Cherishing Clothing

I normally don't give a damn about clothes. I wear whatever is (mostly) clean, usually the first thing I reach in my closet after a long night's sleep. Sometimes, if I am lucky, I match but usually, I look rather un-styled (according to my brother) sporting the same pair of jeans and a shirt from my early college days. However, I find myself going to the baby's newly set-up nursery to fondle and match outfits for any and every occasion.

Already, I have discovered favorites--the adorable baby items that will undoubtedly only be worn a few times and held on for years for their memory. Some include some hand-made items from friends and relatives, others include gifts that tell or story, and some are straight hand-me downs but nonetheless adorable. Of course, it is a little hard to imagine them on a baby, but you get the idea.



Hopefully, our baby will be wearing this home from the hospital (assuming I don't change my mind or forget to pack the hospital bag!) The hat was the first gift we received for the baby way back in April. My friend, Hanna, had the hat specially made by an older woman while backpacking through Argentina. The onesie was from Dale's parents and the booties are just truly adorable!



This is the only item I have purchased for the baby--we have been given so many clothes! However, I couldn't resist these soft-soled shoes for my little monkey!



After I refreshed Hanna's memory for crocheting, she sent me this little tiger cap she made. She tells me she has more on the way--seriously, this baby is going to be one well dressed little man!



At our baby shower, people painted onesies and bibs, these are just a few of the creations and my personal favorites



With the exception of a few, this basket is filled with all hand-made blankets. Some are crocheted, while others are knitted or quilted. Each blanket is warm and soft and perfect for cuddling on those cold Montana days.

The $38 "Green" Nursery

After two baby showers and very generous family Dale and I had baby stuff coming out of our ears. Our living room was a mine field trying to navigate the way from the bedroom to the bathroom during the night. Originally we weren't going to set up the baby's room until later but after too many stubbed toes, cursing, and more stuff we decided enough was enough and turned our spare room into an awesome little nursery for $38. Crazy, I know!

I had the perfect nursery pictured in my mind but Dale and I are limited in funds and really against buying new stuff only to fill our garbage with more packaging and waste. We aren't super "green" people but we are eco-conscious remembering to recycle, use reusable bags, and live a close to waste-free lifestyle. So imagine my excitement when I found two gallons of low-voc paint downstairs that had been left behind by a former tenant. The creamy latte and olive green paint inspired my nesting instinct and by the end of the day, our formerly wood-paneled spare bedroom was colored and ready for set-up!



Dale spent 4 hours one morning cursing from the bedroom as he set up the crib, but in a matter of time and patience the crib was settled into its final spot. We had a dresser that fits a changing pad perfectly, a rocking chair and ottoman that we bought for $10 at Goodwill, and a rug that came from my office. All that was needed was some wall art and a few shelves.



Dale suggested putting maps up and after all those years of collecting travel maps and post-cards I found a use for them! Maps of Italy, Germany, France, and Amsterdam fulfill our travel-bugs and post-cards that line the crown-molding will hopefully someday inspire our little one!



I found a shelf in the garage and added a coat of paint and with one trip to Target we found our nursery complete. We found a garbage can, mesh laundry bags (perfect for cloth diapers!) and organizational baskets (in addition to a few other items) for $28.



With a little creativity and some extra paint, we were able to turn our formally drab spare-room into a comfortable room that truly feels like a vacation within our home...and all for the low price of $38. The best part, it was all recycled, gifted, and (almost) waste-free. And of course, when I realize that I am changing a diaper full of shi* all I have to do is look up at the map of Paris and reminisce my days of parading the Champs d'Elysee.

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Did I mention that we also scored a free bassinet from our neighbors to keep at our bedside for those early weeks??? Amazing.

Little Laundry Love

I hate laundry. Before I met Dale my laundry habits were far from sanitary as I let it pile up in my closet, only forcing myself to wash my clothes when I was either out of underwear, or out of money to buy new underwear. I confess I wore the same pair of jeans for 3 weeks when I was in college--hey, it was finals and there was no time for laundry!

The process of putting clothes in the washer and the dryer is fine, its the putting them away part that I hate. I cant stand the way freshly laundered clothes feel...staticky, warm, ugh. Lucky for me, Dale is my laundry god as somehow, he manages to make all my dirty laundry disappear and reappear clean in my closet, folded, hanged, and dry. However, as much I as I hate doing laundry, I did 3 loads yesterday, each with love and excitement as I was washing BABY CLOTHES.

It seems like a simple task, but to me, a first-time mom and laundry virgin, I was clueless. I actually googled "how to wash newborn clothes" because I didn't want to screw anything up. I wanted to make sure the clothes are clean, free of any dyes and germs, and sensitive for my baby's rump. So I dove straight in, using 1/8 cup of Bio-Pac Free & Clear detergent, on a hot wash and cold rinse. I even put the baby socks in a sock bag to ensure the sock monster would leave them alone. Then, I dried them without fabric softener on medium heat. A few hours later, I found myself pacing around the dryer waiting for the buzzer so I could sort through all my goodies.

Baby hats, booties, and onesies quickly filled the table I converted into a laundry area. I lovingly stared at the tiny socks, dreaming of little baby toes and fingers. I found sleep sacks, pants, and shirts adorable. I sorted clothes between "newborn", "0-3 months", "3-6" months and beyond. I imagined dressing our little peanut up in swim shorts for the summer, a fleece jacket for the winter, and even a chili pepper costume for Halloween. And, I admit, I picked out that perfect outfit to bring the baby home from the hospital in. I swore I wouldn't do it but I couldn't resist the lime green onesie that says "little guy" beneath an embroidered moose (I promise, pictures soon!). I pared it navy blue pants, a little blue knitted hat, and blue slipper socks. My little guy is better dressed than I am! And, he is certainly coming home in style!

After a few more loads of laundry and delicately folded sheets and blankets, I turned off the nursery light, and went to bed dreaming about my soon-to-be little boy in that adorable little outfit. Laundry wasn't so bad after all--now if only I felt the same way about my clothes.

Its STILL September????@!@#?

As usual, my pregnancy is progressing perfectly. Aside from the back ache, hip pain, night sweats, and a cramped stomach, I still love being pregnant (especially when our little one makes his nightly round of belly theater!). Nonetheless, I am tired, cranky, and so excited to get rewarded with a new bundle of joy come October! On our way out of the doctor's this morning, I made another 2 week appointment, hoping that it would be October.....but no, it is STILL September!!!! I am still cursing as September seems like its going to drag on forever!!!!

We had our 34 week appointment today and everything is going great. Baby is looking good, healthy, and on-schedule. Of course, we already knew that! Our doctor reported to us that the baby is head-down (still) and is looking like he will be a good size, about 6 pounds 5 ounces....for the sake of my labor, let's hope he's right! Our due date is still October 27th, so let the countdown begin: 43 days!!!!!!!

I have been digesting almost every video, book, and magazine that I can get my hands on regarding childbirth and pregnancy. I am pretty sure I have wiped the library clean on their selection--I have an addiction. I love learning about the process! I am seriously considering going back to school for nursing, midwifery, or becoming a doula because I cant stop learning....however, I recognize that this is a common phase for many pregnant women so no worries, I haven't sent those school applications out yet! Anyways, despite my library collection of videos I still wanted to take a birthing class, so Dale (dragging his feet behind me) and I headed to a birthing class on Saturday.

All in all, the class was interesting. I didn't feel I learned anything new but it was good to connect with Dale and actually practice labor positions, pain management, and talk about a birth plan. We felt really confident after leaving the class especially as so many of the other couples we so unprepared! Our instructor thanked us after the class and told us that she wished she could have a couple like us in every class because we were so relaxed! Now, that the class is over, I am ready for the fun to begin!

We also got a tour of the hospital, which was superb. We were surprised to find that our hospital encourages natural childbirth, the use of showers and tubs during delivery, has 100% rooming-in with baby (all of which are private!), and has a strict quiet hours policy so mom and dad can bond with a new baby! After hearing horror stories of some folks experiences, I was really nervous but feel great now.

I painted the baby's room yesterday with some leftover paint I found in the basement. We have a crib, dresser, changing table, and clothes, now all we need is a carseat!!! I keep kicking myself to order it, because it will take a few days with shipping....

Dale and I are headed to Bozeman/Big Sky next weekend for his wine class and exam. We are very much looking forward to the little road trip and are going to make a vacation out of it!! Until then, Dale is studying hard for the class and I am finishing up the baby's room. I promise I will post photos soon!

Quest for Pie

I never knew how to make pie. It looked easy enough but the thought of making pie-crust sent me screaming for the door. Then I met Dale. He inspired my inner-Julia Child and taught me how to bake almost anything my heart desired. So last year, we made my first pie, a blueberry-lemon pie courtesy of the Better Homes and Garden Cookbook, and it was fabulous. From there on, I got creative and tested other pie recipes. From apples to raspberries I have tried almost every fruit in pie form and they have all turned out delicious. However, when asked what my favorite pie is, I stumble over myself because until this weekend I never had a favorite pie. I liked them all!

The funny thing about our cooking adventures is that Dale and I have never had a fully functioning oven. We always had to get creative and adjust our cooking techniques to suit our oven. In our last apartment we preheated the oven and cooked everything about 25 degrees higher than the recipes called for. In our new house, the lower heating element was broken so we put cast-iron pans on the bottom shelf and let the oven preheat for an hour before attempting any baking. While both methods worked somewhat well, we were always left foiling the top to prevent burning and still sifting through a somewhat soggy, underbaked crust.

Our oven got fixed. The repair man replaced the element and now our oven preheats in minutes to the correct temperatures. I spent all week adjusting my favorite recipes to a now working oven as I nearly burned everything I put inside it. With a newly working stove, I gave a whirl at making another blueberry-pie and discovered that the quest is over: blueberry pie is my favorite. The berries were plump and popped sweetness in your mouth, the crust perfectly cooked, flaky, and buttery, and the hints of cinnamon pared with ice cream made for the perfect pie adventure.

I am headed to Glacier for a few days to relax with some girlfriends and while campfire cooking is not suited to baking pies, I will be dreaming about the blueberry pie and perhaps you can too.

Blueberry Pie

For the Crust:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup butter, cut into cubes
7-9 tbls of water

For the Filling:
4-5 cups of frozen or fresh blueberries (I use frozen and I always use less berries than recommended because I hate overfilling)
1 cup sugar
4 tbls flour
1 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375 degrees (depending on oven!)

Mix the berries with sugar, flour, and cinnamon and let sit for 30 minutes while you make the pie crust.

***I never use a pastry blender for making pie crust, if you prefer that method please read the instructions below. My method which has served me well over the years is to throw flour and salt into my kitchenaid, turn it on medium speed and slowly add cubed butter until the the flour is pea-sized. With the kitchenaid still running, I add water 1 tablespoon at a time until the flour is moist and starts to form a ball. I turn the kitchenaid off, roll it around on the cutting board a few times and divide it into two balls. I put the balls in the freezer for 10 minutes and then roll out each ball to my desired thickness and size, use the rolling pin to transfer the dough on to the pie plate, toss the filling in, and then place the second rolled-ball of dough on top of the pie. If you want to get fancy, you can cut dough in strips and do a lattice work crust.

Bake in the oven for 35-45 minutes or until golden brown and completely cooked through. Cool on wire rack until cool. Serve with lots of ice cream!

**In a medium mixing bowl stir together flour and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in 2/3 cup shortening until pieces are pea-size. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon water over part of the mixture; gently toss with a fork. Repeat, using 1 tablespoon water at a time until all the dough is moistened (using 7 to 9 tablespoons water total). Divide in half. Form each half into a ball. Roll out the crust, place in pie pan, pour in filling and place the second crust on top.

Check this link for more specific tips and instructions: http://www.bhg.com/recipes/desserts/pies/how-to-make-piecrusts/

Third Trimester Tantrums

Pregnant women are already a force to be reckoned with but if you encounter an almost 8-month pregnant woman, sweltering in the 100 degree weather, with 20 pounds of baby weight and swollen ankles--RUN AWAY AS FAST AS YOU CAN!!!!

I have been very grateful to have had such an easy pregnancy- free of any major problems, symptoms, or the emotional roller coaster that many complain about. However, the last three weeks have made me feel like I belong in a mental institution because in one minute I not only suffer from multiple personality disorder, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, but I have also become the Queen of Passive Agressiva!

I am hot, cranky, angry at my husband for not getting me ice cream and then angry that he did bring me ice cream because my ankles are already swollen enough. I don't want to be touched but two seconds later I am mad because Dale is sitting three feet away from me. One minute I want to nap, the next I am roaring to clean the house. I am mad at Dale for having a beer, but the next I am encouraging it. I am a basket case! All this compounded with the slurry of visitors that we've had, the 100 degree days, and the mere thought that I am back to work full-time next week is enough to make me cry or laugh or scream, depending on the mood.

Poor Dale has to suffer through every tantrum and he does so graciously and patiently. His favorite phrases: "Yes, dear" "You were right, I was wrong. " "I don't know honey, what do you want to do?" and my personal favorite "Its all about you, you are the pregnant one."

But even he sometimes loses his cool after a million "yes, dears" which only perpetuates my hysteria. A typical night for us goes like this:

me: "What can I do for you?"
Dale: "Nothing." He knows that the real question is what can HE do for me!
me: "I want to make you happy, you always do stuff for me."
Dale: "I am fine." Still pondering the real question.
me: "No really, what do you want? Do you want to watch a movie? TV?"
Dale: "Yeah, whatever, we can watch a movie." Knowing that we will not watch a movie now that he has said this.
me: "I am too tired to watch a movie, maybe I will just go to bed." Thinking Dale will come and lay down with me to.
Dale: "I am not ready to lay down, go on without me."
me: "Hummmph." Heads to bed angry. Dale follows a few seconds later and lays down next to his now sobbing wife.
Dale: "What can I do for you?" Realizing he should have just asked in the beginning and saved himself the trouble.

I recognize the illogical nature of this episode and yet it still happens, every night! I don't even want to be friends with my pregnant self right now, let alone be married to me! So bless you Dale, for all the hard work you put in to this. I am sorry for all the tantrums, confusing conversations, and selfish moments that you endure from me. You are the true hero in this relationship and clearly deserving of one of those coffee mugs that reads "world's best dad".

Carnitas Tacos Comfort

I forgot how antibiotics can sometimes make you feel more ill than you were before popping the pill. The extra strength-highly concentrated Azithromycin that I have been taking for my sinus infection has left my stomach in knots with my last meal hovering between my stomach and my throat.

Consequently, nothing sounds appetizing except for the carnitas (shredded beef) tacos that Dale and I made a few weeks ago. They are the perfect combination of grease, spice, and gently shredded beef that heals the angriest of stomachs. Sadly, I wont be making them tonight because we have other plans, but I thought I would share the recipe, which is fantastically easy and delicious.

Carnitas Tacos

• 2 pounds beef shoulder/chuck roast/brisket (anything you would use for pot roast)
  
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, (I like the fire-roasted kind)
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 2 bay leaves

Directions

Season all sides of the beef liberally with salt and pepper. In a large Dutch oven heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over moderately high heat. Add beef to the pot, browning the meat on all sides, taking the time to get a nice crust on the outside.

Add the onion and garlic and lightly brown, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, plus 1 can of water, spices, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and add enough water to cover the meat (if needed). Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer with a lid for 2-3 hours until the meat is fork tender.

Let meat cool in the liquid, reserve liquid.

Shred meat using a fork. While you are shredding the meat, bring the liquid in the pot to a gentle simmer over medium heat and let reduce until its the consistency of tomato sauce (about 5 minutes), add the shredded meat back to the pot, combine well and reduce the heat to warm until ready to serve.

Get your taco fixings ready! Dale likes to make homemade taco shells using corn tortillas fried lightly in oil while I prefer soft tacos. We both agree, these carnitas deserved to be dressed up simply with some cotija cheese, shredded lettuce, guacamole, and salsa but feel free to dress them as you desire!