I'm Back!

It seems that this blog seems to correspond to when I'm on maternity leave. What really has me back to writing is one of my 2013 goals: cook at least twice a week. It sounds a little weak to only shoot for two times a week but with leftovers that will cover four days and with two kiddos under two I didn't want to create a goal that was ridiculously unattainable. I just finished reading Dinner: A Love Story and liked the author's idea of writing down the meals that you cook each time you cook. I'm a big fan of lists and seeing things in writing gives me a sense of accomplishment. These days just getting a shower and only getting spit up on once is an accomplishment in itself so I need everything I can get.
Tonight was one of those nights when you taste what you've made and it is so good it tastes like someone else made it - someone who really knows what they're doing. The recipe was for Chicken with Mushrooms and Leeks from Cook's Country magazine. I only used half of the goat cheese since Kevin did the shopping and I didn't note how much I needed but I think if I had used a full cup of cheese the sauce would have been too overpowering. I also made Pureed Potatoes from The Bonne Femme Cookbook (I've made four things just this past month from this cookbook and they have been hits). I threw some salad greens on the side to make myself feel more healthy (another 2013 goal: Eat More Healthy!) and topped it with some croutons I made this morning out of old rosemary bread I got at the store. The whole meal was divine. And K watched S while I cooked so the cooking process was fun and baby R slept through until I had finished eating. Amazing.
So the meal I just ate was the catalysis for getting back to writing. It was so good I just had to record it so the next time I make something so-so or downright bad I have this amazing meal to look back on.

Missing you

I am missing so many people right now.  My good friend H just moved New York City and my sister and her family just ended their two week visit and returned to Pennsylvania.  I have a weird way of coping with missing people.  Denial is one of my favorite ways but I also like to surround myself with things that remind me of them.  It's either food, books, drinks or movies: anything that I know they like and enjoy.

When H was packing up at work she gave away some tins with paper clips and other office supplies.  Tucked into those tins were also sticky notes with names of movies and books that people had recommended to her.  I put a bunch of them on my library cue and I think of her every time I pick up a "H" inspired pick.

I made a special Raley's run to pick up gluten-free crackers, cheese and Chai tea mix - all things that we ate and drank while my sister was here.  I also picked up the book she was reading while she was here- Four Kitchens.  It seems silly when I read about what I do but having those familiar things around me helps me think of those I miss and helps with the pain of missing them.

Now please excuse me while I go eat some Fage yogurt with honey while drinking some PGTips tea.  Miss you and love you tons D.

Remembering to be in the moment

People always say having a child changes everything.  They usually point out the negative: loss of sleep, loss of independence and all the poopy diapers.  In actuality you can't fathom all the amazing and wonderful changes that come with having a new baby.  For me one of the important changes was a change in focus from always thinking about what to do next to enjoying the now.  Having baby S really shows you how quickly time flies and things change and that you need to savor the moment.  At two months old baby S is starting to be more independent and not as snuggly.  Before I know it he will be too old for tummy kisses and too big to be held.  So my new mantra is "remember to be in the moment."  It seems cheesy and obvious to most but I find myself repeating it a lot each day.  I hope it helps keep me focused on what is truly important.