This is what's been going on in my head:

"I really should start blogging again.  I need to write a little catch up post to tell people what's been going on since I've written."

Time passes

"I never did write that post. I should write a few paragraphs describing what's gone on in my life."

More time passes.

"Hmmm...  I still haven't written.  I really owe some detailed post.  I should write a month-by-month summary of what has happened in my life.

And yet more time passes.

And here I am.  So overwhelmed by what I should write, that I haven't written.  It's getting worse every day.  So I'm going to bite the bullet, make a post and move on. 

My family in bullet points:

• Me:  Stay-at-home mom. Home daycare. Knit obsessed.  Dabbling in knitwear design.
• Bruce:  Still active duty Army.  Deputy G4.  Busier than ever.  Best dad in the world.
• Micah:  Nearly second grade. Video game crazed.  Star Wars fanatic.  Swims like a fish. Starting orthodontics.
• Noah: Last year of preschool.  Talking like crazy.  Full of cuteness.  Melting hearts. 

OK, I can go from here.  

Knit-Along for Japan

Here is this week's installment in Ginny's Knit-Along.  My dear friend, Mary from Homegrown Learners suggested that we Knit for Japan (also hosted by Ginny).  She suggested we each make a hat to be donated to help victims of the tsunami.  She has learned to knit recently and I'm so excited to see her already reaching beyond knitting square things (scarves and dishclothes).  She chose the Amanda Hat, knit in the round with a lace pattern! Check out her hat here!

I finally finished my Heart to Heart Lace shawlette.  It took over a year, but I'm so pleased with the result!

Six Months Together and Milestone Update

Last week we celebrated six months as a family of four.  It's hard to believe that it has been that long! Noah has really settled into our family.  He loves showing off his dance moves!

Six months ago he was frightened and angry!

Now he's a happy little brother who wants to be just like Micah.

He is doing pretty well overall.  He seems to be on target for most social, emotional and gross and fine motor milestones.  He continues to lag behind in language.  By two years, most children will have many words and will begin to use two word sentences.  Noah has only a handful of spoken words.  Mama, Libby, Mao (for cat), nap, snap, oh-oh and his favorite, snack!  I think he calls Micah "Nuh" which is what Micah called himself for a long time.  He has said a few other words while imitating others, but I'm not convinced he has conquered these words.  His newest word is cheese which represents a new vowel sound for him. He has a larger vocabulary of signs:  yes, juice, cheese, please, shoes, yogurt and all done. 

He has speech therapy through Babies Can't Wait once or twice a month.  We will have his speech evaluated at Scottish Rite in May and then we'll have a better idea of exactly where he is. 

What's for Dinner? Crust-less Spinach Quiche

Today's recipe comes courtesy of Allrecipes.com.  I doubled the original amount of spinach in order to get more veggies into my boys.  They both love this one!  

 

Crust-less Spinach Quiche

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 5 eggs, beaten
• 16 oz shredded Muenster cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9 inch pie pan.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft. Stir in spinach and continue cooking until excess moisture has evaporated.
3. In a large bowl, combine eggs, cheese, salt and pepper. Add spinach mixture and stir to blend. Scoop into prepared pie pan.
4. Bake in preheated oven until eggs have set, about 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. 

Head over to Homegrown Learners and see what else is for dinner. 

Yarn Along

I love to knit and I love to read.  Apparently many knitters are also readers.  I am once again joining the Yarn Along to share with others who share my affinities.  

I have just started reading Choosing to See by MaryBeth Chapman.  She wrote the book after losing her daughter in a tragic accident.  It's such a sad situation, I've had a hard time bringing myself to read the book because I can't imagine the pain she must feel.  

My big project is a circular sweater knitting in yummy Malabrigo Rios, a washable wool.  It's so soft and a pleasure to knit with.  The pattern is called Pole and I'm participating in a knit-along led by the designer herself.  That's been really helpful since I'm using a different yarn than originally specified and that has affected the gauge and drape of the fabric.  She's also helped me tweak the design for a custom fit.  

I'm celebrating Malabrigo March by knitting various projects in Malabrigo yarns.  I knit a cute hat for me since I seem to have lost my favorite Malabrigo hat. 

What's for Dinner? Betty's Salad

 

Today's recipe is for a Toledo classic.  Originated by Toledo restaurateur Betty Timko, it's my all-time favorite salad.  Of course no one in the South has heard of Betty or her wonderful salad with signature dressing, so I have to make it at home. 

Salad:

Spinach
6 hard boiled eggs, sliced
bean sprouts
bacon crumbles

Dressing: 
1/2 c. salad oil 
3/4 c. sugar 
3/4 c. ketchup
1/4 c. vinegar 
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 
1 med. onion, minced
1 tsp. salt

Blend above ingredients with immersion blender or in a mixer or blender. The dressing can be served cold or can be warmed for a special treat.  


Head over to Homegrown Learners and see what else is for dinner. 

Readoption

This week we completed readoptions for our boys.  Their adoptions were final in China, but completing a "domestication" will result in the issuance of a Georgia birth certificate in their adoptive names. Judge Sams was so nice and his staff was so helpful.  They said it was one of the happiest things they get to do.  After the hearing, we celebrated with playing by the courthouse and brunch at McDonald's!