Week 24.

I haven't felt like much of a blogger this week (and a lot of other things I'm used to doing). But. I think I am pulling out of this funk....and hopefully ditching this cough and sore throat for good. It helped going to the doctor's this morning and getting to hear the baby's heartbeat. The baby is a crazy mover and shaker. You can already see the movements across my belly, which my doctor tells me is early for that sort of thing. It also helped finally seeing Juno. (Don't be surprised. You know I see everything late.) The birth scene with Cat Power singing Sea of Love? Yeah, that had me sobbing as bad as I think I did in Old Yeller when I was 7 years old. Oh, and C-Man is showing more interest. I think because the belly is finally hard to miss.

C-Man Quote of the Day.

(Warning: not for the faint of heart.)

"Mama, I have some poo-poo stuck in me that I need to get out."

This kid is very literal, if you haven't noticed.

Week 23.

This week was hard. I've been in a real funk. Physically feeling good though. Loading up on Omega 3's. Apparently, the baby's brain goes through a huge growth spurt the last half of the pregnancy. Hope all the other pregnant ladies out there are feeling good!

The Long, White Gown.

It probably comes as no big surprise that I like lingerie and loungewear of the simple and classic design. This sounds simple (and classic) enough, but these items are really hard to find! Truly!

Take for instance the long, white, cotton gown. Nothing too lacy or sexy, but also very sweet and a touch sophisticated. I think I have been on the hunt for one since about 2001. Never found one that came close. Even brands out of my price range don't have these things.

Enter Haute Hippie. A new brand to me, for which I have fallen Head. Over. Heels. And then some.
Isn't it pretty? And perfect? Oh, and simple and classic too?

For the record, I like this one too. Pretty much the same amount. Actually, I like EVERYTHING in their loungewear section. Check it out.

p.s. I love that their model doesn't have huge fake balloon breasts. Totally rail thin (so we know she's a real model), but the chest area looks au naturel. Yay!

Speaking of Butter...

Have you tried this yet? I'm not exactly sure what makes it "pasture", although I know the "cultured" part makes it bit tangy, which I just love. This stuff is seriously addictive.

Yet Another Reason I Love C-Man's School.

Check out how Waldorf does Father's Day gifts. The kids all gave Daddy a little muslin wrapped package (with handprints).

And inside was a little jelly jar full of butter they hand-churned. I don't know about B, but I am the biggest sucker for these sorts of things.

Food of the Gods: Fava Bean Purée.

Never mind it's worst photo you've seen on the internet all week. (Sorry, it was late and the lighting was terrible. Plus, I wanted to eat.)

I can't believe I've let the entire fava season pass without one post. You see, B planted some this year and we both agreed, unequivocally (a rarity for us!), that it was the best thing yet from the garden. We both live for these little emerald green jewels. They are a pain in the you-know-what to prepare (all that shelling, blanching and peeling for such a small amount), but boy are they worth it.

I didn't do much with them this year. I kept it pretty simple. Usually tossed with some fruity olive oil, crunchy sea salt and maybe a little mint. But for the last batch, just before B pulled the plants out to make room for more peppers and cucumbers this summer (we both shed a tear), I made this puree. I couldn't think of anything else to call it but what's up there in the title: Food of the Gods.

Fava Bean Purée, Green Acres Style

1 1/2 c. shelled and blanched fava beans

1/2 c. finely grated parmigiano reggiano (or pecorino romano)

1/3 c. (or so) very good extra virgin olive oil

s & p

Puree the favas and the cheese in a food processor. Drizzle in oil gradually until a spreadable consistency is reached. Season with salt and pepper.

Serve with grilled bread, drizzled with olive oil. Top with a thin shaving of parmigiano reggiano and a tiny pinch of Maldon sea salt. Complete the meal with some salami, olives and a nice rosé. It doesn't get better than this!!

Until next year, my beloved fava....

Week 22.

I took this after three hours of house cleaning, so I can definitely say there is nothing special about this outfit. Night-night.

Overheard.

When you hit three years old, the sillier the conversation, the better. As in, just substitute one ridiculous word for the next and things just get funnier. At least for C-Man. Don't get what I'm talking about? Here is an example from the other afternoon in the kitchen....B and I were talking, C-Man was sitting at the bar. (I told this story to the girls at dinner the other night, so sorry to them for the repeat...)

C-Man: (trying to get our attention) Hello oven. (laughs)

(We continue talking)

C-Man: Hello floor. (laughs)

B: (catching on) Hello apple. (C-Man laughs hysterically)

C-Man: Hello sink. (ditto)

C-Man: Hello bottom. (pushing the limit a bit here)

B and me in unison: No, we don't joke like that.

C-Man: Hello pee-pee.

B and me in unison: Noooooo.

C-Man: Hello gas.

B and me in unison: C-Man! No!

C-Man: (thinking very quickly) Gas for the car! Gas for the car! That's what I'm talking about!

On the Subject of Dresses....

Sorry, I know I just lost the one dude reader out there, but I couldn't resist sharing this amazing convertible dress. (Hopefully on to other subjects tomorrow....)

p.s. Leigh, will you pick me up one at the sample sale??

spotted on marvelous kiddo

And In Case Anyone Was Wondering....

If I could have one person design my whole wardrobe, it would be Cynthia Vincent. Here's a peek at some of her spring and summer collections. Utter. Perfection.

If I Were a Dress....

[Taking a cue from Erin at Villa Pacis]

....I think I would be this Cynthia Vincent number, at least for today.

p.s. Please can I have hair like that for just one day? Pretty please?

dress first spotted at wide open spaces in the awesome "orange party" post

Meal Planning Monday.

This is a light week. We've got lots of things going on and won't be eating at home a lot.

chicken enchiladas
greens and avocado

antipasti night
green acres fave with crostini
prosciutto and melon
cheese
olives

grilled chicken sausages
arugula salad with grilled peaches and goat cheese

photo courtesy myrecipes

Kindergarten Article Link.

Wow, I'm glad to know I'm not the only mom who has mixed feelings about the typical American kindergarten classroom. The link to the article in the other post didn't work (I think you have to be a subscriber to access the NYT online or pay to read the articles).

Try this link instead. It should work.

Kindergarten: On My Mind.

C-Man is set to start kindergarten next year (2010), which seems just around the corner. (Aside: how did that happen?? He was just a baby!) Anyway, our thoughts have, of course, turned to what is best for him, yadda yadda. Like all parents at this juncture. B sent me a piece from the NYT last month that I haven't been able to get out of my mind: Kindergarten Cram. The author's point is this: We are pushing our kids too much, too early and robbing them of what they need most as young children: imaginative play. Kindergarten began as an "add-on" to the grades and was primarily a socializing experience. Now, there are strict academic protocols, limited (or no) recess time, standardized testing, and homework (sometimes hours each night!).

One of the so-called top public schools in San Diego has their kindergartners writing book reports. (Which means, of course, the parents are writing book reports.) I've also heard kindergartners rattle of state capitals and such. Seriously, this stuff can't be sinking in. The kids are just spitting back memorized words, right? I don't know for sure as I don't yet have a five year old. But if a five year old is at school for 7 hours, why must he sit down for an hour or two of homework when he gets home? Shouldn't he be playing and running around building forts, telling stories and looking for bugs?

This article (and a bunch of others B and I have read) quote studies showing that pushing kids too hard too early backfires in a big way. I want to read more about Finland's school system, whose students consistently come out on top in international assessments, yet actually delay formal reading instruction until age 7. I don't think anyone truly believes the American educational system (in the typical classroom anyway) is working (not that this kindergarten format would necessarily be the only reason or maybe not even a reason at all....but looking at more successful models makes sense, no?)

I love these quotes from the piece: "How was it that the same couples who piously proclaimed that 3½-year-old Junior was not 'developmentally ready' to use the potty were drilling him on flashcards?" and "...part of what got us into this [economic] mess was valuing achievement, speed and results over ethics, thoughtfulness and responsibility."

Again, I really don't have any basis to have these opinions as C-Man is still in preschool. Maybe parents are happy with the new kindergarten format, I don't really know. Thoughts?

photo courtesy julie blackmon via nyt