New Deck and Pergola

Our new deck and pergola at dusk, after a morning snow storm

Mr. Cat

Mr. Cat curls up on a pillow, happy to be in the house during a snow storm.

Josh with Baby Theo

five weeks old in Wakefield, RI

Five More to Go ...

photos taken in July 2006 during Laurie's first visit to Athens

Words are not enough

Lugging in overflowing laundry baskets, diaper bags, and stroller frames, Josh and Teddie arrived at 7:30 in 23 degree weather. Baby Theo, hardly visible in his carseat, had a fleece lined blanket zipped up around him and a blue and white stocking pulled down to his eyes. By 9:10 he had been fed and changed and his tired parents went upstairs. Time dissolved as I watched my favorite show, Lost, with a very contented sleeping boy curled up on my chest.

Neon Green Sneakers

Only pair of shoes I could find that felt comfortable, since Merrill has discontinued my old standby, was a bright green pair of New Balance running shoes. Lucky me... I found a neon green lightweight hoodie to match. No need for reflecting tape on my clothes.

Way to go, Matt...

Congratulations to my nephew, Matt. The Police and Fire Departments in Sunnyvale, CA offered him an opportunity to join their force. He will be attending the police and fire academies in the near future. Your patience, persistence, and hard work paid off, Matt. Way to go.

Revised Easy-Ginger Wheat Pancakes

This recipe is based on one taken from a book I got at the Free Library, the one at the local dump. It is taken from the 1982 edition of the New Natural Foods Cookbook by Jean Hewitt. Recipe posted for Carol and Gerry.

1 and 1/4 cup buttermilk
1 egg
1 Tbs. melted butter or oil
1 Tbs. brown sugar
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking soda
2 Tbs. flax seed meal
some wheat bran (2-4 Tbs.)
finely chopped crystallized ginger (to taste)

In one bowl whisk together first 3 ingredients. Put everything else in a second bowl and mix. Combine the ingredients in each of the two bowls. You can change amount of the last three ingredients. Go overboard on the chopped crystallized ginger, at least 1/4 cup, maybe more. Organic crystallized ginger from the local health food store is 100 times better than what I get at Belmonts. Cook and Enjoy.

Busy weekend with Baby Theo

Teddie, Josh, and baby Theo arrived on Thursday night in time for a big snowstorm on Friday. It was great to be in the warm house with such a cute boy. His hair still sticks straight up, but he seems to track things somewhat. He is a whopping 10 pounds, 5 oz and going strong. They just departed today after three days of sharing Theo with us. We all had the opportunity to hold him, change him, sing to him, and burp him. There is nothing quite like having a tiny baby in the house. Pure heaven. Thank you Teddie and Josh for making the trek!! I am struggling to get a photo of him on my blogspot, struggling even though my friend Debbie told me how to do it ... it just isn't working... yet.

Easy Chicken- Spinach Risotta

Chicken breasts were on sale at Belmonts, skinless- boneless, just the way a lazy cook likes them. This recipe is taken from a cookbook that came with our red Rival rice cooker. I balked at getting another kitcher gadget but ... WE LOVE OUR RICE COOKER.

Into the rice cooker put 3 cups water, 1 cup Arborio rice (no substitutions), 1 chicken bouillon cube, and 4 cups of fresh clean spinach. Put the lid on and push button to cook. Don't worry about mixing the spinach in with the rice. Just cram it in there.

In a separate frying pan, saute one pound of cubed chicken breasts in 1 Tbsp. olive oil. I add minced garlic. Cook until meat is white, no pink. When the button on the rice maker pops to "warm", stir the rice mixture. Add the chicken cubes and 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese. Put the lid back on and let it warm for 5 min. Season with whatever you like. Easy, no? This made enough for two ravenous adults, with a bit left over.

Lunar Eclipse

Just finished putting my nose up against the cold window on the back door. Was the only spot in the house I could watch the eclipse from. Turned off the porch light and the orange marble, glowing white on the bottom, hung in the star filled blackness. The night couldn't have been more perfect. Did anyone else get a glimpse of it?

15 Minute Mock Eggplant Parmesan

Eggplant is on sale this week at Belmonts. 99 cents/pound. I was in a hurry and improvised... This tasted like it came from the Italian Village.

Saute 1 clove of minced garlic in 3 Tbs. of olive oil. Add one medium diced and peeled eggplant. Cook 6-7 minutes more. Dump in at least 3/4 jar of your favorite marinara sauce. Heat. Then add 1/3 block chopped tofu and a handful of baby spinach or arugula . Serve over toast. Could be topped with mozzarella cheese if you aren't on lipitor!! The amounts for any ingredient can be adjusted any way you like. Maybe I should rename this "Laurie's Flexible Eggplant Parmesan."

To Theo, When I Leave

I will still cradle you, grandson so fair.
My feet will push steady, rocking your chair.
I'll sing you a song of sand and salt air.
And grin at your babysoft stand up straight hair.
I'll hear you breath softly, wrapped tight in blue,
While moon and stars waltz the winter's night through.

A Stepping Stone on the Way to Greece

One of my goals before I board the plane on March 5th is to have my blogspot up and running. It is accomplished. Jesse and Kevin inspired me with their itsnotwet.blogspot.com. Now I just have to figure out how to include photos.

January Sun

A hazy sun wrapped loose in winter gray,
Hung breathless in the quick dissolving day.
Her edges blurred. A waning tattered glow
Descended through to frigid gound below.
Then, oh, so slow, the wispy disk slid by,
Behind white flakes that crossed the closing eye.