The Beach

Well... I'm down 3 1/2 pounds from last week thanks to the South Beach diet. Now it's week two. I'm missing bread less, but I'd still like toast in the morning. Ben said after these two weeks he's going to eat a whole loaf himself covered in processed white sugar and dipping sauce of high fructose corn syrup. :) You see why living with him is such a joy?

Blooms

Here are a few blooms from our house. I know.. sets your heart to racing doesn't it? Hey... I'm exciting...you just have to get to know me a little better! Anyway... this first flower is an amaryllis and I got it from my sister's yard as a bulb in December. Isn't it pretty?


One of my orchids.

Brussels Sprouts

Tonight was my first experience with brussels sprouts. That's right... brussels with an s. I always thought it was "brussel sprouts", but it's "brussels sprouts." That's about the extent of what I learned today. Anyway, I found them delicious. They sort of have a cabbagey taste to them and they are soft and nice. This whole more vegetable thing has gotten me really in awe of all the different kinds of vegetables God made and their differences. Tomorrow night is chickpea burgers. I know, I know, weird. I'll let you know how it goes!

I bought frozen brussels sprouts and thawed them in some water for a bit. I then cut them in half and put them on a towel and squeezed out the water. Next I put a couple of tablespoons olive oil in a pan and heated it up on medium heat. I put the sprouts in and let them get all brownish on the edges. When they started to get a little cooked I put salt and pepper and minced garlic in. I'd say maybe 3 cloves. (I had two frozen bags worth of sprouts) If I were to do it again, I think I'd put a little cayenne pepper in there for some added heat.


Here they are!

So our menu tonight was salad with cauliflower bits and tomatoes on there and the sprouts and roasted chicken and peppers and hummus. You guys let me know if you try something daring. I'd like to try endive, fennel, or artichokes next.

Valentine's Day

I asked Ben last night what he would like for Valentine's Day. He replied "a live chipmunk." Now what am I going to do? :)

Family Time

My wonderful mother-in-law Pam (notice that I stick that in every chance I get) and Ben's younger brother John (he's wonderful too) came over last night. I was trying to capture Gwen playing the pot.

On The Home Front

Well, Ben and I are doing this diet called "South Beach Diet." What do we eat you might be asking... or not asking...but anyway, here's an example of a dinner. Tonight we had shrimp sauted in garlic, a little olive oil, minced ginger, and spices. We had a salad with cauliflower and cucumbers and cherry tomatoes. We also had zucchini baked with parmesan cheese on there. Life on the beach ain't half bad.

This is Gwen eating her dinner. She had green beans with avocado. She has become quite the eater. Today alone she ate mango and pears + oatmeal cereal for breakfast, butternut squash + rice cereal and a bit of banana for lunch, and banana and green beans and avocado for dinner. I mean, she's got quite an appetite for a little almost 8 month old!!

On other news, I started "sleep bootcamp" with Gwen last night. I decided that she needed an opportunity to learn how to get herself back to sleep. Last night was not spectacular, but it was a start. I'll spare you all the details, but just know I made sure she was fine and she is much loved and with this "bootcamp" there are no pushups she must perform.

Eggceptional

This morning as I was about to get some eggs out to make breakfast something caught my eye. Here it is:

Meal Plan

Update: This meal plan I posted will have to wait. Ben and I have decided to go onto the South Beach diet for a while and see what happens. Ben's brother John had huge success with it. We jokingly call what we've been eating the "North Beach Diet".

chicken cacciatore
beef stew with white wine and mustard
sweet and savory pork stew with fruit
pork stew with cider, carrots, and lima beans
spinach and feta bread pudding, deviled eggs
chicken with rosemary dumplings

Can you tell I got a library book about stews?

*Swedish Rye Bread- this time making it with the orange peel and juice
*Baby food- mangos

Review from last week:
Black Beans- they turned out pretty good. I added a little turkey bacon in there for flavor and I think that was nice. It takes a long time to cook beans from dried.
Indian chicken and rice casserole- was very good. It was a little labor intensive as all Indian dishes are...but worth it. I love the basmati rice.
Veggie enchiladas- I think I could be a vegetarian on these. These were great and I just used some of my black beans I had made earlier in the week.
pizza and quiche- still haven't made, but will
Turkey chili- not on the plan from last week, but I made it.
Baby food- instead of peas I made green beans cause they were on sale at the market. She hasn't tried them yet, but I think they are much better than the jar kind you can buy.
Swedish Rye Bread- turned out very nice I think. I learned to get good slices (thin) you need to let the loaf completely cool.

Blue Eyes

This is the outfit I bought for Gwen yesterday. She's so pretty!

So True

Creepy

Today I went with a friend to a store with baby clothes. Look what I found in there. It's an XL sized flannel footy sleeper. I was greatly amused and disturbed at the same time.

Conversations With Gwen- 7 1/2 months

I've been working on getting her to say "da da". She loves the curious George figurine.

Encouragement For Today

Someone said this to me today: "the future happens one day at a time"

Isn't it crazy how something so obvious and simple can encourage? The little everyday moments add up to a day... and every day is important. Every day significant. The reminder of today... truly appreciate every moment of your day. Every little seemingly insignificant ones, cause they're not insignificant to God.

Once An Arafat Man

I just finished reading Tass Saada's book "Once An Arafat Man." Ben got it for me for Christmas. It is a true story account about a former PLO sniper and how he came to know Christ. Here are some things I'll take away from reading this book:

1. The Lord used both a friend of his and a vision to bring him to repentance. I thought immediately of my Egyptian neighbors just next door. How am I showing love to them? I have heard of other Muslims coming to know the Lord through dreams and visions. I hadn't ever heard this verse: Isaiah 65:1 "I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, 'Here am I, here am I.' Isn't it amazing how God is so merciful even when we don't ask?

2. I had heard Tass' testimony once before, but I had no idea just how tough this guy was. I mean, shooting your math teacher... aye carumba! (his teacher lived by the way)

3. I also was impressed at how brave he was when facing his family after his conversion. Honor killing is just so foreign to my mind of course being an American. I can't even imagine how painful all that was.

4. I also was amazed at his trip in the van all over. He just got into a van and started talking to people in masques and temples and churches. It challenged me to think if I'd be willing to go out like that with no plan. Am I really listening to God on a daily basis?

5. I was also blessed to read about his ministry to people in the Gaza strip now. He is working ultimately for people from all sides to know the love of God.

Legacy

What a happy little girl Gwen is! For the most part Gwen has these expressions throughout her day. She especially likes it when I turn on music and dance around. Although I'm ok with whatever she enjoys, I do hope she enjoys music. I got out one of my favorite children's CDs today. It's one that you won't find at Wal-Mart. It's a CD of a teacher that has recorded her favorite songs that she taught the children in my hometown. Her name is Polly Easterwood... what an incredible name huh? Anyway, I love her songs. When I taught school the kids LOVED these songs. I think of girl scout songs and hymns and silly songs that I'd like Gwen to know. I mean, you'd be surprised to know how many kids I've met that don't know "Amazing Grace" or the national anthem... or worse, never have music in their home. I think everyone should know songs like "Mares Eat Oats and Does Eat Oats" and "Eggbert The Easter Egg". One of my new favorite songs is from a CD that my sister had of nursery rhymes set to music. These are the lyrics to the one I'm obsessed with (so if you hear me say "dilly dilly" sometime you'll know):

Lavender's blue, dilly dilly,
Lavender's green
When you are King, dilly dilly,
I shall be Queen

Who told you so, dilly dilly,
Who told you so?

'Twas my own heart, dilly dilly,
That told me so

Call up your friends, dilly, dilly
Set them to work
Some to the plough, dilly dilly,
Some to the fork

Some to the hay, dilly dilly,
Some to thresh corn
Whilst you and I, dilly dilly,
Keep ourselves warm

Lavender's blue, dilly dilly,
Lavender's green
When you are King, dilly dilly,
I shall be Queen

Who told you so, dilly dilly,
Who told you so?
'Twas my own heart, dilly dilly,
That told me so

I think this smile looks like Ben. Look at those chompers!

My Dream

I have a dream. I'm just in the planning phases now, but I'd like to plant a little vegetable garden this spring. I'd also like to have pots of herbs on my deck this summer. I've been out in the yard thinking and writing down vegetables I'd like to try to grow. Do you think I can grow all of these? Beets, onions, peas, buttercrunch lettuce (these are my early crops), and then carrots, cucumber (bush variety), pole beans, tomatoes, and maybe butternut squash as my slower yielding crops. I'd also like rosemary, dill, cilantro, sweet basil and chives in some pots on the deck. I may have to cut down on these ideas once I stake it out and all. Last summer I was heavy with child :) and just couldn't do any type of gardening. This summer I'm determined to give it a go. Any experienced gardeners out there? You know... isn't it funny how as you grow older you really want to start gardening and canning and that type of stuff? I think I'm getting old. Tonight I bought jeans with an elastic waistband. I don't care... at least I'll be comfortable bending over and grabbing my fresh veggies in my own garden one day.

This Guy Is Amazing

Meal Plan

A little late in coming...but here it is:

black beans, rice, corn- no, we don't eat that many black beans... I actually AM going to make it this week
potato soup & salad with chicken- made last night
indian chicken and rice casserole
veggie enchiladas, green beans
homemade pizza, salad, hominy (still didn't have that)
quiche (didn't make from last week either)

baby food- peas

review from last week:

Amish potato casserole: it was ok, it made a TON
chef mis-er-ly beefy mac was received well by all.. also made a LOT
eggplant parmesan- I've discovered that eggplant is like a sponge and soaks up all the olive oil in the skillet. I felt like I was making pancakes, which I stink at. It came out ok. I wasn't too thrilled with my first experience cooking with eggplant.
jerk chicken- as my brother said "what IS this?" I told him it was supposed to be jerk chicken and we both were amazed at the spicyness of this dish. Loved it with all the ginger.
Hummus came out better this time. It's really easy to make and I like that.

Olive Ewe (I love you)

Some more Ben moments tonight...

He's recently added one to the silly family I mentioned before. It's "Dear Gus".

He uses "shenanigans" all the time now. He says it with the emphasis on the she part... like "SHEnanigans". According to Webster.com it means 1. a devious trick used especially for an underhanded purpose or 2. tricky or questionable practices or conduct.

He has got to be the funniest person I think I've ever met. I love him.

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