2 good things & 1 bad

First the good...
My first two loaves of artisan bread turned out!!!! I am beyond thrilled. One was a boule and one was a crusty sandwich loaf. Both had a crisp crust and soft chewy center. It is unbelievably easy, this method. No kneading, no nothing. It literally takes five minutes of active time for a loaf. Even my first attempts were better than most of the artisan bread I buy.


















Second, today we celebrated Wendy's birthday and met for lunch. It's always fun to get together and catch up with some of my favorite friends. Wendy, the birthday girl, was feeling a bit sick from travel so that was a bummer for her. It's not fun to be sick on your birthday...good thing the real birthday was a couple weeks ago and she was on a cruise :)















Now the bad...
Of course it has to do with Rollin and blood. He was being watched by a friend from church while I was at the lunch for Wendy. When I picked him up, he started jumping on a love sac which was by a window with a ledge. Right as I was grabbing his shoes to go, he jumped into the ledge and I literally heard a crack. Not good. It bled and bled and bled. My shirt was covered in blood. He was so sad and I hope his nose is not broken, though I can't imagine how it wouldn't be. I keep looking at it to see if it's crooked. I have an appt with the doctor on wednesday so I guess she'll have to check it out if not before. I googled broken nose in children and freaked myself out. His nose could collapse and be deformed if a blood pillows in the tissue? What? I'm trying to be calm, but that cracking sound keeps ringing in my ears. My poor boy. I am awful with blood and injuries but I need to toughen up because I have a feeling this is not the last time I will see blood with Rollin.

taking it easy

There's nothing better than a lazy sunday morning brunch with all your favorite little people around. One of the perks of having late church is we get to take it nice and easy in the morning. The kids had fun running around between bites to climb in the trees or perch on a rock. When we eat inside, I usually get a bit impatient at their attempts to escape the table and run and play before they're done, but it's Sunday and we aren't in a hurry, so off they go. I tried out a recipe for giant rustic scones this morning and they were such a treat. Very delicious and moist...and simple to make. The recipe is from the 101 cookbooks website, where everything I've made is divine!

welcome spring..finally!

coconut ice cream and artisan bread

There have been a couple of things I've been really wanting to give a whirl in the kitchen. Coconut Ice cream (like the Larry and Luna brand I LOVE) and artisan bread. But there is always other more pressing stuff, you know. Like unpacking my suitcase from Texas. Seems I just don't need any of those clothes here yet (although somehow we're mysteriously supposed to jump from overcast and cold to 85 degrees tomorrow, yeah sure) so I am lacking motivation. But, anyway, with Sela home sick today, she and Nina have been upstairs playing school for hours so I gave it a go.

The ice cream ingredients on the ice cream from Larry and Luna's are just coconut milk, unsweetened coconut, agave, and vanilla. It may have coconut extract, I can't remember and Zig ate my last remaining pint in one sitting. I wonder if I should tell him they cost almost 6 dollars;) I savor mine, he devours it, or so it seems. Anyway, the ice cream came out really really good! I have a couple of things I might tweak next time, but overall I was surprised. Two cans of coconut milk made a lot of ice cream. The kids loved it and it's very low sugar and healthy so it was a nice treat. I drizzled chocolate on theirs, and they thought it was super delish.

I have my first batch of artisan bread dough, that supposedly I don't have to knead, rising on the counter. I am so excited about the prospect of making my own artisan bread. It's so hard to find good bread, not to mention it is also expensive usually for very mediocre stuff. There is only one brand I like and that is Macrina(from the bakery in Seattle), but sometimes it's hard to find. So, I have placed much hope in my new book called "Artisan bread in 5 minutes a day." I heard about this recipe on NPR and many people have raved about the simplicity of making amazing bread this way. So, I'm very hopeful. I'll report later.

I know you're sick mom, I'll dress Rollin

Nina took it upon herself to get Rollin ready for the day.

Mother's Day 2008..I've had better!

Things have got to turn around this month. Ever since returning from our Texas trip (which was great), it's been one thing after another. The latest is getting a nasty virus the Thursday before Mother's Day. It started the morning of Nina's tea where I spent the hour before with the heater on in my car with chills. I went to the tea and after we got home, I just collapsed into bed. I didn't really get out until I had to on Sunday. I was supposed to speak in church on Mother's day, Zig and I both were, but I never thought I'd still be this sick. No way did I want to cancel on Saturday night because I felt for the person who would have to fill in last minute, but Sunday morning, I was miserable. I should have cancelled. Zig had some strong flu medicine which dried everything up (to the point I had to drink water several times during my short talk) and I took a shower and tried my best not to "look" sick. I wasn't trying to do the whole "look I'm sick but I still came to church thing." But, I think I couldn't help it. My voice was totally hoarse. I did my best. It was a circus with our little man Rollin though, who through nursing must have taken in some flu medicine and juiced himself right up. He was like a little goat running wild in the chapel. He literally couldn't stop for one second. As soon as I gave my talk, I chased Rollin around the hall during Zig's, and then I went home and back to bed. Today is the first day I am feeling much better, thankfully.

There was one bright spot on the actual Mother's Day, Sela's adorable gift. I know we shouldn't have favorites, but of all the ones she's ever given, I love this one! It's her little hand as a soap dish. She made the soap too. It's so adorable and looks very modern in the bathroom. Very very cute. She has been SO excited just knowing how much I'd love it, and I do.


Two hours until my talk.
Nice wrapping!
precious little hand

Mother's Day Tea Party

Nina dressed me up for her tea party at school. She knew exactly what I was to wear...she went straight into my closet and did three rapid points with her finger....skirt, sweater, shoes. Done! So I wore it. I had never paired the whole ensemble together before, but it worked and she was happy and that was all that mattered for our special little tea. She made the hat and it was completely Nina-style. It looked like so many of the outfits she comes up with.