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.