Duly Noted

July somersaulted into August as Mike, Misha, and I headed from our cabin weekend to joining Mike's family in the northeast.  There, our days were colored with gray fog rising off the water in the morning and jewel toned sunsets.  Early morning coffee with the baby and rounds of game playing in the evening.  Trips to the local corner store for soft serve coffee ice creams.  Long runs along hilly roads with views of shingled farm houses and adirondack chairs.  Postcard perfect views from mountain trails and steep, careful downhill climbs with precious cargo strapped to my frame.  A cold swim for a little babe in a evergreen shaded lake.  There was a not so satisfying crab cake, and, fortunately, a very glorious oh-so-savory crab cake later on.  With lots of eager arms and quick smiles about, Misha savored the loving attention from his family while Mike and I set off to complete as many crosswords as humanly possible.  :) Preparing to set o...

A handmade hat by Hannah.  Also- note the pretty leather earrings and Misha's star trek tee!  Both treasured gifts. A knit hat I began ages ago...finally completed.  I improvised the finish as Rachel The Dog shredded my pattern.

Just a handful of shots from our cabin weekend on Spider Lake with a group of old friends (and four new ones!)

Y.N.RichKids are the raddest kids in Minneapolis.  They wear goggles while hanging out with T.C. Bear and they throw out their trash.  I wouldn't mind if Misha joined this crew.  But...he'd wear a helmet. And...if you missed their original video, you better yourself get filled in: I hope I meet these kids one day.  I'd be the luckiest teacher ever!

Hello dear readers!  As a few of you have gently reminded me, Misha has very officially crossed the three month mark and I need to post his monthly report!  Until recently, I counted "months" as every four weeks, but this strategy doesn't pan out; Misha's "twelve month birthday" ends up somewhere in February (as opposed to April 13th)!  My dad wisely suggested counting months according to date.  So, let's say that July 13th marks Misha's third month of wonderment and adorableness in this world. Reading with Dad..."Little Blue Truck," one of his favorites (and mine!  There is a goat!) Misha really likes... Repeating sounds back and forth like in conversation (Maaaaa Maaa! Vroooo! Vrroooo!) Reading books with mom or dad Sitting independently in our tan leather chair.  He is so impressed with himself.   Being held and carried Coaching his runner mom from his stroller- "Get going mom!  Less talking, more running!" Gr...

Best workout routines

I had a request for the bruschetta recipe so I thought I would share with all my delightful readers.  I adapted the recipe from an Italian cookbook and I adapted the basil pesto recipe from Moosewood. First, you need: 2 crusty, fresh baguettes, cut diagonally* into thin slices.  3-4 garlic cloves- minced. Then: Turn on broiler. Place directly on oven rack.  Broil for 1-2 minutes until golden brown. Spread a pinch of minced garlic cloves across each piece. Tomato pesto: Chop grape tomatoes into small pieces.  Use scissors to cut thin strips of fresh basil. Sprinkle a little of each on each slice and arrange on platter. Drizzle olive oil across the slices.  Grate fresh pepper and sprinkle sea salt on top. Basil Pesto: Blend in food processor: Basil, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, olive oil, salt Spread on slices. Place a dab of goat cheese on each slice. Ta Da!   *Cut diagonally so that there is prime bread s...

McCarthy 4th of July tradition lives on...DONUTS! Hipster baby.  Bringing brooklyn to MN. New picnic table arrived on the 4th!  Perfect for a potluck. Bruchetta Sleepy Misha We need new landscaping but we are rocking the American flags.

After a very successful Friday date "night" (it was 4 in the afternoon*), a huge storm hit Minneapolis and we lost power for over 72 hours!  I have never been without power that long except for camping.  Initially, an unintentional power outage was a nuisance.  We moved food into coolers and bought ice.  We found our headlamps and changed Misha by flashlight (he thought that was pretty hilarious).  We couldn't use the internet.  Irked that our neighbors across the street had power, Mike muttered some great one liners: "The block of despair," and "We are the forgotten." By Sunday afternoon, no power was my new normal.  Who needs power in the height of summer?  The power outage occurred on the longest day of the year.  We had hours of sunlight and warmth.  Our gas stove worked as did our hot water.  A generous friend offered her basement refrigerator as storage for our food that survived the first 24 hours...and ...

Just hanging out with one of my favorite guys on a summer afternoon. 

This past weekend was of the toodling variety.  What's toodling, you ask?  Toodling involves doing this and that, following one's whims. Friday was a fairly lazy day.  Mike and I declared Fridays as "M-Cubed Day," a day of adventures with little Misha. We were talking about going to the Landscape Arboretum (our wedding locale) this past Friday, but Misha fell asleep and, consequently, I fell asleep and then motivation drifted along with us to dreamland.  Lucky for us, the day ended on an effortless high note when our dear friends came over and made dinner Nicaraguan style, complete with our favorite tostones (fried plantains!). Saturday morning, I headed out for a longish run with another old friend along river road.  Often, I take Rachel the dog or Misha with me when I run, so running solo feels like a treat.  I love my little home team, but I feel so light with my hands free.  Post run, Misha and I checked out our local farmer's market.  Not...

Today I made a pesto from my inherited 1977 Moosewood cookbook.  My mom wrote "good" with a double underline, so I knew it must be a worthy recipe.  I have been preparing giant batches of salads and grilled meats to keep me from eating cereal on nights Mike is at grad school. In my opinion, the trick to tasty wholesome food is in the dressing.  I will eat a plate of plain raw veggies, but I enjoy a tossed salad with a mustardy vinaigrette beneath grilled chicken with a Mediterranean, yogurt-based marinade.   My favorite dressings are light (not saturated in mayonaise) and savory.  I prefer lime and cilantro over lemon and mint.  I avoid garlic because I cannot stand the aftertaste (still...hours later), but I do like green onions, chives, and red onion. Tonight, I tossed whole wheat noodles with a couple scoops of the pesto (recipe below- as noted, I skipped garlic and butter) and served them with tomatoes and olives over salad greens.  D...

Goodness gracious.  Misha man is two months plus a little extra something somethin.  Today was his two month doctor's appointment.  The boy is growing!  Since his birth, he has almost doubled in weight.  Misha weighed in at 11 lbs. 6 ounces.  At 23 1/4 inches long, Misha is in the 63% for length and his long legs suggest this may continue increase.  And, according to our spunky pediatrician, Misha is on the verge of releasing his first rounds of laughter! Over the last few weeks, Misha has learned some new tricks.  He... -smiles often (when awake and asleep!) -holds his hands together -smiles at colorful mobiles -pushes off of his legs when held or laying on his back -rolls from his belly onto his back -enjoys the pacifier Misha loves... -morning jumping exercises and dancing to "Gangnam Style" -listening to us read books to him and staring at the illustrations -bath time in his blue kitchen sink bathtub. -getting his d...