Embracing the crock

The crock pot that is.

Being a full time working mama, I'm always looking for things that make my life easier (and really who isn't!)

I adore grocery delivery services (thank you Amazon Fresh!)

I'm all about running errands on my lunch break (when I can).

And I really need to be better about using my crock pot. I love the idea of coming home from a busy work day and smelling something warm and delicious wafting through the house, like my personal cook was busy there all day long. But I haven't tried too many crock pot recipes aside from the standard pot roast.

But this past weekend was different. In the mail I received my supplemental EveryDay Food magazine (I'm still so sad that magazine no longer exists!), but I was thrilled when they published a small version of it this month. I immediately flipped through it folding down pages like crazy. Then I stumbled onto this gem: Italian braised pork. Cooked in the slow cooker. Yes please!

(photo from EveryDay Food/Martha Stewart)

I made it first thing Sunday morning while the wee one entertained herself as my sous chef with some plastic measuring cups, a wooden spoon and basically anything I could hand her that gave me 10 minutes to chop, saute and dump into the crock pot. I made this over quinoa and it was a hit with my family! We had the left overs last night and it tasted even better the next day.

I would have posted pictures but I was working on borrowed time to get it prepped. And it was so tasty it was gobbled up too fast for a photo once it was done.

This recipe is a keeper! I highly recommend it! Once again, thank you Everyday Food & Martha Stewart for another fabulous recipe!

i am: an imom

I am many things.

A woman. A wife. A mother. A writer. A TV producer. A sister. A daughter.

But I've also recently discovered that I'm an imom.

What is an imom you ask? It's not a mom who's super handy/techy with all things Apple related. It's a mom whose child has a serious eye condition.

I didn't know these imom were out there as I stood holding there wee one when she was just 3 months old & we were in a pediatric ophthalmologist office. Or when, just a few short days later I was again holding her, crying (me, not her) at Seattle Children's Hospital as they explained (again) what it meant to be born with a pediatric cataract and what was in store for us.

But I'm grateful I've discovered these other imoms. They are support. They are encouragement. And they are going through - or have already been - where I am and where I'm going. And they are here to tell their tale.

It's not an easy journey. I've shed many, many tears over this battle. And I feel like it's only just begun. I've learned there's no shame in asking for help. I've learned there's no shame in crying hysterically at the doctors office. I've learned there's no shame in coming home from these doctors offices and making a very strong gin & tonic. And then making another one.

I recently shared our story on an eye blog that I follow (they fit right in with my knitting and cooking blogs). The site is called Little Four Eyes. I shared the wee one's story here. Please take a moment to read about it.

Then take a moment to schedule an eye appointment for your wee one. Or yourself.

One of my current obsessions: The Pioneer Woman

Every once in a while I tend to get a wee little obsessed with something. From running, to a particular lunch place, a TV show, it happens from time to time. Lately, it's The Pioneer Woman (but just in case Ree Drummond is actually reading this, she doesn't need to worry. I'm no stalker. Plus it really does look like she lives in the middle of no where, thus making stalking a wee bit difficult.)

I've heard of her blog before. And seen her cookbooks around, but never paid much attention to it. Then recently the Food Network changed their Saturday morning line up giving the PW (as she's abbreviated on her blog) an early morning time slot. I know this because Saturday is the hubby's sleep in day, thus my morning to get up with the wee one. However sometimes, the wee one doesn't want to waste one minute of the weekend sleeping so we're up bright and early and ready to play. So play she does while mama lays on the floor with the Food Network on. 

Now, say what you will about having the TV on and kids in the room. That it's bad for them...blah..blah.. blah... did you not read the part that it's 6 a.m. on a Saturday?! OK, judgement aside, the wee one and I enjoy the FN early in the morning. And now we really enjoy the PW. Some people have raised an eyebrow when I mention something from her show, or give me a funny look. I defend her and say she's a genius and seems really down to earth, like she and I could be friends (and this where the stalker part may come into play.) She's on TV, but she talks like I talk. She makes jokes, movie references and some of them work...and some of them don't. But she just laughs it off.

But her recent post about the season 3 finale of Dowtown Abbey really cemented why I love her so. While she and I are both (spoiler alert) broken hearted about dear old Matthew, she made one comment that just made me laugh. I had to share it:

Okay, let’s grieve together. Share, vent, mourn in the comments. Please tell me it’s just a dream or that Stefano DiMera has just abducted Matthew and is keeping him on a remote island in a cage.

GENIUS!!! A Days of Our Lives reference from way back in the day! I remember that episode! Anyone remember who Stefano DiMera kidnapped and put in a cage on a remote island?* And why was he never arrested for that or any of the other shit he pulled? Considering half of the Brady's were/are cops, what's up with that? OK, I'm digressing. 

Anyhoo...back to my point. To sum it up:
1. I love the Pioneer Woman. You should totally check her out.
2. I can't take the heartbreak on Dowton Abbey anymore. I'm now convinced that in season 4 Alfred will start cooking and accidentally blow up the manor and kill them all. And that will be it.
3. Why did the Brady's never send Stefano up to the big house?

Oh, and if on the way, way off chance that the PW herself is reading this, um, hi. And really, I'm cool. Not stalker like at all.

*It was Hope. Not to be confused with the many, many times Stefano kidnapped Marlena.

A little post for the heart

In honor of Valentine's Day this week, I thought  I'd share a little something for our hearts: education.

Heart disease is one of the top killers for women. And the symptoms of a heart attack are different for women then they are for men. But sadly, not a lot of women know that. And worse, these issues aren't discussed in their doctors offices. As one who is known to be a bit of um, shall we say, a "squeaky wheel" I think it's important to talk about these things.

So in honor of all the heart celebrations this week - both the chocolate, candy and other kind, here's a little video from the lovely and talented Elizabeth Banks. I'm sure we've all had mornings like this (minus the heart attack hopefully).



Hope you had a great Valentine's Day!

Dusting off the blog

Hello, is anyone still out there?

I hope so, but I wouldn't doubt you if you weren't. To say that's it's been a while is an understatement. It's been more than a year since my last post. But to say that I've missed blogging is also an understatement. But I needed the break.

I needed the break to be a new mom. To be a working mom. To get the hang of things. And I'm here to report back that I so don't have the hang of the whole "working mom" thing but basically I miss blogging so here we are.

So what have I been up too? Let's see. Lots of diapers. Sleepless nights. Lots of baby giggles, snuggles, hugs and very drool-y kisses. Lots of work stress, meetings, errands, etc. Way more take out & ordering in than even when I was in college.  Not a lot of knitting, but I'm also hoping that changes.

I've missed everyone. And I'm glad to be back.

Stay tuned. There's more to come.

A real head scratcher...

Before Ruby was born, I made her a knitted Christmas stocking. Not just any stocking, one that matched mine and the hubby's. I picked out the yarn, I made it before she was born so that I had plenty of time to get it done. I finished it. It looked great. Then, like the good knitter I long to be, I blocked it.

And then something odd happened. It got spots all over it. Little pink spots.

Was it mold?

 Was a weird color transfer from the gray yarn to the cream yarn?

Seriously, what the $#%& was it?

Nothing got it out. Nothing. I know because I tried it all.

So here I was. New mom. Exhausted mom. All my knitting & planning gone. So what's one to do when one is obsessed with having a finished perfect Christmas stocking for baby's first Christmas. A Christmas, mind you that baby won't even remember? Well, what all good knitters do around the holidays: I stayed up way to freakin' late and knit another damn stocking.

And I loved it.

And I'm pretty sure Ruby did too!

BTW...if you have any ideas what the hell happened to stocking No. 1, please let me know!

(This photo was taken w/ my cell. I can't figure out how to turn it the right way, but you get the idea....she loved the stocking! Or thought it was something that she could fit into.)

My best F.O. (that's finished object for you non-knitters)

Here it is. Or rather, here she is:

Ruby Harper

Born Oct 7 (hence the long & much needed blogging break).

She's a bundle of joy, energy and laughter! She's brought so much love & happiness into our little family it's like we were just waiting for her.

Although, instead of a finished project, I'm thinking this is one that's still ongoing. And I don't mind at all.

Hat Trick

One thing I've discovered while on maternity leave with no baby yet, is that I can get a lot of knitting done. It also helps if it's quick baby knitting. And it helps when one also discovers Masterpiece Theater's Downton Abbey Season One is on line. Hence, the mass knitting.

 F.O. #1: A pumpkin hat for my little pumpkin. (I actually whipped up two of these in a weekend since another friend is also having a baby right before Halloween). So trust me, this counts for two.

F.O. #2: The baby umbilical cord hat project out of left over sock yarn. The yarn is so old I don't even know what brand it is. But it's perfect for my little one. I even have enough yarn to make another hat.

F.O. #3: Finally a little something for me! This is Catherine from Winged Knits. I've been wanting to make a tam for myself for over a year now. I've cast on at least three other tam projects and haven't loved/liked/been smarter than the pattern on all of them. But when a friend made this one, I knew I had to have it. The yarn is Malibrigo Twist and I just love the color. The photo doesn't due it justice as sunshine is scarce in Seattle these days. Plus I wanted to block it and get it ready to wear!

Now baby and I will be decked out to step out in style. In about 6-7 weeks. Give or take.

Birthday Week!

At least that's what I keep telling Baby Girl - it's birthday week & everyone is ready/excited/dying to meet you so don't be late! Her due date is this coming Saturday, Oct. 8. Which also happens to be my sister's birthday. And as you can imagine, all she wants is a healthy new niece to share it with. However, I'm beginning to think she's going to be late. Hopefully Lindsay will like the necklace and bag I gave her instead.

So in honor of birthday week, and to help encourage her along her journey, I've decided to share pictures of the nursery! Since it's so cute - and I tell her this all the time - I thought you'd like to see them too!

This is a wall hanging my mom made. I picked out the pattern & fabric and totally love this!

This mobile is from a woman who sells them at the Portland Saturday Market. She also has an Etsy site (which for the life of me, I can't find right now.) I have to admit, it's one of my favorite things in this room!

A bookshelf that my dad made for the baby's room. As you can see, this was a family affair!

Anouk

Pattern: Anouk

From: Knitty

Yarn: Cascade 220

I've always loved this pattern and wanted to make it for some special little girl. Now it'll belong to my little girl (due in a 1.5 weeks)! This pattern is especially versatile because it's a little jumper that grows as they do. I made the waist bands (seen here) longer with two button holes so it can be a little top when she's bigger. So it's not only cute knitting, but highly practical knitting as well!

Catching my my breath & catching up

Holy cow. How did it get to be mid-September? This summer has flown by. It's been one of the busiest and most stressful ones I've had in a long time. And to top it off, I was dealing with all the fun/craziness/hecticness while being pregnant. If there was ever a summer I could have used  a gin and tonic (or several, let's be honest here), it was this one.

But it's over and the cooler weather has set in pushing off the handful of summer-like days here in Seattle. I'm welcoming the change of cooler weather, fall leaves and general change in the seasons. It signals to me things slowing down. At least for a little while longer as I'm 37 weeks today. I'm relishing in this peace and quite and slower pace until our baby girl shows up.

But first, let's look back at one crazy summer shall we? It was definitely worthy of several blog posts, I just didn't have the time/energy to get them done.

First, there was a great visit from our friends Shannon, Mike and their two adorable kids! We had a great time with them and can't wait for them to come back! The highlight of their trip was the U2 concert! Which sadly....those pictures seem to be MIA right now. I'm thinking they may have been deleted off my camera accidentally...so sad...such a great concert!

That concert was followed up by another visit of dear friends, Sara & April! They came up to Seattle since I wasn't doing much (or any) travelling this summer. We hit the NKOTBSB concert to relive our younger days! That's the New Kids on The Block & Backstreet Boys concert for those of you wondering what that is. While we all took a bit of ribbing for this, we had a blast in the end, and really that's all that matters!

Oh, and then something really freaking crazy happened this summer. I won not only one, but two Emmy Awards for television producing! I was completely shocked, stunned and thrilled at the same time!

And yes, those bad boys do have a little heft to them.

The summer was also full of several visits by both of our families..of which no pictures were taken. Clearly my camera took the summer off. Decorating the nursery (more to come on that later), planting a garden that went absolutely no where (so depressing...) and just trying to enjoy time together as a couple for the hubby and I before two becomes three. Oh, yeah, and lots of baby knitting. More on that later!

Hope your summer was just as jam packed and fun as mine!

Rainy weekend sewing

Project: Newborn Baby Flyaway Jacket

Book: One Yard Wonders

On a recent rainy weekend - one that I had planned I finally getting the garden in, Mother Nature had other plans. Resigned to some indoor fun, I found myself in the sewing room with a little pent up creativity. These little jackets were super simple to whip up. Thanks the easy use of double wide bias tape and the simple pattern, they came together rather quickly.

 While the pattern called for sewing a snap at the top - which I did with the first jacket - I thought I'd extend the bias tape, sew it together, to create a little tie.

It was my first sewing project in a while, and my first baby sewing project for myself.            It won't be the last!

My first baby sweater - for me!!!

Project: Garter Yoke Baby Cardi

Yarn: Debbie Bliss

Size: I'm thinking 6 months....

Modifications: Instead of picking up and knitting a button band, I tried something new. I added a ribbon to reduce rolling on the sides and used it as a tie. I think the pink flowers add a nice pop to the purple sweater, don't you?

Four years and counting...

Today is my four year wedding anniversary. It's hard to believe this crazy adventure started four years ago today! Although technically, it started out nine years ago when my dear friend Shannon and I were going to have drinks after work. As we were leaving she said, "Oh, and by the way, my fiance is going to meet up with us and I think his old roommate may be with him. Is that ok?"

Turns out, it was pretty ok with me.

Now here we are about to embark on the biggest adventure of them all come early October when our baby girl is due to be born!

I can't wait....

Canaletto Cowl

Project: Canaletto Cowl
Yarn: Malabrigo Rios
Color: Aguas
This is a free pattern on Ravelry. I highly recommend this for a good quick knit.

 I love the detailed seed stitch & simple lace pattern with this project. I added an extra repeat of 22 stitches because I felt the small was too small and the large was too large.

But this size is just right.
This is going to be a Christmas gift. I'm getting an early start after missing the knitting season last year due to my broken wrist. The real trick however will be remember where I put it come December.

The best banana bread recipe. Ever.

Yeah, I'm making that bold statement for all the world to see.
This recipe has become one of my go to recipes lately. Despite the fact that we eat a lot of bananas, we always seem to have some going bad.

So I turned to Martha and she didn't disappoint. She says it's easy-to-bake and she's right. And it's so moist and tasty! The secret: sour cream.

The hubby loves bananas, but doesn't like banana bread. A fact he's told many pretty much every time over our seven years together when I've whipped up some. But not this one. He can't get enough of it.

Although I must confess, I haven't told him that the secret is the sour cream - something he detest even when used in baking (I know, I know what you're thinking, you can't taste the sour cream. I know. The man's crazy but I love him.)

Give it a try the next time you've got a few over ripe bananas. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Martha Stewart's Banana Bread (I omitted the nuts):

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature, plus more for pan
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups unbleached flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup mashed very ripe bananas
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan; set aside. In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, and beat to incorporate.

2.In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to the butter mixture, and mix until just combined. Add bananas, sour cream, and vanilla; mix to combine. Stir in nuts, and pour into prepared pan.

3.Bake until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Let rest in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool.

The End of Radio Silence

Hello....?
Is anyone still out there?
It's me, Meg.

You know, the one who hasn't blogged in over two months. The one who actually had to dust off her lap top to turn it on. The one who used to read your blog and comment regularly. Remember me? Well, I'm beginning to emerge from her anti-blogging/blog reading haze and hope there are people out there who still want to read about what I have to say. And if not, well hey, I'm still gunna say it.

It's been a long, cold, gray, rainy winter. But it's May now and signs of spring are beginning to emerge here the Pacific Northwest. I'd like to report that I've been too busy knitting to blog, but yeah, so not the case. But during the radio silence, there has been a great road trip to Vancouver, B.C., a weekend get  away with 12 other knitters to Ft. Warden for a weekend of knitting, laughing, eating and just getting away from life.

There's been baking, visits with friends and escaping for the occasional walk in between rainy/cold/windy days. I did manage to finish knitting a Christmas present. For Christmas 2011. Yeah, you read that right, I've already got one Christmas present finished. Now the real trick will be to remember where I put for the next 8 months.

So I'm starting fresh, just like spring, to get back into the blogging habit. Because I missed it. And I missed you. Hopefully you're still there. And I hope you're ready for spring too.

F.O.: Boneyard Shawl

Did you feel that? Yup, it was the earth slowly tilting off it's axis and you can blame me. Why? Because I've got not one, but TWO finished objects this week!! I know, I can hardly contain my excitement either!

Project: Boneyard Shawl
Yarn: Baby Alpaca Chunky
For: Me!

I will go back to my one finished object every couple of months now so the world can go back to being normal. 

F.O.: Felicity

Project: Felicity

Yarn: Plymouth Select Worsted Merino Superwash in Rust

For: Me!

In need of a good read

I’ve gotten into this bad habit of crawling into bed with my iPhone. I flip through twitter and end up reading about celebrity gossip and issues in the Middle East and Egypt. Apparently at the end of my day, I have very broad interests. And then I play solitaire for a while.

It’s not the best way to end my day, so I’m looking for a little guidance. Any one gotta good book recommendation?

Here’s the thing though, I’m kind of picky (and going through a phase right now – only happy stuff)

• Nothing scary. No gory/grizzly murders. Zombies need not apply.
• Nothing too emotional. No cute animals dying. No heart break. Nada.

Just something that makes me happy and want to cozy up in bed or on the couch on a rainy weekend day and read with a cup of tea.


Thank you in advance for your suggestions!