Unexpected Gourmet

Last night was quite possibly the yummiest meal of my life.

That includes meals that I have eaten in very fancy restaurants, on my cruise, and in France.

But this meal was fairly inexpensive, took me about 45 minutes from fridge to table and was extremely healthy. I think this is breaking some kind of unwritten law. :)

So what did I make?

Baked Alaskan Salmon and Fresh Green Beans. The salmon recipe was developed by my friend Robert, and I will ask his permission to post it here. I can tell you that it involved the perfect balance of olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, salt & pepper and one other secret ingredient. The excess oil that dripped off the fish was so good that Michael and I ate several pieces of toasted whole wheat bread each just to sop it up. We couldn't stop!

The green bean recipe I found on Pioneer Woman's website. Quite a discovery--both the beans and the website. I will be visiting there again. We had a little hiccup getting the liquid to evaporate, but even so, it was caramel-y sweet.

Also, I have a new goal of bringing my camera into the kitchen--just in case! :)

Happy Friday my friends.

A very very half-birthday, to you!

Nathanael celebrated his 18-month half-birthday recently at the home of a wonderful couple in our ward. We had a chocolate cupcake with "full fat, full sugar" and gooey frosting to boot.

We lit the candle and encouraged him to blow on it (hot!) to no avail. He just wanted to feel it! :) Ah, well, Mom blew it out for him. :)

However, we did sing Happy Birthday to him throughout the day and evening, which he loved. For a present, we found a great little green Ikea chair at DI just a few days later. He carries it everywhere and rarely sits on it, but uses it to be taller! Pictures of that to follow (as soon as I get some!)

Here are the birthday shots.
Enjoying the attention and treats!



Serious Groucho Marx.

Smiling Groucho Marx.

Mad Skills

Scaling... (and climbing down): The couch, the chairs, the changing table, the oven door, the dishwasher door, bookshelves, the other bookshelves, my kitchen island, the dining table, the stove top, the bathtub fixtures, the toilet, his treasure box, the driver's seat, his high chair (he actually got inside it by himself. I'm so proud. And horrified! He also did this with his stroller months ago.)

Bringing me my shoes. He has been doing this for some time now, but recently we have seen the addition of bringing matching shoes!

Unlocking the car: Okay, not quite. But he gets the key in the lock all by himself. He just doesn't have the turning part down yet. He adores doing this and knows exactly how it works. I usually give him my keys at our apartment door and he takes them the 20 feet to the car and puts them in the lock and waits for me!

Lower the blinds, turn off the lights, close the door, shut the cupboards, drain the bathtub, put the toilet seat down (oh, and flush the toilet!) He has an unusual sense of project completion for a toddler! :)

Make toast: one day I saw him faithfully open the door, put his bread on the rack, close the door carefully, push some buttons, open the door, remove his toast, and then blow on the toast to cool it off! Guess who does exactly that routine every morning? The best was the blowing though. I was laughing all day about that.

Rinse his own hair in the bath: Well, this has only happened two or three times, but it sure was a funny surprise for me. he picked up the water bottle and dumped the contents on his head. It startled him a little, but he just laughed!

Put himself to sleep: The little dear gets a hold of a corner on that worn blue blanket, and sucks his thumb right out of consciousness.

Walk down (and up) stairs: He'll climb on his knees in a pinch, but if there's a railing, he makes good use of it. Or, if I'm available, he'll hold my hand (which melts my heart!)

Dance, baby, dance! A partial list of the sounds he dances to: Recorded music, mom's singing, the cheesy electronic baby piano, the kazoo, the blender, the kitchen aid, the oven timer, the wheat grinder (we like kitchen appliances), the dishwasher, the clock (Michael just told me that one now!), clapping, tapping, or in response to the word dance. In the words of my mother, the music's in him!

Clapping, peek-a-boo, give high-five, clasp his hands (which he finds hilarious), point (especially to airplanes overhead), point to his toes, sign bath, milk, more, banana, thanks you, diaper, and pray. We're currently working on please. So far, all I've gotten is 'bath' :)

Leading the music: even when I mention a song, his little arm (so chubby!) goes heaven-ward in preparation. It's a bit of a dance/leading combo.

Give sweet pats: This started B.R.E. (before rested era) when I would rock, swaddle, and pat him to encourage (nay, bribe) sleeping. (I was desperate!) One day I was holding him upright and he started patting my back! After that I requested and encouraged and reinforced it daily--how could I resist? Now I no longer pat--I hug. But he, my loving little man, does both.

What a treat! We love him so dearly.