Monday, March 30, 2009

Playdough time

 

Playdough has been the big hit around here lately and Charlotte is always asking for "playdough time"-it is a great activity that she can do at the table and away from her brother. Can you find the hidden stash? Note to self-don't dress Charlotte in clothes with pockets-smashed playdough can be a bit messy to remove.
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Sunday, March 29, 2009

Timothy


Well, I convinced Blair to take some more photos of our family. This time,just Mama and Timothy. We had a fun time and got she got some great shots. Thanks Blair!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Good morning Lander

 

Well,three to five inches of snow in the forecast seems to have turned into a foot!! And it is still coming down faster than my shovel can keep up with.
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Saturday, March 21, 2009

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

No mystery

 

Well it is no mystery what Timothy is feeling. He lets all his emotions show-which means I know what his favorite things are: the dishwasher, the toilet, his sister, the bath, singing songs. He crawls as fast as he can giggling all the way to reach these favorites.
He has also gotten very good at feeding himself, and loves avacado, banana, carrots, sweet potatoes, rice-lets face it, he just loves food. His pincer grasp is well formed and adorable. I am still in love with all of his chub, but slowly see some of it melting away as he becomes more active. I am not feeling ready for him to be a toddler, and I continue to try to soak in every minute of his babyhood.
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posing

 

 

 

Charlotte was helping Mama put Timothy's diaper on and asked "get picture me". So we got some cute shots as she had fun helping and giving Timothy hugs and kisses.
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Thursday, March 12, 2009

bling bling

 

 

 

Need I say more?
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Stew #2

Chickpea and Sausage Stew-adapted slightly from Real Simple

1 T. olive oil
1 large onion chopped
12 oz. italian sausage, casings removed
2 T. tomato paste
1/2 c. flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped
1/4 c. cilantro, roughly chopped
2 c. chicken broth
2,15 oz. cans of chickpeas
1,10 oz. package frozen spinach
salt and pepper
your favorite bakery bread sliced thick and spread with lots of olive oil
and garlic salt

1. Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat, add onion and stir 5-7 minutesor until soft.

2. Add sausage and cook crumbling it until browned, about 8 minutes.

3. Add tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in parsley and cilantro and cook for one minute.

4. Add broth and chickpeas and bring to boil. Add frozen spinach and simmer partially covered for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

5. Yummy served on top of the bread or on the side.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

stew weather


I am posting two of my new favorite stew recipes. It is definitely stew weather here as we had about 10" of snow fall 2 days ago and negative degree temperatures. I hope you enjoy. Both recipes are, or can be with suggested modifications, gluten free and casein free.

Irish Lamb Stew

2 1/2 lbs. lamb stew meat (or can trim meat off lamb shoulder chops)
table salt and ground black pepper
1 1/2 T. vegetable oil
2 small to medium onions, coarsely chopped (about 2 1/2 cups)
2 T. unbleached all-purpose flour (can sub. corn starch for gfcf)
2 c. water
1/2 t. dried thyme
1/2 lb. halved baby carrots
1 lbs. yukon gold potatos -i really like melissa's baby potatos
2 T. chopped fresh parsley

1. Adjust oven rack to lower middle position and preheat oven to 300 degrees. Season meat generously with salt and pepper.

2. Heat oil in medium to large ovenproof dutch oven over med-high heat. Add meat and brown on most sides-about 8 minutes. Transfer to bowl and set aside.

3. Reduce heat to medium (add more oil if needed but probably won't need). Add onions and 1/8 teaspoon of salt and cook stirring often and scraping the browned bits off the bottom, until onions have browned-about 8 minutes. Add flour and stir in for 1 to 2 minutes.

4. Stir in half of water, again scraping bottom and edges of dutch oven. Gradually add the rest of the flour, stirring constantly to dissolve flour. Add thyme and 1/2 teaspoon salt and bring to a simmer. Add back meat and any accumulated juices. Return to simmer, cover and place in oven.-Cook for 1 hour.

5. Remove pot from oven, and stir in carrots. Then place potatoes on top of stew, but do not stir in. Cover and return to oven for 1 hour.

6. if serving immediately, stir in potatoes and parsley. (Can be refrigerated for a couple days-spoon off congealed fat and reheat on med-low).

End note-This stew would also be great adding halved mushrooms when you add in the carrots.

ENJOY!!

Sunday, March 8, 2009

kids all around

 

 

 

 

We had lots of fun visiting some friends and thier 14 new kids!!!
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Saturday, March 7, 2009

naked babies


"naked babies" as charlotte says. i forgot to mention that timothy is also obsessed with the bath :) they bathe together every night-lots of slashing involved.
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a week of outside fun


 

 

 

 

Oma came to stay with us and help out while papa was gone and we had a great time. The weather has been so nice that we have been able to get out and play everyday. Here are pictures of charlotte, isa and timothy at the park with oma. While oma was here i even started a knitting project!
right now timothy is really crawling, and standing up. he loves crawling after his papa-mostly to play with his shoelaces, he loves pulling everyones hair-ouch!, he loves banging on things, and unfortunately he is obsessed with the toilet. we are still struggling some with his sleep, but it is getting better. oma put him to bed 4 nights in a row, and he slept the best ever-come back oma ;)
charlotte is into painting and loves her art class, she is also into playdough, going to the pool, and playing dress-up.
i am dreaming of my garden, getting my house more organized, full nights of sleep, making a summer skirt, and the list goes on.....
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Thursday, March 5, 2009

quick one

 

 

 

I just wanted to throw up some quick recent photos to keep grandparents, aunts and uncles happy :) The kids have been enjoying our unseasonably warm weather. It seems all Timothy is interested in is standing up, and Charlotte's world has been invaded-making me a referee!!!!
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