it's a rainy day

We've been getting rain since Sunday night. I love the rain. Something about the cool, fresh, clarity that comes will it. Of course its not really fun to get rained on or be wet,.. so it was time for these.

I originally had a pair of these in mind, but at that price and the dollar being what it is, This pair won. They were a mere $26. Now thats what I'm talking about. Bring on the showers.

whirlwind weekend

Well, we had an awesome time at the shower. Pam did such a wonderful job with everything! The drive was perfect and this kids were great. It was so nice to be back in PA. We got home Saturday just in time to realize we had the flu. I don't mean the stomach kind, just the one where every inch of you aches and you need to wear 7 layers of clothing to feel like you might be able to function. This didn't stop us from having our dear friends the Spanos over after worship on Sunday. (It was planned way in advance). We had oh so much fun! I planned a meal of Lamb and pan roasted veg, that my mom ended up cooking because I wasn't feeling well. It all turned out amazing.

over night get away,....

We (Sam, Phoebe, my mom and I) are going to PA in a couple hours. We are going to a bridal shower for a good friend of ours. There is some packing and cleaning going on and anticipating a 4 hour drive with two little sprouts. This shouldn't be too bad given the fact that there are 2 adults going. One to drive, one to tend. I'm off to finish up, and let trogdor-a.k.a. Sammy boy run free in the the yard before strapping him into the car. Hope everyone has a nice weekend.

:)

currently reading:










,and loving it.

quilting for the first time

Phoebe has been in a bassinet at the foot of our bed pretty much since birth. We figured it would be much easier than having her in the room with her brother. Way to much travel for me with midnight feedings. She has been pretty good about how often she nurses and she is outgrowing her first bed quickly. So, I've been planning her move for a month or two and came to the part where she was going to need some proper bedding. I took out Sam's old crib set and took some bits apart and covered some others. I used a simple patchwork pattern and came up with this. Pretty easy considering there were all just straight seams. I really enjoy finished products, but I usually end up fighting my sewing machine. Knitting is probably my craft of choice. You never need to check the tension on your needles. Or re-thread them.

I just watched Giada make this. Now I have to make it.

A little change in format,...

I've been consciously spending less time around here lately while organizing some priorities.
Things are looking better so here I am. A little bit more relaxed. And perhaps a bit less high strung. Phoebe is already three months old and I can't figure out where all the time is going. The weather is fantastic outside lately. We have been spending the better part of our days in the sunshine. I still would really like to have a garden to tend while I watch Sam run a muck....so I've been scoping to find a plot. I'm probably a little late for seeds so I'm going to try to find seedlings. Im not really sure how they work out does anyone have an experience with them?

Here is whats for dinner,...We were supposed to have some good friends over to eat with us but we'll be going alone with a rain-check for a later date.

moroccan braised chicken

• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 6 whole chicken legs, (about 12 ounces each), drumsticks and thighs attached, skin removed
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1 large onion, halved and thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups large pitted prunes, (dried plums)

1. In a large (5-quart) heavy pot, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high. Season chicken generously on all sides with salt and pepper. Place 3 chicken legs in pot; cook, turning once, until browned, about 10 minutes total. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with remaining chicken and oil.
2. Add onion and 1/4 cup water to pot; cook, stirring to loosen browned bits on bottom. Add turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion has softened, about 5 minutes. Return chicken to pot. Add 2 cups water and half the prunes; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; partially cover, and simmer until chicken is cooked through and very tender, about 45 minutes.
3. Transfer chicken to a platter; cover tightly with aluminum foil to keep warm. Add remaining prunes to pot; raise heat to high. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce has thickened, about 10 minutes more. If not serving immediately, top chicken with sauce, cover and refrigerate up to 1 day in an airtight container. Otherwise, divide chicken among serving plates, and top with sauce.

roasted carrots with lemon dressing

• 3 pounds carrots, (15 to 20 medium), cut into pieces 2 inches long and 1/2 inch thick
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Coarse salt
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest, and 3 tablespoons juice (from about 1 lemon)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss carrots with oil and cayenne; season with salt. Arrange in a single layer (use two baking sheets if necessary). Roast, tossing once halfway through, until tender, 30 to 40 minutes.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, zest, and lemon juice; season with salt. If making ahead of time, cover and refrigerate carrots and dressing separately, up to 1 day. Otherwise, drizzle dressing over cooked carrots (still on baking sheet); toss to coat. Transfer to a serving dish; serve warm or at room temperature.

couscous with cilantro

1. 2 cups couscous
2. 3 tablespoons olive oil
3. Coarse salt and ground pepper
4. 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus sprigs for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine couscous and oil; toss to coat grains. In a medium saucepan, bring 1 3/4 cups water to a boil; remove from heat. Add 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and couscous; stir. Cover; let stand until couscous has absorbed water, 5 minutes. Add cilantro; fluff couscous with a fork. Serve immediately, with cilantro sprigs if desired.

We are still on our Disney high. So here are the promised pictures.









currently listening:
For Emma, Fovever Ago
by Bon Iver

pretty things

Just a couple things I felt like sharing.
We have been going through sicknesses over here. Two sick babies, a sick dadda and a sick momma. We also went on a wonderfully exhausting trip to florida, I will post the pictures soon.
All this commotion doesn't leave very much time for blogging.