I CAN'T WAIT

African Potato Stew

he Here is the recipe I mentioned in the last post and the photo is at the right. {I would love if I could have the photo (or a title) be the link to the recipe on a separate page, so if anyone knows how to do that - please help! & Heather - photographing food is HARD! any tips?}

Courtesy of Vegetarian Planet by Didi Emmons
good served with hot couscous, rice, or my fav - quinoa
[t=tsp, T=Tbl, c=cup]

2T canola oil
2c chopped onions
1 clove garlic minced
1T fresh ginger minced
2t poppy seeds
1t mustard seeds (my faith isn't THIS big - I have a long way to go, God!)
1T ground coriander seeds
1/4 t ground cloves
2 russet potatoes, peeled and 1/2inch cubed
1 sweet potato, peeled and 1/2inch cubed
1t salt
1/2 cauliflower head, cut into bite-size florets
1c cooked (canned) chickpeas (optional)
4c thinly sliced collard greens
1/4c raisins
1T apple cider vinegar
S & P to taste

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions, stir occasionally and cook until onions soften, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, the poppy & mustard seeds, the ground coriander, and the cloves. Cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes.

2. Add both potatoes to the pot, stir well. Stir in 4 cups water, turn heat to high. Bring to boil, add the 1t salt, stir and turn heat to low. Simmer uncovered, for 5 minutes stirring occasionally.

3. Stir in the cauliflower, collards and raisins (& optional chickpeas). Cook for 10 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.

4. Season the stew with vinegar, S & P and add more water if too dry.

Serve it hot with grains and a little hot sauce if you dare!

Ridiculitis Exhibit A

Ok, this is a perfect example of why the word "ridiculitis" has become a part of my vocabulary. My hubby (the wonderful, gorgeous man that he is) is constantly pulling stunts that are just.... just RIDICULOUS... He asked this afternoon if he could help with the meal I was making (an African stew - turned out wonderful, btw :) to which I gratefully said sure! please peel these potatoes... this is what he left for me, giggling as he walked away from the cutting board:

Beautiful Sunday

We had fabulous weather today and since I don't think I've been outside for longer than 5 minutes in the last few weeks we decided to go to the park and enjoy it. Norman has been asking nicely every day for a good long walk & we were glad we could finally take him just to wear him out a little. Poor guy has been cooped up too, I probably need to break down and buy some suitable winter gear so that a walk around the block wouldn't give me frostbite at the thought of it. I think I am a sunshine girl at heart after all!

!Happy Update!

A fabulous woman just gave me GREAT news today - she was able to hold and play with and love on Malakai!!! AHH!!! Someone that I have "talked to" online actually held our child! It gives me goosebumps all over and when I first read her email I just broke down crying. I mean - he is REAL! and in Ethiopia - waiting for US to come get him. She said he smiles a lot and is very responsive. He eats well, likes his tummy time and she doesn't remember him crying at all.. Kai was in the crib right next to her baby, so she got to see him everyday.. I am one happy mommy right now. I just can't wait to see him for myself

A day in Adoption Land

Today is sad day in adoption land. One of our new adoptive friends just found out that her little girl (still in Ethiopia) has active TB. Last week another friend lost their child who was still in Ethiopia, only weeks from being brought home. A few weeks before that another friend lost their child to pneumonia.. This shouldn't be happening.
From the WHO www site:
More than 11 million children die each year before reaching the age of five; of them, 70%, or around 8 million children, die from one or more of five causes: pneumonia, diarrhea, measles, malaria and malnutrition.

When was the last time you knew someone who lost their child b/c of diarrhea or malnutrition?

There are many ways to get involved, choose something that speaks to you.. here are some that speak to me. Leave more suggestions in the comments if you want to. thanks!

www.one.org
www.freerice.com
www.ahope.org
www.wateraid.org
www.samaritanspurse.org
coeef.org

Kai's Room

Yeah! It is finally done and I am so happy with it. These photos were taken a few weeks ago, I have added a changing table and a dresser (thank you Kelly!) and it is pretty much ready for Kai to come home. Can I tell you how much I love craigslist? Let me just try. I got the crib used from a friend and wanted the matching changing table, also used if possible. I was scouring craigslist for weeks for the piece and it would come up and be g-o-n-e before I emailed to ask about it. So I posted a wanted listing and !BAM! in about a day I got an inquiry and the seller lived about 3 miles away! That was a huge score in craigslist land - awesome!

SNOW!!

Yippee! Ben and I have lived in the Atl area for only 2.5 years, but it has yet to snow - until the other day! Norman loved it almost as much as Ben and was covered with mini icicles and his paws felt frozen, but he'd never tell... Ben helped a neighbor build a snowman SOO big that 3 guys had lift on the 2nd level and they had to use a ladder for the top.. To bad it fell over an hour later :)
We can't wait to see Kai playing in the snow!

First Post: 10 Things to do while you Wait

• Have a Last Hurrah
  
• Find some new music you love
  
• Make some new friends
  
• Take your time shopping
• Read, read & read - for knowledge, for passion and for FUN
• Take on a project
  
• Tie up loose ends
  
• Ready the room
• Eat slowly
• Start a blog...