Back Again

I did not intend to come back to this blog. I read my first post, thought about my initial motives for creating it and decided I want to use it again. A creative catalog for myself; a treasure for Stella and Bastian to cherish when I am gone.

Things have been up and down as usual. I often wonder if I am not fit for this job. Or if I am just doing it all wrong. I don't know. I'm trying to divide my energy into being my  husband's helper and nurturing two precious beings. While it's an honor and I love doing it, I keep forgetting about myself. So, here I go again trying to figure out how to balance it all. Maybe I'll find time to chronicle it :-)

Thai Take Out at Home

I'm introducing another "series" here on my little piece of Blogland. I'm asked all the time if I can teach someone how to make Thai food or pass on the recipe, so I'm going to compile what I've learned from my grandmother and parents here to share with you!

I've been very blessed to grow up learning how to cook Thai food. My mother, Praphaphorn (we call her Phyllis) was born in Bangkok to my grandmother, Ratana.  They moved here when my mother was very young (I believe just a few months old). There is a rather abundant Thai (asian in general) community in this area. I'm assuming thanks to the large military community.  I've been frequenting places like Thai Saree, The Bangkok House, and the Thai Market most of my life. I remember sitting in my grandmother's salon munching on imported goods, the most memorable dry shredded squid and her showing me how to roll up balls of sticky rice. I also remember hating bamboo shoots, but stealing sips of the broth from my moms red curry. My brother and I have always had some sort of spice in our food - since the womb. For me it's not luxurious or exotic, it's normal. Don't take this wrong. I've had my fair share of meat and potatoes. My dad's parents are a whole different culinary heritage, primarily Italian-American from my grandmother Rose, but that's another story for another time.

When Cameron and I were first married I quickly realized that the only healthy and affordable dishes I  felt confident making were curry, papaya salad, beef salad, and several variations of stir fry. I could follow any recipe but when it came to throwing dinner together in a pinch on a budget these were my defaults. I've come a long way over three years, but I still find this to be true. Tonight for example, what did I do with the steak I needed to cook? Minced it, stir fried it with some basil, garlic & peppers, and threw some jasmine rice in the cooker.

I'm no culinary genius, but most Thai dishes revolve around a few basic ingredients. I'm sure you're familiar with the flavors -  lemon, lime, thai basil, cilantro, garlic, fish sauce, etc. Once you stock your pantry with the key items, you'll be set. My first "tutorial" post will be focused on this.

Here's a little forewarning. As with every culture, there are as many variations of a dish as there are families in that country. Thai people are very frugal and use the most of every resource. So, after you read or try a recipe, before you write it off as unauthentic please consider that I'm working with how my grandmother passed down her "recipes." She doesn't use recipes and measurements and every time she makes a dish it turns out different. If we have flank steak we use flank steak for beef salad. Sometimes it's a london broil. I prefer a few crushed dried shrimp and peanuts in my papaya salad. My mother can't stand it that way. I'm going to try to focus on keeping the recipes basic and simple and give tips to modify them to your tastes.

I'm so excited and can't wait to share these with you! At the end of the week look forward to locating and navigating a store of imported Asian goods!

Tree Pickin'

Trying to start and enjoy family traditions while overcoming what I believe to be prenatal depression hasn't been very successful. I managed to get off of the couch, turn off Sponge Bob, and go out to Whispering Pines in Milton to pick and cut down our Christmas tree with my family. It was a great experience and I can't wait to go back next year. Our seven foot tree was only $18 and they gave us a baby tree to plant. They provide the saw, shaking, and netting. All  you need is a proper vehicle to strap it on. I recommend a 1988 Ford Taurus Station Wagon, but we used my mom's SUV.

This was 'the one.'

Checking for chipmunks.

There was a baby goat nursing and my mom exclaimed, "Look! It's breastfeeding!" Haha. We had a good laugh over that.

I highly recommend a real tree! You only get to have a decorated tree in your house once a year. If you get them at a local farm it's much more budget friendly. They are worth the fuss, in my opinion. That's coming from someone with allergies and a mischievous cat! Here's a site to help you find a farm near you and some great facts about fake Christmas trees.

PS Thanks to my mom for snapping pictures of us so I can finally be included in some of our memories!

Falling in Love

This is a small pillow my mom cross stitched. My father picked it out. I never got to experience my parents "in love" because I was so young when they parted ways. I have a few pieces my mom has made that were started while she was pregnant with me.  Little things like this are a sweet treat that give me glimpses of the love they had for each other that led to me. I'm sure there's a tremendous amount of hope and love in every stitch. My mom gave it to Stella and we keep it on her window seat. It reminds me, "we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28)."

Getting Dirty

We cleared out our raised beds and prepped them for fall yesterday. The little canaray was QUITE the helper. She also enjoyed treating herself to a mud spa treatment and soil tasting. Unfortunately, I didn't take the camera over to the garden, but you can still enjoy the aftermath :-)

A Hitler-esque mustache on a blonde hair blue eyed babe and that pose! Oh, dear.

Ravioli and Tradition

Every year on Thanksgiving I remember making fresh pasta with my grandparents. My grandmother would spend all day tending to the sauce and my grandpa was in charge of the pasta. The most fun was catching the strands of dough which was usually where my "help" came into play. I've always daydreamed about making pasta with my own family and that day is finally here! We made ricotta filled ravioli today. Stella isn't quite ready for dough catching, but here she is turning the crank. She'll be a pasta making pro in no time!

Restoration

Mother's Day has always been uncomfortable for me. I've never been able to relate to the cliché imagery the holiday is marketed with. I'm not a warm fuzzy kind of gal. I anticipated that my heart would soften this year with the arrival of my daughter. I've been a teary-eyed emotional wreck all week thinking about how blessed I am being a mom. My Canary makes every day seem like Mother's Day, Christmas, and my birthday all wrapped up into one
. 
My heart did soften, but not just because of Stella.Things haven't always been picture perfect for my mom and I. Actually, sometimes, they've been extremely rough. Sometimes it seemed like our relationship would always be a challenge, but lately it's been amazing. I can't really explain how it evolved. 


Here's a secret, I've known for years that my firstborn daughter, Stella, would be what sparked the complete restoration of mine and my mom's bond.  I didn't know when or how it would happen, I just knew it would. It was a glimmer of hope God gave me in my adolescence. Call me crazy, it's okay. It has taken this experience for me to realize how great my mom's love is for me and despite her weaknesses (cause, ya know, she's a human too!) she is the perfect mom for me. God knew what he was doing! 
I'm telling you all this because sometimes things seem so hopeless. It seems like no one cares or understands. It's hard to accept that things happen the way they do and to find peace in the truth that all things work together for good. BUT, God cares, understands and thankfully redeems our broken hearts and relationships and I want you to have hope, too.


Finally, on Mother's Day, I can say with a bright smile and pride that I honor and love my mother. I am overflowing with praise and thanks for my beautiful daughter, God's vessel for bringing us closer together.

Breakfast on a Whim

January 4th begins our family's "New Year". We decided it was kind of hard to start resolutions on a Saturday morning.
Stella fell asleep at 11:30 last night! I was so excited I could be asleep before midnight, but of course I lay awake thinking about all the activities and projects and saving goals and mini vacations and gardening plans and lunch dates I'd like to accomplish. So, this morning I finally rolled out of bed 20 minutes before Cameron had to leave for work. I managed to whip together fresh coffee, breakfast and lunch! We had leftover turkey breast, a sunny-side up egg, and half a banana with peanut butter. Did I mention the coffee?

Now Stella and I are enjoying listening to Jack Johnson and pretending the sunlight pouring in the house is the source of our warmth. (Thanks heater!)

Oh and since breakfast wasn't picture worthy, here's an inspiring one!

I shall never grow up; make believe is much too fun

I am starting this blog to chronicle my life as a mother. I intend to share pictures, stories, crafts, recipes, and other tidbits. Here is my little canary, my inspiration...Stella Rose.