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.

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.

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!

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!!

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!

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

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!!

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.

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.