Breaking for Bread

My mom told me that my brother started making bread and had me thinking about trying it out. Now that I am older and can focus more, what better time than to be reintroduced to the Tassajara book. I do remember glancing at the book once or twice when I was younger but the directions alone can scare off anyone! Now that I am far less manic, I was interested for the first time to add bread making to my list of domestic duties.

My dad used to make bread that would fill our house with the aroma of a bakery. I never watched him make it although was the first to give a taste test. Years later he invested in a bread maker and readied the ingredients at least once a week. At the time one of our cats was especially fond or should I say addicted to the yeast. She somehow learned how to open the section where the yeast was placed and would lick every grain out.




To my surprise, Mom gave me the book for Christmas and a couple days later she showed me some of her own tricks and pointers on how to make bread. It is quite a workout but worth the labor intensive process. I immediately fell in love with the bread and we polished off one of the loaves in the first day. We even made miniature loaves for Noah and his cousin Adeline. If I could, I would bake my own bread over store bought anytime. We will see how possible it is with a feisty 2 year old running around the apartment.

Traditions and Family

Christmas with the Crowder/Pasquarellos!

Yes, I am the sentimental type and heavy on family traditions. Because my memory is not so great I always made a point to take pictures and thanks to the advanced technology in photography I won't miss those important moments!

If only I kept a list of gifts that I gave to my family....I am sure they would make me laugh hysterically.

Christmas at the Crowder's (and Pasquarellos) always starts with an early rise so we could tear into our stockings! We are flexible about the time of arrival now that we are older but still engage in paper shredding through our stockings.

There was one point when we had a membership to Price Club (warehouse) and our stockings were filled with 6 dozen pencils and other bulk items like post its and scotch tape! We still continue the tradition because it would not be Christmas without it!


The next phase was Christmas breakfast, which always includes grapefruit topped with meraschino cherries and the usual makings like scrambled eggs or pancakes and even buckwheat waffles....I suppose it was the preparation that made has made it memorable because there is something to say about too many cooks in the kitchen.....

This year we had a cranberry coffee cake and pomegranate with dill and pistachios. Delish!

Once our tummies were full we proceeded to the living room, exchange gifts and play with our new toys for the rest of the day.

NYC - Where there is always something to do around every corner.......

We have already lived in the Upper West Side for over 2 months and we have so many places to explore along Riverside Park across to Central Park. I have not even brought Noah to CP because Riverside seems so close. I probably will start taking him when I begin my running regiment for the Fall......we will see.

On one of our excursions to the Dinosaur Park (on 96th and Riverside Drive) I saw a poster about the Riverside Park Fair from 78th-68th Streets sponsored by Riverside Park Fund. The heat was so brutal we could not appreciate all the booths, rides, and activities that we wanted to. The County Fair, which featured a blue grass band, farmer's market, kiddie rides along the pier were some of the attractions. We did find the petting zoo, sponsored by Green Chimneys protected by the Riverside Drive overpass.

Riverside Park Fund has a calendar of events that is worth a look. I would have loved to kyak for free on the Hudson had I known about it. There are also volunteer opportunities on the weekends, sporting events and fundraisers.

My mom with my sisters in laws and Robin Banks!

It's never a "drag" at Cafe Nine - First ever Drag Show

How many people can say they brought their mom to a drag show?!

It was indeed a rare girls night out with my mom and brother's wives. Our schedules have always been hectic but this particular evening it worked out! We started off eating at Kumo Japanese Hibachi restaurant. Thank gosh we were four because it turned out that there was an ordering minimum for sitting at the hibachi table......though admittedly the presentation of the food (particularly the chef cooking at the hibachi) was far better than I had expected.

After a very fulfilling meal and of course my necessity to push my limits with fried bananas, we headed to Cafe Nine for the first ever Drag Show at Cafe Nine. There was a great line up local favorites and a couple veterans. The music selection was fabulous and the the crowd seemed very entertained.

I do have to admit I was worried about my mom and her 'virgin ears' but she she assured me that before she had kids she swore far worse than a sailor!


I lucked out with this photo, pointing and shooting at just the right time. One of my faves of the night - and the performance was just as great.

A Moment of PRIDE


I love parades - they give me goose bumps and sometimes have pushed me to wet eyes.

It is a combination of the camaraderie, a display of rich culture and energy that have me coming back to spectate.

Noah, John and I were invited to join the Center
and march in the Gay Pride Parade with Kevin (Noah's god-father.) It was a magnificent day to join thousands of people who support LGBTQs as there was no sight of clouds (until later.) We walked over 50 blocks waving, passing out the Center stickers and Kevin was happy to oblige when people asked to take pictures of him with Noah. We had a Celebrate Diversity flag from last year's parade and Noah waved it around playfully.

I have a family member who has been living with AIDS for over 20 years and another friend who was diagnosed 5 years ago so the Parade also was to pay homage to them. Noah is lucky to be growing in a time where there is more tolerance, resources and education about such issues as being LGBTQ.

Mabuhay Adeline Esme Crowder!

After many hours of waiting with anticipation (on Mother's Day) my sister in law delivered at 12:30 am on May 12th with my exuberant brother beside her throughout the 36+ hour ordeal.

Stats:
6LB 10OZ, 19" Long

Mom and I visited them in the hospital and joined my other brother with his wife. After Loralee warmed up Adeline I held her for a short while with trepidation because she was, unlike Noah much smaller. But then again, Noah's birth weight was more than average.
I couldn't help but give her a peck on her "pickled" cheek.

A new life, a new Crowder and many years of joy and some times pain as we watch our children grow up often too fast in front of our eyes. I have not given much thought to my role as the Aunt although know that I will probably be the spunky and energetic of the three that Adeline has.

A Filipino home cooked meal - in a slow cooker. Who woulda thunk?

I went home to Connecticut for a well needed weekend from NYC. I took Noah to his bi-monthly cranial appointment and my Mom returned home from her ski adventures in Montana, although with an additional cast from her hand halfway up her arm. (She tore ligaments from her thumb and a shard of bone was lodged in a muscle)

We are extremely close to completing Noah's treatment to correct the flatness of his head. There has been significant improvement with the overall shape and after all of my huffing and puffing it was worth the last 7 months bringing him to CT every two weeks. I am baffled when I look at his first helmet and realize how small he was when we started the process last August.

This evening my mom surprised me by making Pork Adobo, a traditional Filipino dish in her slow cooker. She found a recipe on line, added all the ingredients and let it simmer for 7 hours. I was touched by her gesture since it was the first time anyone in my family attempted to cook Filipino dishes other than myself. It was flavorful, even Noah enjoyed the pork pieces and adobo juice on the rice.

Going Ga-Ga for GREEN!

My brother and his wife are pregnant and expecting in May! Noah will have a girl cousin very close to his age that he will hopefully be a good role model to --- oh gosh! For now I shall call my future niece Brulee (combination of dad and mom to be first names.)

I offered to organize my sister in law's Recycle (Eco) Baby Shower (RBS), the concept her friend told her about and was also a success. I can think back about on my baby shower last year October and was grateful for all the wonderful gifts but realize that the idea of the RBS could have saved 90% compared to buying new! You have to be smart and informed about good buys.

There are a few months before thinking about the baby shower but I could not help but research information about a Recycle Baby Shower. I can see why some moms to be would want to consider having one. I can say from experience that we received A-L-O-T of baby needs - all new and some unused. The question is what happens to everything that is unused? Many items I did not use made its way to a local thrift store and some needy people.

Planning a baby shower is no easy task especially when it is an untraditional one. I have been skimming through website after website to tailor everything around the RBS theme. From the invitation, games, party favors, cake, and decorations it all has been very educational for me. I also feel like I can tap into my creative/crafty side to make this event memorable.

Mid Winter Gathering

Solstice means: standing-still-sun.











Above: My uncle Ron tending to the bonfire

For the last few years my family has celebrated the winter solstice at my aunt and uncle's house in Valatie - upstate New York.

I am not sure how the idea came about but it has been an annual event in which my uncle prepares a bonfire on their property. My aunt provides edibles, spirits and warm drinks such as hot chocolate and hot cider. My contribution has

.been ingredients for s'mores and also getting a little dirty as I probe




What I find fascinating about Winter Solstice is that the earth is closest to the Sun in January than any other month of the year. Something about the tilting of the axis - exact calculation is " 23 degrees and 27 minutes off the perpendicular to the plane of orbit" All the science mumbo jumbo gives me a headache so I will spare myself the pain of explaining it.




Above: My brother Ed and John bringing more fuel for the fire.

In anycase, I hope that Noah will be able to appreciate this event as he becomes older. It is one day in which our ever growing family can become attuned to the astral observance and be with our loved ones.

Creative Holiday crafting

As if I needed another project on my plate, I decided to take on the daunting task of making holiday cards this year. I wanted something more of a keepsake than a card so I made a versatile tree ornament slash decoration.

I chose a family picture from Noah's first birthday and found all the supplies at Michael's, which also included a circle cutter. How crafts have evolved. Perhaps the next time I will make sure the paper is recycled. I went to CVS Photo store and printed out the wallet size pictures - 8 on a sheet for 29 cents.

Despite the long hours of cutting circles, trimming pictures, gluing and writing personal messages on the 20+ cards I felt accomplished and extremely satisfied. It was heartwarming to see the ornaments on their Christmas trees.

I think next year I will think of a less complex design.

May the force be with you!

I hardly remember what age I was when I first watched Star Wars: Return of the Jedi but I know I was pretty young. My brother's had a collection of figurines from Star Wars that I was not too interested in but do recall playing with them once or twice along with my barbies. I know my mom still has one of the space ships in the attic.

For whatever reason we decided to dress Noah up as Yoda. I figured it was too easy to find one of the cute baby costumes so who was better than the wise one? I originally wanted to dress him up as a turtle but the holiday crept up so quickly we did not find it in time. Since there was a shortage of women from the movie, by default I was Princess Leah. John of course wanted to be Obi Wan Kenobi so the family theme was in full affect.

I went to the Halloween Bazaar in Union Square and even a week before the store was a mob scene. There was a section dedicated to Star Wars characters. I was appalled when I saw the price for the Princess Leah costume, $74 while John's costume was 1/3 of it. I ended up buying the wig of two braided buns and sewed a similar dress together from a white bed sheet. With little time to plan I did not have a chance to fix some minor details but I did save $50 and dabbled in some sewing - a dream of mine.

Halloween has become a multi million business. It was reported that in 2006 an estimated 2.5B was spent on costumes and this year roughly 5B nationally. In the suburbs vacant business warehouses become Halloween Headquarters. Everyone is getting in on the fun - dressing up, carving pumpkins, handing out candy and especially decorations.

We have 365 days to think of what we will dress up as next year!

Family drum circle

About a month and a half ago when Noah started to do his military crawl he would wiggle over to the door that is propped by a djembe drum and knock it over so he could hit his hands on it.

This afternoon, as I was walking with my aunt along the 7th Avenue Street Fair I eyed a much smaller djembe and knew it was a perfect size for Noah.

The moment I handed him the drum he vigorously pounded on it with elation. We have been buying other musical toys for him like maracas and a castanet that his Aunt Loralee bought for him. I failed miserably when it came to musical instruments. I tried the piano but did not have enough patience, the flute only lasted a year though I guess if you count a recorder - I was pretty good at that!

We all have a little country in us.

Durham Fair, CT
http://www.durhamfair.com/content/44/default.aspx

In high school my friends and I would trek to the North Haven Fair, Orange Fireman's Fair and the Durham Fair in Connecticut; all of which fell between August and September. Who could not resist the amusement rides, cotton candy, and fried dough with tomato sauce?! My favorite ride was the Zipper, a two minute ride that jolted every inch of your body and was one of the best adrenaline rush!

My sister in law mentioned that the last day of the Durham Fair (in Durham. CT) was coming up and I couldn't pass the chance to go for old time sake. Though, since I was going with Noah I would not have a chance to ride the Zipper, not this time at least. There was an abundance of other attractions to keep us busy.

The rush of excitement as we were taking the shuttle bus to the fair grounds had me giddy even as I was pinned between Noah in his car seat and the rest of the stroller. With tickets in hand we were ready to conquer all.

We walked through the large warehouses of livestock that included - goats, poultry, rabbits, llamas, swine, sheep, dairy cattle. There was also competative arts and crafts exhibits, vegetables, canning, baking, needle work and so on. I can't wait until Noah is old enough to appreciate the Fair for all of its glory.

It would not be a fair without all the food vendors. We indulged in an onion flower, fried dough, root beer float and also had to force ourselves not to let our temptations get out of hand considering the food was pricey.

Next time we will have to allot more time to see everything! Can't wait for next year!

Durham Fair 2008 - http://www.durhamfair.com/

Summer is by far my favorite season. It reminds me of the Philippines. If I close my eyes and substitute the sounds of trucks for jeepneys and cars for high pitch mufflers of the tricycles. I especially love it when we have an afternoon thundershower, which is very common in Manila.
I prefer shedding my fashion layers to my usual tank shirt and shorts. If I could, I would wear my tsinelas -- flipflops year round I would. I like to let my skin breath.........

I am not has enthusiastic as I once was about pools and water sports. Part of it was because I spent many summers in my youth at a pool club and I guess you could call it overkill. I was on the swim team, took diving lessons and spent an unimaginable amount of time in the pool. Those early mornings preparing for swim meets and jumping into the cold water had me water logged. I do miss the competitive side of it though and loved it while I was doing it.

This year has been about firsts, especially for Noah. Everything is new to him just as much as it is for us. It is great that Grandma has a pool in her backyard. He may not become a competitive swimmer like I once was but hopefully he will have some appreciation for it.

Brooklyn Botanical Garden - Cherry Blossom Festival

Unfortunately the Cherry Blossoms were not in bloom for the festival but either way it was a beautiful day to be outside and spend time in the Brooklyn Borough.

This was finally the opportunity for my dear high school friend Jenn and her sister Lisa to meet Noah. Thank gosh Lisa's boyfriend drove us there - it saved a lot of time.

Traveling with a baby requires well thought out planning especially considering everything I need to bring for the 'just in case' moments.

This was my first time at the BBG. I imagined it to be in a far away place from Manhattan but in fact I have been much closer to it when I visited BAM. In anycase, the weather was cooperative and I got a crash course in flora and fauna of the garden.

The 200 cherry blossoms if in bloom would have been spectacular and is appropriately named the Cherry Esplanade.

There were outdoor tents with entertainment ranging from J-Pop music, samuri dancing and Japanese theatre. My only complaint of the experience was that the food was not authentic sushi, as a matter of facts it was catered. I should have known from the packaging.

>> I wonder how many other people picked up on this misleading cuisine no-no<<

John met up with us later on. We had a chance to walk around ourselves and look at the flower arrangements, a common Japanese art. Fortunately, the tulips were brilliantly showing off their colors.

Below is Noah nestled between the original sushi pillows. His Tita Jenn bought him the salmon roll one on the left. I wonder how he was propped up like that?

 

gotta love a beautiful day in central park with good company, chinese food and limitless people watching.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!


(plural)
Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh
La ale-lah pwad-rig son-ah jeev

To start our celebration of our Irish heritage we went to a new pub Johnny Fox's that opened a couple doors from our apartment. I ordered a traditional Irish breakie that consisted of blood sausage, sausage links, a fried egg beans and large fries. Not meant to be ordered more than once a month! John had shephard's pie though is not comparable to their wings and $3 Buds offered every day.

A man with an Irish accent came up to us and gave Noah his own collection of shamrock ladden things - headband, hat and Guinness shamrock. I could'nt help but donn him with his new items and take pictures!

Most major parades go along 5th Avenue so we followed it by the park . The sound of bag pipes always get my eyes to welt up and it did not help that practically every county represented in the parade had their own bag pipe group.

Kiss me, I'm Irish
Tabhair póg dom, is Éireannach mé
Toe-er pog do, iss air-in-ack may

The benefits of tree farms.

My Mom started going to a local tree farm to cut our Christmas tree thanks to her friend who lives across the street from us. The farm has been in our town near Sleeping Giant for ages.

When I was in high school I went to Bielefeld, Germany for Christmas, my first one away from my family. The Beckenbauers brought me to a tree farm and it was majestic. Large snow flakes were were floating around us. I remember the was nothing I had seen before. It was bulging with branches and a blue-white color. The decorations were just as spectacular, with red circular ornaments and thick silver bows.
A traditional German/European Tannenbaum.



An average Christmas tree takes 5-16 years to grow while supporting life by absorbing gases and giving off carbon monoxide. Every 18 acres of Christmas trees provide oxygen for 18 people. Tree farms also, "tabilize soil, protect water supplies, and provide a refuge for wildlife while creating a scenic view. http://www.americanforests.org/news/display.php?id=125

Rice Terraces - Banaue Philippines

My mom and I went on a 5 day tour along the Cordillera region north of Manila. We arranged the tour through our hotel; had our own tour guide and driver. This may sound pretentious but very common in the Philippines.

The drive to the Rice Terraces took 8 hours so we stopped in a few villages along the way. Our tour guide, Ed was extremely knowledgeable of the area so besides short naps and sight seeing he gave us history lessons of the places of interest.

We drove through the mountains and reached one of the highest elevations of the area. Some of the roadways were not completely paved, which made for some cliff hanging moments.

The mountain terraces have been around for thousands of years and the irrigation system is ideal for rice harvesting. It was once known to be one of the eighth wonders of the world or the 'stairway to heaven.

Rice is no longer the top export of the Philippines and the country is actually importing from places such as Japan but Banaue is still home to Ifugao/Bontoc indigenous people who still live traditional lives without running water or electricty. They are still found harvesting rice.

Family 'Bish' Bash

All things aside, I enjoy family reunions since we do not get to see each other often. There may be some heated drama but the lasting thoughts are that all families have their moments.

Camping with the family makes for more excitement and any chance for a bonfire is a plus.