Olive oil is not an adhesive.

Last night we dined on Easy! Oven-Baked Cod.  It was delicious and a simple dish to prepare.  The only problem was step three which is to brush cod with olive and face plant into breadcrumbs (by the way I used panko instead of regular.) Olive oil is not a good a adhesive no matter how much you put on your fish.    So rather than just have four breadcrumbs I recommend you pile the breadcrumbs on top and gently pat onto fish. Then slowly move the cod to the baking dish and then add a few more for good measure.  Overall it was a good dish but I think it could have been made differently.

For instance, zesting a lemon=pain in the ass.  Why not just squirt a little juice on top of the breadcrumb mixture or even just the plain fish?   I could hardly taste the lemony goodness until I squirted lemon on the finished fish.  I'm sure there's a reason to zest the lemon but when you have a ticking baby time bomb you might consider my way to save time.

Also I prepared the Baked Chicken Breasts with Parmesan Crust from a previous post.  This time I used cayenne pepper in the mustard mixture and spooned it on the chicken before putting in the breadcrumbs.  The chicken had a bit of a kick from the cayenne pepper and because there was a good amount of the seasoned dijon it tasted awesome. I recommend eating the leftovers sliced cold on warm flatbread.

I also made some new jewelry. I'll be donating some pieces to the Metro Friendship Foundation 7th Annual Ice Breaker Social Gala on Sunday April 19th from 5:00-10:00pm at the Bayview Event Center on Lake Minnetonka.

Kleenex

So I've been sick.  It's the absolute worst to be sick and have to take care of a baby.  Infants just don't understand that Mom wants to lay on the couch and be selfish while eating massive amounts of crackers.  If I haven't mentioned it before THANK HEAVENS FOR GRANDPARENTS! Seriously I don't know how I would have survived without help.  I'd just turn into a gigantic pool of mucus and who wants to clean that up?

There isn't a lot to report.  Today I feel mostly human with just the frayed edges of sickness lurking about my body.  I'm coughing and such but am on the mend.  Hoorah!

I just finished a children's book called Fortunately the Milk.  It was a cute story and since I'm giving it to my niece and nephew I thought I should preview it to make sure it's not too scary.  I would definitely recommend it to read aloud to kids in grade school that don't get freaked out by brief mentions of aliens and vampires.  My niece and nephew are 8 years old and I think they will enjoy reading and listening to the story over the course of several bedtimes. It's very imaginative and a lot like Dr. Who so I think both parents and kids will like it.

Today I have a few hours to myself as both hubby and baby are snuggling and napping.  Our little one sleeps so much better when being held so I'm sure to get more than the normal 45 minute morning break. I might just start a little sewing or knitting project. Stay tuned for the results.

Spring Cleaning

I am desperately trying to get my house organized and by house I do not mean basement. So far we have donated three bags of clothing, one box of home goods and brought one box to a local consignment store.  Needless to say there is still too much crap.  I think it's our new roommate.  Sure she's cute and all but why does she need all these things.  We may have to scale back to pioneer days when all babies had were bugs, sticks and rocks...perhaps not that sparse but you get my drift.

Today my Dad came over and was a huge help.  I cannot tell you how much Grandparents rock.  Seriously anyone who comes over and mops my floor is probably going to be my new best friend.  Do they still sell those BFF necklaces?  I may need to stock up. 

Tonight we have Baked Chicken Breasts with Parmesan Crust.  Delicious! The only trouble I had was getting the dijon mustard split evenly between the chicken breasts.  I think that next time I will try the spoon and schmear method.  Other than that the chicken was crunchy, moist and flavorful.  

I am still trying to find time to craft in between the madness that is being a stay at home parent.  Yesterday I made a dinosaur pincushion out of a planter a friend made me. My cat ate the plant so I repurposed it.  I think it turned out pretty darn cute.

Sweet dreams

It gets harder and harder to find time for myself.  Baby has been waking me up at 4:30 in the morning hungry.  It really takes a toll when you lose a full nights rest.  It's probably easier on me than my husband because I don't have to function at work the next day.  I do what I can to make it balanced but when exhaustion rolls over you like a deafening thunder there's little sympathy for anyone else.

After these messages we'll be right back.

Hi!

It's been a while. Parenthood land is filled laundry, vacuuming, diapers, feeding and other super fun chores. Our little one is still mastering her hands and has awesomely started sleeping through the night.  It's seriously the best ever!

My cooking world has sort of fallen to the wayside.  The main issue being getting to the grocery store.  It's impossible to leave the house and when I get the chance to go out I don't want to go to the grocery store.

Some exciting news is that  I've been working on jewelry to contribute to my friends' company called Partly Cloudy Collective.  Stay tuned for details on where you can buy my pieces.

Sweater pin with fresh water pearls

Upcycled Givenchy pearls with crystals and cut stone on an aged silver chain.

Acrylic pattern pendant on upcycled aged metal chain

Day Dream Day Drinker

I'm pretty sure my cats are preparing me for having a toddler.  I spend a lot of my day yelling "no" and "get down."  Of course these commands rarely work on the first attempt and I bet you it's the same way when reasoning with an 18 month old.

My little one is almost 4 months old.  I caught her gazing at her little fists as if to say "what the hell are you?"  She's been smacking her face a lot so I'll excuse the profanity for now.  

I'm so glad that this is something babies outgrow.  It's kind of awful to see your baby hit themselves over and over again. Then there's the added bonus of waking themselves up (dear God no!!!)  We are pretty lucky at the moment she's sleeping through the night and still taking multiple naps throughout the day. She's probably exhausted or knocked herself out. 

The longer our girl is around I've realized her sleeping patterns are proportional to my sanity. Essentially less sleep for baby equals a Mom that's on the brink of hysterics all day.  This is not an equation for a happy household.  

So this project my guy has been working on is going to continue through March.  It's wonderful (like stubbing your toe.)  I'm at the point where I would like to body slam his job repeatedly. It's so frustrating because all there is to do is accept it.  I can't call his boss or write an anonymous letter-- believe me I've thought about it. 

It's incredibly hard to be grateful that your partner is gainfully employed when it completely dominates his entire life.  This is where I daydream about the days of old when everyone worked eight to five and drank on the job.  Oh wait, that's Mad Men and white privilege talking here.  Crap.

I think I better go check on dinner.  

Grim Reaper folding socks

I don't know what it is about being a parent that has brought out a sense of urgency to complete day to day tasks.  It might be leftover nesting hormones but I just can't seem to get everything I want done.  I wonder if it's because there's this tangible road block that cries and coos.

She comes first in all things.  If I have to do laundry and she's crying or hungry I have to cease and desist immediately in order to meet her needs.  I think it makes all (at this point) miniscule time to complete daily chores metamorphosize from mundane duty to enticing solo adventure.  

The other day I went to get the mail.  It was surprisingly invigorating the temperature was a pleasant 30 degrees The sun was shining, the air crisp and it was the perfect crunchy quiet that is exclusively Winter.  I felt a bit like a thief in the night, stealing away a solitary moment in the forbidden world which is essentially doing anything sans baby.

It's new territory I'm exploring.  A place where I don't really know what's going to happen next.  I spend a lot of time just staring at her.  I don't remember being that small and new and dependent.  It makes me feel mortal.  Don't get me wrong I am not one of those people who chases adrenaline in order to feel more alive.  You won't find me testing the sharpness of the Grim Reaper's scythe just for fun.

Life is finite.  Our experiences are infinite but limited to one lifetime.  It's a lot to think about while holding a 4 lb 2 oz baby.