Back In the Saddle Again

I've been away for a bit.  Last Monday, I headed off to attend the birth of my oldest friend, Amelia's, first baby!  What an honor and exciting time that was.  After having two of my own, I can honestly say I had NO idea what it's like to be a spectator in that situation! And I wasn't even in the room for the actual delivery.  I am so proud of Amelia and her husband Casey, and so amazed by their new bundle of joy, Molly. As exciting as it was, it meant that I was spending all that time away from my own kids, which was pretty tough on all of us. Noorah, who used to tell me she wanted 5 more babies, now says she thinks we're done.  I think she doesn't want me heading off to the hopsital for long periods of time without her in order to retrieve said babies. 

We were gone for a three day period, and when we came home we were greeted by my very happy husband and lots of new seedlings sprouting up in the garden.  Before we left for the birth, I had caged our lettuce. Apparently I was running a buffet for the neighborhood rabbits.  No more.  The cages were working and the lettuce was finally starting to show some progress.  I am so excited to have an edible garden this year.  I love plants, all plants, but I get a heck of alot more satisfaction from a tomato or zucchini than a geranium.  Every stage is so exciting for me, especially since we started all the plants from seeds in our window and now they are thriving happily in our garden. I love watching the seedlings emerger, then transplanting them into the garden, then when they start to bear fruit! I love that my children help with it too. It's just one step in our effort to become ever more self-sufficient.  My mom is now a full fledged bee-keeper,  capturing and keeping wild swarms of bees! I'm hoping to be able to get some great honey from her this year.  Maybe if I promise enough marmalade, she'll oblige...hint hint if you're reading mom!

In the meantime, I have a list of projects just waiting to be tried and blogged! And a list of projects I already did, with great success, but forgot to take pictures of (face palm) so now I need to do again, so that I have something to show for it! SO here are some things you have to look forward to.
homemade pasta (ravioli and fettuccini)
my husbands salad dressing (which I finally got him to make a large quantity of rather than just enough for one salad)
30 minute mozzerella!!!!!! I can't wait to eat this warm with some fresh tomatoes and basil
dishwasher detergent
indonesian chicken satay with spicy peanut sauce
naan bread
pasta with beschamel sauce(not super "healthy" but definitely real ingredients!

Let's hope I remember to take pictures this time around!