Bless Her Heart

The Baseball Dress

I like surprises.  This is something that I've only realized about myself in the last couple of years...but I do...I like a good surprise.  In this day and age of instant technological gratification, you have to work to be surprised.  Think of how hard it was to navigate the world just to NOT find out Olympic results before the coverage was shown in the evening. The fact that The Man, my sweet, sweet friend Kathie (the creator of the dress), my children, her children and so many of my close friends never spilled the beans over the months that Kathie worked on this dress is so precious to me.  This was my (surprise) birthday gift last month, and it is as close to perfection as anything on this earth for me.  Kathie has combined all of my favorite things in one place...my family, my kitchen, beautiful fabric, and BASEBALL.  She and I (and our significant others) share a deep, deep...almost crazy-loca (speaking for the women here) abiding love for the America's pastime. She worked this love so seamlessly (har!) into my dress, and it's so incredibly 'right' and beautiful, that if I look at it too long, I can get a little emotional.  I wish you could see it in person, because really, the photos just don't do it justice.  Of course, if you are around the ATX, you might just see it in person, since I seem to find a reason to wear it every other day. You can see more of Kathie's work here.

Favorite Thing :: Our Zoku

For the most part, I've long since given up buying gimmicky kitchen gadgets.  I've learned to save my pennies for the better knife instead of the 'world's most perfect plastic garlic mincer'.  At first blush, the Zoku can seem like another superfluous kitchen took, and Lord knows I've bought my share of new fangled popsicle makers in all shapes and sizes over the years. I started seeing it show up in my favorite eye-candy kitchen catalogs a couple of years ago.  The price scared me off on more than one occasion.  I'm not gonna lie, these suckers are pricey.  Then last summer I got a gift card to one of the aforementioned kitchen stores for my birthday. I'll admit, I was swayed by the pretty pictures in the idea book...and hey...gift card...it's like free money, right? I had nothing to lose.  I bought the one that makes 3 popsicles for my birthday and The Girl loved it so much that we got her an individual one for Christmas.  That way we could remove the big one from the freezer during the months that we're not baking alive in the Texas heat. She makes them almost daily, but none of the rest of us feel the need to when the weather is mellow.  We've reached ridiculous temperatures this week, so we'll be swapping back out for the big one this weekend. The only downside of the Zoku is that it has to freeze for 24 hours before you can use it, so when we swap 'em out, The Girl will have to go a day without her afternoon homemade popscicle.  First World Problem. I know. I also know that I have friends that wanna know what the big deal is about this thing...and they're wondering if it's worth the chunk of change. Well. It's summer y'all...in TEXAS...and your kids can make their own. damn. popsicles.  In the amount of time it takes them to have a ridiculous argument with their sibling, or run through the sprinkler 3 times, or tell you how boredhotboredtiredhungrybored they are, they can go to the refrigerator, get out the juice or the Superfood, or kefir, or almond milk and make a popscicle. They can watch it freeze on the countertop, they can watch the timer tick down, they can think about which kind they'd like to make next. And in 7-10 minutes (seriously) their popsicle is ready.  It's like the reverse microwave that my brother and I used to fantasize about when we were melting in the heat when we were kids. It's the future! It's here! Freeze Ray! Okay, not really...but STILL!  All I know is that over the years, I have spent sillier amounts of money on stupider things in the name of trying to maintain sanity in the home with my children when it's 109^o outside. For whatever reason, the Zoku works for us, and my swelteringly sweaty-hot little heart is, you guessed it...grateful.  

Favorite Thing :: Pickled Blueberries by Confituras

Stephanie at Confituras never disappoints. I love the simple flavors that she uses in her preserve recipes....perfectly balanced, never too sweet, always with a subtle hint of a familiar spice to compliment the fruit. Last weekend at the market, I stopped at her booth to pick up some Blackberry Jam and her little jars of Pickled Blueberries caught my eye. That night, I topped crackers with a mild chevre and the blueberries. Remembering that Stephanie said it pairs well with any cheese really, last night, I skipped the crackers all together and just drizzled them over Parrano. Both ways were really delicious, but I have to say that I really enjoyed the contrast of the sweet pickled berries with the bite of the Parrano.  Each has a depth of flavor that can hold its own with the other. I can't wait to experiment with these decadent little things beyond cheese pairings.  Next up...maybe salad...sandwich...cocktail?  

Favorite Thing :: Paper Straws

Favorite Thing: Dai Due

We totally crush on the Dai Due food over here.  Maybe you've heard me rave about their pickles and pimento cheese? Or the peach syrup? Funny thing is...they're a butcher shop.  I've been a vegetarian my entire life, and thus far The Girl is choosing the same path.  However, the other half of the family are ominvores. Neither of the guys eat very much meat, but when they do the majority of it comes from the Farmers' Market and more often than not it comes from Dai Due. I value that all of their ingredients are locally sourced, that I know where the meat comes from, and who butchered and prepared it for my family to eat.  As well as bringing items to pick up at the market, they prepare a hot breakfast for those who are early enough to get there before they run out.  Today, I stuck around and took pictures while they prepared BLTs, chorizo and duck egg tacos, french toast and pimento cheese sandwiches.  It's seriously impressive to watch this crew put out their food non-stop while their patrons stand around the edges waiting. Salivating. Although their booth is on the far side of the market, the aroma of the bacon on the griddle is like a calling card that reaches all the way across the park. You can see people head straight there from the parking lot, like cartoon characters following a swirling, wafting aroma that they just can't resist.  

I've been told that you're not supposed to take pictures of people's hands touching food.  That this is unappealing in some way to those of you looking at the picture.  I can't help but feel the opposite.  This is my pimento cheese sandwich that is being prepared here.  I actually love to see the hands of the people preparing my food.  I love the history shown in their hands, whether they be young, learning hands of The Girl (see the banner above) or the experienced, hard-working hands of the folks over at Dai Due. There are also a few more pictures here if you're interested.

Have a little extra time to read?

My Blog Reader is broken down into different categories like: For the Images, For the Love of Crafting, Foodies, For the Music and For the Words.  I've noticed lately that the collection of blogs that I read in the "For the Words" category seem to have one common thread.  I'm drawn to reading about people who actively trying to figure out what this whole thing is about. Not in the super deep, super spiritual kind of way...but in the day to day kind of way.  I love reading the words of people who find themselves split wide open by the challenges that they are presented in their families, or in their lives and the fierce love they meet these challenges with.  In some cases we're not like minded on other issues in our lives, but I'm digging that above all this common love for our children and families overwhelms the feeling of differences and drives home that here we all are, humans on this earth trying to figure it out the best that we can.

Several of these blogs I've been reading for a long time, and encourage you to scroll back if you have a little extra time to acquaint yourselves with the written history of these families in blog form.  The nuggets you will find are worth the time, I think. I'm not going to write any intros, for fear that I wouldn't do them justice, and you wouldn't click through.  Just give try them on for size?

** Do you have words that move you in a similar way?  Or do you read blogs that speak to you?  Please share them in the comments.  I'm always looking for that thread that pulls us all together, you know?  I'd love it if you'd share.  With love and many thanks.

I've listed the blog first and a favorite post from that blog underneath the main link:

Pacing the Panic Room

---- Rings true to me today 

Diary of an Air Force Wife

---- Fills my heart with love today

The Poor Mahormians

---- This might just be what it's all about right here 

 

Favorite Things: Antonelli's Cheese Shop

After the Farmers' Market on Saturday, The Girl, Auntie and I took a trip over to Antonelli's Cheese Shop.  I had a gift card that had been burning a hole in my pocket since Christmas, and we were in need of some treats.  I had heard good things from some of my foodie friends, and I knew the second we walked through the door that we wouldn't be disappointed.  We were greeted with a smile and friendly conversation by the cheese mongers behind the counter.  John, partial owner of Antonelli's and our personal cheese monger for the visit asked the girl about her favorite kinds of cheeses and deftly gave us samples of what he thought she might like.  She was sold...and we purchased cuts of both.  John and the rest of the people behind the counter are knowledgable and obviously love to share all they know about cheese.  They share information without being stuffy or overbearing about it, making their space a comfortable place to linger and shop...even with kids.  We enjoyed perusing all of the locally sourced condiments and treats and added handmade marshmallows by Delysia and grapefruit marmalade by Confituras to our basket.  We had just about finished up when John remarked that his favorite grilled cheese sandwich was of the Mascarpone/Nutella variety. Curious, we added those two necessary ingredients and locally baked ciabatta bread to our basket and high-tailed it out of there before we got ourselves in real trouble.  I am not exaggerating when I say this little sandwich is deadly incredible.  Super simple and very decadent. Check out the recipe below.

By Suggestion...Antonelli's Sweet Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Mascarpone, Nutella and Banana on Grilled Ciabatta Bread

Crave Brothers Mascarpone

Nutella

Banana, sliced thin

Barrie Cullinan Ciabatta Bread

Slice the ciabatta open so that you have two halves.  Spread the mascarpone on one half and Nutella on the other.  Layer the banana slices on top of the Nutella and then put both sides together.  Grill in a panini press or a cast iron skillet for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown and mascarpone is warm and melty.

*30 Days with a Grateful Heart - Day 8

Day 8: The clogs

Don't think less of me, k?  I am truly, deeply grateful for so many wonderful people and experiences in my life...but today it's all about the shoes.  Auntie convinced me to get up early on Black Friday and see if the Dansko clogs she had gotten the previous week were still on sale at the REI downtown.  Money is super tight lately, so I was feeling guilty even going to check.  When we walked in the door, we were surprised by a friendly employee who handed us each a $20 gift card just for being 2 of the first folks through the door. Auntie turned to me and handed me hers...some sister, no?  Long story short, I used our gift cards and walked out of there with these amazing shoes for $23.00.  $23.00!

If you've ever seen my feet in person, you might know I have these weird knobby things on the back of my heels.  I'll spare you the photos of that yuckiness.  This knobby heel condition makes wearing shoes with backs pretty uncomfortable.  That is...until now.  Y'all, these clogs have changed my shoe-wearing experience for life.  I don't want to take them off. Like ever.  Thanks Auntie for making me go get them, and thanks for not being embarrassed when we're out in the same shoes.  

Movie for your Monday: 180 Degrees South

 

We've watched this film *several times over the last month.  It's inspiring and lovely with a stupendous soundtrack. Sometimes I just play the movie off to the side while I'm doing data entry.  It has relaxing narration and a very mellow soundtrack, allowing me to absorb it from the periphery.  If I have one complaint, it's that each time I watch it, I want to whisk up the family and run to Chile.  The good thing is that this movie reminds me that I could.  Why not? 

*If you subscribe to Netflix it's available on demand.

Favorite Things: Do Fun Stuff

Do you have a few of those blogs in your reader that you make sure you check every day?  I have hundreds of blogs in my reader but there are only a few that even if I'm weeks behind on reading, I make sure to check in with. Ryan Marshall owns one of my favorite blogs of all time over at Pacing the Panic Room.  He writes truthful and often times raw entries about fatherhood and he is a madly talented photographer to boot. It's been a joy that he has allowed us to read along as his ambitions manifest into incredible things for him and his family.  If you have the time to go back and pick through his archives I strongly encourage you to.

Ryan's stepson LB has a genetic disorder called Smith Magenis Syndrome (SMS) which I had never heard of until I started reading Pacing the Panic Room way back.  Ryan writes candidly about the wonders and difficulties of raising a child with SMS.

Today is the release of this incredible album that Ryan put together that I want to share with you.  It's called Do Fun Stuff.  I guess you could classify it as a kids' album since it has songs about potties, caterpillars and sleep (my favorite) on it...but really it's just superb music.  Not only is a great collection of music that you can listen to with your kids, but all of the proceeds go to a fund SMS research.  I am astounded and truly inspired that Ryan was able to  this album to fruition.  GIve it a listen, spread the word and most of all, buy the album to support SMS research.

I can't figure out how to embed the gosh-derned widget, but as soon as I do I'll put it on here.  Until then, please follow the link to Do Fun Stuff, you won't regret it.