What I'm Reading

Tom and I are reading this. It is our new bathroom book. I got it for Christmas and since I'm not much of a reader, the bathroom is the best place for me (I'm sure I'm not alone finding the most quiet, uninterrupted time in this room).

This isn't a cookbook, it's more of a coming to life book. The author, Shauna James Ahern struggled to find food that gave her life. For many Celiacs, life before diagnosis is often hellish. Not knowing what the cause of discomfort is, many would eat simple things to settle our stomachs: white bread or crackers.

What drew me to Shauna, is not only our common ground in Celiac, but her writing is beautiful. The words flow like the perfect stream, unpretentious.

I'm also kind of a groupie (some may say "stalker"). I follow Shauna's blog, comment with her on Twitter and dream of the day I can visit the restaurant where her husband, The Chef, takes care of patrons with Celiac in the most confident of ways.

I'm not sure how far ahead Tom is in the book, but I'm barely through the first half and would highly recommend it for anyone that enjoys eating, cooking, and touching food.

You can find this book Available Here

Guess What I'm Working On...The Day Shot

For those that were curious as to the outcome...

Here he is!

UPDATE: Frog and Fly is available here in the shop!

Batman Power!

Sometimes...they really do enjoy hanging out together.

The shirtlessness is a typical sighting, even in these cold parts.

Let's Talk Pinewood

Sam is first on right lane

Pinewood Derby.

My little brother did the Pinewood Derby. I can remember he and my father getting the cars ready, but mostly my dad sitting back and watching, assisting when asked.

And so it went with Sam and Tom. They worked on their cars during a Den meeting and didn't do much more than that. No study in aerodynamics, no sanding of wheels, no WD-40 in the axles. Just plain old father-son doing a task together.

However, this isn't how it goes in every house. On the official weigh in night, a father was heard bragging about the events that will unfold on Saturday. "I'm gonna drink beer out of the winners cup after we win."

I noticed a handful of fathers cheering on "their" car with no cub scout in sight. A joy on their face unlike a proud father watching his son and more like a selfish win. Some of these same fathers had a disappointed look on their faces, unlike that of the fathers that let their sons make their very own pinewood derby car.

Not only was I saddened by this pathetic display of manliness - or manlessness - my heart sank when I looked at this face.


Sam doesn't take losing very well at all. In fact he is downright horrible at it. We are working on it, but it is rough. He was crushed.

And so was I.

Until, my son said, "Well, at least I can win the award for not getting a speeding ticket."

Yes, Sam, that is surely your prize.

Guess What I'm Working On...

One Recipe, One Boy, and A Lot of YUM

Amazing gluten free graham crackers! From the amazing Shauna James Ahern and her blog at Gluten Free Girl and the Chef.

They look great, but let's start from the beginning.

First, you need a recipe and a boy. Check, check.

This little guy loved pushing that On and Pulse button (may have had an affect on the dough, but who cares, right?). At Shauna's suggestion, I used my kitchen scale for the flours, which had only been used previously for weighing packages to be mailed out. It was tricky, since it isn't digital, but we did it. The recipe seems like a lot of steps, but it really is so easy.

Look how pretty! That is my ChakraPennyWhistle dish towel apron that I love. It's a great towel, super apron and sometimes used as a tablecloth. It's a great towel!

And the taste? Well...look for yourself:

The Lamb and the Hedgehog

Most of my pictures from the Christmas Pageant were blurry, but I almost enjoy the bit of mystery it leaves. Technically, for me, taking photos in church is against all rules. So, I took my camera and didn't use the flash, and in a dark church, this is what you get.

I'm on my way to Chicago tomorrow for work. I love it when I get there, but the preparation is difficult. Kind of makes me feel like the little lamb above. There is laundry, grocery shopping (which didn't really happen, at least there is milk and leftovers), child care coverage, writing out the child care coverage (looking for the lost child care coverage paper), and packing. Trying to get everything in a carry on and hoping that something will jump out of my closet that looks appropriate for a corporate function. This jersey and denim girl always struggles with that. Fortunately, that is the least of my struggles these days and I basically put everything that is free of stains in my bag and hope it matches.

I just purchased an audiobook from iTunes for the flight. I know, why not just read the book? Well, I can't read a book and crochet at the same time...

And this trip, I have no idea what I'll be making. Taking two fresh balls and a hook. I always love to see what happens when there are no ideas.

The book...The Elegance of the Hedgehog.

Ever seen a Hedgehog purse?

Rockscape

My zen pile of rocks from Sam's collection. He is very interested in fossils and picks up random rocks whenever he can.
Saturday, after cleaning his room, I was arranging the rocks. It was very calming and I noticed how different all his rocks are. He has an interesting eye for things and I can't wait to see what else he brings home.

Get some rocks and play.

The Great American Dust Bunny

My pal, Lisa, at Polka Dot Cottage once took before and after pictures of a cleaning task she performed. I thought it would be very gratifying. And it was, great idea Lisa.

I cleaned Big Boy's room first, forgetting the before picture. BB moved his bed away from the wall and in true copy cat fashion, Little Man requested the same. BB's room, although worse in clutter, took much less time due to the closet. I kept the door closed. Didn't even go in.

LM's closet used to be my closet. It had lots of craft supplies and books and fabric. Also contained 3 boxes of books and pictures that we never opened from our move back to Buffalo. Well, we looked at it, and thought, ugh, not another box of crap. So, there it stayed. Until yesterday.
I stuffed two large black garbage bags just from their rooms and this closet. It feels really good to let some stuff go (see my Facebook pics for some of the book loot).

Now, if I could only clean my own room like this.

Not today.

Maybe when my back and thighs have forgiven me for yesterday.

Junk Furniture

Feeling the need to let my mind wander for a bit, freeing it from all the fog, I found this link from Design*Sponge.

This is Thomas Wold and he created this from seeing a pile of junk stacked in a truck. It is an interesting read on how creating something from junk can be so useful and eye appealing.

Do I smell a spring project?

Happy 2010!

Hope you are enjoying the snow! This guy has been.