Moroccan Ginger Carrot Dip

I few weeks ago, I went to a recipe exchange pot luck. It was hosted by a friend in my moms' group. My contribution was Moroccan Ginger Carrot Dip. I have been making this recipe from memory for years. The recipe exchange was a perfect opportunity to finally write it down. So here it is.



Moroccan Ginger Carrot Dip

From the kitchen of Monica Digre

1 bag of Carrots (2 pounds)

3 tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar

3 tablespoons Olive Oil

3 tablespoons Minced Ginger

3 tablespoons Minced Garlic

2 tablespoons Cumin

1 tablespoon Parsley Flakes

1 tablespoon Paprika

Optional:

Cayenne Pepper (to taste)

Cilantro (to taste)

Peel carrots. Steam until a fork easily pierces carrots. In food processor, puree carrots. Add all other ingredients and mix. Chill in refrigerator. Serve with pita bread, crackers or spread on a veggie sandwich.

Cross Stitch Bib

I have been slowly working on this bib for the past few months. I mostly worked on it during Leif's naps. It was a very simple pattern with large stitches. Since the pattern was printed on the bib, I didn't have to do any counting. I finally finished it last week.

Leif has worn it a few times. He's only had bananas and applesauce, so it hasn't stained yet. The food that has gotten on it has been able to wash out. I sort of like the idea of looking back on this and seeing the stains and wear as sort of a scrapbook of Leif's childhood.

2010 Grand Ave. Boo Bash

Yesterday was the annual Boo Bash on Grand Ave. I was excited to participate in it this year and start a yearly tradition with Leif. Leif is still too young for most of the activities, like trick-or-treating, crafts and pony rides. So we stuck to the more baby friendly happenings.

We chose to enter Leif in the costume contest. (Jeff and I don't want to put too much of an emphasis on competition. But this contest had many winners and every kid got a festive bead necklace.) There were 10 winners in the 0-4 catagory (out of about 50 kids.) And one of them was this cute little garden gnome!!

Here we are waiting to hear how we did. The Mardi Gras beads were to identify the contestants. Leif enjoyed sucking on them.


The judges included mascots like the Timberwolves' wolf and the weird pink guy from the Saint Paul Saints.


There were some amazing costumes in the crowd, so I was surprised when we heard them say "The Gnome."


Leif's prize was a little monkey set including a monkey blanket, rattle and onesie. All of the prizes were donated by businesses along Grand Ave.


Leif wasted no time chewing on the monkey's tail.


We saw this hilarious costume in the older kids category. It's a kid dressed up as the Michael Jackson Thriller doll in its original packaging! I had to take a picture because I had that doll as a kid.


After the contest, Grace joined up with us and we meandered down the street to the hardware store where there was a petting zoo. Leif loved it!!



The animals included goats, alpacas, a baby yak and something called a zebu.


There was an amazing spice store that we went to next. Jeff bought a bunch of Indian spices, which I am looking forward to enjoying. We then ate some great wood fire pizza with Grace. Leif proceeded to spit up on his beard, which signaled that it was time to take the costume off. (Luckily, I made the beard out of washable fabric, so it will be ready for the real Halloween next week.) Leif then played with a balloon. Click to see the video: http://qik.com/video/16682782/leif-v-balloon

Leif was pretty worn out after his first Halloween festivities, so we went home for a nap. We are looking forward to more Halloween fun next weekend with Grandma and Grandad!!

Happy Halloween!!

Leif showing off his first two teeth.

Convertable Craft Corner

Living in a small 1 1/2 story house means that we have to be creative with our use of space. I have always wanted a craft room, rather than taking over the dining room every time I want to sew something. I also need a space to work on my Masters degree, which was also taking over the dining room table. But we don't have the space for a home office and a craft room for me.

Jeff spent last winter refinishing our attic to make a nice cozy space for a family room and home studio. But there was still an awkward little corner just to the side of the stairs. The ceiling is slanted so it is too short to stand up. And the floor space is too small for a couch or full sized desk. I have struggled with how to use this space in a workable way. So, during Leif's nap, I decided to take back some unused space and created a craft corner.


I put an old second hand sewing desk in the corner. (The old sewing machine that was inside did not work, so I removed it.) I found the chair in an alley a few blocks away and cleaned it up.


Then I mounted some little mantel shelves that I have had for 6 or 7 years. I have moved with these in a box twice but never put them on a wall. Finally, I found the perfect place for them. (They are also the perfect size for the little boxes Rachel gave me from Costa Rica which are holding office supplies like paper clips and rubber bands. The little Thai shoes were a gift for Leif from Laura and Corey. The photograph is my favorite picture of my Granny, Great Aunts Martha Jean and Joan when they were little girls.)


The desk is also the perfect size for my little old PowerBook. It is nice to have a more permanent place for the computer rather than dragging it all over the house.

And the third use for this little space is a sewing table. With just a few moves, the desk opens and I double my work space. (I am trying to figure out a way to put my sewing machine into the desk, so it flips out the way the old one did.)


There is also just enough space for a little helper.


(That's also a little sneak peek at Leif's Halloween costume. I'll post more pictures soon.)

5 Year Anniversary!

Today is Jeff and my 5 year wedding anniversary! It's amazing how quickly 5 years have gone. Our wedding day was perfect! The weather was amazing, the dresses were beautiful, the music was spectacular and everyone we love was there. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from that day.

Leif's First Tooth

The day after we arrived in New York to visit Rachel, Seth and Jax, Leif started getting very ornery. I thought that it was the change in routine or maybe his ears hadn't popped from the flight. (If he is anything like his dad, his ears could take days to pop.) But then I noticed that his gums were red. It looked a little bit like a pimple on his gums. Then I realized that it was his first tooth poking through! Rachel still had one of Jax's frozen teething rings and Leif seemed to like chewing on that. Over the next two days, he had a few doses of Tylenol, woke up a few times crying, but seemed to be over it by Sunday. (I first noticed the tooth on Friday.)

To be honest, it wasn't so bad. I have always heard that teething was terrible, but Leif seemed to deal with it really well. I was sad that Jeff missed it, but there will be many more teeth to experience. Leif keeps experimenting with his new tool (which means I'm teething too, ugh) and bites and chews on anything he can get his hands on.

I am getting used to Leif's cute new smile. I'll post a picture as soon as I can catch him with his mouth open.

Leif: World Traveler

Leif is only 5-months-old and already is quite the world traveler! He has a passport, has been out of the country, has been to both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts and has traveled by plane, ferry, clipper ship, train, subway, taxi and bus. He is now living proof that you can travel with a baby. (I have even traveled with him by myself.) I scoff at people that say you have to get all of your traveling out of your system before kids. (Maybe I am being a little cocky, but I think it is just the fear of the unknown that keeps people tied to their house.) So, before I forget all of the lessons I have learned on our travels, I am writing them down here. Feel free to add suggestions in the comments!

Travels with Baby: A How-To Guide
(Remember that these are only suggestions and you might find a better way to do things.)

Getting a Passport
-Go to your Post Office. They have all of the forms necessary and can take the passport photo. Check the times of availability, since they might not have the staff to do passports all of the time.
-Get the traditional passport book if you are planning on going over seas. (~$60) Get the passport card if you are only planning on traveling to Canada and Mexico. (~$20)
-Allow 6 weeks for processing. (We received Leif's passport only a week before our trip. We were cutting it a little too close.)
-A passport is good until they are 5-years-old.

Plane
-Babies fly free if they sit in your lap. You can do this up to the age of 2, but from what I hear from parents of older kids, you might want to buy them their own seat once they are busy toddlers.)
-When you are checking in make sure you confirm with the airline that you will have a baby with you. Surprisingly, there was not an option to include a baby with some airlines. I had to let them know face-to-face at the airport.
-If you chose to buy a seat for your baby, you can install your car seat it that seat. In "the unlikely event of an emergency" a car seat is the safest place for your baby. (If money weren't a factor, I would buy a seat for Leif.)
-Request the bulkhead seat. Most airlines set those seats aside for people traveling with kids, wheelchairs, etc. You will get significantly more leg room. (Our first flight was in a normal seat and it was a little tight especially when the person in front of me decided to recline.) You can also request this seat at the last minute at the gate counter. I have lucked out every time I tried this!
-Pack light!! When I traveled alone, I checked one rolling bag and one car seat. I gate checked a stroller and carried on just a diaper bag. (Car seats and strollers can be checked for free!)
-Visualize (or even practice) carrying everything, plus baby, before you get to the airport. I had a baby in a front pack, car seat in the stroller, diaper bag hanging on the stroller, pushed the stroller with one hand and dragged the rolling bag behind me with the other hand.
-Arrive at the airport early! It is much better to not feel rushed so you have plenty of time for unexpected diaper/clothes changes.
-Take the family lane in the security line. You'll get through quicker and be surrounded by other passengers that understand your situation. Also, you can bring liquids as long as they are for the baby. Just let the security people know what is in the bag (expressed milk, formula, water, liquid Tylenol, etc.) And don't let them push you around! Stand your ground when if comes to the needs of your baby. You don't have to dump out anything!
-Do a diaper change before boarding since the changing tables on the plane are a little tight. Also, if you need to change a diaper on the plane, make sure you do this before your final decent. I got stuck in my seat at the end of the flight. Leif had a very dirty diaper and I had to wait until we landed to change it.
-Go to the bathroom before boarding. If you are traveling alone, also bring a front pack so you have the ability to go to the bathroom in flight.
-Get a snack and a drink for you while on the plane. The complimentary drink service was not enough for me. (It also is nearly impossible to use the tray table with a baby in your lap. Put a snack and a water bottle in the seat pocket with the Sky Mall catalog.) I needed a large bottle of water available to me. I always get dehydrated on planes and this was especially true since I'm nursing.
-Pre-Board! You can get on the plane before anybody else, so you aren't stressed with a ton of passengers squished around you. (Make sure you are ready to board early, I missed pre-boarding on one of my flights because of a diaper change. So, I had to cram in with all of the other passengers.)
-Nurse/Bottle on take-off and landing. Leif didn't seem to be bothered by take-off, but the decent definitely messed with his ears. Sucking will help to pop their ears. If they won't take a bottle or nurse, have them chew on something or suck a pacifier. (I introduced a pacifier for the first time in desperation on a flight. Leif didn't know how to use it and just chewed on it. But the chewing still settled him down.)
-Don't stress out about bothering the people around you if your baby is crying. I have never had a negative response; most people either ignore it or give me a little smile or say something like "I've been there." People are pretty understanding when it comes to babies.
-Have a new toy ready to entertain when the baby gets bored.
-Hang on to your baby tight during landing! Mostly landing was fine, but one of my flights had a very abrupt ending. They won't let you wear your baby while seated, so hang on! I never felt like I was going to drop Leif, but definitely felt like I needed to hold on tight. (Again, this would be where a car seat would be the safest place for your baby.)
-Wait in the jet way for your gate checked items.

Subway
-Wear your baby in a front pack! A stroller is going to be big trouble with the turn-styles and you probably won't have space for it on the actual subway. I traveled with an umbrella stroller folded up, so my back could have some relief during the rest of our day.
-Be careful of the gap between the platform and the train car.
-Grab a seat as quickly as you can. If there are no seats available, ask somebody (politely) if they would give up their seat for you. I wasn't gutsy enough to stand up, but I have seen people standing with their babies.

Train
-Again, a front pack is easiest. A small umbrella stroller can work, but is a little tight, and you'll have to fold it up once you are seated. It can also be a little tight on the train platforms where there are sometimes very narrow paths around stairs.

Ferry
-Probably the easiest form of travel I have been on! Just walk on with a stroller, front pack, whatever. Plenty of space to move around while riding also. The only thing that can be a little tricky are the stairs. Some are a little steep.

Clipper Ship
-We rode one of these from Seattle to Victoria. Basically the same as riding a plane, but with more space and less hassle.
-Check your bags and just carry on your diaper bag.
-Check your stroller when you board.
-Find a seat on the shady side of the boat.
-Use the family bathroom for diaper changes.

Taxi
-Have a car seat that is easy to install. (Gracco makes one that is as quick to install as buckling your seat belt.) And don't assume that the taxi will have a latch system; know how to install it by just using the seat belt.
-Have your wallet easily accessible. (Taxis take cards which can make things easier on you.) Don't forget to tip, especially if the driver helped you schlep all of your stuff!

Bus
-Have your money easily accessible before you get on the bus.
-I've never brought a stroller on a bus, I just use a front pack. But when I have seen strollers on busses, it looks like folding it would be best. I have also seen bus drivers insist that the stroller be folded. But I think it all depends on the driver and how crowded the bus is.


This all might sound like a lot of work, but it really is quite doable. I definitely plan on taking Leif on many more trips. I hope you found this useful! Let me know any other tricks you have.

Happy Travels!!

Congratulations, Rachel!!

My sister, Rachel, successfully defended her PhD dissertation yesterday at NYU! It was almost a decade of work (and an entire ream of paper). It is an amazing accomplishment and I am very proud of her! She has always been very scholarly, from speaking her first word, "apple juice," to playing teacher with Laura and me when we were little, to not only learning a language but immersing herself in its history and culture.

Congratulations, Dr. Wimpee!!!

Leif Belly Laughing

Jeff has figured out how to make Leif crack up! The other day, Jeff played his version of peek-a-boo and made Leif laugh harder than we have ever seen. I love the sound of his belly laugh!!

Milestones!

Today was a very busy day for Leif! He rolled over for the first time!! Over the past few weeks, Leif has been trying really hard to roll over but would always get stuck on his side. He finally managed to move his bottom arm out of the way and get all the way to his belly. He looked a little surprised when he was all of the sudden on his belly. Then he got a little bit sad and needed to eat. He worked up an appetite with all of his activity!

In the afternoon, we went over to a friends house to have some play time. There were four other babies there and for the first time, Leif was really interested in what the other babies were doing. In the past he has basically sat in my lap and sucked on his rings. But today he was reaching for a toy that the 9-month old next to him was shaking around. Leif also was working hard to reach for toys in the middle of the rug and would wiggle toward them. I held him sort of hovering so he could reach down and grab the toys he wanted. He is also spending much more time on his tummy and doesn't complain as much. He can hold his head and shoulders up for a few minutes at a time now while grabbing for toys!

When we got home, Jeff played with Leif for a little while before he went to teach lessons. Jeff played peek-a-boo with Leif and got the biggest belly laughs out of him! I was able to catch it on film and I'll post the video once I get a chance. Leif loves playing with his dad and Jeff is always able to get the biggest smiles and laughs out of him!

In the evening Leif rolled over again and I was able to film that too! Sadly, Jeff was out of the room for that and hasn't seen it live yet. Tomorrow I'm sure he'll get to see Leif's new talent!

Also, Leif is a world traveler now!! He was such a trooper on our voyage out to Mayne Island and back. We flew into Seattle, took a clipper ship to Victoria BC, then a ferry to Mayne Island. Leif just went along as usual being mellow and sweet. He would smile at other passengers and many people commented about how he didn't seem to mind all of the traveling. The only time he cried was when we made our final decent into Minneapolis and I think his ears were popping. Jeff and I have now proven that we can travel internationally with an infant! There are over 500 pictures from our trip to Canada, so once I have sifted through all of them I will post the highlights.

Leif is currently asleep in our bed (that is where he normally falls asleep and then I transfer him to his cradle). I am amazed at how much he looks like a little boy now. He is so tall and his hair is getting thicker! And now with his new abilities he seems even older. It's all happening very fast! I am trying to savor this time as much as possible.

The Incredible Growing Boy!!

I have been taking a weekly picture of Leif ever since his second week. For size comparison, I include Cholly in each picture. (Cholly was my first toy, given to me by my Aunt Diane.) Leif is 18 weeks old today. He is getting really big!! At his two month appointment, on June 11, he weighed 15 pounds 3 ounces and was 25 inches long. His four month appointment was this past Thursday and he was 18 pounds and 26 inches long.

Leif 2 weeks old


Leif 3 weeks old

Leif 4 weeks old


Leif 5 weeks old (Day after my first Mother's Day)


Leif 6 weeks old


Leif 7 weeks old


Leif 8 weeks old


Leif 9 weeks old


Leif 10 weeks old


Leif 11 weeks old


Leif 12 weeks old


Leif 13 weeks old


Leif 14 weeks old


Leif 15 weeks old


Leif 16 weeks old


Leif 17 weeks old

4 months old!!

Leif was 4-months-old on Thursday!!


It is hard to believe that it has already been 4 months, but at the same time it seems like Leif has always been here. Jeff and I have so much fun with him! He has a really sweet and mellow personality; he smiles and giggles a lot. Every day Leif becomes more and more curious of his surroundings. He tries to climb out of our arms to grab toys that are on the ground and grabs at our food when we are eating. (Twice he has gotten a big handful of spicy food that I had to quickly clean up before he rubbed it on his face.)

Playing with his chain is one of his favorite activities.

His newest game that he likes to play is peek-a-boo; Leif will be on our bed and then Jeff ducks down out of sight, Leif looks around the room, then Jeff pops up and Leif belly laughs. He will also laugh when I blow zrbtts on his belly and when we play Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes. (During the "eyes, ears, mouth, nose" part, Leif puts his hand into his mouth and it never makes it to his nose.)

Leif also is recently obsessed with towels and burp clothes; he loves pulling them to his face and chewing on them. (This is a handy talent when he pukes or drools, since he can wipe his own mouth.)

Leif fell asleep cuddling a wash cloth.

He also loves seeing Jeff play music and we recently noticed that he will stomp his foot.....must be genetic.


We took Leif in for his 4 month check-up. He is really healthy and is growing really well! He weighed 18 pounds (more than twice his birth weight) and was 26 inches long. If you aren't familiar with baby sizes, lets just say he is a very tall and chunky baby. His hair is still strawberry blonde and is about an inch long now.

Waiting for the doctor. (He definitely has the Brown smile.)

Leif was smiling and giggling with the nurse and doctor.....until he had to get three shots.

This is a funny series of pictures that sort of captures what Leif is like these days. Everything goes straight to his mouth.






This Friday we are taking Leif on his first big trip to Mayne Island in BC to visit Laura and Corey. We are looking forward to a week of doing nothing and just hanging out. Many photos will be taken of his first international trip!