bb loves a good story on CD. he has all the Curious George ones and he got so into them that we had to back away. just a little *too* into the G factor. However, he does love stories, so we went in search of some other/ new CDs to listen to--especially since we've got a 3 hour car ride coming up in August!

and the kid's got a birthday soon, too (he's THREE!), so we're thinking about what to get. we're not a big toy family. we keep it minimal. partly because of space and partly because, well, he just doesn't need a lot. we try to keep with the philosophy that the less the toy does the more the child does. and the less toys he has the more he uses is creativity, so, he's got mostly very simple, plain, use-your-imagination toys. and a *few* more complicated ones, but just a few.

anyway, i think these CDs are a great gift idea for anyone with kids or for you if you have kids who like stories, so i'm passing them on! got a long car-ride this summer? let the imagination take over and keep trucking along!

I'll be participating!

2007-07-17T13:32:00.000-04:00

come next monday to see what i'm giving away! it's fun! it's free! it's a bloggin' good time!

good sites.

2007-07-16T20:30:00.000-04:00

steph is at again with a great giveaway! this time it's for kangaroodle.com and they have some super, super cute stuff. and functional. my favorite combo! we mommy's need practicality in a cute polka-dot print, you know?

and for more really great ideas, definitely head over to mamaspeaks.com for cool products and useful info. love it.

a cd to recommend

2007-07-09T21:14:00.000-04:00

i'm sure i've blogged about them before. i know i have. but it needs to be said again that if you haven't checked out The Innocence Mission, you really should. they offer wonderful, heartfelt, poetic music that is wholesome without being. . . dorky.

the lead songwriters are a husband and wife team--karen and don peris. they are religious, but it comes across in their music as spiritual more than religious. at least to me. i'm not christian, so i appreciate this. karen is the lyricist and she writes about the most everyday things, really. but she does it in such a way that you're like, "man. i wish i could have said it like that." she puts words to feelings and. . . moments that pass most people by. yet, she celebrates them. i love that about her.

not too long ago, they put out an album of lullabies. it's mostly cover songs, but also a couple originals that they wrote for their kids and it's just beautiful. whenever we are in the car and we need some chill time, i put this on and everyone mellows out. it's dreamy and sweet and i am thankful to have it . . . and all their music!

i heart coupons.

2007-07-04T10:19:00.000-04:00

now, i love a good deal. and really, who doesn't. when i became a parent it was clear to me that expenses would rise. there's gear to buy and diapers and clothes. given that hubby and i don't bring home tons of cash (yet) we have to be frugal.

here is a great site where you can find 100's of online coupons. i was dubious at first--would i find anything that i could really use? but then when i investigated and found so many opportunities to save at online stores i already shop at, well, i was, psyched, of course!

my favorite discovery is the coupons for babyage.com. i love babyage. not only do they offer many things i have needed over the years, but they have often offered $5.95 shipping on ANY order. so, this mommy got her new car seat in the mail without have to pay a mint in shipping that heavy thing! sweet!

with baby number 2 on the way, i'm all over keepcash.com for coupons because even though i have a lot of what i need from the first baby, there's still always something. i encourage you to take a look around because you may be surprised to find coupons or offers that are truly useful to you and your family.

*this is a paid post.*

my new blog

2007-07-03T12:09:00.000-04:00

i've got a bit of fun news to share with the blogosphere---i'm a "pro" blogger! i've recently been hired to write a food/recipes blog over at contentquake.com. i'd love for you to blogroll me if you are a foodie at all. i promise it'll be great fun and chock full of recipes!

you can find me at www.recipes.contentquake.com

come on by and check it out there are some other great blogs in the Content Quake network as well.

cheers!
kate

growing pains

2007-07-02T10:23:00.000-04:00

this weekend hubby and i went to a wedding. (woot for adult time!) we asked hubby's dad to come and sit with bb. bb did not want us to leave. he's never had a problem with us leaving before. being compassionate parents, we, of course felt bad about it, but we knew that he'd be fine. still, there was that lingering feeling. . .

did we push him too hard by sending him to camp? do all kids just go thru this at some point? or is it a too-small-view to see it as a direct response to camp? i guess what i mean is he has a lot going on right now for a little guy. he's learning to use the potty. he's about to 3 (later this month). mommy's got a gi-normous belly containing his baby sister (to come in september). he's going to camp, then SCHOOL in the fall (coinciding with baby). that's a lot for a little guy. it's no wonder he's needing some reassurance and extra lovin' from us.

if any of you had experienced something similar, please, pass on the encouragement or ideas of how to get a little one thru it. and how to get the parents thru it!!

my baby went to camp!

2007-06-28T08:53:00.000-04:00

i'm very happy to say that bb did SO well at camp. . . or rather he IS doing well. today is the last day in his first week and i couldn't be more proud. i'm breaking hubby's "don't show his face on your blog" rule and putting in a picture of him leaving for his first day. he was all excited to carry his own lunch.

the worst that's happened is he's gotten over-tired from not napping as long as he does at home and not going to bed any earlier than usual. and the 93 freakin' degree weather hasn't helped. yesterday he got droopy and a little sad, but i think it was really the heat and his fatigue talking.

his teacher said, "he's the perfect camper!" he's the youngest one in the group so she was thinking he'd probably stay close to her side, but he prefers to be with the other kids exploring and doing whatever they are doing. when i picked him up the first day i expected a big hug-filled reunion. but, he was sitting on his towel (like all the other kids) eating a popsicle. he looked up and said, "hi mommy! i'm having a POPSICLE!" and he didn't budge. no running for hugs. no "i missed you!" it was disappointing on one level because I NEEDED the hug, but it was also. . . awesome to see how capable he was of having a good time without me. he was fine. he napped there. he went potty there. (came home yesterday with NO dirty undies!) he went swimming. helped make snack. and yesterday he even rode a pony and then was shown how to lead the pony with another child on it. he's not even 3 yet!

yes, i am proud. and relieved. and happy for him. in the meantime hubby and i got a little time together and i got to get a LOT of work done on my summer job as activities coordinator for a student exchange program. and i even snuck in a swim at the lake yesterday. so, it's all good. my baby's growing so strong. i couldn't be more happy for him.

my baby is going to camp

2007-06-24T15:44:00.001-04:00

so, tomorrow bb goes to his first day of camp. it's being held at the school he'll attend in fall. he'll go from 9-3 monday thru thursday next week and the week following.

he's never gone anywhere for that long without me or daddy or a family member with him. yes, mommy's feeling a bit nervous about it.

i know he's ready. i see it everyday. i often say to hubby, "he's going to love school." i think he's ready for friends and to have more things to do in his day. . .especially when he wants mommy to play with him every minute of the day! and he's doing great with the potty. i wouldn't say it's going incredibly fast, but it's going. . . HE'S going. sometimes he'll go twice in a day, other days not at all. but that's all fine.

daddy will drop him off tomorrow at camp. i'm not letting on how i feel, but i'm afraid that if i were to drop him off i'd get all emotional and maybe he'd start to be afraid or sad when really i think he's going to be excited.

i tell myself, "there's nothing to fear. he loves it there! you trust his teacher, he's familiar with her and her ways and he'll have a great time."

but then the other voice creeps in and says, "what if he cries and wants to go home? what if a kids isn't nice to him? what if he feels abandoned?"

in my heart i know that if he feels this way, he'll get thru it. and i'd rather teach him how to navigate those feelings then to shelter him from having them.

still. it hurts a little. letting him go.

wet water.

2007-06-15T14:43:00.000-04:00

i've blogged about it before and i probably will again. i've got 2 toddlers-about-to-be-pre-schoolers on my hands (one mine, one not) and they need stuff to do.

somedays i'm really organized and i plan stuff for them--little activities or something fun to do in the kitchen. we made scones last week---YUM! there are days (and you know what i'm saying if you're a stay-at-home mom) when they need more than i got. so, i have to be able to preempt the meltdown when i see it coming. somedays they can happily skip around from thing to thing outside. today was not one of those days.

so, i turned to my old, faithful mommy trick---water.
water can keep these guys busy for an hour. if i add some color, fo'gitaboudit. they're gonners. today i gave them each a bowl filled with water and the food coloring of their choice.

throw some plastic cups at them and they're off! they spent a good chunk of the morning moving the water from one vessel to the other. including the bb's wheelbarrow and his tractor's trailer. "i'm going to scoop some WET water!"

this is serious good times for these guys. if you're having "one of those days" and you need something else to do. try water. it's simple. it's wet. and we all have it (aren't we lucky?)

what are your fail-safes? do you have an activity that never lets you down? if so, pass it on!

babywearing giveaway!

2007-06-11T22:08:00.000-04:00

the fabulous steph over at adventures in babywearing is having a *sweet* giveaway!!

the prize is a $75 gift certificate to mamkanga. and they have some totally great stuff. and as a mama who will be welcoming a newbie in september i'm on the search for some good babywearing gear. . . so pick me steph!

if i were to win it i'd have to get this or this or maybe this. dang, this is hard!

more greenery!

2007-06-06T15:06:00.000-04:00

yesterday was one of our favorite days. it was the first day at our CSA farm.

Community Supported Agriculture is one of the cooler things about being living where i live. yes, there are CSA farms in many places--probably one near you. i am lucky enough to live in an area where there are several to choose from. if you don't know what they are, hit this website and find out. it's a great way to "be green" and support your local growers. the family farm is disappearing, this is how we can keep them going.

This week's share: mixed greens, spinach, bok choy, broccoli raab, turnips and packs of flowers to plant in the garden. (sweet!) we can also purchase extras of certain produce if they have a lot of it, as well as fresh eggs, raw milk and locally baked bread.

The one we go to is big on being kid-friendly. the farmers have kids, so they get that sometimes kids don't want to be in the barn picking out potatoes. so, in front of the big barn (inside of which is the distribution room) are toys. not a lot, but enough to give the kids something to do while we parents are inside getting giddy over our choices for the week.

they have a couple dump trucks, a tricycle, a toy lawn mower. it's great fun. they also have a dog, because what would a farm be without one?

after i'm done getting goodies in the distribution room, bb and i head for the fields! we go pick beans, peas, cherry tomatoes--or whatever is available at the time--as well as herbs and flowers. a big beautiful bunch of cosmos, sunflowers, snap dragons. i can't wait til they start blooming. it's great for kids because they start to connect more with where food comes from and they are invested in seeing it come home and get cooked. bb loves to snap green beans. the best part is that it does make him more interested in veggies and in gardening at home (we're hoping for lots of tomatoes this year). he loves to help pick whatever it is we are picking and then take his full container back up the hill to the barn. it's awesome on so many levels. i highly recommend you find one near you!

bein' green.

2007-06-04T14:38:00.000-04:00

i've always been the one in my family who was what they called, "counter-culture." i went against the grain from a young age. independent. free-thinking (when i wasn't feeding myself destructive self-talk).

i listened to all the "alternative"music, dressed in clothing that was. . . outside the norm of the Gap and Express, i explored spirituality and thinking outside the church. and i got into "being green." at first it was hard for my mom to get used to--the idea of recycling was weird. and she worked for a plastics company, so she got all bent-outta-shape when my theatre group did an environmental piece in which we slammed plastic.

i hope that nowadays being "green" isn't seen as counter-culture or weird or out of the norm, but i'm sure in many places across the U.S., it is.

honestly, i have gotten lazy. i wish i were better at it. it took Al Gore's movie to put me over the edge. . . well, that and having a child. i want him to have a life where he and his kids can breathe the air outside and take hikes and see SNOW. so, i'm trying to do all the right things.

currently i'm struggling with the diaper debate. they say the cloth are more environmentally responsible. i'm sure they are, but i've read some info. from both sides. the cotton industry ain't so pretty. it takes water (energy) to wash them, etc. but the real debate goes on at home. hubby wanted nothing to do with them. and since i was calling a lot of the baby "shots." i said, ok. we'll do disposable. i feel guilty about this. AND about all the wipes we use, too. but the truth is, i don't like the cloth ones AT ALL. the boy i nanny for uses them. no likee. smelly, stinky, leaky and when they get to be toddlers i just don't wanna get that intimate with the poo, you know? i know that's a wimpy thing to say. but it's true. so, it's hard for me to argue with hubby, but i do. now that there's a new baby coming, can i keep plugging up landfills with diapers?

here's a great article on "green parenting." i found it helpful. maybe you will, too.

the amazing adventures of jake & mustack

2007-05-28T20:45:00.001-04:00

lately, bb's favorite thing to do (when we aren't outside) is play "jake and mustack." it's very easy to do. i thought i'd do a little show and tell for you.

basically jake and mustack drive around their town in their fancy red convertible and visit all their favorite places. . . usually more than once. and more than twice in the case of the chocolate shoppe.

i have to "be jake." i'm not allowed to "be mustack." and mustack gets to drive the cool car. jake has to be the sidekick. but that's cool. jake doesn't mind. and he tries not to backseat drive.

usually the dialogue goes something like this,
"jake, let's go to the chocolate shoppe!"
"okay!"
"what kind of chocolates do YOU want?"
"ummm, i like the chocolate caramel ones. how about you?"
"weeeeeelll, let's go see what they have."

(jake and mustack walk in to the shoppe.)

mustack says, "i'll have a chocolate cake and a chocolate cream and a chocolate caramel!"

jake says, "i'll have a chocolate chip cookie!"

mustack says, "ok, lets go eat them in the car!"

(jake and mustack drive to the next destination. this goes on until they've gone everywhere at least twice. when we go to the library usually mustack gets a book with a crazy title.)

mustack will say, "i got a book about planes, chairs, milk, candles and hats! what did you get?"

below you will find photos of their town.

we have so much fun riding the guys around and talking about their adventures. when we're done, of course, we crash the town down and start fresh the next day.

and yeah, sometimes i really don't wanna play jake and mustack AGAIN, but i take a deep breath, get on the floor and say, "hey mustack, where should we go first?" cause i'm a mom. and that's what we do.

a foot stompin' good time (not).

2007-05-20T13:50:00.000-04:00

i know i've been complainy lately, but man toddlers can be tough. forget terrible 2s. i think i'm having terrible 3s. he's on the cusp of 3 and getting. . .willful. more and more by the day.

the latest treat is foot stomping. when he doesn't like something i say, he stomps his foot at me. sometimes it's accompanied by "no!" sometimes he just stomps around.

hubby and i have talked a lot about discipline and consequences. we've landed on "time-outs" as the way to address his behavior. if he stomps at mommy or daddy or is otherwise out of line it's a time-out--which means parking it on the floor or couch or stairs (depending on where we are) with no toys or books or anything and staying there until he calms down and we tell him he can come out. usually he whines and sometimes SCREAMS "NO, mommy!" (interestingly, he only does this to me, he won't yell like that at daddy). then he'll say, "i'm ready to be a nice boy now." but we don't let him out of the time out until he's chilled out and stopped crying/whining. then we go over to him and "talk about what happened." we process it and talk about why he got a time out. and he has to apologize for stomping or whatever he did to get the time out.

i'm not sure how affective we are being with this method, but so far it's what we've come up with. if i can control my own emotions the time out allows me to give him consequences without blowing up. when he acts out i can simply say, "okay, that's a time out." instead of getting angry and letting it get to me. but sometimes it's RILLY RILLY hard to be calm. i find myself yelling, too. so, does that mean i need a time out. cause i'll gladly take one.

what are your methods for coping with a toddler's outbursts or impatience? what's worked for you? if you got the wisdom, pass it on!

so. tired. of. talking.

2007-05-16T21:39:00.000-04:00

my toddler (to be three in july) is a talker. are they all? i'm not sure, but mine wants to be interacting ALL the time. it's exhausting. this is what a car ride is like lately:

bb: mommy, a digger!
me: yeah. . .
bb: oh mommy, did you see that jeep?
me: yes, a red one!
bb: i saw a biiiiiig dumptruck.
*silence as i try to listen to my new tori amos cd*
bb: i saw a big dumptuck, mommy.
*silence as i hope this is the time he doesn't require a response when he's not even asked a real question*
bb: mommy, mommy *no such luck*, i saw a DUMPTRUCK! did you see it?
me: yes (for the love of god) i DID see it!!!

i've tried asking for a "quiet time" and that lasts about. . . 5.3 seconds.

when i'm in the kitchen and i fail to respond to a statment like, "i'm playing with jake in his car." he begins to yell, "mommy, mommy!!! i'm playing with JAAAAAKE!"

inside i'm screaming back, "that's nice, but i don't really care, i just want to make my SMOOOOOTHIE!"

but instead i say for the umpteenth time, "that sounds like fun, bud."

all i want is a *little* time of being to not have to talk and respond to every. little. thing. he says. i can't follow a thought. i can't reflect or drift off.

and my friends wonder why i never want to talk on the phone.

Baking--It's Good Mother's Day fun.

2007-05-13T14:02:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite things to do in the kitchen is combine the artistry and skill involved in baking with the playful, together-time my son and I crave.

It’s a challenge to cook or bake with a toddler. Sometimes I’m happy to let him take over and mix more sugar in the bowl than would ever be necessary or to allow him to decide, “let’s make the muffins GREEN!” Sure, it’s all good. We can be silly. We can make a mess. And I love it! But sometimes I crave to do something a little more sophisticated and see if he can keep up. Usually he does.

Today the topic on my mind is “demystifying candied violets.” I’m not the kind of person who gets easily intimidated in the kitchen. Granted, there’s a lot I don’t know and techniques I have never tried, but some things just look fancier when they are done than they are to make. Candied violets are one of those things. They can be so totally stunning on a cake, but they are relatively easy to do. . .with a little patience. So, let me talk you through it.

Candied Violets

30 pesticide-free violets (have more than you need in case of mis-haps and make sure your flowers are labeled edible!)
1 egg white, at room temperature
1 tsp. water
1 cup superfine sugar or granulated sugar whizzed in the food processor a bit

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg white and water until slightly frothy, but don’t beat the heck out of it.

2. Spread a thin layer of sugar into a large plate. (Leave the rest in a bowl.)

3. Hold each flower by its base or by the stem if the stems are long enough and use a paint brush to paint each violet on *both* sides with a thin coating of egg white. Then sprinkle sugar on both sides. Place the flowers in a single layer on your sugared plate and let them dry for at least 2 hours before using. Cut any long stems.

Now, this is totally doable with child. He can paint the flowers if he’s gentle enough and can handle the small paintbrush. However, if it gets too frustrating for you, put the kid on hold for a bit and have him come back to the kitchen when it’s time to make the cupcakes that these little beauties will be perched a’top. If my son gets impatient or bored, he’ll go run around in the living room and come back in a bit to help with the next thing. I have to remind myself he’s got a lot of energy!

What to do with these sugary blossoms?

Sweet Lemon Cupcakes

This recipe comes to you from williams-sonoma.com and it’s a damn fine one, at that. Have the child help with as many aspects you can. She can rinse the lemons, zest them if her hands are big enough to do the job, pour and mix dry ingredients and my son’s favorite thing—crack the eggs!

2 lemons, washed
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
5 teaspoons poppy seeds
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs, at room temperature
3/4 cup milk
2 cups confectioners sugar

1. Zest the lemons—measure out 2 teaspoons zest. Reserve the lemons.

2. Position the racks in the upper and lower thirds of an oven and preheat to 325°F. Line two 12-well muffin pans with paper liners.

3. In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt and poppy seeds. Stir with a whisk until evenly blended. Add the 2 teaspoons lemon zest to the flour mixture and whisk well. Set aside.

4. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until it is soft and fluffy. Turn off the mixer, sprinkle in the granulated sugar and continue beating until pale.

5. One at a time, crack the eggs into a small bowl. Add the eggs to the batter, one at a time, beating well after adding each one.

6. Turn off the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add half of the flour mixture and beat on low speed just until blended. Turn off the mixer and add the milk. Beat on low speed until smooth. Turn off the mixer and add the rest of the flour mixture. Beat just until blended.

7. Fill each muffin cup half full. Don’t fill the muffin cups any higher than that.

8. Put the pans in the oven and bake until the edges of the cupcakes are pale golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean—20 to 25 minutes.

Remove the pans from the oven and put them on wire cooling racks. Let the cupcakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then lift out the cupcakes, put them directly on the racks and let cool completely, about 45 minutes.

Makes 24 cupcakes.

Ice and Decorate

1. Juice the lemons and measure out 3 tablespoons juice and put in a small bowl.

2. In another bowl, whisk together the confectioners sugar and a little of the lemon juice. Add some more lemon juice but only enough to make the icing thick. It should slowly fall off the whisk.

3. Spoon some icing on top of each cupcake and use the back of the spoon in a circular motion to help spread it to the edges of the cupcake liner. Let the icing stand for a minute until it smooths out to make a flat surface.

4. Right away, place one of the violets on top. Don’t wait too long after pouring the icing or it will harden and the sugar wont stick.

Alternatively you can use whipped cream instead of the lemon icing.

Try these—I think you’ll like them. Go forth into the kitchen and show your kid how it’s done. You can always make grilled cheeses and ants on a log tomorrow.

wordless wednesday - at the zoo!

2007-05-09T09:43:00.000-04:00

the poop post

2007-04-30T19:40:00.000-04:00

i know it's not a fun topic, but it needs to be discussed. i need your input.

we're talking a lot about potty training this summer. bb goes to preschool in the fall. new baby comes in the fall. would LOVE to have only one butt in diapers, you know? while bb's school is okay with him not being totally there potty-wise, i'd like it if he could be.

so, how did you do it? have you got a boy who's been through the potty training realm? i have to tell you i feel completely unprepared and at a loss for what to do. how to do it. how to approach it. i've always felt i had good instincts about how to do whatever i needed to do in the parenting world, but with this i just feel like. . . "ugh. HOW?"

if you can, tell me what worked for you and what didn't. how'd you get started? how long did it take? what were the best books you used to help him "get it." was there a moment where you felt like it "was time" to start?

on a different, yet related note. this pregnancy is so different from the previous. it's been harder. way. not only do i *still* get sick (i'm 20 weeks going on 21), but i'm achy and painy in weird places AND (lucky me) i'm severly constipated nearly all the time. whoo hoo!

i've never experienced anything like it. nothing seems to help. i've tried it all. prunes. prune juice. smoothies. smoothies with fiber and flax seed added. fiber drinks. lots of water. lots of apple juice. i'm bound bound bound up no matter what i do. it's painful. it's gross. i feel. . . gross most of the time. i have to resort to suppositories every 4 days or so in order to not explode. it's the only way to get anything out.

if this happened to you during your pregnancy and you found something to be helpful when all else failed, please PLEASE please share your wisdom. i'm dying over here.

cheers!

2007-04-18T15:41:00.000-04:00

hey, thanks for all the nice congratulatory comments. it's very sweet to have so many nice blogger buddies chime in like that.

we're still in shock over here. there was no expectation of a girl. i may have mentioned this before, but there is only 1 (ONE) girl in 3 generations hubby's family. they just "don't make girls." so, we figured why should it be any different for us? so, we're floored.

there were lots of "signs" or as we call them "waking dreams" telling us it could be a girl right down to bb always saying he was having a sister whenever we asked which he wanted or thought it would be, but we thought we were reading too much into it, after all, his family "don't make girls."

speaking of bb. he was SO SWEET at the ultrasound. he stood beside me on a little bench with daddy and he kept stroking my arm. he'd say, "i'm giving you gentle touches, mommy!" "are you okay?" "does your tummy feel okay?" he was so good to me. so caring.

when the technician said (with no build up or ceremony) "baby's a girl." i began to cry. bb said, "why you sad, mommy? you okay?" totally not yet able to understand tears of joy, though daddy and i tried to explain the concept as best we could.

i think it wasn't until we were driving home that hubby and i were able to admit to each other how much we wanted a little girl. and it's been hard to tell our friends who wanted girls and didn't get them. i have 2 friends who recently had their second boys and so badly wanted number 2 to be a girl. i have another--my oldest, dearest friend in the world --who has 4 boys who desperately wanted a girl. each time she'd say, "trying for a girl ONE more time." i haven't even told her yet. i feel awful about it. of course i had no control, but still.

on the way home from the ultrasound where we found out bb was a boy, hubby and i went out for cheeseburgers. i think it was what i was craving. so, this time we all 3 went out. got us some burgers and shared a mondo hot fudge caramel brownie sundae together. which was a big deal for bb because he hardly ever eats sweets. we toasted with our spoonfuls. "to a baby sister! CHEERS! *clink*"

the ultrasound is in. . .

2007-04-14T15:56:00.000-04:00

and we couldn't be more excited.

trying to chill

2007-04-10T14:17:00.000-04:00

does anyone remember in the movie Say Anything when Lloyd tells. . . somebody, "you must CHILL!!!?" i think they are at a party or something. the same party where Lily Taylor's character is singing about joe. "joe steals. joe lies." strumming her guitar so badly.

anyone remember that? i didn't make it up, did i?

i hope not, because everyday i hear John Cusack in my head telling me i must chill.

we're trying to sell our house and buy a new one at the same time. it's freaking me out. i have no idea how people do this. what if we find a great place and no one wants our old one? what if the opposite happens? what if no one likes our house? i love my house. i think it's cool and comfy. i 'm not sure i can take it if people criticize it.

i feel afraid that somehow i'll end up having to settle or i'll have to live somewhere i don't want to. which is silly, i know, because i can just not move. problem is our lives change a lot come september and this house doesn't suit those changes, so i sorta feel like we have to move. and then i feel the pressure. and it turns me into a sleepless freak. and lloyd starts running around my head.

lloyd, dude, i'm trying.

reality tv--the good stuff

2007-04-04T13:22:00.000-04:00

i'm not a big fan of reality shows, really. sure, i watched a couple seasons of The Real World. mostly because of the locations. i lived in seattle, so of course i watched the seattle RW. i definitely never liked the mean spirited ones. voting people off and such. boooo. no thanks.

not until Trading Spaces came along was i ever really intrigued by reality tv. (unless What Not To Wear counts.) and then i fell for The Amazing Race. which i love. i love the competition and i love the locations. the drama is secondary. (yes, i'm loving the All-Star Race that's currently going on and yes, i'm very happy that rob and ambah are out of it. they give boston a bad name.)

hubby and i just watched on DVD the best thing i have ever seen in the reality genre. it's called Frontier House. have you seen it? it's the PBS's answer to reality tv. and it's fascinating. the basic outline is that they take 3 modern families (from 5,000 applicants) and plop them in 1883 in the Montana territory. they are given "lessons" on how things work in those days. the clothing, the cooking/baking, livestock care (and slaughtering), building, gardening. the basics of homesteading, really. then they are taken via horse drawn wagons to their new home. for 5 months they have to survive. they have to barter. they have to ration. they have to make a homestead function.

they are given *somewhat* fictitious back-story that is based on their own lives. this comes into play most importantly when they are shown their new home. the career of the homesteader in "real life" sort of determines what they get when they show up. one family has a fully finished cabin, one is part done and one (the smallest family--a father and son) have nothing. NO-THING. they have to build a home from scratch. right down to picking the site.

there's a lot to be said about this show. but, since this is a parenting blog, i'm going to focus on the experience of the kids on the show and my experience as a mom watching it.

there were 2 teenage girls. at first they couldn't deal with the loss of make-up and material things. then a few months down the road as one is digging in the garden she talks about having a sense of purpose now and feeling like a better person.

they have no tv or video games. no malls. all they have is nature, the work of the homestead and wooden toys and playing cards. so, the families spend time together instead. and it's beautiful. yes, there's some typical reality show cattyness and us vs. them, but the show is not really about that.

the most striking aspect of the show for me is in the "character" of a boy. he must have been 8 or 10 years old. this kid was addicted to his Play Station before he came to Montana. eventually, he talks about how he loves it there because his dad has time to teach him things. to teach him to fish or to build a chicken coop. he gets to spend time with dad because dad's not off at work. at home he hardly saw him. this kid is thriving. he's alive in nature. feeling his sense of purpose. being helpful. not wasting away in front of the tube. he's contributing and he feels good about it. as do the teen girls.

the most poignant moment is at the end. we flash forward to 2 months after they leave Montana to return to the year 2001 (yes, they experience 9/11 while away in 1883). the kids talk about how boring it is. all they do is go to the mall. there's nothing to do. they are surrounded by so much "stuff" that they feel like there's nothing in it for them. this little boy talks about how much more fun and special it was to recieve small gifts while he was in Montana. his grandmother brought him a wooden checkers set and sling shots for his birthday and that was so meaningful because he didn't have any toy or game at his fingertip like he did at home. less is more to him and most kids, i think.

and they said at home it's lonely. isolated. more isolated than being off in the mountains with no outside contact. they are in a big house. and miss the closeness of the one room cabin. of family.

it's fascinating and a little sad.

for hubby and i. . . it made us feel like our choice to put bb in a waldorf school next year for pre-school was the right thing. a school where he'll learn to take care of chickens and goats, he'll make butter and bread, he'll tell stories with simple knit toys and build with wooden blocks and stumps. he'll be in a simple one room schoolhouse. he'll learn purposeful play and purposeful work.

it's pricey. it's "crunchy." and it's just right.

it's funny, this show has actually made us think about HOW we live and what we might change now that we're house shopping. rural sounds good.

need jokes please.

2007-03-29T11:01:00.000-04:00

i'm stressed out, people. i need to laugh. send me your best jokes!
knock-knock or otherwise--i'll take it.

doesn't everyone have a favorite joke? i have 2. . . in case you need to laugh, too. . . or at least chuckle. . .

why don't canibals eat clowns?
because they taste funny.

what did the hat say to the hat rack?
you stand here, i'm goin' on a' head!

okay, you're turn!

a new home.

2007-03-26T11:56:00.000-04:00

well, we've started looking for a new house. our house is pretty dang small and is feeling smaller all the time. especially when thinking of TWO kids running around here!

lately we've been working on getting the house ready to be shown. we have to get rid of all the clutter and *stuff* which is so hard to do in a small house. only so many places to stash stuff. the funny thing is we're like, "why didn't we do this before?" the place looks so much better. neater. it feels good. like the energy can flow. like my brain has more space even as my rooms do.

while i am hopeful of finding something great, i'm also sad at the thought of leaving this house. it's our first home. we became a family here. and it's a great house. really great. fits our personality and we've put our stamp on it. painted the kitchen funky colors. i wish i could magically make it bigger!

i'm a worrier and try as i might i just can't stop stressing over how it is all going to happen--how do people buy and sell at the same time!? it seems crazy to think it could all actually go down at the same time. neat and tidy.

like my dining room is now.

been tagged!

2007-03-22T16:11:00.000-04:00

sari over at The Geek Inside tagged me to do this music meme. the deal is you list 7 songs you are into right now, then tag 7 others to find out what they are listening to.

in no particular order:

Song: Love That Boy
Artist: The Innocence Mission
Album: They Walked in Song

Song: How Will He Find Me?
Artist: Deb Talan
Album: A Bird Flies Out

Song: Breathe Me
Artist: Sia
Album: ??

Song: Losing My Religion
Artist: R.E.M.
Album: Out of Time

Song: Easier
Artist: Glen Phillips
Album: Winter Pays For Summer

Song: Driving With You
Artist: Meg Tennant (meg's a pal--buy her album--she's great!)
Album: Driving With You

Song: Bed, Bed, Bed
Artist: They Might Be Giants
Album: Bed, Bed, Bed

i'm feeling to lazy to figure out who to tag, so here's an open invite to play along! and do the movie meme below, too!

i love my kid.

2007-03-19T19:43:00.000-04:00

yesterday bb said the following to me:

"mommy, you call me silly and i'll call you snicklefritz, okaaaaaaay???"

(*added--and daddy comes home today! wheeee!*)

join me for a movie meme, won't you?

2007-03-15T08:22:00.000-04:00

i love movies. and lists. so, hey, this will be fun! join me if you haven't done this one already!

1. Name a movie that you have seen more than 10 times.

o there's a bunch of those. here's a few:
Erin Brockovich--- (i love a story about a strong woman who finds her power)
Pretty In Pink ---(my favorite of the molly ringwald/john hughes era)
Family Man--- (hubby and i watch it EVERY christmas and we love it)

2. Name a movie that you've seen multiple times in the theater.

Grease. i went as many times as mom would let me. . . and pay for.

3. Name an actor that would make you more inclined to see a movie.

to pick one. . . Kate Winslet. love her.

4. Name an actor that would make you less likely to see a movie.

to pick just one. . . Keanu Reeves. Matrix or not, no thanks! i was all set with him after Bill and Ted, you know?

5. Name a movie that CAN and DO quote from.

ha! just one??? hubby and i quote things all the time. we have like, our own language.

there's the oft quoted, "you're working on a new deal now, jack." from Family Man.
and "i'm really quite tired!" from Erin Brockovich. and hubby is famous for anything out of Big Night, especially "it's so good you have to KILL yourself!!"

6. Name a movie musical that you know all of the lyrics to all of the songs.

i'm not at all a musical fan. i think Grease is probably the only one.

7. Name a movie you have been known to sing along with.

see #6.

8. Name a movie that you would recommend everyone see.

What's Eating Gilbert Grape. everyone in this movie is brilliant. leo, johnny, juliette and the whole supporting cast. it has some classic lines. i love it. it's a little strange. a little slow. and has heart.

9. Name a movie that you own.

The Sweet Hereafter. depressing, but SO well done.

10. Name an actor that launched his/her entertainment career in another medium but who has surprised you with his/her acting chops.

Mariah Carey. no suh!!! Ummm. . . Will Smith, Marky Mark Wahlberg.

11. Have you ever seen a movie in a drive-in? If so, what?

Star Wars. i fell asleep.

12. Ever made out in a movie?

nope. that seems like a high schooly thing to do and in high school no boys ever wanted to be in a dark theatre with me. sadly.

13. Name a movie that you keep meaning to see but just haven't yet gotten around to it.

Manhattan has been in our Netflix queue for like, years. we love woody, but for some reason or other we haven't seen this yet.

14. Ever walked out of a movie?

twice. the first was Dazed and Confused. the second was Braveheart. still have never seen the ends of those movies. . . or the middle in the case of Braveheart.

15. Name a movie that made you cry in the theater.

E.T.

16. Popcorn?

hell yes. i'm addicted and i don't share.

17. How often do you go to the movies (as opposed to renting them or watching them at home)?

oh. . .3-4 times a year since having a child. when we lived in seattle we went every friday with our friends. we called it Friday Night Movie Club. dinner and a movie every week.

18. What's the last movie you saw in the theater?

Lady in The Water. i love me some M. Night.

19. What's your favorite/preferred genre of movie?

i like comedy when it's really good.

20. What's the first movie you remember seeing in the theater?

i remember *trying* to go see The Jungle Book, but it was sold out by the time we got there. i remember vividly going to see The Empire Strikes Back, but i'm sure that wasn't my first movie.

21. What movie do you wish you had never seen?

The Accused. I was too young to handle it. it haunted me.

22. What is the weirdest movie you enjoyed?

Schizopolis.

23. What is the scariest movie you've seen?

Silence of the Lambs freaked me WAY the hell out. no way i can ever see that one again.

24. What is the funniest movie you've seen?

i love Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Raising Arizona is hilarious. Airplane! Ferris Bueller's Day Off i LOVE.

OK, who wants to play along??? Sari? Beth? Allie? Bueller? Anyone?

i'm huge. already.

2007-03-14T13:12:00.000-04:00

i feel like a house. i got weighed at the midwife's office yesterday and i'm already at a buck fifty. i'm freaked out! i'm embarrassed to tell people that i'm only 14 weeks pregnant. if this keeps up i'll be at a full-on waddle in no time.

the whole morning sickness thing is so weird because eating was so hard yet, i felt i had to eat all the time in order to keep the sickness at bay. empty stomach = sick. and i did not have the good fortune of craving (or even being able to LOOK at) healthy food. i haven't had a salad since early january.

i'm a person who very much likes to eat healthily. i eat organic when i can. i eat a lot of veggies. we buy a share at a CSA farm every spring-fall. but, since getting pregnant i have had to exchange my bountiful, herbacious salad for "Lean Cuisine." i've never bought so much food from the frozen aisle. roast chicken and steamed broccoli? no, Campbell's soup. toast. eggs, eggs, eggs. and cereal. which i hardly ever ate before. Raisin Nut Bran. nothing organic or all natural there.

for the past 3 weeks i've been making soup and a savory pastry. first week it was butternut squash soup with sausage and spanikopita. the second it was roasted root vegetable soup and spinach pie. this week potato leek and asaragus goat cheese tart. i ate HALF the tart in ONE DAY, people.

now, at least this food is home made. not all processed. but the goat cheese isn't gonna keep me from becoming a house. i love to cook and i need to eat, so i decided i should make what i crave. it's good for me. in the kitchen i can get. . . centered.

and maybe now that the Sickness is subsided quite a lot, i'll actually be able to eat a salad!

a hubby-free existence

2007-03-11T09:31:00.000-04:00

so, hubby is gone out of town for 11 days. ouch. he does this trip for work every year (although, thankfully this is the last time) and this year it's particularly hard to be without him. last year bb and i went to florida for a few days with my sister and her family. while florida was not my first choice of places to go it was A. WARM B. close by C. somewhere other than here. because of that trip we didn't feel hubby's absence as much. this time we do.

and to top it all off, he's totally doing fun stuff. yes, he's technically "working" but his work is fun and he's in seattle seeing all our old friends and getting away. away from the snow. a break from the routine. yes, i am jealous.

after thinking it over there is really only one good thing i can come up about him being gone and that is: i can sprawl out in bed, sleep in the middle and hog the blankets and pillows.

that's all i got.

oh and bb's got a cold, too. good times.

yes, i'm feeling whiney.

more new tunes!

2007-03-09T13:46:00.000-05:00

yay! it's almost here! the new innocence mission album. hee! 4 days to it's release.

they're my favorite and i'm just totally jazzed to have another album of tunes. do yourself a favor and check 'em out. (if you like the mellow stuff, that is.)

a friend of mine told me once that i always say that whatever the new IM album is--is the best one yet. but the truth is, it always is! they always come back with something better, deeper, more beautiful. yes, i'm psyched. and obsessed. . . and eternally grateful to WBRU in Providence, RI for playing them way back when i was in college so i could hear them.

happy weekend!

new tunes!

2007-03-03T13:29:00.000-05:00

you may remember a while back (if you come here often) that i was whining about needing new music to listen to. many of you came thru with suggestions and i totally appreciated it! every one.

here is something cool to discover--www.unsigned.com. this is a website for independent unsigned artists to display their work for the world to hear in hopes of being "discovered." the long and short of it is that there are just tons and tons of great musicians here for the listening and in all kinds of genres--anything you like you can find. and if you are bored with your CD collection like i am, it's a great place to discover new flavors. like, how about Ska Bands? ever found one you liked? maybe now's the time, my friend! is Dance music your thing? Reggae?

i'm a big fan of the acousticy folky stuff, so my latest favorite discover at unsigned.com is Accidental Hero. give them--and anyone else you come across--a listen. i bet you find some cool stuff.

rock on, friends.

*this is a paid post.*

scenes of wintertime.

2007-02-23T12:53:00.000-05:00

here's what it's been looking like outside.

so, here's what we've been doing inside.

"rolly polly pancakes" for breakfast. think lazy man's crepes. yummy, easy and QUICK! we like them with peanut butter, strawberry jam, bananas, walnuts, raisins and apples cooked in butter and cin-in-in-amins.

next is storytime. . .

the narration goes something like this:

"Where is Hoops (the horse)?"
"Where is my friend?"

"Where is Hoops? Hoops, the pony is asleep. we can't wake him up."
"So, we walked up the stairs, so we went for a walk. . . where is my friend?"
"Would you look at that big tree? Wooooow. We can't climb up there cause there's a tree up there, so let's go home now."

I love that he wants to tell stories. he can tell stories with anyone/anything. sometimes even his granola bar has adventures!

we talk about Spring a lot and all the fun things we'll do when it thaws. today, though, it's so pretty out there, it's hard to be mad at Winter.

i dream of Go-Go's

2007-02-20T12:54:00.000-05:00

there's a myriad of feelings that come along with the news of a second baby coming. for me, these feelings manifest most intensely at night. for a long time i have had issues with insomnia. it comes and goes. sometimes it's worse than others. the whole problem became an even bigger obstacle when bb was born and was not what you would call "a good sleeper." after he finally started to sleep through the night, i couldn't. it took a long time to get there for me. i remember feeling so angry that now that i was "allowed" to sleep, i couldn't and it seemed so insanely unfair.

so, lately, with all that is on my mind, i wake up at roughly 3:10am every morning and from then until 6:30 or 7 when bb wakes up, i fall asleep, wake up, fall asleep and repeat. this makes for interesting dreams.

2 nights ago i dreamed i met the Go-Go's. yes, i'm a big fan. but i've never harbored any secret desire to hang out with them. i mean, to me they are the finest girl band we had in the 80s, sure, but i never wanted to be their pal, you know? after i met them and we chatted it up for a while, we went to Paris. not me and the girls--me and hubby. i also dreamed not long ago that me and hubby went to London.

before i learned of baby #2, i started to feel like it'd be fun to take a trip. maybe even, dare i say it, out of the country. bb is old enough now to have us go away. a grandparent could come be with him for a few days.

but now. now that there is a baby coming, i see my freedom going away again. just when i was getting it back. all i can think of lately is taking a trip. i feel like escaping. i feel afraid of "going back" to the sleepless days. the "we can't go anywhere" days. i feel like i want to run away. not for real. i don't mean take off on my family, i mean, go away for a week with a girlfriend, you know?

i'm scared. having a second child is big. i wondered if i could handle one and i could, so i can only imagine that i can handle having 2.

but seriously, what's with the Go-Go dream? i think part of me wants my youth back.
do you ever feel that way?

getting through it.

2007-02-16T11:38:00.000-05:00

winter is hard. we're all trapped inside and i've got cagey toddlers. and we finally got a big snow. been waiting all winter for this to come!

we had 2 days of daddy being home. all of us snowed in. chocolate chip pancakes. good books. music. fresh baked bread. good.

hubby decided to get bb all suited up and take him out sledding.

20 minutes to get his coat and snow pants on. another 20 to get boots and mittens on. time outside? 6 minutes. well, it was nasty out there! who could blame a kid.

so, we decided today, if he doesn't want to sled outside, we'll bring the sled inside! why not?

we've also been making lots and lots of forts. and telling stories with Happy Gnome.

every day i get closer to being over morning sickness and a day closer to Spring. both will come. i'm hanging in.

how are you doing?

sweet deal!

2007-02-11T13:14:00.000-05:00

Bubble & Squeak baby wear is offering a Winter Doldrums Discount

$5 off
any order and
FREE (standard) SHIPPING!

Use this code when ordering: doldrum07

www.bubbleandsqueak.biz

Offer valid thru March 10, 2007

cabin fever.

2007-02-06T09:23:00.000-05:00

help! i need ideas.

got toddlers at home? how do you keep them engaged and busy all day?

it's snowy and really freakin' cold here right now. everyday for 3 hours i have another 2.5 year old to take care of. while this is nice because they do entertain each other, lately there's a lot of competition, arguing, wanting to be first/best. it's draining.

i used to do a really good job of keeping a rhythm and i think they needed that. we had a loose schedule of things we did, but i tell you it's so much easier when it includes outside time.

we do some activities out in the world. today we go to the library for story time, tomorrow we go to a playgroup at the local community center, thursdays we sometimes go to the splash pool if the smell of the pool doesn't make me sick.
but there is still a lot of time in the day where i have one or two toddlers who are bored. i'm feeling gross most of the time. tired. low energy. but i have to try harder to give the guys some things to do.

so. . . help! do you have any activities to do indoors with your kids that they like? how do you deal with boredom and/or cabin fever? any ideas would be welcome!

it's real

2007-02-01T12:08:00.000-05:00

nothing makes pregnancy more real than an ultrasound.

i have felt so guilty and sad that i haven't been really excited about the new baby. i mean, sure, deep down, of course. but on the surface, all i can do is focus on getting thru the day to day of feeling sick. so far not a lot of pleasure has come from the pregnancy. i feel sick 24/7.

emotionally i haven't felt really connected to the fact that there's a new being forming. that there is a life beginning. until today.

today we had an ultrasound whose main purpose was to confirm the due date. once that was determined more accurately my midwife can order yet another ultrasound for a couple weeks from now. since my last pregnancy i've turned 35. so, now i have to jump thru all these hoops.

i thought a lot about it. for a long time i thought i wouldn't do anything differently than last time. why should i? what will it change? but then i started to think about bb. i have more at stake, more to consider. his life. how would it be affected if we had an unhealthy second child? how could i prepare for that? so, we've agreed to do the extra ultrasounds and meet with the genetic specialist, but that's it. the amnio freaks me out. the size of the needle alone is reason enough to run.

but today. today we saw our little "kidney bean" and s/he was right there. all tucked in and safe and snug inside me. heart beating. arms, legs, spine all sprouting. everything looked as good as it could. and hubby and i cried looking at the little tiny dude-to-be.

it's funny how different it is from the last time. and also the same.

who's the baby?

2007-01-25T09:22:00.000-05:00

one of the most strange and uncomfortable things that happened in my last pregnancy has reared it's head again. only this time much sooner in the pregnancy. Excessive Saliva. yes, gross. really gross.

yesterday i was trying to take a nap while bb napped. i have to say this is a major perk to being home with a toddler and building a new baby. i couldn't nap at work last time. and dang it i'm tired! anyway, so, i'm laying in bed trying to relax and hopefully sleep, but i can't because of the freakin' water works coming out of my mouth. i had to spit every 5 seconds. and if i didn't, i just dripped. it was AWFUL. if i swallowed it i just felt sicker. if i spit it out, i was grossed out and couldn't sleep. i felt like a drooling, teething infant myself. or a panting dog all slobbering around. or a gummy old man chewing tobaccy. i eventually gave up the nap idea, grabbed an empty can to spit into and cranked up and episode of the Gilmore Girls. (yes i have all the DVDs, yes, i'm aware of all the shows' faults and yes, i still love it. no teasing please.)

have any of you encountered this? so far, all i have found that helps is chewing wickedly crazy strong mint gum. . . and spitting.

what now?

2007-01-23T09:32:00.000-05:00

i keep saying things like "i swear, i will be a better blogger!" i have such good intentions and then "things" happen--holidays, vacations, or life just ramps up and feels so busy all the time.

the reason for the latest hiatus? morning sickness. that's right people. a new baby cometh. and he shall arrive in september. it's a wonderful thing. and the sad part is that i have hardly been able to enjoy the news because as soon as i found out, The
Sickness came. i had no time to rejoice. instead i found myself just trying to get thru the moment to moment management of my swooning head and tummy.

this intense Sickness was way worse than it was last time. WAY. i say "was" because as of yesterday i am feeling much better. i owe it to my homeopath. she doled out a remedy (perfectly baby safe) that really kicked The Sickness down. i couldn't be more thankful. i felt like was going to die. i wanted to scream and throw things. it was nearly unbearable.

i saw my midwife yesterday when i told her how sick i was and how different it is from last pregnancy she said, "you could be having a girl." don't toy with me woman. i'm all hormonal and weepy. and furthermore, i'm already convinced this kid is a boy. i don't remotely expect a girl. in hubby's family there is only one girl. he has all boy cousins and his cousins all had boys. except for the lone girl. so, a boy. unless proven otherwise.

i'm happy to report that The Sickness has gone from completely overwhelming and debilitating to managable. totally managable. i feel like i have a giant case of butterflies. like i have to go and speak in front of a crowd (a big crowd, like the whole world) or have a really difficult conversation where i have to say things i'm afraid to say. major, big-ass, butterflies.

so, my question is. . .do any of you have things that have helped you or someone you know with The Sickness. cause i'll tell you what. if it comes back the way it was last week, i'll whistle Dixie while standing on my head in the snow if i have to if that'll take it away.

the thinking meme

2007-01-15T15:19:00.000-05:00

the fabulous and funny sari tagged me and because of being scarred on the kickball field over being picked last, i must do the meme (she picked me!) even though i fear my answers will not be terribly interesting. here goes:

1. If you had to choose one vice in exclusion of all others, what would it be?

well, i'm what you call a goody-goody, so i don't really have any. i don't drink coffee, even. sugar?

2. If you could change one specific thing about the world, what would it be?

having just watched the Al Gore movie, i think it'd be that we all unify and actually do some things to heal our planet before our kids inherit a furnace that's unlivable.

3. Name the cartoon character you identify with the most.

smurfette. no, i'm kidding. i don't know if i identify so much as respect. tom. of tom and jerry. i always admired his ability to outwit that dang tom cat!

4. If you could live one day of your life over again, which one would it be?

cheesy as it sounds--the day i met my hubby.

5. If you could go back in history and spend a day with one person, who would it be?

joni mitchell. without question.

6. What is one thing you lost, sold or threw away that you wish you had back?

my Atari 5200. i held on to it until adulthood, but was living in seattle and had to move, so i sold it at a tag sale. with all my games and it all still totally worked. i miss my pac-man and galaxian. i do.

7. What is your one most important contribution to this world?

my child.

8. What is your one hidden talent that nearly no one knows about?

i can't think of one! i don't think of myself as someone really talented, so any talents i do have i make sure they are known!

9. What is your most cherished possession?

my photo albums and video of my wedding.

10. What one person influenced your life the most when growing up?

my mom--for better or worse.

11. What word describes you better than any other?

lately--moody!

time to sign

2007-01-11T20:53:00.000-05:00

One of my good friends from college had a baby girl a few years back. We were talking on the phone one day and she told me that she had taught her under a year old baby to sign. Her daughter could sign when she wanted milk or to be held, and when her daddy drove up to the house, she would hear him coming and sign “daddy.” I thought this was just totally amazing and awesome—especially because we want so much to communicate with our babies. When my son was a wee one, I taught him the sign for milk so he could tell me when he wanted to nurse. I also taught him the sign for “cat” because he thrilled at seeing our cat, Boo.

There’s a great website with really wonderful resources for teaching babies and children to sign;visit ChildSigning.com by clicking here . My favorite are the flashcards that have color photos of kids doing the signs. It’s a great way for kids to learn. There are also DVDs for teaching kids at different ages how to sign. They have great resources for parents who want to teach babies. It’s something I totally want to do more of if I have another child. It’s a wonderful way to connect and this site has many resources. This is a paid post.

the need to downsize--are you feelin' it?

2007-01-11T12:41:00.000-05:00

i don't know if it's simply the excess of the holidays or what, but lately i'm finding that all i want to do is throw stuff away. i want to purge. i want open space. i want LESS STUFF.

i find that the more toys bb has access to, the less he can happily play with them. it's like there's so many things that he can't see them anymore. we usually rotate toys. we have a small house and our little living room IS his playroom, so we can't keep a lot of toys around. however, since the holiday, we have found ways to make more space for his toys (since he got totally spoiled with them) and i'm feeling like it's too much. he'll be standing amongst all his trucks, tractors and things with wheels and ask, "where's the trailer??" it's right in front of him, but he can't see it.

when i look around my house and i see all the things crammed into this little space i just feel like i want to toss things out the window. do we really need it all?

now granted, our storage spaces are terrible. perhaps if we put some money and effort into having better storage systems things would be more orderly, everything would have its' place. that's true, but it doesn't get to the heart of the feeling inside me. which is saying so loudly, "get rid of what you don't need and don't use!"

does anyone else ever feel this way?

resolutions?

2007-01-08T12:42:00.000-05:00

so, how are you all doing with your resolutions for the new year?

personally, i don't make them anymore. i set my standards too high and then was only left to feel like a failure. and i can feel that way enough on my own, no need to add unattained resolutions to underscore the feeling.

but, i AM all for personal growth. it's not like i don't want to try to change or better myself. i do. anyone who knows me would agree. i think what i have come to is not needing. . . or not wanting to need the drama of a big resolution to make change. it never sticks for me when i do it that way. i prefer, instead, the quiet metamorphosis of my ways. the slow change or the one that comes with no big announcement. these seem to stick better for me.

meet peeps for FREE!

2007-01-05T12:45:00.000-05:00

this post is near and dear to my heart. my mom was recently engaged! she's 61 and happily starting a new life. she met her husband-to-be through and online dating service. for real. she just showed me the ring at christmas.

it always bugged her that it was so costly to be a member of the community. well, now there's a great new site that offers all the same things as paid sites, but is totally FREE! no one is ever asked for their credit card information. i'm a believer in the whole thing. if you or anyone you know is thinking of trying an online way to meet people, what's to lose?

www.justsayhi.com (this post is sponsored by them). remember, it's a free dating service!

been a long time

2007-01-04T12:10:00.000-05:00

wow!
it's been a long time since i had a chance (and the energy) to put forth a post on the old blog here.

the holidays were busy and exciting and. . . draining. i'm so happy to be home and back to "normal" life. in the past it's been a let down, but not this year. this year we did too much traveling and it wiped me out.

i got a couple of awesome gifts, though--hubby got me a standing mixer from kitchen aid. and i got a used, but nice sewing machine. now i can try my hand at making pretty things like i see on so many blogs out there. man, there's some good ones. they can either inspire you or make you feel, "i'll never be that good at it." right now i'm inspired. we'll see.

bb got lots of nice things, too. lots of wooden toys and trucks. blocks. he's a lucky boy. his daddy built him a train table, too.

i'd post pictures, but i'm too lazy today.

soon, though, i'll be giving p.moms a bit of an upgrade on its look. i need something new to help me feel inspired.

also, i joined up with payperblog.com and so i'll be posting about things i may not normally post about to make some extra cash (so far i've banked a whole $7!). some people really do make money at it. i'd like that, but i don't want my blog to be a big advertisement. i just though you should know about it.

i hope all your holidays were merry and bright. and i hope to peek in on your blogs and see what's going on--i've missed it!

cheerio and happy new year!

make merry

2006-12-17T20:26:00.000-05:00

it's a week until the EVE. i won't be blogging until 2007 probably, so everyone have a happy happy new year and a warm and wonderful season!

fa la la!

fa la la!

2006-12-12T13:35:00.000-05:00

here's a peek at some of our pre-holiday prep! we've been decorating the house (which my hubby calls "sprigging" because i like to put pine branches and candles around.)

we got the tree this weekend and bb loved decorating it.
"you 'hink THIS one goes next, mommy?"

a new tradition for us--advent stockings.

first we light the candle. it's a nutcracker candle. bb calls it "christmas man." and when he sees the match he says, "fire!"

then we get a stocking to open. one of his favorite gifts is pictured above--wooden acorns. i know, crazy! but anything that fits in a little dumptruck. . .

and the tree.

how weird am i?

2006-12-08T11:59:00.000-05:00

so, miss owl tagged me to do this "6 weird things about you" thing. i've never been tagged before. i hope i do it right!

here we go in no particular order. . .

1. i can't use the toilet if the previous potty-goer hasn't flushed. as The Buscuit from Ally McBeal would say, "i like a fresh bowl."

2. if you talk to me while you are brushing your teeth i will gag. it gives me the heaves. i hate it when characters in a movie talk while brushing teeth. i'm all, "dude! just brush, rinse and THEN talk! how hard is that?"

3. i can't sleep without socks on my feet (even if it's summer) and earplugs in my ears.

4. i hardly ever answer the phone. i just don't like talking on the phone at all and i do it as little as possible.

5. i eat popcorn nearly every day.

6. i can't leave mail unopened/sorted for any length of time. and it drives me crazy when hubby leaves his mail around in a pile, unlooked at. as soon as i get it from the mailbox stuff gets opened, filed and recycled. i can't. not. do. it.

so now, i tag:
allie
katie

let the weirdness be celebrated!!!

[The rules...Each player of this game starts with the "6 Weird Things about You".People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says 'you are tagged' in their blog.]

global warming--it's what i think about at christmastime.

2006-12-07T13:10:00.000-05:00

every year (for the past 5 or so) around this time i think about the way things were when i was a kid. i mean the weather.

"when we were kids, we had to walk to school in the snow, uphill, both ways!" no. but, really. the winter was cold and snowy. and we hated it and loved it at the same time. it was such a thrill to go outside and be bombarded by the bitter cold. it made us feel alive. it also made us feel thankful to go INside. hot chocolate with marshallows was always waiting after a hard day of sledding because school was cancelled.

just last week it was a balmy 53 degrees here in my corner of new england. that freaks me out, people. are my kids and grandkids going to inhert an earth that can't cool itself down anymore? will they be singing christmas songs and asking what a snowman is? it scares me. bigtime. and i feel helpless to do anything about it. i just makes me sad, you know?

he makes me laugh.

2006-12-06T08:27:00.000-05:00

SCENE: my car, driving home from home depot, evening. me and bb. holiday music plays on the car stero.

ME: "hey buggy, do you like this song?"

BB: "i....i...like CHOCOLATE, mommy!"

i didn't know liking both was against the rules.

coupon crazy!

2006-12-04T12:10:00.000-05:00

so, after my wallet and i had a good heart to heart, it became clear that i needed to look harder for deals on the internet for holiday shopping.

and now i'm here to report a good resource! there are lot of places to download coupons out there. sure, who doesn’t like a bargain? but it’s been hard for me to find coupons or offers at places i actually will shop at. sorry, not interested in “cigars and things.”

but www.couponchief.com actually has some great deals at stores/sites that i like to buy from. like Children’s Place. right now there are three different online coupons being offered for that particular store. and come on! how cute will my niece look in this for 15% off? answer-- VERY.

you can search by store or by category and hey, even magic cabin is there! (see this post if you are wondering what the bleep I’m talking about.)

i’ve had a good time poking around and finding some cool things. maybe it can help you, too.

my wallet is panting.

2006-11-30T13:43:00.000-05:00

i've never considered myself overly materialistic. i mean, i like my stuff, but i don't really spend money on frivilous things or expensive "toys." but i DO love to give (and recieve) holiday gifts. who doesn't?

a good friend of mine who has 3, no 4 boys told me a few years back that she spends a ridiculous amount of money on gifts for the kids and that "one day" i'd see how it feels to have these little people to gift at the holidays. you want to give them everything.

and she's right. i do.

there are so many things i want to get for bb. i get at least 3 catalogues a day and i look through them and get so excited when i see something that i know he'd just love. it's hard to hold back. then i look at the wallet--skinny. i am a part-time nanny and hubby is a teacher. we have a tiny house. we're not at all raking it in. and still, i call on my wallet to find some money hiding in the corners that we didn't know about. and it responds with, "lady, are you crazy?" and i say, "look again!"

i have to say, though, that i am glad for my limitations because it is really important to me that my son doesn't have SO. MANY. TOYS. that i he can't focus on one thing. that he can't organize them all and "tidy up." that he can find his way into something, really into it where he can use his imagination. i also frown on a lot of plastic stuff. it always breaks. and don't get me started on toys that make music. or toys that sell disney characters. i hate it when i feel like bb is being used by marketing execs.

we decided we'd rather bb have LESS things and higher quality ones than lots of cheaper (in price and make) things in order to have more. and we love the wooden stuff. Melissa & Doug--love you! we got bb the M&D train set and when it arrived i was giddy.

in case you haven't been getting 100s of catalogues this season, i'm going to share the few (websites) that i think have the best stuff. maybe you'll see something you like for your little monkey.

one of my favorites is Nova Natural. they have all kinds of wooden toys, great books about the seasons, nature, gnomes and knitting. www.novanatural.com. check out this oh-so-cool castle set.

another great one is HearthSong. they've got great outdoor gear like igloo makers and snowman kits. also great art stuff. www.hearthsong.com. check out this bulldozer and forklift. wooden! moving parts! toddler (boy) heaven!

and finally Magic Cabin. they have some really nice dolls. all ethnicities included. the have some really cool puppets and dress-up clothes. and of course, the much-coveted Plan City! oh yes. www.magiccabin.com.

Enjoy and may your wallet come through for you.

Monday Munch...ish

2006-11-27T13:08:00.000-05:00

well, fellow peepers--i have a recipe today, but it's not for something to eat. it's for something to play with! PLAY DOUGH! yes, we all know we can make it ourselves, but some may not have the recipe at hand. i'm here to remedy that for you.

bb and i have had a lovely time playing with our dough. some quotes from today include:

"can i have a picnic with my worms and lady bug?"
"mommy, my lady bug can chase YOUR lady bug!!"
"can my lady bug go to christmas now?"

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup salt
2 cups water
4 tsp. cream of tartar
2 tbs. oil (i use canola)
2 cups flour
assorted food coloring

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. bring water to a simmer in a medium pan. add salt to dissolve.
2. add cream of tartar, oil and flour.
3. cook over medium heat until mixture thickens to the consistency of play dough.
4. after it has cooled, knead in the colors of your choice.
5. store in airtight containers so it doesn't dry out!

now CREATE!

p.s. is it me or is blogger totally getting it done lately posting pictures?

much to be thankful for

2006-11-26T22:52:00.000-05:00

i'm lucky to have a family who wants to share the joys of what we are all thankful for.
we had a lovely day. the turkey took a very long time to cook. it rained all day. we have a small house. but no one seemed to mind.
bb and hubby prepped the turkey.

there were candles, flowers and pumpkins.

the tables were set--mismatched, but set.

there was much pie consumption in the land.

and to top it all off--trivial pursuit. what more could one ask for in a holiday? i hope yours was all you hoped it would be.

time: 1, me: 0

2006-11-16T11:54:00.000-05:00

perspective is hard to maintain. my rantings of late have been about the hardships of parenting a 2 year old. and they are many. the power struggles. the "NO mommys." the impatience (on both our parts). they are all things we must navigate daily.

but sometimes when there is a quiet moment when no one is particularly upset or happy and we're not involved in any activity i look down at my growing-way-too-fast boy and time stops briefly between the two of us. i can see the whir of color and motion around us--sped-up time in my peripheral vision. but in the bubble of motionlessness it's just he and i. and i wonder so many things about him in that instance. what will he be like when he grows up? what will he study in college? what will he LOOK like? what will his first girlfriend (or boyfriend) look like? what will he think about? what will he teach me?

i try to imagine all this--all the answers. and then, when my few seconds are up, sped-up time around us seeps back in and swallows us up again. and i'm looking at my 2 year old and thinking, "i need to appreciate every moment with him just as he is right now, because i'll never get it back. and it'll be gone SO unkindly fast."

this whole thought process sure does make me think about the possibility of child #2. to get to do it all again would be so lovely in so many ways. it's true. but it's not enough. because i'll never get to do it again with bb. i only get one shot with him. and i'm already so saddened that i don't remember his infancy the way i want to. was it sleep deprivation? the shock and deer-in-the-headlightness of becoming a parent and being needed 24/7? i'm not sure. but if i do it again. i'm going to try to remain more present.

wish me luck.

Monday Munch!

2006-11-13T12:10:00.000-05:00

welcome to the MUNCH! so, it's every OTHER monday. . . what can i do. i try.

today's recipe is for super-easy-yummy pizza dough. i don't know about you, but i can't get my kid to eat a vegetable unless its UNDER the pizza cheese or wrapped in a quesadilla. and we love to knead dough, so this is perfect!

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups all-purpose flour (you can use all whole wheat or try adding some spelt flour, too!)

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 pkg. yeast

1 cup warm water

2 tbs. olive oil

1 tsp. kosher coarse salt

toasted wheat germ, flax seed, sesame seeds

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In large bowl, combine 1 cup of the all-purpose flour, the yeast, and warm water. Mix intoo a sticky paste. Add olive oil, the other cup of all-purpose flour, the salt and just a 1/4 cup of the ww flour. Mix it together until it holds. It will be a bit tacky.

2. Dust the kneading surface with the rest of the ww flour and 2 tbs. of the wheat germ, flax, sesame combo (use all 3 or whichever ones you like). Knead! The dough will be sticky, but keep at it.

3. When the dough has picked up all the flour and seeds it can, set it aside. Wash the large bowl, rub the inside with olive oil and place the dough in it. Let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in bulk. Make sure it’s in a warm place.

4. Use the entire dough ball for a 14” pizza or use ony 3/4 of it for a thin crust pizza.

NOTES: You can also use some of the dough for cheese sticks by kneading in some grated parmesan chesse. Divide into balls and roll them into sticks. Serve with warm tomato sauce. YUM! You can also refrigerate the dough for a few days.

as usual your print-able recipe is in the side bar! enjoy!

large order of sanity and patience please!

2006-11-09T19:08:00.000-05:00

my boy is now 2 years and 4 months old. for the whole of that time i have dreaded the "P" word. pre-school. couldn't even say the "K" word. until today. as of today i am officially EXCITED to send this kid to school next fall. yes, preschool teacher, you can have him for 2 or 3 days a week. it's all good. because i'm ready to take a permanent vacation somewhere very far away.

everyone is told about the "terrible twos." well, i have never been one who really bought that. i feel like every age can have it's "terrible" aspects. but lately. . .it's been RILLY RILLY hard. my once sweet, agreeable, easy-going boy has become Master of the Contrary. if i say up, he says down. if i say go, he says stay. and it's not just me. he bosses everyone around. his best friend who is 3 mos. older than him comes over everyday and that poor kid can't step right or left without being told he's doing it wrong.

i'm feeling like i'm at my limit. the worst is when he fits and flops on the ground over something i have no control over. "want oatmeal for brekfix!" "i'm sorry, we're all out of oatmeal. you want french toast today?" "oatmeal! oatmeal!" to say that i want to chuck him out the window is an understatement. or what is possibly worse is when he asks for oatmeal, i say "okay." i begin to cook it and he has a fit and flop session in the kitchen at my feet because he wants it NOW. well, i'm sorry, but i can't make things cook faster! i'm doing all i can here!

when did he become a little dictator? how long will it last? how can i survive it?

any tips?

ordinary world.

2006-11-08T12:08:00.000-05:00

it's taken me a day to process the events of monday night. i feel like a total geek for saying that, but it's true. seeing the boys play for the first time in YEARS was so totally awesome (to use the jargon of the day). there's no other way to say it at that sums it up, quite frankly.

it was awesome in 2 ways.

the first being that they rocked. completely. duran duran still sounds good. really good. better than ever? the show was totally UP. loud. raucous. fun! it was without pretense. while i have always appreciated their dramatic side, i really liked that there were no props or big themes or costumes or anything. it was just a good band playing good tunes. they appeared somewhat humble. not all like, "aren't we gods?" it was a light mood. it was more like, "let's dance. let's have fun. let's hear some old tunes that are still really good and fun to play. let's reminisce!" but not in a "we can't let go of the past" kind of way. more in a detached, "it's fun to remember these songs" way. this is how it felt to me, anyway. it's funny, i realized while watching that it felt sort of like being with old friends. i spent so much time. SO. MUCH. TIME. watching them as a teenager. i mean, MTV began when i was like, what 12? 13? forget it. i was all over it. and i watched a LOTTA duran. my best friend jen and i would tape them everytime they were on anything. i still have an old VHS with clip after clip of them on MTV and other shows--videos, interviews, concert clips, VeeJ'ing. it's absurd. but watching them on stage i realized that i know the way they look so well, they way they move. which is how i knew right away that that was NOT andy taylor playing guitar. MAJOR bummer.

the second was how much hubby and i needed a night out like that. this wasn't just a concert. we've been to a few of those in the past 2 years. this was all out dancing, jumping, whooping and hollering fun. it was as close as i'll get to being a teenager again and you know what? it was really, REALLY fun. i needed to cut loose. let my hair down, if you will. it was a needed release! stress be gone! and it got me out of my head. out of my routine in a big, all encompassing way. for 2 hours, i was totally there. i was nowhere else in my head or my body. i was focused on the fun.

the combination of these 2 things has left me feeling like i wish i could do it again. it's made the regular "grind" sorta hard to get back into. in the back of my mind i'm still jumping around to "Girls on Film" with hubby. we had the most fun. we talked about nothing important. we ate chocolate cake in the car. we just enjoyed being with each other.

a word about the crowd. the sad part--they were mostly 30-somethings who clearly hadn't left their 80s hair back in the 80s. and there weren't a lot of them. meaning it wasn't sold out or anything. but, it WAS a monday night. it worked out for us, though, cause we totally moved up to about the 12th row. fine by me! there were some kids there, too. by kids i mean teenagers who think it's all cool and retro to dress like boy george. but they were fun. they had a GREAT time and helped the more stodgy people loosen up.

the weirdest thing, though, the most striking sign of the times--when they played "Save a Prayer" people took out not lighters, but CELL PHONES! there was a sea of cell phone lights. that just seemed so wrong. so weird.

well, if you made it this far--thanks for listening to my rant. i'm guess i'm still sort of amazed that it was as fun as it was and that it affected me as much as it did. i "made" hubby buy me shirt. just cause i wanted a physical item to remember the night by.

i need more nights out like that.

is anybody hungry?

2006-11-06T12:18:00.000-05:00

no, no, it's not the Monday Munch i'm talking about.

it's my birthday! well, officially it's not until next week, however today hubby came home from work out of the blue with a box. a surprise. a birthday plan!!!

we're going to see duran duran tonight!!!!! heeeeee! he planned it all in secret. tickets, dinner, babysitter. and he even got me a vintage tee circa 1984. i'll either look cute or like the 30-something 80s lunatic that i am.

now, i know, seeing an 80s band in the year 2006 can be seen as sorta sad. but, hey, these guys are still making decent music (the newest album w/ all the original members is actually really fun). and as i've mentioned before i was pretty into then. ok, obsessed. as i was growing into adulthood i began to feel ashamed of this, but then i met hubby and it was only a matter of time before i had to let him in on it. i couldn't hide it forever. eventually he was going to see me without make-up. eventually i was going to pass gas and yes he was going to see my d2 music collection. so, i fessed up. now, when i met hubby he was all into Rush, Marillion, Police, and Yes. but he had a softer side. he grew up with a hippie mom. so, he also liked joni mitchell and old bluegrass and the Beatles. mixed bag. anything could happen. turns out when i shared my passion for the fab 5 he was all, "i like them too! i was always afraid to admit it! one day i'm going to write an essay (he never has) called, "Why Duran Duran is really a progressive rock band in a pretty boy disguise."

needless to say we were meant to be.

one year for christmas we each got each other the d2 singles box set. see what i'm saying?

now we're going to see the boys together for the first time... thankfully before any of the members kicked the bucket.

woot woot!

knit wit!

2006-11-03T14:45:00.000-05:00

have i mentioned i started knitting this summer? my mom handed me a kit and said,
"it's about time you learned." and so i have. and here are my first 2 projects.

the scarf is what came of the kit she gave me. i was so proud of it when i finished it. i wore it for like 2 weeks straight. hubby would say, "seriously? you're going to wear that in your jammies?" hell yes. did you not notice i MADE this??

i tend to be the kind of person who does things first and reads the directions later, so it's been a challenge making new things. i'm working on a scarf for bb and also a little flock-o-chickens. yes, this first one leaves much to be desired, but hey, it's my first bird. i'm pretty happy it resembles a chicken at all. i'm hoping these bad boys will be sticking out of everyone's stocking this year. . . if i can get a little better at it!
do you knit? got any easy patterns to share?

the soundtrack of my life--part 2

2006-10-31T21:12:00.000-05:00

thanks for all the great recommendations in part 1. it's great to get new ideas of peeps i might like to hear.

i listened to music a lot in high school, college and in my early twenties. now not so much. except in the car. i sort of feel like i should miss it. like it means i've grown up too much that i don't always have music playing. maybe i'm just busier now.

the nice thing about my CD collection is when i put one in the player of my car without really thinking about it. and it happens to be one of THOSE ones. one that feels like the soundtrack to a certain part of my life. do you have those, too?

i can put on joni mitchell's "for the roses" and be instantly transported back to when my hubby and i first met. we courted over late-night talks, tea, cookies and joni. she was always there. when i hear the opening track i'm right back there in hubby's little college apartment. i can remember what the quilt on his bed looked like. and what it felt like to wake up next to him hearing the church bells outside. and even the decorations on his walls.

when i put on "rites of passage" by the indigo girls i'm driving away from my one week at SUNY new paltz headed back to martha's vineyard where i'd left my boyfriend (not hubby). it was so the wrong school for me. i can smell the vineyard air. i can see boyfriend in his green striped sweater. i can feel EXACTLY what it felt like to be me at that time in my life. it's better than a photograph. it brings back all the senses.

i've been a wallower. i've been the kind of person who didn't want to move on and who was always looking back. i've made big strides at living in the present. these albums are 2 instances where i get to go back and it's okay. it's like turning journal pages only better because you can sing to it.

what are your soundtracks?

Monday Munch!

2006-10-30T11:40:00.000-05:00

well, i've been the absentee blogger, haven't i? man, it's been a rough couple of weeks around here. my husband may be losing his job and it's meant a whole slew of "talks."

i'm wiped.

but not too wiped to bring you a new toddler approved recipe!

MAC & CHEESE
it's nice to do a "real" mac and cheese instead of a box and this is really easy.

Ingredients
1 7 oz. package of macaroni
Salt and pepper
3 Cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
Butter
3 Cups milk
1/2 Cup buttered fresh bread crumbs

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Cook macaroni until done. Rinse in cold water and drain well.

3. Layer in casserole dish 1/3 macaroni, sprinkling lightly with salt and pepper and 1/3 of the chesse. Dot generously with butter. Repeat twice more. Cover with bread crumbs.

4. Bake uncovered for 1 1/2 hours.

5. ENJOY!

at the request of the lovely beth, i have put a link in the side bar to a .pdf file with all the recipe cards for the printing. just print off whichever ones you want and i'll add to it as the mondays come and go.

the soundtrack of my life--part one.

2006-10-23T09:53:00.000-04:00

i've been thinking about music a lot lately. and feeling old. the trouble is that when i turn on the radio there's nothing that sounds remotely listenable to me. it's all crap. and i wonder to myself, "where are the GOOD radio stations?"

i've never been a top 40 kind of person (sorry casey kasum). i always listened to the more alternative stuff. the only exception would be my major Duran Duran infatuation and man, it was serious (and i still do dig them). but even back then in addition to duran duran my friends and i listened to the way less mainstream stuff--The Cure, Depeche Mode, The Smiths, Sex Pistols, Nik Kershaw, B-52's (pre-Love Shack), The Alarm. as my tastes matured, i still found that the music i liked came from alternative radio. thank you, thank you WBRU in Providence for bringing me Tori Amos and the band i've most directly identified with, The Innocence Mission. hearing Tori and IM were the only 2 times i went directly to a music store after the DJ announced the name of the artist and bought the CD--or tape back then.

but now, where's a 30 something who likes music that's not the typical radio dribble to find stuff she likes? is it possible or am i doomed to repeat my parents' words, "music these days! i just don't get it." will i be spending the rest of my life scanning the dial for music from "the old days?" hoping and praying for an 80s flashback so i might have a chance of tolerating something they play? and dude, i take major issue with the 80s being called "retro." i find it insulting! that's the music of my life! it's not retro! and if it is, then, well, i guess I'M retro, too.

if you're like me and have trouble finding good tunes and you're not into the popular music of today so much, then please, tell me what you listen to. give me something new.

of course, as i've grown my tastes have matured. while i still find i like more "alternative" artists, that term has changed for me. it no longer means angry, black and counter-culture. it means peeps who haven't found top 40 success but who write GREAT songs. i'm into singer/songwriters and mostly female.

here's who i'm listening to. maybe we can help each other. in no particular order.

1. Glen Phillips. he's one of my faves. former lead singer for Toad The Wet Sprocket. his solo stuff is divine. my favorite is "Winter Pays For Summer." it's sorta rock-like, but not real "hard." it's got great lyrics. it's uplifting, but also got real emotion. i heart glen. in a big way.

2. The Innocence Mission. been my favorite band since the day i first heard them. they have a way of making the ordinary events of life totally poetic and beautiful. Karen's voice can be a challenge for some, but i love it. her lyrics just kill me. i'd give anything to write the way she does. my favorite is the newest--"Befriended."

3. Jennifer Kimball. she used to be one half of The Story with Jonatha Brooke. i loved, loved the story. their album "The Angel in the House" is one of my all time favorites. i can listen to it anytime, anywhere. with a fox. in a box. i also love JB, but Kimball is where it's at for me. she only has 2 albums. my favorite is "Veering from the Wave." it's got beautiful singing, interesting intstruments, great harmonies and a lotta heart.

give me 3 you adore and why.

i'm beggin' ya.

wordless wednesday.

2006-10-18T13:17:00.000-04:00

trying to keep it together.

2006-10-16T20:49:00.000-04:00

i've found that being parents is not easy on a marriage. hubby and i knew each other for 9 years before we got married. we had our son 4 years after our wedding. we've been together a long time. we've been thru a LOT. breaking up and getting back together, moving across the country twice, living near to poverty, figuring out how to be adults, 2+ years of trying to get pregnant.

we always felt we could survive anything. our friends would say that they envied our relationship and that they hoped to find one even somewhat like it someday.

and then we had a baby. and everything has been tested. our patience, our love, our communication skills. it's been hard. i won't lie. a lot harder than i thought.

my husband is the kind who believes that after a bazillion years together you should still be able to have butterflies in your tummy and romance like you did when first falling in love. is it really possible to maintain that? cause, dude, at as soon as that kid goes to sleep at night i'm done. i just don't have much more in me. frankly, a lot of the time, i just want to be left alone. finally some peace and quiet.

i'm a solitary person by nature, so having a child was a big adjustment. i went from having lots of alone time to none. it used to be a huge part of who i was and how i functioned. my husband would go out on the weekends with friends and i would opt to stay home many nights with a big bowl of popcorn, my cat and a movie.

so, i can't help but feel sometimes that when hubby wants attention that. . . man, i just can't have another person needing another thing from me. i'm nanny to a two year old for 3 hours everyday and of course, have my own two year old.

hubby feels like--why can't i see him wanting time with me as me getting something as opposed to giving more?

how do you do it? do you and your spouse/significant other have any secrets to share in keeping the marriage solid and healthy? do ever get time alone?

i'd love to hear.

munch a day late

2006-10-10T07:30:00.000-04:00

today's recipe is a big favorite around here. i know. i always say that. but it's true! i'm trying to start with all the foods that have been a hit with at least one toddler. then i'll have to get into experimenting. but for now i give you:

BANANA OATMEAL cookies! as i have said before, i'm definitely a health food mom in that bb eats hardly any refined sugar. he eats organic when we can afford it. i bake with whole grains most of the time and he drinks soy milk rather than cow. so, i love this recipe because there's no wheat, no dairy, and no sugar AND he loves them! what more could i ask for?

it's funny when he asks/begs for a cookie and i have to be all, "well, only if you finish your lunch." when really he could eat them FOR lunch and that'd be fine with me.

so here goes:

BANANA OATMEAL COOKIES

Ingredients
2 cups rolled oats
2/3 cup of almonds or almond meal (if you have a Trader Joe's nearby you can get almond meal there. i go once every few months and stock up because the nearest one to me is an hour away.)
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (about 3, very ripe)
1/4 cup canola or safflower oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 cup raisins (you can also use chocolate chips or carob chips)

Instructions
1. preheat oven to 350. lightly oil a baking sheet (or use parchment).

2. grind oats and almonds to coarse powder in food processor or blender. pour them into large mixing bowl. stir in baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.

3. in food processor beat together oil, bananas and vanilla (also add half of the raisins if you want).

4. add banana mixture and remaining whole raisins to oat mixture. mix well.

5. drop cookie dough by tablespoons onto prepared baking sheet. bake for 13-16 minutes or until bottoms are golden brown.

ENJOY!

credit where it's due: the recipe comes from Simply Natural Baby Food by Cathe Olson

ever done this?

2006-10-05T12:25:00.000-04:00

i love fall. the air is crisp. the sun is out, but it's not too hot. the leaves have begun to change. it's a beautiful fall day in new england and i'm feelin' a little sassy. got a spring in my step.

my usual routine has me showering after bb's nap. after his nap he likes to "rest" in his crib. he looks at books, listens to music or stories. his current favorite CD is Victor Vito by Laurie Berkner and lord help me if she were here i may have to have words with her. don't get me wrong, her music is fun and kids love it. she sings about nothing, which they seem to like. but, man. her songs get so lodged in my head that one of these days i'm gonna crack and it's going to be ugly. she keeps me up at night! and i have fantasies of doing the same to her.

but i digress.

so he's resting, i'm showering and i decide after i get dressed to primp a little. that's right, i actually BLOW DRY my hair. put on a little eye shadow. grab my new super soft gray hoodie from the Gap along with my "nice" jeans. they fit well, are a nice deep blue, straight leg (Clinton and Stacy would totally approve--and while i'm ranting--why, o why won't they put that show on DVD for the cable TV-less folk like me?) and comfy. i put on my new black sneakers. no, it's not high fashion, but it's more put-together than this stay-at-home mom usually manages. and i'm clean! no stains on anything. . .yet.

i'm feeling sassy and good. and then i realize that we have no plans today, nothing to do. i must have something i need to do out in the world. yeah, i need hair dye. so, we go to the drug store. good thing i put the eye shadow on and fixed the hair all nice.
thelma the old check-out lady at the store really appreciated it, i'm sure.

i go home feeling defeated. what's the point of feeling / looking all sassy and cute? my life is at home with a 2 year old who couldn't care less what i look like. it should be enough to do it for me so i feel good, right? maybe. but then i just risk toddler hands coming over and putting banana or something gross on my new hoodie.

what's a mom to do?

wordless wednesday.

2006-10-04T08:32:00.000-04:00

new words

2006-09-28T12:56:00.000-04:00

one of my favorite things about bb's language development is that he makes new words. it started because he couldn't say the real word or couldn't remember what it was. i'm sure all kids do this. he's had made-up words for everything from the vacuum to the garbage truck. the funny thing is seeing what sticks.

every morning hubby and i start the day with a protein drink. with it we take our vitamins. eventually bb became interested in drinking some, too. and eventually he wanted to make it with us. he loves to press the blender buttons. one day not long after he had discovered that he liked the taste he kept asking us for "noo-noo." we just looked at each othere like, "what is he getting at." we eventually realized he wanted the drink--which we just called protein. how he got noo-noo from protein we'll never know. but for a good 6 months now, that's what we call it. and probably will forever more. even when bb's not in the room we'll ask each other if there's any noo-noo to be had.

the next time it happened was with yet another blender drink. the ever-popular smoothie. who doesn't love a good smoothie in the summer? it's one of bb's favorite things and i could actually get him to eat his dinner by bribing him with a smoothie.
which was great because it's not like a smoothie bad for him. not like offering a cookie as bait. well, the poor little, speech-challenged bug couldn't say smoothie. so, he invented "poo-vin." one of his most often uttered phrases over the summer was, "mommy! poo-vin time!!"

the third instance is by far the funniest. . . at least to us. hubby caught a cold last week and has been blowing his nose every other second. bb hasn't seen this action since last winter, so i think it surprised him. he didn't get it. he said to hubby, "what's daddy doin'?" "what you doin', daddy?" daddy didn't answer because he was dealing with his boogery situation. bb said, "daddy. . . daddy's. . .daddy's SNOZIN'!!!" (pronounced snow-zin).

needless to say hubby cracked up and couldn't wait to tell me about snozin'.
now it's also become an adjective. "daddy feels snozy."

the sad part is bb woke up this morning with the snozies, too.
*sigh*
pass the Puffs Plus, please.

everybody loves tofu--right?

2006-09-25T12:39:00.000-04:00

WELCOME TO THE MONDAY MUNCH!
(i couldn't post the logo because (shocker) blogger won't let me. o, fickle, fickle blogger.)

anyway. . .

i know what you're thinking. tofu. spongey, wet, tastes like nuthin'. this can be true!

but not always.

consider tofu "fish" sticks. they are crispy (on the outside), sorta salty and fun to eat! (and who doesn't love a good dippin' sauce?)

every once in a while when i can't think of what to feed bb i remember tofu sticks.
he loves them. who says kids can't enjoy tofu?? just try them--you'll see!

TOFU STICKS

Ingredients
1 Pound Extra Firm Tofu
1/2 cup fine bread crumbs
3 tbs. sesame seeds
1 tbs. nutritional yeast (optional)
1/4 tsp. paprika
1 egg, beaten or 3 tbs. olive oil

Ingredients
1. Place tofu in a shallow pan. Press water out by placing a weighted cutting board on top of it for 15-30 mins. Drain water.

2. In a shallow bowl or plate, combine crumbs, seeds, yeast and paprika.

3. Turn tofu block on its side, and cut tofu in half lengthwise. Turn tofu back to widest side, and cut into 1/2-ince slices across the shorter end. You should have 12 pieces.

4. Preheat oven to 375. Oil baking sheet. Pour egg or oil into a shallow bowl or plate. Coat tofu in egg on all sides. Next, roll into crumb mixture until coated.

5. Place tofu sticks on baking sheet. Bake 20- 25 minutes, turning once or until brown and crisp. Serve with tartar sauce for dipping.

sometimes instead of baking, i throw them in a pan with some oil and fry them up. not as healthy, but suuuuuuure is tasty!

your handy recipe card is here.
enjoy!

flying solo

2006-09-21T13:33:00.000-04:00

so, i am now a peeping mom of one. all the other moms i asked to blog with me here have bailed on me. some without even a single peep!

i'm sad that it didn't work out. i had such a vision for what peeping moms would be. i guess i asked the wrong folks--they just aren't inclined to blog. and those who are already have their own blogs.

but that's okay, it's been mostly me anyway. i guess i just don't feel interesting enough to maintain it myself. but i will try! hear me peep!

wordless wednesday.

2006-09-20T11:45:00.000-04:00

after a brief hiatus . . .

2006-09-17T20:09:00.000-04:00

well, the Munch is back this week--FINALLY. it all fell apart when we went on vacation last month. but, i have a great recipe today (technically it's still sunday, but this is when i have time!) we made these muffins today and bb could not. get. enough. even before bed he was still asking for "more muffin." silly kid!

so, here goes:

Whole Wheat Banana Blueberry Muffins!

Ingredients:

2 1/2 c. ww flour
1 1/2 c. rolled oats
2 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground mace or nutmeg
1 c. oil
1 c. honey (i find that the bananas sweeten enough, so i usually do a 1/2 cup of honey instead)
6 ripe mashed bananas
1 tbs. vanilla extract
2 c. fresh or frozen blueberries

Instructions:

1. Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl.

2. In a separate bowl blend together the honey, oil, bananas and vanilla.

3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry mixing only until the ingredients are combined. A good muffin batter should be lumpy. Cover and refrigerate overnight or proceed to bake now.

4. To bake, set your oven to 350 degrees. While it preheats, bring your batter to room emperature and grease and flour the tins or if you prefer, use liners.

5. Gently fold the blueberries into the batter. Fill each muffin tin to at least 3/4 full. These muffins to not rise much.

6. Bake 25-35 minutes. Test with knife. point should come out clean when the muffins are ready.

they're great because they are made with whole wheat and oats, sweetened with bananas and honey and even with half the honey they still taste sweet and yummy!

oh! and credit where it's due: this recipe comes from the Black Dog Summer on The Vineyard Cookbook. i used to live on Martha's Vineyard and whenever i get nostalgic i break out this cookbook and try to relive the "old days."

enjoy!
(click here for handy pdf recipe card!)

they liked me, they really liked me!

2006-09-12T20:15:00.000-04:00

after 3 days of no internet service (boooo!) i'm back online again! whew. i was starting get all twitchy and sweaty after 3 days of no blogging, no emailing, no surfing. but it's okay now. the color is coming back to my face.

so, i had a great time this past weekend at the festival. i totally won a prize! i was awarded a red ribbon in the "mixed media" category. second place is pretty cool! i was surprised to say the least. i also sold more than i ever have at a festival, so i guess the new designs went over well.

THANK YOU so much for all the encouraging words. i really, really appeciated that.

and here's a couple of photos one of the festival and one of yesterday's apple picking adventure.

wish me luck!

2006-09-08T12:47:00.000-04:00

well, i'm headed to the Mattoon Street Arts Festival this weekend. i got my new designs all done and printed and i'm off to go a'sellin'! if you are in the vicinity--stop by! but in case you aren't here is a sneek peek at the 3 new designs i've got.in case you have no idea what all this is. . . the short story is this:

i was so inspired by my son's existence and by him himself that i started a business making illustrations and putting them on onesies and tees. i sell them at festivals and on my website. the full story and the other designs can be found there as well as my itinerary for fall festivals.

AND if you want to order one email me from the website and i'll give you the "blog friend" discount!

it's fun and also scary selling things you have made. after giving birth i kind of got a superwoman complex. i felt like, "well, hell, if i can do THAT, i can do anything!" so, i started working on making Bubble & Squeak a reality. now, it's a year since my first festival and the website launch and though i am still having a great deal of fun, the superwoman complex is worn off a bit. a lot. so, i'm feeling like it's a bit scary to put myself out there. but i do believe that what is hard is also what makes the most growth, so, i look at bb's face and i head forth out into the public!

wish me luck.

trucks trucks trucks

2006-09-06T12:21:00.000-04:00

every morning bb gets up and plays with his trucks. he's all about the vehicles. here's some pics of today. but even better is the narration.

this is what he was saying. verbatim. (yes, i am a freak, i went and got a pen.)

(after he lined them all up)
"have a party. . . just like ME!" (he still remembers fondly his birthday party)

(pointing the pick-up truck toward the jeep)
"hey-o, jeep, how you doin'"
"good."
"that's good."

(picking up jeep)
"turn his wheels. go fast!"
"see that mommy? jeep goes quick-quick!"

he's in a big watch this, watch me phase. every morning it's "mommy, look at THIS!" his language is getting so developed. he's started using "this" and "that", "in" and "at" a lot and filling out sentences with all the connectors. it's all new. i love it. and he loves. . . trucks.

Allow

2006-08-31T13:47:00.000-04:00

The more I let go and allow, the more things just seem to work themselves out. Sky does his thing... and sometimes I laugh and hug him, and other times, I feel totally perplexed and unsure how to proceed. I can see Life working through us....and that how whatever happens is not personal. I am becoming more a witness to this play and it is more beautiful and fulfilling than clinging to the assigned character called "me."

I thought I'd be bored! Totally the opposite.

And now I've got to get the cutie pie off to swim lessons. To watch the waves and the light...

first place?

2006-08-29T12:53:00.000-04:00

my boy is only 2 years old and there are certain things i'm just not ready to see him learn.

we spent a week at the family summer cottage with my sister and her family. she has 2 kids. her oldest (boy) is 5 and her other is 3 (girl). i adore them both. they are fun and funny and really smart, sweet people.

in spending some time with them it was startling to me to see how interested in being right, first, best they were. the competition thing is alive for them. maybe it brought back memories of my own childhood, but it made me really sad to see how hard they worked to be right, best, first. to one-up each other. the youngest is only 3! granted she is precocius. she started doing everything (sit, walk, talk) way before most kids her age, but still. i know it happens eventually and for some kids it's earlier than others. for my sisters' little girl, it happened at an early age probably because she has an older sibling.

but, i felt like i wanted to shelter my son from learning that behavior. right now he really has no sense of first or best. and therefore he doesn't know how to make any one else feel badly and i don't want him be in a position of feeling badly if someone makes him feel less then them or second to them or (please let me never hear this coming from his mouth) a loser.

am i just an overly worried mom who can't come to terms with the fact that it's a big, bad world out there and soon enough he'll find that out? or can there be some way of keeping that knowledge from him for as long as possible without making him a recluse?

i want to teach him HOW to deal with those situations, so that he can rise to new challenges and have tools to navigate them. and at the same time i want so badly to protect him. i'm not sure how to make the two desires co-exist.

part of what i am learning about myself as a mom is that i'm in no hurry. when he turned 1 people assumed i'd be stuffing cake and ice cream down his throat. nutrition is really important to me, so, no, i didn't. i feel that he has his whole life to eat sweets. no need to start that so young. when were on vacation with my sister we felt like maybe we should have taken him to the baseball game that the others went to. it was at night, he'd have missed bedtime and been cranky as all get out, so no. not worth it. and he'll have years of going to baseball games. what about the water slide park? same deal. television and movies? there's time. my niece was watching E.T. and don't judge my sister for letting her watch it, but with bb i'm in no hurry. when it's time for all of these things, i'll know. and he doesn't know what he's missing. and i'm glad. i don't want him to know how it feels to be "last." i don't want him to melt down at the ball park because he's tired. how's that fair to him? and i don't want him to see E.T. in the plastic bubble and elliot freaking out. it's too scary. there's time.

isn't there?

or am i an overprotective freak?

looking into the future

2006-08-25T22:06:00.000-04:00

the other night i was getting bb ready for bed. we were sitting on the guest bed having a little snack and he comes over and leans on me and says, "how are YOU today?" i tried SO hard not to laugh and to take him seriously because i wanted to see where the conversation would go, but he caught me. "fiiiine," i stuttered through a laugh. "how are you?" "good," he said.

today i overheard him talking to his trucks and cars and the now-famous jeep. he wasn't just talking, he was narrating to them like this:

i said, "jeep, want to go down the ramp?"
jeep said, "no, just take a rest."

i said "jeep want to go down the ramp?"
jeep said, "yes, go down NOW!"

(when the jeep fell)

oopsie! that's okay, jeep. that's okay.

everyday he becomes more conversational and i feel like anything could come out of his mouth. one day he's going to ask me "how are you today?" and a real conversation will ensue. he's only just turned 2, but it feels like 5. he feels old and big and like a boy. a real little boy. and i still sit and wonder how he's grown so fast. as if i haven't been here watching it.

i'm already becoming one of those "who told you you could grow up" kind of moms.
i'm already trying to sneak one more kiss then he really wants me to have.
i'm already missing him.

what am i going to do when kindegarten comes?