This Moment

Inspired by SouleMama's weekly ritual. A single photo with no words to pause, savor and remember.

The Best Quinoa Recipe Ever.

It's a big claim, I know. Considering the once unheard of grain has recently become the darling of the health-food crowd. And man it doesn't look like much, really just a brown bowl of mush when you see it but you are just going to have to take my word for it and cook it yourself. You won't even have to eat it to believe me, just wait till you smell it.

Ok, maybe I've talked up the recipe too much. But it really is great, it's easy to make, cheap, hearty but guilt-free and just a little spicy. In fact, up the spices if you are just cooking for grown-ups or you grew up in the southwest. But for my toddler and mild New England family, it's just right.

Ingredients:

Oil
1 Cup uncooked quinoa (Please buy it in bulk at your local natural food store where it is likely organic and inexpensive. There is no need to buy the 11 dollar box from a traditional grocer.)

1 Large Onion

1 8oz can of tomato sauce

2 Cups water

1 teaspoon of chili powder

1 teaspoon of curry powder

Directions

Saute onion in oil over med.high heat for about 5 minutes until tender. Stir in the quinoa for 1-2 minutes more to lightly toast it. Then add water, tomato sauce, chili and curry powders and stir. Bring up to a boil then reduce heat to med. low, cover and simmer for 30 minutes. That's it! Best if eaten warm, as in, directly from the pot on the stove with your wooden spoon because it's so good.

Christmas

Josephine's present; a handmade broom from etsy.com

The night before my family Christmas party I was up past midnight finishing a doll for my newborn niece, but he came out beautifully.

Kevin surprised me by lighting up a table-top tree so it was ready when I woke up Christmas Eve. We had been hesitant to put up a tree because of our two dogs, cat, and curious toddler, but Papa Bear found a solution even after he had been at work all night. He's pretty sweet on me.

And here's Jo playing with the best present ever- loud, crinkle-y wrapping paper.

Oh, It's Winter

I finished this scarf yesterday and just in time! It is getting some cold here in Maine. I had seen pictures of an 'infinity'-style scarf online, but I didn't work from a pattern, just sortof 'winged it' and came out with this:

Does this mean I'm ready for my etsy shop? Maybe... someday... when Jo gives me a little more time to craft. For now, I'll just enjoy the time I have.

What's up with Babywearing recall?

Teething and grouchy.

Just recieved this message from thebabywearer.com, it's pretty scary. Babywearing needs your help!

I want to spread the word and add my personal feelings about babywearing. Having a wrap to carry my daughter in didn't just make groccery shopping easier, it changed my life. When Jo was little she would cry for hours at a time at night when I was exhausted and my husband was at work. I felt helpless and stressed out. My pediatrition recomended that I put her in the wrap and bounce her on an exercise balll. Nothing soothed her more for months.


Now that she is a toddler and she's all go, go, go, GO! I barely keep her in my arms when she wants to walk. But when I put her in the wrap her body relaxes. She leans into me, snuggles and will nurse even if we are in a busy place. Because wrapping has been a part of our lives since she was 6 weeks old, it's farmiliar and comforting. For her and for me.

Josephine wearing her 'baby'. I hope she still can when she has a child of her own.

Love List

I'm inspired this week by Kris Carr's wonderful CrazySexyLife blog. Here's my list of what I've been thankful for this week, what's yours?


1. My mother. I know, I know, it's cliche, but I am! This week my mom watched Josephine at her house while I took my dog to obedience class. There was a tornado warning- yes tornado here in Maine, and my mom took my daughter in a wrap into the bathroom with her flashlight and life jacket. Like a boyscout she wanted to be prepared so nothing happened to our little Josephine. How sweet is that?

Note: The tornado didn't touch down near us and the thunderstorm passed us by without doing major damage. Which I'm also thankful for.



2. Fudgsicles. Yep, oldtimey ones that come by in an ice cream truck. That darn thing comes by my house at least once a day all summer long. This week I was having a rough time right when I heard that song, "Ba da da ta da ta da ta...." After rushing around for my wallet (while Papa Bear was saying, "Are you serious?) I ran outside and waved that truck down like a 2nd grader. Yum-o.

3. Free-to-the-public places like libraries and playgrounds. (Thank you, women's movement.) Sometimes, ok often, with a toddler my house is just too small and we need to get OUT. These places let Jo move and let me see her in a different space and a new light without stressing about her safety. I can just enjoy her and let her be herself. (Which I think she enjoys, too.)

Make your own list!

p.s I'm also thankful for the 'save post' feature on blogger. This post was originally called, 'Thankful Thursdays", but I'm just finishing it now and it's no longer Thursday.

Josephine's Birthday Gift

This is the doll that I made for Jo's birthday. I really loved making her. Her neck is too loose and I want to make another one right away to try to attach the head a different way. Making the hair way my favorite part. I couldn't find an online tutorial that I loved so I sortof made it up. I made a 'cap' for her like you would crochet a hat. The sewed that to her head and wove individual strands of wool yarn into it. It took forever and I am so proud. I think that handmade things are meant to be imperfect and the most important bit is that Jo loves her little doll and she's already brought us so much joy.