I love the smell of Busta Rhymes in the morning

We're #1

Or pointing at a plane.

Very Yummy Pasta

There is really no other way to describe it. Except maybe "super fast pasta" or "quite healthy pasta". I've been making this pretty often, and it's something we all really love to eat. You can pretty much put whatever you want in it, the only important parts are the feta and the tomatoes. It would probably be good with some chicken or even hot Italian sausage if you're into that kind of thing. And by hot Italian sausage I don't mean Raoul Bova. (um, warning. if you click on that name you will see some half-naked hottie.)


Put a giant pot of water on to boil. In a saute pan, heat up about 1/4 cup of olive oil and add one small chopped onion and three chopped garlic cloves. Cook this for about 3 minutes over medium heat. Add one package of whole wheat spaghetti to the boiling water and cook as the package recommends. Add one can of diced tomatoes (or you can used a package of fresh grape tomatoes), one small can of artichoke hearts, one small can of sliced olives, one small bottle of capers (you can definitely leave these out - they are kind of tart and not everyone likes them), a teaspoon of italian seasoning, and about half a cup of white wine. The alcohol does cook off, but you can use chicken stock or vegetable stock instead if you'd like. Cook the sauce for about 3 minutes. When the pasta is done cooking drain it, keeping a little bit of the pasta water (it helps make the sauce creamy). Combine the pasta, reserved pasta water, sauce, and 4 ounces of feta and EAT.

Splendor in the Grass

Great movie. Anywhoo, Gus and I spent a few hours riding the bike and playing in the park yesterday.

Oh, you want proof? Well here it is smartypants.

Burrito

Ok, one more thing. Darren thinks it's hilarious to wrap us up super tight in blankets like a burrito. Usually Gus throws a fit, but this morning he was too engrossed in Sesame Street to really care. Doesn't he look awesome?

The Weekend

Oh man I love spring so much. I want to marry it. In spite of repeated wet weather warnings (accidental alliteration! yay!) for the weekend, it was lovely. Sunday we drove to Lucky Peak to check out the "rooster tail" along with half of the Treasure Valley (the reason D and I pretty much never do anything is that we hate people. there were so many people up there I wanted to cry.). We let Gus stick his feet in the water and of course he waded in all the way to his keester. Darren wanted me to drive home and I get all panicky and pissed when there are a lot of cars/children/dogs on the road. I almost got out and punched one stupid broad in a PT Cruiser. Just because she was driving a PT Cruiser. Kidding.

It's good to fall in love with your family again.

The Paperboy

Look at this little boy we found carrying our newspaper! He looks like a sweetie. I wonder why his parents don't love him enough to put him in pants or matching shoes?

'Tar

Gus loves to play "tar" with his papa just about more than anything.When I got home from my tattoo on Wednesday they were trying to learn one of my favorite songs. They were concentrating so hard, and only stopped for a few smooches. I love them separately, but when they are together it's overwhelming. Two handsome, sweet, and silly boys. I am very lucky.

Painted Lady

I'm mad because it hurts.





Um, I got a big tattoo. It hurt. It was totally worth it. It's an illustration out of "The Giving Tree", arguably the best book ever written. It's on the inside of my left arm, right where Gus put his head every time he has ever fallen asleep while I rocked him. He doesn't do that anymore, but it's ok. He's the little boy hugging the tree. The tree is me.

Hair cuts

Two of 'em.

I've got beef with you Cosby

Why don't they make Jell-o Pudding Pops anymore? Do they think we don't crave frozen pudding on a stick?? Because WE DO.

Tootsie Toes

I've been craving a pedi since I saw April and Kira's a few weeks ago. Yesterday I took my mom to a super fancy spa for her first pedicure! It was awesome of course. When I got home Gus kept saying my toes were "pitty" so I did his too.

(Almost) Vegan Elvis Comeback Specials

I'm a vegetarian. I've claimed veggie status on and off for a few years now, but this time I mean it and I'm not going back. Sometimes I wish I had the willpower to go completely vegan, and then I remember that I love cheese and over easy eggs and I hate margarine. Le sigh...

Anywhoo, I recently discovered vegan baking and I'm all about it. I like to avoid dairy (except cheese, duh) because I can't stop envisioning the poor cow hooked up to a machine that just drains its teets all day. I remember that feeling a little too well (ba dum bum... i'll be here all week folks). And, vegan baking tends to be a bit lower in calories and fat than your usual eggs n butter batter. I've made a few batches of different vegan cupcakes, but these are by far the best. There's great banana flavor, and the texture is much lighter than other vegan cupcakes I've made. I used this recipe from Bake & Destroy, but in the peanut butter frosting I had to use butter because I'm scared of shortening. They're not totally vegan, but they're really frickin' good and I won't tell if you won't.

Obsession

I don't know how or when it happened, but Gus is officially OBSESSED with his uncle Webster. He's getting a huge gnarly molar right now and doesn't want to take a nap, eat, bathe, go outside, read, or watch TV. He just wants to cry for Wes. I'm not kidding. Today at nap time he was absolutely sobbing "Wes, Wes, Wes, Wes" over and over again. It was annoying/sad/funny.

He's got a fever, and the only cure is more Wesley.

The Brothers Beck

Wicked Christmas bandanna, matching scruffy mountain man beards, and two totally gomer facial expressions. The Brothers Beck strike again.

By the way, if ya'll don't hear from me for a couple of days Darren and Wes have probably stuffed me in a trunk somewhere. Call the authorities.

On Motherhood

There aren't sufficient words. It is debilitating and inspiring. Tragic and silly. Heartbreaking and completely overflowing with hope.

It's not something I will ever get used to. Seeing my heart grow legs and walk away from me. Seeing my soul learn words and colors and numbers and love. Sometimes I think "How can it be? He is not a person himself... he is me. He is part of me, he grew inside of me and from me, how can he do things on his own?". It hurts so much. It is so beautiful.

I have two moms. One who made me, one who helped. Both I love so much. Both I need so much. If I have one wish for myself as a mother, it is that I can be for my son what they have been for me. A safe and accepting friend, a fair and concerned parent, a teacher by example. Always, always, always, loving.

A tiny bit silly

We find last summer's hat and sunglasses. Hilarity ensues.

P.S. That picture on the bottom is him throwing out a peace sign. Awesome.

Our Favorite Cookies

Just quit whining and make them already. They're super easy and super duper tasty. From one of my absolute favorite blogs Baking Bites.

Flourless Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
1 cup crunchy peanut butter (we like Adams Natural Chunky)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder
2 tbsp water
1/2- 3/4 cup chocolate and/or peanut butter chips

Preheat oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, whisk together cocoa powder and water until smooth.
In a large bowl, stir together all ingredients, including cocoa powder and water mixture. Add chocolate chips at the end of mixing.
Drop by tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet and flatten slightly with a moistened finger.
Bake for about 10-13 minutes (mine were done at about 8) at 350 F, until golden brown at the edges.
Cool on pan before removing to wire rack to cool completely.
Makes 2 dozen.

Ten things that are awesome. Ten things that are not.

In our house we love:
1. Blue's Clues
2. Organic brown eggs (for real. they are so good. and eggy.)
3. Feta
4. Pesto
5. Recycling
6. Going on bike rides
7. Dr. Seuss
8. The NBA playoffs (this one is obviously not me)
9. Veggie corn dogs
10. Target

We don't love:
1. Any kid's show other than Blue's Clues
2. Bedtime
3. Getting our faces washed
4. Coming inside from the out-of-doors
5. Paying bills
6. Cleaning
7. School (right now anyway)
8. Wind
9. Gas prices
10. Mean people

All about our stupid, boring life

This will be better for all of us if you keep your expectations low. I am lazy and I forget about things like this and I get writer's block (ask my professors!). I give our little blog relationship two months. Three tops.

Until then, thanks for reading about Dodo, Gus and me. We love you all! (I'm assuming)