Tuesday, March 25, 2008

bananas

Bananas. Bananas. Sam likes Bananas. Go go bananas. We tried avocado. We tried rice cereal. But nothing elicited the happy reaction that mashed bananas did this morning! I think that, aside from what was on his hair, the floor and his shirt, Sam managed to eat about a sixth of a banana.
So we are really enjoying living here. Jeff has been working every day, and Sam and I have our routine, we bake, we take walks, we play, we listen to music. We had dinner with Bari, Kurt and the rest of the family on Easter Sunday, and it was really nice. I made orange chocolate chip cupcakes with a ganache frosting and I made candied orange peel to put on top, and I made an apple pie. I used a different crust recipe that I usually do, and I made it in the food processor for the first time, so I was a little frustrated with it (the Cuisinart was supposed to make it easier) but it turned out delicious anyway.
I also made really great pizzas, a pizza stone really helps. For Nancy's party last week I made my usual "vat o'hummus", but I made my own pita bread and that was a big hit.
I know this blog is starting to sound like "food food food" but really, I hardly watch TV anymore (mores the pity, I know) so i just pretty much cook.
However, I have been watching "Top Chef", I love when Tony Bourdain is a guest judge. Also "The Riches" on FX is super good, though I have not quite forgiven FX for the season finale of "Nip/Tuck." How an I supposed to wait a year to find out what happened to Sean?
Jeff and I are pretty bummed that we missed the final 3 episodes of "Jericho" It was one of my favorites and it was so tense and good. Maybe someone (Pam?) has on demand and can tape us the final 3 episodes?
So now I am going to check NBA.com and see how my Blazers are doing. I can't wait for the playoffs!! 40 games in 40 nights!!

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Yes, I am alive

And was getting super frustrated because I can't blog from my in- law's computers, but here I am at the computer center, raring to go!
So, whats going on! We have been in Orleans for a little more than 2 weeks now, and everything is going great. Janet and Barry are in Germany so Jeff, Sam and I are staying in their house, which means I have use of the kitchen, which is fantastic because I have been cooking and baking a lot! I made whole wheat sourdough bread which was like the bread in "About a Boy" that killed a duck because it was so heavy, and soups and brownies and ginger- molasses cookies... Good times! Janet's kitchen is amazing, and her pantry has everything you could think of- even somethings you can't! I will be reading a recipe and it will call for something like zatar or curry leaves, and I'll get up to look for it, and lo and behold there it is!!
There was a band playing in the tribal center last Saturday night, and we got Sinead and Geena to watch Samwise, and went down to hear some music. It was really well timed because I got to meet alot of people in the community, and also see more freaking hippies in one place since the last dead show I went to.
Jeff and I have the apartment in which we will be staying pretty well set up. He built me some shelves, and it looks pretty serviceable and kind of cute, even though after cooking in Janet's kitchen it will be bittersweet to cook in mine, but I am looking forward to it. Next up is to set up the crib, which I think is tonight, wish us luck.
Now for the only sad news- no CBS, and therefore, no Survivor. Thank heavens for my best friend Justen and his trusty VCR, but I still am going to check out TV without Pity to see hats been happening.
So that's whats up. We are doing well, its beautiful, we take walks all the time, we have family close by, its going to be great. I miss my friends, and my internet, and my shower (it was like Kramer's shower in "Seinfeld", so strong!!) but the positives definitely out weigh the negatives. Ill post pictures soon.
Oh! Funny news. We started feeding Samwise solid food, which I think is way more fun for us than it is for him. He is way more interested in eating his bib then rice cereal or avocado. I am not sure he has actually swallowed anything yet, but we are trying.
I miss and love you all!! E- mail me!!
Cheers.

Monday, March 3, 2008

My Sam!




I am helping daddy use power tools to build boxes for our records!
I love my Aunt Mandi!



Grandpop took me to get portraits taken of me! I am so handsome!