artichokes and lemons make good friends.

This was so easy. What you see is what you get! Then dip in melted butter. Don't forget the hearts, too. MMMmmmm.

My Mini-Dissertation (or Soliloquy) on the Meaning of Life

So I've come to the conclusion that witnessing the birth of a child is one of the most profound events in life.

Before you say "DUH, you silly child!" bear with me (no pun intended, I promise!).

I was so honored when Tiff told me that I could be present for the delivery, and Lily Noel's was the first birth that I have ever witnessed. It was a moving experience. Truly, my feelings have been all over the place the past 24 hours, but this morning I settled down a little more and I think I realized how powerful the experience was and what an impact it had on me. I was sitting in class this morning and I couldn't understand why everyone was acting so normal. I had this little conversation with myself (this is where the soliloquy comes in...look it up, new fav word) :

"Wait, life goes on? No, something is different. What happens now? What do I do with myself? I shouldn't be here! I should be...celebrating or something, I don't know!"

It was very strange. Then I wanted to stand up and say,

"Do you people have ANY idea about what I just witnessed? Do you understand at all? Do you know what my friend just went through? ROBOTS, all of you!"

But thankfully I did not. Soliloquy ended.

I now also have some sort of idea about growing up, you know, those surreal moments when you realize that you are actually an adult and yes, that life is actually happening in these epic yet small moments. I always wondered how adult friends feel towards each other's children, and until recently I hadn't discovered how truly powerful the feeling is. I have 9 little nieces and nephews (related and "adopted") and I love each one of them more intensely than I expected to. They are all so precious.

And for the future deliveries that I will be a part of, I will now just assume that this feeling of awe and amazement will happen every time - a glance into the things of God, pain and beauty all jumbled together to make something miraculous, with 10 tiny perfect fingers and toes.

Now will someone please give me an honorary degree in Philosophy or something? Book deal, anyone? Any takers? No?

Hidie-Hooter Hootie-Hider Hooter-Hidie Thingie!

So this sewing thing is getting easier.

This past weekend was a complete blur. The boys opened a new Black Rock in Vancouver (www.blackrockcoffeebar.com) and Baby Lily is officially due at any second (www.fortheloveofpaisley.blogspot.com). My aunt and uncle were also in town, and my list of devoirs was pretty long. We went and saw My Sister's Keeper, it's a sobber. Through all of the activity I finished this for Tiffany yesterday: the Hootie Hider!



Hooties of the World Unite! No longer does a mother have to wrestle with a small blanket to hide her feeding child! No longer does the blanket have to fall down and compromise a mother's modesty as she checks on her baby! The HH has righted a wrong and fought an injustice on every nursing woman's behalf!

Moving on...she purchased the fabric kit and pattern at Craft Warehouse, I contributed my sewing machine. Her mom helped me clarify the pattern and how to go about it, and so I sat down yesterday afternoon and cranked it out. We loved the finished product! They are going to be addicting to make for friends who are expecting, and they are so dang practical that I think every nursing momma needs one. And if you don't want to make one for yourself, you can find them on Etsy, too. The packet was $13.99, which included fabric for the cover and straps, the D-rings, and the corset boning. The pattern, sold separately, was $4.99. However, as proven by Tiff's mom Marlene who went back the next day and bought rings and boning for pretty cheap, you could do this for way less. It all depends on the fabric that you want.

I also found a free pattern online, which cuts your cost even more: http://www.blisstree.com/breastfeeding123/free-pattern-to-sew-your-own-nursing-cover/

I'm of the opinion that Lily was just waiting to come until she knew her Hidie Hooter-thing was ready. Okay Lily we're ready for you now!

Cherry Chutney

Andy's parents have two big cherry trees in their backyard. They sent me home from Jacksonville with two bags of cherries; juicy, stain-y, bright red globes of goodness.

Cherries and I have an interesting history. We lived in Concord, California when I was about 5 years old, and the house we lived in had a big cherry tree in the backyard. Our house on Dumbarton Street was also the home my mom had grown up in; there were 8 people in a tiny 4 bedroom, 2 bath house. Can you imagine sharing a tiny bath and no shower with 5 sisters? My poor Uncle Jim!

Anyway, I remember eating tons of the dark juicy fruits off that tree. It only took one incidence of one cherry too many and my stomach was done for the next 17 years. In the last few years I have started experimenting with them again, and to my great pleasure, I love them!

What happened next was so sad. I came home with cherries on Wednesday, we left for Astoria on Friday, and it was not until Saturday that I finally got around to thinking about what I would do with them. There was no way we could eat them all, that would be guaranteed DEATH and another 17 years of cherry-free living.

I hopped on a few sites I frequent to pull off a recipe I had been wanting to try called Clafoutis. Being that I start a summer intensive of French classes where I will be speaking for 3 hours a day, I figured it was appropriate. I linked to Smitten Kitchen, then to La Tartine Gourmand, then google-d Julia Child's recipe. I then flipped open my most favorite book, Sally Fallon's Nourishing Traditions to check out her Cherry Chutney recipe.

Andy tied on an apron and got to work pitting them, and he noticed a very bad thing. Leeettle worms. Yuck! I guess that's one drawback to growing organically - bugs can't resist them just like us. So out of a big colander of cherries, I only got 2 cups of fruit to work with. I went with the Chutney. Poor guy, he thought he was helping me so I would make him a yummy dessert. He asked me this morning, "so, are you going to make the cherry dessert today?" whoopsies.

Cherry Chutney from Nourishing Traditions

4 cups pitted, washed cherries

1/2 tsp. coriander seeds

1/2 tsp. whole cloves

grated rind and juice of 1 orange

1/8 cup Rapadura (or sugar)

1/4 cup whey (see instructions below)

2 tsp. sea salt

1/2 cup filtered water

Mix cherries with spices and orange rind, place in a quart-sized, wide-mouthed mason jar and press down lightly. Mix remaining ingredients and pour into jar, adding more water if necessary to cover the cherries. The top of the chutney shoudl be at least 1 inch below the top of the jar. Cover tightly and keep at room temperature for 2 days before transferring to refrigerator. This should be eaten within 2 months. Makes 1 quart.

*Whey*

1 or 2 quarts good-quality yoghurt or raw milk

Whey is a starter culture for many lacto-fermented veggies, fruits, and beverages. The by-product of this process is homemade cream cheese, which is so much more delicious than anything that comes from the store. If you are using raw milk, place the milk in a clean glass container and allow it to stand at room temp. 1-4 days until it separates. Yoghurt needs no advance preparation. Don't use Greek Yogurt, which already has the whey strained out.

Line a large strainer set over a bowl with a clean dishtowel or cheesecloth. Pour in the yoghurt or separated milk, cover, and let stand at room temp. for several hours. The whey will run into the bowl and the milk solids will stay in the strainer. Tie up the towel with the milk solids inside, being careful not to squeeze. Tie this little sack to a wooden spoon placed across the top of a container so that more whey can drip out. When the bag stops dripping, the cheese is ready. Store whey in a mason jar and cream cheese in a covered glass container. Refrigerate. The cream cheese keeps for 1 month and the whey for approx. 6 months. 2 quarts of yoghurt makes 5 cups of whey and 2 cups of cream cheese.

Lily's Blankie and "Real Stitches"

I made this blankie for my dear friend Tiffany, who is expecting her first daughter, Lily, within the next month. We hosted a shower for her last weekend in my parent's backyard in Medford, and she received some preciously adorable and deliciously delicate gifts! I can't wait until its time for Lily to come; I dearly love all of my friends' little boys, and I have a feeling I'll have a boy first too (when my time comes, not yet!), but there is just something about little girls that is painfully cute.The coloring of the above pictures is not that great, I wish it had turned out better!

I made this cotton flannel blankie with satin binding in a couple of evenings, but I'm sure it could be done in one evening, it was surprisingly simple. The hardest part was the satin binding and the corners, which took up most of my time and brain energy. One side of the blankie is a playful princess-ballerina print with stars (because Lily IS going to be a dancer) and the reverse is a soft pink solid. The black binding is in homage to Tiff and her husband, they both like black with almost everything! It works!

I google-d flannel blankie DIYs and just made up my own pattern. I sewed the pieces wrong-side up, turned the blankie inside out, and stitched the small opening closed. I used tons of pins when I sewed on the binding, and though that was very helpful, it still was a brat to get straight. The corners caused me the most pain - I almost failed geometry in high school and this is no different - but again I used a lot of pins and google-d "mitered quilt edge" and got some great tutorials. I used Wright's binding and they have a nice tutorial on their website that was helpful.

I was smiling ear to ear when I finished this project; Blankie is SO soft and light enough to be used all year. I think I have found another favorite project to add to my small yet slowly growing reperatoire of sew-skills. What was so hilarious about this gift is when she opened it she exclaimed, "oh my gosh, there is real stitching on this!" meaning, I am notorious for giving up on sewing projects and resorting to stitch witchery or glue because I'm such a sewing numskull. Another win for the gipper (in this case, me)!

(Shower goodies: fruit, veggies, quiche, the best warm-asparagus salad EVER, fresh sugar snap peas, and super delish chicken-almond tea sandwiches. Not pictured were the beautiful chocolate covered strawberries) Mommy Tiff and my cute mom in background) (Coldstone Chocolate Chipper Cake - I had 2 pieces)

Next on my list...

This project is next on my list, AFTER I finish unpacking our house. Yes, we've moved again. And I'm so thankful. We love our new place! Hardwood, high ceilings, big bathroom, huge windows, and lots of light.

In Spokane the cafe had a basket of coffee cup cozies for sale for $8, and I really wanted one. I chose not to because I have a basket of fabric scraps sitting at home and a lonely sewing machine that has been neglected lately. I also didn't want to have to explain to Andy why I spent 8 bones on a scrap of fabric. So after things are *mostly* put away, I'm totally going to make this. I have always admired Erin's House on Hill Road blog and her amazing quilted creations. I want to get excited about sewing again, and I think this project might do it for me.

The link below will take you to House on Hill Road's post for a French Press Cozy:

http://houseonhillroad.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/05/big-button-challenge.html

By the way. I went to Fabric Depot today on SE 122nd, and pardon my valley-girl french, but OMG. It was so overwhelming! I think it might be as big as Costco! I'm doing a special project right now and I needed some specific fabric, and unfortunately neither Bolt nor Cool Cottons had what I needed. I ventured into Fabric Depot and I emerged an hour later completely exhausted, but I got what I needed - ONE yard!

La Spokane

We took a road trip to Spokane last weekend to visit my dearest friend of 15 years and her family. It is so strange to have friends with kids nowadays...it used to be strange to have friends that were getting married, and now it's the children that throw me off. My girlfriends have adorable bumps for half a year and then POP, here's a beautiful little human being that they are responsible for! Yes, I'm aware that it's one of the most basic life processes, but still! It's like magic. Or a miracle.

Hannah and her new friend the ladybug.

The little adventurer, Daniel

Anyhoo, we enlisted the husbands to watch the babies while my friend, her mom (and my 2nd mom), and I went to a new french bistro/cafe in downtown Spokane. I'm sure we've all been to those places that have attempted to replicate some sort of experience gastronomique, but just don't pull it off. I'm thinking especially of "English" tea houses and european cafe/bistro places. More often that not I leave saying "eh......". This place was pleasantly different.

When we finally decided what we wanted to eat, to be sure that we had the proper proportion of foods that were sweet and savory, we ordered a croque madame, a greek omelet with roasted potatoes, a Raspberry croissant and a cranberry-orange scone. To reward the husband for babysitting, I brought him a homemade maple bar and a coffee.

Inside Madeleine's

The pastries were so good. The scone was delicious, but really the maple bar took the cake (no pun intended), even after sitting in a box for a half hour before we arrived home. It was baked instead of fried, with homemade maple frosting, and it was huge. I didn't get a picture and I'm so sad about it. Just trust me, this thing was good.

We had so much fun in Spokane - good friends, food, and weather. It was so nice to get away!

I'm Officially Portland.

Ever since we moved to Portland I have been intrigued by the idea of getting a road bike. Growing up in a mostly suburbanized area, biking for transportation purposes has not been appealing, feasible, or safe. But all that has changed now that we live in a cycle-friendly city! On campus bikes are everywhere, chained to anything. They are in front, behind, and next to me in traffic. Some have wire or wooden baskets, some have saddle bag-things. Many are slathered with bumper stickers of all sorts. A good many of my fellow students come to class with their right pant leg rolled up. How can I not succumb to the pressure when they make it look so good?

Before we moved, I found an Italian road bike at a garage sale in Medford in superb condition, which I bought for Andy for the grand sum of $35. Last week, I said a sad goodbye to my trusty and faithful mountain bike and sold it on Craigslist. Everyday I looked for the perfect bike (under $100). Finally, yesterday afternoon, I struck gold.

Meet Harriet, a pretty rundown bike when we picked her up; bent wheels and swollen tires and dirt, but she is green and oh what a pretty green she is. Andy wasn't convinced at first because of all the work she needed, but I knew she'd be worth it. So we stuffed her in our two-door Honda and drove to North Portland's Bikeworks, where a very nice man fixed her up to be almost good as new. She still needs work, but we took our bikes on a ride yesterday and she did great. And did I mention she's green?

Ozzie (Andy's bike) and Harriet are in for some fun. The man we bought her from told me, "you look good on her...retro. It reminds me of the doublemint gum twin commercials." SOLD.

Mommy & Me

Mom and I refinished their cabinets during Spring Break. It took us way longer than I think either of us expected, but it was really fun to do with her and it makes the kitchen look so good! Her new countertops that she had wanted forever, plus the backsplash she put in, just POPs against the distressed cabinets.

(BEFORE)

My mom is very DIY; my earliest memories of childhood are of her, paint-flecked, redecorating a room, adding her touches to whatever house we were living in. Because of her special hobby, I always had the greatest rooms growing up. In California, I had a room where the wallpaper border was differently dressed rag dolls with red, blonde, and brown hair. I would always talk to them during my nap time when I was *supposed* to be sleeping.

(Sanding, peeling off icky contact paper)

In our first house in Oregon, I had a wallpaper border that had a Mickey and Minnie Mouse "Cruisin' California" theme, and that was endless fun for the imagination. To go along with these themed rooms, she also made pillows, comforter covers, and whatever else would make my room look the part. As I grew older, my tastes migrated towards more "sophisticated" things (anyone else fall victim to the sunflower trend?), but my mom would almost always be on board for a room makeover.

(primed, outside and in, which we found out later we didn't need to do! Oh well.)

Not only does my mom like to decorate and renovate her house, she likes to do it for others too. One of the running family jokes is that whenever my mom goes down to California to visit my Aunt Janice, my Uncle Mike always groans and says something to the effect of, "What wall are you going to knock down now?", because that IS what they do. Cabinet in the way? It's gone. Grab the crowbar. It's pretty hilarious.

(finished! They look so good! The finishing touches not pictured were bronze-y half-moon drawer pulls)

Even when I moved home from England at the age of 21, she fixed up my room to be a beautiful place, with paint, pictures, pillows, with little touches that made me feel like she was truly glad I was home. It was really special.


So this project was really fun just because it's kind of a "family thing" to recreate our houses and living spaces to make us feel at home. And it was great Mommy & Me quality time!

California Rolls!

Hello! I'm on my spring break this week and I'm spending it in Jacksonville with my family = sleeping, reading, movies, yummy food, refreshing walks, etc. etc. I'm taking advantage of the downtime before I start another 22-credit term on Monday. No guilt here!

I guest-blogged (my first time!) on my good friend Tiffany's site on how we made California Rolls at her house a few weekends ago for the whole gang. It was way easier than we thought and thus we think everyone should give it a try. Check it out!

http://www.fortheloveofpaisley.blogspot.com/

I also have been snapping a few shots here and there at home - a really good baked tortellini my mom made, pictures of the old cemetery, etc. that I will post if i can get off my tuckus. That's a big IF, just letting you know.