a (very) little Easter decorating

As I think it did for everyone, Easter has completely surprised me this year. The second weekend in April? Isn't that a bit early? Who does the calendar, who is to blame? Is the Catholics that decide?

At any rate, I have only myself to blame for letting it sneak up on me and doing pretty much no cute Easter decorating. I recall as a child having Easter decorations, but the ones that really stand out are the hundreds of plastic eggs my family used to hang from the trees around our yard. It sounds like a really odd idea now, but I looked forward to it every year.

This year I was able to dig up some Easter napkins and an adorable little chick candle I was given last year. We had friends over on Saturday who gave us a lovely tulip plant, and all together our little centerpieces make the table much more springy and inviting. (My grandma came over for lunch yesterday and informed me that I could plant the tulip when I was done using it as a centerpiece. "Oh no" I said, to the shock of my little grandmother who did not pass along her green thumb, "I'll kill it!" We'll see how that goes.)

Aside from the table decor, we received one Easter card from my mom which graces the mantel. And that's it. Am I totally behind the times? What do people do to decorate for Easter these days?

decisions, decisions...

Somehow Lane and I came to an agreement that if he bought a board game, I could buy a shirt (it's prison rules around here while we are still saving for a house). I honestly don't know how those two things became paired together, but, he bought a board game.

I am sure you remember my confession about not only despising shopping, but also having absolutely no knowledge of what I am doing. And so, I am hoping that you fashionable friends of mine will help me out.

Here are a few possibilities I have picked out. But they may all be horrible, so I am completely open to suggestions (do you sense my terrible insecurity about all things trendy?) :

From J. Crew:



From Madewell:



Also from Madewell:



Apparently I'm into stripes right now.... Any votes? Any suggestions? Thanks!

morning glory muffins

Yawn. Everyone has had a morning glory muffin, right? Nothing new. They are the ones that are "healthy" because they are full of carrot, apple, and nuts.

I have had my share of muffins that are supposed to be healthy, but are actually comprised of oil, white flour, and sugar. Not my muffins. Oh no.

I started by reducing the sugar and eliminating the raisins (in my opinion they have no business being in muffins, or, while we are on the subject, cinnamon roles either). Then I substituted water and flax meal for one of the eggs, and yogurt for part of the oil to keep them nice and moist. The result is a hearty yet delicate muffin. I have been eating them in twos, which is a terrible idea because they actually are very filling.

I am not completely sure of the exact measurements of the ingredients that went into the muffins. You see, James was helping me. He was also eating shredded carrot out of the bowl as soon as I would put it in. So, here is my best shot:

Morning Glory Muffins
adapted from King Arthur Flour's Whole Grain Baking
recipe says it makes a dozen, I got 16


2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
3/4 brown sugar
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups grated carrot
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and grated
3/4 cup large unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 eggs
1 tbsp flax meal + 3 tbsp water
1/3 cup lowfat or nonfat yogurt
1/3 cup canola or olive oil
juice of 1 orange

Whisk together the first ten ingredients (flour through walnuts). In a separate bowl, beat together eggs, flax meal, and water. Add yogurt, oil, and orange juice, and beat well. Stir in flour mixture until evenly combined.
Coat a muffin tin with cooking spray or line a with papers and coat them with cooking spray. Bake at 375 for about 25 minutes. Allow to cool in tin about five minutes before removing and setting the muffins on a cooling rack to cool completely. Enjoy.

Rothko

Yesterday afternoon my mom and I went to the Portland Art Museum to see the Mark Rothko exhibit. It was an amazingly sunny day, which made me feel a little guilty about complaining so much this past week.

Rothko was actually a native Portlander, which makes his work even more brilliant, if you ask me. He later moved to New York City, which is my second favorite place in the world, so his subway paintings are some of my favorites.

  
(this image from: http://www.preview-art.com/previews/02-2012/rothko.html)

I also love his pieces that are big blocks of color. He had an incredible way of using color and blurring the lines just enough that you want to stop and stare and get lost in the paintings. I would love to decorate a whole house in prints of his.


(this image from: http://www.preview-art.com/previews/02-2012/rothko.html) 

I took this terrible picture of this awesome quote of Rothko. (It was in a stairwell, but I still had to take the picture super fast because, you know, no flash is allowed in the museum and, being the technological genius I am, I could not figure out how to turn the flash off my little Cannon pocket-sized camera.)

   

To me, this quote means that Rothko sees his art bridging a gap between he and the people that are privileged to enjoy it. I loved reading this quote because as I stood gazing into the huge canvases of color I thought about how he painted it to communicate himself through color and abstract lines, to bring his "observer" (me) closer to what was in his mind.

But before I get too philosophical, I will just say that we then went and had some great Lebanese food, and then drove home as the sun was setting. I was pleased when the Hawthorne bridge was going up and I was forced to stop my car, turn off the engine, and sit and watch the sunset reflecting off Mt Hood.

All in all, it was a refreshing evening that made me realize once again how much I love this crazy city of ours.

P.S. Did you know that the Portland Art Museum is free every last Friday after five?... Neither did my mom and I; they told us after we paid to get in a little after four. But I would encourage everyone to go see the exhibit... Who are your favorite painters? What kind of art inspires you to decorate?

snowed in... or out?

When I woke up to pee and check on James at about three this morning I thought our neighbor had left his porch light on... why was it so bright outside? I peeked through the blinds and was surprised to see a blanket of white covering the ground. I crawled back in bed, with that giddy its-snowing-outside excitement.

When I woke up again at six I wasn't feeling so much enthusiasm. The opposite in fact. I felt tired, and I had cabin fever to the max, but the last thing I wanted to do was go outside which would be freezing and require energy. I decided that instead we would play inside a little and then go to play group at our local gym. I made the excuse that I was "snowed out" and ready for sunshine and warmer weather.

James and I got all bundled up and put on our jackets and boots to venture out to playgroup. I tried to herd him immediately into the car. No such luck. Instead, he wanted to run through the snow in our front yard and jump in the quickly-forming puddles. I indulged him a little, but continued my attempt at persuading him to hop into the car. He was not having it. Finally, I gave up.

We put on gloves and went for a walk, splashing in puddles and crunching the snow under our boots. Then we headed back home and played with Sadie in the back yard, threw snow up in the air, and made a little snow man.

When our toes and fingers started to get numb we shook the snow off our boots and went back inside where we made hot chocolate ("ca-ca" according to James) and drank it snuggling on the couch.

I was a bit confused this morning when I didn't feel like a kid at Christmas, as I usually do, about the snow. I thought that I was "snowed out," ready to ring in the sunshine and say goodbye to the cold weather. I had a whole plan for the day that avoided the snow. Thank God I have a little guy in my life who can change my attitude (and my plans) in an instant by showing me the excitement and adventure and wonder in the things I find annoying.

If you live in the fabulously soggy Portland area: how did you spend the snow day?
...and if you live in beautiful, sunny Cali (cough-Jen): how did you spend your sunny day?

P.S. to make your own hot chocolate, do not follow almost every recipe you will find online. They will tell you to use about a three to one sugar to cocoa ratio, when it should actually be the other way around. I used less than 1/4 cup sugar, about 1/2 cup cocoa, a pinch of salt, a couple cups milk and a couple cups water. Then you heat it slowly on the stove, whisking well. This makes three or four servings, and is deliciously chocolaty.

the first day of spring (or so they say)

I'm feeling a little jealous of the beautiful weather some people are having, while here it's snowing on our daffodils.

Or at least it did yesterday, which I guess is fitting since yesterday was technically the last day of winter.
I am so ready for sunshine, picnics, and fresh produce from the farmer's markets. I blame the weather for my lack of creativity in the kitchen lately, but I have been reaping the benefits of other cook's creativity. I tried to make up a fresh dish this evening which involved asparagus, tofu, and basil; but the overall flavor was not blog-worthy.

Until the sun comes out and I feel more inspired, I guess I will just have to put on my snow gear, grin, and bear it.

happy st. patty's day

I kind of boycotted the holiday by wearing blue and making Italian.

We spent a lot of time looking at houses today, and then played outside in the sunshine.

In case you're not sick of the housing updates yet, we didn't get house number five. But we were one of the two offers that were actually considered, so that was exciting. I bought flowers as a consolation gift to myself.

We saw a house today that came on the market yesterday evening. Twelve people saw it today, and there is an open house tomorrow. We put an offer in, but our offer will be one of multiple. This house has it all: crown molding, built-ins, wood floors, a huge fireplace with a mantel, a great backyard, those super-charming glass door knobs, and -in classic NE style- two tiny bedrooms, one tiny bathroom, and a ginormous unfinished basement. Oh, and did I mention it's one block from Alberta? If we don't get this one, I will be doing some major retail therapy next week.

Until a further update, please help me make this post more interesting by telling me your St. Patty's day adventures. Any green beer drinkers?