An Affair to Remember

Monday I returned from a FAB weekend with my oh so cute sisters. I find that I feel pretty melancholy following visits with my family. This week I'm definitely going through it. You might think I would be on a high from seeing them, which I was. But, like anything good that comes in concentrated doses, you crash once it ends. Otterpop doesn't understand, but I think it's probably because his family is near by. Plus I think it's just different with sisters.

This weekend really was fabulous. What made it more special was that when we were in high school we talked about a fabulous, exotic adventure to NYC with just the three of us. Life kind of got in the way and that trip never did happen. Fast forward 15 years and there we were together for the weekend.

Of course there are several things that happened that could be a blog post on their own. Oh, the difficulty of editing. I suppose I'll leave it up to the pictures to show our adventure.

Although, there wasn't a camera available to catch my crash landing at Urban Outfitters in D.C. Chinatown while I waited to catch my bus. I decided to lug my suitcase, over-stuffed purse, and freshly purchased Chipotle up the stairs to check out the sale racks. And unfortunately I have a habit of tripping over my feet. It happens ALL the time. On this occasion the loud laughter of an employee brought my blunder to the attention of the entire store. Need I say more?

I'll also leave the fabulous food we ate for another time. The Afghan food we ate in the East Village is definitely worthy of a post of its own.

In the mean time - here are some trip highlights in pics:

Leaving on the ferry for Governor's Island

Us with Curtis, the bike rental employee who decided to give us a tour around the island. It was quite funny, and we were really glad we didn't have to pedal by ourselves.

Lesler and Labetta eating oh so good Afghani food in the East Village

Leslie and Labetta waiting for the Apples in Stereo show to start. By the way, they are much better on my iPod than live. The pic also doesn't capture how exhausted Labetta was. She was falling asleep standing from being up all day after taking a red-eye. We were all too tired to go 80's dancing afterword like we had planned. At least that's my excuse. 11pm is just too late for us old farts ;)

Us at Long Beach. Cute pic, except for the blueberry in my teeth.

This pic just doesn't show the chaos involved with the bus. There were people trying to get off, while these people were pushing each other to get on. It was mayhem. And I almost was left in the 30 seconds it took me to turn around and give my sisters a hug good bye.

Oh...and another thing - NYC really is a different place without kids. I do love that city, even if it has lost some of it's mystique.

Leaving on a Bolt Bus...

Tomorrow I leave for a long weekend trip to New York City...sans children and husband. This isn't something I do very often. In fact, pretty much never.

We make fairly frequent trips up to NYC as a family, but only because that's where Auntie Lesler lives. Otherwise I think we're basically too cheap to fork out the cash to get a hotel. But I digress.

I haven't been away from my husband and/or kids over night since a short stay in the hospital last year. Which of course doesn't count because, well, I don't need to explain.

So, my sister Labetta got a free ticket to NYC this weekend for acting as chaperon to a friend's kid who is visiting her grandparents that happen to live in NYC. I know...hard to follow. Of course since she lives in Arizona and is rarely on this side of the country I had to make a trip to see her. The question was just with or without family. Without won.

Truthfully, NYC has kind of lost its glamour in my eyes. Don't get my wrong, I love NYC. But it isn't as...mysterious(?) as it once was. Partially because we go there a couple times a year, but more than likely it's because we always go with kids. We always do at least something exciting while we're there, but it's almost always kid-friendly.

Since Labetta has only been to NYC once (I think) the weekend will definitely be filled with fun and exciting activities. All done on the cheap.

Among other things on the agenda are a run in Central Park Friday evening (or maybe we'll visit MoMA since Friday nights are free) a free Apples in Stereo concert Saturday evening (love them. if you don't know them, here's a video), and 80's dancing.

NYC of course has fabulous food, and many GF options. So many that it's kind of overwhelming. Just look here if you're interested.

I did find a GF bakery called Tu-Lu's that I might try out while I'm waiting for my sister to get off work tomorrow. I tried Babycakes a couple years ago and wasn't overly impressed, thou it was still good. So we'll see what happens.

One thing is certain - it will be a cram-packed weekend. Better yet that it's with SISTERS!!! YIPPEE!!

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One more thing, if your interested. I did find a pretty good Kale recipe. Now I don't have too feel guilty about the Kale in my fridge going bad.

The Spoils of Nature...

This year we became members of Great Country Farms,which means we get a share of the GFC harvest weekly from June through November. GFC is a fabulous place, and I recommend anyone living in NOVA visit. We love it.

The thing about it, though, is that we get lots of food stuff that we normally never eat. Of course that's the point of it, but it becomes tricky trying to find something to do with a hundred pounds of Swiss Chard or Kale. I got lucky with the Swiss Chard, still looking for the Kale.

Last week we got a pint of tart cherry's, but I haven't had time to do anything with them until today. Fortunately, I opened Elana's Pantry and the new recipe she just posted today was for Cherry Blueberry Crumble. YUM.

The blueberry fields were closed today, so we picked black raspberries instead. I guess this will be a Cherry Black Raspberry crumble instead.

I'm not sold on almond flour as a GF substitute, so I'll have to figure out how to do this probably with Bob's Red Mill All Purpose flour. It's not my favorite because I think the sourgum flour leaves a strong aftertaste, but it's still my go-to flour and I'm sure it will work just fine.

Here is the recipe if you don't feel like going to Elana's Pantry to get it:

Cherry Blueberry Crumble

Filling:

4 cups fres cherries, pitted

1 pint fresh blueberries (black raspberries in my case)

1/4 cup agave nectar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons arrowroot powder (I'm sure cornstarch would work just fine)

Topping:

21/4 cups GF flour mix

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup oil

1/4 cube agave nectar

1. For filling, place cherries and blueberries in a 3 quart baking dish.

2. Sprinkle fruit with agave, lemon juice and vanilla, then toss in arrowroot (or corn starch)

3. To make the crumble, combine flour and salt in a large bowl

4. In a smaller bowl combine oil and agave.

5. Mix the wet ingredients into dry to form the topping

6. Then crumble topping over fruit mixture.

7. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes, until bubbling

8. Uncover and bake a few more minutes until topping is golden brown.

9. Remove from oven and serve.

Keeping it Real

I'm already finding the vow to keep it real that I took when creating this blog difficult to keep. The truth of the matter is this past weekend was equally fabulous and rotten. The reason comes down to this: poor Otterpop, once again, got the shaft.

Otterpop blew it out of the park for my birthday! The surprise event I so eagerly awaited was an 80's themed surprise party. Not only was he able to keep it an absolute secret, it was a fabulous party that included people making fools of themselves playing Wii Dance Revolution while decked out in their best 80's garb. Fun was had by all! Thank you so much to everyone who helped with the planning, and those who came.

How could it be so FAB, yet so rotten? For some reason Otterpop always gets the shaft on special occasions. On his 30th birthday he was surprised to be served with papers notifying him that he was being sued (long story...it all worked out). When I was preggers with Sweet Cheeks a few years back his birthday was the same weekend as the baby shower which my mom and two sisters came here for. Then this past birthday was the same weekend as the Marine Corps Marathon, which I ran. It never fails - there is always something.

But my birthday falling on the same weekend as Father's Day isn't what made it so bad. Unfortunately, we fought. All weekend. I'll spare you the details, but I'll just say that what was supposed to honor him and the wonderful husband and father he is turned into something far from it. He did get a few hours of reprieve when his family came over for a barbeque that ended up being great fun - definitley the highlight of the day. Plus, that man makes some MEAN ribs. But once again the day wasn't about him.

I know every married couple goes through things like this. Life is just hard, particularly when someone else is around. I suppose the best thing we can do is learn from each other and try our hardest not to do too much damage in the process.

It's a new day, and things are always much more clear after a night of sleep and some time to think. My new mantra...things can always get worse, so enjoy what you have while you have it.

I'm not bragging here, but I have to say that I do have the cutest little family ever...and Otterpop is definitely a keeper.

Here are some pics of the weekend. Party pics are coming soon.

The Roasted Chicken Salad with figs, goat cheese and corn I had for dinner at Sweetwater.

The Warm Flourless Chocolate Waffle. It was as delish as I remembered.

Otterpop falling asleep on the couch with Sweet Cheeks and Addie-cakes after getting his FD gifts.

Lucky #7, a summer night, and one flooded basement...30 years later

Today I am 30. I don't know a whole lot about my birth. I am told, my father slept through my mother's early contractions as Short baby #7 announced she was ready to greet the world. Or maybe that was one of my siblings. There were EIGHT of us, so I suppose I can forgive my mom for mixing things up a bit.

How does a flooded basement have anything to do with my birth? As child seven of eight birth details are pretty few and far between. The only one I remember, other than a dad who may or may not have been sleeping instead of timing minutes between contractions, is that was the night our basement in Idaho flooded. Of course it had to happen right when a new baby was about to arrive. Isn't that just how it always is?

This is a milestone I've heard many people cringe to reach. Myself? If today is any indication I'm welcoming the big 3-0 with open arms. It began yesterday with GF cookies from a friend (we WILL run those off Saturday!!), breakfast in bed, followed by a mani-pedi date with another friend. Not to mention mountains of messages wishing me a happy birthday.

And that was just this morning. We are set to eat at Sweetwater Tavern, mostly because of the Warm Flourless Chocolate Waffle (flourless, GLUTEN FREE HEAVEN!!!), then off to an undisclosed event with just me and the hubby. I'm surprised I haven't figured it out yet, which only means I'm that much more excited to find out what he has planned. I promise details will follow.

In the mean time, enjoy the pics.

Me with my sister Stacy the day I came home from the hospital.

Birthday #2. Yes, I was at one time a blonde.

...age 30. Life's only begun.

Giving In Generally Isn't My Thing

I caved... For years I swore against ever creating a blog. I guess I never really got the blog-stalking thing and avoided them like the plague. Fine that other people had their own, but I just wasn't going to hop on the band wagon because everyone else was.

So why now? I'm certainly more than a little behind the curve here. It all started when I was searching for new Gluten Free recipes and discovered some AMAZING food blogs. Then I started reading my friends' blogs and soon discovered NieNie, who inspires me to be a better person.

I suppose I've realized since I stopped working nearly a year ago I need a venue for self-expression. Somewhere to channel my creativity. And I guess, too, before I just didn't think I had anything to share...at least that anyone else would find interesting.

Then, I found myself being more and more aware of what I feed my family and have found great recipes to share, all of which just happen to be Gluten Free. I found my muse. Life revolves around food. Even more so when you have small children eating on a schedule, and the distinction of being a Glutard to boot. Why not share my story in the context of what's for dinner, especially when my dietary restrictions have had such a huge impact on my life?

I've set some ground rules for myself so this doesn't turn into something I don't like. It won't be a cook book, a journal, or a brag book about my little family - though that may be difficult being that they are so dang cute, and how perfect our life is. And it certainly won't be a long-winded diatribe of the way I think things should be.

It's just me - what I do, what I cook, my joys, and frustrations. So read it and enjoy...or not.