Tuesday, November 25, 2008
More Maggie-isms
We are working on potty training and at the risk of jinxing the hard work so far, I think it is going well. Maggie went to preschool today and only had one accident towards the end of preschool (she's only there for 2 1/2 hours). I took the week off to give Maggie and me some fairly uninterrupted time to, hopefully, have a successful shot at potty training. In the midst of all of this, we are also working on the different words for bodily functions. About a week ago, Maggie announced to Rocky that "My butt burped."
Monday, November 17, 2008
Seattle: the photo adventure
The water front
Mt Rainier
The Space Needle
A seagull enjoys the afternoon sun
Aunt Pat & I after one of our Adventures in Food
Adventures in Eating: Seattle Style
Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting Seattle on a recruitment trip. As much I as was looking forward to the recruitment side of the trip, I was also looking forward to the food. I knew I would be able to get some good seafood and other options as well. Upon arriving at the hotel and only having eaten a few airplane snacks, Betty and I were ready for lunch. And across the street, like a beacon in the night was the Cheesecake Factory! There is no Cheesecake Factory in Billings, and I would wager there isn't one in Montana. So, we indulged in some over-sized portions of a delicious lunch (but skipped the cheesecake -- I'm not sure how people could actually eat one of their meals AND cheesecake). The remainder of the trip, we did hit the local joints!
The following day, Betty and I walked down to the waterfront for lunch. Many hills and stairs, we made it to the Crab Pot. A restaurant with checkerboard table cloths covered with butcher paper, just waiting for that large pot of crab, shrimp, mussels, corn on the cob and red potatoes. Neither Betty nor I were quite that hungry, so I opted for the clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl. Heavenly! The chowder was buttery, creamy, the clams were meaty. And the sourdough was wonderful! You cannot get sourdough quite as "soury" anywhere but on the west coast. There's just something in that salty, sea air that gives it an extra tang.
My aunt Patsy from Eugene drove up that afternoon to spend the weekend. She knew exactly where she wanted to eat that night: The Wild Ginger. She raved about their green beans. Unfortunately, that Friday night, the earliest reservation we could get was 9:30. Never fear, the Sheraton has a wonderful concierge that got us reservations for the following night and recommended a tapas place, Tango Restaurant, just a few blocks walk. Neither of had ever had tapas, but we were up for the adventure! We started out and soon realized the walk was straight up a hill! I never knew Seattle was so hilly, like San Francisco. I think we all worked off all the food we ate! But the tapas place was fabulous! The staff was very friendly. The owner greeted us and got us drinks right away. Pat had the margarita and I enjoyed the sangria. Our meal started with an appetizer, complements of the owner. It was a mini bleu cheese souffle, topped with a cranberry compote. We ordered the green beans, a pear and pomegranate salad, and a seafood combo tray which included shrimp, scallops and a mixta with mussels, calamari and octopus! I tried the octopus, which while it tasted fine, was very chewy and probably not anything I would order again. The rest of the meal was fabulous!
Saturday, we enjoyed a late breakfast after Betty and I finished our 2nd to last exhibit time at a restaurant at Pikes Public Market (one recommended by the concierge). We had one last exhibit session, and after we packed up, Pat and I had some time to enjoy the market before dinner at the Wild Ginger. Dinner was as wonderful as Pat had lead us to believe. We had the green beans, lettuce wraps with halibut, kung pow chicken and jasmine shrimp.
Over all the recruitment trip seems to be very successful. Betty and I spoke to many nurses who seemed genuinely interested in moving to Billings or at least learn more about what we are doing at the Billings Clinic. But oh the FOOD! I have also learned to ALWAYS ask the concierge for a restaurant recommendation.
The following day, Betty and I walked down to the waterfront for lunch. Many hills and stairs, we made it to the Crab Pot. A restaurant with checkerboard table cloths covered with butcher paper, just waiting for that large pot of crab, shrimp, mussels, corn on the cob and red potatoes. Neither Betty nor I were quite that hungry, so I opted for the clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl. Heavenly! The chowder was buttery, creamy, the clams were meaty. And the sourdough was wonderful! You cannot get sourdough quite as "soury" anywhere but on the west coast. There's just something in that salty, sea air that gives it an extra tang.
My aunt Patsy from Eugene drove up that afternoon to spend the weekend. She knew exactly where she wanted to eat that night: The Wild Ginger. She raved about their green beans. Unfortunately, that Friday night, the earliest reservation we could get was 9:30. Never fear, the Sheraton has a wonderful concierge that got us reservations for the following night and recommended a tapas place, Tango Restaurant, just a few blocks walk. Neither of had ever had tapas, but we were up for the adventure! We started out and soon realized the walk was straight up a hill! I never knew Seattle was so hilly, like San Francisco. I think we all worked off all the food we ate! But the tapas place was fabulous! The staff was very friendly. The owner greeted us and got us drinks right away. Pat had the margarita and I enjoyed the sangria. Our meal started with an appetizer, complements of the owner. It was a mini bleu cheese souffle, topped with a cranberry compote. We ordered the green beans, a pear and pomegranate salad, and a seafood combo tray which included shrimp, scallops and a mixta with mussels, calamari and octopus! I tried the octopus, which while it tasted fine, was very chewy and probably not anything I would order again. The rest of the meal was fabulous!
Saturday, we enjoyed a late breakfast after Betty and I finished our 2nd to last exhibit time at a restaurant at Pikes Public Market (one recommended by the concierge). We had one last exhibit session, and after we packed up, Pat and I had some time to enjoy the market before dinner at the Wild Ginger. Dinner was as wonderful as Pat had lead us to believe. We had the green beans, lettuce wraps with halibut, kung pow chicken and jasmine shrimp.
Over all the recruitment trip seems to be very successful. Betty and I spoke to many nurses who seemed genuinely interested in moving to Billings or at least learn more about what we are doing at the Billings Clinic. But oh the FOOD! I have also learned to ALWAYS ask the concierge for a restaurant recommendation.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below
I woke up at 2 am the other night. Not sure why. Maggie was peacefully sleeping and hadn't woken me up yet (she still usually wakes up once a night and I get to hear through the monitor -- "Mommy, where are you?" in a little sing song voice). I glanced out our bedroom window and noticed it was very bright outside. I wondered if the neighbors had left a porch light on or something. When I put on my glasses and really looked, I discovered the full moon, bright and beautiful, and disrupting my sleep.
I have been reluctant to get curtains or shades for this window because I like how it looks without cover. There's no molding, it's just a big window looking out over our backyard and into the pasture and prairie behind the house. I like that on a clear, dark night, I can see the big dipper from my bed (if I have my glasses on). I like that in the evenings in the summer, we can watch the sunset into the prairie. I LIKE the coverless window. But this full moon is making me rethink this.
I did get a little more sleep, but was completely up for the day around 4 am. Maggie really did sleep through the night (and in her own bed all night). The moon set sometime soon after I got out of bed, as it was dark when I let Otis out. The cold night air was a tad jarring, but the sky was lit by the millions of stars visible. And I was reminded of why we wanted to move here.
I have been reluctant to get curtains or shades for this window because I like how it looks without cover. There's no molding, it's just a big window looking out over our backyard and into the pasture and prairie behind the house. I like that on a clear, dark night, I can see the big dipper from my bed (if I have my glasses on). I like that in the evenings in the summer, we can watch the sunset into the prairie. I LIKE the coverless window. But this full moon is making me rethink this.
I did get a little more sleep, but was completely up for the day around 4 am. Maggie really did sleep through the night (and in her own bed all night). The moon set sometime soon after I got out of bed, as it was dark when I let Otis out. The cold night air was a tad jarring, but the sky was lit by the millions of stars visible. And I was reminded of why we wanted to move here.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Homemade
I love homemade food. Typically it is tons better than anything I could buy in the store, and sometimes even cheaper. Homemade bread, fresh from the oven -- doesn't even need butter (not that I would leave that off!) The cookies I bake at home are much better than the ones at the store (with the exception of the DoubleTree Hotel cookies -- but I now have the recipe and will be trying them out soon). This morning, I ended up trying something new: syrup.
I knew I needed to make a big breakfast this morning because there was a package of bacon that needed to either be cooked or I would have to throw it out in a few days. So I asked Maggie and Rocky if they would like pancakes, waffles or eggs for breakfast. Maggie immediately said "Waffles!" And asked to help stir the eggs. I started the waffles as usual, but didn't double check to be sure I have everything I need. Very typical of me. I tend to assume I have everything (even though today was grocery shopping day) and move forward until I have to figure out a work around, substitute or let it sit until Rocky or I can run to the store to pick up the missing ingredient (you should have seen the bread dough the day I ran out of flour!).
I got the first set of waffles done and called to Rocky. He immediately went to the fridge to grab the syrup. But we were out. Whoops! I offered a substitute of jam, but Rocky wouldn't go for it. Then he asked if I could MAKE syrup. Interesting question. Do I have a recipe for syrup?
I have one cupboard that holds my cookbooks. I have quite a collection. I love to read them, even if I never crack it to actually try one of the recipes. I started with Betty Crocker. No luck. Paula Deen? Nope. The book from my mother-in-law that her sister put together with their family recipes? Unfortunately, no. My last stop before heading to the Internet was "Gilbert's Goodies," a collection of recipes from my mother's uncle's family. Success! There was a recipe, tucked into another recipe for pancakes. A very simple recipe: 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup white sugar, 1 cup water, 1 tsp maple flavoring, stir and boil until sugar is melted. Of course, I don't have maple flavoring so I added a tsp of vanilla instead. It wasn't too bad. I think I will be hard pressed to purchase syrup in the future knowing just how easy and cheap it is to make.
The leftover syrup is in the fridge and we'll see how well it keeps. After all, we have left over waffles (heated in the toaster -- you can keep your Eggos) and bacon, so I know what I'm making for breakfast tomorrow.
I knew I needed to make a big breakfast this morning because there was a package of bacon that needed to either be cooked or I would have to throw it out in a few days. So I asked Maggie and Rocky if they would like pancakes, waffles or eggs for breakfast. Maggie immediately said "Waffles!" And asked to help stir the eggs. I started the waffles as usual, but didn't double check to be sure I have everything I need. Very typical of me. I tend to assume I have everything (even though today was grocery shopping day) and move forward until I have to figure out a work around, substitute or let it sit until Rocky or I can run to the store to pick up the missing ingredient (you should have seen the bread dough the day I ran out of flour!).
I got the first set of waffles done and called to Rocky. He immediately went to the fridge to grab the syrup. But we were out. Whoops! I offered a substitute of jam, but Rocky wouldn't go for it. Then he asked if I could MAKE syrup. Interesting question. Do I have a recipe for syrup?
I have one cupboard that holds my cookbooks. I have quite a collection. I love to read them, even if I never crack it to actually try one of the recipes. I started with Betty Crocker. No luck. Paula Deen? Nope. The book from my mother-in-law that her sister put together with their family recipes? Unfortunately, no. My last stop before heading to the Internet was "Gilbert's Goodies," a collection of recipes from my mother's uncle's family. Success! There was a recipe, tucked into another recipe for pancakes. A very simple recipe: 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup white sugar, 1 cup water, 1 tsp maple flavoring, stir and boil until sugar is melted. Of course, I don't have maple flavoring so I added a tsp of vanilla instead. It wasn't too bad. I think I will be hard pressed to purchase syrup in the future knowing just how easy and cheap it is to make.
The leftover syrup is in the fridge and we'll see how well it keeps. After all, we have left over waffles (heated in the toaster -- you can keep your Eggos) and bacon, so I know what I'm making for breakfast tomorrow.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Christmas already
Even though we are only a week past Halloween, consumer-driven Christmas has already begun. The hospital gift shop is all decked out -- and I could easily spend a small fortune there on the beautiful Christmas decorations they have (even with my employee discount). The Christmas season seems to start earlier and earlier every year. I love Christmas; it's my very favorite holiday and I love that it really does last about a month. But to start in early November!?!
I have started thinking about Christmas shopping. As it will just be our family for Christmas, all other gifts will need to be sent, and you can't really shop at the last minute for a gift that needs to be sent. We are going to try to keep the Maggie presents to a minimum as well. Last year, she was completely over-whelmed and didn't even open all of her presents on Christmas morning. I have fun memories from when I was a kid of just hanging out on Christmas, playing the new game we got, watching TV. No rushing, just enjoying the time. I hope as Maggie (and any future children) grow, we will be able to build those family traditions and make Christmas about family and not just the presents.
I did ask Maggie what she wanted for Christmas, and she replied "Santa!"
I have started thinking about Christmas shopping. As it will just be our family for Christmas, all other gifts will need to be sent, and you can't really shop at the last minute for a gift that needs to be sent. We are going to try to keep the Maggie presents to a minimum as well. Last year, she was completely over-whelmed and didn't even open all of her presents on Christmas morning. I have fun memories from when I was a kid of just hanging out on Christmas, playing the new game we got, watching TV. No rushing, just enjoying the time. I hope as Maggie (and any future children) grow, we will be able to build those family traditions and make Christmas about family and not just the presents.
I did ask Maggie what she wanted for Christmas, and she replied "Santa!"
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