Post Christmas post

Well, Merry Christmas everyone!! I did not bring my camera today, so not only can I not treat you to pictures of Sam in all of his new clothes, but I also cannot post the pictures of when Sam got in the flour bucket. Yes, its true. Daddy was watching him while I was in the other house, and Jeff said that grandma asked him "Why is it so quiet?" So they checked in the pantry and there was the baby eating hand fulls of bread flour, and white from head to toe.
Martha was on Top Chef, not for nearly long enough, and I actually had tears in my eyes. I really love Martha Stewart. I really hope the woman with the big bug eyes gets kicked off soon. And the girl with the bangs.
Nip/Tuck soon!!!
We were supposed to go to Portland last weekend, but, as I have seen from my friends' blogs, its a good thing we didn't!! We will go in a few weeks.
Pictures to come soon!

Winter!!

We bundled up Sam to let him play in the snow, and of course all he wanted to do was play in the water bowl.

Sam in his new winter coat. He also is wearing shoes, if you can believe it, that he allows us to put on him with much protesting.

The view from the back porch.

Well, Sam stands up and he has taken a few steps, but his favorite mode of transportation is still crawling. Soon, though.

Bob got me the new Jenny Lewis album, and I must say, after repeated listening I kind of love it. I also really dig the new Ryan Adams. Since we are getting a karaoke machine for christmakkah, I have been ordering karaoke disks on ebay, right now I have Journey in my car and Sam and I rock out muchly.

Not much else going on, Jeff and I, weather permitting, will be in Portland the day after Christmas, briefly. Danielle- call me!!!! I miss you!! I did not realize you read my blog.

Thanksgiving

Brussels Sprouts with proscuitto and pecans The Hours de 'Ourves Table

Sweet Potatoes with marshmallows (tacky, but tradition) and my first attempt at oyster stuffing.

My beautiful turkey, thanks again Martha Stewart!!

What a lovely Thanksgiving! Pam and Bob came down from Portland, and my mom came from the City. Everything tasted so good, and I did not have to make pies!! I'm sorry my Dad and Mary Ellen had to miss tradition.

More Birthday Pictures!

I do not want to give mommy the pleasure of a picture of me with birthday cake smeared on my face!

I also do not want to smile with mommy and daddy. I should have taken a longer nap before my party!!

Grampa and Auntie Lillian

Happy First Birthday Samwise!!

Looking at presents with Geena

No baba shaped cake- mommy was tired!! This is pretty, though. It has raspberry jam in the middle.

Birthday party corndogs- people looked in askance- but they were delicious!!

Mugging for the camera

Grandmom got him a horsie- it makes noise!! We are all kicking ourselves. She said "Don't put batteries in it!!!" but I did. It make giddiyap noises. We put the bandanna on him but you're crazy if you think he would let us put a hat on him.

A Shortcut to Mushrooms

Sam is up to no good in the pantry.

We took a family outing and went mushroom hunting on Sunday. I even found 2 Queen Boletus, which are tasty!

Sam is going to be one year old tomorrow. Time has certainly flown by! We are having a little party for him on Saturday.

Found USB cord!!

I am entering a Scharffen-Berger Chocolate contest. I baked Challah as a component to my Chocolate-Coconut Bread Pudding. Turns out, I made Hawaiian bread and liked the flavor and texture much better. Have made it twice now, and am still tinkering with it. I might make some macadamia nut brittle to top it with.

Here is Sam at beebee's house, playing the keyboard. He also likes to play her drums.

Merry-go-round at Fisherman's Wharf part two.

Sam and Beebee at the park in the Marina, where Beebee lives. Sam is very into his apple.

Sam helping Grandmom in the garden! He loves nature, which is a good thing because thats pretty much all we have here. He also likes to climb up and down the steps outside, and inside for that matter. He has 4 words now- "bean," "Berry" (that's a funny one, it encapsulates all berries, huckleberries, raspberries and blackberries, and also the Gerber fruit chews I bought for our road trips) "Please" (that was learned after a trip to see Grandpop Steve and Aunt Mandi and a run in with Coldstone Creamery ice cream. I'd learn a new word for that, too!!) and "up."

I hve also heard: baby, baba, and, when he plays with the phone, "hi." Smart kid!!

Don't feel like posting

i can't find the USB cord, and now I don't feel like posting because I will just have to write, and i really do not have the time for that. Jeff and I took a much anticipated (Movie!! Target!!) trip to town which ended up being a total let down because we had to take this huge truck and just run errands (hardware store! plumbing store!! Feed store!!!) for his work. I did get 2 restaurant meals (Chinese Buffet, which, sorry to say, dad, but we did not do it justice; and Mexican on the way home.) I also, halfway through, made Jeff drop me off at Target for 2 hours.
Anyway, the whole clan here is much heartened by the election results, what a world for Sam to grow up in. I am just so disappointed that proposition 8 passed.
Sam's first birthday is 2 weeks away. I hope I find that silly cord by then.

missing usb cord!

We were in San Fransisco visiting BB and I think I left my usb cord there, so no pictures for a while. Too bad, cause Sam is getting SO cute and we have been making some really good looking food. Lets see, we had Sloppy Joe's (which we called sloppy Josa's in honor of my niece, much to her chagrin,) venison goulash over homemade egg noodles with rye bread ( I have been playing with the no knead bread recipe- this time I added rye flour and sourdough starter- the best bread yet!!) And yesterday I made delicious pizza with olives, caramelized onions, peppers, pepperoni and three cheeses.

San Fransisco was great, I wish we could have gone under happier circumstances. We went to Chinatown (my mom made me take a bus!!) and pretended we were tourists and got schlocky gifts and has yummy Chinese food. We had a picnic at the marina, and walked around alot. I also got to see so much TV that I usually don't get a chance to see, like ANTM. We also watched "Stylista", which if I had the CW at home I would be totally addicted to, its about kids who want a job at Elle magazine, and a hilarious show called "Whatever Martha" which should go under the category of "Things I wish I had thought of first, and probably did when me and my old roommate used to tape ourself watching bad eighties movies." This show consists of Alexis Stewart (Martha's daughter) and her friend watching old episodes of the Martha Stewart show and making snarky comments, and crafting along with her and making messes. Funny!

Anyway, we are home now and getting back in our routine. Sam says "up" now when he wants to get up, and we have had to strap him in to his high chair (which we probably should have done all along) because he tries to climb out of it. He also like to climb into snug spaces, like boxes, and flowerpots. He shakes his head "no" when he is doing something he shouldn't - like pressing the dvr button, trying to turn the burners of the stove, or throwing food on the floor. Yet he does it anyway. We also left the gate to downstairs open by accident, and he went down the stairs all by himself. That was pretty scary. all in all, we are very excited for his first birthday in less than a month!!

Dinner last night

This is what we had for dinner last night. apparently, alot of people besides me like to look at pictures of food. This was Black Pepper Chicken from "The Week" magazine. It took about 15 minutes to make and it was super good. When you are craving Chinese around here, you gotta make it yourself, so that's what we did. The sauce was brown sugar, ginger, chilies, fish sauce, and three times more garlic then the recipe called for. I also added a corn starch slurry at the end to thicken the sauce. Even Josa, who usually only eats white rice, was ladling the sauce over her rice. I should have added more chili peppers as well.

I have embarked on a daunting new project that should keep me occupied this winter. I am culling through my 1000+ collection of cooking magazines and cutting out the recipes and filing them in folders. It will take forever, but it is fun and kind of inspiring. I have a whole file of "Things that look great but in no way will I ever make them," mostly including lobster, caviar, truffles and fois gras. Well, who knows?

Project Runway season finale tonight!! I keep looking on line for spoilers but cant find out who won. I feel like I should make everyone dress up for the occasion. Those who know us will laugh very hard at that.

We took Sam to a puppet show at the Elementary school today. It was about bullying, and set to rock music to reach the kids, you know? Anyway, any time music came on Sam would bounce and rock and shake his head. Got to get the drum kit soon!!

Project Runway

Wasnt Leanne's wedding dress the prettiest? And Haha that Kenleys looked like an Alexander McQueen. Still, I am excited to see both of their collections. I am so gald its an all female final three! Go Leanne!!

No Knead Bread

Am I the last person in the world to try this bread? I hope I won't be the last. this was without a doubt the most perfect loaf of bread I have ever made, and the easiest! Every time I make bread, the crumb isn't right, or the crust, or whatever. This recipe produces the best crumb, the beast flavor and the best crust. It takes about 24 hours, so you have to plan ahead, but its worth it!

Sam Pictures

All the outfits we buy him are too long, but because his thighs are so chunky that's the size we have to buy!

Sam's new favorite pastime- helping unload the dishwasher

On another note- Prison Break- could it BE any better!!!

Adventures in Cooking

I made Pissadaliere last night, Pizza crust with anchovies, caramelized onions, fennel, olives and thyme. Delicious! I joined all of these food blogging sites so I thought I would do my due diligence and post some of what Anthony Bourdain calls "Food Porn." I had a lot of recipes for this but the one from Cooks Illustrated was closest. It was good but we decided either more anchovies (they are supposed to decorate the top in a cross hatch pattern, but we only had one can) or red pepper flakes to cut the sweetness of the onions.

Too lazy to Post

I have been to busy (lazy) to make the effort to post lately. I'm sorry. First and foremost, thank you thank you thank you to Erin, who fixed my formula soaked ipod. I forgot what a blessing it is to have upwards of 5000 songs at ones disposal during a road trip! I usually listen to just my play lists, but this time we put it on shuffle and got to hear some rarities that I forgot I had. Much better than scanning radio stations and getting Mexican radio, country, religion, Joe Walsh or "Mony Mony." Jeff and I agree sometimes the Spanish stations are the best bet. Although, sometimes we groove along to a catchy hook before we look at each other and say "Whoops! I think they are singing about Jesus!!"

Jeff and I took a rock star trip to Portland Last weekend for his birthday- really quick, just a day and breakfast the next morning. We stayed at the grossest hotel ever- The Banfield on 39th and Sandy- It was close to the bar and we did not make any previous arrangements. We probably wouldn't have thought it was so bad if the weekend before my dad had not put us up at the Homewood Suites. I have pictures of the Banfield but wish we had some of the other so I could post them next to each other. Anyway, we had a great time- We had conveyor belt sushi at Sushiville (Brian and I were hesitant, we love Saburo, but Jeff insisted and we were more than pleasantly surprised,) we went to the Galaxy which I pretty much hate on the weekends because everyone there is 12 and too hip and sings R&B. Then we went to the Ambassador which I like better now cause its non smoking, and Justen works the backroom.

We went to the Paradox for breakfast and what do you know, they remodeled it and took down the scary clown pictures. The food is still blandi-ish, but at least its pretty now and you don't have to go through the kitchen to use the bathroom.

Does anyone else think Leanne got robbed on "Project Runway?" If her dressed was a top scorer she should automatically be allowed into fashion week. I spent all of yesterday looking for spoilers because I have no patience and want to know who won. I guess she will get to show either way, because fashion week already happened, and they always have decoys.

Uncle Curt shot a Buck, so we have been taking care of that. This is one instance you should be glad I am not posting pictures. I handled myself pretty well, but I had to take a 20 minute boiling hot shower last night to get the smell out of my nose. It's actually pretty interesting, some we set aside for jerky, some goes into soup, some is dog food and most gets frozen. Finally the butcher shop part of my culinary degree is paying off.

Meredith is so sad about Suede

My nieces Josa and Geena at Indian Day. So beautiful!

Should this whole post be in third person to commemorate Suede being aufed off of Project Runway? Meredith thinks so. Meredith thinks Kenly's horrible "hip hop" outfit was the worst, but apparently tantrums and hystrionics make better TV. Meredith does not care, she did not much care for Suede anyway, but thought it hysterical when everyone was tricking Kenley into believing her look was fly. Meredith also enjoyed Korto getting in touch with her country roots. Again, GO LEANNE!!

We just got back from San Jose, where we got to see my mom and dad, both who were so happy to see the baby. I think my Dad dislocated his shoulder picking Sam up. Jeff and I certainly enjoyed finally seeing "Dark Knight."

We also, courtesy of Homewood Suites in San Jose, got to watch the first episode of this seasons "The Office." How romantic- proposing at a rest stop. Of course now we will have to wait forever to watch the rest.

Fish Oil and Facebook

So, we were playing in the kitchen as usual yesterday, I was making bagels to use up some of the smoked salmon and Sam was taking lids off of jars and stacking things in the pantry (important baby stuff is what Jeff calls it.) I noticed that it was a little to quiet and... peeked in the pantry to see Sam rolling around in a pool of used oil that we fry fish in, happy as a clam. You can imagine I did not know whether to laugh or cry. I laughed, of course, took some pictures (too dark ,I think cause they were in the pantry) and then threw him in the bathtub, almost breaking my neck in the process from slipping on the fish oil. The irony is that this whole episode happened while I was on the phone with my in-laws, who are away, assuring them that, yes, everything is fine, the garden is getting watered and picked, the baby is great...

Also, Facebook. Weird!! All these old elementary school friends are finding me. Random. I usually can't get on it because it is restricted at the computer center.

We are going to San Jose this weekend. Jeff and I are going to be able to see movies! Hopefully Batman is still in the theatres. What else should we see? If you could recommend one movie that's worthwhile, what would it be? To bad "Harry Potter" is not out yet, even though I watched the preview on line.

"The Office" starts on Thursday. And "survivor" Sigh.

I am about to Google recipes for Grouse, since Curt apparently shot some yesterday. Where am I?

Why is Kenley such a bitch?

Have you been watching "Project Runway?" Why on earth not? Why is Kenley, who was one of my favorites, turning in to a world class bitch? Doesn't she realize there is a reunion show? Oh, and Karma? This will definitely bite her in the red- lipsticked ass!! Especially if she tries to make a 50's inspired hip hop outfit in the next challenge. Goodbye, Jim! Straight men have no place in "Project Runway!"

New Foods

Other than dog food, Sam has been enjoying some rather exotic fare of late. His favorites are tomatoes and tomato juice, he has also sampled with much gusto grilled salmon, heirloom beans (which resulted in much unlovely poop), raspberries, venison, and apples (we just eat the skin off and give him the whole apple to gnaw on- its hysterical, he loves it, he can work on one apple the whole day, and he eats the whole thing!).
We think he said grandma yesterday- Janet and I both heard it!
Nothing much else is new. Tonight starts the new season of "House," and in a few minutes I am going home to watch "Prison Break." I don't know when "Survivor" starts, but I hope hope hope someone will tape it for me. I read somewhere that the premier will be 2 hours long. I could watch it all day.

Sorry!

I know it has been a long time since I posted. So much has happened. All the cousins left, and we miss them terribly! It is very quiet around here. We went again to visit Bebe to help her move into her new apartment by the Marina in SF. We got to go to Golden Gate Park, and walk around Bebe's new neighborhood, which is very cool, and flat! It was sad to see my mom's burnt apartment, but we like the new one better!
Sam has about8 teeth now, and he used them to bite me the other day! He also uses them to eat apples (after we eat the skin off). We have gone to the river a few times, and he still enjoys the water. 8 teeth, but still not much hair!
On a recent costco run we got season 4 of "The Office," which we were not able to see the end of because we dont get local channels. So funny! We haven't finnished yet, but "the dinner party" and "the chair model" were hysterical!
We also are intrigued by the pilot for HBO's "True Blood."
Go Leanne on "Project Runway!!" You should have won last night too for your Avant Garde look, Jerrells was ugly, you were robbed. Not sad to see Terri go.
Could "Prison Break" be any better this season?

this is what happens when babies do not nap!

Pictures

Daddy lets me climb up the stairs. Mommy is not to happy about it, but I guess you got to learn sometime.
Sam and Aunt Lisa being silly! We had so much fun on their visit.

Come in, is this not the FUNNIEST PICTURE EVER!!! Yay lunch!!

MobileMe Gallery - Cousins 2008

MobileMe Gallery - Cousins 2008

MobileMe Gallery - Cousins 2008

MobileMe Gallery - Cousins 2008

I will miss you, Grandmom Lee

When I think of Grandmom Lee, I think of the word "respite." She taught me that word when I was maybe 10 or so, and said whenever I needed it, I could come to her and she would be my respite, my peaceful break from life.
I remember her house, and how she always saved milk tops, and meat trays, and rubber bands. I remember every room of the house in Plymouth Meeting vividly.
As a cook, alot of my memories are wrapped around meals, and some of my favorite childhood memories take place in Grandmoms kitchen and dining room, where the menu rarely fluctuated- halved grapefruit with a cherry, salad in those wooden bowls, with a whole onion for grandpop, barley soup, and, as we used to joke about, some type of"meat," Living around so much of my husbands family now, and watching all my nieces put o plays and sing for the adults, I yearn to be back in grandmoms house with all of my aunts, uncles and cousins.
I remember going to plymar with grandmom, and how she used to watch me endlessly on the slides and the diving boards. I remember laughing in the showers with her in the locker room, jumping out of the spray when someone flushed the toilet.
It is bittersweet for me that I live so far away, and have not seen grandmom for many years. The memories i have of her will always be when she was younger, of walking in the wissahicon, and swimming laps.
I wish she had gotten to meet my Sam, as I was her first grandchild,he is her first great grandchild, and I know she would have made him feel as special as she did her Meri Day.
I love you, grandmom. Thank you for giving me a love of books, and a love of writing, and for always making me feel special and peaceful. I hope you are at peace, now.

Cousin Allegra

Allegra- I am so sorry we missed your wedding. You look so beautiful! I heard it was quite a party, and I hate to miss a good party. I wish you so much happiness. Hope to see you soon.

Blue Skies!!

We returned home from Portland to be greeted by lovely blue skies this morning, a huge treat after what seems like months of smoke smoke smoke. It was so nice to be home, sleep in my own bed, and see Jeff. I love to watch Sam's face when he sees his daddy after a long time, he just lights right up and it is so cute.

I am sorry, but I did not take one picture the whole time we were away. The lovely photo above is courtesy of Pam, who is also my hero for the autographed Chuck (chuckles!!) Pahlaniuck book, which we can't leave around the kiddies.

So, Portland. It rained the whole time, which was actually great, better then the heat wave I heard they were having. We did too much shopping, It was a trip to take my German nieces and nephew to Clackamas Town Center, but good for them, great exchange rate! Its funny how overwhelmed I get at a mall now, too, after living in Orleans. So much stuff!!

I got to take my nieces Geena and Annie to walk on Hawthorne, we went to lunch at the Cup and Saucer. Our waitress was so sweet, Lori, she brought Sam fruit without us asking and he flirted with her the whole time. Then Brian and I saw her later at the Triple Nickle and I was going to buy her a drink but she was leaving.

Sam and I also got to visit Dr. Ed, which was very sweet. Sam had just woken up from sleeping in the car, so Dr. Ed did not get to experience the full effect of Sam's' personality.

Bri and I went out Tuesday night to the Galaxy, and got to hang out with Justen and the rest of the crew. It is just so surreal to hang out with them now. I miss my boys so much. Justen, bless his heart, burned me Hannah Montana and Jonas Brother Cd's for my niece Geena who was riding home with me. She was in heaven, and now I have "Best of Both Worlds" in my head.

Sam turned 9 months old yesterday. He has three teeth and a nub of a top tooth. His hair is growing. He has been getting constant attention from 11 nieces and nephews, Aunts and grandparents. He can crawl up stairs, which makes me sick to my stomach. He babbles constantly, and is so funny.

Next week is my blog's 1 year anniversary!!

My brilliant child

So, Sam and I have a book that we read together before naps and bedtime, "I love you through and through." Last night, Jeff and I were reading on the couch and Sam was playing at our feet. I said "Sam, go bring mommy 'I Love you Through and Through'" and darned if he didn't crawl right over to the book, pick it up, and bring it back to me. Jeff is my witness. We both looked at each other in shock. Smart baby!!

We are going to Newport for a few days and then off to Portland! Hopefully I will get to see a few of my friends, none of them have seen Sam since he was 3 months old. He is much bigger and way more fun!!

Visitors!

We have Aunt Lisa, and cousins Sophie, Lena, Annie and Luis visiting from Germany. I'll post pictures soon. Sam is never wanting for company and is going to be awfully let down when they all leave and the girls start school again. His cousins are beautiful and talented, and Sam cannot get enough of them! Aunt Jennifer and cousins Lillian, Jackson and Avery from Detroit will be down this afternoon. Sam will be completely overstimulated, but its great for me because I have a lot of down time and I love to see him play with the kids. He really believes he is older than he is. He is pulling up on everything, and cruising around. I am afraid he will be walking soon. Oh no!!
We got him a mini basketball game so that he can be ready for basketball season. GO BLAZERS!!!

Pasta Machine!!

I got a pasta machine from Amazon.com, so I decided to jump right in and make pasta for about 16 people! I used a recipe from Saveur Magazine, and since it served 4 decided to triple it. The dough was stiff and complicated to knead, so I threw it in the stand mixer. Due to the amount of dough I made, the mixer was making sad wheezing sounds,so I took it out and kneaded the rest by hand.
Half way through. Will I ever be done?
All of the Pasta

Beautiful finished product- Linguine with Lamb Ragu'. After all that, we have a ton of pasta left over in the fridge. I will never triple any recipe again! It was delicous, though, and got rave reviews.

Pictures

Grandpop Steve, Grandmom El, and Sam
I let Sam have a carpet buffet while we were watching "Lonesome Dove."
Sam found a lot of interest in the roll of toilet paper and the trash can.