christmas!

I've always been a fan of Christmas.  I love hot apple cider, sweaters, decorations, Christmas trees, carols, and traditions.  As I've gotten older, I learned that I love to find perfect gifts for my family.  But this year, THIS YEAR, is even more special.

I get to start teaching my daughter about Christmas.

Yes, this is her third Christmas.  But this is the first Christmas that she understands that something is happening. She recognizes Santa and knows that he brings presents.  She's mesmerized by Christmas lights.  Anytime we leave the house, she says bye-bye to our Christmas tree (and with her toddler speech, it comes out as "BYE, CRIMUSS TWEE!"  It is one of the most adorable things I've ever heard).

She might be a little too young to put out cookies for Santa, or carrots for reindeer.  No Elf on the Shelf here in 2011.  And we're going to skip church this year (you're welcome, fellow parishioners).  But she's starting to understand the magic of the season.

Which has renewed the magic for me immeasurably.

kids say the darndest things

Here's a short list of adorable things my daughter has said recently:

• "Stop that, mama!" "Stop what, baby?" "Being drunk!"
• (watching "The Wizard of Oz" at the point that it switches to color) "Mama!  Not Kansas!"
• "Mama, time out!" (she was suggesting I needed a time out.  What I really needed was for her to stop climbing on me.)

She's the sweetest candy cane on the tree!

too. much. cute.

Picked up yakisoba and teriyaki for dinner tonight.  Alaina asked me to feed her some rice with chopsticks.  After a few bites, she decided to try on her own.  She was surprisingly successful for a two year old, and for a first timer.  Just when I think I can't love her anymore, she does stuff like this. *sound of heart exploding*

That's her Lower Lip of Determination.

My daughter is a constant source of inspiration.  Her willingness to try new things, her perseverance, and her unbridled joy at her successes are amazing.  She teaches me new things everyday.  Even if it's just a new method of controlling my temper!

motherhood: a glimpse into mental illness

"The moment a child is born, the mother is also born.  

She never existed before.  

The woman existed, but the mother, never.  

A mother is something absolutely new."  

~Rajneesh

I didn't anticipate running the gamut of emotions daily when I found out I was going to have a baby.  I expected the sleeplessness, the constant mess, the influx of animated movies into my home, and playing second fiddle for the rest of my life.  But I didn't expect to be constantly overwhelmed.

Being a mother is the most wonderful title I have ever, and will ever, hold.  It is also the most maddening, frustrating, and thankless job I've ever had.  I understand now why some animals eat their young.  I also understand why my own mother "hated" me from ages 12-18....and to be honest, it probably would've lasted longer had I not moved out.  (Of course, she didn't hate me, but my smart mouth and disregard for rules probably is the reason for her high blood pressure today)

I have never felt so accomplished and so worthless.  I have never been more tolerant, and never more unforgiving.  Little things can send me into an hours-long anxiety attack.   Big things can send me into an hours-long anxiety attack.

It's this kind of crazy that I'm so blessed to have in my life.  Thank you, Alaina, for making your mama nuts.

roasted pineapple with spiced whipped cream.

Winter is pineapple season!  I love them, but find raw pineapple to be too acidic to eat comfortably.  Canned pineapple is terrible, too.  But I couldn't resist the siren's call of its spiky green top.  So I bought one, and figured I'd decide what to do with it later.

Enter roasted pineapple with spiced whipped cream.  It's not too sweet, easy to make, and a nice change from winter cobblers and crisps.

This recipe is made infinitely easier if you own a pineapple corer/ringer.

roasted pineapple
1 c. sugar
1 c. white wine (I used apple juice, didn't have wine on hand)
2 tsp. vanilla bean paste  OR
1 vanilla bean pod, scraped and pod & seeds mixed in.
(I'm sure vanilla extract would do just fine)
1 pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into rings.

Mix sugar, wine, and vanilla in a large bowl.  Add pineapple rings.  Let sit for approximately 20 minutes.
Pour mixture into a glass baking dish, doing your best to make it one layer.  Cover with foil.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes, until syrup is slightly thickened, and pineapple has begun to caramelize on the bottom.

spiced whipped cream
2 c. heavy whipping cream
1/4 c. sugar
1/8 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. cardamom
1/8 tsp. ginger

For best results, pour whipping cream into metal bowl and chill while pineapple is marinating and cooking.  Whip to soft peaks.  Add sugar and spices.  Whip to firm peaks.

Be sure to plate this with a little of the syrup!  It's a delicious end to a winter meal.

sno-isle co-op.

I am smitten.  I discovered my local co-op a few weeks ago, and I'm literally creating excuses to go.  I love that all the produce is organic AND local.  I love the old building.  I love the classes that are offered, even though I have yet to attend one.  I love that the staff is almost as excited as I am about what I am taking home.

I picked up celeriac (celery root), purple potatoes, salad mix, Fuyu persimmons, Chioggia beets, a sugar pie pumpkin, and some other assorted grocery items.  The co-op is also a great spot to find ethnic foods that the local grocery store might not have.  While I love PCC, Whole Foods, Central Market, etc, I still feel like I'm in a store.  At Sno-Isle Co-Op, I sort of feel like I'm poking through a friend's kitchen.

Their bulk section is awesome, they have the whole gamut of personal and home care products, and all sorts of neat handmade goodies, too.  You can check them out here:  http://www.snoislefoods.coop/

menu!

I plan out my meals about a week in advance.  I like knowing what to expect.  I dislike getting halfway through a meal preparation and realizing I'm short an ingredient.  I like being able to balance our diets over several days, rather than focusing on each meal.  I dislike spending too much money, especially for food items that spoil.

For me, planning a menu for the week is a wonderful thing.  I get to research new recipes, organize my cupboards, and plan on nourishing my daughter and myself.

This week, I'm planning on: vegetarian supper plate (sort of like a Spanish style ratatouille), broccoli and brown rice casserole, split pea soup with homemade bread, and ground bison stroganoff.

What are you making?