Beyond Binkies, Code and Make-Believe

Last night's lesson: don't mix finger puppets and halogen

Our son had difficulty falling asleep. I was worn out from being called back to his room and invited him to sit by me while I read in bed.  He leaped into our room.  I had to shower. By the time I came out there was a teary-eyed boy standing at the bathroom door bearing something that looked like a dead mouse.

Lactose Free Banana Split - For Marne

My best friend is Lactose Intolerant. I think of this as my duty to her - to come up with dessert alternatives.  This is for you Marne La Forge.

2 bananas sliced into wheels

1/3 cup chopped raw almonds or pecans

3 tablespoons Two Brothers MINT Chocolate Sauce - heated

5 tablespoons Mrs. Richardson's butterscotch caramel - heated

combine.

Eat.

Is it that time of the month already? I'm thinkin' it is.

Quilting for Peace By Katherine Bell; photographs by Thayer Allyson Gowdy

Quilting for Peace By Katherine Bell; photographs by Thayer Allyson Gowdy.

Quilting for Peace By Katherine Bell; photographs by Thayer Allyson Gowdy

I was interviewed for this book several months ago.  It's a beautiful collection of inspiring stories, easy patterns and inspiration to create for others.

About the book

As crafters of all ages take to their sewing machines in unprecedented numbers, many of them join a movement to distribute hope and warmth to those in need through quilting. These are volunteers who have inherited a tradition of comfort and protest, and a belief that they can make the world a better place one stitich at a time.

About the author

Katherine Bell is a writer, editor, and quilter. Her fiction has appeared in Best American Short Stories 2006, and she works as an online managing editor for Harvard Business Publishing. She lives in Somerville, Massachusetts. Visit her website at www.quiltingforpeace.com.

I forget I married "Darren Stevens"

Pity my poor husband who is constantly suffering from unsuccessful telepathic requests and feedback.  Our children, since they are half-mortal, also have problems willing illnesses and problems away until a more convenient time.  I forget these things. I forget he is mortal and they are at least half mortal.

Grouper Crusted with Pine Nuts & Basil

Fabulous dinner tonight.  We had some grouper. Rock fish would have worked well, too.  Anything that is not a paper-towel fish: snapper, talapia, cod.  Basil season is about over with today's wind, rains and cold.  Our entire family cleaned their plates. Time to pick your bush and either make pesto or make this recipe:

• 4 6-7oz fillets
• 1 1/2 cup crushed pine nuts
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Serve with a white wine risotto, salad

While risotto is cooking, combine the crushed pine nuts, basil, flour, salt and pepper together.  Brush the top of the fish fillet with oil then press the oil side down in the pin nut mixture and coat evenly.  In an oven proof skillet, heat the remaining olive oil, placing the fish crust side down in the oil until golden brown.

Flip the fish over and put the skillet in a 375 F oven for 8 - 10 minutes - depending on how thick your fillets are.

Salad works well with chopped peppers, carrots, goat cheese and raspberry dressing -- see SHOWER SALAD recipe.  Or see the apple, Blue cheese, Marcona almond salad with pomegranate vinaigrette below:

20 People, 1 birthday cake, 6 hours, 50 binkies.

Our daughter's birthday was one of the most memorable this year.  She chose to not have your typical party.  She's not a fan of going places - like the bouncy, pizza scheduled, structured places. She likes it loose.  But this year, after the success of her lemonade stands, she wanted to have a party that would help others.

She allowed me to invite business associates, WEO members, neighbors, girl scouts and her closest friends to her party.  We made blankets -- all day.  We had three sewing machines set up, a bunch of people with scissors and piles of fabric.  Savannah's  biggest concern was that there would still be cake.  She's so much my daughter.  We cleaned the platter of a 1/2 sheet cake by dinner time.

New Season's Market gave us a discount on our food, we had a generous donation from Matraex, LLC in Boise Idaho. Their donation paid for the fabric, food and other supplies to make the event a success.

It was a huge a huge success. The girls and adults all had a lot of fun, we made 50 blankets to donate to local area shelters, two people learned to sew on the machine, our daughter made her first solo binky for Binky Patrol and the cake was great!