6 Years (and 5 days) Ago

On Thanksgiving Day, 6 years ago, Abigail Dawn was born! She entered this world as the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. She stole the heart of her Papa and Mama and just about anyone else who knew her. She was much celebrated by all our friends and family.

This year, again on Thanksgiving day, Abigail Dawn celebrated her 6th birthday. I know every mother says this but, "How did she get so BIG?!" My sweet baby girl that made me into a Mama is growing into a sweet young lady. When I look at her I see so many things! I see a little girl who loves to read; I see a cowgirl riding on her horse; I see a horse tossing its head in the wind; I see the apple of her Papa's eye; I see creative ideas bursting forth from an ever busy little mind; I see a daydreamer, flying high above the pages of school work to far-off places; I see a fountain of giggles and a well of laughter; I see a spring of songs bubbling out; I see a budding artist, a blossoming writer; I see a generous giver; I see a wonderful helper; I see a kind older sister; I see a source of joy. And often I see myself. Usually when us moms see ourselves mirrored in our children we see the negative parts of ourselves (well, at least I do). But on Abbi's birthday I saw an expression on her face that no one else could possibly have completely understood and it was a treasure to me.

As she was unwrapping her presents from Grampa and Gramma, she came to some books. The top one was fun, filled with animal stories. The bottom one made her gasp, sit back and stare. I don't know if anyone else saw her face, but I did. And I knew just what she was thinking and feeling for I have felt that way before. In her hands was a book that she loves (we have borrowed it from the library on may occasions). Her expression was one of shock and wonder and joy, yet she could hardly squeak out a 'thank you.' All I could think of was the overwhelming rush I felt when Andrew asked me to marry him. My little girl who is growing up so fast, yes - she is quite a bit like me. But I guess that isn't necessarily a bad thing!

Anyway, that is a silly little story, but one that I will remember and treasure forever.

Abigail's birthday festivities stretched from Thursday (her real birthday) to Saturday, when we celebrated with my side of the family. Her celebration started with a breakfast date with her Papa and ended with a very fruity "Sorbet" cake (rather than an ice-cream cake). In between were lots of gifts from loving family, lots of laughs and very much fun.

"Now," you ask, "where are all the pictures?" heh. Well, I'm ashamed to say it, but we only have a few. I totally forgot to get the camera out on her REAL birthday, but Andrew did manage to snap a few on Saturday.

And so we begin our seventh year as parents - surely the most difficult, yet most rewarding thing I've ever done!

Vegetarian Recipes

Ok. So I've been intending to write this post for more than a MONTH! There are a couple of you that have asked for some of these recipes so it is way past time that I share. Here you are!

Jamaican Black Bean Pot

Saute til soft:

2 T oil

1 lg onion, chopped

1 garlic clove, chopped

Add, Stir in, Cook ~1 min:

1 T molasses

2 T brown sugar

1/2 t dried red pepper flakes

1 t salt

black pepper

Stir in:

2 1/2 - 3 c cooked black beans

Pour everything into ovenproof casserole dish and add:

1 1/2 c veggi stock

Cook at 350* for 25 minutes, UNCOVERED

Stir in, Bake 45 min COVERED:

1 red pepper, chopped

1 yellow pepper, chopped

1 sweet potatoe, cubed (or 1 1/2# butternut squash or pumpkin, diced)

Serve over rice or cornbread

Moroccan Braised Chickpeas (that I actually stew)

Saute in Sauce pan:

2 T olive oil

2 onions, cut in wedges

2 carrots, sliced

2 t cumin

1/4 t turmeric

1/4 t cayenne

1 T coriander

1 t cinnamon

Stir in:

1 1/4 c vegetable stock

3 c cooked chickpeas

1/2 c dried apricots, cut into small pieces

1/2 c raisins

1/4 c sliced almonds

Heat through, cook for 5-10 min, to get flavors to meld. Serve over rice or with Naan.

Boots as Baskets?

When you send your four year old son up to the chicken coop to let the birds out and you see him wearing your barn boots, by all means do NOT smile to yourself, give a little chuckle and say (like all mothers), "Don't trip, son!" Instead, insist that he promptly change into his OWN boots. If you don't the following might happen:

When he returns to the house, bringing a poop covered egg in his bare hand, you stifle a shudder and tell him to quick! wash it off and put it in the fridge. He then joins you at the table for some school and about three minutes later nonchalantly says, "Uh... I accidentally cracked a little bit of egg into your boot." Pause as you try to figure out how THAT one happened, then ask him to bring you the boot.

When he delivers the boot, tentatively inspect it and find nothing wrong! Breathe a sigh of relief and say, "But Phin, there isn't any egg in here! It is perfectly fine!"

"Oh," says Phin. "I guess it was the other one." And he scampers off to fetch the other boot.

When he brings it, a quick glance reveals not only a 'little bit of egg' but a whole LOT of cracked egg and a whole uncracked egg! Not knowing whether to laugh or become irate, pick up the boot (which has chicken poop all over the bottom) and try and clean out the ooey, gooey mess. Be sure to ask your son how many eggs he put in the boot. (He says 2) After rinsing for a while, just as you are about to shake out the last drops of water, PLOP! out comes ANOTHER cracked egg! (Note: that makes 3 eggs that were in the boot.)

After a couple minutes of muttering and sputtering and being completely baffled at the mind of a four year old, ask your son WHAT he had been doing! What did he answer? Carrying the eggs!

Yes, he put all the eggs (except the poop covered one) into the boot and proceeded to WALK with the egg filled boot down the hill and into the house. Definitely not the most conventional egg basket, eh?