A New Pet

Babycakes got her yearly vaccination and didn't even flinch so Mommy told her she could have a present, whatever she wanted. Of course, she wanted to go to the pet store.
Say hello to Sally Dorothy---or sometimes Judy. I guess all the names are so fabulous, she couldn't decide.

Thanksgiving Round Two

We spent Thanksgiving at my parent's which nice and quiet, laid back. Then on Friday, we had Part II at the Politi house featuring 36 of the loudest people I've ever met.

I made home-made eggnog, I guess it was a hit.Then, Uncle Bobby busted out a harmonica and the children instantly transformed into Irish step dancers.

It was like a Dolly Parton Christmas special, but highly entertaining.After stuffing their faces full of gingerbread and dancing their pants off, the girls quietly farted their way to sleep.

Trick or Treat

We were so lucky this year to have Halloween fall on a Saturday this year. We decided to visit all our family and trick or treat at their house rather than to go up and own the block (a bit monotonous for toddlers).
Stuffed chicken.
Our cousin Mary Loves chicken!

Those chicken feet are great tools for kicking up leaves...
Pop-Pop teaching our little butterball to play the organ.

Pumpkin Carving

Okayyy so I guess Nick wins the carving contest this year. I will reluctantly hand over my belt.

Costumes in the making...

MaryJane is stoked to be a chicken.
Not sure who's more stoked though?

I never met a squash I didn't like...

Like all members of the gourd family (which includes pumpkin, melon, and cucumber), butternut squash is technically a fruit because it contains seeds. Squash's tangerine hue, however, indicates butternut's most noteworthy health perk. The color signals an abundance of powerhouse nutrients known as carotenoids, shown to protect against heart disease. In particular, the gourd boasts very high levels of beta-carotene (which your body automatically converts to vitamin A), identified as a deterrent against breast cancer and age-related macular degeneration, as well as a supporter of healthy lung development in fetuses and newborns. What's more, with only a 1-cup serving, you get nearly half the recommended daily dose of antioxidant-rich vitamin C. (courtesy of wholeliving.com)
My favorite ways to eat them:

Butternut Squash Soup

Macaroni and Cheese with Butternut Squash

Lasagna with Butternut Squash and Sage

Cranberry Bean Salad with Butternut Squash and Bacon (mmm...bacon)

Our Trip to Jones' Farm

As always, our trip was an adventure. MJ fed the chickens while Ranger, the horse, bit Nick (his own fault - right underneath him was a sign saying, "Grandma reminds us that all animals nibble, please do not feed the horses!") Then MJ had a meltdown because she didn't want to leave the bees, despite our efforts in luring her away with honey sticks. It's always a bittersweet visit.

Biker Girl

Yes, the good old Little League Fair behind my parent's house...ahh the memories. This was the first year that MaryJane could actually ride the kiddie rides and she was thrilled. She rode these motorcycles about 15 times. My neighbor, JoAnn, said she was monopolizing them so the other kids couldn't ride. There were new sponsors this year so none of the fun stuff was offered (beer tent, big wheel gambling, etc.), but it was enjoyable for all intensive nostalgic purposes. And we got fried dough!

Minnewaska

MJ, myself, and our Nick finally took our first hiking trip of the summer at Lake Minnewaska. We stopped at the mountain store first and got the best fresh pesto sandwiches while MJ napped. Then we had a little picnic on the lake where MaryJane persisted on convincing us why she needed to get in the lake. We didn't let her strong-arm us this time.

On the rest of the hike, after convinving Nick to let me push the carriage to exercise my upper body because I hate the gym and never go, we dodged hairy eyeballs and snickers from other male hikers, like..."Look at this schmohawk..."

Sorry Nick, you can push next time!

Great food when hiking in the Shawangunk mountains.

3 of my favorite people: The Gza, The Rza, and Bill Murray in Coffee and Cigarettes.

4th of July '09

MaryJane's first sparkler!

My first treasury dedicated to my first love...Michael Jackson.

I likka the lobster...

July is when everything starts to slow down. My priorities change from working, cleaning etc. to who's having a BBQ? And do they have a pool?

Well there's always a party at good old Bab's and Ed's so yesterday I decided to make them a summery treat for being so generous and hospitable every summer.

Lobster rolls courtesy of my friend Martha. I had always seen them at festivals, but they were so expensive and I was afraid they wouldn't be of great quality. I knew Martha wouldn't let me down. The hot buttery toasted rolls stuffed with lemony lobster salad...sorry I'm slobbering on the computer screen...

Last day of school

Woo-hoo, I knew this day would come. I've been on hiatus from my blog for a while due to term garments, final exams/projects and all that stressful stuff, but I will be back and better than ever tomorrow and for the rest of the summer.

Now, I'm off to take a well deserved nap with the babe.

Eco-tip

Use the back of old bill envelopes for your shopping list. Divide the envelope into sections of the grocery store, ie...produce, deli, grocery, meat, dairy, frozen, and miscellaneous. If you're a geek like me, put these categories in the order that yuo walk through the grocery store, as I did. Then list the items you need from inventorying your pantry and checking the sales flyers into the categories you need. Not only will this make your shopping trip easier, but you will be re-purposing those awful coats that your bills wear. My favorite part of this is that I can put my coupons inside the envelope!

Tis the Season for ...Asparagus!

Yes kiddies, asparagus is officially back in season. How does one discern between good and bad asparagus you may be asking yourself? The most tender, fresh, and flavorful picks will be very thin and almost purple at the tips.
More likely, you're asking, "Why does asparagus make my pee smell bad?"
Good question... Asparagus contains a sulfur compound called mercaptan. It is also found in onions, garlic, rotten eggs, and in the secretions of skunks. The signature smell occurs when this substance is broken down in your digestive system. Not all people have the gene for the enzyme that breaks down mercaptan, so some of you can eat all the asparagus you want without stinking up the place.
Unfortunately, I am not one of the lucky few, but I do eat all the asparagus I want because they're loaded with B vitamins and potassium which, in my book, negates the stinky pee.
Here is a delicious recipe that I love to make in the spring (above pictured), courtesy of my friend, Martha.

Morel and Asparagus Sandwiches with Poached Egg
Ingredients
Serves 4
1 cup best-quality whole-milk ricotta cheese
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
10 ounces asparagus, trimmed
4 ounces small morel mushrooms (halved or quartered if large)
1/2 cup homemade or low-sodium store-bought chicken stock
3 tablespoons heavy cream
4 teaspoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
4 teaspoons finely chopped fresh chervil
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
4 very fresh large eggs
4 slices ( 1/2 inch thick) rustic bread, lightly toasted

Directions:
Stir together ricotta, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pinch of pepper in a bowl; set aside.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter and oil; heat until butter has melted. Add asparagus, and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in mushrooms. Add stock, and bring to a simmer. Cover, and cook 2 minutes. Uncover, and cook until asparagus is tender and bright green, about 2 minutes more. Add cream; cook until reduced and slightly thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in herbs and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper; remove from heat.
Bring a large shallow saucepan of water to a simmer. Working with 1 egg at time, break into a cup, and slide egg into water. Cook the eggs until whites are set, 2 to 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer eggs to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
Spread ricotta mixture over bread slices, dividing evenly. Divide asparagus among slices, and drizzle with sauce. Top each with a poached egg. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Words to live by...

Never mind what-is.
Imagine it the way you want it to be so that your
vibration is a match to your desire.
When your vibration is a match to your desire,
all things in your experience will gravitate
to meet that
match every time.

The two greatest home-ec teachers that ever lived (and looking fabulous if I may add)...Representin' FMS & HMS, my old stomping grounds!

Upcycling Contest

My pack-rat, can’t throw anything, water down the shampoo and ketchup bottle has been fueled by my Dad’s child rearing. “Turn that off, Letitia Ann!” was a common phrase yelled through the house growing up. I hated it. It made me feel like we were poor. He repeatedly told me, “One day, you’ll say my Dad was right…” Well I guess I’m here and you were right, Dad. Funny enough, I think the whole world is starting to agree that my Dad was right. In fact, it is paradoxical to think we are poor because we don’t waste, when in actuality the only way we can avoid being poor is to not waste. Every little bit counts!

Upcycling Contest

New Book--Cradle to Cradle

Cool Article

I'm a pretty, pretty princess...it's a full time gig...

So my beautiful daughter turned two on Saturday---the party was a success, even though my cake was kind of wack. She really likes that show, Mighty B, so I decided to make her a cake in the shape of a beehive. It seemed like a great idea...marzipan dyed yellow and rolled into ropes to wrap around a giant dome shaped cake. I used brownie mix and baked it a lower temperature for a longer period of time, so the middle wouldn't be too gooey. It ended up sinking anyway and MJ really liked ripping the marzipan off while I was putting it on. It was her birthday, so I let her.

Spring is here at last...I think

MJ and I are trying to break our winter doldrums and get started on veggie and flower garden, so on Sunday we planted our little seeds landing more dirt on my patio than in the little trays. In the end we succeeded and I schlepped them in to the beautiful little greenhouse at NRHS. Grow little babies, grow!
Here are some fabulous links for the amateur gardener that teach the best organic and frugal ways to do things:
-5 tips for beginner vegetable gardeners


-Learn About Organic Garden Design on a Budget and Reap The Benefits of Cheap Healthy Food