Estelle is 1!

It's getting older and it has be that with each child, time seems to go by a little faster and more furious.  Estelle's first year has purely been a blessing.  She's a happy little girl.  I try to wax the relax and wane the 'furiousness' but alas, things move at a pretty good clip.

One thing that I think about a lot is the friends that have lent and/or given us loads of baby gear and clothes.  Albeit having some from Graham's years, we needed girl stuff!  The Best/Schuurmans especially...the Stevens/Murphys, the Torcivia/Griffiths, the Schmelzers, the blonde Hoffes...it's really been an honor to use our friends' things. 

Gives me a warm fuzzy feeling using all of the wonderful, cute, useful clothes and gear - the 'greenness' of reusing,  the ease on the pocketbook and mostly the generosity and thoughtfulness of such tender, spectacular friends.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  I am so grateful.

Stelly's little family party had a two hour hiatus for a nap but it was so nice from start to finish despite the weather outside.  We just hung out; it was nice and leisurely.  The blonde Hoffe family gave Estelle a doll and she really loves it. 

It's amazing to see how natural tendencies are with boys versus girls.  Graham's favorite thing was a ball and Estelle's is a doll.  It's generalizing, and a stereotype to an extent; but it's so interesting and brings up the partly mysterious nature versus nurture question.

Special cake from Nana!

I (Holly) wore this little tunic for my 9 mo pictures!  My mom kept it and gave it to us recently - they don't make things like they used to...it's in really good shape.

Big brother

Lots of love her

Adorable tutu from Auntie Kacky!

Jason's little 'party' was a bit less planned and he was of course less fawned over but we had a great time at Stonefly Brewery and Cafe Centro in Riverwest.

 Jason also wanted some good cheeses for his birthday and I got Manchego and Drunken Goat - Spanish staple and red wine infused respectively.  We had some left over with chicken & mozzarella ravioli with zucchini & squash...super tasty.

Closing this post with a blip from today's Jesus Calling...

When you forget I am with you, you may experience loneliness or fear.  It is through awareness of My Presence that Peace displaces negative feelings.  Practice the discipline of walking consciously with Me through each day.

Amazing...

May 12 from God Calling

Turn out all thoughts of doubt and of trouble.  Never tolerate them for one second.  Bar the windows and doors of your souls against them as you would bar your home against a thief who would steal in to take your treasures.

What greater treasures can you have than Peace and Rest and Joy?  And these are all stolen from you by doubt and fear and despair.

Face each day with Love and Laughter.  Face the storm.

Joy, Peace, Love, My great gifts.  Follow Me to find all three.  I want you to feel the thrill of protection and safety Now.  Any soul can feel this in a harbour, but real joy and victory come to those alone who sense these when they ride a storm.

Say "all is well".  Say it not as a vain repetition.  Use it as you use a healing balm for cut or wound, until the poison is drawn out; then, until the sore is healed; then until the thrill of fresh life floods your being.

All is well.

Title: [can't think of anything]

Ooo, this weather is now finally getting under my skin a little.  The sun tries but alas the clouds usually triumph and sheesh, there's still a feisty bite in the air...especially east side by the lake.  I heard this is the coldest spring in 33 years?  I believe it.

One of the big things, in my opinion, about planning and making meals is coming up with ideas and the creativity and motivation involved in gathering ingredients, keeping it interesting, maintaining variety, and of course the YUM factor.  Also in my opinion, Jason has sharp talent at each step, from start of finish.

Tonight, however, I executed and had a good outcome! (Jason still did the challenging [to me at least] idea and variety)  Enchiladas are pretty darn easy and goooood and we try to make them healthy.  The only offbeat ingredients are 'enchilada sauce' and maybe corn tortillas.

Just sautee ground turkey with olive oil and a bit of salt, pepper and chili powder, put in a big bowl.  Then sautee diced red peppers and onions and we add corn and chopped spinach.  Mix all in a bowl with 1/3 can of the sauce and some mexi mix shredded cheese.  Zig-zag1/3 can sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 pan.  THEN this is frustrating for me b/c the corn tortillas act brittle and split but they come out OK after baking...wrap a row of the mix and set in the pan.  Line 'em up and zig-zag the last third sauce over the top and drop some more cheese on top - 20-30 on 350 and done.  Even me can do eet.

My baby girl is going to be one this weekend!  Oh my little nu nu.  Ku ku tini.  Nu nu tu tu.  It's so funny hearing Graham call her these little names, too.  What a wondrous year for this new little gift from God.  I digress for now.

Mother's Day was neat-o and pleasant and blessed.  I met mi mama on Saturday and we did the day together - lunch, Jesus Calling reading and shopping in Delafield.  And first thing - and I mean 6 a.m. first thing, Sunday Graham brought up a priceless card he made.  So tender and sweet.  We had a peaceful walk at Schlitz Audubon and just soaked each other up for the day.

This morning Graham invited me to Mother's Day Tea in his classroom.  It was way too cute and heart-melting.  Mrs. Gonzalez had tea, coffee, juice, muffins, a Mom booklet made by Graham, rose centerpieces and a little concert...

Otherwise, we're plugging along - happily and hopefully.  I swear though, I have about one week a month that my mind and soul connect with the fact that I strive to live all of the time: All is Well.  Thank God that is always lingering to grab on to - just have to work on the grabbing and maintaining that mantra through hell or high water.

Ouch on the choppers, right?  Stellars has not been as happy as usual.

A little peanut in her birthday suit.  I couldn't help it - it is almost her birthday though?

Graham is so good with Estelle still.  So tolerant, so helpful and all sweetness towards her.

Mother's Day

These guys have become big biking buddies!

Estelle at the Audubon by L. Michigan

Easter, a string of dinners, walking, riding a bike...all good things

Lent is over, Easter was yesterday.  It's neat to have more literature and exposure to the season and its deep meaning with Graham being at a catholic school.  I had a cup of chai this morning after these forty days.  Pretty simple to give up but it was a little daily luxury for me.  Refraining made me stop and think about Jesus and His ultimate sacrifice for us and I was more reflective and awake.

Another great pasta dish but the star here is the bread Jason made from scratch - rivaled Breadsmiths for sure

Fresh salad and a salmon sandwich - resembling Jason's favorite with bacon and wilted spinach from St. Paul Fish at Public Market

More fish - sole fish tacos

A little filet and grilled vegetables with orzo and peapods, parsley, etc.

Grilled chops & asparagus and a favorite rice side from Trader Joe's

This is the final product - pad thai - below are two of the prep steps

 

 Estelle is walking!  Next step (literally and figuratively) is walking w/o people to go back and forth between.  As for now on her own, she's still doing her funny little scoot.  And Graham Robert is riding a bike!  That was exciting and he already seems like an old pro cruising through the park taking corners and hills with ease!

malfunction - can't get any more pix or vids uploaded for some reason...next post.

The only thing constant is cHAngE...

I have to say I've had some varying moods these past couple weeks.  I believe in reaction to change...the seasons and weather...a growing baby and young boy...bathroom remodel...personal...etc...

Sometimes I thrive on it, other times it seems just the opposite to say the least.  One other thing is constant though - my Guide...I just have to remember to go back to that Center where there is always calm and peace and happiness.

Crazy weather!  Thunderstorms, hail, 40s then 80s, fog...so nice to be able to casually go outside though - it is generally warmer outside.

Estelle is 11 months this week.  Sheesh.  I blinked and here she is about to walk.

A little hat from Nanny

 

Graham is a bolt of lightening and playing baseball or catch or soccer or stick collecting or bug finding, etc. is either in progress or is being strongly suggested.

Tonight Jason got a recipe from Whole Foods - it had brown rice with chicken broth, grated ginger, pineapple, edamame and cilantro (Jason paired it with grilled lemon pepper chicken).  Really light and fresh tasting and delicious.  I didn't take a picture but below are a couple things from evenings past...

Grilled sesame crusted tuna steak with orzo primavera

Grilled pizza - a take on the 'Verde' from Via - Jason made garlic sauce from scratch and it's avocado with spinach and chicken

Out like a lamb?

It's the end of March!  Whew.  What a month!  Good one.  Spring is not in the air temporarily - ouch on the weather this week...the sun is finally shining today but it's still at about freezing.  We've had freezing temps, wind, rain, sleet, thunder, lightening, snow, etc.

Graham's birthday extravaganza was fun.  Friends and family on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.  The five-year-old guy.  Such a kid.

Little Stellars does a palm-grab-and-bottom-drag method for her version of crawling.  Not a traditionalist.  Fingers-supported walking is the preferred activity at any given time.

I hope she likes bows...hmmmm

Jason made some stunning dinners the past few weeks...here are two:

Couscous with chicken, asparagus and fireroasted tomatoes

Penne with peapods, zucchini and almonds.  Seriously good.  Not your typical St. Patty's day feast but notice the milk!

In like a lion

It's March - big month.  Graham, that little pipsqueak, turns 5 next weekend!  Five.  Big boy.  Man-o-man.  Fantastic kid.  SIX of his friends also have birthdays this month - lotsa cake and fun to be had! 

Exciting to see the snow melt a bit and you can slightly smell spring in the air, I think.  But there is still more lion weather to be had.  March in WI, I say.  Love the change in seasons we get here.  Hopefully, March will go out like a lamb though. 

Jason's boarding in Utah for a long weekend and mi mama is coming to hang out with we who were left behind ( : 

Here's a handful of snaps from the last few weeks:

Jason did the Birkebeiner (negative ten degrees at the start) he made his own granola bars!

REALLLLLL good wine from Trader Joe's - went back to get more and they were sold out!

One of the frequents from Jason's arsenal - it's a thin cut sirloin, pepper, onion, parsley, garlic, parm & moz ciabatta open-faced sandwich from a Rachel Ray recipe

We hung with Jason's parents while he went on to the Birke.  Graham built an 'animal hotel'

It seems Stellars is going to forgo crawling for now - she really likes to cruise and is always looking to grab onto some fingers to take a walk around.  Looks like she's doing the hula hoop but she covers some decent ground!

Estelle points like there's no tomorrow.  Always pointing.  Pretty cute.

Another communication method is doing side bends as seen here.  She always does it when we start praying before dinner.  Also real cute.