So I was thinking more about the lines on my face tonight as I was getting ready for bed...
Life has left an imprint on my face. The lines across my forehead are from great thought given. The creases at the corners of my mouth are from a lifetime of laughter. The lines around my eyes are from when I smile, or when I squint because my face is pointed towards the warmth of the sun.
Yes, I take care of my skin, because I want it to be healthy...but not to erase my life.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Killer Risotto
I like good risotto, but most of the time it ends up feeling very heavy and well...just...ugh. However, tonight's attempt was phenomenal!
I had it in my brain the other day when I picked up some lobster mushrooms and Chinese spinach at the farmers market that I would make risotto this week. I had some crimini mushrooms just hanging out in the fridge needing to be used...and I always dried mushrooms in my pantry...triple mushroom risotto with spinach! And because I like to try new ways of making things...I made this one vegan. Totally. Killer.
Triple Mushroom Risotto with Spinach
4 oz dried mushrooms (I did a combo of shitaki and king oyster mushrooms)
1 cup boiling water
2 - 1/2 cups low sodium vegetable broth (I really like the low sodium veg broth from Trader Joe's...good flavor)
4-5 oz crimini mushrooms, sliced
4-5 oz lobster mushrooms (or some other flavor...chicken of the woods would be very comparable), sliced
2 Tbsp extra virgin coconut oil, divided
3 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
2 cups cleaned and chopped spinach
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
1 tsp pink Himalayan salt
1 cup uncooked Arborio rice
1/4 cup Shao Xing cooking wine (or Sherry)
1 Tbsp dairy-free margarine (I use Earth Balance)
1-2 Tbsp nutritional yeast
1. In a small bowl, combine the boiling water with the dried mushrooms, and let them soak, uncovered for 30 minutes. Drain 1/2 cup of the mushroom broth into a liquid measuring cup and add the vegetable broth, take out 1/2 of the soaked mushrooms, finely dice and set aside (keep the rest for another time). Heat the veg broth to a simmer (I do it in the microwave)
2. In a small bowl, toss the spinach, lemon juice and salt. Set aside.
3. In a medium size saucepan over medium heat, heat 1 T. of the coconut oil. Add the chopped garlic and onions, stirring occasionally, until the onions are tender and translucent, but not browned, about 6-8 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook until soft, about 4 minutes more. Add the remaining 1 T. of coconut oil and the rice, and, stirring constantly, cook until the rice is evenly coated and sounds like crispy rice cereal in the pan, making snapping and popping noises, about 4 minutes. Add the Shao Xing, stirring constantly, until all of the liquid is completely absorbed.
4. Pour about ¾ cup of the hot broth into the rice and cook, continuing to stir, until most of the liquid is absorbed. Continue to add the broth in ¾-cup increments, allowing the liquid to be absorbed before another addition, until the rice is translucent around the edges but still solid in the middle and the rice is of a creamy consistency, about 20 minutes.
5. Add the spinach and cook for just about 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, or until the spinach is wilted and bright green. Stir in the dairy-free soy margarine and nutritional yeast. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.
SO GOOD!
*I found this recipe online and modified it...of course.
I had it in my brain the other day when I picked up some lobster mushrooms and Chinese spinach at the farmers market that I would make risotto this week. I had some crimini mushrooms just hanging out in the fridge needing to be used...and I always dried mushrooms in my pantry...triple mushroom risotto with spinach! And because I like to try new ways of making things...I made this one vegan. Totally. Killer.
Triple Mushroom Risotto with Spinach
4 oz dried mushrooms (I did a combo of shitaki and king oyster mushrooms)
1 cup boiling water
2 - 1/2 cups low sodium vegetable broth (I really like the low sodium veg broth from Trader Joe's...good flavor)
4-5 oz crimini mushrooms, sliced
4-5 oz lobster mushrooms (or some other flavor...chicken of the woods would be very comparable), sliced
2 Tbsp extra virgin coconut oil, divided
3 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
2 cups cleaned and chopped spinach
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
1 tsp pink Himalayan salt
1 cup uncooked Arborio rice
1/4 cup Shao Xing cooking wine (or Sherry)
1 Tbsp dairy-free margarine (I use Earth Balance)
1-2 Tbsp nutritional yeast
1. In a small bowl, combine the boiling water with the dried mushrooms, and let them soak, uncovered for 30 minutes. Drain 1/2 cup of the mushroom broth into a liquid measuring cup and add the vegetable broth, take out 1/2 of the soaked mushrooms, finely dice and set aside (keep the rest for another time). Heat the veg broth to a simmer (I do it in the microwave)
2. In a small bowl, toss the spinach, lemon juice and salt. Set aside.
3. In a medium size saucepan over medium heat, heat 1 T. of the coconut oil. Add the chopped garlic and onions, stirring occasionally, until the onions are tender and translucent, but not browned, about 6-8 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook until soft, about 4 minutes more. Add the remaining 1 T. of coconut oil and the rice, and, stirring constantly, cook until the rice is evenly coated and sounds like crispy rice cereal in the pan, making snapping and popping noises, about 4 minutes. Add the Shao Xing, stirring constantly, until all of the liquid is completely absorbed.
4. Pour about ¾ cup of the hot broth into the rice and cook, continuing to stir, until most of the liquid is absorbed. Continue to add the broth in ¾-cup increments, allowing the liquid to be absorbed before another addition, until the rice is translucent around the edges but still solid in the middle and the rice is of a creamy consistency, about 20 minutes.
5. Add the spinach and cook for just about 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, or until the spinach is wilted and bright green. Stir in the dairy-free soy margarine and nutritional yeast. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.
SO GOOD!
*I found this recipe online and modified it...of course.
Garden Mice and Musings
ground cherries grow wild
little lanterns of delight
loved by child and mouse
I have noticed fairly recently that we have a large influx of small animals in our yard this year...especially of the rodent variety. I have seen more rabbits than I have in a very long time and the mice! Holy cow....we have a lot of garden mice this year. One day the Squirt and I even saw a little mouse gather a ground cherry, shuck it and nibble away. Of course it ran away when I went to get the camera...but trust me...it was cute.
Today, while on the phone with a friend I caught, out the window, little mice climbing my Black Eyed Susans, nibbling off the flower heads and hauling them away. It was hysterical.
As for the rabbits...well...apparently the word is out...the Loaf has retired.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Be Prepared
While my little Squirt is not the most timely thing on the planet, preparation for anything that comes about is her strong suit. You would understand this if you saw how many bags she travels with when she goes for a playdate at a little buddy's house...the kid has luggage!
However...I think today takes the cake.
She is all prepared for "You know that day when you get presents in your boot? I'm ready!" (aka St. Nicholas day...IN DECEMBER!)
However...I think today takes the cake.
She is all prepared for "You know that day when you get presents in your boot? I'm ready!" (aka St. Nicholas day...IN DECEMBER!)
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
The Black Hole of Death
Well, okay...so it wasn't really a black hole. Nor did I die. But it sure seemed like it! (for those 5 seconds...but I swear they were loooong seconds)
Ever have one of those fears, fears that you have no idea how they came about...they just did? Yeah, me neither. Wait...I mean, yes...I do. I am completely afraid of drowning. No clue as to why I have this fear. I am an excellent swimmer. I don't believe I have been close to drowning (at least that I recall...or have been told about). My other fear...(crud, you found me out ) small, dark places. While I'm claustrophobic to a point, as long as I can see...I'm usually okay.
That brings me to today. I entered what I can only imagine to be a black hole of death...a completely enclosed waterslide! "Why?" you may ask a.) would you be afraid of this? b.) would I even do such a stupid thing??? Simple answer...my 6 year-old daughter.
For the past year I have reveled in the knowledge that my daughter was not yet 48" tall...thus she could not go on the newly built (last summer) waterslide at our local aquatic center. Off the hook...until today. Apparently, while I wasn't looking...and she was wearing shorts...she grew. She is now 48" tall...and I'm S.O.L. So today was our first hike up the tall stairs to try the waterslide. As we wound our way up...up...up...I noticed that tube was awfully narrow...and has a bend in it. The thoughts running through my head were..."SHIT! This is going to be dark...and I'm going to die!" and "Double SHIT if she goes first and is scared out of her mind...because it's going to be dark...I'm going to be comforting her for days...and I will hear about it for the rest. of. my. life...how I was Mother of the Year and "made" her go down the black hole of death and that she was scared and cried (I just know this would happen)."
So there we stand, at the top of the slide. The kid (boy) ahead of us goes...screams the entire way down. "Seriously, I'm going to die" was all I could think. And what does my little darling say to me? "Mom, you go first." Ugh. Fine. UGH! Fine. So I go. It's narrow (like I'll get stuck or something) and starts to get darker and darker...then pitch black! Water rushing...AAAAHHHHHHH this is the part I hate! THEN! A sliver of light! There's hope! I'm not going to die after all...I think. And then...the end. The ride probably lasts 30-45 seconds...but those 5ish seconds of pitch black is a killer!
When I gather myself and climb out of the little water run, my darling says..."Mom, I don't want to go on it." Of course...and neither do I...EVER AGAIN!
The things we do for our children.
Ever have one of those fears, fears that you have no idea how they came about...they just did? Yeah, me neither. Wait...I mean, yes...I do. I am completely afraid of drowning. No clue as to why I have this fear. I am an excellent swimmer. I don't believe I have been close to drowning (at least that I recall...or have been told about). My other fear...(crud, you found me out ) small, dark places. While I'm claustrophobic to a point, as long as I can see...I'm usually okay.
That brings me to today. I entered what I can only imagine to be a black hole of death...a completely enclosed waterslide! "Why?" you may ask a.) would you be afraid of this? b.) would I even do such a stupid thing??? Simple answer...my 6 year-old daughter.
For the past year I have reveled in the knowledge that my daughter was not yet 48" tall...thus she could not go on the newly built (last summer) waterslide at our local aquatic center. Off the hook...until today. Apparently, while I wasn't looking...and she was wearing shorts...she grew. She is now 48" tall...and I'm S.O.L. So today was our first hike up the tall stairs to try the waterslide. As we wound our way up...up...up...I noticed that tube was awfully narrow...and has a bend in it. The thoughts running through my head were..."SHIT! This is going to be dark...and I'm going to die!" and "Double SHIT if she goes first and is scared out of her mind...because it's going to be dark...I'm going to be comforting her for days...and I will hear about it for the rest. of. my. life...how I was Mother of the Year and "made" her go down the black hole of death and that she was scared and cried (I just know this would happen)."
So there we stand, at the top of the slide. The kid (boy) ahead of us goes...screams the entire way down. "Seriously, I'm going to die" was all I could think. And what does my little darling say to me? "Mom, you go first." Ugh. Fine. UGH! Fine. So I go. It's narrow (like I'll get stuck or something) and starts to get darker and darker...then pitch black! Water rushing...AAAAHHHHHHH this is the part I hate! THEN! A sliver of light! There's hope! I'm not going to die after all...I think. And then...the end. The ride probably lasts 30-45 seconds...but those 5ish seconds of pitch black is a killer!
When I gather myself and climb out of the little water run, my darling says..."Mom, I don't want to go on it." Of course...and neither do I...EVER AGAIN!
The things we do for our children.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
What do you get...???
What do you get when you take an empty coffee can, a used Chinet cup from a party the weekend before, some pine cones, pine needle clusters, pebbles, last year's day lily flower stems, an X-acto knife and alotta hot glue???
A fairy happy girl*, and a pretty snazzy fairy house**!
*Who decided to paint her face like a cheetah.
**No, I've never made a fairy house before...but the Squirt is talking "fairy town" now. Oy.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Birthday gifts
I don't know about you, but having your child invited to classmate's birthday parties is great...but also a bit stressful. To come up with a fun, age appropriate gift, that doesn't break the bank (especially since there seems to be a slew of them lately) can be a challenge.
With the challenge set firmly in front of me, I think of my own daughter and what she loves (besides everything!). Art. Creativity. Plain and simple. So this is what we have come up with...and it's knocked it out of the park!
Total cost...$12. Not bad!
With the challenge set firmly in front of me, I think of my own daughter and what she loves (besides everything!). Art. Creativity. Plain and simple. So this is what we have come up with...and it's knocked it out of the park!
Total cost...$12. Not bad!
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
A Blanket
A piece of cloth or two (or more depending) sewn together, thrown on a bed...It seems so simple, doesn't it? But not when a grandma makes it...then it's so much more.
Tonight as I snuggled in with my sweet one, she started to kick all the covers off, and only wanted "the flowers" on, and her "cozy"...that's when it hit me, in that stillness...both of these blankets were made by my grandmothers. "Flowers" was made for me many moons ago by my "Regular" Grandma* and was my favorite...it kept me warm and cool all at the same time. "Cozy" was made especially for the Squirt when she was newly with us because Great Gram thought she needed a cozy blanket to snuggle.
So tonight as sleep came over my girl not only was she warm, but also blanketed in love...a love of one grandma I'm so happy she gets to experience and another she will only know through her mother's own quirkiness. A blanket may be just cloth to some...but some cloth is so much more.
P.S. As I sit here writing this all down, another thing has dawned on me...my girl has 3 grandmas too...2 "Regulars" and a Great...lucky girl.
*I was lucky enough to have had 3 grandmothers growing up, so to differentiate them they had different names, which I gave them...and "Regular" was anything but...which is another post in itself.
Tonight as I snuggled in with my sweet one, she started to kick all the covers off, and only wanted "the flowers" on, and her "cozy"...that's when it hit me, in that stillness...both of these blankets were made by my grandmothers. "Flowers" was made for me many moons ago by my "Regular" Grandma* and was my favorite...it kept me warm and cool all at the same time. "Cozy" was made especially for the Squirt when she was newly with us because Great Gram thought she needed a cozy blanket to snuggle.
So tonight as sleep came over my girl not only was she warm, but also blanketed in love...a love of one grandma I'm so happy she gets to experience and another she will only know through her mother's own quirkiness. A blanket may be just cloth to some...but some cloth is so much more.
P.S. As I sit here writing this all down, another thing has dawned on me...my girl has 3 grandmas too...2 "Regulars" and a Great...lucky girl.
*I was lucky enough to have had 3 grandmothers growing up, so to differentiate them they had different names, which I gave them...and "Regular" was anything but...which is another post in itself.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
The Great Preying Mantis Release 2011
On the last day of school, my good friend SweetDani* and I ended the school year with an outing to a local garden store while the girls were at school. We found quite a few lovely plants, and I'm pretty sure we'll both be going back...but I digress. While we were checking out, SD found some preying mantis pods at the cash register. They came in a pouch of 2 and asked if I wanted to split it with her. Not being a huge fan (but I'm not a killer though either) of insects I was a bit hesitant but agreed to it as she said her lovely daughter had such a great time with it last year.
Well, today while having my coffee I noticed that there was something crawling around it the container...THEY HATCHED!!! Oh my goodness, there were SO many crawling around in there! I retained my composure as I didn't want to alert CiBaby to the goings-on until I was prepared with my camera. Once I was ready I told her to come and see something really cool.
Well, today while having my coffee I noticed that there was something crawling around it the container...THEY HATCHED!!! Oh my goodness, there were SO many crawling around in there! I retained my composure as I didn't want to alert CiBaby to the goings-on until I was prepared with my camera. Once I was ready I told her to come and see something really cool.
After looking outside at them, in their container, I was ready to release them...BUT WAIT! CiBaby really wanted her bestie to be there too...another bug lover. So we called up J and told her the pod had hatched and that we would wait until she got to our house to release them.
It was so neat to do, we will most likely do it again next year.
*Did you know there was a lemon basil named Sweet Dani? Me either!
Note: A quick word of caution, next time I will put them in a mason jar with a screen...some lost their lives in the tape. :(
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
"Well...that wasn't very nice."
Those are the words CiBaby said to me after our entire, funny, interaction.
CiBaby: "Mama, I'm hungry."
Me: "What would you like for breakfast?"
CiBaby: "I don't quite know yet."
Me: "Okay. Well, I'm going to quick go to the bathroom and you think about it."
CiBaby: "Okay Mama."
I head off to the bathroom.
10 seconds later, the door flies open.
CiBaby: "Mama, I know what I want for breffas."
Me: "Can't this wait until I'm done?"
CiBaby (clearly not listening to me): "I want cinnamon toast and salsa toast and a half a cup of orange juice."
Me: "Salsa toast?"
CiBaby: "The kind we had last night."
Me: "Honey, that was dill bread."
CiBaby: "Oh! Right! I want cinnamon toast and dill toast, wif buddah and a half a cup of orange juice."
Me: "Okay, I'll get it for you when I'm done. Go pick out your cup and plate. Now could you let me finish?"
CiBaby walks alway and slams the door.
10 seconds later...the door flies open.
CiBaby: "Mama, is this right?" (holding a straw to a straw cup)
Me: "Yes, dear, but I'm not going to get you anything until I'm finished."
CiBaby, sitting on the edge of the tub chitchatting away...
Me: "Honey, really...could I please have some privacy?"
CiBaby: "Oh! Right! I forgot."
Out she goes...door slams again.
10 seconds later I hear her hand hit the doorknob...the door starting to open.
Me: "Honey! Leave me alone!"
CiBaby: "Well...that wasn't very nice."
Sigh.
CiBaby: "Mama, I'm hungry."
Me: "What would you like for breakfast?"
CiBaby: "I don't quite know yet."
Me: "Okay. Well, I'm going to quick go to the bathroom and you think about it."
CiBaby: "Okay Mama."
I head off to the bathroom.
10 seconds later, the door flies open.
CiBaby: "Mama, I know what I want for breffas."
Me: "Can't this wait until I'm done?"
CiBaby (clearly not listening to me): "I want cinnamon toast and salsa toast and a half a cup of orange juice."
Me: "Salsa toast?"
CiBaby: "The kind we had last night."
Me: "Honey, that was dill bread."
CiBaby: "Oh! Right! I want cinnamon toast and dill toast, wif buddah and a half a cup of orange juice."
Me: "Okay, I'll get it for you when I'm done. Go pick out your cup and plate. Now could you let me finish?"
CiBaby walks alway and slams the door.
10 seconds later...the door flies open.
CiBaby: "Mama, is this right?" (holding a straw to a straw cup)
Me: "Yes, dear, but I'm not going to get you anything until I'm finished."
CiBaby, sitting on the edge of the tub chitchatting away...
Me: "Honey, really...could I please have some privacy?"
CiBaby: "Oh! Right! I forgot."
Out she goes...door slams again.
10 seconds later I hear her hand hit the doorknob...the door starting to open.
Me: "Honey! Leave me alone!"
CiBaby: "Well...that wasn't very nice."
Sigh.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
A Sherpa without a Map
I feel like a Sherpa leading my charge up a great mountain...without a map. Which path to take? Either path will lead to spectacular views...but completely different.
I know I should go with my gut, but right now I can't tell if the tightness in my belly is intuition telling me which way to go...or if it's just plain hunger pains.
I know I should go with my gut, but right now I can't tell if the tightness in my belly is intuition telling me which way to go...or if it's just plain hunger pains.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
A Spring Delicacy
I believe her eyes rolled back in her head when I showed her today's harvest...1/3 lb dandelion blossoms! Dandelion fritters for dinner!
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Sunday, April 24, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Egg Dying
This year I decided to try my hand at making natural egg dyes,
just for fun.
(pickled beet juice, grape juice, pomegranate tea, passion tea, green tea, chili powder, and red cabbage)
Here is how they turned out...
(from top left: red cabbage, grape juice, green tea, passion tea, pomegranate tea, and pickled beet juice. The chili powder is pictured in the center of the bowl...a golden brown)
And a very excited little girl! She insisted on eating the pink egg first...it was quite tasty!
It was definitely a fun experiment.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Fluffy Rain
Spring snow? No...it's just...
- fluffy rain
- bloated water...maybe it had a lot of salty and greasy food yesterday
- a new slow-release watering system
- rain with an inflated ego
Friday, April 15, 2011
Thought of the day - 4/15/11
Choices...you always have them.
While you don't always get to choose what happened in your history, you have a choice in how you react and how you live your future.
While this isn't a new thought, it is one that I believe is good to sit and ponder.
While you don't always get to choose what happened in your history, you have a choice in how you react and how you live your future.
While this isn't a new thought, it is one that I believe is good to sit and ponder.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
And next up on Comedy Central...
Mother Nature!
(*applause*)
She's witty, she's zany, she's sweet...and she can slap you in the face and all you can do is laugh!
Sure, we saw signs of Spring, flowers pushing their little heads up through the earth, the unfurling of tiny leaves...new sandals (aren't they cute?!?)
And this morning...she became an S&M* Mistress
Get out your chains boys, the Mistress is in the house!
*snow and muck...geez, get your minds out of the gutter, people!
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