A Progression

If someone told me four years ago that while looking at my dinner I would be awed by the beauty and be unable to take a bite until I had photographed my plate...well, I would have laughed. A hearty laugh.

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In anticipation of my first child I bought two cameras. Disposable ones. Each with 24 exposures, and sadly, they lasted for my baby's ENTIRE first year. I get a little wistful thinking about all the pieces of life that my eye would see now. The pieces that would surely find their way onto my camera.

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Often, I am too embarrassed to say that photography has become a hobby. I don't feel worthy. I am ultra-aware of my weaknesses and lack of knowledge. Sometimes I think of my friend Stacy. After watching her daughter take piano lessons for a few months, she decided that SHE would give it a try as well. As her teacher, I was astounded at how fast she progressed. How diligent and devoted she was. Watching her develop this new talent was so inspiring to me.

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Now I take pictures. Or try to. And surprisingly what I like best about this new journey is not my growing pile of photographs. (Although a few years from now, I imagine they will be a treasure) What I appreciate the most is how my view of the world around me has changed, expanded. There is so much beauty. And somehow, it is simultaneously simple and complex.

Again.

I read her book in 1 day. I stuffed myself with her "winning hearts and minds" cake in approximately 1 hour. This dessert is dangerous. 5 ingredients. Melt, stir, bake. And this new cake habit is not helping my "I've got two 10-year reunions coming up and I just had a baby" cause. But it sure does pass a lazy afternoon and it really beats folding the laundry.

People smile as they ask how I'm adjusting to life with 3 kiddos...

I woke up to feed Roman. While nursing, Lily came to stand by me. She pooped in her diaper. She wanted to be changed immediately. I told her I would help her as soon as I was done. Roman finished and we headed upstairs for a clean diaper. On the way Zach called out from the bathroom "MOM, I'm DONE!" (which means come wipe me). So all four of us squeezed into the half bath. I held the baby in one hand and wiped a bum with the other. Meanwhile, Roman decided he'd had a bit too much jostling and not enough burping. He puked all over Zachary's head. White goo ran from his hair, down his shirt and pooled on the floor. I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror as I tried to distract Zach so his overactive gag reflex would not create another mess.

It was 7:20 am.

This reminds me. I've read that story wherein the homemaker is presented with an employment fill-in-the-blank. She always writes some lofty sounding description like Domestic Engineer. I don't know, that is entirely too complicated for me. Next time I'm asked I think I'll say, "I deal in liquids and semi-solids."

Unplanned, I baked a cake that night. Carrots, coconut, pineapple, walnuts, exactly 3 eggs left...it was providential. The kids skipped around the house chanting, "Mom's baking a cake!" And I discovered how much LEVERAGE a baking cake creates. They picked up their toys so quickly, they stopped arguing at the mere mention of missing out. I think I will bake cakes more often.

Because...

...to be honest, by the end of a lot of days, the only creative thing I engage in is cooking our dinner. Stress reliever. And even though it is dark by 6pm, and I'm standing under florescent apartment lighting, I can think of summer time. Or some other distant and lovely time, when the tomatoes and basil might actually come from my yard. I love that Miss Lily sits on the counter to supervise and beg tomato pieces, and Zach comes in to tell me, "Mom, I still don't think I'm big enough to like spinach, but I'll try it again." I think it's funny that all the splatters and mess tend to land on my ever growing belly.

A few months ago Dave and I were reminiscing about the meals of our first year of marriage. All 3 things I knew how to cook involved some sort of creamed soup. But I was good at potatoes...baked, mashed, fried, Au gratin, twice-baked, scalloped, hash browns, wedges, potato soup, potato salad, potato pancakes. We ate hundreds of spuds due to the fact that a sweet older lady at Dave's workplace had a son who was a potato farmer. Pity potatoes for the college students. Boy I'd give anything to have a journal that chronicled those dinner days.

Tag x 2

(I can't get over his "super hero" face...and by the way, he won't hardly TAKE a picture anymore without shooting his spiderman webs)

I LOVE reading tags...I'm just a bit slow in completing them myself

6 quirky things about me

1. The latch on the gas tank door of my car gets stuck (umm, every time). Its the kind that has to be popped open from a button inside the car, you can't open it manually. Sooooo, I have to stand on one leg and use my other toe to push the door while simultaneously reaching with my hand and pushing the button inside the drivers side door. Picture a low arabesque (everyone remember back to your ballet class). Except it's not so pretty at the gas station. Just weird.

2. I don't love air conditioning. Only when necessary for survival...I think it smells funny.

3. I take off ALL my jewelry when I'm home (including my wedding ring) only because I just don't like how it feels to be wearing it.

4. And maybe that's why I didn't get my ears pierced until I was 23. I wanted to wear cute earrings at my sister's wedding (my own wedding?...I guess not) that and maybe the 4th graders I was teaching told me they thought it was very strange that I didn't have my ears pierced. Sheesh, peer pressure.

5. My favorite job (before teaching of course) was also the worst job I had. Baker at Einstein Bros Bagels...summer before college. I ADORED baking all the bagels, muffins, bread and cookies...setting up the salad line, sandwich line and cream cheeses...brewing all the coffee. Ohh the smells... SO FUN. I love "setting up" and arranging all the food. I drank an almond steamer each morning. I HATED that I had to be there at 3 am...all by myself until 5:30 am when the manager would come in. So scary to be 18 and open a store in the middle of the night by yourself. I NEVER felt safe. Sometimes David would drive to the store in his little red pickup and sleep in the parking lot until the manager would show up. love that guy!

6. I love nightstands. Aesthetically: I mean...how cute that they get to hold lamps, clocks, candles, flowers and such! Practically: how awesome is it to plop your book down when you're tired, throw your pony tail holder on it or set a glass of water?

That was fun! Thanks Missy! I tag : Abbie, Christy, Erin, Lindsay and Margaret

Ok, Natalie came up with the Dinner tag...this concept I love! I mean, who doesn't love tried and true recipes from friends? 5 to be exact!

Homemade Granola

(Please imagine how AMAZING this smells baking at 8:30 am...let me tell you...not as good as EATING it at 9:00 am! By the way you can basically add or subtract any ingredients...what do YOU like in your granola)

Mix in bowl and set aside:
6 c. oatmeal

2 c. shredded coconut
1 c. powdered milk
1/2 c. nuts (I like almonds, pecans, walnuts)
1/2 tsp. salt
**1 c. Rice Krispies
**1 c. raisins
**flax seed

Mix well...and pour over ingredients:
1 c. honey

1 c. oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. almond extract

Bake (a little at a time...I do two batches) on a cookie sheet (with sides) at 350. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown.

** add chocolate chips, peanut butter chips after granola is out of oven, but still warm

(**ingredients are optional...but not for me! :)

Sassy Black Bean Soup

(EASY, ECONOMICAL, DUMP and HEAT recipe shared by my momma)

1 TB olive oil

1 c chopped onion
2 garlic cloves minced
2 cans black beans, drained
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can chicken broth
1/2 c. salsa verde (original recipe calls for picante sauce...use the verde...trust me)
1/4 c. water
1 tsp ground cumin
2 TB lime juice

Heat oil, add onion and garlic...saute for 5 minutes. Stir in beans and next 5 ingredients. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, simmer uncovered for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in lime juice.

(garnish with, you know...whatever...I like sour cream)

Grilled Open-face ham, brie, and arugula sandwiches

(SHUT UP these are so good...the bitter arugula dressed with tangy lemon combined with sweet brie and ham on warm toasted bread...my mouth is watering) Oh yeah, the recipe calls for grilling the bread, which would be divine, but we had to give up our grill in the move and I've tried these "grilled" on the stove...works nicely too. eat them. eat them. (oh yeah, it makes 20 sandwiches...so halve the recipe...but who am I kidding, sometimes, I don't)

1/4 c. olive oil, plus more for grilling bread

Juice and zest of 1 lemon
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp. sugar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
20 slices (1/2 to 3/4 in. thick) ciabatta (1 loaf)
1 lb brie cheese, cut into 1/4 by 2 in. slices
3/4 lb ham, thinly sliced
About 1/2 lb arugula, washed and spun dry

1. Put 1/4 c olive oil, the lemon juice and zest, garlic, sugar, and salt and pepper to taste in a blender and pulse to combine.

2. Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to medium heat. Brush oil on both sides of bread and put on grill; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill 2 minutes. Turn over, top with cheese, close lid, and grill until cheese melts, 1-2 minutes.

3. Top cheese evenly with ham. In a large bowl, toss arugula with vinaigrette and arrange a handful on each sandwich. Drizzle remaining vinaigrette over sandwiches.

Halibut in Parchment

(an oh-so-good Martha recipe...I use all kinds of white fish in this recipe, tilapia..whatever is on sale honestly)

Serves 2

1 large russet potato, scrubbed and sliced 1/8 in. thick

1 clove garlic, finely chopped ( I use 2)
2 oz baby spinach, well washed (I use more)
2 medium shallots, thinly sliced
1 lemon, thinly sliced
Two 6-ounce halibut fillets, about 1 1/2 inches thick
Course salt and freshly ground pepper

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Using two 12 by 17-inch sheets of parchment paper, fold each sheet in half crosswise.

2. Place 1 sheet of parchment flat on a work surface. Place half of the potatoes, garlic, spinach, shallots and 4 lemon slices on once side of crease; season with salt and pepper. Place halibut on top of lemon slices, and season with salt and pepper. Fold parchment over ingredients. Make small overlapping folds along the edge to seal.

3. Place packets on a baking sheet. Bake until packets have puffed, and fish is cooked through, about 18 minutes. Transfer packets to individual plates. Serve immediately, opening packets at the table. Garnish with any remaining lemon slices.

Pumpkin Pecan Pie Squares

(and finally, because it's November, and because I made these last night and could take a picture, and because I love them)

1 c. all-purpose flour

1/2 c. old-fashioned oats

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. butter, softened

3/4 c. granulated sugar

1 can (15 oz) Pumpkin

1 can (12 fl. oz) evaporated milk

2 large eggs

2 1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1/2 c. chopped pecans

1/4 c. brown sugar

Whipped Cream (please...the real stuff...ummm)

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PREHEAT oven to 350

COMBINE flour, oats, brown sugar and butter in small bowl. Beat at low speed until crumbly. Press on bottom of ungreased 13x9 inch baking pan.

BAKE 15 minutes.

COMBINE granulated sugar, pumpkin, milk, eggs, and pie spice in large mixer bowl. Beat at medium speed 1 to 2 minutes; pour over crust.

BAKE 20 minutes. Combine pecans and brown sugar in small bowl. Sprinkle pecan topping over filling. Continue baking 15 to 25 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan. Top with whipped cream.

Thanks Natalie! (I hope a couple of these count as gluten-free!)

I wish EVERYONE would play along with this tag! (please) but whenever you say "everyone or anyone"...that translates to no one. So I'm gonna single you out! :)

I tag Brittany, Isaura, Katherine (both of you), Nicole, Sarah, Lisa, Alissa....seriously...I want you all to play!

Little Dippers

I LOVE Wondertime magazine. Best parent magazine out there. Our dinner tonight was inspired by an article in the new issue. The idea is to serve appetizers (or dips) as your main course! Perfect for a night like tonight, when daddy is working late.

We made white bean dip, and guacamole (they also listed an enchilada dip, which would add meat to the meal). We used whole wheat chips, oat bran pretzels and carrot sticks as our "dippers". Protein, fiber, vegetables....check, check, check! So while they LOVED this dinner, and felt like they were getting away with something sneaky, I loved it too! Easy, and wholesome! I've never seen them eat so many carrot sticks!

White Bean Dip
2 (15 oz) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
3/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
pinch thyme
3 T. olive oil
2 T. lemon juice
1 large clove garlic, pressed (we used 2!)

Blend all ingredients in a food processor until very smooth, adding a tablespoon or two of hot water if the beans seem disinclined to become creamy.

The magazine printed a "silken guacamole" made with silken tofu, but we just used our regular guacamole recipe. Other ideas for dippers include: pita chips, snow peas, bell peppers, celery sticks, lightly steamed broccoli, sugar snap peas and green beans!

Finally, dessert...of course...chocolate fondue! (the easy microwave kind...no need to knock yourself out!) Yummy Dinner! Although Dave is probably not too sad to have missed this one. I am not sure he believes "dips" constitute a meal!