Spring has not sprung in Boston

Do you know what I did this beautiful March morning? I put on my fleece pants, a thermal shirt with a wool sweater, my bogs boots, down filled wool coat, super sized scarf, gloves, hat/facemask combination, and ski goggles. Off on a mountain adventure? No! Off to walk the dog, more or less on the beach.
Might I add that the ski goggles have saved me this winter of many blizzards. The day I thought to put those on changed my dog walking life forever. That wind! That wind that has me dreading the morning as I hear it roar through the night, has no ability to go through goggles. I can see!
A friend asked me yesterday when Spring arrived around here. I admit to being a little confused. Who asks about Spring in the middle of winter? Then I noticed people posting pictures of crocus’ coming up in their bare yards, and making references to springlike things and remembered, I live in Antartica. Well, not really, but I live in Boston, which is kind of the same thing.
When Dave and I moved here from Utah 21 years ago, it was like moving to a foreign land. We actually didn’t know the name of our street until we arrived because our landlord had a wicked thick Boston accent. Our best guess was that our double decker was on Sagamaw Road. Upon following his directions (this was pre GPS people!) we discovered Sagamore Road and it all began to make sense. I went to the very Italian grocery store near our new home and asked for salsa. I was directed to the beverage aisle and showed seltzer water. For the record, they did have one brand of salsa, but were not accustomed to actually selling it.
Knowing we were moving to the land of leafy green trees, we were really disappointed when we arrived and realized the giant tree in the backyard was dead. Had we been more aware, we would have thought there was a blight, because there was not a leafy green tree in sight. It was May, but nothing had bloomed. We were moving from Utah, where we had attended BYU. That year I had trouble outfitting my three little ones because we had uncharacteristically hot weather in February, and they had no summer clothes. Wow! Weather shock was worse than all the other shocks combined. We lived near the beach then too, and had to bundle up in our winter coats, once they arrived on the moving truck, packed in the ‘winter clothing’ boxes, to enjoy playing in the sand.
My Spring ready friend thought it might help make the wait more bearable if she made a paper chain to count off the days. It might be a long chain, one that’s environmentally unkind due to the amount of paper it consumes. One that causes carpal tunnel syndrome due to the number of strips that need to be cut. One that requires the entire house to stretch from one end to the other. One that’s really hard to gauge since Spring could come next week for a day or two, or sometime in early June, the day before it hits 100. But Spring is coming!
Maybe I’ll make a paper chain too!

Location:Nantasket Beach

. . . when Hull freezes over!

As in: Sure I'll walk the dog at -3 degrees . . .

Or: Yes, I'll take down the Christmas decorations and haul the tree to the curb . . .

And: It will be my job to take the trash out for pickup . . .

You get the idea.



This was my back yard when I got up this morning. That is not a lovely snowfall, it's the ocean freezing as it hits the shore because, according to my The Weather Channel app, it's 11degrees (feels like -3) this morning.

Although I agree it is lovely. From my bedroom window where I was standing when I took the picture.

This is what I wore for our morning walk.



The view was just as lovely, but substantially colder, standing outside.

This is what Milo wore for our morning walk.



I guess it's true that fur coats are warmer.

Milo didn't mind the cold at all. In fact when we got home he was so hot in our 67 degree house that he had to sit on the porch to cool off.

It must stink wearing the same outfit whether its -3 degrees or 103 degrees.
#hairydogproblems

Location:Nantasket Rd,Hull,United States

Cooking for the Cambridge Crowd

From Kami:
8:09 am: I think Ashley left her phone somewhere so I might come home to eat dinner and grab it.

Me: ok.

10:08 am: would it be a possibility for other people to come to dinner as well?

Me: sure

In reality we had no plans for dinner. We have been eating Thanksgiving leftovers, and moved straight into production for a shower I hosted Saturday, so not a lot of regular grocery shopping has been going on. But, I mean obviously we are going to eat. And obviously, I'll never turn down a chance to have my girlie and her friends come to dinner. The last of the Thanksgiving turkey is in the freezer. I'll make a turkey pot pie.

Phone Call from Kami:

2:08 pm: So, remember that guy Spencer who came over last week? The one who doesn't eat gluten, dairy, or sugar. He's coming.

Me: ok. Talk, talk, talk, okay I'll figure it out.

Ok. I'll do 1 pot pie, and 1 with no crust, just mashed potatoes on top. Hmmm, mashed potatoes with no butter or milk? Ok. I'll use a little olive oil and chicken broth. He's not vegetarian right? Nope, not vegetarian. Ok. I've totally got this!

Text from Kami:

3:15 pm: AHHHH I just remembered we have one vegetarian coming. Is it too late to do something about it?

Me: ummm, do something about her being vegetarian? Probably. Or too late to do something about the fact that we're having Turkey Pot Pie, with or without gluten? Oh, the latter, I thought so. ummmm, ok. I'll figure something out.

Solution?

1 pot pie with gluten and turkey and lots of veggies, 1 pot pie with gluten and lots of veggies, and dairy (cheese) and no turkey, 1 pot pie (is it a pie with no crust? Or is is it a casserole?) with turkey, and no dairy, and no gluten. Did you get that?

Yep, done by 5:00 when everyone showed up. Kami brought cut up veggies to roast, since my only fresh produce option was a fruit salad, which is high in sugar.

It was all delicious, and everyone was thrilled with the pie of their choice.

And I was thrilled to have a house full of kids for a few hours.

And Tagg was thrilled to have a houseful of people besides me.

And Dave was thrilled to have dinner, because it's been an exhausting few days for him as my chief hostessing assistant.

All in all, a culinary success! Have a dietary restriction? Come on over, I'm your girl!

Location:Hull, MA

Thank you! You're too kind.

Look what Superstorm Sandy brought me!

It may not look like much now, but once I put legs on it and turn it into a really cool bench, you'll understand the value of driftwood.
Although Tagg, who pulled it from the rocky beach behind our house before someone else could! will verify it's unlikely something this heavy will drift much.
I'm feeling pretty lucky that we received this kind gift and no destruction.
At least I was feeling special until I saw what the first Nor' Easter of the year brought the neighbors!

Yes, this was taken from my back deck this morning. Hello boat! What are you doing here?
Someone's gonna want that back, but the wood is mine to keep.

Location:Nantasket Rd,Hull,United States

Cake-ation

Have you ever wondered how much cake is too much cake?

Have you ever discovered the answer to that question?

Do you just hate cake?

If the answer to that last question is yes, you're just weird. As for the other questions, I have my own theories.

What could be more fun than hanging out with your sister making your other sisters daughter a wedding cake? How about hanging out with your sister making your other sisters daughter a wedding cake AND making your other sisters other daughter a birthday cake!

Not an ordinary birthday cake, mind you, a birthday cake that for some reason is more than the wedding cake. And by more I don't mean better, just more. More cake, more fillings, more frosting, more layers. You know, just more!

Don't ask why, there is no one who can answer that question.

Sometimes when sisters get together things can get a little crazy.

And, a little sticky. Or, really sticky!

Let me share with you the things I learned from my cake-ation:

1. Not everyone travels with cake pans in their luggage
2. Sugar is sticky
3. When you are filling a 6 inch cake, 2 cups of lemon curd is too much
4. The 4th batch of buttercream is considerably less tasty than the first batch, even when they are identical
5. The 4th day of cake making is considerably less hilarious than the first day, and they are never identical
6. On the first day of cake making, anything seems possible
7. Cake from scratch is so much better than store bought cake that you cannot ever, ever, ever compare them. So please don't try!
8. Did I mention that sugar is sticky? Sorry Kriste, you will be finding sticky patches on your table, counters, and floor for a while yet
9. Making cake for your nieces is worth every minute!

If you're wondering what's inside, the wedding cake is white cake with cream cheese filling and vanilla almond buttercream.

The birthday cake is (big breath) white cake with lemon curd filling, white cake with cream cheese filling, and chocolate cake with strawberry pastry cream filling, all covered in vanilla almond buttercream. You know, more!









And as for how much cake is too much? Well, as far as i know there are no leftovers, so you decide.

Location:Somewhere between Utah and Massachusetts

Adventures in Painting

The sun was so hot
there was no time to play!
So I went to the store
On that nice summer day.

I went to the paint store
I drove in my car
To buy pretty blue paint
But I didn't get far

On the project I planned
For that bright sunny day
To paint in the closet
Then put it away

Because
something went bump
And that bump made me jump!

Then I looked
And I saw it all over the floor
I looked
And the paint was all over, and more
And I said out loud
Aaah, you stupid stinky store!
You did not put the lid on
Now that is not right!
You did not put the lid on
It was not at all tight!

I wanted to paint
I do not know good tricks
For picking up paint
From my floor made of sticks!
I do not want to vacuum
To mop and to scrub
I do not want to ruin
The white of my tub.

I haven't the time
For this kind of trick
I do not like it
Not one little bit!

But I wiped and I mopped
And I used all my tools
To pick up the paint
That was was spilled due to fools!

I got out a toothbrush
To clean out the cracks
And the steam mop helped too
And them came the wet Vac!

And I spit and I shined
And my family helped too
Till the only thing left
Was the tub
Which was blue

And I got out the cleaner
And wiped it away
And finally I could
Move on with my day

Do you know what I painted
That bright sunny day?
The floor in the closet
Six inches away



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Let's have a Pantry Party!

Welcome to my pantry. I had a pantry party today.  My friend Esther came over.  She is a brilliant organizer.  She is also from England and has a lovely accent. She is also a lovely person and very fun to hang out with.  You should try it sometime.





This is the alternate pantry entrance.  If you are an appliance, or a very, very small person.





These are the appliances that live on the other side of the alternate entrance.  They like to hide here when not in use.





This is where my baking supplies live. Another lovely friend, Heather, helped me organize these baskets. You would like her too. So really I had two pantry parties this week.





This is my pantry floor. I painted it myself. I really, really like it. I didn't sweep  before I took this picture.  I didn't want anyone to feel bad if their floor wasn't spotless like mine.  I'm sensitive that way.






Esther had a genius idea to color coordinate these shelves.  The color gradation is beautiful. The top shelf is clear glass objects. I never, in a million years, would have come up with this plan. I love it!!!  Thanks, Esther.  Sorry my photography is so incredibly hideous.





She even kept the groove going in the 'less lovely stuff' section.





Yes, we do have food in the pantry

By the way, if you're wondering what to serve at a pantry party. Serve this. It's delicious!!!

Avocado, tomato, mozzarella salad for 4:

6 cups lettuce (I used butter lettuce)
2 ripe avocados, diced, tossed with a little lemon or lime juice
3 ripe tomatoes, diced
8 oz. fresh mozzarella, diced 2 tablespoon fresh chopped basil, or 1 teaspoon dried
Brieanna's Blush Wine Viniagrette

Just mix everything togetherer, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and add dressing as desired. Yum, yum. Serve with some delicious artisan bread and enjoy! Good friends, good food, good fun, and good organization.