CSA Week 7

J was able to go with us this time to pick up the veggies. The Noodle took great enjoyment out of dropping (literally) the produce into the bag. Thankfully nothing was too fragile, otherwise it would have been covered in bruises! This week we got: red and yellow potatoes, a zucchini, a yellow squash, kale, 2 jalapeno peppers, a flamingo pepper, beets, a green pepper, an eggplant, a red onion, a cuke, garlic and fresh basil. Look at all those beautiful hues...won't be difficult to "eat our colors" this week.

Can I interest you in some veggies?

Travel reunion--2009

The "big" girls helping the "little" girls.
Wheeee!!!!!!!!!
Seconds before almost everyone erupted into tears.
This past weekend we had the great opportunity to hook back up with some of the families we traveled with to China. All 5 families live within a few hours of each other and so last winter we determined that over the summer we would get together. It was so much fun to reconnect with everyone in person (not over e-mail or through their blogs) but the highlight was certainly seeing how much the girls have grown, changed and adapted!! Wow. Amazing. God is so good.

Even though the weather was iffy, the kids were able to go run around outside, jump on the trampoline and climb all over the huge jungle-gym. They were in heaven. Eventually the guys ended up out there too, while the women stayed inside talking and catching up. Isn't that always how it works out?

Now for the "now" and "then" shots:

CSA Week 6

I think we have a professional vegetable handler on staff...The Noodle loves to help me pick out the produce each week when we pick it up and put it in our bag. Then she helps me "stage" it and "models" the bounty. Our bag this week included: 2 jalapeno peppers, 1 flamingo pepper (similar in color to a banana pepper), 1 green pepper, new potatoes, bok choy, basil, cilantro, zucchini, yellow squash, garlic, onion and a cucumber. Perhaps they should have thrown in a little ham...no wait, we already have one.

Greetings from the Northeast

Duck, duck, moose.

J's birthday!!

Anyone care for a dip?
"Play that funky music white boy..."
His favorite place--down by the water.
In case you can't read the card, it is for St*rbucks...where he loves to feed his caffine addiction (ha ha).

Happy birthday to my wonderful husband! He always puts a smile on my face and warms my heart. I'm blessed to be married to my best friend. Love you!!

CSA Week 5

Mama always raves about the smell of fresh basil...I'm just not that into it.
I'll help organize the veggies.
We had another bountiful harvest from the CSA yesterday. Beets, mesclun mix, green beans, an onion, potatoes, a cuke, an eggplant, a green pepper, an 8-ball zucchini and basil. I definitely see a vegetable lasagna in our future.

Ahhhh the cool breeze of the A.C.

Blueberry picking and...more

We have been having BEAUTIFUL weather. The kind where it is sunny, a slight breeze, mid to upper 70s and no humidity. Give me this kind of summer anytime. The Noodle and I decided to go pick blueberries the other day and make the most of it. We have 2 small blueberry bushes at our house, so she was all about helping J pick the berries as they ripened (2 or 3 at a time). When we got to the patch, she kept her eagle eyes out for those beautiful, blue orbs and went to town. She took the lower branches and I took the upper ones. Initially I was a bit hesitant to go by myself (visions of chasing after an ornery two-year old who has really been flexing her muscles as of late--see below), but decided to throw caution to the wind and go anyway. We ended up picking more than 5 lbs. of berries and it was only during the last 10 minutes that she lost interest and started shoveling the fruit into her mouth. In all honesty, I snuck a few in too. They were tart, but oh so delicious.

Boy, this basket can hold a lot of berries. Wonder if I'll fill it...
Aha! I've found the bluest, juiciest berry ever. Oh wait, there's another good looking one. And another...
I'll just give this one a taste test.

On a different front, there have been a few changes around our house. I think we can safely say good-bye to diapers during the day and, after a gymnastically-filled evening last night, the crib. If there had been any Olympic judges lurking around, they would have definitely handed the Noodle a perfect 10 for her mount, routine and dismount. Needless to say, the side came off and now the C.N. has herself a big-girl bed.

1 year anniversary of "The Call"

It was exactly one year ago today, July 13, that we received the phone call from our agency telling us they had a little girl for us. We were on vacation down in the panhandle of Florida and had been at the beach all day. The agency had been trying to reach us, but since we weren't expecting any calls, we had left J's cell phone up at the condo. They finally reached us at 6 p.m. At the last minute I had decided to throw the adoption binder in the trunk to take with us, just in case...it was a good thing I did!! The next few days were filled with phone calls, e-mails, faxes and paperwork but most importantly prayers of thanksgiving and praise that the LONG wait for a child had finally ended and that God had blessed us with this special little person.

The first picture we saw of the Noodle
Don't you just love that white coat? Not so sure about the car being so close to the stairs...eeek!!
The picture says it all.

Isaiah 40:28-31 (New International Version)

28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.

29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Thankful Thursday

Then....2 days after we returned home (9/30/08)
And now...

We're thankful for friends, fun and lots of laughs.

CSA Week 4

An onion and garlic...YES!!

I wonder what Mama will make with the cuke and the zuchini?

After swimming lessons, it was time to dash over to pick up the produce. This week's bag included: an onion, garlic, cucumber, zuchini, yellow squash, beets, potatoes, romaine lettuce, cabbage and kale. I love the surprise of each week never knowing what we're going to get. Better get cookin'!

Not-so-tired Tuesday

Things have been much calmer on the sleeping front, thank goodness! While the Noodle is still waking up 2-3 times per night, she generally is going back to sleep without much fuss within about 5 minutes. We haven't had any more tantrums (in length or intensity) like we did a week ago, so everyone is started to let out a sigh of relief. Let's hope it continues....

Sweet and Sour Bok Choy (c/o Cooks.com)

Heat olive oil in a large skillet, add bok choy (1 head) and onion (I also added some cabbage, because hey, why not?!). Cook and stir over high heat 1 minute. Blend 1/4C brown sugar, 1/4C red wine vinegar, and 1/2 t ginger; add to skillet. Mix well. Cover and steam 1 minute. Combine 1T soy sauce and 1T cornstarch with 1/2C water. Add to skillet. Cook and stir until thickened. **Since I added some cabbage, I increased the liquid amounts, but it ended up making too much sauce. If you make it at home, better just follow the recipe. Other than that, it was good.
Dinner tonight: Salmon with dill, drop biscuits and sweet and sour bok choy and cabbage

Happy 4th of July

Helping Grandpa get the boat ready.

Boy...the sun, wind, and boatride put me right to sleep.
Where is that parade?
Happy birthday America!

God bless America.


Hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful 4th of July weekend!! Happy Independence Day America!