A Non-traditional Thanksgiving

Posted on November 30, 2008 by jeannie

In an effort to avoid the holiday fiasco of last year (two family members declared last Thanksgiving – the first in my new house – to be the “worst Thanksgiving ever” – one of those two people being my own husband) I promised Chad that we would keep this Thanksgiving very small and low key. When it turned out that my brother and parents were going to be in town (they were in Pebble Beach for the first part of the week for an extravagant retirement holiday gift from my siblings) we all agreed that it might be simplest if we went out for a Thanksgiving meal, perhaps for Korean food.

The second night I was going to make a special meal of osso buco as our contribution towards my dad’s retirement gift.

Then Bella thought that instead of Korean food we should try fondue at The Melting Pot; nobody was adverse to the idea, but the Melting Pot, like many non-Asian food restaurants, was closed on Thanksgiving, which pushed my osso buco into the Thanksgiving meal slot.

I first had osso buco at my friend’s Sierra’s house and although I had never had it before, I could tell I was in for something good by the gleam in her eye when she offered it to me for lunch. I immediately wanted the recipe, which she was happy to share, but she warned me that it was an expensive meal to make. She said that when she bought the meat, veal shanks, at Whole Foods, it usually cost over $80, and plus the bottle of white and red and other ingredients, that the meal usually put them out about $140.

Well, that toppled that meal into the category of “special occasions,” but in my get-what-I-want way I just found the right special occasion and also to start softening Chad up to idea of 1) eating baby cow and 2) paying through the nose for that experience. I began to research where I could buy veal shanks, and it turned out that they are not easy to find. I couldn’t get them at Stater’s, Vons, or Ralph’s; one Trader Joe’s carried them but they were very wimpy shanks.  Finally, on the day of Thanksgiving morning, I caved and went to the swanky grocery store, Bristol Farms, where veal shanks are $24.99/ per pound. Since I needed 6 veal shanks, our bill came to $116. (This seems like a lot, but actually we got off easy since I had originally agreed to split the Pebble Beach trip three ways – that was when I was working full time…)

So instead of turkey, I cooked osso buco, risotto, and with a nod to Thanksgiving I also made pecan yams and two pies (pecan and polynesian pumpkin). The meal was delicious. And if I hadn’t been fighting a flu bug I would’ve also made something GREEN. I had been planning to make a salad with my CSA greens but although I started the day okay, the flu bug started really digging in its heels by evening, so by the time I was finishing the risotto I was wiping a clammy sweat from my brow.

And guess what? Nobody missed the turkey. We all enjoyed a special meal with family, and we even still have leftovers. I assured my mom we could roast a turkey for Christmas, but she waved that idea aside, and wondered what else might make a good roast? I suggest prime rib…which will cost even more than veal shanks…

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Ghee-gle and other words that don't exist in the English language

Posted on November 21, 2008 by jeannie

My favorite aspect of learning a new language is how much the vocabulary (and sentence structure) reveals about that particular culture. For instance, f*** is NOT a cuss word in German – as far as I know, it’s not even considered a dirty word. In Quebec, you are most profane when you are using “holy” words. One of the worst things you can say is “Tabernacle!” Or “Sacre Hoti!” (sacred host). Or “Sacrement!”

I am most fascinated when I learn of a word in another language that has no English equivalent: ghee-gle for instance. Gheegle (phonetically spelled) is a Filopino word that expresses the urge to pinch or squeeze something that is unbearable cute. This word pops into my mind frequently as I have a tendency to pinch those whom I love – my love bites, if you will. I am suffering from a major case of gheegle these days because Christian is only getting more adorable. His chunky soft calves beg to be bitten and his bottom pleads to be gripped.

It is time I shared some of this paradoxical pleasure with my friends in Joshua Tree, so despite Christian’s continued inconsolable crying in the car, we are going to attempt a trip to the hi-des. Bella needs to see her dad (and Dawkins) and so Christian and I will be there this Monday and Tuesday, November 24-25. Christian and I will be recieving visitors at Darlene’s house on Monday 10 am -noon, if you are desiring to experience a little gheegle yourself.

Posted in Christian Holden | 5 Comments

Zucchini Fritters

Posted on November 19, 2008 by jeannie

A friend has requested this recipe and I couldn’t believe it wasn’t posted already. We used to make them all the time – but I guess that’s how things go. There are other dishes I used to make, practically blindfolded, that I can’t remember how to make anymore – especially dishes I made while I was living in France many many eons ago. Certain recipes make an appearance only for for certain eras of your life.

This recipe is a family recipe from a friend, Donna Fortini, I haven’t heard from for a long time, but I think of her every time we fry these delicious appetizers up. She used to tell terrific stories, I hope she still does.

Zucchini Fritters

2 c grated zucchini

1 c flour (I often use whole wheat)

2 tsp baking powder

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 c grated cheese (romano or parmesan)

1/2 c grated or minced onion (I usually grate)

salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano (I only use a dash of salt and freshly ground pepper in mine)

1. Mix ingredients all together.

2. Drop by spoonfuls into 1/4 inch of hot oil. Brown well on both sides.

3. Drain well on paper towels on top of newspapers.

These are best eaten hot, hot, hot. I serve them with a traditional Korean dipping sauce: 2 parts soy sauce with 1 part rice vinegar (regular vinegar will work) and crushed roasted sesame seeds on top. Enjoy!

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DYI: How to Make Embroidered Monogrammed Hankies

Posted on November 17, 2008 by jeannie

Christian just fell asleep. He has just set a record for the most hours he has ever stayed awake consecutively – where has that second morning nap gone? I’ve taken to wearing him in a Moby wrap, which seems to be easier on my back than the sling (peanut shell), but that means I can only do walking around things: cleaning house, putting away dishes, taking out trash and I was seriously hankering for some computer time.

Ahhhhhh. I am very tempted to go make myself a cup of tea and heat up a spanakopita (spinach and feta in phyllo that I made last night)… wait, can’t resist at least a cup of buddha’s tears.

The living room is a mess because I am in the middle of making Christmas gifts. Gifts that I am excited about, but I CAN’T POST ABOUT – for obvious reasons. Darn. So, I’ve decided to post about a gift I’ve frequently made in the past. I will add pictures soon.

This post is also dedicated to all the wonderful bloggers who take the time to post DYI’s. I have been thrilled to find clearly-written, well-photographed directions for just about anything I could possible imagine making on a sewing machine.

I started by just randomly trying to monogram a hankie for Chad for Valentine’s Day one year. It came out terribly (although Chad still uses it). My friend Anna Merritt, who is an extraordinary quilt-maker and overall crafty person, clucked over my first attempt and verbally gave me the following directions that I have now used to make at least a couple dozen sets of monogrammed hankies.

White cotton handkerchiefs that you have monogrammed by hand make a terrific gift any time of the year. Not only do they promote sustainability (no more tissue boxes!), but each hankie is a pocket-sized project that is easy to carry around. I normally make a set of three, and I have been asked more than once to make a second set.

You will need:

White Cotton Handkerchiefs  (widely available)

Embroidery Floss

Embroidery Hoop

Needles

Washable Sewing Marker/Pen

Computer Printouts of the Monograms You Want To Sew (this may take some trial and error to figure which font and size you want – I used a different font with almost every set)

1. Cut out the computer print-out of the monogram you want to use – just so that the piece of paper is about the size of an index card. Tape it to a window or sliding glass door where it is sunny. The window will be your “lightbox.”

2. Tape the fabric over the monogram, making sure to line up the fabric over the monogram where you want the monogram to go. You should be able to see through the handkerchief easily. I usually put the monogram in the corner.

3. Use the washable sewing pen to trace the outline of the letters.

4. Untape all. I usually save the monogram template by taping it to an index card along with with a strand of the color floss I used.

5. Stretch the hankie in the small embroidery hoop, centering the letters.

6. Use back stitch and outline the first letter. Then go back and use satin stitch to fill the letter in, stitching over the back stitch outline. The back stitch gives volume.

7. Repeat for each letter.

8. Wash and iron.

9. Done!

Tip: Hide knots under the satin stitch.

Believe me, this is an easy project. The only other time I did embroidery was when I was a Pioneer Girl ( like Girls Scouts – but we didn’t sell cookies) in elementary school!

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I am from BOMbay! INdia!

Posted on November 15, 2008 by jeannie

Two days ago I was driving up to a posh gated neighborhood to drop off one of Bella’s friends. The road leads up to a neighborhood where the houses are $700,000 to at least a million, easy.

I was stopped by a surprising sight.

A thin, old, distinctly Indian man was in the middle of the street waving his white, taped cane. “I am disabled! Please stop!” he shouted. He alternately waved the cane wildly in the air and hit the ground in front of him with it.

And although he looked homeless, and I was cringing inside my skin, what could I do but stop? The guy looked to be in his eighties and he was at the bottom of a long hill – I figured I could at least give him a lift up the hill.

I stopped – but since he was in the middle of the street, I was also in the middle of the road. And cars immediately began to pile up behind me. The man started shouting, “THANK YOU FOR STOPPING! I AM AN OLD MAN! I AM FROM BOMBAY, INDIA!” At the same time he was thrusting his cane and floppy leather satchel at me to hold. He could not get himself into my compact little Hyundai. I was starting to perspire – not only was the weather hot, but I could see the waiting SUVs behind me, my baby Christian was howling, and I caught a glimpse of the horrified expression on Bella’s friends’ face in the rearview mirror. Finally, he squeezed himself into the passenger seat by grabbing his knee and slowly easing himself in, one leg at a time.

He never stopped his shouting, which I assume was because of his deafness,” THANK YOU FOR STOPPING! I LIVE THREE STREETS UP. GO ON, FURTHER, DRIVE ON!”

He was dismayed when I turned in to drop Bella’s friend off. “THIS IS NO HELP TO ME! YOU MUST TURN AROUND!”

By the time Bella’s friend was getting out of the car, my nerves were getting frayed. The baby was still wailing and I was (sorry to admit this) but getting squeamish about his milky blue blind eye facing me – that and the condition of his toes in his sandals. The man was wearing sandals with a full suit. I asked him to get out of the car, but apparently he could not hear or understand me. I asked him, then, to close his door properly. Again, no understanding. So, under the glare of his milky blind eye, I decided to drive him where he needed to go. There didn’t seem to be any other way of getting him out of my car. His door remained improperly closed.

In the noise and chaos, I had a moment of internal calm. Probably in Bombay, India, he did not look like a crazy homeless man. Probably in Bombay he got a heck of lot more respect for reaching the ripe old age he was. He didn’t stink or use foul language – what was the problem with driving this man a few blocks to his house? Then Christian’s  unhappy screaming broke through, and I seethed about the family who would let strangers take care of their grandpa in this way.

Finally I pulled up to a grand old mansion and he slowly made his way out of the car. When he got out and had closed the door, he leaned in through the window, ” WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME IN FOR TEA OR COFFEE?”

Ha. He was civilized! I was tempted, but then decided against it. I shouted, “NO, THANK YOU!,” pulled a quick U-ie and headed home.

Posted in do some good | 1 Comment

In the History of Negligent Mothering…

Posted on November 13, 2008 by jeannie

If there is one thing I tell every anxious new mom hovering over her baby; it’s, Every baby falls off the bed. Even my friend Darlene, who has been a parenting inspiration to me, has matter-a-factly said, Every one of my kids rolled off the bed. (And for those of you who don’t know – that’s FIVE kids.)

I’ve explained it slowly and patiently to friends new to parenting: Babies can do more and faster than you ever imagine. One moment they can’t and the next they can!

I’ve told my sister and I’ve heard her repeat it to others. Yes, despite all her and her husband’s best efforts, their darling girl has hit that wood floor by the bed – more than once I hear.

But last week, watching my own baby Christian inch along backwards along the floor, I thought to myself, I’m going to break the chain! This baby is NOT GOING TO FALL OFF THE BED. I might even say that I thought that thought, smugly. As if no other parent has sworn that before. Chad had been trying to persuade me to dismantle the bed and put the mattress on the floor, but I dismissed his worries with a wave of my hand.

And to that end, I’ve been vigilant about fortifying the edges with pillows and keeping a hawk eye on the baby. Today, Christian was in the center of our king-size. On his belly and chewing on a wooden toy from my sister. He was so content, I hopped over to the computer to answer an email or two.

KaTHUNK! and then a teeny whimper. And then a raging wail of rage.

I ran around to the other side of my bed and found my baby face-first on the wooden floor screaming his baby head off. Arms and legs a’flailing.

I was poised to be freaked and worried, but after a quick nursie he unlatched and gave me a milky grin. Whew. Wasn’t looking forward to telling his dad about it though.

Posted in mothering | 5 Comments

Fall Movie Round-up

Posted on November 12, 2008 by jeannie

Although we now watch movies piecemeal when the baby is sleeping – we still seem to get through a good number of movies on DVD. Here are a few of my favorite from the last couple months.

The Argentinian flick, The Aura (IMDb 7.6/10.0), gets an A. I find it fascinating when film portrays interiority eloquently. There is relatively little speaking in this movie, as the main character is a man of few words – he’s more of an observer. Through his eyes the viewer also gets to piece together a criminal heist that he falls into. The “aura”  is the moment of absolute clarity and inevitability before an epileptic convulsion.

Slow-paced, but riveting.

I also gave Mongol (IMDb 7.5/10) an A, even though there was more style than substance. Well, I just mean that there wasn’t too much of a plot – but still I never lost interest. The cinematography was magnificent and there was an underlying theme of enduring love. Genghis Khan appears to have not been a man of many words, but of great integrity. I just enjoyed this slow-moving epic of about the first half of Genghis Khan’s life and I hope they get around to doing the sequel. This movie reminded me a lot of another favorite of mine, Himalaya, which I highly recommend. (It was originally titled Caravan.)

Bon Cop, Bad Cop (IMDb 7.1/10) only got a B because despite a strong first half, the tail end of the movie spiraled into ridiculous fantasy. Which was really too bad. The acting is pretty spot on.  But if you have any familiarity with Montreal or the antagonism between folks from Toronto and Montreal, I say you’ve got to see this one. You will guffaw, guaranteed. In a nutshell, a straight-laced cop from Toronto is paired with a bad-ass hottie cop from Montreal (think Frenchified Bruce Willis) to solve a sick crime that involves an ice hockey obsession.  Btw, most of the movie is in Quebequois – which will make you laugh in it of itself.

And lastly, The Visitor, gets a solid B+. This movie is technically excellent, but somehow the whole thing together never rises to A-level for me. We got it from netflix though, because of its unusually high user rating (IMDb 8.0/10), which means that other people LOVED it. The acting from some unknowns is terrific – as is the performance by the lead, Richard Jenkins; you may remember him as the dead dad in Six Feet Under. Basically, an emotionally dead professor gets a second lease on life through a chance encounter with two illegal aliens.

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Goya's "Los Caprichos" in OC

Posted on November 11, 2008 by jeannie
The sleep of reason produces monsters. Plate 43

The sleep of reason produces monsters. Plate 43

There is an unexpected gem of a show in the middle of Orange County; “Los Caprichos” is a complete set of 80 first edition etchings by Spanish artist Francisco Goya savagely skewering a formidable (and depressing) range of human vices and folly. The book page size of each etching rewards prolonged looking with virtuosic technique and guilty recognition that the wicked human foibles depicted two hundred years ago are the same ones a political cartoonist might lampoon today: corrupt priests preying on young boys, mothers selling daughters into prostitution, and greedy politicians stuffing their own pockets. The chronological order of the prints in the gallery gives the effect of flipping through a naughty cartoon book very, very slowly – if you can handle the cringe factor, you may even chuckle out loud (CSU Fullerton, Fullerton)

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Two Unrelated Parenting Questions

Posted on November 11, 2008 by jeannie

I am loving meetup.com and the attachment parenting group that I have joined. I did find out that it’s NOT FREE, which slowed my happy skip for about a day, but other than that, meetup has provided a very practical, useful structure for organizing a like-minded group of mothers. I predict that meetup.com and I will have a long happy relationship together.

After meeting with the group several times (and probably displaying an improper amount of enthusiasm for the whole thing), the group organizer made me one of the assistant organizers. Can you hear the prideful note in my voice? So I have begun “hosting” outdoor events once a week – which simply means that I write the event up on the calendar and then show up. So far, three beach days (Laguna) and one stroller walk in the wilderness park have happened, and this week I’m branching out with a car wash (we help eachother wash our own cars while the kidlings play) in my condo complex.

I’m also enjoying the message board feature. One of the moms asked two unrelated parenting questions which has begun to generate some interesting discussion. I’ve included my own responses below, but I’d be interested in hearing other responses as well. The second question made me wonder how much I really even knew about how I was parented as a baby…

“How old was/will your child(ren) be when you begin solid foods? What helped you decide when to start?

Were you attachment parented yourself?”

My responses:

“My daughter, Bella, didn’t start solids until she was nearly a year old. I think this is probably unusual, but she was not interested in solids – perhaps because her teeth came in very late, around 10-11 months I think. But when she did start, we just mashed up whatever steamed veggies we were having, and gradually added different things. We never had to buy baby food and she seemed very content to eat what we were eating. We tried to eat all organic.

So, I think her interest in eating solids was the most important factor for us.

Your attachment parenting question is very interesting: in Korea I think that attachment child-minding is normal, but not necessarily by the parent. My mom was a doctor and hired a nanny for me who wore me on her back for pretty much the first year of my life. My mom breastfed me for six weeks before she gave it up – she thought I had diarrhea because my poops were so loose. Strangely, she didn’t know how to recognize breastfed baby poop. I think this was because she was surrounded by the medical establishment (not her mom! or four sisters!) who all were formula feeding their babies. The doctors got free formula… Pretty crazy. And while it is normal in Korea for babies (and kids) to sleep with their parents, when we moved to the States, I was moved into a crib in the same room as my brother and then sister.

It’s interesting because I think that although attachment parenting is common and normal in Korea, my mom considered herself very forward-thinking and adopted the Western ideals of the time, and broke from the tradition of her family.

I’ll have to ask my mom more about this when she comes for Thanksgiving.”

Posted in mothering | 1 Comment

Verdict

Posted on November 7, 2008 by jeannie

Chad and I (and by default, Christian) are back to eating wheat and dairy as of October 31. Bella’s birthday was November 1 and we were taking her and a friend to nice Italian place – and we figured it was a good a time as any to break our “fast.” In any case, I had attributed Christian’s eczema to the baby soap we were using and Chad said there was no difference in his headache frequency.

But now! The eczema is reappearing and the poor dude cannot pass a poop to save his life (this is nothing new, but in retrospect, pooping was a breeze during our wheat and dairy-free month). I really wish we had added on EITHER wheat or dairy and not both – so I could actually be able to say that it was one or the other. Now it looks like we’ll have to start fresh in January 2009; the holiday season is stressful enough as it is without food restrictions at this point, and it looks like if anything, Christian has only a mild reaction to either wheat or dairy.

All is not for naught though, I gained some insight and I learned a couple useful recipes: a raw breakfast “juice” and a gluten-free bread made in the bread machine. I’ve tried and like both. The rice flour bread is especially good considering that I like it better than the $5.99 rice flour bread I bought at Henry’s!

Bread Maker Rice Bread (courtesy Maya and with her comments at the end)

1 3/4 c water
3 large eggs
3 tablespoons oil
1 teaspoon cider vinegar
3 tablespoons honey or sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 cups white rice flour
1/4 cup amaranth, brown rice or other gluten free flour
3 1/4 teaspoons xanthan gum (available at natural foods store)
2 1/4 teaspoons yeast

combine ingredients in order in bread maker. use the ‘whole grain’ setting

this recipe also calls for powdered milk, which is how i make it, but sarabeth makes it with out for little ben who is gluten and dairy intolerant. she says she can’t tell the difference, and it’s still yummy.

Posted in gfcf, recipes | 1 Comment