shish-kabobs

I made shish-kabobs for supper tonight for my first time. They were divine. I think the grill was invented just for shish kabobs.

After we were done eating, Rory asked that I put the recipe on my blog "for easy access for next time." So here it is, from Cooks.com

Kabob Marinade

1 1/2 c. salad oil
3/4 c. soy sauce
1/4 c. Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp. mustard
2 1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1/2 c. wine vinegar
1/2 tsp. parsley
2 cloves minced garlic
1/2 c. lemon juice

Mix all ingredients together. Place sauce in glass bowl and add cubed meat: up to 3 large sirloin or round steaks or chicken. Can be marinated several hours.

 

Kabobs: Chicken, steak, pineapple, green pepper, mushrooms, onion, cherry tomatoes.

**We were out of propane, so our kabobs actually sat in the marinade for 48 hours. And they were so full of flavor!

And a tip: I remember from a cooking show I watched one time (I have watched many) that they suggested to keep like items on each skewer so that each item can be cooked to its perfect char. So I put all the tomatoes on two skewers, all the pineapple on three skewers, all the meat and onions on their own skewers etc... And this was really helpful for easy grilling. Everything was perfect.

it's strawberry season!

Oh my word. Went strawberry picking yesterday for my very first time. Every year I want to get out berry picking but I always seem to miss the window. But this year I hit it right on. And it was amazing. Heidi and I got about ten feet down the row before our boxes were full...the berries were everywhere. We were at Silkey Gardens in Northfield and I will for sure return to this place in two weeks for raspberries and another week after that for blueberries.

And not only did I hit strawberry season, but I got down and picked strawberries 8 1/2 months pregnant. With Heidi, who is 7 1/2 months pregnant. I believe we were quite the sight!

Now I have to decide what to make with them, though I'm not totally convinced there will be any left to make anything with, the way we (Ivar in the lead) have been inhaling them.

around here: garden edition

Around here our roses are spectacular. We do nothing to care for these poor bushes and yet they continue to impress.

 Around here we have four varieties of lettuce as well as spinach for literal fresh garden salads.

Around here our gardens are growing...potatoes sprung up between the two square beds. Obviously they were planted there, but it is clear that Rory is looking for every bit of possible garden space to plant more produce.

 Around here the snow peas are flowering, and they are beautiful.

 Around here we are growing carrots like Peter Rabbit. This will be quite the harvest.

 Our radishes are looking healthy. er...I guess I mean beats...

 And so are the potatoes.

And finally, around here our raspberries are beginning to ripen! I ate this one the second after I took its picture. Can't wait for raspberries on my cereal again.

34 weeks

Oh baby, do I love ice. I crave ice. I get excited when I remember that I can have a cup of ice at any given time. I chomp through at least a tray a day. I know that the best ice is at Ikea, Sonic, and the gas station by Perkins on France and 494. I would take a cup of slushy ice over dairy queen. I can't get enough. And recently I found this awesome dot-candy sized icecube tray...so now I can make tiny ice at home!

Ivar has trouble fitting on my lap to read books. It's a balancing act. He has to sit sideways and I have to help him stay on the ends of my legs. His oversized books are proving to be a challenge to hold, turn pages while keeping him on my knees.

I wake up each morning at 4 ready for the day. Wide awake. And so I blog, or make lists, or toss from side to side. I usually go back down at 6, but then I am not ready for the day when Ivar wakes up. Quite sleepy, in fact. I do believe by body is beginning its prep for baby #2 and the multiple wakeup calls that are coming my way.

I have a nerve in my right leg that is pinched daily. Usually when I am just taking a normal step, something will go awry and my back and leg seize up on me. It leaves me with the most quality preggers hobble you've ever seen. It usually lasts just an hour or two before everything settles back down again. But look for me...I'm that large pregnant woman who walks like she's large and pregnant.

I've started calling this baby Tigger. It dances and summersaults and cartwheels and kicks and swan dives all day long. My belly is not my own...it morphs shapes before my eyes and always keeps me guessing where the head is, where the feet are, where the elbows are. There is a lot of baby in there.

Toonces is looking for a new home

Well, our house is getting smaller and smaller as I get bigger and bigger with this pregnancy. And our beloved cat Toonces is looking for a new home. There are a couple factors at play... mostly that we are outgrowing this house, as well as the fact that Rory's brothers cannot come over because they are so allergic. We want to be able to have family here.

Of course this makes us terribly sad. Toonces is one of the greatest cats ever. I have described him as "part-dog" as this cat is quite social, tolerates a whole lot of Ivar, purrs so loudly we have to turn up the TV to hear over his rumble, and wants to be with the action. He is not a cat who hides from human activity.

Most of the day he sleeps and looks out the windows. He is declawed in the front, is amazing with kids, likes to drink his water out of the bathtub faucet and requires a daily brushing. Not that he gets that from us...hence, why he needs a new home. We just don't give him the love and attention he deserves.

Well, Ivar gives him plenty of attention. But with another baby on the way, something has got to give.

If you or anyone you know might be interested in this sweet cat, please leave a comment.  And if you'd help us spread the word and link to this post via your facebook, twitter or town crier, we'd be so grateful.

Toonces is a 6 year old male, long hair tabby
He can't actually drive a car
He is great with kids, super social, needs affection
He can be vocal early in the morning, so a second room to put him in is a good idea
He is declawed, fully vaccinated and just had a check up last month and is healthy
He is looking for a loving home with someone who can give him the attention he deserves
He comes with everything he needs and is free for someone who can provide a good home for him