Pampa and Dama

Elliott ("Ezzie") and I surprised my dad ("Pampa") for his birthday! We spent 8 days at my parents' house in Laguna Niguel, which is always a dream to visit.
This post will be light on words and heavy on photos, because I am actually writing it on Feb 25th of 2014, but the trip was in mid April 2013.
Beach Day #1 with "Dama":

 I loved seeing little traces of Elliott around my childhood home: playdough on the counter.

 Even though I grew up here, I am always amazed at how beautiful it is when I visit:

 Beach Day #2:

 After church on a Sunday afternoon:

Visiting friends staying on a boat in the Dana Point Harbor. We brought bagels and OJ for breakfast:

 Elliott got to nap in the boat and Ken and Corrie babysat him while I went to the temple with my parents:

 My Mom and Dad!

 Happy Birthday, Pampa! Thanks for having us visit. We love you.

Birthday Yardwork

For my 28th Birthday last week, Adam and I and some friends fixed up our yard!
Before (actually, during):

After:

I was tired of looking at the giant yard debris heap built up from last year (below),

and wanted more flat, usable space in our slightly sloping backyard...so, I decided to use the logs and sticks as walls for terraces, supported by re-bar. It worked quite well. We used every scrap in the debris heap to build and shape the terraces. Now I just need to finish the top with plant-able soil/compost and we are in business!

In just 2 hours, we made 2 "terraces" on the right side (above); and then Adam and I spent the rest of the day making  one on the left side (below); making a compost area using a pallet; and washed the Argosy. It was amazing.

Thank you, friends! We could not have done it without you!

We (Cydney) also found a secret egg nest of 16 eggs! we water tested them and they were all good :)

 Elliott had the time of his life running around with our friend's daughter, digging in the mud with shovels, and eating jelly beans.

I love how it turned out; you wouldn't guess how drastically it has improved my quality of life...and the chickens'.

Gingerbread Play House

A few days before Christmas, I stayed up late gluing and taping this house together and it has been worth every late night minute. Elliott plays in his "haus" every day (and every kid who comes over loves it) plus I think it is so cute. I was inspired by this gingerbread house project on my friend's blog. I love how the cardboard color makes the perfect gingerbread with white paint as frosting :)

Current Knitting

Chevron baby blanket in sock weight yarn.

"Haruni" shawl in robin's egg blue lace weight yarn.

Elliott's word for "toothpaste"

Elliott's word for toothpaste is "poo taste"

Ski Day Feb 9th, 2013

We took a day trip to Steven's Pass and had a lovely, successful ski day.

Elliott on the way there:

 Getting geared up to ski with Dad:

 Elliott loved skiing, but would have preferred to ride his own snowboard:

I am improving my ski turns. I ski very gingerly and rarely fall, but Adam's about twice as fast as I am. Elliott had a new, improved snow outfit which made the day more pleasant for all. Snow boots, a puffy jacket with extra long sleeves that doubled as mittens, scarf for cheeks. Did you know babies cheeks can get frost bitten? It happened to Elliott last year! He was only 5 months old...so sad.

 Snacks in the lodge! Elliott takes after his mom and dad - he loves to eat!

 Snow kisses:

 Elliott on the way home:

Thanks Dad/Adam for a good ski day. I know I drag my heels the day before, but I always have fun :)

Clara Clementine's Baby Dress

A friend at church recently had her first baby - a girl, and they named her Clara Clementine!

 My friend always dresses so nicely and I wanted to make her something special, so I made a  lovely silk dress from an adaptation of this vintage pattern. I know a silk baby dress sounds like a disaster...but it's so cute! I envision it worn with black tights and black leather shoes. I think it is about 3-6 month size...?

 I used a beautiful striped silk material and antique lace from my mother-in-law's doll making stash.

 The front has three tiny mother of pearl buttons, and the back has one button to close the neck opening.

(I definitely should have ironed it...oops)

The Wandering Goose

Friday Night Southern Supper at The Wandering Goose in Seattle's Capitol Hill did not disappoint. Here is our menu:

We arrived a titch too early (6:30 pm) but the seating is first come, first serve, and I didn't know what to expect. I think you could arrive at 6:50 and get a seat, even if you are a large party. The restaurant is small and open - one wall is partially windows and looks into the neighboring restaurant/bar, but it's a pleasant feature. It is set up like a cafe, with small tables and a glass bakery counter where you order. The Wandering Goose serves breakfast and biscuit sandwiches daily from 7 am to 4 pm, however, on Friday nights there is a group supper starting at 7 pm. 

We loved the ambiance and the food and would definitely return with friends when we are in the mood for a belly busting meal...haha!, or we could exercise some restraint and eat normally, but that's not our style :)

Everything was delicious - it was wonderful home food, very rich and satisfying. 

Some (poorly lit) photos of the food:

biscuits, cornbread, raspberry jam, butter, honey butter

***Funny story*** While waiting for dinner, Adam read aloud the "Biscuit of the Day" sign: Biscuit, Andouille sausage, sauteed kale, fried duck egg. And, then, said "wait a minute...that's exactly what I had for breakfast this morning!" It's true, too! I guess my inner chef cooks Southern food :)

Here is a video of the cute outdoor sign:

Guava Paste

While in California, I made guava paste with my mom. We had never made it before (never made anything with guavas, actually), but we had guavas and didn't want to waste their wonderful scent!

 I googled a recipe, but the basic idea is to cook the guavas, strain out the seeds and thick fibers, measure the puree and add an equal amount of sugar, then cook the mixture until thick (about 4 hours!). I actually had to leave for my plane home before it finished cooking, so my mom finished boiling the guava paste and mailed me a big chunk.
This is delicious - I love how it turned out and will certainly make it again. We have been enjoying it with slices of salty cheese.