Getting Ready for Gotcha 2009

I've gone ahead and put together Kate's Gotcha Day video for the year. I didn't make one last year, and I started from the beginning, knowing that next year, it would be unlikely that I would start from the beginning. Kate and I were lucky that the camera we sent after our referral day to our foster Mom was actually given to her, and we have pictures of them together.

I teared up so many times putting this together, and I know deep in my heart, that the last 3 years have been the best in my life. She is a wonderful little girl, and I am proud to call her my daughter.

Happy Gotcha day a little early Kate, I love being your Mom, and I hope you know what a blessing you are in my life.

c

Van Monet?

So VanGogh is the Sunflower guy, and Monet is the guy who's pictures showed all kinds of weather, right? well, I guess I'm VanMonet, because here are sunflowers on a cloudy day. I fully intend on pictures on a sunny morning as well. and some with Kate.

I'm not a photographer by any stretch, and I've done my best. We're not even to full bloom, as you can see with the green flowers in some of the pictures. Just you wait. It's gonna get even better, I predict.

I thought crossing the road and taking pictures was a good idea. Thankfully, no one ran me over, I didn't fall in the small trench on the side of the road, nor did a big black bee land on me. It was after seeing them, that I really liked the idea of a distance shot, back over at the park.

So for those who have heard me talking (and Kate saying "Good Morning Flowers") about these flowers. Here. they. are. Enjoy. I know we are, as well as all the people who I see taking pictures there each day. (Let's all hope they cross the road carefully, don't twist their ankle, nor get stung by one of those big black bees. :) ) and I came up with 2 more ideas for work on my little trek. Nicely done?

c

Kate's Dance 2009

First Knitting, then receipes

I think I owe some people some recipes, so here are some of my favorite recipes and books.

Grilled Shrimp from Food Network TV Barefoot Contessa.
Fabulous and after just a bit of chopping, it's easy and good to go.

Weber's Big Book of Grilling
Staple in my household. My brother made a rub/paste (Garlic and Herb Crusted Slow Smoked Prime Rib on pag e 131) that was listed for the Prime Rib. (we put it on a beef tenderloin for Kate's birthday) People still rave about it. Amazing.

I also use the Simple Salmon marinade as a staple for me and guests. Many people love, love, love it. (page 298)

I check just about every cooking time/method against a similar recipe in this book. It's helped me not over-cook a lot of things on my grill.

For breakfast on weekends, I make Pam Anderson's Multi-Grain pancakes from The Perfect Recipe for Losing Weight and Eating Great. (not available online.sorry)

I love that book, and regularly also make the foil packets with the Asian flavoring. In my house, Kate calls them "Chinese green beans" and will actually eat them. They are easy, fast, and not a lot of pots to clean up. Always a winner in my book. I love all Pam Anderson's books.

Marilyn Harris' Grilled Sweet Potato Salad has turned a few heads. I am ALWAYS asked for that recipe. Scroll down the page a little and you will see it. Thank you Marilyn for putting it on the web. You have made many people very happy I know. I used to be a Marilyn Harris groupie. I loved her cooking classes. After adopting Kate, my disposable income changed drastically and haven't been able to get there.

Another staple in my house (if you've known me during the holidays when I cook. Not this year, but years past) is Perfect Party Food by Diane Phillips. Fabulous book. It's a prepare ahead of time so you can actually enjoy whatever event your having. We made the Corn dish from her Do Ahead Thanksgiving menu. If she's in your area and you can sign up for a class. DO! It's worth it.

Well that's all I can think of now. Seriously, without these recipes and books, we'd be eating a lot more noodles than we do now. They have all taught me important things and I'm not afraid to try new things. Oh, and I watch Alton Brown all the time. I think he's the best. So Thank you. My family thanks you, and I hope Kate will someday thank you.

Have a great day.

Handmade Treasures

Here are some pictures of some handmade treasures. I'm a knitter, and a dear friend of mine is a sew-er.

The purple blanket is Kate's. I made a friend a pink one for her baby, and Kate declared that she needed one too, but in purple.
pattern: http://www.anniesattic.com/detail.html?prod_id=74912
(I don't necessarily buy from these retailers,but it is the right pattern.)

I also knitted the sweater she's wearing. It's a top down pattern, so it was all knitting, and no sewing. Which if you know me, is probably a good thing. Great pattern, lots of variations. Made it for a dear friend's daughter before she came home from China.
http://www.amazon.com/Top-Down-Toddlers-Lynda-Gemmell/dp/B000M09DB0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246832183&sr=8-1

An finally, Kate's birthday dress. my friend is a phenomenal sewer. Check out that hand smocking on that dress. Gorgeous. We are so lucky to be the recipients of such treasures!

I'm working on this now for Kate and will post a picture when it's done.


http://www.kyarns.com/product/minnowknits-china-doll-knitting-pattern/minnowknits-knitting-patterns
Not in love with the name, (most of you would realize that without me even typing it.) But it really is cute so far.

Have a great day.

Kate's Dance Recital

I'm happy to post some pictures a friend sent me from Kate's dance recital. I know some of you are eager to see! Kate was just adorable and in my humble opinion, just sparkled on stage. She could hardly contain her excitement on stage, and rather than stand still, usually jumped up and down while doing her dance steps. Well, don't take my word for it, just take a good look and see how cute she was for yourself!

The morning after

Usually, I take a walk at lunch time, and have now since last October. But, with the recent rise in temperature and humidity, I've tried to walk before work each morning. It works out well, because then Kate is at school early enough for her second breakfast ( :) my girl likes to eat, remember?) and I get a full hour before my office "opens". I used to spend this time reading, but I've changed that to night time.

Anyway, last night we had a bunch of "boom boom" storms. Kate didn't wake up, but they did wake me up each time they started. They were pretty strong, and I could tell there was a lot of rain. When I was walking this morning I noticed that the sidewalks were still wet and trees still drooped heavy with rain. It was beautiful this morning, don't get me wrong. I was actually amazed at the beauty of the trees glistening in the sun. Every so often a breeze would gently shake the rain off the leaves and it would "sprinkle" rain. Sometimes I was under a tree, and would get a quick little shower.

There was something magical in these trees. I know they took a beating last night (as evidenced by the things all over the place, obviously moved by the wind and the flag that was flung from its holder.) but this morning they reached up again, relied on their roots, and looked lovely. It reminded me that even when we have a bad week, a bad month, (or pms- oops sorry if that's tmi!) that there is always another day, and it might have unexpected beauty that catches your breath and causes you to pause and see.

I promise I'll post pictures from Kate's dance recital when I can! just be a little more patient!

I know a lot of my friends are off on vacation this time of year, so lots of prayers for all of you for safe travels, fun times, new friends, and lots of rest. (if you can. some of those vacations can be exhausting and are the best work of our lives.)

SEE YA!
c

Here I Come!

Hello.

I'm back. Smiling, giggling, laughing, teasing, working, reading, sleeping and EATING! All good things. After a few weeks of pulling it together, mashing it around, finding which way is up, and stepping back in and out, Here. I. Am.

Thanks for all the kind thoughts. I have follow up doctor appointments this week, and am headed back to work, working on a list that got sidelined, and am brushing myself off, dusting myself off, and moving forward. These are the days that make you think of the big life things. Who I am, What I do, How I love. and what is next. Still figuring it out, but with a healthy appreciation for health, a spiritual vision on faith, a level headed perspective on sanity, and a big, wide, look at the horizon, I feel HOPE. A new hope. A hope that makes me think of myself differently, my life differently, and my time differently.

I don't flat out say "no" anymore. or never. I say "I don't know how to get there, but if I'm led, I'll go". Even with the embarrassment, the mistakes and the missteps.

So hold on world. Here. I. Come.- even if I have to stop and ask directions now and then.....

c