2010.2

july


corbin palms campout

august

a walk in the woods

september

::40::

october

sowing seeds

november

pie for breakfast

december


reflecting on a full and wonderful year. looking forward to the next. see you then!

2010.1

inspired by a friend.

january


muddy boots

february


morning light

march


beach day

april


habit 4

may


moxie

june


summer night

Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

The rain has returned and we are back in soup mode... (The girls were thrilled to find celery in this week's delivery!) We threw this together before our violin recital and returned to a wonderful smelling house.

Adapted from the Whole Foods website


Serves 4

Ingredients
8 oz dried green split peas, rinsed
1 cup diced ham
1 cup sliced carrots
1 cup chopped yellow onion
2 ribs celery plus leaves, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
4 cups chicken broth

Method
Layer ingredients in slow cooker in the order given, adding the broth last. Do not stir ingredients. Cover and cook on high 4—5 hours or on low 8—10 hours until peas are very soft. Served with biscuits - as we are on a yeast-free diet, but would be just as yummy with a crusty loaf of bread.

crinkles

made 36 of our favourite molasses crinkle cookies for E's class cookie exchange. and some extra for us.

Cori's Molasses Crinkles
1/2 cup melted butter
1/4 cup blackstrap molasses
1 cup sugar
1 egg :: beaten
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp ground ginger
2 cups unbleached white flour
2 tblsp additional sugar

Preheat oven to 350
Put melted butter into a medium mixing bowl. Beat in molasses and 1 cup sugar. Add egg. Sift together dry ingredients (except additional sugar) then add to wet mixture, stirring until well combined. Use your hands to form 1 1/2" balls of dough. Roll in additional sugar then place on cookie sheet with silpat baking mat.
Bake 12-15 minutes. Until firm to touch. Do not over cook - you want these chewy on the inside.

perfect sunday

that followed a perfect saturday. (that culminated in a perfect annual neighborhood progressive dinner.)

here's to a perfect week!

4th annual

tonight was the night. it is so great to see everyone together - ages ranged from 2 to 92. stories flowed along with the wine. good food. and great company.

::

i had to leave the house at 6:15 this morning. i was reminded how much of a morning person i am. i have been staying up too late too often. i was reading here about going to bed the same time as your kids. i am going to give it a try. and i'm going to try to get up earlier too.

full weekend ahead!

seventh night of hanukkah

hanukkah is coming to a close... and christmas is just around the corner. d surprised the girls with a tree last night. they were crazy happy. tonight we lit the seventh candle, and tested the tree lights.

Jolly Old St. Nicholas

Today is the patronal feast of St. Nicholas - the patron Saint of our church. Yesterday we celebrated by combining the English, Spanish and Farsi services (I love L.A!) into one big celebration. It was lovely. We were reminded of the history of St. Nick. Of Santa Claus.

::

this weekend was a whirlwind of activity. and i am trying not to look ahead too carefully. the calendar is full to the brim for the next two weeks. the last two weeks of school. i am content. and don't want to jinx it by fretting about all that needs to get done. the big stuff is all checked off the list. there is time for the little stuff.

it is cold and rainy and i just want to sit by the fire and savour it.

on the third night of hanukkah

shared with a sweet friend. so wonderful to see the girls share their traditions. joined by more friends later on, the house filled with love and laughter. so wonderful to share our traditions.

the 2nd candle

a quiet night together for the second night of hanukkah.

an old habit

i am absolutely thrilled to have been invited back to habit this month, alongside so many wonderful contributors. such a great space to spend the holidays.

december 1. the first door of our advent calendar opened.

menorahs and candles and singing and giggles.



this month is all about light and love.

Happy Hanukkah!