CrumbBums – Page 125

Reading…

Books, by lauren, August 19, 2014, 2 Replies

When we were last at the library, I accidentally came across author Arnold Lobel‘s books and had flashbacks to my own childhood! The stories are classic, sweet, and written with an innocence reminiscent of young children and age of magical thinking.

As I read Owl At Home to Emil one rainy afternoon (we’ve been reading a lot more since he gave up those beautiful wonderful dreamy naps), I remembered what it felt like to be read to when I was a little girl — this very same story, about Owl making teardrop tea; I remember thinking how silly the things were that Owl thought about to make himself sad: “mashed potatoes left on a plate… because no one wanted to eat them,” for instance. And all of the stories are like that, light and innocent and silly and sweet. Just perfect for little ones.
Actually, just perfect for anyone. As I was reading, Milo and Oliver listened from the other room, giggling and acting like the stories were too babyish for them… until they wandered over and ended up snuggled up next to us on the couch.

I can’t say that I blame them.

Weekend Shenanigans

Family, by lauren, August 18, 2014, 6 Replies

It was a weekend of harvest and creation for us; we finally bit the bullet and bought a fruit-picker to reach those ripe round apples at the top of the tree that were tempting us, and with half of the 12 pounds harvested, I made apple butter in the crock pot. So cool to see the progression of those apples: first picking, then cutting and preparing, then returning the skins and scraps to the earth through our compost pile. And so it goes!

And speaking of compost, we have three amazing piles of it ready to add to the vegetable garden for our fall crops (pumpkins, kale, lettuces, and broccoli). After spending the better part of Thursday and Friday in there with Oliver, I’m excited to add to our bounty!

We also had a lot of rain this weekend (which we needed) but it all cleared up just in time for a Sunday afternoon neighbor fun day at the playground. But most of the weekend was spent making and baking: Andrew brewed an IPA batch that should be ready next month, I baked banana bread and English jacket potatoes, made guacamole and grilled corn and tomato salad (try out that amazing recipe here). Andrew and I floated silently around each other in the kitchen all afternoon on Sunday, doing a sort of baking/brewing dance while the kids played with balloons and did flips on the couch. It was the perfect sort of afternoon!And Emil was brave enough to try this all by himself for the first time. I guess he is really a big boy now, since he is next up in our month of birthdays… am I ready for a three-year-old again? Oh boy, if it’s anything like this one‘s entire third year, we’re in for it!

Oliver Turns 5

Family, by lauren, August 15, 2014, 17 Replies

Yesterday, Oliver turned 5.

Oliver, our funny, sensitive, sometimes wacky guy who was born with his hand on his cheek and his other elbow in the air. Oliver, who was as tiny as a mouse when he was born but much much louder. Our Oliver, who still smells as sweet as peaches and cake and honey, and has the bug bites to prove it.

Oliver, who sometimes eats nothing but watermelon for lunch and has just about every single Pokemon character memorized. Oliver, who understands to the very core of him the concept of fairness and justice and will do the right thing even if it is hard to do. Even if he sometimes loses his cool and pummels his brothers. He is five years old and I don’t know how.

He chose a lemon cupcake while Milo and Emil decided to split the chocolate one. Turns out they agreed to cut them four ways so that everyone could try some of each. He chose the Magic House for his special day with his best friend Estella, and after that he just wanted to play with his brothers and work in the garden, then have some alone time before dinner.

And after dinner, a wonderful present (he was only expecting one)! A real tool set with real tools designed for little hands.

… that came with a real tool belt, of course (and an admiring little brother).

But the real kicker was waiting outside in the trunk: Papa had picked out a two-wheeler for Oliver: his very own brand new bike! It was, in Oliver’s words, “The best birthday ever.”

Oliver, I’ll never forget the day you were born. We love every inch and bit and essence of you and are so incredibly proud of you! Happy Birthday, sweet boy!

Lentil Stew with Chorizo

Food, by lauren, August 14, 2014, 2 Replies

This stew has been on our weekly rotation all summer, and though I know stew is not typically a summer food, it’s something that all of us love, and uses plenty of kale, which is by now nearly shoulder-high in our garden. Also, it is very tasty and very easy on the wallet!

Lentil Stew with Chorizo

1 cup dried green lentils
3 cups chicken stock
1 medium (or half large) red onion, chopped
4 chorizo sausages (about 1lb), sliced
2 Tbsp olive oil
12 oz canned whole tomatoes
5 large curly kale leaves, tough stems removed
1/2 tsp cumin
salt and pepper to taste (though I never use it since there’s plenty of salt in the stock)

Heat oil in stock pot, then add chorizo, cooking on medium-high until browned on all sides.

Remove chorizo from pan with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add onions to pan drippings and reduce heat slightly. Stir and cook until onions are caramelized (if they seem to be drying out, add just a dash of chicken stock).

Add lentils and stir to coat.

Add cumin, stirring until lentils are incorporated.

Next, add chicken stock and stir well. Cover pot and cook on medium-high heat for 30 minutes, stirring and adding liquid when lentils absorb and stew starts looking dry. Reduce heat and cook 15-20 minutes longer, adding chorizo and tomatoes once the lentils are soft. Add kale leaves, shredding by hand, at the end of the cook time and only allow to blanch (it will cook in a matter of seconds). You will know your stew is ready by taste; if the lentils are still crunchy or hard, keep cookin’!

Serve as is, or over rice, or with sharp cheddar grated on top (or all three!). Enjoy!

Dress That Mama

Style, by lauren, August 13, 2014, Leave a Reply

We’ve reached that lazy part of summer where getting dressed is the last thing on my mind. In a couple of weeks, the boys will be back to school, and soon after that the days will grow shorter and cooler. I’m already thinking a little bit about sweaters and jeans, to be honest! But for now I’m wearing a lot of simple things — jean shorts, white shirts, and of course flowy dresses. Not that exciting, I’m afraid! But there is something great about the classic white button-down. It will never, ever go out of style!

Happy Wednesday!