Memorial Day Weekend

     Jake's cousin has been in town for a long Memorial Day weekend.  It's been really nice being able to spend time with her.  On Saturday we went to a cookout and enjoyed the beautiful day.  The ribs were outstanding, the beer was flowing, the children were running around and we were happy.  

Doesn't she look happy?

       She really got down in the mud.  For me, one of the most challenging parts of parenthood has been letting go and allowing my child to be messy and get dirty.  Now that I have relaxed a little, it is very freeing to watch her play in the mud or smash her food up in her hands and know that this is what being a kid is all about.  This wonderful time in her life is about everything being new, the here and now. 

 

I love this festively patriotic romper.  

        As I lounged in the grass and watched my sweet girl walking around with her Papa I thought about how lucky I am.  Our life is full of love.  I am so thankful we get to share these moments together.  

     Today we celebrated with a trip to Harper's Ferry.  It was too hot to stay for very long.  (Bu-laaaaze-in!!!)  We walked the bridge across the Potomac River and soaked in the beautiful scenery.    

      We came home and grilled out.  Winona enjoyed her pool as we circled around outside with some friends and listened to Jake play sweet tunes on his banjo.  Life doesn't get any better than this.  

Etsy Love

     I don't know about you, but I just can't get enough of Etsy.  It sometimes seems that everywhere I look, everything is mass produced.  Hundreds of carbon copy products lined up on the shelves in a grand marketing scheme to make shoppers want to buy, buy, BUY!

     However, shopping Etsy promotes a genuine craftsmanship and supports individual artisans over big box stores.  I love it.  I'm hooked.  So here are some of my latest finds...

  

   These little stuffed animals over at tiddlywinks have absolutely stolen my heart.  I am so into the way she mixes prints and fabrics on these adorable little animals.  I know Winona would love to kiss on one of these babies.  

    Give me, give me, give me!!!  If you know a little baby girl, then you MUST get her a pair of these.   Gracious May has some of the sweetest little shoes I've ever seen.  There are so many prints sure to fit into any lucky girls wardrobe.  

         I actually have the pleasure of being friends with the owner of Space Lotus Studio, and let me just say that she takes so much pride in her tie dyes.  They are so creative and freakin' cute to boot!  I wish Winona had each of the little dresses and t-shirts to add to her already gigantic wardrobe.

       How beautiful is this crochet vest?  Let me just say, I will own this vest soon because I MUST have it!!!  Ermclothing has a gorgeous collection of crochet vests in black and white at amazingly reasonable prices.  Actually more reasonable than many other mass produced vests I have seen in stores.  It would look so pretty paired with a little sundress and some sandals.  

    This is possibly one of the coolest stores I have come across thus far.  Cubit's sells organic, rare, and heirloom seeds.  If you know anything about Monsanto and the terminator seed controversy then you know how important it is for us to continue to plant and save good seeds.  This little store is doing just that and I intend to fully support their business and others like it.  (I did link it with Wikipedia-and let me just add that you should do some research outside of Wikipedia as it is definitely not the always the most reliable source.  But it can suffice for a quick reference.)

   

     

      Have a great Memorial Day-Bethy

Banana Pudding (from scratch)

      Today we are going to a Memorial Day cookout.  Something about Memorial Day just screams, "Summer is Finally HERE!!!"  I think that is what I love so much about it.  The heat, the beer, the smell of charcoal, the kids in the pool, and especially the banana pudding.
      Jake and I decided that we wanted to make the whole deal from scratch (including the vanilla wafers).  It was really hard not to just jump right in and start eating it when we were finished.  Since Memorial day isn't actually until Monday, I'm giving you all an opportunity to make some as well.
       The wafers were delicious.  Obviously we couldn't wait to try them out.  They taste much like sugar cookies.  And the pudding process took a while longer than I thought it would.  Not to mention the fact that I was sweating to death over the hot stove.  Ahem, no sweat made it into the pudding.  I swear.  Here is how its done.

Homemade Vanilla Wafers

Makes about 65 cookies

• 1 cup (8 oz/250 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup (4 oz/125 g) sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 large egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups (10 oz/315 g) all-purpose flour

1. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, combine the butter, sugar and salt. Beat on medium speed until smooth. Add the egg yolks and vanilla, and beat on low speed until blended. Add the flour, and mix until incorporated and a smooth dough forms.

2. Divide the dough into 4 portions. Roll each portion into a log 7 inches long and about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Wrap the logs in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.

3. Position a rack in the middle of the oven, and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper.

4. Using a sharp knife, cut each unwrapped log crosswise into slices 1/4 inch thick. Place the cookies 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.

5. Bake the cookies, 1 sheet at a time, until the edges and bottoms are golden, 12-15 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

 Tadaaaaaa!!  Now for the banana pudding...It's getting good.

 8-10 servings (We actually had to double the recipe.)  And this recipe can be found in the Joy of Cooking cookbook.

Mix together thoroughly in a medium heavy saucepan:

• 2/3 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Gradually stir in, making sure to dissolve the cornstarch:

• 3 cups whole milk

Whisk in thoroughly:

• 3 or 4 large egg yolks

Add:

• 2 to 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces

Stirring constantly, heat over medium heat until mixture just comes to a simmer.  Reduce the heat to low; stirring briskly, bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes.  Remove from the heat and stir in:

• 11/2 teaspoons vanilla

Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pudding and set aside:  Have ready:

• 60-70 vanilla wafers

Peel and slice 1/4 inch thick:

• 4 to 5 ripe, firm large bananas

Line the bottom and sides of a 2-2 1/2-quart dish with the wafers.

Cover with half the pudding and bananas.  

Spoon pudding over any exposed bananas to prevent browning.  Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pudding and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.  

And then you have a beautiful banana pudding, suitable for any outdoor barbecue.  Especially Memorial Day.  

I hope everyone has a great holiday and please be very safe!

Dearest Winona

Let me just preface this with saying...Jake will probably kill me for posting this without his permission.  However, I am working on a blogging schedule but have yet to get it together.  And since I just started this little blog yesterday, I don't have it together.  I do have something planned for Fridays.  You will have to wait until next Friday to witness it.  So with that, here is a letter that Jake wrote to Winona before she was born.  It gives me a little tear in my eye when I read it.  I doubt you will share the same sentiment but it's sweet nonetheless.
And by the way...my grammar and spelling are less than parr so bare with me while we take this blogging journey.  Please and thank you!

Hey baby!
     You've been in your Mom's belly for about eight weeks at this point.  Maybe seven.  It's almost impossible for anyone to pinpoint the date exactly.  We found out about you a little under three weeks ago, and we couldn't be more excited!  Your mom and I are thrilled that you are going to be joining our family!  In fact it is you that will be making us an actual family.  We have our first midwife appointment in a little over a week at which time we will be able to hear your little heartbeat.  We've been tracking your growth.  Last week, you were the size of a blueberry, and this week you are our little lima bean baby!  Next week you'll be grape-sized!  Sometimes, because you are growing so quickly, your mom gets a little sick, but se's getting used to you being there, I think.  She can smell everything really intensely.  We are trying to start getting ready for your arrival.
      We've already picked out your name.  We hope you like it.  If you are a boy, we are going to call you Henry Miller Allen.  Henry Miller is your mom's grandfather's name.  It's also the name of my favorite author.  Now if you are a girl we are going to call you Winona Tansy Allen, which is Native American for "first-born flower."  We thought that was really cute!  We will be really happy after this doctors appointment, to know that you are healthy!  You've got a bunch of people out here who can't wait to meet you!  We love you so much already!  I will write to you again soon.
          Love Dad

Growing Up

These days seem to be flying by and I am having trouble keeping up. My sweet baby girl is almost 15 months old. She is not the small baby that fit into the crook of my arm. Sometimes, I see how long she will let me hold her like she is that tiny baby. Not for long. She is a "big girl." She wants to be on her own already. I see it when she looks at me and says "bye" and takes off running. I know that I am raising her to be independent...but she has quite a long way to go. As happy as it makes me to see little Winona growing and learning and spreading her wings, it makes me a little sad as well when she doesn't need me.

And then there are the moments where I celebrate my freedom as well!! When she takes an extra long nap, or sleeps throughout the night, I do a little dance.

Being her mother has been the best, most challenging, and most rewarding gift. I'm not sure that anything will ever top it. I went from being a city/party girl to a country mama. And I have to say that I couldn't be happier.