Recent Knitting

I have slowly been working my way through my yarn stash for about a year and a half now. I am not one to buy yarn just because I like it; I need to have a project in mind for it. Thus, my stash has never reached out-of-control proportions. However, sometimes I get yarn for something and lose interest in the pattern or realize the yarn and pattern don't jive, or end up not needing that last ball after all. I also get yarn here and there from people and don't immediately have something in mind forit.

I had the cardinal hoodie in my Ravelry queue for about a year and one day in Marchsuddenly realized that I had enough yarn in my stash to make it. So, I began a project that took me until about a week ago. This spring I was very busy with the dissertation, so rarely gave myself time for knitting. It really is a pretty quick project. And it felt so good to use up that yarn for something so nice. That's the best part about working from your stash: the surprises that arise when you get the perfect combo of pattern and yarn- without having to spend any money!
Alternately, it is also thrilling to buy new yarn here and there to get new color and texture into your collection and anticipate the project you want to use it for. My neighbors recently had a baby, and they are big into giraffes. So, when I bought Susan B. Anderson's Itty-bitty Toys, I knew one of the first projects I would be doing.Susan's patterns are always full of tiny details that really make her projects special.
This giraffe has an embroidered face, a pom pom mane, tail, and horns (Do giraffes have horns? What are those things on their heads?)
And spots, of course!

Sunflower Chicken

We visited Lawrence, KS at the end of May, and the first meal I had in town was at the Free State Brewery. I got the Sunflower Chicken. It was so good, I had to give it a go at home. Here's what I did.

1. Take two boneless, skinless chicken breasts and marinate them for an hour in buttermilk, sesame oil, and soy sauce. (I used buttermilk because I had extra on hand).
2. Mix 3/4 cup each of barley, brown rice, and wheatberries into 7 cups of water, bring to a boil and then simmer for 45 min to an hour.
3. In a saucepan, mix a cup of sherry with a tablespoon of miso, boil on medium-high until liquid is reduced to 1/2 cup, then add it to the simmering grains.
4. Once sherry/miso reduction has been added to the simmering grains, chop up your veggies. I went with the following, adding more than the restaurant had.One package of shitaki mushrooms (8oz?); a handful each of chard (with veins and leaves), napa cabbage, and baby bok choy; three carrots, cut match-stick size; snow peapods; 1 red pepper, three cloves of garlic and an inch or so of fresh ginger.
5. With about 15-20 minutes left of the grains cooking, I heated up a couple of tablespoons of canola oil and threw in the carrots. After a minute or so, I added the greens, garlic, and ginger. Another minute or so I added the red pepper, snow peas, and mushrooms. Cook until desired tenderness, then get the veggies out, reserving as much oil as possible.
6. You can add a little more oil if you think it is necessary, heat it up and then add the marinated chicken breats, cut into inch-sized pieces. Brown them and cook through.
7. Mix the veggies, chicken, and grains all together, adding in 1/4 cup or so of roasted, unsalted sunflower seeds.
Enjoy! I served my sunflower chicken with homemade rhubarb lemonade, but a nice wheat beer is good, too.

First Mother's Day

We went big for my first mother's day. I got a necklace, brunch, a book, and a massage. It was a really nice day.

The Long Haul is Over

Well, it's finally done. I successfully defended my dissertation on May 18th. I won't get my diploma until January and can't walk until next May, but the important thing is that all the writing is done and all the paperwork turned in. I can officially sign my name with Ph.D. on the end of it, if I want to.

So, we're home for the summer and I think I will have time to resurrect this blog. There's lots to catch up on. Our trip to Maine and Spain over the winter break, another trip to Maine last month, E's one-year birthday, our trip to Lawrence, KS...

Stay tuned! There's lots to see coming up!

My parents came down to Boston for the day to attend my defense. Meridith watched Elías during the process.Then we met up with Julian and Kira to celebrate with pizza and margaritas.I got a beautiful bouquet of flowers and some sparkling cider by the river.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was a lot of fun. We had visitors from Maine and Boston come to celebrate with us. This house just seems cozier when it's full of people.We had lots of good food over the course of the week. In fact, so much so that we had a lot of pie and ice cream to finish off when everyone went home.

Everyone got a chance to hang out with Elías. Bebe and Elías took a nap together.Bumpa and Elías got a walk in.
And Aunt Meridith and Uncle Eben got lots of play time.Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, too!

Four Months and then Some

I should have made this post a week ago, but a this rate I'm just happy to get anything out within the correct month. Elías turned 4 months old on the 4th of October and at his check up the next day he weighed 18 lbs 2oz, putting him in the 97th percentile. His height was 28", which wasn't even on the chart, and his head has grown into the 75th percentile- but I can't remember that one, maybe 17"?
The same weekend he completed four months, we spent a night in the cities, where he had his first pub experience. We got to visit with his new friend Indira, who is only a couple weeks older than he. They were very excited to meet each other.I think these photos may turn out to be indicative of their relationship when they're about 15 or so.Hey, Indira, how's it going? Wanna hang out?Will someone please get this annoying creature out of my face?

(And I thought Elías had kissable cheeks:)
It was so fun to see everyone. We look forward to doing it again soon, either back in the cities or in Winona.

Here is Elías modeling his hand knit stroller outfit

So, the latest developmental advances involve sitting for longer periods before leaning too much to one side, grabbing everything and anything in sight and within reach and going right to the mouth, rolling from back to front and front to back, and emitting a high-pitch screech whenever we want to be picked up. Mommy's not so thrilled with the last one, but who can resist the little arms held out that accompany it?

I've leave you with a sweet stroller photo.

Last Days of Summer

As the wind has officially blown in fall and finally brought in cooler temps, I am glad we enjoyed the last days of summer to the fullest. Every Saturday for the past month or so, we have been going to the farmers' market and then having coffee and something sweet at my favorite place in town, the Blue Heron. Elías usually falls asleep in the carrier as we walk around the market, and therefore actually gives me some reading time at the cafe.
We have been walking almost everyday. He often gets a walk with his dad in the morning and another with me in the afternoon/evening. Mobi comes, too, of course.The garden has given us a bounty of veggies and herbs, so the weekends are also about making tomato sauces and pesto and cookies (not from the garden, but necessary to get through the week :) We had a potluck yesterday to mingle with the other community gardeners and sample treats. I brought strawberry rhubarb cobbler from my backyard. Yup, the whole thing was just growing there ;)These pictures remind me that I'm getting a sorely-needed haircut tomorrow.

Three Months Already!

So, I've been a bit behind on the blogging. I've been putting some pictures up on Facebook, and I just created a Shutterfly site that will have a ton of videos and photos, but I think you need an invite to access it. Let me know if you want an invite. I made it pretty much for family, since I don't think anyone else is THAT interested in the minutia ofElías's every move.

We had a great summer and with the baby and a new house, I'd say probably one of the most interesting ever. Starting up classes a couple of weeks ago was challenging, but has been working out for the most part. I am teaching in the mornings and Juan in the afternoons. Elías has already doubled his birth weight, and is showing other signs of being a happy, healthy baby. He is very good natured and sweet, so he's a lot of fun to be around. It's hard to want to do anything but hug and kiss him and see him smile (which is why I haven't been blogging). We go on walks almost every day, and these pictures here are my favs from various recent outtings. He's usually in a carrier, actually, but those days I can't get a picture since he's too close. He does like the stroller now, and the car seat usually, so we are more mobile than at the start of the summer.He was taking the paci for a while, but has started rejecting it more in these past few days.
I will try to be more regular here, though I can't make any promises that it'll be as often as before. Thanks for sticking around in spite the infrequency!

Lovely Morning

I though I'd share with you my really good morning. First off, I left these two zonked out.As I left our room, I came across this on the stairway:"Good morning. Take a cookie if you'ed like one."I did, which is why there is only one left. The blue bit is a sour patch kid- there was one for me, too, but the sugar content with the cookie was enough and I gave it to Julian.

As I continued down the stairs, this is what was waiting for me.There is some major rockin out going on in our living room :)

I have since gotten Julian and I breakfast, made Juan coffee, took a shower, put in a load of laundry and folded and put away some clothes from the previous loads. AND I still have time to post this!

I hope your day is as good as mine is promising to be!

Summer in Winona

I haven't been updating the blogs because I rarely get two hands free, and it takes too long to type with one. Elías is growing a ton, but still prefers to be held, which limits my ability to do a lot of what I would otherwise. Juan has been busy keeping Julian entertained. So, the two little guys are keeping us on our toes.

In addition to two growing boys, Juan has been nurturing our garden produce. Here are the first things we harvested. From seed to table- pretty cool. Julian spent the last two weeks at soccer camp. For two hours a day he got to practice his moves and play with other kids his age. It was fun to see him in action.
The days are passing quickly and yet leisurely at the same time. My mom and aunt were here visiting at the end of June, and that visit seemed to just fly by. Here they are on the green of WSU listening to Celtic music straight from Ireland. It was a part of the month-long Great River Shakespeare Festival held yearly here in town. This event was part of the Prelude on the Green series held each weekend before the evening performances.
Our group was the envy of the other attendees, due to the amazing spread created by Sue. Doesn't it just make your mouth water? I have one more drool-worthy photo for today. The 4th of July project Julian and I tackled last week.
He is completely responsible for the decoration as well as most of the ingredient insertion. Great job, no? And the cake was super delicious- it is, of course, a Barefoot Contessa recipe. Vanilla cake with cream cheese vanilla frosting. It didn't have a chance.