Bread 'n Honey

My super fab in-laws gave us a super duper bread machine for Christmas. The only problem was that when I went to bake some bread last week, the paddle (needed to knead) was missing. My sweet husband is the one who took the machine and components out of the box and set it up...in his words 'I never saw a paddle', so I just went from there and called the company who happily shipped out a paddle that same day....regular mail. Wait? Wait for fresh baked bread that I was sooo in the mood for right then?!?! What's a paddless gal to do? I waited. Till yesterday...*trumpets blaring* the paddle came in! I immediately opened the instruction manual...it's quite thick and intimidating...and followed the directions to make fresh honey wheat bread (got the mix in the box thang...it's about ease and instant gratification for me). A couple of hours later....right around dinner time, viola! Bread! I baked...my machine...baked BREAD! and it was gooooood. I barely waited the allotted cool down time and then sliced away. I cut my first slice in half. First half was slathered in butter. The second half was slathered in butter and topped off with honey...for dessert. YUMMMMM! Thanks Dee and Tom for a FABULOUS gift that will make sure a fresh carby loaf of bread isn't too far away :)

A Taste of Ethiopia

Recently, I joined three lovely O'Mamas for a Taste of Ethiopia...my first try at the cuisine, and I'm hooked! It was the coolest that many Ethiopians eat with their hands using injeras to scoop up the stew like wat...very much like how I was raised using tortillas to scoop up Mexican food. The owner of the restaurant was one of the most hospitable women I'd EVER met! She lovingly cooked up some tasty vegetarian and meat wats (I have no idea if that's grammatically correct) for us to sample. I know I was in heaven...and I'm pretty sure Courtney, Erica and Melissa were as well. After stuffing ourselves quite full, we couldn't pass on chocolate cake (cake that I couldn't finish, so she wrapped it in foil and created a sweet bird). We were delighted by a coffee ceremony. It was such a beautiful display...and I was sooo hoping the coffee tasted like chai, but no. Oh, the owner was so doting. Once she found out I was pregnant, she gave me extra vegetables, and only a dash of coffee in my milk...just to taste :) I love her and will be back soon!...Courtney, I do believe we have a lunch date there on Monday, right?

the following shot of us was taken by the owners husband...I think

from left: Erica, Courtney, me and Melissa

Our first taste of Hanukkah

As a girl growing up in a South Texas border town, there was a HUGE catholic population. I 'knew of' a couple of Jewish families, but wasn't ever really introduced to Judaism. Until this past Friday when the Simon family hosted a little Hanukkah get together. I regret that I don't have a single shot of Geni...she was busy in the kitchen making latkes (YUM!) from scratch. Mia was entertained by the menagerie of animals...Allie the big kind dog, Garnier and Bill Pickles...guinea pigs, a cat and hamster that I didn't catch the names of. Bonnie, Kel, Geni and Bethany all shared snippets of the culture. I learned about the Maccabean Revolt against the Romans, Menorahs, dreidels, and even Shiksas :) A total crash course that I truly appreciated. Their home was decorated with a little bit of both....a Christmas tree, a Menorah (shaped like a dog), a nativity scene (with a chewed up wise man)....beautiful.

Here are a few of my fav shots...I have many more on Flickr

Jennifer's delish gingerbread dreidel and scotchie cookies

Mia played the piano, with a cat under her feet that she pet with her toes...while playing, Mia even turned the sheet music :)
LOVED Freya's dress and leggings!

one of the coolest hobby horses I've ever seen

Mia LOVED the latkes...with chunky applesauce



Miranda sculpting



here she is eye to eye with an animal...as usual :)