it's the little things: February 2011

2.28.2011

parenting 101: this morning's lesson

"You can either practice being right or practice being kind." — Anne Lamott

2.27.2011

It may have something to do with the fact that Brad has always tried to convince people that I chased him back in the day. Look at that date people. I was 16. He stored beer in the backseat of his CRX. That terrified me. Why he didn't quite get that I wanted to be friends with his baby sis is beyond me. She was a year older, the coolest girl in school & such a good time. It was a no brainer on my part.

Anyway, old photos do make me smile. And that's why I'm lovin' this photographer's work. I have a list of photos a mile long I'd LOVE for her to re-create, starting with the one above of my boy.

And then maybe this one...

and then this one,

and this one.

Okay... maybe not that last one. ; )

pizza dough, part deux

We made pizza with Carmen last night. She was kind. No 'free handing'. She measured like us normal people. I learnt a few things along the way. The most important being, we seriously weren't using enough flour. Flour solves a lot of problems people. Anyway, I made the 'appropriate changes' to this recipe.

That's it, that's all. You can thank me later.

2.26.2011

3 things

1. California-style rolls.
2. No socks.
3. Oxfords (sans laces).

Sign me up.

[source unknown]

2.25.2011

crushin'

[source]

2.24.2011

my littlest fan

Tonight Ever got us laughing so hard. She knew it too. It lit up her whole world. Funny, that she's been lighting up ours for a year.

...

Ever, you're one in a million kid. There are times I see you so content to sit back and take it all in. And then there are times like tonight where you would have done just about anything to keep us laughing. Either way, you're infectious sweetheart. You get it from your daddy. And it's a good good thing.

I could go on and on. But I must tell you Miss E... this mama of yours needs to stop lamenting over how quickly the past year has gone by (dry her eyes) and tuck her tired butt into bed. Right next to yours.(xo)

2.23.2011

my first cake 'ever'

I'm not gonna lie. There were a few minutes this afternoon where I seriously thought I'd missed my calling. Fast forward to this evening. Hmmmm... not so much. My intentions, oh they were good. If you could only see the vision in my head. The good news is I'm pretty confident it's gonna taste amazing.

Click here to find out why.

2.22.2011

love is...

You better be hungry mister. (xo)

a shout-out

to my girls near and far who had a little input in tonight's menu. You are loved. Very. Much. How I could do these things without you is beyond me.

2.21.2011

hey mister!

I cleaned the dog.
The kennel's all yours.
See ya at 5.

"thank you, with love" - a series of photographs

To be continued...

mornin' from my lovelies

It's gonna be a good, good week. We agreed to it this morning.

2.20.2011

say "cheeeese"

This would be us bright and early Saturday morning at Vancouver Aquarium. Brad wasn't sold on purchasing the photo. It had nothing to do with the $20 cost (wtfreak?) and everything to do with him not understanding who or what I was 'cheersing'. I think he actually inferred that I looked like a "mort". (True story: up until this afternoon I thought Brad's dad had created the word "mort" by combining "moron" and "idiot". I was pretty shocked to discover it's an actual word. Not to worry Larry, I still think you're genius.) Anyway, to my mister, let me make it clear to you, on days that I have an actual Starbucks in hand I could be 'cheersing' anything & everything. As for this particular raising of my glass let's chalk it up to... healthy babies, a weekend in the city with my favorite people, potential world peace... and the fact that it took us less than a year to get an actual family portrait done.

Cheers to that!

i love this photo

Vida Blue does 'this thing' when she doesn't want photos taken of her. She gets the saddest look on her face & then closes her eyes and pretends to sleep. She did it to me yesterday afternoon and so I got my face (and phone) really close to hers and whispered, "I bet I can make you smile". My girl didn't even flinch. Nothing. Completely stoic. I then whispered "ice cream" and proceeded to snort loudly like a pig. This was her reaction.

Love. It.

just because...

2.18.2011

crushin'

[source]

Winter Winds *sigh*

2.16.2011

And here I had been thinking that 'our time' at the end of each night couldn't get much sweeter.

[source]

2.14.2011

reason #7,132 I love you babe

Because every night without fail you erect some totally outlandish LEGO contraption that completely captivates your daughter's attentions. I thought tonight's was particularly awesome.

You also make for a pretty good buddy. (Truth is... I'll take you however I can get you.)

Happy Love Day.

You make it so easy.

"thank you, with love" - a series of photographs

To be continued...

a conversation this morning

Vida Blue: "Apple pwease mom?"

Me: "I'm just gonna put your sister down for a nap, then I'll get you an apple."

Vida Blue: "Apple pwease mom?"

Me: "I'm just gonna put your sister down for a nap, then I'll get you an apple."

Vida Blue: "Apple pwease mom?"

Me: "Vida. Blue. I just said I'd get you an apple after I finish putting your sister down for a nap."

Vida Blue: "Oh! Great ideeea!"

...

Her 'great ideeeas' kill me.

2.13.2011

like father, like daughter

This afternoon Brad buckled Vida Blue into her carseat & came back in the house to help me pack up Ever. I guess it was taking us a little longer than usual cause we heard Vida yelling from the van;

"Let's go team!"
"Let's go team!"

Pretty freakin' hilarious.

gettin' in the spirit

This morning we decided to make us some sugar cookies. Then three little helpers (aka Madalyn, Lucia & Maki Moon) showed up in our kitchen. You'd think those kids were old pros or something...

2.12.2011

pizza dough, a la carmen

Remember this recipe? Well, Carmen navigated her way through it (bless her) & voila, here it is made easy.

1 package active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer combine the yeast, water, honey and olive oil. Let stand for about 5 minutes until it looks foamy.

2. Place the dough hook attachment on the mixer and add the flour and salt. Knead on medium speed until the dough comes cleanly away from the sides of the bowl. The dough should feel smooth and elastic. Add more flour if it's too sticky. It's kneaded enough when you touch it and it slowly springs back, about 8-10 minutes of kneading.

3. Leave in the bowl, cover with a clean towel* or plastic wrap and let rise for 30 minutes or up to an 1 hour. (*B like to use a warm damp towel.)

4. Preheat your oven to 500 degrees.

5. Divide the dough into 2 or 4 balls depending on how large you want your pizzas to be. On a smooth unfloured surface roll out the balls, 7 to 8 inches for small pizzas, 10 to 12 inches for large.

6. Brush everything but the edge with a little olive oil.

7. Add your toppings... (Bradley style)

8. Bake for 10 minutes.

  
...

For a little over a month we have reserved Friday nights for making pizza. It's been amazing. A total family effort... and let me tell you, we're gettin' good. It just doesn't feel right however, to not give a shout-out to the couple who inspired it all, Mr Brad Trotman & Miss Jamie Lewis. These two cooked us up some unbelievable zaz's one night in the desert. They actually proved to be one of the biggest highlights of our New Year's trip. Granted, one of us was sick most of the time, but there's truly nothing like pizza to perk us up. Thanks 'Beebs'. Tofino? Soon? Pretty please?