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American Girl



Francis and I met up with some friends for brunch at the American Girl store on Michigan last week. You apparently have to make reservations at least a month in advance and if you want a window seat, overlooking Michigan Ave, you have to hold your breathe for 6 months. Insane. Nevermind, that we arrived moments after the doors opened at 10am and the store was already packed, nevermind that it was a whooping $20 a head for said brunch, nevermind that they sell doll eye glasses for as much as my husband just paid for his real glasses – it was still awesome. A madhouse of memories I will never forget. Francis loved it and I loved her loving it.

April 15, 2008 - 10:01 pm

Sarah Barlow - Aww! So precious!! I can’t wait to take my daughters there someday! ๐Ÿ™‚

Sweet Francis


mygirl.
Originally uploaded by ..Sally..

I took a walk with Francis, a couple of days ago and for the first time she was such a ridiculous ham! Typically, she sees my camera and turns the other way. This time… it was different. I may have created a… monster. A really adorable monster.

April 23, 2008 - 6:56 pm

Irene - Wow–Francis looks so much like you now! That's really fun to see.

Don’t go to work…


Don’t go to work daddy
Originally uploaded by ..Sally..

This was the scene yesterday morning as Matt was trying to head out the door. Francis and Georgie love their daddy.

Soon it will be warm again (or if it isn’t I’m going to scratch my eyes out) and they’ll be running out in their pj’s to wave “bye-bye” to him as he disappears down the sidewalk in the morning.

RECIPE: Steak Kebabs, Asparagus, CousCous – Yum

Here’s another recipe (or a dinner’s worth of them) from my friend of a friend. ๐Ÿ˜‰ This was so easy and the kids loved it.

Steak kebabs :
When you get home, marinate the sirloin kebabs in teriyake sauce in the fridge — 1/2 hour or an hour is fine, longer is even better.
You can broil or do them in the grill pan — if you do in the oven, do the steak first and let it stand while the asparagus cooks
if you broil, rack should not be on the top one — one down — and on med-high broil
watch carefully and you will want to turn them a few times — total cooking time about 10 mins I would think. Cut one open a few minutes early — should be pink but not red.

Roasted lemony asparagus
heat oven to 400
Break or cut off the tough ends, wash and dry VERY thoroughly
Spread on a sheet pan (line with foil, clean up easier ๐Ÿ™‚
Drizzle with olive oil and juice from 1/2 lemon
Broil for about 20 mins until tender and starting to brown — turn them once
OPTIONAL: sprinkle a little fresh parmesan on some for the kids

Israeli couscous
Follow directions on the box but use veggie stock instead of water, or 1/2 and 1/2 works too

Hummus & pita
Just open up store bought hummus and heat the pita. We have a gas range and a friend told me to heat the pita directly on the burner at a low heat for a few seconds on each side – flip with tongs. It’s amazing how much better they are when they’re heated like this.

Enjoy.

A little sad today.


notsogoodtoday.jpg
Originally uploaded by ..Sally..

My little Georgie woke up today needing an extra dose of “hold me.” He wasn’t quite himself, but would occasionally rally and give us a smile. Here he is watching an “Elmosize” exercise video we checked out from the library on Wednesday. He’s snuggled up with his pal, “Bird.”