Playing around with more tissue and paper flowers. These ones have a purpose this weekend, but you'll have to wait until Monday to find out what that is!
The matroyshka doll was reclaimed from my mother's house this week. It was given to us by Russian pen pals our family had during the 80's and 90's. Nice to see something again that I loved as a child.
I am a bit undecided as to how I feel about sneaking vegetables into kids meals. On the one hand I want my daughter to learn to love veggies, not just because they are good for her, but because they can be really tasty when prepared well (and hey, we're vegetarian - what else are we going to eat??). But on the other hand, she is QUITE a picky toddler right now, and I worry about her getting enough healthy food.
I try to strike a balance between giving her recognizable vegetables and resorting to sneaky tricks. There are some things that she just won't eat, like greens, so occasionally I'll blend a little kale in with her tomato sauce, and she'll never notice the difference. Sometimes you do what you gotta do.
One tactic I am a fan of is to make veggies fun and kid friendly without denying the fact that they're veggies. I like the idea of the classic spaghetti squash, scooped out of the shell and served with marinara. It's silly in a way that kids can understand, and it looks enough like the real thing that they might even take a bite. So when I saw this recipe for Aglio e Olio with summer squash I decided to give it a try.
Plate and fork from Skip Hop
I didn't use the recipe, just the basic idea, so I'll post what I did here, and by all means, use whatever you have on hand. Kirah is fine with a little spice, but if your child doesn't like hot food leave the pepper flakes out.
Squashghetti
1 package fresh vegetable flavored noodles from an asian market
2 crookneck squash (any long summer squash is fine)
3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, smashed
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1 can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
salt & pepper to taste
Boil noodles as directed on package, reserving 1 cup of cooking water.
While noodles are boiling use a julienne peeler to slice squash into long "noodles". Work around the outsides of the squash, stopping when you get to the seeds.
Heat olive oil in a skillet on medium heat. Add red pepper flakes and smashed garlic, letting cook just until garlic becomes fragrant - do not allow to brown. Add squash, beans, and salt and pepper. Add cooking water, slowly until you have just enough to make a sauce, but not so much that it will be watery. Allow to simmer, stirring regularly for about 5 minutes, being careful not to overcook the squash.
Drain pasta and toss with squash sauce. Serve with Parmesan cheese if desired.
We'll also be trying to increasingly popular cauliflower "popcorn" this week, so if it turns out well I'll be sure to post my recipe.
Fall fashion previews are starting to pop up here at there at a few stores.
Maybe I'm extra excited for fall this year because it's just my favorite season, or maybe it's because we're starting pre-school in September, but I. am. psyched. I'm not ready for summer to be over quite yet, but the hint of pumpkin pie and red tartan flannel on the horizon is making me all tingly.
Styles this fall are expected to feature military details (love), ribbons and bows (love love love), folksy details (love, as always), and animal prints (maybe for baby, but not for me!). I love to see how adult fashion trickles down into kids clothes. I found a few choice picks in this week's first wave of the fall lines.
I'm so smitten with the subtle leopard detail on this classy little baby jacket from Janie and Jack
Purple and pink with a big fat bow, and somehow it's not too girly-girl. I'm also in love with the blue version, from Mini Boden
My favorite of what's out there so far is the new country collection from Tea. This year they're doing rural Hungary, and I cannot get over the fabrics and patterns. They are so farm-y and cute! Plus I want one of the big fluffy sheep in the backgrounds of their catalogs.
Realistically I'm not going to be doing much shopping this year. We just rounded out Kirah's wardrobe with some tights and a couple of pretty frilly things. I'm on the lookout for a good classic coat, some itty bitty boots, and a grandpa sweater or two. Also I might be making this cape from Ruffles & Stuff.
For now, I'm going to calm down my butterflies and enjoy summer while it lasts.
Last weekend Hubby, Kirah and I got to go to one of my favorite beaches in the Seattle area. It's a beach my family has been coming to since I was a baby (and maybe before that, who knows?), and, like most of the beaches along Puget Sound, it is not very sandy.
As a kid who grew up island hopping through the San Juans in the summers I recognize the value of a good rocky beach. Who needs soft sand to lie on when there is so much to do? Gently overturn rocks at low tide and you will find tiny crabs, starfish, beautiful snails, and maybe a sea cucumber if you're lucky. Watch the surf as you walk along and you may snag some welk or periwinkle shells, shiny agates, or colorful sea glass. But at our favorite beach it's the driftwood we're interested in.
From the time my sister and I were small we have loved leaning against a giant log, relaxing in the gravelly sand, and building tiny houses out of the little driftwood sticks that we find all over the shore. It seems silly, but it's fun and even as adults we can't go to the beach without starting at least a modest house.
The technique is simple, really. Take a quick walk around, gathering as many little sticks and pieces of bark you can find, along with any pretty stones, dry seaweed, seashells or whatever else you come across. Stake out a good little square on a sandier part of the beach, and start building. Create a small structure, then decorate as you see fit.
Together we have probably made 50 or 60 of these little houses in our lives. I can't wait until Kirah is big enough to not get frustrated with toppling towers and has the patience to sort through the beach for just the right pieces. This is a great activity for kids who are a little older - we don't want pebbles in mouths or up noses. ;)
We always like to add little details like fish ponds (with a bottle cap, or clam or crab shell to hold the water), rock gardens, seaweed covered trees, and so on.
This one is the first house my husband built with my sister and I, before we were married:
As you can see, he's a natural - he has 2 stories!
I hope if you have a great rocky beach in your area that you'll try this out next time you go. We always get lots of passers-by who stop and check them out, so be prepared for a little attention! And if you do make some houses, please snap some pictures and send them my way! I'd love to see what you come up with!
I'm in awe of you, other 49 states, how do you do it? How do you handle the summer?
New York, California, Texas.... what big complainers you must think we are here in Seattle. We sit here in our damp, dewy world for 9 months out of the year, some of us loving it, some of us craving just a skosh more vitamin D. Spring rolls around and while the rest of the country is enjoying the sun, we are still trapped in fog and drizzle. As soon as the high temp hits 65 we are out in full force, rolling in the grass and working on our "tans" because who knows when the sun will be shining again? It's not uncommon to see someone in shorts and a bikini top toting an umbrella juuuuuust in case. We thrive in this land of socks and sandals.
By June any national news channel can tell you all about heat exhaustion and brownouts here and there, frying eggs on sidewalks, etc., but here in Seattle we are twiddling our thumbs, counting in single digits the heat hours our scrawny tomato plants are absorbing.
Then it happens. One day the clouds dissipate, the sun sparkles on Puget Sound, and while the stores are rolling out their back-to-school supplies, we are just beginning our summer. Beaches and parks are packed that first glorious day. We cut out of work early, pick up some BBQ fixin's and soak it all up. And then something happens that really shouldn't surprise us like it does every year..... we realize that hot is HOT. We are not built for 89 degree heat. And you say this is going to last for how long? No rain for WEEKS? How could anyone possibly survive this??! Why didn't I buy a fan when they were still in the stores?! Gahhhhhhhhh!
So, were I wearing a hat it would truly go off to you, America. The rest of you sure are troopers. Hang in there like I know you can - you always do. Now I'm off to stick my head in the freezer.
