The Larissa Monologues

6 Months and Counting

2009-11-09T22:00:00.000-08:00

Six months ago we were in a hospital delivery room, looking into our son's eyes for the first time. We held this tiny, delicate creature in our arms, completely awed by every sound and movement he made. In that one moment, we were thrust into this thing called "parenthood," and our lives changed completely.

The first several weeks with Aaron were, in one word, an adventure. The cute newborn who moved in with us ended up being a severely high maintenance roommate. It seemed like every hour he needed to nurse, or be rocked to sleep, or have his diaper changed. Oh Lord, the dirty diapers! The phrase "poop explosion" became commonly used in our home, and we thanked the heavens that we owned a washing machine for the endless loads of laundry. As we made our way through sleepless nights and inconsolable crying (mostly the baby, but sometimes me), we wondered to ourselves how on earth we were going to survive.

But every day was a little easier than the last. Through lots of grace, humor, and trial and error, we gradually started to figure our new lives out. Aaron became more alert and interactive, and the fun moments increased. He started smiling, laughing and babbling single-syllable baby words. He learned how to roll over, and sit up, and give "high-fives." He began sleeping through the night (woohoo!).

Sometimes it is difficult to recall our Before Aaron days. I have vague memories of abundant free time. We used to do whatever we wanted whenever we pleased. Getting in the car and going somewhere was once a quick and simple task. We could walk around the living room without stepping on toys.

While there are times when I miss that past era, the thrilling, awesome moments of parenthood far outweigh any desire to go back. Aaron is a better gift than I could have imagined, and I feel so grateful that we get to love and cherish him and be his parents.

The last six months have been full of true joy, and I am excited to continue the adventure.

More Verbs

2009-11-04T23:37:00.000-08:00

I'm currently...

wishing: someone else would eat up the leftover Halloween candy
disliking: the dusty furniture and dirty bathrooms I don't have time to clean
reading: Loving Our Kids On Purpose by Danny Silk and The Host by Stephanie Meyer
missing: the luxury of 8+ hours of uninterrupted sleep
wanting: an immersion blender...maybe it will go on my Christmas wish list
improving: my Scramble score on the iPhone
realizing: I have five different To Do lists that I should consolidate
loving: boots, scarves and Mexican hot chocolate
considering: buying a space heater to compensate for our horribly uninsulated house
watching: Top Chef and wondering why Robin is still around
regretting: staying up so late to blog
hoping: that I can make a successful roasted turkey for Thanksgiving

What are you currently doing?

Welcome, November

2009-11-01T13:42:00.000-08:00

Aaron the monk, Steve as a clown detective, and me as Marcie from the Peanuts.

Thanks to all of you who voted on my previous post, Rock the Vote: Fall Edition. The winners were: Marcie, slouchy boots, and slumber party. The boots and party votes were both close, but Marcie won by a mile. Previous to the poll, I was actually leaning toward dressing up as Waldo for Halloween, but you all spoke out loud and clear. So Marcie it was!

Usually Steve and I put lots of thought into our Halloween costumes. This year, however, we threw them together at the last minute. Most of my Halloween energy went into sewing Aaron's monk costume. We spent Halloween afternoon walking around West Hollywood. In the evening, we hung out on the front porch to give out candy to trick-or-treaters. It was an uncharacteristically low-key Halloween for us, which was a pleasant change. More Halloween photos here.

And now it is November, quite possibly the best month of the year. The chilly weather is perfect, Starbucks is serving pumpkin spice drinks, and Thanksgiving is around the corner. I found the perfect slouchy brown suede boots, which I am determined to wear as frequently as possible during the next few months. There is an abundance of firewood sitting in our living room, just waiting for those nippy days that call for a toasty fireplace. Also, we got our flu vaccinations, so no flu viruses here!

I wish you all a wonderful month of November.

Rock the vote: Fall Edition

2009-10-26T00:16:00.000-07:00

Time for another chance to Rock the Vote here, where I call upon you readers to help me make some important life decisions. The first Rock the Vote back in July was a big success as many of you took a stance and made your voice heard regarding some of my weekend plans.

With the weather a-changin' and the holidays upon us, a few decisions are in order. Help a girl out and vote, wouldya?

Decision #1

I am going to a few Halloween parties this week, and need to come up with a costume. The key factor is that I would like to be resourceful and creative, and use clothes and accessories I already own. Specifically, I want to incorporate a pair of round, black glasses I recently found at a costume shop.

Should I be Marcie from the Peanuts comics...

...or Waldo from Where's Waldo? (Wally, for you Brits)?

Decision #2
I want to buy some boots. Rarely do I spend much on shoes, but I have been wanting a pair of boots for ages. And with a bit of cash saved up, I am finally ready to commit. Boots are calling out to me! Most of the boots I have been eying are flat and brown, the kind that can be worn with just about anything.

Should I buy these suede buckle boots...

...or these slouchy shafted boots?

Decision #3
I am planning a dinner party with some girlfriends. A group of us gather every few months for a themed dinner. Previous dinners have been centered around a particular cuisine, like Italian food, for instance. But it would be fun to have a broader theme that could influence not just the food, but the activities and ambiance as well. I am thinking of some sort of girly theme.

Should our next dinner theme be Slumber Party (with pajamas, manicures, popcorn and romantic comedy flicks)...

...or Ladies' Poker Night (Martinis! Texas Hold 'Em!)?

Okay, vote away! Cast your votes in the comments. And yes, photos of Halloween costume will be posted.

Pumpkin Scones and Other Nice Things

2009-10-22T10:17:00.000-07:00

It has been one of those weeks. It was the sort of week that leaves you a little depleted and bedraggled. Nothing utterly awful happened this week, just little things that built up over time.

My husband was sick, which meant that I was the only one between the two of us to take care of our son. The baby, on multiple occasions, fought his naps, even though he was extremely tired and cranky. I spent half the week searching for a place in Los Angeles to get a flu vaccination, only to discover that most pharmacies have run out of them already. Things around the house seem to be falling apart, such as the toilet, the light switch, and the internet connection.

But lest I begin to complain too much, there are many things that are currently making life more bearable, and at times, really great. Things like...

Making Thanksgiving plans. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, and this year, we are hosting it for the first time. My whole family will all gather together for a weekend of food and festivities.
Ruby port and dark chocolate, consumed together. Yummm.
Lots of baby showers for expectant friends. More beautiful babies are about to arrive!
Emails from friends who write simply to say hi.
Pumpkin scones. A warm, spicy pumpkin scone eaten with coffee in front of a fireplace is quite possibly the best way to start a new week. The following recipe was adapted from three different recipes.

Pumpkin Scones
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/2 cup butter, cut into pieces
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and all spices. Mix well. In a separate bowl, combine pumpkin, cream, sugar and vanilla. Whisk together. Cut butter pieces into flour mixture, and mix until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir liquid mixture into flour mixture until just moistened. Transfer dough to floured surface. Pat into a 1-inch thick circle. Cut into 8 pieces, and place on baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown. Let cool on a wire rack.

Creepy Man Rant

2009-10-14T20:57:00.000-07:00

Last week, while at a gas station, I was approached by a man. He was probably in his sixties, with shabby, dirty clothes, and a scruffy beard. The following conversation ensued:

Man: I like your necklace.
Me: Uh, thanks.
Man: (staring far too long at the chest region) At first I thought it was gold.
Me: (awkward silence)
Man: But it's not is it? It's silver. Heh.
Me: Okay, I need to go.

I would have extracted myself from the interaction sooner, but I was in the middle of pumping gas. As I got into my car and drove away, I couldn't help but feel icky and violated.

Honestly, I am fed up with this sort of encounter. I have had far too many creepy interactions with men. In fact, I'm beginning to wonder if my neighborhood (or possibly the city of Los Angeles) has an inordinate number of these men prowling the streets.

When approached by a stranger, I used to give as much benefit of the doubt as possible. Hey, maybe this is a friendly grandfather with no other motives than to chat. But midway into the conversation, the man says something inappropriate or lingers too long with his eyes. My intuition starts to send warning signals to me. I begin to feel unsafe and self-protective. I start reaching into my purse for my keys, strategically planning how to gouge the stranger's eyes out if I am attacked.

Creepy Men, do I look like I want to talk to you? Am I giving off some sort of Please Come Hit On Me vibe? Just to set the record straight, I do not appreciate your advances. I am not interested in being objectified or disrespected. How would you react if someone treated your wife or daughter like that? Yeah, I thought so.

I would love to live in a world where everyone can be trusted. Where we didn't have to worry about people's dark motivations and secret agendas. But unfortunately, it is not that type of world. So from now on I think my new modus operandi will be to wield a large can of mace around, and pretend I don't speak English (or whatever language Creepy Man is speaking).

Women, has this sort of thing happened to you? How did you respond?

San Diego Zoo

2009-10-12T08:20:00.000-07:00

Hello there, Monday! I need a weekend to recover from the weekend.

We took a little trip down the 405 freeway to San Diego, where we hung out with family, went to the San Diego Zoo, and attended a wedding. Aaron loved the zoo. We walked around the park for almost five hours, and he was wide awake the entire time, all smiles and laughs. I'm not sure if he really noticed the animals, but he sure enjoyed the multitudes of people.

On Maui, where I grew up, there was a tiny zoo. I think the best exhibit it had was a lone giraffe that was housed in a small dirt area with practically no greenery. I now realize that zoo was sort of sad and depressing, but as a young child I really enjoyed it.

Taking Aaron to the zoo this weekend made me excited for all the new experiences he will have in the next few years, and excited to share in his wonderment and joy.

Olive Oil Granola with Dried Apricots and Pistachios

2009-10-07T17:29:00.000-07:00

Nearly every morning, I begin my day with the same routine.

I wake up between 6:30 and 7:30am, depending on when my alarm (aka my hungry, crying 5-month old son) decides to go off. After nursing and changing him out of his pajamas, I set him down on a blanket in the living room. Then I get myself a cup of morning coffee (usually a strongly brewed dark roast) and a bowl of homemade granola and yogurt, which I leisurely enjoy while hanging out with my son. For that moment each day, everything else - emails, blogs, dirty dishes, showering - can wait. My son, my coffee and my granola come first.

Over a year ago, I shared my granola recipe here. Since then I have made countless batches of granola, and tried a few variations. My current favorite recipe is an adaptation of this New York Times granola that gained some buzz around the food blog world.

I tinkered with the recipe, omitting the cardamom and coconut, and adding flax seeds. I also used sea salt instead of kosher salt, because I think sea salt adds more depth to the flavor.

Make your granola to fit your own preferences, and start the morning off right!

Olive Oil Granola with Dried Apricots and Pistachios (adapted from New York Times)
3 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 cups pistachios
3 tablespoons flax seeds
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
3/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup dried apricots, chopped

Preheat oven to 275. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except the dried fruit. Stir well to incorporate. Spread the mixture on the prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Bake for 30 minutes. Stir in dried fruit, and bake for 15 minutes more. Remove from oven, and cool completely in pan. Once the granola is cool, store in an airtight container.

Learning to Live in the Moment

2009-10-04T20:47:00.000-07:00

"Live neither in the past nor in the future, but let each day's work absorb your entire energies, and satisfy your widest ambition." Sir William Osler

One afternoon a few weeks ago, I was spending time with my 4-month old son. He was sitting on my lap, playing with his current favorite toy, a stuffed moose. As he babbled and gurgled, I found myself thinking, "I wish he could entertain himself so I could get some work done."

Later that evening, after my son had gone to sleep for the night, I found myself with a few rare hours to spend however I pleased. What did I do? I looked through photos of my son, thinking about all the fun he and I would have together the following day, wishing that it would come sooner.

Too often, I find myself so wrapped up in the past or future, I am unable to live in the present moment. There is always something else I wish I was doing, and I am dissatisfied to simply receive the right now and today.

We are masters of wishing for things, largely because we live in a consumer society. Instead of being content with the present reality, we reminisce about that thing we used to have, or dream about getting that thing that we don't yet possess. Because of this, we are discontent people. We are discontent in our relationships, in our careers, in our life stages.

Another obstacle to living in the moment is the all-too-common activity of multitasking. We are frequently consumed by the need to be productive, and we allow ourselves to become busied and distracted (case in point: while I was in the process of writing this very post, I was simultaneously checking email, paying a bill over the phone, scanning an Elle magazine article, and browsing Facebook to see whose birthdays were coming up. The true irony is that when I do five things at one time, only a fraction of my attention is given to each activity, and I am not actually doing any of them). This way of life derails us from appreciating the here and now.

Receiving each moment as it comes has been a new discipline in my life. I try to respond to the present with acceptance, joy and contentment. As I watch my son learn how to sit up, take a hot morning shower, chat on the phone with my parents, go for a walk during the last warm days of summer, eat fresh cheese at the farmer's market, or spend a few quiet moments with my husband, I remember the words of Michel de Montaigne: "Rejoice in the things that are present; all else is beyond thee."

I am learning to love what I have in the present moment, and that is the true art of living.

Pumpkin Curry Soup

2009-10-01T10:58:00.000-07:00

*My Black Tea Fig Bread was entered into a contest at food blog Pham Fatale. The winner gets a $179 bread knife. Moreover, if you vote, YOU are eligible to win a knife as well. Click here, sign in, and vote for my bread!*

It is autumn! The temperature in Los Angeles today is around 85 degrees, but who cares? Not me. I am officially welcoming the fall by doing the following this week:

Wearing scarves.
Drinking pumpkin spice coffee at Starbucks.
Burning fragrant candles around the house.
Sewing Aaron's first Halloween outfit (more on that some other time).
Making pumpkin scones and pumpkin soup.

Tell me, what have you been doing to welcome the fall season?

The other day I made this pumpkin curry soup from miscellaneous items we had in our pantry and refrigerator. What a fun way to cook soup - just throw in whatever you've got! I had leftover pumpkin puree from the scones I made earlier, and simply worked the rest of the soup around the pumpkin. The addition of garam masala gave the soup a pleasant spiciness that made the house smell wonderful. Homemade soup is so easy to make, and worlds better than store-bought canned soup. Plus, you can make a big batch and store it in the freezer for some quick meals later.

Happy soup-making!

Pumpkin Curry Soup
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic
3 stalks celery, chopped
3 potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree
2 14-ounce cans chicken broth
1/2 cup sherry
1 tablespoon garam masala
salt and pepper to taste
plain yogurt for garnish

Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook until onion is translucent. Add celery and potatoes, and cook for about 5 minutes, until tender. Mix in pumpkin puree, chicken broth, sherry, garam masala, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, and cook about 20 minutes until desired thickness. Garnish with plain yogurt.

New Haircut

2009-09-28T22:15:00.000-07:00

I got my hair cut today. The place I went to was very Los Angeles (in a good way). It was hip and modern, with an indie, artsy appeal. The girl who cut my hair gave great hair advice, and did a fantastic job.

My new hairstyle is low-maintenance, different from anything I've had before, and most importantly, out of reach of my little son's grabby hands. I love it.

Before:

After (*Edit: Excuse the depressing expression that in no way reflects my feelings about the haircut. These photos were taken late at night, and I'm too lazy to retake them):

How To Peel a Kiwi Fruit

2009-09-24T19:51:00.000-07:00

The other day while flipping through one of my favorite cookbooks, Cooking Essentials by James Peterson, I read about the correct way to peel a kiwi. At first I thought to myself, "How much better can James Peterson's method be?" After all, my way of peeling a kiwi - taking a paring knife, and peeling off the skin in one long strip like you would an apple - seemed to be satisfactory. But after trying the method described in the book, I am a believer. It was far simpler and more efficient, and resulted in a whole kiwi with minimal wasted fruit.

Cut the ends off the kiwi with a sharp paring knife.
Slide a spoon just under the skin and twist it around, scraping against the inside of the peel while not cutting into the flesh.
Slide the spoon all the way through to the other end of the kiwi, completely detaching it from the skin.
Slide the kiwi out of the skin.

Ta-da! You now have a smooth, round kiwi that can be sliced or eaten whole. No mess, no waste, lots of delicious kiwi.

Extra Extra: I Learned a New Skill In the Kitchen

2009-09-21T22:57:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, I learned the correct way to peel a kiwi fruit (apparently I have been doing it all wrong my entire life). It was positively magical, and I will post about that soon.

Speaking of fruit, that is all I have been eating recently - plums, pineapple, strawberries, figs. I suppose it is my way of preparing to say farewell to all the bounteous fresh fruit as the fall season arrives.

Steve is currently away on a work-related trip in St. Louis for five days. Being the primary caretaker for our son can be challenging, but when Steve is gone for long stretches of time, I can go positively berserk. Aaron and I are keeping busy by hanging out with friends, taking walks around the neighborhood, and running errands together. Hopefully both he and I will survive the week.

I am 5 pounds away from losing all of my pregnancy weight! Thanks to my husband who watches the baby while I to the gym, thanks to my baby who eats like there's no tomorrow, and thanks to healthy snacks like granola and dried apricots. When I reach my weight goal, I plan to celebrate by purchasing a new something for my wardrobe. Maybe those boots that have been calling out to me?

No hair cut yet. I have a hair appointment in a few weeks, and am discussing potentially drastic hair changes with trusted friends. I will consider posting a photo if it is a success. If it isn't, I reserve the right to hide under a hat for a month.

Hair Dilemmas

2009-09-16T00:06:00.000-07:00

It seems like everyone has a Hair Person.

It is that one hairstylist they've been loyally seeing for years and years. Usually it is either a tattooed girl with spiky fuchsia hair, or a guy who wears aviator sunglasses and has a decisively European name like Paolo. This hairstylist knows everything there is to know about hair, and can be trusted completely to pull off a great haircut (and dispense relationship advice when needed). Finding that one great Hair Person is one of life's most significant quests, ranking up there alongside Perfect Burrito Stand (at least here in Los Angeles) and Reliable Car Mechanic (who will not screw you over and overcharge you for car parts that you didn't even need in the first place). I have yet to find mine.

I have been going to the same beauty salon for nine years. I go there because it is inexpensive and within walking distance of my house. The stylists are pleasant, and have never completely ruined my hair (which I guess has been my standard in a hairstylist - please don't completely ruin my hair, and I'll keep coming back). My way of ensuring that I get a decent haircut is by asking for the same hairstyle over and over. I leave without breaking the bank or crying from haircut trauma.

But recently I have become dissatisfied. I want more. I want someone who can tell me what sort of haircut will fit my hair type and face shape and lifestyle. I want someone who can magically sculpt a masterpiece out of my sometimes temperamental hair. I want someone who simply gets me and my hair. And if possible, I do not want to spend an exuberant amount of money.

Later this week, my friend who always has amazing hair is taking me to her stylist (that's when you know you have attained solid friendship status - when someone is willing to share their hairstylist with you). Maybe I will finally find the perfect Hair Person.

Black Tea Fig Bread

2009-09-13T21:39:00.000-07:00

Is it really almost the end of summer already? Wow. I suppose that is what happens when life is full of exciting things. Such as having a baby and experiencing parenthood for the first time. And transitioning to a new role at work. And traveling to spend time with family. My summer was a whirlwind, and while it was wonderful, I am a little relieved that fall is approaching. The fall season seems to bring stability and calm that I find comforting.

It is fig season in Southern California, and our tree is bearing lots of beautiful fruit. Unlike my husband who grew up eating fresh figs, my first taste of them came when we got married and moved into our current home. The previous resident of the house planted a fig tree that is still going strong. All it needs is a good pruning once a year, and it provides us with a few months of great fruit. I enjoy eating fresh figs off the tree once in a while, but I prefer them cooked or baked with other ingredients.

This week I found an intriguing fig bread recipe (thanks, Jess!) that includes black tea and star anise. It was one of the most delicious quick breads I have ever had. The texture was moist with crunchy edges, and the flavor was sweet and spicy, with the figs perfectly enhanced by the black tea and star anise. I doubled the recipe to make two loaves, which we gobbled up within a few days. Great with morning coffee on these last days of summer!

Black Tea Fig Bread (adapted from Jess's Many Mini Adventures in Food and Farming)
1 cup figs, stemmed and coarsely chopped
1 cup English Breakfast tea, brewed double strength
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup canola oil
2 eggs
1 3/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
4 sections star anise, ground
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine figs and tea; let stand for 10 minutes. In a mixing bowl, beat together sugar, oil and eggs. Add flour, spices, baking soda and salt, and mix until just combined. Drain tea from figs, reserving 1/4 cup of liquid. Gently stir in figs and 1/4 cup tea into mixture. Pour into a greased loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack. Makes one loaf.

A Gift For Myself

2009-09-09T23:26:00.000-07:00

I recently received a nice sum of gift money. Hooray for unexpected cash! Since the money was a present, I decided to do something out of the ordinary - spend it on something completely for myself. Practically all of our regular income goes to necessities, bills and savings. But gift money is a whole different matter - it is supposed to be spent on fun, extra things that bring you joy. So I went and bought this sterling silver tree necklace on Etsy, where multitudes of cute and pretty things beckon.

Over the last several years, the tree has been a significant image for me - a symbol of hope, redemption, and life. I have often clung to this image in moments when I am in need of a good dose of something to keep me going.

Now, with this gift for myself, I have a tangible reminder that there is always something to hope in.

Momentary Whine About My Body

2009-09-02T09:24:00.000-07:00

In recent months, for reasons unbeknownst to me, my body has begun to resemble that of an old woman. Since elderly people enjoy rattling off their many health woes, allow me to elaborate.

My right wrist and left ankle, when bent at particular angles, experience shooting pain. The joints in my knees make cracking and creaking noises every time I stand up or kneel. Most recently, my lower back has been rendered useless. Nothing particularly traumatic happened to my back. One day last week, I just started feeling a slight pain while sitting. The pain became progressively worse over the next several days. Now my back hurts constantly, especially when I sit for long periods of time, or bend over to pick up heavy objects. So it is a good thing I don't do too much of that. Oh WAIT. I have an 18-pound baby to nurse and carry all day.

I am twenty-eight, supposedly still in my prime. I exercise regularly, eat well, and generally do not have any health issues. So would someone please tell me what is going on with my disintegrating joints and muscles?

With no real explanation for the sudden onslaught of body aches, I have taken up the attractive habit of complaining daily to whomever is in earshot. More often than not, it happens to be my husband (that is the cost one pays for working at home simultaneously with their spouse - maybe that is why some people inexplicably choose to work in a cubicle). "Ughhh...my back is killing me!," I will grumble for the fifteenth time that day. And for the fifteenth time that day, my husband will reply ever so pragmatically, "Go see someone about it" (which I shall do if the pain persists).

This foreshadowing of the aging process is beginning to frighten me. My body is already starting to deteriorate, and I haven't even reached middle age. How will I ever survive my thirties, forties, and beyond?

Okay, enough griping. I'm going to Yelp (yes, I've made Yelp into a verb) massage therapists in Los Angeles.

Winner of the Chocolate Giveaway

2009-08-31T12:08:00.000-07:00

The winner of the Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Giveaway is Sarah at Silly Grrl. Congratulations, Sarah! Enjoy the chocolate, and feel free to NOT share it with anyone.

This weekend was gloriously uneventful. I spent most of my time lounging on the living room sofa, sipping strawberry smoothies, wearing pajama shorts to prevent from melting in the bitter Los Angeles heat, and reading Elizabeth Gilbert's delightful book Eat, Pray, Love. Oh, how I long to write with half as much heart and wit as Gilbert! In between reading, I played with my son, watched District 9 with Steve, and perused the internet for images of short hairstyles (because I am in dire need of a dramatic life change, and haven't enough courage to get a tattoo just yet).

Julia Child and Blueberry Clafoutis

2009-08-26T07:35:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to enter my Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Giveaway before it ends on Sunday at midnight!

Last week, a friend and I went to see Julie and Julia. The film combined two of my loves, food and blogging, so naturally I adored it. It was charming and delightful, and Julia Child (as channeled by the always stunning Meryl Streep) completely captured my heart.

Julia Child had a zeal and passion for life that inspired cooks and non-cooks alike. She savored every moment, enthusiastically took risks, and fearlessly spoke her mind. In short, a timeless woman whose qualities I hope to develop as I age.

I have officially added Julia to the list of people I would invite to my imaginary dinner party. I think she would really enjoy my rum cake. Other invitees would be Stephen Colbert, J.R.R. Tolkien and Moses. Wouldn't that be something?

In honor of Julia Child, let's have some blueberry clafoutis, shall we? Clafoutis is a French dessert of baked custard and fruit. It is typically made with cherries, but I had blueberries on hand, and therefore that is what went into the baking dish. Simple to make, yet so delicious, clafoutis can be served warm or chilled. Also, it has a wonderful name (pronounced kla-foo-TEE) that I want to repeat out loud over and over.

Bon Appétit!

Blueberry Clafoutis (adapted from Mastering the Art of French Cooking)
2 cups fresh blueberries
2 tablespoons almonds, slivered
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 cup flour, sifted
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole milk
2 teaspoons Amaretto (or 1 teaspoon almond extract)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
powdered sugar for dusting

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and lightly flour a pie dish. Toss in the blueberries and almonds. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, sugars, flour and salt until smooth. Add milk, Amaretto (or almond extract), and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth. Pour into baking dish. Bake for 40-45 minutes until lightly browned. Place on a cooling rack for 10 minutes. Dust lightly with powdered sugar. Serve slightly warm or chilled.

Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Giveaway

2009-08-23T20:42:00.000-07:00

Sometimes life gives us something unexpected and wonderful.

In those moments we get awakened from the ho-hum daze of everyday life, and we smile and say to ourselves, "Oh right! The world is an exciting and lovely place."

I experienced one of those moments when I tried Dark Chocolate Almonds from Trader Joe's. You may be saying, "Larissa, chocolate almonds? How terribly unoriginal!" But wait! These chocolate almonds are made with rich Belgian chocolate, and covered in coarse bits of turbinado sugar and sea salt. Certainly not your typical chocolate-covered nut. The first time I ate one, the surprisingly delightful combination of dark chocolate, salt and toasted almond practically made my brain explode, and I was a believer.

Because I want to spread the joy around, I am giving one of you a box of Dark Chocolate Almonds to try for yourself. And to sweeten the gift, I'll throw in a few other special goodies from Trader Joe's, Dark Chocolate Edamame and Dark Chocolate Chipotle Hazelnuts. Each of these chocolates blend unique, surprising ingredients that result in not-so-standard dark chocolate treats. So there you go. Three boxes of delicious chocolate, one winner.

Want to win? Leave me a comment on this post and tell me this: What is something unexpected and wonderful that happened in your life recently?

The giveaway will end on Sunday August 30th at midnight PST, and a winner will be randomly selected and contacted. Lots of chocolate-y indulgence will follow.

I Love My Family

2009-08-20T17:58:00.000-07:00

Why does it take so long for us to truly appreciate our families?

Now that I am twenty-eight, living a plane trip away from my parents and two brothers, and starting a family of my own, I am beginning to savor the too few and far between moments spent with my family. I suppose distance, time, and maturity have all contributed to my own gratefulness for them. Who else will tell you the truth even when it hurts? Who else will laugh with you over those hilarious memories of past vacations (like the time your youngest brother accidentally got left behind at a gas station...yes, it really did happen!)? Who else will allow you to freely be yourself the way your family does?

Last week we spent some time with Steve's family to celebrate our niece's first birthday. If that wasn't enough quality time with family, my parents came from Hawaii to visit us this week. Both of our families are wonderful (and I'm not just saying that because some of them read this blog), and I am thankful for the time we had with them.

Sangria

2009-08-14T21:54:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite summer pastimes is lounging outside on the couch on our front porch with a drink, enjoying the warm Los Angeles breeze and watching the sunset. Summer is not truly summer without at least a few evenings spent like that. And the best drink for those evenings? Sangria. Cool, fruity and refreshing, sangria makes a wonderful end to a hot day. Sangria is easy to make, and can be adapted according to your personal taste and available ingredients. Got some leftover red wine from last night? Toss it in! Want to use up all that fresh fruit? Go for it! Since I use whatever wine and fruit I find around the house, each sangria turns out slightly different. Here is the latest version which, in my opinion, ended up being the best so far. Salud!

Sangria
1 750 milliliter bottle dry red wine
2 cups carbonated water
1/2 cup brandy
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup orange juice
1/2 cup triple sec
1/2 cup rum
1/4 cup white sugar
1 lemon, sliced into rounds
1 lime, sliced into rounds
1 peach, sliced
10 cherries

In a large pitcher or bowl, mix together wine, carbonated water, brandy, lemon juice, lime juice, triple sec, rum and sugar. Float fruit into the mixture. Refrigerate overnight.

My Life in Verbs

2009-08-10T22:35:00.000-07:00

I'm currently...

wishing: that we would find a good house to buy
disliking: my habit of biting my fingernails when I am bored
reading: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (for the first time)
missing: having lots of time and energy to cook
wanting: this pregnancy weight to magically disappear
improving: my time management skills
realizing: gratefulness is something I can choose to have
loving: spending lots of time with family this week
considering: a really short hair cut
watching: Top Chef Masters
regretting: the chocolate candy I ate yesterday
hoping: to make it to the beach at least once before summer ends

What are you currently doing?

Music to My Ears

2009-08-06T18:05:00.000-07:00

Do you know what the most wonderful, magical sound in the world is? This:

Best iPhone Apps for New Parents

2009-08-03T20:54:00.000-07:00

My infant son, already an iPhone fan.

I love my iPhone. An iPhone can solve many of life's dilemmas. Armed with the right apps, it can even help with parenting. As a new parent, I can't tell you how many times the iPhone has been my saving grace. For all you other new (or future) parents out there, I put together a list of my personal favorite iPhone apps. I use each of these apps on a regular basis, and put my official Mommy Stamp of Approval on them. Now if only someone would invent an app that changes my baby's diapers...

Baby Activity Logger: Allows you to easily log and track your baby's activities, including when he's eating, sleeping and in need of a diaper change. I obsessively used this for a month after my son was born. It really came in handy during the early days when our pediatrician wanted to know exactly how many times a day the baby was eating and pooping.

Camera: Forgot to charge the battery of your digital camera, or left it at home entirely? The camera app comes in handy when you need to capture all those cute baby moments. Photos can also be emailed or posted online with just a few clicks. The camera app that automatically comes with the iPhone can be improved with additional apps.

Facebook: Life with a new baby can be chaotic. When you want to connect with other people, but just don't have enough time or energy, the Facebook app is one way to keep in touch (obviously an app is a shallow substitute for real life relationships, but when you're nursing your baby at 4am and need some contact with the outside world, you take what you can get).

Lose It!: This weight loss app is probably more mom-specific (although dads may also have unwanted pounds to lose). Pesky pregnancy weight can be shed with the assistance of this app that helps you set goals, budget calories, and record food and exercise.

WhiteNoise: Soothes your fussing baby, and helps him sleep better. Great during car rides, restaurants, and all the other times when you're in desperate need of something, anything, to help stop the crying (yours or your baby's).

If you know of any other iPhone apps that are helpful to parents, please share!