Well, Finnabee isn't quite as obliging, behavior-wise, as her “Angel Baby” of a cousin, but she is pretty delightful, I have to say.
We've been doing a lot of smiling, cooing, and chatting. I think her first (waking) laugh is coming soon and I can't wait!
I never get her biggest smile on camera; it's a particular smile that just can't happen when there's a camera between us! |
Let's talk a little bit about food. I am finally back in the meal planning-and-executing routine, so maybe my mind has wandered back into the kitchen.
- For a while now, I've seen these recipes for individual servings of cookies floating around and I've thought, “that's dumb. Who wants only one or two cookies?” This does not fit my idea of the cookie experience.
But this week I found a reason to use this recipe for two chocolate chip cookies. The Artist arrived home for dinner after a long day of work, just long enough to eat and then head back for a very long evening of parent meetings. I wasn't feeling great and had had a long day of my own. It wasn't our merriest dinner and he certainly was weary on his way out. Later, when he was gone, I thought again about this lovely piece on being encouraging to our husbands, which I had just read the day before. Then I reflected on the short time we'd had together all day and my poor efforts at encouragement.
Safe haven fail.
So, after I got Finnabee settled for bed and the kitchen cleaned, I pulled up the above recipe and fired up the toaster oven. I left him a note on the door and a cookie on the counter (having eaten the other one, of course). The next morning, as he was heading out, he thanked me for it with a big smile. He mentioned it again that evening, how much that gesture had meant to him.
Obviously I wouldn't have had time to make a batch of cookies, so… I'm on board. Two cookies it is! (I mean, for the exceptional occasions.)
- This week we have also gotten into beer bread. Ever find yourself an hour away from a dinner that really wants for bread and realize that you don't have any? If you have a bottle of beer, three cups of flour, and sundry, you're good to go. That's what is so great about it. We used this recipe as a spring board – it's easy to play around with – and Guinness left over from Finnabee's Baptism celebration (because Finnabee's Godmother was very generous with the furnishing of Guinness).
- If you ever find yourself befuddled in the search for humanely pastured, healthy eggs, you might find this guide handy: Understanding Egg Cartons. The moral of the story is that we should all either be raising hens or living next to people who do… egg production is a problem!
- Of course, the joy of good food is to share it. Dig into the theology of that act with this article: Hospitality is Biblical – and It's Not Optional.
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Relevant, from the archives (speaking of quick & simple and hospitality):Auntie Leila's Mix for Homemade Pancakes and Waffles. (Here's some more on the waffles, specifically.) (And some summary here as well as How To Make Breakfast Appealing.)Apple Crisp the Save-a-Step Way. It's that time of year, n'est pas?
- On another note, all lovers of decor and design will probably be as excited as Auntie Leila about Rosie's Vintage Wallpaper. You can check out the owner's blog here. (No relation to our Rosie, unfortunately.)
- And, to end with a random historical curiosity, try taking this literacy test designed for Army recruits in WWI.
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Susan (DE) says
Your baby is a doll! Love the hairdo. 🙂 (I had four whose hair would stick STRAIGHT UP, no matter WHAT we did. Fun.)
I am intrigued by the idea of 2 cookies. Might double and make FOUR — 🙂 — me and my girls for a read aloud time. Interesting!
Thank you.
Melissa Diskin says
WHAT a beautiful baby! There is nothing in this world like a baby's smile or silky head.
I'm saving coffee today for Auntie Leila's Gingerbread recipe! I have some fresh ginger to add to it, too.
Susan says
I don't think the first baby can be an Angel Baby. I think it requires at least some level of parental experience. I thought my first baby was SO high maintenance. Until my second was born. My third and fourth have gotten more angelic and number five is due any day now.
Also, Auntie Leila's Save-a-Step Apple Crisp is dangerous–like those recipes for two cookies. If I have a whole bag of topping in the freezer and my two-year-old only eats half his apple at lunch . . . well, let's just say my afternoon snack is significantly less-healthy.
etteloc says
Glad the 2 cookie recipe worked out. We're fans over here of making an entire batch of dough, freezing the dough into balls, and then pulling however many out we need at a later date. Works like a charm if you have the freezer space.
DeirdreLMLD says
Yes, clearly the mistake was not having a freezer supply in the first place! Brilliant.
Betsy M says
Finnabee is just precious. I love how much expressions she has in those eyes.
Dare I admit that with my pregnancy getting tiresome, I caved into making cookie dough only (no eggs) for the kids when I was short of time. There was no cooking involved as I was just to tired. {Ha, ha, I just said it was for the kids when, if I would be honest, it was definately for me.}
Oh and lastely thanks for that WWI link. My Grandpa had just been drafted into the war, had arrived at the station to report for duty when they turned him around to go home – the war was over. I wonder how he would have done on that test?
Betsy M says
Say, in regards to the hospitality link and regarding the post a few weeks ago, I have a question. We have lots of allergies in our family and I never know quite what to do when someone brings food over for our family. Right now, I feel that it would be rude to mention the allergies and so I thank them as if we would be eating the food and then pass it on to a non-allergy family in need. I feel so bad not being truthful but I also do not want to refuse their generosity. Is this what you would do?
_Leila says
Betsy, yes, once the food is made and brought to you — what can you do? Just pass it along after thanking 🙂 It's not untruthful — you are sincerely grateful for their generosity and willingness to help. If there is one thing in the basket that is the trouble, you could say, “We will enjoy this so much – I'm going to let you take this back with you for your family, because we're allergic, but the rest of it looks wonderful!”
If it's just one big casserole of anaphylactic shock, then graciously accept and do with it what needs to be done.
In our community we try to post the allergies, if any, in the meal train request.
Betsy M says
Thanks Leila for your input. Your response makes me feel better because yes, I truely am grateful for the thought behind the gift. It happens most often with well intentioned neighbors. Those meal train web sites are such a wonderful resource. In fact the ladies in our parish have begun to use one of those to faciliate meals for our priests.
Laura says
One thought for making cookies–if I am in ahurry and have no time to do drop cookies, I will toss a batch into my kitchen aid mixer and spread in a pan and make bar cookies. 13×9 for thicker cookies or jelly roll pan for thinner cookies (and more of them 🙂 ). It is nice in that it makes more, without all the scooping and alternating baking pans etc… Also, if you have a food processor, use a cup or so of dates and blend with some almonds to make a fine crumble, and then you can cut the sugar of cookies by about half. And they are still chewy and delicious!!
kris says
Thanks for the link to the piece on being encouraging…it was exactly what I needed to read at exactly the moment I sat down, discouraged, at the computer. Here's hoping I can turn this day around!
Finnabee is precious, love those beautiful baby smiles.
Sonja says
Re: your cookie issue: I stumbled upon a little sidenote in a smitten kitchen (YUM!) chocolate chip cookie recipe (http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2009/03/crispy-chewy-chocolate-chip-cookies/“ target=”_blank”> http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2009/03/crispy-chewy-chocolate-chip-cookies/” target=”_blank”>(http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2009/03/crispy-chewy-chocolate-chip-cookies/ THE BEST!!!) a while ago that said that these cookies can be flash frozen and then baked later. Intrigued, I did a wee bit of reading and now usually keep a ziploc bag of frozen, ready to bake cookies in the freezer. They turn out really well and taste just as delicious as the ones I bake right away. WIN!
DeirdreLMLD says
I'll have to check out the SK version!!
kimberlee says
Oh my goodness, what a bunch of sweet pictures! She looks like such a honey with all those fabulous little smiles! Thanks for the terrific links, as always! I enjoyed the hospitality one and Jeffrey Tucker's piece (linked to in the post) on why Catholics give the best parties was really great too. The literacy quiz really cracked us up – it would be a great writing activity to have to come up with more questions along the same lines. And hooray for Hallie and encouraging wives to be encouraging to their husbands! And hooray for you! (and the Artist for marrying you!)
Tori says
I haven't tried the small batch cookies, but I have done small batch cupcakes and they were a lifesaver on one of those nights! I do keep a bag of cookie dough in the freezer though, already rolled into balls and ready to plop on a baking sheet for those emergency cookie situations. I just noticed, I use the same recipe as Sonja above!
I would really love to keep chickens but we are the only city in our area that has an ordinance against it. People are worried about the noise???? I don't see how chickens could possibly make more noise than all the dogs in our neighborhood.
Mary says
Oh my gracious!! What an adorable little princess!! She is a stunner Deirdre!! She is getting so big so fast! Thanks for sharing the cookie recipe. I know for my guy, the way to his heart is through his stomach so these will be a big hit I have no doubt.
I have been in a huge kitchen rut as the change of seasons has come upon us. So I went through the “Auntie Leila” kitchen exercises as I call them for menu planning and such. I found out that our tastes have changed when it comes to favorite dishes and such. Now I have a new list and am planning the week ahead with a little more joy. Thanks so much for keeping the info on the blog.
Have an awesome week!!
Jenny says
Those first little coos are so delicious. She looks so happy!
I agree with Susan that your first baby can't be an Angel Baby because it's such a shock to your system to even have a baby. Even if you think you know what's coming, it's nothing until you have lived it yourself. And then you can appreciate the later Angel babies and their Angel-like more opinionated siblings.
priest's wife says
marriage tip for a new mom who still wants to be kind to her husband- every time you go to the grocery store, buy something for him that is just for him (stinky cheese, a good beer, a soda, a weird mustard, whatever)- you have to buy food and you have no time, but this is a nice reminder to husband that you still like him even though the baby is THE work right now
(husbands also like clean socks, too)
Hallie @ Moxie Wife says
Thanks so much for the link love, Deirdre! You're a peach! And so is that adorable baby of yours. What a cutie pie! I just want to gobble her up. Which is a perfectly normal response, I hear…
http://m.csmonitor.com/Science/2013/0923/Why-do-p…
😉
DeirdreLMLD says
I saw that article, too! – it's always fun to see scientific studies “proving” the things we already know! 🙂