Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Her Smile


Her laugh is melodic. Her smile contagious. Her heart ever-growing.

Taco Night :: Baja Light Fish Tacos



Fish Tacos adapted from this month's issue of Sunset magazine.

Atlantic Cod sauteed with oregano and ancho chili powder. (omit chili for kiddos)
Corn tortillas
cabbage tossed with cilantro and lime juice
sour cream, sweet pickle relish and chipotle (omit for kiddos) 

Monday, August 30, 2010

Friday, August 27, 2010

Finally...A Harvest


It has not been a very good year for our garden. The pests have been the worst on record and the weather has been quite a bit cooler (thank goodness for a pregnant mama) which seems to have stalled the tomatoes and peppers. Finally this week Ryan was able to pick a good looking pile of veggies. We still have to buy corn, squash (!) and beans at the farmer's market as our entire three sisters garden was eaten from underground but at least we have some homegrown tomatoes and peppers. I am sautéing the padron peppers tonight and maybe slow roasting the roma tomatoes to enjoy over a couple of days. I just leave the cherry tomatoes on the counter and Gracie nibbles on them like candy.

I would freeze the Romas but the freezer is full! Not full of meals to eat in the next couple of weeks but mostly breads. French toast this weekend will hopefully make a dent in that! And it is about time to toss out the ice cream collection that I seem to keep adding to but am always too tired to eat at the end of the day.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Treasured Moments


I am treasuring moments like this these days. Gracie had her hand on my belly to feel the baby kick while we were reading in bed. I can only imagine how sweet she will be when our baby is nestled with us in a couple of weeks. 

All Grown Up

It is amazing to think that these two amazing "kids" are off to college this week. We have loved watching our cousins Kayla and Ryan grow into amazing young adults from the little ones that played hungry hippo and watched A Bug's Life on Ryan's first trip to meet my family They were by our sides as we were married and now, Gracie thinks they are just the best thing in the world. Well...she's right about that.








We love you guys so much and hope you have a wonderful year!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Today's Treasures





A GREAT day finding treasures with treasured friends.

Monday, August 23, 2010

But this made me laugh and pee my pants a little

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXXm696UbKY&feature=related

I Shot the Sheriff

I almost shot the sheriff today (but not the deputy) for scaring me half to death.

He pulled up and stopped in front of our house which is my BIGGEST fear in the world. Unfortunately, ten years ago, the sheriff came to my door in the middle of the night to tell me that my dad had passed away, so now, thanks to a little PTSD, every time I see that car I think they are coming to tell me that my husband has been in an accident. Kind of like in the movies when the army vehicle is pulling into the driveway and the parents start screaming because they know that they are coming with bad news in a time of war.

I frantically called Ryan and got his voicemail. The car then pulled away. By the time I reached him, the sheriff was pulling back up to ask me for directions and I have never been so thankful to hear Ryan's voice.

There is nothing like the fear of death to make you truly appreciate your husband coming home at the end of the day.

That hug felt amazing.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Made by Me

I love this adorable Made by Me car set and know lots of little friends that would as well. What a fun stocking stuffer, party favor, or as Gracie would say "just because you love me?" gift.


Friday, August 20, 2010

Batch Cooking :: Ratatouille




Three for the "price" of one. This is really this first time I have tried batch cooking, even though I have been intrigued with the idea of cooking just a few days a month, freezing prepped dinners and then simply thawing and cooking when the time comes. A perfect solution for an abundance of veggies from the summer's harvest/farmer's market. A perfect solution for a mama with another little one on the way.

This batch is Ratatouille. Simple roasted eggplant and other summer veggies. In the time that it takes to make one dinner, add a little extra for chopping, we were able to make not one, but three batches of Ratatouille. One is in the oven, two are in freezer bags. Just add chopped tomatoes and roast.

Ratatouille:

8-10 japanese eggplant
8 Romanesco zucchini
4 bell peppers
chopped tomatoes added at the end of roasting
olive oil
thyme
oregano
salt and pepper "Not too much pepper mama"

Baked for 30 minutes at 400 degrees (my new standard for everything)

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Oatmeal Carob Walnut Cookies


I try to copy all of the recipes I post on The Coffee Cottage on my food blog You Are What You Eat. 
I label them by ingredient or type of food (ex. cookies, picnic/potluck) so searching for recipes is easier. I would also love to post guest recipes if you have a family friendly recipe you would like to share. 



Adapted from Feeding the Whole Family, one of my favorite family friendly cookbooks. Gracie doesn't care for chocolate too much, or metabolize it that well, so we used carob chips, which she said were still too chocolaty. Only walnuts next time. Or pine nuts? YUM!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

mix dry ingredients:
1 1/2 cups oats
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour (plus a little bit if the dough is too wet)
1/4 tsp sea salt

mix wet ingredients then add to dry above:
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 melted butter (this must be why they are so good!)
1 tsp vanilla

then add the yummies:
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or other nut
1/3 cup carob or chocolate chips (optional)

Bake 15-20 minutes until edges start to turn golden brown

This made 20 cookies and I put them in the freezer to keep from eating them all in one day. I at least have to let them thaw for 10 minutes, okay one minute if my teeth are lucky.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Brought to you by the letter G


I think this is the first time she has intentionally written the letter G. Was she trying to write her name?We don't practice letters or even sing our abc's that often so I was really impressed. 

B's Frozen Yogurt




WOW this is good! I suggest you put it into the freezer to harden it a bit but it was so delicious we ate all of it right away. 

B's Frozen Yogurt:
blend all ingredients in a food processor until smooth
frozen blackberries (our own)
frozen blueberries 
banana
Strauss whole milk yogurt 
honey


A Year Ago...

This is one of my favorite photos, taken exactly a year ago. So much has changed, yet so much is the same.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Gone Camping

We've gone camping this weekend and a little this week too.


I don't know if you can see her angelic face in there, 
but she fell asleep looking at the stars for the first time.



We built camp fires.


She helped put up the tent. 


And why is it that everything tastes better outside?


Oh yeah, we were in our own backyard. We should have done this years ago! So fun and so easy!

Ryan: This is the best way to camp because we still have cappuccinos in the morning.
Brook: Gracie please don't wipe your mouth with your sleeve.
Gracie: I wasn't wiping my mouth mama, I was wiping my nose.








Monday, August 16, 2010

Three weeks and counting

WOW! It has gone by so fast. I can't believe we only have three weeks left. We are making the most of every day though.


Friday, August 13, 2010

A Lucky Day

It started with a ladybug. (You know it is good luck if they land on you.)


Then some friends joined us at the creek to catch macroinvertebrates (Gracie's biggest word to date.)




















Then we made wishes at the merfrog (frog mermaid)  fountain 
while telling secrets and listening to the last jazz concert of the summer.

"Mama is there going to be a Fall concert?"




My grandmother would always tell me that "we're lucky."
We are indeed!

** When I made this post, I didn't realize that it was Friday the 13th, a day which I have always considered lucky because my father was born on Friday the 13th of September. He must have sent the ladybug from up above. I miss you papa. xoxo **

Fun Food

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Big Sister

Every morning and every night
our baby gets a kiss before I do. 

Mama, where is its ear?
Hi baby, this is your big sister. I love you.
Mama, where is its foot?
Ah, I felt it kick!

Do you want to go to the hospital to help me push out the baby.
(IF I haven't turned into a poltergeist)
OH YES!!!
I might be loud because it is hard work.
Don't worry mama, I'll just wear earplugs.






BIG hugs and kisses to the Sharmies!



Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Summer Pleasures :: Blackberries

These beauties are ripening in our yard. 





It feels more like fall than summer around here 
but we are loving the warm fires that come with cooler nights.