The only problem with having a spectacular party for one person, is that then you have to have a party of equal or grander proportions for the other person. Take Mother's Day for example. We had the best kabobs, "Cami's Great-Grammy's Lambies", a fabulous mousse cake, music, and family. Now comes Father's Day... *insert ominous music here*.
We somehow managed to pull together a somewhat bettered party for the boys (Pops, Husband, and Brother #2). It included lamb kabobs, grilled corn on the cob, pickled cabbage, and grasshopper mousse cake. The lamb kabobs, I have a feeling, are now a family event staple. Which is fine since they are so easy to make and so delicious to eat! For anyone scrunching up their face at the mention of pickled cabbage... I am soooo with you. It wasn't my idea I swear! As for the grasshopper mousse cake- it was yummy. I would include the recipe, but I cheated and picked it up from Safeway. In my defense, I already had to dissect all those lamb cuts for kabobs so I didn't feel like making it from scratch. Maybe head over to Smitten Kitchen and see if they can whip one up for you. Or do what I do and just eat whatever is on the front page.
Hope everyone had a delicious Father's Day!
June 24, 2010
June 18, 2010
Arts Camp in Columbia
So I have blogged about Columbia State Park and their various shops before.... candy.... BUT I have not blogged about how our little community pulls together every year for a summer arts camp. Every June for the last seven-ish years the local Arts Council puts together a week long Arts Camp for kids ages 7-12. There are three classes every day in various visual and performing arts with local artists. There is a group performance and student art show at the end of the week.
Anywho-- every year I volunteer to help setup as well as teach a class. This year I decided to do "Chinese Brush Painting" as my class. The kids really loved it and the results were phenomenal. We used concentrated liquid watercolor instead of boring ol' black ink and I think they are more interesting for it. If you happen to live in the area, look into this yearly summer camp!
Other than my hectic day of teaching whilst leaving my little Camster in the hands of my granny (who also volunteers every year), the Camster and I did "administrative work". Which really translates as spending the week signing in late campers, administering the occasional band-aid, and managing daily sign outs. Still fun work though... plus, Camster and I got to sit under the shady trees enjoying the beautiful Columbia scenery and watch the stagecoach with the big dark horses walk by each morning. Camster loves horses!
Anywho-- every year I volunteer to help setup as well as teach a class. This year I decided to do "Chinese Brush Painting" as my class. The kids really loved it and the results were phenomenal. We used concentrated liquid watercolor instead of boring ol' black ink and I think they are more interesting for it. If you happen to live in the area, look into this yearly summer camp!
Other than my hectic day of teaching whilst leaving my little Camster in the hands of my granny (who also volunteers every year), the Camster and I did "administrative work". Which really translates as spending the week signing in late campers, administering the occasional band-aid, and managing daily sign outs. Still fun work though... plus, Camster and I got to sit under the shady trees enjoying the beautiful Columbia scenery and watch the stagecoach with the big dark horses walk by each morning. Camster loves horses!
June 6, 2010
Breastfeeding in Public
I am proud of being able to nurse and sustain my child by breastfeeding, but unfortunately it is not the norm in America. Don't get me wrong, breastfeeding is not right for everyone and I'm not on my way to a "breast is best" rant. I am simply feeling at odds with the general public. The majority of adults and almost all children haven't been around a nursing mother and therefore don't know how to act. To be fair, I was one of those people.
For those of you who do breastfeed in public- do you end up feeling inappropriate? I have been lucky enough to have a supportive family in this new world, but I can't help but feel like the people around me don't know what to do with me. Do they sit down and continue the conversation as usual.. Or do they sit three tables away until I'm finished? Do they give a "good job" nod.. Or do they shove their nose in a magazine for a few minutes? I personally rather people go about business as usual.
It just seems that the lack of exposure (no pun intended) to breastfeeding mothers in America has made us as a people unprepared for these situations. What have been your experiences as either the feeder or the friend?
For those of you who do breastfeed in public- do you end up feeling inappropriate? I have been lucky enough to have a supportive family in this new world, but I can't help but feel like the people around me don't know what to do with me. Do they sit down and continue the conversation as usual.. Or do they sit three tables away until I'm finished? Do they give a "good job" nod.. Or do they shove their nose in a magazine for a few minutes? I personally rather people go about business as usual.
It just seems that the lack of exposure (no pun intended) to breastfeeding mothers in America has made us as a people unprepared for these situations. What have been your experiences as either the feeder or the friend?
May 30, 2010
Sunday is a Crappy Day for a Yard Sale
I have come to the conclusion that Sunday is a crappy day for a yard sale! Saturday went pretty well and we made $25ish dollars on junk we had stuffed in boxes in the closet. It was kinda like finding $25 dollars in the pocket of a jacket you haven't worn in awhile. Except, it's too hot for jackets in California this time of year. And now we have more room in our closet.
Other random thoughts:
Why is it that you won't see a single fly in a 10 mile radius, but as soon as you open the door for 10 seconds... you have 100 flies in the house?!
Babies should come in a standard size so that baby clothes can come in a standard size too. How can two onesies be polar opposites in size, yet both are labled as "3-6 months"? I don't get it.
Lindt Lindor Truffles are godly and Hershey's tastes like dirt. If I still had a gallbladder and no fear of an ever increasing waist-line, I would eat a bag of Lindor Truffles every. single. bloody. day. And now they have a new flavor! Oh my... don't get me started.
Father's Day is just around the corner and I can't think of a nice and simple gift for Pops. What do you get the man in your life that hates everything? Pops might be a bust, but Husband should be fairly easy...
I almost need a whole new wardrobe. My pre-pregnancy clothes are a bit too small and my maternity clothes are either A)too baggy or B)look ridiculous without a huge bump. My mother recently found me some ribbed tanks and tees and they hide the post-pregnancy flab and breast-pads... any better ideas? I'd like to ingeniously hide any evidence of baby weight until I can loose it which might not be anytime soon (refer back to truffle comment).
Hope you don't mind my babbling. Have a great 3-day weekend!
Other random thoughts:
Why is it that you won't see a single fly in a 10 mile radius, but as soon as you open the door for 10 seconds... you have 100 flies in the house?!
Babies should come in a standard size so that baby clothes can come in a standard size too. How can two onesies be polar opposites in size, yet both are labled as "3-6 months"? I don't get it.
Lindt Lindor Truffles are godly and Hershey's tastes like dirt. If I still had a gallbladder and no fear of an ever increasing waist-line, I would eat a bag of Lindor Truffles every. single. bloody. day. And now they have a new flavor! Oh my... don't get me started.
Father's Day is just around the corner and I can't think of a nice and simple gift for Pops. What do you get the man in your life that hates everything? Pops might be a bust, but Husband should be fairly easy...
I almost need a whole new wardrobe. My pre-pregnancy clothes are a bit too small and my maternity clothes are either A)too baggy or B)look ridiculous without a huge bump. My mother recently found me some ribbed tanks and tees and they hide the post-pregnancy flab and breast-pads... any better ideas? I'd like to ingeniously hide any evidence of baby weight until I can loose it which might not be anytime soon (refer back to truffle comment).
Hope you don't mind my babbling. Have a great 3-day weekend!
May 28, 2010
Felt Alphabet Soup
I got "abc" blocks awhile back for the Camster, but I thought something a little more travel friendly was in order. Thirty-five wooden blocks don't compact well... not as well as felt! I think the more you read this blog, the more you will understand my love-affair with felt. No hems, no unraveling as you hand sew, you can find it just about anywhere, and it's soft. <3 <--- that's a heart by the way...
Wanna make your own felt letters? Well you're in luck folks! I just happened to put together a little tutorial for ya!
Wanna make your own felt letters? Well you're in luck folks! I just happened to put together a little tutorial for ya!
First, print out the whole alphabet in a bold 3 inch sized font. I even printed mine out in orange as to conserve my precious black ink. Cut them out and arrange them on the felt so there is a 1/4 inch gap between them for cutting.
Sorry if it's hard to see (crappy indoor camera shots), but next outline the letters with a pen. I used a regular ball point pen because it will be covered up later with fancy pantsy embroidery, but you should probably use a sewing pen with washable ink.
Then sew along your pen line, but leave a gap so you can stuff it later. Don't forget the inside of your "O"!
Cut your letter out with a small small small seam allowance so your stitches don't bust. Don't forget the inside of your "O"!
Stuff it, sew the gap left for stuffing closed, and VOILA! Pretty felt letters! It might also be a good idea to make doubles of the commonly used letters or extra letters you need to spell your child's name. Have fun!
May 26, 2010
Good Eats
Husband and I tried a recipe from this food blog and it was FABULOUS! I am in the process of reading all of the archives to find more yummy recipes to make my husband cook for me (*wink*).
Here it goes:
Spinach and Cheese Strata
From Smitten Kitchen and Adapted from Gourmet (sniffle), February 2003
Serves 6 to 8
1 (10 ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed, squeeze of all excess liquid, and chopped
1 1/2 cups finely chopped onion (1 large)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
8 cups cubed French or Italian bread in 1-inch cubes (1/2 lb)
6 ounces coarsely grated Gruyère (2 cups)
2 ounces finely grated parmesan (1 cup)
2 3/4 cups milk
9 large eggs
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Sauté onion in butter in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat until soft, about 5 minutes. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and nutmeg and continue cooking for one minute. Stir in spinach, remove from heat and set aside.
Spread one third of the bread cubes in a well-buttered 3-quart gratin dish or other ceramic baking dish. Top with one-third of bread cubes,one-third of spinach mixture and one-third of each cheese. Repeat layering twice with remaining bread, spinach and cheese.
Whisk eggs, milk, mustard and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper together in a large bowl and pour evenly over strata. Cover with plastic wrap and chill strata for eat least 8 hours or up to a day.
The next day, let it stand at room temperature for 30 minutes while preheating the oven to 350°F. Bake strata, uncovered, in middle of oven until puffed, golden brown, and cooked through, 45 to 55 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Here it goes:
Spinach and Cheese Strata
From Smitten Kitchen and Adapted from Gourmet (sniffle), February 2003
Serves 6 to 8
1 (10 ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed, squeeze of all excess liquid, and chopped
1 1/2 cups finely chopped onion (1 large)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
8 cups cubed French or Italian bread in 1-inch cubes (1/2 lb)
6 ounces coarsely grated Gruyère (2 cups)
2 ounces finely grated parmesan (1 cup)
2 3/4 cups milk
9 large eggs
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Sauté onion in butter in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat until soft, about 5 minutes. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and nutmeg and continue cooking for one minute. Stir in spinach, remove from heat and set aside.
Spread one third of the bread cubes in a well-buttered 3-quart gratin dish or other ceramic baking dish. Top with one-third of bread cubes,one-third of spinach mixture and one-third of each cheese. Repeat layering twice with remaining bread, spinach and cheese.
Whisk eggs, milk, mustard and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper together in a large bowl and pour evenly over strata. Cover with plastic wrap and chill strata for eat least 8 hours or up to a day.
The next day, let it stand at room temperature for 30 minutes while preheating the oven to 350°F. Bake strata, uncovered, in middle of oven until puffed, golden brown, and cooked through, 45 to 55 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
May 23, 2010
Compilation of the Last Few Days
I haven't had enough to blog about the past couple days to warrant a full post (and I'd hate to be chintzy) so I'll cram it all together and fluff it up a bit like I used to to with essays in high school... here it goes:
Thursday:
My mother is an art teacher at a local elementary school and every year for "Open House" she compiles (common theme here or what?) all the kid's art from the year and hangs it up -art gallery style- as an art show.
It took me and Camster a few days earlier in the week to weed through what work was done and what wasn't, so Thursday it came down to hanging it all up. This isn't a very large school mind you, but there is A LOT of artwork by the end of the year! My grandmother (aka: G3) came up to join the long day's task of taping and hanging. I would have gotten a picture of the four generations preparing an art show, but again... we were busy preparing an art show. I will note however that the Camster was very well behaved in her "Small Paul" monkey front pack and let me work away most of the day without complaint (not counting regular feedings of course).
Friday:
All the Camster and I did was go over to my mom's class to torture help keep an eye on the lemmings kids as they worked on some busy work free draw. It is the end of the year of course.
Saturday:
Husband, Camster, and I all trucked it over to Columbia State Park. Well... maybe not "trucked it"... we Chevy Cavaliered it over to Columbia. For anyone who has never been to Columbia, California, you must go! I think in a week or two they are having some sort of "tent town". I'm not sure exactly what it entails, but it is something along the lines of a frontier town in the middle of the park with vendors and performers and such. Add them to your Facebook for details. Don't have Facebook? Then you stink!
Anyhoo- we Cavaliered it over to Columbia State Park. Our first stop is always the Columbia Candle & Soap Works shop. If you don't stop in to take in the aromas... then go in to meet Bubba. He is a very famous candle shop cat. We said our hellos to Bubba and sniffed out the goodies. Husband picked out a little Nag Champa candle to test out in our living room. Again, I would have taken a picture, but it's already half way burned and it wouldn't do the candle justise.
Then we walked over to the only other thing I'm interested in.... the candy shop! The Columbia Candy Kitchen!!! Oh. Dear. God. Yum. Don't go to the Candy Kitchen unless you don't mind gaining a few pounds. They didn't have my favorite-- milk chocolate turtles, but it did force me to try something new. I got the pecan log (something yummy and sweet and creamy covered in carmel and toasted? pecans) and Husband got the milk chocolate covered peanut butter square. I didn't try his because I hate that combination, and he didn't try mine because he hates nuts. Fine with me. Then the two and a half of us walked around the streets for a little while (Camster in the monkey pack), looked at the blacksmith shop, and said hello to the chickens on our way out. It was too windy for us. AGAIN, I would have taken pictures, but Husband forgot the camera in the car. I tried.
Sunday:
We did nothing today but sit around in our pj's watching scary movies and drumming. We figure we have a few more months to enjoy our beloved horror films before they are replaced with other horrors: Care Bears, Barney, Sesame Street, Dora the Exploasomething. Do they even make Care Bears anymore? Shows what I know...
Thursday:
My mother is an art teacher at a local elementary school and every year for "Open House" she compiles (common theme here or what?) all the kid's art from the year and hangs it up -art gallery style- as an art show.
It took me and Camster a few days earlier in the week to weed through what work was done and what wasn't, so Thursday it came down to hanging it all up. This isn't a very large school mind you, but there is A LOT of artwork by the end of the year! My grandmother (aka: G3) came up to join the long day's task of taping and hanging. I would have gotten a picture of the four generations preparing an art show, but again... we were busy preparing an art show. I will note however that the Camster was very well behaved in her "Small Paul" monkey front pack and let me work away most of the day without complaint (not counting regular feedings of course).
Friday:
All the Camster and I did was go over to my mom's class to torture help keep an eye on the lemmings kids as they worked on some busy work free draw. It is the end of the year of course.
Saturday:
Husband, Camster, and I all trucked it over to Columbia State Park. Well... maybe not "trucked it"... we Chevy Cavaliered it over to Columbia. For anyone who has never been to Columbia, California, you must go! I think in a week or two they are having some sort of "tent town". I'm not sure exactly what it entails, but it is something along the lines of a frontier town in the middle of the park with vendors and performers and such. Add them to your Facebook for details. Don't have Facebook? Then you stink!
Anyhoo- we Cavaliered it over to Columbia State Park. Our first stop is always the Columbia Candle & Soap Works shop. If you don't stop in to take in the aromas... then go in to meet Bubba. He is a very famous candle shop cat. We said our hellos to Bubba and sniffed out the goodies. Husband picked out a little Nag Champa candle to test out in our living room. Again, I would have taken a picture, but it's already half way burned and it wouldn't do the candle justise.
Then we walked over to the only other thing I'm interested in.... the candy shop! The Columbia Candy Kitchen!!! Oh. Dear. God. Yum. Don't go to the Candy Kitchen unless you don't mind gaining a few pounds. They didn't have my favorite-- milk chocolate turtles, but it did force me to try something new. I got the pecan log (something yummy and sweet and creamy covered in carmel and toasted? pecans) and Husband got the milk chocolate covered peanut butter square. I didn't try his because I hate that combination, and he didn't try mine because he hates nuts. Fine with me. Then the two and a half of us walked around the streets for a little while (Camster in the monkey pack), looked at the blacksmith shop, and said hello to the chickens on our way out. It was too windy for us. AGAIN, I would have taken pictures, but Husband forgot the camera in the car. I tried.
Sunday:
We did nothing today but sit around in our pj's watching scary movies and drumming. We figure we have a few more months to enjoy our beloved horror films before they are replaced with other horrors: Care Bears, Barney, Sesame Street, Dora the Exploasomething. Do they even make Care Bears anymore? Shows what I know...
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