Family, Food...and Recycling

It's a strange title I know, but I'll explain.

This past weekend was a busy one, but full of fun and good food. And thankfully my stomach WAS cooperating so that I could prepare some dishes and enjoy them. I'm definately feeling some exhaustion after all of the activity, but can relax a bit today and catch up on my rest.

On Friday we had some friends over. We've been trying to get together every two weeks or so, having dinner together, and then either the ladies or the men get a few hours out-on-the-town while the other halves watch the kiddos. We had a yummy steak dinner, and then can you guess where/how the guys decided to spend their evening? So funny...the hardware store, electronics store, and test-driving minivans! Of course, when Lisa and I had our night we went to The Flower and Craft Warehouse and a coffeeshop. Typical, right? :-) You could tell the hubbies had a good time though and needed that guy time.

Saturday morning Natalia and I headed to a nearby park to meet with my cousin Dana and her daughter. We only get to see this side of my mom's family every year or two, so when we do get together, it's even more precious. The weather was gorgeous and we got to catch up as the girls played. (We would get to spend more time with the rest of the family on Sunday.)

After church and naps, all of my Mom's side of the family were getting together on Sunday for a picnic at my aunt and uncle's house. All but 4 of the 35 of us were there! I took a picture of Great Grandpa and Nana Ruth with all 7 (8 counting our "kumquat") great-grandkids, but it didn't turn out very well and I can't load pictures on this computer until Pete fixes it. We had a great time. Again, I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family that thoroughly enjoys spending time together.

Then yesterday evening we got to spend the evening with Pete's dad Jurek (George), his wife Malgosia (Margaret), and Pete's brother Wojtek. Tek is leaving soon for a job in Belgium so it's been really nice to see him a bit more these last few weeks. We had a delicious meal as always, and Natalia was the life of the party. :-)

So this morning I'm in recovery mode and taking it easy. The most strenuous thing so far has been trying to explain to Natalia why we recycle our cardboard. LOL Many a puzzled look, I can assure you. Her main concern--"where are the Mint Klondike bars that belong to this packaging?" A valid concern, don't ya think?

Peach Cobbler

This recipe is modified from one I found on allrecipes.com--so yummy and perfect for any time of year. When fresh fruit isn't in season you can used canned. Granny Smith apples, berries, or peaches are especially good in this recipe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. sugar
1 c. milk
29 oz. can of sliced peaches, drained

Topping:
1 tsp. cinnamon
3 Tbsp. brown sugar
3 Tbsp. oatmeal

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Put slices of butter in an 8 x 8 inch baking dish and melt in the heating oven.
Combine dry batter ingredients, mix with milk, then pour over the melted butter in dish.
Layer sliced peaches over top.
Mix topping ingredients and sprinkle over peaches.
Bake for 50-60 minutes.
Serve warm.
Makes 4-6 servings.

Suggestions?

This post is merely to ask for your feedback. I need some book recommendations. Though I enjoy rereading my favorites, I'm alittle bored of that and so...

Any suggestions?

Some of my favorite types are:

1. Historical Christian fiction (think Bodie Thoene or Francine Rivers--I like Karen Kingsbury but she gets really predictable)

2. Classic Literature (nothing too "heady" for now: like To Kill A Mockingbird, or Little Women)

3. Mystery/Suspense (I like most of John Grisham's work, just nothing too dark or gory)

4. Light-hearted "Beach" reads--some fluff allowed ;-)


What are some of your favorites?

Coming Out Of Hibernation

Oh, what a breath of fresh air and warm sunshine will do!

This morning I awoke with a pounding headache and every muscle felt sore--must have been having some wacky dreams! But, after 2 Tylenol, tea and toast, I was determined to power through and actually try to accomplish the grocery shopping before lunch.

With feeling so completely wiped out these last 3 weeks ENERGY was part of the issue--but the even greater reason was all of the combined smells of the place. (And it's a very clean, well-kept store!) As I told my mom last night, I've had trouble even walking through the cereal aisle. That's how keen my smeller has been. Hmmm...under different circumstances I could replace the drug-sniffing dogs, but I digress.

Well, I am happy to report that Natalia and I were victorious this morning. No hurling or collapsing. :-P Praise the Lord!

Maybe the nausea is lessening just a bit. Wierd, since I stopped taking the ginger root and Vit. B6 last Friday. Just didn't feel they were making that big of a difference and I wanted to see what stopping them would do. Maybe I'll be one of the fortunate ones this time and this yucky bout will be short-lived.

All I can say is, I feel like a bear coming out of a long hibernation. And after so many rainy days, the sunshine was calling to me...

Baby Stuff

Gotta' question for all you recent moms out there. Anyone have anything to say about Belly Bands? Supposedly you can extend the life of your normal clothes by putting these around your waist to cover up loosened pants. Sounds good to me right now because though I'm not really showing yet, I really feel uncomfortable with things that sit at my waist. Are these band thingies something you'd recommend? And where can I find one without spending a ton?

On another note, but still baby related, our newest resident is the size of a grape this week and has lost his/her tail! Whoo hoo! :-) The four chambers of the heart are forming as are the valves. My 1o week appointment is next week so it will be exciting to once again hear the heartbeat.

Now, I'm just hoping and praying that this upcoming weekend's festivities will smell and taste good to me...and that I'll have energy to visit with all the family we plan to see.

What's The Deal?

Our daughter has begun to do something strange lately.

Then again, maybe it's not so strange and is yet another way she is "taking control" of her life. :-P

A few mornings now I've walked into her room to find her completely undressed--but thankfully still wearing a diaper. What's the deal? You'd think she'd make the connection that it's a bit chilly this way! I think she's doing it after waking and before making enough noise for me to know she's up.

She doesn't seem bothered by it though and since then has even tried to take her shirt off while we're just relaxing in the living room--before I've stopped her.

Anyone else have kids who did this, and is it just a phase? Hopefully an at-home phase!!!

pOh-tAy-tOe, pOh-tah-tOe

Natalia's development since turning 2 has been amazing. (I know this is no surprise to those of you with toddlers--you know!) Not only is she saying some Polish words, but forming longer and more complex sentences and surprising us daily with the things she does and says.

Still, there are some really funny pronounciations that we get a good chuckle from. Here is a sampling:

flip flops = fee bops
milk = muck
car = tar
Morgan = moy-net
Avery = A-vee
Natalia (herself) = tah-lee-ah
thank you = ah-doo
school bus = stool b-oo-s (supposed to sound like look)
.....and what's more, everything--EVERYTHING--is "mine". Though we now have established that some things are Mama's and Tata's. But the house, car, computer, etc....apparently not!

Last night she actually said "lasagna"! I didn't even know she knew what that was! I don't make it that often.

What's really cool is hearing her say "csesc" (ch-eh-sh-ch = hello) to her Babcia (Grandmother)or Dziadek (Grandfather)--which she can actually pronounce!--and hear her ask "Where's Woijek (Uncle)?" Pete's been waiting and waiting for her to catch onto the speaking part of the language, though she understands it perfectly.

And finally her personality is really starting to bloom--and boy, is she a determined little one! I really have NO IDEA who she takes after! (Bah hah!)

We know she will LOVE having a baby sister or brother come the end of the year. She already plays momma to all her dolls and stuffed animals, reading to them, feeding them in her highchair, and singing to them in her crib. She'll be a wonderful big helper to Mommy, I just know it. She already come running into the kitchen whenever she hears the dishwasher door open yelling, "I wanna' helper! I wanna' helper!" :-)

Her bright-eyed smile first thing in the morning as she jumps and jabbers in her crib, watching her read her books with great concentration, pointing and saying what things are, and hearing her sing countless nursery rhymes continues to melt our hearts. (In fact, right now she's downstairs singing "oh where, oh where has my little dog gone?" quite enthusiastically!)

That's our girl--love you Sweet Pea! XXXOOO