Monday, July 31, 2006

Living Vicariously

Here is a link to a woman's blog that I've followed for years. She went through years of infertility, subsequent treatments & heartache. Sound familiar anyone? Well, today she will get to see her daughter's face for the very first time. Her referral package has arrived at her agency this morning - and her daughter is waiting for her in the Anhui Province of China at the Chaohu Orphanage. Her name is Chao Xing. Very exciting.

Saturday, July 29, 2006

Bootiez


Hi. Well, I guess it is ok to admit that I've been a bit of a knittin' fool lately b/c I am now an Auntie Proper. Here are a pair of bootiez that I made for little baby Lola, my niece. They are made from a Debbie Bliss pattern. I love being an Auntie. Lola wore them Friday & I was so proud. They barely fit - but my sister kept pulling them up.

Do you think that I could make bootiez for my own baby girl ? Will they fit her? Will they fit my girlfriends baby - she's waiting, too. How do you know what is a safe size for baby-to-be from China?

Sorry about the shine. Can you see the bootiez ok? Or do you need shades? I'm a bit of a fool for wrapping. I couldn't bring myself to take the bootiez out of the wrapping for the blog pic. Next pair will be posted out of wrap.

Friday, July 28, 2006

Hot Tomatoes

I proudly present this pic of a lovely cluster of heirloom Italian tomatoes called Costoluto Genovese. Somehow they managed to survive - and possibly thrive - in last weeks heatwave. They are amazingly delish. This time of year tomatoes are so good that they speak for themselves. Here is a favorite recipe that lets them do just that.......

QUICK & EASY UNCOOKED PASTA SAUCE

Halve tomatoes and squeeze out the seeds, then chop coarsely. Place in a serving bowl with finely minced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, and a touch of red/white wine or sherry vinegar. Let stand for one hour to generate juices, then toss in drained, still hot pasta & chopped fresh basil....yum!

You may need to play with the amounts a bit to suit your tastes. I've found that going easy on the garlic is a good idea b/c it is so bold when raw - but it does mellow out a bit after marinating for the hour. The ratio of oil to vinegar is about 3:1.

Oh yeah, and we like angel hair pasta the best!

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

I'll Stop the World and Melt with You



It was meltingly hot here in Northern California all weekend & what did we decide to do for our 7 Year Anniversary? You guessed it - we went to the Melting Pot in Marin!! It was amazingly romantic and fun. I can't remember the last time I had that much fun with my husband. The evening really did feel a lot like the Modern English song. If you get a chance to go to the Marin location - ask to be seated in "Lovers Lane". Very private & romantic!!

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Tagged.



The kids I work with tag stuff all the time - usually with a Sharpie or spray paint. Tagging is different here in blog-land. Fun, too. Stephanie at Forks & Chopsticks "tagged" me today.......here are the "tag" questions:

7 THINGS I WANT TO DO BEFORE I DIE:

1) Be a Mom
2) Be a Grandma
3) Meet Oprah Winfrey
4) Travel to Turkey
5) Work at the University level - either as a field work instructor, counselor for college/grad students or doing outreach to prospective students who are underpriveleged
6) Live in Paris
7) Live in Paris

7 THINGS I CAN NOT DO:

1) Rock climb - no thanks!
2) Be disrespectful to elders
3) Hurt an animal
4) Kill somebody
5) Fully grasp higher math
6) Dance like Janet Jackson
7) Eat beef

7 THINGS I CAN DO:

1) Make just about anything
2) Cook just about anything
3) Grow just about anything
4) Rationalize just about anything
5) Talk to just about anyone
6) Make up a nickname for just about anyone
7) Try just about anything - at least once.

7 THINGS THAT ATTRACTED ME TO MY HUSBAND:

1) He's cute
2) He's kind
3) He's honest
4) He's a good friend
5) He let's me be me
6) He's smart & wise
7) He's fun!

7 THINGS I SAY MOST OFTEN:

1) Am I making sense?
2) Do you understand what I'm trying to say?
3) Are you sure?
4) Say Honest!
5) What's up?
6) I think that I could make that...
7) Hey.

7 Books I love:

1) Does Us Magazine count? (I'm being serious!!)
2) For fun: I love the Marian Keye's books & Anne Tyler as well
3) Intellectually: Flannery O'Connor or Faulkner; also, recently various adoption books
4) Kids stuff: the Lonely Doll, the Little Brute Family, 7 Chinese Brothers, Stone Soup, A Mother for Choco
5) Creative: Vogue Knitting
6) Cookbooks: Definitely anything Alice Waters
7) A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius - Dave Eggers
8) The Year of Magical Thinking - Joan Didion

7 MOVIES I LOVE:

1) Valley Girl
2) Breakfast Club - Anything John Hughes
3) Do the Right Thing - Anything Spike Lee
4) Clerks - anything Kevin Smith
5) Amelie
6) Sideways
7) Groove


OK, so it is my turn to "tag" a couple of others - but I can't figure out the "hyperlink" thing b/c I use a mac & you have to do it manually. So, if you gals are reading - here is your tag: Barb, Debra Sue, Jen, Jonni, Mariah & Melody. Have Fun!

Wednesday, July 19, 2006



I am an AUNTIE now!! Effective 10:38pm Tuesday night!! Auntie Wen - that is me. Wahooooooooooo

Tuesday, July 18, 2006



This is my baby Iris. I love her so. She looks so happy, content & entitled to rest upon the curtains and couch. What a life.

I'm up late tonight waiting for news of my niece-to-be and her arrival. She is on her way - my sister was on her way to the hospital at about 8-ish tonight. It is 11-ish right now. Pins and Needles.

Such a different kind of waiting energy, isn't it?

Two Months - Three Dayz


Our Log In Date was 5/15/06 - so we've got 2 months & 3 days under our belts so far! Waiting in line is much more pleasant when you're having fun. Thanks for the warm bloggy welcome!!

Sunday, July 16, 2006

My Little Baby Buddin'


I know that I've already posted a couple times today - but this Blogging thing has got me by the neck. I'm just trying to figure out how to do stuff & to get it so that it is right side up.

So, just for fun & practice, here is a pic of my sweetheart. My cat, and dearheart, Iris. I hope that it comes out. DH and I love her so much that it almost hurts.

Excellent Day!



Today I got the chance to meet a couple of lovely women in my area that are in the same DTC/LID group as myself. We had a delicious lunch, great conversation & got a nice bit of shopping in as well!! I am VERY proud to say that I purchased my diaper bag today at the Nordstroms Anniversary Sale! Woo Hoo!! I LOVE it & so does DH - he appreciates all of the bells & whistles.

Lambies & Lola


Just thought that I'd post a pic of a knitting project that I worked on early this year for my niece to be. She's a few days late right now & on everyone's mind - my niece that is. Here's a pic of the lambies waiting to meet her. I'm working on a pair for buttercup - her baby one is finished & is a multicolored dark gray, with pinks & bits of turquoise. The momma lamb will be a dark pink....so stay tuned for their future appearance.

Saturday, July 15, 2006

Ready to throw my hat in the ring!!!!


Hi. Welcome to my blog.....makes me laugh a little to say that.

I've been trying to get this blog project off the ground for a few months now, but was not happy with the first name that I chose. The new name is *buttercup* - a little nickname that I have for a baby girl that is waiting in China for my husband and I to adopt her. She needs a family and our family needs her.

It's gonna be a long wait. Might as well blog.