cien besos cada dia
mi hijo
mi vida
happy 17 weeks, HHP.
2011-08-24
Ah, sleep deprivation...
The other night...
Me: Are you looking at my... collage?
Husband: You mean, cleavage?
Me: (beat) Yes.
Husband: Yes.
Me: Are you looking at my... collage?
Husband: You mean, cleavage?
Me: (beat) Yes.
Husband: Yes.
2011-08-11
Soup's on!
So both my babies were home with me today - HHP, who is home with me every day since he's only 3 months old, and my husband, who was home sick with a mysterious fever.
I figured a good project for the day would be to make some chicken soup for my ailing spouse. So just before HHP was to go down for his morning nap, I stuck him in the Ergo and walked down to Elat Market - the local Iranian-Jewish grocery store. The butcher there kindly skinned and cut up a whole chicken (just a lil' 2-1/2 pounder) for me.
Since I've made stock a few times before, I consider myself a pro (insert "ha ha" a la Nelson from The Simpsons). So I decided to wing it today. I took my smaller stock pot out, placed the chicken pieces at the bottom, filled it about 1/2 way with cold water, then added a bunch of other stuff...
After an hour or so of simmering...
I let the pot simmer for a little over 3 hours - at one point, the liquid dipped to about a 1/3 full so I added some more to bring it back up to 1/2 full. I think it's ok to do this so long as it's not in the last 30-45 minutes of simmering.
Once I felt it was done, I used tongs to pick out the chicken (which by now was fall-off-the-bone tender), and a Chinese fry basket to get most of the big chunks of debris.
I figured a good project for the day would be to make some chicken soup for my ailing spouse. So just before HHP was to go down for his morning nap, I stuck him in the Ergo and walked down to Elat Market - the local Iranian-Jewish grocery store. The butcher there kindly skinned and cut up a whole chicken (just a lil' 2-1/2 pounder) for me.
Since I've made stock a few times before, I consider myself a pro (insert "ha ha" a la Nelson from The Simpsons). So I decided to wing it today. I took my smaller stock pot out, placed the chicken pieces at the bottom, filled it about 1/2 way with cold water, then added a bunch of other stuff...
 |
| Including an onion, a couple stalks of celery with greens, a couple carrots, a couple cloves of garlic, a couple chunks of fresh ginger, fresh parsley, fresh rosemary, whole coriander, allspice, cloves, bay leaves, and peppercorns. |
After an hour or so of simmering...
I let the pot simmer for a little over 3 hours - at one point, the liquid dipped to about a 1/3 full so I added some more to bring it back up to 1/2 full. I think it's ok to do this so long as it's not in the last 30-45 minutes of simmering.
Once I felt it was done, I used tongs to pick out the chicken (which by now was fall-off-the-bone tender), and a Chinese fry basket to get most of the big chunks of debris.
 |
| Chicken pieces |
 |
| Debris |
Once the chicken had cooled a bit, I picked all the bones & grizzle out, and broke apart any large chunks. I then poured whatever was left in the stock pot through a sieve and into a smaller pot...
I put the shredded chicken in the pot, along with one chopped onion...
 |
| One whole medium onion turned out to be a bit much - next time I'll just use one-half. |
And some chopped celery...
 |
| I would have added carrots too but I ran out |
I brought the soup to a boil again, then simmered until the celery & onion were soft. I also seasoned the soup to taste - with kosher salt, white pepper, and fresh-ground black pepper.
We happened to have a ton of leftover rice...
 |
| Q: Who puts away this much leftover rice like this? A: My husband. |
So I heated some up, then put a little scoop in each bowl just before serving...
I roused my husband out of bed...
And had a nice early supper together!
Too bad we're out of ice cream!
2011-08-09
Nose, allow me to introduce you to Mr. Grindstone
One of the symptoms, and drawbacks, of being a habitual procrastinator is the "Missed Opportunity"... Or, more specifically, the "Stare Blankly at that Ideal Window of Time as It Passes You By."
For me, one of those windows was when I was unemployed (then later, unemployed and pregnant), sitting at home twiddling my thumbs. At that time, I could have been studying for the final step in obtaining my license to practice architecture - the California Supplemental Exam (CSE).
In February 2010, the California Architects Board - allegedly under immense pressure from several lawsuits brought on by disgruntled candidates who had repeatedly failed the CSE - decided to convert the long-standing oral format of the test into a computer-based multiple choice format. The original version of the CSE involved candidates being individually grilled by a panel of three architects. It was an extra step towards getting your architect's license in California, necessary to make sure qualified candidates understood the legal and geological idiosyncrasies that make being an architect in this great state that much more complicated. The exams were conducted twice a year over several days, usually in a hotel, and if you failed you had to wait six months before trying again. About half the folks passed on their first try, the rest on their second, third, and then some...
I became unemployed, for the first time, in March 2010. I got my letter telling me I was finally eligible to sign up for the new computer-based exam in July. Now why didn't I dash to the nearest computer and schedule myself for an exam? Because I am a habitual procrastinator! Here are the other excuses I kept telling myself as the months ticked by...
- In October/November, I realize I'm pregnant and am finally holding down a full-time job.
- In December, I lose my job AGAIN.
- In January, we move.
- In February, I start another new job.
- In May, I had the baby.
So, now, it's August - over a year since I received the letter telling me to get my act together and take the CSE already (in so many words). And with every parenting book I read and every person that asks me when I'm going back to work... I realize that it would be REALLY AWESOME if I could work from home. One thing that would substantially increase the chances of me doing that would be to finally get my license, so that I could start my own little practice and do little residential remodels and the like while being a stay-at-home mom.
For me, one of those windows was when I was unemployed (then later, unemployed and pregnant), sitting at home twiddling my thumbs. At that time, I could have been studying for the final step in obtaining my license to practice architecture - the California Supplemental Exam (CSE).
In February 2010, the California Architects Board - allegedly under immense pressure from several lawsuits brought on by disgruntled candidates who had repeatedly failed the CSE - decided to convert the long-standing oral format of the test into a computer-based multiple choice format. The original version of the CSE involved candidates being individually grilled by a panel of three architects. It was an extra step towards getting your architect's license in California, necessary to make sure qualified candidates understood the legal and geological idiosyncrasies that make being an architect in this great state that much more complicated. The exams were conducted twice a year over several days, usually in a hotel, and if you failed you had to wait six months before trying again. About half the folks passed on their first try, the rest on their second, third, and then some...
I became unemployed, for the first time, in March 2010. I got my letter telling me I was finally eligible to sign up for the new computer-based exam in July. Now why didn't I dash to the nearest computer and schedule myself for an exam? Because I am a habitual procrastinator! Here are the other excuses I kept telling myself as the months ticked by...
- In October/November, I realize I'm pregnant and am finally holding down a full-time job.
- In December, I lose my job AGAIN.
- In January, we move.
- In February, I start another new job.
- In May, I had the baby.
So, now, it's August - over a year since I received the letter telling me to get my act together and take the CSE already (in so many words). And with every parenting book I read and every person that asks me when I'm going back to work... I realize that it would be REALLY AWESOME if I could work from home. One thing that would substantially increase the chances of me doing that would be to finally get my license, so that I could start my own little practice and do little residential remodels and the like while being a stay-at-home mom.
Today, I signed up for the CSE.
(beat)
AUGHHHHH!!
Saturday, October 29th, Ladies & Gentlemen!
Mark your calendars!
Cuz it's Doomsday!
And, maybe, finally I can call myself an Architect!
2011-08-08
Day 100
You stole my birthday, breath, and heart - in that order... And you can keep them all, my love.
Happy 100 days, HHP!
Milestones today...
:: you finally noticed that we have a cat
:: you have now outgrown, broken free from, and resisted every swaddle blanket and aid on the market. tonight will be your first night with nothing, so I'm having a beer right now. it's going to be a long night, methinks.
:: you had your picture taken by a professional photographer at jc penny's
:: your fist is finding your mouth and your mouth is finding your fist!
:: we played peek-a-boo like we do every morning, and you giggled for the first time
xoxo,
mama
Happy 100 days, HHP!
Milestones today...
:: you finally noticed that we have a cat
:: you have now outgrown, broken free from, and resisted every swaddle blanket and aid on the market. tonight will be your first night with nothing, so I'm having a beer right now. it's going to be a long night, methinks.
:: you had your picture taken by a professional photographer at jc penny's
:: your fist is finding your mouth and your mouth is finding your fist!
:: we played peek-a-boo like we do every morning, and you giggled for the first time
xoxo,
mama
2011-08-07
Baby's First Road Trip
SAN FRANCISCO!
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| Dutch Windmill at Golden Gate Park |
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| Ocean Beach - first time by the water! |
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| The de Young Museum at GG Park |
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| California Academy of Sciences at GG Park |
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| Music Concourse at GG Park |
 |
| Some Irish guy... |
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| Enjoying fine art at the de Young |
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| The Bay Bridge |
2011-08-05
The Adjustment Bureau - #fail
My husband and I watched The Adjustment Bureau, starring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt, tonight.
It is easily one of the worst movies I've seen this year.
The plot/story definitely had potential and the writing/dialogue wasn't horrible. And I'm pretty sure Matt Damon and Emily Blunt aren't horrible actors. Was it the directing? Unfortunately for Mr. George Nolfi, by process of elimination, It appears so. To his credit, it was his directorial debut...
I guess everyone's got to have a first!
It is easily one of the worst movies I've seen this year.
The plot/story definitely had potential and the writing/dialogue wasn't horrible. And I'm pretty sure Matt Damon and Emily Blunt aren't horrible actors. Was it the directing? Unfortunately for Mr. George Nolfi, by process of elimination, It appears so. To his credit, it was his directorial debut...
I guess everyone's got to have a first!
2011-08-01
Some day...
If I ever have so much money, a $500/person meal sounds mildly sane - I want to eat here.
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