The New Addition

It's been many months in the making, this new addition of ours. Hours of search, trips to the shelters, and talks about this possible new addition. Why do we want a dog? What kind of dog would suit our family? When should we get a dog? How would we take care of the dog?



These questions came up almost daily for what felt like months. The kids, well, let's be honest, one of the kids, fell in love with the idea of having a family dog. She put her heart and soul into searching for a possible canine: petfinder, dog breeds, and dog rescue websites were permanently fixed on our internet browser.



Being the parents that had never had a dog of our own, nor did we grow up with one, we were being blindly led by the young one. She devoured all books about dogs and learned the breeds by heart. Occasionally we would feel like we were leading her as well, from an intellectual point of view. Along the way, we met several possible canines. Some were too big, some were too small, some were too needy, and some were just plain 'not right.' There were disappointments, and tears, but we all remained patient.



And then, on the most snowy day that we have had during this very mild winter, we drove 45 minutes west of our home, to a rescue place. A Corgi rescue, to be precise. Dozens of short-legged friendly dogs greeted us at the door. The house was dark and musty of dog scents. We entered cautiously, looking for the dog, Katie, that the rescue couple had told us about. "She would make a great first family dog!" That sounded promising.



Katie was outside, going potty, when we got there. As soon as she came back into the house, she came right up to us. She licked us, let us pet her, quietly without barking. We took her for a walk around the block in the snow, and before we reached the end of the first block, we knew she was ours.

Katie the Corgi is our newest family member. Sweet, loyal with a little spunk. That's exactly what we were looking for. It was worth the wait, and oh, the things that she has already taught us in the way that only four legged friends can. Priceless.

Cleveland in January

This was my second visit to Cleveland. Uncanny, and unplanned, we were there at about the same time last year as well. So Cleveland, I only know you during your coldest week (according to the meteorologist), but I do like you, quite a bit.

Maybe it's the lake, or the more familiar Northeast feel. Maybe it's living the hotel life, and being away from the mundane. Maybe it is all of the above.

We did a lot, and also a lot of nothing. It was the best way to while away our weekend as a family, in the city that I only know without anything green and plenty of snow. Next time, Cleveland, I promise to come see you when you are warm and flushed with life. I'll bet you can put on quite a show.

Between Christmas and New Year's

When we landed in Puerto Rico, the flight attendants wished us Merry Christmas!  The next time we boarded the plane, the wish had transitioned into Happy New Year!



In between that time, we bathed in the warm sun, and soaked in the warm rain of the self-proclaimed "Enchanted Island." Around here on the US mainland, it's sometimes considered the 51st state. For us, it was our first taste of this Latin - Carribean island, our refuge from the Midwestern winter (albeit, a mild one so far).



I've got to say, it was a bit strange to 'leave' the US, only to enter a US-territory that sometimes felt so very American, and other times, not at all. There were moments during the hard tropical rain storms, or by the lines of coconut trees that made me feel like I should be in my home country. But the ubiquitous salsa music that filled the air, the restaurants, and even the churches, quickly took me away from the Thailand trance. I was in a new territory all together.



We spent the first two days in Old San Juan, the capital filled with history, charm, and more American tourists than any other places we have ever been (outside of the US). We loved the vibrant colors, the old fort and the beautiful coastline. The walkability of the old town made it very friendly for exploring, and because it is really compact, we got to see most of it within those two days.



After which, we were ready to head out of town, into the hills, and down to the sea.



In the hills, not far from the town of Luquillo, we rented a chalet for the duration. The way the rental was set up, it was almost like we came to stay with an old friend, Dagmar. A friend with six dogs, to be precise. A friend with an extra house that overlooked the valley, with an ocean view in the far distance. A friend who took care of our children as though they were her own grandchildren, and made us an authentic Puerto Rican dinner for our last night on the island.



The chalet was well situated between the ocean, and the rain forest of El Yunque. We took advantage of both, but definitely took more of the former. The rain forest was nice and all, but most people would agree that sun and sand should outweigh rain and forest at the end of December.  Besides, being in the rainforest with dozens (or hundreds) of other Americans on vacation was not our idea of vacation.



And so, we found ourselves on the beaches of Luquillo, and Fajardo on most days. There was an interlude of a kayaking trip into a bioluminiscent lagoon one evening as well. The moon was only a sliver, and the stars were present among some rain clouds. We paddled in the dark through a mangrove forest that emptied into the enclosed lagoon where the microorganisms in the water lit up with any disturbance. It looked magical. It was magical.



The new year promises to be a good one. Will it be magical like our evening in the lagoon? We will just have to wait and see.

Happy New Year to all.

Merry Mary

A week or so ago we went to a church in the Italian village neighborhood of Columbus. The men at the door greeted us with "Buon Giorno!" and part of the mass was said in Italian. It's still all Greek to me, but the church is beautiful, and this statue of Mary and Gabriel was stunning.

We are off for a week, to a place where mass will be all in Spanish, and the air will be warm.

Merry Christmas to all, and a very Happy New Year!

Holiday Chicken Cheer

Chickens are easily entertained. They also eat everything, including, yes, chicken. The more we get know them, we are finding out that they do have their favorites. One of the foods they seem to enjoy the most is sunflower seeds.



These are roasted, and salted sunflower seeds. That might make a difference, and might be good for their diet in general (they need some salt like we do). They will run up to us now, if they think we have any of these little seeds to sow, directly onto the ground, especially for them.



Claire had a brilliant idea recently. She carefully stuck the seeds all over an apple, and hung it up for the chickens in their coop. It was a fun way to feed them, and an entertainment to boot. The apple would move away from their pecking, but somehow they managed to get them all out, in a rather short amount of time.  Who said chickens weren't smart?

All good things must come to an end, of course. And this treat did just that for them.



It's a good thing that there is warm earth for them to dig, and 'bathe' in. Two dirty little chooks, all filled up with sunflower seeds. Happiness could not be simpler than that.

December 10

We are deep into December now. Yet it was just a day or two ago did we feel like winter has actually arrived here in central Ohio. There were flurries falling, and frozen chicken water. The roofs are now painted white in the morning with frost. The buzzing of the central heating system has become more of a constant background music, along with holiday tunes from the children's hums.



Winter is here.



Together with an additional egg that we found in the coop today, on the opposite side of where the other layer (Squash) had been using as a nesting area.



Perhaps these chickens are territorial? No matter, we were elated to have found the newly laid (bigger) egg. Butternut, the new layer, got a few extra deserved hugs and smooches throughout the day.



What we also found in the branches by our house was a wary red-tailed hawk. A predator who loves small pseudo-flightless birds. Beautiful they are, yes. But a little too close to the coop for our liking. He (or she) must have a nest nearby for this was not our first sighting of this creature.



Ah yes. Life is full of excitements. Eggs, hawks, and even this frozen stick of ice. December 10th has been a good day.

Grand Rapids Thanksgiving

The main difference between where we live and where to go to visit family in Michigan is water. To be fair, the more important thing is that we have family members to see and friends to visit. But water...there is more water in the state up north, and for that, we are thankful.



We were also thankful about so much more, on this Thanksgiving occasion.



Besides family, friends, and water, good health and a good life, we reminisced and celebrated our children's birthday – their 8th this year.



Each year, I marvel at how much life has happened in the last 8 years.  There is no doubt that the entrance of these two wonderous beings have enriched our lives (and so many others) in the short time frame. Life would not be the same without them, nor would we ever want to imagine it otherwise.



They make life complete.

The Natural Scientist

There are, according to the little scientist, precisely 26 science experiments happening at the moment, inside this little house of ours. If you were interested, he would give you a tour of each one, with elaborate descriptions. You might even get the Latin name of certain species. Or maybe not.



So what if we have less glasses and plates to use...



Or a lot of salt crystals to step on...



There is definitely more dirt (well, soil) in the house...



And many pleas for vegetable parts (seeds, roots, tops, you name it)...



I am just thankful that he loves the wonders and miracles of nature. He is teaching himself about life, and how it works (at least for now it's the Plant Kingdom. Phew).



Those of us who know him well have no doubt in our minds that he is a budding scientist. Only time will tell, yes, but so do these 26 experiments and many more to come!

The Colors of Now

November 10, 2011. I made a fresh green salad from the garden.

Despite the several frosty mornings we have had, our greens are still thriving out in the open air. I was told that these greens are cold-loving, but I didn't realize that they would this sturdy. Not a single frost bite on these delicate leaves!



We have Tat soi, Tatsuma, spinach, arugula, and some baby lettuces in the garden. I had a grandiose idea of creating a low tunnel so that we could grow them deep into the winter this year... but there they are, still exposed to the real world of unpredictable temperatures of central Ohio.



We are really heading into the cold season now (I think), and soon these hardy plants will give up the fight, too.



It's been lovely to have the vibrant greens with the warm autumn hues, to rely on our own garden for the salads and toppings on soups and chilis.



But perhaps more importantly, they have been good for the soul, inside and out.

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

Last I checked, nobody can really say that they 'don't like chocolate chip cookies'. Maybe some people can say...well, they are not my favorite cookies, but really now, who can resist these buttery, all American, heaven-on-earth morsels?



But not every recipe results in the best chocolate chip cookies. I think you would agree. Some recipes result in cake-like cookies, and some are too crispy, or plain unpalatable. We have made some of those ourselves, and have eaten far too many to know why we even bothered.



Besides the fact that these are the best chocolate chip cookies that I have ever made, I really like it that the recipe asks for melted butter, and not room temperature butter. I lack patience, and sometimes planning... So to have the butter to ready for the room-temp baking process can be tough. To be able to melt the butter and add to the recipe, and have the best cookies in less than 30 minutes? Brilliant.


Chocolate Chip Cookies
Recipe from Gooey Chewy Crispy Crunchy

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups unbleached all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 lb unsalted butter, melted and still warm
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar, lump free
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
2 cups chocolate chips


Equipment: 

2 cookie sheets, ungreased or lined with foil, dull side up

Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in a bowl and mix together thoroughly.

In a large bowl, combine the melted butter with the sugars, vanilla, and the eggs. Stir in the flour mixture just until all the dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in the chocolate chips. If possible, let the dough stand for 1-2 hours.

Preheat oven to 375ºF. Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven.

Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough and place them 3 inches apart on the ungreased or lined cookie sheets. Bake for 9-11 minutes or until the cookies are just lightly brown on the edges. Remove from the oven and let the cookies firm up on the pan for 1-2 minutes. Cool completely before storing or stacking. Can be kept in airtight containers for several days, but best eaten right away!