The Night Kitchen...

Grandma has been lending a culinary hand while she has been here. Many delicious meals have been created - braised lamb shanks and white beans, fish tacos, polenta with seasonal veggies and cheese (invented recipe)...

My mom is not much of a baker - although she is a tremendous cook - so she was interested in doing some baking experimenting with me. We made some pretty outrageous oatmeal raisin cookies, a very tasty orange and dark chocolate biscotti, and a wicked chocolate, banana and pecan quick bread. However, most exciting was the no-knead bread from the NYT's. We ended up having to make two separate attempts - the first round was a complete flop. After 20+ hours of anticipation, we made the equivalent of leaden focaccia. Determined to get it right, we went in search of fresher yeast which we finally procured at the local bakery (after several stores were out of any yeast?). The friendly baker Melissa told us that if we had any trouble the second time around to call her and she could help us troubleshoot any problems. Love Canto 6 Bakery.

Paying excruciating detail to the recipe (which is much lauded due to the simplicity of both the ingredients and steps) we were successful. Two beautiful "rustic white" loaves were produced! After essentially devouring the first loaf fresh out of the oven, tonight we made delicious BLT's w/ avocado. I forgot to take a photo of the BLTs before they were devoured, but below is the successful bread. We decided not to document the flop.

Guest Post: Reflections from Grandma Martha

Sarah’s blog friends –

I am making a guest appearance here. I am Sarah’s Mama here from Portland, Oregon to see my baby’s baby, Maceo. I met him when he was only a few hours old on a Saturday night, but since his arrival was several weeks late, I nearly missed seeing him at all since my ticket to fly was on Sunday (after I had changed it once before). Of course I have kept close track of him with Sarah and Craig via email, phone and photos since then; however, the sweet, warm, damp, physical presence of a baby exceeds all other forms of communication. Of course, I have my own bias, but I have lived and seen a lot and I will testify that Maceo is as beautiful, engaging, and amazing a baby as I have ever/or will ever see. (Unless, of course, he has a sibling)

I have really enjoyed this time and am grateful to Sarah and Craig for being so generous in sharing him. I am proud of them as parents. I am also very pleased that they have marvelous and supportive friends with whom to share parental joys and frustrations. I am delighted that Sarah has a circle of ‘crafty’ friends to play with.

Below are some photos of my visit. The photo with the two ladies is of Maceo's two grandmas - Grandma Martha (in the navy) and Grandma Judy. I shall return…soon.
Martha P.

P.S. Anyone coming to Portland should get in contact with me via Sarah. I would love to see you.

Story Hour with Grandma

Grandma Martha arrived last night for a visit and we are already having tons of fun. She had to leave after Maceo was only 1 day old, so now she is back on the cusp of his 7 week birthday. With an extra set of hands around the house, I will try and do a bit more updating to the blog.

While some readers may be shocked, he really is only 6+ weeks old. His 13 pound girth just gives him a mature look! Couple that with his interest in Olivia (thanks Auntie Mira) and he could be mistaken for getting ready for preschool!

Maybe I can convince grandma to do a "guest-post" before she heads home.