Living in Munchkinland

This is the recipe for deadly and delicious White Martini. My dad and I fell in love with these in France. Michael and I spent two weeks there with my parents before we had children and we enjoyed going from bar to cafe searching for the perfect White Martini. When we came home we could never again find another. I searched periodically for the recipe, but could never find it either. Finally last November I did some deep google searches and ran across this recipe. We mixed a batch up on Christmas Eve. They were delicious! I know what you are thinking, you don't like gin. I don't like gin either! But I love these! They are strong though, so be prepared. Make one and let me know what you think. Cocktail shaker Ice 2 parts gin 1 part Cointreau 1 part lemon juice Martini glass Lemon wedge 1 tbsp. sugar (for rim of glass) Olive (optional) · Step 1 Fill your cocktail shaker with ice. · Step 2 Measure out your gin, Cointreau and lemon juice, and pour them into the cocktail ...

We worked in the garden all day yesterday. That's right. I'm trying again this year. I think maybe the weather will be slightly more cooperative. Maybe? Michael has mastered the tiller and has been prepping my soil. (heh, heh, heh, prepping my soil) ANYWAY, I tested my soil a few weeks ago and found I had NO nitrates and very few phosphates. This actually makes me feel better about my failures last season. In order to rectify this situation I did a LOT of research and finally decided I needed to add 3 inches of mushroom compost to my entire garden. I ordered a truckload (15 cubic yards) to be delivered last Friday. The dump truck impressed both Sam and me. On Sunday, Michael and I spread the compost all over the garden. This took a lot of raking and shoveling. It would have been impossible if we hadn't had the tractor. Michael worked it and was flinging compost in all the right places. The kids had a great time for the first few hours, running their dump trucks...

I hosted a party yesterday in order to celebrate National Soup Swap Day. It was a blast. We had ten attendees and all brought soup. Every kind was different and they all sounded delicious. It was so special to have all my closest friends there. And there was wine! And snacks! And no children! All in the middle of the afternoon. Totally decadent and so much fun.

Every Sunday I make a menu plan for the week. I thought I might share it here so we could share ideas. Let me know what you are planning too! Sunday: Soup from the Soup Swap! Monday: Sweet Potato, Black Bean Enchiladas from Karina's Kitchen (and my cookbook) Tuesday: Oxtail Soup from A Year of Slow Cooking Wednesday: Southwestern Salmon Burgers from my cook book Thursday: Butternut Squash, Chickpeas and Spinach from Eat Like a Girl (and my cookbook) Friday: Lentils with Beef (from my cookbook) Saturday: I always play a game on Saturday where I create something out of what I have in the freezer and pantry. What are you cooking?

From the back seat of the car. Davis: Mommy, did you know that a long, long, long, longtime ago, black people had to sit on the back of a bus? And they had to drink from different stuff. And black people and white people didn't like each other. And all the presidents and other people came and got together and changed the law! Me: That's great! Davis: But then they got in jail. And there was one that had an idea. His name was Martin Luther King. Me: He was pretty wonderful. Davis: Yeah, and now I can be president! Like Obama! Even though my skin is white. Because color doesn't matter anymore! I can only hope that his whole generation is saying the same thing.

I made these last night and they were delicious. They were also extremely easy and both Michael and the kids liked them and ate them. That's a winning recipe in my book! I topped these with garlic hummus and salad. They might also be good with a little Greek yogurt. Chickpea and Zuchinni Pancakes Makes 2 large pancakes, which make 2 main dish servings or 4 appetizer/side dish servings 3 medium zucchini, or about 4 cups shredded 2 zucchini flowers (optional; adds a bit of color) Some coriander or basil leaves (optional: adds flavor) 1 cup chickpea flour 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. garam masala (or allspice if you don't have garam masala) 1/2 tsp. hot red chili powder 1/2 tsp. curry powder Olive oil for cooking Equipment needed: a non-stick frying pan Finely shred the zucchini - I use a food processor for this. Julienne the zucchini flowers and the herbs. Put all into a large bowl; add the salt, spices and the chickpea flour. Mix well - the moisture that comes out of the zucchini may ...

I am so, so, so, so, so, so happy to be past the infant/toddler stage around here. I always loved my kids, but life so much more fun/interesting/easy with kids that feed and dress themselves, don't nap, use the potty, talk, play independently and go right to sleep at 6:30 in the evening without me. I'm just not sporty/outdoorsy. I'm in shape and rockin' the gym, but there is no way I want to do a marathon or triathlon because that would mean I would get wet, dirty, or just be uncomfortable in the elements. I don't want to camp either, or play any kind of sport where I might get hurt. I talk too much. I over share. I need a filter on my thoughts. Basically, I think it and then blurt it out. I often regret this. Alcohol exacerbates the problem. That's all for today. XO, me