Friday, July 31, 2009

More Sad News

I feel like this picture, taken just last night, captures my mood. I found out a friend who struggled with alcoholism, died this morning. Alcohol poisoning or suicide? They don't know yet. In a completely different location, a dog she lived with for 10 years before she and her partner split 2 years ago, also died. Hard to imagine that's coincidence. Rest in peace my dear friend. I wish I could have done more for you.


Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Coconut Curry Halibut

Oh my is all I can say. I don't think of myself as much of a cook. But during the summer I have more time and energy and seem to make really tasty meals. My recent focus is on healthy but tasty meals. If they aren't tasty, my husband just won't eat them. I have to plug Ellie Krieger and her book, The Food You Crave. The recipes are easy, healthy, fresh and tasty. This recipe has coconut milk, chicken stock, curry, lime juice, cilantro, shallots and red onion (I didn't have green). You make a sauce, simmer the fish in it and then assemble your plate with brown rice on the bottom, steamed spinach on top of that, then lay the fish on top and pour on the sauce. It is just so good I can't believe it!


"Fresh, savory, healthy, light, and good texture," are the words this big guy used to describe dinner. It was delectable!

Saturday, July 25, 2009

SleepOver

Watching cartoons with my stuffed pals (duckie, lobster, and dollie) and my favorite pillow grandma gave me.

We'll work backwards here....this was us all having fun in the morning. Kids help you remember to play, don't they? We were laying around just having fun until we dressed and left for the market where we bought a giant garlic, collard greens, yummy cookie, and fruit juice. Oh, and we stopped for a bit to play on the slide....

This was breakfast. Little Miss here ate a banana, a bowl of Cherrios (sans milk) and a tall glass of milk, in the Dora cup, of course :) Notice ever-present blankie.

And here we are doing one of our favorite things, cooking together in the kitchen. Last night I was making healthy chicken fingers (you soak chicken strips in buttermilk, roll the in crushed cereal and bake). My sous chef here loved crushing the cereal in the bag. We ate that with a healthy mustard/honey dipping sauce. She also loved my smoked paprika, roasted potatoes.

I love spending time with my older granddaughter. She is beautiful and amazing. Every time we are together I can tell she has changed. I find that miraculous. Not having had my own kids to watch develop and grow, I missed the chance to really understand this. I may have a Ph.D. in child development but it is something entirely different to be a part of a child's life and watch her grow. The process of childhood is a miracle, no doubt. And I am so happy to be a small part of that with my granddaughters!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Greenery For Now

Check out this hot banana pepper I'm growing! For weeks, in the nasty weather, I would wander out on the deck and simply water or trim dead leaves from my pepper plants and sigh. But, wow, the last few days have brought sunshine and now I have...banana peppers! So excited to harvest them tho I have no clue when you do! I'm imagining it's when they turn yellow...hence their banana moniker.

And here are my Bonnie Grape Tami G Hybrid tomatoes. They look just like little happy clusters of green grapes. We've eaten 3 ripe grape tomatoes so far...couldn't even get a picture we were so excited to pop them in our mouths. What are those red things you buy in the vegetable section of the grocery store? These little numbers are sweet, crunchy, ruby red fruits that just explode in your mouth...amazing...can't believe I grew them!

And, finally, here's my Bonnie select hybrid generic tomato. Now this plant, generally, has some issues. This is the only fruit. It's leaves have been kind of yellow - who knows why...I've been too busy to figure it out but this is encouraging and there are some tomato blossoms on the top of the plant. I love growing my own food....something really right about that :)

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Not so Joyful Today :(

Sweet Butchie, my daughter-in-law's dog, passed away last night. He will be buried today in a little garden on the grounds of the home he loved. Here he is at Easter, sunning and cuddling. He will be missed by all. I imagine Butchie running free in some big green field...and will remember his soft fur and friendly little pug face. Good bye dear friend :(

Sunday, July 12, 2009

July 14th....our birthdays!

We share the same birthday. How cool is that? All my life I will share my birthday with little Miss Granddaughter. Happy Birthday to the both of us! And, thank you, Great (and wonderful) Auntie Marj, for the photo....

Granddaughter's First Birthday!

A photo of Great (wonderful, amazing, creative, lovng, kind)
Auntie Marj taking photos of my birthday :)


Here's some family who came to enjoy my birthday with me.
That's Julia in front, well the back of Julia's head :)

I love getting presents!

Great (wonderful, amazing, kind, loving) Auntie Pam from Idaho.


Grandpa and Grandma are happy I'm 1!

Grandpa Rusty with silly string.


My favorite picture :)
Adalyn was playing with me, she initiated this.
She's really growing up!


Grandma Joy and me.


Daddy enjoyed my strange frog toy with the bulging eyeball.


Yep, I'm chewing on a rubber shark....I'm still teething, you know.


Sister Brisla and friend enjoying a juice!



I really enjoyed my birthday cupcake :) Chocolate is my favorite.


I am 1 year old!
Thank you for the assist, Mimi :)
I am almost ready to walk on my own...watch out!