Wonderful Weekend

Silly girl all giddy to take her picture with the "gorilla"

Well, after last weeks tears, we really wanted to make a fun weekend for Ruby. Wish granted. Grammy and Pappy came down Saturday morning and instantly spoiled her with a little box of yummy treats. Ruby was thrilled to not have school, of course, and very happy to see her grandparents. We spent all day at home, cooking and playing and catching up. Very nice day. Larae & Woody made us a fab meal and I got another quiche in the oven. We enjoyed that Sunday morning b4 heading to the zoo. Spent all day there. Beautiful weather and so much fun. The grandparents treated her and I to a camel ride and some ice cream which were the highlights of her day. She was a happy little camper and so were we. No mention of school - just fun and play. Now this morning...well, THAT is another story. Walking in did not help. But, you know, tomorrow is another day. Let's hope for the best. :-)

I leave you with zoo shots...

She was such a little Daddy's girl this day. 

Love how she's holding his face.

Pappy, Pa, and Rubes checking out the animals.

Only Pa could hold her and pick her up for half the day. It was so sweet.

Adorable baby giraffe

Beautiful momma and baby

Gorgeous tiger. Ruby loves these and they were so active and playful today so it was something to see.

Mommy and Rubes in line for the camel.

Almost our turn!

And off we go! They are much faster than I thought. Of course, we also had like a minute ride after a half hour wait so maybe they just SEEMED fast, LOL.

Train ride is a must stop for each zoo visit.

Enjoying ice cream with Grammy

Yummy happy mouth!

Another must-do is a pic with this gorilla. This time Grammy got in on the action.

Our silly little monkey.

Sleepy girl holds her Pa after a good day.

For The Love of Quiche

Tonight I am tired. But it is a happy exhaustion. I got so much done today. Did a lot laundry, put away the 4 baskets full of clean clothes that have been upstairs for a week, cleaned the house, made 2 homemade quiche with 2 homemade crusts AND my kitchen is actually clean in the aftermath. Woo hoo!  But the most important thing is I spent an incredible few hours with Ruby outside today. She didn't want to go to the park after school. Just wanted to come home. I said, I guess home feels safe, huh? "Yesh", she said. "HOME". So home we went. Had her lunch all packed so I decided we would still have a picnic...in the backyard. Daddy saw us and came out for a 1/2 hour to join us. So nice. We ate and laughed and talked and after Daddy went back to work we laid down and snuggled and sang songs together. Moments like that you just want to bottle up forever! After a bit we were getting hot so I got us some cool drinks and suggested we sit in the shade. I asked her to pick 2 books and she brought out 5! Three were Dr. Suess. She just loves those. We read all 5 until she started yawning. She started to protest when I told her it was time for a nap, but when we got upstairs and snuggled she went right out. So happy! She really needed it. And I had some time to get cooking...

So about that quiche...I found 2 really great recipes and not being able to decide on one, I made TWO tonight! I'm so enjoying cooking again! The first recipe was from Emeril. I like him. Nice guy. I met him once at a food show in NY years b4 he became famous. Anyway, you can find his caramelized onion, mushroom, and bacon quiche here. Yes, it does have bacon in it. I used turkey bacon and yes I do know that is still a meat, but I used a small amount and ate only a small piece and I'm not ashamed to say it was REALLY good. Been doing well with my vegetarian plus fish diet, but I guess every once in awhile a tiny bit of turkey or chicken won't kill me. Just rarely. The dish tasted very meaty actually - due to the mushrooms. It is very hearty and good for dinner vs bfast or brunch.

As for 2nd one, the jury is still out. Gonna save that one for Jeff's parents. Found the recipe here and it's spinach with herbed feta cheese. Looks good too and aside from being a little brown around the edges, it looks like it turned out okay.

I leave you with a pic of the little miss. Happy at home and checking on Mommy in the kitchen.

Have a happy weekend!

Full Sobs

Well, my optimism yesterday was premature. She's not been sleeping well the last few days which is probably making her a bit more emotional about an already hard transition. Last night we actually went up very early. She was out by 7:30. However, she woke up with a night terror an hour later. She slept a good long time then, but woke up at 6am crying also so I laid with her for an hour. This is hitting her hard. We talk about it positively and gently with her (showing no emotion) and she still cried off and on all morning. This morning's hand off was even worse than yesterday and when I called the school 20 minutes later she was still crying. Feeling so bad for her! I know it's supposed to be an adjustment and that kids often cry. People tell me this is all normal and she'll get used to it. So why do I feel like the worst mom ever for making her do it? Is it too soon? She's only 3-1/2. I am also regretting not walking her in. I knew it in my gut but went with the school's system of having them take her out of the car instead. I talked to them today and told them I wanted to walk her in next week and spend a couple minutes like I did with summer camp. Just for a few days or so till she is used to it. I know my child and she responds to gentle transitions. I explained that the taking her out of the car bit and away from her mother may be very scary to her. They were super understanding about it. Thank God they were so nice and are willing to let me do that. If only I stuck to my guns and did it this week maybe she would have had a better time. *Sigh* I need to get moving! Gonna do some grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning so I don't sit here coulda-shoulda-woulda-ing myself to death! Making a quiche and crust from scratch so I figure that will be good to keep me focused on something else! I'm also going to make it a real special afternoon for her today. Packing a picnic lunch complete with cookies, sidewalk chalk, her bike and some bubbles and taking her to the park. I'm so glad it's the weekend and my little girl will feel happy and secure again! And one good thing, we sure know this child is attached!

2nd Day: Worse and then Better

The morning started out okay. She was groggy, but still in a good mood. She was very happy to be wearing her black boots. :-) We talked about school, about Mommy dropping her off and coming back later, and about how much fun she would have today. She seemed to get it. So pulling up to the school I was not expecting what followed. I pulled up and said hello to Miss Stacy and Miss Deb. She was still fine. But as soon as the teachers aid went for the latch to her seat belt she let out a cry and wail like she was being taken from me forever. So darn heartbreaking. I told her I love her and I was coming back soon and left as I was instructed to do. Went home and waited a whole hour till I couldn't take it anymore and called the school. She was fine! They said she stopped crying by the time she hit the bottom step! But it was so cute. She made a drawing for me. A butterfly that she said was for Mommy. God bless her she's so sweet! 

When I went to pick her up today the kids were all out at the playground again. I scanned the area and found her over by the wall. At first I thought maybe she looked sad and was standing by herself. She was near but not interacting with 2 other kids. I looked again and there she was curiously moving towards and interacting with one of the girls. I spotted the teachers aid and asked if she was interacting at all and she said, "oh yes! A lot today!" So glad.  Then Rubes and her new bionic ears heard me and rushed the gate. So darn cute is this child. She knew it was locked and I had to go to the main door so she said "Mommy! Door! Over there! This! This!" pointing me in the right direction. She then proceeded to grab Miss Deb by the hand and drag her around excitedly saying "Hurry! Come on!" LOL. She was so happy and chatty when we met at the door and very proud and excited to show me her painting and colored butterfly. Miss Deb gave me a quick run down and we were headed to the car. On the way we passed the playground. She said "Look!" pointing to the kids, "My friends." Oh, are those your new friends? I said. "MY friends" she said with a sense of protective ownership. Yes, honey, they are YOUR friends...so nice!

 I think she's gonna be okay. We may still have some speed bumps and tears, but she's gonna be okay. This mom is relieved and  swelling...with love and pride.

First Day of School

Ruby was fine. I am not. Why is this so hard? Bawled like a baby as soon as I pulled away. I already broke the ice (for both of us) by taking her to summer camp one half day a week. Now she will be going to the same place 4 half days. 3 little hours in the morning. I should be fine, right? But I am very sappy instead. They have this system at her school where 2 teachers aids stand outside and greet the students. Parents just pull around and unlock the door. They take them out of the car seat and wisk them indoors before they know what hit them. A great system for the kids. But not for mom who was desperately longing for a big hug and kiss goodbye and a chance to say I love you and I'm proud of you for the 100th time. *Sigh*

**Update:
I went to pick her up and I saw the kids outside. Scanned the playground but didn't see Ruby...and then I did. The director was holding her and she looked so sad. I called to her and she ran over to the chain link fence as if she thought I was never coming back. Poor, sweet baby! They said she actually did well and was fine all day until 20 minutes b4 I got there. Another girl asked about her mom coming to pick her up and it sent Ruby into sobs. When the teachers aid said "see you tomorrow" she said NO. She was still sad in the car while I tried to tell her over and over that it was okay and Mommy would always be there for her and I'd be coming back. I think she'll be okay. It's just an adjustment. Once she was home like 30 minutes or so she bounced back and was her happy go lucky little self again. Here's to a better day tomorrow!

Video added below

...take a look

I Can't Believe It!

We got a letter from Wacap today. On this - her GOTCHA DAY - we received our invite to go to the Thai Consulate in NY!!! This is a letter that typically takes months or up to a year to receive! Never ever expected it so soon! We didn't even get her birth certificate in yet. This means we are nearly done with all paperwork concerning Ruby's adoption! Now we just wait for her birth certificate to come in and then we go up to NY. And that's that! So funny that we got the letter today of all days. What a gift!

Gotcha Day!

Ruby, Mommy, & Daddy at the beautiful Ekman Resort

Day 2. We got to pick up our baby and take her with us. We became a family. It was as if time stood still and nothing and no one else in the world existed at that time. (You can read the full story of our first 2 days in Thailand HERE). We had paperwork to do in the office. I was getting anxious and just dying to see her. Finally, they saw my restlessness and excitement and told me I could go ahead and go back. I starting walking, then picked up the pace, till I was nearly running to get to the back of the building where she was. And then I stopped. The site of her took my breath away. I approached, more slowly now. I said hello in Thai and opened my arms out to her. She smiled when she saw me and reached her arms up for me to pick her up! My heart may have skipped a beat, but I didn't. I picked her up immediately and held her tight. I spoke softly in as much Thai as I could remember. Daddy joined us shortly and I changed her into the clothes we brought for her. She seemed pleased with her new things - especially the shoes! The next 1/2 hour or so is a blur as all I thought about was that the moment had finally come. She could leave with us and begin life with a family!

We said our sad goodbyes. To the nannies, the director, and her sweet friend Nachan. That was the hardest of all. We headed to the car mixed with feelings of love, loss, joy, and sadness - for her beginnings and the life of every child seen and unseen those 2 days. And then peace. A calm peace washed over me as I held her in my arms in the car. Our friend, Anna, summed up the moment best. She looked back at us and said "No words, Jenny. No words." She was right. There were no words to describe that feeling. First I gave her a bottle and then she drifted off to sleep. When she woke a half hour later she looked out the window with wonder at her new surroundings. Didn't seem scared at all, but moreover, intrigued by it all. This was a glimpse of her personality that we would soon come to know well. She sees the world with such wonder. She treats every new thing like an opportunity for fun. She wakes with a smile. She cares about the people around her. She goes with the flow and sees the beauty in all of it. What amazing qualities for a child to have. So much we learn from her every day.

Today we aren't doing anything special. Probably just a nice Thai dinner somewhere followed by coming home to watch the new Tinkerbell movie Jeff wants to pick up for her. But today IS special. In a beautiful, quiet, special little way. For we will never forget that beautiful day, a year ago, when this loving little girl became our daughter...forever.

The Day Our Dreams Came True

Today marks the one year anniversary of the day we met Ruby. The precious little girl we would meet and take into our lives and hearts forever. Of course, she was already in our hearts LONG before we got there. I look back on this picture and see how scared she was. Yet so brave! Such a strong girl and such a loving heart. I also look back on this shot and see I am clutching her for dear life as if to say she's MINE and I will never ever ever let her go..ever! haha. And yes, of course she is OURS, but you know what I mean. I was ten shades of crazy emotion that day...

Excitement. Joy. Nervousness. Exhaustion. LOVE. So many things we were feeling that morning. So many emotions going through our head and hearts. We made the long drive to the babies home with Anna. We didn't expect a lot from our baby. With knew she would be scared, wary of us, maybe cry a lot. I longed to scoop her up and hold her so tight but I didn't dare believe it would happen that day. I dreamed of the fairy tale but I knew better. We had to take it slow. Jeff agreed to do all the photography and let me bond with her first since I would be the one home with her all the time. He was so amazing. We both were just ready to burst when we got there but they said, sorry, she is sleeping! So our first view was through the window where her crib was. Then we quietly crept inside.

Oh, the site! I touched her face and hair. I gently touched her tiny little hand. I didn't want to wake her... and yet really I DID so badly! It was so surreal just being there - in the same room - with this child we only dreamed of for so long. We left for a couple hours to go shopping while she rested. We bought tons of clothes and supplies for the babies home and then headed right back.

And there she was. Sweet. Beautiful. This perfect little human being meant to be our daughter. A little shy and I'm sure a bit scared, but she didn't cry at all. Our first visit was like magic. We approached and said hello in Thai. The nanny and Anna explained that we were Mai and Pa and she said it back. Oh how sweet her soft little voice was! I wasn't sure if I should try to hold her yet but Anna picked her up and then put her in my arms. I'm glad she did! I can't describe the feeling. All the kids were getting curious and other nannies were there now so I sat back from them all in a little chair against the wall so we could have a moment. I sat her on my lap - facing me - staring in awe at those big brown eyes, cute little nose, and big pouty lips.

She looked at me sweetly, slightly unsure, but like hey, she seems alright. I think I might like her! It was all so unbelievable. After awhile - and I have no idea how long cause time just stood still right then and there! - we joined the others. Of course, Daddy was right there the whole time, saying hello and touching her gently and taking pics and video. The nannies started doing little songs and had her singing and acting out all the little parts. This was too cute for words - see the video and pics below.

Something amazing happened. While doing it I tried to watch the nanny and join in. And she looked at me and smiled. Then she kept doing it. Watching them, doing the parts, then looking at me... Both surprised that I seemed to know it and also looked at me as if for approval and/or praise. It was the sweetest thing! The bonding was almost instant. Every dream, every prayer, every hope I ever had was fulfilled in those moments. Of course, the real bonding and trust developed and grew slowly, over months. But the seed was planted on that day. In a way we never really expected - especially on that first visit.

Daddy was incredibly strong. While he did interact with us the whole time, he hung back a bit and took tons of pics and video. Finally, he held her.

They were so sweet together. Again, she looked unsure at first, but shed no tears. Of course, Jeff was his sweet and funny self and got a smile and some laughs out of her within minutes. It was beautiful! Then we pulled out the goody bag. Tons of Dora's, Diegos, and stuffed animals for the kids. It was a bit crazy. I tried to sing to them as they all pulled and prodded for more. More toys,  more attention, someone to love them. It was heartbreaking to know we'd be leaving them behind. How beautiful all these children were! Some we knew were going to a great home (like our friends Ellie & Eric) but others we would never know. Anna continues to visit all the children and take them gifts and give them love. Thank God for that.

Today- a year later - we reflect on this amazing year. So many incredible moments. It's hard to believe there was a time when she wasn't part of our life. She fits like a glove. Like a heartbeat that was always supposed to be there joined with ours. Today she is a happy, smiling, dream of a girl who lights up a room and makes us laugh with her silly faces and things she says. She has a kind heart and the sweetest disposition. We are most grateful to have you in our life, Ruby. You are a gift from God. To this world. And to us.

Jeff's Happy Birthday Weekend

Jeff and my brother Jason getting ready to go to the first home Eagles game today. (Yea. They're just a little excited.)

It was definitely a great birthday for him. We started Saturday with a family photo shoot on the beach. A blogging friend is starting her photog business and agreed to shoot us in Brigantine early yesterday morning. Take a look at www.maxandmimiphotography.com for a sneak peak. Kate is such a lovely person and does great work. I think we got some beautiful stuff coming. The 3 she posted of Ruby are just stunning. Can hardly wait to see the rest! We did some family shots and then tons of Ruby who just hammed it up and drew a crowd. Afterwards, we found a great breakfast spot, sat by the beach watching the ocean for a bit, then headed home. Here is Ruby loving the ocean breeze and having fun watching the waves. It was such a pretty day!

We had a lazy afternoon at home. First I took a nap and Jeff babysat. Then Jeff took a nap (as we were up REALLY early). Ruby was the only one who got rest the night b4 and didn't nap at all! While Jeff was sleeping, the rest of us got to work. We cleaned up around the fire pit and set up all the chairs. I tidied up the patio, put candles everywhere, and set it up for dinner. My brother Jason prepped the filet mignon for himself, Jeff, Anthony, and Britney. I made fish for Ruby and I.  Ruby & I made a cute card for daddy and I got all of his gifts together before he got up. Worked out great!

Rustic table set for the occasion. Ruby even got a fancy plate AND she insisted on a wine charm for her elephant cup. haha. She was so excited to help me clean up and get things ready for Daddy's birthday dinner. Such a good little helper! Should have got a pic but we were just too busy. Snapped this one much later.

Jason and I making dinner and bursting at the seams to give Jeff his bday presents.

Hubs and I sharing a hug.

Lovebirds Brit and Anthony

 We had an amazing dinner followed by a nice chat by the fire. Before heading to "The Pit" we presented Jeff with his Eagles themed gifts. First the cake. Jeff is obsessed with Carvel ice cream cakes and I wouldn't dare have a bday for him without one. This year I was all excited to find a football cake. Perfect!  Oh how I love a theme. So while preparing for dinner by bro advised me to take it out to set awhile so it won't be so hard to cut. Now I should have known better, but thought maybe his freezer downstairs was colder than mine so I listened. Went to grab it after dinner and omg....MUSH! A box full of gooey ice cream and chocolate crunchy mush! There was one hunk of ice cream in the center still solid enough to stick a candle in and through giggles we gave it to him.  He was a little disappointed as the carvel cake is the highlight of his bday each year (funny the simple things that make that man happy) but we scooped it out and ate the goo with spoons and I have to say it was still quite tasty! He was still teasing us about his sunken cake until he saw the tickets Jason scored. Eagles home game tickets complete with VIP passes, sideline seats and passes (where he gets to meet the players), and even VIP parking. Look at his face. Priceless!

 I got him an Eagles baseball hat, shirt, and rain ponchos for the both of them, and a small portable grill amongst other things. He loved them all and loved the card from Ruby where she drew her hand and mine on it and put happy stickers on the front. Turned out cute. To say Jeff was excited about it all would be an understatement. The two of them were like giddy school boys today as they packed up their goods for tailgating and fun. SO happy for my hubby! This is like his DREAM day. As for me, I am enjoying a quiet rainy day at home with the little miss. And that suits me just fine. Happy to be home and dry with my favorite lil gal while the boys get silly in the rain and eat junk food and drink beer. Most of all I am so glad my husband got to have such a great birthday. Mushy cake and all. :-)

A Special Birthday

My hubby's birthday. My loving, kind, patient, and hard working hubby. An incredible husband. An amazing father. I don't know what I would ever do without him in my life. So today, I just want to say how lucky I am that you were born on this special day. I love you with all my heart!

*This is also the day my husband proposed to me...many years ago. It also marks our daughter's 3-1/2 years on this planet and exactly one year since we left for Thailand to get our daughter. A special day for all of us indeed!

Weekly Inspiration: Einstein

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. 

Albert Einstein

Precious Time

There is one week left. My little girl is off to school next Wed. We took her to an open house there yesterday and it went very well. We had a lot of time to talk to the teacher and her assistant. They are wonderful! Ruby liked them also and busied herself around the room. She pulled out pegs, painted, cleaned up and washed hands in the kid-sized sink, played with the tea cups and pot (passing them out) and just enjoyed the room while we talked. We got to meet some of her classmates and their parents, too, which was nice. It's going to be a really great experience for her and part of me is just so excited!

The other part of me is a bit choked up. After all my giddiness about free time and getting to go back to the gym, somewhere around last week I was suddenly struck with the realization that she's not gonna be here all day anymore. EVER. These are the last Mommy and Ruby mornings and days of lazy long snuggles. Just her and I all day long. Sure we will have weekends and summers and a million more amazing times. But, these are precious moments while she is still young and (choke)  I am feeling rather sentimental about it!

Yesterday was one of those dreamy days. We did nothing much and yet our day was full of magic. We snuggled, we played, wondered around the yard. She studied the wind blowing through the trees and found her favorite stick with which to "sword fight" me. (Ha, ha -I am the rock monster and she is Nutcracker from her favorite Barbie movie. What happened to being the princess?) We sat on the porch and laughed, rocked. Later, we tried on clothes for hours. I tried to get her down for a nap early in the afternoon to no avail. She laid there snuggling and quiet like such an angel but after a half hour I looked at her and she was still wide awake. So I said OKAY, do you want to get up? YES!!! So I told her we were getting pictures taken this weekend and we had to try on some clothes. It was so fun. She's so into dress up now and was delighted to prance around in one outfit after another. I am now packed for the shoot, know what she is wearing for Halloween, and know what will fit her for fall. I can't believe how fast she has grown in the last year. Heck, I can't believe it's been a year!

Today is, unfortunately, filled with errands to run. The bank, the grocery store, the hairdressers, the post office. But we will definitely work in some fun for Ruby in there somewhere. Maybe a stop at the park or maybe we will make something fun and messy tonight. Water or messy play always seem to be the most fun, don't they? In fact, I will leave you with a few such shots.

This child LOVES to dunk her head. Silly goose!

Two cute heinies up in the air and 2 happy wet kiddos.

Studying each others wet head.

Is there anything more fun than being soaked?

Guess not!

Happy Thursday!!!

"Manual Labor" Day

This is what my brother jokingly called it today. We all put in a LOT of time in the yard this weekend. The weather was GORGEOUS! Absolutely perfect. Sunny, warm, but with a cool breeze in the morning and evening. Autumn is coming and we are all thrilled to be going outside to eat again now that it's comfortable. Jason had the brilliant idea of converting an old stone mess in our back yard (a fire place neglected since previous owners) into a fabulous fire pit/hang out for us this fall. Such a great idea! The picture above is the only "before" shot I have although, really, it was much more of a mess before they cleaned out the fireplace. You should see it now! Will wait to post another pic until it is totally done.


This was the kind of weekend I pictured when invited Jason and his kids to live with us. The guys were busy doing home improvement projects together. We had big family meals. Everyone in a jovial mood. This whole week really. Everybody chipped in and helped out, we took turns whipping up great dinners, and a lot of fun was had. Not that it hasn't been fun before but after a few months of living together we've sort of hit a high point. I guess we figured out each others quirks and routines...got used to this and that and are starting to have more fun. And yea, I'd say we are growing too. It's very nice. Granted, it can still be a bit chaotic at times and there are still nights when one of us wakes up another. Sometimes it's the kids and sometimes it's the BIG kids. But for the most part, we are working it all out and having a good time.

But back to the yard. It's looking really good. It took me all summer to get back into gardening but I am finally there. Went to Lowes today with Ruby and got some pretty mums and plants. Made a nice planter and to put by the new fire pit. It's funny how motivation towards one thing leads to motivation towards others as well. And inspiration also leads to MORE inspiration. For example, I wanted to eat more healthy so I started to cook, which led me to cleaning up and organizing (especially the kitchen) more, which led to me using herbs from the garden, which led to me weeding to actually FIND said herbs.... you see what I mean. :-)  A very good chain reaction! And then there is Jay (my bro Jason) - who was all excited about cleaning up the outdoor fireplace - which lead to digging out a gravel pit, which led to the guys making a patio, which led to them pruning all the trees around the area, which lead to an entire yard clean-up by all of us! I also got so inspired to "fall" up the fireplace and put nice flowers and candles around it. I'll tell you, the season of change is bringing about good stuff around here!

HDF RECEIVES ROYAL PATRONAGE

Father Joe and staff of Mercy Centre greet Princess Srirasmi of Thailand.

Received a wonderful newsletter this morning from Father Joe. Good news for Mercy Centre! This charity is near and dear to my heart and I am so happy to hear of the Princess endorsing it. Hoping this will bring more money and a happier/more comfortable life for the children and families of Mercy. What an awesome thing for the little school started from nothing and became a large dwelling and place of love for many in need and education opportunity for every child. It is quite a compelling story and I am reminded of a quote by Normal Vincent Peale this morning:

"God finds a way where there is no way". So true. In life and especially with Mercy. From it's humble beginnings in a beat up abandoned building to it's acceptance and patronage from HRH. Through it all Father Joe and his hard working staff never gave up. You can read today's newsletter about the Princess's visit on my other blog, Butterfly Moon Music. I highly suggest reading Father Joe's story sometime too. You can find the books HERE and HERE. Two eye opening books tell the story.

Have a beautiful day!

What's Cooking

My friend, Ellie, asked for me to share some recipes so here's a few things I made recently. Nothing fancy. Nothing too complicated. (I like my recipes EASY!) But lots of yummy! Sorry...no pictures. Totally involved in the process and forgot. Will try to remember next time.

Som Tum salad 

(NOTE: this is usually made with green papaya but since I couldn't find it I improvised with what I had. Turned out pretty good! **Recipes have ingredients in the order I cooked them.

Carrots - A handful, sliced into thin long strips

Green beans - A big handful or two. I blanched them but you could throw them in raw also

Tomatoes - 1 small one, diced 

Dressing -

Peanuts (handful, crushed)

Soy Sauce (1 tbspn...cause I was out of fish sauce)

Lime juice (squeezed about a half of lime to taste and then grated a little bit of the zest in it too)

Palm Sugar (one whole piece - a little bigger than a quarter - you can use brown sugar if you can't find)

Garlic - 1/2 tspn (more or less to taste)

Chilli (cut and then crush gently -with pestal and mortor - one or 2 chillis)

Mix it all together, dump over veggies and enjoy!

*If you can find you can also add tamarin sauce and use 2 tspn of fish sauce instead of soy.

I'm going to share my vegetable green curry dish with you also but I REALLY improvised a lot here. Had 3 different recipes I followed loosely and put into one. They all called for galangal, tamarind paste, and fish sauce. The first 2 I couldn't find (even at 3 Asian grocery stores) and the 3rd I thought I had but was out of. Despite this, it turned out really good! Huge hit with Jeff and my brother but the funniest thing is my darling daughter is NOT a fan of Thai dishes with coconut in them. I made her curry separate, adding less curry paste, more palm sugar, and no chillies. So here is what I THINK I did with ours...

Vegetable Green Curry over Jasmine Rice 

Vegetable oil (1 tbspn in hot pan)

Onion (1 vidalia thrown in with the olive oil in a big wok)

Green curry paste (1-2 tblspns)

Coconut Milk (1 can thrown in after onion cooked down a couple mins)

Water (1 cup thrown in after coconut milk. Bring to boil, then reduce to simmer)

Green beans - (threw in all the veggies than brought temp back up to med to med low, stirring often)

Eggplant (pre-soaked in salt water to take out bitterness, then rinsed, and cut into small chunks)

Small red potatoes (cut into small chunks)

Red peppers (sliced into long strips)

Bay Leaf - threw this in and let simmer a bit

Fish sauce (1-2 tblspoons) * I didn't have so I put in 2 tblspns of soy sauce and squeezed a lime in it plus added some lime zest.

Palm Sugar - 1- 2 hunks - more or less to taste

Basil - needed holy or Thai basil but used reg basil from my garden instead. Just a bit - maybe 5 small leaves.

Chillies - 1-3 depending upon how hot your curry paste is and how hot you like it. My paste had a good kick to it so I only added one crushed chilli but we all agreed I could have added another.

Okay, that's all I remember. Hopefully that's right! Spoon over Thai Jasmine rice.

Last but not least, here is a pizza I made last week that was a big hit. I love making home made pizzas but I gotta tell ya, this was this best one to date.

Goat Cheese Roasted Red Potato Pizza

Garlic Naan Bread
Garlic (small amount - less than teaspoon - sauteed in olive oil. Pour oil & garlic on bread)
Olive Oil (1-2 tbspns. Add more or less to bread as needed and spread evenly)
Red onion (cooked down a bit in olive oil then add to pizza)
Small red potatoes (sliced, boiled, then layered on pizza)
Goat Cheese (sliced off the roll of cheese little clumps and scattered around - but not covering - pizza)
Herbs de Provence (my favorite herb just sprinkled generously all over b4 popping in the oven. *I think a little extra rosemary would be great too but I was out of it.

I did convection cook for 15-20 minutes at 375 but other pizzas I did on regular oven setting at 400 for 20. All ovens vary so start watching it closely at 10 mins.

Let me know if anyone tries these and likes them! Also, please feel free to share some of your favorites!

Music To My Ears

We went for a post op check up and hearing test yesterday at CHOP. How I love the people there that office. SO great with kids. Ruby remembered the beautiful Indian woman, Aruna, that did her previous hearing tests and was happy to see her. Ran up and gave her a big hug. So sweet! But even sweeter was that she got a thumbs up on all her tests! Fluid and ear pressure GONE! Hearing in right ear (the bad ear) perfectly normal. Yea! In the left ear there was only one low tone she didn't hear well, but they still feel her hearing is fine and at a normal level and it could have been influenced by her cold. Woo-hoo! Don't need to go back for 6 months. What a world of difference from how she was hearing (with probably too-loud hearing aids) a year or so ago! Music to this Momma's ears.

 She was such an angel in the office that I treated her to a whoopie pie after lunch at Maggiano's. Love the corner bakery there with their fresh salads and sandwhiches...and yummy soups! It's our normal stop after our appointments and then we hit the fabulous King of Prussia mall. However, I did not buy anything yesterday. I have everything I need. A beautiful and kind hearted little girl that can clearly hear the world around her. Incidentally, I didn't get myself a whoopie pie either.... but I DID take a couple bites of Ruby's for a little taste!

Weekly Inspiration: Ghandi

Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behaviors. Keep your behaviors positive because your behaviors become your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny.

Ghandi

Good one, huh? Haven't done a weekly inspiration for a long while and thought it was about time! Enjoy! Ponder! Have a happy day!

Crayola Factory

Happy with her new "crayon" character...

...but longing for the horse drawn carriage ride that left without us. Maybe next time, Rubes!

It was rainy. We were bored. What fun and excitement could I seek out for us on a random Tues? I set about to find something online and came up with the Crayola Factory in Easton PA. A good hour drive, but why not? I explained it to Ruby who also thought it a great idea. I packed our lunches and off we went. Evidently, we were not the only ones with this plan!

It was a mad house. Think holiday time at the mall. There was no quaint little tour that I had imagined in my head. Somehow I got the idea it would be an old fashioned tour with a warm crayon for the kid at the end. I guess it USED to be like that. Now it is a short movie combined with a demo that we could barely see because the crowd.  After 5 minutes of lifting her up to try to get a peak over everyone's head, we both tired of it and went for the crayon table. No fresh made warm crayon. I don't know why this matters to me, LOL, but I wanted to see them being made and get my - I mean, her - new crayon! :-)

Still, it was a fun day. Would opt to do art at home next time and beat the crowd, but it was a different experience and they had lots of fun play rooms and stations that Ruby enjoyed. We ate our lunch outside in the cute little town square where she spotted the horse. I promised her we'd go back and take a ride but when we did they were gone already. She was disappointed, but took it in stride. So I got her a little toy in the gift shop. (And no, I know you won't believe me but I did not pick out the one that matched her outfit, LOL! I WOULD have, but she actually did first!) We do like our pink around here! Here are a few more shots...

Concentrating on her "art". A little red hippo.

More little creations.

And last, but not least...what touristy day trip would be complete without a pose in the cardboard prop pic? I do just love her expression though.